AUTHENTIC VILLAGE COOKING Visit our picturesque village home and discover traditional Messinian cooking with the help of local women who will share authentic family recipes passed down from mother to daughter. You will learn how to prepare a typical full Messinian menu, using regional techniques and fresh ingredients, followed by lunch and the opportunity to savor the food prepared. HOMEMADE BREAD MAKING The secrets of traditional Messinian baking revealed by the experts, local women who will show you how to make delicious breads such as the elaborately adorned kentimeni pita (literally, embroidered bread ). The following day, these baked breads will be served in the breakfast area for you to try.
seasonal activities OLIVE HARVESTING Experience first-hand one of Messinia s most enduring agricultural and culinary traditions, as you participate in each step of the olive s seasonal journey from tree to table. Harvest a quantity of olives the age-old way, visit a nearby mill where you will help make the oil and discern the subtle flavors of the region s renowned extra virgin olive oil, accompanied by a traditional meal. WINE HARVESTING Wine grapes have been cultivated in Messinia since Homeric times. Share in the local knowledge, experience a private tour to the Navarino Vineyards, learn and participate in the grape treading and join a wine tasting seminar lead by an experienced sommelier.
MAGIC OF SHADOWS (complimentary to guests) As the sun goes down over Costa Navarino, prepare yourself for the enchanting world of Karagiozis shadow theater. A popular Form of entertainment throughout Greece, the fascinating puppet characters have delighted Messinian families of generations. SONGS AROUND THE TABLE (complimentary to guests) Various social events bring Messinians together to eat, drink and sing. One such occasion is the preparation of food. Join a group of local women, seated around a large wooden table, as they make traditional delicacies and sing regional folk songs a cappella.
STORYTELLING (complimentary to guests) Discover the timeless allure of storytelling, one of the oldest means through which cultures have passed down values, traditions and beliefs. A talented storyteller and two virtuoso musicians bring to life tales of the past. MESSINIAN NATURE TOUR(complimentary to guests) Explore local nature! Hop on a buggy and take a one-hour tour around the resort with our botanical expert who will guide you through the secrets and highlights of the local flora. The trees, flowers and herbs that have been growing in the region since antiquity are related to old stories and myths, while the garden vegetables underscore the quality and value of the Mediterranean diet as practiced in Messinia.
THE ART OF MOSAIC Take a crash course in the ancient art of mosaic and learn the main construction technique. You will then be given the opportunity to make your own replicas of original motifs discovered at archaeological sites in Messinia.
PHILOSOPHY WALKS Against the idyllic backdrop of the Messinian countryside, discuss important modern-day issues through the prism of ancient Greek philosophical thinking. Together with esteemed university professors, select the topic of your interest and try to find answers by drawing on the wisdom of the past.
PHOTOGRAPHY EXPERIENCE Photography means Writing with Light [light (Greek φως = phos ) and writing (Greek γραφή = graphi )] Capture your moments with expert help and unforgettable backdrops! Whether using a mobile phone or a powerful DSLR, you will enjoy capturing great shots in an area where pristine landscapes, clear air and bright light create the best possible conditions for memorable images.
TASTING SEMINARS Wine tasting seminars, led by an experienced sommelier, at which you can assess the characteristics of some Greek and local famous varieties. Olive Oil tasting seminars, led by an olive oil specialist, where you can learn to taste the qualities of the world renowned local olive oll varieties.
ASTRONOMY NIGHTS "Astronomy Nights" is a new interactive experience at Costa Navarino organized by the Navarino Environmental Observatory and Navarino Natura Hall by Hellenic Post Bank. As a visitor for this observing activity, you investigate the cosmos as conceived from a Messinian's view angle, in small groups of 5-7 people under the guidance of trained staff. This unique astronomical experience includes observation of planets, like Saturn and its rings, features on the Moon, Jupiter and its satellites, beautiful nebulae such as Orion, galaxies, stars and many others.
ART TOUR Art is a fundamental aspect of the Costa Navarino experience, with original works by Greek and international artists forming an integral part of the interior designs. A 90-minute guided tour of the art collections gives guests the opportunity to gain an appreciation of artworks and artifacts of the 17th-19th centuries, especially from the wider area of Messinia, including maps, engravings, rare books and weapons from the Greek War of Independence. The tour also introduces visitors to more contemporary pieces, many of which were inspired by local nature and the projects undertaken at Costa Navarino to preserve the important natural habitats of the region and maintain biodiversity.