I've just got back from a short break to Vera Playa and had to let you know just how fabulous it is! Vera Playa is not far from Almeria (about an hours’ drive) and has the reputation for being the warmest and driest part of Europe (the local golf course is Europe's only official desert course). Vera is the main town and then Vera Playa a large zone that's fully naturist (public streets, naturist residential zone, naturist hotel, a beach promenade, bars, restaurants and 2 kms of sandy naturist beach).
I flew out from Stansted… when you book the apartment you can also book a shuttle bus that will take you practically to the front door (and at 36 euros return it's excellent value).
I was met by Steve & Chris (wonderful couple who own the apartments) and escorted to the very well appointed apartment. They have 2, one on the complex they live on and the one I rented, a stone's throw from the beach. The apartment is very well appointed - there's a good sized lounge area, kitchen (with all you need), bathroom, bedroom with double bed and a sun-terrace that gets the sun most of the day - security is also taken care of with lockable bars iron gates covering the patio doors and heavy locks on the doors. Looking out from the apartment you can see the Med and sitting on the patio it's most soothing to listen to the waves breaking gently (it really is that close!). The complex has a beautiful naturally heated pool which is nicely lit in the evening and pleasant gardens to walk around.
I had the chance to look around the other apartment/complex and they're every bit as nice as the one I stayed in with the added benefit of a larger outdoor pool and good sized, heated indoor pool also available.
Walking out of the apartment complex you have a walk of no more than 250 yards to get to the beach (it may be less, I was never good at distance...) and being a naturist environment you don't need to worry about dressing to get down there. The beach is a mixture of sand with some shingle so flip-flops are worth wearing; as you walk onto the beach there's two very nice bars both of which manage a number of sunbeds on the way down to the sea (5 euros/bed/day - very reasonable). Both bars do very reasonably priced food and drink and from my experience the food was very good (the wine was too for that matter...). As it was May the sea hadn't fully warmed up yet with only the slightest of gritted teeth I was soon in and it really wasn't that cold (it didn't have a detrimental effect on my manhood if you get what I mean...). The beach itself is very family friendly and there really was the whole range of ages, shapes & sizes; at the time of visiting the majority of people were Spanish but there were plenty of other nationalities, including other Brits. Inevitably there's a volleyball court and pétanque area (what is it about naturism & pétanque ?!) both of which seemed popular.
Vera Playa caters for every naturist taste but everything has its own place so families can feel comfortable and those wishing a little more 'excitement' (ahem...) can find it.
As for my hosts, Steve & Chris, they couldn't be more accommodating and work tirelessly to make sure your visit is everything you could want. At the end of some breaks it's nice to get back home, at the end of really good breaks you don't want to go back home. I didn't want to go back home!
If you want a great break/vacation in an area that's focused on naturists and has something for everyone, then you simply MUST consider Vera Playa and if you go, you'd be mad not to check out Vera Playa Vacations.