Let’s be real: the actual reason you visit Europe is to eat.
Melt-in-your-mouth croissants, too-good-looking-to-eat charcuterie boards, ragù alla bolognese for days and overflowing mounds of artisan gelato are just a few culinary delights that make the continent so alluring.
But guess what?
One huge European city is dang sick of the great unwashed coming and making a great big mess of the place.
Rome has announced it’s banning eating and drinking beside its ancient fountains for the duration of the summer. That means no more gelato-heavy selfies in front of the Trevi Fountain (RIP, as this kind of shot always gathers at least double digit likes on the ‘gram).
sorry, guys
The city’s mayor, Virginia Raggi, has announced that snacking around the great waterworks of the city is prohibited this summer – from today through the end of October. Also included in the ban is swimming, climbing, washing pets (bugger!) and throwing objects into the water*.
Raggi’s office said the new rules were “to prevent the incidents contrary to rules of urban decorum, and to ensure adequate protection of the historical, artistic and archaeological capital of Rome.”
If you’re caught tonguing a hazelnut cold out the front of any of the fifteen protected fountains, you’ll cop a savage fine between €40 (AUD$59) and €240 (AUD$355). That’s one expensive treatie!
*Thankfully, you’re still allowed to throw a coin or two into the Trevi Fountain for good luck. Grazie Dio!
Source: Conde Nast Traveler.
Photo: Blogspot.
