Rab - The birthplace of nudism

The global television network CNN has recently included the Croatian island of Rab among the top ten world islands which should be visited by tourists with alternative preferences. CNN recommends Rab to tourists and calls it the birthplace of skinny dipping. Nudism was „introduced” thanks to an episode with English King Edward VIII and his beloved Wallis Simpson, who were allowed to swim and sunbathe in the nude by the Rab authorities in 1936, in the area of Kandarola.

From then on, the tradition of nudism has flourished in Rab, and the island has become a famous destination among nudists across the world. But written records confirm that naturism on Rab began even before the arrival of the English king, when a naturist beach was officially open in Rab at the turn of the 20th century.

To potential nudist visitors of Rab, CNN recommends good locations such as Lopar and its three beaches - Sahara, Stolac and Ciganka. After a swim, a visit to the old town of Rab is recommended.

Rab is an island with a 120 year old tradition of organised tourism. The town of the same name was once a Roman settlement which was given the status of a city by the Emperor Octavian Augustus, who proclaimed it a municipality in 10 BC. Here, each building remembers dozens of generations, and above the Renaissance and Gothic portals stand the coats of arms of Rab`s noble families, whose descendants are today friendly hosts to tourists from all over the world.

During the summer season, Rab offers numerous music and theatre events.

The island is most famous for its sandy, pebble and rocky beaches, whose beauty has been recognized a long time ago. The Austrian natural historian Camilo Morgan, wrote upon his three visits to Rab at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century: `A dozen beautiful bays on the west side of the island have a special colour of the sea which somewhere passes into a shade of emerald. If the coasts of Italy and France deserve to be named Cote d’Azur, these should certainly be named cote smargdine. `

Alongside Rab, only Ibiza and Sicily were recommended to party people and gourmets, by the CNN list of top European destinations, Musha Cay on the Bahamas was recommended to the wealthier tourists, the Lizard Island in Australia was recommended to the couples, the Island of Sar was recommended to lovers of exceptional nature, Ogasawara in Japan to loners, Oaha in Hawaii to families, Hong Kong to shopping addicts, and St. Bartz was recommended to those searching for celebrities.


Source: CNTB