From
NZ $1,772

East European Discovery – Romania and Moldova’s Transnistria and Gagauzia

10 days
From Bucharest to Chisinau
4.9
5 traveler reviews

East European Discovery – Romania and Moldova’s Transnistria and Gagauzia

10 days
From Bucharest to Chisinau
4.9
5 traveler reviews
From
NZ $1,772
Find this price
+ $381 Local payment 2025
Save and compare this adventure
Payment plan $535 now + easy payments of $416 Learn More

Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:
In-depth Cultural
Immerse yourself in rich history and local traditions
Fully Guided
An experienced guide will be with you for the entire tour
Guided in English
Group Size 6 - 16
Age range 14 to 80
Image of a map showing the route of the tour

Highlights

  • Explore Peles Castle's rich armory collection
  • Tour Bran Castle, the legendary Dracula's home
  • Admire frescoes in Bucovina's painted monasteries
  • Visit Orheiul Vechi's ancient Cave Monastery
  • Taste wines in Milesti Mici's vast cellars

Itinerary

Expand All
  1. Introduction
  1. Day 1 Bucharest - Sinaia - Brasov (Romania)
  2. Day 2 Brasov - Bran - Lacu Rosu
  3. Day 3 Lacu Rosu - Voronet
  4. Day 4 Voronet - Suceava - Iasi
  5. Day 5 Crossing Moldova border to Chisinau (Moldova)
  6. Day 6 Chisinau City Tour - Orheiul Vechi - Chisinau
  7. Day 7 Chisinau Milesti Mici Winery - Tighina Fortress - Tiraspol - Tiraspol (Transnistria)
  8. Day 8 Tiraspol - Tvarditsa - Beshalma - Comrat (Gagauzia)
  9. Day 9 Comrat - Chisinau
  10. Day 10 Departure from Chisinau (Moldova)
Want to read it later?

Download this tour’s PDF brochure and start tour planning offline

What's Included

Expand All
  • Accommodation
  • Guide
  • Meals
  • Transport
  • Free eSIM
    TourRadar offers the lead traveler (the person who booked) a free 1GB eSIM for the trip. The eSIM is redeemable only through the TourRadar app 72 hours before departure.

What's Not Included

  • Flights
  • Insurance
  • Optional
  • Additional Services

Operated by

Penguin Travel

Number of tours

41

Age Range

18 to 80 years old

Response time

within 1 day

Response rate

100%

Established in 1989 in the heart of Copenhagen (Denmark), Penguin Travel rose...

Read more

Your Peace of Mind Options

Cancellation Policy

A transparent overview of applicable fees.

Travel Insurance

Be covered for any unforseen circumstances.

Customer Reviews

  • Overall Rating
    Excellent
    4.9
  • Itinerary
    Excellent
    5.0
  • Guide
    Excellent
    4.8
  • Transport
    Excellent
    4.8
  • Accommodation
    Excellent
    4.8
  • Food
    Excellent
    4.8
  • 4.4
  • A
    · March 29th, 2024
    Our trip through Moldova and Romania was great. The accommodations were cozy and welcoming, providing a comfortable retreat each evening. Our itinerary was well-planned, allowing us to explore each region's distinct history thoroughly. The guides were knowledgeable and enthusiastic to share their stories. Overall, it was a memorable journey that exceeded our expectations.
    Show more
    Penguin Travel commented on this review
    Many thanks for your feedback, We are looking forward to have you on one of our tours again.
    Trip date: September 2019
    Review collected by Penguin Travel
  • A
    · March 29th, 2024
    Overall, the trip was enjoyable with plenty of fascinating sights, and we encountered no major issues. However, it's advisable to replace some guides. Some local guides were really good, but others fell short of delivering the expected services. Some of the hotels could be better.
    Show more
    Penguin Travel commented on this review
    Many thanks for your feedback, We are looking forward to have you on one of our tours again.
    Trip date: September 2023
    Review collected by Penguin Travel
  • A
    · March 29th, 2024
    Throughout our tour, the Penguin tour leader demonstrated exceptional organization, remained calm, and showed great consideration. I am thoroughly impressed and intend to use Penguin again in the future. The price was justified, and I am completely satisfied with the tour experience.
    Show more
    Penguin Travel commented on this review
    Many thanks for your feedback, We are looking forward to have you on one of our tours again.
    Trip date: September 2023
    Review collected by Penguin Travel
  • A
    · March 29th, 2024
    Our journey through Moldova and Romania, including Transnistria and Gagauzia, was a nice blend of history, culture, and hospitality. The itinerary was well-crafted. Transnistria is a very interesting place to explore its Soviet echoes and also the Turkic traditions of Gagauzia. The accommodations surpassed our expectations. Our guides were not only knowledgeable but also passionate and had fascinating insights and personal anecdotes. Overall, it was a truly unforgettable adventure that left us with cherished memories and a newfound appreciation for this lesser-known corner of Eastern Europe.
    Show more
    Penguin Travel commented on this review
    Many thanks for your feedback, We are looking forward to have you on one of our tours again.
    Trip date: September 2023
    Review collected by Penguin Travel
  • A
    · March 29th, 2024
    Our trip to Moldova, Romania and Transnistria was a great adventure. We learned so much about the history previously unknown to us. We explored very interesting towns and landscapes, we gained a genuine insight into local life. Guided by an exceptionally knowledgeable and hospitable guide, we savored delicious traditional cuisine and left with a longing to return and explore further. Overall, our experience was deeply enriching and one we wholeheartedly recommend to others seeking an authentic cultural journey.
    Show more
    Penguin Travel commented on this review
    Many thanks for your feedback, We are looking forward to have you on one of our tours again.
    Trip date: September 2023
    Review collected by Penguin Travel

Dates & Availability

10 days
East European Discovery – Romania and Moldova’s Transnistria and Gagauzia
From Bucharest to Chisinau

Why book with TourRadar?

    • Trusted and vetted operators
    • Rated excellent on
    • Best price guarantee
    • 24/7 customer support
    • Earn $50 in travel credits
    • Free eSim with every purchase

    To protect your payment and ensure your booking will be processed in Australia, never transfer or communicate outside of the TourRadar website or app.

More benefits
Select a departure month
  • Upcoming departures
  • June 2025
  • October 2025
Select The Travel Month

Upcoming departures
Hurry, deals only available for a limited time!
Ends on 24 Jun, 2025
  • From Saturday
    21 Jun, 2025
    To Monday
    30 Jun, 2025
    English
    Filling Fast
    Multiple Room Types
    From:
    $1,772
    Local payment 2025
    $381
  • Instant Confirmation
    From Saturday
    4 Oct, 2025
    To Monday
    13 Oct, 2025
    English
    Filling Fast
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    Multiple Room Types
    From:
    $1,772
    Local payment 2025
    $381

What our customers ask about this tour

The content in our FAQ section is subject to change.
All questions
  • J

    Jon

    Asked on April 30th, 2025

    interested in this tour in Oct 2026 when dates be up. With unrest in Transnistria does this impact on tour?

    Tour Details
    Travel Support
    • Penguin TravelOperatorWritten May 2025

      All 2026 departures will be updated by the end of June. The situation in Transnistria at the moment is stable. We have two groups in June and July.

  • J

    Jacqueline

    Asked on March 11th, 2025

    What is the name of this hotel? Is there a transport from the airport? If Yes, how much is it?

    Accommodation
    Flights / Transfers
    • Penguin TravelOperatorWritten March 2025

      In Bucharest we do not provide a transfer from the airport to the hotel. The hotel we lastly used is Trianon Hotel located at Strada Grigore Cobălcescu 9, București 010191, Romania.

    • J

      Jacqueline

      TravelerWritten March 2025

      I looked up the Trianon hotel and it has no availability. I booked a nearby refundable hotel. Can I get a quote for 3 extra nights if it is a central location?

    • J
      1 more answer
  • R

    Robert

    Asked on May 15th, 2024

    1) What hotel does the tour start on Day 1 in Bucharest? 2) Are the airport transfers included? 3) Can the sleeper train from Chișinău back to Bucharest be added on last day? If so what's the cost of that?

    Accommodation
    Flights / Transfers
    Tour Details
    Transport
    • Penguin TravelOperatorWritten May 2024

      The hotel list will be available 3 weeks before departure. Airport transfers are not included. Regarding the train back to Bucharest- depends on the train schedule, it shouldn't be a problem to book an extra train ticket for a fee.

    • R

      Robert

      TravelerWritten May 2024

      Is this tour scheduled to go back to Bucharest from Chișinău on 20th April (Day 9) anyway? How many people has already booked the departure date 12th Apr 2025?

    • Penguin TravelOperatorWritten May 2024

      We have recently opened the departure. There are no bookings yet. The train schedule is not published yet for 2025, probably there will be train.

    • R
      2 more answers
  • A

    Alan

    Asked on February 22nd, 2024

    Can you please confirm the cost in NZ dollars, including a single supplement

    Price / Availability
    Single supplement
    • Penguin TravelOperatorWritten February 2024

      The cost of the tour is 980 EUR + 210 EUR single supplement, total 1190. The approximate cost in NZ dollar: 2080-2100 New Zealand dollars, depending on rate of exchange.

  • L

    Lydia

    Asked on February 15th, 2024

    is there a tour starting late June early July

    Tour Details
    • Penguin TravelOperatorWritten February 2024

      Many thanks for your interest in East European Discovery – Romania and Moldova's Transnistria and Gagauzia. We will just open for booking 22 June, 2024. Is this date working for you?

Can’t find the answer to your question?
Reach out to the experts at Penguin Travel with your enquiry, they usually respond within 1 day.
From
NZ $1,772
Find this price
+ $381 Local payment 2025
Save and compare this adventure
Payment plan $535 now + easy payments of $416 Learn More

Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:

Good to Know

Tour ID: 268511

  • Currencies
    L
    Moldovan Leu
    Moldova
    Euro
  • Plugs & Adapters

    As a traveler from New Zealand you will need an adaptor for types C, E, F.

    Type C
    Moldova
    Type E
    Moldova
    Type F
    Moldova
  • Vaccines
    • These are only indications, so please visit your doctor before you travel to be 100% sure.
    • Typhoid - Recommended for Moldova and Romania. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
    • Hepatitis A - Recommended for Moldova and Romania. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
    • Tuberculosis - Recommended for Moldova and Romania. Ideally 3 months before travel.
    • Hepatitis B - Recommended for Moldova and Romania. Ideally 2 months before travel.
  • Visa
    • Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
    • Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
  • Payment information
    • For any tour departing before August 17th, 2025 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after August 17th, 2025, a minimum payment of 30% is required to confirm your booking with Penguin Travel. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 60 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
    • Some departure dates and prices may vary and Penguin Travel will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
    • The following cards are accepted for "Penguin Travel" tours: Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, American Express or PayPal. TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
  • Cancellation Policy
  • Accessibility
    Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveler, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team, who are ready and waiting to help you.