Defying Official Warnings for a 'Time Capsule' Experience
A Scottish couple has sparked controversy after deliberately travelling to the breakaway region of Transnistria, an area on the UK government's official 'do not travel' list. Nicole Docherty, 34, and Jordan Sinnamon made the journey in September, fully aware of the Foreign Office's stern warnings against all travel to the Russian-supported separatist territory located between Moldova and Ukraine.
Transnistria is not internationally recognised as an independent state, often leading to its description as 'the country that doesn't exist'. The UK government advises against all travel partly due to its border with Ukraine and because the area operates outside Moldovan government control. According to official guidance, the FCDO's ability to offer consular support is extremely limited, with no UK embassy present in the region.
'Safer Than the UK': The Journey into a Breakaway State
Despite these warnings, the adventurous pair flew from Istanbul to Chisinau, Moldova, before taking a remarkably affordable £2.50 minibus directly into Transnistria. Nicole, who works in banking, described the border process as straightforward, contradicting media portrayals of difficulty.
'We got off the bus, showed our passports, said how long we'd stay, and that was it,' she explained. 'No scary stuff like people say online.' Because Transnistria lacks official recognition, border officials don't stamp passports, instead providing travellers with a small slip of paper.
The couple acknowledged the political tensions in the region, with Nicole admitting: 'There is also the war in Ukraine and with it being on the border, there is a danger of military activity spreading into the region.' However, she insisted that regarding street crime, the area felt significantly safer than parts of the UK.
Backlash and Bucket List Fulfilment
After sharing their experience online, where Nicole's video garnered over 280,000 views, the couple faced significant criticism. Many commenters branded them 'stupid' for ignoring official advice, while others accused them of 'supporting Russia' due to Vladimir Putin's government's economic, political and military backing of the breakaway state.
Nicole defended their decision, stating: 'For Jordan, it was a bucket list moment after years of reading about it. For me, it was just so unique, like visiting a time capsule.' The well-travelled couple have visited 58 and 60 countries respectively, seeking out unusual European destinations they haven't yet experienced.
They described Transnistria's capital, Tiraspol, as having a strong Soviet atmosphere without being entirely dominated by brutalist architecture. 'Instead, you'll spot Lenin statues, old buses, and plenty of Soviet emblems, murals, and mosaics everywhere,' Nicole said. 'It honestly feels like stepping back in time, which is pretty surreal.'
The couple sampled local cuisine including Placinte (pastry pies with cheese or potato), Solyanka (a tangy meat soup) and Borscht, further enhancing their cultural experience. Despite the criticism, they urged other intrepid travellers to consider visiting before potential political changes alter the region's unique character.
Nicole concluded with a provocative statement contrasting their experience with government warnings: 'The UK government told me not to go because of 'instability and propaganda.' Anyways, turns out the only propaganda here is that you shouldn't visit.'
