Wish you were us? This impossibly beautiful couple's travel snaps will always trump yours (no wonder they have two million followers on Instagram)

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Extreme sportsman and photographer Jay Alvarrez travels the world with his model girlfriend Alexis Rene taking envy-inducing snaps and sharing them on Instagram. From helicopter rides (bottom left) and romantic car journeys (top right) to their endless kissing snaps at the pool and on the beach (bottom right and top left) the impossibly beautiful couple share their surfer lifestyle (centre) with around two million followers.

Instagram vs reality: What travel really looks like without a filter (and why you shouldn't trust your favourite celebrity's holiday snaps)

Instagram

From the food you ate for dinner to the bags you lovingly packed for the plane, every detail of our 'luxurious' travels is documented for our social media feeds. However sometimes we are guilty of not showing the entire story, and the truth can paint a whole other picture. An Instagram snap from Beyonce (top left) makes it seem like visitors get exclusive access to the Mona Lisa at the Louvre, but tourists have to contend with crowds (top right). It's the same story at the Great Wall of China (bottom left), where visions of a peaceful stroll are ruined by large crowds (bottom right). Celebrities such as Justin Bieber (inset) are fuelling the average traveller's jealousy.

Bikini-clad local woman arrested and kicked off beach at Mexican resort 'for sunbathing under a palm tree' in area reserved for paying tourists

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A video of a young woman being led away in handcuffs - allegedly because she was sunbathing on a private Mexican beach reserved for paying foreigners - has sparked a heated debate in the North American country. Laura Alicia Caldero, 26, was handcuffed and forcibly removed from Mamitas Beach in the tourist resort of Playa del Carmen, and she claims it happened after she attempted to relax under the shade of a palm tree.

'We don't love Ryanair!': Spanish rockers perform sarcastic ballad about budget airline's customer service on flight as fellow passengers sing along

Sidonie, a well known Spanish group from Catalonia, wrote and performed a tongue-in-cheek song after receiving 'a lack of respect' from flight attendants during a Ryanair flight.

Air India pilots removed from duty after co-pilot 'misbehaved and struck captain' during fight in cockpit

The altercation involving the captain and co-pilot erupted shortly before the plane made its 50-minute journey from Delhi to Jaipur, and reports suggest the co-pilot has faced similar accusations.

From Game of Thrones to Thor: Iceland sees tourism boom as a favourite filming spot for TV shows and blockbuster films

Game of Thrones fans will undoubtedly recognise the north of Iceland, namely Thingvellir National Park, from Arya's storyline and as the setting of the battle of the Hound and Brienne, in the North of Westeros.

Skiing with an extra shot of sophistication: Inside the resort where staff are required to train at London's five-star Dorchester hotel

Ferme de Montagne in the ski resort of Les Gets, is well placed in the giant Portes du Soleil area, which has 400 miles of groomed pistes, linked by 14 ski stations across the French-Swiss border.

The only place in America where mail is delivered by mule: Inside the Indian village hidden within the Grand Canyon... eight miles from the nearest road

Millions travel to the witness the spectacular Grand Canyon every year, but few are aware that this Arizona landscape is home to a tribe called the Havasupai, hidden away in the canyon's depths. More than 600 people are part of the Havasupai Tribe, which is the smallest Indian nation in the US and lives near to Havasu Falls, (bottom left). Visitors can reach the village of Supai with a hike through rugged terrain, by riding a mule or by helicopter.

Ryanair bans duty free booze on notorious party flight from Glasgow Prestwick Airport to Ibiza after rowdy behaviour sparks concerns about passenger safety

Ryanair

Passengers' hand luggage will be searched before they board the plane, and anyone caught trying to sneak duty free booze into the cabin risks being kicked off the flight without a refund or compensation. Ryanair declined to explain the reason behind its decision, but it follows a handful of incidents involving rowdy behaviour. Two years ago 14 drunk men were booted off a flight that had to be diverted to an airport near Paris after they began causing trouble. Police said the men were so inebriated they thought they had landed in Ibiza.

Red wine, cheese, gourmet crisps and foie gras: Paris company delivers made-to-order picnics to tourists who can't be bothered to pack their own

Going from shop to shop to collect all of the essentials for a picnic can be a pain, so a made-to-order delivery service is making it easier for tourists to enjoy the French capital like a local.

That's a lot of shillings! Poldark craze sparks interest in Cornish property with stunning views of the sea and two cottages connected by a lift... but it will set you back £3million

Since the hit BBC series started airing estate agents said they have seen a rise in enquiries about the beachfront property, overlooking an ancient smugglers' cove, near Portreath.

From erotic literature to Native American religion: New York hotel inspired by Dewey Decimal System is every bibliophile's dream

With more than 6,000 books at guests' fingertips, each floor at the Library Hotel is dedicated to a Dewey Decimal System category, with each room decorated according to a genre.

Inside the real House of Cards: Giles Milton sharpens his knife and plunges into Washington's political jungle

Giles Milton went to Washington, DC to learn some tricks from House Of Cards - the hit US political TV series starring Kevin Spacey as the lead - on how best to neutralise your opponents.

A masterpiece of Islamic architecture: Breathtaking photos capture ornate beauty of Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

British amateur photographer Julian John, who now lives in Abu Dhabi, has been photographing the impressive Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque since he first moved four years ago. He considers it 'the jewel in the United Arab Emirates' crown', and is planning an exhibition of his photos. The towering structure took almost 10 years to build with more than 30,000 workers starting work on the site in 1996.

Do you need a key to start a plane? Can a cabin door open mid-flight? And where do pilots sleep at 35,000ft? The answers to every question you've ever had about flying

Flight attendants eat the same meals that are provided to passengers if the airline bothers to feed them at all

MailOnline Travel spoke to a number of experts to debunk some of the myths that exist and answer some of travellers' most frequently asked questions about planes. They revealed that pilots eat different meals to reduce the risk of food poisoning disrupting the flight, larger planes have private sleeping quarters for flight attendants, and even 'the world's strongest man' wouldn't be able to open a plane's door at 35,000ft.

'Disgusting vandal' sought after human excrement discovered on floor inside London Midland train carriage

The passenger who made the awful discovery said the smell was so bad that it forced the operator, London Midland, to cancel the service from Lichfield Trent Valley to Longbridge.

Holidaymaker used as unwitting drug mule on flight from Dominican Republic to French Riviera as cocaine worth almost £1million is discovered inside bag with his name on it

Customs officials said 18 packages containing 46lbs of cocaine were found inside the suitcase at Nice airport, but they are satisfied that the tourist had nothing to do with the smuggling attempt.

Splashing out in Dubai: Olympic star Rebecca Adlington finds the perfect resort to prepare for motherhood  

'My husband Harry and I knew this was going to be a landmark holiday - the last one on our own for a long time.' The Olympian stayed at The Anantara in Dubai, ahead of the birth of her baby due in June.

Germanwings plane forced to land in Venice after fears over cabin crew member's health

The Germanwings Airbus A319, carrying 145 passengers and five crew members, was flying from Hanover, Germany to Rome when the passenger and flight attendant fell ill.

In the footsteps of the Lannisters: Game of Thrones fans flock to real-life King's Landing and Dorne ahead of series five premiere

With most of the upcoming series shot in southern Spain, which stands in for the world of Dorne on the imaginary continent of Westeros, a travel company is offering super fans a luxury tour of stunning filming locations, including the Alcazar of Seville (top right) and a bullring in Osuna (bottom right). Other popular destinations for fans of the HBO series, which has filmed all over Europe (inset), are Dubrovnik, Croatia (top left), used as the setting for King's Landing, and the ancient city of Ait-Benhaddou, Morocco (bottom left), known to Game of Thrones fans as the fictitious city of Yunkai.

'Get out of the water!': Oblivious swimmers fail to notice giant hammerhead SHARK hunting just feet away from them on Florida beach

Behind you! Swimmers get sneaky shark shock

The giant hammerhead shark swims in the shallows off Destin, Florida, chasing after its next meal while two oblivious swimers bask in the crystal clear water just feet away. 

Into the lion's den! Tourists get terrifying close encounter with big cats as they jump up at metal cage to be fed meat BY HAND

A close encounter with a pride of lions was captured at Orana Wildlife Park in New Zealand. Standing inside a metal cage, zoo keepers feed the felines chunks of meat as they jump up against the bars.

The tender warriors: Sumo wrestlers show their soft side with young children before taking part in ceremonial tournament

Thousands of spectators gather each April to watch the sumo wrestlers put on a show, but not before the fierce warriors show off their tender paternal side at the Yasukuni Shrine precinct.

Scream factor of rollercoaster ride to be measured at Cornwall theme park to find out if noise will disrupt housing development planned next door

BK1XCD the  skyraker  ride at flambards near helston in cornwall, uk

The scream factor of rides at Flambards in Helston, are being measured over the Easter holiday period to see if the noise will impact the residents of a new 480-home development nearby. 

From dancing at Coachella to sunning it up in the Hamptons: The best holiday destinations for celebrity spotting this summer

MailOnline Travel has compiled a list of the best places to spot the stars. Kim Kardashian (right) and the rest of the Kardashian clan have been spotted in the Hamptons, while Saint-Tropez (bottom left) has attracted the likes of Beyonce and Jay Z. Model Alessandra Ambrosio (top left) was one of the famous faces who attended last year's Coachella music festival in California, while George and Amal Clooney are among the celebrities who own property on Lake Como in Italy.

From Art Deco movie location to drive-thru Starbucks: Iconic petrol station from LA Story and 48 Hours converted into coffee shop

The Gilmore Gasoline Filling Station was used in movies LA Story and 48 Hours but closed in the 1990s, now it has been revamped and turned into a coffee shop.

Bringing the night sky to life! Mesmerising images capture kaleidoscope colours of Northern Lights in Iceland ... and here's how you can do it too

A flickering rainbow of colours came with a recent solar storm that made the Northern Lights even more remarkable than usual, and Italian photographer Giovanna Griffo captured them in all their glory. 

The celebrity haven nobody has heard of: Why supermodels and Hollywood stars are flocking to a fishing village in Uruguay 

Shakira, Ronnie Wood and restaurateur Giuseppe Cipriani are among the big names who love the understated village of Jose Ignacio, on Uruguay's perfect Atlantic coast. With shabby chic beach houses (bottom right), al fresco restaurants (top left) and a smattering of stylish boutiques and hotels (top right and bottom left), the tiny village comes to life each summer as the great and the good such as Colombian singer Shakira (centre) descend on its golden sands.

Free Facebook access for a sky high selfie, mood lighting and a full length bathroom mirror: Virgin Atalantic's economy class gets an upgrade

Selfie with the staff

The #SkyhighSelfie offers customers the opportunity to update Facebook free of charge from 35,000 in the air. Developed in conjunction with Jiffybots, this bespoke application will allow customers to check in free of charge on Facebook and share their location and photos with their friends and followers mid-flight.

Looking for some last-minute Easter inspiration? Try these top days out for families this bank holiday weekend

If the kids are full of energy and you're already running out of ways to entertain them, take a quick look at this guide to family days out over Easter.

Would you pay $2,000 A NIGHT for an overwater bungalow at Walt Disney World? Orlando resort unveils new villas... but they're not for the budget traveller

Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, has just unveiled their first-ever overwater villa resort, complete with 20 bungalows inspired by the South Pacific - available starting at £1,400 a night.

Forget New York and London... the fastest-growing cities for multi-millionaires are Ho Chi Minh City and Houston

In a new study released by New World Wealth, Ho Chi Minh City, along with Houston, Texas, and Jakarta, Indonesia, was named one of the fastest growing cities in the world for the super-rich.

Lightning DOES strike twice: Student captures rare footage of two planes being struck by huge bolts while landing at Seattle airport

University of Washington student Owen Craft managed to capture footage of both planes being struck by lightning as they came in to land at Sea-Tac Airport. In the video he can be heard exclaiming: 'What are you doing?' as the second plane (inset) descends into the storm to land, not long after the first aircraft was hit by a three-pronged bolt of lightning (main).

Loose tiles, peeling wallpaper and an invite to a party with escorts: Couple and two-year-old son abandon room and spend night in reception at 'unsafe' hotel

Following a hospital stay, Lindsey Walker booked an overnight stay at Rex Hotel at the coastal resort of Whitley Bay in North Tyneside with her family.

Below the surface of Laos: Kayakers capture incredible rock formations and emerald green waters of immense cave system

Laos is a popular destination known for its beautiful scenery, however not many people venture below the surface and discover that what is underground is perhaps even more spectacular.

GPS tracking device for pets launched on flights so owners know location, temperature and condition of their pets at every stage of journey

C03D2J Cocker Spaniel lying in a suitcase

The new pet GPS system by Delta Air Lines allows owners to track their furry friends' journeys in real time, from monitoring the temperature to whether their cage is upright or askew.

The most powerful passports in the world revealed (and the ones that barely let you travel anywhere)

The Visa Restrictions Index ranks countries globally in accordance to the travel freedom their inhabitants enjoy, with Finland, Germany, Sweden, the US and UK coming out on top.

Sit back and enjoy the view! Traveller hauls rocking chair 2,796 miles across Canada to take in stunning scenery in comfort

Kalman Kallai was required to travel from Borden, Ontario to Comox, British Columbia for work purposes, so packed a green rocking chair to make his experience more enjoyable. Stopping at various points on his nine-day journey, the traveller, who is at a number of points joined by friends and family, videos himself sitting before and taking in the spectacular scenery.

Spend a night behind bars! Former Liverpool prison turned into luxury hotel... complete with inmates' artwork on 'cell' walls

An unbreakable Liverpool prison is to become the cityÌs newest hotel. Guests will be able to spend a night in the cells for all the right reasons at the former Bridewell prison on Cheapside, which is being launched this Spring. It was originally designed as a police station and courts complex for the Corporation of Liverpool and it was used as LiverpoolÌs main lock-up for more than 130 years, up until 1997. See Ross Parry copy RPYPRISON : Guests to this hotel are being offered a night in the CELLS as it's due to open inside a former PRISON. The grotty gaol, once home to men and women detained for petty crimes, will now provide a luxury night's stay for those looking for a room steeped in history. The Grade II listed building was previously known as Bridewell Prison in Liverpool, and housed inmates for court appearances and short sentences. The prison was completely secure and a plaque on the wall, which remains in the reception area today, reads: "Please do not ask for bail because a

The Grade II listed building was previously Bridewell Prison in Liverpool, and housed inmates for court appearances and short sentences.

Taking to the skies on a flying SNOWMOBILE! Moment Finnish daredevil drives off the edge of a mountain... and paraglides to the ground

**PLEASE USE CORRECT BYLINE** PIC BY STUNT FREAKS TEAM / CATERS NEWS - (PICTURED Finnish stunt performer, Antti Pendikainen soaring through the air with a parachute attached to his snowmobile - in Riksgrnsen in Sweden)  Weve all seen paragliders soar through the air and snowmobiles blast through the snow but this thrill-seeker has combined the two - creating a paragliding snowmobile. Captured on camera, this adrenalin fuelled footage shows the moment a daredevil driver took to the skies after racing his snowmobile off the edge of a mountain. Instead of plummeting 1500 metres to his death, Finnish stunt performer, Antti Pendikainen, defied gravity by floating effortlessly above the snowy peaks of Riksgrnsen in Sweden thanks to a parachute attached to the vehicle. SEE CATERS COPY

Captured on camera, the dramatic pictures show the moment Finnish driver Antti Pendikainen took to the skies after racing his snowmobile off the edge of a mountain.

For high-flyers only! Gold trim, white leather and a cruising speed of 178mph... the deluxe helicopter on sale for $15MILLION

With a luxurious 88 square foot cabin and space to fit 20 passengers in boardroom-style comfort, the Bell 525 Relentless (inset) is likely to make some high-flyers seriously happy when it takes to the skies this year. The manufacturers of the state-of-the-art helicopter, Textron, are yet to officially release a price but industry observers are listing it at a whopping $15million (£10.12m) for what looks effectively like a living room that can fly just about anywhere (main).

'Thank you for taking me home': Air passenger leaves handwritten letter of thanks for pilots in bid to 'spread compassion' after Germanwings crash

Splash

The passenger, named Bethanie, left the handwritten note for the pilots of her flight from Spain to the UK and it was posted on Twitter by a fellow air captain. The thank you letter has has amassed nearly 4,000 shares since it was posted online just a week after the Germanwings tragedy that claimed 150 lives. It has led to emotional responses from Twitter users (inset).

The most powerful passports in the world revealed (and the ones that barely let you travel anywhere)

The Visa Restrictions Index ranks countries globally in accordance to the travel freedom their inhabitants enjoy, with Finland, Germany, Sweden, the US and UK coming out on top.

That's mine! Cheeky monkey snatches banana from tourist in Thailand... then slaps her GoPro camera for getting too close

The cheeky monkey is captured on video snatching the banana from the hand of a tourist in the Thai town of Kanchanaburi, before getting aggressive when she ventures too close.

Ryanair plane has part of wing torn off as two aircraft collide while taxiing to runway for take-off 

Passengers escaped injury after the winglet of a Boeing 737 scraped the tail fin of another as they taxied to a runway. It's the second time in six months two Ryanair planes have collided at Dublin Airport.

Some like it hot (and cold): Daredevil skier tears up the slopes on and active VOLCANO... as lava bubbles behind him

Adventure photographer Fredrik Schenholm captured stunning shots of his friend Oscar Hübinette (pictured) tearing up the slopes in front of the active Tolbachik volcano on the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia, while lava from the 12,000 foot tall peak bubbled furiously behind him.

Emergency alarms sound as Emirates and Etihad planes 'come within 25 SECONDS of collision' while flying over Arabian Sea

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The incident occurred as passenger planes from Dubai-based Emirates and Etihad Airways were traveling in opposite directions between the Gulf and the Seychelles.

Order a bottle of vodka for £1.33 in Kiev... but you'll have to splash out £21.73 for a club sandwich in Zurich: Room service costs from around the world revealed

Britons travelling abroad this summer will find the best deals in Sofia, Bulgaria, when accounting for a four-star hotel room stay and the cost of room service, according to a new study.

From topless sunbathing to being an embarrassing drunk: What Britons hate the most about their partners' behaviour while on holiday

Pointing them out doesn't always make for a happy holiday, however, with nearly half of those surveyed saying they complained about their partner's behaviour and it led to a row.

Japanese tourist charged by police in Italy after using make-up pencil to write name on 15th century dome at Florence Cathedral

The 48-year-old tourist was stopped by police after she wrote her name and the day's date on marble at the famous Renaissance dome designed by Filippo Brunelleschi.

The brighter side of Somalia: Woman's pictures of stunning beaches and children playing happily in the sea attract 68,000 Instagram fans

With nearly 70,000 followers, Ugaaso Abukar Boocow's Instagram feed is a mixture of selfies, snapshots of daily life and Somali traditions, and humorous photos or videos. She has quickly amassed a legion of fans with posts that show breathtaking scenery on the Indian Ocean (bottom left), children playing or relaxing on the beach (bottom right), Somali traditions and Mogadishu's markets.

Blood-spattered windows, mould in the bathroom and filthy bed linen: Young mother leaves £500 Pontins trip early after disastrous first holiday with autistic son

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Tierney Hinde, 28, from Dartford, Kent, was disgusted with the state of her Pontins apartment. She discovered the dirty bed linen (left) and mould (right) in the bedroom and bathroom and said things got worse when she was offered a different room on a higher floor with blood-spattered windows at the resort in Camber, East Sussex. The young mother was on holiday with her four-year-old son Presley (inset).

'Are your tanks filled with orca tears?': SeaWorld Twitter campaign backfires as marine park hashtag #AskSeaWorld is hijacked by animal rights campaigners

In a bid to engage with visitors, SeaWorld launched an #AskSeaWorld social media campaign, only to be inundated by comments from animal rights campaigners.

Snakes on a plane! Sneaky reptile slithers its way up steps and tries to board Virgin flight to Sydney

As passengers began to settle into their seats aboard the Virgin flight to Sydney, a green snake slithered its way up the stairs to the entry door.

Haunting photos capture moment religious penitents light up the night to celebrate Holy Week in Spanish city of Zamora

Penitents from the 'Cristo de la Buena Muerte' or 'Good Dead Christ' brotherhood carried a Jesus Christ figure as they took part in a haunting night time procession.

Your own island for the price of a B&B;! French outcrop complete with 19th century lighthouse costs just £145 for two nights (but there's no running hot water)

Groups of up to 10 guests can splash out £145 ($215) for two nights on Ile Louët island in Morlaix Bay, Brittany, which works out at just £14.50 ($21.50) each. The island is home to a 19th century lighthouse (inset) and a quaint shuttered cottage, but guests will have to be happy to rough it as there is no running hot water.

The sunken treasures of Greece: From World War II wrecks to technicolour fish, some of the best sights in Messina sit beneath the waves

Greece might not have the reputation of the Red Sea or the Caribbean but as Travelmail discovered, there's plenty to see beneath the Mediterranean waters just off beautiful Messina.

Now that's a black run! Thrillseeking skiers and snowboarders take on the steepest slopes in the world

Top skiers such as Jeremy Jones from Cape Cod in Massachusetts, USA and Xavier De Le Rue from Bayonne, France, carefully edge their way down the most stomach-churning drops on the planet.

Souk up the sun: Lose yourself in the hustle and bustle of Marrakech before unwinding at the romantic Medina Gardens

Medina Gardens

After getting lost in the labyrinth of narrow streets, relax by the scenic pool at Thomson's Couples Medina Gardens resort, which makes for the perfectly romantic retreat.

Let's hope they like their neighbors! The entire population of remote Alaskan town who live under ONE roof... complete with indoor police station, school and post office

In the sleepy town of Whittier, Alaska, nearly all of the town's 218 residents live together under one roof: the 14-story Begich Tower, which houses the entire neighborhood.

Is this the saddest tourist ever? Man posts 'miserable' holiday snaps after going on free trip to Puerto Rico without his wife

Amusing photos show 33-year-old Kevin Blandford, from Louisville, Kentucky, looking sad while snorkelling, playing a slot machine at a casino, sipping drinks in the sunshine, and alone in bed in an attempt to show his wife how much he missed her. He posted the photos online, where they have been viewed more than two million times, and said that his wife was unable to accompany him because she stayed home to take care of their daughter.

'Very drunk' Australian tourist arrested for stealing raw prawns at Phuket seafood restaurant... and stuffing them in his pocket

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Australian tourist Jacob Saveisberg, 27, was forced to pose for embarrassing photos with police after his arrest in the town of Patong. One photo (left) shows him pointing at the prawns as they are held by an officer, while another shows an officer dangling the crustaceans in front of the tourist's face.

Passengers left bleeding from noses and mouths after 'engine failure' sends Orient Thai Airlines plane into dramatic plunge

A passenger told Chinese media that travellers and flight attendants were screaming and crying, and they feared the plane would break apart in the sky as oxygen masks dropped from the ceiling.

Jet Airways passenger who opened plane's emergency exit and jumped 15ft to tarmac 'wanted to perform stunt like Bollywood legend Akshay Kumar'

After jumping off the plane in front of stunned passengers, Akash Jain asked a ground crew member for directions to the exit and walked out of Mumbai's airport without being apprehended.

A rapping captain, superhero staff and some VERY awkward dance moves: Is this Condor Ferries video the worst safety demonstration of all time?

Condor Ferries release hilarious safety video rap

Condor Ferries has released a new 'fun' safety video for passengers, with dancing staff and a rapping captain - but not everybody is a fan.

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