Unknown and Weird Regulations Around the World

Have you ever wondered that you might do something illegal when you traveling, without knowing it? It might seems weird, but some countries have regulations that are not known to the tourists. What is more, sometimes can even get someone in jail or at least, has to pay a fine!

It is important for all tourist to have in mind that several restrictions and local norms are extremely different from country to country. Thus, it would be better before visiting a specific destination, to know about their various set of laws in order to avoid any trouble.

British Foreign Affairs Office notes that the majority of the tourists who came across with ‘’illegal activities’’ have traveled at Netherlands, Italy and United Arabic Emirates!

Thus, we present you some of these unique and not so-known policies and regulations:

Netherlands: Although in Netherlands is legal to use ‘’soft drugs’’, is only allowed to use them in certain places! The possession of any illegal drugs or their purchase outside this places can get someone in prison!

Venice: In Venice, it is illegal to feed pigeons in public areas. If you caught feeding them, you have to pay a large fine.

Japan: It is illegal currying with you any nasal sprays that contain pseudoephedrine.

Barcelona: It is against the law to wear a bikini, swimsuit or walk around topless if you are not around the coast.

Singapore: You are going to get a fine if you are chewing a gum while using any local public transportation.

Thailand: Is against the law to import more than 200 cigarettes from Thailand. You are not only going to pay a large fine but also your cigarettes are going to be confiscated

Italy (Florence): You are not allowed to sit on stairs or around yards. Also is illegal eating or drinking around churches and public buildings. Some of these fines are said to be really expensive!

Saudi Arabia: In Saudi Arabia you are prohibited to take photos of any government buildings, military bases and palaces. In case you caught by police taking pictures of these places, you are going to get arrested!

Nigeria: Even this seems to be really strange, it is illegal to carry with you still bottled water!

Fiji: Do not sunbath topless!

Maldives: Tourist and non locals are not allowed to engage with any religious activities other than Islam.

By: Progress On 06:03

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Strange Items Found by Airport Security

It's a fact that while travelling, the majority of us are used to carrying a lot of unnecessary things that we are probably not going to use during our vacation or business trip. However, there is no reason to feel ashamed! Perpetual Traveller Overseas is proud to present you with some of the strangest things that airport security has seized, while conducting a search on luggage.

1) Tiger cub
A woman in Thailand was carrying something inside her luggage while travelling to Iran that airport security deemed suspicious. They thought it was a teddy bear in the beginning but when her suitcase was opened they discovered a little 3-month-old tiger cub! This cute animal had been drugged asleep and placed in a bag. According to the woman, she had been planning to sell it in Iran. Luckily, it was in healthy condition and sent to an animal protection centre to find love and care.

2) Skeletons
In Munich, security spotted something suspicious while scanning a suitcase. After opening the bag, they found that the suitcase's owner had been carrying the bones of her brother, who had died 11 years ago. As she explained, she was planning to bury her brother in Italy. Surprisingly enough, they were allowed through inspections after all the necessary documents were presented to the authorities.

3) A Baby
The baby was found alive, luckily. The parents told airport security that they had placed their child in the suitcase because they hadn't had the necessary documents and Visas in order to take the child with them. The couple has been accused for exposing the baby to radiation.

4) Pigeons
What is really peculiar about this case is not that a man was carrying pigeons but the fact that he hid them in his pants and tried to pass through security. As something seemed suspicious about him, they ran a body search and discovered in his pants pigeons that were placed in large envelops!

5) Snakes
A woman tried to transport a python and thought it would be a good idea to hide it in her bra. However, security thought it rather suspicious that she was scratching her breast constantly while waiting to show her passport.

By: Progress On 00:18

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Most Common Travel Scams and Tips to Avoid

Has ever happened to you to arrive at a hotel and discover that your room which was supposed to be ''sea-view'' is actually facing the city? Have you ever checked your bill at a restaurant and noticed that it contains things that you didn't order? Such scams can not only ruin your mood but your whole vacations!

Only in the U.S., it is estimated that scammers are ''gaining'' more than $10 billion from tourists each year! Thus, we present you some of the most common tricks that many scammers are using to take advantage of several tourists around the world!

1. ''Sorry, we have run out of...''
One of the most common trick that many restaurants and hotels are using. The dish you have chosen isn’t available but... there is another one which costs more! Restaurants are using this technique to ''promote'' their more expensive dishes or to get rid of their ''not so fresh'' ones. This trick is also really common in some hotels around the world. Regular rooms are not available and you are offered to book a more luxurious and expensive one. What is more, there are some car rental companies that use this technique to steal your money. For example, the cheap car is already rented and you have to get the more expensive one. So, we suggest you to be always suspicious and cautious and when and where is possible, book everything in advance! 

2. Taxis
Taxi drivers (not all of them of course) are well known for their ingenuity when they have to collect money from their customers. Especially if you are not familiar with the area, some of them drive you all around the town, not putting on the taxi meter, charge you double tariffs etc! Perhaps, the only way to protect yourself from bad taxi-drivers  is to agree the amount before you get in the taxi. Also, avoid paying before getting to your destination!

3. Fake police
Men in police uniform or ''undercover police'' suddenly stops you and asks for your passport. They identify something suspicious or illegal and they ask you to give them money in order to get you out of trouble. In these case, the best way is to insist to go with them to the nearest police station and find out what's wrong.

4. Porters
In some airports and ports, there are ''porters'' who offer you helping you with your language. Afterwards though, they ask you to pay a really absurd amount. Sometimes, they run away and steal with your stuff before even paying. The best you can do to be safe and sure is to refuse any help from freelance porters and when is possible pre-book a taxi to pick you from the airport and help you with your luggage. 

5. Car-Rentals Scammers
Car-rental scammers overcharge you for damages that you (might) caused at the car. Always check the car for any damages or scratches before signing a contract with the company or when and where is possible, take pictures!

6. Hucksters 
Traders and Really cheap carpets, perfumes, jewelries, watches, sunglasses etc... Just remember the quote ''If something seems really cheap, then something is wrong with it''. No genuine branded pair of sunglasses costs $10!

7. The supposedly ''famous'' and ''good'' hotel
This trick is really popular in many cities around the world. Many hotels take advantage of various known hotel names. Always double check your reservation, read reviews and carry always with you your booking voucher.

8. Timeshare Apartment Scams
Sometimes these scams start even before booking your holidays. Most of the times, someone approaches you and informs you that you have won a prize! Exciting so far? However, in order to receive it you have to pass from his company’s office, where you are going to present you this ''amazing deal'' and force you (brainwash you) to buy a timeshare apartment somewhere nice and exotic! Never trust anyone, especially if something seems too good to be true! There are several websites on the internet that list some of the most known timeshare scam companies and we suggest you to make your own research before taking any decision.

9. Fake tickets
Several scammers print and sell fake tickets for everything: metro tickets, Disneyland tickets, museum tickets that look genuine and original. Prefer buying tickets from official offices and companies in order not to get in trouble.

10. Tricky terms and conditions
ALWAYS read the terms and conditions when you are going to purchase something.

By: Progress On 04:43

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The Top Rude Passenger Behaviors you Want to Avoid

Passengers participating in this interesting and noteworthy survey were asked which type of passenger to sit next to on the plane they consider the most disliked one.

The answers they gave were extremely familiar to quite every traveller!

These are the 6 types of passengers we all look to avoid when travelling:

• Poor Hygiene
• Cougher-Sneezer
• Large
• Chatty
• Child
• Snorer

When asked about all the passenger behaviors they see as the rudest, the 1532 surveyed passengers were given the opportunity to choose 2 of them. So, let's have a quick look!

• 919 passengers consider seat kicking very disrespectful
• 827 of them think that loud talking is the most inappropriate thing to do on plane
• 460 travellers find seat reclining terribly rude
• 276 of the surveyed passengers consider arm rest hogging uncivil
• 245 of them believe that stinky food eating is very rude and
• 107 passengers find that unwelcomed conversing  is unusually wrong

Are you a passenger to stay away from?

We would be very glad if you shared with us your story or personal travel experience!

Original source: www.travelocity.com

By: Progress On 22:18

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The Top most Annoying Passenger Behaviors

A recent passenger survey by www.travelocity.com involving more than 1500 people has revealed some of the most annoying travellers habits.

While reading these behaviors, some of you will, no doubt, smile with guilt. On the other hand, some of you will nod along feeling the anger after being the "victim" of such disturbing attitudes.
Strangely, some of you, including me, are going to experience both!

To the question "What do you consider is the most annoying thing while boarding?".  Out of the 1553 surveyed the following answers were recorded:

• 445 of them say carrying a larger than allowed luggage is extremely disturbing
• 383 passengers consider blocking the aisle the most annoying thing
• 322 of them are frustrated by those who crowd the boarding line
• 230 travellers feel its annoying when a careless luggage storage habit is portrayed
• 107 considered it irritating when other travellers use the overhead for small items

To the question "What do you consider to the most annoying thing while exiting?", the answers resulting from the survey based on 1537 passengers were:

• 876 passengers find attempting to deplane in front the most frustrating behavior
• 384 mind those being careless with luggage
• 154 travellers were irritated by those that leave their seats before the light is off
• 61 of them are frustrated by those leaving trash behind
• 61 passengers found using cell phones before being permitted as very unpleasant

Having read the article, I think it is safe to say that we all have been there at least once! 

Either you are the one disturbing or the one being disturbed, this is the guide of what to do and what NOT to do when you travel.

By: Progress On 01:54

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