Euronat, near Bordeaux in southwestern France, is most often referred to as a naturist campground, but when thousands of nude patrons invade its 335 beach-fronting hectares (828 acres) in summer, it becomes a naked city that rivals its more famous rival, Cap d’Agde.

Unlike typical naturist campgrounds or even most clubs, the resort has much more than the usual offering of amenities, including a shopping complex with 28 businesses. Also untypical is that it stays open year-round, offering many indoor facilities when the weather turns cold. It boasts an enormous enclosed heated pool, for one (open April to October).

Visitors and residents alike have quite a few activities to choose from, from horseback riding to yoga, dancing or surfing classes, all of which are done nude, of course. There’s also a complete health and beauty spa. The resort is highly popular with families, as there’s quite a few activities available to keep the kids busy as well. Then, of course, there’s the immense beach, which is often said to be the best in France.

Lodging isn’t limited to camping and trailers, as there are apartment and chalet rentals available, with low season rates starting at 37 Euros (56 USD) for 4 people. If you plan to visit in summer (June-August), you’re well advised to book several months in advance due to the enormous demand. Note that it’s also possible to buy a property within the club’s grounds.

Attesting to the resort’s efforts to accommodate an international clientele, rather than just French, services are also offered in English and German. Euronat is one hour by car from the Bordeaux international airport.

Euronat web site [in English]

American entrepreneurs are building Mexico’s first nudist residential complex, Mak Nuk Village. Located in Tulum, the walled complex is aimed at the luxury nudist market. Buyers can opt to rent-out their units to tourists through the developer’s own agency. The grounds are to include a restaurant and swim-up bar, and unofficial nudist beaches are a short distance away.
The project’s developers are Michael Gormley, a California construction company owner, and Mike Hopson, an expatriate American who’s lived on the Mexican Riviera for the past 12 years. Hopson is a nudist who’s been involved in the naturist resort business for several years.
Prices range from 179,000 USD for a one bedroom penthouse to 249,000 for a 2 bedroom. Of the 16 units planned, 9 have already been sold.

Located just outside Estepona, in Andalucia, Spain, Costa Natura Resort is arguably one of the more sought-after European nudist destinations, and in terms of amenities, it stacks-up well against many luxury naturist hotels found in the USA.
The club enjoys warm and sunny weather virtually year-round, thanks to its location on the Costa del Sol (Sun Coast). Amenities include a beach with bar, gym, restaurant and supermarket, all of which can be enjoyed in the nude. Lodging is in apartments for two to six people with rates ranging from under 39 Euros (60 USD) to over 140 Euros (216 USD). Low season is from November to mid-March.
Costa Natura was the scene of the recent conference (May 1, 2008) for the Spanish and Portuguese naturist federations.

Costa Natura web site (has English version)

While Europe is generally a good place to practice naturism and has a higher percentage of nudists than any other region, Italy is one of the few exceptions. Our insider and contributor in Italy, Pierantonio, related to us the hard facts about nudism in his country…

“Naturism isn’t very common in Italy”, begins Pierantonio, “…because it is often considered a shameful way of life by a lot of people, especially by old people linked to Italian traditions…(particularly) older catholic people”. He goes on to tell us that there are some beaches in Italy where nudism is “tolerated”, but nowhere is it legal, except at two in the Emilia Romagna region, the only one has a law protecting naturist from prosecution. That bill was passed in 2006, thanks to persistent lobbying by ANER (Emilia Romagna Naturist Association).

Thus, Pierantonio tells us, you practice nudism in most of Italy at the risk of being arrested or fined. He points-out, however, that most Italian courts will show lenience towards nudists charged with public lewdness, often acquitting them. He estimates there are approximately 500,000 nudists in Italy, and the vast majority must travel abroad to enjoy their lifestyle.

One of the problems facing the acceptance of naturism in Italy are the hordes of voyeurs and other sexual deviants who invade nudist beaches, he says. This is a common problem at any public nudist beach the world over, but more so where public nudity is uncommon.

We’re back again with another tour of the nude universe using Google Earth! Just download this zip file, open it up and click on each of the files it contains. Google Earth will transport you to the following prime nudist destinations:

1- Black’s beach, near San Diego, California.
2- Colina do Sol, a nudist community in Brazil.
3- Eden Bay, a all-nude resort in the Dominican Republic.
4- Lady Jane beach, in Sydney, Australia.
5- Oka, beach near Montreal, Canada.
6- Playa Chihuahua, a beach near Punta del Este, Uruguay.
7- Praia do Pinho, beach in southern Brazil.
8- Terra Cotta Inn, a resort in Palm Springs, California.
9- Vera Playa, a nudist city in Andalucia, Spain.