Attached to mainland Greece by a narrow isthmus, the Peloponnese is one of the most beautiful and history-soaked regions of the country.
The Peloponnese is the stuff of legends. Literally. It’s here that Hercules fought the Nemean lion and from here that Paris of Troy eloped with Helen and Jason set sail in search of the Golden Fleece.
The Peloponnese is packed with inspiring historic sites, from the sanctuary of ancient Olympia and the theatre of Epidaurus to the ruins of Mycenae and Byzantine Mystras.
Visit bohemian Kardamyli in the wild and remote Mani, where legendary travel writer Paddy Leigh Fermor lived for nearby half a century.
Ride the vintage rack-and-pinion train through the dramatic Vouraikos Gorge, clinging to a narrow ledge above rushing rapids and passing through seven curling tunnels.
Soak up Greek island life on a day trip to Dokos and heavenly Hydra, a car-free island with a gorgeous port of exquisitely preserved stone houses.
Tap into the past at the theatre of Epidaurus, one of the best-preserved classical Greek theatres in existence, or at ancient Olympia, birthplace of the Olympic Games. Follow the narrow, cobbled streets of picturesque Nafplio down to high-end boutiques and charming quayside cafes. Or marvel at Monemvasia, a Gibraltar-sized rock moored off the coast and linked to the mainland by a single causeway.
Explore the pristine coves and timeless villages of the Mani, the southernmost promontory of mainland Europe, making sure to stop at bohemian Kardamyli, one of the prettiest villages in the Peloponnese.
Pop to nearby islands like Hydra and Spetses for a taste of island life. And bask in the beautiful beaches of Messinia, the finest on the peninsula, where you’ll also find Costa Navarino, a truly stunning destination famous for its world-class resorts, gorgeous golf courses and laudable commitment to sustainable development.
Stand-out service and attention to detail are hallmarks of The Romanos, a Luxury Collection Resort, Costa Navarino in the south-west corner of the Peloponnese peninsula. With private pools in nearly all its ground-floor rooms, the luxury resort is aimed more at couples than its sister hotel, The Westin Resort Costa Navarino, and is undoubtedly more exclusive. But with access to the same facilities as the Westin – including two impressive kids’ clubs – there’s nothing to stop families from lapping up the luxury The Romanos has to offer.
Arguably one of the best resorts in Greece, The Westin Resort Costa Navarino certainly delivers on both style and substance. With a stunning waterfront location, this family friendly property is home to golden beaches, fabulous restaurants, a 12-court tennis centre, a waterpark for kids and a unique wellness sanctuary.
Resting on a hillside like a modern-day Acropolis on a peaceful peninsula in the Peloponnese, this contemporary take on timeless classicism is a thing of architectural beauty, with marble-hewn pillars, chic open spaces, sleek pools and accommodation worthy of the Greek gods themselves.