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**randomnude** · 10-02-2002, 06:32 PM

Hi,

This is my first post so let me know if I am in the wrong forum. I recently visited Cap d'Adge in France. Wonderful place, everything I had heard it would be. The beach was a bit crowded but no more than you would expect at a US beach.

So here is my question. What is "high season"? My visit overlapped the end of July and the first week of August. Smack in the middle of "high season". And it wasn't packed. Is there some other reason besides the anticipated crowd? One of my friends mentioned school/college break. What do you think? [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif[/img]

**sunny21** · 10-03-2002, 11:51 AM

High season in Europe is commonly referring to July and the first half of August. Countries such as France, Germany, the Low countries, the Scandanavians receive about 5 to 7 weeks of holidays per year. They use this time period to get away. You will also find many privately owned shops closed during this period for several weeks at a stretch.

To be able to have that much holiday time seems like a wonderful thing. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif[/img] I wish we had this sme attitude here. They may not produce as much stuff or own as much stuff as we do, but their lives are better in many ways. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

Since you were at Cape D'adge, I would love to read your impressions of the place. Were you able to wander about nude everywhere?, go shopping, strolling, dining, etc. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

**randomnude** · 10-03-2002, 07:29 PM

Hi Sunny1, thanks for the reply. I agree, more vacation would be nice. However, I have trouble convincing my boss to give me a full week at a time let alone 5+ weeks!

As far as Cap d'agde goes, it is a must visit. The beach is so long that my legs were killing my on the first night so you may not want to take it all in too fast. It is true, you can do most everything naked. The complex has a shopping district complete with everything from barbers and bakeries to swim wear and sunglasses, and every place is clothing optional. But don't forget about packing your clothes just yet. You are still expected to dine while clothed. The French take their dinner very seriously.

A little more information for you. The beach stretches far beyond the confines of the complex with most of it clothing optional. While most everyone is nude, it is very common to see bathing suits. During the week I was there I was greeted with respect and felt incredibly comfortable, nudity is very accepted in Europe. One end of the complex has a swimming pool which is generally for the younger children and families. One the beach, the ages vary widely.

Several nights during the week have events and the weekend is generally topped off by a disco with live music! There is so much to do, I never left the resort. I will have to go back to check out Paris. One more thing, brush up on your French!!! Fortunately, my companion was fluent. Without her, I would probably still be there trying to get a cab [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img] . Stay cool and stay nude [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif[/img]

**Frank R** · 10-04-2002, 01:35 PM

"I wish we had this sme attitude here. They may not produce as much stuff or own as much stuff as we do, but their lives are better in many ways."

Actually, Germany surpassed the USA in total exports a few years back so I would think they produce as much or more but do it in less time. I agree that is a lot of ways their lives are better. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]
Maybe we should thinking about why their lives are better and start taking steps to improve our way of life. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif[/img]

**luvnaturism** · 10-04-2002, 07:51 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Frank R:
[qb]. . . . Actually, Germany surpassed the USA in total exports a few years back so I would think they produce as much or more but do it in less time. I agree that is a lot of ways their lives are better. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]
Maybe we should thinking about why their lives are better and start taking steps to improve our way of life. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif[/img] [/qb]

According to The World Factbook (published by your friendly CIA), Germany has the largest economy in Western Europe. It is third in the world after the US and Japan. In 2000 exports were $578 billion, while unemployment chronically runs about 10%. Per capita purchasing power was $23,400. Germany is the largest and most populous country in Western Europe.

In the same year US exports were $776 billion, with unemployment of 4%. Average per capita purchasing power was $36,200.

The CIA doesn't say this, but Germany is one of the most ? if not the most ? supportive countries of naturism in Western Europe. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

Although I'm disagreeing with Frank R's statistics, I agree with his conclusion. It's healthy for those of us who live in the USA to realize that there are all those other countries in which people live happily free of longings to be just like us. They haven't the slightest interest in moving here or copying our lifestyle.

The key is that Europeans have different expectations. This is not to say that theirs are either better or worse , but they are different.

They are willing to be taxed at rates that would create another revolution in the US in order to obtain a degree of security that few Americans can afford. They don't feel the need of a large powerful car that will take them 500 or 600 miles in a day in luxurious comfort: European countries generally don't have the roads to make such a car practical, and many of them have public transportation that goes practically everywhere on time. Fewer of them find it necessary to live in a detached single family home; if they do, they don't require as much space.

It's just a different way of living, and it works. Happiness is much less related to what you have than to what you think you have to have.

OK. Enough of this serious stuff. Time to get naked. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]

**Rik** · 10-05-2002, 02:47 AM

quote:
Originally posted by luvnaturism:
[qb].. and many of them have public transportation that goes practically everywhere on time.[/qb]

True of mainland Europe but not of the UK which has a public transport system bettered by some third world countries. Trains are frequently delayed or cancelled. The company which owns the rail track went into receivership last year largely as a result of its failure to maintain the railway track to a safe standard. London Underground transports people in conditions which would be illegal if they were cattle or sheep. Buses in rural areas are almost non-existent.

The result of all this is congested roads as car ownership seems to rise exponentially. It is completely normal to expect to be delayed when using British motorways especially those near major cities such as London, Birmingham and Manchester. And during busy periods in the morning and evening just about every town centre suffers from traffic congestion.

OK, end of rant. The rest of what you say is about right [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

**luvnaturism** · 10-05-2002, 09:15 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Rik:
[qb]True of mainland Europe but not of the UK [/qb]

Yes, you're right about the UK. We were there in June, and observed the crowded roads in our rental car. We didn't use the trains, but there was a lot in the papers about their problems. We did find it very easy to get just about anywhere in London using the Underground. It's not pretty to look at, but the trains run with a frequency that we never see in the US.

My thought is that one has to be careful about speaking of European countries as though they're all alike, which they definitely are not. Each has its own individual culture, benefits, and problems.

The nations on the continent do seem generally to have more sensible attitudes about the body than we see in North America. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif[/img]

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What exactly is "high season" in Europe?

What exactly is "high season" in Europe?

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