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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.

Discover the Gateway to Patagonia: Things to do in Puerto Montt, Chile

Things to do in Puerto Montt, Chile

The capital of Chile’s Lake District, Puerto Montt acts as a gateway to both the Patagonian fjords and Andes Mountains.

Beyond the Beaches: Things to do in La Serena, Chile

Things to do in La Serena, Chile

One of the most popular places to visit in the country, La Serena is known for both its quaint historic center and beautiful broad beaches.

Most People Come for One Photo — And Then Realize They Should’ve Stayed Longer

Pisa

Famous for one of the world’s most recognizable landmarks, this historic city has far more to offer than most visitors realize.

Skip Florence: Discover the Culinary Capital of Italy — Medieval Towers, Porticoed Streets, and World-class Pasta Await

Things to do in Bologna, Italy

Often overshadowed by more famous Italian destinations, this historic city rewards visitors with a rich blend of culture, architecture, and authentic atmosphere.

Love Venice but Hate the Crowds? Head Inland for Medieval Squares, Lakes, and Spritz Culture

Places to Visit in Veneto, Italy

Celebrated for its extraordinary cities, artistic heritage, and varied landscapes, this northeastern region is one of the most rewarding places to explore.

This Stretch of the Italian Riviera Has Hidden Fishing Villages You’ll Want to Keep to Yourself

Places to Visit in Liguria, Italy

As it is home to both the Cinque Terre and the Italian Riviera, Liguria certainly is a magical part of the country to explore.

23 Attractions You Shouldn’t Miss in Cairo

Best Things to do in Cairo, Egypt

One of the largest cities in Africa and the Middle East, Egypt’s capital, Cairo, seems to sprawl forever along the banks of the Nile.

23 Must-See Attractions in Arkansas

Best Things to do in Arkansas

Fittingly known as ‘The Natural State’, Arkansas boasts lots of simply spectacular scenery with cute little towns and interesting historic sights also scattered about.

Experience That “Heartland” Feeling: Tree-lined Streets, Historic Buildings, and a Campus Glow That Lights Up the Whole Town

Best Things to Do in South Bend, Indiana

An important economic and cultural hub, this northern Midwest city sits close to a state border and has long played a key regional role.

This Midwest Community Feels Like an Idealized Version of American Suburban Life

Carmel Indiana

Often ranked among the best places to live in the United States, this small but thriving community blends suburban comfort with culture, creativity, and green space.

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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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