I wear Xcel 7mm DryLock booties all winter. I tuck them under my suit and I wear ankle straps. When I take them off after a 2 hour session my feet are still dry.

Tenerife (El Medano) might be another option for you. as you say a car is not needed at all at El Medano, and the little town is just wonderful, with the best Mojito's in the world. I haven't been to Fuerte yet but I have spent time in El Medano and it's probably the better choice for you, no need ...

Honestly fast turning isn't the key, what it sounds like you want is probably a a Flysurfer Soul 15m or even 12m. But you said your heart is strapless SB and the Soul will just pull you up up up off the board all day so that's not going to work.

I would say get a LF Solo 17.5m and you'll have fun.

While a Pivot will definitely work and is an extremely versatile kite there are other options that might be better to consider. What kind of wind strength are you going to be riding in? Will it be gusty? I'm a big fan of single strut kites for beginners (and experts too!): - they tend to fly well wh...

Just keep in mind though, if the water is on the colder side and you spend much time IN the water, they are about as warm as bare hands. This isn't true for me. I have 2 different pairs of open palm mitts: 1) the 2mm NP Surf ones, and they don't provide amazing warmth in water but if you make a fis...

I have low blood pressure so my hands/feet get pretty cold when I kite. I have the NP Surf version of the 2 mm open palm glove and they are great for 10 degC and up. But where I kite I'll go out in as low as -2 degC so for 9 degC and lower I use the NP Surf 3 Finger Mitt. They are toasty warm, it's ...

Water re-launch in 7 knots doesn't look very promissing, but pretty much all LEI kites wont relaunch in 7 knots either.

My favorite aspect of foiling is actually the exploration. You aren't stuck in one spot like you are with a TT or SB. You are free to travel 10 km up or downind in an hour.

I'd opt for Thailand, better to live really well for little money and have mediocre kiting than try and stay in hostels with a bunch of kite gear. Not that the kiting is that mediocre, you should be good for several spots that time of year. I'd do Hua Hin or Pranbui myself. Honestly, the food alone ...

The Viva Wyndham Tangerine in the DR has gotten good reviews for kiters with family.

If you are more set on Egypt then also take a look at the Dahab resorts, the kite beach is literally right in front of them.