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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 €6 Portuguese Solution for Holiday Depression, Better Than $300 American Therapy

In late-year gray when people start canceling plans and scrolling more, Portugal does something small and ordinary that steadies the nerves. No grand programs, no self-help performances. A pharmacist hands you a tiny bottle for about €6, you change your daylight routine, and you put fish and soup on the table at the right time …

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Traveling to Europe? These 7 Common Behaviors Might Be Insulting Locals

From cheek-kissing confusion to tipping extremes, Europe’s cultural tapestry can be tricky. Most locals are forgiving when visitors stumble, but certain habits or comments might spark a silent cringe—or even outright annoyance. Below, we’ve broken down 7 common missteps that accidentally offend Europeans (and how to dodge them), so you can foster smoother, friendlier connections …

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Why Portugal Became the Hottest Country to Move To (And Why Everyone’s Staying)

In the past few years, Portugal has quietly risen to the top of relocation wishlists across the globe. From retirees and digital nomads to families and entrepreneurs, people from all walks of life are packing their bags—and moving to Portugal. So what makes this sun-drenched European nation the #1 country people are moving to right …

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Why Mediterranean Teenagers Are More Independent Than 30-Year-Old Americans

And What It Reveals About Family Culture, Responsibility, and the Quiet Confidence of Growing Up Differently In much of the United States, independence is treated as a milestone. You turn 18, move out, figure out how to cook something besides pasta, and hopefully learn how to manage bills, bookings, and breakdowns by your late twenties. …

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Why 76% of New Yorkers Fail in Paris Within One Year

You arrive with the energy of a subway at rush hour. Paris blinks twice, shrugs, and hands you a dossier checklist that could stun a lawyer. By month eight your savings feel thin, your landlord wants a guarantor you’ve never heard of, your French is good for bread but not for bureaucracy, and the city …

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Why Europeans Laugh When Americans Say They’re “Middle Class”

As of November 2025. Picture a Paris lunch crowd on a Tuesday. Nobody is rushing, nobody’s salad is a performance, a pharmacist walks past with a baguette, and two parents trade bites while a toddler demolishes a pear. The bill is ordinary. The room is calm. Someone from New York says, “We’re middle class too,” …

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7 Gorgeous European Spots That Won’t Drain Your Wallet

Traveling to Europe often sounds expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. While iconic cities like Paris and London may dominate the spotlight (and your wallet), there are countless European destinations that offer just as much charm, culture, and adventure — without the sky-high price tag. If you’re looking to make the most of your …

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This Strawberry Jam Is So Fresh, You’ll Never Buy a Store-Bought Jar Again

There’s something undeniably nostalgic about opening a jar of homemade strawberry jam. The vibrant color, sweet aroma, and burst of berry flavor take us straight back to warm summer mornings and family breakfasts. Making your own jam is a simple but rewarding tradition that transforms seasonal fruit into something that can be enjoyed all year …

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Why Americans With €200K Savings Still Can’t Retire in Portugal, The Math Nobody Shows

On paper it looks perfect. Sell the house, pocket two hundred thousand, move somewhere with tiled streets and grilled sardines, and live softly by the sea. Then the spreadsheet hits the real world. €200K is a cushion, not a pension. In Portugal it buys time, not permanence. The gap between the fantasy and the bills …

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Why Italians Never Buy This Common American Must-Have

And what it reveals about trust, daily life, and a culture that values people over products In the United States, certain purchases are automatic. You buy them not because you need them in the moment, but because it would feel irresponsible not to. They’re “essentials.” Part of adulthood. Markers of independence, preparedness, and good habits. …

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This Basque Cod Recipe Packs More Flavor Than Any Fish Dish You’ve Tried

Our full guide on How To Make Bacalao a la Vizcaína one of the most popular dishes in Spain especially in the North at Basque. Bacalao a la Vizcaína is a traditional Basque dish featuring salt cod cooked in a rich tomato and red pepper sauce. Here’s a detailed recipe guide to making Bacalao a …

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Why German 70-Year-Olds Bike 20 Miles While Americans Can’t Walk to the Mailbox

So here is the picture. A white-haired couple in Münster cruises past you at 18 km/h, chatting, baskets full of leeks and rye bread, coats zipped, lights on, no Lycra, no drama. Twenty miles is “to the lake and back.” Nobody claps. Two weeks later you are in a quiet American suburb where the mailbox …

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