Like many of you, I love traveling to Italy whenever an opportunity arises. Is it just me, or are you also outraged and embarrassed by the disrespect shown by rude tourists in Italy? What is wrong with people? As a second-generation Italian American, with all my grandparents settling in Cleveland, I don’t understand travelers who visit Italy and show a blatant disregard for its history and centuries-old monuments. I know that my grandparents would all be appalled!

Just in the last year, numerous incidents have occurred in various Italian cities that defy common sense. Last month, the beautiful Ponte Vecchio bridge in Florence was defaced by two German tourists who thought it was a clever idea to write their names in black marker on this iconic landmark. Thanks to cities cracking down with laws that result in severe consequences, these two face fines between €10,000 and €40,000. 

Also last month, a British man etched his family’s initials onto a wall of the historic House of the Vestals in ancient Pompeii. His excuse was that he wanted to leave behind a record of his family’s visit. 

 A few weeks ago, two American tourists stepped into the waters of the Trevi Fountain, and were fined, as well as banned from returning for a period of time. 

Last December, while a proposed new law was pending, climate protesters in Venice sprayed mud onto the façade of St Mark's Basilica in Venice. Some of these actions, like this instance, are taken by environmental activists, a name which seems to defy odds as they cause damage to cultural sites.

Disrespectful behavior from tourists in Italy has been occurring more frequently, to the disgust of locals as well as travelers who appreciate Italian culture. 

Although change does not happen fast in Italy, the Italian government passed a law earlier this year, raising the fines to much steeper levels, up to €60,000 in instances when cultural heritage is destroyed.

Venice has long established an initiative known as #EnjoyRespectVenezia, Venice’s campaign designed to direct visitors to adopt responsible and respectful behavior toward their fragile environment. Florence has recently picked up the pace as well, with their own #EnjoyRespectFirenze movement. The city aims to raise awareness and inform visitors to adopt for a more respectful, and sustainable approach towards Florence as a whole, not only towards the priceless artistic and cultural heritage, but also towards the environment and the locals who live and work here.

These initiatives are good, but we as tourists need to do our part to honor bella Italia. In honor of National Italian American Heritage month, we need to spread the word to anyone we know planning a trip to Italy. We owe that much to our ancestors.