Going to nature, many of us are used to taking something to eat with us, so to speak, to arrange a small picnic. But to do this in Italy is very problematic. Recently, there have been a lot of unpleasant situations on Italian beaches related to food and soft drinks that vacationers bring, and do not buy in beach cafes.
For example, on the private beaches of the Puglia region. The administration kicked out 3 families with children in Torre Lapillo in the area of the Ionian Pier for trying to have a snack with the food they took with them. The beach workers categorically stated: “Either pay, or leave the beach immediately.”
This scandal was made public because it was published by La Repubblica. And it’s hard to imagine how many similar conflict situations occur throughout Italy. Almost all beaches that belong to hotels or private individuals simply force vacationers to buy food exclusively in their cafes.
As the journalist Dario Dusso, who became the author of this scandalous article, noted, even the local population is outraged by such actions. Perhaps the situation will change, but given the bureaucratic peculiarities of complaints in Italy, in September-October 2023, it is better for tourists to find out in advance what rules regarding food and drinks are in effect on a particular coast and not to waste their nerves.