A tourist in Venice sparked online debate after sharing a receipt that included a €7 surcharge per person listed for live “background music” at a local café. The unexpected charge, tacked onto already expensive food and drinks, reignited discussions about hidden costs and price gouging in high-density tourist hotspots across Italy. While the fee caught the visitor off guard, music surcharges—known locally as *supplemento musica*—are actually a long-standing practice at historic establishments, particularly around St. Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco). Iconic venues like Caffè Florian routinely add a fixed per-person fee when their outdoor classical ensembles perform. Critics argue that fine-print music fees exploit unsuspecting travelers who sit down without realizing the cost. In contrast, local proprietors defend the surcharge as a fair standard necessary to pay professional musicians, maintain historical venues, and preserve Venice’s traditional café culture. - Via - daily mail - #...