I expected to come home exhausted. Instead, a week at one of Europe’s best active resorts left me fitter, happier and completely hooked on trying new sports
‘What the hell are you doing out here?’ was the thought racing through my mind as I nose-dived into the Mediterranean Sea – at such a speed, I felt incredibly grateful for my impact vest.
As the instructor’s boat circled back to check I was okay, I climbed back onto my e-foil and composed myself before my next attempt. I was exhausted yet determined, my legs burning from the effort of balancing on the board as I rose from my knees and attempted to stand.
We’d already spent more than an hour out on the water paddleboarding, zipping around on sea scooters and snorkelling before it was my turn to try e-foiling – one of the newest activities at the resort.
If you’ve never heard of it, an e-foil is essentially an electric surfboard fitted with a hydrofoil beneath the water. Controlled by a handheld remote, it uses an electric motor to propel you forward. As you build speed and master the perfect weight distribution, the foil lifts the board above the surface, creating the sensation of flying silently over the sea. It sounds effortless. It isn’t.
As I worked my way through the power settings on the remote – one, two, three, four and five – the board gradually accelerated beneath me. Every slight shift in body weight affected its direction, and maintaining balance proved far harder than it looked. One moment, I was gliding across the water; the next, I was tumbling into it at speeds that felt far faster than I was comfortable with. Considering e-foils can reach speeds of over 25mph, it was an experience that certainly kept me on my toes.
With each attempt, I became increasingly aware of how even the slightest shift in body weight could affect the board. Lean too far forward, and the board dipped. Shift too much weight backwards, and it shot upwards. More than once, I found myself splashing back into the sea, wondering how the instructors made it look so effortless.
And it’s no wonder I’m exhausted. Before even making it onto the e-foil, I’d already ticked off a 5K run across just about every terrain imaginable – sand, steps, trails and one whacking great hill. I’d squeezed in a yoga class and spent time kayaking before taking on this next challenge on the water.
Luckily, I’d also fuelled up properly. Breakfast had consisted of a freshly made omelette, a cannolo (or two), and enough coffee from Giuseppe, the resort’s resident Barista, to power me through until lunch. Now, at 10.30am, here I was in the middle of the Mediterranean, playing with some of the coolest water toys around.
I tried again.
As I geared myself up for one more attempt, this time I was a little calmer, a little more relaxed. I wasn’t gripping the controller quite so tightly, and my movements felt less frantic. For a brief moment, everything clicked. I was standing, the board lifted, it glided effortlessly across the water, and suddenly I was floating seamlessly above the sea.
As I finally lost my balance and splashed back into the sea, I was met with cheers and applause all round. Happy, yet relieved it was over, I had to admit I really enjoyed the experience. Learning a new skill on the water isn’t exactly fun at first, but then again, pushing yourself out of your comfort zone rarely is.
When our instructor asked if I was done, I very quickly nodded. After all, I had a padel coaching session to get to with Mark Petchey, a former top 100 ATP tennis player who’s coached the likes of Andy Murray and Emma Raducanu, followed by an e-bike ride into the nearby town of Sciacca. But first, lunch – and perhaps a quick half an hour by the pool.
All I can say is this: welcome to a Neilson holiday, where relaxation and activity somehow coexist.
The Neilson Lowdown
I’ll admit, I didn’t know much about Neilson holidays before my trip. Having been around for more than 45 years, its website describes itself as ‘the home of good energy – a unique blend of freedom, encouragement and fun that brings people together and turns great holidays into unforgettable ones.’ And bring people together it does.
From the moment you arrive, there’s a buzz about the place. The staff are incredibly knowledgeable, passionate about coaching and genuinely enthusiastic about helping guests get the most from their holiday. Everywhere you look, people are on the move – heading out on bike rides, returning from the tennis courts or taking part in the Workout of the Day on the shaded fitness deck overlooking the sea.
Take our first day, for instance.
We arrive after a very early start and, following a guided tour of the hotel, a Mediterranean buffet lunch and a stroll up to the courts, we’re overtaken by runners, walkers and cyclists heading off to explore the scenic trails surrounding Sciacca.
As we approach the racket sports hub, a tennis session is already in full swing. Nearby, padel matches are underway, while another group is giving pickleball a go. With six tennis courts, two floodlit padel courts and six pickleball courts, there’s plenty of space to play – and everyone seems to be having a great time while making new friends along the way. Think competitive spirit mixed with friendly holiday banter.
Before long, we find ourselves caught up in the atmosphere, too. We join the resort’s ‘Booze and Balls’ session – a fun ice-breaker and light-hearted twist on tennis. The concept is simple: drink in your left hand (or a soft drink if you prefer), racket in your right. Let the games commence.
Miss the ball or make a wrong move, and you take a swig. Several rounds later, a conga around the courts has somehow materialised and, perhaps unsurprisingly, new friendships have already been formed. There are plenty of laughs and, suddenly, you’re on first-name terms with people you’ll continue bumping into around the resort all week. It’s the perfect introduction to the Neilson experience: a relaxed, sociable environment where like-minded people quickly become familiar faces around the pool, on the courts or during your next pickleball session.
As we wander back towards the main hub of the hotel, some guests are taking part in open-water swimming lessons while others are attempting SUP yoga – yoga performed on a paddleboard, which looks far harder than it sounds.
The resort buzzes with activity. But here’s the thing: while you can happily spend your days relaxing on the adults-only beach, unwinding in the spa or topping up your tan by the pool, the activities are surprisingly infectious. You can’t help but want to join in, which says a lot considering I’m usually one of those people who’s perfectly happy to spend an entire holiday lazing around and calling it recovery.
A 5km morning run followed by a sound bath? Count me in.
A late-afternoon strength and conditioning class? I’ve booked for tomorrow.
Catamaran sailing to cool off? Absolutely.
I even found myself signing up for a super-drills tennis session, where I hit more than 300 balls in just 60 minutes. I arrived convinced I was rubbish at tennis. By the end of the week, I had to admit I was actually pretty decent – and, more surprisingly, desperate to play more. Who am I?
The Great Refuel
Of course, all that activity requires some serious refuelling -and Neilson seems to
have mastered the art of a good buffet. During our stay, every meal we enjoyed – breakfast, lunch and dinner (although only breakfast and dinner are included in the package) – was fresh and varied.
Although the buffet changed daily, the quality never wavered. One day it might be a selection of freshly made pasta dishes; the next, grilled sea bass, tuna or cod served alongside colourful Mediterranean salads, grilled vegetables and healthy grains like quinoa or rice. There were also plenty of protein-packed options on offer at the Lime Pool Bar, including chicken salads, wraps, burgers and other hearty dishes designed to refuel active guests.
Beyond the main restaurant, guests can dine at several speciality venues. We enjoyed a wood-fired pizza at Al Grano and spent a memorable evening at Donna Floriana, the resort’s Sicilian bistro, where we tucked into traditional Sicilian appetisers including polpettine di carne (meatballs), polpette di sarde (sardines rolled into balls with pine nuts and pecorino cheese) and panelle – crispy chickpea flour fritters – before moving on to a perfectly cooked steak and finishing with a generous helping of tiramisu.
Needless to say, any calories burned on the tennis court were quickly replaced – leaving us fully fuelled for whatever activity was waiting for us (and personally chosen and booked) on the Neilson app.
Good energy
It’s also worth talking about the atmosphere at the resort. I’ve rarely encountered such a welcoming vibe. Here, guests greet each other with warmth, and staff members ask how your day is going while somehow remembering your name. It’s a refreshing change that makes a world of difference.
Whether around the pool, at dinner or in the evening, everyone seemed relaxed and happy to be there. Maybe it was the warm Sicilian sunshine, perhaps the endorphins from the exercise, or simply the sense of calm that comes from a daily yoga class, sound bath or visit to the spa, which features two serene indoor pools, a sauna, Turkish bath, outdoor Jacuzzi and, for the brave – (and recovery) – an ice bath.
Whatever the reason, I’ve never felt so at ease or so enthusiastic to throw myself into whatever sport came my way while aon holiday – no matter how new it was, or how bad I thought I might be at it.
That’s the essence of a Neilson holiday – no pressure, no expectations, just the opportunity to try something new and improve a sport you already love.
Despite my packed days, I returned home feeling energised, inspired and determined to continue my newfound love of tennis and padel – and I’m still telling anyone who will listen about my e-foil experience and lessons with Mark Petchey.
I threw myself in at the deep end with e-foiling, sea scootering and making friends on the tennis courts, and I’m already looking forward to doing it all again. Perhaps I’ll choose Turkey next – or maybe even Mauritius? With 10 beach clubs to choose from, this feels less like the end of a holiday and more like the start of a new obsession.
• A seven-night stay at Neilson’s Mangia’s Torre del Barone resort in Sciacca, Sicily, starts from £1484 per person, based on two adults sharing a deluxe room with sea view departing from Luton airport on 17 October 2026.
The holiday includes return flights, airport transfers, activities and activity tuition, plus breakfast and dinner.
Departures are available from airports across the UK, including London, Scotland, the Midlands and Bristol.
