MESMERISING MOSAICS
GARGANTUAN MONUMENTS
EASTERN EUROPEAN CHARM
Moldova-Transnistria-Romania-Bulgaria New Year Combo Tour
A comprehensive eight-day journey through southeastern Europe, from the Soviet wonders of Bessarabia, to the totalitarian follies of Romania, from the remote hamlets of southern Moldova to the hill-perched colossal memorials of Bulgaria, travelling athwart an underrated region of idyllic sceneries, mouthwatering food, compelling history, [post] socialist vibes, and endless hospitality. Begin in Chisinau, the continent’s least-visited capital, uncovering forgotten USSR-era architecture and monumental art. Celebrate New Year in Tiraspol, capital of Transnistria, before heading to the autonomous region of Gagauzia. Then board a rare Soviet-made overnight train to Bucharest and onward into Bulgaria, discovering striking communist-era heirlooms and forgotten ruins.
DECEMBER 30 ⇾ January 06
Ravi Mistry has guided across the former Soviet Union for over two years. Based in The Hague but calling Tiraspol his second home, his passion for Soviet history began at Berlin’s Treptower Park and grew through travels in Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Abkhazia and South Ossetia, uncovering forgotten mosaics and stories from locals.
“O Soviet Moldavia, eternally flourish,
With the others, we are able to grow,
And around the Soviet flag, up it riseth,
Let the path be thy great gifted flow.”
BESPOKE EXPERIENCES
Enjoy a traditional Moldavian lunch in a remote Transnistrian village. Celebrate New Year with locals at a Soviet-style party in Tiraspol. Be welcomed by singing babushkas in Gagauzia, a fading tradition. Ride the last Soviet-era overnight train to Romania and experience Buzludzha in winter.
THE ROUTE
DECEMBER 30• WELCOME TO [POST] SOVIET MOLDOVA
Arrive at your convenience into Chisinau, the capital and largest city of Moldova, with well-connected flights across Europe and the Middle East.
Self-transfer to our centrally located hotel, where you’ll meet your guides and fellow travellers for a pre-tour briefing to go over the itinerary and plans for the coming days.
We’ll begin exploring Chisinau with our expert local guide. Highlights include the Great Patriotic War Memorial, Soviet Military Park which features a MIG-21 and an insight into Soviet-era architecture still in use today. We’ll utilise the public transport a ride on the city’s trolleybuses.
Our walking tour will conclude by the Moldova’s national hero, Stephen the Great, who features in the local currency.
After a busy morning, we’ll have lunch at a traditional Moldavian canteen, popular with the locals.
You’ll have the opportunity to explore Chisinau at your own pace, your guide is happy to show the hidden and forgotten Soviet mosaics in the capital.
We’ll meet at a dedicated time to purchase some drinks and head up the abandoned National Hotel to admire the city views over sunset.
Dinner and drinks at our favourite establishments.
Overnight in Chisinau.
DECEMBER 31 • A SECESSIONIST NEW YEAR’S EVE
Breakfast and check-out of the hotel before we head to Transnistria formally known as the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (PMR). The journey takes around two hours and your guides will handle the border formalities.
On arrival to Tiraspol, you’ll be welcomed by our friends and hosts based in Tiraspol, we’ll assist with your hotel check-in and to exchange our money for the local currency at the bank.
Tiraspol is unlike any other city and you’ll have the opportunity to explore it, you’ll get to see the Parliament, housing one of the biggest statues of Lenin outside Russia, the Eternal Flame Memorial complex dedicated to the Soviet-Afghan war, WW2 and the Transnistrian civil war and the House of Soviet. What makes our tours unique is our guides historical, geographic and current affairs knowledge of the region, you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions and engage in meaningful discussions.
We’ll leave the heart of the city and experience traditional village house, that’s exactly what we’ll do for lunch. You’ll get to sample traditional Moldavian cuisines accompanied by homemade wine.
Next, we’ll head to Kitskany and visit the enormous head of Lenin, which still has bullet holes left from the civil war. If the opportunity arises, we’ll enter the House of Culture which still contains beautiful Soviet era frescos. We’ll continue to New Neamts Orthodox Monastery and have a personal tour led by a father.
We’ll head back to Tiraspol to relax and freshen up before the New Year party for dinner and drinks. You’ll have two countdowns, one from Moscow and the other from Tiraspol, you’ll truly have a Soviet experience to remember!
Overnight in Tiraspol.
“We sing glory to Transnistria, where the friendship of nations is strong. We are closely connected to our land with great love.”
JANUARY 01 • THE FORGOTTEN TURKS OF BESSARABIA
Leisurely morning start followed by breakfast and check-out of the hotel.
This morning you’ll visit Bender, a city located west of the river Dniester. Bender also locally referred to as Bendery and Tighina is the second largest cities in Transnistria and a site of fierce fighting during the civil war.
You’ll have the opportunity to explore the city and visit the train station, cinema and the Lenin statue.
For lunch, we’ll head to the Soviet canteen, we recommend trying the borsht which is popular favourite with the locals.
Once we’re ready we’ll depart Transnistria and head towards the Comrat the capital of the autonomous region of Gagauzia.
On arrival we’ll check-in to our hotel and have some free time to explore the city and just simply relax.
Dinner and overnight in Comrat.
JANUARY 02 • Journey to the End of the Night
Breakfast and check-out of the hotel before we head out to explore and experience Gagauzia.
We’ll begin with a city tour discovering Soviet monuments and memorials whilst learning about the Gagauz people. Although Turkic-speaking they are primarily follow the Orthodox Christian faith.
Next we’ll visit Besalma and be greeted by singing babushka a genuine highlight for many. You’ll get the opportunity to visit the Ethnography Museum of Besalma village to learn about their cultural heritage.
For lunch we’ll head towards Congaz, where you’ll get to sample authentic Gagauzian cuisine and wine.
Once we’re ready, we’ll head back to Chisinau where the tour will conclude for Group A. Group B members, please meet your guides and fellow travellers for a pre-tour briefing at Chisinau Train Station.
We’ll board our Soviet-era train as your guides handle passports and tickets with the conductor (проводник поезда). Once settled into compartments, we’ll head to the canteen for a few beers. Immigration takes place during the bogie exchange, a relic of Stalin’s paranoia.
Picnic style dinner and overnight on the sleeper train.
JANUARY 03 • THE EMPEROR’S FOLLIES
On arrival to Bucharest we’ll be greeted by our local guide and driver. We’ll head to our hotel to freshen up and have breakfast.
Once we’re ready, we’ll head out to explore and learn about Communist Romania, this is your perfect opportunity to ask questions about the controversial dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu.
We’ll see a vast communist-era mosaic celebrating the working class, visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and the controversial Memorial of Rebirth. The tour ends outside the Palace of the Parliament, the world’s heaviest and most expensive building.
Lunch at a traditional restaurant in Bucharest Old Town.
You’ll have the opportunity to explore Bucharest at your own pace or check-in to the hotel to relax.
Dinner at our favourite restaurant in Bucharest.
Overnight stay in Bucharest.
Our fearless trip leader Ravi and our local guides will accompany you throughout your gallivanting across the region for the entire duration of the tour, enriching your days with essential knowledge, additional inputs, quirky stories, travel anecdotes, cultural insights, and photography tips. In the evening you may then spend a few more hours together feasting on delicious Eastern European food while sipping local brews or a glass of classy Bessarabian wine. The Eastern Balkans and Moldova rank among Ravi’s favorite destinations in the entire former Eastern Bloc.
JANUARY 04 • STONE GIANTS AND BROKEN DREAMS
Early morning start with breakfast before we check-out and head towards Bulgaria.Along the way, we’ll pass stark communist-era blocks before reaching Shumen.
Here we’ll be greeted by the massive Founders of the Bulgarian State Monument, stone giants in cubist concrete, commemorating 1300 years of the First Bulgarian Empire, designed by sculptors Krum Damyanov and Ivan Slavov.
We’ll stop for lunch in Shumen, then visit the Glory to the Soviet Liberator Army memorial-ossuary, the resting place of Red Army soldiers whose remains were recovered from more than 50 mass graves.Continue towards Veliko Tarnovo, on arrival we’ll check-in to our hotel and head out to explore the city.
Dinner and overnight in Veliko Tarnovo.
“Hail, our Republic, we sing to your glory! May you fore’er be a true shield of peace! But should an enemy storm o’er the country, Lead us to battle, to glorious feats!”
JANUARY 05 • CONCRETE COMMUNIST SPACESHIPS
We’ll have an early morning start with breakfast before we check-out and head towards Sofia, the capital city of Bulgaria.
Our first stop is the Buzludzha Monument in Stara Zagora Province. This UFO-like structure, once the House of the Bulgarian Communist Party, exemplifies the futurist style of state-built communist architecture. Abandoned since the fall of communism in 1989, it also holds deep historical significance as the site of the final 1868 battle between Bulgarian rebels and Ottoman forces.
We’ll continue to Sofia and have lunch stop along the way.
Upon arrival in Sofia, we’ll check into our hotel before setting out on a Communist Bulgaria tour. Many Soviet monuments here are controversial and often vandalized, this may be one of the last chances to see them in their original locations.
We’ll head to a traditional Bulgarian restaurants to enjoy
Farewell dinner and drinks
Overnight stay in Sofia.
JANUARY 06 • SOFIA AT LAST!
After enjoying a last Bulgarian meal together, we'll take care of your transfer to Sofia International Airport.
If you wish to extend their stay in Bulgaria, you can count on us for additional excursions and bespoke activities around the country.
End of the tour.
1890 €
MOLDOVA-TRANSNISTRIA ONLY (GROUP A) • 950 €
ROMANIA-BULGARIA ONLY (GROUP B) • 1050 €
INCLUSIONS
Double/twin-room accommodation (breakfast is always included), private transport in the region (minivan), overnight sleeper train (4 bed compartment) Chisinau-Bucharest, all entrance fees, English-speaking local guides for the entire duration of the trip, tour leading by Ravi Mistry for the entire duration of the trip, all meals on NYE, 24/7 on-site and remote assistance by Soviet Tours.
EXCLUSIONS
Single supplement (350 € for the full tour, 200 € for Group A, 150 € for Group B), international flights, most meals (lunches and dinners), extra drinks, visa fees (if required), tips, personal travel insurance.
“Dialectical materialism works like cocaine, let’s say. If you sniff it once or twice, it may not change your life. If you use it day after day, though, it will make you into an addict, a different man.”