If you’re planning a trip to Venice, there is one law you need to be aware of – as you could be in for a nasty surprise if you’re caught ignoring the rules
Venice is gorgeous but make sure you know the laws(Image: Getty)
With winter gripping the UK and temperatures plummeting towards freezing, you’re probably not the only one fantasising about your next summer getaway. But if you’re planning a trip to one beloved Italian hotspot, there’s an obscure regulation you need to know about.
Ignore this rule at your peril, as you could find yourself stung with a massive €500 penalty – that’s roughly £438. The regulation applies to the waterway city of Venice, where countless tourists descend annually.
There’s a social media trend of capturing snaps in the city’s Piazza San Marco while surrounded by the flocks of pigeons that congregate there, reports the Express.
Yet these birds have turned into a public relations disaster for the city.
From 2008 onwards, local officials have implemented a rigorous prohibition on selling and handing out grain to nourish pigeons and other birds throughout the city.
This measure was introduced following numerous grievances from residents and holidaymakers about the sheer amount of bird droppings blanketing the city.
Currently, if officials spot you attempting to capture that perfect shot by feeding the pigeons, you might find yourself liable for a €500 penalty for your efforts.
Street sellers around the square frequently attempt to flog you bird feed for photographs, but this regulation means both parties face fines.
Simon Hood, Executive Director of relocation firm John Mason International, said: “Everyone’s seen the photos of tourists covered in pigeons in the Piazza San Marco; it’s become something of a Venetian tradition.
“But few know it’s illegal to feed any pigeons in the square, meaning attracting them to take the photo using bird feed makes you liable for a fine from Italian authorities, not just the vendor who sold it to you.”
As Italy gears up to host the 2026 Winter Olympics, Simon cautions that the authorities are likely to be even more watchful next year.
He warned: “We’ve heard the cycle that comes with international sporting and athletic competitions from clients. Globally, it’s the same pattern: local authorities put massive amounts of time into cleaning up streets, creating additional transport links, dealing with the small issues – in this case, pigeons. So, I’d recommend thinking twice about whether that Venice snap is really worth it.”
European country prepares for two waves of nationwide strikes in November and December which could cause “major disruption” – and UK tourists are being warned to be prepared
Tourists travelling to Europe this November or December could be set to experience ‘major disruption’(Image: Marco Secchi/Getty Images)
Brits planning trips to Italy this November or December are being warned to brace for “major disruption” across the country on three key dates. Families visiting loved ones, holidaymakers enjoying winter breaks, and those heading to festive Christmas markets should prepare for significant transport chaos as Italy faces two waves of national strikes.
Industrial action will kick off today, Thursday, November 27, continuing through Friday, November 28, with another strike scheduled for Friday, December 12, 2025. While disruption levels differ between regions and operators, travel specialists are urging anyone flying, catching trains or using local transport to expect delays, cancellations and drastically reduced services.
Italy’s biggest unions have announced a 24-hour rail strike running from 9pm on Thursday, November 27 until 9pm on Friday, November 28, affecting the entire Italian Republic. With workers downing tools across everything from railways to public services, travel chaos is anticipated along the nation’s busiest routes, including cities beloved by British tourists such as Rome, Milan, Venice and Florence.
The nationwide general strike on November 28 is set to impact multiple sectors, including transport. A second general strike on Friday, December 12, has been called by major union CGIL in opposition to the Italian government’s 2026 budget.
She said: “Strike days in Italy rarely affect just one type of transport. Even when guaranteed services operate, they often run at reduced capacity, and the ripple effect can disrupt travel for the entire day.
“Flights may still go ahead, but passengers can face long queues, slower ground handling and delays getting to or from the airport.”
Yasmin also highlighted that while some rail and local transport services are “protected” by law during peak commuter hours, most travellers should anticipate reduced timetables throughout the strike periods, with last-minute changes likely.
She advised: “The most important thing is to stay flexible, even minor delays early in the day can snowball into wider disruption.
“If you’re visiting Italy’s Christmas markets, give yourself breathing room so the strikes don’t impact your plans.”
What travellers should expect: Because strike participation varies between regions and operators, not all disruption is uniform. However, travellers should be prepared for possible reduced rail services, especially outside guaranteed windows.
Other issues travellers may encounter are:
Possible last-minute train cancellations, even for pre-booked high-speed services
Slower airport processes due to staff shortages, even if flights operate
Limited bus, metro and tram services in major cities
Longer journey times, particularly when travelling between airports and city centres
Some flights during guaranteed protection windows, typically morning and early evening, may operate closer to schedule, but delays are still possible.
Yasmin’s advice for anyone travelling to Italy on or around the strike periods:
Allow extra time for every stage of your journey, especially airport transfers
Check your airline, airport and rail operator apps regularly for real-time updates
Book flexible or refundable tickets wherever possible
Plan alternative routes in advance, including taxis, airport shuttles or walking routes in cities
Expect crowds, both before and after strike windows
Avoid tight connections, including onward trains or excursions
Travel earlier in the day if your schedule allows, as later services are more vulnerable to cancellations
Key dates travellers should avoid if possible:
November 27 and 28, as there’s a nationwide rail strike and a general strike in Italy.
December 12, as there’s a country-wide general strike across Italy.
Travellers with bookings on these dates are urged to check for updates frequently, as service levels may change at short notice.
The new system will gradually be introduced as part of an upgrade to border control operations at airports across the Schengen area, including Spain, Italy, Greece, and more
Tenerife has begun to implement a new system for non-EU travellers(Image: Getty Images)
Tenerife South, a holiday hotspot that welcomes around three million Brits each year, has started rolling out a new system for some travellers. The new European Union Entry/Exit System (EES) is being introduced, which could require non-EU citizens to register their biometric data, including face photographs and fingerprint scans, at the border.
The scheme is being launched across many airports in the Schengen area to help alleviate long queues at passport control. According to Spain’s Interior Ministry, the EES will be gradually implemented across the region, but won’t be fully operational until April 10, 2026.
So far, the Spanish Ministry has allocated 83 million euros to enhance border checkpoints at all Spanish airports. Meanwhile, the National Police will continue to manage many border control duties, with the Guardia Civil overseeing customs operations.
The EES was launched at the beginning of October across participating countries. The data collected will be used to create a digital record linked to each traveller’s passport, with the primary goal of the new system being to streamline the border process.
Brits jetting off to Tenerife are being urged to get to the airport earlier than usual to allow for extra processing time. While the new system is designed to speed things up, it might take a while for both staff and passengers to get used to it during the initial stages.
All the countries that use EES
Spain is one of the many countries that has implemented EES. Currently, the following countries will have the new changes applied to them:
Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Croatia
Czechia
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Italy
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Most travellers won’t see the changes immediately, with only a small number expected to go through a fully digitised process while it’s still being rolled out. It’s understood that for the first six months of the scheme, manual passport stamping will continue alongside EES registration across the Schengen area.
Flights to Orlando, New York, Miami and Los Angeles are all set to be affected by the historic US government shutdown
Airports serving the largest cities in the US are set to have thousands of flights cancelled daily in a looming holiday travel nightmare sparked by the government shutdown.(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Thousands of British travellers headed to the United States face either severe delays or flight cancellations as the US government’s shutdown shows no sign of ending.
Those with plans to fly to or return from the States are being advised that they could face disruption after the Trump administration announced a ten per cent to air traffic control. The ongoing US federal government shutdown is also affecting other areas of travel, airport staffing, and access to major tourist attractions.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has updated its guidance for UK travellers, cautioning that those flying to or through the US may face longer queues, delayed flights and reduced services at airports. Officials have also advised visitors to check in advance whether famous landmarks, national parks and museums remain open, as many are federally funded and may now have limited access or be closed altogether.
The warning comes after Washington lawmakers failed to agree on new funding for government operations, leading to a shutdown on 1 October that has left hundreds of thousands of federal workers unpaid and key services running on skeleton staff. The situation has become the latest flashpoint in the deepening political standoff between Democrats and Republicans in Congress.
In its updated travel advisory, the FCDO states: “There could be travel disruptions, including flight delays and longer queue times at some airports, due to the current US federal government shutdown. Check for messaging from your travel provider or airline and follow their guidance. There may also be restrictions on access to some federally-managed tourist attractions. Please check the relevant websites in advance.”
While the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and air traffic control services are still operating, many employees are either working without pay or calling in sick, placing pressure on staffing levels. Travel industry analysts warn that prolonged shortages could lead to further delays, particularly at major international gateways such as New York’s JFK Airport, Los Angeles International, Orlando, and Atlanta.
Tourists planning domestic flights within the US may also see longer wait times at security checkpoints, which could disrupt connecting flights and cause knock-on delays across the country. Airlines operating transatlantic services have begun issuing their own advisories. Some are advising passengers to arrive at airports earlier than usual for check-in and security screening, and to regularly monitor their flight status.
Another area of concern is the possible closure of major tourist attractions. National parks, including Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Yellowstone, and the Great Smoky Mountains, are overseen by the National Park Service, which is affected by the government shutdown. Historically, visitor centres, museums, restrooms, guided tours, and safety patrols have all been suspended during previous shutdowns, leaving tourists with little access or support.
In major cities, museums such as the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC, the National Air and Space Museum, and the National Museum of American History may also face reduced opening hours or temporary closure if funding is not restored.
Holidaymakers are being encouraged to verify opening times before visiting, and to have backup plans in case venues are closed. Travel providers say travellers should be prepared to be flexible, especially those on multi-stop itineraries.
The Foreign Office guidance is precautionary rather than alarmist. Flights between the UK and US remain operational, most major tourist hubs continue to function, and hotels, restaurants and privately-run attractions are unaffected. But experts say travellers should avoid assuming everything will run as normal.
The shutdown stems from a political deadlock in Congress over government spending.
Republican lawmakers, particularly those aligned with President Donald Trump, have blocked funding bills in a bid to push for cuts to public services and changes to government programmes. Democrats have refused to agree to the proposals, saying they would damage key areas of the economy and the welfare system.
Without a funding agreement, government departments have been forced to limit operations. Essential services, including national security and emergency response, continue to operate. But many civil servants are furloughed without pay, and non-essential federal programmes are pausing operations until funding is restored.
List of airports that will see thousands of flights cancelled starting Friday
The world’s longest flight connects America to Asia, with passengers strapped into their seats for almost 19 hours – and it’s not for the faint-hearted
Isobel Pankhurst Audience Writer and Luke Chillingsworth
12:19, 03 Nov 2025
Singapore Airlines runs the longest flight in the world(Image: Alvin Man via Getty Images)
The world’s longest flight links America to Asia with travellers buckled in for nearly 19 hours. The current record holder for the longest long-haul journey is the Singapore Airlines route from New York’s JFK Airport to Singapore Changi.
The 9,537-mile trip has a scheduled flight time of 18 hours and 50 minutes and was introduced by the carrier in 2018. The service operates using Singapore Airline’s cutting-edge A350-900ULRs, which can remain airborne for more than 20 hours without refuelling.
The aircraft achieves such endurance thanks to a specially adapted fuel system. This enhancement boosts the plane’s total fuel capacity to an enormous 24,000 litres.
Yet the journey isn’t readily available to all, as Singapore Airlines doesn’t provide economy class seating on this route.
Rather, Singapore Airlines provides 67 Business Class seats and 94 Premium Economy Class seats. Premium Economy travellers can benefit from additional legroom, a footrest, and an adjustable headrest. Passengers can also utilise noise-cancelling headphones and WiFi throughout their journey.
Business class travellers experience ultimate privacy, whilst their seats transform into completely flat beds to ensure a peaceful sleep during travel.
Singapore Airlines assert that the A350-900ULR will provide customers with a “more comfortable travelling experience”. The aircraft boasts a range of additional features including elevated ceilings, expanded windows and specially designed lighting to combat jetlag.
The carrier maintains that the plane’s innovative carbon composite airframe also enables enhanced air quality. Those seeking a ticket are expected to be extremely wealthy, with seats routinely costing well into five figures.
Singapore Airlines’ CEO, Mr Goh Choon Phong, previously stated that the new route will be the “fastest way” to travel between the two major cities.
He said: “Singapore Airlines has always taken pride in pushing the boundaries to provide the best possible travel convenience for our customers, and we are pleased to be leading the way with these new non-stop flights using the latest technology, ultra-long-range Airbus A350-900ULR.
“The flights will offer our customers the fastest way to travel between the two cities – in great comfort, together with Singapore Airlines’ legendary service – and will help boost connectivity to and through the Singapore hub.”
