Earlier this year I got the ever so exciting news that I had been chosen to be a Mark Warner Mum
I have to say that moment the email popped into my inbox was up there in the top 5 moments of my blogging career. I was ecstatic. Joe and I had worked so hard on our little entry video and were so thrilled to have been chosen amongst an amazing group of bloggers.
So here we were nearly 6 months later heading out to Lakitira resort Kos in Greece for our Mark Warner Holiday.
We have never been on a package holiday before as a family. Our flight was booked from Gatwick so we decided to make the 6 hour journey the day before and stay at Gatwick overnight and be chilled and prepared for the early flight.
The next morning we are up and ready to drop our car of with the meet and greet guys at Sky Park Secure which is so much less grief when traveling with kids.
And as regular customers I trust them which is a huge deal when leaving your car with someone.
The flight was scheduled on Germania airlines. It was organised and efficient. We were met promptly at Kos airport to be taken to our coaches ready to sweep us off to resort, which was only 15 minutes away from the airport.
Never having been on this sort of trip before I may have been a bit laid back about the welcome meetings. And may ahem, have spent too long taking photos on the way there and been late. But in my defence the resort it so pretty. I have always thrown my organisation skills out of the window as soon as I land on foreign soil. But holidaying with Mark Warner requires a certain amount or organisation.
Now this is not a negative, it just takes some getting used to when one is not used to it. Mark Warner is so different from any holiday we have ever been on. It is all about the sports and let me tell you they are pretty spectacular but you have to be in the loop to know what is going on. And that means being on time to the welcome meetings. (I was so lucky the staff were amazing and caught me up on what I needed to know) Also the app is a great resource which we used all the time.
The Rooms At Mark Warner Lakitiria
Our room had everything you could need; it was split into 2 rooms with a walk in wardrobe so LOADS of storage with a safe. There was tea and coffee-making facilities and a fridge. It had a large bathroom with toiletries and a hairdryer. And a separate toilet that is fab when traveling with older children. We also had a large balcony overlooking the gardens.
Kids clubs at Mark Warner for teenagers
We had only been on resort 2 hours when Joe head off to the kids dinner with the kidz club.
The clubs run activities throughout the day and evening. Having a break for lunch to allow the kids a bit of down time and trust me they need it. The activities are full on and exciting, with sailing, windsurfing, paddle board tuition. There are also pool games and activities in the hut.
Joe never stopped for the whole week. We found he was waking us up early for breakfast because he did not want to miss out on a thing. He made some lovely friends and the kidz club staff were incredible, especially Amelia who Joe just adored.
I can’t believe he came home being able to sail and windsurf after only a week.
Jack for reasons, which we can’t, fathom chose not to get involved with the indy club for older teens. I am not sure if it was GCSE results stress, or just he needed a wind down. But he chose to chill out with Chris and I, however we did take part in quite a lot of water sports together.
The water sports for the whole family
This is why you go to Mark Warner. It took me a few days to get it, and then once we started to getting involved more it was like a light bulb moment. The water sports facilities are incredible, we canoed, sailed, went out on a catamaran and paddled boarded.
My only regret is that we did not sign up for sailing and windsurfing tuition on day one. As I have to say, I caught the bug, but left it far to late for a course. However it was nice just to chill for the first few days! You can’t have it all can you? And that gives us all the more reason to go back again.
The beach team were wonderful and Finn our sailing instructor deserved a medal after an hour with me. Lets just say I was not a glamorous sailor; in fact I was not that good at all. I even fell under the boat and had to be rescued when I got of after my lesson.
Jack on the other hand was a natural and was able to control the boat in a red blue flag winds. Unlike me, who had it spinning in circles as Chris and Jack watched on in hysterics. However I loved it and am determined to master sailing! Even though I was shaking like a leaf.
Meal times at Mark Warner
Again different from anywhere we have ever been, I really struggled with Joe not wanting to eat with us. I tried every trick in the book to get him to dine with us. But he was having none of it. For Joe dinnertime was an absolute treat, dining with his friends and the club in the Italian before they head off for the evenings activities.
Food is fuel at Mark Warner; there is plenty of it. Lots of delicious salads and cold options plus also a rotation of menus and hot meals each night. We chose to eat in the Trattoria most nights because Jack preferred the menu in there. And there was a great selection of pizza and pasta dishes and the roasted vine leaves and vegetables were just delicious.
And for lunch the snack bar offered lots of fab options my favourite being the grilled chicken salad which was also great value at €6 and so good. You could get a take out or grab a table and glass of wine and dine with the sound of the sea in the background.
Was Mark Warner for us as a family?
It took us a few days to adapt and get the whole concept, and if you don’t look at the bigger picture you just don’t get it. But wow once you do Mark Warner is incredible, there is so much to do and get involved in. The key is organisation and just jumping in feet first.
And I promise if you do you will love every minute. Would we go back? In a heartbeat! I still can’t believe what Joe got out of the week. Watching him windsurf competently on the last day took my breath away. The whole buzz about the resort is so friendly. The staff are warm and friendly and all the other guests were the loveliest people. And furthermore I am determined to master sailing!
Thanks for much Mark Warner for choosing me to be a Mark Warner Mum it’s been an honour and so much fun, we had a wonderful family holiday.
Also I am so please to be able to offer my readers a £100 discount off PER BOOKING by using- extraordinarychaos100
Applicable to bookings for this Summer and Summer 2018
Can be combined with next Summer’s early bookings discounts (pay in full, free child places)
https://www.markwarner.co.uk/
Terms and Conditions. Book by 30th September. Direct bookings only, no cash alternative and can’t be offered in retrospect. Cannot be used with the Manager50 codes
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This all looks amazing Sarah and all the water sports with tuition all in the same place is fab too. It really looks like a fab family holiday and as we’re all water loving people the sailing really appeals to me. Lots of helpful tips and advice plus money off amazing definitely going to check this out. Thanks for great info and post ??xxx
It is amazing to think you could come back sailing and having tried so many watersports in a week – and even more amazing when the kids club is so good, you barely see your kids! Definite advantages and disadvantages there 🙂 I was in Kos earlier this year and it’s such a lovely place, this seems a gorgeous resort to stay as well.
Yes there are Cathy, I missed him a dinner time but he had the best time, and yes it is a stunning Island x
What a wonderful trip! I *nearly* went to Kos this summer, but ended up in Crete instead. x
Ah kos is beautiful Susanna I have a real love for Greece x
How wonderful that you can do proper courses there- it’s good to know you can come away with a qualification or two. The sheer array of sports looks fantastic, I would be tempted to have a go at the windsurfing myself ooooh and sailing and…. Hmmm perhaps I would need more than a couple of weeks! 😉 The kids’ club sounds fab. I bet you missed Joe a bit but fabulous that he clearly had the best time!
I know its so great Carrie if we go back I am doing a course x
Ah I’ve heard so much about the great facilities at Mark Warner and the water sports look second to none. Perfect trip for those who want adventure all day every day! The boys looks like they had a blast!
Ting its fantastic for families, and yes the boys loved all the sports they really are incredible x
It sounds like Joe had the time of his life! I think I’d need a few days to come round to the idea of the water sports too 🙂 Holidays should always be a mix of relaxing and trying new things. Love your photos Sarah!
Ah Claire he really did, and thanks so much Greece is a beautiful place to capture. Yes they should but I really should have done it the other way round! x
What a gorgeous place – the water sports sound amazing, my teens would love them! Lovely photos too. Kaz
Thanks so much Kaz it was all so great and a wonderful place for older kids and teens, Joe loved the freedom that Mark Warner offered and the staff were amazing with the kids x
It sounds like you all loved it and Joe hanging out with new mates must have been so much fun for him. I really loved Mark Warner Levante and would like to give Lakitira a try too! x
Ah Julia we had the best time and Joe loved it, it was lovely to see him have such a wonderful time x
I love that you wanted to do a sailing course by the end and those photos you have taken just make me want to jump right in and learn with you! Fab write up of your trip.
Ah thanks Karen we had such a great time x
I know what you mean about the concept. There’s a very distinct ‘style’ to these sorts of holidays. At Levante I found everyone to be mega-friendly, and yes, it’s the sort of place where it’s good to get stuck in with the activities. So many to choose from!
There are aren’t there, and yes its so great and soooooo friendly x
Lovely to revisit this sunshine-filled post as part of #MondayEscapes!
It sounds like once you got in the swing of it you had an amazing holiday. The water sports look like a lot of fun and the food looks pretty good too
We’ve never done a package holiday either – I imagine it would take a lot of getting used to! It looks like you had a fantastic time and well done you for having a go at the water sports. I’ve heard such good things about Mark Warner holidays – I think maybe we’ll have to try it out one year.
You’re photos are simply beautiful Sarah, it looks like a lovely resort. It sounds like you all had a wonderful holiday, especially Joe xx
This looks fantastic. I want to go back to Greece so will def have a look at this #farawayfiles
Wow, access to all those water sports looks awesome!
#mondayescapes
I found that my son loved kids clubs on holidays up to a certain age and then, as an older teen, preferred our company. So I can understand how your younger teen loved being with a gang and the older one, not so much.
Great to hear what a Mark Warner holiday has to offer – a fantastic way to try your hand at a number of sports and decide what you’d like to do again in the future.
#MondayEscapes
We’ve never been on a family package holiday but this place looks wonderfull, especially if you have teens. So much to keep them busy! Love your photos too ? #MondayEscapes
Looks like you had a fab time. My boys would love something like this – all those watersports and new friends to make #MondayEscapes
We’ve never been on a Mark Warner holiday either so it’s great to have such a comprehensive overview. As a family, I think we’d all love to try out the watersports activities. My two boys keep pestering us to learn how to waterski and windsurf so they’d love this. The accommodation looks lovely too. #MondayEscapes
I would love to try one of these types of holiday when my boys are a bit older. I think it’s a great concept being able to try so many different sports in one place. And what I wouldn’t do to be there right now and escape this particular Monday.
#MondayEscapes
Looks like a lovely holiday. #MondayEscapes
Looks like such a fabulous trip and so wonderful for families. Glad you had a lovely time.
This looks incredible! I love a good kids club and there seems to be so much to do! #MondayEscapes
This looks like a really cool holiday! I’ll have to remember Mark Warner for when my boys are a bit older. This type of holiday looks ideal for keeping them busy! #MondayEscapes
This looks like a fun, active holiday! Love that your son was able to surf and windsurf after the trip – picking up new skills while traveling is so cool!
Mark Warner’s offering is something else. It looks like you all got something from it, especially your youngest. Gorgeous photos as ever X #mondayescapes
It looks absolutely fantastic! Great photos as always too! #MondayEscapes
That really does look like so much fun. I’ve never looked at them for a holiday before but I will now. #MondayEscapes
My husband and I are thinking about honeymooning here. I’m not sure if the pressure to join in with sports and activities might make it less appealing to us. Sounds like you had a wonderful time though #mondayescapes
Emma there is no pressure at all. Chris did a few but in his own time, however the boys are mega sporty and loved the chance to take part. I did quite a bit as I loved it all so much, there were people there that did no sport at all. The one thing they don’t do is pressure you I promise x
I’m ashamed to say I don’t know who or what Mark Warner is, but it sounds like a very interesting place to visit and learn new water sports! everything about travel is an adventure, even if that includes being part of a highly structured resort for a few days… and that is what is great about travel, it opens it us up to new ways of thinking or experiences. Great post coming from #MondayEscapes
We have never been on a family package holiday, but it is posts like this one that makes me think we should give it a try once. #MondayEscapes
Your pictures are amazing. Makes me want to go now! We havent been on this sort of family package holiday before but it does sounds great for active families #MondayEscapes
Sarah your holiday looked amazing!! Such gorgeous photos and the rooms are beautiful too! I love that there is so much to do and with three little ones…I would just love a resort like this! #mondayescapes
It sounds like the water sports are a big feature at Mark Warners. It’s not surprising with the gorgeous blue, sparkling water. I like you can;t sail a boat going round in circles hitting my head on the boom! #MondayEscapes
We only did one of these kind of holidays with our children when they were younger and I have to say the organisation was just too full on for us. We like to do our own thing, regroup as a family and make our own agenda and this just never ticked our boxes. I have heard from other families with teens though how great the watersports are. Glad you all had a lovely time and congrats on being a Mark Warner mum. #MondayEscapes
I have no idea what a Mark Warner holiday is, but congrats anyway 🙂