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You know the feeling when you anticipate something so much that you tend to idolize the picture and when it actually happens, it turns that your expectations surpassed the real thing by miles? Yes, it's called a disappointment, and it happens way more often than it should when traveling to the most famous vacation destinations and places to visit. These days most people don't wear rose-colored glasses, they opt for an Instagram filter instead. Which is why traveling has become so disheartening—where are those idyllic beaches that you saw online? It was better when we could only read about those exotic places to travel and imagine them; now, ruined by Instagram, your travel ideas will never match up to reality.

So come, join us—pull back the veil and see the Truth of travel impressions for yourself. Bored Panda has collected this list of travel expectation VS reality. Which false advertising photo has the best let-down photo? You can also check out these famous places to go zoomed out to show their surroundings.

More info: (h/t: traveltriangle)

#1

Visiting The Great Wall Of China

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Zhu Difeng Report

#2

Taking Photos With Leaning Tower Of Pisa In Italy

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Martin Parr Report

#3

Admiring Mona Lisa In Louvre Museum, Paris, France

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sergeymk Report

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ElnetoCibrian
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was there, totally true There was people waiting only for the selfie, nobody was even looking Lisa :(

NataliaBerowska
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is so stupid.. everyone can see an image of Mona Lisa everywhere. What's the point of taking one more picture than enjoying the painting?

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MâyMây
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

why do they have to take photos? thousands of better photos could be found easily on google with one word...

MiklósNagy
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Look at the bright side: since everybody looking at Mona Lisa you can enjoy every other art in Louvre peacefully. :)

Ruta
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

oh, yes... there is other masterpiece of Leonardo da Vinci, people even didn't see it ... 652__795de4_0.jpg 652__795de4_0.jpg

Ada-LeeQuirk
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It depends on the date and time you visit Paris. If you get there as soon as the nmuseum opens, you will be swarmed by gawkers. If you wait till off season and go near the end of the day, things wind down quite a bit, but don't count on getting that close to the artwork!

GlenysVargasdeSorrentino
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was there a week after the Paris attack. There were mainly Parisians in Paris. I've never seen it so empty. However, the Mona Lisa was exactly like this and it was a weekday.

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GinoArduini
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

1,000 japanese heads kept me away from her for some 15 minutes...

KatinkaMin
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was there...er....27 years ago and it already looked like that. (minus the selfies)

AndraElenaTriță
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yup, I confirm, I was there too... I got to take a picture being 5m away from it :))

RobertoYabut
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is really true. You hardly have a good place to have a better picture. The picture frame is small compared to what the picture is worth now.

Nanda
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It depends. On normal days, it's usually and often like The first. Special days, like holidays, it may be like the second one. But you can choose your day. I go there many times, always like The first.

KatrinZwerschke
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Was there, yes it was crowded in that room, but nevertheless its a beautiful painting. Aaand there are many more really interesting ones where usually nobody is disturbing you. So if you are interested in art and history you should make the visit, otherwise just by the picture postcard.

GlenysVargasdeSorrentino
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

was there a week after the Paris attack. Mainly Parisians were around the city. However, the Mona Lisa was exactly like this and it was a weekday.

AliceRemedios
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is exactly what I experienced, along with American tourists snapping photos with flashes causing the security glass to darken.

KitKat
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can say for a fact that it was that crowded and the person is a truth teller

RozEdelberg
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I done believe what some people do when visiting other countries and venues.

NorAzmeir
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'd be mistaken that it's my picture! Looks almost the same with the crowd.

LuyenDao
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Last time i was there, oh it was a long time ago there was only a few people in the room with Mona...we connected, true story.

VioletCadburry
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Totally inaccurate. Just got back and I couldn't get within 50 feet without elbowing my way in. Skip the Louvre until the amount of people is controlled.

MizLynaIbrahim
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Shessshh... i might ended up taking a photos of other shoulder or something.. (not enough height tho)

StepanChwaluk
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Biggest letdown of my traveling career, although I got a cool story out of it...

KittyKat
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

it was such a bummer to see that 1. mona lisa is not as big as i thought it would be and 2. so many people were standing in line that i barely could see her, we had to move on and couldn't stand even a couple of seconds.

BardhR
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I want to see the colors from near and not from 50 meters. If I know it would never go.

ChristineCalvin
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I went to the Louvre early one Friday morning in January, so I got to see the Mona Lisa just like in the first photo 'expectations' ✨

MihaelaBogdan
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's so ture xD i was there few weeks ago and was exactly like this. Everybody was waiting for the people in front to finish their salfie in order for them to take one too. If you got a place in front and you just try to admire, you will get some people staring at you like "what the hell ar you doing there? "

JenniferRussell
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I just went in front of everyone and looked at her as close as possible.

CourtneyMcCoy
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is very true to my experience. Been twice. But it is still really amazing to see something that famous ....

EricAdams
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

100%! Crowds of people and not a single one of them looks at the painting!

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#4

Having A Picnic Near The Eiffel Tower In Paris, France

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Learning A New Hobby On A Ski Trip

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#6

Sunbathing In The Famous Beach Of Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

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#7

Taking A Peaceful Gondola Ride In Venice, Italy

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Relaxing On The Gorgeous Beaches Of Maldives

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#9

Walking Around Santorini Island, Greece

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#10

Checking Out The Breathtaking Glory Of The Taj Mahal, India

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#11

Enjoying Your Private Moments On The Beaches Of Thailand

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#12

Admiring The Trevi Fountain In Rome, Italy

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#13

Watching The Stonehenge During Sunset, United Kingdom

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#14

Visiting Pyramids Of Giza In Cairo, Egypt

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Edward Ewert Report

#15

Climbing Mount Everest, Nepal

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#16

Hanging Out At The Spanish Steps In Italy With Your Sweetheart

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#17

Admiring Little Mermaid In Copenhagen, Denmark

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#18

Enjoying St. Peter's Square Before Entering The Beautiful Basilica In Vatican City

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Erik Gamache Report

#19

Walking In Sheep Meadow, In New York's Central Park, United States

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Ekabhishek Report

#20

Visiting The Acropolis Of Athens, Greece

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imgur.com Report

#21

Visiting Hall Of Mirrors In The Palace Of Versailles, France

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Wikimedia Commons Report

#22

Admiring The Glorious Niagara Falls, Which Marks The Border Between Canada And USA

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KP Tripathi Report

#23

Exploring Arashiyama Bamboo Forest In Japan

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Daniel Peckham Report

#24

Camping In The Himalayas

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Michael Kodas Report

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#25

Walking By The Howrah Bridge In Kolkata, India

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#26

Exploring Antelope Canyon Arizona, USA

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#27

Having Family Fun Time At The Water Park

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AP Report

#28

Admiring Wat Rong Khun Temple In Thailand

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Ying Tong Low Report

#29

Enjoying James Bond Island In Thailand

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Joan Gamell Report

#30

Getting Goosebums In Front Of The Ancient Temple Of Abu Simbel In Egypt

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Walter Weinberg Report

#31

Walking Across The Capilano Suspension Bridge In Vancouver, Canada

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#32

Visiting The Forbidden City In Beijing, China

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#33

Swimming With Dolphins

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#34

Visiting The Sydney Opera House, Australia

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#35

Tasting Thailand’s Exotic Food In Bangkok, Thailand

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#36

Anytime You're Admiring The Blooming Sakura Trees

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Satoko Kawasaki Report

#37

Exploring The Amazing Architectural Details Of Gaudi's Casa Mila In Barcelona, Spain

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Mike Report

#38

Admiring The Breathtaking Machu Picchu Scenery, Peru

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Ricardo Shuck Report

#39

Exploring The Pristine Temples Of Angkor Wat, Cambodia

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Trey Ratcliff Report

#40

Enjoying A Hike In Yosemite National Park, United States

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Mike Oria Report

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