The thrill of exploring new locations, trying out local cuisines, and learning about different cultures is what makes travel so special. But, as the saying goes, there’s always that one person who brings chaos to the tranquility of a dream vacation. So, let’s unveil the world’s worst-behaved tourists of 2023, those individuals who turned well-intentioned adventures into cringe-worthy and infuriating escapades.
The American Driver
One American tourist couldn’t pass up the opportunity to drive across a pedestrian bridge in Florence, Italy. In January, this worst-behaved tourist was fined 500 euros for driving across Florence’s pedestrianized Ponte Vecchio bridge. The medieval bridge is a world heritage landmark and a symbol of the city’s history and culture.
The Chinese Influencer
As one influencer learned, not everything needs to be eaten or shared on social media. A Chinese influencer was fined 125,000 yuan ($18,600) in February for livestreaming herself cooking and eating a great white shark, a protected species in China. The video sparked outrage among netizens and environmentalists, who condemned her act as cruel and illegal.
The Russian Nudist
In March, a Russian tourist was deported from Bali, Indonesia, after he stripped off to take a semi-nude photo at Mount Agung, a volcano sacred to the Hindu god Shiva. The man, Yuri Chilikin, apologized and participated in a ceremony at a temple. However, that did not prevent him from being banned from the island and earning a spot on the worst-behaved tourist list.
The French Lovers
A French couple was sentenced to 15 years in prison in May for stealing about $2 million in wine from a Michelin-starred restaurant in Paris, France. The duo, who genuinely earned the worst-behaved tourist badge, pretended to be wealthy wine collectors and broke into the restaurant’s cellar. Then, they stole 101 bottles of rare and expensive wines.
The Canadian Swimmer
Italy certainly attracts its fair share of rowdy tourists. In June, a Canadian visitor was fined $1,000 for diving into a canal and swimming under the Rialto Bridge in Venice, Italy. This worst-behaved tourist, filmed by a local, claimed he did it as a dare and had no idea it was illegal.
The Bulgarian Writer
And another one for Italy: A Bulgarian tourist from England was fined for carving his name into the wall of the Colosseum in Rome, Italy. The tourist, caught on camera by another tourist, said he did not know the Colosseum was old and important.
