Lifestyle Press

A pair of French properties described as ideally suitable for naturists.

Villa Veyrines at Veyrines de Domme – just 3km from the Dordogne river – is set in 1 hectre of grounds and has two sun terraces and its own swimming pool.

Les Chauses is a secluded cottage again with its own pool in 2 acres of grounds, at the end of a small track with no passing traffic. The property is peaceful and totally private.

Parque Acuático de Córdoba – Aquasierra at Villafrance de Córdoba, about 20 km from the capital of the province, has made special provision for bare bathers. Theresa O’Shea, writing in the August edition of H&E magazine, describes a 3,500 sq metre area set aside for naturists, which includes two swimming pools, a nude sunbathing zone and a shaded relaxation area.

A naturist-friendly campsite is due to open next month in the heart of the Lot Valley region of the Midi-Pyrenees, France. Domaine de Bourrat is situated in the Parc Naturel Régional des Causses du Quercy, just off Junction 56 of the A20 motorway, and about 20 minutes South-East of Gourdon. Set in 88 acres with far reaching views, there will be space for tents, caravans and motorhomes. Accommodation is also available in a mobile home, a gite and possibly a yurt! There is a swimming pool and 9-hole golf course on site.

In addition to the usual facilities at the three-star Sol La Palma Apartments, at Puerto Naos on the Canarian island of La Palma, the property offers a naturist sunbathing terrace. We understand the nudist area is restricted to guests over 16 years of age. The main naturist beach on the island – Playa de las Monjas – is nearby.

The Hotel Occidental Grand, which is listed in The World’s Best Nude Beaches and Resorts (page 153) has a new owner and a new name. It is now called the Hotel Club Magic Life and the good news is that the naturist area – with swimming pool, terrace and sauna – has been retained and improved.

The 128 apartment Valamar Diamant Residence at Pula in Istria, Croatia includes an extensive ‘Wellness Centre’ offering a range of treatments. The property also boasts a designated nudist area within the health centre.

Es Ratxo Hotel & Spa is located in the foothills of the Puig de Galatzó Mountain near the attractive village of Puigpunyent on the island of Mallorca. The intimate 25-room hotel has an outdoor swimming pool with Jacuzzi and apparently a nudist area along the path to total relaxation.

According to recent media reports in Italy and the UK, the attractive and long-used nude beach at Lido di Dante (World’s Best Nude Beaches – page 230) is being closed by the Mayor. Fabrizio Matteucci has told nudists to make themselves decent or risk a €50 euro fine.

On the southern coast of the Canarian island of Fuerteventura, a newly built (2009) holiday bungalow with its own pool is described as being suitable for nudists. The property – with two bedrooms – enjoys a high level of privacy and is handy for the clothes-optional beaches on the outskirts of the resort.

The property is set in twelve acres of wooded countryside with its own lake, saltwater swimming pool and sauna. La Vergnolle is an attractive two-bedroomed wooden house, said to be ideal for naturist holidaymakers. This part of the Limousin region is known as the Lake District of France, and the location is handy for the historic city of Limoge.

Alison Powell has been in touch to tell us about another skinny dip taking place this summer, which is in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care. Early Sunday morning on 19th June is the date; and the place is the National Trust owned Llangennith beach at Rhossili, on the beautiful Gower Peninsular, South Wales. The organisers are aiming for a world record and hoping at least 300 souls will be taking part.  Apparently the police and the National Trust have both given the event their blessing, so it sounds like an opportunity not to be missed – and all in aid of a good cause!

Peter and his partner have been in touch to tell us about their experience of the Sauna Paradise at Therme Erding  in Munich, after reading our recommendation in The World’s Best Nude Beaches and Resorts (page 262). They were delighted to find what is claimed to be the largest complex of its type in the world, with over 25 different saunas and attractions including indoor and outdoor swimming pools, steam rooms and a palm-filled indoor garden – enjoyed by all in the buff. Additionally, there are extensive outdoor gardens set beside a lake which are used for nude sunbathing.

An au natural break is on the cards at a holiday house with private pool in the district of Cuesta de la Villa, Santa Ursula, in the north of Tenerife. The 3-bedroomed cottage is not far from the resort of Puerto de la Cruz, and the private garden and pool area are described by the owners as suitable for naturists.

Camping Waldwiesen at Birkenfeld, in the Rhineland-Palatinate region of Germany, is a traditional 4-star textile campsite, but which offers a sheltered naturist garden equipped with sun-loungers for relaxing as nature intended. The site is approximately 30 miles east of the Luxembourg border. (Translation by Google – original German version)

Here’s a first – Go Camping’s new luxury tents at Bolding Way Holidays in North Norfolk: combining glamping (glamourous camping) with clothes optional naturist leisure at this new venture for the 2011 season. Situated on the coast at Weybourne, Bolding Way is a short drive from the renowned nudist beach at Holkham.

Opening later this month, the Princess Garden Resort is located just 5 minutes’ drive from Benidorm on Spain’s Costa Blanca. With 30 one and two-bedroomed bungalows set in attractive sub-tropical grounds, the central attraction will be the large star-shaped swimming pool surrounded by extensive sun terraces. The naturist resort will be offering a free shuttle bus service to the local nude beaches. (Website translation by Google – Dutch version)

Dutch naturists Jos and Martine Pronk – together with their young family – followed their dream to farm in the Alentejano region of southern Portugal.  After successfully building up the agricultural side of the business they decided to open a naturist centre. Samonatura is situated at the edge of a protected reserve: Parque Naturel do Sudoeste, situated between Vila Nova de Milfontes and the small village of S. Luís. Covering 8 hectares, the property enjoys distant ocean views of the Atlantic 7km away. Accommodation is available in three separate self-contained units ranging from a de-luxe studio to a complete house.

According to their website, ‘N’ is a new resort for those who appreciate an all natural experience in the Caribbean. Opened in November 2010, the 96-room all inclusive property has a 1,000-foot white sand beachfront. The destination was previously known as FDR Pebbles and is located close the former Lido Braco clothes-optional resort, about 35 minutes’ drive from Montego Bay.

Sunday 17 July 2011 is the date for British Naturism’s nationwide Great British Skinny Dip. It will be a fun event happening across the UK. Many locations – including some traditionally clothed venues – will host skinny dips so that anyone can experience the joy of swimming without clothes.

According to BN, “There is nothing quite so liberating and life-affirming as swimming without clothes and the wonderful sensation of the water over your whole body. In fact, the swimsuit is the most pointless item of clothing invented – it neither keeps you warm nor dry!” If you are ready for a thrilling and different experience that might well change your life, put the date in your diary now. For further details and contacts, use the BN link www.greatbritishskinnydip.co.uk

Dee and Bill, who offer naturist accommodation at their recently renovated property nestling in the lap of the Bernia Mountains in the Jalon Valley, have been in touch to advise their new website address. Casa de Libertad is within easy walking distance of the nearby town of Jalon. The swimming pool has far-reaching views over the surrounding countryside and there is a separate spa. As a qualified therapist Dee can provide a massage on request. Day visitors are also welcome.