21 posts
Will be spending some time in Italy, Coatia, France and Spain in June to Nov this year and wondering if anyone has any info on kiting these locations. (yes - I have looked on kitebeaches but could only get basic info from there).
Info relating to any of the Italian Lakes (ie : Lake Como etc), Dalmation Coast and Islands (Croatia) and Spain would be great.
Also is it worth taking our own gear (ie: small boards and 10m/12m kites) or would these not suit the usual European conditions.
VIC
10 posts
I've heard tarifa, in spain. is the world best spot, blow'n its ass off nearly all year round. if you can get your hands on issue 18 off kiteworld mag. it's got a hole section on the place, I havn't been but I'm planing to, looks like my kind of place
WA
247 posts
Tina,was in tarifa 2003 for a while.pretty cool and relaxing town,Heaps of kite shops.you will find it a bit heavy crowd wise,it seems its the main kiting destination for europeans and gets really really crowded.There is other places around the same area to kite,just need to quiz a couple of locals or other aussies may be able to help.when travelling through italy i noticed kitesurfers also,and im sure southern france would be good.
Forgot to mention,(not trying to put you off spain cause i loved it)spain was the only place i came across bed bugs,the hotel looked pretty clean,and i payed extra for my own room,but i copped the bugs!Nasty little bastards.itchy for weeks
another good kiting destination is the greek island paros but is seasonal. www.paroskite.gr
take your own gear because renting is really pricy
WA
155 posts
I spent three years working in europe driving a tour bus there are some great locations if you have the time and your own set of wheels would make things easier. public transport with your gear is a pain in the ass. there is a spot that I used to drive past all the time and seen kites and windsurfers on super flat water its called perpignan its very close to that town anyway, its along the A9 about 20 minutes before you cross the border from france into spain, all along that stretch of coast you get thermal winds from the pirinees.
I myself kited in barcelona on a beach near castelldefells but the wind wasnt very strong the times that I was there but they tell me it does get better, I was only ever ther for two days at a time so it was hit and miss, also kited on a beach south of nice just near antibes can get quiet windy there in summer and the beach is less crowded on week days with lots of wind gets pretty choppy with no swell though, not the best location, I can vouch for paros in greece awesome spot flat water, you can get cheap flights with easyjet to athens and catch a ferry to paros dont book accomadation you can bargain for it when you get off the ferry heaps cheaper. greece is probably one of the cheapest tourist destination in europe that you can kite, all the islands bar mykonos are fairly cheap. they all get a good arvo sea breeze. I also kited on a beach close to venice called lido and alberoni again not the best or the cleanest water but I had to take whatever I could get because I was on an itinerary.
about the bed bugs thing they are everywhere in europe not just spain especially towards the end of summer. its all part of travelling though.
THE BEST THING IN MY OPINION is to try and do a search for kite shops in the areas where you want to go and either call them or email them and ask there advice as they live there and will be able to give you the best advice.
hope this helps happy travels it will be the expirience of a life time best thing I ever did.
