Mention the phrase “package holiday” and the Leslies come out in a nasty rash. “We hate to be herded around,” says Claire, “and a beach holiday would be anathema to all of us.” Their interests include history, politics, foreign culture and the arts.

They aren’t sporty, but they like walking and for the past few summers they’ve been hiking in the Dolomites.

This year they want to try something more exotic but can’t decide on a destination. Claire and Tim fancy India or Africa, but both those destinations have been vetoed by the boys. Huw wants to go to America; Claire doesn’t. They all agree on one thing: no group tours.

They want to travel for 10-12 days over the October half-term, and they have a combined budget of £7,000.

THE LESLIES

Tim, 51, is a management consultant. Claire, 47, is a school marketing manager. They live in Chislehurst, Kent, with their sons Huw, 15, and Jack, 13.

Last CD bought

Him: Mozart piano sonatas
Her: Bryn by Bryn Terfel

Last book read

Him: Fermat’s Last Theorem by Simon Singh
Her: Through Gates of Fire by Martin Bell

Favourite food

Him: Lancashire cheese
Her: Mediterranean salads

Page 2: prescriptions from the Doc

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PRESCRIPTION ONE: Peru

With world-class sights, a vibrant culture and a gripping, bloodstained history, Peru has the “wow” factor the Leslies clearly crave. An 11-night private tour will take them to the atmospheric colonial city of Cuzco and into the Sacred Valley of Urubamba to discover Inca ruins and colourful Indian markets. Then they’ll hop on a train and climb high into the Andes to Machu Picchu. After two more days back in Cuzco they’ll fly to the Amazon basin to spend three nights at the Sandoval jungle lodge and take guided forays into the rainforest on foot and in dugout canoes. Total price: £7,180, including flights with Iberia, two nights in Lima, three-star accommodation throughout and some meals, with Trips Worldwide (0117 311 4400, www.tripsworldwide.co.uk).

PRESCRIPTION TWO: Jordan

Jordan fits the bill because it combines natural wonders with ancient culture and a dash of Indiana Jones. On a 12-night private tour, the Leslies can visit the classical city of Jerash, the dramatic canyons and abandoned copper mines of the Dana Nature Reserve and the rock-carved city of Petra. They’ll drive across deserts, camp out at Wadi Rum and spend a day hiking in the wilderness before a candlelit night in an ecolodge. With a couple of days to unwind on the Dead Sea, the total cost is £5,980, including B&B at four- and five-star hotels, with Audley Travel (01869 276222, www.audleytravel.com).

PRESCRIPTION THREE: Laos and Cambodia

A perfect combination: Laos is mystical and beguiling; Cambodia has the lost city of Angkor, the killing fields of the Khmer Rouge and a whiff of French colonial history. After a night in Vientiane, at the Seetha Palace Hotel, the Leslies will embark on a five-day tour of Laos that takes in temples, caves, waterfalls, a boat trip on the Mekong and a visit to the royal city of Luang Prabang.

Then they fly to Siem Reap and spend two days exploring the spellbinding temples of Angkor, before winding up in the vibrant Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh. Ten nights, with flights on Thai Airways, three-star hotels, guiding and some meals, costs £6,499, with Trailfinders (0845 054 7777, www.trailfinders.com).

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