As a self-confessed ‘sports-phobic’, I was rather nervous about my first Mark Warner sun holiday. Mark Warner are renowned for their award-winning sporting activities, with first-class tuition and top-of-the-range equipment, but it was a little daunting to ditch the sun-lounger and don the Lycra for a few days, sampling the very best activities Mark Warner has to offer.
Recently voted the Best Family & Adventure Operator, Mark Warner are the experts in watersports, & considered to be the crème de la crème of activity holidays, with a wide range of land-based & water activities including sailing, windsurfing, waterskiing, tennis & cycling.
I was lucky enough to be invited to their newest & flagship hotel, the 5* Levante Beach Resort. Situated right on the beach in the resort town of Afandou, just a short half-hour transfer from the airport, this resorts boasts 5 swimming pools (including an indoor & relaxing adult-only pool), free sailing & windsurfing lessons, luxurious spa complete with sauna and steam room & 6 floodlit Astroturf tennis courts. A spacious village-style resort, there was no scramble for sunbeds, long queues at the bar, or inflatable collisions in the pool! All the facilities are on your doorstep & you can relax & unwind after your daily dose of activities, with no crowds in sight.
“Whether you’re experienced or this is your first time, we’re here to help you get the most out of your time in the water” explains the specialized waterfront manager, Owain, at the welcome beach briefing. This tanned, blonde, handsome Welshman has the archetypal surfer look & must be the envy of his compatriots, in the cooler, wetter months back home! The full daily programme is enough to satisfy the keenest of sailing enthusiasts, however, you don’t feel any pressure into doing anything you don’t want to. That’s the great thing about the Mark Warner staff, truly experts in their field, they can gauge any nerves, putting you at ease before your toes dip into those crystal waters. My first afternoon was spent in side-splitting laughter as my team battled to claim victory on a giant stand-up paddleboard, racing across the finish line! Paddleboards & kayaks are just some of the kit you can take out without any extra hidden charges or restrictions, leaving you free to explore the beautiful coastline, sheltered bays & rugged coves. Or if you are looking to go home with a new certificate under your belt, why not complete an RYA course led by the qualified instructors.
Next up, time to work on my serve! From their “tipsy tennis” where a drink in one hand and the racket in another is actively encouraged, to their intensive tennis coaching weeks & social tennis where you can meet new people, the fun introductory warm-up games whetted my appetite to get stuck in.
An afternoon of biking followed. Rich, my (very patient!) instructor, helped me get to grips with the top-of-the-range bikes which are upgraded each year with the latest models, and soon we were setting off to explore the picturesque island of Rhodes. Not forgetting a perfect pit-stop along the way at a local sea-front taverna to can soak up the stunning views & a refreshing Greek Mythos!
So, whether you want to stay glued to the sun-lounger & bask in the glorious Greek sunshine or fill your days with a jam-packed activity schedule, Mark Warner holidays are perfect for avid adventure enthusiasts or those who simply just want to try something new. The friendly and encouraging staff at Mark Warner and their “just give it a try” ethos showed me how much fun you can have if you simply just dive right in!