As dry as it gets.

Put all memories of Britain's cloying, mind-sapping winter behind you - and think sunshine, sunshine and more sunshine.

Planet Earth has given a unique insight into the real wonders of our world, none more fascinating than the desert regions. Because they offer a real chance to share some uplifting adventures to some of the most spiritual of places.

THE Atacama Desert, highlighted in the final episode of the series, is renowned as being one of the driest places in the world. In fact, in parts, no measurable rainfall has ever been recorded.

Sunvil's Latin America's 15-night Essential Chile itinerary includes a three-night stay in the frontier-like town of San Pedro de Atacama.

From here, the tour includes excursions to the dramatic Tatio geysers and the appropriately named, Valley of the Moon.

Santiago, Chile's vibrant capital, Lauca and Torres del Paine National Parks and a lake cruise to Peulla rate highly among the memorable highlights on this trip.

ALTERNATIVELY, share specialist operator Explore's 17-day Inner Mongolian Adventure from pounds 1,499 a head to the distant northern limits of China. Here, you'll explore the harsh landscapes and traditional pasturelands of Inner Mongolia.

Venture into the Tengger Desert on camels and marvel at the desolate fringes of the Mongolian plateau. This isolated landscape holds salt lakes, shifting sand dunes and unusual desert forests.

You can glide along the Yellow River on sheepskin rafts and finish at Datong and marvel at the 50,000 different sized Buddhist statues hewn into caves in steep cliffs.

IF you want ultimate privacy, the Arabian desert's five-star Al Maha Desert Resort and Spa should be your choice.

The stunning property is made up of 40 luxury Bedouin tents - each with its own plunge pool and luxurious bathroom - a wonderful spa and chef.

He will serve you delicious cuisine in the main dining room, your own room - or even in the desert - giving a whole new meaning to just desserts!

The resort can organise desert field trips and horse riding and is only 55 minutes from the alluring shopping malls of Dubai.

MEANTIME, Expert Africa' Klein Aus Vista' is one of southern Namibia's most unexpected secrets - a farm, located on the edge of the Namib Desert.

Covering 150 square kilometres of striking mountain and desert land, it is home to the world's only wild desert horses.

It borders the forbidden diamond mining zone, the Sperrgebiet, and is a short drive from the coastal town of Lderitz and a nearby ghost town, Kolmanskop, which is being slowly swallowed by the shifting desert sands.

Stay at the Eagle's Nest, a more remote and romantic setting, seven kilometres from the main farmhouse. The chalets are creatively constructed around gigantic boulders at the edge of the escarpment overlooking the desert.

OR take a trip to see the Kasbahs and camels, 11 days in the 'real Morocco,' is a land of amazing contrasts.

Discover sun-baked dunes and lush oases, teeming markets and sleepy villages, inviting beaches and sheer mountain crags.

The landscape is dotted with ancient mud forts - Kasbahs - and is home to the hardy and hospitable Berbers.

Or you can head deep into the desert wilderness of the Sahara Desert, by 4WD truck, then on to the Anti-Atlas Mountains.

FINALLY, you can get up close and amazing on one of Wild about Africa's awesome journeys.

Tracking rare desert adapted rhino on foot gives you the chance to get incredibly close to these animals, thanks to your expert guide.

Namibia's one million acre Palmwag private concession area in the Namib Desert boasts the largest concentration of these creatures outside a national park, and strong populations of elephant, giraffe, oryx, mountain zebra, and lions, cheetahs and leopards.

And if you still feel the urge to get some sand between your toes, Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO) 150-plus expert members can arrange holidays to deserts all around the world, including the Great Victoria Desert in Australia, Argentina's Patagonia Desert and the Great Basin in Arizona.

For a copy of their newsletter, Travelling With The Experts, call 020 8744 9280 or visit: www.aito.co.uk

LATIN AMERICA - Priced from pounds 2,482 ahead, including return Heathrow flights, internal flights, B&B hotel accommodation, car hire and/or transfers, and excursions. Call: 020 8758 4774 www.sunvil.co.uk

MONGOLIA - Departing on May 7 and August 6 and 20, priced from pounds 1,499 per person, the package includes Heathrow flights - regional connections from pounds 85 each - transfers, all transportation, 15 nights' accommodation in hotels, tents and trains, some meals and the services of a tour leader. Call: 0870 333 4001, or www.explore.co.uk.

ARABIA - Prices start at pounds 1,503 a head for three nights' accommodation with breakfast, return Heathrow flights and return car transfers. Call: 0870 421 1201 or: www.kirkerholidays.com

AFRICA - 12-night itinerary, staying in desert lodges including three nights at the Eagles' Nest, costs from pounds 1,390 a head, sharing, including a mixture of B&B, half and full board accommodation.

Scheduled flights from Gatwick to Windhoek with Air Namibia and car hire. Call: 020 8232 9777 or: www.expertfrica.com

MOROCCO - Departing April 14 and May 26, the price of pounds 890 per adult and pounds 790 per child includes Heathrow flights, regional connections from pounds 85 a head, all transportation, 10 nights' accommodation in hotels and village houses, some meals, local payment and the services a tour leader.

Explore - see contact details above - time their family adventures to coincide with school holidays,

NAMIBIA - The 15-day trip costs from pounds 2,749 a head, based on two sharing, with nights under canvas, in Adventurer and Discoverer camps and in some of the country's top hotels and guesthouses.

Also included are scheduled international flights with South African Airways from Gatwick to Windhoek (via Johannesburg), most meals, accommodation, camping equipment, park fees, transport, the services of a trained guide and camp assistant. Call: 020 8758 4717 or www.wildaboutafrica.com