Moldova (country) - Moldavië (land)

Moldavia[1] is a country in the east of Europe, located between Romania and Ukraine.

Info

The Republic of Moldova is a young country, and has existed with its current borders since 1991. Before that it was part of the Soviet Union for decades. The capital Chisinau is located in the center of the country. The national language is Moldovan (a language that differs little from Romanian), based on the Latin alphabet. However, Russian, as well as the Cyrillic alphabet, are also widely used.

Country borders have often shifted in the past, and within today's borders there are multiple ethnicities. The different population groups cannot always vent each other equally well. This led to an ethnic conflict in 1994, in which the province of Transnistria in the east of the country unilaterally declared itself independent. The country is not recognized by any country in the world, but receives support from Russia, which makes the situation seem insoluble. It has its own president, its own monetary system, and is the only area in Europe that can be said to still have a communist system, following the model of the old Soviet Union.

Transnistria has developed into a sanctuary that some say is a den of robbers. Since Moldova does not recognize Transnistria as an independent state, it also does not control its internal border. It is almost impossible for Moldova to control Transnistria's external border with Ukraine. The result is uncontrolled imports and exports to Transnistria and thus Moldova. It is believed that in Transnistria there are illegal weapons factories that supply weapons to anyone who pays for them. Coincidentally, the largest weapons depot in the former Soviet Union is also located in Transnistria.

History

In the 14th century, present-day Moldavia was part of the principality of the same name, which was conquered by the Ottomans in the 16th century. In 1812 the eastern part was annexed to Tsarist Russia. In 1918 this area became a Soviet republic. In 1947 the western part was added to it. Moldova declared its independence in 1991.

Tourism

From a touristic point of view, Moldova is underdeveloped. The population is often not yet used to tourists. Especially in the villages you will - at first - be looked at strangely when you come to visit them and also don't speak Moldovan or Russian.

However, tourism is now slowly starting to take off. From both the Netherlands and Belgium there are one or a few larger travel organizations that organize group trips to the country. However, there are hardly any travel guides about the country (not in Dutch, limited in English), and even in the local hotels there is no tourist information to be found. However, if you're a bit adventurous, interested in what the country has to offer, and don't mind arranging trips locally at local agencies (or on spec, and with a little help from the high-speed internet connection in your middle or upper class hotel), then you can enjoy yourself for a week in Moldova.

The wine festival in October is an attractive opportunity to visit Moldova. If you like visiting cities or walking in nature, it is best to come in spring or summer.

Economy

An average worker in Moldova earns around $120 a month, for full working days with quite a few hours.

The majority of the working population works in agriculture. Moldova was once known as "the garden" of the Soviet Union. Due to boycotts from Russia since independence in 1991, the main buyer of Moldovan products has largely disappeared. At the moment, the cultivation of tobacco and the production of wine are important for export. Machine construction predominates in heavy industry.

The elderly mainly live in rural areas, with or without their grandchildren. Young adults move to the city or across national borders in search of an income. A significant percentage of the population regularly works abroad. According to estimates by the Moldovan government, workers from abroad send more money home than the entire budget of the republic. Some even emigrate completely. BBC investigation into the world's 7 billionth citizen (October 2011) [2] showed that Moldova was the fastest shrinking country in the world at that time, on average 106 people per day to be precise.

Religion

The main religion in Moldova is Eastern Orthodox (98%).

climate

Moldova has a continental climate; cold winters, mild springs and autumns, and warm to hot summers. Early spring (until mid-May) there is a chance of low temperatures and possibly even snow showers. In winter, temperatures are relatively mild, especially in the coastal regions. In summer, the capital Chisinau has an average daytime temperature of 32 degrees.

Landscape

The country is completely surrounded by Romania and Ukraine. It consists mainly of rolling hills (up to 400 meters), intersected by river valleys. Most of the country is occupied by arable land. Here and there are some deciduous forests. The soil is above average fertile and offers many perspectives for arable farming. Due to the warm climate, excellent grapes can be grown in Moldova.

Holidays

Moldavia

The following public holidays are observed in Moldova:

• New Year: January 1
• Women's Day: March 8
• Labor Day: May 1
• Victory Day (1945): May 9
• Independence Day: August 27
• Day of Language (Limba Noastra): August 31

In addition, a number of Christian holidays are also celebrated: Because the Eastern Orthodox calendar differs from the Roman Catholic calendar, the Christian holidays fall one to two weeks later than in Western Europe.

• Christmas (Orthodox): January 7-9
• New Year (Orthodox): January 14
• Good Friday: (variable)
• Easter (2 and 3 days after Good Friday)

Furthermore, 'Remembrance Day' (Pastele Blajinilor) is celebrated on a different day each year, and each city has its own holiday. For Chisinau, this falls on October 14.

Transnistria

In Transnistria, the holidays are slightly different. Additional holidays are:

• Day of the Defenders of the Motherland: February 23
• October Revolution Day: November 7
• Constitution Day: December 24
• Christmas (Roman Catholic): December 25

Changed holidays are:

• Orthodox New Year is not celebrated.
• Day of Remembrance: 1 day later than in the rest of Moldova
• Labor Days: Both May 1 and 2
• Independence Day: September 2nd

Electricity

Local voltage is 230 volts, and they use the same plugs as in the Netherlands.

Regions

Towns

• Chisinau -- the capital
• Bălţi

Other destinations

• Transnistria, one of the last true communist strongholds in the world

Arrive

Passport and visa

EU citizens do not need a visa for Moldova. Without registration, you can stay there for a maximum of 90 days, within a period of six months.

When coming from Ukraine, pay attention to where you cross the border into Moldova. It can be risky to enter the eastern part of Moldova, Transnistria. In recent years (2010) there have been fewer problems, but it can still occasionally happen that as a foreign tourist you have to pay bribes to travel through the area. Furthermore, there is no control at the border between Transnistria and (the rest of) Moldova, because Moldova does not consider the area as an independent state. It could cause problems when you want to leave Moldova again, and you can't show an arrival stamp in your passport.

By plane

To Chisinau:

• Via Munich with Lufthansa [3]; about 350 euros for a return ticket from Amsterdam
• Via Budapest, among others with Malev [4] and possibly Air Moldova
• Via Vienna with Austrian Airlines [5]
• Via Riga with Air Baltic [6]

Chisinau airport is close to the city (about 15 km); by car or public transport to the center in about 30 minutes.

By train

Despite the rise of budget airlines, train travel can still be a cheap, fast and certainly more convenient option for transportation. Because train stations are often located in the city centres, the train on the medium distance (for example Enschede - Paris or Bruges - Wolfsburg) can compete very well with the plane.

Currently in Belgium and at the Deutsche Bahn online only to order tickets for the neighboring countries of Belgium, resp. Germany and a number of easily accessible cities further on. Other tickets can only be purchased by telephone or at the counter, or of course in the country concerned. The latter is often much cheaper. Also keep an eye out for the many Sparpreis offers at the Deutsche Bahn, which can be very advantageous for a travel route to or via Germany.

However, it is quite possible to train journey map out from home. The two sites listed immediately below provide information not only about journeys from the Benelux, but also about all train connections throughout Europe and in the Russian part of Asia, e.g. between Moscow and Madrid. It is about this the site of the Belgian railways and the Dutch site of the Deutsche Bahn.

NS Hispeed only offers information about travel between the Netherlands and a few large foreign cities. As a rule, this information is also limited to trains that run directly to or from abroad (i.e. no connections between Utrecht and Paris or between Rotterdam and Germany, because there is always a transfer within the Netherlands). To plan trips within the Netherlands, it is best this website use.

NS Hispeed sells online a small range of journeys departing from the Netherlands to other countries (one-way and return journeys), and a very limited number of routes from abroad to (other) foreign countries (one-way and return journeys). You can book other trips by telephone via the Telesales department (0900-9296, €0.35 p.m.) and at the counters in the Tickets and Service shops at the (medium) large stations. This is the online International counter of the Dutch railways.

Smoking is prohibited on the train in all European countries.

The trains are cheap but slow. The outward journey from Amsterdam takes about 45 to 58 hours, depending on the time chosen. You have to transfer 3 to 9 times.

A night train departs from Bucharest every evening. It stops en route because the track width in the former Soviet Union differed from the European track width in Romania. Moldova still has the Soviet latitude. at the border you can stay on the train but the wheels will be changed. The train runs excruciatingly slow in some parts, so that the entire journey of a few hundred kilometers takes about 10 hours. But it's cheap and it's an experience!

By car

By car it is easy to do to Moldova. The distance is about 2150 km to Chisinau, when you drive through Germany, Poland and Ukraine. The roads are good up to and including Ukraine. From the Moldovan border, the roads are generally bad. Also keep in mind that the green insurance card in Moldova has no cover. You will be informed of this when you leave the Ukrainian border to Moldova and you can then take out additional insurance for a reasonable fee for the period that you are staying in Moldova. Keep to the traffic rules, because they are very attentive to that in Moldova. Especially for people with a foreign license plate.

The route for the return from Moldova to the Netherlands can also be traveled via Romania, Hungary, Austria and Germany. Also in Romania, take bad roads into account. They can significantly extend travel time.

By bus

There are daily buses from Bucharest to Chisinau. These buses leave from Filaret Square. The times are not fixed and the only way to find out is to hang out in Filaret Square. The cost for a single bus trip is 20 euros.

Eurolines [7] drives to Chisinau from (among others) Italy, Spain and Germany.

By boat

Travel around

From the capital you can explore the country by bus. Chisinau is the central point where the buses to the different areas converge. There are three major bus stations in the capital, from where every town or village of any significance can be reached. Mini-buses with space for 10 to 15 people are the fastest, the larger buses generally drive more cautiously and are therefore a lot slower.

Within Chisinau and the other larger cities, the most convenient way to travel is by bus or minibus. It's easy, they usually run frequently and they're a lot cheaper than a taxi. In the trolleybus in Chisinau, you pay the conductor, who walks past everyone who has just boarded after each stop. In the mini-vans, you pay upon entry, or pass the money forward after you've sat down.

Traveling with your own car is also possible. On a stretch of the E531 that runs through a nature reserve and is very passable, the roads are reasonably to poorly maintained. But the country is small, so everything can still be reached in a few hours.

Language

The official language is Moldovan, a language that differs little from Romanian. In addition, Russian is also used, either as a first or as a second language.

Depending on the ethnic group you speak with (and the area where you are located), it may happen that people are unable or unwilling to speak to you in Moldovan. For example, Moldova has a small population group of Turkish origin with its own language (Gagauz). East of the Dniester River, in the Transnistria region, Russian and Ukrainian are spoken.

English and to a lesser extent French are the most popular foreign languages ​​in schools. The capital is full of billboards asking if you want to emigrate to Canada, so that must be related... If you don't speak Romanian or Russian, you can get by with English in Chisinau. At the more western looking restaurants (La Taifas, Beerhouse, Bierplatz) and hotels (Jumbo) there is always someone who speaks sufficient English. Incidentally, people don't seem to mind working with hands and feet, as long as you can break the ice with a few standard Moldovan words (such as 'good morning', 'thank you', 'yes' and 'no').

To look at

The second largest city in Moldova, Bălţi, is worth a visit. There is a nice pedestrian zone around the main square. Also check out the old part of the city.

Another beautiful city is Ungheni, with several beautiful places.

Capriana monastery - About 40 kilometers from Chisinau is one of the most prominent monasteries in Moldova. Several buses go there every morning.

Soroca - Also called the 'Gypsy Capital of Moldova'. The hill to the west of the city has several decorated Roma houses. There is also a fortress in the city, built by the national hero Stephen III the Great in 1499. It was a strategic point at the time, as part of a chain of fortified fortresses that can still be seen along the Nistru River to this day. can be found in both Moldova and Ukraine. Five kilometers south of Soroca is the monument 'Candle of Gratitude' (Lumânarea Recunoştinţei), a monument-cum-chapel that commemorates the union of Bessarabia and Romania in 1918. You can reach the almost 30 meters high object via a staircase with 600 steps.

Tighina / Bender - Tighina (also called bender called) is the only city in Transnistria on the west side of the Dniester. There is also a fortress in Tighina. It cannot be visited because it is used as a military training ground. You can get the best view of the fortress from the bridge towards Tiraspol.

Tiraspol - Tiraspol is the capital of Transnistria. It has a number of museums and a nice park along the Nistru River.

Orheiul Vechi - Orheiul Vechi Monastery is one of the most famous tourist spots in Moldova. The 13th century monastery, which is partly located in a cave, is about half an hour's drive from Chisinau. There is a small museum, a restaurant and a hotel. Call ahead to make sure it's open. Once a day a public transport bus departs from Chisinau to the monastery. There are also caves nearby, but it is better not to visit them without an experienced guide. Along the water are the remains of a Turkish bathhouse.

Pushkin Museum - The house where the Russian poet Pushkin lived, when he lived in exile from 1820 to 1823, can be visited.

Chisinau Historical Museum - Visit the exhibition of the Historical Museum in Chisinau.

Cathedral Park - The Cathedral Park is located in the heart of Chisinau. The Nativity Cathedral is located in the park, and services are held regularly in the chapel. In the southwest of the park is a triumphal arch, built in 1841.

Memorial Eternitate - On the edge of the center you will find a park that serves as a monument in honor of the victory over the Soviet army in the Second World War. An eternal flame also burns in memory of the unknown soldiers who lost their lives in that war. Behind the monument is a military and a civilian cemetery.

To do

National Opera - visit a performance by one of the best ballet groups in Eastern Europe. Times and information can be found on their website [www.nationalopera.md/index.php].

To buy

You have to buy at the bazaars. Take a Moldovan friend with you, then you will really get some bargains.

Money

The Moldovan currency is the 'lei'. Roughly 16 lei is equivalent to one euro (2011). For your image: a DVD in the supermarket costs 100 lei, a jar of nail polish on the market 10 lei, and a one-way bus ticket in Chisinau costs 2 lei.

At the airport and in busy places in the center of Chisinau you can exchange money at exchange offices. You will also find ATMs at the same locations. Some (roughly a third to half) of these machines also work with a Dutch 'world pass', in any case all machines of the Agroindbank [8]. Occasionally - at tourist attractions - it is even possible to pay with your debit card at a store (for example at the wine cellars of Milestii Mici). Don't count on it too much, though, and make sure you have some cash on hand.

Cost

The costs are low to very low when you buy your food at the market and your clothes from women who stand on the side of the street. For a beautiful Turkish costume with a beautiful shirt from Poland and handmade shoes from Turkey you will spend 300 euros.

In shopping centers and in touristy or western looking places you generally pay the highest price; either as much as in the Netherlands, or maybe even a little more.

Wine lovers can indulge themselves. For less than two euros you already have a good wine. If you travel back to the Netherlands or Belgium by plane, you cannot take the wine with you in your hand luggage, but two bottles of liquor in your suitcase are allowed at no extra cost.

Corruption

Moldova is characterized by corruption and massive tax evasion. Taxes are very high in Moldova. Companies therefore often legally only pay the minimum wage to their employees, while the remaining amount is handed over in black. The government therefore has little budget for maintaining roads and buildings, pensions for the elderly, or for paying government employees. The police now and then earn a little extra money by arresting foreigners when they commit a minor offence. So try not to draw too much attention to you when the police are around. Don't make eye contact, don't take pictures of their (very photogenic) police car, and don't show them that you don't speak Moldovan or Russian.

Food

Cost of food is not high. The quality of the food is though. Wine in Moldova is sometimes of superior quality, only the service can often be very slow.

A common dish is a dish consisting of potatoes, (stew) meat and coleslaw. Typically Moldavian is a combination of polenta (or cornmeal puree), stew and creme fraiche, possibly accompanied by spicy goat cheese.

Going out

The nightlife is pleasant and there are plenty of options in Chisinau, among others, for a pleasant night out at reasonable rates. The wine festival takes place in early October.

Wine

Moldova has the largest wine cellars in the world, which they say can compete with the best wines from France. Even Herman Göring had stored his wine collection in Moldova. Wine is the country's main tourist attraction due to its very good value for money.

Cricova - The second largest wine cellar in the country has more than 120 kilometers of underground autoroute. It is a 15-minute drive from Chisinau and is popular with tourists. 373 22-277 378

Purcaria - One of the oldest wine cellars in Moldova. The wine has already been drunk by the Russian Emperor Nicholas the Second, the British King George V, and Queen Victoria. The wine cellar is particularly known for the wine Negru de Purcari. ( 37322) 29 59 11

Milestii Mici - With more than 200 kilometers of underground autoroute, Milestii Mici is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest wine cellar in the world. The wine cellars can be visited with your own car (or van). If you don't have one, you could book the outing at a local agency as part of a day trip. 373 22 382 333

stay overnight

Renting a hotel in the capital Chisinau is pricey, and comparable or even more expensive than hotels of comparable quality in Western Europe. Take into account 100 euros per room per night. Those who have acquaintances in Moldova can rent an apartment quite cheaply, also per night. There also seem to be backpacker hotels nowadays, where you can spend the night for 10 to 20 euros per person. For those who want to go out with their tent: there is one campsite throughout Moldova.

To work

To learn

The universities of Moldova are among the cheapest in the region. As a result, they attract a relatively large number of students from Arab countries.

Safety

In general it is relatively safe. In any case much safer than in Romania. Also, you normally do not have to worry about getting too little change back. Please note that sometimes if the electricity company has failed to pay its bills or if the city where you are staying has not paid its bill to the electricity company, the lights go out straight away, even on the street. Then you are in the dark and it is better not to stand or walk in dark places.

Travelers are in any case advised not to travel by road after sunset, given the often poor condition of the roads and (outside the cities) the danger of unlit road users (eg horse and carriage). You will find travel advice on the website of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs [9].

Health

Tuberculosis occurs. However, vaccinations are not necessary, although a DTP vaccination and protection against hepatitis A is recommended. In Chisinau there are a few large hospitals, outside the medical facilities are quite limited.

respect

When you go to a church as a woman (as a tourist or as a churchgoer), take a scarf or something similar with you, which you can tie around your head as a makeshift headscarf when you enter the church. This applies to Eastern Orthodox as well as to Pentecostal or Baptist churches, although they are a bit easier with the latter two.

This article is still completely under construction . It contains a template, but not yet enough information to be useful to a traveler. Dive in and expand it!

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