• Norway!

    Norway: Sunnylvsfjord. Go Now!

    Norway
    Known for its natural beauty, Norway is home to isolated villages, fjords, and mountains that create a culture and landscape without compare. Begin Your Journey!

  • Vatican City!

    Vatican City: Vatican Museums. Go Now!

    Vatican City
    The smallest country in the world offers the heart of Catholicism and among the world's finest art collections, including the Sistine Chapel and the Raphael Rooms (ceiling pictured). Go to Vatican City!

  • Macedonia!

    Macedonia: Traditional architecture. Go Now!

    Macedonia
    Macedonia is a country still finding its unique identity, but its architecture is already one of a kind. Explore Macedonia!

  • Austria!

    Austria: Belvedere Palace. Go Now!

    Austria
    Belvedere Palace (pictured) is just one of many palaces found in Vienna. The capital is a good start to Austria, which also features the Alps, the Lakes District, and incredible history & food. Go Now!

  • Spain!

    Spain: Guell Park and Gaudi architecture. Go Now!

    Spain
    Fusion foods, lively music, historic ruins, and cultural events like the Running of the Bulls and La Tomatina make Spain and Barcelona (pictured) a favorite tourist destination. Explore Spain!

  • Ukraine!

    Ukraine: Traditional Village. Go Now!

    Ukraine
    Ukrainian culture is based on village life, particularly that found in the Carpathian Mountains (pictured). Begin Your Journey!

Cricova, Moldova

Introduction & History

The town of Cricova offers little to the visitor, although the surrounding area is filled with vineyards and the town is home to the Cricova Winery. The wine industry in Moldova truly developed in the late 1940s and early 1950s just after World War II. This time is also the beginning of the history of Cricova Winery.

Cricova Today

Cricova is a growing tourist destination (on Moldovan terms) and the winery is all that most visitors see of Cricova. The tour offers information, history, and of course wine, but little in the way of local culture.

However, wine making and drinking is an essential part of Moldovan culture today as numerous families have small grape plots and each year they harvest the grapes together, make the wines together, and later bottle the wines as a family. While this side of the culture isn't seen in the tours, winemaking and drinking is an essential part of Moldovan culture and at Cricova you get a glimpse of this.

Historical & Architectural Sights

Cricova Winery: Cricova Winery is one of the best wineries in Moldova and their winery has an excellent tour for visitors. This tour takes its visitors through their underground cellars, which look and feel like streets as you're surrounded by wines from both the present and years past. For more information, go to their website: www.cricova.md (click on "Feedback" then "Tours" for more information).

Transportation

Cricova has limited transportation options and the only true ways to get to the city are via public transportation from Chisinau or via private ground transportation. Public options are very limited so most people find a taxi ride from Chisinau as the most convenient method.

Airport: Cricova doesn't have an airport; the closest airport is the Chisinau International Airport located about 17 miles (27 kilometers) from Cricova. The airport code is KIV and the airport's website is: www.airport.md. For its location or directions, see the map below.

Train Station: Cricova doesn't have a train station.

Bus Station: Cricova doesn't have any true bus station; what they do have is streets where buses stop to pick people up and what street that is can vary based upon the bus's destination. The general rule is that to get to Cricova you take the bus so to leave you must take the bus; remember where the bus dropped you off at and that's where the bus will leave from to the same destination you came from. There are also a fair number of taxis going to and from the Cricova Winery so it is easy to get a taxi to or from Chisinau and if there are none waiting, the winery is willing to assist in calling you one.

Local Transportation: Cricova has limited local transportation with some local buses and marshrutkas, which are similar to large vans servicing the city. The local transportation doesn't have an official website, however locals (who speak English) are generally willing to help out and the services are similar to public transportation in most major cities throughout Europe. Taxis are also available in limited numbers, but few drivers speak English.

Official Websites

Republic of Moldova: www.moldova.md

Maps & Directions

This page was last updated: November, 2012