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Why should you take extra care when visiting these popular tourist spots?
Traveling should be a relatively carefree experience for all of us. But unfortunately, the world’s most popular tourist spots don’t work the same way as the cities and towns we come from. From the ancient city of Rome to the English countryside, rules and regulations vary greatly, turning seemingly innocent actions into costly fines.
But before you get mad at what sometimes seems like a strict rule, remember that they’re all there to make these places as wonderful as they’ve always been, or to make the locals as comfortable as possible. Always check the local laws before your trip and help them be awesome.
Here are ten of the most amazing punishments!
Sitting in Venice
Venice made headlines this month after the mayor called it “idiots,” power floating through the city’s canals. While both men were duly punished, it is doubtful that most of us would do the same. What you may not know is that in some places it is against the law to sit.
In an effort to reduce congestion, seating is prohibited in areas such as St. Mark’s Square and the Rialto Bridge. The city almost went even further by banning it from sitting anywhere in the city with a fine of $580! While a full city ban may not be in effect, the previous hotspot ban still exists. And definitely don’t eat or drink while you’re there.
Venice is easily one of the strictest cities in the world for tourists, mainly due to its ruined architecture and history. They can also be punished for going overboard, feeding pigeons, riding bicycles, swimming in canals and littering. Most of these carry a hefty fine of over €300.
In general, Italy is full of similar rules. When Florence was in the Roman fountains, she forbade eating in public places.
Drinking in public in Amsterdam
This is important. Americans often have a distorted view of Amsterdam. Its seemingly relaxed attitude towards recreational drugs and its famous red light district has led many to believe that the city is the perfect party town. In fact, the city and its residents consider Amsterdam to be the coldest city. All those seemingly wild aspects of the legal system are actually heavily regulated, and you can be heavily fined for not complying with them.
Especially for tourists, it is not allowed to drink or drink in public, and the same is true for recreational facilities. And that’s what the cafes are for. Even in the red-light district, it is illegal to take pictures of the staff. It’s a highly regulated industry, and regardless of your personal views, it should be respected as such.
Taking sand or rock as a reminder from many places
Even if that empty beach you found in Greece is held fondly in your memory, be careful about taking a physical memory. Beaches such as Hawaii, Greece, Italy and the United Kingdom have protected beaches for various reasons, and taking sand or rocks is a punishable offence.
A French couple found this out the hard way in Sardinia when trying to get 88 pounds of sand back home. If caught, they face up to 6 years in prison and a $3000 fine. While their cases are extremely loud, taking even a small amount can get you fined. As a rule, don’t just do it. Choose a postcard instead.
Chewing gum in Singapore (sort of)
While the city-state of Singapore has many strict laws to help maintain its clean appearance, the chewing gum ban is one of the most easily recognized. One rule behind Singapore’s meteoric rise was chief executive Lee Kuan Yew, who believed strongly in cleanliness and hygiene. The aim was to create a “first world oasis in a third world region”, as it was then.
It didn’t take long for Singapore to catch up with most Western countries and in many aspects of daily life. Singapore runs like a well-oiled machine, and in Lee’s opinion, it starts with small things like gum. While chewing isn’t technically illegal, the sale of chewing gum is banned, and importation and smuggling carry fines of thousands of dollars or even tin cans.
But the reality is that the danger comes from the country’s massive littering ban, which sees chewing gum as particularly irritating because people tend to stick to it. To avoid smuggling laws, tourists can bring only two packages for personal use.
Using a phone while driving in the UK
This is less common and more common sense, but it’s something Americans are caught up in and pay dearly for. While there are laws in the states regarding cell phone use while driving, the general consensus is more relaxed than elsewhere. Some states still don’t have outright bans, and some even allow texting while driving. It’s not uncommon to pass ten cars on the interstate and see seven drivers looking at their phones.
In the UK, however, using a phone while driving is illegal. Police are very vigilant in enforcing the law and may pull over a vehicle if they suspect a phone has been used in any way. The penalties can be huge and are set to be tougher this year. Thanks to stricter enforcement, UK drivers are generally more abiding by the rules.
So be careful if you book a rental on your next trip. Leave the phone in your pocket. And maybe take the habit back to the states, where almost 400 thousand injuries each year thanks to texting and driving.
Swearing in Australia
While the Aussie has a reputation for throwing around some serious swear words on a regular basis, getting caught doing it in the wrong place can lead to fines and jail time. According to the law, offensive language cannot be used “in a public place or near a school”. In some states, the maximum fine is $21,720, and community service or, worse, jail time can be imposed.
Those punishments are highly unlikely, but possible because swearing can sometimes be classified as disorderly and aggressive behavior. That involves some kind of menacing behavior in the park as opposed to a normal swear word, but it still pays to know your surroundings. If there are a lot of kids or families, call back just to be on the safe side.
Hiking in Switzerland
Taking an unforgettable photo at the top of a mountain in the Swiss Alps may seem like a ridiculous idea, but it’s a good idea to pack your kit. The Swiss government doesn’t find it funny at all and fines $100 for doing this. In the year In 2011, someone tried to fight the ban and failed in court. The proliferation of social media has made it easy to follow anyone who does so, so think again before doing so.
The law came after a group of German nudists went on a hike that upset the local Alpine village, which immediately voted to ban the practice.
Running out of gas on the Autobahn.
The Autobahn is one of the most famous highways in the world, and many rent a car in Germany just to try the speed-limitless drive. However, thanks to the high speed limits found on the road, it’s illegal to stop whether you’ve gassed up or not.
That makes monitoring your gas-guzzling very important while here. Even though the fine is around $34, that’s the money you’ll spend on a few beers that night in Munich!
Wearing Camoflague in the Caribbean and other countries
Those awesome camo shorts (are they really?) might look great for your next trip to the Caribbean, but you might want to think again. Wearing a camo is illegal in countries including Antigua, Barbados, Grenada, Jamaica, Saudi Arabia, the Philippines, Trinidad and Tobago, and Nigeria.
The reason for this is very simple – camo is reserved only for the official military. Some want to distinguish between civilians, while others see it as a symbolic reminder of violence, and wearing it can re-invigorate that.
While it may not be a fine, you’ve probably said goodbye to the offending class. It’s unusual for them to come out of checked bags, so if your bag is late and you’ve got camo in there, you’ll know why.
Dubai Love Expression
This rule applies to many countries in the Middle East, but as Dubai is one of the most popular destinations in the world, it is important to know that it is still a very different place for all modern trimmings.
Although there has been significant progress in the passing of laws allowing unmarried couples to live together, public displays of affection can still be problematic. While not technically illegal, there are some gray areas that make it more complicated.
While hugging or holding hands is acceptable, it should not be considered sexual in any way. What that means is that individual opinions can affect your time there. If someone complains to the police that you are having sex with another person, you could be in trouble. As a rule, avoid it as much as possible.
This article originally appeared on Off-Road Travel. For the latest breaking news affecting your next trip, please visit: Traveloffpath.com
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Disclaimer: Current travel laws and restrictions Subject to change without notice. Travel decisions are ultimately your responsibility. Before you travel, check with your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your citizenship and/or any changes to travel requirements. Off-Road Travel does not support travel against government advice.
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