
Costa Navarino in Greece!

Many of our trips are noted by the pounds gained while indulging in the cuisine of renowned chefs but our trip to Greece with Golf Inspired ended with a negative pound result after a week of incredible food, giving credence to the benefits of a Mediterranean diet. We even had a cooking class with two sisters, one who spoke English, in their authentic village home overlooking the Bay. Our fun group donned aprons and pitched in to the chores assigned – chop the cucumber, roll the dough. In between, we snuck out to the balcony to watch the sunset over the distant mountain. A floating yacht lit up the water under the bright moon. Danny is now fluent in pasta making and we were rewarded with a feast and wine accompaniment. After dinner the music was turned up for Greek dancing lessons. No plates were broken like in the movies, but a glass was shattered when customarily lifting it from the floor with teeth for a toast. What a night!

Costa Navarino is a romantic setting among olive groves on hillsides flowing down to the sparkling Mediterranean waters. We were already olive oil addicts. It’s the only oil allowed in our kitchen. We cook everything with it and even add it to our morning coffee so we happily returned with a favorite can as well as olive oil soap.
Costa Navarino is a golfer’s paradise with four magnificent courses:

The Dunes Course designed by Bernhard Langer is a championship layout and considered the first signature course of Greece. Tall dunes separate some holes running alongside the beach. It is picturesque with wide fairways.
The Bay Course is a seaside delight to play through three natural landscapes. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., it delivers elevated tees, a grove area with mature olive trees and panoramic views of Navarino Bay.

International Olympic Academy Golf Course overlooks the Ionian Sea and the bay of Navarino. Designed by José Maria Olazábal, a two-time Masters champion, it delivers more stunning views.
The Hills Course is another strategic design by Olazábal overlooking the Bay and routing through the rural landscape of Messinia.
Costa Navarino is four high end resorts in one, giving guests ample restaurants, pools, and beaches to explore. At the Westin, W, The Romanos, and Mandarin Oriental, service is top notch, and everyone speaks English which is important because Greek is not easy to learn. There is a reason for the saying, “It’s Greek to me,” but we always try to speak the basics when in a foreign land. So, thank you is Ευχαριστώ, pronounced ef-cha-ree-‘sto. We practiced it over and over and still most times we said it, we were corrected. Nonetheless, people appreciate the attempt and consideration for their culture.

Costa Navarino is four hours from Athens, one of the most amazing cities in the world to explore. We only had two nights there but both included rooftop dinners with a view of the Acropolis. If we were to stay longer, we would rooftop hop every night for the astonishing sight and cuisine.
A coastal drive from Athens to the Temple of Poseidon was an absolute tease passing pristine beaches with turquoise water lapping the shore as an invitation to enter but there was no time. We would recommend a leisurely trip with your swimsuit and snorkel gear to stop periodically along the way. As a day trip though, it was grand to walk the ruins in awe of construction and preservation, reading the history and imagining it unfold. En route back, we ducked into a hillside seafood restaurant with picnic tables al fresco, where the locals know to go. We tried so many different fish, one better than the next. Anchovies? No thanks. Just try. They looked good and didn’t stink. They were as fresh as they get, and they were delightful. We’d have more here but will we order them back in the states? Uhuh.
Costa Navarino has garnered attention as one of the best golf resorts in the world and we agree. Luxury meets adventure and the hours zip by way too fast. Stay tuned for more on the 2025 Golf Inspired trip that you can join.