I don't really remember the first time I wanted to be a nudist, I have always enjoyed it as long as I can remember. I DO remember my first time publicly. I was staying at a hotel in Switzerland and there was a sauna and indoor pool. Other business colleagues (Americans) snickered at the fact that the Swiss went into the sauna nude. I was determine to experience this, but first made sure none of my colleagues would be likely to come in, as I didn't want to have to put up with any unpleasantness in the office. Throughout my extended business trip, I repeated the experience, and met many interesting people from all over the world to chat with, in a mixture of languages. It was very pleasant.
One day, another colleague mentioned that he also went nude in the sauna. I was in there one night when he came in. I was wearing speedos and he was naked. I asked him if he minded if I joined him, he said no, so I removed my swimsuit. Again, it was a very pleasant experience, just relaxing and enjoying the sauna. On another occasion, he and I made a conscious effort to go down together, and we spent a couple hours in the pool and in the sauna.
My first experience on a nudist beach was in Barcelona, summer of 2000 or 2001 maybe. Walking from the main city, northwards, are a string of beautiful beaches. The furthest one is the naturalist one. I spent two afternoons there, simply soaking up the sun, sand and enjoying swimming au naturel.
One final comment: I was visiting the Isle of Man and the hotel had a sauna with a notice, written only in German, that swimsuits had to be worn! I guess they know that most Brits are too shy, but German-speakers are not.