A couple from the U.S. encountered unexpected trouble during their vacation in Venice, Italy. Julia Latoff and her boyfriend, Mike, were celebrating his grandparents’ 60th wedding anniversary with a trip to Italy and Austria. Their visit to the renowned Floating City took a surprising turn after a routine decision to go for a run.
Julia explained they are both avid runners and aim to jog in every city they visit. “We both started running after college. It’s an individual sport with a supportive community,” she shared with Newsweek.
However, the run became stressful due to the absence of a T-shirt. “It was July and very hot, so my boyfriend ran shirtless, which is common in NYC during summer,” Julia noted. They didn’t anticipate any issues as they had seen shirtless runners in Florence earlier.
While exploring Venice’s streets, Julia noticed locals reacting negatively towards Mike, with some “shaking their heads” and displaying “disgust.” A shouted warning prompted them to investigate further.
Julia and Mike found out that Venice enforces regulations against shirtlessness in its historical city center, aimed at preserving cultural and religious dignity. Violators risk fines up to €250 ($290), as per the Venice City Council.
Surprised by the rule, Julia described the incident as an “honest mistake,” which led them to a discreet purchase of a shirt. These fines are part of measures to protect Venice’s historic landscape, public safety, and hygiene.
Additional regulations include bans on sitting or lying on public structures, eating and drinking on the ground, and swimming in canals, with fines varying between €25 and €500. Littering, feeding pigeons, or using bicycles may also result in financial penalties.
For severe breaches, offenders might receive a DASPO, mandating them to leave the area. Julia shared their story on Instagram, urging future travelers to remember to bring running attire.
Reflecting on the experience, Julia noted, “Mike now pays more attention to local customs, even when running in the U.S.”