Duckwyn's Travel Blog

Edinburgh's skyline has one unmistakable silhouette—a crown-shaped spire rising above the Royal Mile. That crown belongs to St Giles' Cathedral , a building that has witnessed 900 years of Scottish history unfold at its doorstep. We've just added St Giles' Cathedral to DuckAbroad, and if you're heading to Edinburgh, this is one stop you won't want to miss. A building older than the city around it King David I founded St Giles' in 1124, before most of Edinburgh's Old Town even

Argentina protects 12 UNESCO World Heritage Sites scattered from subtropical forests to Patagonian ice fields. DuckAbroad Travel Passport is starting with two of the country's most spectacular parks: Iguazú and Los Glaciares. Collect virtual stickers when you visit these natural wonders, with more UNESCO sites coming soon. Here's what makes each site worth visiting and collecting. Iguazú National Park: Waterfalls at the Brazil border Location: Misiones Province, northeastern

Spain isn’t just about beaches and big cities. Hidden across its hills and valleys are towns so rich in history and architecture that UNESCO placed them among the world’s treasures. These towns tell Spain’s story. From ancient Roman engineering to Moorish palaces and medieval plazas that still feel alive with local life. For families who love exploring culture and history, visiting Spain’s UNESCO towns is like walking through an open-air museum. Each one offers something uniq

Just a short train ride from Madrid, the breathtaking town of Cuenca, Spain , feels like stepping into another time. Perched dramatically between two river gorges, this UNESCO World Heritage Site blends Moorish history, medieval charm, and postcard-perfect scenery. Once an important Moorish stronghold, Cuenca is now best known for its Hanging Houses (Casas Colgadas)—centuries-old homes that seem to cling to the cliffs above the Huécar River. Wander through its cobblestone st

A Family Journey Through WWII History The final stop on our World War II journey took us to Bastogne, Belgium—one of the most important sites of the Battle of the Bulge. Last year, our family spent a week exploring WWII sites in France and Belgium. We started on the beaches of Normandy, followed the northern coast of France to Dunkirk, and finally reached Bastogne, where one of the war’s fiercest battles unfolded in the winter of 1944. My son and I have always been fascinate

The Todt Battery is one of the most famous gun emplacements along the Atlantic Wall. The battery was named after Fritz Todt, the engineer who oversaw much of Germany's military construction efforts. Built between 1940 and 1942, the battery housed four large-caliber guns known as "38 cm SK C/34 naval guns," capable of firing shells weighing about a ton. These powerful guns had a range of up to 55 kilometers (about 34 miles), theoretically allowing them to reach the southern c

On our family trip to Sedona back in 2018, we made a stop at Tuzigoot National Monument. And, it turned out to be a fun stop on our journey to the Grand Canyon. Rising above the Verde River Valley, Tuzigoot is a hilltop pueblo built by the Sinagua people around A.D. 1125. Over time, this ancient settlement grew into a thriving community of about 200 residents living within its 110 interconnected rooms. For nearly 400 years, the Sinagua farmed the valley below, growing corn, b

Stone walls rise from turquoise water on Croatia's Dalmatian coast. Two cities, Dubrovnik and Split , have watched empires rise and fall from these shores, and both just joined the DuckAbroad Travel Passport collection. Check in at either city to collect your virtual sticker and explore where Roman emperors retired and medieval merchants built fortunes. Dubrovnik: The fortress republic that wouldn't fall Walk Dubrovnik's city walls and you're tracing the perimeter of a 7th-c

Walnut Canyon National Monument is located in northern Arizona, near the city of Flagstaff. This beautiful park is known for its stunning canyon and ancient cliff dwellings built by the Sinagua people. These homes were carved into the canyon walls, creating a unique historical site. Early History and the Sinagua People Walnut Canyon National Monument The history of Walnut Canyon begins with the Sinagua people, who lived in the region from around AD 600 to 1400. The name "Sina

Beautiful weather is upon us and it's that time of year when we load the family in the car and get out and explore nature. If you live in the northeastern part of the United States or plan to visit over the next few months, here are 3 state parks that you should consider visiting. Franconia Notch State Park in New Hampshire Franconia Notch State Park is located in the White Mountains in northern New Hampshire. Its stunning landscape has brought artists and tourists here for

We've added the city of Toledo to the Duckwyn Travel app. There's a new sticker for your family to add to their passport and a series of new quests to explore. A short history of Toledo... Toledo is located on a hill above the Tagus River in central Spain. It's a city with breathtaking architecture and rich history going back 2000 years. Toledo has been influenced by Christian, Islamic, and Jewish civilizations that have thrived within its ancient walls. Toledo's beginning d

Los Glaciares National Park, located in the southern part of Argentina, is a family traveler's dream come true. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a natural wonderland that offers an incredible mix of adventure, education, and jaw-dropping beauty for all ages. At the heart of the park lies the Perito Moreno Glacier, a colossal ice formation that regularly calves into the turquoise waters of Lake Argentino. Witnessing this natural spectacle is not only a visual treat but also

Three islands. Three stamps. One collection that's begging to be completed. DuckAbroad Travel Journal just added the U.S. Virgin Islands collection, and if you're the type who can't stand seeing empty slots in your digital passport, you'll want all three. Here's what you're collecting. Saint Thomas: The easy-access Caribbean Most Virgin Islands trips start in Saint Thomas, so your collection probably will too. This is the island that makes Caribbean travel easy—direct flights

Your kids have a mental model of what "big waterfall" means. Maybe they've seen Niagara Falls. Maybe they've just seen pictures. Either way, they think they understand the concept. Then you show them Iguazú Falls. The photo shows what looks like dozens of waterfalls side by side. Your son counts them. He gets to thirty and gives up. "How many are there?" he asks. 275. He doesn't believe you. This can't be one place. This has to be multiple photos stitched together. You zoom o

Before most of today’s nations even existed, a light was already burning on Ireland’s southeastern coast. That light, first tended by monks in the 12th century, still shines from Hook Lighthouse on the windswept cliffs of County Wexford. For nearly nine centuries it has guided sailors through Atlantic storms, and now your family can climb the same stone tower where those first keepers once watched the sea. A Medieval Tower That Still Guides Ships Hook Lighthouse stands at the

Most lighthouses tower over rocky cliffs or sandy beaches. This one stands about 15 meters tall on a Venetian island, watching boats glide past centuries-old churches reflected in the lagoon. The Faro San Giorgio Maggiore lighthouse is the 52nd addition to the DuckAbroad lighthouse sticker collection. Built in the early 1800s near the church of San Giorgio Maggiore, it remains one of Venice’s most photogenic maritime landmarks. A lighthouse built for a floating city Venice do

Your family drives six hours to Zion. You park at the visitor center. Your kids ask what there is to do. You pull out a map with 47 numbered stops and vague descriptions. Your seven-year-old loses interest before you finish reading the first paragraph. Two hours later, you've seen three viewpoints. Your kids are complaining. You're not sure if you're missing the best parts or just hitting the obvious spots everyone else photographs. The park ranger said something about hidden

Your family's car winds up narrow mountain roads. Trees give way to glimpses of colorful towers. Then you round the final bend and there it is: a palace that looks like it teleported from a storybook, perched impossibly high on a rocky peak. Welcome to Pena Palace , where families trade flat museum walks for mountaintop exploration. This isn't your typical palace visit. It's an adventure. From earthquake ruins to royal retreat The story starts with disaster. The 1755 Lisbon E

Your kids can now collect Acadia National Park . The newest card in the DuckAbroad Travel collection celebrates Maine's coastal treasure. Acadia holds a special place in national park history: the first national park east of the Mississippi River and still the only one in the northeastern United States. President Woodrow Wilson established it as Sieur de Monts National Monument in 1916. It became Lafayette National Park in 1919, then was renamed Acadia in 1929. Why Acadia wor

You hear it before you see it. A low thunder builds in the distance, rolling through the trees. Then the mist rises, a shimmering cloud that catches the sunlight. Step closer, and the roar of Victoria Falls fills the air. Stretching 1,708 meters wide across the Zambezi River and plunging 108 meters into the gorge below, this natural wonder forms the largest continuous sheet of falling water on Earth. Locals call it Mosi oa Tunya, meaning The Smoke That Thunders, a name that