Articles, Apps, Columns, Books, Broadcasts; Leader in family travel writing about the topic for 20+ years; Columnist/Blogger Adventure Living; BellaOnline.com; Former USA TODAY travel editor/producer
Highly respected family travel expert, Candyce H. Stapen has authored 30 travel guide books—including two for National Geographic– developed FamilyiTrips apps, written 2,400+ travel articles for a variety of outlets, appeared on the TODAY Show and other broadcasts to talk about travel.
Please follow her @familyitrips
Featured article: Say aloha to authentic Hawaii
USA TODAY
Tips, News, Deals
Hotel fees catch travelers off guard
Two million kids younger than 15 sailed the high seas in 2013 on lines that are members of the Cruise Lines International Association Industry.
Family Cruising Basics, Cruise Critic, June 2014. Read More
Why cruises work well for teens and how to plan the best voyage for your family, as well as some rules you might want to consider for smooth sailing.
10 Tips for Cruising with Teens, Cruise Critic, June 2014. Read More
Get Patrick Henry to take a Selfie. MapQuest, June 2014. Read more
How to teach your kids to give back and engage with locals while traveling?
When visiting poor areas in developing countries, we take Polaroid photos of willing people and give the images to them as gifts. Even in the digital age, many people in rural areas do not have photos of themselves.
Use Photos to engage with Locals on Trips, www.bellaonline.com. Read more
Book: An Explorer’s Guide to Virginia
Lush vineyards, exciting cities, deep history, space-age science – VA has lots to offer. (Countryman Press)
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FamilyiTrips
Stapen has taken her love and experience of travel writing and combined it with her entrepreneurial spirit to launch FamilyiTrips, a series of user-friendly and informative family travel apps. Stapen wrote DC With Kids, and noted journalist Deb Geigis Berry wrote Boston With Kids and NYC Family Guide.
DC With Kids, a seven+ weeks iTunes Hot List Pick. Written and created by Candyce Stapen. Click here to find out some fun facts.
only $3.99
New York Times Review
The apps, which landed on iTunes’s hot list last month, allow users to nimbly explore listings, including shops, hotels and restaurants. But they also offer filters through which to explore the cities: by budget, by activities that are “like a local,” and by attractions according to age group.
Read the review
Huffington Post, 12/24/2012
DC With Kids: This app from www.FamilyiTrips.com is a gem for locals and visitors to D.C. alike. A mere $3.99 gets you access to over 250 ideas for activities for children in the D.C. area and free updates whenever new activities are added. You can search for things to do by age (young children, grade schoolers, and teens) or by using a number of other categories including the “Top 11,” seasonal events, seasonal happenings, and free activities. The app offers practical advice, such as where to find family-friendly places to eat near attractions. This is a good choice to help find attractions on the go. If your holiday travel includes Boston or New York City, you can find similar apps for those cities here.
Chicago Tribune Review
“Why it’s great: It’s loaded with info. By selecting favorites, you can create custom itineraries.” May 6, 2012
Read the review
Travelingmom.com says FamilyiTrips apps worth the cost
“After having taken these apps out for a test run I can tell you that these apps are 100% worth their cost. If you are traveling to DC or Boston I highly recommend you get these apps.”
Read the DC With Kids app review
Read the Boston With Kids app review
Boston with Kids, a two times iTunes Hot List Pick. Written by Deb Geigis Berry, a noted family travel expert.
only $3.99
Boston Globe praises FamilyiTrips
“Each colorful, nicely illustrated app has more than 250 entries that include top picks, outdoor activities, and freebies, along with places to eat, sleep, and shop. Or find an activity for a specific age group: young kids, grade-schoolers, or teens. Discover everything from science workshops to puppet shows, moonlight tours, museum sleep- overs, or animal adventures.”
4/1/2012
“This is my new favorite app. As a family that travels a lot, we’re constantly getting pamphlets, guides, and whatever we can to help us, but nothing has been as helpful, thorough, or fun as Boston with Kids. My kids love it for the fun, whimsical illustrations, and my wife and I are still learning just how in depth it is and how much there is to do. We highly recommend.”
Read the Boston with Kids reviews and more. Rated 
NYC Family Guide, Written by Deb Geigis Berry
only $3.99
Lots of great info for kids of any age. I really love that this app gives lots of great suggestions for tots through teens. No one is left out. I particularly appreciate that there are so many food choices. We sometimes feel overwhelmed when visiting NYC because of the number of places to eat. Finding the best ones for us is a lot easier now.
by Aunt Di bethesda – version 1.0 – Sep 19,2012
Best NYC Guide for Families! If you are going to be in New York City, then this app is just as important as a subway card. It is a great guide for families with kids of all ages. It includes comprehensive information about the major attractions as well as lots of really great things to see and do beyond the typical tourist stuff in town.
Read the reviews and more. Rated
Featured Articles
Photo: One Laptop per Child
Photo: Candyce Stapen
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Featured App
DC With Kids, FamilyiTrips.com
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Featured Videos
Tips for Traveling with your Dog
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Photo by H. Darr Beiser
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www.Washington.org
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Featured Book
“A classy series with encyclopedic coverage.”
–National Geographic Traveler
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Awards & Offices
- Five-time winner, Society of American Travel Writers’ Lowell Thomas Journalism Award
- Society of American Travel Journalists Award for Best Travel Industry Website, 2013
- Caribbean Travel Writer of the Year, North America, 2004
- Travel Journalist Guild president, 2006-2008
Online Columns & More Articles
- Adventure Living columnist, BellaOnline.com
- Family Cruising Basics
Author, 30 travel books, including:
• An Explorer’s Guide to Virginia (Countryman Press, 2011)
• Fun with the Family: Virginia, 8th ed. (Globe Pequot, 2010)
• National Geographic Guide to the Caribbean Family Vacations (National Geographic)
• National Geographic Guide to Family Adventure Vacations, Wildlife Encounters, Cultural Explorations and Learning Escapes In the U.S. and Canada (National Geographic)
Published more than 2400 articles:
Former USA TODAY travel editor & producer; USA TODAY; USA TODAY.com; USA WEEKEND; Cruise Critic.com; Family Vacation Critic.com; National Geographic Traveler, Budget Travel.com; Family Fun; Washingtonian; Caribbean Travel and Life; Redbook; Parents; Better Homes & Gardens; MSNBC.com; New York Post; Boston Herald; Condé Nast Traveler; Miami Herald; Family Travel Network.com; Washington Times; Expedia.com; Postcards; Away.com; Caribbean World U.K.; Where to Retire and more.
Broadcasts
• Travel expert USA TODAY.com
• Should Pets fly on Jets? Click here to view
• Tips for traveling with your dog Click here to view
• Travel Expert WUSA-TV, Washington D.C.’s CBS affiliate topics
• Travel Expert “Today” Show, two appearances