Running Shirtless in Venice Spurs Costly Lesson for U.S. Tourists

A vacation in Venice, Italy, took an unexpected turn for a U.S. couple. Julia Latoff and her boyfriend, Mike, were in Italy celebrating Mike’s grandparents’ 60th wedding anniversary. During their visit, they decided to partake in their usual routine of running, but it ended with an unforeseen problem.

Julia spoke to Newsweek about her and Mike’s shared passion for running. ‘Both of us are runners, and we run in almost every city we travel to. Running adds a personal challenge but also benefits from a strong community.’ During a run in Venice, they encountered disapproval due to Mike’s shirtless run. In New York City, it’s a common sight, and even in Florence, they had seen other shirtless runners without incident.

In Venice, however, Julia noticed disapproving looks and gestures from the locals. ‘The local people were very upset,’ Julia explained. Confused by the reaction, they began checking their phones for local guidelines. The couple learned visitors to Venice face fines for being shirtless in public areas. The fines, decided by the Venice City Council, range from €25 to €500, with the specific fines for shirtless attire up to €250 ($290).

The regulations aim to uphold cultural respect and protect Venice’s atmosphere. Other rules include bans on eating or drinking on the ground, swimming in canals, and riding bicycles, with varying fines depending on the violation. Additionally, offenders can receive a DASPO, prompting them to leave and avoid the area involved in an offense.

Julia and Mike purchased a shirt quickly to avoid penalties. ‘It was an honest mistake, and we felt bad,’ Julia admitted. She shared the experience on Instagram, advising others to pack a running shirt when visiting Venice. Julia confirmed both she and Mike learned from their experience, noting Mike remains cautious about being shirtless when traveling, even in the U.S.