Departure from Chișinău at 8:30–9:00 AM
After a brief overview of the day's program, we will depart for Transnistria, or as it is known on the other side of the river, Pridnestrovie. During the approximately one-hour journey, I will explain the history of Moldova and Transnistria/Pridnestrovie, focusing on the events that led to the creation of this de facto state, which is not recognized by the international community. Upon arrival, there will be a walking tour of the towns of Bender and Tiraspol, during which we will visit the main tourist attractions, as well as some lesser-known places that are connected to Italy through history or interesting facts.
After the city tours, tourists will be able to 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 Moldova. During the tour, which I will lead, you will gain a better understanding of the region’s historical dynamics within the context of the Ottoman and Tsarist empires. Entrance ticket: 50 Transnistrian rubles (around €2.50). 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 just a few kilometers from Tiraspol. This is a little-known site, highly sought after by Italian tourists and generally visited only by select groups. Admission costs EUR 10 per person, payable to the caretaker. Minimum visiting time: 1 hour. The visit is entirely at the tourist's discretion.
This tour is available in three different options 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 for between 6:30 PM and 7:00 PM.
• Full Day & “Back in the USSR” Dinner – includes the full experience with a Soviet-style themed dinner, with return to Chișinău scheduled between 9:30 PM and 10:00 PM.
• Authentic Transnistria – Overnight – A two-day tour offering a full immersion in the local experience, 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 dine at the “URSS” wine cellar in Bender, a venue with a more down-to-earth atmosphere, or at the “Back in USSR” restaurant in Tiraspol, which is more elegant and has a traditional restaurant setting.
P.S. For football fans, we can go to the stadium to watch a Sheriff Tiraspol game, a unique and rare experience. Of course, whether we can attend will depend on the match schedule and the time it is played that day. Just for the record, the ticket is free.
