Tourists pose for photographs at The Great Wall near Beijing, China. Photo / Adam Dean
Tourists pose for photographs at The Great Wall near Beijing, China. Photo / Adam Dean
Flicking through glossy holiday brochures, the idyllic images of city breaks, sun-kissed beaches and tourist favourites give people a taste of what to expect from their dream getaway.
But the reality can often be a world away from the photos of couples watching the sunset, enjoying romantic sightseeing and perusingart and culture.
From the beauty of Greece to the blissful appearance of Thailand's beaches, these brochure pictures show how blissful destinations across the world can be.
But what it's really like for tourists who visit is sometimes a very long way from the truth.
The comparisons below illustrate the difference between the dream and the less than tranquil reality of holiday idylls from across the globe.
Not quite as imagined: But when you do, prepare to find a space amongst hundreds of other tourists who have the same idea.
Photo / Getty Images
Beauty: This brochure shows a small number of tourists walking along the World Heritage Site the Great Wall of China in glorious sunshine.
Photo / Getty Images
The great crawl of China: They say the Wall can be seen from space. But you won't find much space on it if you visit during the Chinese holiday season.
Photo / Adam Dean
Stretching a point: They promote the idyllic Maya Bay beach on Koh Phi Phi Ley Island in Thailand as the perfect spot for peaceful yoga and meditation.
Photo / Getty Images
Packed: But you have to get there really early to be alone with your thoughts because you'll find dozens of others laying on the beach too.
Photo / Getty Images
Only two people in the world: Venice bills itself as the world's most romantic city, with a gondola ride the ultimate experience.
Photo / Getty Images
Canal bargers: Imagine the racket if all the gondollers were singing Just One Cornetto on the crowded Venice waterways.
