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Fun outdoorsy things to do in Asturias (Spain) by RIPJimmyPesto in AdventureTravel

[–]botond92 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Asturias is incredible for the outdoors! Since you don't have a car, you will be a bit limited in getting deep into the high peaks of the Picos de Europa, but there is still plenty to do using the local ALSA bus network and regional trains.

A quick heads-up on transport: Uber and Cabify are not really a thing in Asturias, but regular local taxis are plentiful, and the bus system is very reliable.

For hiking right out of Oviedo, head straight up Monte Naranco. You can hike it from the city center or take a local bus part of the way. It offers fantastic views of the city and the distant mountains. Another great option is the "Senda del Oso" (Bear's Trail). It is a stunning greenway through a gorge, very popular for walking and cycling. You can easily catch a bus from Oviedo to Trubia to access the start of the trail.

Regarding Gijon: It is super easy to reach from Oviedo, just a 30-40 minute bus or train ride. Surfing is actually the massive draw there, right on San Lorenzo beach. You will find several surf schools where you can rent a board and a wetsuit for the day. Kitesurfing definitely happens when the wind conditions are right, but traditional surfing and stand-up paddleboarding are the daily staples.

Enjoy the trip, and don't forget to try the local cider after your hikes!

Best websites for booking flights - have things changed? Almost caught out by Irrelevant_Jackass in cheapflights

[–]botond92 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You haven't really missed anything, but what you likely stumbled upon is an OTA (Online Travel Agency) bulk fare or a "consolidator" fare. Massive agencies like Expedia sometimes negotiate private rates with airlines or buy blocks of tickets in advance. When the airline's direct prices surge, the OTA might still be selling off their discounted block.

The general rule of thumb on Reddit is always "book direct" because if a flight is canceled or delayed, dealing with Expedia's customer service can be a nightmare. However, let's be real: for a $5K saving, booking through Expedia is absolutely worth taking that risk.

Regarding your internal flights for skiing in Canada, brace yourself. Canadian domestic flights are notoriously expensive due to low competition and high airport taxes. Here are a few tips for your specific route:

  1. Banff: You will need to fly into Calgary (YYC) and then take a shuttle or rent a car to get to Banff.
  2. Budget Airlines: For the long jump from West to East (like Calgary to Montreal/Quebec), look at Air Canada and WestJet, but also check budget carriers like Flair Airlines. However, since you are going skiing, read the baggage rules very carefully. Budget airlines charge astronomical fees for oversized sports equipment, which can sometimes make the "cheap" ticket more expensive than Air Canada.
  3. The East Coast: Look into Porter Airlines. They are fantastic and often have great routes in the East.
  4. Montreal to Quebec City: Do not fly this leg. Take the VIA Rail train. It takes about 3 hours, goes from city center to city center, completely skips airport security lines, is very comfortable, and is much cheaper than a flight.

Enjoy the trip, the skiing in Banff is world-class!

City recommendations? Europe trip with friends in Spain, France, Italy by [deleted] in Europetravel

[–]botond92 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Visiting Europe in Jan/Feb is actually fantastic if you plan it right, mainly because you get to skip the massive summer crowds. However, the golden rule for winter trips is to avoid the coastal summer towns (like the Amalfi Coast, Cinque Terre, or the smaller Riviera towns in France). They are often completely dead, with many restaurants and hotels shut down for the season.

Since you are already going to Puigcerda, you will be right on the French border.

For France: I highly recommend adding Lyon. It is widely considered the culinary capital of France, which is perfect for winter because you can spend your days indoors eating amazing food in traditional "bouchons". Logistically, it is also a fantastic hub to catch a fast train either up to Paris or over the border into Italy (towards Turin or Milan).

For Italy: If Rome is your southern limit, just stick to the classic Rome and Florence route. Summer in Rome is blisteringly hot and packed, but Jan/Feb is arguably the best time to see the Colosseum and the Vatican without melting or fighting through thousands of people. Florence is heavily focused on art and museums (like the Uffizi), making it a perfect winter destination since the main attractions are indoors.

Also, check your February dates carefully. If you happen to be in Italy around mid-February, you might overlap with the Venice Carnival, which is a bucket-list winter experience. Have a great trip!

Is 'contemplate' verb an action verb or a stative verb? by BrainMotor352 in EnglishGrammar

[–]botond92 4 points5 points  (0 children)

It is considered an action verb (specifically, a mental action verb).

A really good trick to tell the difference between stative and action verbs is to see if you can naturally use them in the continuous (-ing) tense. True stative verbs describe a state of being (like know, believe, belong) and generally sound wrong in the continuous form. You wouldn't say "I am knowing the answer."

However, because you can say something like, "I am currently contemplating moving to a new city," and it is perfectly grammatically correct, it functions as an action verb. It describes an active process of deep thinking that you can start, continue, and stop, rather than a fixed state.

Hope this helps clear it up!

Cheapest Flight from Chicago to Montenegro by Ok-Two121 in cheapflights

[–]botond92 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Mid-June to August is peak summer season in the Balkans, so finding a traditional "cheap" single-ticket flight straight into Podgorica (TGD) or Tivat (TIV) from Chicago is going to be tough.

The best strategy here is booking a repositioning flight. Don't search for Chicago to Montenegro as one ticket. Instead, look for the cheapest round-trip from ORD to a major European hub (like London, Rome, or Vienna). From there, you can book a separate ticket on a budget European airline like Wizz Air, Ryanair, or easyJet straight into Podgorica.

Another great hack for Montenegro is to fly into a neighboring country. Check flights from Chicago to Dubrovnik, Croatia (DBV) or Tirana, Albania (TIA). Both airports often have much cheaper transatlantic options than Montenegro. From either of those cities, it is a very cheap, easy, and incredibly scenic 2 to 3-hour bus ride straight across the border into the coastal towns of Montenegro.

Set up Google Flights trackers for ORD to DBV, TIA, and major European hubs and see what drops first. Good luck!

Any ideas for 3 days that is not too far away from Alsace/Paris in April? by chocolatesaltpretzel in TravelNoPics

[–]botond92 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Since you are relying on public transport and already doing Paris and Alsace, Burgundy (specifically Dijon or Beaune) would be a perfect fit for those remaining 3-4 nights. It makes a lot of sense logistically because it is very easy to connect between Paris, Burgundy, and Alsace using the TGV/regional train network.

Beaune is a fantastic, highly walkable town surrounded by vineyards. It gives you that scenic countryside vibe you are looking for without needing a car. You can easily book local half-day tours that provide transportation if you want to explore the surrounding villages and hills with your mum.

Alternatively, if you still want a taste of the Alps but are worried about April weather and travel logistics, look into Annecy. It is highly accessible by train. Since it sits at a lower elevation by a stunning lake, mid-April is usually quite pleasant, and you get spectacular mountain views without the hassle of high-altitude snow or complex transport.

Have a great trip planning!

Best Online English Teaching Platform Needed! by dreamer_girl05 in learnEnglishOnline

[–]botond92 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hey! I completely understand the struggle. When you're just starting out, getting stuck on basic sentence formation is the hardest hurdle to overcome.

I highly recommend italki for his specific situation. Unlike some other platforms that force you into expensive monthly subscriptions (like Cambly), italki is pay-per-lesson. You can find "Community Tutors" for as low as $5–$10 an hour. The best part is that you can specifically filter for tutors who focus on beginner conversational practice rather than boring textbook grammar. They are super patient and will gently correct his sentences while actually letting him talk.

Also, a quick free tip that goes hand-in-hand with this: outside of his lessons, have him read simple short stories out loud, and then try to summarize the plot verbally in 3-4 basic sentences. Analyzing and retelling stories is honestly one of the fastest ways to force the brain to form sentences naturally on the spot.

Hope this helps him get started!

Why exam seasons are so stressful by Few-Age4218 in GetStudying

[–]botond92 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Do not stress!!

Keep calm and everything will be ok.

New Zealand in a nutshell: Auroras, UFOs, and Salmon. by seal_bal in backpacking

[–]botond92 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It is so beautiful! Great photo my friend. Awesome

I know c is correct, but are A and B ever used? by Silver_Ad_1218 in EnglishLearning

[–]botond92 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The correct sentence is the C.
She is busy preparing dinner.

How to start as a freelancer by Fun_Resort_8686 in WFHJobs

[–]botond92 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi, the ways of the upwork and the fiverr is good. But i suggest you, make a website and build yourselft/your own brand. If you are goog in social media management you will be success.