worried

My 18 y.o. daughter wants to go to Romania this Summer to volunteer in an orphanage for a few weeks. While this sounds like a fine idea, I'm more than a little concerned. Can anyone give me an idea about safety issues? She plans to travel with a small group and will spend most of her time in Bucharest. Thanks.

Ben haines

If she is a young woman of usual good sense I see no problem. There are sharkish men in Bucharest, as in other cities, but they simply need a brush-off. You can read more about safety on consular advice sites<BR>from Australia on http://www.dfat.gov.au/consular/advice<BR>from Britain on http://193.114.50.10/travel and on http://www.fco.gov.uk/travel/countryadvice.asp<BR>from Canada on http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/menu-e.asp, under "Travel Reports"<BR>from France on http://www.dfae.diplomatie.fr/voyageurs/etrangers/avis/conseils/alphabet.asp<BR>from the USA on http://travel.state.gov, under "travel warnings"<BR>Some experienced American travellers find the American site over-cautious. It is therefor useful to check all five sites.<BR><BR>Ben Haines, london<BR>

Marc David Miller

Try<BR><BR>www.inyourpocket.com<BR><BR>Also, look at the Thorn Tree of<BR><BR>www.lonelyplanet.com<BR><BR>as many of the participants have been to Romania recently.

JULIE

We travelled in romania for 10 days last year. Other than the beggars (who actually annoyed us more than frightened us), we actually felt very safe. We rented a car and travelled on our own. However, we did not go to Bucharest. Romania is the one place we have been where we felt like we should have worn t-shirts that said, "We are American." Romania is very interested in becoming a member of NATO and many of its citizens are very intrigued by Americans. they are also very friendly. we were actually invited to lunch at the home of some people with whom we had a small fender bender. Let her go. It will be an experience of a lifetime. It will also be a real eye-opener and make her aware of how lucky she is. Contact me directly if you want more info.

Susaqn

Arthur Frommer's magazine, "Budget Travel," had an article on Romania in their March/April issue - part of their "cheapest places on earth."

worried

Thank you Ben, Marc, Julie & Susan. I will check out the suggested websites.