Lifestyle Press

Situated at Vatos, on the west coast of the island of Corfu, the hilltop Villa Kokkini is promoted as ideal for golfers and naturists. Sleeping 10, in five double and twin rooms, the property is obviously suitable for an extended family or a group of like-minded friends. It has fine views and its own swimming pool. The renowned Mirtiotissa naturist beach is just 3.5km distant – see page 196 World’s Best Nude Beaches.

Kalo Kairi is a newly developed and family run naturist site offering a maximum of 10 spacious fully equipped tents, set in over an acre of productive olive grove. There is a swimming pool and a range of facilities available for guests. The site – which opens in May 2011 –  is located near the town of Sitia, in East Crete and is the first naturist facility on that side of the island. A number of attractive naturist beaches are accessible a short drive from the centre.

The family-owned and run Hotel Panorama on the Greek island of Zakynthos (Zante) will operate on a fully naturist basis from May 2010. Accommodation at the well-established property is offered with half board, but in addition, some apartments are available with a kitchenette. Nearby Gerakas beach has a nudist area at one end and is about 10 minutes walk from the resort. Naturist tour operator Chalfont Holidays arranges trips from the UK.

We have just come across a handy website all about Myrtiotissa naturist beach (Mirtiotissa) on the west coast of the Greek island of Corfu. There are a couple of good photo galleries illustrating the location here and here. The beach is described on page 196 of The World’s Best Nude Beaches.

Mark and Samantha Taylor have been in touch to advise that the contact details for their renowned naturist resort on the Greek island of Kefalonia have changed since the World’s Best Nude Beaches was published. The new telephone number is: +44 (0)208 144 2166, which is a UK number available all year, but is automatically forwarded to them in Kefalonia during the summer. Vassaliki Club’s website is www.viglanatura.com and email address: holidays@viglanatura.com

News reaches us of accommodation (textile) handy for the popular nude beach at Faliraki, on the Greek island of Rhodes. Kathara Bay Apartments are situated some 250 meters from the naturist area, described in ‘The World’s Best Nude Beaches’, page 205.

The Ionian island of Lefkas (sometimes written Lefkada) is in fact connected to the west coast mainland of Greece by a road bridge. Close to the village of Agios Nikitas, Milos Bay is rated as the best and largest clothes-optional beach on the island. With limited access and no commercialisation it’s a place to escape. However, we have just heard of some new and rather exclusive villas that have been built into the cliff-side above the shore. The four properties – said to be very private and secluded – each boast a private swimming pool and jacuzzi. There are steps down to the 1-km long beach, which comes highly recommended by Greek naturist guru Cap’n Barefoot.

Nudist Club Greece has a handy and informative guide to bare bathing on many of the islands and the mainland. It includes a selection of official and unofficial naturist beaches, together with directions, photographs and a host of helpful hints and tips. 

Situated on the southwest side of Corfu island – near the village Agios Matheos and about 22km from Corfu town - Villa Panoramic is described as suitable for nudist holidays. The elevated property has three bedrooms, a large pool, gardens and fine views and is only 700 metres from Paramonas beach.

On the southern tip of the Greek island of Zante, around 150 bare bathers a day enjoy the lovely Gerakas nude beach in summer. The shore is a turtle conservation area and is protected by law. To access the naturist section simply walk down the slope, turn right and head to the far end of the beach.

Villa Panoramic – located on the east coast of Corfu – has three bedrooms and accommodates 6-8 people. The detached property with private swimming pool, garden and fine views is described as ‘suitable for naturist holidays’.

Experienced ski instructors Cliff and Quee got fed up with the weather living in the UK and recently moved to Greece, where they have two properties to let for au naturel holidays. Fig Leaf Villas near Petalidi in the southern Peloponnese area of the Greek mainland overlook the sea and are barely a mile from the nearest beach. The area is undeveloped and many of the local beaches are deserted throughout the year – consequently, they become unofficially clothes-optional. Cliff and Quee also offer nude sailing on their 43-foot yacht.

For those who prefer to relax and swim in the buff, John Ward offers a friendly welcome to holidaymakers at his 4-bedroomed villa on the Greek island Crete. The secluded one-acre grounds provide plenty of opportunity to stroll through the olive, walnut and almond trees as nature intended. All the bedrooms are en suite and breakfast is provided when John is at home.

Mark and Samantha Taylor, from the Vassiliki Naturist Apartments on Kefalonia, have contacted us to advise of a major cliff fall at West Xi beach. The narrow strand has disappeared under the rocks rendering the location unusable at the moment. It remains to be seen whether fresh sand will return in due course. However, there’s a choice of other bare beaches on the island – Mark’s website has details.

Adrian has asked us to highlight that access to Red Beach involves a steep climb down the cliffs, taking up to 30 minutes to reach the shore. Access is not suitable for the infirm, although families with children can frequently be found enjoying the beach.

British naturists, Annie and Rob, moved to the Greek island of Tilos in the Dodecanese in March 2007. Eden Villas are two new properties close to the sleepy village of Meglo Chorio. According to the owners, “We practice naturism and want to offer like-minded people holiday accommodation for up to 6 with a private swimming pool”.

Just too late to be included in the new book – The World’s Best Nude Beaches and Resorts – Mike Charles and his wife discovered a charming bare beach while staying in the unspoilt resort of Arillas on the north-west coast of Corfu last month. “A 400- metre stroll along the undeveloped golden sand to the north of Arillas uncovered an attractive nudist haven. The sand shelves gently and the swimming is excellent”, says Mike. The long narrow shoreline backed by high cliffs is becoming increasingly popular for bathing in the buff. A short paddle through the sea (anything from knee to waist-deep, depending on the tide) is required to access the beach. The handy website www.arillas.com – provides lots of useful information including discussions about the nude beach in the online forum.

Roger and Jan Randall have set up a new website – www.naturist-holiday-guide.com – to provide independent travel advice for those interested in au naturel vacations. France, Greece, Portugal and Cornwall in the UK are all currently included in their personal travelogue. Contributions and trip reports from other naturists are welcome.