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9 Top Vacations to Take With Mom This Year

By U.S. News & World Report

Want to think outside the typical list of great gifts to give your mom this Mother’s Day? Forget the traditional flower bouquet, and treat her to a memorable family trip. From a spa staycation to a stress-free cruise to a relaxing wine weekend, here are the 10 great vacations to spoil mom with this May.

[See: No Spas Here: 10 Best Active Girlfriend Getaways.]

Dallas

If your mom is an avid spa-goer, pamper her with a trip to the Lone Star State’s luxurious Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas. After undergoing a $9 million dollar renovation (and upgrading their fitness and spa facilities), the resort offers plenty of opportunities to get a reboot. Start the day off right in the morning with a healthy breakfast before enjoying a yoga session or retreating to the spa for a massage. For added luxury, treat mom to an acupuncture session or a blowout. Afterward, take mom for drinks at the Agave Pool area.

Florence, Italy

Florence has long lured visitors with its seemingly endless skyline of terracotta roofs, its historic buildings like the Duomo, its enchanting sunsets and, of course, its fashion-forward shops and flourishing art scene. For a stay to remember, retreat to The St. Regis Florence located on the banks of the Arno River near the Ponte Vecchio and top attractions like the Uffizi Gallery. The property features a world-class spa, a well-stocked wine cellar, Michelin-starred dining and first-rate services, including Bentley chauffeurs and customized top attraction tours. If your mom loves history, art, fashion and authentic Italian cuisine, this charming city is not to be missed.

Sonoma Valley, California

For beautiful scenery, incomparable wine varieties and top-tier accommodations, splurge on a trip to Sonoma Valley. With hundreds of wineries to pick from in California’s heralded wine region, you’ll have no shortage of locations to visit. Buena Vista Winery, Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards, Kamen Estate Wines, Landmark Vineyards and Ram’s Gate Winery are a few standouts, but there are plenty of bona fide wineries and up-and-coming tasting rooms to explore. After checking out picturesque vineyards, consider retreating to the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn, before heading out to enjoy some of the amazing restaurants in Sonoma. Crowd-pleasing restaurants in the area include El Dorado Kitchen, a bistro kitchen serving American fare and delicious cocktails, and Hana Japanese Restaurant, which dishes out inventive sushi creations. If Pinot and Cabernet are more your mom’s style, head to La Crema where you can indulge in their new Pinot Noir Rose varieties.

[See: 7 Summer Vacation Ideas for Every Type of Traveler.]

Tokyo

With more than 100,000 restaurants and the most Michelin-starred restaurants outside of France, Tokyo is synonymous with delicious food. Whatever you do, don’t miss sampling authentic eats at Ramen Street inside the Tokyo Station, and visiting the sprawling Tsujiki Market. For a lavish retreat, stay at the Four Seasons Tokyo Marunouchi, which is located in Tokyo’s buzzing business district. Wander through the Harajuku district for amazing shopping, and if your mom is into art, the Yayoi Kusama life exhibit at the National Art Center in Tokyo is worth checking out. When you need a break, stop stop by the Mandarin Oriental Tokyo for an afternoon tea and decadent spa experience.

Abu Dhabi

Imagine a week away with mom spent exploring rich cultural and historical sites, touring iconic mosques and meandering through ornate palaces. A luxury-seeker’s paradise, Abu Dhabi offers a wealth of is alluring attractions and experiences, from the Palace Museum to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque to the Marine Mall. Plus, the brand-new Marriott al Forsan, Abu Dhabi, a sprawling 400-room property with a spacious, Olympic-size pool, a relaxing hamman and a variety of bars, offers an indulgent retreat with plenty of lavish amenities.

A Cruise to Croatia

A trendy 2017 travel destination, Croatia appeals to travelers of all kinds with its eclectic cuisine, vibrant culture and dramatic coastal scenery. Dubrovnik, Split and the capital city of Zagreb are must-sees. Enjoy the best of the entire Dalmatian Coast on an eight-day Windstar Cruise this August. Aboard the luxury cruise line, you can set sail to three cities in Italy, Montenegro and diverse destinations across Croatia, on an unforgettably sail departing from Venice on Aug. 22. What’s more, mom can indulge in top-tier wine varieties and pampering spa treatments.

Tuscany, Italy

If your mom is a food and wine lover, take her on the trip of a lifetime to Tuscany, where you can leisurely sip Chianti and incomparable Brunello di Montalcino varieties, as you take in the verdant greenery of the region. The converted castles, weaving past with present, like Il Castelfalfi, an 800-year-old castle-turned-hotel, is a must-see with its excellent wine, authentic pizzeria, lovely spa and one of the most beautiful golf courses in Tuscany. Castello di Casole and Il Borro, which is owned by the Salvatore Ferragamo family, are other converted castles worth exploring.

Paris

With iconic museums, architectural gems and legendary attractions (read: the Louvre, Notre Dame, Musee d’Orsay and the Eiffel Tower), the City of Light is perfect for culture vultures of all ages. With the special woman in your life, you can embrace the Paris’ lesser-known charms, from leisurely meals at the Ritz Paris to shopping in the Marais to decadent meals and people-watching at The Peninsula Paris‘ L’Oiseu Blanc, which boasts legendary Eiffel Tower views and top-rate, Michelin-starred cuisine.

[Read: Q&A With Rosewood Mayakoba’s Managing Director Daniel Scott.]

The Riviera Maya, Mexico

If you’re itching for a sunny escape, make your way to Mexico’s beautiful Riviera Maya. Luxury properties abound, including Rosewood Maykoba, Banyan Tree Mayakoba and Fairmont Mayakoba, Riviera Maya. If your mom loves spa treatments, pamper her with the traditional Mayan bath treatment at Fairmont Mayakoba, which includes a body scrub, a hot bath and a 60-minute massage. Afterward, enjoy beachside lounging or check out El Zócalo, a Mediterranean-style area offering a variety of shops and eateries located in the heart of nearby Playa del Carmen.

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9 Top Vacations to Take With Mom This Year 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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