A few years ago, we decided to start running hosted holidays. These are tennis breaks which are hosted by a member of our staff, a proficient tennis player. The staff member acts as a guide and representative throughout the trip, helping to organise communal meals and tennis matches. These holidays are particularly appealing to single travellers, since they can join up with our group and enjoy socialising with the group. We of course welcome couples and groups on the holidays too.

In October 2016, we ran our first holiday week to the Umag Academy in Croatia. This trip was a big success and we’re happy to announce we have three more trips planned for 2017.

Trip to the Istraturist Resort October 2016

Below is a report from the staff member, Kevin Wentworth who accompanied the group to the Umag Academy in 2016:

Our group was given a warm welcome upon arrival at the Istraturist Resort. Hosts Alen and Ingrid arranged a spread of canapés and drinks which helped to break the ice and get everyone talking. Alen works as the tennis programme director of the Umag Tennis Academy and we were to discover a man of many talents.

It did not take long for our group to fall in love with this location. With the hotel’s close proximity to the tennis centre and the whole complex a few steps away from the clear blue waters of the Adriatic, it’s easy to understand why. The 5 star Melia Coral was a particular standout. The staff were helpful and made us feel welcome. Food was excellent, a generous buffet breakfast every morning and a varied, interesting menu to choose from for dinner.

So what about the tennis? Umag has 25 immaculate clay courts and the group quickly settled into a daily routine. Morning coaching sessions were carried out by Alen and his team of excellent coaches. Afternoon tournaments were run by yours truly. Everyone in the group had the opportunity to improve their game and have some fun matching up and playing against others in the group.

We’ve had some great feedback from the group

• “The tennis centre clay courts in Umag are undoubtedly the best in Europe”
• “The setting of the tennis centre and its proximity to the sea make this the ultimate tennis holiday setting”
• “The lunchtime and evening food and wine at the tennis centre bar and restaurant were quite exceptional”
• “The guaranteed maximum 4 players per coach made for plenty of tennis and the afternoon sessions run by Roger Walker Tennis Holidays was such a great way of practising what we had learned in the morning session.”

One of the highlights of our trips is always the socialising after the day’s activities. At Umag this involved everyone heading to the academy’s balcony which overlooked the courts and has great views over to the sea and the rest of the resort. With this splendid backdrop, we could all relax and enjoy our after-match refreshments and the inevitable banter that followed.

At Tennis Holidays, we do like to provide a surprise or two and this trip was no different. The group soon discovered that we had British tennis legend Mark Cox in our group!

A midweek excursion

The trip wasn’t all about tennis though. Relying on the multi-talented Alen, we arranged a midweek excursion to a typical Istrian restaurant for a sumptuous lunch. The trip included a visit to a historic mountain village followed by a wine tasting session at a local winery. Now I can’t profess to be a wine connoisseur but I can confirm that the Croatian wine we sampled was quite splendid!!!

So all in all, a thoroughly enjoyable week. The tennis was topped off with our winners and runners up presentation and a commemorative medal for everyone. The feedback has been very positive and we consider the academy at the Istraturist Resort to be one of the best we’ve experienced.

We hope to see you on one of our trips in 2017!