Tennis anyone? | Group Tour Magazine Blog
Tennis anyone? | Group Tour Magazine Blog
THURSDAY, JULY 19, 2012
| Photo: Wimbledon Championships The grounds of Wimbledon are open to tours year-round and include a visit to the museum. | |
Tennis anyone?
By Amanda Black
Wimbledon closed with a bang this year: Serena Williams proved her strength and won her fifth title while Roger Federer smashed records on the way to a Grand Slam title.
The same grass courts of Wimbledon will host theOlympic tennis events, beginning July 28. Both Williams and Federer will be playing in the games, and I’m sure I’ll be watching. I don’t follow tennis all the time, but it’s always enjoyable when I do. The big events are worth watching, and few events are bigger than the Olympics.
Curiously enough, odds makers have Williams as their favorite, but they chose Novak Djokovic to win the gold over Federer. Djokovic lost to the eventual Wimbledon winner in the semi-finals. Part of the excitement of the Olympics is seeing how it all unfolds. Will it be the odds-on favorite or will someone come out of nowhere and be a hero?
Odds are in the favor of groups when they decide to add a little tennis action to their tours. Sure, you’re not going to be playing at a pro level, but it doesn’t take a lot of skill or equipment to get started. Many hotels have tennis courts ready and available for guests, and municipal tennis courts often can be reserved for one-time use.
As groups are getting a little younger and a little more active, now is the perfect time to add a little tennis to the itinerary. Even a group full of couch potatoes can add some tennis-themed fun to their tours by watching tournaments and visiting tennis museums.
Wimbledon closed with a bang this year: Serena Williams proved her strength and won her fifth title while Roger Federer smashed records on the way to a Grand Slam title.
The same grass courts of Wimbledon will host theOlympic tennis events, beginning July 28. Both Williams and Federer will be playing in the games, and I’m sure I’ll be watching. I don’t follow tennis all the time, but it’s always enjoyable when I do. The big events are worth watching, and few events are bigger than the Olympics.
Curiously enough, odds makers have Williams as their favorite, but they chose Novak Djokovic to win the gold over Federer. Djokovic lost to the eventual Wimbledon winner in the semi-finals. Part of the excitement of the Olympics is seeing how it all unfolds. Will it be the odds-on favorite or will someone come out of nowhere and be a hero?
Odds are in the favor of groups when they decide to add a little tennis action to their tours. Sure, you’re not going to be playing at a pro level, but it doesn’t take a lot of skill or equipment to get started. Many hotels have tennis courts ready and available for guests, and municipal tennis courts often can be reserved for one-time use.
As groups are getting a little younger and a little more active, now is the perfect time to add a little tennis to the itinerary. Even a group full of couch potatoes can add some tennis-themed fun to their tours by watching tournaments and visiting tennis museums.
| Photo: Wimbledon Championships Even in the off season, Wimbledon is an option for group tours. | ||
The U.S. Open is the next major event after the Olympics — the game’s top players are slated to play in the tournament that unfolds Aug. 27 to Sept. 9. Arthur Ashe Stadium, in Flushing Meadows, N.Y., offers discounts for group tickets along with a dedicated group sales representative and no per-ticket service charges. The finals are sold out, but tickets are still available for the rest of the tournament.
Beyond the action on the courts, fans enjoy interactive games, fine dining choices, a walk along the Court of Champions and visiting the International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum Gallery at the U.S. Open.
The museum’s permanent home is in Newport, R.I., and welcomes tours year-round. The six-acre site, once the Newport Casino, is home to 18 galleries, 13 grass courts and a court tennis facility along with some amazing Newport architecture. For a small additional fee, visitors can add on an audio tour to hear the stories of tennis, the site’s history and the game’s legends. Tour planners also can add tea service or lunch at the next-door LaGorge Casino Restaurant.
After the Olympics, the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum will once again offer behind-the-scenes tours and access to its exhibits.
Who’s your favorite to win Olympic gold?
After watching this video, you'll probably think the odds makers have it wrong.
Amanda Black has spent the last 10 years with Group Tour Magazine uncovering the best attractions and tours for groups. She lives in Holland, Mich., with a lovely view of a meadow and duck pond. Amanda is big fan of fresh food and TV dramas as well as all things cute.
Beyond the action on the courts, fans enjoy interactive games, fine dining choices, a walk along the Court of Champions and visiting the International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum Gallery at the U.S. Open.
The museum’s permanent home is in Newport, R.I., and welcomes tours year-round. The six-acre site, once the Newport Casino, is home to 18 galleries, 13 grass courts and a court tennis facility along with some amazing Newport architecture. For a small additional fee, visitors can add on an audio tour to hear the stories of tennis, the site’s history and the game’s legends. Tour planners also can add tea service or lunch at the next-door LaGorge Casino Restaurant.
After the Olympics, the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum will once again offer behind-the-scenes tours and access to its exhibits.
Who’s your favorite to win Olympic gold?
After watching this video, you'll probably think the odds makers have it wrong.
Amanda Black has spent the last 10 years with Group Tour Magazine uncovering the best attractions and tours for groups. She lives in Holland, Mich., with a lovely view of a meadow and duck pond. Amanda is big fan of fresh food and TV dramas as well as all things cute.
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