Building a sandcastle could land tourists in hot water
Bizarre bans hit Italian towns
28 August 2008Visitors to Italy may be interested to know of some of the strange bylaws a number of towns have passed so that they do not fall foul of the law.
As a result of a nationwide crackdown on crime and a ruling giving them extra powers, some Italian mayors have created regulations designed to improve public decorum, Reuters reports.
It is now prohibited to build sandcastles on the beach in Eraclea, near Venice, or to wander away from the seafront while wearing a bikini in Capri.
Holidaymakers on a romantic visit to Eboli are warned that public displays of affection in a car can lead to a fine of up to €500 (£397).
Other activities disapproved of by local authorities include lighting fireworks in Positano on any day other than a Saturday and smoking on the beach at Oristano in Sardinia.
In an extreme case, one man was reportedly fined €50 (£39) for lying down in a park to read a book but after calling a local radio to complain, the mayor promised to drop the ban.
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