Greece – Where Ancient Stories Meet Modern Incentives
After IMEX Frankfurt, I joined a famil through Athens and Costa Navarino to see what Greece really offers for corporate groups. It was our first time experiencing it this way and what stood out was how easy it is to combine history, food and culture with modern hotels and coastal escapes.
Athens: More Than a Gateway
Athens often gets treated as a quick stop before heading to the islands. I came away feeling it deserves more time.
Highlights:
Plaka dinner: Our first night was spent wandering through the old town before sitting down for a relaxed group dinner. Restaurants here can cater from 20 to 300 people, some with rooftops that look straight out at the Acropolis. It is the perfect welcome.
The Acropolis: A guided tour here is essential. The stories span ancient Greece through to the Second World War and bring the site to life. We followed it with dinner at Dionysos Zonars, which gives you the best restaurant view of the Acropolis at night.
Margi Farm: A farmhouse lunch just outside the city with traditional food and plenty of space for groups up to 300. Simple, authentic, and a real highlight.
Hotels:
Hyatt Grand Athens: A strong choice for large meetings and conferences. With 23 meeting rooms, three ballrooms and capacity for up to 1,100 theatre style, it is well set up but still offers touches like a rooftop breakfast overlooking the Parthenon.
One and Only Aesthesis: A Riviera property built around a private marina, with bungalows and villas that feel luxurious and private. Event spaces are smaller but perfect for incentives.
Costa Navarino: A New Luxury Playground
From Athens it is about a three-hour drive, with a stop at the Corinth Canal and Semeli Winery to break up the journey. Costa Navarino is still developing as a group destination but is already showing real promise.
Hotels:
W Costa Navarino: Modern, stylish and fun. Swim up rooms, beachfront restaurants and outdoor spaces set it apart for incentives.
Romanos and Westin: Large, polished resorts on the coastline with capacity for up to 1,500 delegates, multiple breakout spaces and golf courses on site.
Mandarin Oriental: Brand new and beautifully designed, though it felt a little lifeless compared to the W. Best suited to smaller, high end groups.
Experiences:
An olive oil tasting hosted by a global judge on his family farm beside a Byzantine church. Unique, authentic and only available through Symphony.
Voidokilia Beach, famous for its omega shape, crystal clear water and natural beauty.
Golf, water sports, scuba diving and snorkelling which all make use of the landscape and coastline.
Why Greece Works
When you are travelling from New Zealand you want a destination that makes the long journey worthwhile. Greece balances culture, food, beaches and modern hotels. It works for mature audiences who appreciate history and cuisine, and equally for younger groups who want nightlife and coastlines.
Shoulder seasons, particularly September and October, are ideal. The water is warmer, days are longer, and costs are more manageable than high summer.
Budget wise, for the ground elements you are looking at NZD 7-8k per person for four star, and NZD 10k+ for five star. A medium to high spend, but the experiences deliver real value.
My Pick
For most groups, I would recommend two nights in Athens for Plaka, the Acropolis and conferencing, followed by three nights on the Riviera or an island to relax and enjoy the coast and if budget allows, a few days sailing the islands is the ultimate extension.
Greece is not just a bucket list trip. It is a destination that delivers for conferences and incentives, offering culture, food and connection in one.
Got a group in mind? Let us know.
