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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.

Thinking of Moving to Portugal? Read This First: Why Most Americans Don’t Last 18 Months in Portugal

cI keep seeing the same pattern. People arrive with bright eyes, pastel tiles, and a spreadsheet that says life will cost half. At month fourteen they are selling furniture on Facebook and arguing with their bank. I might have that 67 percent a little off, but the shape is correct, and if you read expat …

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Why European Men Groom This Body Part Differently Than American Men

And What It Reveals About Confidence, Cleanliness, and Cultural Masculinity In locker rooms, beaches, barbershops, and bathrooms across the Western world, grooming habits say more than people realize. They reveal social codes.They reflect cultural expectations.And sometimes, they quietly expose what each society finds masculine or uncomfortable. One of the clearest divides?How European and American men …

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Europe’s New Travel Permit Still Isn’t Live: Americans Can Still Travel to Europe Without ETIAS

For years, Americans planning trips to Europe have been preparing for the long-awaited implementation of the EU’s ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System), a permit that was supposed to become mandatory. But in a surprising move, 2026 has brought a welcome twist the requirement has been postponed yet again. Travelers from the U.S. won’t …

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Forget the Amalfi Coast: Where Italians Go When They Want the Coast Without Amalfi Prices

So here is the mismatch. Visitors dream about one bend of road with a lemon stand and a bus that makes you sweat, then spend a mortgage payment to sit in traffic. Italians love Amalfi, but they do not default to it. They go where the water is clean, the food is honest, the beds …

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Things I Wish I Knew Before My First Costa Rica Trip: What No One Tells You Before Visiting Costa Rica

All about Costa Rica travel tips and all the cool facts about Costa Rica and things to know before visiting Costa Rica from first-timers to seasoned travelers. Read here Is Puerto Viejo Costa Rica safe to travel This post will be your go-to guide to get to know more of Costa Rica and what awaits you …

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5 Most Popular African Dishes Every Food Lover Should Try

African cuisine is one of the most underappreciated culinary treasures in the world. Stretching across more than 50 countries and thousands of cultures, the continent’s food is as diverse as its landscapes from the aromatic stews of West Africa to the spiced curries of the East and the hearty, meat-rich dishes of the South. Yet …

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My Honest Experience Retiring in Portugal: $1,200 a Month in Portugal Changed How I See Retirement Forever

A small apartment above a bakery. Midday sun on tiled streets. Lunch at a tablecloth spot that costs less than a latte back home. Thirty days later, my notebook says the same thing my body does: this is doable, and it is gentler than you think. I set one rule for myself. Live like a …

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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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The Spanish Vegetable Dish That Tastes Even Better With an Egg on Top: The Spanish Ratatouille That France Can’t Compete With

Spain’s culinary treasures extend far beyond tapas and paella, and one of the country’s most beloved hidden gems is pisto, often called the Spanish version of ratatouille. This humble vegetable stew has been enjoyed for centuries in the heart of La Mancha and across Spain, representing a marriage of Mediterranean flavors and simple cooking traditions. …

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The Italian Mom Morning Routine That Would Shock American Women

And why they keep doing it — not for praise or performance, but for pride, rhythm, and something older than convenience. American mornings are designed for speed.Smoothie in a blender. Children dressed in the car. One eye on the news, the other on traffic. The goal is to get out the door — ideally fed, …

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What Butterball Adds to Turkey And the Homemade Fix You Can Trust

You can walk into an American supermarket and buy a turkey that already “contains up to X% of a solution,” then push an injector full of buttery flavor into the breast and call it a day. In much of Europe, that label and that process live under tighter rules. Additives in some U.S. injections and …

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Why Your U.S. Credit Score Might Mean Nothing in Europe: The European Credit Score System Americans Don’t Know Exists Until They Can’t Rent an Apartment

You arrive with a perfect FICO and a suitcase. The agent smiles at your bank app, nods at your LinkedIn, then asks for things you have never heard of. A rent-to-income ratio that is enforced, a letter proving you never owed rent in your old place, a tax slip from a country you just entered …

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