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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.

10 Lisbon Day Trips So Stunning Even Locals Try to Keep Them Secret

If you’re hanging out in Lisbon and thinking about venturing beyond the city limits, I’ve got some treats for you! Here’s a list of our absolute favorite day trips from Lisbon that’ll make your Portuguese adventure unforgettable. Lisbon’s great and all (I mean, those hills, right?), but there’s so much more to see just a …

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The 8 British Social Rules Tourists Misread Every Time

Mention “British manners,” and you might picture polite smiles, endless “sorry” repeats, and an obsession with tea. But there’s far more nuance behind the UK’s politeness veneer. From indirect speech to subtle sarcasm, these signals often leave newcomers baffled or second-guessing a Brit’s real intentions. Here are 8 British habits sure to puzzle outsiders—and how …

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Read This Before You Land: 22 Things You Should Never Do in Colombia

Traveling to Colombia can be one of the most memorable experiences you’ll ever have. The country’s landscapes, food culture, and warm hospitality are captivating, but they also come with social norms and unspoken rules many first-time visitors don’t realize exist. What might seem harmless to a tourist can easily come across as disrespectful, unsafe, or …

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The Silent Breakdown 81% of American Expats Have in Month 3

Nobody warns you about Month 3 because Month 1 looks like a honeymoon and Month 2 still feels brave. Then the Wi-Fi goes out the same day your bank asks for a form you have never heard of and the bakery closes at lunchtime for a saint you cannot pronounce. Your optimism evaporates at 16:10 …

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The Italian Eating Habit Kids Learn at Age 5 That Keeps Adults Slim for Life

If you’ve ever watched an Italian family eat, you’ll notice something subtle—but powerful—happening on every plate. Portions are small by default, foods arrive in a set order, and what looks like “indulgent” (pasta, olive oil, bread) is balanced by routine guardrails that start in childhood. By the time most kids hit scuola dell’infanzia (ages 3–5) …

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Only Greece’s Oldest Bakers Know This Baklava Secret Now You Can Too

And what it reveals about ritual, texture, and why real sweetness can’t be rushed or scaled In the mountain villages of Epirus and the island kitchens of Crete, there are six women—each past 80—who still make baklava the old way. Not the sweetened shortcut version that fills pastry counters in Athens. Not the syrup-heavy slabs …

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Forget Rice Tonight: Try the Couscous Technique Passed Down for Generations

Couscous may appear simple tiny grains that cook in minutes but making traditional homemade couscous is a culinary art that’s been passed down through generations in North Africa. Unlike the quick-steam box version found in most grocery stores, real couscous is lovingly rolled by hand, steamed multiple times, and infused with deep, soulful flavor. Originating …

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Why Portuguese Grandfathers Live to 95 Without the Medications American Men Take at 60

So here is the part you do not see on postcards. The old men on the bench in Setúbal and Braga are not health influencers. They are former fishermen, carpenters, bus drivers, and bricklayers who eat the same five meals on repeat, walk to buy bread, nap without apology, and keep their doctors but do …

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Why Texas Retirees Are Getting Scammed in Spain at 3x the Rate of Other Americans

Walk the marina in Marbella on a Saturday and you can spot the pattern without trying. Polished English, recent arrival, a bright brochure for a “residency-ready” apartment, and a fixer who “handles everything” if you wire a deposit today. The retirees most likely to sign on the spot keep showing up from the same places. …

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The Fish and Chips Hack That Beats Every Pub in Britain

Few street foods have reached global fame quite like fish and chips. This crispy, golden duo flaky white fish encased in bubbly batter, served with thick-cut fries has long been a symbol of British comfort food. It’s humble, hearty, and when done right, utterly unbeatable. Originally born out of working-class neighborhoods in 19th-century England, fish …

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The Only 5 Weeknight Dinners You’ll Ever Need When You’re Too Tired to Cook

Busy schedules don’t have to mean boring food or frozen dinners. In fact, some of the most satisfying meals are the ones that come together in 30 minutes or less with fresh ingredients, minimal cleanup, and big flavor. The trick? A small rotation of go-to recipes that require almost no mental effort. Whether you’re cooking …

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The Spanish Salted Fish Tradition That Became a Culinary Obsession: Make Bacalao Like a Pro

In the world of Spanish cuisine, bacalao (salt cod) is a dish steeped in both tradition and flavor. What was once a practical solution for preserving fish has evolved into a culinary art form, passed down through generations across Spain—from the Basque Country to Andalusia. Its strong flavor, firm texture, and salt-forward punch make it …

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