“OLAZABAL & FRIENDS CHARITY PROAM” - Costa Navarino
Back at one of my favorite resorts, only 2 months after I was there for the photo shoot in August, remember? (Link to post) . This time I was invited to play the “Olazabal & friends charity PROAM”. The plan for the PROAM was two days of competiton, where you play in teams (your foursome) and a one day practice round. Olazabal has designed “The Hills” and “International Olympic Academy Golf” courses, both are located up on the hill side.
Sweden in November is not a favorite of mine, I really don’t know how to survive the darkness, so I could not have been happier when I received the invite for this trip.
Last time I stayed in the small, very greek, village of Pyros but this time all players and invitees were staying at the Westin Hotel. The Navarino resort has four hotels under their unbrella which are all right next too each other. And while the Mandarin Oriental might be the Rolls Royce of accommodations here, with rooms at a whopping €2200 a night (yes, you read that right!), the Westin is the more budget-friendly gem without compromising on the fabulousness, we had a lounge area facing the outside area with our OWN privet pool. Magic. I as have to say how much I love the stone structure and how the hotels are build like a little small greek village.
Now, the golf courses . The main draw for me is the Olympic Course, and let me tell you, it’s the Beyoncé of golf courses(the Queen;). The undulating greens, the breathtaking views and the feeling of being one with nature– its so special. It’s not just about the game; it’s the entire experience. The course is challenging yet rewarding, and the views of the Ionian Sea, in the sunset or sunrise? Priceless.
The first day we played the Bay course, which I didn’t play last time either. Its manys favourite, beacuse of the fact your playing right on the sea front and its the most resort style course so a little bit easier. I absolutely like it, but I think Olympic offer a more fun layout and its hard to beat those views.
When it comes to travel there, there are one major option to consider, difference between flying in to Athens or Kalamata. Kalamata is closer, XX km from Navarino and Athens is a 3,5h away, its a trip. But its defenitly worth it and, as I did my first time, would take a day or two in the world of historical wonders, culture, great bars and restaurants in the big city.
FOOD – We only ate at the hotels and courses this time. Fun concept was that we had one greek, one Italian and one Spanish dinner, mostly shared plate style (which I love). We had so much food, I feel like I ate for 2 months…but I really love the greek food. Oh, the souvlaki we had on the course, OMG it was delicious!
Must eats: Souvlaki, grilled shrimp, olive oil, olives, FETA cheese (yes it is better in Greece), ice coffee, sesame hard sticks, their sweets (they are not as sweet ans artificial but made from honey and organic ).
Caroline Tips:
- Take the time to visit Pylos, super cute greek village.
- Eat outside of the hotels.
- Play Olympic later, the sunset is a dream!
- Eat a lot, and a lot of olive oil.
- All courses, especially Bay, are walkable.
- There are more flights to Kalamata on high season.
