American tourists don't always have the best reputation abroad, but it can be amusing to see how other countries view US culture.
19.07.2023 - 09:22 / travelandleisure.com
A tourist in Rome carved the name of his apparent girlfriend into the wall of the famous Colosseum, defacing the nearly 2,000 year old building.
During the incident, which was caught on video and blasted by Italy’s Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano, the tourist appears to carve the words “Ivan+Haley 23” into the brick wall of one of the columns with a set of keys. He then smiles at the camera as his partner stands by.
The video has since been viewed more than 100,000 times.
“I consider it very serious, unworthy and a sign of great incivility that a tourist defaces one of the most famous places in the world, the Colosseum, to engrave the name of his fiancée,” Gennaro tweeted. “I hope that whoever did this will be identified and sanctioned according to our laws.”
Tourism Minister Daniela Santanche echoed Sangiuliano’s comments to the Associated Press, saying she hopes the tourist would be sanctioned “so that he understands the gravity of the gesture.”
“We cannot allow those who visit our nation to feel free to behave in this way,” she added.
This is the fourth time this year someone has vandalized the iconic Colosseum, the AP noted. Such an action can fetch fines of $15,000 and up to five years in prison.
Italy takes the care of its ancient monuments very seriously. Earlier this year, an American tourist was fined for driving a rental car over the famous pedestrian-only Ponte Vecchio bridge in Florence.
In Rome, another American tourist was fined €450 last year after he was caught eating and drinking while sitting on one of the city’s fountains. Also last year, a Saudi man was apprehended by border police after a Maserati was driven down the Spanish Steps, and a pair of American tourists were fined (and even briefly banned)
American tourists don't always have the best reputation abroad, but it can be amusing to see how other countries view US culture.
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Morgan Duram, a full-time content creator who moved from Michigan to Madrid. It has been edited for length and clarity.
Discover the enchanting beauty of Rome in just 3 days. Explore ancient wonders such as the Colosseum and Roman Forum, savour the splendour of the Vatican's treasures and the charming streets of Trastevere. This 3-day itinerary promises an unforgettable Roman adventure. Here's how to spend 3 days in Rome.
After landing in Iceland and picking up my rental car, I made a beeline for the Blue Lagoon.
Venice is so congested that it has become the embodiment of overtourism. Each year millions of tourists flock to this small city, home to a dwindling local population of 50,000, and the hordes in St. Mark’s Square are legendary. Yet visiting Venice doesn’t always require taking what Italians call “un bagno di folla” — a bath in the crowd. The city offers plenty of fascinating attractions spared from the congestion, in fact, some of them could use more visitors. Here are some ways travelers can minimize the inconveniences even while visiting the most popular sites.
Experience the enchanting atmosphere of Rome in September and we'll give you all the details about the city's weather and climate this month. When the scorching summer days are followed by a pleasant transition, it's the perfect time to explore the Eternal City. Enjoy comfortable temperatures and savour the beauty of this ancient metropolis. Join us to discover the wonders of the weather in Rome in September
Discover the captivating beauty of Rome in August with our top weather and climate tips. Prepare for an unforgettable journey amongst historic sights and be aware of the best ways to beat the heat. Discover the secrets of this timeless city and soak up the summer splendour with our expert advice on the weather in Rome in August.
From St. Peter's Basilica to the Vittoriano, the Pantheon to the Colosseum, Rome boasts one of the most iconic and romantic skylines in the world. So when choosing where to stay in the Eternal City, it’s ideal to find a hotel that gives you a bird’s eye view of the grand cityscape.
Summer 2023 is turning out to be one of the wildest for tourists on record.
Kayak is out with its Travel Hacker Guide for 2018, led by its list of the top trending destinations for 2018. There aren’t any out-of-left-field locales—they’re all pretty well-known destinations—but they have “the greatest percent increase in searches year over year.”
Review and booking website Tripadvisor (SmarterTravel’s parent company) is out with its annual list of the most popular tourist attractions in the world. It’s dominated by iconic attractions, some of which you’re guaranteed to wait in a two-hour line for unless you can purchase skip-the-line passes. It’s also worth noting that almost every attraction on the list is in Europe.
The Spanish island of Mallorca is reeling from a video that appears to show a tourist defecating on a sleeping man in Playa de Palma, according to local news outlets.