Departure from Chişinău at 8:30-9:00 AM
After a brief introduction to the day, departure to Transnistria, or as it is called on the other side of the river – Pridnestrovie. During the journey, which lasts about an hour, I will explain the history of Moldova and Transnistria/Pridnestrovie, with particular attention to the events that led to the birth of this de facto state, which is not recognized by the international community. Upon arrival, there is a walking tour of the cities of Bender and Tiraspol, during which the main tourist attractions will be visited, along with some lesser-known places that are linked to Italy through history or interesting facts.
The route is moderately challenging, usually about 10 km of walking in the city, plus various places where we would make short stops by car.
At the end of the city tours, tourists can choose one of the following two options, depending on their interests and the time available:
Bender Fortress (Tighina)
The Bender Fortress, one of only two medieval fortresses in the territory of Moldova. The tour, guided by me, provides a better understanding of the historical dynamics of the region in the context of the Ottoman and Tsarist Empires. Admission fee: 100 Transnistrian rubles (approximately 5 euros). Visiting Time: 00:45 – 01:00 Hours
Abandoned school near Tiraspol
For those interested in unusual places, it is possible to visit an abandoned school located a few kilometers from Tiraspol. It is a little-known site, highly sought after by Italian tourists and generally frequented only by small groups. Access requires a fee of 10 euros per person, payable to the caretaker. Average visit length: 1 hour.
The visit to the fortress and the school is entirely at the tourist's discretion.
This tour is available in two different versions, to suit the time you have and the experience you would like to have:
• Standard Transnistria Tour – a classic one-day experience, with return to Chișinău scheduled between 7:00 PM and 7:30 PM.
• Authentic Transnistria – Overnight – a two-day tour for a total immersion in the local reality, with departure for Chișinău the following day after lunch.
For more details on each option, please see the specific descriptions of the individual offers.
Lunch and any dinner are not included in the price. You can eat at the “URSS” wine cellar in Bender, a place with a more casual atmosphere, or at the “Back in USSR” restaurant in Tiraspol, which is more elegant and has a traditional restaurant setting.
N.B. Maximum group size - 6 people for each option.
P.S. For football fans, we can go to the stadium to see a Sheriff Tiraspol game, a unique and rare experience. Participation obviously depends on the match schedule and the time it is played that day. Just for the record, the ticket is free