"I'm shocked and deeply upset as it seems so callous and commercial''.
A woman has taken to the internet for advice after an old family friend invited her family to stay for 5 nights, only to demand money just days before they boarded the plane to visit.
In a post on Mumsnet, the shocked mum-of-two who lives in the UK, revealed that her old friend lives in Southern Italy and they'd arranged for her whole family to go and visit.
The mum said she had expected to chip in and do her fair share while staying with the family, yet she says she never expected to be charged for the stay.
She explained: "Old friend and godmother to my daughters, we arranged in January to visit her and her hubby who live in Southern Italy with our two children.
"We are staying for five nights. We spoke today to make final arrangements and she has asked us to pay her £800 plus food for the stay.
"I'm shocked and deeply upset as it seems so callous and commercial, not the visit to friends we had expected, plus we can't really afford it."
''Not looking for a freebie''.
The mum said she'd happily pay €100 a head plus help chip in for food....but double that seemed excessive.
If it weren't for her daughter's excitement about the trip, she says she'd cancel the whole thing entirely.
She added: "We are staying in their house, so not even an annex or separate apartment! I should have got this clear at the outset but I did not expect this five days before we go!
"I have always said I was happy to contribute and we were not looking for a freebie but...!!!!"
People were divided over whether the mum had a right to be annoyed.
One person replied: "Four people staying in her home for five days? I think she's trying to let you know she doesn't want you to stay."
Another said: "It's outrageous to charge guests to stay with you. Just appalling. And how would it ever come to £800 anyway? The whole thing is making me cringe for you."
A third thought the whole thing was "cheeky".
She commented: "That's beyond cheeky. I'd be very upset. I would never dream of charging friends to visit, especially as they are the ones paying for travel, etc."
A fourth posted: "I live abroad and am always happy when visitors contribute to food/drink but it isn't expected and would never charge for lodgings."
