Duckwyn's Travel Blog

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

Photo by Juan Salmoral on Flickr Marcus Aurelius was one of the Roman Empires greatest leaders. He used all of his mental and physical strength to guard and protect Rome and it's borders. He would become the last of the "Five Good Emperors" handing his reign to his son, Commodus, after his death. Before this, he would overcome several attempts by his enemies at the northern border to destroy his reign. They would come close during the Macomannic Wars but a miracle would happe

Emperor Antoninus Pius Photo by Michael Kooiman on Flickr Antoninus Pius was the fourth of the "Five Good Emperors" of Rome. He came to power in 138 AD after the death of Emperor Hadrian. Antoninus wasn't like most Roman leaders. He wasn't out to expand the empire. Instead, Antoninus focused on consolidating the empire, strengthening its borders and improving the lives of every day citizens. Because of this, his reign was called a time of "Roman Peace." The empire prospered w

Photo by Tom Bastin on Flickr This weeks newsletter focused on the third of the Five Good Emperors of Rome. This time we looked at the life of Emperor Hadrian. Hadrian's reign began with the death of Trajan in 117 AD. Unlike many previous rulers, Hadrian focused on consolidating and protecting the empire, instead of seeking expansion. This made for a relative peaceful time although no Roman Emperor can avoid all conflict during their reign. Hadrian spent much of his time trav

When Emperor Nerva took the throne in 96 A.D., Rome was on the brink of chaos. The previous emperor, Domitian, had ruled through fear and suspicion, leaving the empire deeply divided. Nerva’s short reign—just 16 months long—brought something rare to Rome: calm, cooperation, and the promise of lasting peace. Despite his age and reluctance to rule, Nerva’s steady leadership marked the start of the era of the Five Good Emperors, a period that historians consider one of the most