Hope for a Hop Across the Pond

Just when I was beginning to despair about ever going to Europe again, as the dollar continues to plummet against the Euro, this little item from Arthur Frommer's website reminded me that there are Eastern European countries that are beautiful and not yet using the Euro...

Constanta, Romania (Source: Romania Tourism; www.romaniatourism.com)

• Movie ticket: $6
• Bus fare: $1.10
• Cup of regular coffee: $1.75
• Bottle of local beer in a bar: Ursus, $1.75
• Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $55-$110
• Moderate, three-course meal for one, without alcohol or tip: $18
• $1= 2.36 Romania Lei