Maspalomas dunes, Gran Canaria

Six beautiful beach resorts are strung across the island’s south coast. The largest is Maspalomas, a protected reserve since 1987 of gigantic dunes, some as high as 40ft.

As sea breezes continuously carve new shapes into the 400 hectares of sand, no day ever looks the same at this spectacular dunescape.

You can either stride around it on foot – beware of the central area which is a nudist beach – or ride a camel across the wind-rifled layers, Laurence of Arabia-style.

The resort also has a lovely selection of seafront bars and restaurants, just off a wooden boardwalk on the sand.