Honolulu, the capital city of Hawaii, is both a fast-paced cosmopolitan city and a beautiful tourist gem. The island offers fine dining, art museums, breathtaking beaches, historic monuments and bike paths.
So, relax, feel the warm breeze on your skin, borrow a surf board, and enjoy the gentle strumming of a ukulele, all on this one-of-a-kind island.
Reality: Honolulu, United States
Sadly, Honolulu is not the island paradise the tourists get to see but is dealing with high crime levels and drug problems. The city also has a large homeless population.
When visiting it is important to keep in mind that there have been reports of tourists being mistreated by the locals.
Fantasy: Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy
The Leaning Tower of Pisa in known all over the world for its unintentional “lean”. This bell tower was built with improper foundations on overly soft ground which caused it to tilt roughly 3.99 degrees to the right.
On the green grass, with the city of Pisa in the distance, you may be tempted to capture the moment with a cliché but amusing snapshot of yourself “holding” the tower up with your hand.
Reality: Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy
Sadly, you are not the first person who wanted to help “hold up” the tower. You will be sharing that privilege with a lawn full of tourists who came to Pisa just to see the Leaning Tower. Also, despite a lot of hard work and money, the tower’s lean is continuing to deepen, which may cause its eventual collapse.
When you take into account the almost 300 uneven stairs to reach the top, the visit may be more than you bargained for.
Fantasy: Santorini Island, Greece
When people think of Greece, they are really thinking about the island of Santorini, with its iconic white buildings, lovely black sand beaches and crystal-clear waters. The island offers first class accommodations and gourmet restaurants and the chance to hike up a volcano on the Fira trail and capture the spectacular sunset.
The island is rapidly becoming a destination for weddings and families, and travelers from all over the world.