Full day · Soroca · Gypsy Hill · The Dniester
North to the fortress with five towers.
The old centre of Soroca, the river bank, and the hill above the town. One long day, all the way north.
North out of Chișinău, along the Dniester, and the country changes. On the way we stop in Clișova Nouă, at the Arta Rustica carpet museum, to break the long drive. Soroca keeps a 16th-century fortress with five towers standing right at the water, the bank of the river below it, a wooden church and the central park. After lunch in town, Gypsy Hill above it, then a staircase of about 600 steps, 30 to 40 minutes up, to the Candle of Gratitude, the monument standing over the Dniester. On the way back there is an optional craft beer stop at RockScore Brewery.
This day includes a staircase: about 600 steps up to the Candle of Gratitude, 30 to 40 minutes. If you would rather not take the steps, we drive right up to the Candle. The rest of the walking, in the old centre, is easy. Trainers are not required.
Price
One price per car with guide, not per person.
The day, hour by hour
The town in the morning, the hill after lunch.
Arta Rustica carpet museum, Clișova Nouă
A carpet museum and weaving workshop in the village of Clișova Nouă, a stop that breaks the long drive north.
Clișova Nouă to Soroca
The historic centre of Soroca on foot
The 16th-century fortress with its five towers, the bank of the Dniester below it, the wooden church and the central park.
Lunch in town (optional)
A proper break in Soroca before Gypsy Hill and the Candle.
Paid on site
Gypsy Hill
The hill above the town and its famous houses.
The Candle of Gratitude
About 600 steps up to the Candle of Gratitude (Lumânarea Recunoștinței) standing over the Dniester, or by car right up to it.
No entry fee
To RockScore Brewery
Optional craft beer stop at RockScore Brewery
A glass on site or a few beers to take away, no food and no second lunch. Water for those who do not drink beer. If the group would rather skip it, we drive straight back to Chișinău.
Paid on site
Back to Chișinău
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)
On this day that means the entry tickets in Soroca and lunch in town, both paid on site. The Candle of Gratitude has no entry fee.
Why this day
Why this day and not another.
Most visitors never leave the middle of the country. This one goes north, to the river town where a fortress still guards the Dniester and a monument on the hill above it looks back over everything you drove through to get here.
What guests say
Travelers who have spent a day on the road with me.
"By the end, it felt like we'd been traveling with old friends. Cornelio's 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."
"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."
"Corneliu is more than a car rental, he is also an excellent guide. We got to know many corners of the country with him over a week that we would never have found alone."
Practical bits
Questions guests usually ask.
Group size and price
Toyota Prius+ takes up to 4 guests, €280. Opel Vivaro up to 6 guests, €400. Mercedes Sprinter up to 20 guests, from €850, 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.
How long is the day?
About 10 hours door to door. We leave Chișinău at 09:00 and we are back in the city around 19:00. It is the longest of my one-day routes inside Moldova, and the north is worth it.
How much walking is there?
The old centre of Soroca is walked at an easy pace. The one demanding part is the staircase to the Candle of Gratitude, about 600 steps, 30 to 40 minutes up. If you would rather not take the steps, we drive right up to the Candle. Trainers are not required.
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 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.
Weather
We tour year-round. The way up to the Candle of Gratitude is a staircase, not a trail, and we can also drive right up to it. Tell me your dates and we will plan the timing around the forecast.
Children
Welcome. Child seats available on request, 9 months and up.
Mobility
The town itself is flat and easy. The staircase to the Candle of Gratitude, about 600 steps, is not. If the steps do not work for you, we drive right up to the Candle.
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
Ready to plan?
If you have more time
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