A fishing village on Lake Como has decided that enough is enough. Varenna, home to about 650 long-suffering residents, is now fining tourists up to €200 (£171) for wandering around shirtless or in swimwear. The new rules, aimed at preserving the village's charm and a whisper of quiet, also limit tour groups to 25 people and ban guides from using loudspeakers. Because nothing says 'peaceful Italian getaway' like a megaphone-wielding tour guide.

Mayor Mauro Manzoni, in a statement that could double as a plea, said: 'Varenna is a wonderful village, and we are proud to welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the world every year. However, our residents’ quality of life cannot be sacrificed on the altar of mass tourism.' Locals seem thrilled, especially about the dress code. One shop owner noted that on the beach, anything goes, but in shops and churches, 'you must dress decently.' Another called it 'a sound measure' - assuming it's actually enforced.

Varenna joins a proud Italian tradition of fighting back against tourists behaving badly. In 2022, Sorrento's mayor decried 'widespread indecorous behaviour' and slapped on fines. Portofino went further in 2023, banning selfies in certain spots and creating 'no-waiting zones' to prevent tourists from lingering too long. Because apparently, the only thing worse than a shirtless tourist is one who stands still.