Exploring Eastern Europe: Moldova

Located between Romania and Ukraine, the small country of 2.6 million sees relatively few tourists, yet has plenty to explore. Chisinau is the country's capital and cultural center, home to a wide variety of museums and eateries. Although dominated by Eastern-bloc architecture, its neoclassical gems include the Triumphal Arc built in 1840. Don't miss a stroll in leafy Stefan cel Mare Central Park.

Moldova has some spectacular churches and one of the most spectacular is the neoclassical Nativity Cathedral in Chisinau. Built in the 1830s, it has a turbulent past: It was destroyed during WW2 and not allowed to operate as a church while Moldova was part of the Soviet Union. In recent years it was fully restored, and can now be visited by tourists who come to admire its ornate beauty.

Located about an hour's drive from the capital, the nature and archaeological reserve of Old Orhei is popular with tourists for its many sites and impressive limestone cliffs. The Geto-Dacians Fortress is the oldest ruin, dating back to the 7th century BC; there is also the Butuceni cave monastery carved into stone. Orhei is also a popular spot for hiking, climbing and even paragliding.

Located near the village of Saharna just 100 kilometers (62 miles) north of the capital is a series of rivers and caves popular with tourists. The most stunning waterfall is known as Gypsy Hole, although all of the waterfalls located on the Saharna River are impressive. The area is an ideal place to find peace and quiet and enjoy nature.

Moldova has a number of unique Orthodox monasteries carved into rock, and Tipova is arguably the best-known. Towering some 200 meters (656 feet) over the Nistru river, the monastery is the largest cave monastery not only in Moldova, but in all of Eastern Europe. The views from inside the monastery of the river and surrounding landscape are fabulous.

Moldova's Nistru river, also called the Dinester, runs along the border of Ukraine. A great way to explore it is by kayak: Several tour operators offer day-long kayak trips which start or stop at villages along the river. There, one also has the chance to sample the cuisine of Moldova, including local dishes like Sarmale, dumplings made of cabbage leaves and filled with rice, vegetables and meat.

Moldova has 128,000 hectares of vineyards and in recent years, wine tours have become one of the most popular sightseeing activities in Moldova — after all, grape-growing began to flourish back in the 15th century. Milestii Mici claims to be the largest wine cellar in the world. Located in a former underground limestone quarry, it has a large network of tunnels in which its wine supply is kept.

With a scenic position on the Nistru river, the medieval Soroca fortress was once part of a large defense system which included fortresses on the Danube river. Built by order of Moldova's hero Stephen the Great in the 15th century, it's the only medieval monument in the country that was preserved as it was originally designed. Pay a visit to the small but ornate military church on the premises.

Around Moldova networks of bird watching routes have been created in floodplains, forests, waters and farmlands. In the Orheiul Vechi Culture-Nature Reserve, for example, tourists can see more than 100 bird species that nest in the area. Another picturesque place to take one's binoculars is on a boat ride on Beleu Lake in the country's south which is a stopover point for many migrating birds.

Despite being one of the smallest and poorest countries in Europe, neither a NATO member nor a member of the European Union, Moldova has taken in the highest number of Ukrainian refugees per capita. Tens of thousands of refugee children are currently living in Moldova, many at refugee camps in the country's capital. Providing them with educational opportunities is a major challenge.