Marathon Beach Resort

Ancient history and mythology have always fascinated me, in addition to my love for the sun and beach, this made Nea Makri the best place to go for a combination of sun, sea and history! I was journey to where, legend has it, the Marathon originated.

I would be running no marathons here though! My plan revolved around relaxation with maybe one more active day trip to Athens, I could not come all this way and not see a city of such history that I had heard about all my life and yet not seen! A hotel car picked me up from the airport and I was transferred effortlessly to the Art Deco yet typically pure white building of the Marathon Beach Resort. The resort finds itself just a few minutes away from miles of sandy beach that lines an aquamarine sea.

The entrance was stylish and modern, and the staff clearly enjoyed their job which I could tell from the smiles that beamed from their faces. I felt well and truly welcome! I found my room to be spacious, modern and refreshing, a feeling that the typical Greek style often induces. My first move was to walk out to the balcony and admire the view over the Bay of Eubea. I leant out and breathed in a breath of fresh, salty air and complete relaxation entered in through my lungs and flowed from head to toe. Living a decadent, worriless life, like that of a Greek god, was about to begin. I decided to freshen up, with my toiletries provided by the hotel, and head to the pool.

The hotel has a large Olympic sized swimming pool – Greece is where the Olympics originated after all – that is lined with comfortable sun beds. The convenient, rustic yet modern pool side bar is on hand for refreshing snacks and delicious summer juices and cocktails to complement your relaxing day by the pool. I particularly enjoyed the music played around the area, encouraging a fun yet still chilled atmosphere. I also spotted a relaxing whirlpool bath which I planned to make a move for at the end of the day. From my comfortable sun bed I worked up a surprisingly large appetite, satisfied by the pool side, yet not enough, so my mind continued to wonder about the hotel’s onsite restaurant. This dining space faces the bay where you can dine under the stars, in the fresh outside air amongst the romantic light of candles. That evening a tasty Mediterranean dish was waiting for me, and my mouth was already watering by mid-afternoon!

Later, my plans to head to the whirlpool were abandoned in order to take a dip in the sea before the sunset and let my bare-feet feel the soft sand. The location of the resort is just perfect, whilst that day I dipped my toes in the Mediterranean, the next day I would set off to the city of Athens. I would be well equipped for the day, asking the staff for travelling details and feasting on a more-than-complete breakfast…