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Moldova and Romania

Supporting ChildAidEE in Moldova with The Very Revd Geoffrey Marshall

Prices from £2,690 pp

Single Supplement £575

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Moldova is a landlocked Eastern European republic bordered by Romania to the west and Ukraine to the north, east and south.  Moldova is an agricultural country, known especially for its vineyards.  It has rich historical and cultural ties with Romania.  By religion Moldova is strongly Christian Orthodox, with a majority of the people owing allegiance to the Russian Patriarchate and a minority to the Romanian, a proportion which has been shifting since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.  By size Moldova is a quarter the size of England, slightly larger than Belgium, with a population of little over 2 million.  By GDP Moldova is the poorest country in Europe except for Ukraine.  Historically Moldova has been variously Hungarian, Russian and Turkish; it became part of Romania after World War 1; early in World War 2 it became the Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic.  Current efforts at reunification with Romania emerged with the breakup of the Soviet Union.  A ceasefire between Moldova and the pro-Russian self-declared breakaway state of Transnistria on the eastern border with Ukraine has held since 1992.  Moldova continues to navigate a complex relationship between pro-Western and pro-Russian factions. In 2022 it applied for membership of the European Union. During our week in Moldova we will support ChildAidEE and some of its project partners and visit several of the beautiful Moldovan churches and monasteries.

ChildAidEE (the name of the charity since 2006) was founded in 1973 by Jane Ellis, a researcher at Keston College. After studying Russian at university, Jane felt called to serve oppressed Christians in Russia. ChildAid has worked in Moldova since 2000 and currently has 4 project partners (see below); since 2022 each of their partners have worked with Ukrainian refugees. Employment opportunities are difficult in poor Moldova, and any opportunities for those with a disability are even harder.
Tony Hawks Centre: the country’s foremost rehabilitation centre offering non-invasive therapies to children living with disabilities
Phoenix Centre: a partnership with UK charity, MAD-Aid, offering rehabilitation therapies and day care for children living with disabilities in the north of the country.
Esther House: a day centre for children from vulnerable families in rural Moldova
Family Love: preventing abandonment in the poorest families in the disputed territory of Transnistria

 

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Itinerary

  1. Travel to Chișinău

    We fly from Luton to Chișinău. On arrival, we meet our local guide and transfer by coach to our hotel in Chișinău.  Two-night stay at the Zentrum Hotel.  Dinner at the hotel (in the event of a late arrival, a cold platter will be provided in the rooms).

  2. Chișinău & The Tony Hawks Centre

    This morning we explore Chișinău: the leafy area around the Cathedral Park, the adjacent Arch of Triumph and Metropolitan Cathedral, as well the central marketplace where local farmers come to sell their produce, from vegetables and fruits (both of which Moldova is famous for!) to dairy, bread and pastry. Lunch at own cost. In the afternoon we visit the Tony Hawks Centre, one of the four projects supported by ChildAidEE providing vital support for families with children who have chronic illnesses of the neuro-muscular, cardio-vascular or respiratory system. We then continue to the  refugee children eco-school for a visit before we return to our hotel. Dinner in a local restaurant.

  3. Orheiul Vechi Monastic Complex, Butuceni,Curchi and Soroca

    This morning we drive North of Chișinău  to the wonderful Răut Bend Reserve to visit Orheiul Vechi, the site of an ancient city which dates back to the 6th century BC. We visit the Cave Monastery which was built inside a cliff by Orthodox monks in the 13th Century. This secluded place of worship remained uninhabited for centuries and it was only in 1996 that a handful of monks returned and restored it to its current state. We call at a traditional farmhouse in Butuceni to sample some  local dishes before we continue to the Curchi Monastery, an Orthodox monastic complex including five churches, two buildings with living quarters for monks and a hermitage. Continue North to Soroca and visit the fortress which forms part of the old medieval chain of castle fortifications along the Dniester river. One night in Soroca at the Central Hotel. This evening dinner is not included.

  4. Râșcani, Mircești, Vălcineț, Răciula and Căpriana

    After breakfast, we drive  South-Westwards through the bucolic countryside that once provided no small part of the U.S.S.R. supply of fruits and vegetables. Today we visit two projects supported by ChildAidEE, the Phoenix Center in Râșcani and the Esther House in Vălcineț. Today a wine tasting followed by lunch is included at Mircești Estate also known as the ‘Moldovan Tuscany’ for its beautiful location. This afternoon we visit one of the oldest monasteries in Moldova, the Orthodox Holy Assumption Căpriana Monastery. We also call at the Stegărescu Family’s bee farm in Răciula for a honey-based dessert tasting. Return to Chișinău for a three-night stay at the Zentrum Hotel. This evening dinner is not included.

  5. Hâncești, Căușeni, Congaz, Beșalma and Gaidar

    This morning we visit the Manuc Bey’s Mansion in Hâncești one of the most beautiful historical sight in the country. This French-style castle with a winter garden, guard towers and a stunning park was granted in 1993 the status of an architectural monument. Continue to the 17th century Căușeni church to admire the magnificent frescoes before we lunch at a traditional restaurant in Congaz to sample the Găgăuz cusine. Afternoon visit of the museum in Beșalma to learn more about the Gagauz culture and lifestyle. We view the wooden windmill Gaidar before we return to our hotel in Chișinău. This evening dinner is not included.

  6. Țipova and Saharna

    Opportunity to join the local congregation at  St Pantelimon Church. This morning we visit two monastic settlements North of Chișinău: Țipova, an 11th century cave monastery and the Saharna Monastery considered to be one of the biggest pilgrimage site in Moldova. Today lunch is not included and the rest of the day is free. Today we hope to visit Tiraspol and the fourth project supported by ChildAidEE, the Family Love Organisation in Transnistria. However, it will only be possible to confirm this alternative itinerary nearer at the time. This evening we enjoy a Farewell dinner at a traditional restaurant in Chișinău.

  7. Home

    We transfer to Chișinău for our return flight to London.

Essential Information

The price of this tour is £2,690 per person based on 2 sharing a double or twin room.

 

This Tour Includes:

5 nights in Chișinău at the Zentrum Hotel

1 night in Soroca at the Central Hotel

Daily breakfast, three dinners and three lunches.

Flights from Luton to Chișinău

Airline baggage allowance

All airport and security charges

Transportation in private air-conditioned vehicles

English-speaking licensed local guides

Entrance fees to sites as per itinerary

Gratuities are included and will be disbursed locally

Single rooms: a limited number of single rooms are available at a supplementary cost of £575.

Payments: a non refundable deposit of £500 per person is payable to secure a place.  For bookings received by 20 February 2026, we offer a lower deposit payment of £300*. A second deposit payment of £200 per person is due 6 weeks from booking.

 

Final Travel Documents

These will be emailed to you 2 weeks before departure.

Not Included

Travel insurance: this is essential. We require all travellers to have adequate cancellation and medical
coverage for their journey. We have partnered with Holiday Extras so you can get a travel insurance quote to protect you before and whilst you are travelling. See the back cover for details.

Visas
Visas for British Citizens are not required to enter either Moldova. Non British passport holders will need to contact McCabe. Please note your passport must be valid for six months after the return of your holiday.

Mobility
Many of our tours and excursions are designed for those who are able to travel independently, or with the support of a companion who can assist during the trip. We recommend that participants feel comfortable with physical activity and are able to manage longer travel days, which may include early starts and extended periods on the road. Please note that the quality of vehicles and roads may vary from what you’re accustomed to in the UK. We encourage you to consider your personal health and comfort when planning your adventure, and we're happy to help if you have any specific concerns or questions about the suitability of a tour for your needs.

Special Requests
Should be advised when booking.

Late Bookings
For bookings made within 12 weeks of departure, the price may increase due to the fluctuating cost of flights. If this arises, we will always discuss this with you before processing your booking.

PASSPORTS, VISAS AND HEALTH
Please ensure that your passport is valid for at least six months beyond the end of this pilgrimage. If you need a new passport apply early as there can be considerable backlogs at the passport offices. Visas are not required for British or other EEC passport holders. No inoculations are required. We do, however, advise you to consult your doctor regarding your own personal requirements.

Practical information

MCCABE PILGRIMAGES
Our pilgrimage is being organised in association with McCabe Travel, a company well-known in church circles and recognised as Britain’s foremost religious tour operator. McCabe has been responsible for organising hundreds of pilgrimages to the Bible Lands with churches from all over Britain for 35 years. The company is a member of AITO and is fully bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority.

THE MCCABE EDUCATIONAL TRUST
The McCabe Educational Trust is an independent registered charity with the aim of helping inspiring people we meet on pilgrimage in the Holy Land. McCabe Pilgrimages invite all travellers to become partners in this work. A £20 voluntary donation to the Trust’s work is added to every pilgrim’s invoice and all money raised in this way is given in full to the projects the Trust supports. This scheme is voluntary and confidential with nobody put under any pressure to participate.

FINANCIAL SECURITY
All monies paid are fully protected through McCabe’s membership of the ABTOT bonding scheme. In addition, McCabe are also members of the Association of Independent Tour Operators and abide by the Association’s code of conduct.

This pilgrimage is ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. The McCabe ATOL number is 2920. McCabe is also a member of the Association of Independent Tour Operators and abides by the Association’s code of conduct.

HOLIDAY INSURANCE
Ensuring that your holidays are appropriately protected is one of our main priorities. That’s why we have partnered with Holiday Extras so you can get a travel insurance policy to protect you before and whilst you are travelling.

Holiday Extras Cover Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and has been independently rated 5-stars by Defaqto.

For more information or to obtain a quote, please click here, www.holidayextras.com. Or call them on 0800 083 3551 to speak to a friendly advisor. Please quote AG628 upon calling.

AITO QUALITY STATEMENT
McCabe Pilgrimages is a member of the Association of Independent Tour Operators. The Association represents Britain’s leading independent tour operators and encourages high standards of quality and service. McCabe abides by the Association’s Code of Conduct and adheres to the AITO Quality Charter which can be viewed on www.aito.co.uk. Visit the website to find out more about the Association or call 020 8744 9280. This pilgrimage is ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority.

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