We’re so used to seeing awe-inspiring travel shots on places like Instagram, but the truth of the matter is that not even an overused filter would cover up the disappointing reality of travelling. From the famous beaches that you see with nobody on them, the monuments that are completely empty and to the mountains you see climbers bravely scaling on their own as they take on the worst that nature can throw at them, expectations are easily ruined thanks to what we see online.

To prove this point here are 20 photos of 10 different popular tourist hotspots around the world with your expectations vs. reality.

1. Leaning Tower of Pisa. Expectation:

Reality:

2. Famous beach of Rio de Janeiro. Expectation:

Reality:

3. Stonehenge. Expectation:

Reality:

4. Gondola ride in Venice. Expectation:

Reality:

5. Taj Mahal. Expectation:

Reality:

6. Santorini Island. Expectation:

Reality:

7. Mount Everest. Expectation:

Reality:

8. Pyramids of Giza. Expectation:

Reality:

9. The Great Wall of China. Expectation:

Reality:

10. Maldives. Expectation:

Reality:

Bonus.

The problems of a Dutchman in China.

“A bedroom we were living in had a sauna, a bomb shelter, and a dungeon. I also found a gold mask inside.”

“A friend who’s never been on a boat decided that it’d be a good idea to buy one. He got close to the shore, waves rolled him over…got it totally trashed the first week.”

“I’ve gone 26 years on this planet and I never knew that moose were this big. I thought they were slightly bigger than deer.”

These items were confiscated from passengers at airports.

“I flew 5,913 miles to enjoy the view from the legendary California State Route 1. Worth it!”

“Thanks for the suggestion, Google.”

Welcoming someone home at the airport is so romantic.

“Thanks to this bus, I had Wi-Fi all the way to Seattle.”

“Would you mind if I leaned my seat back a little?”

“My friend almost didn’t fit in this store in Vietnam.”

“So I went whale watching, and this is how much fun most people were having…”

This bicycle path in Berlin

“I traveled all this way to see the masterpiece I’ve seen on the Internet.”

“My girlfriend and I are finally on vacation in Paris after years of talking about it. We even have a view of the Eiffel Tower.”

“Just my mom hanging out with some friends she made in London”

“Wow, thanks for all the leg space.”

“Just landed at the airport and not feeling very welcomed so far…”

“This hotel writes inspirational quotes on their bananas and I’ve never felt so cared for by fruit in my life.”

“The most epic picture from my trip to New York City”

“During my recent trip to India”

French people love London!

“This dude in first class…”

“Suddenly, on Google Maps, I started questioning my plans for this Arizona road trip.”

“A friend of mine is currently traveling across the country. She found these postcards and wasn’t impressed.”

Best vacation ever…

Planning your journey can be surprising too.