One day · Căușeni · Purcari · Cobza
Frescoes below ground, a red above royal tables.
Căușeni, Purcari, a long lunch. Nine and a half hours, 248 km, southeast to the Dniester wine country.
The Church of the Dormition in Căușeni sits partly below ground, a rare Ottoman-period design and one of the most unique Orthodox churches in the country, its frescoes blending Orthodox iconography with Balkan and Ottoman influences. Forty kilometers on, Purcari has been making wine since 1827, and Negru de Purcari went from these cellars to European royal courts. Lunch is home-style and unhurried.
Price
One price per car with guide, not per person.
The day, hour by hour
Căușeni, Purcari and a long lunch at Cobza.
Church of the Dormition of the Virgin, Căușeni
One of Moldova's most unique Orthodox churches: 18th century, partly underground (a rare Ottoman-period design), well-preserved frescoes blending Orthodox iconography with Balkan and Ottoman influences.
Entry paid on site
Căușeni to Purcari Winery (40 km)
Purcari Winery
Founded 1827, one of Moldova's oldest wineries, famous for Negru de Purcari, served at European royal courts and favored by Queen Elizabeth II. Wine tour with tasting of 3 wines.
Paid on site, about 23 EUR per person, cash or card
Traditional lunch at Cobza Restaurant (optional)
Home-style Moldovan restaurant with a set menu put together by the family, no choice of dishes: starters, soup, main course, tea or coffee and desserts, all with homemade wine.
Paid on site, about 23 EUR per person
Back to Chișinău (120 km)
No surprises
What's in the price, what you pay on site.
What's in the price
- Professional licensed guide, car and fuel for the whole day
- Tour in your language: English, German, Russian or Romanian
- Pick-up and drop-off anywhere in Chișinău
- Bottled water 0.5 L per person
Paid on site
- Entry tickets to monasteries, museums and wineries
- Wine tastings (paid on site, cash or card)
- Meals (lunch estimates given per tour, paid on site)
Why this day
Why these two together.
A church you walk down into, with frescoes that show three cultures arguing politely on one wall, and a winery whose red was poured at royal courts. Both are in the southeast, forty kilometers apart, and neither is on the standard circuit. It makes for the kind of day where the wine tasting is the second most interesting thing that happened.
What guests say about traveling with me
Reviews from my guests.
"I spent three days with Corneliu in Moldova and had a wonderful time. He was reliable, punctual, and dedicated. More importantly, his heart is in the right place and he's a wonderful person."
"We spent four fantastic days with Cornelio. By the end, it felt like we'd been traveling with old friends. His deep knowledge of history turned each destination into a captivating adventure filled with hidden gems and delightful surprises."
"Corneliu is a committed guide who took us on tours over several days in Moldova and Transnistria. He went into our interests with many suggestions and ideas, showed us not only the usual sights but also unknown paths."
Practical bits
Questions guests usually ask.
Group size and price
Toyota Prius+ takes up to 4 guests, €270. Opel Vivaro up to 6 guests, €380. Mercedes Sprinter up to 20 guests, from €820, the exact price once I know your exact number. Every price is for the car and the guide for the whole tour, not per person. For a bigger group, write to me and I will quote it.
Tastings and lunch, what do they cost?
The Purcari wine tour with a tasting of 3 wines is about 23 EUR per person, paid on site in cash or by card. The traditional lunch at Cobza Restaurant is optional and also about 23 EUR per person, paid on site.
What makes the Căușeni church unusual?
It is 18th century and built partly underground, a rare Ottoman-period design, and the frescoes inside are well preserved. It is one of the most unique Orthodox churches in Moldova.
Languages
English, German, Russian, Romanian. Italian, Spanish, Turkish and Bulgarian with a guide from my team. Tell me which you prefer when you book.
Pick-up
Anywhere in Chișinău. Hotel, apartment, airport. Send me the address by WhatsApp.
Payment
Cash (EUR, MDL, USD) or bank transfer. Half on booking confirmation, half at the end of the tour. Entry tickets, tastings and lunch are paid on site.
Cancellation
Your date is secured once you pay the deposit: that way you know the tour is yours, and I know I'm expecting you that day. Until then, the request commits you to nothing, but the date isn't reserved either, and another guest may book it. Cancellation: a week before the tour or earlier, we refund everything you've paid. Less than a week before, we refund 50% of what you've paid. On the day of the tour, what you've paid is not refunded, except for documented emergencies.
Children
Welcome. Child seats available on request, 9 months and up.
Can we share the tour with other guests?
Yes, choose “Group tour” in the booking form. We can join you with other guests on the same route and day. If a group comes together, the price is lower: we count it individually and confirm it in advance. If not, you travel privately at the price shown on this page. The group closes 3 days before the tour.
What if no guide is available on my dates?
It happens in peak season. The fallback is a car with a professional driver, English-speaking on request, without the guided part. Write me on WhatsApp with your dates and I will tell you the same day what I can offer.
Book this day
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