Skip to Content

Ruben Arribas

About the Author: Ruben, co-founder of Gamintraveler.com since 2014, is a seasoned traveler from Spain who has explored over 100 countries since 2009. Known for his extensive travel adventures across South America, Europe, the US, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and Africa, Ruben combines his passion for adventurous yet sustainable living with his love for cycling, highlighted by his remarkable 5-month bicycle journey from Spain to Norway. He currently resides in Spain, where he continues sharing his travel experiences with his partner, Rachel, and their son, Han.

The Italian Cover Charge Americans Always Think Is Scam But Is Actually Law

You sit for pasta in Florence, a perfect carafe of wine appears, and then the bill lands with a line you did not expect: coperto. It is not a trick. It is how the system works. The first time you see coperto on an Italian receipt, your brain reaches for outrage. In the United States, …

Read More about The Italian Cover Charge Americans Always Think Is Scam But Is Actually Law

This Mexican Pork Dish Is Seriously Addictive: How to Make Authentic Cochinita Pibil at Home

Few dishes capture the soul of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula like Cochinita Pibil a tender, slow-roasted pork dish marinated in citrus and achiote, then traditionally wrapped in banana leaves and cooked underground. With bold, tangy, and earthy flavors, it’s one of the country’s most treasured culinary exports and a must-try for anyone passionate about Mexican cuisine. …

Read More about This Mexican Pork Dish Is Seriously Addictive: How to Make Authentic Cochinita Pibil at Home

9 Health Habits Mediterranean People Have That Shock Americans

And why the very things that look risky to outsiders are often what make locals stronger, calmer, and more in tune with their bodies. In the United States, wellness is often shaped by control. Rules, trackers, supplements, and constant monitoring dominate the health space. Americans love data. They love structure. And they’re quick to label …

Read More about 9 Health Habits Mediterranean People Have That Shock Americans

What €35,000 Actually Buys In Southern Italy

Here’s a number Americans love because it sounds clean: €35,000 a year. It feels like a line in the sand. Not rich. Not broke. Just… doable. Especially if you’re coming from a U.S. cost structure where “doable” often starts with a 6. In Southern Italy, €35,000 can absolutely buy a good life. Not influencer-good. Real-good. …

Read More about What €35,000 Actually Buys In Southern Italy

The ONLY Italian Meatball Recipe You’ll Ever Need: From Nonna’s Kitchen Classic Meatballs in Sauce

Polpette al sugo is one of the most beloved comfort foods in Italian cuisine. Unlike the oversized meatballs often associated with American-Italian cooking, these are small, tender, and simmered gently in a rich tomato sauce. Served in homes across Italy, they are more than just a dish they’re a tradition passed down through generations. This …

Read More about The ONLY Italian Meatball Recipe You’ll Ever Need: From Nonna’s Kitchen Classic Meatballs in Sauce

Germany’s #1 Street Food Isn’t What You Think: How to Make Authentic Currywurst at Home

Currywurst may be one of Germany’s most underrated culinary exports, but for locals, it’s a national treasure. Originating from post-war Berlin, this simple yet wildly satisfying dish features sliced sausage smothered in a tangy-spicy curry ketchup sauce. It’s fast, flavorful, and unapologetically German with a twist of global flair—thanks to that iconic dusting of curry …

Read More about Germany’s #1 Street Food Isn’t What You Think: How to Make Authentic Currywurst at Home

Everyone Said Spain: We Chose Somewhere Else

When Americans talk about moving to Europe, Spain is the default answer now. It’s the safe pick. The one that sounds normal at a dinner party. The one people can picture without effort. Sun, walkable cities, healthcare that does not require a second mortgage, and a daily rhythm that feels less like a hostage situation. …

Read More about Everyone Said Spain: We Chose Somewhere Else

Why Europeans Don’t Get Colon Cancer at the Rate That’s Killing Americans

And what it reveals about food culture, lifestyle rhythm, and the power of slow digestion In the U.S., colorectal cancer has become one of the most alarming public health crises of the last decade not just for older adults, but increasingly among people in their 30s and 40s. Awareness campaigns urge screenings, lifestyle changes, and …

Read More about Why Europeans Don’t Get Colon Cancer at the Rate That’s Killing Americans

The Italian Rice Balls Everyone Falls in Love With: How to Make Authentic Arancini

Our guide on How to Make Arancini, Italian rice balls one of the most delicious and popular dishes in Italy. Arancini are a beloved Italian snack originating from Sicily, consisting of crispy fried rice balls that are often stuffed with a variety of fillings like cheese, meat, or vegetables. They’re delicious as an appetizer, snack, …

Read More about The Italian Rice Balls Everyone Falls in Love With: How to Make Authentic Arancini

Americans Diet: Europeans Just Eat Differently

Americans love a diet that starts Monday. Europeans tend to have a Tuesday. That’s the difference nobody wants to hear because it’s not glamorous. It’s also the reason so many Americans show up in Europe, keep eating bread and pasta, and still lose weight or feel better without feeling like they’re “on a plan.” It’s …

Read More about Americans Diet: Europeans Just Eat Differently

Two Common Ingredients Banned (or Limited) in France With RECIPE Swaps inside

Walk a French supermarket at noon and you can read the policy in the aisles. At the charcuterie counter, hams list curing methods and additive codes you can pronounce. In the sweets aisle, packages get whiter by cream and sugar, not by a brightening chemical on the ingredient line. The rules reached the shelf. If …

Read More about Two Common Ingredients Banned (or Limited) in France With RECIPE Swaps inside

These 10 European Cities Let Americans Live Well on Social Security: The Monthly Costs May Surprise You

How to cover rent, food, healthcare and transport with one check, and which cities actually fit in 2026 Picture an early evening on a tiled street where dinner is a plate of grilled sardines, not a $28 salad, and your biggest commute is a ten minute walk to the market. In the right European city, …

Read More about These 10 European Cities Let Americans Live Well on Social Security: The Monthly Costs May Surprise You