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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 :(

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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...

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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. :)

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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

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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!

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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...

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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)

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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 :))

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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)

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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...

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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.

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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.

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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' ✨

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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? "

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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.

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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 ....

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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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LRD Report

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#5

Learning A New Hobby On A Ski Trip

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More Kids Than Suitcases Report

#6

Sunbathing In The Famous Beach Of Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

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miguelangelpulidoj Report

#7

Taking A Peaceful Gondola Ride In Venice, Italy

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Lumi Toma Report

#8

Relaxing On The Gorgeous Beaches Of Maldives

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Alexander Brown Report

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

Actually the difference between this images is simple. One was taking in expensive hotel where probably someone cleans the beach and other was taking on the public beach where inhabitants don't give a sh*t about it.

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#9

Walking Around Santorini Island, Greece

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paowmagazine Report

#10

Checking Out The Breathtaking Glory Of The Taj Mahal, India

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Marvin Bartels Report

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#11

Enjoying Your Private Moments On The Beaches Of Thailand

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Gunter Flegar Report

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

This place was way more crowded when I was there. And the petrol fumes were stifling... I was sooo upset.

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#13

Watching The Stonehenge During Sunset, United Kingdom

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Crisher Entertainment Report

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

THIS IS SUMMER SOLSTICE. Normally you aren't allowed this close to the stones, so this picture is misleading.

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#14

Visiting Pyramids Of Giza In Cairo, Egypt

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Edward Ewert Report

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

Best to arrive either very, very early n the day, or later in the afternoon or evening. And bring a lot of bottled water, it's hot as blazes and waiting in one can be very overwhelming. Plus I wouldn't advise going up in the pyramid if you have any claustrophbia. It's hot, dark, and has no air flow.

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#15

Climbing Mount Everest, Nepal

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Barry Bishop Report

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

Hillary Steps always crowded , beside there is 4-6 weeks weather window and from it only 2 weeks for summit attack , as well sinc 90's commercial tour operators took over this rock , from first climb in 53 numbers of 'climbers' went ballistic , you have money , you go everest ... Fukcud up a bit

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#16

Hanging Out At The Spanish Steps In Italy With Your Sweetheart

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PeterJot Report

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

Who is this model?? I swear to god I see her everywhere it's starting to get creepy

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#17

Admiring Little Mermaid In Copenhagen, Denmark

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wallpaperswiki.com Report

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

No matter what, the first one is photoshopped, she is not sitting with open water in the background but in the harbour of CPH. And yes she is tiny, hence the name, Little Mermaid.

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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

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

this line moves very fast. it's just for the metal detector and dress code control

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#19

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

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Ekabhishek Report

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

its not even the same day wtf lol one is winter and one is summer what a joke how many of these are lies like this

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#20

Visiting The Acropolis Of Athens, Greece

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imgur.com Report

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

Well, the photo "after" shows Propylaia of Acropolis and not Parthenon. The temple is at the back of the photographer.

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#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

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

It really isn't that bad actually. Quite a pleasant walk and not that much people, especially in the morning.

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#25

Walking By The Howrah Bridge In Kolkata, India

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soumikdatta09 Report

#26

Exploring Antelope Canyon Arizona, USA

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Cebb Photographies Report

#27

Having Family Fun Time At The Water Park

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AP Report

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

The family appears to be in a hotel, and swimming pools in hotels are often empty enough. As for public pools in China...I'm sorry but no amount of heat would ever make me want to dive in there. How is that remotely enjoyable? I'd have a panic attack.

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#28

Admiring Wat Rong Khun Temple In Thailand

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Ying Tong Low Report

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

We've been here on a touristy season and there's not this much people. Maybe it just depends on the time and season? These two photos are not even the same angles! lol. So one-sided.

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#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

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

I don't know if I'd want to get the "goosebums." Is that like the chicken pox?

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#31

Walking Across The Capilano Suspension Bridge In Vancouver, Canada

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Michelle Lee Report

#32

Visiting The Forbidden City In Beijing, China

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panoramio.com Report

#33

Swimming With Dolphins

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cubawanderer.com Report

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

you don't swim with dolphins! You touch some poor animal prisoner in a few square meters. Please don't do that!

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#34

Visiting The Sydney Opera House, Australia

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Neal Mcfarlane Report

#35

Tasting Thailand’s Exotic Food In Bangkok, Thailand

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HellonEarth2006 Report

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

These two photos are from different places, one photo is from a floating market outside of Bangkok way less crowded than the one close to the city.

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#36

Anytime You're Admiring The Blooming Sakura Trees

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Satoko Kawasaki Report

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

These two photos are from different places, one in in Kyoto and the other probably Ueno park in Tokyo. This comparison makes no sense.

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#37

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

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Mike Report

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

Casa Mila was covered for restoration in 2014, that's old news! Last October was amasing and fully uncovered!

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#38

Admiring The Breathtaking Machu Picchu Scenery, Peru

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Ricardo Shuck Report

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

GO EARLY! I was there before the influx of tour buses came in! And it was sooooo worth it!

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

Having spent considerable time at Yosemite I can say the second photo is of a very touristy 'scenic view', but there are plenty of places to be all alone, if you are willing to get out into the woods.

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