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How much money is actually thrown into the Trevi Fountain

Around 21 million tourists visit Rome each year, with most of them making a pit stop at the Trevi fountain, one of the most popular and Instagrammable tourist spots in the world. Many take part in the special tradition that has been going on for hundreds of years, that is tossing a coin into the fountain in hopes that their wishes come true. The money is collected twice a week, with signs around the fountain explaining that the change will go to the local not-for-profit organisation Caritas, which is run by the Catholic Church. The money is then used to fund a food bank, soup kitchen and welfare projects in Rome. “The collection and cleaning operations are carried out as quickly as possible to try to reduce the downtime of the fountain,” Francesco Prisco, a manager at regional utility ACEA said. The coins are collected by ACEA workers using long brooms and suction hoses, and according to a 2022 report by Reuters, the church collected 1.4 million euros – about $A2.2 million — from the fountain, with more believed to have been gathered in 2023. The iconic tourist attraction was completed in 1762 and covers one side of Palazzo Poli in central Rome with its statues of Tritons guiding the shell chariot of the god Oceanus. It has since attracted millions of visitors. Image: Shutterstock

International Travel

A brief history of the mortgage, from its roots in ancient Rome to the English ‘dead pledge’ and its rebirth in America

The average interest rate for a new U.S. <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/home-loan-mortgage-interest-rate-7-percent-highest-since-2001/">30-year fixed-rate mortgage topped 7% in late October 2022</a> for the first time in more than two decades. It’s a sharp increase from one year earlier, when <a href="https://www.valuepenguin.com/mortgages/historical-mortgage-rates">lenders were charging homebuyers only 3.09%</a> for the same kind of loan. Several factors, including <a href="https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/mortgages/fed-mortgage-rates">inflation rates and the general economic outlook</a>, influence mortgage rates. A primary driver of the ongoing upward spiral is the <a href="https://abc7chicago.com/fed-interest-rate-decision-today-hike-federal-reserve-meeting-november/12408055/">Federal Reserve’s series of interest rate hikes</a> intended to tame inflation. Its decision to increase the benchmark rate by <a href="https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/pressreleases/monetary20221102a.htm">0.75 percentage points on Nov. 2, 2022</a>, to as much as 4% will propel the cost of mortgage borrowing even higher. Even if you have had mortgage debt for years, you might be unfamiliar with the history of these loans – a subject I cover <a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=KVv47noAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao">in my mortgage financing course</a> for undergraduate business students at Mississippi State University. The term dates back to <a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/story-of-england/medieval/">medieval England</a>. But the roots of these legal contracts, in which land is pledged for a debt and will become the property of the lender if the loan is not repaid, go back thousands of years. <h2>Ancient roots</h2> Historians trace the <a href="https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Nehemiah-5-3/">origins of mortgage contracts</a> to the reign of King Artaxerxes of Persia, who ruled modern-day Iran in the fifth century B.C. The Roman Empire formalized and documented the legal process of pledging collateral for a loan. Often using the <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%202%3A13-16&version=NIV">forum and temples as their base of operations</a>, mensarii, which is derived from the word mensa or “bank” in Latin, would set up loans and charge <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%202%3A13-16&version=NIV">borrowers interest</a>. These government-appointed public bankers required the borrower to put up collateral, whether real estate or personal property, and their agreement regarding the use of the collateral would be handled in one of three ways. First, the <a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fiducia">Fiducia</a>, Latin for “trust” or “confidence,” required the transfer of both ownership and possession to lenders until the debt was repaid in full. Ironically, this arrangement involved no trust at all. Second, the <a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pignus">Pignus</a>, Latin for “pawn,” allowed borrowers to retain ownership while <a href="https://scholarship.law.upenn.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=https://www.google.com/&httpsredir=1&article=1684&context=penn_law_review">sacrificing possession and use</a> until they repaid their debts. Finally, the <a href="https://legaldictionary.lawin.org/hypotheca/">Hypotheca</a>, Latin for “pledge,” let borrowers retain both ownership and possession while repaying debts. <h2>The living-versus-dead pledge</h2> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Claudius-Roman-emperor">Emperor Claudius</a> brought Roman law and customs to Britain in A.D. 43. Over the next <a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/story-of-england/romans/">four centuries of Roman rule</a> and the <a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/story-of-england/early-medieval/">subsequent 600 years known as the Dark Ages</a>, the British adopted another Latin term for a pledge of security or collateral for loans: <a href="https://worldofdictionary.com/dict/latin-english/meaning/vadium">Vadium</a>. If given as collateral for a loan, real estate could be offered as “<a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vadium%20vivum">Vivum Vadium</a>.” The literal translation of this term is “living pledge.” Land would be temporarily pledged to the lender who used it to generate income to pay off the debt. Once the lender had collected enough income to cover the debt and some interest, the land would revert back to the borrower. With the alternative, the “<a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mortuum%20vadium">Mortuum Vadium</a>” or “dead pledge,” land was pledged to the lender until the borrower could fully repay the debt. It was, essentially, an interest-only loan with full principal payment from the borrower required at a future date. When the lender demanded repayment, the borrower had to pay off the loan or lose the land. Lenders would keep proceeds from the land, be it income from farming, selling timber or renting the property for housing. In effect, the land was <a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/1321129.pdf">dead to the debtor</a> during the term of the loan because it provided no benefit to the borrower. Following <a href="https://www.royal.uk/william-the-conqueror">William the Conqueror’s victory</a> at the Battle of Hastings in 1066, the English language was heavily influenced by <a href="https://blocs.mesvilaweb.cat/subirats/the-norman-conquest-the-influence-of-french-on-the-english-language-loans-and-calques/">Norman French</a> – William’s language. That is how the Latin term “Mortuum Vadium” morphed into “Mort Gage,” Norman French for “dead” and “pledge.” “<a href="https://www.etymonline.com/word/mortgage">Mortgage</a>,” a <a href="https://ia600201.us.archive.org/1/items/cu31924021674399/cu31924021674399.pdf">mashup of the two words</a>, then entered the English vocabulary. <h2>Establishing rights of borrowers</h2> Unlike today’s mortgages, which are usually due within 15 or 30 years, English loans in the 11th-16th centuries were unpredictable. <a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/1323192.pdf">Lenders could demand repayment</a> at any time. If borrowers couldn’t comply, lenders could seek a court order, and the land would be forfeited by the borrower to the lender. Unhappy borrowers could <a href="https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/chancery">petition the king</a> regarding their predicament. He could refer the case to the lord chancellor, who could <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Chancery-Division">rule as he saw fit</a>. <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Francis-Bacon-Viscount-Saint-Alban">Sir Francis Bacon</a>, England’s lord chancellor from 1618 to 1621, <a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/752041">established</a> the <a href="https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/equity_of_redemption">Equitable Right of Redemption</a>. This new right allowed borrowers to pay off debts, even after default. The official end of the period to redeem the property was called <a href="https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/foreclosure">foreclosure</a>, which is derived from an Old French word that means “<a href="https://www.etymonline.com/word/foreclose">to shut out</a>.” Today, foreclosure is a legal process in which lenders to take possession of property used as collateral for a loan. <h2>Early US housing history</h2> The <a href="https://www.loc.gov/classroom-materials/united-states-history-primary-source-timeline/colonial-settlement-1600-1763/overview/">English colonization</a> of what’s now <a href="https://themayflowersociety.org/history/the-mayflower-compact/">the United States</a> didn’t immediately transplant mortgages across the pond. But eventually, U.S. financial institutions were offering mortgages. <a href="https://www.huduser.gov/publications/pdf/us_evolution.pdf">Before 1930, they were small</a> – generally amounting to at most half of a home’s market value. These loans were generally short-term, maturing in under 10 years, with payments due only twice a year. Borrowers either paid nothing toward the principal at all or made a few such payments before maturity. Borrowers would have to refinance loans if they couldn’t pay them off. <h2>Rescuing the housing market</h2> Once America fell into the <a href="https://www.history.com/topics/great-depression">Great Depression</a>, the <a href="https://www.stlouisfed.org/news-releases/2008/05/02/does-the-great-depression-hold-the-answers-for-the-current-mortgage-distress">banking system collapsed</a>. With most homeowners unable to pay off or refinance their mortgages, the <a href="https://www.federalreservehistory.org/essays/great-depression">housing market crumbled</a>. The number of <a href="https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-and-education-magazines/housing-1929-1941">foreclosures grew to over 1,000 per day by 1933</a>, and housing prices fell precipitously. The <a href="https://www.fhfaoig.gov/Content/Files/History%20of%20the%20Government%20Sponsored%20Enterprises.pdf">federal government responded by establishing</a> new agencies to stabilize the housing market. They included the <a href="https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/housing/fhahistory">Federal Housing Administration</a>. It provides <a href="https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-is-mortgage-insurance-and-how-does-it-work-en-1953/">mortgage insurance</a> – borrowers pay a small fee to protect lenders in the case of default. Another new agency, the <a href="https://sf.freddiemac.com/articles/insights/why-americas-homebuyers-communities-rely-on-the-30-year-fixed-rate-mortgage">Home Owners’ Loan Corp.</a>, established in 1933, bought defaulted short-term, semiannual, interest-only mortgages and transformed them into new long-term loans lasting 15 years. Payments were monthly and self-amortizing – covering both principal and interest. They were also fixed-rate, remaining steady for the life of the mortgage. Initially they skewed more heavily toward interest and later defrayed more principal. The corporation made new loans for three years, tending to them until it <a href="https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,858135,00.html">closed in 1951</a>. It pioneered long-term mortgages in the U.S. In 1938 Congress established the Federal National Mortgage Association, better known as <a href="https://www.fanniemae.com/about-us/who-we-are/history">Fannie Mae</a>. This <a href="https://www.financial-dictionary.info/terms/government-sponsored-enterprise/">government-sponsored enterprise</a> made fixed-rate long-term mortgage loans viable <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/securitization.asp">through a process called securitization</a> – selling debt to investors and using the proceeds to purchase these long-term mortgage loans from banks. This process reduced risks for banks and encouraged long-term mortgage lending. <h2>Fixed- versus adjustable-rate mortgages</h2> After World War II, Congress authorized the Federal Housing Administration to insure <a href="https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CPRT-108HPRT92629/html/CPRT-108HPRT92629.htm">30-year loans on new construction</a> and, a few years later, purchases of existing homes. But then, the <a href="https://files.stlouisfed.org/files/htdocs/publications/review/69/09/Historical_Sep1969.pdf">credit crunch of 1966</a> and the years of high inflation that followed made adjustable-rate mortgages more popular. Known as ARMs, these mortgages have stable rates for only a few years. Typically, the initial rate is significantly lower than it would be for 15- or 30-year fixed-rate mortgages. Once that initial period ends, <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/terms/a/arm.asp">interest rates on ARMs</a> get adjusted up or down annually – along with monthly payments to lenders. Unlike the rest of the world, where ARMs prevail, Americans still prefer the <a href="https://sf.freddiemac.com/articles/insights/why-americas-homebuyers-communities-rely-on-the-30-year-fixed-rate-mortgage">30-year fixed-rate mortgage</a>. About <a href="https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=DP04&t=Housing">61% of American homeowners</a> have mortgages today – with <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/15214842.2020.1757357">fixed rates the dominant type</a>. But as interest rates rise, demand for <a href="https://www.corelogic.com/intelligence/interest-rates-are-up-but-arm-backed-home-purchases-are-way-up/">ARMs is growing</a> again. If the Federal Reserve fails to slow inflation and interest rates continue to climb, unfortunately for some ARM borrowers, the term “dead pledge” may live up to its name. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/a-brief-history-of-the-mortgage-from-its-roots-in-ancient-rome-to-the-english-dead-pledge-and-its-rebirth-in-america-193005" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.

Real Estate

Must-have food experiences when in Rome

There are only two reasons people go to Rome – for the sights such as the Trevi Fountain, the Colosseum, St Peter’s Basilica. The second, people will tell you, is the culture. But that’s a lie. Don’t believe them. They’re really just there for the food. Not that we’re judging, we’re just pointing out the obvious. And it is obvious, because Rome’s food scene is wonderful. To help you do Rome like a foodie, here are four absolutely essential things to do when you’re there. Eating tours Got some time to spare and a stomach that needs serious filling? Go on one of Rome’s many eating tours. There are loads to choose from so do your research about which one is best for you, then eat your way around the city. TOP TIP: If you go back a day or two later, it’ll be a different group or people and possibly a different tour guide, so no one will judge you for doing it all again. The Pasta Museum Got a love for carbs that is as high as the Tower of Pisa? Then you might want to visit the Pasta Museum – one of Rome’s more obscure tourist destinations. You can lean about all things pasta: its history, nutritional values, how it’s made. You can see pasta-making machines from different eras and pick up some, you guessed it – pasta – from the gift shop on your way out. WHERE: Piazza Scanderbeg 117 (not far from the Trevi Fountain) Mozarella madness Perfect for when you want a light meal, mozzarella bars will serve you out-of-this-world cheese with salad, smoked salmon or prosciutto. Treat yourself and add a glass of wine for the ultimate indulgence. Gelato everywhere If you don’t know the nutritional benefits of gelato, let us give you a refresher: it’s delicious. When you’re in Rome, you have to eat as much gelato as you can so you can rave about it to your friends and family when you get home. Try to avoid the tourist traps that charge through the nose – do your research and find out where the locals go for their gelato. Related links: <a href="../travel/travel-club/2015/03/paris-on-any-budget/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Do Paris on any budget</a> <a href="../travel/travel-club/2015/01/best-wine-regions-for-gourmet-holiday/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The best wine regions around the world for gourmet getaways</a> <a href="../travel/travel-club/2015/03/strange-beaches/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">8 of the strangest beaches in the world</a> Image credit: Shutterstock

Travel Tips

Tracy Grimshaw wins social media on Russell Crowe's holiday snap

Russell Crowe has shared a sweet holiday snap with his children from one of his most iconic movie locations. The Oscar-winning actor is currently in Italy with his girlfriend Britney Theriot and sons Charles, 18, and Tennyson, 16, on a holiday, where they posed for a family snap outside the Colosseum in Rome. Russell captioned the picture, "Taking the kids to see my old office." The 58-year-old former "office" refers to a set that saw Crowe pull off one of his best performances and nab an Oscar for Best Actor in 2001 for his role in Gladiator. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Taking the kids to see my old office <a href="https://t.co/uySmnOWHvo">pic.twitter.com/uySmnOWHvo</a> — Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) <a href="https://twitter.com/russellcrowe/status/1548941331267047429?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 18, 2022</a></blockquote> A Current Affair host Tracy Grimshaw replied to Crowe's tweet, joking with a nod to Crowe's warrior character, "That's taking the selfie to the Maximus." It seems the masses agree, with almost 560,000 people liking the original tweet within less than 12 hours of posting – they certainly seem to have been entertained. Crowe also shared a snap from Rome's Trevi Fountain, writing, "One of my favourite places in the universe." Image credits: Twitter

Family & Pets

Qantas unveils new menu

Qantas have unveiled a little bit of Italian cuisine in the air, only three weeks out from the airline’s major launch of direct flights from Australia to Rome. The launch of the new route out of Sydney via Perth will take off on Saturday June 25 however, passengers seated in business class from June 6 will be treated to a taste of Italy in the sky, with regional recipes and Italian classics on the menu. The new business lounge and in-flight menu coincides with Festa della Repubblica and each dish was curated by Australian chef Neil Perry. Mr Perry, the airline’s Creative Director of Food, Beverage and Service, said the new menu will see passengers enjoying Italian classics such as buffalo mozzarella with heirloom tomatoes and basil; and salumi with bocconcini, semi dried tomatoes, olives and pecorino-crushed peas within selected Qantas First and Business lounges throughout the month. The Business Class in-flight menu will feature regional recipes such as spaghettini with prawns, garlic, chilli, slow roasted cherry tomatoes and pangrattato along with traditional tiramisu. “I first travelled to Italy in 1984 and immediately understood why people fall in love with simple Italian food,” Mr Perry said. “Italians live and breathe seasonality and freshness, so it was important when designing these menu items that we respected and celebrated the traditions of the cuisine and Rome’s deep history. “Italian food is so much more than pizza and pasta, although they do both brilliantly, but they celebrate the hero ingredients of their country including citrus, olives, fresh seafood and tomatoes.” Qantas announced the launch of direct flights to Rome in December, with three return Sydney-Perth — Rome flights per week scheduled to meet the demand of European summer. The new flight will cut more than three hours off the current fastest travel time to Rome using the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, with cabins designed specifically for long haul travel. Qantas Italian Lounge menu highlights include: • Neil Perry’s fettuccine Bolognese with Parmigiano Reggiano • Mascarpone tartlet with prosecco jelly and Valencia orange Qantas Perth – Rome in-flight Business Class menu highlights include: • Zucchini and basil soup with parmesan crouton • Plant Based Dining – caramelised potato gratin with peas, mushrooms and roasted fennel • Spaghettini with prawns, garlic, chilli, slow roast cherry tomatoes and pangrattato • Tiramisu Qantas Rome – Perth in-flight Business Class menu highlights include: • Bucatini all’ Amatriciana • Grilled fish with peperonata, pine nuts and basil • Mozzarella bufala, finiocchiona salumi, anchovy, artichokes, olives, marinated red capsicum with warm focaccia Images: Getty / Qantas

Travel Tips

Aquaman in hot water after disrespecting artworks

Jason Mamoa has landed himself in hot water after taking photos inside Apostolic Palace. The Aquaman star shared several photographs of himself and others inside the Palace on Instagram with the caption: I LOVE YOU ITALY what a beautiful start to our day off enjoying ROMA. The 42-year-old however was called out by fans who claimed he was given special treatment by being allowed to take photos. Photographs are banned inside the Apostolic Palace because the flash from cameras can harm and destroy the beautiful artworks. “Omg of course they let you take pictures (I thought it wasn’t allowed for preservation purposes),” someone commented. “You cannot touch any of our masterpieces!!!” another exclaimed. “We, regular people, are not allowed to film inside the Sistine Chapel,” another added. “We can’t take pics but ofc celebrities can. Nothing against Jason (I adore him) but it’s not fair,” someone else commented. <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CdVJaeLOv4y/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CdVJaeLOv4y/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Jason Momoa (@prideofgypsies)</a> </div> </blockquote> “I thought it was forbidden to take pictures at the Sistine Chapel. It WAS two weeks ago, when we visited. So disrespectful,” someone else wrote. “Wow! You got a private viewing of the Vatican AND you were allowed to take pictures?!” another pointed out. Mamoa has since issued a video in which he apologised for disrespecting the historic artwork and culture. He however has not removed the photos off Instagram. “I just also wanted to say, if you ever felt that I disrespected your culture, it wasn’t my intention,” Momoa said in the video shared by <a href="https://www.justjared.com/2022/05/14/jason-momoa-apologizes-to-fans-offended-by-his-sistine-chapel-visit-exclusive-video/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Just Jared</a>. “I came here when I was 19 or 20 to experience the Sistine Chapel. I’ve always wanted to and now that I can, I gave a wonderful donation to bring my friends and crew because we only had a couple days off to experience these places. “And then I found people wanted to take pictures with me, which is very odd, during a trip to the Vatican with all this wonder and they want to take pictures with me, which I don’t get, but regardless, I did. “I was very respectful and I asked for permission from what I thought, would be okay. I would never want to do anything to disrespect someone’s culture. If I did, I apologise. It was not my intention. I paid to have that private moment and gave a nice donation to the church. I love you. I’m sorry if I offended you.” Images: Instagram

Travel Trouble

Tourists fined for “just having a beer” in Colosseum

Two tourists have received a hefty $1200 fine after breaking into the Colosseum in Rome and having a beer after it was closed. The pair, aged 24 and 25 according to <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2021/nov/17/us-tourists-fined-800-for-breaking-into-colosseum-for-beer" target="_blank">The Guardian</a>, climbed to the second tier of the tourist attraction in the early hours on Monday (local time). They <a rel="noopener" href="https://au.news.yahoo.com/tourist-fined-1200-illegal-act-colosseum-rome-200613025.html" target="_blank">reportedly</a> chatted over some beers while the amphitheatre was closed to the public. The American tourists climbed over high railings, walked to the second level, and settled at a spot overlooking the city, <a rel="noopener" href="https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/tourists-rome-colosseum-beer/index.html" target="_blank">CNN</a> reported. However, they were spotted by a member of the public at about 5.30 am who alerted the police. They told police they were “just having a beer”, the Italian press reported, but were then fined by police for illegally entering the Colosseum. According to the BBC, the pair were fined a total of 800 Euros, or $AUD 1250. But, this isn’t the first time tourists have broken the rules at the Colosseum. In 2015, two California women left their tour group and etched their initials into the structure, an action which is strictly forbidden. Image: Getty Images

Travel Trouble

Rome considers extreme measures to protect Trevi Fountain

The Trevi Fountain is considered one of the must-see attractions in Rome, and many tourists flock there yearly to throw a coin into the fountain. Bad behaviour from tourists though may be responsible for a heavy-handed response from Rome’s city council to protect the iconic structure which could ruin the experience for others. In 2019, an American tourist was caught bathing in the fountain, another woman was stopped from carving the fountain with a key and three drunk Australians were caught pouring their drinks into the fountain. The fountain, which was built in 1762, is one of the most popular spots in Rome and is surrounded by tourists following the tradition of tossing three coins over their shoulders into the water. One politician has an idea on how to protect the icon: barriers. "Rome is one of the richest cities for culture in the world, and a heritage like this must be respected and protected," Andrea Coia, president of the business committee of Rome’s city council motion reads. "We need to favour a more respectful kind of tourism in the city's symbolic places." He has suggested that a “protective barrier” that would “prohibit people sitting on the edge of the fountain”. "I put forward the motion because the symbolic places of our city need more control and attention," Coia told <a rel="noopener" href="https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/trevi-fountain-barrier-overtourism/index.html" target="_blank">CNN Travel</a>, adding that his suggested Trevi Fountain checkpoints would be on the access roads "to safeguard decorum and security." He said that the measures would "safeguard one of the world's most beautiful places and assure a better experience for those who want to enjoy it." Scroll through the gallery to see why the barriers around the fountain might not be such a bad idea.

International Travel

Rome introduces new rules to curb unruly tourist behaviour

Rome has introduced a slew of new rules and regulations in the city to crack down on unruly tourist behaviour. Visitors are now banned from carrying out a range of activities, including eating messily around monuments, touching lips on public fountains and dragging wheeled suitcases down historic steps. Locals who dress up as Roman legionnaires with breastplates and swords to demand money from tourists from photos are also banned along with public transport buskers and illegal street-traders and ticket-touters outside tourist sights. Fines will also apply for tourists who attach “<a href="https://www.lonelyplanet.com/news/2019/06/12/rome-new-tourist-rules/">love padlocks</a>” to monuments and men who walk around the city bare-chested. The new rules, which are part of the updates and expansions on the statute since 1946, are aimed at reducing anti-social behaviour and managing tourist strains on Rome’s historic sites. “Old regulations have been updated to adapt to the needs of a modern society,” said Marco Cardilli, deputy chief of staff and security delegate at the city’s council. Virginia Raggi, the mayor of Rome, said <a href="http://www.traveller.com.au/rome-new-rules-for-tourists-ban-on-bare-chests-sucking-on-drinking-fountains-and-eating-in-public-h1f7vc">she would write to foreign embassies</a> to raise awareness of the new regulations. “Rome is, and always will be, welcoming, but that does not mean tolerating bad behaviour and damage being done to our city,” she said. “The Rome city centre is an area protected by UNESCO, so clearly our centre is our business ticket. For sure there will be zero tolerance for those marring our city.” While it remains unclear how these new rules will be enforced, it has been announced that the police will be patrolling historic sites for any infractions.

International Travel

“What a rip off!”: Rome restaurant slammed for outrageous bill

A restaurant in Rome has caused a stir amongst tourists as they have reportedly charged diners $132 for two burgers and three coffees. A photo of the receipt shows that the meal for two came to a whopping €81.40 and surprised users when it was shared online. The hamburgers cost €25 ($40.54) each, coming to €50 ($81.07). They were also charged €8 ($12.97) for one Americano coffee and €8 ($12.97) each for two double cappuccinos, plus a service charge of €7.40 ($12). The restaurant is called Caffe Vaticano and is situated just opposite the Vatican, which is a popular tourist destination. The restaurant now has more than 1,800 reviews on TripAdvisor, with a rating of just 1.5 stars out of five. TripAdvisor has had to step in and “temporarily suspend publishing new reviews” of the restaurant due to the outrage of the receipt. Some people were on the diners’ side, saying that it’s “absurd” that a restaurant can charge that much for a meal. However, others were on the side of the restaurant. “If, in 2019, you go to a place that has an average of 1.5 out of almost 2000 TripAdvisor reviews, you deserve it a little,” one user commented. The reviews that are on the review page for the restaurant are not kind but paint a clear picture as to what the diners were getting themselves into. A review from one member from the 13th of September 2018 states the issue that happened to the unaware diners beforehand. The review reads: “AVOID! I’m so annoyed with myself for falling for the Caffe Vaticano’s dirty tricks. They removed the prices from all table and wall menus and then customers are handed a way over priced bill which also has the service charge added,” the reviewer wrote. “When I told the slimy waiter the prices were ridiculously high and that I was now aware I’d fallen for the dishonest and sly tactics used, he had the cheek to ask me for a second tip for him personally! “My tip to the scumbags running and working at this place is to get themselves across to the Vatican and go to confession. Even after being robbed by these crooks you can’t use the toilet unless you pay more cash to the waiter. It’s a shame such a beautiful city has this place spoiling it.” There are many reviews just like that on the site.

Travel Trouble

The amount of money tourists throw into the Trevi Fountain is staggering

Tossing a coin over your shoulder and into the Trevi Fountain is as quintessential a part of the Italian holiday experience as getting stomach cramps from too much pasta and gelato, or spending 40 minutes trying to figure out where you are in Venice. But did you have any idea how much tourist’s throw into Rome’s most popular baroque fountain? Well, it turns out all those coins add up together to a small fortune. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/U210dFCSpvg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> NBC News estimates tourists threw a combined $2 million into the fountain in 2016, with the money collected by Rome’s city council workers at the end of each day. The money is clean, weighed, counted and sent to Caritas, a Catholic non-profit that supports various causes including health, disaster relief and ending poverty. Rome’s city council recently passed a law deeming it illegal for thieves to take coins for the fountain and Caritas said this has led to a 20 to 30 per cent spike in its takings. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Z_GhQOr81TE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> And it’s not just coins that make their way into the fountain. "Among the coins often we find other objects, including glasses, religious medals, and even a couple of dentures," the Caritas spokesperson told NBC News. So, there you have it! Did you imagine $2 million would pass through the fountain in just one year? Have you ever been to Italy, and if so how did you find it?

International Travel

Devastating earthquake rocks Italy

A pair of "apocalyptic" aftershocks have shaken central Italy, crumbling buildings, knocking out power and sending panicked residents into the rain-drenched streets just two months after a powerful earthquake killed nearly 300 people. Two people were injured in the epicentre of Visso, where the rubble of collapsed buildings tumbled into the streets. But the Civil Protection agency had no other immediate reports of injuries or deaths in the quakes on Wednesday (Thursday NZT). The first quake carried a magnitude of 5.4, but the second one was eight times stronger at 6.1, according to the US Geological Survey. <img width="499" height="254" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/29275/earthquake-in-text-two_499x254.jpg" alt="Earthquake -in -text -two" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/> Tremors were felt in Rome. Image credit: Twitter / Huffington Post "It was an unheard-of violence. Many houses collapsed," Ussita Mayor Marco Rinaldi told Sky TG24. "The facade of the church collapsed. By now I have felt many earthquakes. This is the strongest of my life. It was something terrible." Calling it "apocalyptic," he said: `'People are screaming on the street and now we are without lights." Old churches crumbled and other buildings were damaged, though many of them were in zones that were declared off-limits after the August 24 quake that flattened parts of three towns. Schools were closed in several towns Thursday as a precaution. "We're without power, waiting for emergency crews," said Mauro Falcucci, the mayor of Castelsantangelo sul Nera, near the epicentre. Speaking to Sky TG24, he said: "We can't see anything. It's tough. Really tough." He said some buildings had collapsed, but that there were no immediate reports of injuries in his community. He added that darkness and a downpour were impeding a full accounting. Italy's national vulcanology centre said the first quake struck at 7:10 p.m. local time with an epicentre in the Macerata area, near Perugia in the quake-prone Apennine Mountain chain. The US Geological Survey put the epicentre near Visso, 170 kilometres northeast of Rome, and said it had a depth of some 10 kilometres. The second aftershock struck two hours later at 9:18 p.m. with a similar depth. Experts say even relatively modest quakes that have shallow depths can cause significant damage because the seismic waves are closer to the surface. But seismologist Gianluca Valensise said a 10-kilometre depth is within the norm for an Apennine temblor. The August 24 quake destroyed the hilltop village of Amatrice and other nearby towns and had a depth of about 10 kilometres. Amatrice Mayor Sergio Pirozzi said residents felt Wednesday's aftershocks but `'We are thanking God that there are no dead and no injured." <img width="500" height="274" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/29274/in-text-italy_500x274.jpg" alt="In -text -Italy" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/> Image credit: Twitter / The Weather Channel The original August 24 6.2-magnitude quake was still 41 per cent stronger than even the second aftershock. Wednesday's temblors were felt from Perugia in Umbria to the capital Rome to the central Italian town of L'Aquila, which was struck by a deadly quake in 2009. The mayor of L'Aquila, however, said there were no immediate reports of damage there. A section of a major state highway north of Rome, the Salaria, was closed near Arquata del Tronto as a precaution because of a quake-induced landslide, said a spokeswoman for the civil protection agency, Ornella De Luca. The mayor of Arquata del Tronto, Aleandro Petrucci, said the aftershocks felt stronger than the August quake, which devastated parts of his town. But he said there were no reports of injuries to date and that the zone hardest hit by the last quake remained uninhabitable. `'We don't worry because there is no one in the red zone, if something fell, walls fell," he said. In Rome, some 230 kilometres southwest from the epicentre, centuries-old palazzi shook and officials at the Foreign Ministry evacuated the building. The quakes were actually aftershocks of the magnitude 6.2 earthquake from two months ago. Because they were so close to the surface, it has the potential to cause more shaking and more damage, "coupled with infrastructure that's vulnerable to shaking," said US Geological Survey seismologist Paul Earle. "They have a lot of old buildings that weren't constructed at a time with modern seismic codes," he said. Given the size, depth and location of the quakes, the USGS estimates that about 24 million people likely felt at least weak shaking. This original quake was about 20 kilometres northwest of the original shock, which puts it on the northern edge of the aftershock sequence and two months is normal for aftershocks, Earle said. Image credit: Twitter / CBS News First appeared on <a href="http://www.Stuff.co.nz" target="_blank">Stuff.co.nz</a>. Related links: <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/travel/international-travel/2016/10/10-photos-celebrate-the-beauty-of-the-amalfi-coast/">10 photos celebrate the beauty of the Amalfi Coast</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/travel/international-travel/2016/10/italian-bbs-are-letting-travellers-stay-for-free/">Italian B&Bs are letting travellers stay for free</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/travel/travel-tips/2016/05/italian-ghost-town-home-to-just-one-man/">Italian ghost town home to just one man</a>

News

Police make dinner for lonely elderly couple found in tears

Four policeman in Rome have taken in an elderly couple after finding them crying and shouting due to “incurable loneliness”. After being called to their apartment by neighbours who suspected a domestic incident, the police arrived to find no crime had been committed, only a desperately lonely 84-year-old woman and her 94-year-old husband. The couple, who have been together for almost seven decades, hadn’t had a visitor in a long time after their neighbours moved away. They were found in tears, crying not only because of their loneliness, but because of the horrible headlines they heard on the news and the fact that less people were coming to the Italian capital due to these recent events. <img width="499" height="665" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/25622/dinner2_499x665.jpg" alt="Dinner2" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/> Policemen Andrew, Alexander, Ernesto and Mirko decided to do something nice for the couple, putting together a spaghetti dinner for the couple, chatting with them all evening. What a lovely story! What’s the most thoughtful thing someone has done for you? Tell us about it in the comments below. Related links: <a href="/news/news/2016/08/82-year-old-given-rescue-dog-for-birthday/">82-year-old receives gorgeous birthday gift from family</a> <a href="/news/news/2016/08/100-year-old-grandmother-plays-beer-pong/">100-year-old grandmother schools her family in beer pong</a> <a href="/news/news/2016/08/beautiful-birthday-gift-brings-grandma-to-tears/">Beautiful birthday gift brings grandma to tears</a>

News

Tourist hotspots that are most popular with thieves

Perhaps unsurprisingly, some of the world’s most popular tourist destinations are the places you’re most likely to be targeted by petty thieves.Cities like Paris, which offer a bevy of beautiful sights to see, are the worst, because those sights are basically big distractions for unsuspecting tourists. It’s important to always be aware of where your belongings are, and how easy it would be for them to be snatched, warn travel insurance experts. Paris’ crowded train network is also a popular spot for thieves, as tourists are likely to be concentrating on their stop, than their own bags.Rome plays host to some thieves who will grab bags from under tables, or from off the backs of chairs. While some homeless people will hold a paper message in your face, and grab your phone, sunglasses, or wallet from the table while your vision is blocked.If you’re travelling overseas, it’s important to remember that you must attend your belongings at all time. Lock them up in a safe at your accommodation, and report any loss to local authorities. Failure to do any of these things can result in a declined travel insurance claim. And a much more expensive trip.Related links:<a href="/news/news/2015/02/english-worlds-sexist-accent/" target="_blank">English has overtaken French as the world’s sexiest accent</a><a href="/news/news/2015/02/cheapest-time-to-book-flights/" target="_blank">Did you know that February is the cheapest month to book flights?</a><a href="/news/news/2015/02/melbourne-most-popular-city/" target="_blank">Check out the Australian cities at the top of everyone’s travel list</a>

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How much money is actually thrown into the Trevi Fountain