Has it happened to you that you see a monument in a photo and it looks spectacular and when you see it right in front of you it is not so amazing?
Well, that has happened to us. Fortunately, there have been more times that the opposite has happened to us: that a monument or building that looked good, beautiful, even amazing in a photo when we have known it has really exceeded our expectations.
In this article we talk about those places that are attractive in the photos but that by being physically in them have left a deep mark on us.
Bangkok Grand Palace
It is the royal palace of the king, first in Siam and then in present-day Thailand from 1782 to 1925. Today it is the venue for important official and public events.
It is a citadel that not only includes government buildings, but is also a religious and ceremonial center.
The decorations, statues, the sumptuous colors, the beautiful architecture, everything comes together to leave us with our mouths open and to say without reservation that none of the photos we had seen before of the palace does it the slightest justice.
Palace of Versailles
An hour from Paris is this extraordinary gem of architecture and royal power. To visit the Palace of Versailles is to visit the court of Louis XIV, le roi soleil, at the time the most powerful monarch in the world.
His gardens, one of the most beautiful in the world, make you understand what a certain historian once said: the court of Versailles is the moment of Humanity furthest from Prehistory.
But what most captivated us, without a doubt, was the Hall of Mirrors. We doubt that there is a more luxurious and imposing venue in the world that better conveys the meaning of the word power. Its floor-to-ceiling mirrors magnify the light and splendor of the decoration of this regal and gigantic room, site of important historical moments, such as the signing of the Treaty of Versailles that ended the First World War.
Pamukkale, the Cotton Castle
Cotton Castle is a lime deposit located in Turkey. It is a natural park with white terraces dotted with wonderful natural thermal pools, the authentic Turkish baths.
There they are very jealous with the protection of this natural beauty: they do not let you enter with shoes.
The colors of the sunset that are reflected in the white lime and blue pools are truly impressive. There are no photos to do it justice!
Imagine that you are climbing a very white mountain and that from the cracks in its walls water is coming out like small waterfalls. When you reach the top, you will find a large natural pool, a museum and an ancient Roman amphitheater. All the way you are accompanied by a cheerful stream.
Here you must not forget to bring your swimsuit!
Gardens by the Bay of Singapore
Huge park of more than 100 hectares that houses more than a million plants from the five continents. It was built over 5 years and opened in 2012 at a cost of 1 billion Singapore dollars.
It is like a city within a garden. The evening shows are unmissable.
There are suspension bridges from where you can see the trees from above. You can also see the bay and a famous hotel with an aerial pool on its terrace, of the “infinity pool” type.
It is an impressive natural environment built by man and one of the most pleasant places we visit in Asia.
Nanjing Road in Shanghai
An amazing street, vibrant with life, shops, scrupulously clean, Nanjing Road is the main commercial avenue in Shanghai. The night lights that compete for the attention of the passerby are impressive. The night is the best time to enjoy the avenue. Next to it, you can see the river with its boats.
In our opinion, the avenue leaves New York’s Fifth Avenue to shame, with Carolina Herrera’s forgiveness.
The Nanjing Road tour is about an hour without stopping. It is worth, however, to take all the time necessary to breathe the atmosphere of one of the most cosmopolitan avenues in the world. In our case, we could visit Nanjing Road a thousand times without ever getting bored.
From Nanjing Road you will see the famous Pearl of the Orient, the great tower symbol of Shanghai.
Hong Kong Victoria Summit
It is the highest point in Hong Kong. It can be reached on foot or by cable car. Only walk if you are very well trained.
At the summit, there is an observatory from which you can see a 360-degree panorama that includes Victoria Harbor.
The night view is a sight that will last in your memory.
The altitude is about 600 meters. Upstairs are the ubiquitous souvenir shops. This summit is so steep that when you go up the cable car it looks more like an elevator: it seems that the buildings on the summit are going to fall on you.
Jungfrau Mountain
In Switzerland, there is the so-called roof of Europe. Mount Jungfrau is an impressive mass that can be accessed by train from the p
ie from the mountains with various browns in the most picturesque alpine villages.
In winter you can practice winter sports. Ideally, take two or three days to calmly complete this tour and enjoy the various options of the various towns along the way.
At the summit, at 3,454 meters, you can have one of the most impressive views in the world. Of course, if you go in winter you will not be able to spend even ten minutes outside because the cold is quite strong, even if you go warm.
But don’t be fooled by its beauty. The Jungfrau (maiden) can also be deadly. In 2007 seven expedition members of the Swiss mountain service died apparently victims of avalanches.
Conclusions.
Well, those are the seven places whose photographic images do not do the slightest justice to their true beauty.
One goes, of course, with high expectations for the photos you have seen, the comments of acquaintances and on the internet. But you’re really not ready for the spectacle that opens up before you once you step foot in any of these wonders.
Another reason we love to travel!
Do you know another place that when visiting exceeded your expectations? Leave a comment!
