Charged for water and ice

There is a tendency in Europe for a charge to be leveled on everything. We are frequently charged for water, especially bottle, but cannot remember an ice charge but not sure if we have every asked for ice by itself.

Whenever I have asked for water I have been given bottled water and been charged for it. I have never been given ice, and must admit have never asked for it, but it wouldn't surprise me if I did ask I would be charged for it. I think it is just standard and pretty much all restaurants do it. Here we can either have tap water free of charge or bottled water and pay for it. I don't think that's the case in Italy.

London is really the only city I've been where I received tap water free of charge, with ice even! In Italy, that was not an option. I don't believe we received free tap water once in the two weeks we were there. Of course, we stopped asking after the first day.

We always ordered regular water (or still water) as they call it; we never ordered sparkling or bottled water. When we asked for ice she returned with a small bucket and we were charged 6 euro. This only happened once, we did not order ice again.

I stopped for a quick lunch break in Rome. I ordered a soda and a ham and cheese sandwich. They put a bread basket on my table and charged me 3.50 Euro for it too.

Marie - That's called "pane e coperto". Bread and cover. It's a standard charge everywhere in Italy.

You didn't have to pay tax and you didn't have to tip.

This is normal.

Six euro for ice is excessive. Italians never order ice with their drinks. This restaurant is using ice as a moneymaker with tourists. When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

Tax is paid at restaurants and all shops. However the tax is included in the price, not added on at the cashier. For example a shirt that is tagged 25 euro is only 25 euro, no taxes added on at payment. The store still pays tax on the sale, but it the price shown is the final price.

We recently returned from a trip to Italy including
Rome, Sorrento, Bologna, Bolzano, and Venice. Every where we asked for tap water, we got it. Although in Bologna they gave it to us reluctantly saying "the water comes out of the river, and we never drink it". We never ordered ice but were provided ice (no charge) at a cafe in Bologna when we ordered lunch including bottled water (frizzante).

We have never been charged for tap water or ice. Only bottled water. Also never paid a bread charge.

But we don't eat in tourist places so we avoid those scams.

With all respect to Sally, the "pane e coperto" (bread and cover)charge is common in Italy.

Please don't think it's a "scam" for tourists. Italy endures enough misunderstandings from suspicious Americans. The "pane e coperto" is usually minor and takes the place of a tip.

I have noticed that the charge can be more significant in heavily touristed areas, particularly in Venice. So E3.50 doesn't surprise me but it is more than the usual.

Interesting...I can see how the charge for ice would be a marketing tool. It does cost to refridgerate, freeze and manufacture ice so I can somewhat understand a nominal fee.

I don't generally ask for ice when I travel. I make it a habit so I don't forget and ask for it when I'm in a country where the ice may be made with questionable water, ie the risk of Hep A or B.

From a health perspective, drinking ice cold water on a really warm day isn't such a good idea. Especially if you've been physically active in the heat. And if you're like me, the ice cold temperature will soon mean the need for a WC!