Naturism 

is a lifestyle of non-sexual social nudity, and the cultural movement which advocates for

and defends that lifestyle. Both may also be referred to as nudism. Though the two terms are
largely interchangeable, nudism emphasizes the practice of nudity, whereas naturism highlights an
attitude favoring harmony with nature and respect for the environment, into which that practice is
integrated.[1] That said, naturists come from a range of philosophical and cultural backgrounds; there
is no single naturist ideology.
Ethical or philosophical nudism has a long history, with many advocates of the benefits of enjoying
nature without clothing. At the turn of the 20th century, organizations emerged to promote social
nudity and to establish private campgrounds and resorts for that purpose. Since the 1960s, with the
acceptance of public places for clothing-optional recreation, individuals who do not identify
themselves as naturists or nudists have been able to casually participate in nude activities. Nude
recreation opportunities vary widely around the world, from isolated places known mainly to locals to
officially-designated nude beaches and parks.
At naturist organised events or venues, clothing is usually optional. At naturist swimming pools or
sunbathing places, however, complete nudity is expected (weather permitting). This rule is
sometimes a source of controversy among naturists. Staff at a naturist facility are usually required to
be clothed due to health and safety regulations.[9]
Facilities for naturists are classified in various ways. A landed or members' naturist club is one that
owns its own facilities. Non-landed (or travel) clubs meet at various locations, such as private
residences, swimming pools, hot springs, landed clubs and resorts, or rented facilities. Landed clubs
can be run by members on democratic lines or by one or more owners who make the rules. In either
case, they can determine membership criteria and the obligations of members. This usually involves
sharing work necessary to maintain or develop the site.[10]
The international naturist organizations were mainly composed of representatives of landed clubs.
[1]
 Nudist colony is no longer a favored term, and can be used by naturists to address landed clubs
that have rigid non-inclusive membership criteria.
A holiday centre is a facility that specializes in providing apartments, chalets and camping pitches for
visiting holidaymakers. A center is run commercially, and visitors are not members and have no say
in the management. Most holiday centers expect visitors to hold an INF card (that is, to belong to an
INF-affiliated organization), but some have relaxed this requirement, relying on the carrying of a
trade card. Holiday centers vary in size. Larger holiday centres may have swimming pools, sports
pitches, an entertainment program, kids' clubs, restaurants and supermarkets. Some holiday centres
allow regular visitors to purchase their own chalets, and generations of the same families may visit
each year.[6] Holiday centres are more tolerant of clothing than members-only clubs; total nudity is
usually compulsory in the swimming pools and may be expected on the beaches, while on the
football pitches, or in the restaurants in the evening, it is rare.[6]
A naturist resort is, to a European, a private property with accommodation and facilities where
naturism is the norm. Centre Helio-Marin in Vendays Montalivet, Aquitaine, France (the first naturist
resort, established in 1950); the naturist village of Charco del Palo on Lanzarote, Canary
Islands; Vera Playa in Spain;[11] and Vritomartis Resort[12] in Greece are examples.
In US usage, a naturist resort can mean a holiday centre.[13] Freikörperkultur (FKK)—literally
translated as 'free body culture'—is the name for the general movement in Germany. The
abbreviation is also recognised outside of Germany and can be found on informal signs indicating
the direction to a remote naturist beach.[citation needed]