The country of Greece is not known for its golf — but that reputation is quickly changing. Courtesy The saddest part of any great golf trip is the final day — time to go home — which is how I found myself at the counter in Athens International airport checking my golf bag. Or trying to.
The woman behind the counter was apprehensive and borderline suspicious of the large, oddly shaped luggage, and inquired, “Is that sporting equipment?” Before I could answer, her neighbor on the other side of the scale interjected proudly, “Golf clubs!” The learning curve is understandable, because until recently, pretty much no one in their right mind went to Greece to play golf. Pinehurst Resort has more holes than the entire country , with only seven places where you can play — and only one of these has more than a single course on property. But that one, Costa Navarino , is a doozy.
In recent years Greece has been one of the hottest tourism destinations for Americans. It is rich in history, has gorgeous islands and beaches, stunning architecture and amazing food that is the archetype of the fabled Mediterranean diet. It’s also one of the most affordable Eurozone countries; 2023 was an all-time record year for tourism, and through the first quarter of 2024, that number is up another 25 percent.
Greece is a country of temples, and the highlight of the nation’s most visited attraction, the Parthenon in Athens, is the Temple of Athena. Outside the capital, popular tourist s.