Entries by Candyce H. Stapen

5 Wonderful Ways to Enjoy Historical Honfleur

Take time to explore Honfleur, France, a scenic town that dates to the 14th century. Cobblestone streets fan out from the historic harbor, home to centuries-old buildings, including half-timbered Medieval-era dwellings. Boutiques, galleries and cafes line the quay, and the town’s lesser-known gem, the Eugene Boudin Museum, features pre-Impressionist, Impressionist and contemporary works. Even if… Read More

10 Places for Native American Vacation Experiences with Your Family

Listening to Native legends around the campfire, taking a Jeep ride through the high mountain desert, watching the colorful swirl of dancers at a powwow – exchanges with Native peoples provide a visceral understanding of traditions and history not available in textbooks. The United States is a particularly rich destination for exploring indigenous culture. That… Read More

Betting on a shore thing: Four megaship veterans try cruising on a smaller scale

Some people like hosting relatives at their homes. We prefer cruising with family because it gives us time together (and apart), plus interesting ports, entertainment and meals without the hassle of shopping, cooking and housekeeping. Every summer since 2009, my cousins Wayne and Mary Jane have joined me and my husband, David, on the high… Read More

How Xanterra National Park Lodges Are Saving Water

Creative initiatives are reaping big benefits for this precious resource Whether in the desert of the Grand Canyon or the snow-rich region of Oregon’s Crater Lake, conserving water means being proactive. Xanterra Parks & Resorts, the largest concessioner in the national parks, saves water with a number of creative initiatives. “Every drop of water counts,”… Read More

Washington DC in 48 Hours

Tour the White House and National Mall; sample hot jazz in Georgetown and best bites in Penn Quarter Washington, D.C., unfolds as a graceful mix of monuments, memorials, museums and neighborhoods. No other city has the White House, the Capitol, and the National Archives Museum. The scores of monuments and memorials pay official homage to our… Read More

A kid-friendly goldmine, from pandas to paddleboats

Best known for such historic national landmarks as the White House and the U.S. Capitol, Washington DC is a goldmine of kid-friendly charms. Families who visit the capital discover engaging exhibits at the 19, free Smithsonian facilities, the wide-open expanse of the National Mall; and outdoor activities from ice-skating to kayaking. To make the most… Read More

Arlington’s memorials and landmarks

The capital’s tribute to our nation’s heroes continues in Arlington, Virginia. Across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., Arlington memorials and landmarks include the Arlington National Cemetery, the Women in Military Service for America, the Marine Corps War Memorial and the Pentagon Memorial. Combine a tour of these and other memorials with a visit to Theodore Roosevelt Island, an oasis… Read More

Off the Mall: Washington, DC’s, Penn Quarter and Chinatown

Sports, Spies, Art, Restaurants and Bars There’s much more to Washington, D.C., than just the Mall and its museums and monuments.  Penn Quarter buzzes with day and night life. In this vibrant neighborhood sports lovers and  concert-goers head to the Capital One Arena, art admirers ogle the paintings and sculpture at the Smithsonian American Art Museum… Read More

Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown: Fall Adventures

Fun for leaf-peepers, history-buffs, outdoor enthusiasts and Halloween-lovers Visiting Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown in fall brings the bonuses of crisp walking weather, dazzling foliage, and seasonal festivities from farmers’ markets to creepy creatures and creative haunted happenings at Busch Gardens Howl-O-Scream as well as at Colonial Williamsburg. Day 1: Williamsburg and Yorktown Morning: Paddle through wetlands… Read More

Turning Food into Flowers and Cooking Oil into Fuel

How Xanterra-managed national park lodges are reducing food waste and supporting sustainability By turning food into flowers and cooking oil into fuel, Xanterra Parks & Resorts, the largest concessioner of national park lodges, performs conservation “magic.”The combined food waste diverted from landfills at five Xanterra-managed national park lodges in 2016 weighed 1,425,540 pounds — or… Read More