15.09.2025 14:31
An English couple on holiday in Venice jumped into the Grand Canal despite it being prohibited. The couple, noticed by gondoliers, was reported to the police and fined £390. Additionally, they were asked to leave the city within 48 hours. This incident has reignited discussions about the notion that "Venice is not Disneyland."
An English couple on holiday in Venice had their vacation turned into a nightmare when they jumped into the Grand Canal.
The 35-year-old English man and his 25-year-old Romanian girlfriend were spotted by gondoliers and reported to the police. The police fined the couple £390 each and asked them to leave the city within 48 hours.
Entering the canals in Venice is strictly prohibited. Swimming is extremely dangerous due to both gondolas and motorboats.
The incident reignited the ongoing debates in the city about "Venice is not Disneyland." Locals have called for higher fines and permanent bans, stating that the current penalties are insufficient. One woman wrote on social media, "I'm tired of these idiots; they cause problems everywhere they go."
In fact, this is not the first time such an incident has occurred. Many tourists have previously jumped into the canals, drawing criticism. In 2023, a tourist jumped into the canal from a three-story building, and in 2016, a New Zealander was seriously injured after jumping from a bridge and colliding with a water taxi. In 2020, two German tourists were fined for swimming under the Rialto Bridge.
The Venice administration announced that stricter measures are now being taken against such behavior. Just this year, over a thousand tourists have been removed from the city for violating the rules. Elisabetta Pesce, the official responsible for security, stated, "Protecting Venice is about preserving both the honor of the city and the peace of its people. We will not allow disrespectful behavior."