When in an unfamiliar country, it is easy to feel lost or out of touch with the local customs. And in Spain, if you don’t speak any Spanish, this feeling of alienation can multiply if you can’t communicate. So here are a few tips to make traveling through Spain a bit easier for someone foreign to Spanish life.

Remember that Spaniards’ eating schedule may be quite different than what you are used to. Dinner time is normally between 9 and 11 pm and lunch is usually eaten in the mid afternoon. When finding a place to eat, try to avoid chain restaurants where food can be rather bland. Look instead for Mom and Pop joints where the menu is most traditional and the food is most likely delicious.

Spaniards also are very dedicated to their daily Siesta time. Besides restaurants and retail stores that are located in touristy areas, businesses close down between the hours of 2 and 5 pm. So plan ahead – try to plan on eating lunch during this time period, as you won’t be able to do much of anything else.

Driving in Spain is probably not the greatest idea. Signs are often confusing and streets are poorly marked if at all. That is not a great combination when driving in a foreign country. Spain has a fantastic public transit system, and if you are going somewhere quite close, walking is a great way to take in all the sights. If you are traveling cross country, the train AVE in Spain is great. Public transportation is always a fabulous way to meet fellow travelers.

Lastly, when using public restrooms, toilet paper is not a sure thing. In fact it’s more likely that there will be none. It would be smart to travel with some tissues, so you don’t find yourself in this uncomfortable situation.

Source: _http://www.mytravelingstory.com/