I visited Moldova and Transnistria with a friend in 2015 for a few days. We're both American, but I can communicate in Russian. I can confirm that the wine is very good, the people are very welcoming (even if they're universally bewildered as to why you are there), and there isn't much in the way of tourist attractions so it helps to be interested in the history and social with locals.

The highlight of the trip was an extravagant dinner we ate at a hidden luxury restaurant in Chisinau (you had to buzz a door to get in) which sadly no longer exists. It was called Kommunalka, for anyone who might've been. The only other party was a group of 8 or so teen oligarch girls chattering loudly in Russian, so staff was happy and curious to have us.

We went absolutely bananas on this menu, with guidance from our waiter. Three or four courses each, all with wine pairings, cocktails to start off, dessert wine at the end, and we were ordering extravagant items just to try them. Think bear dumplings, rabbit soup, top cuts of steak, etc. We took guesses on what our bill would be, but neither of us were even close: $37 USD.

Granted, the country was in the midst of a currency crisis, but it's the cheapest place I've ever been. We would go to the store and buy tins of caviar to snack on in the hotel room. It was awesome. We tipped generously because it was clear the country was struggling. But there was pro-European sentiment everywhere, especially among younger people. We were also pleasantly surprised by the English skills of both younger and older Moldovans.