Making your things fit into a cabin bag isn’t your only luggage worry if you’re visiting Italy’s Cinque Terre region this year.
People going to the popular European destination need to make sure they pack suitable footwear too, because the wrong shoes can result in a big fine from authorities.
Cinque Terre, consisting of five coastal villages on the Italian Riviera, is a favorite spot for tourists due to its colorful homes, charming trattorias and picturesque vineyard views.
Access to the narrow streets in these quaint villages – which are perched on steep cliffs overlooking the Ligurian Sea – is extremely limited, so many choose to travel between them on foot.
But some hikers aren’t quite prepared for the journey and end up stuck on the walking trails as a result.
Cinque Terre National Park director Patrizio Scarpellini said to CNN, ‘These are difficult paths, in some cases, similar to mountain paths… It's essential to have proper shoes!’
If you are stranded due to your uncomfortable footwear and officials need to come rescue you, you could be fined between €50 (£43) and €2,500 (£2,141). Ouch.
According to the Cinque Terre Park Hiker’s Handbook, ‘Open footwear and/or smooth soles, ie not anti-slip (such as vibram type) are forbidden,’ and shoes much be closed-toed, waterproof, and cover the ankles.
While hiking boots fit the bill, they may be a bit warm for the summer months, so high-topped running shoes and walking shoes may be better.
Rules are enforced by the Comandi Regione Carabinieri Forestale, who sometimes stop visitors entering the trails to check they have the right shoes and warn them of the penalty.
However, even if you manage to evade the authorities – and escape a fine – you really don’t want to end up injured or stuck because you thought sandals looked better.
Choosing comfort over style seems un-Italian, but a trip to l’ospedale is even less chic.
