Pilfering Pebbles From This Greek Beach Could Cost You $1,170
Like collecting rocks? Lalaria Beach on the Greek island of Skiathos is not the place to acquire your next find.
Described by Travel+Leisure as "one of the most idyllic beaches in the world" in part for its clear waters, this special beach is also renowned for the distinctive smooth, white pebbles that comprise its shoreline. The stones are called lalaria in Greek and unique to the eponymous beach. Lalaria Beach is only accessible by passenger boat or after some serious hiking, and pebble-pinching behavior from tourists and a few locals has significantly damaged the landscape over the last few years. In response, the Cultural Association and Skiathos Port Authority has posted signs admonishing visitors to "take a picture, not a pebble," and has also begun enforcing a fine of between $468 to $1,170 for anyone caught stealing Lalaria's unique rocks for souvenirs.
This is just the latest in a slew of incidents involving tourists disrupting the ecological balance of a natural habitat, causing long-term harm or damage. Sardinia, the second-largest island in Italy, charges a steep fine of up to $4,000 for pilfering rocks, shells and sand from its beaches. "Taking away even a single bottle of sand in memory of the holidays makes the patient and long work of nature in vain," said the administrator of a Facebook page in support of Sardinia's beaches. "Keep the memories in your mind but do not take (sand) away because it does not belong to you but belongs to everyone." Another Italian island only admits 1,000 visitors per year in order to preserve its environment. In the Philippines, popular beach destination Boracay has been closed for six months due to a massive build-up of garbage, pollution and other hazards. And in Thailand, Maya Bay has been closed for three months due to over-tourism, in hopes that the coral reef there may be able to recover from the impact.
All images from Getty Images.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership RewardsÂŽ points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership RewardsÂŽ points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | Earn 5X Membership RewardsÂŽ points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel Appâ˘. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership RewardsÂŽ points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel Appâ˘, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership RewardsŽ points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App⢠and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership RewardsÂŽ point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership RewardsÂŽ Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if youâre approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount â all with no credit score impact. If youâre approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership RewardsÂŽ points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership RewardsÂŽ points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 5X Membership RewardsÂŽ points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel Appâ˘.
- Earn 3X Membership RewardsÂŽ points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel Appâ˘, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership RewardsŽ points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App⢠and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership RewardsÂŽ point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay ItÂŽ lets you tap in the American ExpressÂŽ App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan ItÂŽ gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. Youâll know upfront exactly how much youâll pay.
- $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American ExpressÂŽ Gold Card. Thatâs up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American ExpressÂŽ Gold Card at U.S. Dunkinâ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- Enjoy complimentary Hertz Five StarÂŽ Status benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Book two nights or more with The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App⢠and receive a $100* credit towards eligible charges at over 1,400 upscale hotels worldwide. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App⢠with added peace of mind â backed by American ExpressÂŽ service and support. Only for American ExpressÂŽ Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.