Hi so I'm planning on heading to Italy for two weeks at the beginning of August and I'm super keen to maybe have a refresher lesson and than kitesurfing for the rest of the 2 weeks. Does anyone know of a good place in Italy? I'm on a budget so camping near by would also be good.
Cheers
Many areas that are good. I have done the lakes towards the north - Lake Como & Garda. Both great kiting spots.
If you go to lake Garda... here's a little info.
I learned to kite on Lake Garda in Italy and it's known for a reliable afternoon thermal wind on sunny days that is generally 12-20 knots. There is also generally also a wind that comes from the north between approx. 6-11 am that is generally a bit stronger but more gusty.
You can't just launch from the shore because there is very limited space. There are only two places on the lake that you can launch from the shore and you must have a membership to kite there. The wind is always better out on the water and you need a shuttle to get there because the lake is quite large and that is generally the largest expense. To take the shuttles you have to be confident going upwind.
If you do try this then I can personally recommend Kitesurf Adventure http://www.gardasee-kiteschule.de/en/kitesurfing-shuttle-service/
(no affiliation... just had good experiences as a customer)
If your not confident going upwind. Then get some lessons there.... BRILLIANT!!!!! for learning. Support boat means never having to walk back upwind and the opportunity to learn for 6-8 kms downwind make for a very, very fast learning experience.
You'll talk to Kris... there is camping right at his kite school or right next door where you can easily check the wind early mornings. Close to supermarkets etc...
Google earth + Windguru will show every kitespot
and conditions for that time of year in Europe
Lago Santa Croce.
Stumbled on it when driving around europe. camp on the edge of the beach with a campsite aimed at kiters and wsurfers. seemed to be a bit of a scene there and had a good vibe. Venturi wind funnels up the valley and compresses at the lake to cause a good wind.
Check it out.
Depending on where you're going, your options for Italy include Lago di Como, at the northern end - check out www.414kiting.com/ - don't know them but they are located @ Gera Lario. If you're kiting on Lago di Como, based on recent experiences I would strongly advise you to have a very warm steamer. 
If you're heading across to Sardinia, the school operated @ Porto Pollo is top notch. Suggest you contact www.ftxholidays.com/ for more info about kiting &/or lessons at the northern end of Sardinia. There are numerous camp grounds near Porto Pollo & Paula, the closest big town, including one located on Isola dei Gabbiani - www.isoladeigabbiani.it/ for more info. This is within walking distance of Porto Pollo.
Kiting is also popular in the south, near the capital, Cagliari but don't know any contacts that way. If you make it to Sardinia, you have to hook into Ichnusa, the local beer.
Be aware that July/August is peak season throughout Italy. You'll pay heaps for accommodation, car hire, etc etc simply because it's holiday season. And the place will be packed....
Hey, if you have two weeks in Italy - I'd honestly concentrate on seeing the sights - I've spent a lot of time there and the beaches near the heavily populated areas are pretty much no-go zones. Beach culture is very different there - clubs and deckchairs take up a lot of the space and make access difficult and you'll find it is banned in a lot of places.
Sardinia and Sicily are going to be your best bets for kiteable areas.
Being on a budget is going to make your life hard! Nothing budget about travelling there - even camping is expensive!
Probably the most popular place in northern Italy is Lake Garda, with reliable wind blowing south in the morning and north in the after noon, it has been an established windsurfers magnet for most of western Europe since the early 80s due to the whole area embracing windsurfing culture, its no longer that intense now, kiting is a slightly diffrent story due to the area required to launch.
Other options are Gargano on the heel of the boot, nice flat beaches and not so crowded, other place I windsurfed was south and east coast of Sicily as Juddy said Sardina, in the north, and I have found some nice spots on the east coast as well. Alternative is take the 15Km ferry to Corsica , it has the better beaches and more spots to check out.
My tip is though, if you only have two weeks leave your kiting gear at home, enjoy the country side and the food instead. Otherwise plan a longer trip, hire a car and travel the country north to south, you wont be disapointed.
