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A great article about visiting a nude beach for the first time.

Like many people my friend D’s worry about being naked for the first time was being seen by someone she knew. The “what if I run into someone from the office and they see all of me” keeps lots of people from enjoying nature- without a bathing suit.

In this great article in the UK about a British couple tying naturism for the first time they had this to report when they took their clothes off for the first time in public.

“Your first reaction after disrobing is inevitable. ‘Is this OK? Is it legal? Am I going to get into trouble?’

You keep imagining a police officer suddenly appearing out of nowhere, covering you up with his truncheon (oo-er), followed by a public indecency prosecution.

What’s more, you find yourself glancing up at the people walking past, who are deliberately trying to avoid eye contact.

The British Naturist Beach Code (yes, really, it’s a thing) tells you to ‘avoid confronting or approaching textiles’ – the naturist equivalent of Muggles.

But soon you realize that no one is looking at you, just as you are not looking at them. The dog-walkers and strolling couples have eyes for the ocean, or each other. They’ve seen the warning signs promising Naturists Beyond This Point, and they’re still here – so they can’t care that much.” Read the full article here

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By Sue McGarvie, ago

Why being naked in nature should be one of your New Year’s Resolutions

There is a quote on the door of the outhouse at a nude camp in Canada that goes something like this:
“Nature is mean to be experienced without clothes. Until you feel the breeze on your skin and the earth beneath your bare feet you realize that life in clothes has been like experiencing the world through a dirty window.”

We absolutely buy into this philosophy. It has done a world of wonder for body image issues, in making friends, feeling alive, finding a community, getting rid of tan lines, and losing the uncomfortable, sandy bathing suits. There is a great list of why doing kind things for yourself should include a nude beach on pintrest. Have a read.
And know that it’s the most natural thing in the world.

“They basically have the same exact things going on as typical beaches, aside from the obvious lack of swimwear. Everyone, whether solo or in groups, was basically just doing their own thing. They were there to enjoy the sunshine, hang out in the water and feel the sandy beach between their toes… and everywhere else.”

If you want to try it with a group of kind, fun, happy people consider joining the Ducklings at Club Secret (and the nearby nude beach on Florida’s space coast) April 5-12, 2018. Here are the details.

By Sue McGarvie, ago

Why the Couples resorts in Jamaica may be the best bang for your buck in nude travel this winter

As Florida home owners we bit our nails the entire week that Hurricane Irma approached the Sunshine State. The good news is that the massive hurricane only did moderate damage to Central Florida and left the Cove without power for a week. And our citrus tree survived the on slot. After leveling much of the Caribbean including wiping out big swatches of Orient Beach, Caliente DR, and the Florida Keys Irma left nudists with less choices this fall and winter. As we sit in November rain and sleet thoughts quickly turn to sunshine and frolicking naked. And no matter how much Jimmy Buffet and Bob Marley playing the background it doesn’t replace the real thing. So where is the best bang for your buck if you want to be naked this winter?

We suggest looking to Jamaica.

We once spent a whole month at Hedonism ll in Negril. And went on weekend trips to explore the Couples destinations in and around the island. They were magnificent. The nude sections were small but the resorts more than made up for it with outstanding service and accommodations. Our favorite was Couples Tower Isle, Ocho Rios, Jamaica which has it’s own nude island. The resort has this to say about it’s private island.
” It’s more intimate. We can’t add hours to the day, but we can make every hour count with more of everything you love. From the island’s finest farm-to-table cuisine to heart-pounding recreation to on-island treks to Jamaica’s most renowned attractions. Because giving you more is what our all-inclusive hideaway is all about.”

We think it may be a great place to look at -especially before Christmas. The resort is offering both air and resort credit of up to $500 and given that Jamaica was largely unscathed it will give couples the getaway that’s heavy on the romance but lighter on the pocketbook.

By Sue McGarvie, ago

The best romantic (and inexpensive) hotels in Florida NOT washed away by hurricane Irma.

Hurricane Irma was devastating to much of the Florida Keys and the Gulf Islands on Florida’s west coast. Even Central Florida is still re-building after such destruction from a Category 5 storm.

But there are still places to be visited inexpensively this fall and winter to up your romance level. What’s new is Allegiant Air’s many flights from Canadian border cities for a song this fall. As we priced one vacation out of Ottawa via Ogdensburg NY’s new airport hanger it was $180 return US for a long weekend to Sandford/Orlando Florida. That’s almost just the price of gas return for a Toronto trip. If you are looking for some deals in accommodation for a lovely, 5 day trip to the sun there are some great ones.

Islands magazine published a list of romantic hotels in this month’s edition. They aren’t inexpensive however. Have a read about them here.

Our favorite of that list is the Casa Monica Hotel in St. Augustine.
Not only do we love St. Augustine (and home to the best alligator/crocodile zoo in the world) but St. Augustine beach is a fantastic place to stay.

The Casa Monica Hotel “blends modern luxury with old-world charm, this circa-1888 landmark in America’s oldest city takes you back to another time. The castle-like feel is present in every detail of the resort (it even has turrets!). Every one of the 138 rooms is uniquely appointed and decorated. We love the two-story Signature suites, especially the Ponce de Leon with its rooftop whirlpool and private balcony.”
At. Augustine feels like the cobblestone cities of Europe mixed in with a little Disney marketing. It is Florida. Great speakeasy distilleries and wineries, fantastic seaport areas and amazing food.

We found an Air Bnb in downtown St. Augustine for $96 dollars a night with parking and breakfast included. It had a balcony and a great bed. Mount Dora is great for a day or two while Miami, the Keys, Naples, and lower St. Pete’s is under construction. There are fall deals to be had in clothing optional vacations at both Cypress Cove Resort and Caliente north of Tampa.

Don’t give up on Florida this fall. There are deals to be had for outstanding romance getaways. And as we espouse, great vacations make for great relationships.

By Sue McGarvie, ago

Best Nude European Beaches

There is a great article in this month’s Island Magazine about the best Nude Beaches to go to in Europe.

The challenge is the weather is only semi-tropical. Even in the south of Italy, or off the coast of Greece you aren’t naked in the dead of winter. But many of these places are magic. And great if you are dropping the laundry for the first time.
There is a beach represented in Croatia (still considered to have some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe), Denmark, and Germany (the very famous Kampen Beach, Island of Sylt, Germany).

The German beach closes after the end of September and is described like this:
“The island of Sylt is to Germany what Cape Cod or Nantucket is to the Northeast — grass-covered dunes serve as backdrop to the long ribbon of latte-colored sand. But because this is Germany, a country with a long history of accepting nudity, it’s perfectly natural to go suit-less.”

In Germany (like in many of the European countries) you can be naked in parks and in public swimming areas. But designated nude beaches are preferred if you are visiting from a different country. The odds of getting into trouble with the local establishment are low but why risk it.

With Italy, Greece, Portugal and Spain well represented on the list of the best nude beaches in Europe you might want to look into them if your travels takes you anywhere near the Mediterranean this fall or next spring. Read the full article here.

By Sue McGarvie, ago

Temptations open with much fanfare in Cancun

Temptations has certainly been known in the erotic travel circles as the “most elegant of spring break hotels”. Less about drunk students and more about drunk 25-35 year olds with party buses into the big bars in downtown Cancun. But with a re-opening and complete renovation of their Cancun property Temptations is catering more to the over 35 party crowd with elegant fun and more to do later at night directly on property. Not as sophisticated and openly sexy as the Desire properties down the road in the Riviera Maya, Temptation has always been more about the tease- rather than the full Monty. And given that it is situated right in Cancun, the beach took a back seat to the party pools.

But now Temptations has become much more cosmopolitan. It’s just won awards for the design and aims to bring playful, topless sexy to Cancun’s skyline. There media package had this to say about the new renovations.

“Inspired by the human body, Temptation Cancun Resort’s smooth, multi-colored seven story façade will be a beautiful, sensuous highlight of the Cancun Resort strip.

“Temptation’s new design by Karim Rashid showcases everything we stand for – excitement, sensuality, passionate and innovative; with legendary and top-notch services,” said Rodrigo de la Peña, CEO of Original Resorts. “With its grandiose façade, excellent restaurants and facilities, Rashid’s redesign includes everything from the colors to the shapes and the furniture to the open spaces, creating a sensual atmosphere where vacationing couples are immersed in our adults only playground during their entire stay.”

It will be interesting to hear the reviews. We have a number of Ducklings attending the Halloween festivities over the next week as the resort becomes the place to go for adults wanting to re-live their mis-spent youth. Like with any Original property the pool side service and wait staff in general is excellent. The staff is motivated and attentive. But we continue to hear that there is a high pressure push to purchase the timeshares which can take away from your vacation experience. Especially if you are only there for a short visit. No matter what they offer stay away from the “membership presentation”. We heard of a couple of people leaving feeling very strong armed.

But for a quick trip down to sunny Mexico for a few days Temptations is a great choice. It’s easy to get there, sexy but it stays away from the full-on swinging and nudity of Desire (or Hedonism) and emphasizes the innuendo. With newly appointed rooms and great new facilities the time to visit Temptations may be on hand.



By Sue McGarvie, ago