Cojuhari Natalia

5.0

I visited Moldova in October 2012 and Natalia, my guide throughout the week, showed me the highlights of this delightful country. On the first day we had a tour of Chisinau and a visit to the Cricova winery with its extensive underground cellars – followed by a tasting of some of their wines. The wines were very good – clean, balanced and well-made with structure & true varietal character. Natalia also took me to the Moldovan Wine Festival in Chisinau – an excellent outdoors event staged at the Moldexpo exhibition centre. This festival includes local produce as well as wines – so I had the opportunity to try local delicacies as well more excellent Moldovan wine. On Day 3 we visited Tipova to see one of the oldest cave monasteries in the country and then on to the Orheiul Vechi to see a 13th century cave monastery and a museum with exhibits depicting the traditional ways of life in 19th century Moldova. On Day 4 we went to Soroca and Pokrovka to visit a medieval fortress; the Candle of Gratitude monument and the Romany district that features in Tony Hawkes’ book “Playing the Moldovans at Tennis” (which I read when I got back to the UK). On Day 5 – and one of the highlights for me – we visited Gagauzia – which is just a wonderful name. Gagauzia is an autonomous region of Moldova. We visited the capital Comrat and explored the markets there and then went to the village of Besalma to visit the excellent Cioban National Gagauzian History and Ethnography Museum. Day 6 – and sadly my last – we went to Tiraspol, the capital of Transdniestr a self-proclaimed independent republic that has its own currency – a fascinating day as guide books lead you to believe you are stepping back into a 1950’s era Soviet land but Tiraspol is in fact a modern, friendly city – but they do speak Russian and use the Cyrillic alphabet. Throughout my visit to Moldova Natalia was the perfect guide – friendly without being invasive; informative and enthusiastic about Moldova but pragmatic enough to let you know what you are seeing and why and to make it even easier Natalia has flawless English. Not just fluent – but able to understand and converse using everyday nuances and idioms. Natalia gave me plenty of recommendations for dinner in the evenings and walking around Chisinau is perfectly safe and is quite a friendly city. I went to Moldova knowing next to nothing about it and came away very fond of the place. Natalia made the holiday interesting and fun – with little things like having lunch at a Russian Orthodox Old-Believers restaurant; taking me to see the statue of Baron von Munchausen in Tiraspol; naming the old Russian cars that I’d never seen before and pointing out the crows that leave the city at dawn to return to roost at sunset (which I found particularly fascinating). For anyone wanting to visit a charming, friendly country that is making its way in the world but not yet a major tourist attraction – then come to Moldova with Ways who know how to look after you and will show you the real Moldova so that while you won’t come away feeling like a native – you will come away with a genuine & lasting fondness for it. I had booked a return visit for May 2020 but that was postponed as a result of the pandemic. I am now hoping that Natalia will have some availability in 2022, as a return visit is long overdue.

5.0

My wife and I visited Moldova in September 2021 and Natalia was our guide. She was fantastic! She showed us the highlights of this delightful country. We visited many different wineries, from Cricova to Arconi to Molesti Meci. We visited Orheiul Vechi to see a 13th century cave monastery and a museum with exhibits depicting the traditional ways of life in 19th century Moldova. We visited Gagauzia is an autonomous region of Moldova. We visited Cioban National Gagauzian History and Ethnography Museum and got to enjoy an ethnic festival. We also went to Tiraspol, the capital of Transnistria a self-proclaimed independent republic that is not recognized by is a frozen conflict zone. Natalia took us to see the statue of Baron von Munchausen in Tiraspol. I had read the stories but being in the actual place was different and amazing. Natalia was the perfect guide. She was knowledgeable about the country and its history. She was willing to have open discussions about how things work. We all learned things. She was friendly and very aware of our moods. When we wanted to talk, she talked. When we were tired and wanted quiet, she was quiet. I am not sure how many languages Natalia is fluent in, but you should have no problems conversing with her. We are hoping for a return visit with her as our guide.

5.0

As a travel writer, I have visited 124 countries and have had several good guides - but I can write with great confidence that Natalia is top-notch and one of the best guides I have ever had. She has a deep knowledge of her country's history and culture and her engaging narrations both educate and entertain. The many stories she told me during our walking tour of Chisinau inspired me to write a book: Moldova: Hostage to History. Natalia leaves you in no doubt that she enjoys her work. I highly recommend her.

5.0

We visited Moldova in September 2021 for a "Wine and Gastronomy"-Tour and Natalia was our guide. Natalia is by far the best guide I ever had. We have spent several days together and I have not found a subject, she does not know about. She loves her country and she loves the people. She is more than just a guide, since she is REALLY interested in what she does. When realising about a special interest of ours, she came back the next day and told us that she was investigating on the subject in more depth (in her spare time) and gave us deeper insights of the issue. We visited many different wineries. From the very big ones like Cricova or Milestii Mici to more Boutique-like estates like Asconi or Atu. I would also like to point out Comrat Wines in Gaugazia, making excellent products as well as Chateau Vartely and of course Purcari (where we had the best "Sarmale" ever). When visiting Transnistria we had a private tour at the Cognac-Distillery Kvint in Tiraspol. An absolute must with wonderful Cognacs from 10 to 40 Years old. We had the chance to try most of the local food specialities and we liked them a lot. Not only does Natalia know a lot about her country, she also has an excellent network and knows the people we visited more than friends then as a tour-guide. Not only is she a very good guide, no she is perfect. Not only did we stop when entering Transnistria, no she played the anthem of the "country" to get us a real feeling of the place. When we entered Gaugazia, we also heard their anthem, which immediately put us in the mood for this part of the country. Next to an extended city tour of Chisinau (and also of Tiraspol), we also visited a lot historical and cultural places like Orheiul Vechi, the Museum of History and Ethnography of Gaguaz People, Gazgauz Sofrasi, Monastery “Capriana”, the carpet place in Clisova Noua, where we learned a lot about old national carpets (and patterns) and handicrafts articles, Tighina fortress and we walked a couple of hundred steps up to the Monument “Candle of Gratitude (with wonderful views). Since Soroca Fortress was under construction we had a speech of a historian, who informed us about all we needed to know. All in all, it was one of the best vacations I ever had and Natalie played one of the key roles. Thank you very much and we are looking forward to coming back on day.

5.0

Highlight of our visit in Moldova! We absolutely loved this tour and would recommend it to ANYONE who wants to experience and learn about Transnistria. Our privet tour started from Chișinău where we met Natalia who was brilliant - super friendly, helpful, considerate and extremely knowledgeable - educating us not only on the cultural, political and historical aspects of Transnistria but also about Moldova and Bessarabia in general. She took us on a cultural and historical exploration at one of the most complex and fascinating geographical points of Europe. Thank you again Natalia - we learned so much and gained a friend in beautiful Moldova.

5.0

We visited Moldova and we had the pleasure of getting Natalia as a tour guide. We had a great time in the tour! She answered all of our questions and explained us a lot about everything. Natalia took us around and explained us about history, politics and geography. I would definitely recommend her and her tours !!

5.0

Special thanks to Natalia, my guide . It was a truely great experience to have her as my guide ( my visit is Dec 2022) She explained history of Moldova, her knowledge is incredible. I had a special request to visit building or architecture that in USSR period and Natalia never failed me, she took me there and pointed out many informative details. I never felt rush in the trip and actually i went to Moldova with all sudden and unexpected plan but Natalia replied me in whatsapp very quick , communication has been excellent throughout and during all services. Also she was always on time and gave me some recommendations for food and accommodation. My holiday was with out any hassle or stress. Thank you for all your help. I had holiday of a lifetime and I loved every minutes . Definitely recommend tour with Natalia !! Best of the best.

5.0

At the end of August 2023, we booked an individual round trip through the Republic of Moldova. Since it was not possible to book a round trip through German tour operators in the summer of 2023 due to low demand, we organised a flight, hotel and Natalia as our guide individually. She picked us up at the airport and accompanied us for nine days. The round trip she worked out was optimally prepared. In a comfortable, air-conditioned car with driver, we visited a different region of the small but highly interesting country every day. After a day of settling in in Chişinău, we first went to Bender and Tiraspol in Transnistria, the breakaway region in eastern Moldova with many relics from the Soviet Union era. Afterwards, we visited the monastery in Saharna. In the course of the week, various other monasteries followed (Tipova Cave Monastery, Curchi, Capriana as well as the nunneries of Hincu and Martha and Maria), the autonomous region of Gagauzia, the eco-village of Butuceni and the Orheil Vechi cave church. We climbed up to the Monument "Candle of Gratitude" above the river Dnister with a spectacular view to Ukraine only 150 metres away, have seen the Roma community in Soroco and at the end of the week we visited the Purcari winery including a wine tasting or some of the famous Moldovan wines. Natalia always impressed us with her profound knowledge of the sights, the history and the current political situation of Moldova. No question was left unanswered, when we asked her about special interests, she would give us the answer, even if she had to do research in her spare time in the evening. Besides highly interesting information about the country, people and culture, the atmosphere was extremely relaxed and there was a lot of laughter. The restaurants Natalia chose were all very good, her tips for evening excursions were excellent. The week could not have gone better. I can highly recommend Natalie for a visit in Moldova! Thank you very much for unforgettable days in a fascinating country!

5.0

In August 2023 I had the pleasue having Natalia Cojuhari as our travel guide for Moldova including Transnistria and Gagauzia. Natalia is a very pleasant, very educated and open mindet person with a broad and deep knowledge about all aspects of her country including historical background, culture, etc. Hard to ask her a question she cannot answer. She speakes perfect English and all other languages necessary for communication in Moldova. The individual tour of 10 days was based on the proposed route elaborated by Natalia covering all places of interest possible to see in short time availble. The car as well as the driver were selected by Natalia. The car was new and the driver was a very educated, pleasant and English-speaking person. Summary: Perfect organized, relaxed atmosphare, traveling with friends, could not be better - highly recommendet !!! Dieter Heinz Kielhorn

5.0

Natalia er en virkelig god og kompetent guide. Hun har en kæmpestor viden og er god til at pejle sig ind på, hvad den enkelte gerne vil vide og se. Hun er punktlig, troværdig, sød og sjov. Jeg kan på det varmeste anbefale Natalia.

5.0

We had amazing trips to Tiraspol and to Orheiul Vechi. Nataly is a perfect tour guide: well-prepared, well-organized, well-informed. She gave us a comprehensive idea of contemporary life in Moldova including historical and cultural background, and she led us to places beyond the beaten paths. No question was left unanswered. With Nataly we felt in perfect hands.

5.0

I visited Chisinau in mid-December and had the pleasure to have Natalia as my tour guide in Moldova for 2 days. On the first day we headed to Gagauzia were we attended the ethnographic museum that was quite interesting (but not very well heated-no russian gas) especially the movie about wedding rituals. Further we strolled around and explored Comrat a nice little town and capital of Gagauzia, there we had lunch in a typical Gagauz restaurant. The lamb stew was very delicious. The second day was also quite interesting, first we visited the Churchi monastery and we headed on to the village of Butucenci, that offers a beautiful landscape and view with an amazing cave church where still some monks live and pray. Lunchtime we spend in a traditional Moldovan restaurant with local food and a delicate desert. After lunch we had the bad luck that we came under road construction work in Butuceni where roadworkers freshly tarred/asphalted the road so we had to find out the way from the village from sidewalks and byroads, that was quite funny by the way. The last stop on this day was Cricova vineyard. Cricova is a huge and famous vineyard that is absolutely worth to visit. I would definitely recommend everyone to do the wine-tasting tour in Cricova, it´s interesting, tasteful and makes fun. Natalia has a broad and detailed knowledge about the history, culture, geography, cuisine and different regions of her country. Furthermore I really appreciated that Natalia was also able to tell me how everyday life is really going on in her country concerning politics, language, religion, economy….etc. She is a warm, nice and friendly person with a sense of humour and does professional work, therefore I would like to say thank you. I would personally endorse her as the perfect tour guide and her tours in Moldova. Andreas K.

5.0

We’re two Irish tourists who visited Moldova in April 2024. We did the Transnistrian region tour to Bender and Tiraspol with Natalia , and we had a brilliant experience. Natalia is an incredibly informed guide who gave us extensive insight into daily life on Transnistria and the history of the region and Moldova as a whole. We enjoyed the whole day ( especially lunch) and would highly recommend touring with Natalia to anyone.