Tourists irate at $82 ice cream

Four British tourists weren't as happy as this couple when they got their ice cream bill in Rome on the weekend - it came to $82. Source: Supplied

A GROUP of British tourists got fired up when they were charged 64 euros ($82) for four ice creams in Rome.

The Telegraph reports their complaints about the exorbitant price have rekindled a debate over tourist traps.

Roger Bannister, his brother Steven and their wives Wendy and Joyce each bought an ice cream to take away from the Antica Roma bar and gelateria close to the Spanish Steps on Sunday.

The foursome were astounded to be charged 16 euros each.

"And when we paid up, they didn't even say thank you," Mr Bannister said.

The group were on a six-day holiday to Italy and could not believe they had been charged so much.

"It's incredible. It can't be normal, can it?" Mr Bannister said.

The managers of the bar in Via della Vite confirmed that the British tourists had been charged 64 euros but insisted the ice creams were worth the money because they were large.

"We're not talking about one or two scoops, they are really big," a manager told The Daily Telegraph.

"No one forced them to order big ice creams. We also serve small ones which only cost 2.50 euros. But if you want a lot of ice cream then it is worth the price."

Management also argued the prices were prominently displayed.

One Rome official said the ice cream incident was "a scandal" and other officials said incidents like that harmed the image of Italy.

"It's a scandal and it should be treated as such," said Matteo Costantini, a city councillor.

"It's not the first time that things like this have happened."

In 2009 a restaurant near Piazza Navona massively overcharged a Japanese couple for dinner, handing them a bill for 695 euros.

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