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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.

If Your Pasta Sauce Takes 30 Minutes, Sicilian Grandmothers Have Questions: Sicilian Nonnas Know This Sauce Needs Time, Not More Ingredients

And what it reveals about patience, layering, and why time not tomato is the real ingredient It starts before breakfast. In kitchens across Palermo, Agrigento, and Catania, grandmothers open the shutters, rinse basil from the garden, and set a pot on the stove. By the time the rest of the family smells garlic, the tomato …

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Americans Avoid France Because of Taxes: The France-U.S. Tax Treaty Could Completely Change Your Retirement Math

A retired American collecting a pension and Social Security in Provence pays zero French income tax on either. Not a reduced rate. Not a credit. Zero, on the French side. The same retired American holding US-issued dividends, interest, and capital gains in a Fidelity or Schwab account also pays no French tax on that investment …

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The 5-Year Visa Loophole Americans Looking at Europe Should Know About

And why no one is talking about the quiet visa deal that could change your entire lifestyle overnight For most Americans dreaming of a Mediterranean life sipping espresso by the sea, wandering historic towns, buying fresh tomatoes at the morning market the obstacle is always the same: how to stay legally. Tourist visas don’t cut …

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The Things in European Homes That Make Americans Say, “You Live Like This?”

Stepping into a European home for the first time can feel like entering an alternate reality everything looks familiar, yet operates just a little differently. From odd bathroom setups to mysterious switches in the hallway, American travelers often find themselves doing double takes and quietly wondering, “Is this normal?” In Europe, the answer is yes. …

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Americans Eat Bacon and Eggs And Spain Has Huevos Rotos: How to Make Spanish Broken Eggs With Ham Like a Madrid Tapas Bar

Our guide on how to make Spanish Broken eggs with Ham, Huevos rotos con jamon for you to try at home. Huevos Rotos con Jamón (Spanish Broken Eggs with Ham) is a delicious and simple dish from Spain that combines crispy potatoes, perfectly fried eggs, and thin slices of jamón (Spanish ham). The eggs are …

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7 Things Europeans Splurge On That Americans Would Never Pay For

Why Bother Exploring This Topic? American travelers in Europe often notice that locals fork out serious cash for things that, from a U.S. viewpoint, might seem overpriced or unnecessary. Whether it’s a pricey piece of hand-made clothing or a luxurious gastronomic experience, these expenses sometimes raise eyebrows among American visitors used to mass-market deals and …

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Americans Spend $100 on Dinner: Portuguese Grandmothers Make This Cheap Portuguese Dish That Somehow Became Special-Occasion Food

So here is the quiet Portuguese truth. The dish people call “peasant” is exactly what grandmothers bring out when it matters. In Almeirim they carry it to birthdays. In Santarém it sits in front of godparents. It is humble and it is the main event. The name is Sopa da Pedra stone soup born from …

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Two Sisters Retired to Spain Together: The Shared-Household Math Couples Never Run

The portrait that follows is a composite, an illustrative blend drawn from the common experiences of many people rather than an account of any two specific real individuals. It is offered to explore a pattern that is quietly becoming more common, two adults who are not a couple choosing to build a shared retirement abroad …

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Social Security Deposits Straight Into European Banks: The Setup Nobody at the Branch Explains

For the growing number of Americans retiring in Europe, one of the quiet monthly headaches is getting their Social Security payment out of the United States and into a form they can actually spend where they live. Many end up keeping an American bank account and pulling the money across the ocean piece by piece, …

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What Spanish People Really Eat for Breakfast: 20 Spanish Traditional Breakfast Recipes To Try

Spanish Breakfast – When having breakfast in Spain it’s hard to miss the traditional Spanish churros with cafe con leche or cafe cortado. RELATED TRAVEL GUIDES: BOOK YOUR TRAVEL INSURANCE Two of our favorite travel insurance: Heymondo Vs Safetwing cheapest travel Insurance. You can get for $135 USD your Heymondo Travel Insurance with Heymondo discount code valid for 90 days. Read our full comparison …

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The American Beach Behaviors That Make Mediterranean Locals Ask, “Why?”

Picture this: You’re proudly rocking your new swimsuit on a Mediterranean beach, feeling like you’ve mastered the European vacation vibe. But those subtle smiles from locals? They’re noticing some distinctly American habits that stick out like a tourist selfie stick. From treating beach time like a military operation to packing enough snacks to survive a …

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How Pad Kra Pao Is Actually Made in Thailand: This 20-Minute Thai Dinner Is Spicy, Garlicky And Addictive

Pad Kra Pao Moo, or Thai basil pork stir fry, is one of the most popular street food dishes in Thailand, loved for its bold, aromatic flavours and satisfying combination of savoury, spicy, and sweet. This classic dish features minced pork stir-fried with garlic, chillies, and holy basil, then served over steamed jasmine rice and …

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