Overview

• A 35-year-old British man and his 25-year-old Romanian partner were reported by gondoliers after entering the Grand Canal near the Accademia area and were removed by police.
• Authorities fined the pair €450 each and imposed a 48-hour ban from the historic center, effectively ending their visit.
• Venice prohibits bathing, diving and swimming in canals for public safety, hygiene and preservation of the city’s landscape, according to official regulations.
• Local police report 1,136 expulsion orders so far in 2025, with roughly 10 issued for canal bathing incidents, as part of wider enforcement against uncivil behavior.
• Security councillor Elisabetta Pesce praised gondoliers for their swift report, while the ‘Venezia NON è Disneyland’ group urged tougher penalties and potential permanent bans.