If you find yourself in Milan over summer and are somehow stuck for something to do, an hour’s drive north will land you in Switzerland’s Lavertezzo.

A striking village, it is well known within Switzerland for the crystal-clear emerald water of the Verzasca river, and the beautiful double-arch stone bridge that crosses it.

But lately, the water and town hasn’t been that crisp.

Earlier this month, filmmaker Marco Capedri shared a minute-long video of him and his friends frolicking in the crystal clear waters of the river on Facebook.

Watched 2,6 million times thus far, Capedri dubbed the area “the Maldives of Milan”, and has since sparked a wave of more visitors than usual.

In Italian, Capedri’s post also proclaimed :

A magnificent canyon crossed with emerald waters – one hour from Milan and 45 minutes from Varese.

I mean, who wouldn’t want to take a summer drive to something like this:

Although no stranger to tourists, locals have now condemned Capedri for posting the video, reports The Local:

The tourists “have no respect for anything” one local resident told Italian paper La Repubblica, saying they “sleep in cars, walk semi-naked down the streets and turn the valley into an open-air toilet”.

According to Ticino News, socks, bottles, cigarettes, crisp packets and cans have all been found in the water.

Speaking to La Repubblica, Lavertezzo mayor Roberto Bacciarini said the situation was “under control” and acknowledged that Capedri had given the area a publicity boost.

“He did a good job, but it would be a favour to us if he could ask his compatriots to park correctly and respect the rules of the place,” he said.

And that’s a lesson we can all learn. Respect is lacking in all walks of life.

It’s so pretty, and one can only imagine how so many tourists are ruining it. Sounds like Cape Town in December, right?

[source:bbc&thelocal]