We hate to burst your bubble but sometimes travel fantasies are a bit out of touch with reality. You may have a preconceived notion of what a famous landmark, location or attraction will be like, inspired by scenic postcards, glossy brochures and carefully curated websites that fuel your wanderlust. But when you actually go there, it’s a bit of a letdown. When hitting the world’s hot spots, it’s best to keep grandiose expectations in check. You’re probably not going to have the place to yourself, there may be garbage strewn about, and it might be less impressive than the hype has led you to believe. This is not to dissuade you from going there and seeing for yourself. It’s always a thrill to see these icons in the flesh. Just be aware that some of these dream destinations may not be as majestic or impactful as you hope for. Read on to see what we mean.
1. Gazing at the Mona Lisa
On the must-see list of every tourist in Paris is the Louvre Museum and its famous da Vinci masterpiece, The Mona Lisa.
The trouble is, it’s a lot smaller than most people think, and the mosh pit of other tourists pushing to get their token glimpse kind of takes the grandeur out of the experience.
When you do finally get up close, the bulletproof glass and reflections make it very hard to view and enjoy. Trust me, the pic below is better than actually being there.
