.Bulgaria
 

Hi My Pal and I are doing a tour for 5 weeks taking in 17 Countries and am concerned with safety in Bulgaria and Romania so any advice, please from travellers in recent times?

toby4

You can see all the informations you need at "Romania" and "Bulgaria" topic

Best regards
Szabi

I shouldn't worry too much.Petty crime and opportunist theft would be the only prob as with everywhere really.Every country has it's low form of life.You will find the people more friendly and inquisitive than us miserable lot in UK.
The only incident i recall was approaching the Bulgarian border from Romania.I stopped to get my passport out just before what i thought was the border post.A man came out of a hut claiming he was an official and asked for my passport.Showing his fake ID and a document,he said he was collecting 'tax' for the use of roads in Romania.He wanted $30,of course i argued the point and would have just jumped on bike and sped off.I was a prat for handing over passport straight away.When he reduced it to $20 then $10 then i knew it was a scam for sure.I literally grabbed my passport from him and headed for the border.
This was 2002 so he may not be there anymore.I would imagine it is more tourist friendly now (good or bad point,i don't know.)
Have fun !


[This message has been edited by sigoodacre (edited 21 February 2006).]

Remember:
THERE ARE NO TOLL ROADS IN ROMANIA, not even the Transfagarasan road!

You have to pay a toll to overcross a Duna bridge or to enter in city centre of Mamaia.

I had no real issues with safety, but check out Kevin Payne on Travellers Stories if you need any background. I was a big fan of Romania but not so much of Bulgaria.

Thanks for that, I will

We came through Romania and Bulgaria in May/June of last year with no incidents at all. I think the "dangers" of these countries are exaggerated, especially with respect to certain countries in Western Europe. Things are changing rapidly in this part of Europe.

Be careful of the cops in Bulgaria, they may be less corrupt than they used to be, but we saw plenty of cops busting folks for speeding, so keep your eyes open.

The biggest danger IMO are the mafiosos driving the big luxury sedans on the highway. They drive like maniacs under their own set of rules and seem to have a pretty good relationship with the police too. Give these guys plenty of space!

------------------
Dave
www.mototrekker.com

[This message has been edited by davidmc (edited 12 March 2006).]