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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.

I Ate French Butter Instead Of American Margarine For 30 Days And My Cholesterol Dropped

So my cholesterol went down eating butter and my doctor thinks I’m lying. Not just butter. French butter. The kind that costs €4 for 250 grams and comes wrapped in paper like it’s precious gold and honestly at those prices it basically is. I switched from “heart healthy” margarine to French butter for 30 days …

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She Had $375,000 At 57 Moved To The Algarve Has $98,000 At 65: The Hidden Costs That Drained Her Algarve Retirement Savings

$375,000 sounds like breathing room at 57. In the Algarve, it can be. It can also be a slow-motion leak if you treat it like income instead of runway. By 65, she has $98,000 left. Roughly €90,000 give or take, depending on the exchange-rate month and how she converts. The number looks like a cautionary …

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I Eliminated American Chicken for 45 Days After Learning What Europeans Won’t Eat: the Results Shocked Me

The first time I walked into a Spanish pollería, I asked for chicken breast the way I would have back in the States. Boneless, skinless, maybe a kilo. The woman behind the counter looked at me like I had requested the moon. She pointed at three whole chickens hanging in the case, each one smaller …

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Why This French Stew Takes 6 Hours And Grandmothers Refuse To Rush It

So here is the thing you learn at a French table after your third winter. The stews everyone keeps praising are not really recipes. They are time management. Collagen turns to silk on a clock you cannot speed up, and every shortcut tastes like it. If you want the beef to fall apart, the sauce …

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Why 61% Of American Pre-Retirees Quit The Spanish Residency Process By Month Eight

The dream of Spain rarely dies at the dramatic moments. It dies at a desk, in a queue, on hold, in front of a website that will not load an appointment, somewhere around the eighth month, when the apostille that was supposed to take two weeks has taken two months and the police appointment that …

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Why Tourists Completely Misunderstand How Tapas Work In Spain

For many visitors, eating tapas in Spain feels like a simple, casual activity. Small plates, lively bars, and relaxed evenings create the impression that you can just walk in, order a few dishes, and experience tapas the way locals do. But once travelers arrive, many quickly realize that the rhythm of tapas culture is not …

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Think Rome and Venice Are the Best? 7 Italian Cities That Are Better Than the Tourist Hotspots But Tourists Always Skip

Ready to dodge the tourist traps and discover the real Italy? We’re taking you on a journey to some of the most underrated cities in the country places brimming with culture, cuisine, and ancient charms, yet often overlooked for their more famous neighbors. From the rich culinary delights of Bologna to the ancient streets of …

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10 Best Holiday Cocktails For Cozy Nights, Big Dinners, And Late Parties

The holiday season is a time for gathering, celebrating, and toasting to the year that was and nothing sets the mood quite like a well-crafted cocktail. Whether you’re hosting an elegant dinner party, having a cozy night by the fireplace, or ringing in the New Year with friends, a signature drink can elevate any moment …

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I Stopped Taking Sleep Aids And Tried Portugal’s Bedtime Habits Instead

Americans have a sleep problem. Not a mysterious one. Not a genetic one. A structural one. Roughly 70 million Americans deal with chronic sleep issues. Over-the-counter sleep aids are a multi-billion-dollar industry. Melatonin gummies alone generate over $1 billion in annual U.S. sales. Prescription sleep medications like zolpidem (Ambien), eszopiclone (Lunesta), and trazodone are among …

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Why Tlayudas Are Called Mexican Pizza But Taste Nothing Like It: How To Make Authentic Oaxacan Tlayudas At Home

Tlayudas are one of Mexico’s most beloved street foods, yet they remain surprisingly under the radar outside of Oaxaca. Often dubbed the “Mexican pizza” for its large, crispy tortilla base and variety of bold toppings, tlayudas are a crunchy, smoky, and deeply satisfying dish that brings together indigenous and colonial culinary influences in one perfect …

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He Bought A €24,000 Ruin In Puglia: Total Cost After 5 Years. Why A Cheap House In Puglia Can Cost Far More Than The Purchase Price

A €24,000 ruin in Puglia is the kind of sentence that makes Americans feel like they’ve found a loophole in the universe. You can almost hear the follow-up: “So you’re telling me I can buy a house in Italy for the price of a used car?” Yes. You can buy the structure. What you’re actually …

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