With fantastic food, beautiful beaches and amazing architecture, it's easy to see why Italy is one of the world's leading tourist destinations. But Britons are being warned of some strange and unusual laws while having fun in the European sunshine - or risk raking in some substantial fines.
The law can vary depending on the province you visit, but many top tourist destinations have some strict rules and regulations in place to discourage bad behaviour. For example, in certain cities you can find yourself in trouble for simply sitting on steps, or eating and drinking within earshot of a historic monument or church.
Here, The Express breaks down some of the lesser-known laws to help holidaymakers keep a hold of their Euros for tourism, instead of having to splurge out on penalties.
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While Rome is a must do for many tourists, people are banned from sitting on the Spanish Steps in a bid to protect the famous monument from damage. Last year meanwhile, an American tourist was fined for eating an ice cream while sitting on a historic fountain to cool off.
Bathing in fountains is illegal in many Italian towns, like Florence and Rome, while tourists can also be pinned with a 10,000 Euro (£8,500) fine if they urinate in public. In Venice meanwhile, it's forbidden to swim in the city's canals.
Aside from being incredibly dangerous, the water there is extremely dirty and could make swimmers chaotically ill. On the island of Capri, it's illegal to bring disposable plastics with you - and doing so could see you hit with a fine of up to 500 Euros (£429).
Banned disposables include carrier bags, cutlery, plates, cups, food packaging, trays and straws made from plastic. Elsewhere, tourists could also be stung for removing sand, shells, or pebbles from coastal areas.
Travellers caught doing so can face fines and be stopped by airport security who could cause them to miss their flight home through the inconvenience. On top of this, tourists should also avoid purchasing items from street traders to avoid trouble.
The UK Government, said: "Illegal traders operate on the streets of all major Italian cities. It is illegal to buy items from unlicensed street traders. If you do, you could be stopped by the local police and fined."
You should always brush up on local laws before travelling to Italy, to avoid you landing in hot water with authorities.
