Swimming in UNESCO-protected canals. Breaking into historic sites. Driving down the world's most famous staircase. And just when you thought that was as bad as it gets: smashing priceless sculptures in a fit of pique. As travel restrictions dropped this summer and tourists flooded back to Europe, the news of visitors behaving badly in Italy just kept coming.

In June, two American tourists caused $25,000 worth of damage to the Spanish Steps in Rome, when they pushed -- and then threw -- their scooters down them. Think that's bad? In May, a Saudi visitor drove his rented Maserati down the travertine staircase, fracturing two of the steps.