There’s been a great deal of talk in these last few weeks about Italy as it struggles to accommodate thousands of visitors. Debates about the new rules and fines abound. And the number of tourists visiting Italy just keeps growing: with 442 million overnight stays predicted for 2023.
And while the most popular destinations are dealing with issues like tourist overload and bad behaviour, we’re wondering if one of the solution might be rethinking the way we travel. And before considering want we’d like to bring home from the sights we visit, together with some quirky souvenirs.
Italy dealing with an overdose of tourists – Some new rules
The Cinque Terre case
After Covid-19, Italy was excited to open the doors of its cities, museums and restaurants to international tourists. And rightly so. It has been very distressing for anyone working in the travel sector to see their cities empty and quiet, trattorie closing down, and beautiful squares usually filled with life suddenly taking on the look of an apocalyptic movie setting.
But, with the start of the new season, the media have been invaded by worrying pictures of the Cinque Terre (the picturesque stretch of coast located in the northwest of Italy) literally buried under the weight of visitors. And there’s already plenty of controversy about the new fines that tourists can face should they break the newly established rules.
The Mayor of Portofino Viacava looks distress as he talks about the issue. “it’s not true that I’ve banned selfies, like the Guardian and the BBC have reported, but people need to understand that it’s not safe to linger too long in the piazzetta and the wharf. It’s very important to leave the passage clear in case someone needs help (rainews). Fines from 65 to 275 Euro will be applied to anyone who lingers during busy hours (until 6pm) for too long, so of course people will have time for a quick selfie”.
This brings to mind another new rule in Portofino: a ban on improvised camp sites, and walking around the towns in a swimming costume – “Our town calls for respect”, adds the Mayor, “so that everyone can enjoy it. Flip flops are also banned on the famous hiking trail in the Cinque Terre. The reason? “Many people get injured and emergency services are getting frustrated by the situation”.
New rules in the most popular Italian destinations
Florence, Rome & Venice
Florence has also been having a hard time dealing with tourists. Last March a tourist was fined for driving right into Piazza Signoria. (see the full story on The Indipendent artice). Needless to say, driving into the historic centre of Florence is strictly banned if you don’t have a permit (hotels usually advise how to get those if you’re reaching your hotel or a parking). And the large pedestrian area include Piazza Duomo, Piazza Signoria, the Ponte Vecchio.
But this would be the least of Florence’s problems. People who live in the city centre lament that with the start of the tourist season the city becomes the inglorious setting for people eating on the steps of churches, leaving rubbish as they go, using fountains and monuments like their back garden, or even like a public toilet toilet, and making noise at all hours of the night.
=> 12 Unusual Things to do and see in Florence during your stay.
This explains why the city of Florence has set a new rule for anyone visiting: from this year eating on the streets of Florence’s historic center is banned – in the area of Via de’ Neri, Piazzale Degli Uffizi, Piazza del Grano and Via Della Ninna – from noon to 3pm and from 6pm to 10pm. Fines are up to 500 Euro.
People are also prohibited from laying down in front of historical monuments, churches or bathing in fountains. Priceless statues and fountains have already been damaged by this behaviour. In Rome local police will be more strict about people sitting on the Spanish steps (or driving down it!). Venice is trying to put a limit to daily visitors and last year introduced a booking system and a fee to enter. And the region of Alto Adige has introduced a limit on overnight visitors.
These measures might seem draconian to some. But it helps to consider what’s led to them. Overcrowding in small towns and cities like Florence or Venice can lead to their fragile architectural environments to being damaged or degraded. These places need to protect themselves as well as welcoming tourists, and find a balance between selling themselves out in the name of profit and holiday fun and keeping a measure for self-preservation. This way everybody can keep enjoying the experience of visiting its sights, now and in the future.
=> Tuscany itineraries made for your interests
Slow Travel as a possible solution? Alternative approach in the selfie-culture
On our site we’ve always tried to talk about lesser known areas of Tuscany, to encourage travellers to slow down and get off the beaten path. We also think it’s important not to fit too many destinations in a short holiday to better savour the experience. Travelling out of season is another way to avoid the crowds, and enjoy the atmosphere of places. It’s true that in ultra popular destinations like Florence and The Square of Miracles in Pisa, you’ll always find queues, but if you travel in Winter you’ll have some benefit – as prices are often cheaper and queues much shorter.
By learning a bit about a place before arriving, it’s easy to find something more original things to do, joining a cooking class or take a tour of local artisan botteghe for example. One could spend the time learning a few words of Italian, speak to the locals and maybe discover something unexpected. Be curious, be respectful, be mindful when you travel and you can’t go wrong. After all, these places – many protected by Unesco Heritage – belong to all of us.
=> Top 12 Unesco Heritage Sites in Italy
=> Non-Touristy Things to do in Florence, Italy
=> Discover Casentino, one of Tuscany’s best kept secret destinations
