Two German backpackers have fallen foul of authorities in Venice after making themselves a brew on the steps of the city's famous Rialto Bridge. The pair were slapped with fines of €950 (£856) and ordered to leave the city after they were seen making coffee on a camping stove on the historic landmark. Venice's picturesque canals and storied landmarks attract an estimated 30 million tourists a year. Locals have complained the popular Italian travel destination has become choked with the crowds. Authorities have lately been attempting to crack down on tourists' bad behaviour by introducing an Abso-style law enabling authorities to fine visitors for public order offences. The new offences include bans on picnicking at certain sites, going shirtless in public places, and swimming in the canals - as well as eating and drinking while sitting on the ground. The tourists, said to have been from Berlin, were spotted making coffee at the foot of the Rialto - the oldest of the four bridges on Venice's Grand canal. Pictures show the pair, aged 32 and 35, surrounded by their travel belongings as they prepare a couple of coffees in the scenic location. They were reported to police by a passerby. Following the tourists' expulsion using the decree known locally as a "Daspo", Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro said the muncipality would report names of tourists fined for inconsiderate behaviour to their countries' embassies. He said: "Venice must be respected and those impolite people who come here and do what they want must understand that. Thanks to the local police, they will be sanctioned and removed." The city last December got approval to introduce a tourism tax to target daytrippers, which is likely to come into force later this year. The €10 (£9) is aimed at short-stay tourists like cruise ship visitors, who are viewed as swelling the city's crowds but contributing little to the economy. Tourists who dodge paying the fee will be able to be slapped with a fine of up to €450 (£406).
Tourists told to leave Venice after they were caught making coffee on bridge steps
Two German backpackers have fallen foul of authorities in Venice after making themselves a brew on the steps of the city's famous Rialto Bridge. The pair were slapped with fines of €950 (£856) and ordered to leave the city after they were seen making coffee on a camping stove on the historic landmark. Venice's picturesque canals and storied landmarks attract an estimated 30 million tourists a year. Locals have complained the popular Italian travel destination has become choked with the crowds. Authorities have lately been attempting to crack down on tourists' bad behaviour by introducing an Abso-style law enabling authorities to fine visitors for public order offences. The new offences include bans on picnicking at certain sites, going shirtless in public places, and swimming in the canals - as well as eating and drinking while sitting on the ground. The tourists, said to have been from Berlin, were spotted making coffee at the foot of the Rialto - the oldest of the four bridges on Venice's Grand canal. Pictures show the pair, aged 32 and 35, surrounded by their travel belongings as they prepare a couple of coffees in the scenic location. They were reported to police by a passerby. Following the tourists' expulsion using the decree known locally as a "Daspo", Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro said the muncipality would report names of tourists fined for inconsiderate behaviour to their countries' embassies. He said: "Venice must be respected and those impolite people who come here and do what they want must understand that. Thanks to the local police, they will be sanctioned and removed." The city last December got approval to introduce a tourism tax to target daytrippers, which is likely to come into force later this year. The €10 (£9) is aimed at short-stay tourists like cruise ship visitors, who are viewed as swelling the city's crowds but contributing little to the economy. Tourists who dodge paying the fee will be able to be slapped with a fine of up to €450 (£406).
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