The Spanish steps in Rome (Image: Getty)
Brits on holiday could find themselves thousands of pounds out of pocket if they unwittingly break one of the bizarre but little-known local laws that exist around the world.
Tourism hotspots across Europe are home to a raft of rules, that could catch you out and ruin your holiday.
But the laws don’t end at the EU’s borders, they can also be found right here in the UK – and as far afield as Australia.
We’ve compiled a list of some of the stranger laws that could trip you up – and we’ll start with one that’s close to home…
Ponies in the New Forest (Image: Getty)
New Forest, England
The New Forest National Park in Hampshire is a much loved landscape of glades, ancient woodland, open moors, heathland and cliff-top walks. It’s a magical place where ponies and donkeys roam free.
However, feeding or petting the ponies and donkeys could cost you £25. This is because touching and/or feeding the New Forest‘s free-range equine is strictly prohibited.
And the rule is enforced by a fixed penalty of fine of £100 – rising to £1,000, after a successful prosecution.
Sorrento’s mayor really doesn’t like “indecoious behaviour” (Image: Getty)
Italy
They say when in Rome, do as the Romans do. Well, it would appear one thing you won’t find Romans doing is sitting on the city of eternal light’s famous Spanish Steps.
That’s because Romans know better than to take a breather at this iconic spot, as anyone spotted using the steps as a resting spot can be fined around £210.
But it’s not just Rome that has some bothersome local rules that could cost you dear in Italy. In stylish Sorrento, tourists found walking around in swimming costumes and bare torsos can face fines of up to £425 – because the local mayor is tired of “indecorous behaviour. ”
Meanwhile, on the nearby island of Capri, you can be hit with a similarly large fine for using plastic cutlery. The mayor here has banned all single-use plastics – which also includes water bottles and food containers.
On the shores of Lake Garda you can be fined up to £500 for playing football or handball. In fact, all ball games are banned. As are any games “that involve running, throwing objects, pushing or pulling things or people.”
No carbs (or fluids) before Marbs (Image: Getty)
Spain
Urinating in the sea is frowned upon in some Spanish resorts. Doing so around the Costa del Sol resort and city Marbella could cost you a lot.
In a bid to combat beach pollution and ensure clean, Marbella fines bathers £635 for urinating in the sea. Another beautiful seaside city with some of the best beaches in Spain – Vigo, in the northern province of Galicia – has similar rules and fines.
Its city council passed legislation banning “physiological evacuation on the beach or in the sea”.
The Costa Blanca government has a rule against large sandcastles – with a maximum fine of £150 for flouters in popular resorts like Benidorm.
Additionally, in a bid to remove unlicensed street sellers from the tourist strips, Spain has announced a €200 fine for any tourist caught buying from them.
Meanwhile, it turns out Tenerife and the New Forest have something in common – strict rules about interacting with the wandering wildlife. The largest Canary Island has banned the feeding of stray animals – with “serious incidents” leading to fines of €3,000 (£2,600).
France and Cyprus:
Drivers could be hit with a fine of more than £1,000 for breaking a little-known European driving rule. Motorists could be slapped with a huge penalty for using a satellite navigation system in France and Cyprus due to strict regulations.
ATS Euromaster said: “Using a sat nav or some form of GPS will make exploring your destination much easier. However be aware that some countries, such as France and Cyprus, prohibit the use of systems that alert you to the presence of speed cameras and could result in a 1,500 euros fine.”
Croatia
Split is a stunning city – but you might want to be careful when visiting that you don’t take its name too literally. This is because rowing with your other half when in Croatia could cost you thousands – and that’s before you’ve even had a chance to say “divorce lawyer”.
The Balkan paradise fines visitors up to £3,385 for “antisocial disturbances” – and those include “drunken behaviour”, “fighting” and “arguing”.
Sri Lanka
The island nation of Sri Lanka is famous for its wildlife and temples – and you need to be especially careful in the latter. In 2012, three French tourists were slapped with suspended jail terms for taking photographs with a statue of the Buddha.
Tourists are now advised to be particularly sensitive around such monuments – and to be respectful of Buddha. Back in 2014, a British tourist was arrested and deported because he had a tattoo featuring the religious teacher.
Singapore
Heading further east, you could find than your money going up in smoke if you break the vaping rules in Singapore. Fines for possession or use of “imitation tobacco products” here can reach $2,000 (£1,200).
Thailand
To the north of Singapore, tourists in Thailand can be fined 5,000 Thai baht – about £100 – for vaping in public. You could also face up to 10 years in prison for importing vaping devices.
Criticising the Thai monarchy (lèse-majesté) is also illegal. Tourists are warned this law can be interpreted broadly and carries a long jail sentence.
Australia
Using “offensive language” is a criminal offence in Australia and is punishable by fines of up to £350 – and being a potty-mouth could even land you a three-month jail term.