Overcrowded Venice begins charging day-trippers for access

Venice became the world’s first city to introduce a payment system for tourists on Thursday in an effort to thin the crowds that throng its canals, but the fee drew protests from some residents saying they didn’t want to live in a theme park. Signs were set up outside the train station and near an entry footbridge warning visitors they had to pay the new 5-euro ($5.35) charge before diving into Venice’s narrow alleyways. Simone Venturini, the city councillor responsible …