In need of a getaway in the great outdoors? Costa Navarino – a 21st-century resort on the edge of the rugged Peloponnese – is Greece’s hottest ticket for sun-seekers, eco-conscious travellers and sports lovers alike.
Dreaming of a trip that combines a seaside escape (the sparkling Ionian Sea will wink at you from your hotel room), crumbling historic sites and outdoor adventure? This Grecian oasis delivers.
You can cycle to the shell-shaped Voidokilia Beach, or drink in ancient palaces and Ottoman fortresses steeped in mythology and lore. Or perhaps you might unwind with a cool glass of white wine sourced from local vineyards.
It's hard to imagine that, not long ago, Costa Navarino was little but an abandoned olive grove perched on a desolate clifftop. Yet in the 1980s, Messenian shipping magnate Vassilis Constantakopoulos developed a vision for what the land might become – a sumptuous retreat designed to honour and showcase all that Messenia has to offer. In 2007, physical foundations were constructed and his dream began to manifest into reality.
The new resort would function sustainably and provide employment and opportunities in a region that had been hit hard by 2009's economic crisis. After years of painstaking development and environmental planning – which included the careful removal and replanting of 7,100 olive trees – the resort's first section opened for business in 2010.
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Costa Navarino currently offers three high-end hotels: the Westin Resort, Costa Navarino, the W Costa Navarino, and the Romanos, a Luxury Collection Resort, while the Mandarin Oriental (pictured below) is also set to open there this summer. But the purpose-built town offers much more than a handful of luxury hotels: think first-rate sports, swimming, sightseeing and spas, all with a backdrop of the Aleppo pine-covered Navarino Bay. Here are six ways to spend the day in Greece’s perfectly planned paradise...
1. Hit the beach
Whether you're after a fly-and-flop break or a watery adventure, Costa Navarino's solar-beaten shores should be calling.
Sheltered Navarino Bay is great for sailing, kayaking, paddleboarding, boating and wakeboarding – but it’s when you dive below the surface that things get really special. Divari Beach's calm, clear waters mean snorkellers can see the rusting wreck of a sunken merchant ship from the Second World War (submerged in just 16 feet/5m of water), and swim amidst an array of native marine life including starfish, octopuses and anemones.
2. Brush up on your history
You can’t take a trip to Greece without soaking up some of its extensive history and the region of Messenia has plenty to offer. Drive the short trip from Costa Navarino to the Niokastro Fortress, which overlooks Navarino Bay. Built by occupying Ottoman forces in 1573, the fort changed hands numerous times, finally serving as a prison after the Second World War. The castle remains one of the best-preserved Ottoman forts in all of Greece.
Want to travel even further back in time? Head north and wind your way up a mountain to Nestor’s Palace. Dating back to around the 13th century BC, the palace ruins are a treasure trove of ancient relics that illustrate the incredible artistry and ingenuity of the Mycenaeans – the Bronze Age predecessors to Classical Greeks. Both mythology fans and history buffs will get a buzz, as the palace was said to be the home of Nestor, a Trojan War hero from Homer's Iliad.
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The bay itself also has a significant place in Greek history, as it was the site of a decisive maritime battle in the war for Greek independence against the Ottoman Empire. Dozens of sunken Ottoman warships still lie on the sea bed, and although legend holds that there may be sunken treasure in the depths, the Greek government has outlawed any deep-water diving in the area.
3. A feast for the senses
Sample a traditional Messenian menu at the Westin Resort's Kooc, a taverna-style dining room headed up by Michelin-starred chef Giannis Parikos. Here the onus is on local produce, sourced from the surrounding Messenian countryside, to keep the restaurant's carbon footprint down. You'll find a bewildering assortment of dips, tapenades, salads, skewers and crostini, many of which feature the world-famous black Kalamata olives, grown just 31 miles (50km) away.
Foodies who can't drag themselves away from the beach should try Barbouni, a seaside restaurant with both a retractable sun canopy and a fabulous menu of freshly caught seafood (don't miss the kalamari). Note that Barbouni shuts at dusk to avoid disturbing the loggerhead sea turtles that use this beach as a nesting ground. During construction, Costa Navarino collaborated with the Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece to ensure that the resort would not have a negative impact on the endangered population. Barbouni's stilt foundations, low-intensity lighting and shrubs that act as natural light barriers all ensure that this area is safe for vulnerable hatchlings.
4. Play a round of golf
With four different courses replete with expertly manicured greens and ocean views, Costa Navarino attracts the connoisseurs of the golf world. More experienced players can start their morning with practice at the driving range and on the putting green, before heading out to the links for the day, while beginners can take a lesson with one of the on-site teachers.
Even typically water-sapping golf courses have been meticulously engineered with an eye towards sustainability. They’re planted with a specific type of grass that requires 30% less water than average varieties, plus the courses are irrigated using a system that calculates the optimum amount of water required, resulting in significant savings.
5. Work up a sweat
If golf isn’t your thing, visit the vast Mouratoglou Tennis Centre, a state-of-the-art facility staffed by top coaches trained at the prestigious Mouratoglou Tennis Academy in France. Practice your volley on a selection of hard, clay and even grass courts – the only ones of their kind in Greece.
Cycling enthusiasts, meanwhile, may want to take a biking tour to Voidokilia Beach. E-bikes are available, allowing you to breeze along the coastal path at ease. The bike tour can be followed by a short hike to the ruins of a medieval Frankish citadel, which boasts 360-degree views of Navarino Bay.
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6. Soak up the spa
After so much fresh air and exercise, a little relaxation might be in order. Cue Costa Navarino's Anazoe, an award-winning, 43,000-square-foot (4,000 sqm) stunner of a spa.
It’s not just any pampering palace, though, as Anazoe makes use of the region’s bountiful produce: in a treatment known as 'oleotherapy', Greek extra virgin oil is incorporated into bespoke massages and sweet-scented scrubs. The techniques are based on Mycenaean medicinal practices inscribed on clay tablets discovered at the nearby Palace of Nestor.
Getting there
In the summer season, a number of airlines fly directly into Kalamata Airport from London: the flight takes around three hours and 45 minutes. From here, it’s a one-hour drive to Costa Navarino, or ask your hotel to provide a private shuttle service.
For more information, visit costanavarino.com
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Lead image: Ververidis Vasilis/Shutterstock