Vacationers beware: New rules in place, and transgressions will lead to penalties.
Tackling Summer Vacation Roulette: Here Are the Big No-Nos in Popular Vacation Spots
Planning a getaway this summer? Brace yourself for these restrictions and bans in some of the most sought-after vacation spots to ensure a smooth and hassle-free holiday:
1. Cover Up in (Albufeira, Portugal): It's Bikini Time... on the Beach Only! 👙
Flaunting your beach body on Albufiera's streets or public transport may land you in hot water! The rule of thumb now? Save your stylish swimwear for the sandy shores, designated bathing areas, or hotel outdoors. Fines for flouting this rule could set you back between €300 and €1,500.Now, don't fret! There will be a grace period for awareness before the rules are strictly enforced. 🇵🇹
2. Say Cheese... Carefully in Prague, Cz and Poland 📸
Snap-happy globetrotters, beware! Photography restrictions are tough in some Czech Republic and Polish sites. Be on the lookout for attractions like military facilities or their immediate vicinities—a clear "Photography Prohibited" sign might mean hefty fines up to €4,000 or even a 30-day jail term for your camera. 🇨🇿 🇵🇱
3. Limone, Italy: To Sip or Not to Sip? That is the Question 🍹
While strolling around Limone, you may have noticed signs forbidding alcohol consumption in parks, gardens, and sidewalks. These provisions are typically introduced to minimize public nuisance, and enforcement lasts from April to November 1. Violators risk being slapped with fines ranging from €25 to €500. 🇮🇹
4. Pitching a Tent in Greece: Ain't That a Bummer! 🏕️
Remember those dreamy beach nights under the stars? Greece's recent crackdown on camping has put a damper on things: camping on beaches, coastal strips, forests, and archaeological sites is now strictly prohibited. parking in residential areas is also limited to 24 hours, except for specific parking lots. Overstaying could cost you €300. 🇬🇷
5. Vive la France! (Just Not the Cigarettes on Beaches) 🚫🔥
To protect young ones from the ill-effects of second-hand smoke, smoking is being banned nationwide on French beaches from July 1. Breathe easy (and smoke-free) in designated beach areas—or pay €135 for violations. 🇫🇷
6. Underwater Photography in Thailand: More Than Just a Snap 🌊🎭
So, you thought your shiny new underwater camera was made for vacation? Think again! In Thailand, only divers with specific credentials can bring camera equipment in offshore dives. Advanced Open Water certification or a minimum of 40 deep dives in your logbook are required to photogragh Thailand's sensitive coral reefs and marine life. 🇹🇭
Footnotes:
🇵🇹 [1] Lusa News Agency, Albufeira Council Decides on Bikini Ban
🇨🇿 [2] Foreign Office (UK), Travel Advice – Czech Republic
🇵🇱 [3] Travel News, Photography Is Now Strictly Banned in 25,000 Objects in Poland, Find Out What It Costs to Ignore the Ban
🇮🇹 [4] The Local, Limone Sul Garda Introduces Ban on Consuming Alcohol in the Streets
🇬🇷 [5] ADAC Automobile Club, ADAC Camping Advice for Greece
🇫🇷 [6] France24, Catherine Vautrin on Smoking Bans and a Smoke-Free France
🇹🇭 [7] The Nation, Coral Reef Protection: Public Won't Be Allowed to Take Pictures Underwater
In Albufeira, Portugal, it's essential to avoid flaunting beachwear outside the beach or designated bathing areas, as heavy fines up to €1,500 may apply.
When capturing memories in Prague, Czech Republic, or Poland, be cautious about photography restrictions, particularly in military facilities or their vicinities, as fines could reach up to €4,000 or a 30-day jail term.
