How to Choose the Right Active Away Event for You
Choosing your next Active Away event is the exciting part. The slightly trickier bit? Deciding which one is right for you.
With tennis, padel, pickleball and skiing events to choose from, plus everything from one-day UK clinics to week-long overseas holidays, there are plenty of options.
But you are not simply choosing a destination. You are choosing how long you want to be away, how much time you want to spend playing, the type of atmosphere you enjoy and, of course, what you want from the rest of your holiday.
The good news is there is no single ‘best’ Active Away event. It is about finding the one that suits you.
Here are five things to think about before booking.
1. What do you want to play?
Tennis has been at the heart of Active Away for over 20 years, but our programme now includes padel, pickleball and skiing too.
If you already have a sport you love, this might be the easiest decision of the lot. You can spend your holiday developing your game, playing with different people and enjoying plenty of time on court.
Or perhaps you fancy trying something new.
Padel and pickleball are both brilliant options if you want to learn a new racket sport in a friendly, sociable environment. You do not need to arrive as an expert either. Our coaching programmes are designed to help you improve while making sure you have plenty of fun along the way.
Our ski holiday is a little different. Because it relies on the right conditions, we usually operate one ski trip each year, heading to Italy in January.
If you are still unsure, think about what you want to get from your time away. Are you looking for focused coaching? Plenty of matchplay? A chance to try a new sport? Or simply a brilliant active holiday surrounded by like-minded people?
Once you know that, your shortlist usually becomes much clearer.
2. How long do you want to go away for?
Not every Active Away event requires a full week.
Our traditional overseas holidays are usually seven nights, giving you plenty of time to settle in, get to know the group, develop your game and enjoy everything the resort has to offer.
Want to stay a little longer? On all holidays, you can add extra nights before or after the official event dates. Equally, trips can be shortened to five or six nights if a full week does not quite work for you.
If you would prefer a quick getaway, our shorter overseas breaks are a great option. Some run for four days and three nights, giving you the perfect excuse for a long weekend in the sunshine without using too much annual leave.
Closer to home, our UK breaks usually run for three days and two nights at some fantastic venues. You still get the Active Away experience, just without the airport.
And if even a weekend feels like a stretch, our UK tennis and padel clinics could be ideal. Join us for a single day with five hours of play, or make a weekend of it with ten hours across two days.
Many of our UK clinics take place indoors too, so you do not need to spend the week checking the weather forecast.
3. How much do you want to play?
For some guests, the answer is simple: as much as possible.
If that sounds like you, one of our week-long holidays will probably be right up your street.
Depending on your chosen sport and event, you can enjoy up to 22.5 hours of tennis or 22 hours of padel across the week. There may also be opportunities to arrange private coaching or play outside the organised sessions, depending on court availability.
That is plenty of sport.
But it is important to remember that this is still your holiday.
There is no pressure to attend every session. Fancy a lie-in, an afternoon by the pool or an extra-long lunch instead? Absolutely fine. Dip in and out as much as you need.
If you would prefer something a little lighter, our short padel breaks include around 11 hours on court, meaning your can still enjoy the warm weather with a shorter physcial strain on your body.
For tennis fans who enjoy watching the game as much as playing it, our Play & Watch trips offer something different again. You will enjoy eight hours of coaching alongside the chance to watch the professionals compete at an ATP or WTA event.
And if you simply want an intensive burst of coaching without going away, our UK clinics offer five hours in a day or ten hours across a weekend.
4. What kind of atmosphere are you looking for?
This is one people sometimes overlook, but it can completely change the feel of your holiday.
Some Active Away events are big, lively and incredibly social.
At Liberty Lykia, for example, groups average around 42 players and can reach up to 72 on selected weeks. That means plenty of people to meet, lots of different playing partners and a real group atmosphere throughout the week.
If you prefer something smaller, resorts such as Royal Mare, Aphrodite Hills and Nana Golden Beach host groups of up to around 24 players.
Our padel holidays can be more intimate again, with groups typically ranging from eight to 20 players.
There is no right or wrong answer here. Some people love being part of a big group, while others prefer knowing everyone’s name by the second day.
And if you are thinking about travelling on your own, do not let that put you off. Active Away holidays are built around the group experience, so there are plenty of opportunities to play, eat, relax and socialise with other guests throughout your trip.
The time of year can make a difference too.
Early spring and late autumn are ideal if you prefer milder temperatures, while September can be perfect if you enjoy warmer weather and lovely sea temperatures.
Spring events can often be better value too, thanks to the hotel rates available at that time of year.
5. What matters to you when you are off court?
It might be an Active Away holiday, but you are definitely not expected to spend every waking minute with a racket in your hand.
Think about what else makes a great holiday for you.
Is it a brilliant beach? Fantastic food? Somewhere to wander in the evening? A spa? Golf? Shopping? A short transfer from the airport?
Different resorts offer very different experiences.
At Daphnila Bay in Corfu, you can enjoy its beautiful sheltered cove, ideal for swimming and easily head into Corfu Old Town.
Liberty Lykia is a fantastic option if food is high on your list, with plenty of choice across its buffet and à la carte restaurants.
Sani is perfect for relaxed marina walks, restaurants and shopping.
At Aphrodite Hills, golfers can make the most of the PGA National Cyprus course right on the resort.
And if you love the idea of an ultra all-inclusive holiday where almost everything is taken care of, our Ikos Aria and Ikos Kissamos are difficult to beat. They also benefit from a very straightforward airport transfers.
Your perfect tennis or padel holiday does not have to be determined by the courts alone.
A few other things worth considering
What court surface do you prefer?
Across the Active Away programme, you will find a mixture of real clay, artificial clay, AstroTurf, hard courts and grass.
For many players, the surface will not make or break a holiday, but if you have a strong preference, it is definitely worth checking before you book.
Do you want to explore?
Some guests barely leave the resort all week. Others love using their free time to discover somewhere new.
If exploring is important to you, look at what is nearby and how easy it is to get around. A resort close to a town, marina or local attractions might suit you better than somewhere more secluded.
What level are you?
You do not need to worry about finding 20 other people who play exactly like you.
We organise guests into appropriate playing groups so that the coaching and sessions are suitable for your level. Groups can also change during the week as our coaching team gets to know everyone’s game.
If you are unsure whether an event is suitable for you, take a look at our Self Rating Guide and if you have any questions please do ask us before booking.
Still not sure? That is what we are here for.
Start with five questions:
- What do I want to play?
- How long do I want to go away for?
- How much activity do I want?
- What sort of group atmosphere suits me?
- What matters most when I am off court?
Answer those and you will probably already have a pretty good idea of the type of Active Away event that will suit you.
And if you are still torn between a few options, get in touch with the team.
Tell us about your playing level, the type of holiday you enjoy, when you would like to travel and what matters most to you. We know our events and resorts inside out, so we can help point you towards the options that fit.
Then all that is left to do is book, pack your rackets and start looking forward to it.