The first Mediterranean naturist cruise took place in June, 2004, from the 14th to the 21st. The ship, ‘Flamenco’, has room for 800 passengers.
This great event was organised in Spain. Not, as we might be tempted to think, in some of the great powers of European naturism, France, Germany or The Netherlands.
   Koldo, founder of the Basque Naturist Association, had the fabulous idea of the cruise. He is director of a branch of Gheisa, the travel agency. He managed to have the agency sponsor the initiative, which was also supported by the Spanish Naturist Federation and all its member associations.
   About 400 naturists went on board, most of them Spanish, many members of the different FEN (Federación Española de Naturismo) associations. The management of some naturist centres and some tour operators, were also present.
   The agency announced the creation of the brand name Gheisa Natour, during the cruise, a division of NATUNIÓN. This way, Spanish naturists have their own travel agency now.
   The cruise left Barcelona and stopped at Ibissa, Sardinia, Rome, Corsica and Nice. During the journey, among other activities, there were formal talks on topics like the legal situation of naturism in Spain, nudism vs. naturism, organised naturism and so on.
And a touch of colour: two couples from the Madrid association married on board. The two weddings were performed by the captain of the ship, naturally (see)
   The non-Spanish naturists were favourably surprised by the absolute legality of naturism in Spain. That allowed us to actually talk to journalists off the boat in both Barcelona and Ibissa. That is a welcome memory now, as we compare it with the situation of confinement in Italy and the problems we had in France. Spain, it is only fair to say, is at the forefront, among the countries in Europe, as far as its laws about naturism are concerned. That means that nudism can be exercised in any public area.
   The Spanish agency will go on holding this annual naturist cruise. In the future, the cruise will also be promoted around Europe, although with the Spanish flavour, which has proven to work so well among the foreign guests.
   The Spanish naturist movement is gaining relevance. In the year 2006, the INF will be holding its 25th anniversary celebration on Spanish soil. Many other events will be taking place in Spain in the immediate future: the INF World Congress at Costa Natura, the Interfederal on board the cruiser, the INF youth chapter meeting, … .
    You are very welcome.
SEE VIDEOS HERE

Colaboration send by Ismael Rodrigo to the INF magazine ("naturist international" 4/2004).

Photo by Ismael Rodrigo: famous reporter (Olga Marset) from Antena 3 TV naked.