The big Instagram lie: What these places are really like

There's been an awful lot of hubbub over the last week or so over how Instagram is all a big lie.

Many of you may be familiar with the fine art of employing just the right photographic filter to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary - and then pass it off as the ordinary.

For those previously unaware, the slightly cynical skill was laid bare this week in the confessions of an incredibly photogenic, preposterously popular Instagram-a-holic teenager who decided to slag off the unhealthy, shallow culture promoted by the photo-sharing app, and pack it all in.

Well, yoga shots and tousle-haired beach snaps aren't the only facet of existence to experience the Instagram treatment in a bid to garner as many likes and as much social media kudos as possible. Famous travel sites from around the world have also fallen victim.

From cropping out the scores of selfie-sticks to filtering appearances beyond recognition, tricks of the trade used by travellers to ensure their trips look as enviable as possible only really mean one thing. You shouldn't choose your holiday on Instagram. You'll only end up disappointed.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa

The Romanesque tower may provide a fascinating insight into the architectural quirks of a 650-year-old building - but it also provides a fascinating insight into how funny perspective photos need to stop.

The Instagram