If you've ever fallen guilty to planning a trip around a stunning Instagram photo, you're not alone. But everything on social media isn't exactly a mirror of real life. Here are 10 popular tourist attractions on Instagram versus in reality.
1. INSTAGRAM: The Blue Lagoon (Iceland)
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Ahhh, the glory of a giant hot tub all to yourself....
REALITY: The Blue Lagoon (Iceland)
Not.
2. INSTAGRAM: Mount Fuji (Japan)
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Look at those gorgeous cherry blossoms and clear blue skies.
REALITY: Mount Fuji (Japan)
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It's cloudy over Mount Fuji quite often, so don't plan a trip around seeing it.
3. INSTAGRAM: Great Wall of China (Beijing, China)
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It would be pretty cool to have one of the wonders of the world all to yourself.
REALITY: Great Wall of China (Beijing, China)
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But you'll likely have to share the views with a few thousand people.
4. INSTAGRAM: Terme di Saturnia (Manciano, Italy)
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These cerulean blue hot springs look like the perfect place for a little R&R.
REALITY: Terme di Saturnia (Manciano, Italy)
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Errr...maybe not?
5. INSTAGRAM: The Mona Lisa at the Louvre Museum (Paris, France)
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So, you traveled halfway across the world for a great view of the Mona Lisa?
REALITY: The Mona Lisa at the Louvre Museum (Paris, France)
6. INSTAGRAM: Tulum Ruins (Tulum, Mexico)
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Tulum's Mayan ruins are undoubtedly beautiful.
REALITY: Tulum Ruins (Tulum, Mexico)
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But good luck snapping a pic without all the other tourists.
7. INSTAGRAM: The Taj Mahal (Agra, India)
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Maybe if you get to the Taj Mahal early enough in the morning you'll beat the crowds.
REALITY: The Taj Mahal (Agra, India)
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But then again, that's pretty unlikely.
8. INSTAGRAM: Plitvice Lakes National Park (Croatia)
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This Croatian National Park basically looks like paradise on Earth.
REALITY: Plitvice Lakes National Park (Croatia)
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But apparently other people have caught on to the attraction.
9. INSTAGRAM: Railay Beach (Krabi, Thailand)
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There are few beaches in the world quite as picture-perfect as Railay Beach on the Andaman Sea.
REALITY: Railay Beach (Krabi, Thailand)
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Just don't go expecting a deserted island.
10. INSTAGRAM: Brooklyn Bridge (New York, New York)
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There aren't many NYC sights as iconic as the Brooklyn Bridge.
REALITY: Brooklyn Bridge (New York, New York)
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But you may want to enjoy it from afar if you're somewhat claustrophobic.