Candyce H. Stapen, Author at Great Family Vacations

About Candyce H. Stapen

Candyce H. Stapen is an award-winning travel journalist and author. As travel editor/producer at USA TODAY, Stapen launched the company’s digital travel sites. Her work appears in many outlets, including the Washington Post and Frommers.com. Candyce has written thousands of articles and 29 books about family travel, including two for National Geographic. She founded non-profit Henny’s Kids to bring solar-powered laptops and computer training to rural elementary schools in Africa.

Candyce raised her family in Washington, D.C., and currently resides there with her husband and Lily, a Newfoundland.

Entries by Candyce H. Stapen

Turks and Caicos’ Providenciales

September 15, 2009/in Adventures, Beach Resorts, Beaches, Caribbean, Bahamas & Bermuda Destinations, College Age & Adult, Cruises & Resorts, Family, Grade-Schoolers Ages 6-9, International Parks, Non-U.S., Multigenerational, Preschoolers Ages 3-5, Teens Ages 13-17, Trip Ideas, Tweens Ages 10-12/by Candyce H. Stapen

Providenciales, affectionately called “Provo,” features one of the Caribbean’s best beaches: 12-mile-long Grace Bay Beach. Despite the fact that Provo’s been discovered and low-rise condo-hotels are opening along Grace Bay Beach, there’s plenty of room on the sand as well as on the island, population about 24,000. And you won’t encounter traffic jams or cruise… Read More

Swimming with Horses in Jamaica

September 15, 2009/in Adventures, Caribbean, Bahamas & Bermuda Destinations, College Age & Adult, Family, Grade-Schoolers Ages 6-9, Teens Ages 13-17, Trip Ideas, Tweens Ages 10-12/by Candyce H. Stapen

Swimming with Ziggy, a retired polo pony, in Jamaica proved to be the highlight of our horseback trip with Chukka Caribbean Adventures, Sandy Bay, Jamaica. Before we hit the water, though, Ziggy and his pal Scrappy, handled by my daughter Alissa, took us inland on a two hour scenic “walk” in the hills, something I… Read More

Caribbean, Stress Relief

September 15, 2009/in Beach Resorts, Caribbean, Bahamas & Bermuda Destinations, Central & South America Destinations, Cruises, Cruises & Resorts, Cruising, More Lodging, Relaxing Getaways, Trip Ideas/by Candyce H. Stapen

New treatments at the Caribbean’s top spas revive the mind, body and soul. Mango, papaya, chocolate, ginger, and lime are not just for eating. At top spas in the Caribbean, guests can get rubbed and scrubbed with these indigenous products, or in some cases even soak in them. The experience is both good for you… Read More

Family Travel: Guatemala Adventure

April 28, 2009/in Adventures, Central & South America Destinations, College Age & Adult, Cruises & Resorts, Family, Historic, Lake Vacations, More Lodging, Multigenerational, Teens Ages 13-17, Trip Ideas/by Candyce H. Stapen

It’s hot in Yaxhá, sweaty hot, jungle hot as we pause by the shores of a green lake to admire the bony backs and bulging eyes of a pair of crocodiles snoozing in the reeds near the shore. We pass the raised camping platforms, open to the air but covered with thatch to keep out… Read More

Exploring Namibia’s Sand Dunes

February 23, 2009/in Adventures, Africa & Middle East Destinations, International Parks, Non-U.S., Trip Ideas, Wildlife and Safari Vacations/by Candyce H. Stapen

It’s 5:45 a.m., a little more than 30 minutes before dawn, and the sky over Sossusvlei is silvery blue and shot with stars. We’ve come to this part of Namibia’s Namib-Naukluft Park, one of Africa’s largest conservation areas, to experience the sand dunes, rated as among the world’s highest. “Big Daddy,” considered the region’s tallest… Read More

Explore Etosha National Park, Namibia’s Jewel

February 23, 2009/in Adventures, Africa & Middle East Destinations, All-inclusive Vacations, College Age & Adult, Family, Grade-Schoolers Ages 6-9, International Parks, Non-U.S., Multigenerational, Teens Ages 13-17, Trip Ideas, Tweens Ages 10-12, Wildlife and Safari Vacations/by Candyce H. Stapen

Etosha National Park takes us by surprise. Springbok prance across the plains, lions linger in tall grass meadows, giraffe munch the tops of acacia trees and elephants stretch their trunks into the silvery coolness of waterholes. Namibia’s jewel, Etosha reigns as one of Africa’s largest game parks. Its nearly 8600 square miles shelter 114 species… Read More

Hiking Tours: From Krakow to Budapest

July 14, 2007/in Adventures, College Age & Adult, Europe & Scandinavia Destinations, Trip Ideas/by Candyce H. Stapen

We knew we were in trouble at the first night’s wine and cheese gettogether in Krakow. That’s when several of our fellow foot soldiers on our Butterfield & Robinson walking tour reminisced about their treks in Nepal. “Nepal?” I whispered hoarsely to David, my husband. “We’re doomed.” Trails that come with steep peaks, trekking gear,… Read More

Family Travel: Off-the-Beaten Path Caribbean

February 15, 2006/in Adventures, Beach Resorts, Beaches, Caribbean, Bahamas & Bermuda Destinations, Cruises & Resorts, Family, More Lodging, Trip Ideas/by Candyce H. Stapen

For centuries sailors have headed toward St. Vincent and its sister islands, the Grenadines, a 45-mile archipelago lying between Grenada and St. Lucia. Legend has it that the buccaneers of long ago buried their booty in the lush hills and rock strewn caves; savvy yachtsmen still seek treasured sanctuary in these islands’ sequestered coves. St…. Read More

Top Family Attractions: Puerto Rico

February 15, 2006/in Adventures, Beaches, Caribbean, Bahamas & Bermuda Destinations, City and Cultural Vacations, College Age & Adult, Family, Grade-Schoolers Ages 6-9, Historic, Multigenerational, National and State Parks in the US, Teens Ages 13-17, Trip Ideas, Tweens Ages 10-12/by Candyce H. Stapen

San Juan grew out from a colonial center whose awe-inspiring churches and forts still stand amidst a packed collection of shops and hotels. The ocean views from the many beaches draping the island, however, are timeless. Daytrips from the city allow visitors to explore the island’s caves, beaches, rainforests, and many other natural wonders. Vieques… Read More

Top Family Attractions: Bermuda

February 15, 2006/in Adventures, Beaches, By Age, Caribbean, Bahamas & Bermuda Destinations, College Age & Adult, Family, Grade-Schoolers Ages 6-9, Historic, Multigenerational, Museums, Nature Vacations, Preschoolers Ages 3-5, Teens Ages 13-17, Trip Ideas, Tweens Ages 10-12/by Candyce H. Stapen

With clean streets, pink-sand beaches, a touch of British élan, and more golf courses per square mile than anywhere else in the world, Bermuda offers a high-style vacation with lots to see and do. Destination highlights The waters of Horseshoe Bay and Elbow Beach Try the helmet diving—it’s divine Hikes along the Bermuda Railway Trail… Read More

New Zealand Adventures

October 1, 2005/in Adventures, Australia & Pacific Destinations, By Age, College Age & Adult, Family, International Parks, Non-U.S., Lake Vacations, More Lodging, Nature Vacations, Ski and Mountain Vacations, Teens Ages 13-17, Trip Ideas, Tweens Ages 10-12/by Candyce H. Stapen

This year for our family vacation we wanted a dollar-stretcher destination in a country that likes Americans, blooms with spectacular scenery, offers eco-adventures not available in the U.S, but bundles these with comfortable lodging and good food. Because the Euro shrinks our greenbacks to a mere 77 cents, we cut the Continent from our list…. Read More