Duckwyn's Travel Blog

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

At 2:41 AM on May 7, 1945, German General Alfred Jodl signed the document that ended World War II in Europe. The room where he signed still exists in Reims, France. The maps are still on the walls. The chairs remain in place. You can walk into that room. The Musée de la Reddition preserves General Dwight D. Eisenhower's wartime headquarters exactly as it was the night Germany surrendered unconditionally to Allied forces. Standing in Eisenhower's headquarters The museum occupi

Lyon has officially joined the DuckAbroad Travel Passport and our Top 100 Cities to Visit list. This is a destination your family will love exploring. Known as the culinary capital of France and home to one of Europe’s best-preserved Old Towns, Lyon blends history, culture, and kid-friendly adventures in a way few cities can match. Why Lyon Is Great for Families A Walk Through Time: Vieux Lyon Explore one of Europe’s largest Renaissance districts, filled with narrow streets,

Nice is the 92nd city added to the DuckAbroad Travel Passport app , and it’s easy to see why. Located along the French Riviera, this seaside city in southern France offers a brilliant blend of beach, culture, and family-friendly fun. With warm Mediterranean waves lapping its coastline, Nice welcomes families to stroll the famous Promenade des Anglais, along palm-lined waterfront views that stretch for miles. Kids can glide along the promenade on bikes or scooters while you si

In the spring of 1940, the world watched a miracle unfold on the beaches of Dunkirk. The German Army had surrounded over 338,000 Allied soldiers, pushing them to the edge of the sea with no way out. What happened next became one of the most dramatic rescues of World War II. Operation Dynamo began on May 26, 1940. The British Navy launched a massive evacuation attempt, but the real heroes included everyday people. More than 800 vessels answered the call — not just warships, bu

Imagine walking into a massive stone arena that has seen over 1,900 years of history—gladiatorial combat, a fortress village, and now live performances under the sky. This is the Arles Amphitheatre in southern France. Built around 90 AD, the amphitheatre was inspired by the great Colosseum in Rome and originally could hold more than 20,000 spectators who watched chariot races and hand-to-hand battles.  In the 5th century, the structure was transformed into a fortress. Over 20

Medieval soldiers once stood where your children will stand. They climbed these same tower steps, walked these ramparts, and looked out over landscapes they swore to defend. Cité de Carcassonne: A fortress city kids can actually explore Cité de Carcassonne isn't just a castle, it's an entire walled city in southern France where your family can wander medieval streets, climb defensive towers, and imagine life as a knight or merchant from centuries past. The fortress walls stre