Reuters 11:30 gmt 04/01/05 - The tiny principality of San Marino has just passed an ammendment to it's consitiution to no longer allow motorized vehicles within it's borders. 'Because of the increasing tourist traffic, and resulting air pollution problems we must take drastic measures' stated one official. All incoming vehicles will now be forced to park at the border, where they will be met by donkey carts and pedal vehicles.

Lirpa Loof - Reuters

Why do you find it unbelievable? It seems to me to be a step in the right direction for the reasons stated. There are other places with similar bans. You can't rent a car in Bermuda. Autos are not permitted in many cities of the world and pedestrian only areas seem to be growing. It's good to know some in the world are still about clean air!

Poisson d'Avril

I'm with Giovanna here. How many times have I wondered around tiny medieval streets in Italy where the cars squeeeeze through, muttering 'this place was never built for cars, they should ban them'.

That certainly would put a damper on the San Marino Grand Prix...wouldn't it!

UGH! I need to go home....

I suspect it is the "donkey carts and pedal vehicles" that has caused the excitement..even in carless Zermatt they have electric vehicles along with the horse-drawn wagons.

I think the principality needs to start selling more stamps.

Ho ho - nice try Zootsi.

I think it's high time this rule was enforced. More countries should be encouraged to follow suit.

Have a GREAT day !

<This is unbeilieveable!!!>

not only that--

it's also un-spellable

fyi -
Lirpa Loof - Reuters
Hold her name up to a mirror! ;-)

elaine, LOL

For those of you who think that this is a joke, hitherto reliable sources have informed me that the San Marinons have contracted with Molvania for a shipment of donkey's and donkey carts.

Both Boeing and Lockheed-Martin, competitors on this contract, stock dropped today on the news, but recovered.

There are many towns in Italy with this rule. It's certainly nothing new. The town I we come from in Ischia has had this rule for as long as I can remember. I like it. The exercize is good. The streets are too small for cars. You can walk in the middle of the street and not be bothered. As for the donkeys.....yes that's the way people got around many years ago so the roads are all donkey paths.

Next thing you know, some American is going to come into San Marino with these reeeally big donkeys that eat waaay more hay and oats and then they will wonder what hit them!
Bring back the cars!!
Viva San Marino!
Hail Molvania~

AnnI
Would you please list some of the Italian towns that ban cars? I would love to visit them.
Thanks,
Joy

One is Senzafiat.

I heard about an Italian bar that bans clowns <@

Assuming I've been had--I will enter the foray!

The donkey cart business is just the sort of thing Degas should invest in. He would be absolutely perfect in charge of such an enterprise, don't you think?

Please don't put down travel by donkey! The most valuable contact I was given for a stay in Lindos (on the island of Rhodes in Greece) was someone at the "donkey station." But that was almost 30 years ago, before Lindos became a tourist trap...