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Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Little-known rule in holiday hotspot could see Brits get slapped with £421 fines
Brits heading on summer holidays to the likes of Spain and Italy are being warned of a little-known rule that could actually see them face hefty fines in popular holiday hotspots If you're planning a summer holiday abroad, then you may want to consider packing an extra beach or poolside cover-up in your suitcase - or you could face a hefty fine. That's because over in Italy, tourists and locals are banned from wearing swimwear outside of beaches and pools. In holiday hotspots such as the Amalfi Coast and specifically Sorrento, anyone caught breaking this rule could end up having to pay a charge. Travel experts at have warned: "Despite the sunny weather, Italy has banned the wearing of swimwear outside of beaches and pools in a bid to uphold public decency and respect for locals. In the popular destinations of the Amalfi Coast and Sorrento, tourists caught breaking this rule can face fines of up to €500." It's worth noting that the rules also apply to anyone walking around the town topless. Of course, there are exceptions; for example, if you're at a beachclub or staying in a hotel with direct beach access, you're not going to be fined as you make your way back to your cabana or your room. The measures are in place for public spaces, and predominantly aimed at tourists who are wandering into the town and going to shops and restaurants without changing out of their swimwear. The rules aren't particularly new; in Sorrento, the swimwear ban has been in place since 2022. At the time, the town's then Mayor Coppola said the crackdown came because people walking around in bikinis or topless were "seen by the majority of people as contrary to decorum and to the decency that characterises civilised cohabitation". He added: "The continuation of this situation, as well as causing discomfort and unease in the resident population and among visitors, could lead to a negative judgment on the quality of life in our town, with consequences for its image and for tourism." It's not just in Italy where these types of regulations are in force. In the likes of Barcelona, people are also asked to stick to the beach if they want to wander around in swimwear, with fines of approximately £260 for rule-breakers. Meanwhile the island of Majorca also requests that people stick to beaches and pools, with fines of up to £500 for those who flout the regulations. Those aren't the only beach rules that Brits heading on Spain holidays should take note of. The Tiger team added: "In popular areas of Spain like Barcelona and Costa Blanca, tourists can now be fined €250 for reserving sunbeds, meaning waking up early to bag a spot for you and the family is no longer allowed. This rule was introduced following numerous complaints about sunbeds being reserved for hours with no one in sight." The rules came into force last year in a move to stop beachgoers from reserving spots with towels and sunbeds, only to leave them unoccupied for hours at a time. On already-crowded beaches, this only leaves others having to fight for space or giving up.
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Brits warned 'check passports' blank pages or risk being turned away at airport'
Brits heading on holidays to the likes of France, Spain, Portugal and Greece need to check their passports including blank pages before heading to the airport Before heading on holidays abroad, most people will check their passports are still in date and damage-free, but travel insiders are warning UK travellers to also cast their eyes over blank pages in their documents. That's because one simple mistake could mean your holiday is over before it even starts, as you could be denied boarding at the airport, or turned away at border control. The travel insurance experts at have warned: "With Brits now getting stamped every time they travel through the EU, travel enthusiasts and those who travel for work may potentially run out of blank pages in their passports. All passport holders must have at least two blank passport pages when they travel, otherwise the document could be seen as invalid. Those travelling more frequently can opt for a jumbo passport that has 54 pages instead of a normal one with 34 pages." READ MORE: Livid Brits take 'sunbed wars to a whole new level' with sneaky 2am tactics It's not just how many blank pages you have left; you'll also want to check for any damage. The experts added: "If any of your passport pages are torn or missing, your passport is considered damaged and will likely not be accepted at the border, especially if it affects the personal details page or any visa stamps." Meanwhile, you'll also want to check two key dates on your document; the date of issue and the expiry date. That's because following Brexit, passport requirements have changed for Brits heading to the EU. Your passport now needs to have been issued less than 10 years ago, and must be valid at least three months beyond the date of departure. These easy errors could also be costly, as if you're turned away because you don't have a valid passport, then it's unlikely that your travel insurance would cover the costs, leaving you out of pocket. Ian Wilson, travel insurance expert and Managing Director, added: "With passport fees increasing and queues likely getting longer this summer due to the introduction of the EU's new Entry/Exit System, we urge holidaymakers to carry out essential passport checks now to avoid last-minute hassle and potentially being turned away at the airport. "Post-Brexit travel changes are still confusing for many of us, so it's important for Brits to familiarise themselves with the validity requirements before jetting off to Europe. "Travellers also need to ensure their passports are in good physical condition, as things like damage from water or ink, rips in pages and laminate peeling from the personal details page can mean that your passport may not be accepted as a valid travel document. "If you're denied access to your flight for issues such as an invalid passport, your travel insurance is unlikely to protect you. That's why it's so important to double-check these things well in advance of your departure date."
Daily Mirror
28-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Brits warned they could be hit with £210 fines for reserving sunbeds in Spain
Brits getting ready to brave the infamous sunbed wars on Spain holidays may want to double check their destination's rules - or face potentially hefty fines Brits who lay out their towels to reserve a sunbed for hours at a time have been warned they could face hefty fines of up to €250 (approximately £210). The team at travel insurance comparison site have warned Brits heading on Spain holidays to think twice before laying out a towel on the beach, as it could actually land you facing some hefty extra charges. They explained: "In popular areas of Spain like Barcelona and Costa Blanca, tourists can now be fined €250 for reserving sunbeds, meaning waking up early to bag a spot for you and the family is no longer allowed. This rule was introduced following numerous complaints about sunbeds being reserved for hours with no one in sight." The rules were brought into force last year, in a bid to stop tourists from reserving spots on public beaches with towels and sunbeds, despite then not returning for hours a time - meaning other visitors had to make do with leftover space, causing issues such as fights breaking out, or crowding. Council leaders in Calpe, in Costa Blanca, said that police would be given the power to remove unattended sunbeds or towels that were on the beach before 9.30am. Those caught breaching the rules will need to head to a municipal depot to get their belongings back - and get hit with the £210 fine in the process. The rules don't just apply to those laying out a towel; tourists who try to keep a spot unattended for over three hours could also face similar fines. It's not just on the beaches where fights for sunbeds break out. The 5am 'sunbed wars' have become a classic part of summer holidays, as holidaymakers get up at the crack of dawn and brave a mad dash just to lay out their towels to 'reserve' the poolside sunbeds. Every year, the chaos causes everything from fights breaking out to huge queues by the pool before the sun has even risen. Just recently, holidaymakers were spotted using a sneaky tactic in Tenerife to try and reserve their spot before the pool staff had even laid out the loungers, in a move that some have dubbed as "pathetic". It causes plenty of tension especially when people leave their towels on sunbeds but don't return for hours at a time, leaving other tourists having to find alternatives even though there are empty loungers in front of them. As a result, most hotels are trying to combat the madness by introducing rules around reserving sunbeds, such as having staff remove belongings that have been left unattended for hours.
Daily Record
06-05-2025
- Daily Record
Holidaymakers warned to check 2 pages of passport 'now'
Making sure your passport is valid for travel is essential, but one crucial rule could catch passengers out. Holidaymakers planning on jetting off to the sun have been warned to make some crucial checks of their passports in plenty of time. With just a couple of months to go until peak holiday season in July and August, experts are urging people to make sure their document is in order. And while they should be ensuring their passport is in date and valid for the country they are travelling to, there is another check that many might be unaware of. And it's to do with the number of blank pages your passport has as not having enough could see you be denied boarding. Experts are warning people that there are several factors they must check to ensure their passport is valid to travel with. The cost of an adult and a child's passport has risen by 7 per cent. As of last month, the fee for a standard online application made from within the UK rose from £88.50 to £94.50 for adults and from £57.50 to £61.50 for children. When travelling to Europe, holidaymakers must make sure their passport was issued less than 10 years before the date of entry and that it remains valid for at least three months after the planned date of departure. But one lesser-known rule is that travellers should ensure they have at least two blank passport pages remaining or their document could be seen as invalid. Those who have a lot of stamps in their passport or who travel frequently need to be aware of this rule. The EES (Entry/Exit System) is replacing passport stamps for most non-EU citizens entering the Schengen area. Instead of stamps, the EES will use digital records to track entries and exits. But this system is not expected to begin until October 2025 which means summer holidaymakers must be sure they have blank pages. Ian Wilson , travel insurance expert and Managing Director at said: 'With passport fees increasing we urge holidaymakers to carry out essential passport checks now to avoid last-minute hassle and potentially being turned away at the airport. "If you're denied access to your flight for issues such as an invalid passport, your travel insurance is unlikely to protect you. That's why it's so important to double-check these things well in advance of your departure date.' Here detail seven essential checks Brits need to make before they head to the airport this summer. 1. Blank pages in a passport With Brits now getting stamped every time they travel through the EU, travel enthusiasts and those who travel for work may potentially run out of blank pages in their passports. All passport holders must have at least two blank passport pages when they travel, otherwise the document could be seen as invalid. Those travelling more frequently can opt for a jumbo passport that has 54 pages instead of a normal one with 34 pages. Expiry date Many countries require passports to be valid for at least six months beyond the date of arrival. In Europe, passports must be valid for at least three months beyond the date of departure and must have been issued less than 10 years ago. This is an important detail to remember as previously, British passports could be valid for 10 years and nine months, however with the new EU rules, they're only valid for 10 years from the issue date. Water damage If your passport has sustained water damage, you likely won't be able to use it as a valid travel document. While minor exposure to water such as slightly crinkled page edges shouldn't be an issue - further damage like smudged ink or discolouration can lead to delays or refusals at the border. Tears or rips in pages If any of your passport pages are torn or missing, your passport is considered damaged and will likely not be accepted at the border, especially if it affects the personal details page or any visa stamps. Laminate peeling If the laminate over the personal details page is lifting or peeling, it could raise suspicions of tampering. This is a common reason for passports being flagged or rejected so even if all the information is readable, it's best to get your passport replaced to prevent any issues. Visa Holidaymakers need to familiarise themselves with the entry requirements of the country they're travelling to, especially if it's a non-European destination, and acquire a travel visa if needed. When travelling to Europe, you don't need a visa if you're going for a shorter trip of up to 90 days. Child passport A child's passport is only valid for five years and often expires before parents realise. Parents should check the expiry dates early and renew them in good time to avoid delays or travel disruption.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Drivers being fined £5,000 and hit with nine points over footwear choice
Drivers have to contend with countless road and safety rules while out on the road, but a new consideration cropping up in their mind might be shoes. Recent rumours online have spread the notion that it is illegal for drivers to get behind the wheel wearing flip-flops, slippers, or no shoes at all. However, according to the insurance comparison service there are no laws controlling what you can and can't have on your feet. Read more: Martin Lewis issues urgent cash ISA warning and says 'I know for a fact' Yet, the Highway Code does state that "footwear and clothing which does not prevent you using the controls in the correct manner" should be avoided. Ian Wilson, managing director of said that many answers surrounding these rumours can be found in the Highway Code. He explained: "There are lots of motoring myths that have been around for years and persist to this day, making it a challenge to know which of them hold any truth. "We have looked into some of the most well-known tales to provide drivers with the answers they need to avoid a fine. "Motorists should remember that while the Highway Code is not considered a legal document, much of it is underpinned by UK legislation, meaning it is a criminal offence to break certain rules." While it isn't illegal, wearing flip-flops could result in losing control of the vehicle. If the accident puts another road user in danger, it could result in a fine of up to £5,000 and nine penalty points. Another popular online myth is that it's illegal for dogs to be unrestrained in the car, and they cannot put their heads out of the window while the vehicle is moving. While it isn't illegal, the Highway Code requires that dogs be "suitably restrained" to prevent them from distracting the driver or causing injury. This is to help prevent the dog from distracting the driver, particularly if it decides to make a sudden or unexpected movement. Drivers could face a £5,000 fine and nine points if they are spotted behind the wheel of a vehicle with an unsecured dog.
