My other half and I have some time booked in Europe during August, the plan is to spend 2 weeks windsurfing and visiting archaeological sites (we both windsurf and like archaeology, weird, huh..). We spent 8 days at Vass two Julys ago and I absolutely loved it, though my intermediate-level other half was a bit bored most of the time and not confident when the wind really started blowing. My concern with visiting Vass again, is that we've already been there - and - I think the good wind is not always guaranteed. So...
Naxos looks promising from a windsurfing perspective, suitable for intermediates, interesting island too, with lots of archaeology.
Karpathos, absolutely looks amazing from a windsurfing perspective, but a bit lairy for intermediates, although there seems to be a bit more to explore on the island than there was on Lefkada, but it's not more than just beaches.
Am I missing something? Other options..? Rhodes? Crete? Hmmmm.. thoughts please!
If it doesn't have to be an island... I spent two weeks in Artemida. Athens is very easy to reach by car or underground and offers an incredible mix of modern and ancient culture.
There are excellent spots for every wind direction; Nissakia has the best wind, and Anavissos when the wind is westerly.
I spent 3 years on Crete (teaching windsurfing and waterskiing inm the seumemr from about end-March to October) from '89 to '91 (yeah it's been a while) there's a few good spots to windsurf (near the Airport was one, South side tends to be flat water and very very hot wind from Africa) and Knossos (near Heraklion) is a great archaeology site to visit. Chania and Rethymnon are also nice arch cities, plus there's the war cemetery where quite a few Kiwi soldiers are buried. Paros is supposed to be good too.
Pretty busy in August IIRC and I am not sure what rentals are like these days. Maybe 8-12 years ago we went to Naxos for 3 or 4 years in a row, which has a lagoon area that is good for intermediates (we had the kids in there learning) and outside the reef is quite nice if you're more advanced. The thing is the wind in Greece is a wee bit fickle, when its good it's OK, we had 1 year when it was dead the whole 2 weeks. Naxos has a beautiful old town, lots of narrow alleyway and the like. Rhodos is way out to the east, again, can be very strong and gusty. If you're going that far east, quite a few folks like Turkey, similar conditions, probably equivalent to Greece.
I spent 3 years on Crete (teaching windsurfing and waterskiing inm the seumemr from about end-March to October) from '89 to '91 (yeah it's been a while) there's a few good spots to windsurf (near the Airport was one, South side tends to be flat water and very very hot wind from Africa) and Knossos (near Heraklion) is a great archaeology site to visit. Chania and Rethymnon are also nice arch cities, plus there's the war cemetery where quite a few Kiwi soldiers are buried. Paros is supposed to be good too.
Pretty busy in August IIRC and I am not sure what rentals are like these days. Maybe 8-12 years ago we went to Naxos for 3 or 4 years in a row, which has a lagoon area that is good for intermediates (we had the kids in there learning) and outside the reef is quite nice if you're more advanced. The thing is the wind in Greece is a wee bit fickle, when its good it's OK, we had 1 year when it was dead the whole 2 weeks. Naxos has a beautiful old town, lots of narrow alleyway and the like. Rhodos is way out to the east, again, can be very strong and gusty. If you're going that far east, quite a few folks like Turkey, similar conditions, probably equivalent to Greece.
Thanks both! Looks like wherever I choose has some compromises. Rhodes/ Prasonisi looks like the best bet so far. Top notch windsurfing venue with really good gear, and a fair bit of history on the island. Downside - will probably be completely stuffed with people in August!
