A British tourist has found himself in hot water after taking an impromptu – and illegal – swim in the historic waters of Venice's Grand Canal. The bold dip has resulted in a hefty fine and a swift rebuke from Italian authorities.
The man, whose identity has not been released, was slapped with a €1,000 (£850) penalty by local police. The incident, which occurred near the iconic Rialto Bridge, has also led to him being issued with an immediate order to leave the city of Venice.
Local officials were quick to condemn the act. A spokesperson for the city called the swim "unacceptable" and a blatant disregard for the rules protecting Venice's fragile ecosystem and public decorum. The Grand Canal is a busy thoroughfare for vaporetti (water buses), water taxis, and gondolas, making such a stunt extremely dangerous.
This is not the first time Venice has had to deal with tourists overstepping boundaries. The city has been grappling with the effects of mass tourism and has recently implemented several measures to protect its heritage and manage visitor behaviour. This case serves as a stark reminder that the city's canals are a historic monument, not a public swimming pool.
The fine and expulsion highlight a growing crackdown on what authorities deem as 'bad tourism'. Visitors to the famous lagoon city are urged to respect local laws and preserve its cultural and environmental integrity.
