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10 Out of the Ordinary Fall Getaway Packages

By U.S. News & World Report

Want an alternative to the traditional fall road trip or romantic retreat? Fortunately, if you’re yearning for a one-of-a-kind autumn trip, resorts across the globe are offering enticing and affordable packages (think fall foliage and adventure trip promotions). And with cooler temperatures, thinner crowds and the chance to embrace the great outdoors, now is a perfect time of year to take a vacation. Read on for 10 unique fall trip ideas.

[See: 7 Family-Friendly Fall Trips You Can Afford.]

A Pre-Ski Season Retreat in Vail

Fall in the mountains means changing leaves, crisper air and fewer crowds, making it an ideal time to visit Vail before the peak ski season starts. Sonnenalp, a luxury chalet-style property, is offering a fall package for $227 (available from Oct. 2 to Nov. 17) that features reduced rates for valet parking services, two oxygen bar sessions at the spa and reduced green fees at the Sonnenalp Golf Club. Accommodations range from one- and two-bedroom suites to a four-bedroom penthouse. For the ultimate alpine dinner experience, order Käse Spätzle, a homemade Swiss dumpling topped with cheese, crispy onions and fondue. Work up your appetite by hiking or horseback riding along scenic trails.

A Drive Along America’s Favorite Route

Located at the 400-mile marker of the renowned Blue Ridge Parkway, The Omni Grove Park Inn offers guests a copy of “The Ultimate Guide to The Parkway’s Best Attractions” to better enjoy the iconic drive. Travelers can embrace the gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina, and discover hidden gems, hiking hot spots and historical attractions along the parkway. Best of all, a portion of the proceeds contribute to protecting and preserving the Blue Ridge Parkway and its cultural heritage. In addition to the guidebook, the package includes accommodations, daily breakfast and parking. Rates start at $309.

An Adventurous Hawaiian Getaway

Hilton Waikoloa Village, located on the Big Island’s Kohala Coast, is offering a MAKAI Pick Your Pleasure Package starting at $424 that offers guests the option to choose from diverse adventures each day, including snorkeling alongside sea turtles, lounging along black-sand beaches and enjoying seats at the most popular luau on the island. What’s more, the Hilton Waikoloa Village offers a Family Fun package that includes complimentary breakfast for a family of four each morning. With rates starting at $284 a night during the fall, the family package is available through December with a required three-night stay minimum.

A Quintessential Fall Foliage Trip

To celebrate dazzling fall foliage displays along the East Coast, two Luxury Collection properties have teamed up to offer a town and country themed fall package. Foliage fans can revel in autumnal bliss, starting with a two-or three-night stay in the heart of midtown Manhattan at the Chatwal, followed by two or three nights at The Equinox, A Luxury Collection Golf Resort & Spa in Manchester Village, Vermont. At the Chatwal, guests can enjoy perks like tickets to the Cirque du Soleil musical “Paramour.” And in Manchester Village, an idyllic New England town, visitors can take in striking scenery, sweeping mountain views and storybook colonial streets. The price for this for luxurious autumn package starts at $2,519.

[See: 10 Secret European Spots to Visit This Year.]

An International Getaway in Budapest, Hungary

For couples dreaming of a romantic European getaway, the musically-themed Aria Hotel Budapest is offering a two-for-one package with the code ARIALOVE that includes a complimentary extra night for a two-night stay in an Aria Signature room, along with two-for-one couples spa treatments. Guests can also enjoy in-room chocolate-covered strawberries and a bottle of limited edition small batch cabernet sauvignon. The package is available for stays in September, November and December; rates start at $238. And aside from superlative on-site amenities, the hotel puts visitors within steps of famous attractions, like St. Stephen’s Basilica.

A New England Fall Foliage Tour

Dazzling fall foliage is the star attraction at the elegant Whiteface Lodge in Lake Placid, New York. Cocktails by a fire pit and warm, homemade cookies at turndown are just a few extra touches you can expect after an autumn day spent on an outdoor adventure with an ADK Guide — one of the property’s adventure concierges. And specialty services like Apple Cider treatments give a seasonal twist to the resort’s spa menu. Fall rates start at $282 per night, a deep discount from the standard $448 rate during the high season. What’s more, the Whiteface Lodge has partnered with BMW to offer guests a BMW Experience Town Car Service that features the company’s 7-Series vehicles.

A Laid-Back Retreat in Anguilla

Zemi Beach House, a brand-new luxury boutique in Anguilla, invites guests to take advantage of fewer crowds and reduced rates in fall with its “Flavors of Zemi” package. Catering to foodies, the package includes daily breakfast, a three-course lunch and a three-course dinner for two. Plus, kids under eight can enjoy complimentary meals. Available for stays from Sept. 1 to Oct. 16, the package is priced at $485 per night, making a trip to Anguilla easy, affordable and comfortable in autumn.

An All-Included Caribbean Getaway

With two golf courses, crystal clear waters and the chance to enjoy jet skiing and world-class dining, the Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Beach Resort & Spa offers plenty of incentives for planning a trip. Set on a secluded beach, the resort provides guests with easy access to El Yunque Rainforest and unspoiled sands. Added perks at this all-inclusive property include a la carte dining, unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, one complimentary round of golf on either the ocean or river golf courses, free Wi-Fi access within the resort’s public areas and more. Packages start at $220 per person, per night based on double occupancy.

A Shoulder Season Trip to Martha’s Vineyard

Vineyard clam chowder might be reason enough for foodies to plan a Martha’s Vineyard getaway in autumn. And then there’s the four-day Food & Wine Festival in October and the month-long Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby tournament from mid-September to mid-October to seal the deal. Another draw: it’s easy to save on accommodation costs. The Harbor View Hotel in Edgartown offers an ideal location within easy reach of the shops, restaurants and the Edgartown Lighthouse and nightly rates starting at $119, along with a variety of packages, including a bed and breakfast rate that includes daily breakfast for two and a spa package that includes complimentary breakfast and two massage treatments.

[See: 10 Affordable Last-Minute Cruise Vacations.]

A Photography Tour

If you’re yearning to take your camera on a trip to remember, the Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita is hosting a unique photography workshop from Oct. 31 to Nov. 4 led by professional photographers Robert Caplin and Peter Lockley. The package will include guided photography classes, on-location shoots, one-on-one editing and instructor demonstrations, all set amid the Riviera Nayarit’s breathtaking backdrop. Aside from honing your photography skills, you can enjoy the resort’s unspoiled white-sand beaches and immersive culinary classes, like interactive tequila tastings. The workshop price costs $4,999 per person, and includes accommodations, workshop fees and daily breakfast.

More from U.S. News

6 Shoulder Season Deals to Snag Now

8 Off-the-Beaten-Path Places to See Fall Foliage

7 of the Best Fall Hiking Trips in the U.S.

10 Out of the Ordinary Fall Getaway Packages 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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