‘I was ripped off in one of the world’s top tourist destinations - here’s how to avoid’
I went on holiday to Paris but got completely ripped off in one of the capital's famous cafes.
Did you even go to Paris if you didn’t go to a cafe? The French capital’s cafe culture is world-renowned.
When I went to Paris, I visited some fantastic cafes and particularly loved sitting facing the street for the best people-watching experience.
However, one Parisian cafe left me less than impressed. We ordered two coffees, one cappuccino and one americano.
After the coffees were brought, we asked if the waiter could bring a little bit of cold milk to add to the black americano.
He brought back a little milk saucer and we enjoyed our coffees sitting in the sun. However, when the bill came we were shocked to see we’d been charged one euro (86p) for the milk.
Obviously it’s a tiny amount of money, but it felt like it should have been part of the drink rather than a chargeable extra. I’m not sure if the waiter would have got away with charging it to a local resident, or maybe they just wouldn’t have been stupid enough to drink there in the first place.
While this happened in Paris, tourists have been hit by questionable extra charges all over Europe.
Last summer, a British tourist was left horrified after a restaurant in Lake Como charged him two euros (£1.71) to cut his sandwich in half.
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While it’s not always possible to avoid hidden extras, there are definitely a few tips tourists can take to minimise the risk of getting stung.
I was drinking at a cafe in the centre of Paris’s tourist district, a bad choice for anyone trying to save money.
Cafes in the centre of the city will always be more expensive and may be more likely to rip off tourists.
If you’re concerned the bill could end up being more expensive than expected, try to choose a place with prices on a menu. This will reduce the chance of a hidden extra being added at the end.
In Paris, one of the best offers you can get eating out is a formule, or set menu. Served at many cafes in the capital, you can get a coffee, juice and breakfast pastry for a set price.
This often works out far cheaper than buying a pastry or coffee separately and sets you up perfectly for a day out exploring the City of Lights.