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5 Places to Visit in Your 30s

By U.S. News & World Report

In your 30s, you’ve matured as an adult and you know more about what you want out of life. You’ve hit significant career milestones and set yourself up for financial success. And with a padded income, you’re itching to explore exciting destinations without cutting corners. Where should you travel as a 30-something? Whether you’re yearning for adventure, relaxation or a meaningful cultural experience, consider crossing these must-see places off your list for an unforgettable getaway.

[See: 10 Best Trips for Adventure Junkies.]

San Francisco

San Francisco features jaw-dropping scenery, top-notch cuisine, world-class art and beautiful vistas. At one point in your life, you have to catch sight of the Golden Gate Bridge at sunrise or sunset while the fog moves across the East Bay. And while San Francisco is known for its urban splendors, vibrant neighborhoods and eclectic galleries, the city also boasts plenty of green spaces and parks that are ideal for embracing the great outdoors and communing with nature. Tour Alcatraz Island, check out the fine art of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and sample authentic bites in Chinatown or at the bustling Ferry Building Marketplace. Cap off your visit with a trip to one of East Bay’s top wineries, such as Hawkes Winery, Sausal Winery or Field Stone Winery.

Quebec City

Luring foodies, culture vultures and Francophiles alike, Quebec City offers a rich heritage and storied sites dating back to the 18th century. Old Quebec is paved with cobblestones, and you must visit Marché du Vieux-Port de Quebec to shop for artistic treasures. Sample delicious delicatessen foods, and pick up produce to try your hand at a local recipe. Other can’t-miss activities include exploring Place-Royal and the Quartier Petit-Champlain, along with soaking in the breathtaking city views along the Terrasse Dufferin.

[See: How to Take a Minivacation.]

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Consider yourself a “Game of Thrones” fan? Then pack your bags for Croatia, the backdrop of the King’s Landing on the hit HBO series. In Dubrovnik‘s Old Town, a prime filming location for the show, you can catch sight of the narrow streets, outer walls and fortified structures seen throughout the series. Aside from the obvious appeal for Game of Thrones fans, Dubrovnik lures visitors with its seaside scenery, sublime beaches and historic charm. Plus the Old Town is full of charming cafes, unique bars and must-see attractions including the Dubrovnik Cathedral and Rector’s Palace.

Kathmandu, Nepal

It doesn’t get much more awe-inspiring than Nepal. Kathmandu, Nepal’s largest city, earned its name from a legend where a sage named Ne settled in the Kathmandu Valley. Explore the city by rickshaw or taxi, or take a bus when traveling longer distances across the country. During your visit, sample a momo, the country’s simple and delicious dumpling, before climbing the 350 steps it takes to get to the top of Swayambhu, known as the Monkey Temple. There are many incredible sites to visit in Kathmandu, from ancient temples to vibrant gardens. In the 1920s, Kaiser Shamser, a field marshal, constructed the Garden of Dreams after he visited an estate in England to complement his palace. While the 2015 earthquake did cause some damage, the gardens are still beautiful and many iconic sites have been restored or stayed intact.

[See: 10 Bucket-List Destinations That Don’t Cost a Fortune.]

Amsterdam

If you haven’t yet visited the Netherlands, Amsterdam offers plenty of enticement for planning a trip, including excellent bars, restaurants and quirky coffee shops. Stroll along canal-lined streets as you savor a coffee, before making your way to the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum to get your art fix. Nature lovers, especially fans of tulips, must see the Keukenhof’s tulips and the flower strip. After soaking in the scenery, tour Heineken, the world-famous brewery, or take a respite in Vondelpark. Other must-dos in these legendary European city include exploring Amsterdam by bike and checking out the creative, forward-thinking designs in P. C. Hooftstraat, a prime shopping thoroughfare.

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5 Places to Visit in Your 30s originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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