With the kids back at school, prices for early autumn holidays have finally begun to drop and Brits are rushing to book a cheaper getaway. September and October are some of the cheapest times to travel, but according to one expert, there are hidden rules abroad that could cost you hundreds of pounds if you are not careful.
Chris Thomas from UK Private Investigators said some of the fines he has seen handed to unsuspecting Brits are so strange you would not believe them until you see the ticket. Most people think of holiday problems are those such as lost luggage or a delayed flight, but some countries have rules that will catch you out without you even realising, Mr Thomas said.
He said: “These are not the obvious ones like speeding or parking in the wrong place. They are small, unusual things that can leave you hundreds of pounds out of pocket.”
In September Italy waves goodbye to its scorching summer and is, for many, the best time to visit with mild weather and warm seas. Nevertheless, Brits should remain on their guard for hidden fines.
The picturesque fishing village of Portofino on the Italian Riviera, southeast of Genoa, often sits high on the bucket list for travellers in Europe. Boasting pastel-coloured houses and high-end boutiques, mouth-watering seafood restaurants fringe Portofino’s Piazzetta, a small cobbled square overlooking the harbour, which is always lined with superyachts.
However, if you are planning on visiting Portofino this month, leave the barefoot strolls for the beach, Mr Thomas has warned.
From July until the end of September, local police will fine you up to £430 for walking around barefoot, wandering through the streets in swimwear, or even enjoying a picnic in the wrong spot.
“This rule was brought in to keep the area calm during the summer season,” the expert said.
“Tourists see it as harmless fun, but the local police do not. It is a quick way to lose a few hundred pounds for what you think is an innocent mistake.”
Italy is not the only European country to impose sneaky fines on unsuspecting tourists, either. Spain has always been a popular destination for British travellers, but in places like Ibiza, Barcelona and Magaluf, picking up a shell on the beach could now cost you up to £900.
“It sounds ridiculous, but it is real. Beaches are protected and removing shells or stones is classed as damaging the environment. Every summer we hear from people who thought they were just taking home a little souvenir, only to be stopped by local officials and handed a fine.”
Meanwhile, in Tenerife, tourists have been hit with fines of up to £855 for something as harmless as feeding pigeons in a public square. Local authorities have banned feeding the birds because of hygiene and health risks, and they are not shy about enforcing it.
Mr Thomas added: “If you are on holiday in the Canary Islands, leave the bread at home. Feeding wildlife is a quick way to get an expensive lesson on local law.
“Every country has its own set of rules and some are not obvious until you are already in trouble. Before you travel, take ten minutes to check the local laws. It could save you hundreds of pounds and a ruined holiday.”
