'I'm a travel blogger - I'll never return to one Greek island after being ripped off'
Brits are being warned about the Greek island of Mykonos after a frustrated holidaymaker claimed she felt "taken advantage of" and has vowed never to return. The news comes as tourists visiting Greek islands need to pay a £17 fee until September 30.
Travel enthusiast Christina Ford, known as @insearchofmrdarcy on TikTok, was hit with what she described as a "rip-off" hotel bill during her visit to the picturesque destination in 2024.
The experienced traveller aired her grievances online, saying: "This is insane. Mykonos, I don't know what the hell's going on with you."
Christina, who frequently travels solo across the world, revealed she was slapped with a staggering hotel charge at checkout that included not only her accommodation and food, but also numerous taxes, pool usage fees and an automatic gratuity.
She then expressed her shock when hotel workers appeared to pressure her for extra tips.
Speaking on TikTok, she outlined a scenario where she was expected to tip once more: "I'm putting down my credit card, but they leave a little spot and they're waiting for me. Two people standing over me. I go, 'What's this?' They say, 'Oh, to leave a tip'."
Christina slammed the excessive tip expectations: "This tipping service, this culture is getting crazy. Has anyone ever been asked to leave a tip on your room cost and tips you've already left? Mykonos, you're out of your mind." According to MailOnline, Christina's posh accommodation set her back £593 (or 700€) per night for a three-night stay.
Whilst the hotel suited her preferences, the brazen tip demand left her stunned, leading her to decline paying the additional fee.
She revealed: "In all my years of travel, I had never seen anything like this. I also believe that if I were Greek and not Canadian - often mistaken for American - I wouldn't have been asked."
This wasn't the only issue she encountered on Mykonos, a destination she's now struck from her bucket list. In another clip, she details further occasions where she received poor treatment at different drinking establishments.
The holidaymaker claimed that one venue insisted on £84 - 100€ - simply for entry, despite being merely "third full". She also described how another bar interrogated her about having a booking and questioned why she was travelling alone when the venue was "completely empty".
Christina describes in the footage how she was refused entry to one establishment, labelling it "discrimination". However, not all viewers showed sympathy for Christina's complaints about the holiday destination.
One critic hit back: "We don't want tourists like you in Mykonos! Go to Miami for a vacation."
Another argued: "Mykonos is the best island from any island anywhere in the world. I've been going since 1987, and if you can't afford it don't go."
Yet, another person offered a different perspective, stating: "Just had this conversation at the dinner table last night. Tipping culture is out of control!".
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