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.

15 Everyday Foods Europeans Never Put in the Fridge (But Americans Always Do)

Think you’re storing your groceries the “right” way? You might be shocked to learn that the very foods you automatically place in the refrigerator are often kept at room temperature in Europe. From sauces to produce, let’s shine a light on what Europeans do differently—and why it might be a game-changer for your own kitchen …

Read More about 15 Everyday Foods Europeans Never Put in the Fridge (But Americans Always Do)

7 Dreamy Destinations in Spain You’ll Love More Than Madrid or Barcelona

When most people plan a trip to Spain, the first names that come up are usually Madrid or Barcelona. These iconic cities offer world-class attractions, rich history, and a buzzing nightlife scene. Yet, Spain’s magic extends far beyond its two most famous urban centers. Some of the country’s most stunning destinations are often overlooked by …

Read More about 7 Dreamy Destinations in Spain You’ll Love More Than Madrid or Barcelona

The Tip Rejection Way French Servers Do That Makes Americans Feel Cheap

And what it reveals about dignity, service culture, and why Americans confuse pride with rudeness in French hospitality It happens just after dessert. You’ve lingered over your espresso, admired the slowness of a French meal, and finally asked for the check. When it comes, you do what you’ve always done — pull out some bills, …

Read More about The Tip Rejection Way French Servers Do That Makes Americans Feel Cheap

Why Italian Husbands Kiss Their Friends in Ways American Wives Consider Affairs

And what it reveals about emotional culture, physical expression, and why intimacy in Italy doesn’t always mean infidelity You’re having dinner with your Italian in-laws. The evening stretches past midnight, wine flows, and everyone talks at once. As people begin to leave, your husband gets up from the table and kisses another woman — on …

Read More about Why Italian Husbands Kiss Their Friends in Ways American Wives Consider Affairs

Why Italians Eat Raw Pork in Ways American Doctors Say Guarantees Parasites

And what it reveals about culinary trust, historical memory, and why Italians still prize food Americans are taught to fear It happens in a crowded salumeria in Umbria. A shopkeeper cuts a thin, glistening slice of pork and hands it to you across the counter. The meat is soft pink, almost translucent. No char, no …

Read More about Why Italians Eat Raw Pork in Ways American Doctors Say Guarantees Parasites

Why Europeans Never Order These 13 Menu Items and What to Do Instead

Think you’re eating like a local in Europe? Those menu items you’re excitedly ordering might be making every European in the restaurant silently cringe. Here’s what we never order – and why. Dining in Europe can be one of the most rewarding parts of any trip, but knowing what to order — and what to …

Read More about Why Europeans Never Order These 13 Menu Items and What to Do Instead

Best eSIM for Global Travel? Here’s What Most Travelers Get Wrong (And the Providers That Actually Work)

Looking for the best eSIM worldwide data and comparing esim worldwide data providers? While eSIM.net has a great esim plan with a UK number, Airalo is still better with its wider coverage and flexibility of data choices. Orange is also a sim card alternative. In an era where we rely on Google Maps, WhatsApp, and …

Read More about Best eSIM for Global Travel? Here’s What Most Travelers Get Wrong (And the Providers That Actually Work)

The Rome Fountain Touch That Italian Police Fine Americans For Daily

And what it reveals about boundaries, respect, and how ancient beauty is protected in modern Italy Rome doesn’t hide its beauty. It pours it into the streets, the piazzas, the alleyways. You don’t have to enter a museum to feel awestruck — the artwork is already outside. Marble lions, towering columns, mythological creatures frozen in …

Read More about The Rome Fountain Touch That Italian Police Fine Americans For Daily

The Hand Gesture Americans Make That’s Illegal in Three European Countries

And what it reveals about cultural perception, silent language, and why not every wave means hello You’re standing in a busy train station in southern Italy. You see someone you recognize across the platform. Instinctively, you lift your arm, palm out, fingers spread, and give them a wide wave — the casual, American kind. They …

Read More about The Hand Gesture Americans Make That’s Illegal in Three European Countries

Why Italians Thaw Seafood on Counters While Americans Call Poison Control

And what it reveals about kitchen intuition, refrigeration culture, and the long memory of food safety fears You walk into a sunlit kitchen in Naples. A cotton towel covers a ceramic plate on the counter. You lift the edge and see two pinkish fish, firm and glistening, resting patiently in the open air. They’re thawing. …

Read More about Why Italians Thaw Seafood on Counters While Americans Call Poison Control

The Leftover Storage Container Europeans Reuse That American Health Codes Ban

And what it reveals about practicality, waste, and a culture that trusts intuition over plastic warnings Walk into nearly any European home — whether it’s a farmhouse kitchen in rural Portugal, a chic Parisian flat, or a sunny apartment in southern Spain — and open the fridge. Among the standard food items, you’ll almost certainly …

Read More about The Leftover Storage Container Europeans Reuse That American Health Codes Ban

10 Common Travel Mistakes You Didn’t Know You’re Making — And How to Avoid Them

Travel is meant to be exciting, freeing, and unforgettable. But even seasoned travelers fall into habits that can derail a trip before it even begins. From booking the wrong flights to packing the wrong essentials, simple oversights can turn what should be a dream vacation into a stressful experience. The worst part? Many of these …

Read More about 10 Common Travel Mistakes You Didn’t Know You’re Making — And How to Avoid Them