Travelers are strongly advised to take extra care when packing their luggage before flying abroad as some items familiar to us may be prohibited in a particular tourist country. Among them are shoes with high heels, clothes with the image of Winnie the Pooh. Some customs are also prohibited.
Law school experts shared some of the most unusual rules in popular countries with Express and explained how to avoid breaking the law during the New Year holidays, which can lead to problems and ruin your Christmas trip.
Greece : You cannot wear high-heeled shoes when visiting the Acropolis
Greek authorities have banned the wearing of high-heeled shoes in any of the ancient sites around the Parthenon and the Acropolis in Athens. The law was introduced in 2009 as “concerns began to grow that monuments would be scratched or damaged.”
Therefore, travelers better play it safe and leave their high-heeled shoes at home and choose more comfortable shoes if they are going to visit Athens this winter. It is important to note that the wearing of shoes with high heels is prohibited only in ancient places and near the sights of the capital, in the rest of the country, including the Greek islands, there is no such requirement.
Italy: it is forbidden to feed pigeons in Venice< /strong>
Since 2008, in Venice, which attracts millions of tourists every year, it is forbidden to feed pigeons. For violation, travelers can receive a fine of up to 50 thousand rubles. (700 euros). “Many tourists are attracted to the area by tame birds that flocked to peck at food from their hands. However, the Venetian legislators decided that they had had enough, since cleaning up after the birds turned out to be very expensive. If you are lucky, the fine could be only about 70 euros (5 thousand rubles), but it can still cause significant damage to the funds for the rest,” tourism experts said.
Feeding pigeons is prohibited in many European countries. For example, high fines for this action are also provided in Germany. It is also strictly forbidden to feed pigeons there.
Germany: crossing the road at a red traffic light or not in the place established for this
German law qualifies such an act as a moderate crime. If travelers try to do this in Germany, at a minimum they are seen with hostile looks, and at the maximum they may face a large fine of 5,000 to 10,000 euros (353-706 thousand rubles) or the likelihood of being shot down.
Experts explained that this law “was passed to keep people safe on the roads, but is also deeply rooted in the culture of the country, which means you may face backlash from the public for not waiting for the green light.”
Poland: walking around in Winnie the Pooh clothes
In 2014, the Polish city of Tuszyn decided to ban any clothing related to the children's character Winnie the Pooh. Local authorities were concerned that children should not see images of a half-naked bear. “In this regard, if you like this strangely controversial character, it would be a good idea to leave your clothes at home,” the experts recommended. >
In the Caribbean, including countries such as Barbados, Aruba and Grenada, as well as the Bahamas, Jamaica and others, the law prohibits the wearing of camouflage clothing by non-military personnel, including tourists. Its presence in travel luggage or as a design on bags or backpacks is also subject to the ban. The explanation for the ban is simple – “civilians should not “merge” with military officials or the police.” Although the penalties for refusing to follow the law vary from country to country, in Grenada, for example, wearing a popular pattern can land tourists in jail.
Sri Lanka: You can't take a selfie with the Buddha
In Sri Lanka, taking a selfie with a Buddha statue has been banned since 2012. The law was passed after a scandalous incident involving three French tourists who posed near a sacred statue and imitated kisses. For this, they received a real prison term.
In 2014, a traveler was deported for demonstrating a tattoo with the image of the Buddha. “Since many Sri Lankans believe that the Buddha is the 9th avatar of the god Vishnu, crimes associated with his image are taken extremely seriously. If you are planning a trip to this island, always take pictures facing the Buddha statue so as not to offend the locals, since standing with your back to his image is also considered disrespectful,” experts advised.
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