Three days of wellness: Costa Navarino

Wellness

Από MO Magazine

Σεπτέμβριος 19, 2023

A stay in this peaceful corner of Greece is balm for the body and soul, with expert spa treatments, outdoor adventures and endless sea-meets-sky views.

Set between the Ionian Sea and the Peloponnese mountains, Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino is just the place for a wellbeing-focused break. Follow our full itinerary or choose what appeals to you, from pine-scented hikes and days spent on the water to restorative sessions in the award-winning spa.

Colleagues preparing the chic terrace of Oliviera restaurant for service at Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino

Day 1

Kick-start your day

It’s time to adapt to a new, more contemplative pace, so turn off your phone and retreat to The Spa, which has an indoor-outdoor pool set above the curve of the bay, as well as a sauna, flower and mineral steam rooms and hydrotherapy showers. Get into out-of-office mode with the Digital Wellness Escape, a 90-minute session that combats the effects of too much tech, from tight neck muscles and hunched posture to tension around the eyes.

Do something different

The Messenian countryside is dotted with waterfalls hidden amid sun-dappled glades, including Polylimnio, with its cascades and turquoise pools. Closer to the hotel, Kalamaris is equally lovely and less precarious to reach. Follow the road signs to its small car park, north of Gialova village, then take the trail through the woods to the fairy-tale waterfall and pool. (If you’d prefer a guided hike, the Guest Experience team will be happy to help.)

Settle into stillness

Back at the resort, head for dinner at Oliviera, whose curving, olive-tree-edged terrace has panoramic views over the sea. Its menu is built around exceptional local produce, from wild artichokes and sfela cheese to Kilada prawns. Feast on freshly caught lobster, seaweed salt-crusted fish, or seasonal specials like the lamb navarin, with garden-grown spring veg.

Guests practising yoga on the Yoga Pavilion at sunset at Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino

Day 2

Kick-start your day

Set your intentions for the day by practising some yoga. One-on-one sessions can be arranged on request, while complimentary, small-group classes take place in the outdoor studio. Build flexibility and strength with a hatha morning balance class, or sign up for a dynamic vinyasa session, whose flow of poses are synchronised with the breath.

Do something different

Days here are backdropped by the Ionian Sea, so you’ll definitely want to spend some time in or on the water. There are all kinds of watersports on offer, from wakeboarding to wing foiling – an exhilarating cross between wind- and kitesurfing. If you’d rather be underwater, scuba dive or snorkel instead, looking out for the sea turtles that nest on the local beaches.

Settle into stillness

Back at The Spa, lose track of time with a signature Botanical Rescue experience. Spanning three unhurried hours, it starts with an orange flower and lemon foot ritual, and a Cretan olive-stone body scrub to leave skin radiant. Next comes a full body massage using olive oil and herbal poultices, followed by a vitamin C-infused facial. After that, you’re free to return to the real world, floating on your own private cloud.

Day 3

Kick-start your day

Before the heat of the day, head to the ruins of Old Navarino Castle (hiking boots and water required). From Chrysi Akti beach, a path climbs to the 13th-century fortress, whose crumbling arches and battlements frame the sea and sky. A steep descent takes you past Nestor’s Cave (where Hermes slyly stowed Apollo’s cattle) to the sand dunes above Voidokilia beach. After a swim, follow the trail from its southern end, past the bird-filled Gialova Lagoon and back to Chrysi Akti.

Do something different

The aromatic, grassy-hued local olive oil is some of the best in the world, made from Koroneiki olives. Take a tour of the rustling, silvery olive groves or ask the Guest Experience team to arrange an expert tasting. Alternatively, sign up for a cooking class in the village for a taste of Messenian cuisine. Even kids can get involved, baking traditional cookies.

Settle into stillness

Sunset over Navarino Bay is not to be missed, streaking the sea and sky with orange, lilac and pink. For front-row vistas, head out on the hotel’s boat, or plan a perfectly timed paddleboarding session on the bay’s tranquil waters. There are tandem paddleboards to rent, with space for two or more. Once you’ve found your rhythm, it’s a serenely meditative experience.

All offers and experiences available at time of publication. Please contact the hotel team for more information.

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