My first nude beach experience happened when I was about nineteen. I was staying with my parents in northern Italy, where they worked for three summer months. Naturally, I spent most of my days on the beaches around Ferrara, in Emilia-Romagna.

I made a few friends there, and during the day we went sunbathing, while in the evenings we tried to find some nightlife. Most of my friends were not actually Italian, but American students spending the summer with their parents, who worked at the University of Ferrara through an exchange program.

Ferrara did not have many nightclubs, and after a few nights out we had already lost some enthusiasm. Most local people did not speak English, which made things complicated. There were definitely some handsome guys we wanted to meet, but the language barrier kept ruining everything.

Then one evening we met two Italian guys whose English was actually quite good. Both were students, and they took us to a nightclub. I barely remember the name now — something like Pelle d’Oca, which translates rather ridiculously as “goosebumps.” But at the time, it felt exciting enough.

The next day they showed us more places, and things finally started getting interesting.

Among that group of Italian guys, one stood out to me immediately. His name was Giuseppe, though everyone called him Beppe. He was handsome, charming, and studied law at the University of Ferrara. Since I was planning to study law back in the States, we connected right away.

Soon we started looking for chances to be alone. We would slip away from the group, sit in quiet corners, talk about everything and nothing, and kiss for hours. It was that kind of summer romance where you do not think about the future. You only think about tonight.

As the end of summer came closer, I noticed Beppe becoming more nervous. At first, I thought he was sad because I would soon be leaving. Later, I understood that he had something else on his mind. But I only realized that fully much later, already on the plane home.

Before that, there was the beach.

Beppe had a habit of kissing me very passionately whenever we found a quiet place. I liked it, but I was also embarrassed when we were still in public. I always felt as if someone might see us.

Then one day he told me he had a “fantastic idea.” He said he would take me to a special beach near Lido delle Nazioni, close to Comacchio. I imagined a romantic hidden beach, maybe somewhere quiet and beautiful.

I had no idea he was taking me to a nude beach.

When we arrived, I was shocked. Around us, people were sunbathing completely naked as if it were the most normal thing in the world. At first, I did not know where to look. I felt embarrassed, confused, and strangely curious.

Part of me wanted to tease Beppe for bringing me there without warning. Another part of me wanted to see whether I could actually be brave enough to join everyone else. I also did not want him to think I was ashamed of my body or full of complexes.

So I put on the calmest, most confident face I could and began taking off my swimsuit.

First, I removed the top.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Beppe freeze. That made me feel strangely powerful. If he had wanted to shock me, then perhaps I could shock him right back.

When I removed the rest of the swimsuit, he looked completely overwhelmed. I tried to act casual, but inside I was shaking with embarrassment and adrenaline. I had never been naked like that in public before. Yet the more I stood there, the more I felt something change.

The beach around us was calm. Nobody stared in a vulgar way. Nobody laughed. People were simply lying in the sun, reading, talking, walking to the water. For everyone else, this was normal.

For me, it felt electric.

Beppe never fully relaxed that day. He stayed awkward, nervous, and clearly affected by what had happened. I cannot say I minded. His reaction flattered me more than I wanted to admit.

Eventually I walked to the water. The first steps were the hardest. I felt exposed, visible, and unsure of myself. But when the sea touched my skin, the embarrassment began to fade. Without a swimsuit, the water felt different — softer, freer, more intimate.

By the time I came out, I was still shy, but I no longer felt ashamed.

I cannot say I became a convinced nudist immediately after that. But with time, I understood something important: people do not go to nude beaches only to stare at each other. At least, that is not the real point. They go there to feel free, natural, and less trapped inside all the usual rules about the body.

That first time felt shocking because I was young, nervous, and too dependent on what others might think of me. But now I remember it differently.

I remember the Italian sun.

Beppe’s stunned face.

My own trembling courage.

And that first strange, beautiful moment when embarrassment began turning into freedom.