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Author Alex

A travel fanatic, Alex is always on the lookout for his next exciting adventure. Over the years, this has seen him live and work in countries as varied as Brazil, Italy and Sudan, scale snowy peaks in Kyrgyzstan and play professional football in Zanzibar. When he's not traveling to far-flung destinations, he can be found writing about them from his hometown of Brussels – one of the most multicultural cities in the world.

Best Cities to Live in Virginia: A Quick Guide

Best Cities in Virginia to Live and Visit

The first state to be settled in 1607, Virginia has a rich history, culture and heritage to delve into lots of spellbinding scenery.

This Quiet Island Off Georgia’s Coast Feels Frozen in Another Era

St Simons Island

Moss-covered oak trees, quiet beaches, and winding coastal roads give this island a timeless Southern charm.

The Famous Golf City That’s Actually More Than Golf

Riverwalk

Best known for hosting one of golf’s most prestigious tournaments each spring, this elegant Southern city has far more to offer beyond the fairways.

Welcome to the “Electric City” — Where Old Rail Yards, Neon Signs, and Small-town Pride Still Run the Show

Things to do in Scranton, PA

Tucked away in a scenic corner of the region, this former industrial hub once stood at the forefront of coal mining, railroads, and manufacturing.

The Midwest Twin City Proves You Don’t Need Big Skyscrapers for Big Culture

University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana

Surrounded by endless stretches of fertile farmland, this vibrant twin-city area blends small-town warmth with big-university energy.

Why New Yorkers Drive All the Way to the End of Long Island for This One Place

Montauk

Perched at the far eastern edge of Long Island, this small seaside hamlet feels wonderfully removed from the rush of everyday life.

This Caribbean City Is Just an Hour From Miami — and It Feels Like Another World Entirely

Fun Things to Do in Nassau, Bahamas

Both the largest city and capital of The Bahamas, the lively yet laidback Nassau is one of the most popular cruise ship ports in the Caribbean.

Is This the Most Colorful Island in the Caribbean?

Curacao

With its beautiful beaches, vibrant coral reefs, and laid-back pace of life, this sun-drenched island feels like a true Caribbean paradise.

A Hidden Midwest Gem With Lakes, Trails, and a Downtown That’s Perfect for a Weekend Escape

Things to Do in Kalamazoo, MI

Blending lively urban energy with a welcoming small-town feel, this vibrant college city offers a mix of culture, entertainment, and outdoor charm.

The Midwest City You’ve Probably Driven Past — But Should’ve Stopped For the Gardens, Galleries, and Seriously Good Food

Things to Do in Rockford, IL

Fittingly nicknamed the “City of Gardens,” this destination is defined by its beautiful parks and carefully landscaped green spaces.

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Bardstown, Kentucky

Bourbon Made This Town Famous, but That’s Not What Makes It Special

George Peabody Library Baltimore Visitor Guide Most visitors don't expect to find one of the most striking interiors in America tucked behind a row of white columns in a quiet Baltimore neighborhood. You walk through the doors of the Peabody Institute in Mount Vernon, turn a corner, and suddenly you're standing beneath a skylit atrium that climbs six stories above a polished marble floor. It stops you cold. The George Peabody Library Baltimore is that kind of place. It doesn't announce itself from the street. There's no flashy signage, no grand plaza. But step inside the stack room and you'll see why people call it a "cathedral of books." Over 300,000 volumes line the walls, and the space itself feels like something pulled from a 19th-century novel you half-remember reading. Johns Hopkins University runs the place as part of its Sheridan Libraries system. This isn’t a museum replica—it’s a working research collection. You can visit for free during public hours, which makes it one of the easiest cultural stops in Baltimore. Whether you’re chasing that perfect symmetrical shot up through the iron balconies or just want a quiet ten minutes surrounded by something genuinely beautiful, the library delivers without asking much of your time or your wallet. Cast-Iron Balconies And The Soaring Atrium The first thing that hits you is the scale. Five tiers of ornamental cast-iron balconies rise from the ground floor and climb 61 feet to a massive skylight that floods the room with natural light. The effect is vertical and dramatic, like standing inside a very elegant cage made of books and ironwork. Each balcony tier is lined with gold-and-black volumes shelved behind low railings, and the repeating geometric patterns of the iron railings create a visual rhythm that photographers obsess over. Point your camera straight up from the center of the floor and you'll get that iconic symmetrical shot that's all over travel feeds. The image almost looks digitally generated, but it's real, and it's been here since 1878. The marble floor adds to the atmosphere. Sound carries differently in here. Footsteps echo softly, and conversations drop to whispers without anyone being told. The reading room on the ground level sits just off the main atrium, offering a quieter space with wooden tables and the kind of warm, worn-in feeling that modern libraries rarely manage. The light keeps the space from feeling like a museum. On a clear afternoon, sunlight pours through the skylight and shifts across the iron railings and book spines, changing the room's character every hour. You could visit twice in the same day and walk away with completely different impressions. A Quick History Of The Landmark George Peabody, a financier who got his start in Baltimore before heading off to London, founded the Peabody Institute in 1857. He wanted to give something meaningful back to the city that launched his career—a free public library, a lecture series, a music conservatory, and an art gallery. The library building itself took its sweet time, finally opening up in 1878. Baltimore architect Edmund G. Lind teamed up with Nathaniel H. Morison, the institute's first provost, to design the interior. Lind focused on that dramatic stack room—he wanted it to feel grand enough to match Peabody's vision but still practical for researchers. Local craftsmen made the decorative cast-iron balconies, and people immediately noticed the design. It stood out as one of the most distinctive library interiors on the East Coast. The collection changed hands a few times. In 1966, the City of Baltimore took over and ran things through the Enoch Pratt Free Library. Then, in 1982, Johns Hopkins University stepped in, and the library became part of the Sheridan Libraries system. These days, the focus is on 18th- and 19th-century works—architecture, religion, science, geography, literature—with gems from folks like Edgar Allan Poe and Walt Whitman. George Peabody Library Baltimore

One of America’s Most Beautiful Interiors Is Hidden in Baltimore

Mount Vernon

It’s Hard to Believe an American President Once Called This Beautiful Estate Home

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Henry Doorly Zoo

8 Largest Zoos in the World

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Two Towers of Bologna

The World’s Most Incredible Leaning Towers (That Aren’t in Pisa)

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