THE PATIENTS

My top parenting tip? Pack the kids off to granny and enjoy yourselves. Tracey and Brian plan to do just that for their honeymoon, and they’ve lucked out in the baby-sitting department: his parents have agreed to take the children for two weeks in July.

Dazzled by possibilities, the couple haven’t a clue where to go. They know they don’t want a beach holiday — they’re both fair-skinned and like temperatures in the low 20s.

“We like sightseeing,” says Tracey. “Natural wonders rather than old ruins. We enjoy driving, country walks and city breaks.” Tracey wouldn’t be averse to a bit of pampering.

With a budget of £6,000-£7,000, that shouldn’t be too tricky.

TRACEY FOYLE AND BRIAN CARTMEL

Tracey, 41, does part-time accounts at a furniture shop. Brian, 34, is an IT consultant. They live in Eastbourne with their children Callum, 5, and Emelia, 2.

Last CD bought

Her: Back to Bedlam by James Blunt
Him: Employment by Kaiser Chiefs

Last book read

Her: Iris & Ruby by Rosie Thomas
Him: Eats, Shoots and Leaves by Lynne Truss

Favourite food

Her: Mexican
Him: Thai

THE DOCTOR SAYS

PRESCRIPTION ONE: South Africa

The combination of natural wonders, slick cities and swanky hotels makes South Africa a sure hit. Surprisingly, the southern winter is one of the best times to go: temperatures are mild, wildlife-viewing is at its best and hotels are discounted. My dream trip starts with a night on the Blue Train, rumbling across the deserts of the Northern Cape and into Cape Town. Four nights at the Twelve Apostles, a five-star hotel beside Table Mountain, will give Tracey and Brian time to explore Cape Town and go whale-watching at Hermanus (July is the best month). After a couple of nights in a luxury lodge on the shores of Lake St Lucia, they’ll drive into the bush for three nights at a private game reserve. Two weeks, with car hire and most meals, costs £7,000 with Audley Travel (01869 276250, www.audleytravel.com).


PRESCRIPTION TWO: northern Australia

Most Brits go to Oz in our winter, when the top half of the country — home to some of the most gobsmacking natural wonders — is way too hot. July is the best time to go, with temperatures peaking at about 24C. Landing in Cairns, Tracey and Brian can drive up the Queensland coast in an Audi TT convertible and spend three nights in the rainforest at the award-winning Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa. After croc-spotting at Cape Tribulation, they motor down to Port Douglas for a chopper ride out to the Great Barrier Reef. Then a light aircraft whisks them off for three nights at Seven Spirit Bay, a dreamy wilderness lodge in pristine national parkland. With two nights at the Shangri-La hotel, in Singapore, on the way home, the cost is £5,938, including some meals, with Bridge & Wickers (020 7483 6555, www.bridgeandwickers.co.uk).

PRESCRIPTION THREE: Argentina

It’s not an obvious honeymoon destination, but Argentina is certain to get the blood pumping. Tracey and Brian can kick off with three nights in passionate Buenos Aires. Then they fly to the colonial city of Salta, in the northwest, pick up a car and drive through the picturesque Valles Calchaquies to Cafayate, where they spend a couple of days visiting wineries and unwinding at a deluxe hotel. After two more nights at a 19th-century estancia, they fly to Iguassu for a couple of days of gawping at one of the world’s largest waterfalls. Temperatures shouldn’t top 25C, and the total cost is £5,390 with Last Frontiers (01296 653000, www.lastfrontiers.com).

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