Any visit to Portugal or Spain will leave a lifetime of memories, but there are a host of events and festivities from which to choose which you can become a part of and experience. These are two countries where the people celebrate their culture and their love of life on a daily basis.

Rembrandt, Painter of Stories - Madrid, Oct 16th - Jan 6th 2009

Rembrandt, one of Europe’s greatest master painters was known for being an incredible storyteller, drawing the observer into his works and connecting with human emotions. While the Dutch artist was famous for both his portraits and landscapes, the Prado National Museum in Madrid is hosting a unique exhibition focusing on Rembrandt as a narrative painter.

From October 15th thru January 6th visitors to the Prado National Museum are in for a real treat. Thirty five of Rembrandt’s original paintings, along with five prints are on loan from various European and American museum collections, making this one of the most remarkable exhibitions of his work. Featuring paintings from all periods of his career, the exhibit focuses more on his biblical and historical paintings, offering the public a unique opportunity to experience first hand the emotional impact of his works. What makes the exhibit even more fascinating is seeing Rembrandts works alongside the likes of Titian, Rubens and Velázquez, all of whom were his inspiration.
 

Lisbon Marathon, December 7th 2008

The Lisbon Marathon’s reputation extends as one of the best marathons in the world, attracting big names and unknowns alike. In December of each year, thousands of professional and ameturearmature runners gather at Praça do Comércio, the town square and starting point of the race, eager to participate in this extraordinary event. Crowds outnumber the runners by 10 to 1 as they assemble in the Praça do Comércio in support of family and friends participating in the race.

Known for its high standard of organization and beautiful scenery, running the full or half marathon instills a great sense of accomplishment and physical achievement in its participants. The course takes 4 different routes, one east, two west and one north, each time returning to the start point.  On the day before the big race, it is tradition for participants to meet at the famous 'Festa das Massas' (Pasta Party) to mingle with their competitors and friends, and stock up on their carbohydrates in anticipation of the big day.

Whether running to compete for the title, for charity, or for personal reasons, the Lisbon Marathon is one of Europe’s most popular races and come early December all eyes are on the spectacular city of Lisbon.

Feast of the Immaculate Conception - December 8th 2008
 

Considered one of Spain’s most popular feasts, people gather in cities all over the country to participate in the celebrations. Typically the day starts out with church services and then moves into the streets as the partying take on a festive tone. The cities of Seville and Madrid in particular, are known for their street celebrations filled with music, dance and festivities. The holiday itself is based on the Catholic dogma that states the Virgin Mary did not suffer the ‘original sin’ in becoming pregnant but was rather ‘filled by God’, thus making the conception immaculate. Although the origins may be religious, partying and celebrating is just as prominent as the prayers to Mother Mary. You haven’t experienced a true holiday season till you’ve spent Christmas in Spain. They truly know the meaning of Christmas spirit and get to celebrate thru the month of December.
 

 Porto vs Arsenal - Porto, Portugal - Wednesday December 10th 2008

 Portugal hosted the European Championships in 2004 and built a range of new stadiums to stage the event. None are more magnificent than Porto's Estádio do Dragão (Dragons Stadium), the 52,000 arena purpose built as the venue for the tournament's opening ceremony and first match. It is one of a select band of stadiums across the continent awarded Uefa's top 5-star rating.

Porto's loyal followers do justice to such a splendid home and are among the most passionate in the land. They bring a party atmosphere to all home games but a Champions League clash with Arsenal is extra special and the locals will no doubt up the ante in the Dragon's den for the visit of the Londoners, while the city itself will come to a standstill, its wonderful bars, cafes and restaurants packed, all eyes and ears on the game.

 The fixture is straight out of the top draw with both teams packing plenty of European pedigree. Porto have won the cup twice, most recently in 2004 under maverick coach José Mourinho. Arsenal have yet to lift the trophy but reached the final in 2006, only to lose narrowly to Barcelona. Arsenal's highly respected manager Arsene Wenger is renowned for producing young and cosmopolitan teams, full of attacking flair. He is desperate to add the Champions League to his impressive list of achievements.

English eyes will focus on Theo Walcott, one of the brightest talents in world football at present. Although still only 19, he has already scored a hat-trick for England this season, prompting many to predict that this will be the year he begins to fulfil his enormous potential. Alongside him will be Cesc Fabregas who, despite being only 21 himself, is already quite the thoroughbred, a veteran of several Champions League campaigns and one of Spain's stars at the summer's European Championships.

Yet Porto are the reigning Portuguese champions and, having initially been barred from taking part in this season's Champions League amidst accusations of past match fixing, will not only be playing full of confidence but bristling with a sense of injustice, determined to put right a few perceived wrongs.
 

Madeira, Portugal Holiday Celebrations December - January  6th 2009

In celebration of this magical time of the year, the beautiful city of Funchal comes alive in early November, getting all dressed up with thousands of colorful lights and turning the island’s capital into one big nativity scene. Madeira’s mild climate and year-round warm weather makes for the perfect vacation spot to spend the holidays and Funchal’s location on the coast, cradled by lush green hills, makes it a natural amphitheatre for the display of over 250,000 colorful lights, lighting up the city streets.

Beginning in December, the city organizes all sorts of fun cultural, folk and artistic events, encouraging locals and visitors to participate in the festivities. Parties rock the hotels, restaurants and bars and street parties are a given. The whole town comes to life as the city streets and squares are decked out with hundreds of Poinsettias, holly and orchids, while Christmas carols ring out as if by magic. The holiday spirit is contagious creating a special ambience throughout the island.

However Christmas is only the beginning. The festivities get more intense as New Year’s Eve approaches and city prepares to bring in the New Year with a bang. As the clock strikes twelve, the most spectacular fireworks display lights up the skies, welcoming the New Year with hope, anticipation and celebration, making Madeira one of the most attractive and festive destinations to spend the holiday season. Festivities continue into early January when it all comes to an end on January 6th (Epiphany) and the lights are extinguished for another year.
 

Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival - February 18th - March 1st 2009

Once a year the island of Tenerife comes together to celebrate the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival. Known for its spectacular costumes, lively carnival-goers and extraordinary festivities, the carnival rates second only to those of Rio de Janeiro. The street fiesta takes place on the Friday before Carnival Tuesday with a spectacular opening procession as the islanders and tourists gather in a mass outburst of collective gaiety.

Although preparations begin way in advance, the actual festival starts a week prior to Ash Wednesday with the election of the carnival queen, who is crowned during an amazing gala in which hundreds of amateur performers take part. Parading their magnificently designed costumes, the contestants are the life and soul of the carnival. To top past events, last years outgoing Carnival Queen is set to make a startling exit as Harry Potter himself, with the help of master magician, David Copperfield, prepares the scene for the incoming queen. It is guaranteed to be a spectacular, magical show!

Following the crowing of the Carnival Queen, the streets flood with fancy dressed carnival goers, kicking off a week of cross-dressing, mad street partying and magical mayhem. Night after night the celebration continues until Ash Wednesday with the official burial of the sardine known as ‘entierran la sardina’. The burial of a giant effigy of a fish represents the end of the carnival madness, a farewell to the flesh and the death of the spirit of the carnival. However the partying doesn’t stop there. It carries on through the following weekend, known as ‘piñata’ and ends on Sunday with an amazing Cabalgata (horse parade), a spectacular fireworks display and the final carnival procession. It is an experience you will never forget!
 

Loule Carnival, Algarve Portugal February 21st - 25th 2009

Dating back to 1906, the Algarve ‘has been celebrating the s Loulé Carnival for more than 100 years,has attracteding attracting visitors from all over the world. Originally started in celebration of Shrove Tuesday, the Carnival has grown into a brightly colored amalgamation of pagan colorful springtime ceremonies, parades, partying and hundreds of papier-mâché flowers and floats.

The festivities continue for 3 solid days as locals and visitors celebrate Portugal’s oldest and longest running carniCarnival. Preparations begin months in advance with the design of themed floats and the making of thousands of papier-mâché flowers to adorn them. Many local farmers also participate by turning out in their tractors to pull the floats, dressed in full themed costumes and outfits to suit. Among the many highlights of the festival are the Battle of the Flowers, the professional salsa dancers and the magnificent parade of adorned floats and models.

Undoubtedly Portugal’s most lavish Ccarnival, thousands of people flock to Loulé every year to join in the celebrations. Attendance is cheapaffordable, entertainment is plentiful and partying is a given. However be warned; it is a Ccarnival tradition for the Algarve people to throw water bombs and eggs during the celebrations, so don’t be surprised if you get caught in the crossfire when you take to the streets.