WT, I already set up the apartment and here is how it went down. I went online and talked to a guy there named Ragu. He was going to let me have what seem to be a nice apartment for $45/night. http://www.moldova-travel.com
My lady called him to set up an apointment to come see the apartment, he told her he would call her back...he never did. The web site seems ok to me but my lady said there are many scams when it comes to apartments. She suggested this agency www.adresa.md Their web site is a little bleak but apparantly they are reputable and have been around for a while. Their prices are in Euros and a bit higher than what I would like to pay, but this first time I'll just take it. My lady was able to see several of the apartments at Adresa, apparantly they are all in one building, and she was able to recommended particular ones. They do business cash only...no need to prepay. Keeping my fingers crossed that they are reserving what I asked for, they told me they would. I would be interested in your contact/website for the apartments you rent. Once there I may check them out and move if necessary. If all goes well I will be going back several times so the more info I can get now, the more I can check out when I go there this first time.
As for my Moldova visa, hey I know there are many ways to do things but I can only go by what their embassy tell me. I know better next time. The thing is, if I am to go there several times this year, I might as well get the Multiple entry (12 month) visa next time. I will of course need an invitation from a private party...any ideas? :)
coming back to the name of the guy: i think his name is not ragu, but radu, which is a moldovan name. once i meet a guy operating in renting and his name was radu sargu. if so, then stay away from him.
in my first two years i often used the service of adresa. they are located in the blvd negruzzi. they have far more than those apartments in one building. their prize range goes (as far i remember) from eur 20- euro 70,-. depends on quality. i always (in this time) got this apartment, which i ordered before. payment was done by myself in the last few days of my staying in moldova. also a discount was available in this time. ask for it!
regarding the behaviour of this guy "ragu": this is nothing else than the typical business behaviour of local ones. same is for the information you got from moldovan embassy. i never trusted them. the most update information you can get here on this board.
if you intend to open a multiple entrance visa, then you indeed have to apply it from moldovan embassy, as on airport you can purchase only a turist visa for 1 month.
regarding invitation send me an email. maybe i can do something for you. but first wait, how your first visit in moldova will be :-)
WT, I was laughing so so hard when you brought to my attention my mistake of "Ragu". Yes indeed, his name is Radu Sargu!!! Boy am I glad I did not go with him!!! That was a close one.
I will ask for the discount with ADRESA...thanks!! I will keep you in mind when it comes to the invitation, at a later date :)
Hi Worldtraveller
Thanks for the good info. I did pay 65 euro and understand it’s a lot for 2 rooms, but it included a DVD and CD player, 2 TVs, mircowave, kitchen and a shower with built in radio and spa. And had air conditioning which was useful when it was 40 degrees in August. I rather pay a few extra euro esp for the air con. I don't think you will get that for 20-40 euro.
I did have some issues at the airport getting the visa last week as they said I had to bring the original invitation (required for those without EU and America passports). Normally I get my girlfriend to drop it off at the airport in the morning and had done so 6 times without problem...even when she was late. This time the guy said i needed to bring the original and that he didn't have it. He made me wait and of course he had it but just wanted to make a point. I knew that as my girlfriend had told me the lady at the airport told her this also but accepted it while i was in transit. Also I knew they would rather have the money for the visa.
I don't think the embassy’s want to make money. I spoke to the guy at the UK embassy and he was very friendly, we talked for about 30 minutes and he gave me lots of advice and was just passing on information that was sent to the embassy.
What is the scoop on bringing $$ into the country? Any limits before it has to be declared? Those of you that have been there before, do you have any guidelines as far as customs and declaring things like gifts, perfume, or electronic?
I also tried to make a deal with this guy Radu two years ago. He did not get back to me and may lady indicated that either the ofice address he gave or the apartment in question did not actually exist. She checked it out. Having been involved in similat business she had NOTHING good to dsay about Radu.
I am glad to hear you take WT's advice and stay away from him.
considering all the equipment in your apartment in summer, yes indeed, it was a fair price.
blieve me, all the staff in the moldovan embassies want to make money :-)
jetson,
the amount of money possible to bring in to moldova was increased couple of weeks ago. i do not remember exactly the figure, but it even might be around 10.000 euro.
gifts, perfumes: i think jetmba has a lot of experiences in this field :-) in past i brought different packets of parfumes in my suitcase to moldova. wasn´t ever bothered. electronical equipment like a laptop should be registered ina documental paper available in airport. but this seems not always necessary.
Back from Moldova! I ended up getting the visa before leaving the US. My lady was at the airport when I arrived and we spent a wonderful week together. The weather was cold and then it began to melt!!!yukk but nothing was going to spoil it for me. Stayed at the "Adresa" apartments, only 1 block away from her home! Located centrally and although a little expensive, they were very professional and the apartment was nice.
Only one little incident. Halfway through my stay, my lady and I were walking hand in hand and the local police approached us and asked for documents. I knew what they wanted of course but I pretended I did not know what they were talking about until they were more specific with their words :) "Documents". They were polite by my lady got a little upset and of course they wanted to see her documents also. Their excuse was that they were checking for stolen/fake papers...not sure if they meant mine of hers'. My lady then proceeded to tell them what would an "American" want with fake papers? I guess they did not expect this. They looked at my passport, saluted and sent us on our way. Other than this little incident, my stay there was great. Going back at the end of April and again in June. Looking for someone who can supply me with an invitation so that I can get a 6 month or Year multiple entry visa. I guess for the year visa they require an invitation from a business.
Glad to hear the trip went well Jetson. Did the visa from the embassy cost more than at the airport?
Good idea taking your documents with you in the street. It is actually the law for foreginers to carry their documents with them. Not sure how to get a visa 6 month/1 year visa but i'd say it would require an invitation from a business. I wish i knew as i need a private invitation each time i go!
I am not sure what it cost at the airport. I paid $75 US for a 1 month/2 entry visa, but I also had them do it in one day, otherwise I think it
costs $50
Ben2006 can you tell me how you got your private invitation? I am trying to figure out what form is needed for this or how was the invitation letter written and addressed to. I would like to get my lady to do one for 6 months or a year. If you wish you can send me the info to my email :)
Jetson, I wish i could help but my girlfriend gets mine (being from NZ i need an invitation for even a simple 1 month visa), and its only valid for one month.
But anyway she needs to go to an office on Stefan cel Mare called Dept of Migration of the Republic of Moldova or something (+37322 544607).
I think if you stay more than 3 months you need an HIV test etc etc.
I guess that apart from needing the invitation, you have had no problems purchasing the visa at the airport when you arrive? Can I ask exactly what you need to provide when doing this?
Hi europlan, you need to fill out a form for the visa (you need to know where you will be staying). They are provided at the airport. Good idea to take your own pen. You also need a passport type photo and 60 US dollars (or 50 euro). You should also take the orginal invitation with you. You used to be able to have someone drop the invitation at the visa office at the airport on the morning you arrive (maybe you still can). Last time i did this they got a bit grumpy and told me to bring the orginal with me. Otherwise no problems getting the visa at the airport.