Eva Longoria shares the biggest differences between her life in Spain and Hollywood

Eva Longoria’s lifestyle now spans across continents. Her whole acting career is Hollywood-based, but her day-to-day activities belong to Spain and Mexico. And while traveling back and forth might sound cool to many, the actress and businesswoman reveals that learning how to slow down has been her biggest issue.

The also director and producer, 51, says life in Spain has reshaped her daily rhythm in ways Los Angeles never could. Longoria, who has been splitting time between Spain and Mexico with husband José Bastón and their 7-year-old son Santiago, spoke about her life while promoting her new CNN travel series, “Eva Longoria: Searching for France.”

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For Eva, growing up in Texas, participating in beauty pageants and then spending much of her adult life in Los Angeles acting on TV shows and films, accustomed her to hustle culture. But when she is in Spain, she says, the pace of life has given her perspective. “They really enjoy life in Spain,” Longoria tells PEOPLE. “They love a long meal. You're never in a rush.”

According to the mom of one, that slower pace has become one of her favorite parts of living abroad. “I don't miss the working lunch,” she says, referencing the differences of Spain’s leisurely dining culture and the rushed meals often associated with life in the United States.

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“It's so amazing how we really don't take lunch in our work culture,” she explains. “You always do the working lunch: ‘I'm going to go grab a sandwich. I'll be right back.’ You only have an hour. It's so stressful to think, ‘I have to hurry up and be back.’”

Spain’s Unexpected Luxury

Something that Eva says she loves most about living in Spain is that there is little to no traffic. “There’s no traffic where we live [in Spain.] I walk everywhere,” she says. Longoria loves wellness, balance, and intentional living, so having a walkable lifestyle seems to align with everything she likes.

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The appeal of Spain also extends to her son, Santiago, who is now attending school. “He's loved it,” she says. “He's been so excited to have classmates and friends and birthday parties.” Adding: “He's really flourishing as a little human being, and it's really fun to watch.”

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The Two Things Eva Longoria Misses Most

Despite embracing life overseas, Longoria admits she misses her people. “I miss my family, my Texas family… [and] good Mexican food,” she says. “That's what I miss. That's what's not in Europe, is good Mexican food.” Eva is a Texas native with Mexican roots; therefore, authentic Mexican cuisine tops her list of things she longs for. 

“We have a big family, and so a lot of his cousins are in Spain. They're mostly in Spain and Mexico. And so we like to be surrounded by family,” she says.