Picnic with wine, in public?

I think you would be admonished for not having a proper picnic if you did not include wine. We do this everywhere, both as individuals and as groups. Note that some public spaces have been designated no-picnic areas, such as in and around Piazza San Marco in Venice. You're safer at a grassy park or less busy bench location.

The prejudice against drinking in public is a Protestant thing and Italians do not mind as long as you do not become a nuisance. There could be local prohibitions, usually as a reaction to abuses or littering.

I already love this country and I've never been there...Hmmm. I'm a Protestant.

Thanks Laura!

The main issue is that many Italian cities have cracked down on eating in public places that are popular tourist spots. So you won't be able to spread out a picnic at the Trevi Fountain for example. But a park or grassy area should be fine.

Yeah, luckily Italy was not founded by Puritans fleeing prosecution for failure to attend daily services in England. Toast the "others" they brought over on the Mayflower, who taught them how to survive in the New World.

Yes drinking alcohol in public is perfectly legal in Italy, unlike in the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, Saudi Arabia, Iran and the USA.

Being in a state of "manifest drunkenness" in public is however unlawful.

This thread makes me think of the road repair crew I saw in Rome. They were re-laying bricks/cobbles in a little piazza. One guy had a bottle of beer that he sipped from while he was working. :)

Yes, the "beer" and "wine" thing really is an eye opener when you visit Europe. Really makes you stop and think about how silly Americans are when it comes to wine.