TRAVEL
TIPS
| Driving |
U.S
Driving Permit accepted |
| Currency |
(MDL)
Moldovan leu |
| Electrical |
220 Volts |
| Telephones |
Country
Code 373, City Code Chisinau 22+6D, Sorola 230+5D, Balti 231+5D,
Orhei 235+5D |
Climate:
Very mild and pleasant. Temperate with warm summers 20-23°C
(68-73°F), crisp, sunny autumns and cold, sometimes snowy,
winters.
Clothing:
Mediumweights, heavy topcoat and overshoes for winter; lightweights
for summer. A light raincoat is useful.
Time: GMT
+ 2 (GMT + 3 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last
Sunday in October).
Electricity:
220 volts AC, 50Hz.
Food & Drink: There are plenty of small restaurants
and coffee shops. The service tends to be slow, but the cuisine
is delicious. Local specialities include mititeyi (small grilled
sausages with onion and pepper) and mamaliga (thick, sticky maize
pie) which is served with brinza (feta cheese). Tocana (pork stew)
should be tried with sweet-and-sour watermelons and apples.
There are more than 100 varieties of excellent wines produced
in Moldova. White wines include Riesling, Aligote and Sauvignon.
Moldovan Cabernet and Bordeaux are noteworthy reds. Nistru or
Doina brandy is an ideal accompaniment with desserts.
Shopping:
Good buys are the vividly coloured costumes, handmade carpets
and locally produced wines and brandies. The main open-air market
or tolchok is on Calea Mosilor, about ten minutes’ drive
away from central Chisinau. Although crowded, it sells everything
and is a good place for bargains. Shopping hours:
Larger shops open 0800-2000; all others open 0900-1700.
Currency:
Leu (MDL) = 100 bani. Notes are in denominations of MDL500, 200,
100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1. Coins are in denominations of 50, 25,
10, 5 and 1 bani.
Credit & debit
cards: Credit cards are only accepted by a few banks.
Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant
acceptability and other services which may be available.
Travellers cheques:
Travellers cheques are not generally accepted, though a few banks
may exchange them.
