Moldova is a surprisingly beautiful country, and the sheer amount of green can come as a bit of a shock to the eyes – though not an unpleasant one. The country exudes a real ‘olde worlde’ charm that is impossible to be manufactured and the people are as friendly as their land is pretty. Levels of tourism in the country are slowly increasing, and as a result the cities are becoming more Westernised and are falling in line with the rest of the world. It would be a good idea to visit before the country becomes another mini-America, as the charm shown right now cannot be cloned.

The focal point for tourism in Moldova is clearly Chisinau, and the history rich city certainly offers a number of sights for visitors. Whilst a lot of the city was destroyed during the Second World War and the subsequent rebuilding took a more Stalinist tone, there are still a number of architectural delights to be found. The rich history of the city is easily accessed by visiting places such as the History and Regional Lore Museum or the Fine Arts Museum, and reminders of more tragic legacies can be seen at the Armenian and the Jewish Cemeteries. Activities such as theatre and cinema are popular with locals and visitors, and the Chekhov Drama Theatre and the large cinema Patria are two of the most well-known attractions. There are also a number of cafes and restaurants springing up through the city, as well as nightclubs and discos that are popular with all.

Moldova’s popular wines have earned their reputation and a number of winery tours are available to certain regions in the country, though only officially sanctioned tours are available and prices can be artificially inflated. The largest of the wineries is Cricova – an underground labyrinthine structure holding some 1.25 million bottles of wine, trips to the attraction must be booked in advance.

There are numerous other attractions and sights through the rest of the country, and the rich history of the nation is represented in full throughout. Whilst some sights are located in Transdniestr, it is advised that foreigners do not travel to this unstable region.