Venice to ban suitcases with noisy wheels

The official reason for the ban is noise pollution. Venetian officials claim that the noise of tourists dragging their bags over the bridges keeps local residents awake at night. Only suitcases with silent inflated tyres will be permitted. However, Venetians themselves will be exempt from the regulations which carry a Euro 500 fine and are to come into effect in May 2015.

So how will the 27 million tourists who visit Venice every year take their luggage to their hotel rooms? Perhaps the Venice City Council plans to hire some turbanned "coolies" (porters) from India?