That'll be €10 extra, please! Fake American finds tourists 'ARE getting ripped off in Paris'
The city's leading newspaper, Le Parisien, found that several tourists from outside of France had been posting complaints online about being overcharged.
So they sent out a Parisian the Champ-de-Mars near the Eiffel Tower.
They also dressed up one of their reporters as an American tourist and directed them to the same cafe to reveal exactly what was happening at the holidaymaker hotspots.
But what they stumbled across was shocking.
They both seated themselves at the unnamed diner and ordered the same dish - lasagna, a Coke and water. All the while they had been filming themselves.
The clearly 'French' customer was served a can of Coke for for €6.50 (£5.63) and offered a carafe of water along with his dish.
However, the 'American' was not offered a small can, only a 'medium or large Coke'.
When it arrived, it was just half a litre and cost €9.50 (£8.23).
As for the water, the 'American' received no offer for a carafe, which is free, but was instead made to spend a further €6 (£5.20) for a small bottle of Vittel.
The server also offered the 'American' a side of garlic bread without specifying that it was an extra. They were later charged a further €6 (£5.20).
The pair then walked to a different nearby cafe-restaurant to test its policy on tipping.
When the bill arrived, the French customer noticed their receipt included an obligatory ten per cent service charge.
But the 'American' tourist was asked if he wanted to tip as 'service isn't included'.
And to make matters worse, when he agreed to add a ten per cent tip via the card machine, he noticed the waiter had discreetly hidden the amount and increased this to 15 per cent.
But this is not the first time Paris has used elaborate scams to make the most out of their hapless tourists.
Last month, Paris cafes were caught cheating unsuspecting suspects out of good-quality wine.
An undercover sommelier ordered a glass of Chablis costing around €9 (£7.65), but the wine being served was actually the cheapest on the menu – a €5 (£4.25) sauvignon.
Shockingly, the customer was then charged the higher amount.
Wine merchant Marina Giuberti said: 'It's a pity for the customer and for the image of the wine appellation, for the winemaker and for the restaurant owners who do a good job.'
A number of American tourists quizzed by Le Parisien on restaurant rules thought that you always had to pay for water, as that was their experience.
'Usually they bring a bottle of water, you have to pay for even when we say still,' said one French woman.
Franck Trouet of the hotel and restaurant umbrella group GHR said: 'It's a disgrace to the profession. You can't even call these people waiters.
'You should know that in France, water and bread are free. One can refuse a bottle of water. The tip is to express thanks for the service if one is very satisfied. Above all, it is not compulsory. This is not the United States'.
He added that waiters' eagerness to increase the tip had been pushed when French President Emmanuel Macron decided to waive taxes on 'le pourboire'.
Now, tips made in French restaurants and cafes using a bank card are no longer taxable.
The increased usage of electronic pay machines that automatically suggest a tip of at least five per cent has supercharged the trend to try and make more from paying customers.
It comes after a popular Greek tourist resort was recently labelled the 'ultimate rip-off' for drinks.
One of Greece's prettiest spots, the ancient Old Town of Rhodes, was red flagged as a major hotspot for overcharging tourists, according to reviews on Google and TripAdvisor.
The area's narrow network of streets are filled with places to imbibe everything from local Dodecanese beer to shots of ouzo, but according to some disgruntled tourists, a visit to Rhodes' Old Town also leaves visitors vulnerable to inflated prices - with a string of bars accused of 'scamming' tourists.
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It doesn't matter how you like to spend your time – birdwatching on a rugged island, pottering around a food market or getting active on a coastal hike – chances are, there's something that'll fit the bill in Northern Ireland. There are art galleries and unique museums, points of historical interest and a gorgeous coastline peppered with interesting landmarks. And alongside the more visited sights, there are the quirkier activities, like food tours and peaceful lake districts, as well as the attractions that don't seem to be going anywhere anytime soon – the Game of Thrones filming locations. Here are some activities to add to your list. All our recommendations below have been hand selected and tested by our resident destination expert to help you discover the best things to do in Northern Ireland. Find out more below, or for further inspiration, explore our guides to Northern Ireland's best hotels, restaurants, nightlife and beaches. Find things to do by type: Best for families Best for being outdoors Best free things to do Best for culture Best for food and drink experiences Best for families Titanic Belfast Step back in time Set on the very spot where the famous ship was built, this museum is a flashy, high-tech ode to all things Titanic. You walk through the journey of the liner, from construction to the sinking; the stories told both through interactive exhibits and personal stories. And it's all suitable for kids. Insider tip: If you're up anyway, book the early riser ticket, which offers a discount for the first time slot of the day. This includes entry to the restored SS Nomadic, the tender to the Titanic and the last remaining ship from the White Star Line. The MAC Let their imaginations run wild At The MAC (Metropolitan Arts Centre), you'll find a rotating series of exhibitions in the three gallery spaces, but there is also a whole heap of theatre performances, workshops and a schedule of specialised family activities, like baby time, drawing and crafts. These activities are mainly in the school holidays, but outside of those periods there are creativity stations and activity sheets for kids. Insider tip: While some of the specialised workshops are free and available on a drop-in basis, others have a fee and should be booked in advance – check the schedule ahead of time. Giant's Causeway Uncover mythical landscapes and wild climbs Depending on whose story you believe, the hexagonal basalt columns on the County Antrim shore were created by volcanic activity or an angry giant. But either way, these rock formations – perfectly symmetrical shapes stacked up against the wild coastline – are almost beggar belief. 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Best for being outdoors Rathlin Island Take a boat trip to a rugged island It's only a short hop from Ballycastle over to Rathlin and, as there are residents on the island, the ferry runs throughout the year. However, if you can time a visit to fall between April to July, you can see the resident colony of puffins. Stop by the seabird centre in the working lighthouse between April and August, while at other times, you hike around the island or pop into the craft shop. Insider tip: During the summer, there are minibus tours of the island available, if you'd rather not hike. Alternatively, you can rent a bike 15 minutes' walk from the ferry port. Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge Get a shot of adrenaline Gently swinging almost 100 feet above the sea, this rope bridge over to Carrick-a-Rede Island was first built back in 1755 – but don't worry, it's been upgraded since. 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Fermanagh Lakelands Visit a romantic lake district This understated region to the west doesn't get too much attention, but that means you have more space to explore the calm, reed-lined lakes and tiny islands. Take a boat trip out on Lough Erne to see the 6th-century monastic ruins on Devenish Island, or walk the Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail, a raised pathway known as the Stairway to Heaven. Insider tip: Book a night in one of the swish bubble domes in Finn Lough, where you can drink in the night skies from a four-poster bed or a roll-top bath. Strangford Lough Explore the lakeside mansions Considering it's so close to Belfast, Strangford Lough feels like a secluded paradise. There's plenty of interesting birdlife, but also two historic National Trust estates on its shoreline – Mount Stewart has impressive gardens and lavish interiors, and Castle Ward (better known by many as Winterfell in Game of Thrones) has a beautiful estate for walking. Insider tip: If you want to pop from one side of the lake to the other, take the ferry between Portaferry and Strangford to save driving all the way around. Best free things to do The Causeway Coast Embark on a road trip of epic proportions The Republic of Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way may get more attention, but the Causeway Coast, stretching 120 miles from Belfast over to Derry-Londonderry, is every bit as impressive. There are wild, wind-battered cliffs, sweeping white sand beaches and pretty harbours, and you don't need to drive the whole thing to get the full effect – just pick a section and follow the coastal road. Insider tip: If you want to see the coastline from a different perspective, book in for a kayaking tour with Causeway Coast Kayaking Tours, which runs trips from Ballintoy and under the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge. Belfast's street art Walk between impressive murals There are incredible pieces of street art around Belfast, with some of the best-known works found in and around the Cathedral Quarter. These range from giant, lifelike portraits that look like large-scale sketches, to multi-colour three-dimensional pieces reminiscent of the old Magic Eye books. There's even an annual street art festival, Hit the North, held each May. Insider tip: If you want a little more insight, take a guided street art walking tour with Seedhead Arts, whose artist guides know the stories behind each piece. Mourne Mountains Hike the peaks that inspired CS Lewis Whether you want to take a scenic road trip or lace up your hiking boots, the Mournes are home to some of the best views in Northern Ireland. The roads around the foothills are winding and narrow, and the gentle curve of the peaks is romantic, whatever the weather. 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Dunluce Castle Visit a striking clifftop ruin Sitting precariously on the edge of the cliffs, Dunluce Castle is a skeletal ruin but impressive nonetheless. Walk around what remains of this medieval structure and you can see remnants of its former life, like giant fireplaces and tall arched windows, as the waves batter below. Insider tip: Keep an eye out for the tiny wildflowers that grow in the grasses and around the old stone – there are several rare varieties, including the 'blue flower of Dunluce', which only grows between Dunluce and Ballintoy. Black Cab Tour Hear the stories of Belfast from the people who know it best The best way to get a handle on Belfast's history is to take a tour led by a chatty cabbie who knows the stories inside and out – because they lived through them. These casual tours take you around the city sights, the geographic tales peppered with snippets of gossip and historical tidbits, before ending up at the Peace Wall. Insider tip: You can fit up to six people in a cab, but most tours are based on a per person rate, so it's not that much more to go as a twosome. Return to index Best for food and drink experiences Old Bushmills Distillery Go behind the scenes at a historic distillery The oldest licensed whiskey distillery in the world, this riverside spot is home to one of the best-known whiskeys on the planet. On a guided tour, you'll learn about how the whiskey is made, but the best part comes in the cosy old tasting room, where you'll get a taste of three of their single malts – book the premium tour for a taste of the good stuff. Insider tip: Head for a drink (or stay the night) at the nearby, but not affiliated, Bushmills Inn – the bar is lit by gas lamps and, unsurprisingly, there's a great selection of Bushmills on offer. 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