The Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) has issued a warning to UK tourists travelling to Italy

The Foreign Office is advising British tourists heading to Italy to take four essential precautions. The FCDO has issued travel guidance for the European Union nation ahead of the summer holiday season.

The FCDO has instructed UK holidaymakers to: keep belongings in sight at all times, store any extra cash and valuables securely, such as in a hotel safe, stay alert to pickpockets employing distraction tactics and refrain from keeping all valuables together in pockets or handbags.

The FCDO further warns visitors to the European Union destination: “Some Italian towns and cities have specific laws, and you could be fined for breaking them.”

Examples include regulations against:

• dropping litter
• sitting on monument steps
• eating and drinking next to main churches, historic monuments and public buildings
• defacing historic monuments

The guidance continues: “It’s also an offence to enter or bathe in public fountains in many towns and cities, including Florence and Rome or swim in the canals in Venice. You could face a fine of up to 10,000 euros for urinating in a public place. On the island of Capri, you must not use or bring on to the island any disposable plastic objects such as bags, cutlery, plates, cups, food packaging, trays and straws. If you do, you could be fined up to 500 euros.”

The advice adds: “Illegal traders operate on the streets of all major Italian cities. It is illegal to buy items from unlicensed street traders. If you do, you could be stopped by the local police and fined. It’s illegal to remove sand, shells or pebbles from coastal areas in Italy. You could face a large fine for doing so.

“It’s also illegal to collect various species of flowers, plants and herbs from mountain and wooded areas. For more information, check with the regional authorities of the area you’re visiting.”