Holiday homes & rentals in Moldova

Secreted away between the Ukraine and Romania, Moldova rewards intrepid explorers to this remote and romantic destination with unspoilt countryside and a warm welcome from the locals. This location affords Moldova a temperate climate which, combined with the local prevalence of shell limestone, has produced the distinctive architecture of the region. While the city is characterised by the wealth of beautiful modern residential buildings erected in the 1900s, Moldova is also blessed with stunning medieval buildings, such as the unique Cave Monasteries in Orhei Vechi which date back to 1200s.

Chişinău for culture-vultures

The city has no shortage of engaging art and culture. The National Art Museum is a great place to start your investigation into the local cultural heritage. It is full of Romanian and Moldovan art, folk art and medieval ephemera to keep you gawping for hours, but it also houses regular exhibitions of contemporary art if you want to shift gear.

Russia's national poet Alexander Pushkin spent three years exiled in Moldova, and his tiny cottage has been preserved as the Pushkin Museum, where you can see his personal world of sentimental and mundane items, including a portrait of his favourite poet, Lord Byron, on his writing desk. The large literary museum opposite the cottage houses a fascinating collection of documents relating to the author's dramatic life.

The largest of Chişinău's museums is the National Archaeology and History Museum which contains artefacts from the region, including a collection of coins known as the Golden Horde, and Soviet weaponry.

Wine and wild nights

The capital of Chişinău is a beating heart with great night life, restaurants and cafés. If you like red wine, you will enjoy the city's array of locally produced, ruby-coloured vintages. Locals can be found frequenting many of the cosy hostelries and bars where the wine is served with charming ambiance and cheese boards. If you just don't want the night to end, you can take your pick among the local nightclubs.

Unforgettable excursions to the cave monasteries

From the city, there are several incredible outings that will keep you busy and your Instagram feed full. The aforementioned Cave Monasteries, for instance, include Tipova, one of the largest in all of Eastern Europe. Located among the crags of the Nistru River, this has been a seat of the monastic community for nearly a thousand years. Look out for the cave church with its gigantic columns and the 'footprint' left by Saint Maria on the mountain according to one of the monks who saw her standing on the spot in a vision.

Butuceni is another stunning Cave Monastery where the walls remain cool regardless of the temperature outside. Hundreds of candles and devotees make for a magical atmosphere, and the rock terrace presents scenic vistas of the stunning landscapes that surround the monastery.

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