If you want to relax and unwind, you should at least familiarize yourself with the rules at the holiday destination before you leave. In some travel destinations, these are quite unusual: Read the craziest rules for holiday trips here.
On vacation, most people want to enjoy a stress-free time away from everyday life. In order for this to succeed, holidaymakers abroad should observe the applicable rules and laws.
Some of these are intuitive to understand, others are curious and require sufficient research. Otherwise, severe penalties may be imposed in the event of non-compliance. The travel portal HolidayCheck has put together some facts that apply in the most popular holiday destinations for Germans.
Sardinia: towels forbidden and no camouflage shirts
Anyone who likes to relax in the sand with a large beach towel on holiday risks a lot of trouble on the popular La Pelosa beach in Sardinia. There it is not allowed to put towels directly on the sand. The reason for this is that too much of the granular resource is lost as a result. That’s why there are straw mats or loungers on which the beach towel can be spread out.
However, there are fashion restrictions for travelers to South Africa, Oman or the Caribbean. Wearing camouflage clothing like camouflage shirts or cargo pants arouses suspicion at best.
However, it can also be prosecuted as a criminal offence. Finally, the porters could be mistaken for real military personnel. Failure to do so could result in high fines or confiscation of the items of clothing.
Difficult in many countries: alcohol and cigarettes
Alcohol and cigarettes are often treated very differently abroad than in Germany. In France, for example, smoking is not only banned in bars and restaurants, but in all public places. Italy and Spain follow. In Spain there are no more smoking areas at airports and train stations. In addition, each municipality can enact a smoking ban on the beaches.
In Mallorca, smoking is also not allowed in the car if children are traveling with you. Carelessly throwing away cigarette butts can be punished with a fine of up to 200 euros on the island.
Hobby influencers who want to proudly present their pub crawl on social media should be particularly careful in Thailand. Because Thai law prohibits advertising and the display of names or brands of alcoholic beverages.
A thoughtless selfie with a cocktail or beer can be expensive and even result in a prison sentence.
Different religions and customs
It is also important to be careful when it comes to religion. In the Maldives, for example, Buddha statues and other types of idols may not be imported in order to preserve the country’s religious traditions. After all, these can be left at the airport for a kind of deposit and picked up again before departure.
In Sri Lanka there are strict rules regarding images of the Buddha. For example, a British traveler was arrested because of a large Buddha tattoo on her upper arm. The accusation: The representation is a violation of religious feelings. After a few days, the woman was expelled from the country.
If you want to be on the safe side when it comes to travel rules, you should also check the travel and safety instructions from the Federal Foreign Office before booking and departing. There you will find current information on corona regulations that are still in force in some countries or restrictions, for example due to strikes.