30/10/10

Jayne and I chose this holiday as it uniquely offered a twin centre of a naturist resort environment, and part of the week nude sailing on the owners yacht, in the Messinian Gulf, in the Peloponnese.

Fig Leaf’s website (www.figleafvillas.co.uk) is very well put together and comprehensive, so I will not simply replicate the information from that source, but describe our observations and experiences. We found this resort on the excellent and international ‘Naturist Holiday Info’ website.

First of all this is a very low-key part of Greece from the tourist perspective and in being so retains much ‘local charm’. The City of Kalamata and the resort of Stoupa some distance away provides night life if that is what is sought, but Fig Leaf is an entirely ‘low key’ offering, which is preferable for those that seek tranquillity.

The resort is known as Kolpos Thea, and is some 25 minutes from Kalamata. It is just beyond the charming town of Petalidi, on the road to the picturesque village of Achladahori. The transfer from Kalamata airport is less than 30 minutes; sadly direct flights from the UK operated by Thomas Cook Airlines, Thomsonfly and Viking only April-mid October (Note these may be expensive compared to the Athens option). Via Athens the transfer is 3-4 hrs by car or 4 hrs by coach! Albeit many guests opt for Athens (as they pick up their hire cars there), to avail of Easyjet flights, which can drop as low as £ 60 return on occasion. On a two-week vacation (or longer as Easyjet is a daily service), the Athens transfer is not a problem; we only took one week out so we went for the Kalamata option.

Kolpos Thea has a stunningly beautiful location perched on the foothills of a mountain; it has spectacular views down onto the Messinian Gulf and the peninsula and mountains in the distance. The sunrises and light displays on the Gulf waters are worth the trip alone. The resort occupies 1- 1 1/2 acres, surrounded by olive trees, which gives an ambiance of peace and seclusion.

This resort is very small (and deliberately so), comprising two brand new villas; Villa Elya sleeping 4 in two bedrooms (and up to six with a double bed sofa), and Villa Seeka sleeping 2 in a double bedroom (but up to 3 with a double bed sofa). The hosts, Cliff & Quee Hobbs, occupy a basement apartment during the holiday season, freeing both villas for guests.

Both villas are very well designed; appointed, equipped and furnished-indeed they are very tastefully done, and are way ahead of the standard of a Greek 3-4 star offering. Both have fantastic seated patio areas with wondrous views; we preferred the smaller villa-Seeka- (as there was just the two of us), as it is set away from the main villa in a peaceful little world of its own. A CD player is provided, as well as a full cooking oven and fridge.

With a maximum capacity of 11 including the hosts, this is a very intimate and personal resort; it would be a good place for first timers, or newbies to naturism, as well as experienced naturists. That said the US ‘Clothing Optional ‘ resort concept (which is not really prevalent in Europe) does not apply; naturism is expected round the pool and common areas and enthusiastically promoted by the hosts. Obviously if the weather/ temperature is adverse, common sense prevails. For non-naturists Kolpos Thea does have textile weeks and sailing trips, but guests of both creeds are not allowed (via the booking system) to overlap for obvious reasons.

The swimming pool area continues the high standards with a new pool on a patio, again with beautiful views of the Messinian Gulf. The pool is rectangular, single depth and stair (as opposed to metal steps) access. There is a small bar with seating, offering incredibly reasonably priced drinks, and a BBQ station.

The resort does cater for and accept children; the resort would not be suitable for the infirm, elderly, or people with mobility or general fitness problems-it is built on a hillside and there are a number of steps, especially to and from the main villa. The road outside Kolpos Thea to both local villages has steep inclines in places. There are excellent tavernas in walking distance both uphill to Achladahori, or downhill to the coast…but remember you have to return back on the opposite incline!

The local town of Petalidi, has abundant tavernas and bars, which are very good value. It is difficult to spend more than € 15/head on a two course dinner with a couple of ½ litre carafes of house wine. The standard of food is very good. We counted 4 supermarkets, and all the usual amenities of pharmacies, banks and bakers. A car is recommended for shopping and site seeing but is not essential on a one-week stay (especially if you are on the yacht for 3 days). Petalidi has a taxi rank…€ 7 one-way to Kolpos Thea.

During the season Fig Leaf runs one-day yacht trips aboard the magnificent yacht ‘Rendezvous’. This will involve some sailing under wind, a lunch stop at anchor close to a beach. There are ample opportunities for nude swimming and snorkelling. This event caters for 6-8 people, at a cost of € 50 a head. You can do as little or as much as you volunteer, and the host are more than willing to impart their knowledge and instruction. Again as the sailing is quite strenuous and requires a lot of balance, it is not for someone who is less than fit or exceeds a healthy BMI range.

A 3-day trip is taken only out of the main season, and is for a maximum of 6 guests, to optimise comfort. It is a wonderful and exhilarating experience especially under sail in a strong wind. The vistas are spectacular, and sea life revealed flying fish and dolphin. Two overnight stays are made using the very comfortable cabins, and facilities, which includes two shower rooms. Breakfast, lunch and drinks are provided; evening meals were taken in local tavernas, with the bill settled on a ‘go Dutch’ basis.

 Our first stop was to the South East of Kalamata having sailed to a cove and anchored off the delightful village of Kardamyli; after some nude swimming, we repaired for drinks and dinner in the local taverna with spectacular sea views.

 The second day of sailing brought us South West to the impressive and picturesque town of Koroni, with its huge Venetian fortress. . A similar evening ensued except we were joined by a very friendly group of other UK yachtsmen and women. Another first class meal was experienced, and again with plentiful wine the bill hit the dizzy heights of  € 11.50/head!!!

As Koroni is a town anchorage with an active harbour the swimming here had to be textile, as a matter of common sense. However the Messinian Gulf is not a busy water way and shortly after leaving port one can quickly revert to naturism.

A final day of sailing back to Kalamata, with periods of cruising and heavy sail…another stop for lunch at a naturist beach, and back to home port for 6 pm. This was followed by another excellent taverna meal in the Marina area.

All in all a most enjoyable experience… which Jayne an I can highly recommended for naturists, and even with ‘Factor 20’ sun cream, nude sailing affects a most fantastic all over tan.

We thoroughly enjoyed this vacation and the key highlights were: -

• Superb new complex with excellent accommodation.
• Very well equipped villas, perfect for self-catering, and many essentials provided e.g. olive oil.
• Generous welcome pack included (most unusually) in the price of the holiday (i.e. not an extra). This included wine, milk, bread, fruit, yoghurts, condiments, water, tea and coffee etc.
• First night welcome meal (again included in the holiday cost), much appreciated after a day of travel, with drinks.
• The experience of the Yacht ‘Rendezvous’. Naturism on a boat is not only good for getting a tan, but entirely practical due to space confines, and the amount of water encountered from time to time.
• Above all and most importantly in Cliff and Quee, visitors will have the nicest, caring and most pleasant hosts to be with. They are very low key and laid back, and yet attentive to everyone’s needs. They were patient with the sail teaching and such pleasurable company throughout. We felt we had known them for years.

We will be going back definitely to Kolpos Thea, and sooner will be the better as we so enjoyed ourselves and felt it was excellent value-it is years since we actually returned from a holiday with so much € intact in spite of the currently unhelpful exchange rate!

Thanks again Guys for this wonderful contribution... Hey Hun do you remember the 'topless sailing trip' of 19 ... no lets give away too much .... Might well give it a try!!