What We Look for in a Pickleball Resort (and How We Play on the Road)
We’re heading to Europe this week — paddles packed, playlists loaded, and curiosity high. While we’ll be eating croissants and gelato while soaking in the sights, we’re also on a mission: to scout out future pickleball retreat locations in Portugal, France, and Italy.
So what do we look for when dreaming up the perfect pickleball getaway? And how do we keep playing (and packing light) on the road? Read on...
🇵🇹 First Stop: Portugal
We’re starting in Portugal for my aunt’s wedding — at a beautiful venue (check it out here) that just so happens to have private pickleball courts (yes, I squealed). It’s absolutely stunning, but also on the higher end price-wise, so we’ll be looking at whether it fits our retreat goals without breaking the bank for our players.
🇫🇷 France: Court Talk in the Countryside
Next up: Houdan, a quaint town outside of Paris, where we’ll be meeting with our friend Cyril, who runs a local club (Essarts). We’ll be chatting about what a future retreat could look like in this charming French village — and playing a few games, of course.
🇮🇹 Choosing Italy: Florence Over Rome
We went back and forth (and back again) between Rome and Florence for our Italian leg. In the end, Florence won us over — not just for the art and food, but because we found some great local pickleball clubs nearby. Plus, we both just love a walkable, artsy city with character.
🎾 What We Look For in a Pickleball Resort
Here’s what we’re scouting on this trip:
✨ Scenic, quality courts (bonus for great community vibes)
🧺 Walkability to food, culture, and places to chill post-play
🏡 Hospitality that feels personal and relaxed — think boutique, not corporate
👥 Spaces for connection — where people can unwind, hang out, and bond
The retreat experience should feel easy — you show up, and we take care of the rest.
🎒 Packing Light for Pickleball
Yes, we’re doing 3 weeks with just a carry-on each.
What’s in our bags?
Paddles + a few Franklin X-40s (you can leave them at the last spot)
Court shoes (We bring an old pair that we throw away or donate to make room for souvenirs!)
Comfy layers for sightseeing and court time (my cutest pickleball outfits!)
A resistance band + massage ball for workouts and taking out knots
One fancy outfit each (for the wedding or a nice dinner!)
And a good attitude — because that’s lighter than anything else
Bonus tip: You’re allowed a pillow so pack one with some extra clothes 😜
Dream With Us
We’ll be sharing updates along the way — from court scouting to cafe stops — you can follow our journey here!
Where would your dream pickleball retreat be?
What makes a trip unforgettable for you? Hit reply or drop a comment — and let’s dream of an adventure together.
– Amy & Damon
