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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.

10 Affordable Cities That Make a $2,000 Budget Feel Comfortable

With the rising cost of living in many major cities, finding a place where you can enjoy a comfortable lifestyle without stretching your budget feels harder than ever. Yet, around the world, there are still vibrant cities where $2,000 a month covers rent, food, transportation, and even a few indulgences all without sacrificing quality of …

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I Stopped Eating the American WayAnd I Ate the Greek Way for 45 Days: My Doctor Changed My Statin Plan

Olive oil by the spoon, fish at lunch twice a week, legumes on repeat, bread that goes stale by sunset. A simple Greek pattern, tight and consistent, can move cholesterol numbers fast enough that a careful doctor may actually change your prescription. A Breath Of Reality Before We Start This is a first person style …

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Coca de Recapte Is Catalonia Spain’s Flatbread That Predates the Pizza Debate

Everyone has an opinion about pizza, where it comes from, what belongs on it, which city does it right. Almost nobody outside Catalonia has an opinion about coca de recapte, and yet this Catalan flatbread has been quietly doing much of what pizza does for a very long time, arguably longer, without any of the …

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Some Madrid Apartments Still Rent for €500 Under a Law From 1964

In the heart of Madrid, in neighborhoods where a modest apartment now rents for fifteen hundred euros a month or more, a small and dwindling number of people are paying something closer to three hundred, or five hundred, for a home in the same building, on the same street, sometimes behind an identical door one …

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Hachis Parmentier: France’s Answer to Shepherd’s Pie and Arguably the Upgrade

Every country with cold winters seems to have arrived at the same comforting idea: cook some meat, cover it with mashed potato, and then bake the whole thing until the top goes golden and crisp. The British call their versions shepherd’s pie and cottage pie, and they are beloved for good reason, but France has …

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Going to the Beach in Italy? If You Do These 7 Things on an Italian Beach, Locals Will Avoid You

Why Bother Knowing This? Italy’s coasts whether you’re in the glamorous Amalfi region, the bustling shores of Rimini, or the quieter coves of Puglia are known worldwide for their natural beauty and vibrant social life. Yet behind the sun-kissed scenes lies a set of unspoken cultural norms. Italians take their beach-going quite seriously: from how …

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French Couples Do This in Bed Without Thinking: Americans Would Read It Completely Differently

For many Americans, how couples sleep together is treated as a reflection of intimacy, commitment, and emotional closeness. Sharing the same bed, the same blanket, and the same schedule is often assumed to be the default. Anything else can feel like a sign something is wrong. French couples approach sleep from a different angle. Rather …

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Forget Basic Pasta: 12 Italian Tagliatelle Recipes That Make Ordinary Pasta Feel Boring

Tagliatelle is one of Italy’s most beloved pasta shapes long, flat ribbons of egg pasta that perfectly capture hearty sauces and rich flavors. Hailing from the Emilia-Romagna region, tagliatelle holds a special place in traditional Italian cuisine, often served with robust meat ragùs or delicate cream-based sauces. It’s a pasta that proves how simple ingredients, …

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Economy Passengers Can Get Into Airport Lounges Too: How to Get Airport Lounge Access Without Flying First Class

There’s something almost mythical about the airport lounge: plush chairs, complimentary drinks, clean bathrooms, quiet spaces, and free Wi-Fi. For many travelers, it feels like a luxury reserved only for first-class flyers or frequent business travelers. But here’s the good news you don’t need a premium ticket to access it. More travelers than ever are …

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Forget the Greek Islands: These European Alternatives Are Just as Stunning

For decades, the Greek Islands have reigned supreme as Europe’s ultimate sun-soaked escape. Santorini’s blue-domed churches, Mykonos’ beach clubs, and Crete’s rugged coastline attract millions each year. But in 2026, travelers are beginning to ask: Are the Greek Islands still worth it? With rising prices, overcrowded streets, cruise ship traffic, and a slowly eroding sense …

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Italian Bars Are Legally Required to Hand You the Receipt: The Scontrino Rule That Confuses Every Tourist

You order an espresso at an Italian bar, drink it down in thirty seconds standing at the counter the way the locals do, and the barista hands you, along with it, a small printed receipt, the scontrino. You did not ask for it, you have no use for it, and yet there it is, issued …

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Forget Paella and Sangria: These Are the Spanish Dishes You Really Need to Try

When most travelers think of Spanish food, they picture massive pans of paella and colorful glasses of sangria. While delicious, these dishes are often more for tourists than locals and represent only a tiny sliver of Spain’s incredible culinary landscape. To truly eat like a Spaniard, you need to go beyond the clichés. Across Spain’s …

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