Conference moira::naturism

    Chris,
    
    I don't know of any specific nude beaches on Crete, but a friend
    of mine, a Swede, spent several summers on Crete as a tour-guide
    and she mentioned several times how relaxed the attitudes were
    there.  Relaxed, in comparison to what they are hare in the US,
    that is :-}
    
    Sue

    Thanks for the reply, It's nice to know they have a relaxed attitude
    out there. I expect finding individual beaches wont be too difficult,
    just asking the tour rep may be sufficent.
    
    If I do find any beaches I'll list them here for anybody else who might
    decide to go there.
    
    	Cheers
    
    	Chris

    Well, I've just come back and finding a CO beach was not a problem. I
    just asked the tour rep and she said there was one a mile walk from our
    apartment, so we spent most days on this beach. The resort, incidently,
    was Hersonissos.
    
    In fact quite a community built up on the beach, there were 
    barbeques, cooking freshly caught fish (mainly squid). Alot of them
    were Americans from the nearby forces base. The only problem was that
    there was some construction taking place on the cliff overlooking the
    cove where the beach was and the Greek workers tended to spend their
    lunch hour sitting on the cliff eating their lunch and goggling at the
    women.

    
    What did you think of Crete in general?  Did you like it?  Would
    you recommend it?  Come on, tell ....
    
    Sue

    Seeing as how you ask ...

    My overall impression was very positive. The purpose of the holiday was
    to relax and do very little, and this we managed to achieve. The resort
    itself was fairly "touristy" even at the end of the summer season. The
    advantage of this was that there were lots of activities : windsurfing,
    waterskiing, jetskiing, parascending. There were discos, bars and
    plenty of tavernas.

    However, away from the main resort beaches there are less crowded areas.
    By hiring a car or moped or bicycle (all of which were readily available)
    I understand it is possible to find deserted coves, particuarly on the
    south coast of the island. There is a beach on the north-east coast
    called "Via Beach" which is the only truly tropical beach in Europe -
    lots of white sand and palm trees. However because of this it can get
    crowded. This, incidently, is where the British Bounty chocolate bar
    adverts were made.

    There is plenty of history. The Minoan civilisation existed there from
    around 2000 BC and there are the restored remains of Minoan palaces.
    Various bits of Greek mythology were set on the island - Zeus was said
    to have been born in one of the caves in the mountains.

    It is also possible to take boat trips to other nearby islands, not that
    there are too many that near. We took a trip to the islands of Santorini
    which form the crater of a volcano which is under the sea.

    There are mountains running down the centre of Crete so there is hiking
    and climbing. We walked down the Samaria Gorge which is the longest gorge
    in Europe.

    Wasn't so keen on the large towns. Iraklion, in particular, was dirty,
    noisy and crowded.

    The attitude to nude sun-bathing seems to be quite laid back. All of
    the beaches in Crete are public. My feeling is that if you found a secluded
    beach and chose to bath nude nobody would complain; look maybe but not
    complain.

    One thing I tried for the first time was snorkling and loved it. The sea
    there is very salty and thus you are very buoyant. Naked snorkling in
    particular I thought was very sensuous, and makes you feel very free and
    uninhibited by clothes.

    I would recomend Crete to someone who wants a relaxing but varied holiday.
    We found staying at a large resort good because of the facilities, but
    were able to get away when we wanted.

    Hope this proves useful to anybody thinking of heading out that way.

        Chris

    Hi,
    one of the first official (approved by the greek governement) hotels
    on Crete for naturism is the Lena Mari Hotel. Ob�na is offering
    it already. I've not been there yet but I'm thinking of going in
    1991 may be.
    
    _christian

    My girlfriend and I are going to Crete in May. 
    
    We would appreciate all and any recent information anyone has.
    
    We will be staying on the south coast of the Island and we 
    are already planning to visit the Calypso naturist centre 
    for one day. 
    
    So any details and directions to Naturist/nude beaches in Crete
    please do not hesitate. Read-only members - please feel free 
    to send me a mail.
    
    Regards,
    
    John
        

    John,
    
    I'm also heading to Greece in May and any inputs will be greatly
    appreciated. I'm travelling by myself and have no plans at all at this
    time.
    
    Any clues, hints, etc...
    
    
    Regards,
    
    
    
    Eduardo