Why this British man was banned from Venice

WorldTravel
15 Sep 2025 • 10:00 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

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  • A British man and his Romanian girlfriend were banned from Venice's historic city centre after swimming in the Grand Canal.
  • The couple, aged 35 and 25 respectively, each received a €450 (£388) fine and were ordered to leave the lagoon city for 48 hours.
  • Gondoliers reported the pair, who were reportedly celebrating the end of a romantic getaway, for violating local regulations against bathing in city waters.
  • Venice officials praised the reporting, stating the incident is part of a wider crackdown on "disrespectful and uncivil behaviour" and overtourism.
  • Locals expressed anger at the "senseless and dangerous" action, with the city having banned over 1,000 people from its centre this year for similar violations.

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