A ‘Retreat with Tennis’ in Tuscany

Bagni di Lucca’s Tennis and Padel Club re-opened at the start of May 2024, after a thorough re-vamp – its three clay tennis courts are supplemented by a padel court (padel is the new ‘big thing’ that is apparently simpler to pick up and play then tennis) – two of the tennis courts are covered to allow all-weather/indoor playing from Autumn to Spring. The club boasts a great-looking and licensed clubhouse too! While Adrian is possibly more excited than Tiziana at this development, both believe that the club’s reopening adds a new inducement to draw guests to Bagni di Lucca – and maybe to Casale di Clio.

If you are considering coming on the usual Creative or Reflective Getaway at Casale di Clio, and are also a tennis player, then you might want to think about fitting in one or more sessions down at the Tennis Club during your stay – either receiving some coaching or enjoying a game; in this proposition, court-time serves as an alternative option to local hiking, swimming etc. for those retreat guests who like to keep physically active between focused stints on their creative projects.

A ‘Creative/Reflective Getaway’ in Tuscany – with added Tennis

As part of our ‘Retreat with a Treat’ proposition, why not consider coming to stay in Tuscany to focus on some writing, drawing/painting, other creative/reflective endeavours, or to study – while setting aside some time for playing tennis?! (other ‘Treats’ to fit in with a stay here might include a performance of your favourite musician/band at Lucca’s Summer Festival). Perhaps you are a keen player, maybe a member of a tennis club at home, or perhaps just an occasional player. Maybe you would just like to try and arrange a social game or two while here – or maybe you would like to spend focused time with a tennis coach over a number of days, so as to take your game to the next level. Whatever your level of interest and ability, the club can meet your needs. There is a WhatsApp group for arranging matches with club members – Adrian is a member, and might step in to play if required. Between court-time, though, you have the facilities of Casale di Clio at your disposal, allowing you to focus on your creative project(s): the library, with all of its creative resources; the various study/relaxation spots, including outdoor areas – and, of course, the lovely surrounding countryside that can provide both exercise and inspiration.

Court Fees and Lesson Prices

The table below sets out full details of court fees (singles/doubles; members/non-members; with/without court lights; with/without lesson). Here are the essentials for non-members (though if you’d like to explore the tables more fully via some Italian translations, see below):

• Court Hire: singles €22/hour; doubles €28/hour;
• Court Hire + Lesson (see below for lesson packages): €40/1 hour; €55/90 minutes (prices for one person attending – 2 or 3 may attend the lesson for a premium);
• Court Lights: extra €4/5/6/hour (singles/lessons/doubles).

There is a lot of information set out in the table, and to understand it you’ll need a few Italian words – see below (some are quite obvious!); if you get stuck we can assist with bookings.

• Soci/non soci: members/non members
• Campo; court
• Lezione: lesson
• Senza/con illuminazione: without/with lighting
• Singolo/dopio: singles/doubles
• 1 ora/1 ora e mezza: 1 hour/1 and a half hours

Lesson Packages

For those wanting a package of lessons, there are packages of 5, 10 or 15 lessons available – with different prices for 1, 2, or 3 people attending the lesson at the same time (we believe these lessons are not transferable – i.e. you cannot buy a package of 15 one-person lessons to be divided so that 3 different people have 5 lessons each):

• 5 lesson package:
  • 1 person: €160
  • 2 persons: €230
  • 3 persons: €270
• 10 lesson package:
  • 1 person: €315
  • 2 persons: €450
  • 3 persons: €540
• 15 lesson package:
  • 1 person: €455
  • 2 persons: €670
  • 3 persons: €675

These prices are for club members (tariffe riservate ai soci); membership is 40 Euros for a year, but we have been told that there will be shorter duration memberships for tourists/visitors, at an appropriately cheaper price.

Again, you’ll need a few more Italian words if you want to dive into the table yourself to understand the pricing:

• Pacchetti lezioni: package of lessons

Post-Tennis Relaxation

After an hour of two of tennis (or three, four or more days!) there are likely to be some tired bodies in need of relaxation and recuperation. Bagni di Lucca offers the ideal range of facilities, including:

Thermal Bath/Spa

Swimming

Whether you are into river swimming or fancy enjoying the facilities offered by a swimming pool complex, both options are available locally in the Summer; what better way to cool off after a game of tennis than dipping into the clear waters of the river Lima or heading to the Bagni di Lucca public pool?!

Yoga

If yoga is your thing, the nearby Canyon Park offers weekend yoga classes from April to September, with daily classes for the first three weeks of August; there is the option of yoga in the forest or yoga on the water – massage is also available. The same venue offers some more stimulating outdoor activities – such as zip-lines and high-wires.

Alternative outdoor exercise is offered by Val di Lima Off-Road – including mountain biking with e-bikes – they are not far from Casale di Clio.