'''Chi?in?u''' (Russian '''Kishinyov''', Ukrainian '''Kishinev''') is the capital of Moldova with a population of around 780,800.

Understand

Chisinau / Moldova is still "communism" wanting to go to the "capitalism" system, therefore in the capital Chisinau one can see a huge difference between poor and the "new rich".

Get in

By plane

'''Chi?in?u International Airport''' [http://www.airport.md/] is served by several airlines like AirBaltic [http://www.airbaltic.com/], Air Moldova [http://www.airmoldova.md/home-en/], Austrian [http://www.aua.com], Moldavian Airlines [http://www.mdv.md/], Tarom [http://www.tarom.ro/en/] and Turkish Airlines [http://www.thy.com/] with flights around the region, notably to Athens, Bucharest, Budapest, Frankfurt, Istanbul, Madrid, Moscow, Riga, Rome, Timisoara and Vienna, Vilnius.

By train

There are trains coming to Moldova from different places. There are daily trains to and from Bucharest (Romania), Kiev (Ukraine), Moscow (Russia) etc.

For most Europeans arriving, the train is much cheaper than a flight. The trains, however, are rather slow. The bus is a good alternative to the train. It is cheaper than flying and faster than traveling by train.

Trains leave Bucharest (Gara de Nord) at 19.30 and arrive in Chi?in?u at 09.00, which is a 13? hour journey. It is a sleeper train and it's actually quite comfortable, although the toilets are not quite up to European standards. During the 13? hour you will go through customs and the train will have its bogies changed in Ungheni on the Romania-Moldovan border.

A return ticket to Bucharest costs approximately 50 ? (2008). At the moment there are no trains to Odessa, Ukraine.

By car

By bus

There are several buses throughout the day from Bucharest, Odessa, Chernivitsi, and Lviv.

Get around

  • Call 1499, 1420, 1422, 1447,1444 or any of the other 14xx numbers to get a taxi, except 1488. Ordering in English shouldn't be a big problem, but only a few drivers speak foreign languages. If you don't know the local prices, drivers may charge you exorbitant rates. If you are sitting in a private cab, there is not much you can do. If you are in a taxi with a "14.." number written on it, just call this number and check the price with the operator. An average taxi ride should cost 55 Lei.
  • For budget travelers, just do like the locals do: Ride the trolley-bus, bus or maxi-taxis. A trolley-bus ride costs 1 leu while a bus ride costs 2 lei, collected by a conductor who walks up and down the bus after each stop. Maxi-taxis cost 3 lei, which is paid to the driver upon entry. There are no set stops for maxi-taxis: just tell the driver when you want to get off. Flag him down with your hand (just like you would with a taxi) when the vehicle approaches you on the street.
  • See

  • Stefan Cel Mare Monument
  • Rose Valley
  • Rishkani Park
  • Botanica Park (the most beautiful and the largest in Chisinau, situated near the Gates Of The City)
  • Do

    Learn

    English is spoken in restaurants and some of the markets. Even some taxi drivers speak a little English. Young people are much more likely to speak English than the older generation. In Chi?in?u most people know Russian and Romanian . If you plan to travel outside Chi?in?u it would be helpful to pick up some Romanian and about the only langauge spoken outside of the city is Romanian . In Gagauzia a Turkish dialect is spoken. Mostly only 30% of the people in Moldova speak some Enlish and the country is far behind with schools that teach the English langauge .

    Work

    Buy

    If you are just visiting Chi?in?u, consider buying a special cognac selection of about 30 small bottles, with different sorts of cognac. It can make a nice gift. Moldovan wines are deservedly famous across the former Soviet Union, yet are little known in Europe. Take the opportunity to sample them. Cigarettes are also much cheaper in Moldova than in the EU, so you might do well to stock up before leaving the country.

    Eat

    Chisinau is a good place for food lovers. There are plenty of good places to eat all over Chisinau. The cheap, tasty food that is very popular with the locals is served in most places. For better service and more diverse food selection, there are a lot of small restaurants and cafes. Good restaurants have prices comparable to Europe. For a quick lunch, try fast food stores and pizzarias, these can be found on nearly every corner.

    Lunch: '''Pizza House''', 133 Stefan Cel Mare, tel: 23-51-62, serves a variety of dishes including pizza, pasta and local favorites. They have a lunch special for about 50 Lei. Prices for a full meal range 40-100 Lei.

    Mid-range: '''Symposium''' wine Bar, offers a variety of meals including steak, lamb, and pasta. They have an excellent selection of Moldovan wines. Prices for a full meal with drinks range from 250-500 Lei.

    For groceries, there are small shops all over. Some are even located right in front of the apartment blocks just a few steps away from their entrances. For harder-to-find items, head to a supermarket.

    For fresh fruits and vegetables, markets are the best (and freshest) option. Most of the items for sale are locally-produced, but there are a lot of sellers who sell imports; mostly oranges, bananas and other tropical fruits/vegetables. It is best to buy meat and dairy products from supermarkets or shops. The quality is much better than in the market, and the prices are pretty much the same.

    Drink

    Wines

    Moldavan wines, cognac, liquor and juice are all on par with the best of Eastern Europe. For one thing, manufacturers tend to use only organic products. Secondly, these products are made in the traditional way. Restaurants tend to sell only local wines, but only those of the highest standards. One of the very best wines of Moldova is from the wine plantaion of Purcari and even if you live in the United States you can buy Purcari wines from Purcari and their importer Moldova Traders ( www.moldovtraders.com )

    Beer

    Moldovan beer is one of the best in Europe. A very famous is named "Bere Chisinau". It was awarded with the Nr.1 Gold Medal at the Nuremberg beer competition in 2007, beating Germany, Czech Rep. and others. It can be found in all the Bars on every street in Chisinau, so finding a place for a drink is not a problem. However, good bars and restaurants with a pleasant atmosphere can be difficult to find. So watch where you stop.

    Sleep

    Budget

  • In the main train station, there is a decent hostel. Just enter the train station and ask the guards there. Price is 220 Moldovan Lei per night.
  • Hotel Turist is close to the centre and charges 440 Lei a night for a double room with shower and WC (price as of August 2008).
  • Private apartments. In the second floor of the Hotel Chisinau, Bulevard Negruzzi 7, office 238 you can find confortable private accommodation in the city centre starting from 600 Moldovan Lei per night.
  • '''Chisinau Hostel''' Nice hostel in the city centre. On the main street ?tefan cel Mare. Very helpful english speaking staff.
  • Medium

  • '''Hotel Cosmos''', [http://www.hotel-cosmos.com] A very popular hotel in the heart of Chisinau. Rates from 45 EUR / night.
  • '''Hotel Luna''', [http://www.hotel-lunalux.com] A nice hotel with comfortable rooms and good services. Costs around 80 EUR/night.
  • '''Hotel Edem''', [http://www.business.md/en/company/1311/edem-hotel] A rather new hotel with comfortable rooms and a swimming pool. Rates start at 60 EUR/night.
  • '''Hotel Stella De Lux''', [http://www.hotel-stella.md] a tiny hotel that costs 50 EUR/night and offers small and rather spartan
  • rooms(some are windowless). Service is poor and visitors are not allowed to enter the hotel.
  • '''Hotel Vila IRIS''', [http://www.vilairis.allmoldova.com] A small nice hotel with comfortable rooms and accesible prices. Costs around 50 EUR/night.In price is included breakfast,internet Wi-Fi,Parking,Loundry.
  • Luxury

  • '''Hotel VisPas''', [http://www.vispas.com/]. A very cozy 4* boutique hotel in Downtown area about a 15 minute walk to the city center. It has a good restaurant with mid-range prices. A full meal with drinks will cost about 300 Lei.
  • '''Club Royal Park 5* Hotel''', [http://www.clubroyalpark.md].
  • '''Jolly Alon Hotel 4* ''', [http://www.jollyalon.com]. A very nice hotel located in front of Chisinau's central park on a street with no traffic. Superbly quiet although rooms are at the very minimum of 4* standards. This hotel also has a gym which is only accessible to guest.
  • '''Leogrand Hotel & Conventions Center 4*''', [http://www.leograndhotels.com](formerly Dedeman Grand Hotel)
  • Contact

    Stay safe

    Use your common sense at all times! Be aware that when entering some buildings at night, you will have to walk through unlit alleyways. So when traveling through Chi?in?u always carry a small flash light. ''' Rental apartments''' better than hotels, try to find a good SAFE and RENOVATED > find them at the site www.chisinau-moldova.com .

    Cope

    There is only a single national broadcast television station. For the most part, TV channels are piped in from Russia, Ukraine, Romania and even Georgia. Euronews, Eurosport, CNN, Discovery Channel, etc. are on cable, but in Russian mostly. Not every home in the city has continual hot water. If you will be staying in a private home, be sure to ASK whether there is 24-hour hot water.

    Get out

    Have a gret tour and ask '''Richard''' to organize, advice and guide your: contact him at [www.visamoldova.co.uk] or email him at [richard@visamoldova.co.uk]

    Cricova - a small place located right outside Chi?in?u. Famous for its fabulous wine.

    Mile?tii Mici [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mile%C5%9Ftii_Mici], [http://www.milestii-mici.md/eng]- biggest wine cellar in Europe (Guiness Book of World Records) - length 200 km.