“Worst ice cream I’ve ever had”Price shock in Rome! US tourists pay 44 euros for two bad ice creams

A trip to an ice cream parlor in the historic center of Rome cost an American tourist couple dearly: American Nicole Ann said she was presented with a bill of 44 euros for two take-away ice creams (plus extras). In a Facebook group for vacationers in Italy, the woman from Florida was outraged not only about nasty rip-offs in a “tourist trap,” but also about “the worst ice cream I’ve ever had.”

According to their own account, the couple actually just wanted to quickly pick up two ice creams with two scoops each from the ice cream parlor in the area around the busy Piazza Navona. Instead, the two got an ice cream with three scoops each (price: twelve euros) and cream (two euros) and then a small macaron (three euros) and a small cannolo (five euros), a kind of rolling pin from Sicily. That made 22 euros for each person – a total of 44 euros.

The US tourist also paid the bill – according to her own information, she understood that the two ice creams should cost 14 US dollars, currently just over twelve euros. “I only realized it when I looked at the receipt.” She also complained that the ice cream parlor gave the impression that the extras were included for free. There was initially no comment from the ice cream parlor. In the Facebook comments, however, many reported similar experiences.

In Rome – one of the most visited cities in the world – tourist scams are more common. Horrible prices have also been charged for pizza. In some ice cream parlors, the extra portion of cream is actually free. In addition, in Italy it is common practice – like with espresso or cappuccino – to pay in advance in ice cream parlors and then get the ice cream.

Sources used: raf/dpa