# Travel >> Travel Preparation >> Travel Safety

How to Stay Safe in Romania

Romania sits on the western shore of the Black Sea and is bordered by Ukraine, Hungary and a host of other Eastern European nations. As a result of its location it is often mistaken as a former part of the Soviet Union. It was a part of the Soviet Bloc of nations, but retained much of its own national identity during the cold war. Over a decade later, Romania is fast becoming a tourist hot spot. It's a safe country to visit and one with a tremendous number of places to stay.

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Instructions

- 1
  Store the Romanian emergency number in you cell phone, or keep it written down where you won't lose it. The number is "112" and it will contact any and all emergency services, including police, paramedics and the fire department.
- 2
  Be on guard in heavily crowded areas such as a marketplace or on mass transit. While not a major concern, pickpocketing is considered one of the more common crimes in Romania. Buy a purse that can be closed with a latch or put your wallet in your front pocket.
- 3
  Stay away from stray or loose animals in Romania, particularly those you find in the cities. Strays are a common sight in most major cities, but there is no accounting for their health.
- 4
  Rent a four-wheel drive vehicle while in Romania. The roads in the cities aren't bad, but once you head out into the rural areas of the country road conditions rapidly deteriorate.
- 5
  Visit RomanianTourism.com to find deals on hotels and tour packages (see Resources below). You'll find descriptions of the cities, as well as resources for planning a safe and fun visit to the country.