Florence set to levy a 'tourist tax'

Florence is my favourite city in Italy but not worth an extra tax.

 As if Europe, and especially Italy wasn't expensive enough for North Americans, now comes word that Florence has decided to introduce a "tourist tax" of 4 per cent which will be added to your hotel bill, which already comes with hefty local and national taxes.

Is the Mafia running Florence?

I know Italy is desperate for money, but really!

The already too high euro is scaring North Americans away and now this?

Just another reason why I won't be heading to Europe any time soon - Asia, the U.S. and South America offer much better value for North Americans.

The idiots running Florence will start collecting their 4 per cent tax starting July 1 and it will apply to hotels, residences, bed and breakfasts, guesthouses and hostels, as well as campsites.

City "Godfathers" say the money collected from the tax will be used to improve a number of tourism services including maintenance works, support to properties, public services and so on.

Yea, right! Maybe they need the extra money to make bail.