Staying in Moldova for 2 weeks proved to me that even the most boring of places can be amazing with the right people.
The only tourist in Moldova
11–20 of 427 posts
Re: The only tourist in Moldova
#12This is a very nice take on the country. I visited a few years ago (took an overnight train from Romania which was a blast, albeit not the most restful experience) and I would just say that there isn't all that much to see or things going on. Not to say it isn't a nice enough place, it's just not one I'd ever recommend as a tourist destination for people. If you want more Eastern Europe vibes I think Romania is just…
Do you even Prague, bro...
Prague is fantastic if you can avoid the tourist crowds.
I lived there briefly with a Czech roommate who took me on tours through the "real" city. Also had a British friend there and we went through the usual tourist destinations now and then. The astronomical clock was neat, but the castle was so much more interesting and far less crowded than the old town.
Incidentally, I didn't drink before said roommate introduced me to Czech beer. What I wouldn't give for a nice frosty Kozel here in the states...
Re: The only tourist in Moldova
#13Earlier quoted context omitted.
> more adventurous > Kyiv Understatement of the year
The funny thing is, coming from Washington DC, I felt about or more safe in Ukraine as I do here day to day. I wasn't worried about being carjacked, I wasn't worried about someone with mental health or drug problems robbing me, and I wasn't worried about being shot (as I write this it feels hyperbolic to say but I live about 10 mins walking from the capitol and in the two years I've been here there have been multiple…
They have hit apartments and hospitals before so its not only military/government/infra targets any longer. I'm surprised they haven't been sold an iron dome or a similar system by now to be honest.
Re: The only tourist in Moldova
#14Visit Transnistria for another level of amazement if you're in the area. The last Soviet republic.
Re: The only tourist in Moldova
#15This is a very nice take on the country. I visited a few years ago (took an overnight train from Romania which was a blast, albeit not the most restful experience) and I would just say that there isn't all that much to see or things going on. Not to say it isn't a nice enough place, it's just not one I'd ever recommend as a tourist destination for people. If you want more Eastern Europe vibes I think Romania is just…
Do you even Prague, bro...
Budapest is also a great eastern Euro vibe. Especially the old, Soviet-looking street cars and busses!
Re: The only tourist in Moldova
#16This would fit maybe in 2019, but Moldova now has many foreigners. Hotel prices went up considerably!
For "Europe's least visited country" try Belorus, Ukraine, Russia, Ossetia or Armenia.
Traveling to Mariupol as a tourist is the real deal in 2024
Re: The only tourist in Moldova
#17Earlier quoted context omitted.
The funny thing is, coming from Washington DC, I felt about or more safe in Ukraine as I do here day to day. I wasn't worried about being carjacked, I wasn't worried about someone with mental health or drug problems robbing me, and I wasn't worried about being shot (as I write this it feels hyperbolic to say but I live about 10 mins walking from the capitol and in the two years I've been here there have been multiple…
They have hit apartments and hospitals before so its not only military/government/infra targets any longer. I'm surprised they haven't been sold an iron dome or a similar system by now to be honest.
Yeah, I've seen that (and some of it unfortunately is not directly from missile attacks but falling debris after missiles were intercepted) but apart from some horrendous cases, the likelihood still seemed relatively low that they'd target the bar/hostel/restaurant I happened to be in, and without enough time for me to get to a shelter. The only time I was really nervous was when an air raid siren went off when I was in the train station at Lviv and I wasn't sure whether to go to a shelter or the train (I chose the latter which was good because the train left on time)
Re: The only tourist in Moldova
#18This would fit maybe in 2019, but Moldova now has many foreigners. Hotel prices went up considerably! For "Europe's least visited country" try Belorus, Ukraine, Russia, Ossetia or Armenia. Traveling to Mariupol as a tourist is the real deal in 2024
Every time I've been to Armenia there are many people visiting, although I think probably 80%+ are diaspora or descendants of diaspora folks
edit to add -- not sure Ossetia is technically a country... the Georgians might quibble with you on that one
Re: The only tourist in Moldova
#19I wonder what will happen to them if Ukraine loses to Russia. I have heard Moldova already has issues with Russian separatists.
EDIT: Changed an offensive use of a definitive article. ;)
Re: The only tourist in Moldova
#20People go to Chisinău, and that’s kinda it, and it’s really not representative of Moldova as a whole. You cross the border from Romania, and you’re immediately struck by the road turning to cobbles, and the modern street lamps turning into gas lamps. Ox carts bearing peasants in home-sewn clothes trundle by under their burden of hay. A rusted old lada serves as a roadside goose coop. Wattle and daub houses stoop by t…
Have you been outside the capital in Albania? I visited Tirana and was quite surprised (pleasantly) but didn't have time to adventure further