Italian authorities are surprising vacationers by banning their own food and drinks on beaches. Even residents in Puglia are irritated by the strict rules.
As the Italian medium “La Repubblica” reports, strict rules apply in the Apulia region in southern Italy. On the beaches and lidos of the popular Adriatic coast, it is actually forbidden for guests to bring their own food.
However, this regulation does not only amaze holidaymakers. Local residents are also of the opinion that this regulation – in the already expensive area for travelers – goes too far. It is currently even going so far that people are not afraid to take legal action against it.
Up to 100 euros entry at Lido Santo Stefano
“You just can’t do it. They don’t have the authority,” criticizes Dario Duso, lawyer and Codacons activist in Bari. “And if it is too late for this season because the bureaucratic times do not allow us to intervene in time, from next year we will warn anyone who dares to forbid bathers to enter state property with their food”, the lawyer continues.
In general, the region is developing further and further away from romantic Italy towards heaps of luxury. The entrance fee alone is utopian for some lidos: they range from 30 euros in the Mar Village in Giovinazzo to 100 euros in the first row at the Lido Santo Stefano in Monopol.
The D’Urso association comments on the circumstances as follows: “Ultimately, a simple Sunday on the beach costs around 250 to 300 euros for a family from Bari. And that’s because no limits have been set for private individuals, who charge up to 25 euros for a salad, leaving less and less space for free beaches, despite paying small license fees. If they then also start banning bathers from bringing their own food, it really breaks all boundaries.”
The head of the Lido says he sometimes turns a blind eye
But what do the operators say about all the criticism? The managers of the beach and bathing establishments confirm that there are certain bans. However, the controls are not nearly as strict as shown.
“We don’t allow ‘fridges’ for group meetings,” explains Michele Colella, manager of the Lido Calarena, which his family has run since 1934. “Picnics are not allowed here. But if you bring your own portioned food, small cooler or drink, we turn a blind eye.”
By Jana Steger (JS)