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The Essential Itinerary: Santa Teresa, Costa Rica
Experiencing “pura vida” in one of the world’s five Blue Zones — plus surfing, yoga and the ultimate fairytale ending
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Crystal clear waters, rugged coastlines, rich history and beautiful beaches, not to mention the delicious food — what isn’t there to love about Greece?
For many, Greece is a well-known country for enthusiastic tourists looking to escape their everyday lives and live out their Mamma Mia dreams. During the summer months, this vibrant country is brought to life by travellers from across the world looking for a genuine, relaxing experience unlike any other. And while the islands of Greece are beautiful, it’s the mainland that offers the most authentic, less touristy experience.
Located near the town of Pylos in the region of Messinia in the Peloponnese, is Costa Navarino, a premier luxury travel destination offering authentic experiences while ensuring the region’s rich history and culture are preserved. Because of the cultural significance, and natural beauty of the area, Costa Navarino is a beautiful destination for travellers to add to their route when touring the country, complete with an unspoiled coastline, miles of olive groves, historical sites, and picturesque villages.
Costa Navarino’s commitment to the environment was recognized not once, but twice, at the World Travel Awards, where they won first place for being the prime sustainable destination in the Mediterranean, winning “Europe’s Responsible Tourism Award”, reinforcing the destination’s commitment to responsible tourism as a sustainable tourist destination.
The simple philosophy of Costa Navarino is to promote the region of Messinia while protecting and preserving the natural beauty and cultural heritage dating back 4,500 years. It is the first luxury eco-friendly destination in the Mediterranean and has quickly become a leading example of sustainable tourism. Dedicated to enhancing the lives of the local community, Costa Navarino provides authentic experiences for travellers, where they can immerse themselves in local traditions like olive harvesting, wine making, and cooking lessons.
Costa Navarino is a member of the UN’s Global Tourism Plastics Initiative which requires participants to commit to eliminating unnecessary packaging by 2025. Costa Navarino has already eliminated plastic packaging from its rooms, bathrooms, and food and drink services, providing reusable products instead. (Bathrooms have re-fillable Davines amenities, drinks are served in real glasses and not plastic cups, water bottles in rooms are glass, etc.) Produce is also grown on-site or is brought over from nearby local farms and seafood is caught by local fishermen.
Costa Navarino in partnership with the Academy of Athens and Stockholm University, created Navarino Natura Hall, an interactive environmental centre for guests and the local community, to help educate people on Messinia’s flora and fauna, as well as educating people on how to better protect the environment. Monitoring and protection programs area also in place for the sea turtles, as well.
Costa Navarino consists of four 5-star resorts (the W, the Westin, the Mandarin Oriental, and the Romanos), all designed with a respect for nature and a sense of immersion in nature, promoting local culture in a sustainable and luxurious manner. Guests can enjoy the four signature golf courses, state-of-the-art tennis courts, and activities like mountain biking, hiking, rock climbing, and water sports.
If you’re a history buff, you probably already know that Costa Navarino and the Navarino Bay are known for the famous Battle of Navarino, which took place in 1827 — a battle that helped secure Greece’s independence. Visitors can see the mountains the battles were fought on when in Costa Navarino, and for those wanting to explore and learn more about history in the Messinia region, the area is home to many ancient sites (like ancient Messene) historical churches and the ruins of the Palace of Nestor. In less than two hours, you can also visit ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympics, and the Olympia Museum.
Sustainable development is the guiding principle at Costa Navarino and the resorts, with initiatives like a new partnership with WWF Greece that will help minimize unnecessary plastics on the property. The W hotel is also committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2030.
Costa Navarino is guided by the 17 sustainable development goals set out in the 2030 Agenda of the United Nations, part of which includes supporting local food providers. At Costa Navarino, more than 60 per cent of the raw ingredients used in the kitchens come from local producers. Some meals you can expect include the traditional Greek salad, tzatziki dip, fresh baked bread, fresh seafood (prepared for you at the table) lobster linguini, rack of lamb, and a variety of delicious and traditional Greek desserts, like galaktoboureiko
During a visit to Costa Navarino, it’s all about the unique and authentic Greek experience; where you can learn about the culture and truly get hands-on experience in a variety of ways.
Did you know that because of Messinia’s rich soil and favourable climate, 5th century BC Greek playwright Euripides called the area “the land of the good fruit”? Today, a wide range of agricultural products from the region are still in demand around the world because of their superior quality—grapes, almonds, olives, figs, honey, and more. Guests at Costa Navarino can visit the vegetable garden, collect seasonal produce, and enjoy delicious meals outdoors surrounded by nature.
The Navarino Agora is a curated marketplace that’s open to the public and includes stone-built retail shops and restaurants. For those who love to shop, the Agora offers 22 retail stores from Greek and international clothing brands, exclusive cosmetics and perfume stores, beachwear and eyewear boutiques, jewelry, handcrafted hats, souvenirs, and more. The Agora also has a hair salon, a nail salon, and an outdoor cinema. The Agora is also home to 11 dining venues featuring local Mediterranean flavours, like fresh seafood and locally produced ice cream.
The W Costa Navarino is the newest resort to open its doors at Costa Navarino, and it is a beautiful escape for those vacationing in Greece and looking for a unique getaway. From the Navarino waterfront to the bright design and architecture, the hotel is exclusively for adults (and children over 12) and prides itself on being inclusive and welcoming to all, maintaining the property’s core values of respect, quality, and authenticity, so everyone feels truly welcomed. Regardless of visitors , ethnic and religious background, sexual orientation, and gender identity, anyone can be sure to enjoy the luxurious surroundings and accommodations, including rooms with private swim-up pools, airy and modern one and two bedroom suites, and stunning beachfront villas overlooking the Ionian Sea.
At W Costa Navarino, guests can indulge in their surroundings by relaxing at one of the hotel’s many pools, getting treatment at the AWAY spa, working out in the gym, or swimming in the sea.
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