Five unique experiences in the Alentejo from the Amieira Marina

With 2013 fast approaching, a new year is the perfect time to make resolutions, break habits and best of all try something new. The Amieira Marina in Portugal offers a holiday with a twist where guests can sail across Europe’s largest reservoir in their very own houseboat stopping off on the way to go for a swim in the lake, explore the local villages by bicycle or discover the Alentejo region’s rich history and local culture.

With this in mind, here is five ‘travel resolutions’ the marina suggests you make this year…

1. Hire a Houseboat at the Amieira Marina
The Amieira Marina is the only houseboat holiday company to operate on the vast Alqueva Lake offering its guests an exclusive travel experience. Its fleet of vessels can host a range of group sizes from two to 12 people, all are equipped with a barbeque and sun deck for warm summer nights and GPS navigation technology to cruise freely across the lake and find a perfect spot to watch the sun set and the stars come out.

2. Travel back in time in Mourao
Mourao features a stunning Medieval castle which acted as an important lookout point over the access to Monsaraz. Mourao has a population of 2,111 and the town plays host to a number of festivals and events throughout the year including the Procession of San Pedro dos Oliviais on Easter Monday and Castle Week which takes place annually from the end of July to the beginning of August.

3. Try your hand at clay pot making in the pottery village, Monsaraz
The pottery factory at Olaria Patalim in Monsaraz features the produce of the astonishingly skilled Nuno Santinha, who can turn a lump of clay into any item of crockery. Guests can have a go themselves and make their own souvenir from the region! Break Tours offer a range of cultural and active experiences in and around the Amieira Marina, for more information visit: momentosfantasticos.com

4. Wine tasting in the Panoramico Restaurant
The Marina boasts a restaurant on site with views overlooking the great Alqueva Lake. Guests are invited to spend an evening tasting some of Portugal’s most famous wines which are produced by the surrounding vineyards in the marina’s restaurant. Tastings with local winemakers can be arranged allowing guests to sample the exquisite flavours of Portuguese wine complimented by some of the country’s finest cuisine.

5. Try a new water sport
Amieira Marina’s prime location on the waterfront allows guests to try out a number of water sports including canoeing, kayaking, waterskiing and wakeboarding. The Amieira Marina is offering a 10% discount off canoes and kayaks on rentals for three days or more, or alternatively receive 20% off rentals for six days or more, with prices ranging from just 11€ to 28€ per vessel (£10 - £25) inclusive of VAT.

For a more exhilarating experience, guests can learn how to water ski and wakeboard with a professional instructor. Individual lessons start from 25€ (£20) for waterskiing and 40€ (£31.75) for wakeboarding, for a twenty minute session.

So try something different this New Year and kick start 2013 with a houseboat holiday at the Amieira Marina in the Alentejo, Portugal for a unique holiday experience on the water.

For more information on houseboat holidays at the Amieira Marina visit: amieiramarina.com.