How the Minos Palace Resort is shaping the future of longevity travel
At the intersection of science and the art of living, a new travel culture is emerging. Today, travellers seek more than rest – they search for insight, prevention and regeneration.
With the opening of the NAO Longevity Hub in May 2025, the Minos Palace Resort in Crete positions itself as a pioneering destination for evidence-based wellbeing. Developed in collaboration with a multidisciplinary scientific advisory board, NAO combines medical research, technological diagnostics and personalised lifestyle interventions – embedded in a serene adults-only resort with sweeping views of the Aegean Sea.
A scientifically developed wellbeing concept
NAO is based on a multi-layered diagnostic and therapeutic approach aligned with the twelve hallmarks of ageing. Each programme begins with biometric and genetic assessments, leading to a fully individualised protocol built on four pillars:
1. Nutrition
Nutrigenetically tailored meal plans adapted to metabolism and microbiome.
2. Sleep
Chronobiologically optimised sleep architecture using light regulation, sensory routines and melatonin support.
3. Movement
A multidisciplinary programme that balances mobility, strength, neurological stimulation and recovery.
4. Self-Regulation
Stress reduction techniques through mindfulness, breathwork, neurofeedback and resilience training.
All components aim to slow cellular ageing and enhance long-term quality of life.
The scientific board: International expertise at the core
NAO’s development is supported by a distinguished advisory board of medical researchers and public health experts, including:
- Dr. George P. Chrousos, globally recognised endocrinologist and stress biologist
- Dr. Constantine Stratakis, geneticist specialising in personalised medicine
- Dr. Evi Hatziandreou, Harvard-trained expert in preventive health and wellbeing strategies
- Elena Panzeri, innovator in nutrigenetics and microbiome science
Their expertise ensures not only scientific credibility but also continuous research and innovation at the heart of the programme.
Longevity as a way of life
NAO promotes a preventive, integrated health philosophy that transcends traditional wellness offerings. Its goal is not momentary relaxation, but lasting behavioural change through the adoption of meaningful routines.
Coupled with Crete’s natural strengths – sunlight, sea, Mediterranean nutrition – the result is a holistic experience where body, mind and cellular function align and restore.
The Minos Palace Resort: A context for transformation
NAO is part of the redefined Minos Palace Resort, an adults-only retreat that embraces architectural clarity and contemporary restraint. Its culinary concept focuses on plant-forward, locally inspired cuisine, rooted in Mediterranean longevity principles.
The resort belongs to bluegr Hotels & Resorts, a family-run group dedicated to what it calls “barefoot luxury” – a form of travel defined by simplicity, authenticity and environmental awareness.
A distinctive feature is its integration of art: works from the G. & A. Mamidakis Foundation transform the hotel grounds into an immersive experience of contemporary sculpture and site-specific installations.
A future-forward space for conscious travellers
The NAO Longevity Hub is not a wellness trend – it reflects a global shift in how we think about ageing, health and quality of life. As scientific understanding grows, so does the desire for intelligent, evidence-driven wellbeing solutions.
In this context, the Minos Palace Resort offers more than a retreat: it becomes a laboratory for long-term transformation, informed by science, shaped by nature, and designed for those who seek a deeper kind of renewal.