Tennis Tourist's 10 Favorite Tennis Destination Videos of 2013-Beacon Hill Park Victoria BC Canada

Victoria, British Columbia, Canada



     

Beacon Hill Park  

Tennis at Beacon Hill Park



They call themselves the 'Tennis Warriors', and they hone their court skills outdoors 365 days a year.  You can drop in for free at Victoria's Beacon Hill Park and challenge these warriors, or you can become one of them.  The Tennis Tourist checked out Beacon Hill Park on New Year's day and found himself a rallying partner.

Beacon Hill Park

The park is in Victoria's historic James Bay neighborhood.  Beacon Hill sits right at Mile Zero of the legendary Trans-Canada highway.  It is Victoria's main urban green space with over 190 acres(75 hectares) of park.  Located next to Victoria's southern shore, it includes numerous playing fields, beautiful manicured gardens, exotic species of plants and animals such as wild peacocks.  There is a petting zoo for the kids.  The views of the Straight of Juan de Fuca and the Olympic mountain range are spectacular.  The sport of cricket has been played in Beacon Hill Park since the mid-nineteenth century.  During the summer there are outdoor concerts and festivals.  The park is surrounded by lovely old homes and you can take a horse and white carriage ride throught the park and the surrounding neighborhoods.







Where We Stayed

The Empress Hotel

This grand old hotel majestically overlooks Victoria's scenic inner harbor.  It's a treat to stay in the old rooms of this stately building which was built in 1908 and has been one of Canada's favorite destinations for well over a century.

The pool stays open late, and is lots of fun after a day of tennis and sightseeing.  Having a fancy cocktail at the Bengal lounge in the hotel, and rubbing elbows with those who want to see and be seen is a Victoria tradition that's great fun.  The curry buffet in the lounge is pricey but highly recommended. 

The Empress Hotel
Toll Free: 1 866 540 4429
721 Government Street
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

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Tennis Tourist's 10 Favorite Tennis Destination Videos 2013-Koh Samui Thailand

Koh Samui Thailand

Koh Samui Video

Koh Samui Tennis Club

If there was tennis in heaven, it might look like this.  Koh Samui tennis club is beautifully maintained and offers everything the tennis traveler could want including hitting partners and coaching.  The two courts are plexi-paved, the same surface used at the Australian Open.  The surroundings are lush and tropical, and the clubhouse serves up both tennis gear and cold Chang Beer.  The courts are lit for night play.

I played with a hitting partner 'Chan' and this guy definitely made me run.   Other players we ran into here were from Russia and Poland.

Koh Samui Tennis Club

77/1 Soi Sumkorkawe, Bangrak
Koh Samui, Suratthani, Thailand 84320

Ph : 08 352 91214
Email : info@samuitennis.com

Koh Samui Tennis Club
What To Do After Tennis

An Thong Marine National Park

We spent the day on a boat touring Ang Thong National Marine Park by boat.  These 42 islands shouldn't be missed.  The mountains on these white sand-rimmed islands rise graciously from the green water of the Gulf of Thailand with such beauty that you just can't stop snapping pictures.   Tour boats will take you kayaking, hiking the mountain trails and snorkeling where you'll find all kinds of sea life.

Where we stayed

Matlang Resort

We stayed at an older cottage resort called the Matlang.  It's  beachfront  with no frills but tons of character.  Our cottage was spacious and clean and the ocean was just steps away.  The beachfront massage at our resort attracted people from all over.  The food was good and very reasonable traditional Thai which is getting harder and harder to find in the busy town of Chaweng just up the road.   The resort was run by a very friendly group of Thai folks who couldn't have been more helpful. 

Matlang Resort

MATLANG 154/1 M.2 CHAWENG BEACH,BOPHUT,KOH SAMUI,SURATTANI ,84320,
matlangresort.com

Day 12-The 12 Days of Tennis Gift Ideas from the Tennis Tourist

The holidays can be the time of year to light up a tennis player's heart by giving things that reflect his or her passion for the fuzzy green ball.  This holiday season the Tennis Tourist will share some of the things on his list that he thinks the tennis player in your life might like as well.  Join us for the 12 Days of Christmas Gifts as we start small and work our way up to the things that might put a smile on the face of even the most discerning of ralliers. 

Day 12-Look Like Your Favorite Superstar on the Court!

We've all noticed them, the head-turning outfits that the big pros sport on the court.  Their sponsors are more than happy to sell the same to you so you can look as good as your favorite star player when you step onto the court.

Ana Ivanovic's US Open Outfit-she played great tennis, making to the round of 16, but she  was definitely #1 when it came to her on-court style. This outfit can boost your style score when you battle for your  tennis victories.

Roger Federer's World Tour Finals and Paris Masters Outfit-no one will argue that he is a class act.. and that goes for his on court fashion sense as well.  Can you wear it as well as Roger?  He's a tough act to follow.

Stocking Stuffers-Tennis Cookies-Whip up a batch of these and you will be a big winner!!

Day 11-The 12 Days of Tennis Gifts by the Tennis Tourist

The holidays can be the time of year to light up a tennis player's heart by giving things that reflect his or her passion for the fuzzy green ball.  This holiday season the Tennis Tourist will share some of the things on his list that he thinks the tennis player in your life might like as well.  Join us for the 12 Days of Christmas Gifts as we start small and work our way up to the things that might put a smile on the face of even the most discerning of ralliers. 

Day 11-Babolat Play Pure Drive

'The Connected Racquet'

Sensors integrated into the handle of this racquet allow players to have access to information about their game. Data like shot power,sweet spot, number of strokes, total and effective play time, endurance, technique, consistency, energy and rallies is transmitted to a computer, and viewable on any type of device. It can be shared with the Babolat Play community.

Stocking Stuffer-Slam Glam Seat Armor-Tennis Car Seat Towels

It speaks for itself!

Quirky Gifts-Tennis Art!

Day 10-The Tennis Tourist's 12 Days of Gift Ideas

The holidays can be the time of year to light up a tennis player's heart by giving things that reflect his or her passion for the fuzzy green ball.  This holiday season the Tennis Tourist will share some of the things on his list that he thinks the tennis player in your life might like as well.  Join us for the 12 Days of Christmas Gifts as we start small and work our way up to the things that might put a smile on the face of even the most discerning of ralliers. 

Day 10-LED ARENA 230 FLOODLIGHT 

Darkness doesn't have to be a reason to stop playing tennis.  This LED Floodlight means you can light up the court anytime, anywhere.

Stocking Stuffer-TENNIS WINE GLASSES 

For after the game or to serve your tennis friends.

Quirky Gifts-DUCK RACQUET HEAD COVER

Yikes!