Legal experts have warned that tourists could face legal action if they fail to understand the quirks of their chosen destination.
A team from BPP University Law School have divulged some of the most peculiar laws in various countries, offering advice on how to avoid legal trouble during the winter holidays.
One such rule is the prohibition of high heels at Greece’s ancient sites, including the Parthenon and the Acropolis in Athens.
This unusual law was enacted in 2009 due to concerns about potential damage to these historical monuments.
Therefore, tourists planning a visit to Athens this winter might want to swap their stilettos for more practical shoes.
However, it’s worth noting that high heels are allowed elsewhere in Greece, including its islands; the ban only applies to the capital’s ancient sites.
Another European city is on the list for its weird rules regarding feeding pigeons. Venice, Italy, has outlawed the act since 2008, and fines vary between €25 (£20.74) and €500 (£414.88).
The city’s extremely tame birds were once a major draw for tourists, who enjoyed feeding them by hand. However, the cost of cleaning up after the birds led Venetian lawmakers to impose a ban.
Elsewhere on the continent in Germany, jaywalking is also against the law. Travellers who dare to cross the street against a red light in Germany could be fined €5,000 (£4,148.75) to €10,000 (£8,297.50).
Experts have highlighted that this strict rule “was implemented to keep people safe on the roads, but it is also embedded deeply into the culture of the country, meaning you may face backlash from the public for not waiting for the green light.”
Further afield in the Caribbean, wearing camouflage clothing can land you in hot water; it’s prohibited in Jamaica, Grenada, Antigua, Dominica, St Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, and St Vincent and the Grenadines to prevent confusion with military or police personnel.
In Jamaica, the fine for wearing camouflage is up to $2,000, and the offender may also be required to hand over the clothing to authorities. It’s not just clothing; the law applies to swimwear and accessories.
The consequences differ across the Caribbean, but flaunting the camo look in Grenada might even result in a jail sentence.
Over in Sri Lanka, snapping a selfie with a Buddha statue has been a no-go since 2012, following an incident in which three French tourists were incarcerated for taking photos while kissing the statue.
In 2014, a woman faced deportation for sporting a Buddha tattoo. Commenting on the sensitivity around religious imagery in Sri Lanka, experts remark: “As many people in Sri Lanka believe that Buddha is the 9th avatar of the god Vishnu, crimes regarding his image are taken extremely seriously.”
They advise travellers, “If you are planning to travel to Sri Lanka, always take your photographs while facing the statue of Buddha to avoid offending locals – as having your back to his image is also seen as major disrespect.”
