Visit the Sistine Chapel and see one of the most difficult, yet one of the most beautiful paintings in the world. Michelangelo created this remarkable painting between 1508 and 1512 while lying on his back. It took a great physical toll on him. Michelangelo considered himself more of a sculptor and this comes through in his painting. The figures that cover this enormous painting share the same beauty and strength as you would see in a sculpture.

In addition to seeing Michelangelo's painting, you'll be visiting one of the most important locations within the Vatican. It is here that popes are chosen and crowned. When a new pope is being chosen, smoke signals are used to alert the world of the status of a new pope. Black smoke means that they haven't found a Pope. White smoke is used when a new Pope has been found.

Over the past year we've been adding over 50 historical sites, 18 different historical people, 50 US State Capitals, and several general points of interest to help families discover and learn about world history. Today, you can view them on our free trip planning tool.

We want to make it easy for you to plan your day ahead of time. The planner allows you to select what you want to see and the order you want to visit them. The map will adjust to show you the best path to each of the sites. You can then use the Duckwyn Travel app to learn about and track each of the places you go.

Additional features for Duckwyn Passport subscribers

If you have an account, you will also be able to add your own points of interests. So if there's a restaurant you want to stop in for lunch or a park you want to take a break and let the kids run around in, you can add them to your itinerary too.

More historical sites are coming soon. Check the free city tour planner today and let us know what you think.

On this day, 100 years ago, Congress passed the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote. Susan B Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton worked tirelessly during the mid to late 1800's to clear the path for this new law. Together, they campaigned for women's rights and for the rights of African Americans. Neither would live long enough to see the 19th amendment passed but there's no doubt about the importance of their work.

Starting today, you can find Susan B Anthony's Duckwyn card near her home, and now museum, in Rochester, New York.

Yes, it did begin in Boston...

The Old South Meeting House, located on the Freedom Trail,  was where the citizens of Boston gathered for large meetings in the 1700's. The meeting house was the largest building in Boston at the time. There, large protests would take place between the Patriots and Loyalists to protest and show support for the British government.

On December 16, 1773, over 5000 people gathered at the meeting house to protest the taxation of tea. Many, led by the Sons of Liberty, wanted 3 tea ships docked in Boston harbor to return to England without unloading their tea. The governor of Boston had demanded that their cargo be unloaded. The protesters eventually left the meeting house and proceeded down to the harbor where they dumped the tea into the water. This event became known as the Boston Tea Party.

The British Parliament responded with a series of acts called the Intolerable Acts to punish the colonists. This further escalated tensions which eventually led to the American Revolution just over a year later.

If you're in Boston, be sure to check out the Old South Meeting House located right downtown, not far from Boston Common. And, if you're using the Duckwyn app, be sure to checkin and get your stamp.

The Park Street Church was a beacon to sailors delivering their goods to Boston. The spire of the church, inspired by architect Christopher Wren, reached 217 feet into the air welcoming travelers to the city. The Park Street Church remained the tallest building in Boston until 1867 when the Church of the Covenant surpassed it by 19 feet.

Today, the Park Street Church is still an active congregation. It can no longer be seen from Boston Harbor but it still keeps its strong presence in the city as a stop along the Freedom Trail.

Starting today, you can add it to your Duckwyn passport.

The 35th President of the United States can now be found near the JFK Library in Boston. John F Kennedy was born in Brookline, Massachusetts and graduated from Harvard University. He fought in World War II, served as a U.S. Senator, and went on to become the President of the United States. Unfortunately, his life was cut short when he was killed in Dallas, Texas. Find out more about about his presidency by visiting the JFK Library. While you're there, make sure to use your Duckwyn passport to add him to your collection.

Julius Caesar rose to power after his victories in the Gallic Wars and Caesar's Civil War. He's one of the most famous politicians during the reign of the Roman Republic and Roman Empire. He has now been added to the app.

​If you're traveling through Rome, you can find his card near the Temple of Caesar (Temple of Divus Iulius). The temple is located northwest of the Colosseum, past the Arco di Tito, in a section of Rome with several ancient structures you can explore. 

Starting today, all 50 state capitals have special Duckwyn Coins to collect. The coins can be found near each state’s capitol building or statehouse.

Duckwyn Coins are all new and will expand across different categories. To start with, we're launching with state capitals but expect to see many more coming soon.
​
How many can you find and collect?

If you're spending a few days in Rome then you should plan to spend one of those days at the Vatican. Vatican City is its own independent city-state. It prints its own stamps, mints its own euros, issues passports, and has its own anthem and flag. While visiting the Vatican be sure to check out St. Peter's Basilica, Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel, and the Vatican Museum. If you're in the area on a Wednesday, then consider attending the Papal Audience. This gives you an opportunity to see the Pope. The Audience starts at 10am but people start arriving around 8am to get the best spots.

Vatican City has been added as a destination in the Duckwyn passport app.