Hostest destinantion Travel | Costa Navarino + Greece

Courtesy of Starwood Hotels & Resort

Costa Navarino, Greece

Greece’s economy may have seen better days, but that hasn’t stopped the tourism industry from moving forward. Take the region of Messenia, the westernmost finger of the hand-shaped Peloponnese peninsula, filled with sun-drenched valleys, Byzantine churches, and sandy dunes that border the crystal-blue Ionian Sea. The area has remained virtually unknown to travelers, who have traditionally preferred the white-sand beaches of the Greek islands. But Costa Navarino, a new resort complex set on 2,500 acres, is aiming to change that, turning this low-profile stretch of coastline into Europe’s newest Riviera.

Costa Navarino is ambitious and international, with several hotel partners. Starwood opened a Westin resort and the Romanos, a Luxury Collection hotel, last year; a Banyan Tree is slated to debut in 2013. But it’s also intensely local. At the Starwood properties, more than 75 percent of the staff is from surrounding villages and guests are encouraged to spend an evening at the house of a Messenian family. The low-slung villas are made from native stone and have Greek art from the 17th century, and treatments at the 43,000-square-foot spa are based on 4,500-year-old recipes found at King Nestor’s palace nearby. With rates much lower than at similar hotels in Mykonos and Santorini, this quiet slice of the Peloponnese might just experience a Greek revival. Westin doubles from $276; Romanos doubles from $193. —Eleni N. Gage

The Breakdown

Who It’s For: Anyone who wants the next European beach escape.

When to Go: April–Oct.

How to Do It: Hop a 30-minute flight from Athens to nearby Kalamata airport.

Exotic Factor: Foreign

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St. Vincent and the Grenadines

A string of 32 islands just south of St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines has long been an under-the-radar getaway for the jet-setting elite. But recent developments—including a $240 million airport set to open on St. Vincent next year—are making the region accessible to a broader audience.

Built on volcanic black sand, the new Buccament Bay Resort (St. Vincent; 877/502-2022; doubles from $1,024, all-inclusive, three-night minimum) has 90 light-filled villas that gaze out on a secluded white-sand beach.

Twenty miles south, tiny Mustique remains a playground for the likes of Mick Jagger and Tommy Hilfiger (and was a runner-up honeymoon pick for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge). A handful of new villas are now available to rent from the Mustique Company(villas from $7,000 per week), including the four-bedroom Mimosa, a contemporary affair with a pebbled infinity pool, private chef, and dedicated utility vehicle for exploring the isle.

A more affordable option is the four-bedroom Liselund, on a hillside overlooking the sea. Nearby, the 44-year-old private-island resort of Petit St. Vincent (doubles from $1,050, all-inclusive) has reopened after a top-to-bottom makeover: 22 stone-walled, thatched-roof cottages are done up in earthy tones and driftwood palapas now line the beach. There’s also a waterside restaurant and a tree-house-style spa, where an open-air hot-stone massage is the perfect end to the day. —David Swanson
The Breakdown

Who It’s For: Privacy-seeking island hoppers.

When to Go Nov.–Feb.

How to Do It: Fly into Barbados and catch a connecting flight to the islands.

Exotic Factor: Familiar/Foreign