Earlier this month, Italy introduced more than 150 ‘public security' laws, many of which were met with surprise by both the Italian press and tourists alike due to their curious nature.

One such law implemented in Vigevano, near Milan bans people from sitting in the shade at the foot of a local monument – much to the surprise of a local couple who were promptly fined €160 each for taking a moment out of the hot afternoon sun. 

And last week, The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) recently reported that Britons spend twenty minutes longer cleaning their house before they go abroad than they do researching the local laws and customs of where they are travelling to.

The last thing holidaymakers want to feel on holiday is the long arm of the law, but with many destinations across the globe beginning to clamp down more strictly on tourists who do not obey local regulations, it pays be ‘in the know' before arriving abroad. 

Skyscanner's Top Ten this week takes a closer look at some of the most bizarre and unusual laws around the world to help tourists stay out of hot water on holiday.

Singapore
In a bid to keep the streets of this super-efficient city clean, the authorities in Singapore decided in 1992 to ban chewing gum completely. Stick to a mint to freshen up after dinner.

Eraclea, Italy
Many holidaymakers escape to the sandy beach at Eraclea, near Venice, to escape the hordes of tourists in the ‘City of Water'. Unfortunately those who enjoy building sandcastles can think again – it's forbidden.

Amsterdam, Netherlands
A curious loophole in the law means that smoking tobacco in a public place such as a coffee shop in Amsterdam is banned, while puffing away on pure cannabis is entirely legal.

Florida, USA
For those who are young, free and single and enjoy jumping out of planes in their spare time, be careful if you're in Florida - unmarried women who parachute here on Sundays can be jailed.

Switzerland
The Swiss must have excellent post-dinner bladder control - flushingthe toilet in apartment here after 10pm is actually illegal. It is also against the law for a man to relieve himself whilst standing up after 10pm, although we're not sure how this particular charge would stand up in court.

Eboli, Italy
Honeymooners might be best to avoid hiring a car in Eboli, just south of Naples - kissing in a moving vehicle here can carry a fine of up to €500. An easy way of kissing holiday money goodbye.

Capri, Italy
Locals in Capri, northern Italy, must value their peace and quiet - a couple were arrested recently simply for wearing excessively noisy flip-flops, following the introduction of a ban on ‘noisy footwear'. The authorities are clearly putting their foot down in Italy this year.

Alabama, USA
Locals in Alabama seem to have blind faith in their driving ability, but unfortunately the Southern American state now has a law in place which states that it's illegal for a driver to be blindfolded while driving a vehicle.

Dubai, UAE
Dubai'sluxurious resorts and stunning beaches may seem like the ideal place to spend a romantic holiday, but don't get too affectionate - kissing in public here is illegal, and many tourists have fallen foul of this law in recent years.

South-East Asia
The durian, a fruit native to Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia, has a smell so incredibly strong that it is banned from many public places in South-East Asia. While not strictly a law, it's probably best to avoid bringing a durian back to the hotel for everyone's sake.

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