A beach destination in Italy plans to host naked wedding ceremonies.
There's a new possibility for couples to tie the knot even closer - by getting married on a nudist beach in Sardinia.
Is Benas beach, located halfway up Sardinia's western coast, may soon become a hotspot for naked weddings after the local authorities agreed to allow couples to say "I do" in their birth suits.
The idea came about when a German couple wrote to inquire if it was possible to exchange vows on the beach that has been naturist-designated for the past two years.
The mayor of San Vero Milis, the closest town, Luigi Tedeschi, who came up with the concept of designating part of the beach as nudist, believes that this move is meant to showcase people's freedom.
"We're living in a delicate moment for people's freedom, with nationalist movements across Europe. People get arrested or face intimidation. So, we need to do things to prove that people want freedom, not a regime," he says.
Tedeschi, an antifascist, has been in office since 2015. He explained that the central part of Is Benas beach has always been popular among naturists, and it was his idea to make it official. The beach is a mix of nudist and clothed areas, and Tedeschi claims it's for the affirmation of the right to freedom.
"Nudity has nothing to do with sex. It's a philosophy of life, and it's linked to nature," he explains. "It should be respected, so why not?"
The central part of the four-mile-long beach, which is partially hidden, is being used for the weddings. Tedeschi says no one in the town, with a population of 2,500 that can grow to 30,000 in the summer months, has complained.
"There've been some jokes about me having to wear clothes during the ceremonies or where I would put on my mayoral sash, but they're just jokes. Everyone is in favor," he joked.
The goal is to create a network of naturist beaches across Sardinia. By providing the necessary facilities, they can attract respectful tourists. The naturist area of the beach is always kept clean.
"We want to increase tourism sustainably. It's about cultural exchange, not big hotels. We need to welcome the tourist in our homes, offer them local food, and this kind of tourism fits that mold. They're more in touch with nature," he adds.
Is Benas and Is Arenas, the more famous adjacent beach, stretches for almost 17 miles. The coastline is dotted with vast dunes and a massive pine forest behind them, making it one of Europe's most picturesque coastlines.
The second-largest island in the Mediterranean, Sardinia, is known for its stunning mountainous interior and pristine beaches, with devotees claiming they're as beautiful as famous destinations like the Maldives.
Sardinia is also a treasure trove of archaeological sites. Tharros, a Roman city still standing on a narrow peninsula near San Vero Milis, boasts ruins from the Phoenician and ancient Nuraghic periods. The place is also home to the mysterious Giganti di Mont’e Prama, a collection of 28 "giant" stone figures of soldiers, archers, and boxers, carved by one ancient civilization and then ritually destroyed by the next.
Regarding the attire for the weddings, Tedeschi says it's up to the couples themselves to decide.
"People can wear whatever they want. As long as it affirms the principle of affirming people's freedom, it's all good."
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In light of the growing trend of unique wedding experiences, some couples might consider traveling to Sardinia for a naked wedding on Is Benas beach.
As more destinations become popular for alternative weddings, the potential for increased tourism interested in nudist beaches like Is Benas also increases.
Source: edition.cnn.com
