The "Dor de Codru" tourist route awaits you with picturesque scenery and unforgettable experiences!

Forget seaside holidays and choose a truly fantastic destination right here at home! Visit an open-air museum, try your hand at shaping black pottery, or weave traditional rugs. We invite you to explore the new "Dor de Codru" tourist route. It encompasses three villages and 20 attractions that will reveal places in the Republic of Moldova that seem like a slice of paradise.

Three villages in the center of the country—Ciorești, Dolna, and Micleușeni—have created the "Dor de Codru" rural tourism route. Picturesque landscapes, ancient forests, folk artisans, and agritourism guesthouses are among the 20 attractions included in the itinerary.

Departure: 08:30, from the Circus Duration: 1 day

PRICE: - 400 lei/person (standard); The price includes: - round-trip transportation - guide/interpreter services - excursion to Căpriana Monastery - visit to the village of Ciorești - black pottery making workshop (at the home of Zaharia Triboi) - excursion and honey tasting ("Conacul Mierii" / The Honey Manor) - excursion and admission fees to the "Alexander Pushkin" House-Museum in Dolna village - visit to "Zamfira's Spring" and a walk in "Zamfira's Glade"

Sites Visited: Căpriana Monastery

Located in a picturesque forest area 40 km northwest of Chișinău, Căpriana is one of Moldova's oldest monasteries (founded in 1429). For a long time, it served as the residence of the Metropolitan of Moldova and was patronized by various rulers, including Stephen the Great; the chronicler Eftimie and one of Moldova's earliest poets, Chiprian, lived here. Initially, the monastery was built entirely of wood; later, in 1545, the "Dormition of the Mother of God" summer church was erected in stone. The "Saint George" church was built in 1840, followed by the "Saint Nicholas" church in 1903. Căpriana once housed the largest monastic library in Moldova, containing precious gifts from the country's rulers. Although closed and devastated in the post-war years, it was among the first monasteries to reopen in 1989, quickly becoming a symbol of national revival. The monastery is open to visitors daily. Ciorești Village

Ciorești is the administrative center of the commune of the same name in the Nisporeni District of the Republic of Moldova, a village that warmly welcomes tourists. It covers an area of ​​approximately 2.99 square kilometers, with a perimeter of 12.05 km. The commune comprises the villages of Ciorești and Vulcănești. The village is located 20 km from the town of Nisporeni and 65 km from Chișinău. Ciorești was first documented in 1545. Visitors are invited to discover local culture, traditions, and cuisine through 20 attractions developed in the area, including guesthouses, museums, and craft workshops. The village's signature landmark is a magnificent oak-wood gate at the entrance, standing 9 meters tall and 5 meters wide. Here, visitors can also admire the creations of folk artisan Zaharia Triboi, the only craftsman in the Bessarabian region who creates black pottery. Tourists can participate in masterclasses and observe the entire process—from shaping to decorating the pottery. This craft defines artisan Zaharia Triboi and embodies the history of the village.

The A.S. Pushkin Museum in Dolna

In Dolna, visitors can follow in the footsteps of the Russian poet Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin. This museum, along with the manor and cellar of Boyar Zamfirache Arbore-Ralli, serves as the locality's calling card. The cellar—built in the second half of the 18th century by the boyar's sons—is known to more than just the village residents.

Zamfira’s Spring and Zamfira’s Glade

Nestled in the forest, Zamfira’s Spring comes with its own legend. Zamfira, the Romani woman, inspired not only Pushkin but also great writers from around the world; the spring and glade bearing her name are sure to captivate both the soul and the eye.

The Honey Manor in Micleușeni Village

Another tourist attraction on the route is the "sweet business" run by the Ciolacu couple in the village of Micleușeni. Visitors are delighted by the delicious taste of the honey and insights into the lives of bees, and are treated to a complimentary soup prepared by the hosts at the end of the visit.

• Category: Excursions
• Duration: 1 Days
• Price/pers: 400 MDL
• Location: mun. Chişinău, str. Columna, 77, MD-2001 Republica Moldova
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