Secluded Shores and Bustling Boardwalks in Virginia
Virginia Beach, with its 38 miles of coastline, offers a rare combination of secluded shores and a bustling beach town. My goal was to explore both in the same day.
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
Palm Beach County, Florida
/in Retirement - Where to Retire, Southern United States Destinations, Trip Ideas, United States Destinations/by Candyce H. StapenThis southern Atlantic Coast county has many ritzy mansions, but also is home to thriving master-planned communities. Retirees here cultivate new talents and engage in lifelong learning. Iconic Palm Beach frequently pops into the news as it is the setting for The Mar-a-Lago Club, the Trump-owned resort whose sprawling property is anchored by a 58-bedroom… Read More
Best U.S. Farm Stays for Families
/in Adventures, Babies to 2 Year-Olds, Bargain Travel, Cruises & Resorts, Family, Grade-Schoolers Ages 6-9, Midwest United States Destinations, Nature Vacations, Northeast United States Destinations, Preschoolers Ages 3-5, Relaxing Getaways, Southern United States Destinations, Teens Ages 13-17, Trip Ideas, Tweens Ages 10-12, United States Destinations, Western United States Destinations/by Candyce H. StapenA farm vacation connects you and your family with nature and a simpler way of living. You’ll spend your days completing chores or tromping through creeks, pastures, and barns.
Live the Luxury Spa Life in Anguilla
/in Beach Resorts, Beaches, Caribbean, Bahamas & Bermuda Destinations, Cruises & Resorts, Family, Relaxing Getaways/by Candyce H. StapenPedaling a stationary bike in an outdoor pool at CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa, Anguilla, freed me from Exercycle boredom. The Caribbean glistened in front of me, gulls glided on air currents in the impossibly blue sky, and the sea breezes and water immersion kept me cool. I morphed into a happy cycler and also a more efficient one since the water added resistance and softened the impact on my knees.
8 Great New and Newly Reopened Family Resorts in the Caribbean
/in All-inclusives, Beach Resorts, Beaches, Best Family Resorts, Caribbean, Bahamas & Bermuda Destinations, Cruises & Resorts, Family, More Lodging, Relaxing Getaways/by Candyce H. StapenIt’s time for your first look at the Caribbean’s latest and greatest! Meet the best new, reopened, and reimagined resorts for families. Turns out that basic waterfront hotels won’t do anymore; these island resorts aren’t just for beach and booze anymore. At these, expect expansive waterparks, rooms full of chocolate, dive centers, kid-friendly mascots, and spacious accommodations, the properties cut a wide swath across the Caribbean and Mexico.
7 Great Family Vacation Tour Companies
/in Adventures, All-inclusive Vacations, All-inclusives, Cruises & Resorts, Family, Family Travel Tips, Teens Ages 13-17, Trip Ideas, Tweens Ages 10-12, United States Destinations, Western United States Destinations/by Candyce H. StapenPlanning a successful family vacation is work—but not if you let a packager do the work for you. Buying a vacation through a tour operator frees you from the tedious details of deciding where to stay, what to eat, when to visit each attraction, and how to get to each place.
Best Caribbean Islands for Family Vacations: Which One to Choose
/in Adventures, Beaches, Caribbean, Bahamas & Bermuda Destinations, College Age & Adult, Cruises & Resorts, Family, Grade-Schoolers Ages 6-9, Teens Ages 13-17, Trip Ideas, Tweens Ages 10-12, What to Plan Now/by Candyce H. StapenNot all Caribbean islands are the same. Yes, you can water ski, parasail, and sunbathe almost anywhere there, but islands come in different flavors, and some shine in specific areas. Some dazzle with palm-tree lined beaches, some are ideal for snorkelers and divers, and others are set apart by hiking paths through rainforest. Use our shorthand guide to pick the best Caribbean island for a family vacation.
Turks and Caicos Provides a Great Multigenerational Vacation
/in Beaches, By Activity, By Age, Family, Multigenerational, Trip Ideas/by Candyce H. StapenSometimes ordinary is best, especially if the setting is extraordinary. My 8-month-old granddaughter Charlotte giggled as I held her and we bobbed in the turquoise waters of Grace Bay, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos. James, my 2 1/2-year-old grandson, busily shaped sand into castles and critters under the watchful eyes of his parents. My husband, David,… Read More
Find the Best Local Food in Turks and Caicos
/in By Activity, Caribbean, Bahamas & Bermuda Destinations, Destinations, Restaurants, Trip Ideas/by Candyce H. StapenTurks and Caicos, a foodie destination with its share of luxury resorts that offer fine dining, also has some tasty local finds. These are the places whose food conjures up the destination. Crackpot Kitchen, helmed by chef Nik Skippings, stands out for its delectable local fare infused with international flavors. The culinary ambassador for Turks… Read More
Explore Croatia on a Cruise
/in By Age, City and Cultural Vacations, College Age & Adult, Cruises, Cruises & Resorts, Cruising, Europe & Scandinavia Destinations, Relaxing Getaways, Trip Ideas/by Candyce H. StapenVideos of waterfalls, woodlands and glistening lakes in Croatia’s national parks filled the large screen, the landscape serving as background to master Croatian cellist Ana Rucner, who performed live in front of the tableaux. When she launched into an allegro movement of Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons,” her bow dancing across the strings, the video flashed to a fiddler in a mountain village playing the same piece, his movements mirroring hers.
Not All Kid’s Car Seats Are Approved for Airplanes: Know the Rules
/in Air Travel, Babies to 2 Year-Olds, Family Travel Tips, Preschoolers Ages 3-5/by Candyce H. StapenDon’t assume that you can automatically use your child’s car seat on an airplane. It depends on the seat you own. Whether or not you can strap your kids into their car seats on an airplane depends upon the type of seats, the point during the flight you use them, and what’s practical for your… Read More
Best Family Beach Resorts and All-Inclusives in the Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda, Costa Rica, and Mexico
/in All-inclusives, Babies to 2 Year-Olds, Beach Resorts, Best Family Resorts, Caribbean, Bahamas & Bermuda Destinations, Cruises & Resorts, Family, Grade-Schoolers Ages 6-9, Preschoolers Ages 3-5, Teens Ages 13-17, Tweens Ages 10-12/by Candyce H. StapenThe Caribbean lures families with soft sand beaches, turquoise waters, and great family resorts. At an all-inclusive property, fees cover food, lodging, entertainment, and most activities. That makes the vacation easy to budget, especially when traveling with active teens. When they crave another windsurfing lesson, you can keep your hands off your wallet and say,… Read More