4 October 2012

Snacking in Rome could leave an unpleasant taste in the mouth.

Tourists are warned that they can be fined for eating or drinking in many of Rome tourist hotspots.

Eating a snack while visiting the Colosseum could leave you with a €500 fine under a new order brought in by Gianni Alemanno, Mayor of Rome.

According to la Repubblica, Alemanno issued the order to protect the cities historic monuments. The order, which lasts until the end of the year, prohibits making camp, erecting makeshift shelters and stopping to eat or drink in zones which have an historic or architectural value. Fines range from €25 to €500.

The order is supposed to re-educate tourists about how to behave themselves. Standards of behaviour are alleged to have fallen in line with the price of airline tickets. It also fits in well with the Mayor's promise to "purge the Italian capital of 20,000 illegal immigrants and to raze 85 gipsy camps” as reported by the Telegraph when he came to power in 2008.

If you find yourself on the wrong side of this law, you may find yourself needing more travel money than you originally thought. With a little planning MoneyMaxim can help you get cash cheaper when you are abroad.