Popular travel destination to ban rolling luggage

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Monday, November 24, 2014
rolling luggage
In this Nov. 26, 2008, file photo a traveler makes his way down a hallway with a rolling suitcase
AP-AP

VENICE, Italy -- The rumble that some say is plaguing Venice, Italy will soon come to an end, the Il Messaggero newspaper reports.

The city has outlawed hard-wheeled suitcases beginning next May. Residents have long complained about the noise of suitcases on plastic wheels rumbling across the cobble stone streets. Some Italians have claimed all the noise cost them sleep. Others says the hard-wheeled suitcases are hurting the historic marble steps and pathways in Venice.

The new rules will require suitcases to have quieter, air-filled wheels. Anyone caught using the hard-wheeled suitcases after next May could face a fine of up to $600.

The move will create new headaches for most of the 22-million tourists who visit Venice every year. Some city officials worry the suitcase ban could hurt tourism which has long been on a roll.