Chris Wills @cwills.bsky.social · 05/08/2026Daniel Chester French made the Minute Man statue out of melted Civil War cannons. A monument to the start of the country, cast from the war that almost ended it. Nearly 50 years later, he designed the statue of Lincoln, the man who held the country together. 000
Reposted by Chris WillsVelvet Escape @velvetescape.com · 03/08/2026The essence of slow travel is not about doing less. Quite the opposite. It’s about feeling more. My take on slow travel: velvetescape.com/slow-travel/ #slowtravel #travel #traveladdicts #travelblogsharevelvetescape.comThe art of slow travelEmbrace slow travel and savour the little moments. Discover how to create meaningful travel memories that last a lifetime. 164
Chris Wills @cwills.bsky.social · 28/07/2026Wheels down, airplane mode off, and your phone says "You've landed at Dublin Airport!" DuckAbroad now welcomes your family when you land and logs the airport right from the notification. Even from your watch, before you reach the gate. Rolling out now on iPhone and Android. ✈️ 020
Chris Wills @cwills.bsky.social · 19/07/2026duckabroad.substack.com/p/what-i-shi...duckabroad.substack.comWhat I shipped this weekBuild a travel link-in-bio that shows everywhere you've been, now with bulk trip adding. Plus the 1911 race to the South Pole and a shipwreck found this week. 000
Reposted by Chris WillsJonathan - The Royal Tour @theroyaltour.bsky.social · 17/07/2026NEW TODAY!! One of my guest writers goes to Yosemite basically every year. Here, she explains why. (Hint: because it’s amazing, and one of the most beautiful places on the planet.) Check it out! #TravelAddicts #California #NationalParks theroyaltourblog.com/2026/07/17/y...theroyaltourblog.comYosemite: Why We Keep Going Back - The Royal TourEditor’s note: I first visited Yosemite as a child, and have been back close to a dozen times, including three since starting The Royal Tour. It is a place unlike anywhere I’ve ever visited, a place o... 141
Chris Wills @cwills.bsky.social · 16/07/2026"Victory awaits him who has everything in order. Luck, people call it. Defeat is certain for him who has neglected to take the necessary precautions in time. This is called bad luck." -Roald Amundsen duckabroad.substack.com/p/two-men-ra...duckabroad.substack.comTwo Men Raced to the Bottom of the World. Only One Came Home.In 1911, two teams raced for the South Pole. This week, a submarine found what’s left of one of their ships. 000
Chris Wills @cwills.bsky.social · 16/07/2026Your kids don't hate museums. They hate being a passenger. Tomorrow: two men raced to the bottom of the world in 1911. One prepared like the ice was trying to kill him. The other figured he'd manage. Only one came home. Free, every Thursday. duckabroad.substack.com?utm_campaign...duckabroad.substack.comDuckAbroad | Chris Wills | SubstackFor families who travel and want to make the most of it. History, stories, and resources, plus The Weekend History Hunt every Thursday. Click to read DuckAbroad, by Chris Wills, a Substack publication... 000
Chris Wills @cwills.bsky.social · 12/07/2026A quick update on what's new this week in the DuckAbroad app. duckabroad.substack.com/p/what-i-shi...duckabroad.substack.comWhat I shipped this weekAmelia Earhart, eight new relics to hunt down including the Hope Diamond and Liberty Bell, three museums, better stories for the Hawaiian islands, and a round of fixes. 000
Chris Wills @cwills.bsky.social · 10/07/2026Amelia Earhart vanished 89 years ago. On July 28, a team sails for a tiny Pacific island to look at an object in the lagoon. It's 12 to 14 meters long. Her plane's fuselage was 12.2. duckabroad.substack.com/p/eighty-nin...duckabroad.substack.comEighty-Nine Years Later, They're Going Back for HerIn 1928 Amelia Earhart crossed the Atlantic as "a sack of potatoes." Four years later she flew it alone. 120
Reposted by Chris WillsVelvet Escape @velvetescape.com · 07/06/2026The Delta region of the Netherlands is where some of Europe’s great rivers meet the sea. It’s a fascinating region with many interesting towns, castles and lush nature reserves. Here’s a road trip route: velvetescape.com/central-neth... #TheNetherlands #travel #roadtrip #traveladdictsvelvetescape.comExploring the delta region of Central NetherlandsThe best places to visit on a road trip around the Grote Rivieren (Great Rivers) delta region in central Netherlands. 1185
Chris Wills @cwills.bsky.social · 06/06/202682 years ago today, 160,000 men landed in Normandy and started the long fight across Europe. Paris was free by August. The war in Europe ended 11 months later. This weeks newsletter: D-Day, and where to take your kids to learn all about it. duckabroad.substack.com/p/d-day-was-...duckabroad.substack.com82 Years Ago Today, the World Changed.On June 6, 1944, 156,000 soldiers landed on five beaches in Normandy. 82 years later, here's the story your kids need to know, and the places where they can experience it. 051
Chris Wills @cwills.bsky.social · 03/05/2026Your kids can now see what's within reach before you even open the app. New DuckAbroad iOS widget shows nearby adventures, country info, and US state details as you travel. Update the app to get it. 010
Chris Wills @cwills.bsky.social · 17/04/2026Exploring Carentan, where my Grandfather was wounded during WWII. He was in the 83rd Infantry Division. 020
Chris Wills @cwills.bsky.social · 16/04/2026Normandy has so much history to explore. You need several days to take it all in. We spent 2 days in the area and would love to go back. #wwii #normandy #france 030
Chris Wills @cwills.bsky.social · 16/04/2026New issue of Weekend History Hunt for families is now out. Find great places to explore with your kids this weekend. duckabroad.substack.com/p/the-most-f...duckabroad.substack.comThe Most Famous Ship in History Sank 114 Years Ago. Here's Where to Go See It.The Titanic sank 114 years ago this week. Here's the story your kids need to know, and the five places around the world where your family can still experience it. 010
Chris Wills @cwills.bsky.social · 15/04/2026After a morning at Mont-Saint-Michel, we packed up and headed to Utah Beach for a couple of days packed with WWII history. 120
Chris Wills @cwills.bsky.social · 14/04/2026Three years ago today we spent the night at Mont-Saint-Michel. It was a magical way to explore the Abbey and the town without the crowds. 020
Chris Wills @cwills.bsky.social · 09/04/2026Kids don't need a fancy travel journal. They need one question to answer at the end of the day. "What was the weirdest thing you saw?" gets you further than "what did you learn?" 120
Chris Wills @cwills.bsky.social · 01/04/2026Tonight, for the first time since 1972, humans are flying around the Moon. Myself and my kids were born into a world where that hadn't happened in our lifetimes. This week's Weekend History Hunt is about where kids can dive into space exploration. duckabroad.substack.com/p/for-the-fi...duckabroad.substack.comFor the First Time in 54 Years, Humans are Flying Around the MoonEvery kid alive was born in a world where no one had done this since the 70's. That changes tonight. 000
Reposted by Chris WillsJonathan - The Royal Tour @theroyaltour.bsky.social · 30/03/2026NEW TODAY!! There is really nowhere you could go in Italy and NOT eat well. But I had a single weekend in Turin and I wanted to make my meals count. Check it out as we explore the classics! #TravelAddicts #Italy #Food theroyaltourblog.com/2026/03/30/e...theroyaltourblog.comEating Well in Turin - The Royal TourI had 48 hours in Turin, a lovely weekend side trip from my base in Genoa. My primary tasks were writing about the Savoy dynasty and the city’s automotive history. But hey, a guy’s got to eat, right? ... 052
Chris Wills @cwills.bsky.social · 23/03/2026The Roots of Knowledge stained glass at Utah Valley University. 45 panels. 80 feet long. Thousands of hours of work depicting the entire history of human knowledge. We stood in front of it for a long time. Every time you think you've taken it all in, you spot something new. 120
Chris Wills @cwills.bsky.social · 20/03/2026Slow travel isn't about doing less. It's about giving your kids enough time in one place to wander, learn the culture, and figure out which of the nearby gelato spots is their favorite. #familytravel #slowtravel 020
Chris Wills @cwills.bsky.social · 19/03/2026Every parent takes a hundred photos on vacation. Almost nobody writes down what their kid said when they saw something for the first time. That's the thing you'll actually want ten years from now. #familytravel 120
Chris Wills @cwills.bsky.social · 19/03/2026Starting something new today. Every Thursday I'm sending a newsletter called The Weekend History Hunt. One story worth telling your kids. Real places to visit. Something to do before Monday. It's for families who love to explore! Issue 1 is out now. 👇 open.substack.com/pub/duckabro... 000
Chris Wills @cwills.bsky.social · 18/03/2026There is no perfect age to start traveling with kids. There's only the trip you took and the trip you kept putting off. 001
Reposted by Chris WillsVelvet Escape @velvetescape.com · 06/03/2026One of my travel highlights last year was trip to Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was my first time visiting the country and I absolutely loved it! Here’s how my week went in this fascinating country: velvetescape.com/bosnia-and-h... #travel #Bosnia #traveladdicts #travelbloggerscommunityvelvetescape.comMy week in Bosnia and HerzegovinaHow to spend a week in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This Bosnia and Herzegovina itinerary includes the main historic and natural attractions. 082
Reposted by Chris WillsJonathan - The Royal Tour @theroyaltour.bsky.social · 06/03/2026NEW TODAY!! Today we head with one of my guest writers to the Dominican Republic, and not only the beaches! Check it out!! #TravelAddicts #DominicanRepublic theroyaltourblog.com/2026/03/06/v...theroyaltourblog.comVisiting the Dominican Republic - The Royal TourEditor’s note: I spent two full weeks in Santo Domingo a few years back, and while the city wasn’t as well kept up as the historic portions of San Juan or Cartagena, I found my time there to be incred... 092
Chris Wills @cwills.bsky.social · 05/03/2026My daughter left for Milan today with a friend. She's 19 and has been to Italy a few times, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous. Funny how you spend years teaching your kids to love travel, then struggle when they want to do it without you. duckabroad.substack.com/p/you-raised...duckabroad.substack.comYou Raised Them to Love Travel. Now They Want to Go Alone.My daughter leaves for Milan today. I'm nervous, proud, and asking questions I don't have clear answers to. 120
Chris Wills @cwills.bsky.social · 04/03/2026"They won't remember." We took our kids to Italy at 8 and 10. Eight years later, on a school trip, they found the exact same spots. Same pose. Same place. Nobody asked them to. Then they framed the photos for Mother's Day. They remember. duckabroad.substack.com/p/they-wont-...duckabroad.substack.comThey Won't Remember (Yes They Will)My kids recreated our family vacation photos 8 years later. 000
Chris Wills @cwills.bsky.social · 03/03/202658% of parents say they're going screen-free on their next family trip. Honestly? The hardest screen to put away is mine. Planning, maps, restaurant reviews, photos. At some point the phone becomes a barrier between you and the place you traveled to see. duckabroad.substack.com/p/stop-rushi...duckabroad.substack.comStop Rushing Through Your Family VacationsWhy "slow travel" is the biggest family travel trend of 2026, and why your kids will actually thank you for it 000
Chris Wills @cwills.bsky.social · 02/03/2026The new collectible DuckAbroad card for Maine is done. What do you think? 000
Chris Wills @cwills.bsky.social · 01/03/2026In 1776, a crowd toppled a 4,000-lb statue of King George III and melted it into 42,000 bullets. That's just one stop on our new, free Revolutionary War walking hunt through Manhattan. Riddles, clues, and real history. Free in the DuckAbroad app! 010
Chris Wills @cwills.bsky.social · 26/02/2026I like how NotebookLM can take different sources and direction and build a good looking infographic. It's just too bad that it makes so many basic spelling mistakes. 010
Chris Wills @cwills.bsky.social · 21/02/2026When was the last time your family had absolutely nowhere to be on vacation? No train to catch. No reservation to rush to. Just...time. Those are the moments your kids remember. New post on why the biggest family travel trend of 2026 is doing less. duckabroad.substack.com/p/stop-rushi...duckabroad.substack.comStop Rushing Through Your Family VacationsWhy "slow travel" is the biggest family travel trend of 2026, and why your kids will actually thank you for it 010
Chris Wills @cwills.bsky.social · 21/02/2026Working on a few changes to the 50 State Challenge collectible card series...almost ready. 000
Chris Wills @cwills.bsky.social · 15/02/2026Added a new Hidden History Hunt in Philadelphia to the DuckAbroad app! Explore Black history landmarks, solve rhyming riddles, and earn the Pioneers of Freedom badge. Free to play, perfect for families. Download and start exploring! 030
Chris Wills @cwills.bsky.social · 12/02/2026Nothing like a quiet mid-week ski day after a night of fresh powder. 010
Chris Wills @cwills.bsky.social · 06/02/2026Been working on some new updates...a 50 State card series for DuckAbroad. Alaska is the first one off the press. Each card has the state flower, bird, and some history. Scan the QR to add it to your digital collection. If you're subscribed to the app, you can request one free. #travelusa 010
Chris Wills @cwills.bsky.social · 06/02/2026We dragged our kids through museums thinking they'd learn something. They were bored. We were frustrated. Nobody had fun. Turns out we were doing educational travel all wrong. The fix? Stop teaching. Start sparking curiosity. www.duckabroad.com/travel-blog/...duckabroad.comWhy "Educational Travel" Fails (And What Actually Works)The difference between dragging kids through museums and sparking genuine curiosityWe've all seen it. Maybe we've been it.A family shuffling through a museum. The parents are reading every plaque, des... 110
Chris Wills @cwills.bsky.social · 05/02/2026If you're in the Provo area of Utah and you enjoy watching planes, check out the path that goes around the Provo Airport. It has great views of Utah Lake and a good number of aircraft to photograph against a beautiful mountain background. 000
Chris Wills @cwills.bsky.social · 29/01/2026We've been busy! The DuckAbroad Discovery Center just got two upgrades: - See exactly how close you are to leveling up - Daily "On This Day" history facts to keep curious minds fed Did you know Karl Benz patented the first car on January 29, 1886? Now you do! 000
Chris Wills @cwills.bsky.social · 27/01/2026Sun starts to set on the Port of Canea in Chania. #greece 020
Chris Wills @cwills.bsky.social · 25/01/2026"Where should we eat?" Every family's least favorite question. We built Pick'n Dinner to end the debate: ✅Everyone votes ✅ Fair ranked-choice system ✅ Tie? Spin the wheel! From hangry to happy in 2 minutes. Now on the App Store 👇 apps.apple.com/us/app/pickn...apps.apple.comPick'n Dinner App - App StoreDownload Pick'n Dinner by Chris Wills on the App Store. See screenshots, ratings and reviews, user tips, and more games like Pick'n Dinner. 000
Chris Wills @cwills.bsky.social · 24/01/2026Big storm heading to the Northeast with frigid temps ❄️ You know what that means... POWDER DAY! ⛷️ Who's hitting the slopes with the kids this weekend? 010
Chris Wills @cwills.bsky.social · 23/01/2026How do you keep kids excited about ancient history? Turn it into a game. Duckwyn's Rome hunts let them collect stickers from real historical locations. 2 Hidden History Hunts will take you on a learning adventure through the city. 000
Chris Wills @cwills.bsky.social · 06/01/2026A little chilly yesterday with temps topping out at about 16 degrees Fahrenheit but it was a fun day out at Loon Mountain in NH. 071
Reposted by Chris WillsSisbehaving Travel Bloggers @sisbehaving.bsky.social · 05/01/2026🍾Happy New Year!! Thank you for the support, friendship, engagement and travel content this year - I love this community 🌎 We've just released our 2025 Travel Awards and year end wrap-up! Check it out! #TravelBloggersCommunity #TravelAddicts sisbehaving.com/best-travel-...sisbehaving.comOur Best of 2025 – Travel Awards and Wrap-up | SisbehavingOur annual awards and best of travel list. See what our favorite bites, sips, stays, adventures and destinations were this year! 3114
Chris Wills @cwills.bsky.social · 02/01/2026I put together a summary of all the new places that were added to the DuckAbroad app in 2025. Including building iPhone and Android apps, it was a busy year. duckabroad.substack.com/p/what-i-bui... 030