Entries by Candyce H. Stapen

Miami is Fine for a Family Getaway

What’s the key to a Miami Beach area family vacation? Pair shore time with off-the-beach fun. Try a zip line adventure, explore museums, learn about the city’s iconic architecture and allow plenty of time to romp through parks and along the sands. It’s easy to engage toddlers, teens and multigenerational families. A bonus: Most outdoor… Read More

Our Family Alaska Cruise

On our family Alaska cruise, we stood on the deck staring in amazement at the sheer size of Hubbard Glacier — a cool icy blue in the sunlight — which stretched for miles and was backed by gloriously snowcapped mountain peaks. After dreaming of this moment for months, cruising past this dazzling sight on our… Read More

Miami’s Wynwood Sizzles With Street Art

Miami’s Wynwood Arts District, a 50-block world of intriguing, fantastical, humorous and puzzling pieces by established artists and newbies to spray paint, shouldn’t be missed. More than 330 murals emblazon storefronts, fences, doors and walls, transforming the neighborhood into one of the largest open-air art museums in the United States. We strolled by a nipple-headed… Read More

A Luxurious Tea Awaits at the Willard Intercontinental Hotel

Sometimes it’s nice to make an entrance. Charlotte, wearing a floor-length dress, sashayed into Peacock Alley, positioning herself under the row of Beaux-Arts chandeliers, stepping past the potted palms and gilded pilasters. She found her place on the gold settee flanked by glittering sconces and felt like royalty. The harpist, having noticed her blue Mirabel… Read More

The Quieter Side of Miami’s South Beach

Although South Beach thrums with lively bars and trendy restaurants, especially along Ocean Drive, the iconic Miami Beach hotspot harbors a quieter — but far from boring — side. On a recent visit to family, we explored South Beach’s northern section, which blooms with stunning water views, al fresco dining, Art Deco buildings and street… Read More

One Day in Key West

Over the course of one day in Key West, you can experience the joie de vie of the southernmost city in the continental United States. At only four miles long and about two miles wide, the city packs  a lot into a small space—beaches, historic homes, an iconic lighthouse, fabulous food, lively bars, interesting shops,… Read More

When Is the Best Time to Go to The Bahamas?

The best time to visit The Bahamas, an archipelago of more than 700 islands that stretches 760 miles across the western Atlantic Ocean, is winter or spring. On Grand Bahama, New Providence, where Nassau is situated, and other northwestern islands, expect comfortable but cooler winter temperatures. From mid-December through February, temperatures are pleasant, and rainfall… Read More

When Is the Best Time to Visit St. Thomas?

The best time to visit St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands is winter through spring. From December through May, temperatures are mild, and the island receives relatively little rain. June is also a good month to visit since average temperatures increase slightly and precipitation remains relatively low, perfect for long days on the island’s… Read More