How 130 Italian travellers discovered the country through the “Let’s Get Lost” experience as Moldova is quietly emerging as one of Europe’s most authentic alternatives to overcrowded tourist destinations, offering real experiences, short travel distances, local gastronomy and a slower, more meaningful way of exploring.
Located between Romania and Ukraine, Moldova remains one of the few European countries where visitors can still discover underground wine cellars, traditional villages, natural reserves and green cities without mass tourism, long queues or commercialised attractions.
This perception was recently confirmed by over 130 Italian travellers – journalists, influencers and winners of an international travel challenge – who arrived in Moldova as part of the “Let’s Get Lost” experience, a campaign built around travelling without knowing the final destination.
A small country with big experiences
For many participants, Moldova was not originally on their travel radar. Yet within just a few days, expectations changed completely.
“I didn’t know much about Moldova, so it was a very pleasant surprise. It’s an excellent destination for wine lovers and, at the same time, very accessible”,
said Valentina Dirindin, journalist at Vanity Fair Italy.
Visitors highlighted in particular:
- short distances between attractions
- lack of mass tourism
- direct interaction with locals
- affordable prices compared to other European destinations
Wine, gastronomy and living traditions
The itinerary included some of Moldova’s most emblematic experiences: the underground wine cellars of Cricova, Castel Mimi and the VinOpera performance, the rural landscapes of Butuceni in Orheiul Vechi, traditional cooking workshops, local crafts and kayaking on the Nistru River.
“It’s fascinating to discover a country where traditions are not staged for tourists, but are part of everyday life. I loved the local dishes, the nature and the peaceful atmosphere”,
said Valentina Ottavani, influencer Valentina Fashion Travel Hair.
Chișinău – a green, relaxed capital
One of the biggest surprises was Chișinău itself, perceived as a calm, green and walkable capital, with large parks, a mix of Soviet and modern architecture, creative cafés and a relaxed urban rhythm.
Participants described the city as:
- safe and easy to explore
- full of green spaces
- energetic but not chaotic
- vibrant at night without being overcrowded
“It’s a city where you feel comfortable immediately – no stress, lots of greenery and a young, creative energy,”
many said.
“I didn’t expect to come here, but I want to return”
For some, Moldova became an instant return destination.
“This is my first visit and I didn’t expect to end up here. I was surprised by how green and peaceful everything is. I liked it so much that I’ve already booked another trip”,
said Giovanni Pecoraro, Wizz Air contest winner.
Moldova gaining visibility in Italy
The experience quickly expanded online. The “Let’s Get Lost” campaign generated over 80 million online impressions, with coverage in major Italian outlets such as Vanity Fair, La Stampa and Il Foglio, as well as more than 800 videos and photos shared by participants on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.
“Italy is an emotional market, and through this campaign we showed that Moldova is not an unknown destination, but an authentic discovery worth experiencing”,
said Natalia Bejan, Director of the Invest Moldova Agency.
Moldova – a new destination for slow travel
For international travel media, Moldova is increasingly positioned as:
- a slow travel destination
- a place for real rural experiences
- a country of wine, food and local culture
- a space for nature, peace and authenticity
A destination not for ticking off landmarks, but for collecting stories.
About the experience
“Let’s Get Lost” is an international travel experience developed by Wizz Air and implemented in Moldova in partnership with Invest Moldova Agency, with the support of the National Tourism Office and the Ministry of Culture. Moldova now joins previous host countries such as the UAE, Turkey, Kyrgyzstan and Spain.
For the 130 Italian travellers, Moldova was not just a surprise stop — it became one of Europe’s most unexpected and memorable travel discoveries of recent years.
Images supplied
