Sandals could earn you a fine in Italy

Italy’s beautiful Cinque Terre with its pastel-coloured houses built into rugged cliffs, surrounded by bright blue sea, and dotted with small vineyards is a dream destination for tourists. These five picturesque fishing villages are a Unesco World Heritage Site and the hike between them is an idyllic way to spend a day.

Now the Italian government has announced that starting this summer hikers who attempt the walk in sandals or flip-flops could face a fine of between €50 (R800) and €2,500 (R40,000).

According to The Telegraph, local mountain rescue units are “fed up” with having to rescue tourists who hiked up the rugged terrain only to find themselves trapped thanks to their footwear. So, the national park authority decided it will now impose fines on any day-trippers who ignore the advice and wear inappropriate footwear and the difference in fine size has to do with how much trouble you cause them.

Patrizio Scarpellini, the head of the Cinque Terre National Park, told The Telegraph: “The problem is that people come here thinking they are at the seaside, but the paths above the villages are like mountain trails. First, we will introduce the information campaign, then we’ll start issuing fines.”

(Compiled by Warren Robertson)

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