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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 French Pumpkin Dish That Makes Pumpkin Spice Drinks Look Like Dessert Disguised as a Lifestyle

Imagine a cold night in Lyon: a shallow dish comes to the table, edges bubbling, slices of pumpkin sinking into a custardy cream under a thin cap of Comté. You eat, feel warm, then feel nothing at all. No heart race, no throat burn, no sugar jitters. On the way home the street smells like …

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This Spanish Tripe Stew Separates Real Food Lovers From the Rest: How to Make Callos a la Madrileña

Callos a la Madrileña is one of Spain’s most iconic and polarising traditional dishes. This hearty tripe stew, beloved in Madrid for centuries, combines beef tripe, chorizo, blood sausage, and smoky paprika in a rich, slow-cooked sauce that warms you to the bone. For locals, Callos is the ultimate comfort food and a classic winter …

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The Unspoken European Dating Rule Tourists and Expats Learn Too Late

(It’s Subtle, Slow, and Seriously Confusing to Most Tourists) In the U.S., dating often feels like a game you’re supposed to play but with rules that are loud, fast, and obvious. You match, you flirt, you date, you DTR (define the relationship) all on a timeline that feels pretty standardized. Then you land in Europe. …

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Forget Stroganoff: The Creamy Czech Beef Recipe That Makes Stroganoff Feel Overrated

Svíčková na smetaně isn’t just a mouthful to say it’s a mouthful of rich, comforting flavor that’s won the hearts of generations in the Czech Republic. This creamy marinated beef dish, served with a velvety root vegetable sauce, is one of the country’s most beloved and iconic meals. At its heart, svíčková is all about …

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The Difference Between American Pasta And Italian Pasta. Why One Bloats You And One Doesn’t.

The real difference is not that Italy discovered magical wheat and America forgot how to boil water. It is usually a stack of smaller differences: what goes into the box, how the pasta is made, how hard it is cooked, how much lands on the plate, and what gets dumped on top of it afterward. …

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25 Philippine Fruits You Need to Try Before You Leave the Islands

Philippine Fruits: 25 Best Fruits in the Philippines to Try – From the most popular Filipino fruits like mango and Papaya to more exotic fruits in the Philippines that you should try. Our favorite one is the mango national fruit of the Philippines. But there are other Filipino fruits like papaya and lanzones that are …

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I Watched Spanish Families Have Dinner for a Week and Can’t Believe What I Saw

Why Bother Noticing This? If you’ve ever traveled to Spain—or simply read about its famously relaxed daily rhythm you know there’s one cultural trait that perplexes outsiders: the late-night dinner routine. Spaniards are notorious for eating their final meal at an hour many Americans consider bedtime. But it’s not just the timing that stands out …

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The Global Food Fight That Finally Needs an Answer: Dumplings or Empanadas With Recipes

Belgian cuisine often flies under the radar, overshadowed by its French and Dutch neighbors. Yet tucked within its rich culinary traditions is a savory gem that deserves far more attention: Flamiche aux Poireaux, or Belgian Leek Tart. This rustic tart combines a buttery pastry base with sweet, tender leeks cooked in cream a simple yet …

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Why This Classic Spanish Dessert Habit Still Sounds Wild to Most Americans

How Spain’s pastry tradition survives in 2026 thanks to pasteurization, hot sugar, and rules most visitors never see Stand at the counter of a Madrid pastelería at 5 p.m. and watch the trays move. Glossy lemon mousse. Cloud-light meringues towering over custard. Little golden domes called yemas yolk sweets the size of a walnut, dusted …

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The Spanish Omelette Debate That Divides a Whole Country: With Onion or Without?

Few dishes in Spain ignite as much passion and heated debate as the humble Tortilla Española, also known as the Spanish omelette. Made with simple ingredients like potatoes, eggs, and olive oil, this classic dish is a staple of Spanish cuisine and can be found everywhere from home kitchens to tapas bars. But there’s one …

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The Rustic Icelandic Soup That Makes Fancy Stews Feel Overcomplicated: How to Make Kjotsupa Lamb Soup

If there’s one dish that captures the heart of Iceland, it’s Kjötsúpa, the traditional lamb soup that locals have relied on for centuries to fight off long winters and chilly winds. Made with tender lamb, root vegetables, and simple herbs, it’s rustic, nourishing, and deeply comforting a meal that tastes like tradition in every spoonful. …

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These 12 European Cities Still Let You Live for Less Than $1,500 a Month

Living in Europe is a dream for many, but the cost of big-name cities like Paris, London, or Zurich can quickly turn that dream into a financial challenge. The good news is that not every European city comes with sky-high rent and daily expenses. In fact, there are plenty of vibrant, culturally rich destinations where …

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