Its Tapas Time

My family members and friends have nicknamed me El Greedo. I cant help it that when I am in Spain or the Canaries I cant resist just trying out the local tapas bars even between meals. Theres something about these small tasty bites that could tempt me to spend more than if I'd gone for a full blown meal.
This winter has been a very busy time for the resorts in the Canaries. Of course mainland Europe can be a bit chilly for losing our clothes in winter months. Although I've had reports of some odd sunny days in Spain if you get in a sheltered area the weather isn't ensured till later on in spring.
The exceptional resort of Eagle Peak run by Peter Pledger is doing extremely well and is getting many repeat bookings. Additionally, the Skinny Dippers resort on Majorca is attracting many repeat customers run by Grant and Jordi.
The Vera Playa Hotel as well as the self catering complexes of Bahia Vera and Vera Natura are old time favourites in Vera Playa the resort that will want to be Agde but on a smaller scale.
I've just got back from a "Busmans Naturist Holiday" seeing our Fuerteventura and Lanzarote resorts. After saying beach bum to Susanne Duffner and her mother and dad who possess this magnificent place it was off to the fantastic cliff top restaurant for our late evening meal. We stayed in the hotel rooms this time which had astonishing sea views over the Playa Esquinzo beach. Breakfast the next morning was taken again on the restaurant terrace with the lovely ocean view and beach beneath.


Our next port of call was the tranquil El Cotillo fishing hamlet on the north west shore. This hamlet is well-known for the beautiful blue water lagoons and white sand beaches. We were staying in the Cotillo Sunset flats which are directly on one of the lagoon beaches and are blessed not only with a swimming pool but in addition a hot tub although for fabric use only. The sunsets from the ocean facing flat terraces are amazing .Opposite this complex is the La Concha beach and lagoon where the exceptional beach bar/eatery does a roaring trade. This shore tends to be a combination of naturist and cloths but merely a little further north towards the lighthouse the next lagoon tends to be entirely naturist and when we were there I guess there must have been at least 50 naked couples and families.
We set off for Corralejo which is about a twenty minute drive from Cotillo to visit the "Gallery" which is a much sort after property for naturist needing a private villa with pool yet only a few metres from the clothing discretionary "Flag Beach". After blondes on a beach was time to return the hire car and board the ferry to Playa Blanca on Lanzarote. When we arrived our second hire car was waiting for us for our 40 minute journey to Charco del Palo which is the village in the north east of the island. Charco is a village of around 500 properties that range from studios on complexes with pools to luxurious private villas. One villa I visited had a lift inside that travelled through a fantastic circular library from the ground floor indoor pool to the living accommodation on the top floors. Other villas such as Villa Stropek as well as the two Casa Rondas are available for rent and have a committed client base who publication year upon year. The ocean front apartments and bungalows at Charco are always in great demand. Sitting on the terrace you can often see dolphins leaping out of the water.
Our next stop off was the fabulous Famara beach where the wild seas in many cases are packed with surfers and kite surfers. Its fine to be nude on the beach and have something fascinating to observe while capturing the rays. Famara has some very good seafood restaurants and bars overlooking the sea. El Risco eatery which seems a little dodgy is named after the 2000 foot mountain range just behind the seashore. The food is anything but high-risk and is freshly caught that day.
The villas and bungalows have independent terraces that are private enough for sunbathing.
After beach party to the Papagayo beaches it was time to catch the ferry back to Fuerteventura and back to the Rosario airport for our flight home.
Viva Espana
Steve Clarke)