An Italian village popular with tourists is now imposing stiff fines (up to €200 ) for wandering around the village in swimsuits or shirtless.
Varenna, a picturesque fishing village by Lake Como, has imposed fines in the latest attempt by an Italian holiday destination to crack down on ‘uncouth tourists.’
“Varenna is a wonderful village, and we are proud to welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the world every year,” said Mauro Manzoni, Varenna’s mayor. “However, our residents’ quality of life cannot be sacrificed on the altar of mass tourism.”
In a related move, tour groups have been limited to no more than 25 people and must not clog Varenna’s narrow cobblestoned streets, while guides have been banned from using loudspeakers.
Can you blame them?