$671 fine for eating ice cream? Tourist's horror after breaking strict Roman law: 'I didn't know the rules!'
- Replies 6
Travelling to a foreign land and learning about the culture and traditions of the locals is an enriching experience in and of itself, but we can get even more out of it if we respect the laws of the countries we visit.
When travelling to a different nation as a tourist, it goes without saying that you will be expected to follow the local customs and regulations. Or else, you could end up having to pay a hefty fine like this one tourist from the US.
Earlier this month, an American tourist visiting Rome learned probably one of the most expensive lessons on his trip: to never eat gelato or drink a bottle of beer past midnight near one of the historical Roman fountains in the city.
The Fontana dei Catecumeni was constructed in 1589 by architect and sculptor Giacomo della Porta, and although it is a popular place for people to gather and mingle around at night, it was closed off on Friday so that no one could sit on the steps of the fountain.
An American tourist was fined for eating ice cream on the steps of a Roman fountain. Credit: CNN.
The tape had apparently been taken off, so when the 55-year-old man sat down at about 1 am, he didn't know he was breaking the rules. 'I didn't know the rules, I didn't know I couldn't sit down. I didn't understand what you were saying to me,' said the tourist.
Unfortunately for him, he may have just made a bad situation worse, as ignorance of the law is never an acceptable justification, no matter where you are in the world.
According to the local newspaper, la Repubblica, the man did not relocate after being warned by the police, which prompted the authorities to respond by fining him a whopping €450 ($671 AUD).
According to reports, the American visitor wasn't singled out. Over the same weekend, local police reportedly conducted more than 300 'decorum' checks to enforce the laws that were revised in 2019 in part to deal with rowdy tourists.
The laws also make it illegal to drink in the street, plan pub crawls, and swim in the city's fountains.
As it turns out, the Roman authorities were relatively lenient towards the American man, despite the hefty fine, because according to reports, they can also choose to prohibit people from specified areas for up to 48 hours if they did not respect the law.
Gelato in Rome is a dream to try, but it's not worth getting in trouble with the local police for it. Credit: 2foodtrippers.
Alright, everyone, this is your sign! If you're planning to visit Italy, especially Rome, soon and want to avoid having to fork out extra cash to the Italian government while you're there, it's a good idea to familiarise yourself with the country's legal system before you arrive.
And even though we're confident in saying that the combination of gelato and beer is delicious, it's not worth risking a run-in with the local law enforcement.
Members, are there any additional travel tips and advice that you've picked up from your experiences that you'd like to pass on to the rest of us? Seeing how many people are taking trips this spring, those could be useful! Share them in the comments.
When travelling to a different nation as a tourist, it goes without saying that you will be expected to follow the local customs and regulations. Or else, you could end up having to pay a hefty fine like this one tourist from the US.
Earlier this month, an American tourist visiting Rome learned probably one of the most expensive lessons on his trip: to never eat gelato or drink a bottle of beer past midnight near one of the historical Roman fountains in the city.
The Fontana dei Catecumeni was constructed in 1589 by architect and sculptor Giacomo della Porta, and although it is a popular place for people to gather and mingle around at night, it was closed off on Friday so that no one could sit on the steps of the fountain.
An American tourist was fined for eating ice cream on the steps of a Roman fountain. Credit: CNN.
The tape had apparently been taken off, so when the 55-year-old man sat down at about 1 am, he didn't know he was breaking the rules. 'I didn't know the rules, I didn't know I couldn't sit down. I didn't understand what you were saying to me,' said the tourist.
Unfortunately for him, he may have just made a bad situation worse, as ignorance of the law is never an acceptable justification, no matter where you are in the world.
According to the local newspaper, la Repubblica, the man did not relocate after being warned by the police, which prompted the authorities to respond by fining him a whopping €450 ($671 AUD).
According to reports, the American visitor wasn't singled out. Over the same weekend, local police reportedly conducted more than 300 'decorum' checks to enforce the laws that were revised in 2019 in part to deal with rowdy tourists.
The laws also make it illegal to drink in the street, plan pub crawls, and swim in the city's fountains.
As it turns out, the Roman authorities were relatively lenient towards the American man, despite the hefty fine, because according to reports, they can also choose to prohibit people from specified areas for up to 48 hours if they did not respect the law.
Gelato in Rome is a dream to try, but it's not worth getting in trouble with the local police for it. Credit: 2foodtrippers.
Alright, everyone, this is your sign! If you're planning to visit Italy, especially Rome, soon and want to avoid having to fork out extra cash to the Italian government while you're there, it's a good idea to familiarise yourself with the country's legal system before you arrive.
And even though we're confident in saying that the combination of gelato and beer is delicious, it's not worth risking a run-in with the local law enforcement.
Members, are there any additional travel tips and advice that you've picked up from your experiences that you'd like to pass on to the rest of us? Seeing how many people are taking trips this spring, those could be useful! Share them in the comments.
.png){kind=icon}
