A week of kitesurfing and wing foiling in Sicily
Our trip to Sicily began at the beginning of June when we set off for a week in the picturesque Lo Stagnone in the southwest of the island. This region is a paradise for kite surfers and wing foilers and is easily accessible from North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), especially from Düsseldorf. Direct flights to Palermo, which is only 1.5 hours' drive from the lagoon, make getting there easy. Alternatively, Trapani Airport is just 10 minutes from the lagoon and is served particularly frequently by Ryanair.
getting there
We decided to fly from Düsseldorf Weeze to Trapani with Ryanair - a relaxed travel option. Weeze Airport, just an hour from Düsseldorf, is quiet and not very crowded. Our board bag, which contained our wing foil equipment, was a bit bulky, but the baggage drop-off and security check went quickly. The flight was pleasant and we landed in Trapani on time.
Car rental and accommodation
Our car rental company, "Sicily by Car," was located right in the small terminal at Trapani airport. After a brief confusion, we found the rental car parking lot and stowed our board bag in the Fiat Panda. After a 15-minute drive, we reached Villa Vajarassa. This beautiful, renovated winery villa, surrounded by vineyards, offered a large courtyard under pine trees and a warm welcome from our host Salvatore and his family. We especially liked the three dogs in the yard, which we immediately fell in love with.
Our room was modern and spacious, with air conditioning, a lovely bathroom and a large terrace in front of lemon trees. After a welcome breakfast we made our way to the lagoon.
Exploring the lagoon
The trip to the lagoon took about 15 minutes and took us through picturesque coastal roads, past reeds, salt fields and old mills. At the KBC Sicily spot we had 20 knots of sideshore wind and a relaxed lounge atmosphere with good music and refreshing drinks.
The lagoon is very shallow, which only allows a 45 cm mast for wing foiling. Mila and I (Joscha) went out on the water - she with the wing, I with the kite. Mila managed her first 200 meters on the foil and we had a lot of fun. However, Mila's feet reacted to the sea anemones, which is why we had to stop the session and get her some shoes - our clear recommendation: take water shoes with you! Thanks to the fresh aloe vera that was available at the station, we were able to relieve Mila's pain.
Food and Drink
At lunchtime we enjoyed snacks and drinks at the KBC station. There are also other kite schools and restaurants along the coast that we tried and can recommend. Alternatively, the villa offers a fantastic kitchen for self-catering.
For breakfast we can recommend the wine bar on the main street. They serve delicious arancini, avocado rolls and pistachio and chocolate croissants with plenty of filling. The bar offers a beautiful view of an old church and a busy little supermarket. Breakfast for two people including drinks cost between 10 and 15 euros.
Evening activities and excursions
The sunsets over the island of Favignana were breathtaking. We especially enjoyed pasta and wine at a picnic on a jetty on the coastal road. Evening strolls along the road are wonderful, although we can't recommend the food cart in a parking lot - it made our stomachs turn afterward.
As a day trip we visited the mountain village of Erice near Trapani, with its winding streets and spectacular views. Another highlight was San Vito Lo Capo, where we walked along the promenade and had an excellent meal.
Conclusion
The Lo Stagnone lagoon is perfect for kitesurfing beginners, as the shallow water offers optimal conditions. Experienced twin-tip riders will also get their money's worth here, especially those who like freeriding and jumping. Due to the shallow water, foiling is usually only possible with a short 45 cm mast. However, there are also places in the southern part of the lagoon where the water is deep enough to use an 85 cm mast.
After a week full of adventure and relaxation, we return home well rested. We hope you enjoyed our report and that it might inspire you to take your own trip to Sicily.