Tucked away in the southern tip of Gran Canaria is an oasis of unmatched beauty that'll make you think you're in the Sahara desert. The sand dunes of Maspalomas are hemmed in by the resorts of Playa del Ingles, Maspalomas and Meloneras, which makes their survival all the more remarkable – and there's no more authentic way to explore them than on the back of a camel.

The dunes are a habitat of undulating sands sculpted by the Atlantic trade winds over thousands of years. You'll follow a carefully designed trail that respects the eco-system. To roam through them on a camel is a thrilling experience.

As well as sand dunes, the nature reserve – which covers an area twice the size of Monaco – also has typical desert features such as a tree-fringed oasis and endemic lizard species. During the 30-minute trek, you'll feel like you're in a scene from Lawrence of Arabia… until you smell the fresh Atlantic air and see the sea.