Travellers can fly three days a week (Picture: Getty Images)
Travellers can fly three days a week (Picture: Getty Images)

When you think of summer getaways, Spain, Portugal and Greece no doubt spring to mind.

But a budget airline has just launched bargain flights to a European city that is so often forgotten by holidaymakers.

Wizz Air is offering flights from London Luton to Chişinău – the capital of Moldova – for just £17.99 one way.

After a brief suspension earlier this year, the flights now operate every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

In just three hours and 15 minutes you could be in the land locked country, where temperatures typically reach the high 20s in mid-June.

If you decide to take advantage of the cheap flights, be sure to put the Mileștii Mici winery at the top of your list. The cellar has 34 miles of underground galleries and holds the Guinness World Record for having the biggest wine collection in the world – nearly two million bottles. 

Central Park and Cathedral in Chisinau (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Central Park and Cathedral in Chisinau (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

But if the mere thought of that hangover is enough to put you enough, there’s still plenty to do.

Moldova was part of the Soviet Union until 1991, meaning Chişinău is perfect for architecture buffs, as it’s filled with examples of Soviet and brutalist architecture.

There’s also the Nativity Cathedral, which was built in the 1830s before being destroyed in WW2. Now, it’s been rebuilt, and stands in the heart of the capital.

Not far from the cathedral, visitors can find the National Museum of History of Moldova. Costing just over €1, there are over 265,000 exhibits including a replica of St Stefan’s sword, the weapon of a warrior revered across the nation.

The Triumphal Arch in Chisinau is one of the city’s top attractions (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
The Triumphal Arch in Chisinau is one of the city’s top attractions (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

‘We are pleased to reintroduce the route from London Luton to Chisinau in Moldova’, Zsuzsa Trubek, Communications Manager at Wizz Air said.

‘Eastern European destinations like Chisinau are becoming more popular with tourists and we are delighted to expand our offering for passengers looking to explore the region.

‘Chisinau has a rich history with beautiful architecture and the route will allow our UK passengers to connect with family or enjoy a holiday in a beautiful location.’

So, what are you waiting for? Get those dates in the diary and discover the little-known beauty of Chişinău.

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