Hi, flying to Milan next week and choosing whether to drive to Hyeres or Tuscany for a week. Looking for nice kiting spots that are also easy for beginners (enough space, sandy beach, consistent wind). I have looked at Hyeres, that seems to have good consistent winds but perhaps crowded. Tuscany has a wider selection of spots with wide beaches that are within a driving distance but unsure of the wind. Currently leaning towards Tuscany but ...

Are the winds reliable in July in Tuscany (have read about thermal winds that kick in in the afternoon)?
What spots would you recommend in Tuscany?

Would be great to hear from people who have visited. Packing 8m2, 11m2, 14m2 kites, so trying to maximize the riding time

Hyeres, l'Almanarre, is not beginner friendly, small beach, onshore wind when the mistral blows, water is deep.. Oh and busy..
Don't know about tuscany.

Hi Indrek, I have kited in Hyeres can get real busy, particularly at weekends. Check out the link, it is for a weather service with almost live wind.
I hope you find the wind!

http://www.winds-up.com/index.php?p=&id=&cat=&aff=

If you choose Tuscany, at least you will be able to see what you are missing in Hyeres!

WjM....

I have been to Talamone ,with breeze from north ovest usually thermal up 20 knots ,water 60 cm deep for 100 mt good for beginners.
beach not very nice ,good parking(should be 5 euro fee) .some gust
chek weather first.
if you like flat water is ok otherwise cancel it.
I am in sardinia ,it is hot in italy now, not very windy this year,we wait!!
cannot say about Hyeres
ciao

I am in Grosseto/Tuscany right now. Had a great Session today with 10m and wave board and incredible warm water and air (just shorts). Last week we had four good days, this week today and there seem to be a couple of days coming. Windfinder is only a weak indication as the wind is thermic,e.g. Windfinder predicted 10 knots, we had 20 knots. The thermal wind usually seems to work when the direction is west/north west and kicks in around 2pm. There are some places to go to in this area but you have to go to the kite zones (Marina di Grosseto, Castliogione della Pescaia). The area is much better suited for beginners than Almanarre which I know well. When the wind is there it is super steady and there are more shallow areas. When the Mistral blows in Almanarre it can get very strong and gusty plus narrow beach and fully onshore.

Hi, don't know about Tuscany but I can confirm hyeres is not beginner friendly at all. Been living here for about a month, love the place, been kiting almost every day for about 2 weeks, but the beach is very small (like 20m deep, and then fence, then cars on the road, seen an accident last week), we have some kind of a beach marshall for july & august that is yelling at us every time we get out of the 200m (approx) wide dedicated beach ... Water is quite nice with 10/15 knots, but hell by 30+ which is probably what we're about to get this week end. Well, this is my new home spot and I love it, my quiver is 6 8 9, and I like the 6 better

Janus, Wjm, romkite - thanks for the quick feedback. Hyeres seems a little too difficult.

Piccio, dirk - seems tuscany is more suitable, looked at Vada and Grosseto area. Fingers crossed for good wind next week. Packing large kites and leaving wetsuits behind, the latter is something you dont ditch easily here in northern europe

Dirk, have you also been kiting in Vada? I am looking at accommodation and if Vada is ok then staying in Pisa (close enough to drive and a larger city) but if you recommend Grosseto then will stay more in that area.

I suggest to cancel both,fly to olbia direct
ciao

Do Not know about Vada.