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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 Eating Schedule That Ended My 3pm Crashes At 61

A woman in her early sixties eats lunch at her usual American time. 12:30pm. A salad with grilled chicken and a small piece of bread. A coffee at 1:00. By 2:45pm she feels the familiar afternoon wave. The fatigue. The pull to a snack drawer. The slight irritability that her grown children have learned to …

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The Spain Move That Cost Us $40K In Mistakes: What The Next $40K Saved Us

A couple in their early sixties closes on a Madrid apartment in their second month in Spain. They paid €25,000 above market value because they did not know how Madrid pricing actually works, the realtor was selling at the “international price,” and they fell in love with the building during one viewing. That €25,000 is …

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The Spanish Daily Habit That Cardiologists Are Now Recommending To American Patients With High Blood Pressure

A 67-year-old man in Salamanca finishes lunch at 2:45pm. A bowl of lentil stew, a piece of grilled fish with roasted peppers, two pieces of bread, a small glass of red wine. He stays at the table for another 20 minutes finishing his coffee. Then he stands up and walks out the door. Not to …

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The Italian Aperitivo That Reframes Appetite Across The Afternoon

A woman in her late fifties in Milan finishes her workday at 6:30pm. She does not go straight home. She walks two blocks to a small bar in her neighborhood and orders a Campari and soda with a small plate of olives, salted almonds, and a few pieces of focaccia. She sips her drink across …

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How To Make Real Mexican Carnitas: The Lard Confit Step American Recipes Replace With A Slow Cooker

Carnitas are not pulled pork with better marketing. They are pork cooked slowly in its own fat until tender, then finished hot enough to crisp at the edges without drying the meat into shreds. A slow cooker can make good pork. It cannot make real carnitas by itself. The missing step is not a spice …

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7 Bedroom Habits Portuguese Couples Maintain Past 60 That American Couples Abandon At 50

A Portuguese couple in their late sixties in a small town outside Évora goes to bed at 11:15pm on a Tuesday. They have been doing approximately this version of this routine for 42 years. The lights go off at 11:30pm. They sleep in the same bed they have shared throughout their marriage. They speak briefly …

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From Madrid Watching The Anti-Tourist Protests: What I Want American Travelers To Know Before Summer 2026

The march down Gran Vía in Madrid in April 2025 was thousands of people deep. The signs in Spanish, in English, sometimes both: “Get Airbnb out of our neighborhoods.” “Madrid is not for sale.” “Tourist go home.” A grandmother in her seventies walking with her grandson, both holding the same homemade sign. I watched it …

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How to Make Haupia: Easy Hawaiian Coconut Dessert

Hawaiian cuisine is known for its bold flavors, fresh ingredients, and rich cultural influences and when it comes to dessert, Haupia holds a special place in the islands’ culinary heart. This traditional coconut pudding is a staple at Hawaiian luaus, family gatherings, and potlucks, loved for its silky texture and naturally sweet, tropical taste. Made …

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What Portuguese People Really Eat for Dinner: 3 Traditional Portuguese Dinners You Need to Try at Home

Portuguese cuisine remains one of Europe’s most underrated culinary treasures. While countries like Italy and France dominate global food conversations, Portugal quietly continues to serve some of the most comforting, flavorful, and honest meals in the world. Rooted in seafood, olive oil, garlic, and slow-cooked traditions, Portuguese dinners reflect centuries of coastal life and family-centered …

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If You Love Focaccia, You Need to Try Schiacciata: Focaccia Gets the Fame, but Schiacciata Deserves the Spotlight

Italy is home to countless regional dishes that spark endless culinary debates, and focaccia vs. schiacciata is one that bread lovers can’t seem to settle. At first glance, these two iconic flatbreads might look similar golden crust, fluffy inside, often topped with olive oil and herbs but once you bite into them, the differences are …

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This 30-Minute Chicken Alfredo Tastes Like a Restaurant Favorite

Creamy, comforting, and deeply satisfying, Chicken Alfredo is one of those iconic pasta dishes that never goes out of style. Its silky, rich sauce made with butter, cream, and cheese wraps every strand of fettuccine in indulgent goodness, while tender chicken adds just the right amount of protein to round it out. While this dish …

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Forget Frites and Waffles: Try These 7 Belgian Dishes Instead

When people think of Belgian food, two things immediately come to mind: crispy golden frites dipped in mayo and sugary waffles dusted with powdered sugar. While these treats are undeniably delicious and deserve their fame, they are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Belgium’s rich and diverse culinary traditions. Beyond the …

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