After basking in a glorious summer of sport, which almost made me forget the rain, I leapt at the chance to relax in some real sunshine.

But having witnessed such triumph at the London 2012 Olympics, a simple beach holiday seems a wasted opportunity to “inspire a generation”.

As I arrive at Lakitira in Kos, Greece, the sky is blue, and the sandy beach and clear waters are incredibly tempting. But so, too, are the extensive sporting facilities.

The Mark Warner resort prides itself on offering more than just a beach break, with tennis, watersports and a range of other activities on offer.

I am itching to get involved and it’s not long before I’m being taught the finer points of tacking in a laser (turning in a sailing boat to the uninitiated) as part of the resort’s group introductory course.

For those with sea legs, there are more advanced lessons, while those looking to really progress can pay for individual RYA level one and two courses. Once you’re up to speed, you can take out a range of vessels whenever you like.

As a sport where you’re mainly sitting down, sailing is much harder than it seems.

Coordinating your body to turn, duck, pull, push and balance all in one fluid motion is like talking to your boss while texting, typing an email and making a cup of tea. Oh, and your desk is balancing in the middle of the sea.

But once you get the knack and the sail billows, the boat silently glides through the water and you’re leaning almost every pound of your body off the side to keep the darned thing upright, the rush is akin to that moment of joy as a child when you stuck your head out of the car window for the first time, unable to contain the squeals of delight.

With the adrenaline coursing and my breath barely back, it is time to head to the tennis centre.

It has an impressive 11 courts, more than enough to ensure you can turn up, sign in and get playing straight away.

If your serve is somewhat wayward or, like me, your forehand seems to end up in orbit, you can pay for a one-to-one lesson from one of the resident coaches.

And those travelling solo, or with partners who wouldn’t know a smash from a slice, the daily social play means there will always be someone to have a knock about with, regardless of your ability.

If you still have energy to burn, the resort has 32 mountain bikes, which can be taken out to explore the island. There are also five rep-led tours of varying difficulty.

Chadders, our guide, took us on a “moderately challenging” ride to peacock forest, so-called due to its gloriously plumaged inhabitants. The hill climbs were demanding, but the sight of baby peacocks strutting in the shrub was only bettered by the sweeping azure coast with Helona Island beyond seen while cruising down from on high.

Trying to emulate your Olympic heroes can take it out of you. Thankfully Lakitira is equipped with an spa, where you can enjoy a full body massage or hot stone therapy.

Those who want to look as good on the outside as they will feel on the inside also have a choice of facials, manicures and pedicures.

Food is always welcome after such an active day.

Breakfast and dinner are included in the half-board option and there is a choice of dining areas. The main restaurant is the usual port of call, offering buffet breakfasts including cooked, continental and cereals. Dinner is also a buffet, with salads, pasta, rice, fish, meat and desserts.

Conscious many guests will not venture out of the resort’s generous confines, a Hellenic corner offers a small sample of some of the Greek gastronomy.

If that whets your Aegean tastebuds, the resort also features a Greek-style tavern where for an additional charge diners can enjoy a traditional buffet. To my delight there are lashings of feta and olives, and even a little ouzo to start the evening.

Culinary delights await away from the resort, too. Kardamena may be renowned as a party town but it is well worth making the 4km journey there. By day the rowdy bars are recovering from the night before and exploring the narrow streets can reveal relaxed cafes.

But perhaps the biggest draw of any Mark Warner holiday is the childcare. You can have a break from the kids without any worries, leaving you free to indulge in the activities on offer or simply relax by the pool.

The kids club is free for youngsters aged from one year all the way up to 17 and is open six days a week. In keeping with the notion of inspiring a generation, kids can try out all the sports on offer, from teens playing tennis to six-year-olds surfing the waves.

It is a mark of the success of the resort that so many of the guests are repeat stayers – at the time we were there about 70% had stayed before. It was with a heavy heart we headed back to England.

Of course, you can just lie on the beach, take in the rays and let the gentle lapping of the clear water lull you into a state of bliss. But at Lakitira you can do so much more. You can emulate your heroes, en-courage your children to be active and still bask in the sunshine away from it all.

As I touched down in England, the air outside heavy with drizzle, I was already plotting when I could next jump in a boat and practice my tacking. It is not just the Olympics that can inspire.

  • A week at Lakitira Beach Resort, Kos, in 2013, costs from £929 per adult and £829 per child. The price includes return flights ex-Heathrow with fuel supplement, seven nights’ accommodation on a half-board basis with wine, return airport transfers, fitness classes and activities such as watersports, tennis and mountain biking, plus six days’ childcare for those aged three and over, subject to availability.
     
  • Mark Warner reservations: visit www.markwarner.co.uk or call 0844 2736796