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.

 
  Madeira Flower Festival, April 25 - 26 April 2009

Every spring the Madeiran capital of Funchal is awash in color and fragrance blossoms as it plays host to the Madeira Flower Festival. This is no ordinary flower festival but a true celebration of flowers in all forms and shapes.
This is an extraordinary festival that would touch the heart of anyone visiting it, for it is another fine example of the dedication and passion of the people of Portugal to colors and art, beauty and design. Streets are turned into carpets of flowers while shopkeepers transform their windows into displays of floral color. Children are invited to create a wall of flowers designed to express their hope for a better and more peaceful world.
The entire city becomes perfumed with the scent of flowers with a parade of flowered designed floats. Dazzling with color and complexity, many of the floats are also accompanied by matching clothes and costumes, as well as specially prepared dances and choreography. The visitor may also enjoy performances of traditional music, classical music concerts and a large number of different shows that accompany the flower festival.
This spectacular celebration of the coming of spring and the time for rejuvenation, is the highlight of the year in Madeira. There is a true carnival spirit in the streets of the city. A visitor to this festival is guaranteed a unique and memorable experience. 
 

 April Fair of Seville April 28- May 3/2009

 April Fair or Feria de Abril is considered one of the most colorful celebrations in all of Spain and understandably so, one of the most popular. This is one of those wonderfully friendly festivals where visitors can become part of what is very much a local tradition. Indeed, April Fair is considered the top social activity for residents of Seville. Fair goers are treated to a bombardment of color and culture as they experience the best that Seville and Andalusia have to offer.

The celebration dates back to 1847, when it originated as a live stock fair. But by all accounts it didn´t take long to grow to a full celebration of the local culture. Traditionally, April Fair takes place three weeks after Holy Week or Semana Santa. It officially begins at midnight on Monday with the Alumbrao ceremony in which thousands of light are lit up around the Real de la Feria. From there, the party is virtually nonstop.

Lantern-lined streets are filled with women dressed in bright flamenco garb while the men sport the traditional traje corto (short jacket, tight trousers and boots). The week long event includes a daily procession called the Paseo de Caballos in-which local girls dressed in their finery, ride through the city on brightly festooned horses and carriages. There are bullfights and of course plenty of food, singing and dancing. Much of this can be seen amid the more than 1000 tents, or casetas, which line the streets of the fairground.

Music Days in the Belém District, Lisbon - April 24-26, 2009

This is the third year for this increasingly popular music festival which is held in Belém; a historic district of Lisbon. The Festival features a 3-day virtual music marathon with everything from soloists to full orchestras. Founded as a way of promoting classical music, Music Days gives festival goers access to many different genres.

This year’s theme is Bach’s Heritage and performances will explore his popularity and significance, even 250 years after his death. Noted composer António Pinho Vargas has been commissioned to create a piece to be debuted in the festival’s closing concert.

The festival is organized by the Cultural Center of Belém whose building is considered a modern architectural wonder. Overlooking the Tagus River, it offers a magnificent view. CCB is a year round operation which plays host to a number of musical events but is also known for its art and photo galleries.

Being a part of Music Days affords a wonderful opportunity to explore the Belém district itself. Its location at the mouth of the Tagus has left it a historical legacy of being the launch site for most of Portugal’s great expedition. This is where explorer Vasco de Gama set out for India. No visit is complete without a seeing the Tower of Belém and Jerónimos Monastery. Built in the early 1500’s, the distinctive Tower was a fortified lighthouse and stands on its own island at the mouth of the river. The Monastery contains the Gama’s tomb and was built as a monument to his successful voyage.

Córdoba Patios Festival & Competition, Córdoba – May 6-17/2009

May sees a succession of festivals in Córdoba but none of them is more memorable or more fragrant than the Patio Festival and Competition. Traditionally held the first week of May, some also call it the Battle of the Flowers. Just the name gives you a hint of the vibrant explosion of color and scents which ensue; jasmine, honeysuckle, roses, geraniums; whitewashed walls with hanging pots in a variety of patterns. The array of flowers is astounding.

This festival is not only about the sensory overload from the flowers, it’s also about getting a glimpse into the private homes and the way of life of many Andalusian families. Visitors don’t just peek over garden walls but are allowed inside to experience a world that is otherwise hidden away. Even under normal circumstances, the narrow cobblestone streets are a delight to explore, but this competition allows festival goers to see it in a way they can only experience during the week of the festival. Some of the participant homes are hundreds of years old and give a true insight into the history of Córdoba and the lifestyle of its residents.
 

San Isidro, Madrid May 8 - June 1/2009

The Feria de San Isidro is known as Madrid’s biggest party and the entire city takes part in the celebration. These festivities honor the city’s Patron Saint, San Isidro, who was also the patron saint of peasants and farmers. While May 15th is indeed a local holiday, the festival begins the Friday prior to the 15th and continue for three weeks to follow. Streets throughout the capital city come alive with concerts, performances, fairgrounds and open air parties in which visitors can easily blend with the locals.

Since the roots of the fair are of peasant origin, food plays a huge role. In fact on the 15th, you can join the procession of a statue of San Isidro through the streets of Madrid all the way to Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas (bullfight ring), followed by a public lunch serving Cocido Madrileño or Madrid Stew. You will see Madrileños garbed in the traditional Chulapo costume of the region as they take to the streets dancing and singing.

The Fair of San Isidro also kicks off the bullfighting season in Madrid and is noted for being “30 days of Toros.” These bullfights are considered some of the world’s most famous and while most of them are traditional bullfights, the hottest tickets are to the two days of “Corrias de Rejoneo,” an amazing spectacle of bullfighters on horseback.

Virtually every park, restaurant and bar has festive activities going on throughout the celebration, and many free rock concerts take place during this time at the University of Madrid
 

Pilgrimage to Fátima, Portugal – May 12-13/2009

Taking part in this amazing pilgrimage is an opportunity to be part of one of history’s great annual religious events. Since 1917, tens of thousands have made the trek to the village of Fátima, where the Virgin Mary appeared to three shepherd children. Each year the faithful make their way to this small village in Portugal to participate in what has become the Pilgrimage to Fátima. The two day celebration doesn’t officially start until 6:30pm on the 12th. The Stations of the Cross take place at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fátima, followed by Eucharist.

The International Rosary is followed by a candlelight procession where pilgrims hold vigil throughout the night, hoping for another appearance. The event ends with the emotional Adeus (farewell) procession the next morning.

All events take place in a former pastureland called Cova da Iria where the original apparition appeared. An open chapel has been built to mark the spot where the blessed Virgin appeared. It is connected to the larger Basílica where the three seers are now entombed. Fátima is a relatively small town, and there are numerous stores selling religious articles during the pilgrimage. You may also want to visit the homes where the children lived, located in the town of Aljustrel. The tiny village as well as the homes themselves have changed little over the last 90 years.