Moldova 

The Danube marks Moldova's southern border with Romania. Moldova is not yet a member of the Danube Tourist Commission.

 Not only is Moldova the smallest of the lands that the Danube traverses—just about the size of Belgium—it also has the shortest frontage on the river: a mere 900 metres.

Nestling between Romania and Ukraine, the young republic has almost 4.3 million inhabitants. The majority speak Moldovan, which is nearly identical to Romanian.

Though Moldova is one of Europe’s newest countries, having proclaimed independence on the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1991, at present being member of the Common Wealth of Independent States, it looks back on a colorful and eventful past:
An independent principality in the fourteenth century under Bogdan I, the area fell to the Ottomans in the sixteenth century. Annexed by Russia in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, the area of the present state became known as Bessarabia. In the twentieth century, Moldova changed hands several times between Russia and Romania.

Moldova has much to offer the visitor: historic monuments and monasteries, a varied landscape of rolling hills and plains. The country’s rich, black soil and sunny climate have made it known for its bountiful harvests of superlative fruits and vegetables. But it is above all for its wine that Moldova is famed. Wine cultivation is believed to date back before Roman and Greek times to the ancient Thracians. Moldova produces superb reds and whites: Chardonnay, Pinot, Riesling, Cabernet, Aligote, as well as wines from local varieties such as Rara Neagra, Feteasca, and Plavai. Not to be missed are extensive wine cellars like those at Milestii Mici or Cricova, the world’s biggest. At Cricova, visitors can tour impressive natural limestone galleries by car along 100 kilometres of underground streets bearing the names of grapes. Moldova’s wine culture can be experienced at wine tastings offered by wine cellars, by exploring the web of wine routes that spread out from the capital, and at the colorful annual wine festival held in October.

Today Moldova sets great store on developing tourism: Giurgiuleşti at the country’s most southerly point is being developed as port of call for Danube cruise liners. The international airport at the capital, Chişinău, is served by regular flights from many cities in Europe and beyond.