In November 2025, a select few guests made their way to Amanyara in the Turks and Caicos for a three-day retreat with Novak Djokovic (yes, the one and only). On the agenda were career-defining mobility and recovery techniques implemented by the legend himself, taught in his presence. At the Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach in Florida, the seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams coached participants of an exclusive doubles tennis tournament organised in partnership with Giorgio Armani. Meanwhile, in the Maldives, ace footballer Fara Williams—only the most capped player in England’s history, who has represented Liverpool and Arsenal—hosted a family football workshop at Joali Being.
Make no mistake: this is not a quick meet-and-greet. Nor is it a paid selfie opportunity. Driven by wellness and aimed at sport enthusiasts, these curated programmes prioritise healing and allow guests to learn from the best. At these properties you do not just bump into an A-list sports star; you’re intentionally signing up (at a good price, of course) for the opportunity to learn from them.
After the grocery-led shelf discovery, concert hopping across borders, and astrocruising to celestial tunes, thematic luxury travel has entered a new realm: athlete-led travel. Possibly the quiet luxury of the hospitality world, it’s known to a few and accessible to even fewer.
At the mobility and recovery programme at the aforementioned Amanyara, over three days guests interacted with Djokovic and members of his personal tennis team, who shared proven methods to enhance flexibility, agility, and functional movement. The wellness menu included dynamic on-court sessions with breathwork, movement, strength and conditioning, alongside personalised stretching and recovery sessions. All this, against the backdrop of Amanyara’s tropical 18,000-acre nature reserve.
During downtime, you can live the island life—diving and snorkelling, and hiking through the surrounding natural landscapes. Of course, you need to keep your eyes peeled on the Aman website for dibs on the first serve.
Fashion wants in too
Luxury fashion houses have already made themselves at home in hospitality—think Bvlgari Resort Bali, The Karl Lagerfeld Macau, and Fendi Private Suites. Now, they’re tapping into athlete-led tourism as well.
One example is ‘Road to the Giorgio Armani Tennis Classic’, an exclusive luxury doubles tournament created by Giorgio Armani with Four Seasons. So, there’s sport, travel, and high fashion rolled into a single experience.
Last year, the athlete line-up included names like Venus Williams, who mentored players at Palm Beach, while 22-time singles title holder Juan Martín del Potro coached in the Bahamas. In France, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga brought his sporting genius as an 18-time singles title holder, while Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanišević coached participants at an 18th-century manor estate among rolling hills in England.
The experience culminated in the semi-final and final matches of The Giorgio Armani Tennis Classic, which typically takes place annually at the highly exclusive Hurlingham Club in London. (The club has a membership waitlist of around 25 years.) This year’s tournament is scheduled for June 23 to 27, though the sports stars training are TBD.
It takes a (mini sports) village
It’s not just the grownups that these experiences are tailored for. For travelling families looking to engage their kids and teens, there’s always the pastoral environs of Sardinia at Forte Village, a resort synonymous with sports tourism.
At their Real Madrid Foundation Clinic, you can train under UEFA-licensed coaches for €225 for one day and €495 for five days. You will learn technical skills, tactical awareness, and the values of teamwork, and, if you’re lucky, you may just bump into legends like Iker Casillas, Álvaro Arbeloa, or Santiago Solari. How many skills you’re picking up over the course of five days is debatable, but what you’re definitely bringing back home is an official personalised Real Madrid kit, complete with your name and number, and some branded gear. This year, the Real Madrid Foundation Clinic at the property is open for registrations from May 25 to September 11. So, consider this your chance.
There’s also fencing, basketball, boxing, climbing, swimming, sailing, go-karting, chess, and more, all led by top Olympians and celebrity coaches. For instance, Italy’s six-time Olympic gold medallist Valentina Vezzali leads the fencing academy (and yes, it’s open to children too). This year, Vezzali will be present at Forte Village from May 25 to 30. The property’s website regularly updates the calendar for interested guests.
Meanwhile, at Tuscany’s La Roqqa you can have your Julia Roberts moment from Eat, Pray, Love but amid the bucolic countryside expanse of Argentario and southern Tuscany—Porto Ercole, Porto Santo Stefano, and the Orbetello Lagoon. Discover coastal roads, pine forests, historic forts, and scenic nature reserves along the way with Massimiliano ‘Max’ Lelli, one of Italy’s most accomplished professional cyclists, with a 17-year professional career including 14 Tour de France appearances and multiple Giro d’Italia stage victories.
Lelli, who has grown up in Manciano just a short distance from Argentario, not only shows you the routes but also regales you with stories of the region. “I remember guiding a couple who were initially nervous about taking on the climbs around Argentario, but by the end of the ride they felt incredibly accomplished and completely immersed in the landscape,” Lelli recalls. “For me, this region is a cyclist’s paradise, where every road, climb, and hidden trail tells a story and promises a new adventure."
Packages vary with schedules and routes—entirely customisable—starting from €150 per day for mechanical assistance and support vehicle service provided by the cyclist.
