If you thought building sandcastles or feeding pigeons was pretty innocent – think again. Some of these wild travel laws may cost you thousands on holiday – so don’t overlook them
Beware – these incredibly overlooked travel laws may land you a hefty fine on holiday.
With summer finally here, thousands of Brits will be flying all over the world to bask in some much overdue sunshine. But experts are now urging the public to watch out for some easily missed travel laws in the aftermath of one influencer’s vacation blunder costing £1,500.
Just this week, the Dubai-based influencer was caught red-handed filming videos on the pink-tinged Spiaggia Rosa in Sardinia, Italy. Despite its stunning allure, the beach has been off-limits since 1994, after tourists began stealing its sand, causing the pinkness to fade.
But it seems Sardinia isn’t the only place to have strict laws for tourists. Parkdean Resorts is now sounding the alarm over some of the wildest rules across Europe and beyond.
1. Don’t build sandcastles in Benidorm
Levante beach is among Benidorm’s most popular seaside jewels. Stretching 2km long, the Spanish coastline hosts countless sun loungers and children’s play areas, while boasting gorgeous golden sands.
But watch out, if you want to build a sandcastle here you may need to get a licence – otherwise you could face a fine of up to €150 (£129). This comes after Benidorm’s Town Hall voted against large sand structures in 2016, following a problem with ‘inappropriate images’ and ‘dirtiness’, according to The i.
Experts at Parkdean Resorts also added: “Benidorm is all about sun and fun but if you want to build sandcastles on Levante beach you’ll need to get a permit first or you could be fined up to €150 (£129). If you also smoke, sleep or use shampoo or body wash on the beach you could be fined hundreds more.”
However, thankfully, these laws do not stand in the way of building bucket-and-spade-sized structures, so you’re likely safe if you’re not aiming for anything ambitiously huge.
2. It’s illegal to wear camouflage in several countries
It may be trendy to wear camouflage print in the UK, but Barbados is among numerous countries that see it as a crime.
In 2020, the Royal Barbados Police Force issued a warning to the public over these ‘disruptive patterns’ claiming it cannot be worn in any capacity – whether it’s a top, shoes, belt or even face mask.
This comes under their local ‘Defence Act CAP’, with anyone found guilty of wearing camouflage liable to spend one year in prison, pay a fine of $2,000 (£1,574) or even both.
“Several countries including, Barbados, Jamaica and St Lucia have laws to stop people from wearing camouflage clothing,” Parkdean experts added. “This rule came into place as camo wear is often associated with ‘rebels’ and ‘troublemakers’ so leave these items unpacked and at home.”
3. Feeding pigeons in Venice
If you thought feeding pigeons was pretty harmless, think again. In Venice, it’s been illegal to feed the birds since 2008, after authorities complained of their pecking, which is slowly chipping away at the city’s iconic buildings.
This also included the sale of any bird feed within the city, which stirred up quite the controversy among vendors who made it their business to sell to tourists.
Parkdean experts added: “In a bid to control the number of pigeons and the damage they cause in Venice, the city has banned feeding them. Any tourists spotted giving pigeons food can face fines from $80 (£69) to $775 (£664).”
4. Don’t wear your beachwear in Spain
Walking around in a bikini or swimming trunks may seem like no big deal. But in various parts of Spain this is against the rules – and those failing to adhere to them may land a hefty £500 fine.
The UK Foreign Office explains: “In some parts of Spain it’s illegal to be in the street wearing only a bikini or swimming shorts. Being bare-chested is also illegal in some areas in Spain. You could be fined if you’re caught wearing swimwear on the seafront promenade or adjacent streets.”
Just last month, one sunbather – who donned just a pair of swimming briefs – sparked outrage in Palma, Majorca, for this exact reason. Locals furiously reacted to this online, with videos and images of the mystery man recirculated by by Majorca Daily Bulletin.
One woman commenting beneath the clip wrote: “Please arrest these near naked people. Or the shirtless, near nude, bikini wearing morons who wander around markets, towns and shops. Ukkk! Quality tourism can’t come soon enough!”
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