Pack your paddles, it’s time for a pickleball trip. Pickleball players are traveling the world on amazing ‘play-cations,’ seeing the world and working on their games. It’s the perfect blend of relaxation, adventure and some of the best pickleball instruction possible.
Ben Johns, one of the founders of Pickleball Getaways, is considered by many to be the best pickleball player in the world. If you follow professional pickleball at all, you know who he is. He’s won just about everything a pickleball champion can win and he teaches a number of clinics on Pickleball Getaway vacations. (Imagine signing up for a tennis trip and taking a lesson with Roger Federer—it’s basically the pickleball equivalent.) Johns has teamed up with fellow pro Dekel Bar to form Pickleball Getaways, offering programs at luxury resorts in Antigua, Turks and Caicos, Costa Rica and the Mayan Riviera in Mexico. Daily clinics and open play are included, so while you’re not lounging by the pool, swimming in the ocean or seeing the sights (ruins in Tulum anyone?), you’ll be working on dinks, drives and drops. Sounds like a dream. Important note: Pickleball trips are gaining in popularity and selling out fast. It pays to plan well ahead.
Pickleball in Paradise is another popular travel planner offering pickleball tours to the Caribbean (Turks and Caicos, Jamaica, Bahamas, Curacao). Teaching pros with this organization include members of the Pickleball Hall of Fame (yes, there is one). Pro Kyle Yates, for example, has won over 20 major pickleball titles--safe to say he has a few pointers to share. Clinic Trips feature two hours of instruction each day and additional open play time. Teams or clubs looking to plan private excursions can also work with Pickleball in Paradise to customize itineraries and destinations.
Pickleball in the Sun says it’s all about promoting the luxurious pickleball lifestyle and “connecting pickleball fanatics with the greatest pickleball experiences and destinations around the world.” OK, you have our attention! Looks like they’ve done the legwork and scouted out a variety of great spots to play pickleball in areas such as Mexico, California, the Caribbean, Virginia and Arizona. We’re particularly interested in the Sip, Rally and Repeat with Veuve Clicquot Experience at the Carneros Resort and Spa in Napa, offering champagne bottle service and complimentary pickleball clinics. Ooh la la!
If cooler climates are more your speed, consider booking a trip with Evyssa Vacations. This adventure travel provider organizes a variety of getaways including a Pickleball Vikings tour in Iceland. Start the day playing pickleball, then set out to see whales, puffins, geysers and waterfalls, followed perhaps by a soak in nature’s hot tub --the famous Blue Lagoon filled with geothermal hot seawater. Celebrate on-court victories with dinner in a Viking Restaurant. Other Evyssa destinations: Pickleball Spartans in Greece and Pickleball Gladiators in Italy. Check the company website for info on scheduling.
How about a pickleball and alpine skiing combo tour? Pickleball Italy Trips offers just such an excursion with lodgings at the base of Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in the Alps. Even non-skiers will enjoy the breath-taking setting. Travelers stay at a hotel in the beautiful Italian village of Courmayeur and play pickleball surrounded by majestic mountains. Unwind in a local spa, enjoy traditional Alpine fare, explore the lovely town and improve your game with skilled pros. Pickleball in Italy also puts together trips to Sicily, Piemonte and Puglia. Travelers can opt for open play or more intensive sessions with high-level coaches.
Pickleball Travel arranges several pickleball vacations to cities in Italy including Rome and Venice, as well as destinations in Spain and Iceland (also Mexico, the Caribbean). These excursions feature a blend of excellent instruction (Professional Pickleball Association pros are on staff), sight-seeing, delicious food and wine and bonding with fellow picklers. Well versed in pickleball locales the world over, Pickleball Travel can also customize dream pickleball vacays for groups, families and individuals.
Whether you’re a seasoned player or new to the sport, pickleball vacations are a unique way to combine adventure, relaxation, and skill-building. From turquoise beaches to alpine vistas, these trips offer scenic views and a chance to bond with fellow enthusiasts. As these trips gain popularity, they’re filling up fast—so start planning your next pickleball adventure and get ready to dink and explore the world with paddle in hand.
