Lifestyle Press

25 miles down the coast from Tarragona, Playa El Torn is one of Spain’s finest naturist beaches. Located on the southern outskirts of L’Hospitalet de L’Infant and backed by pine trees, the unspoilt sandy shore stretches for over a mile (World’s Best Nude Beaches – page 129). Nearby textile Cala d’Oques offers attractive camping, with rooms available for those without their own accommodation. There is a small cove right next to the site which is used by naturists, and the main El Torn nude beach is less than 200 metres walk. An added bonus is that the camping remains open all year and welcomes long-stay visitors.

Directly adjacent to  El Torn, fully naturist camping is available at El TemploDel Sol.

Gulf Coast Resort is in Hudson, Florida, approximately 30 miles north of Tampa, and about five miles from the coast on the Gulf of Mexico. Set in 40 acres of pines and oaks, the naturist park has a heated pool and spa surrounded by extensive sunbathing lawns.Tennis, petanque, horsehoes, cornhole and shuffleboard are also on offer. Camping space available (with hook-ups for RVs) and day visitors are welcome.

Bare Necessities Tour and Travel, based in Austin Texas,  have been successfully organising luxury naturist cruises for more than 20 years. Last week the company announced its latest venture – a record-breaking voyage for 3,000 nudists, taking place in February 2013, on board the ‘Carnival Freedom’. Sailing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the eight-day itinerary will take in Cozumel, Mexico, Lima in Costa Rica and Colon in Panama, with side tours to the famous canal available. A trip not to be missed – details and brochure at www.thebignudeboat.com

Danny has been in touch with the following information: “I would like to bring to your attention a non-official (but well used) nudist beach in Northern Cyprus which has gained increasing popularity over the years.  Signs are now provided and I frequently go there with my wife.  Superbly beautiful with great naturist opportunities at the far end of the beach, which we thoroughly enjoy every summer.” Much more detail available on the excellent Cap’n Barefoot’s Naturist Guide (towards the bottom of the page).

Pine Tree at Crownsville centers around a grassy common area with pool, courts for tennis, paddleball, and volleyball, and lawns for sunbathing. The clubhouse offers a dance floor, indoor pool, hot tub, and saunas and a shady terrace for get-togethers. There are facilities for overnight campers and RV owners, including toilets and outdoor showers. Pine Tree is six miles from Annapolis and less than an hour’s drive from both Washington, D.C., and Baltimore.

Richard and Dana have been in touch to tell us about Latvia’s longest nude beach – Inchupe (Inčupes), close to the town of Saulkrasti, and 27 km from Riga, the country’s capital. Although unofficial, the 2.5km strand has a well-established tradition of naturist use. Richard and Dana also have an attractive holiday house – Krastiņi – in the nearby pine forest, which is available to rent and only 10-15 minutes’ walk from the wild and natural bare beach. Get in touch with them for more details.

Set on the north coast of the Caribbean island of the Dominican Republic, Cambium is a new naturist lifestyle and holiday destination currently under construction. Occupying 176 acres of lush tropical scenery backed by the Cordilera Septentrional mountain range: there are ocean views from many parts of the site. The nearby beach at Playa Magante is about 3 km away and has a quiet “nude-friendly” area at one end of the bay. Work began in autumn 2010, and with good transport connections from the UK, Europe and the USA it is expected to become a popular clothes-optional community. Opportunities currently exist for investors wishing to build their own property at Cambium.

A naturist-friendly rustic log cabin is available for holidays on the German island of Rügen. No need for a ferry – there’s a bridge from the mainland to the island. The grounds are described as ideal for nude relaxation and sunbathing. It’s also possible to accommodate vacationers that have their own camper van. Rügen has plenty of white-sand bare beaches and is renowned for being one of the sunniest places in the country. (Website translation by Google – original in German).  Rügen tourist information

In the heart of the Bay of Islands, Waitata Bay farm-stay offers relaxed naturist breaks in Northland, on the Pacific coast of New Zealand. On the 24 hectares of coastal land there are olive trees, pigs and chickens, and a big organic veggie garden all providing a close connection with nature. A 40-metre track will take visitors down down to the ocean to enjoy nude swimming and sunbathing.

Located just 600 metres from the naturist-friendly Cabo de Trafalgar beach (World’s Best Nude Beaches, page 117), Puravida Bungalow Apartaments offer handy and informal accommodation nearby. There are ten bungalows and two apartments  set in 4,000 square metres of grounds. According to the website, swimsuits are optional at the pool.

High in the sky, a 2-bedroomed apartment on the 20th floor overlooking the famous Haulover naturist beach is available to rent in Miami. Situated in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida, the uninterrupted ocean views provide an impressive vista. Arlen House East is a full-service accessible and secure building with 24-hour door staff and a valet service. The development enjoys a heated pool, an in-ground jacuzzi, a sauna, a gym and tennis courts in the private landscaped gardens, next to an intercoastal lagoon. A private, covered parking spot comes with the apartment.

Located in the heart of the vineyards of the Cotes de Bourg, close to the Gironde estuary, Domaine Maracky provides naturist accommodation in a garden cottage for 2 people. As well as the heated swimming pool, whirlpool, steam room and spa, there’s also a lounge with billiards, Wii Fit, and a Wi-Fi internet connection. Although the owner speaks English, German and Dutch, the website is in French – Google translation.

Fuerteventura in the Canaries is one of the most popular destinations for bare beach seekers. We’ve recently identified four more holiday properties in the north of island, which are all described as being naturist friendly:

Casa Lily – one bedroomed apartments at El Cotillo

Villa Paloma – four bedrooms and pool, at Villaverde

Villa Rebecca – four bedrooms and pool, at Villaverde

Bahia Azul Villas – three bedrooms and pool, on the outskirts of Corralejo

Built right next to the sea in Solotiša Bay, on the stunning Croatian island of Hvar, House Demetrio is said to be ideal for naturists. The surrounding pebbly beaches are widely used for sunbathing and swimming au naturel.

Still in Croatia, on the neighbouring island of Brac, Villa Rosemarine boasts 7 bedrooms and fine views, so suitable for a larger group of friends. One of the two spacious terraces of the luxury waterfront property is described as suitable for nude sunbathing.

Just a couple of kilometres inland from the seaside town of Estepona, Finca Padron has two bedrooms and its own swimming pool. According to the owners, “this very private property is not overlooked at all and as such would be very suitable for naturists“. The popular bare beach at Costa Natura – the nudist resort on the outskirts of Estepona – is not far away. (Same property – different agency)

Zello Oasis is aimed at health-conscious naturists. Accommodation is available in an agricamping area (staying in a tent, camper, caravan, apartment, mini-service flat or private room), or in the clubhouse at the Villaggio della Salute Più (consisting of 6 country houses with private rooms and an apartment). The 30-hectare retreat is four-hundred metres above sea level and is situated not far from – and to the south of – the Italian city of Bologna.

This boutique mountaintop retreat with three residential cabins, is described as ‘naturist by arrangement‘. Cabin in the Clouds is set in 12 acres. A day spa, tennis court, swimming pool and private outdoor hot tubs for each cabin are available for guests.

Linda and Chris, ex hoteliers from the New Forest in the UK, offer a warm welcome to naturists at their B&B close to Palomares, in Almeria. Holiday accommodation is available at Casa Bonita from June to September. Set in a semi-rural hilltop location a short distance from Vera Playa naturist beach, the property has sea and mountain views together with it’s own swimming pool.

This lovely 3-bedroomed villa at Carvoeiro on the Algarve, is owned by British naturists who clearly chose it on the basis of its suitability for bare bathing. Offering seclusion and a good sized pool, the family accommodation is also handy for the plentiful nude beaches along the nearby coast – excellent details on the villa website.

Cortijo Castillo is a four-bedroomed farmhouse with its own swimming pool, near the town of Lorca, in the Murcia region of Spain. The country property is completely private and suitable for naturists, according to the owner. The popular towns of Velez Rubio and Velez Blanco are a little over ten minutes’ away, while the coast is 45 minutes distant. Also handy for skiing in the Sierra Nevada.