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5 Great European Weekend Escapes for Fall

By U.S. News & World Report

These days, many popular European hot spots are getting overcrowded, with cities such as Venice, Italy, and Barcelona, Spain, looking to limit tourism. Summer is when these visitor numbers often hit their peak, resulting in higher prices, especially on weekends. But if you travel to Europe in the fall — after the busy tourist season calms down — you’ll find pleasant temperatures, lower prices and fun festivals. Here are some of the best fall weekend escapes across Europe, from Scotland to Croatia.

[See: 10 Money-Saving European Travel Tricks.]

Dubrovnik, Croatia

During summer, Dubrovnik‘s walled Old City swells with tourists. But come fall, the crowds subside, temperatures dip and prices fall, making autumn the best time to visit the “Pearl of the Adriatic.” A small historic core makes this an ideal destination to spend a weekend in. You can hike around the city walls without baking in the sun, while the sea is still usually warm enough to swim in through October. September is wine harvest season — a great time to take a day trip to the vineyards on the nearby Pelje?ac Peninsula. The hitch: Getting to Dubrovnik from the U.S. usually involves a connection, so the logistics of a weekend visit are much easier if you’re already in Europe.

Reykjavik, Iceland

Iceland’s northern location means shorter days and colder temps arrive earlier than many other spots in Europe. But don’t let this dissuade you: Autumn is when Iceland shines — literally. The best time to see the northern lights in Iceland starts in September and runs through mid-April. Fall also ushers in the country’s offseason, so you’ll find fewer crowds and lower prices on flights, accommodation and activities. Popular festivals dot the calendar as well, including the Reykjavik Film Festival from late September to early October, and the Iceland Airwaves Music Festival in early November. As an added bonus, it only takes about five hours to reach Reykjavik from the East Coast (and roughly seven hours from the West Coast).

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

Edinburgh, Scotland

Scotland’s capital city is a gem for weekenders. Edinburgh is compact and ideal for walking, making it easy to explore the city’s medieval Old Town in a short amount of time. As the seasons change, you can see fall colors throughout the city’s parks and outdoor spaces like the Princes Street Gardens, which comes with stunning Edinburgh Castle as a backdrop. And while the city’s famous Fringe Festival has ended, there are plenty of other events on tap, from the Scottish International Storytelling Festival to the Samhuinn Fire Festival, which celebrates the clash of summer and winter (also known as fall) with fire dances and drumming.

Lisbon, Portugal

This emerging European hot spot sees prices drop in October, while temperatures remain pleasant enough to enjoy the beaches and coastal towns nearby. Soak in the views of the city from one of Lisbon‘s ubiquitous miradouros (or scenic viewpoints), take a tram ride through the historic Alfama district and check out the lively nightlife in Bairro Alto neighborhood. Round out your weekend with Lisbon’s most popular daytrip: a jaunt to charming Sintra. With its Moorish castle and colorful Pena Palace, Sintra is more pleasant in the fall when the town isn’t swarming with tourists.

[Read: Where to Go in Europe During the Peak Travel Season.]

Berlin

In fall, there’s a lot more to see in Germany than Oktoberfest. An autumn trip to Berlin offers stunning changing leaves and lower prices than the peak summer season. Plus, you don’t have to plan as far in advance as you to do visit Munich’s mega-fest for beer lovers. In October, the eye-catching Festival of Lights illuminates Berlin’s major buildings and landmarks with massive light displays. Even when the weather’s not ideal (autumn can be rainy), the city is full of museums, indoor markets and cafes to keep you warm, dry and entertained.

More from U.S. News

3 Can’t-Miss Cities Along the Baltic Sea

9 Cheap European Destinations to Visit This Fall

How to Save on Attractions in Europe

5 Great European Weekend Escapes for Fall 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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