Bike & Wine is an unique project elaborated and implemented by the Development Policy Foundation with the aim of creating and promoting fully functional and integrated rural tourism product and thus diversifying rural incomes in two regions of Moldova – Călărași and Purcari. Seeking change of traditional paradigms of rural management in Moldova, exploring and exploiting the true potential of the rural market for the benefit of rural communities, Bike & Wine project’s primary goal was to re-imagine rural business opportunities: production and promotion of regional products, construction of thematic (including culinary) cycling and walking touristic routes, as well as inclusion of the Călărași and Purcari regions residents in the active development of a local tourist offer.
In the region of Purcari, three tourist bike routes have been set up: Et Cetera – Olanesti, Olanesti – Purcari, Et Cetera – loop trail. The shortest route is 5.6 km, the longest – 20 km. At the disposal of the Bike & Wine clients’ are 50 bicycles, which they can rent in one winery and return in another. The special design of bicycles taking into account the peculiarities of the terrain has been developed by the legendary Moldavian cyclist and bicycle designer Andrei Tchmil. To complement tourist offer an on-line and off-line application – guide to the wineries and local producers, has been created to be used for free.
To make the offer financially accessible to all, a fully equipped camping field was created in Purcari, while in the Călărași region guest rooms at the Casa Parintaesca Museum have been constructed to create the first year-round available tourist accommodation in the region. Additionally wine glasses and additional kitchen equipment necessary for holding large festivals were provided to culinary routes members.
The IT tool for Purcari region you can find on our web bikeandwine.md. If you want to know more about the previous and actual actions implemented in Calarasi region please follow the information on culinaryroutes.org.
Project supported by the Polish Aid Program.