Agents should warn holidaymakers to check foreign laws
Agents are being urged to warn clients of activities that could land them in trouble on holiday, such as flushing toilets in Swiss apartments after 10pm and wearing noisy footwear in the Italian hot spot of Capri.
The warning follows the introduction in Italy of more than 150 ‘public security’ laws earlier this month, some of which have taken tourists by surprise.
One such law in Vigevano, near Milan, which bans people from sitting in the shade at the foot of a monument has already resulted in an arrest.
A couple have also been charged with wearing ‘excessively’ noisy flip flops in Capri and the British Foreign Office is concerned that more holidaymakers will fall foul of local laws.
It is urging Brits to spend some time researching local laws and travel agents could help by passing on any unusual customs they know about.
Skyscanner has produced a list of the 10 most unusual laws, which includes a ban on sandcastles in Eraclea near Venice, chewing gum in Singapore, kissing in public in Dubai and smoking tobacco – but strangely not cannabis – in cafes in Amsterdam.
By Linsey McNeill
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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