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The 8 Best European Daytrips for History Buffs

By U.S. News & World Report

If you’re a history lover, much of Europe’s art, architecture and cultural treasures offers the chance to immerse yourself in another time period. Instead of reading about pivotal, history-making events in a textbook, you can visit storied, centuries-old properties and attractions to retrace the past. And as you check out superlative museums, monuments and landmarks or tour ancient ruins, you can imagine what life might have been like in another era and brush up on historically significant events.

[See: How to Visit Expensive European Cities on a Budget.]

So, if you’re aching to step back in time and discover landmark-rich destinations, there are plenty of worthwhile, history-filled daytrips to consider. Keep reading to start mapping out memorable excursions on your next trip across the pond.

A Pompeii Tour in Italy

Pompeii, the well-preserved city that was tragically buried by volcanic ash after an eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in A.D. 79, is a must-see for any history buff. What’s left behind is a fascinating area highlighting how Etruscans lived long ago. Walk along stone streets and peer into standing homes and pubs, or marvel at one of Pompeii’s famous death casts as you explore the area’s ruins with a knowledgeable archaelologist. Reputable company Walks of Italy offers this tour with departures from Rome and other nearby towns.

An Excursion to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum From Krakow, Poland

This historic tour, offered through venerable tour operator Viator, offers a unique glimpse into World War II. Visit Auschwitz, the UNESCO-listed former Nazi concentration camp complex, and pay your respects. Afterward, make your way to the area’s old prison blocks and crematoriums or retrace the stories of individual prisoners and explore memorials commemorating Holocaust victims and their families.

A Nero-Themed Tour in Rome

Operator Eternity Tours offers a glimpse into the past of Nero, an eccentric ruler and former emperor of Rome. Nero is well known for his over-the-top flamboyance, his complex political dealings and for murdering his own mother to seize power for himself. When much of Rome burnt down during his rule, Nero took advantage of the situation to build a mansion like no other — Nero’s Golden House. This tour lets you walk within the walls of Nero’s former home and watch a spectacular 3-D presentation to learn about how the palace looked thousands of years ago.

[Read: 7 Expert Tips for Traveling to Europe With Kids.]

A Castles and Wine-Tasting Tour in France’s Loire Valley

The Loire Valley is home to numerous castles with significant historical value. This tour, offered through operator City Wonders, takes you directly from Paris into this awe-inspiring region in the countryside packed with fairy tale-like castles and dramatic scenery. Visit Château de Chambord, the largest castle in the valley and Disney’s inspiration for “Beauty and the Beast.” Learn about the history of the castle as a mere hunting lodge, before spending time exploring the expertly maintained grounds yourself. Then, visit Château de Nitray, where you’ll sit down for a delicious lunch, and have a moment to sample local white and red wines. Take a guided tour of the castle and grounds while learning about the tradition of winemaking in the area. Finally, stop at the famous Château de Chenonceau, which features original stone carvings and beautiful period furniture in its common rooms and bedrooms.

A Jewish Quarter and Anne Frank Walking Tour in Amsterdam

Learn more about World War II history and the life of Anne Frank on this walking tour through the Jewish Quarter of Amsterdam. Stops include the Jewish Historical Museum, a Portuguese synagogue and the Auschwitz Monument, and a resourceful guide accompanies tourgoers to teach the significance of each of these places. The two-hour walk through time ends at the home of Anne Frank, where you can pay a separate fee to discover what her life could have been like before she was taken to a northern Germany concentration camp. You can also learn about her diaries and how they came to be published by her father.

A Daytrip to Stonehenge, Windsor Castle and Bath From London

This historic daytrip takes you to some of England’s most historic and fascinating attractions. Start your journey at Windsor Castle, the home of the British Royal family. Tour the apartments and St. George’s Chapel, where Henry VIII is buried alongside third wife Jane Seymour. After, you’ll explore the famous rock formations of Stonehenge while pondering questions asked for thousands of years. How did the rocks get there? And, what do they mean? Your last stop brings you to elegant Bath, England, which is known for its Georgian architecture and Roman baths which were discovered in 836 B.C. and reinvented for therapeutic use. Visit the baths with a guided tour and take in panoramic views of the gorgeous English countryside.

An Athens Sightseeing Tour

This Athens half-day sightseeing tour, offered by Viator, takes visitors to Greece’s prized national treasures. See the Greek Parliament and the Panathenaic Stadium, which held the first modern Olympic Games. Then, climb the ancient Acropolis to see the many buildings that crown the city in beauty and wonder, while hearing anecdotes and insightful commentary from your dedicated guide. Afterward, you can learn about the Parthenon and its adjacent buildings. Cap off your tour with a stop in Constitution Square and make your way to the Temple of Olympian Zeus.

[See: 12 Great Destinations in Europe You Can Afford.]

A Colosseum Underground Tour in Rome

It’s hard to imagine standing landmarks that serve more as greater historic markers than Rome’s Colosseum, the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. After all, the Roman Empire once controlled much of Europe and large masses of land along the Mediterranean, and these monuments were at the center of it all. This tour, offered through City Wonders, takes you into the awe-inspiring underground area of the Roman Colosseum. You’ll also walk near the arena floor, where you can experience what once served as a gladiator’s point of view. After getting your history fix at the Colosseum, you’ll enter the Roman Forum and learn about its significance. The tour ends on the Palatine Hill, where you can overlook the Forum and enjoy jaw-dropping views of Rome at nearly every angle.

More from U.S. News

How to Save on Attractions in Europe

Where to Go in Europe During the Peak Travel Season

Vacation Rental or Hotel: Which Is Right for Your European Vacation?

The 8 Best European Daytrips for History Buffs 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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