November 21, 2008

Celebrate the Holiday Season in Portugal & Spain

Come the holiday season, both Spain and Portugal come to life with plenty of celebrations, traditions, festivals and excitement. In the mild winter climate, the locals traditionally take to the streets in collective gaiety, singing, dancing and partying at every opportunity. The mood is contagious, and the decorations plentiful, instilling a festive atmosphere in cities and towns across the Iberian Peninsula. Although the season is filled with the usual Christmas and New YearHoliday celebrations, each country has its own distinctive traditions that make them unique.

The smell of roasting chestnuts fills the air for towns around Portugal. Elaborate nativity scenes, many with people acting the roles, adorn the streets as Christmas Holiday markets pop up on every corner. Christmas dinner is always a huge family feast and is traditionally eaten after midnight on Christmas Eve. In Portugal, prior to attending midnight mass, families gather around the tree to celebrate the birth of Jesus, while in Spain the celebrations and singing of carols, takes place after dinner and continues into the wee hours of the morning.
It is not Santa who comes to Spain bearing gifts, but the Three Wise Men. The Spanish Christmas continues for a few weeks after Dec. 25th. On the Eve of Epiphany, in the secret of the night, the Three Wise Men pass leaving gifts. January 6th, Epiphany is heralded with parades in various cities where candy and cakes are distributed to throngs of children, making this is one of the most important holidays on the Spanish calendar.
New Year’s Eve on the other hand is for the most part celebrated in the streets. Street parties are common; everywhere you look there is live entertainment, sidewalk theatres and jovial music as locals and tourists get ready to bring in the New Year. The Iberian PeninsulaSpanish ‘good luck’ tradition on New Year’s is to eat a grape every time the clock strikes during midnight. In Lisbon on New Year’s Eve–called Noite Mágica–hotels and the streets are the scenes of many parties and elaborate displays of lights. And, New Year is huge on Portugal’s Madeira with celebration for a month leading up to the big night, capped off by the biggest display of fireworks in Europe.So whether you are in Portugal or Spain for the holidays, you are guaranteed an excellent time. There is certainly no lack of things to do or festivals to attend and all visitors are welcomed with open arms.
 

October 3, 2008

 Portugal and Spain Continue to Add  World Class Sporting Events

Over the years Portugal and Spain have played host to numerous world class sporting events, making Rafael Nadal, Cristiano Ronaldo, Seve Ballesteros and Luis Figo household names. Not only has this helped bring both countries into the spotlight, but it has substantially increased tourism.

TENNIS
Over the years, Spain has produced some incredible tennis players from Manuels Santana and Orantes in the 1960s and 1970s, to current champions like Rafael Nadal. Nadal recently led the Spanish team to victory over the US in the Davis Cup before leading them to the final in Argentina this November.
Spain vs the USA was an unprecedented match in that it took place in Madrid's spectacular Las Ventas bullring. The Federations Cup final was also held in the Spanish capital but in the rather more conventional surrounds of the Club de Campo Villa. Future ATP Masters events are also scheduled to take place in the new Caja Mágica complex.

 There are numerous Iberian costal cities with world class tennis faclities including the cosmopolitan city of Barcelona who regularly hosts ATP and WPA fixtures. Held just outside Lisbon along the Portuguese Rivera, the Estoril Open is Portugal's most prestigious tennis tournament of which Roger Federer the current title holder. Interestingly, Estoril is also home to the MotoGP cirucuit and the wonderful world of motor sport.
 

GOLF
Disappointed from their recent performance at the Ryder Cup, the Europeans still returned home with fond memories of the tournament's only visit to Spain since the Seve Ballesteros-inspired triumph at Valderrama in 1997. Located in the colourful region of Andalucia, Club de Golf Valderrama remains Spain's premier golf course and home to the Volvo Masters from October 30th to November 2nd. This and the Portugal Masters are the only major tournaments held during the autumn thanks to the warm Iberia Peninsula weather.
The much anticipated Portugal Masters is scheduled to take place On October 16th through the 19th at the world renowned Victoria Golf Club in Vilamoura. With prize money reaching €4 million, it is the richest golf tournament in the country, attracting the worlds best players.

SOCCER
Americans may refer to it as soccer, but in Europe it is unequivocally called ‘football’ and for many passionate fans, it is the only true sport in existence. Spain and Portugal are soccer-mad countries, with Spain currently holding the European Champion title and Portugal playing host to many recent tournaments. The domestic leagues from both countries showcase the world's best talents with every sizable city throughout the peninsula playing home to a major team. Many cities boast stadiums of architectural beauty such as the cavernous 100,000 seat Nou Camp in Catalonia and Benfica's revamped Stadium of Light in Lisbon. European supporters are passionate with loyalties built on historical and cultural rivalries.

 No visit to the Iberian peninsula is complete without experiencing the electric atmosphere of a live football match. However if a visit to a stadium itself proves impossible, catching the game on television over beer and tapas snacks at the neighbourhood bar can be just as rewarding. Now real enthusiasts can take it a step further by joining a soccer camp or summer training program or get a behind the scenes look at the clubs themselves by touring the stadium museums.

MOTOR SPORTS
The Estoril track was a popular Formula One venue throughout the 80’s and 90’s and is currently a fixture on the popular MotoGP circuit. It has a new domestic rival in the Portimão racetrack in the Algarve, set for its international inauguration on November 2nd with the final round of the World Superbike Championship. This new complex covers 300 hectares of land between the port city of Portimão and the hills of Monchique, with a capacity for up to 100,000 spectators including a VIP tower with 15,000 seats.
Barcelona's Montmeló racetrack has hosted the Spanish F1 Grand Prix since 1991 and the MotoGP since 1992. Given the boom in interest that has accompanied local hero Fernando Alonso's rise in the sport, Spain was awarded a second race this year with Valencia being granted the European Grand Prix. Valencia's track takes in the city's stunning new waterfront complex, making use of the newly renovated port which was redeveloped in 2007 to host the Americas Cup. Alongside Monaco, Valencia has now become Europes second street-based circuit on the F1 calendar.

August 26, 2008

Portugal and Spain Offer the Best Value in Western Europe

Looking for the perfect place to vacation? Perhaps you should take a closer look at the wonders of the Iberian Peninsula. With a rich and fascinating history, both Portugal and Spain have a lot to offer from art, culture and architecture, to thousands of years of mixed cultural history.

Journey with us as we explore the Spanish and Portuguese culture, arts, entertainment, events and fiestas. Experience the incredible beauty as we take you on a guided tour through cities, towns and countryside. Our monthly newsletter will keep you up to date with the latest news and upcoming events, as well as show you what all the buzz is about. We also have the insider info on how to get the best value for your money while enjoying an incredible vacation.

Home to numerous famous artists and architects, kings and queens, both countries are adorned with magnificent castles, fortresses, villas, museums, cathedrals and more. Romanesque and Gothic influences evident in their style and design. Portugal boasts some of the world’s greatest medieval cathedrals, palaces and monasteries, including the Jerónimos Monastery in Lisbon and the Sintra National Palace, also known as the Village Palace. Being home to some of the world’s most important explorers such as Ferdinand Magellan, Bartholomeu Dias and Vasco da Gama, Portugal’s history is very colorful with many international influences evident in its architecture, culture and lifestyle. Spain on the other hand, is a monumental treasure trove of art, and home to some incredible museums, architecture and blockbuster exhibits featuring their most famous artists including Picasso, Gaudi, Dali, Miro?, Goya and more.

While being voted one of the Mediterranean’s top tourist destinations with the lowest average hotel room rate in Western Europe, the Iberian Peninsula is the place to be. No matter what kind of vacation you are seeking, they have it all. Exquisite beaches, incredible Mediterranean views, history, culture, great golf courses, world class hotels and villas, and a calendar of events to match. Travel with us through wine country, over mountains and across rivers as we take you on the trip of a lifetime. We don’t want you to miss a thing…