A US couple who spent 24 hours in the breakaway region of Transnistria said they were surprised by the low prices and praised the local cuisine, while the British government continues to advise against travel to the area because of security concerns.
Caleb and Taylor Kiser, who post travel content under the Instagram handle @culturecravingcouple, published a video of their visit to Tiraspol last month describing what they called a "retro Soviet" atmosphere, heavy use of Russian language, and a food bill for two people of less than $25.
In their footage and narration, the Kisers said the crossing into the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic — commonly known outside the region as Transnistria — featured border guards, tanks and restrictions on photography. Once inside, they reported, Cyrillic signs and Soviet-era monuments were ubiquitous, including prominent statues of Vladimir Lenin and hammer‑and‑sickle imagery.
They described practical realities for visitors: credit cards were not accepted, so they exchanged money into Transnistrian rubles at a local outlet linked to the Sheriff conglomerate. Meals highlighted in the video included borscht served with a shot of vodka, crepes with caviar, a pork dish stuffed with mushrooms, onions and cheese, a sour cherry tart and a dinner described as a burger baked inside an apple with cherry sauce. The couple said they also sampled local wines and brandies and bought a bottle to take home.
The Kisers identified the city’s canteen-style restaurant "Back In The USSR" as one of their stops and said much of the menu reflected tastes and presentation associated with the Soviet era. They said the experience was among the best food visits they had had, and emphasised how inexpensive it was compared with prices elsewhere in Europe.
Transnistria is a narrow strip of land between the Dniester River and Ukraine that declared independence from Moldova in 1990 during the collapse of the Soviet Union. The self‑proclaimed Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic operates de facto institutions, including its own currency and police, but is not recognised by the United Nations and is considered by most states to be part of Moldova.
The security environment in and around the region has drawn international attention since Russia’s full‑scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advises against all travel to Transnistria, citing widespread military activity in Ukraine and the fact that Transnistria lies outside control of the Moldovan government. The FCDO statement warns that its ability to provide consular support is extremely limited and could be further restricted if there is military action on or near the Moldova‑Ukraine border.
Visitors to the region should be aware of practical and legal considerations. Travel documents and entry procedures differ from those used in fully recognised states, local laws are enforced by Transnistrian authorities, and international consular assistance may not be available. Journalists and travellers have also reported checkpoints and restrictions that can affect movement and photography.
The Kisers’ video adds to a small but growing body of travel accounts from foreigners who have entered Transnistria for short visits, drawn by curiosity about its Soviet‑era aesthetics, monuments and isolated political status. Such accounts typically balance descriptions of local hospitality and low prices with reminders of the geopolitical sensitivities and travel advisories issued by foreign governments.
Moldova, which claims sovereignty over the territory, and most of the international community continue to treat Transnistria as part of Moldova pending a negotiated settlement. Observers say any travel to the area should be planned with awareness of the broader regional security situation and the limits of diplomatic support for travellers there.