Washington D.C. offers an array of memorials, museums, and attractions to explore for those wanting to learn more about the history and workings of the United States. Many government offices are open to the public and available for tours, free of charge. Prior to visiting, I strongly recommended that you contact your local congressman or senator to secure tour tickets […]
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Newport, Rhode Island was established in 1639 as a haven for those seeking religious freedom. By the mid-19th century Newport became a haven of a very different kind. The City-by-the-Sea became a summer playground for the very wealthy who built enormous mansions and claimed them as “summer cottages”. Anything but cottages, these homes were built by families
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Always on the list of must-visit spots in Penang, Malaysia, the Blue Mansion is officially known as Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, named after a 19th-century merchant. Built at the end of the century, the mansion is a vivid indigo blue, making it hard to miss, and boasts 38 rooms, 7 staircases, and 220 leaded Gothic-style
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The Rainbow Bridge in Tokyo, Japan, crosses Tokyo Bay and connects the city to Odaiba, a waterfront development and entertainment area. The bridge is officially names the Shuto Expressway No. 11 Daiba Route – Port of Tokyo Connector Bridge, it was given the name Rainbow Bridge by the public as a result of the colored lights
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The construction of the Gothic-styled Cathedral of Our Lady, a Roman Catholic cathedral that is a centerpiece of Antwerp, Belgium, was started in the middle of the 14th century, although not completed until 1518. It features exemplary Gothic architecture, yet also blends well with the ornate Baroque architecture of the rest of the city. The interior
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The Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, are the tallest twin buildings in the world. The towers were officially opened in August 1999, and their 88 floors dominate the city’s skyline. Tower One is occupied by Petronas, a gas and oil company, and its subsidiaries, and Tower Two houses a variety of companies, including Seattle
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Most visitors to Antwerp will arrive by train at the ornate Central Station, an impressive structure of stone, iron, and glass. Stand at look up at the dome, look around at the turrets, and marvel and the glass, gold, and marble. The Central Station was completed in 1905, and although it has been refurbished and
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Built in the mid 1500s, Antwerp’s Renaissance-styled City Hall rings the Great Market Square. The façade of the building has been influence by classic Renaissance styling, with overpowering mullioned windows and Doric and Ionic columns. The ornamental center section holds female statuary representing Justice, Prudence, and the Virgin Mary, the latter mirroring the cultural heritage
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The great state of California is symbolized in its capitol. Located in Sacramento, the California Capitol Building is a remarkable architecture structure that blend the unique with the classical. One of the dominating figures is the dome, which has been patterned after the Capitol Building in Washington, with a façade that includes classical Corinthian pillars.
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When I think of Barcelona, Spain, the thought of Antoni Gaudi, the Catalonian architect born in 1852, always comes to mind. After all, the city is covered in the man’s work. In fact, Gaudi’s work over the years has irrevocably influenced the face of Barcelona architecture like none other before or after. Influenced primarily by nature,
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