Off the beaten track

The Salt Flats, Bolivia

At some 10,000 sq km, these are the largest salt flats in the world and also the largest store of lithium. Unfortunately, mobile phones can't be charged by sticking them into the salt flats but you can take funny perspective shots with them because the Salt Flats are so flat and white. Take a three-day jeep journey (make sure your driver-cum-guide is English-speaking) and you'll cover the Eduardo Abaroa National Park, which has some stunning desert landscapes such as a giant cactus and coral island, naturally coloured lagoons, the "Dali" desert with its surrealistic volcanic rocks and formations, geysers, and wildlife-like pink flamingos. Part of the movie Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid was filmed here.

Travel tip: A stay in a salt hotel is a treat. The accommodation on the jeep trail can be intimidatingly basic, but there is a luxe version with the Tayka hotel network.