Destinations

17 Best Places to Visit in China

Vast and diverse, China is a giant of a travel destination.

Croatia’s National Parks Are Europe’s Natural Masterpieces

With a long stunning coastline and numerous beautiful cities dotted along its shores such as Dubrovnik and Split, not to mention the dreamy islands situated in the Adriatic Sea; Croatia is a popular tourist destination.

10 Largest Islands in Japan

Japan is the largest island country in East Asia and the fourth-largest island country on Earth.

Where to Stay in Shanghai: Best Neighborhoods & Hotels

The coastal hub of Shanghai is a wild place to visit. China’s biggest city is as famous for its lively traditional restaurants as it is for its colonial architecture.

27 Must-See Attractions in Washington State

Appropriately known as the Evergreen State, Washington is awash with pristine nature, spellbinding scenery and dramatic landscapes.

10 Most Beautiful Places in Mallorca

Golden beaches washed by turquoise waters and hilltop villages steeped in history combine to create a destination full of variety and charm.

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

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.

19 Attractions You Shouldn’t Miss in Lima

Home to ancient civilizations long before Spanish ships ever reached its shores, this coastal capital blends deep-rooted history with modern urban life.

This Tiny Coastal Town in California Feels Like Italy by the Sea

Storybook cottages, windswept beaches, and quiet streets lined with galleries give this coastal town an atmosphere that feels almost unreal.

10 Must-See Sections of the Great Wall

Stretching for over 6,000 kilometers, the Great Wall of China is undoubtedly one of humankind’s most impressive architectural and engineering achievements.

High Above the Mediterranean Sits Sicily’s Most Breathtaking Town

Often likened to the Saint-Tropez of Sicily, this glamorous hillside town is among the island’s most sought-after destinations.

7 Incredible Day Trips from Cape Town

If you’re planning a vacation to South Africa, then you’ll almost certainly be spending time in Cape Town.

8 Most Beautiful Castles Near Munich

Munich is also home to some impressive castle palaces, notably the Baroque Schloss Nymphenburg and the 14th century Residenz.

This Island in Greece Is So Beautiful, You’ll Wonder Why Everyone Isn’t Talking About It

Set in the middle of the sparkling Aegean Sea, this island is the largest and most fertile in its archipelago.

Where to Stay in Nice: Best Neighborhoods & Hotels

Always chic and stylish, historic Nice is the capital of the French Riviera.