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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 Italian Village Where Normal Life Still Costs $1,400 and Americans Can’t Believe It

So here is the scene people miss when they picture “Italy.” No marble lobby, no rooftop pool, no fight for a table with English menus. Just a stone lane in Spello in Umbria, pink flowers on balconies, a bread line at 8 a.m., and old men arguing about football. You rent a one bedroom that …

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The Viral Hawaiian Dish That Proves Comfort Food Doesn’t Need to Be Elegant: Why Loco Moco Took Over the Food World And How You Can Make It

When people think of Hawaiian food, poke bowls and tropical fruits often steal the spotlight. But ask a local what dish truly hits home, and they’ll likely say one thing: Loco Moco. It’s hearty, messy, flavorful, and unmistakably Hawaiian a delicious symbol of the islands’ multicultural roots. At its core, Loco Moco is pure comfort: …

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The 4 Non Schengen European Countries With Unlimited American Stays

Let’s just get some things straight. No European country is handing Americans a permanent, visa-free, live-here-forever situation just because you have a U.S. passport. What you can get, in a few non-Schengen countries, is a very long visa-free stay and an easy way to keep spending time in Europe without burning your Schengen 90/180 allowance. …

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I Replaced Margarine With French Butter and the Results Were More Controversial Than the Taste

So my cholesterol went down eating butter and my doctor thinks I’m lying. Not just butter. French butter. The kind that costs €4 for 250 grams and comes wrapped in paper like it’s precious gold and honestly at those prices it basically is. I switched from “heart healthy” margarine to French butter for 30 days …

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The Taco Mistake So Common It’s Become Normal Outside Mexico

Tacos aren’t just a meal they’re a cultural icon that has transcended borders and become a favorite around the world. Originally from Mexico, tacos represent a perfect balance of bold flavors, fresh ingredients, and endless creativity. Whether filled with grilled meats, savory vegetables, or zesty seafood, tacos embody the heart of street food with the …

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58% Of American Women Over 50 Regret Moving To Spain Within 2 Years

If that number were true in any clean, verifiable way, Spain would be a revolving door. It isn’t. Spain has plenty of unhappy newcomers, and plenty of people who leave within a couple of years. But the “majority regret it” story usually comes from a messy mix of anecdotes, expat-group mood swings, and people confusing …

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She Lost Her Husband And Moved To Portugal: What Nobody Tells Widows

Widowhood doesn’t feel like one thing. It’s grief, yes. It’s also admin, loneliness, identity loss, money recalculation, and a strange new relationship with time. Days get quiet in a way that feels unnatural. People are kind for a while, then life moves on. You’re left holding a new version of yourself with a familiar name …

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The Only Recipe That Makes Winter Feel Worth Sitting Through Is Coq au Vin

Three cold months. One heavy pot. A sauce that tastes like you tried harder than you did. This is the dish that keeps weeknights civilized when winter turns everything into a negotiation. January in Spain has a particular sound: rain on shutters, the elevator groaning, someone dragging a shopping trolley across wet pavement. It’s not …

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Italy Retirement: Why Some American Retirees Last Less Than Two Years in Italy

The postcard version of Italy is effortless. Espresso, church bells, olive trees, a doctor who actually answers, and a monthly budget that feels like cheating. Then real life shows up with its little clipboard. The lease needs to be registered. The appointment is only on Tuesdays. The office closes at 12:30. Your “temporary” rental turns …

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Divorced Mom Of Two Moved To Spain On €1,900 A Month Full Breakdown

€1,900 a month in Spain can be either tight-but-possible or quietly impossible. The difference is not “Spain.” It’s the version of Spain you try to buy with that number. If you pick a hot expat city center, try to drive everywhere, and keep American convenience habits, €1,900 becomes stress. If you pick a normal Spanish …

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Why Italian Couples Leave the Door Open and Americans Immediately Read It the Wrong Way

And what it reveals about intimacy, cultural norms, and a completely different idea of personal space Spend time in an Italian home especially during a long lunch, a weekend visit, or a casual evening with friends and you may stumble across a moment that leaves most American guests wide-eyed and silently horrified. It’s not the …

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Is Your Delayed Flight Owing You Money? Very Possibly And Most Travelers Never Claim It

Few travel frustrations compare to standing at a crowded gate, watching the departure time for your flight get pushed back again and again. Flight delays can ruin vacation plans, business meetings, and even emotional milestones. Yet what most travelers don’t realize is that they have rights real, enforceable rights when airlines fail to get them …

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