Naked Odyssey 2006-2010

My ‘Naked Odyssey‘ project, making impromptu naked photography a part of all my world travels, started in 2016. During the 20 years before this, there had sometimes been nakedness on my travels, and sometimes it was photographed, but only casually. A few photos from that era are shared below… just for fun.

Latvia may not be an obvious sunshine destination but it has one of the finest beaches Europe. From Rīga central station (Rīga-Pasažieru) it’s a mere 26 minutes by train to Vecāķi station, where a straight-line walk north on Pludmales iela for 12 minutes leads to the most incredible expanse of sand. Turn right and strip.

Vecāķi beach, Latvia – location map.

Vecāķi beach, Latvia – location map.

Bansko in Bulgaria was my base for mountain hiking, plus a coach-coach-train-coach-coach circuit around Sofia, Skopje in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and Niš in Serbia. In the Pirin Mountains, my wanderings took in the Banderishka Porta saddle (below), and Vihren, the highest peak of the range.

Banderishka Porta, Bansko, Bulgaria – location map.

With its rows of restaurants and bars advertising “full English breakfast” and “happy hour”, much of Paphos in Cyprus is geared towards milking tediously clichéd ‘Brits abroad’. But crowds soon thin (in every respect) away from the centre. Many sites of natural and historic interest are within walking distance along the coast.

White Cliffs, Paphos, Cyprus – location map.

Agios Georgios at Pegeia, Paphos, Cyprus – location map.

This week in Berlin, from 22 July to 29 July 2007, transformed my impressions of Germany and of myself. The city was instantly elevated to my top 3 favourites in the world. Of course, the German attitude to social nudity is amongst the healthiest of any nation’s. Freikörperkultur was embraced at Strandbad Wannsee.

Strandbad Wannsee, Berlin, Germany – location map.

I returned to central Europe two months after my Berlin trip, staying at Bruck an der Großglocknerstraße, gateway to the High Alpine Road through Austria. I’d been mountain hiking on the continent annually since 2001; this wasn’t the most stunning area (take a bow, Zermatt) but beauty and freedom were all around.

Bruck an der Großglocknerstraße, Austria – location map.

Bruck an der Großglocknerstraße, Austria – location map.

On Fuerteventura, I’ve wandered naked for hours along beaches, dunes, hiking trails and even some roads without sparking consternation or curiosity. On the larger Canary Island of Tenerife, however, it’s a different story. The only place of rest I found was Caleta de La Tejita naturist beach near El Médano in the south.

El Médano, Caleta de La Tejita, Tenerife – location map.

When planning my return from travels through Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan, I found it to be cheaper flying Air Baltic via Latvia to London with a 3-night stay in Rīga, than it would be to fly direct. It was perfect weather for a trip to the Baltic coast too, so of course I returned to the outstanding beach at Vecāķi.

Vecāķi beach, Latvia – location map.

In Düsseldorf, Germany I travelled to the city’s eastern fringes where a sand and gravel excavation pit has become a beautiful lake. Unterbacher See has beaches on its northern and southern shores, with a fenced area at the south side reserved for those who prefer to be naked. Lots of space. It’s a popular preference.

Unterbacher See, Düsseldorf, Germany – location map.

Back to Fuerteventura where a favourite long hike was from Morro Jable on the south coast of the Jandía peninsula, heading north across a mountain ridge to Playa de Cofete… and back again. The first part, from the town to Aparcamiento Camino a Cofete, is by road but thereafter is car-free and can be clothes-free too.

Degollada del Cofete, Jandía, Fuerteventura – location map.

Playa de Cofete, Jandía, Fuerteventura – location map.

The August weather in Cologne, Germany wasn’t best so, to warm-up I tried out some of the city’s thermal baths. Mauritius Hotel and Therme was cosy, and the sprawling Claudius Therme was a delight. I do like a sauna ceremony. When the clouds cleared, I sunbathed on the west bank of the Rhine – north end.

Mauritius Hotel and Therme, Cologne, Germany – location map.

I hadn’t stayed at a naturist resort since my second and final visit to Cap d’Agde “Naked City” in May 1998. On this trip to Gran Canaria I stayed at Magnolias Natura in Maspalomas. It was OK but mainly served to reconfirm for me that there’s very little point to it when a vast dunescape of nakedness is right next door.

Magnolias Natura, Maspalomas, Gran Canaria – location map.

Playa de Maspalomas, Gran Canaria – location map.