Italy's Lake Garda is fining tourists up to $700 - when they break the rules of behaviour

It’s not been the easiest season for Europe. Amsterdam is banning cruise ships. The Acropolis is limiting visitors.. And the wildfires in Greece have prompted the country’s prime minister to offer free Rhodes vacations in 2024 to everyone whose trip was affected.

Travelers trying to be more carbon-conscious aren’t being helped by the heavier cost of a greener lifestyle. In July, a Greenpeace report found that train fares in Europe are up to 30 times more expensive than plane tickets.

The climate crisis is threatening some of our planet’s greatest wonders. UNESCO very recently recommended Venice be added to its heritage danger list. Adding to Italy’s woes, tourists in Italy have been blamed for toppling statues and silencing town bells. This has led to Sirmione, one of the most visited places on Lake Garda, (owing to its picturesque flower-adorned town center and thermal water), to introduce several regulations that would mean costly fines to visitors who exhibit disrespectful behaviour.

Last month, local media reported that hundreds of people were slapped with fines for disrespectful behaviour. From ball games on the beach to wearing swimming costumes around town, here are all the rules to follow:-

• Both cars and bicycles are banned from the area. The only exception is for residents and hotel guests.
• On most beaches along the shore, naked swimming is banned.
• Authorities have also prohibited football and other games that involve running or “throwing objects”.
• Playing musicor musical instruments loudly in a way that disturbs other beach users is forbidden.
• Along most areas of the lakeshore, wild camping is banned.

Those who break the rules can be fined between €100 ($110) and €600 ($660).

The town of Limone has become so frustrated by tourists stringing their wet clothes across balconies that they’ve imposed some rules. Laundry must not be strung outside windows, on balconies or on terraces in the old town. Those who break the rules face penalties of up to €500 ($550).

• On most of the lake’s beaches, dogs and other animals are not permitted. The locality of Torri del Benaco takes this rule one step further and prohibits dogs in the water if other bathers are nearby.

On the shorefront between the towns of Malcesine and Peschiera del Garda, there is a strict dress code.

• No wandering around in beach attire. Men are forbidden to go around without a shirt on, while women cannot be dressed only in swimming

Between Malcesine and Peschiera del Garda:-

• Graduation celebrations and bachelor or bachelorette parties are banned.

If you’re caught reveling, you face a fine between €50 ($55) and €500 ($550) and any party-related “objects” may be confiscated.

Source: External

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