Before travelling for your summer holidays, it’s important to know that each country and city has its own laws.
Some rules might be different from what you’re used to, and things that are fine at home might cause trouble in other places. Breaking these rules could result in fines or worse, even if the law seems unusual.
For example, in Venice, feeding pigeons in St. Mark’s Square has been illegal since 2008 to protect buildings from damage. Tourists could face fines between €25 and €500 for feeding the birds.
In Germany, running out of gas on the Autobahn can lead to a fine. It’s illegal to stop or slow down unnecessarily on certain roads, and running out of fuel is not an acceptable excuse.
In Sweden, drivers must have their headlights on at all times, even during the day, to ensure better visibility, especially in winter.
In Spain, particularly in Benidorm and Tenerife, building large sandcastles is illegal to keep the beaches natural. You could be fined £130 for making big sand structures.
In Milan, Italy, there’s an old law from the Austro-Hungarian empire that supposedly makes it a crime to frown, except at funerals or hospitals. Though it’s not enforced today, it’s still something to consider.
In Barbados, wearing camouflage clothing is illegal because it’s reserved for military personnel. If caught, you could face a fine of $2,000 (around £767) or even jail time. This rule also applies in other Caribbean and Middle Eastern countries, like Jamaica and Oman.
In Mexico, it’s illegal to take your feet off the pedals while riding a bike. This law, dating back to the 19th century, isn’t often enforced.
In Switzerland, particularly in the Alps, naked hiking is banned in some areas. The law was introduced in 2009 after locals complained about nudist hikers. While public nudity isn’t entirely illegal, authorities can fine those hiking without clothes.
In Florida, it’s against the law to break wind in public after 6pm. This rule isn’t often enforced!
In Thailand, it’s illegal to go out in public without wearing underwear. While no one may notice, it’s still best to pack enough.
Lastly, chewing gum is banned in Singapore to prevent it from being littered in public places. The sale and importation of chewing gum were banned in 1992, though there are exceptions for therapeutic gum, like nicotine or dental gum.
