Naturists...Where else do you go ?

MinRich · July 01, 2012, 10:29:53 AM

Looking at Europe only. We are looking at La Jenny and Euronat in France for the Summer months. Where else would you go , where have you been ? Where can naturists go on a budget ? Say for 4/5 weeks plus . Don't think we will find what we have at El Caleton in Cotillo but ..... You tell us....

Faubus · July 01, 2012, 10:44:12 AM

I would suggest to take a look at Croatia:
http://www.cronatur.com/
http://www.croatia-beaches.com/naturist_nudist_FKK/best_naturist_beaches_croatia.htm

SheilaW · July 01, 2012, 11:00:45 AM

Quote from: MinRich on July 01, 2012, 10:29:53 AM
Looking at Europe only. We are looking at La Jenny and Euronat in France for the Summer months. Where else would you go , where have you been ? Where can naturists go on a budget ? Say for 4/5 weeks plus .

Doesn't it depend very much on all sorts of other things? Do you want to be able to live naturist 24/7 or is a naturist beach nearby good enough? Is a beach actually important or is it more the way of life e.g. in the countryside that you're looking for? Do you want local nightlife (naturist or otherwise) or do you want to be tucked up in bed by 11pm?

I know two places in France that are no more than 50km apart by road, but worlds apart in the type of holiday they offer. And there's one that's in-between them in both respects.

Sheila

MinRich · July 01, 2012, 16:35:55 PM

Quote from: SheilaW on July 01, 2012, 11:00:45 AM
Quote from: MinRich on July 01, 2012, 10:29:53 AM
Looking at Europe only. We are looking at La Jenny and Euronat in France for the Summer months. Where else would you go , where have you been ? Where can naturists go on a budget ? Say for 4/5 weeks plus .

Doesn't it depend very much on all sorts of other things? Do you want to be able to live naturist 24/7 or is a naturist beach nearby good enough? Is a beach actually important or is it more the way of life e.g. in the countryside that you're looking for? Do you want local nightlife (naturist or otherwise) or do you want to be tucked up in bed by 11pm?

I know two places in France that are no more than 50km apart by road, but worlds apart in the type of holiday they offer. And there's one that's in-between them in both respects.

Sheila

Left it totally devoid of what we might be after so it could help others by forum members posting where they have been and what they found good or bad . Naturist accomodation is generally more expensive due to the limited numbers of naturists compared to other non naturists. Post where you have been to help others....Would be nice to find some new place to go....A bit like Tripadvisor ??

GandA · July 01, 2012, 19:53:36 PM

Hi all

We have stayed at a few places with various forms of naturist activities over the years.

Two of the most memorable, in recent years in Europe, have been Flevo Natuur in Holland. This is a great place with various types of accommodation, some private and others for rent. We were self catering. You can be nude 24/7 while there. The grounds are huge with various activities going on. It has two pools, indoor and outdoor and sauna. Bar facilities and restaurant.
The other is Magnolias Natura in Maspolomas, Gran Canaria. Again another complex where you can be nude 24/7. The complex is small with accommodation being several one bedroom ground floor aparments. It has an outdoor pool and a jacuzzi. It has its own restaurant and bar. We ate at the restaurant and found the food very good.

It has been a few years since we stayed at these complexes, so things may have changed, but we certainly enjoyed them.

If anyone wants further information let us know.

GandA

SheilaW · July 01, 2012, 21:24:56 PM

Magnolias Natura was a very nice place in spring 2011, too, though we didn't rate the restaurant.

I don't know. I still think it's more likely to be helpful to get a lot of personal comments about one or two places, than ask for favourites with no comparisons. Anyway, as far as the places in my first post are concerned:

Cap d'Agde naturism is so famous that it doesn't need me to introduce it, but you will find totally conflicting viewpoints - is it a pedophile's paradise, a swingers-only club, or is it perfectly suitable for kids? My own view, over several apartment and villa holidays there in the 80s-90s and then living 45km away for 12 years, is that you can find everything there, but if you have a family with young kids then you can shelter them from most of it if you really try and have a perfect fun-filled family holiday whilst educating your kids to see that a person dressed in thigh boots and gloves (only) doesn't necessarily harm anyone, but it's best to take care of strangers anyway. BTW: I'm speaking as an observer and parent here, not as a wearer!.

Just 50km away inland is the Village du Bosc, a family-run campsite catering for committed naturists. A bit run down, run by a family with all the typical problems of company-owning families (duplication of tasks, no leadership, poor communication, some resentment) but a real sense of the "old naturism". Site activities are restricted to a few low-key high-season entertainments and bar, small pool, naturist walks etc, but peace and quiet and friendship abound.

It all depends what you like. And, of course, the above reviews are only my own personal opinions. I know for a fact that many, many people disagree with me about Cap d'Agde, and I have to say that I only visited once in 2011 and I don't suppose I'll ever go back now I live in Fuerteventura.

Sheila

falkirkdan · July 02, 2012, 02:52:40 AM

Hi Rich You could try Vera Playa. Certainly not El Cal but not bad. It is a bit of strange place in a way not bad. Most of the apartments are in walled gardens but this is to stop others using your pool etc. It is 24/7 nude and you just walk naked about the area including the small shops and bars. The local bus comes into the village and turns, it is fun watching the faces of those who have not been on that bus before as they see folk walking about naked. Beach is ok if a bit boring. The hotel is nude until I think 6pm then clothes to be worn. It is a few years since last there so may have been some changes.

MinRich · July 04, 2012, 11:23:44 AM

Thanks Dan , we have thought of Vera Playa and there is some accomodation on ebay we found , could be had quite cheap. The advertiser has only the photos he has on ebay of his apartment and the area which i find quite unusual so perhaps a con ??
We have had thoughts on La Jenny and Euronat in France (Both expensive) and also there are alot of naturist areas along the med coast of France too. It would be nice to find something similar to El Cotillo in France then we could drive over and spend longer there with our own car and dog

Other peoples views and other locations required but quite like the idea of Southern France . Only a days drive away

Also we are contemplating a VW Camper/Awning type experience around Europe at some stage . Any opinions / views ?

SheilaW · July 04, 2012, 12:34:05 PM

Have you considered La Grande Cosse in the Aude? They accept one dog (as long as it isn't one that's considered a dangerous type) and there is direct access to a big naturist beach with dunes, via quite a long walk through the dunes (a cycle is a good idea though not indespensable). It's very naturist and has a nice bar area with high-season entertainment. There's sometimes a problem with biting insects as it's in salt flats, but it comes and goes. I'm not a great walker but I would imagine you could do a lot of it there. There are some nice villages and small towns around the area and St Pierre just along the coast is a popular textile tourist beach resort.

Sheila

Phil.Notts · July 18, 2012, 21:44:08 PM

Within walking distance of a hotel is our prerequisite :

Here are some places we have visited, all within walking distance of hotels . resort centres

Menorca : Son Bou : Beautiful clothing optional beach. From the car park, enter the beach, turn right. A brisk 5 mins walk later and you have 2 km's of naturist beach. The first section of the beach can get a little crowded, but it soon thins out the further you walk. The sand dunes backing onto the beach are a preserved area and are out of bounds other than the roped pathways. Compares with the beaches of Fuerteventura.

Gran Canaria : maspalomas : I don't need to say anything about this. So well documented elsewhere

Mallorca : Playa Son Real : In between Playa De Muro and CA'n Picafort. From the last hotel in Playa De Muro walk about 7 minutes towards CA'n Picafort , you will walk past a little board walk entering the beach. Official naturist stretch starts here. Not many naturist I may add. About a dozen or so scattered along the shoreline. Very quite in a morning. Shared with kite surfers in the afternoon. Stunning location. Highly Recommended

Mallorca : Cala Mesquida : Tranquil beach, gorgeous beach. Naturist section on the far end. May get packed high season, we went early season.... plenty of room !

Mallorca : Playa Es Pregons Grans : Forget Es Trenc , this neighbouring bay is wonderful. No amenities, but is only about 10 minutes walk from Hotel Marques in Colonia de Sant Jordi

There you go. You now have the wisdom of our naturist visits. There is Fuerteventura , but you all know about that !

falkirkdan · July 19, 2012, 00:15:32 AM

Hi Phil good to know that Son Bou still a popular nudist beach as so many have been taken over by the clothed brigade. Spent quite a few good holidays at Son Bou. The first place done proper nudist holiday with every day spent on the beach in the 80s.

MinRich · July 19, 2012, 09:37:53 AM

Phil.Notts......... Tell us what hotels you stay at too. The distance to the nearest bit of naturist beach and perhaps some photos .

Phil.Notts · July 20, 2012, 10:27:39 AM

Mini Rich , you ask a lot !!! ...lol

I'm reluctant to recommend hotels on a forum, because what one person likes is not necessarily what another one does, but I can offer you the words of my wisdom.

Menorca : Son Bou : There are quite a few hotels in the resort centre (well the one street that passes for a centre) and these are all within walking distance of the beach. There are a few hotels on top of the hill that overlooks the bay and these hotels run reliable shuttle buses down to the resort. Be aware that access to the beach is only via the area next to the car park, so you might think you are close to the beach but you are not.

Gran Canaria : maspalomas : I don't need to say anything about this. So well documented elsewhere

Mallorca : Playa Son Real : It's in the bay of Alcudia which is a beautiful bay and very long. We stayed in Playa De Muro and the hotels in Playa de Muru all tend to be 4* . The last 4 or 5 on the strip before you enter the no mans land between Playa de Muro and Ca'n Picafort are all top quality and are not to be found on the UK tour operators list. We travelled independently / DIY and were the only English couple in our hotel (but the hotel was Top dollar Top class). Playa de Muro has very few brits so if you want to be a 'brit abroad' you may need to go to Alcudia and ride a push bike up to Playa Son Real

Mallorca : Cala Mesquida : The three hotels in this resort are owned by the same group (Viva hotels) and all offer superb quality accommodation. You may need to travel independently again as very few British tour operators go to Cala Mesquida and very few Brits visit Cala Mesquida . Some people walk through the pine forest / cliffs from Cala Rajada (but it's quite a hike and you would only want to do it once a day , so you would have to plan a full day on the beach if you did this). Apparently Cala Mesquida used to be exclusively Fred 'Pontinental' holidays in the 70's and 80's , but all the accommodation that Fred built was bulldozed down in the 90's and rebuilt

Mallorca : Playa Es Pregons Grans : Colonia de Sant Jordi is quite a big town and you have a big choice of hotels. If you plan to walk to the beach then you need to be in a hotel in or near to the Hotel Marques area of Colonia de Sant Jordi. If you are at the other end of Colonia de Sant Jordi, near the harbour, then you have a really long walk 30+ minutes to this bit of beach. We saw some shuttle buses from a couple of complexes dropping off ppl by the Hotel Marques. I think there might actually be clothing optional bits of beaches on the harbour side of the village (on google earth there are some stretches of deserted beach)

Apart from Son Bou and Maspalomas the beaches / resorts we've been to are scarce of Brits.....the Spanish and Germans know a good beach when they see one and are comfortable being naked.

You may need to travel independently (although some UK hotel portals ...alpha rooms , med hotels etc can book for you)

I'l try and dig some pictures out for this thread

Anything else you want to know ?

Send me a message on here and I'll tell you the actual hotels we stayed at , but I don't want to recommend or state my opinion on the hotels in a thread because I don't think that is appropriate to the content of the boards

Regards
Phil

wakey2som · July 21, 2012, 08:35:37 AM

I know its not what your looking for , but we like Desire in Mexico. x

jg · July 21, 2012, 09:12:05 AM

If it is laid back naturism you are after, rather than a beach holiday, why not try one of the Naturisme et Terroirs group of privately owned naturist camp sites.
Many of them have pre-pitched tent, gite or B&B accomodation and offer 24/7 naturism and a communal evening meal at least once a week.

We find them the best summer alternative to El Cotillo.

Tillyrieve · July 22, 2012, 12:48:55 PM

Does anyone have any experience of &/or recommendations for beaches in the Algarve. After 4 trips to El Cotillo in the last two years & a massive hike in flight costs for this October we're giving Portugal a go.
Hope to be back in Fuerte again in April.

jg · July 22, 2012, 15:33:33 PM

Further to my previous post, we have also rented chalets at Domaine Lalbrade and Le Romegas.

I enjoyed both of them thoroughly but my wife was not so keen, especially as we managed to inadvertently get on the wrong side of the restaurant management at Le Romegas.

For those of you with adult Flickr access I have two sets of pictures taken on these holidays here and here.

I also have some video which I took on the Le Romegas holiday and at Chateau Guiton in the Naturism et Terroirs group.

So far we have stayed at three Naturism et Terroirs places - Mas de La Balma, Château Guiton and l'Oliverie.
We have returned to Château Guiton many times and to l'Oliverie once, so far.

concerned cat · July 23, 2012, 21:17:40 PM

Quote from: Tillyrieve on July 22, 2012, 12:48:55 PM
Does anyone have any experience of &/or recommendations for beaches in the Algarve. After 4 trips to El Cotillo in the last two years & a massive hike in flight costs for this October we're giving Portugal a go.
Hope to be back in Fuerte again in April.

We've been looking at Portugal for October due to expensive flights, but the temps not looking good. It's very much end of season for them too. It's too much of a gamble weather wise for us.

Voldermort · July 28, 2012, 22:55:27 PM

have a look at Costa Natura outside Estepona..excellent place to stay. Handy for flights from Gibraltar or Malaga. Perfect place for naturism

Magoo · July 29, 2012, 16:13:30 PM

In the 15 or so years we have been doing "Naturist" holidays, we have never been anywhere apart from Fuerty. Not to say we don't go elswhere, but the Rock is the only place we get our kit off.

We like a good beach (sand, not cobbles) with warmish sea that is suitable for swimming. A naturist pool area when the weather is not too good, & not too many screaming kids, or better still no kids at all! God I sound like a miserable old git!

We are not really into the "Lifestyle" type places where looking at the reviews, the ladies need to take 3 suitcases full of frocks / rubberwear for the activities on an evening.

As you can see, this cuts our options down somewhat

Sunshinekid · August 03, 2012, 08:16:52 AM

Quote from: Tillyrieve on July 22, 2012, 12:48:55 PM
Does anyone have any experience of &/or recommendations for beaches in the Algarve. After 4 trips to El Cotillo in the last two years & a massive hike in flight costs for this October we're giving Portugal a go.
Hope to be back in Fuerte again in April.

There are quite a few naturist friendly beaches in the algarve, with an official one west of faro airport
on an Ilha Tavira i beleive it's called lovely beach.
I have been to quite a few but most are on thw west.
Have a lok at link Below

portugalnaturista.com/naturism/beaches/beaches.html
there is also a new eco place near Faro,http://www.naturist365.com/
then near Portamao you have quinta da Hortahttp://www.quintadahorta.co.uk/
which i beleive is now managed by a couple called Sunnybums.

Good Luck