A Journalist's First Trip to Italy

A journalist visited Italy for the first time and shared their experience.

A travel journalist visited Venice and almost lost £86 due to a rule they didn't know. The journalist spent six days in Italy, visiting popular cities.

The journalist had five regrets from their time in Italy, which was part of a two-week trip around Europe.

The journalist was stopped by authorities in Venice for doing something they thought was harmless.

After a walking tour, the journalist looked for lunch but ended up buying ice cream and sitting down.

The journalist was visiting Venice for the first time.

Sitting down was the problem, as the journalist explained they cut their losses and stood in line for gelato before sitting on a shaded step.

The authorities waved at the journalist to get up, as they were committing an etiquette violation that could result in a fine.

The local government website informs tourists about the rule of not consuming food and drink while sitting on the ground.

Breaking this rule can result in a fine of 100 to 200 euros and a ban from the area.

Offenders could be fined £86.74 to £173.48 if caught, and the rules are in place to preserve the environment.

Venice recently introduced an entrance fee for tourists.

The local authority explains that the rules are in place to preserve urban cleanliness and landscape, and for safety and public hygiene.

Breaking the rules can result in administrative fines of €25 to €500.

Tourists also face an entrance fee, which was introduced in 2024 and is around €5.

The new mayor of Venice has talked about increasing the entrance fee to €50.

Opponents have warned that the entrance fee risks not being true to the city, and some have called for it to be removed.

A former mayor called the scheme barbarous and uncivilised, and hopes the new mayor will scrap the fee.

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