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The only tourist in Moldova

telegraph.co.uk

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Re: The only tourist in Moldova

#81

Post by sandworm101 »

victorbjorklund wrote: post #77
sandworm101 wrote: post #59

Moldova is sandwiched between NATO (Romania) the active war in Ukraine. Please avoid, and if you cannot then please prepare to take care of yourself should things heat up. Every time a conflict starts there are tourists demanding their home countries send helicopters to rescue them. At least remember to register your exact location and details with your embassy. And have a car. Be ready to drive yourself should the t…

Russia hasnt taken a single large city since the start of the war. They are struggling to even keep the front intact (which is why Putin now begs for peace). They wont suddenly blast through all of Ukraine and invade a new country just over a night. But sure never hurts to be prepared.

And if it is NATO blasting through Moldova into Ukraine?

Re: The only tourist in Moldova

#83

Post by paavohtl »

atlasunshrugged wrote: post #20
madaxe_again wrote: post #9

People 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

I visited Tirana and Durrës about 5 years ago. Durrës was a pretty great place to visit with its long beach, views of the Adriatic, decent restaurants, roman & other ruins and a nice archeological museum. Certainly more touristy than Tirana, but at least back then it was mostly locals.

Re: The only tourist in Moldova

#84

Post by userulluipeste »

"Sergiu exuberantly offers up shot glasses of mulberry vodka, pine-needle vodka, strawberry vodka, “medicine” vodka, “78 per cent proof” vodka"

Although Moldova has vodka-drinking Slavs in it, the beverages described are not vodkas. Vodka is made of cereals or potatoes, whereas these are nicer-flavored, fruit-based distilled beverages that locals call "rakiu", in English it would be schnapps: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schnapps

Re: The only tourist in Moldova

#85

Post by lostmsu »

brabel wrote: post #65
Freak_NL wrote: post #62

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Well yeah, Belarus is essentially off-limits to a large part of the world due to Russia's war with Ukraine. Belarus does seem like a wonderful country at its core, but after the election fraud all progress just froze and the country is (once again) seen as Russia's de-facto vassal state. This sucks for the people of Belarus who got caught up in this, but for the average tourist going there is not something to conside…

I had to laugh at "this country is not safe" :D my country also advised that, but I've been there many times. It's about the safest country in Europe IMHO.

It well may be the safest country in Europe, provided you shut your mouth instead of talking much about important matters.

Re: The only tourist in Moldova

#86

Post by kjkjadksj »

psunavy03 wrote: post #32
kjkjadksj wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

They've already been sold the whole suite of Western air defense systems in addition to the ex-Soviet gear they've already had. Patriot, HAWK, Gepard, etc.

That didn't help the childrens hospital that was hit 9 days ago unfortunately. 40 people died in that strike.

Re: The only tourist in Moldova

#88

Post by euroderf »

Freak_NL wrote: post #62
brabel wrote: post #30

I was in Belarus recently and it did feel like I was the only non-Slavic person, and tourist, on the bus there (yes, bus, because no European country except for Turkey is flying to Belarus). Everyone else seemed like locals going back home for a visit (including my wife!). But once you get to Minsk, it's actually pretty modern and nice, extremely clean... and clearly a vibrating city with lots of things to do, buy an…

Well yeah, Belarus is essentially off-limits to a large part of the world due to Russia's war with Ukraine. Belarus does seem like a wonderful country at its core, but after the election fraud all progress just froze and the country is (once again) seen as Russia's de-facto vassal state. This sucks for the people of Belarus who got caught up in this, but for the average tourist going there is not something to conside…

Belarus shot down that hot air balloon some years ago, based on some lame excuse. Pretty sh#tty.

Re: The only tourist in Moldova

#89

Post by euroderf »

jmspring wrote: post #34
atlasunshrugged wrote: post #3

This 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…

Estonia’s old city is a treat to explore. Last time I was there was several years back during the winter and it was -30c or so out. Didn’t stop some drunk Brits from having a good time.

It was a top destination for Brit bachelor parties some years ago but that trade seems to have dried up of late. Good riddance.

Re: The only tourist in Moldova

#90

Post by euroderf »

throwaway3306a wrote: post #14

Visit Transnistria for another level of amazement if you're in the area. The last Soviet republic.

There's a BBC short series from some years ago where our intrepid correspondent visits twilight zones. The episode on Transdnestr is really a trip. He even manages to visit an arms factory masquerading as making consumer stuff. The episode is worth looking up.
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