Flip-flops, tourists’ go-to footwear during summer vacations, are shunned in many parts of Italy; however, in Cinque Terre, it’s not just about fashion etiquette.
Cinque Terre is a string of centuries-old seaside villages on the rugged Italian Riviera coastline, and the popular destination is expected to attract a record number of tourists in 2019, according to The Local.
Problem is: wearing flip-flops, or other flat-soled shoes, while trekking on the area’s cliffside paths can prove dangerous.
It’s so hazardous, in fact, that helicopter rescues are common as many tourists hurt themselves or become stranded because they lack the proper experience and gear.
Now, authorities promise to check footwear and issue warnings to ill-equipped travelers.
If tourists don’t get the hint, fines will likely be put in effect.
