Eurail Group has announced a new participating country in the Eurail Selectpass series, giving travellers 18 countries to choose from.

As of January 1, 2004, Selectpass customers will be able to include Romania as one of their chosen three, four or five adjoining-country combinations. However, the classic Eurailpass will not be extended to include Romania.

For more than 10 years, Eurail Passes were valid only in these 17 countries: Austria (including Liechtenstein), Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France (including Monaco), Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Ireland, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

Eurail Group voted to accept Romania into the Selectpass series because over the last few years, overseas travellers have shown more interest in the eastern part of Europe than ever before, according to Erik A. Mollen, managing director of Eurail Group. This is the latest step toward serving the increasing number of customers who want to explore this part of Europe by rail, Mr. Mollen said.

A three-country Eurail Selectpass itinerary could include, for example, Austria, Hungary and Romania. Prices start at US$304 per person (for two or more people travelling together for five days` travel within a two-month period).

Romania is famous for its Transylvanian Alps, Black Sea resorts and Danube River delta. Bucharest, the capital, is among Europe`s larger cities with more than 2.2 million people. The Romanian National Railway, which operates 6,750 miles of track, is modernizing locomotives and coaches.

Eurail Group comprises 34 railways and connecting shipping lines and in addition to offering all Eurail Passes for travel by train and connecting ships, it provides point-to-point Eurailtickets in 26 countries.