Tropea Tourist Traps

Thanks gardentimeje, the feeling is mutual. I was there once and I feel it is too long a drive from Rome or Naples to just see the beach. I was there in beginning of July 2002 and it was hot but we couldn't swim, there was a high tide warning the whole time I was there. I was bored at night and the menus were repetitive. Being a southern part of Italy where it's supposedly less well-off than the north, yet the owners of restaurants and convenient stores should be a little sharper towards tourism. I saw once a man in a convenient shop charge a tourist 4 Euros for a bottle of water.. in a store. Of course the tourist knew he was being scammed.. it's sad to get this treatment. Having said this, with this mentality even the rooms are expensive and shabbier than other places, like the Algarve in Portugal I found much better and cheaper, and a 3 hr drive from Lisbon or a biggr airport in Algarve. Besides the beach, if there is nothing else to do but visit small quiet towns which seem to be the same everwhere, it's not worth my trip! By the way I am going to Turkey this year, I think I will be very busy with different things there!

Unique Suggestions: Try to stay on the beach and avoid shops and restaurants directly in Tropea. Ask before buying and ask before sitting in a restaurant on what is included and if there is a cover charge.
Before settling in a hotel, ask what is included, most don't book less than 3 nights.. also ask if it's half or full pension, if you don't eat something on the menu if they can offer and alternative.

Most of all, beware, most hotels here have paper thin walls and screaming children. In the morning you will likely be awaken chairs being dragged over your head, people slamming doors, or talking loud. Make sure you see the room before commiting.
Try www.booking.com or maybe Tripadvisor if they have but again, even there...

Fun Alternatives: If you are looking for a beach holiday, I found Algarve in Portugal more appealing, closer and less shabbier, also less expensive. By the way, for those who think I may be Portuguese, I am not, I am Italian :) And not from the north either :) This is just my opinion. I found it sad they'd charge a tourist 100 Euros for an airport transfer...