Florence: Shock as tourist charged £22 for ice cream (Image: Getty)
Ordering an ice cream as a sweet treat to cool down amid Florence’s stunning architectural delights actually sent the temperature of one visitor soaring as he was handed the bill. A visitor to Italy, who headed to the beautiful Italian city from his native Taiwan, was told to fork out £22 for a gelato served in a cone. Understandably irked at the over-the-top pricing, he complained to the shop owner, yet was told they “cost a lot because they are tasty.” Left with no option, he then paid the full 25 Euro cost.
His Italian tour guide complained to official authorities, with the Times later reporting the retail owner had hidden the gala price list to avoid it being seen by hungry customers.
Police official Elio Covino told La Repubblica: “Hiding prices is very common and is a habit that creates a poor impression around the world, given that tourists are the main victims.”
The venue was fined £1,800, or 2,000 Euros, after it was discovered the price list had been concealed.
In 2013, a similar Gelateria in Rome, Antica Roma, was forced to defend charging four British tourist £54 for ice creams.
It took out full page adverts in local newspapers to justify its retail pricing structure with an open letter entitled "Il prezzo e giusto" - translated as "the price is right".
Meanwhile tourists to another holiday hub in the country, Venice, will also soon face additional costs.
Florence: Tourists are being forced to fork out for ice creams
