The bizarre rules you need to know before you travel
Those travelling to destinations popular for historic sites, beaches and exotic cuisine could cop hefty fines if they break some bizarre rules while on holiday.
In August, a French couple faced up to six years in prison for taking sand from a beach in Sardinia, Italy. Local police found 14 plastic bottles full of white sand, totalling 40 kilograms.
In addition to the possible prison time, the tourists could also be hit with a $4880 fine.
But Italy is only one among many countries with some seemingly odd rules they expect to be followed. Here’s a list of some you should be aware of before you visit.
Spain
When you’re done basking in the sunshine in Spain, remember to change out of your thongs if you’re getting into a car.
Wearing this type of footwear while driving could land you a $325 fine for wearing something that could impede your ability to drive safely.
If you are going to the beach, be mindful of where you park your car. If your car is on the sand, you can cop a $9750 fine.
Thailand
The legal drinking age in Thailand is 20, but that doesn’t mean that you’ll be sold alcohol at any time just because you meet the requirement.
The sale of alcohol is prohibited in the country from 2pm to 5pm and from midnight to 11am.
If you are consuming alcohol in Thailand, make sure you’re not doing so at places of worship, schools, petrol stations, hospitals or public parks. If you do, you could face jail time and a fine of up to $485.
Greece
If you’re looking to put your best foot forward on a trip to Greece, just makes sure you’re wearing flat shoes when visiting any ancient sites.
This is their way of trying to preserve these historic locations.
Italy
Italy certainly has a plethora of odd rules that people must follow when they visit a variety of cities across the country.
If you’re in the capital city of Rome, sitting on the famous Spanish Steps, a UNESCO world heritage site, will result in a fine of up to $650.
Just a short walk away at the Trevi Fountain, stay out of the water or there will be a $731 fine, a consequence that two Canadian tourists had to pay back in 2018.
Heading north to Capri, learn from Heidi Klum’s mistake and stay out of the Blue Grotto. The supermodel had to pay about $9755 for swimming in the restricted area.
Perhaps the oddest rule of all is in Florence, where there are four streets in the city on which you can’t eat between 12pm and 3pm, and 6pm to 10pm.
If you’re seen eating on Via de' Neri, Piazzale degli Uffizi, Piazza del Grano and Via della Ninna, you will be fined about $810.
– Yahoo! Canada
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