'CLOTHING OPTIONAL VACATIONING KICKS THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY BACK INTO ACTION AFTER 9/11 ATTACKS

The Adults Only Travel Guide announces its first annual list of the top five 'clothing optional travel destinations for romantic couples.

Grand Rapids, MI - Despite the widespread alarm and panic created by last years terrorist attacks on the USA, one area of the travel industry has not only weathered the storm of traveler concern stemming from the attacks, but also experienced a mini-boom in the months since. Many adult travel destinations are reporting that business has never been better in the wake of the terrorist crisis, and that many travelers are looking, now more than ever, to take their loved ones on romantic holidays to secluded getaways where they can get completely lost in their passions, and forget the pressures of daily life. The simple pleasure of enjoying a vacation without clothing is something many adult travelers look for in a destination.

David West, co-author of Adults Only Travel: The Ultimate Guide to Romantic and Erotic Destinations, explains, The feedback Im getting from resort operators is that people are more intent than ever to just get away from it all, kick off their duds, and explore their romantic lives in ways that they just cant do back home. As the evolution of large-scale 'clothing optional travel resorts is a relatively new, if not almost unknown, phenomenon to many Americans, its good to see that this part of the travel industry isnt experiencing the same volatility that has led so many other traditional destinations to near financial ruin in the last three months."

To celebrate the resurgence on the adult travel industry, Wests book Adults Only Travel: The Ultimate Guide to Romantic and Erotic Destinations has announced its
first annual list of the top five 'clothing optional travel destinations for romantic couples, based on price, facilities, atmosphere, location and overall travel excellence. The list was prepared from over 150 listings within the guidebook, and culled down to a final five that West believes offer superior quality, location, reputation, value and what he calls the 'hedonist ratio -- meaning exactly how much freedom vacationers are allowed to play out their ultimate romantic fantasies.

The list is really pretty broad," says West. The reason for this is that adult travel is such a broad market. You really cant tie any group of destinations together, because theyre so different in what they offer and whom they target. For example, Viking Villas in the Caribbean is an incredible place to escape to, where executives can spend four days with the beautiful woman of their choosing in complete privacy, and everything is included in the price... and I mean everything... but for the purposes of this list, we broke it down to the best places for a romantic couple -- be they married, dating or just out for an adventure -- to simply let their hair down."

Adults Only Travel: The Ultimate Guide to Romantic and Erotic Destinations is packed with information and photos from over 150 romantic and exotic (and sometimes erotic) travel destinations -- everything from where to hold a bungee jumping wedding to companies wholl help you join 'the mile high club -- and each listing includes website details, complete contact information and all the information you need to know when planning your next romantic getaway. No matter what your taste, no matter how exotic the fantasy, theres something in the Adults Only Travel Guide that will suit you and your partner. The guide is available for online ordering at www.AdultsOnlyTravel.com or by calling 1-888-9-ADULTS. The cost is $21.95, plus shipping, and it has a six month 100% full satisfaction guarantee.

The list of the top five clothing optional travel destinations for romantic couples follows:

1) Desert Shadows: Palm Springs, California. Described by USA Today as The jewel in the crown of nudist resorts," Desert Shadows is simply the ultimate clothing-free travel destination in the world today. Acres of landscaped grounds behind secluded gates offer panoramic views and immaculate sunshine, and its all only a mile from downtown Palm Springs. While Desert Shadows may not be as decadent as some other destinations, its certainly a place where first timers can get comfortable shedding their skins in front of others -- and with the incredible facilities, unbeatable proximity to Los Angeles, and unbelievably low prices (rooms start at $130 a night), this landmark tourist resort is a place to sit back, smear on some sunscreen, soak up the sun, forget about your troubles and enjoy getting back to the way nature intended. Desert Shadows, quite simply, has it all. (http://www.desertshadows.com)

2) Hedonism III: Runaway Bay, Jamaica. Some prefer seclusion and simplicity when they plan a romantic getaway. Others prefer to go somewhere that they can get lost in a crowd and act out their wildest fantasies every night. Hedonism III, a 225-room resort devoted to fulfilling your primal urges, is the perfect place for the latter, building on the 25-year tradition of excellence set by Hedonism II, and adding a new millennium twist that takes it to a whole new level of Roman opulence. Hedonism is all about getting what you want, when you want it. Everything (and we mean everything) is included in the price -- food, alcohol, accommodation, you can even have them throw in a free wedding if you like -- and tipping is forbidden, so once youre registered you really dont need to worry about anything for the rest of your trip. Rooms include mirrored ceilings, Roman Jacuzzis, the works -- and in case you think no tipping means surly staff, guess again -- this chain of luxury resorts has collected awards for best staff and service for two years running. Prices start at $450 a night per couple. Its big, its awesome, its clothing free! (http://www.superclubs.com)

3) Caribbean Reef Club: Cancun, Mexico. Close enough to the tourist Mecca of Cancun to make travel simple, but far enough away from the madding crowds to allow total relaxation, the Caribbean Reef Club is much different from the mega-resorts like Superclubs, because its limited to 30 suites. The rooms are all spacious, marble-floored, beachfront facilities, and the dining and sporting facilities are all amazingly complex for a resort of such an intimate nature. Perhaps the best thing about Caribbean Reef Club is its just as all-inclusive as the bigger Hedonism III, in that once youve paid your room-rate, you never have to go into your pocket for anything again, and it manages to do so without sacrificing privacy. The perfect place for a romantic getaway, and incredible value at just $260 a night per couple, Caribbean Reef Club is everything a small resort should be -- immaculate, relaxing... and clothing optional. (http://www.carribeanreefclub.com)

4) Grand Lido Braco: North Coast, Jamaica. Offering a private section with 52 rooms and suites in two buildings allows au naturel guests to enjoy their privacy. Grand Lido Braco has a completely private nude beach facility that includes the popular Neptune Bar. The resort also offers the best of the best in amenities, all of which are included in your stay. Five dining facilities allow you to dine as casual or formal as you desire. This resort is one in a chain of three Grand Lido all-inclusive resorts but is the only one of the three that has a completely separate area for those who desire a clothes free vacation. Spa facilities, fitness center, water sports, great food and drinks, nightlife -- its all here for any romantic couple to experience. Starting at $700 a night per couple in the high season, the Grand Lido Braco is a little pricier then some other resorts mentioned but well worth the extra money for the added luxury. You may also be able to take advantage of some better deals through your travel agent or during low season.
(http://www.superclubs.com)

5) Hale Akua Shangri-La: Maui, Hawaii. A little more 'new age than others on the list, Hale Akua Shangri-Las secluded two acres sits on a 300 foot cliff, overlooking Maui and the surrounding waters, not to mention some magnificent ocean sunrises. With full bed and breakfast, a 60 foot ozonated swimming pool, and staff skilled in yoga, massage, healing and nature walks, astrology, adventure and oceanic tantra, its hard to believe that rooms at this resort run as low as $55 a night. Not as high a hedonist ratio as compared to others on the list, but if learning the art of tantric sex is your thing, theres nowhere better. (http://www.haleakua.com)

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