Lifestyle Press

Camping Las Grullas is a naturist campsite in the heart of Extremadura – close to a number of Unesco cultural sites – which will open on 1 April 2015. It is situated on an old estate amongst holly oaks and granite formations. The well-equipped camping area extends to 2.6 hectare, and is 2.5 km from any through roads, so peace and quiet is assured. It is unsuitable for children under 16.

We have been in touch with a contact who has recommended an official nude beach – Corinto-Malvarrosa – around 250 metres along the shore from Camping Malvarrosa de Corinto. Located on the northern outskirts of the municipality of Sagunto in Valencia Province, the pleasant but relatively quiet beach has local road signs providing directions. The golden shore is a mix of fine and coarse sand. Our contact mentioned that during their recent stay at the beachside campsite, naturists were enjoying the freedom to ‘relax au natural’ directly in front of it.

The well established and ever popular naturist resort on the southern shores of the island of Crete – Vritomartis – has won a 2014 Certificate of Excellence! The family-owned hotel and it’s pretty Filaki bare beach, have long enjoyed great reviews from holiday visitors, many of whom return year after year. The quality of the hotel and its service has now been formally recognised by the prestigious TripAdvisor award. The hotel is featured in The World’s Best Nude Beaches (pages 190 & 191).

The clothing-optional Zipolite beach, in the Mexican State of Oaxaca, now has a hotel where it’s also OK to go bare. Theresa O’Shea, writing in H&E naturist, alerted us to this on-the-beach rustic accommodation at ‘Hotel Nude‘. Zipolite is somewhat off the beaten track to access. And rip currents make the sea dangerous – but nonetheless, it’s a stunning place to commune with nature. The location is described in World’s Best Nude Beaches (page 37).

The holiday resort Elsendorp comes with all the facilities and amenities of a highly rated Dutch naturist centre. With a large natural outdoor pool and sandy beach, an indoor pool, play areas for the children and modern comfortable chalet accommodation – it would make an ideal family holiday destination. Camping and caravanning pitches are also available. It is around 200 miles and a little over 3 hours driving from the Channel Tunnel. (Google translation)

Camping Terme Lendava, in the east of Slovenia, offers naturist camping during early and late season – the price list on the website indicates the dates available – minimum stay 3 nights. Guests can use the wellness centre and even choose a half-board option whilst camping (breakfast and dinner).

A picturesque textile guesthouse – La Corte degli Elfi (Place of the Elves) –  in the Dolomites that has a fully-naturist wellness spa and a good-sized nude sunbathing garden. The property enjoys fine mountain views and offers a range of nature; cultural; spiritual; and adventure programmes.

One of our correspondents has been in touch to recommend a pleasant naturist chambres d’hôtes run by Olivier and Bruno, about 3 hours’ drive south-west of Paris, near Angers. Apparently, our contact has stayed at Les Saulaies – in the Loire region – with his partner on a number of occasions: he said they serve one of the finest breakfasts anywhere. The welcome is warm and the facilities are good. Three types of accommodation are on offer: an en-suite bedroom, a yurt and a chalet. A pool and a large secluded garden complete the facilities at the B&B.

Playa Marina, a short distance west of Fuengirola, has been established as a welcome bare beach – which is a new one to us – on the sunny south coast of one of Spain’s favourite playgrounds. It is almost a kilometre long and has a drinks kiosk serving refreshments in season. Whilst easily accessible, a possible drawback is the A7 motorway that roars directly past at the back of the beach. (Google translation)

Danny has been in touch – “I wanted to let you know about some lovely inland places to chill naked on a beach.”

The first is a small lake with plenty of sunbathing lawns and sand, in the north of the historic town of Pirna near Dresden, at ‘Natursee Pirna‘. There is free parking for users of the lake (entrance off Äußere Pillnitzer Straße). Very relaxed feel to the place, with mixed textile and naked bathers, and not busy on the two occasions we visited in August 2014.

The second are the natural lidos in the mountains and forests of the Harz region in the centre of the country. Some of these pools are officially “FKK”, though most aren’t, but are quiet enough that you may find yourself the only person there. And given the laid back attitude of the Germans, it’s quite likely that no eyebrows would be raised if you did just plunge in naked after a walk in the forest.

Ulrike and Karl Heinz offer bed and breakfast at their small naturist guest house – Koala 49 – on the northern edge of the Black forest, not far from Baden Baden. One of the rooms is equipped with a kitchen for self-catering. There is a garden for relaxing outside and also a sauna and spa tub.

Described as a rustic Spanish hideaway, this large ‘off-grid’ villa with a pool is set in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada on a 28-acre plot in the Alpujarran countryside. Reduced rates are available for smaller groups of up to 4 people. With extensive fruit and olive groves, together with lovely views, Cortijo Ranchito is – according to the owners – perfect for naturist holidays.

Mark and Margo den Houting have opened what they claim to be the first naturist campsite in Slovakia – Dobrá Lúka.They also offer accommodation in caravans, an apartment and a Gypsy wagon! There is a sauna and a heated above-ground pool: the well-equipped site has been developed around an ancient farm. The summer climate is generally hot.

Located in the Axarquía region, east of Malaga, Casa Panoramica is a Dutch-owned villa, with a ground floor apartment available for rent by the swimming pool. Five miles inland from the coast, but described as having stunning views, the accommodation is suitable for naturists. It is also handy for the Almanat bare beach on the outskirts of Torre del Mar. (World’s Best Nude Beaches page 120) Website translation by Google.

Dutch naturists, Dick and Helma, have lived in southern Portugal for 25 years. They are now offering B&B accommodation at their small nudist resort – Maison Africain – on the Algarve, 10 km to the north of the mountain village of Monchique. There are three ensuite bedrooms for guests, with more accommodation being developed. Not surprisingly, the rooms and bungalows have an Arabic feel. There are also facilities for pitching tents.

Camping Sangro by the Adriatic coast at Torino di Sangro, in the Abruzzo region of central Italy, is offering a naturist season from 8 June to 20 July, 2014. A beach widely used for bare bathing is 3km from the campsite. Bungalows and mobile homes are available for those who prefer not to camp with their own equipment.

Steve and Chris have been in touch to ask if we’d mention their one-bedroomed ground floor garden apartment on the  Bahia de Vera naturist development, at Vera Playa. Apartamento Miró is fully equipped to cater for up to 3 holiday guests and is within easy walking distance of the famous bare beach at the resort. (World’s Best Nude Beaches page 124)

New management at Costa Natura – the popular naturist resort on the Costa del Sol – have launched a website which for the first time allows holidaymakers to see and book individual apartments. Each available property has a comprehensive set of internal and external photographs, together with a description of the location within the resort. (World’s Best Nude Beaches page 118)

Maryline and Simon offer a fully furnished two bedroom duplex apartment for four, in Oasis Naturist Village, 50 metres from the nude beach near Port Leucate. There are sea views from the accommodation; and a sunny balcony with table and chairs overlooking landscaped gardens. The family-friendly Mediterranean resort provides extensive naturist facilities. (World’s Best Nude Beaches page 162)

Phil & Cyndi are offering self-contained naturist accommodation in their Liberté Cottage, situated in the Perigord-Limousin Regional Nature Park in the Northern Dordogne. There is a secluded garden and exclusive use of a private swimming pool. The property is three quarters of an hour away from each of the capital towns in the three surrounding départements – Périgueux in the Dordogne, Limoges in the Haute-Vienne and Brive in the Correze.