They screamed for ice cream, then screamed for the cops.
American tourists James and Marian Luciani and a friend were so surprised to get their £33 (more than $50) bill for just three ice creams and a bottle of water in Rome’s Bar Il Caffe, they called the police.
The restaurant, just steps from the Trevi Fountain, charges 13 euro, or $17, for each gelato.
“We’ve been careful in watching out for pickpockets in Rome, but I never thought I would get scammed here,” James Luciani, told the English language paper, The Local. “We had just paid 59 euros for our entire dinner, including a liter of wine, and then were charged 42 euros for gelato!” he said.
On Wednesday, after getting the ice cream, Luciani begrudgingly paid the bill, but then came back the next day with a police officer. But the group got a frosty reception from the cops who said the prices were correct and were actually listed on the menu, the paper reported.
A manager at the cafe blamed the tourists for not checking the prices and said the gelato was worth the hefty price tag because it could serve as a meal in itself.
Last year, four British tourists were charged $84 for four ice creams, sparking outrage.
Bottom line: When in Rome, make sure you read the menu and double-check the price of everything.
