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.

Stop Looking Like a Tourist in Portugal: How to Visit Portugal Without Looking Like a Tourist

Portugal has become one of Europe’s most popular travel destinations and for good reason. With its scenic coastline, historic cities, warm hospitality, and vibrant food scene, it’s easy to fall in love with this sun-soaked country. But if you want to experience Portugal like a local and avoid standing out as a tourist, there are …

Read More about Stop Looking Like a Tourist in Portugal: How to Visit Portugal Without Looking Like a Tourist

Planning to Move to Spain? The Residency Change in Spain That Could Let You Stay Year-Round

You land in Madrid thinking you have ninety days. Then you learn there is a clean, legal path that turns those ninety into a year, then three, without playing stamp games or hopping borders. Spain just rewrote the playbook that controls who gets to live there and on what terms. The new regulation reorganizes visas …

Read More about Planning to Move to Spain? The Residency Change in Spain That Could Let You Stay Year-Round

Why Ordering a Cappuccino After 11 in Italy Marks You as an Ignorant American in Italy

And what it reveals about time, taste, and why Italians take their daily rituals very seriously There are many ways to blend in while traveling through Italy. Learn a few key phrases. Don’t expect restaurants to open at 5:30. Never touch the produce at the market. Dress like you meant to leave the house. But …

Read More about Why Ordering a Cappuccino After 11 in Italy Marks You as an Ignorant American in Italy

Why Bandeja Paisa Is More Than a Meal in Colombia and That’s Why People Argue About It

Bandeja Paisa is one of Colombia’s most iconic and beloved dishes, known for its generous portions and hearty flavours. Originating from the Paisa region, particularly Antioquia, this traditional meal is a true reflection of Colombian hospitality and culture. In this recipe guide, you will learn how to make an authentic Bandeja Paisa at home, bringing …

Read More about Why Bandeja Paisa Is More Than a Meal in Colombia and That’s Why People Argue About It

The French Pumpkin Dish That Makes Pumpkin Spice Drinks Look Like Dessert Disguised as a Lifestyle

Imagine a cold night in Lyon: a shallow dish comes to the table, edges bubbling, slices of pumpkin sinking into a custardy cream under a thin cap of Comté. You eat, feel warm, then feel nothing at all. No heart race, no throat burn, no sugar jitters. On the way home the street smells like …

Read More about The French Pumpkin Dish That Makes Pumpkin Spice Drinks Look Like Dessert Disguised as a Lifestyle

This Spanish Tripe Stew Separates Real Food Lovers From the Rest: How to Make Callos a la Madrileña

Callos a la Madrileña is one of Spain’s most iconic and polarising traditional dishes. This hearty tripe stew, beloved in Madrid for centuries, combines beef tripe, chorizo, blood sausage, and smoky paprika in a rich, slow-cooked sauce that warms you to the bone. For locals, Callos is the ultimate comfort food and a classic winter …

Read More about This Spanish Tripe Stew Separates Real Food Lovers From the Rest: How to Make Callos a la Madrileña

The Unspoken European Dating Rule Tourists and Expats Learn Too Late

(It’s Subtle, Slow, and Seriously Confusing to Most Tourists) In the U.S., dating often feels like a game you’re supposed to play but with rules that are loud, fast, and obvious. You match, you flirt, you date, you DTR (define the relationship) all on a timeline that feels pretty standardized. Then you land in Europe. …

Read More about The Unspoken European Dating Rule Tourists and Expats Learn Too Late

Forget Stroganoff: The Creamy Czech Beef Recipe That Makes Stroganoff Feel Overrated

Svíčková na smetaně isn’t just a mouthful to say it’s a mouthful of rich, comforting flavor that’s won the hearts of generations in the Czech Republic. This creamy marinated beef dish, served with a velvety root vegetable sauce, is one of the country’s most beloved and iconic meals. At its heart, svíčková is all about …

Read More about Forget Stroganoff: The Creamy Czech Beef Recipe That Makes Stroganoff Feel Overrated

The Difference Between American Pasta And Italian Pasta. Why One Bloats You And One Doesn’t.

The real difference is not that Italy discovered magical wheat and America forgot how to boil water. It is usually a stack of smaller differences: what goes into the box, how the pasta is made, how hard it is cooked, how much lands on the plate, and what gets dumped on top of it afterward. …

Read More about The Difference Between American Pasta And Italian Pasta. Why One Bloats You And One Doesn’t.

25 Philippine Fruits You Need to Try Before You Leave the Islands

Philippine Fruits: 25 Best Fruits in the Philippines to Try – From the most popular Filipino fruits like mango and Papaya to more exotic fruits in the Philippines that you should try. Our favorite one is the mango national fruit of the Philippines. But there are other Filipino fruits like papaya and lanzones that are …

Read More about 25 Philippine Fruits You Need to Try Before You Leave the Islands

I Watched Spanish Families Have Dinner for a Week and Can’t Believe What I Saw

Why Bother Noticing This? If you’ve ever traveled to Spain—or simply read about its famously relaxed daily rhythm you know there’s one cultural trait that perplexes outsiders: the late-night dinner routine. Spaniards are notorious for eating their final meal at an hour many Americans consider bedtime. But it’s not just the timing that stands out …

Read More about I Watched Spanish Families Have Dinner for a Week and Can’t Believe What I Saw

The Global Food Fight That Finally Needs an Answer: Dumplings or Empanadas With Recipes

Belgian cuisine often flies under the radar, overshadowed by its French and Dutch neighbors. Yet tucked within its rich culinary traditions is a savory gem that deserves far more attention: Flamiche aux Poireaux, or Belgian Leek Tart. This rustic tart combines a buttery pastry base with sweet, tender leeks cooked in cream a simple yet …

Read More about The Global Food Fight That Finally Needs an Answer: Dumplings or Empanadas With Recipes