ISLAND ESCAPE
WORDS: RORY GOULDING. PHOTOGRAPH: SIMON DANNHAUER/GETTY IMAGES
Autumn on Gran Canaria is hard to distinguish from summer, at least in terms of weather. There is a dip in visitor numbers though, making this prime time to discover its underrated natural attractions. The Dunas de Maspalomas are one compelling example. These 404 hectares of dunes feel like a patch of the Sahara has drifted over from North Africa, just 130 miles away. The colour-shifting sands are threaded with trails to ocean-side bathing spots (sometimes clothing-optional). If walking on sand doesn’t come naturally, there are also dune tours on the backs of more sure-footed creatures (camellosafari.com). Drives away from the coast trace the curves of proud canyons to villages that grow mangos, avocados, and papayas, if you need further evidence you’re not in Europe anymore. grancanaria.com