Venice Bans, Fines British Couple for Swimming Canal Amid Over 1,000 Expulsions

A British man and his Romanian partner, both living in the UK, were fined €450 each and banned from entering Venice for 48 hours after swimming in the city's Grand Canal, a prohibited activity. The couple was reported by gondoliers, prompting swift police action and sparking outrage among locals who argue that the fines are too lenient and call for harsher penalties and permanent bans for such antisocial behavior. The incident has fueled ongoing concerns about disrespectful tourist behavior in Venice, including past occurrences of tourists diving from bridges and buildings into canals. Local authorities, including Venice's mayor Luigi Brugnaro and councillor Elisabetta Pesce, have expressed commitment to cracking down on such violations, with over 1,000 expulsion orders issued since the start of the year. Residents and advocacy groups like "Venice is not Disneyland" emphasize the need to protect the city's dignity and ensure safety and decorum for both residents and visitors amid growing tourism. Despite a recent increase in entry fees, Venice continues to face challenges managing the influx of tourists and preventing damaging stunts in its historic waterways.