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.

14 Things Tourists Should Never Do in Portugal (If They Want to Blend In)

Portugal is known for its stunning coastlines, warm hospitality, and relaxed way of life—but it also has its own set of unspoken cultural rules that visitors often overlook. To truly experience the country like a local, it helps to understand the little things that matter in Portuguese social life and daily rhythm. Portugal’s culture is …

Read More about 14 Things Tourists Should Never Do in Portugal (If They Want to Blend In)

Why Europeans Stay Fit Without Dieting (And What We Can Learn)

Introduction: “Diet? What Diet?” In many European countries, the word “diet” is rarely used in the same restrictive sense it is in the United States. Instead of chasing the newest fad or counting every calorie, Europeans often embrace a holistic approach to food—one that focuses on taste, tradition, quality, and overall well-being. This approach doesn’t …

Read More about Why Europeans Stay Fit Without Dieting (And What We Can Learn)

Claiming Hotel Nights When Flights Melt Down, The Rule Most Travelers Skip

A departures board clicks from green to red. The gate agent’s smile fades. Somewhere between a thunderstorm over Frankfurt and a broken pump in Madrid, your last flight of the day vanishes. Families coil around wall sockets. Trolleys become pillows. A security guard points at chairs. Then a small, plain thing happens at Desk B …

Read More about Claiming Hotel Nights When Flights Melt Down, The Rule Most Travelers Skip

The Body Smell That Hardly Bothers Spaniards but Horrifies Americans

And what it reveals about presence, proximity, and the cultural limits of personal scent management Step onto a packed metro car in Madrid on a summer afternoon, or walk into a small village café just after the midday lunch rush, and your nose might catch something many Americans would be horrified to notice — real, …

Read More about The Body Smell That Hardly Bothers Spaniards but Horrifies Americans

The Residency Route Americans Skip That Takes 60 Days, Not 6 Months

Morning light hits white stone and sea glass water. Cafés pull chairs to the curb, and laptops open beside small cups that actually cool. Ferries slide past as if they belong to the bus schedule. The ritual looks like a postcard until you read the paperwork. There is a legal route into this life that …

Read More about The Residency Route Americans Skip That Takes 60 Days, Not 6 Months

This Filipino Lechon Recipe Might Be the Best Roast Pig You’ll Ever Try

Lechon, or Filipino roast pig, is one of the most iconic and celebrated dishes in the Philippines. Known for its incredibly crispy, golden-brown skin and juicy, flavourful meat, lechon is a dish often reserved for the most special occasions, such as fiestas, weddings, birthdays, and holiday feasts. It represents abundance, celebration, and Filipino hospitality at …

Read More about This Filipino Lechon Recipe Might Be the Best Roast Pig You’ll Ever Try

13 Clues Your ‘Authentic’ European Restaurant Is Actually a Tourist Trap

When travelling through Europe, it’s easy to be drawn in by restaurants boldly advertising “authentic Italian pizza” or “traditional French pastries.” Tourists often flock to these places, trusting the signs without realising that locals spot red flags immediately. Europeans have a keen eye for restaurants that cut corners, overcharge, or dilute their cultural recipes for …

Read More about 13 Clues Your ‘Authentic’ European Restaurant Is Actually a Tourist Trap

Escape the Crowds: 10 European Destinations So Beautiful You’ll Want to Stay Forever

Summer in Europe offers an extraordinary tapestry of cultural experiences, breathtaking landscapes, and vibrant city life for you to explore. Whether you’re a world-weary traveler looking for a peaceful escape or an adventurous soul eager to navigate the continent’s diverse offerings, Europe’s top summer destinations cater to every inclination. From the sparkling Mediterranean coastlines to …

Read More about Escape the Crowds: 10 European Destinations So Beautiful You’ll Want to Stay Forever

The “Slower” European Pace That Lets Us Retire at 60, Not 70

In a small European city, the day moves like a tide instead of a timer. Bakeries open early, trams glide on a steady clock, and lunch is an hour that belongs to human beings. People walk to errands in shoes that look used. Supermarket lines are short because dinner is bought for tonight, not for …

Read More about The “Slower” European Pace That Lets Us Retire at 60, Not 70

The French Gym That Costs €20 Monthly Showers and Spa Included

Glass doors slide open to a clean room on a normal street. A row of bikes hums under a skylight. Lockers line one wall. Showers wait behind a frosted door with hooks in the right places. No marble, no chandelier, no valet. A small card reader blinks, you tap, and a month of exercise fits …

Read More about The French Gym That Costs €20 Monthly Showers and Spa Included

The Food Combination in France That Always Surprises Americans

And Why What Seems Strange on the Plate Is Actually a Window Into French Culinary Philosophy For Americans visiting France for the first time, the food is usually one of the biggest draws. The pastries, the wine, the cheeses — all live up to the reputation. But somewhere between the morning croissant and the dinner …

Read More about The Food Combination in France That Always Surprises Americans

Why Europeans Walk to Dinner While Americans Drive to Gyms

On a weeknight in a medium European city, footpaths do the work that apps promise. Couples step out in jackets, cross three quiet streets, and reach a neighborhood bistro before the soup cools. A student leaves a library and joins a stream of people heading toward lighted squares. The walk is not a workout. It …

Read More about Why Europeans Walk to Dinner While Americans Drive to Gyms