Holidaymakers have been warned to pay special attention to the rules governing tourism in Italy or face having to pay fines that could add up to hundreds of pounds.
With thousands of Brits heading to the sunny European country this summer to enjoy its historical monuments, art, delicious dishes and beautiful beaches, the Mirror reports that rules in different parts of the country need to be obeyed. It says that some unwitting tourists have already learned about a bikini ban in Sorrento, on the Amalfi coast, which sees people being fined anywhere from £21 to £421 for wearing their swimwear outside of beach or pool areas. The mayor of Sorrento has also banned people from walking around the town bare-chested in an attempt to stop “indecent behaviour”.
Other lesser-known rules in Italy include a ban on sitting or lounging on the stunning Spanish Steps or standing in the Trevi Fountain in Rome – both of which can be punished with fines of up to £378 – while taking photos inside the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican City is also not permitted.
People visiting Venice should know that bikes are strictly prohibited and widely disliked by locals, And from next year, anyone visiting Venice will need to pre-book and show a QR code costing up to £9 to enter through the main access points. The Mirror advises holidaymakers to research the rules of the city or area they are travelling to to help avoid unexpected costs while on holiday.
Italy is not the only country to have created new rules to tackle anti-social behaviour. Spain has introduced a slew of new offences including a £645 fine for urinating on the beach or in the sea and a £25 fine for throwing towels onto sunbeds in the early morning and then disappearing for several hours.
