US Couple's Venice Run Ends in Legal Scare

A recent trip to Venice by a New York couple took an unexpected turn when they broke a local ordinance by running shirtless.

Julia Latoff and Mike Naccarella, both active runners, were celebrating a family anniversary on July 8, 2026, when they decided to go for an early morning jog. Their routine activity led to disapproval from locals and an outburst directed at Mike. They discovered that walking bare-chested in public places has been illegal in Venice since 2018, carrying a fine of €250 ($290).

The couple expressed embarrassment and quickly sought to rectify the situation, with Mike donning a T-shirt to avoid a ticket. Latoff explained that shirtless running is common in their home city of New York and they had observed it in other Italian cities like Florence without issue. This led to online backlash, with many netizens criticizing their perceived lack of cultural awareness and respect.

Venice has several other fines for tourists, including consuming food or drink on the ground and bathing in canals. Several European countries, including Spain, Portugal, and France, have also implemented similar rules against public nudity or being shirtless in tourist areas. Thailand is also considering fines for shirtless tourists in central locations.