Mauritania - Mauritania is venturing through towns half-blanketed in sand, sipping tea with nomads under their colourful tents, crossing plateaus that resemble the moon and gazing at prehistoric rock drawings and ancient Saharan architecture. One thousand-mile stare coming up.

The biggest attraction Mauritania offers is the very desolation that keeps so many people away. For those with the true spirit of adventure, Mauritania is one of the least trodden spots in the world - and even those who find it godforssaken agree that it's exotic.