Jewish heritage

About Tour

The Jews of Ukraine and Moldova, along with others in the successor states of the old Russian Empire, have been at the center of some of the most dramatic events of modern history: the I and II World Wars, the Holocaust, revolutions, pogroms, political liberations, repressions, the breakup of the Soviet Union and the establishment of independent states. Jews in these countries have gone through dizzyingly rapid changes in economic and social mobility. There are many places you may visit - synagogues, memorials, schools, Jewish history museums, libraries and Jewish cemeteries. Today, Jewish communities of Moldova and Ukraine are witnessing great renaissance.

1 st Day

Arrival in Chisinau

Included highlights:

On arrival to Chisinau your acquaintance with the capital of Moldova starts. First, you check-in at the local hotel and meet local guide who will take you for 4 hours city tour including:

  • Holocaust Jewish Memorial,
  • Jewish Cemetery,
  • Chisinau Synagogue,
  • Chisinau Jewish Pogrom 1903-1905 Memorial,
  • I. Manger Jewish Library,
  • Jewish History Museum and Kishinev Jacobs Jewish Campus (KEDEM).

Optional highlights:

Lunch in the restaurant specialized in traditional Moldovan cuisine or on your preliminary request you you may have lunch with Kosher Food.

Included meals:
  • Lunch
2 nd Day

Between Jewish and Roma comunity

Included highlights:

  • Start our trip to Soroca town known for its sizable Roma minority.
  • On arrival to Soroca we visit the fortress which is the unique monument of defensive architecture of Europe.
  • Lunch in the local restaurant.
  • Drive to the Roma’ district of Soroca famous by its “Posh” palaces.
  • The highlights of the tour are local synagogue and cemetery.
  • Return to Chisinau.

Optional highlights:

On your preliminary request we can even arrange a meeting with the local Jewish community leader.

Included meals:
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
3 rd Day

Last Jewish experiences in Moldova and departer

Included highlights:

  • Transfer to the International airport in Chisinău.

Optional highlights:

Beltsy city is the biggest industrial and cultural center in the Northern part of Moldova. According to some sources, the first Jews appeared in this region of Moldova at the beginning of the 10th century. In 1580, the locality later named Beltsy was formed around a small Jewish tavern - korchma. During the second part of the 19th century, Jews made up more than 50% of the population in Beltsy and small surrounding settlements. Starting with 1989, the Beltsy Jewish community is the second biggest community after Kishinev as well as the regional center for 49 small towns and villages in the North of Moldova. Jewish population is 2,000 (plus about 600 from Beltsy periphery). Since 2000, the Beltsy community has a winning program with the Jewish Federation of Greensboro, NC that supports the main projects of the local Jewry.

  • Visit the synagogue and the Association of the Jewish Organizations of Beltsy, the "Hesed Yakov" Welfare Center, JCC, that serve the local community.
  • Visit the local synagogue, the cemetery and speak to the local Jewish community.

Included meals:
  • Breakfast

What People Say

More reviews ›

Dear Razvan, 

Thank you so much for this fantastic educational trip. Your organisation was perfect, your company / guidance most appreciated. 

And i can say that this trip immediately comes in my top 5 trips ever in my 27 year career. Thanks a lot: fantastic discoveries, fantastic explanations, very good and nice hotels, excellent food everywhere, and so on...

Also specal thanks to Natasha. With her enthusiasm she made us discover Moldova and Transnistria in a fantastic way.

Hello Victoria, Thank you again so much for the tours last week! I had a lot of fun, and you are an excellent guide. Orheiul Vechi was really beautiful, and some of the photos came out very nice. I also really liked Chateau Vartely, so thank you for coming up with the idea to visit there. 

Tiraspol was quite interesting and bizarre, and I'm glad we went, even with the cold and rain. The Kvint distillery was very good. I had to resist finishing the whole bottle. I hope I'll be able to visit Moldova again sometime before too long. I will also let you know whenever I come to Romania.

During my recent holiday to Moldova, I was lucky enough to have Miss Victoria Odobescu as a guide and driver on two occasions.  One day we went to Orheiul Vechi, and another to Soroca, the XV fort guarding the Dnistre river crossing.  Miss Odobescu speaks very good colloquial English, her range is wide and is a confident and safe driver.  Victoria, was exceptionally well-informed about the history, culture, and people of Moldova. In addition, she was very sensitive to my needs and wants. I highly recommend the services provided by Victoria Odobescu. I am sure she will have success in her career in Tourism.