Stand in front of Ivan Aivazovsky’spainting of the 1827 Battle of Navarino; imagine yourself there in the bay off the coast of Pylos, feeling the heat of the action that led to the creation of the new Greek state. Clear the smoke from one famous conflict and another swirls up from the mists of time; on the island of Sfaktiria one of the greatest skirmishes of the Peloponnesian War was fought. If you’re starting to think that History has marked the area for special attention, you’d be right. The fact that Homer spoke at length about Pylos as the home of wise King Nestor really sets the seal on its legendary status.

Your exploration of vibrant modern-day Pylos will reveal stone houses, enticing alleyways and, at its centre, thesquare of the Three Admirals, boasting the house of Olympian Kostis Tsiklitiras and the home of the NESTOR Project, which aims to deploy a neutrino telescope on the sea bed just off the coast.

Walk up to the castle, one of the best preserved fortresses in Greece, with magnificent pine trees and the old aqueduct to enjoy on the way. Niokastro overlooks the delightful beaches ofDivari and Voidokilia as well as the wetlands of Gialova, giving you plenty of inspiration for day trips out of Pylos. And after all this sea air, exceptional fresh seafood from the Ionian Sea is permanently on the menu of local fish taverns.

Finally the magnificent Costa Navarino resort is the crowning glory of the region, pulling in high fliers and A-list celebs from around the globe to enjoy its bounty of luxurious experiences. In recent years, it has muscled its way to even greater recognition by staging the International Iron Man Triathlon, welcoming all genders and ages to soothe their souls on the scenery while their bodies get a bit of a battering!