Destinations

10 Best Places to Visit in the Netherlands

No visit to Holland is complete without a visit to the capital city, Amsterdam; however, there are so many more thrilling sites to see in the Netherlands.

11 Most Amazing Hotels in Spain

Spain is a beautiful and diverse country that contains many long-standing and proud cultures under a single flag.

25 Attractions You Shouldn’t Miss in San Diego

A lovely place to visit and live, sun-kissed San Diego is often called ‘America’s Finest City’ and it is easy to see why.

10 Best Places to Visit in Rhode Island

Rhode Island may be the smallest state in the United States, but it packs a wallop when it comes to history and scenic beauty.

10 Best Places to Visit in Finland

While not technically a part of Scandinavia, Finland boasts some of the same traits as its neighboring countries.

The Oldest Settlement in Every State

America’s story begins in its oldest settlements, places where human ambition first took root on this land.

25 Attractions You Shouldn’t Miss in Rome

Ah, Rome. The city where hope springs eternal.

12 Best All Inclusive Resorts in St. Lucia

Known for its postcard-worthy landscapes, powdery white sand beaches and endearing cultures, there’s so much to love about St. Lucia.

Everything You Should Know about Visiting Kaikoura

Between majestic Mount Cook and the awe-inspiring Milford Sound, it’s safe to say New Zealand has natural beauty in droves.

A Beginner’s Guide to Dubrovnik: Things You Should Know

The undisputed star of the Adriatic coast, Dubrovnik, along with its stunning Old Town, sapphire blue waters, and formidable city walls, is a sight to behold.

Most Travelers Only See One Half of Malaysia — This Is the Half They Miss

Many travelers are surprised to learn that Malaysia isn’t one big landmass. Instead, it is made up of two distinct sections.

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.

10 US Cities with the Best Weather Year Round

Good weather all depends on what you consider ‘good.’ What feels like cold slush to one person might be perfect weather for a ski bum.

Where to Stay in Seville: Best Neighborhoods & Hotels

Immerse yourself in the wonders of old Seville – get lost along the ancient lanes, eat tapas at street side bars, and enjoy the down-to-earth Spanish lifestyle in this small but welcoming city.

The Best Time to Visit Rio de Janeiro for Perfect Weather and Sightseeing

Fittingly known as the ‘marvelous city’, Rio de Janeiro is set in one of the most spectacular spots imaginable, alongside white sand beaches amidst scenic rainforest-coated mountains.