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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 Portuguese Dish Everyone Gets Wrong (And How to Make It Right)

Few dishes capture the heart of Portuguese home cooking like Bacalhau à Brás — a comforting, flavorful dish made from shredded salt cod, onions, eggs, and thin matchstick potatoes. It’s a staple in Portuguese households and restaurants, known for its humble ingredients and rich, satisfying taste. Salty, creamy, and full of texture, Bacalhau à Brás …

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The Real Greek Gyros: How to Cook It and Eat It the Local Way

Gyros—those fragrant, juicy meat wraps piled onto pita bread with tangy tzatziki and crisp toppings—are Greece’s most iconic street food. Yet, as beloved as gyros are worldwide, many popular versions simplify or misinterpret the real deal. Authentic Greek gyros are built from carefully seasoned meat, spun on a vertical rotisserie, and served warm with respect …

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2026 European Visa Changes Every American Planning a Long Trip Needs to Know

So let’s get the quiet stuff out of the way first. Your Europe trip in 2026 will feel different at the border even if you are still visa exempt. Two systems change the experience for Americans this year. The EU’s new biometric Entry and Exit System is fully in play by spring. Then, toward the …

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I Eliminated American Breakfast Cereals for 60 Days, My Kids’ Behavior Changed Completely

So here is the part nobody wants to hear at 7 a.m. The cereal box that promises “whole grains” is selling you a morning sugar rush dressed as fiber. We ran the full sixty days. Cereal out, real food in, and I tracked the school notes, tantrums, concentration, and bedtimes. Two weeks in, the house …

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Why This European Dental Emergency Leaves Americans Bankrupt

And what it reveals about trust, access, and the jaw-dropping difference in how two systems treat the same crisis Tooth pain has a unique ability to disrupt everything. It’s not like a stiff neck or a sore knee. When it strikes, it hijacks your focus, your appetite, your sleep, and your sanity. In the United …

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How to Make Authentic Roscón de Reyes, The Spanish Christmas Bread Americans Rarely See

So here is the scene you do not get on December 25. The real action in Spain happens on the night of January 5 and the morning of January 6. Kids put out milk for the camels, shoes line the hallway, and a ring of glossy, flower-scented bread lands on the table with candied fruit …

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The Pasta Mistake That Gets Americans Silently Banned in Naples

Slide into a crowded trattoria in the Spanish Quarter, order spaghetti alle vongole, and raise your knife. The room tenses. The waiter tilts his head. You’ve just tripped a local wire. In Naples, the way you handle long pasta is a language, and cutting it says you don’t speak it. The city is generous with …

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The Spain Car Rental Scam Targeting Americans, How I Got Charged €800 and How to Avoid It

So here is how it happens. Your flight lands, you grab the keys, the sun is warm, and you think Spain is easy. Four days later the invoice arrives and your jaw hits the table. Mine was €802.60 for “damage processing, fuel service, late return, and roadside assistance” after a weekend no one on earth …

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English vs Irish Breakfast: What Really Sets Them Apart (And How to Make Both at Home)

The battle of the breakfasts is one that stirs up strong opinions across the British Isles. While the English breakfast is famous worldwide for its hearty portions and iconic ingredients, the Irish breakfast is equally robust and deeply rooted in tradition. But what exactly makes them different—and which one deserves a place at your table? …

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She Sold Her Life in the U.S. and Moved to Porto: The Surprising Bank Balance After 12 Months

You arrive with a fat cushion and a plan. Porto answers with rent, bills, and the kind of everyday math that decides whether your savings grow or disappear. As of September 2025, this is what a year really does to your balance. You land, tap your Andante card, and watch the river flash between tiled …

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Why Spanish People Find These Normal American Greetings Deeply Offensive

And What It Reveals About Respect, Rhythm, and the Social Warmth Spain Refuses to Abandon To Americans, greetings are often seen as polite formalities — short, efficient, and cheerful.“Hey.” “How are you?” “Good morning.” “Have a nice day.”They’re phrases used at the grocery store, in the office, on the street, and over the phone. But …

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