Impressions of a Country on the Edge: My flying visit to Chisinau, Moldova...

I can't pretend this one went to plan. I'd hoped to spend longer here and explore a bit wider, but then I got an email from the airline...So join me on a quick wander around the streets of Chisinau on a Sunday in March 2023. TV reports had been beamed back home to the UK just a day before portraying a city of unrest and protest, so what would it be like as I step out onto the streets? Join me!
Filmed on 11/12 March 2023 in Chisinau, Moldova.
Music courtesy of epidemicsound.com
('What's the Hurry' by Alysha Sheldon)
Hi, I’m Steve, a travel reviewer from Scotland. Join me on my adventures as I discover my own country, often visiting places for the first time, so hopefully it's as much of an eye-opener for you as it is for me! Don't expect expert opinion, just a very honest journey of discovery. Sometimes featuring my intrepid sidekick Alicja, sometimes featuring adventures beyond the borders of Scotland. Enjoy!
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/ stevemarsh
#Chisinau #Moldova #SteveMarsh

[@NikLeito]

As a moldavian that live in Chișinău i would say that it's really refreshing to see a tourist so enthusiastic going around) Sad that it was just a walk around the central street cuz there is many places that are worth visiting. People are generally very open and welcoming, I can't say that there are no people with bad intentions but they are very few in between. U can just ask for directions from the passerby cuz around 60% of the younger generation around 18-30 know at least a decent English to keep a simple conversation

[@steve-marsh]

Thank you for watching! Very much appreciated! Yeah, after such a long journey to get there, the plan was to have 3 nights and do some proper exploring, but still a pleasure to have a day there

[@gigikontra7023]

​@@steve-marsh why does Moldova have the same flag as Romania?

[@danygpd6853]

​​@@gigikontra7023ery interesting is that they Speck the Romanian language 2...😅 The end of the world war it was given away to the winners... The history of Romania is quite interesting

[@gigikontra7023]

@@danygpd6853 speck is something to eat. And what is "Romanian language 2"!?

[@gigikontra7023]

@@danygpd6853 look, Moldova's parliament VOTED to join Romania in 1918. They are Romanians after all, yes!?

[@PlanesTrainsEverything]

A fascinating video Steve. The current Moldovan Government is very pro-EU and the country has been granted candidate status, much to the annoyance of the pro-Russian population. That's probably what the protests were about. Moldova is one country on my bucket-list which I hope to cross off one day. Thanks for sharing your adventure.

[@steve-marsh]

Please get the train there Scott, you'd absolutely love it, and we'd all love to see the vlog!

[@mikethemouse396]

You can fly to Iași in case flights to Chișinău are not restored. The take a train from Iași to Chișinău.

[@brucedanton3669]

You are so right there of course so too. The country wants to join the EU as many do, but I wonder if it will do sometime then?

[@sirbuvasile242]

Those (șor) demonstrations weren’t “protests”. Those were desperate attempts of the russians to keep their 🥾 boot on our soil. We’re a part of the Romania and our future is in EU. Cheers

[@Archonsx]

the population isn’t pro russian, they are just scared of putins army so they side with him

[@petedavis4097]

I do really enjoy your adventures, I used to be as you are but now in my my 70s I suffer with anxiety so it’s great to be going with you from the comfort of my sitting room. Keep up the great work😊 with anxiety

[@Watfordherts1971]

Myself and Scottish wife lol at 52 have decided no more same old same old so we started on journey through different countries off the tourist trap . We did lithuania Poland and 3 weeks ago pristina in kosovo 🇽🇰. I have to say we have found a new energy and passion and loving our choices . Chisinau is next and will watch this video tomorrow after work cheers

[@steve-marsh]

Congrats on a great idea! It's so exciting eh? Going places few others go, you'll never be bored again!

[@danbaltic9678]

Lovely to read your comment! Greetings from Lithuania! Hope you liked our country!❤

[@Watfordherts1971]

@@danbaltic9678 we very much enjoyed Lithuania and will return . We visited Kaunas and really had a wonderful time 👍

[@Watfordherts1971]

@@steve-marsh it’s been a wonderful decision we made but people laugh at us and think we’re stupid , we’re far from stupid lol

[@DChatburn1]

I've been to Chisinau several times. I have some good friends who live there and I have had the privilege of having tours with experts. It is a very interesting city.

[@steve-marsh]

Oh I wish I'd had more time there David!

[@ONAaNEnekaDRUGA7]

Just been to Chisinau for almost a month and oh man! There is something sooo touchy in the people, they are mostly poor but so proud! Also, dogs in the streets are taken with care, they are all tagged and sterilized. Non of the packs i found aggressive either. I do not know if you noticed but people plant their own flowers all around the green areas. And they are most helpful and polite, even if they do not speak English. I do understand a bit of Russian though, every 10th word in a row. :) It helps if you had Latin sometimes in your school days, because Romanian is Latin-based, so you'll understand some of Romanian there and Moldova is bilingual in Russian and Romanian. Moldovan wine is great, but food is from another world!!! I really really recommend eating local food, it's divine! Anyway, my high recommendation goes to visiting Moldova!

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks so much for the wonderful comment! I wish I had longer there as originally planned, but even in my short time I left with a really nice feeling about the place

[@edmondsimonet464]

Best food and red wine in the world.

[@proman5975]

Moldova is statistically poor but if you go there you would not say.The state is poor but people are not poor..

[@shakostarsun]

I had huge feasts at some places and it'd be like your bill is $14.

[@andyanderson222]

I love Chisinau despite any shortcomings. It feels very friendly, very safe, no ambitions for greatness. Warm and soulful place.

[@LaoSoftware]

Moldova is beautiful country. But I don't feel safe. Russia is crazy neighbor.

[@Arina6479]

Thank you for the appreciation and love you are showing to my home country.I hope more people see the beauty Chisinau has

[@steve-marsh]

Awesome place deserving more credit!

[@perpetualgrin5804]

I also had a great time, just looked at the map, no visa ,lets go to Moldova, love hearing Russian spoken. Greetings from Australia😅

[@LaoSoftware]

Greetings from Laos. I would love to visit Moldova. But I'm scare of Russia. Russia is crazy neighbor. I don't feel safe.

[@Arina6479]

@@LaoSoftware russia is not even our neighbor 😅

[@elenaelena77096]

Thank you for the video! I live in Chisinau, my native city. Please come visit us, we are welcoming tourists from around the world.

[@thealbagalavanter9986]

In Moldova you have Steven the great in Scotland we have Steve two super greats at what they do awsome

[@steve-marsh]

Bless ya! :D

[@christopherfox735]

You’re becoming Scotland’s Eastern European Travel Guide. Another great episode. There’s always something interesting in your travel blogs. Well done.

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks Christopher! I keep getting drawn back there eh!

[@JLIN103M]

Just Brilliant

[@BarnieCowan]

Thanks again for phenomenal visit to Moldovia. I feel 95% of your viewers will be unable to get there but you have given us the privilege of visiting in a wonderful country.

[@hassobhatia990]

Lived in Chișinău for three years. Beautiful countryside, sweet people, poor but generous.I used to live just behind the parliament building and hang around McDonald’s, on Stephen chelmare. Lovely place for extended visits.

[@johntaggart1176]

Chisinau looks nice and the architecture is pleasing, and the lake area is lovely with a beach and fair as well. The fountain was beautiful, pity it was not in full flow, but again some of the buildings are classic. The market looks like a bigger version on Paddys Market that used to be in the East End of Glasgow, selling similar stuff. Yet another good video from you once again Steve, All the best.

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks so much John, it was a great experience, only wish I'd had a bit longer there!

[@DaveyPalmer1]

That was fascinating Steve. The poverty was very visible, non more so than the state of the pavements and steps. As the owner of two rescue dogs myself, seeing packs of street dogs is always heartbreaking too. However, you can see it's a city where the locals make the most of what they've got and it seems like a very intriguing place to visit. Thanks for showing us around 👍

[@steve-marsh]

Cheers mate! Not quite the video I'd hoped to bring you, was wanting to explore a lot more before the flight cancellation! Oh it's difficult seeing dogs on the street, I saw a lot more in Romania on my way home, I wanted to take them all!

[@DaveyPalmer1]

@@steve-marsh yeah, the Romanian street dogs have it really tough, although I'll leave my thoughts about it for another channel.

[@Travels_Tim]

Lovely video

[@aliancemd]

He did concentrate on things that look broken or taken down for repair. That pavement he showed is literally the only stretch where it’s broken around the center - pay attention on the other side of the road, that’s how it’s paved ~60% in that area.

[@dredatour]

Thanks for filming my balcony :) welcome back anytime :)

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks so much!

[@cold285]

I loved Chisinau, I was there for 4 days then onto transnistria (pridnestrovie) for 4 days. It was an amazing adventure! The snack van next to Ventura park was so good also. I will definitely return one day & do it all again 😊

[@christinehodge3608]

The church at the beginning is beautiful, and yes what alovely view of the blue water and the park,like abit of bric a brac,safe journey

[@RobRoy2012]

Another great video, Steve to this city of contrasts. Moldova is frequently in the news due to the war in Ukraine and it's hard to visualise what Moldova is like. Your video helped to open my eyes to the reality of life there.

[@steve-marsh]

Cheers mate, contrast is the word!

[@davedacigarguy]

Wow! A lot of beautiful architecture in Chisinau, but it's sad to see a lot of the buildings are abandoned and crumbling! Great video, though I imagine it's great to be back home in Scotland! Cheers, Mate!

[@steve-marsh]

Cheers David! I was a tired traveller when I fell back through my front door :)

[@davedacigarguy]

My wife said she couldn't believe when the actual train workers came into your compartment, pulled up the floor, and started working on the wheels! You see, her mother was an executive secretary for Union Pacific railroad in Omaha...And when they used to take the train to different locations, Jeanne says she can't recall that ever happening to them!

[@chrisjensen8939]

I have been to Chisinau twice now in as many years. What a friendly and loving place to visit. It provided the gateway into Ukraine that I needed and a majestic history I never was taught as an American. Border control at the airport is simple and I personally found the security there very friendly. I saw, among many other things the US Embassy and enjoyed shopping at Malldova (what a perfect name) while staying at the Marriott next door. I loved it and I hope that I can return again soon. From the US, you will most likely need to transfer through Paris, Frankfurt, Istanbul or Bucharest to arrive but once you do, you'll enjoy your stay.

[@heeeeeresrossy]

I can kinda understand why folk would dodge Moldova. Some of it looks incredibly apocalyptic. But there's also something fascinating about the place, and refreshing to know it's not full of tourists. Cheers for the walkout, Steve 👍

[@virgiliuvieru3005]

Chișinău looks like the poor version of Berlin

[@gigikontra7023]

​@@virgiliuvieru3005 Moldova is in fact Eastern Moldova, the eastern half of Romania's Moldova region, taken by Stalin in 1940 which forced Romania to ally with Nazi Germany. Many Romanians in that place were sent to Siberia, Kazakhstan etc. Moldova still has 82% Romanian population

[@heeeeeresrossy]

@@gigikontra7023 Wow! I did not know that. It actually doesn't surprise me though. Most countries, including here in the UK, are being overrun by other nationalities. It's become the norm now. I have no problem with that. But just as long as the natives of countries do not become tourists in their own country.

[@gigikontra7023]

@@heeeeeresrossy Yeah man, everyone knows about Holocaust, about Eastern Germany and Western Germany, but nobody knows what happened to all those hundreds of thousands of Romanians sent to Gulag and the fact that Romania was split in two by Stalin: People's Republic of Romania and Soviet Socialist Republic of Moldova (which is in fact not even the real MOLDOVA, but rather its Eastern, less significant, part)

[@heeeeeresrossy]

@@gigikontra7023 yep. People need to know the real history. Such a shame that Hitler & Stalin STILL today have a hold over some countries.

[@ywnielsen]

Excellent. Enjoyed watching it.

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks so much!

[@ulfw]

Steve. You're truly amazing dear friend. You take us to places which I (maybe we!) would never ever go to. Thanks so much for opening our eyes!

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks so much or the kind words mate!

[@makavellys]

Hi from the US Steve, I am Moldovan, and I can say people in our country are very nice despite that fact country walks through difficult time. The Moldavian food is something unique in the world. There's a lot of beautiful places around the country. Chisinau itself doesn't represent the whole country. With respect - Dean

[@Joncl]

Another fascinating and friendly video. Thank you.

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks so much!

[@clnre]

I have travelled extensively in Eastern Europe, but never been to Moldova, Chisinau is like nowhere I have seen in Europe. You should go to the lesser visited countries in the Balkans on a future trip. I have been to Skopje, N. Macedonia a couple of times and really enjoyed it.

[@steve-marsh]

Great tips, thank you!!!

[@alanwilson4248]

I spent time in Moldova staying in both Orhei and Chisinau. I was in the Country to watch football. I had a great time and really enjoyed my visit. I felt completely safe and found the people to be friendly. It was very cheap indeed. There were EU flags flying across large parts of the Capital. I'd recommend a trip to Moldova for sure.

[@monkeymagic4555]

impressively clean place Aberdeen should take note!

[@steve-marsh]

Sadly true mate!

[@TriciaBute]

I loved everything about Moldova and Chisnau, we travelled from Odessa to Chisnau by bus! What a journey that was, somebody phoned the driver half way through the journey and it wasn't a friendly chat, is all im saying! Would i do that journey again? Yes, of course i would 😊 Thanks for a great vlog ❤

[@clarkindee]

Thanks, Steve -- the abandoned fair grounds reminds me of things I've seen during trips to Russia. Well-done as usual and thanks for showing us a new capital to think about!

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks very much, glad you enjoyed it :)

[@Moldova397]

Hi I am from Moldova and to be honest I am soo happy that you liked your trip to this country and also surprised because there is just few people who don’t look at the bad parts but try to look at the better ones ❤ This video reminded me of how poor actually Moldova is 🙁 but this doesn’t stop us [Moldovans] from believing that our country can get better so when (if) you visit Moldova again, I hope it’ll be better ❤

[@djmark143]

Truly enjoyed this video Steve, it was so nice to see a bit of an insight to a city that very few of us have ever visited or ever will visit..I have seen some other video's about Moldova more specifically and it seems the people there are very nice and welcoming in general even when they do not have the easiest of lives to live. Thanks for another super cool video Steve! 💚

[@steve-marsh]

So true mate, the people there really made it a great place to be despite the poverty all around!

[@johnallan4826]

Very brave of you Steve to venture into the remains of a deserted fun fair, but such amazing contrast of a beautiful city. What a start, the arc the church and tram. Love the lake the beach and the statue

[@steve-marsh]

A lot of unexpected wee treats in that city, just wish I'd had more time after the long journey to get there!

[@imandric]

I bet it was less dangerous than most of the streets in Glasgow

[@jimhamilton8775]

Loved the video Steve. Uncertain it I would want to visit here though.

[@steve-marsh]

Con-Tourism are waiting for your booking! :)

[@enjoypladecorrals]

Thank you Steven. I've been many times in Moldova in the nineties. Many things haven't changed. I cam by train from Kiev. Trains are the same. I stayed in hotel National you showed me yet that's out of service😂 glad you advertise the country cause it is lovely. In summer go wine tasting nearby Chisinau.. just as a taxi driver and he'll drive you there for very little. In the caves nearby there is a very good champagne to be tasted.

[@janinehawkins9565]

Thank you Steve for taking us on your insight into the far outreaches of Eastern Europe. My word its like the last venture into the old Soviet annexes. Fabulous architecture, you are an exceptional vlogger ❤😅

[@steve-marsh]

Really appreciate your kind words Janine :)

[@Bulletguy07]

I really enjoyed this video. You share the same sense of adventure as me as the fact so few people, particularly Brits, venture to a country such as Moldova is precisely the reason it attracted me! I spent 10 days there in 2018 and stayed at a Guest house called Vila Roz in Trebujeni, a small country village. If you go back to Moldova I can certainly recommend a stay there as the meals were first class and everything was all freshly cooked.......even the tea comes from the garden!

[@steve-marsh]

Oh great tip thanks! I'd originally planned 3 nights, was a shame I had so little time there eh!

[@roroger2402]

Such a wonderful video Steve, an insight into a city that otherwise we wouldn't have know about. Well done.

[@steve-marsh]

Cheers Roger! Just wish I'd had longer there!

[@legalbrainspark428]

I visited Moldova recently, very much highly recommended, beautiful and the food is gorgeous, despite it's very real struggles. My favourite part was sleeper train from Bucharest via Işai, it's like stepping back in time!

[@andrewaway]

These videos are great. Thanks.

[@paulsurelynotsmith8179]

Interesting Steve not a place that on my list but never the less great video Steve enjoyed it

[@steve-marsh]

Glad you enjoyed it Paul, thanks!

[@seedhillbruisermusic7939]

you're so much braver than I'd ever be Steve. I don't go outside the glasgow area if I can help it but you're wandering about Moldova of all places. You're my hero!

[@steve-marsh]

Haha feels safer here than parts of Scotland mate :D

[@debsmostexcellentadventure5353]

Happy sunday,loved the video and your channel,have a lovely week ahead fan debs xx..............

[@steve-marsh]

Thank you Debs! You too! :)

[@debsmostexcellentadventure5353]

@@steve-marsh my pleasure you have a lovely channel debs xx

[@tess5414]

This was a real eye opener... thank you for sharing all your adventures. You make the days brighter.

[@Tomi.762]

Chișinău reminds me of Bucharest when I was very young, so late 2000s early 2010s. Hopefully the city can grow and repair like Bucharest is, It isn't pretty now but it's prettier than it was.

[@mikethemouse396]

GDP per capita is the solution.

[@cv5w]

Bucharest is very different, first of all there are still lots of 19th century French style buildings, and there are zero communist monuments (no Lenin, no red stars, no glamorizes tanks or bombs or other weapons) - in fact, there are many monuments to the heroes who resisted the foreign communist invasion, and many Christian symbols (crosses, frescoes of the Virgin Mary). Chișinău has a large ethnic Russian and Ukrainian population (the rulers were brought from Russia proper to govern the land, and they brought an entire bureaucracy) so Moldovan society, or parts of it, still have some Soviet nostalgia. Also, Moldova experienced ethnic cleansing (of ethnic Romanians) at least twice in the 1940s whereas Romania didn't, so the cultural roots are far weaker in Moldova, which became a Soviet style hodge podge of nationalities from the former Soviet Union. Bucharest's population has a lot of cultural ties to Western Europe (there are very cheap tours and many people take advantage of them, plus everyone gets Western European TV stations) whereas Chișinău's population has some roots and family ties in Russia and the former Soviet Union republics, and much of the media comes from Russia. So fashion, mores, politics, and everything is pretty much different. The language is the same (for those making an effort to speak the local language in Moldova, although many Russian ethnics refuse to learn the language of the people they ruled) and food is very similar (with more Arabic and Western European influence in Romania, and more Uzbek and Russian influence in Moldova).

[@smallworld-4445]

100% agree to your summary. I also spend way too short 2 half days, but loved it so much. I was lucky: Totally unplanned at the Arcul de Triumf there was the National Wine Festival: Road closed off, lots of wine and open coal grills for eat and drink. No McD needed either ;-) A true memory. And thanks for refreshing my expierieces. I smiled a lot, and thought of what I had, right before you mentioned it: The underpass, or the big step into the train ;-) Thank you so much!!

[@steve-marsh]

So glad you've had the pleasure of this wonderful place, and sounds like your timing was perfect :)

[@phronsiekeys]

After watching this, I realized I knew basically nothing about Moldova, so I went and had a read--and was interested to learn they also speak Romanian. One of those crossroads of the world that has been pushed back and forth across empires for many, many years. I love that they have electric buses in the city. We still had a few of those where I live in Boston, Mass., but they finally shut down the last one a year or so ago.

[@steve-marsh]

Yeah, Moldova was once part of Romania, but I have a lot of reading to do too to learn about it all!

[@junecatone6407]

also ? :D Romanian is our native language.

[@maxbailey7129]

What a place and what an experience. Well done and thank you.😀😀

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks is much Max!

[@davidoliver1169]

Hi Steve. Somewhere, I would love to go sometime. Thank you for giving us an opportunity to see the Capital City. David

[@steve-marsh]

Cheers for joining me David!

[@brycehermon5939]

Another interesting video thanks Steve. It was amazing to see such lovely architecture alongside disused and derelict buildings. Such a contrast and a bit of an eye opener.

[@steve-marsh]

Contrast is the word for sure!

[@michaelkobylko2969]

I went to Chisinau and Tiraspol in 2019 in the blazing heat of summer. Had an amazing time, met lovely people.

[@vgshwk]

Riding those old trains is like stepping back in time. I rode on one of those old Soviet type trains back in Ukraine in the early 2000s.

[@CriticalityIncident]

Looks like a very interesting place. Can't wait to go. Definitely won't forget to bring my swimwear for that beach. 🙂🏊‍♀

[@steve-marsh]

I bet in summer that lake is busy :)

[@CriticalityIncident]

@@steve-marsh Just came back home after 3 days in Chisinau, and I can confirm. That lake is lovely and quite busy in summer. Fortunately I remembered to bring my bikini so I could go for a swim. 🙂 Great and very interesting city overall, and I was a bit sad when it was time to go back home. I will defininitely return one day.

[@JauneMacReady]

Brilliant! This is a country I really want to go. Thanks for showing the sights 😃👍

[@paulaspinall919]

Cracking place. It is a pleasure to see far away places even if it is only a taster. Chisinău looks fascinating. I’d love to give it a week and walk and cycle round. Peaceful? Thank you.

[@steve-marsh]

Oh I wish I'd had more time, genuinely liked the feel of the place :)

[@rickiecheese36]

Fascinating to see a city/country I would never think of visiting. Thanks for sharing it with us.

[@steve-marsh]

Glad you enjoyed it Richard, cheers!

[@Dorkaaa]

7:07 that's the house I live in. Anyway, nice to see what tourists think of Chisinau

[@steve-marsh]

No way! It's a small world! Lovely part of the city

[@pixelfascination]

Nice one mate. I'd seen the Bald & Bankrupt Chișinău video and it's looking better there in 2023. Ok, they still have a long way to go but it didn't fall to bits overnight and could take many more years to return it to its former glory. It's sad because you can clearly see how beautiful it was and that its just a bit underfunded and in need of investment.

[@steve-marsh]

You are spot on there mate!

[@paulobrien8589]

I remember Bald and Bankrupt said where's the capital of Moldova. In Zurich

[@AtOddsAlways]

The lack of litter was also impressive.I spent a career with a major US/int'l air carrier and lived overseas in Turkey as a kid from 1955-57. There is so much to see beyond my own country and I appreciate your tours. Now at 77, I'm regretting not doing much more travel, when I had a chance and before I got old and decrepit. Thanks!

[@spinkid2000]

What a great find when you came across the semi-abandone"Expo". I love walking around cities. Its the best kind of adventure when traveling.

[@KathleenMoore-fr5fm]

This was fascinating Steve ❤🎉

[@sarahhill5041]

I always really enjoy your videos Steve! And that was another great one … Thank you 😊

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks so much Sarah! Appreciate it :)

[@apt155]

Its good to see Chisinau has improved a bit since Bald and Bankrupt visited back in 2019

[@theotherotter]

thank you for this kind and respectful video.

[@steve-marsh]

My pleasure!

[@mikestephens5622]

It looks like the kind of place you want to spend a week there, to really get to know it. Really wonderful you showed us so much in that short time, and made it very entertaining too 😊

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks Mike! Yeah, originally I had 4 nights booked in an apartment, but then all my plans were torn up!

[@pasdpasse439]

Want to visit, not to live. Can confirm, I'm from Moldova 😂

[@martinluckhurst9808]

We have been in Chisinau for two weeks and it’s amazing! People don’t really smile that much but are very polite. The food is amazing and the wine superb! Travel by trolley or bus all over is easy. The restaurants are amazing and very low price! We did Cricova Winery! Spectacular! We got two more weeks getting our teeth done(much lower price and better than the ripoffs in Hawaii! We live in Hawaii United States! Come here and visit!

[@iulianaBlakely]

Sad you went on the drabbiest days of the year. It almost looks abandoned, but probably because of the cold and on a Sunday. Its usually quite vibrant and busy. Hopefully you get to go back another time in the summer or fall and get to see more beautiful things.

[@theresalewis6301]

Beautiful church

[@Timstravels01]

This is great. Thanks for taking us along!

[@steve-marsh]

Cheers Tim! The snaps from your trip look amazing!

[@joe-vl3nd]

Expat 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 used to live in Tashkent Uzbekistan Very similar all those Former Soviet Countries Great video 🇬🇧👍

[@freespirit6209]

Amazing, thank you!

[@creationinmotion4124]

Yes it is beautiful. Well done Steve 👏

[@holylochlad.4119]

Scotlands answer to Alan Whicker lol, love following you around on your travels Steve. Roll on sir, your a delight to watch.

[@steve-marsh]

Aw thanks so much! If only :)

[@hemaccabe4292]

Escaping Cyrillic is something to be celebrated!

[@AuroraJadefyre]

I don't know why, but there's just something about that tiny block-like Lion's hotel. It's like a piece of lego of luxury that's been placed somewhere you don't expect to find it, lol.

[@steve-marsh]

Haha so true - exactly what I thought when I first saw it on booking.com!

[@mistreku]

That Aventura park was just so quaint, I love it! You don't see that kind of place anymore and it reminds me of my youth days, cheers!

[@robbojax2025]

Delightful view of a Country I am never likely to visit. your videos are interesting and educational.

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks so much for coming along with me! Wish I'd had more time as originally planned to show more!

[@FreedomAlternativeRO]

Maybe you were short on time, but do keep in mind that there are two other trains daily to Romania at civilized hours from the railway station to Iași (more precisely the Socola station, in Romania). Bonus: with those, you don't stay forever at the border for the gauge to be changed. The best period to visit Moldova in general (incl. Chișinău) is between May and September. In the rest of the time is too damn cold. Also, it gets progressively funnier in all respects just after May 1 :)

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks for this!

[@FreedomAlternativeRO]

@@jeanjacques9980 because Moldova is not Spain. The system to change the gauge was designed and implemented by the USSR and hasn't changed ever since. They literally use the same equipment from the 1960s (maybe a lil' bit refurbished, but not by much). Also, there is no incentive to change the system because Moldova is in the process of changing the gauge altogether in the next 10 years. But in the meantime... this headache remains (with the workaround to take the day train to Iași which runs exclusively on Soviet tracks all the way into Romania).

[@eedragonr]

They don't think about fun they think how to take your money.

[@vivellasmum]

Wow that was interesting! So many buildings abandoned/ruined, very creepy! You do go to some way out places! Thanks for taking us there.

[@margaretWestminster]

Hello Steve, wow. Your really going far. I love that, can you do videos on coastle towns in England and the islands just off the coast. Isle of white , isle of mann. And channel islands Keep traveling for us stuck in the same place and would love to visit all these places. Happy travels and take care

[@elainefarrar]

A country that's always intrigued me, thanks for showing us around. Hope it gets some investment soon, seems to have been forgotten...

[@steve-marsh]

Sadly true Elaine! A country stuck between a rock and a hard place!

[@chrisneppiras9408]

what a lovely city Chisinau is, cracking adventure steve.

[@steve-marsh]

Cheers Chris!

[@ghuntman77773]

Thanks very much Steve again for opening our horizons beyond the well trekked Eastern European city destination. An eye opener.

[@steve-marsh]

Cheers Gordon! I wish I'd had more time, but still nice to get a wee walkabout :)

[@elainehowell2836]

Thanks for showing round another country and nice weather for you to walk round nice old train and one biggest market Thanks Steve

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks Elaine!

[@jamesdoyle8442]

Love the video and. A. Big. Yes, to the church you. Was. In. 👍👍👍

[@BarneyLeith]

A very interesting day in Chisinau. Many thanks indeed for taking us around. I can't say that I'm any more tempted to visit Moldova than I was having watched your previous video on the train. Anyway, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@steve-marsh]

Haha and after that long arduous trip to get there, I wish I had more time to explore!

[@lian7092]

thank you for visiting 🤠🤠🤠💛💛💛🤗🤗🤗

[@colinrenfrew48]

A really interesting video. A refreshing change from most of the travel videos on KZbin. Nice one!

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks so much Colin!

[@johnburke5384]

Amazing Steve, very very interesting thank you !

[@steve-marsh]

Cheers John!

[@colinbrown8740]

Always great insights into places most folk will never go. A bit fearless, too 🤘🏽

[@Mishatheaudioguy]

I miss home 🏠 will come visit and see family soon 😢

[@kieronheath4813]

Absolutely brilliant, Steve! So very interesting and informative. Keep up the good work.... :)

[@mermaid7775]

love your sense of adventure and off-the-beaten-path locales!

[@vasiliivanov9618]

Thanks for the video, Chisinau with it's good and less good elements :)

[@MalacOrdas]

Appreciate your stance. Thank you.

[@GreatCityAttractions]

always enjoy the content Steve.

[@grandslam1998]

Chinisau is worth a visit for a few days. Good beer and wine. Tidy Vid!

[@steve-marsh]

Cheers! Yeah, before the flight cancellation I actually had an apartment booked for 3 nights, was really looking forward to exploring further after the long journey to get there!

[@grandslam1998]

@@steve-marsh I went in the summer so the weather was much better then. They had a wine festival on at the time and it was really good fun and cheap for us. Did an interesting side trip to Transnistria! Keep the fine vid coming. Thanks Dai

[@squinugie2091]

Crikey Steve I have not seen pavements and roads as bad as that since I was last in the centre of Edinburgh😉! As always a really interesting video and a place very few of us are likely to go so great to travel vicariously with you.

[@steve-marsh]

Haha you are spot on there!!! :D