Discover Moldova with #MOLDPRES: „Dor de Codru”, route from south Moldova which re-brings to traditions

An imposing gate made of manually sculpted wood is the first tourist attraction, as well as the visiting card of the Cioresti village, central Nisporeni district. The road to other settlements: Dolna and Micleuseni, Straseni, begins here.  

„Dor de Codru” (Longing for Forest) is an original project: the local residents, along with their relatives from abroad, created a rural tourist route, which unites three neighbour villages, Cioresti, Dolna and Micleuseni. The route is visited by more and more foreigners, attracted by picturesque places, the authentic atmosphere and the local traditions from these regions.     

THE MANSION ON HIONEY, ‘’SWEET’’ BUSINESS FOR A DECENT LIVING AT HOME

Victor Ciolacu ruled to return home after more years of work in Greece. He understood there that the tourism can be developed in Moldova as well. The bee garden is close to Chisinau and the infrastructure is developed.     

„This mansion became a point of attraction from this itinerary, and we were ready to receive visitors to the bee garden, so as to tell everybody, especially children, about the life of bees. We are still developing, but we receive guests to our bee garden perfectly.’’    

The Ciolacu family set going the construction of a boarding house for tourists.  

„The boarding house has 10-11 accommodation places, with local kitchen. More staff is involved in these activities. I did not doubt even for a moment that this would not be a good idea. And I soon saw that the results exceed the expectations,’’ Victor Ciolacu said.   

The beekeeper says that he was seasonally employing residents from the village for the extraction of honey, against a decent salary. He is sure that a family business can become a tradition for the local residents, but also a source of existence. He believes that this is a good argument to persuade the children who went to north Italy to return home: ‘’My principal goal and the one of my wife is to bring our children home. And also the granddaughter, who is too small, and has recently received the certificate of Moldova’s citizen.’’    

AT DOLNA, FOLLOWING ALEKSANDR PUȘKIN

The route „Dor de Codru” includes the mansion Zamfirache Ralii-Arbore from the neighbour village, Dolna. It has over 200 years and hosted, in former times, poet Aleksandr Pushkin, who was exiled to Bessarabia. In these places, the Russian poet is said to have met Zamfira.     

The mansion is one of the most important cultural tourist attractions of the route. One can find here art objects, musical instruments of the time, photographs, old paintings and manuscripts.   

„This museum is in the heart of the Dor de Codru route. Other tourist attractions were formed and are forming around it,’’ the founding member of the Association of Natives from the Dolna village, Sergiu Agafita, said.    

The „Dor de Codru” route, developed with the support of Switzerland and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), contains over 20 objects to be visited, and six tourist ways were created: ecological, fishing, cultural, gastronomic, historical and religious and sports.    

 „The tourist feels free here. He/she may practice more types of tourism. Beginning with the vine-growing and wine-making tourism, he/she may taste local wines. Can make tourism by bicycle, can make historical tourism. Can make tourism by ATVs through our woods or agro-tourism, can participate in the processing of vine plantations or other plantations in the region. Can taste cranberries at the single plantation of this kind in Moldova.’’ Sergiu said.       

HIKINGS THROUGH CENTURY-OLD FORESTS, DOSE OF ENERGY AND CLEAN AIR

The glade of Zamfira is not far from the mansion, and a spring with cold water murmurs nearby. Places of halt with belvederes are arranged here as well.

The hill of Răcătău from the Cioresti commune is the second highest one from Moldova. This slope is friend of the childhood for all residents. Meanwhile, the hill has become an attraction for tourists. In winter, they sledge and in summer, they fly with paragliding.     

THE LOCAL TRADES AND TRADITIONS – INCLUDED IN NATIONAL TOURIST CIRCUIT   

At the House of Potter, the man is warmly met by Zaharia Triboi, the only master of Moldova who sculpts in black pottery. He looks like a man from fairy tales and is ready to argue with any foreigner for a demonstration of pottery art.     

He is happy that the mysteries of the pottery are conveyed from generation to generation and his son, Adrian, follows his vocation.

Now, when the family business, being set going, still brings profit, the master tries to draw his brothers migrants from Europe to return home.  

Master Triboi believes that, during time, the Cioresti commune residents will get more involved in the development of the rural tourism: ‘’Each one will be able to prove that he/she can do things better than the others. To make a good wine or cook something, to grow fruits, vegetables. To have what to boast with and propose to foreigners. I thing that, during time, we will develop the route, so that people have what to see here.’’  

THE RURAL TOURISM – PROPELLER OF LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT  

Is the rural tourism a fit occupation for the Moldovans at home? In a world where the digitalization and urbanization are in fashion, Moldova provides one of the most emotional experiences of the present and past. For tired migrants, travelers from all over the world, this small country from the heart of Europe has much to provide.     erit.

In January-June 2019, the tourist agencies and tourist operators provided tourist services to 151,600 tourists and excursionists, which is by 12.2 per cent more against the same period of 2018 year. Eight out of ten foreign tourists came to Moldova on purpose of leisure and recreation.    În ianuarie-iunie 2019 agențiile de turism şi turoperatorii au acordat servicii turistice la 151,6 mii de turiști și excursioniști, cu 12,2% mai mult decât în perioada corespunzătoare din anul 2018. 8 din 10 turiști străini au venit în Republica Moldova în scop de odihnă și recreere.

„The specialists, including the ones of the World Tourism Organization, have many things to tell about the tourist potential of Moldova, especially about the adventure tourism, rural tourism, gastronomic tourism. These are the directions in which we work, helping the communities from Moldova develop their tourist potential,’’ a specialists in programmes at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Andrei Darie, said.     

The tourism is a major factor of economic and social development. In so much the tourism is important for Moldova, which does not have so many natural resources to be exported; yet, it can export services through tourist activity, Andrei Darie said. ‘’The Dor de Codru tourist route is a good example. The assistance of local authorities, with the involvement of native residents, as well as migrants helped create new jobs, the appearance of opportunities locally. For the development of infrastructure, as the access ways were renovated in these villages.’’  

A Tourist Information Centre was set up in Chisinau, with the support of the development partners, including UNDP. It works under the umbrella of the National Association of Inbound Tourism from Moldova (ANTRIM) (according to UNDP).