Transnistria

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Table of Contents

Preface!

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1 Essentials!!

2 Background! ! 3 Preparation! !

4 Get in and Out! !

5 Explore Transnistria!! 6 Special Content!! 7 Resources! ! ! ! !

1
Essentials
Why Visit Transnistria Quick Overview Top 10 Things to do

Why Visit Transnistria (Excerpt)

Transnistria is almost a white spot on the tourist map and immensely attractive for travellers who want more of a place than taking a few photos and drinking a local beer. Transnistria is a place where you can still get in contact with people who rarely meet foreigners: authentic and unspoiled by tourism. In fact Transnistria will give you a chance to explore a hospitable culture that is sparsely touched by western philosophy hence hardly judgmental and in some way unassertive. What is more, you can visit the relicts of Europes soviet era in their original state. And despite some controversial reports Transnistria is safer for travellers than many more popular travel destinations.

adventurous traveller. The openness of Transnistrians means that most communication problems can be easily overcome with a smile and a few gestures. Carry pen and paper to help express yourself and immerse yourself in cultural exploration.

Atmosphere & Sights

What makes Transnistria very unique is the authentic soviet atmosphere. It attracts visitors on the lookout for the unusual. Get fascinated by the number of soviet relicts in the form of colossal architecture, statues of soviet leaders and socialist housing blocks. Sights are in a marvellous condition and exist for the purpose they were actually intended to: they remind Transnistrians of their rich history and tradition rather than posing as a magnet for visitors. The impression is unparalleled and becomes mystical and intriguing with the knowledge that the country is not o ffi cially recognized as a sovereign nation by any other state.

Culture
The people of Transnistria are proud and curious. Upon hearing the sound of a foreign language they often approach you to welcome you to their country and ask what you think of it. If you do not speak Russian or Romanian you need to rely on alternative forms of communication in Transnistria. While this may sound like a discouragement to some people it is in fact an indicator of a truly unconventional travel destination and by that an encouragement for the

Border Crossing & Safety

The border crossing between the state of Moldova and the territory of Transnistria...

Top 10 Things to do in Transnistria

Transnistria will change the way you look at the world. The memories you make here will last your entire life. Here is a selection by the authors of the top ten activities in Transnistria

Walk the streets of Tiraspol to get a unique impression of soviet times Taste handmade regional dairy products at the traditional open market in Bendery Celebrate with Transnistrians at one of the many local festivals Sample the world-famous cognac from the Kvint Distillery Visit the historical Novo-Nyametsky Monastery Escape hectic western life to stroll though vast vineyards and wild walnut forests Connect with local students who take you on a tour around their city Buy your coffee in a currency which is no legal tender anywhere else in the world Ride a bumper car on an authentic soviet fairground Experience the incomparable nightlife of Tiraspol

Train to Odessa

The train from Tiraspol to Odessa (or reverse) runs once daily and is a must if you can include it in your itinerary. You will board an ancient machine, which is barely running and never exceeds 40kph speed during the three-hour ride. The blue locomotive looks like it may have been the rst model succeeding steam locomotives and the interior of the cars is rudimentary: wooden seats and luggage racks that begin to fall apart. Usually the train is quite crowded and loud which is part of the experience. The locals chatter away energetically and often give you curious looks that are accompanied by a friendly smile. Also, you will be rewarded with magnicent views of the Transnistrian and western Ukranian landscape, which the train passes slowly thus contributing to an unforgettable travel experience. It is still hard to believe that you can get a

train ticket for only 90 Transnistrian Rubles. It may be the best value for money of any sightseeing activity in the world. You can enter the platform only with a valid ticket and shortly before the train departs Tiraspol. During the journey, dont be discomforted by the uniformed men passing the aisles of the train. They are Ukrainian border guards who will check your passport when crossing the ofcial border between Ukraine and Moldova or the defacto border between Ukraine and Transnistria. The guards can actually come in very handy for avoiding paying a ne when you have overstayed in Transnistria because they will not check your immigration card. Check out the sections Trip Organization and Exit Transnistria for additional information and departure times.

Are You Interested?

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