'I'd like to be able to swim'

Kevin Cummins, 53, is a freelance photographer who lives in London with his wife and daughter.

The brief:'The first time I went to the public baths was when I was nine, when I discovered I had a chlorine allergy. I spent two weeks in hospital with respiratory problems. I never went after that and missed out on learning to swim at school, so was never able to go in the sea on holiday either. I was terrified watching my daughter swim when she was younger and I think she feels that she missed out on that bonding-in-the-pool thing.

'For my 50th birthday she bought me a swimming cap and made me a voucher offering me a course of swimming lessons - the only drawback was that she had no money, so I'd have to pay for them. I'd like to learn, not just for my sake but for hers. I tried a few lessons last year but found it all pretty boring and soulless and it was difficult to learn with kids whizzing past me. I want learning to be exciting and I'd like to do it in a setting where it would be an absolute pleasure. I'm looking for a chilled-out holiday, anywhere except the US, for two weeks in June. I'd need to learn in fresh or salt water. I want to go somewhere on my own or with the missus, where someone will be around to teach me. Ideally I'd like to rent a villa somewhere and have a swimming instructor come over to me for a couple of hours every day. These things are best kept private.'

The budget: £2,000-£3,000

Stephanie Wienrich of Neal's Yard Agency says: 'Indigo Swims (01612 821508) offers year-round swimming holidays in Egypt, with highly experienced teachers. Kevin could start to learn in the protected shallows in Marsa Alam and then progress to the open sea. There is a maximum of eight guests at any one time and Kevin would stay in an attractive Arabic-style chalet with private sun terraces, and views of the sea and desert mountains. He would receive five hours of one-to-one instruction and could also take boat trips to see dolphins. A week costs from £1,222 full board, including return flights from Gatwick.'

Zoe Stebbing of Lotus Journeys says: 'I think Kevin's rapport with an instructor is more important than the venue. To avoid the risk of spending a lot of money on going away and hiring a swimming instructor whom he may not like or respond well to, I would recommend training with an expert in London first, becoming confident in the water and then going away on holiday with the family to enjoy his new swimming ability. I can recommend Chris Wardrop, a fantastic personal trainer who has successfully taught many adults to swim. There are several pools in London which are ozone-treated, so he could avoid his allergy to chlorine. I have trained with Chris and he is an expert at confidence boosting, and far from the "boring and soulless" type of instructor Kevin had before. However, if he weren't happy with this suggestion then I would take a holiday to the Canaries or somewhere inexpensive but lovely and take a trainer he's used to with him. This could be done within the budget for a week's stay and he could have back-up with the same trainer once he got back home.'

'We want to get fit and lose weight for our wedding'

Lisa James, 37, a freelance writer, and her boyfriend Dion Hamilton, 38, a masseur, have just moved into their new house in Walthamstow, north east London, with their kittens Trinny and Susannah. They plan to marry next autumn.

The brief: 'I had a miserable year at work and dealt with it by downing a bottle of wine every night,' says Lisa. 'I put on a stone in about eight months and I still drink a lot. Now I want to cut down and lose weight. I stopped smoking a while ago but after a few drinks I tend to nick a couple of cigarettes off Dion. We want to get fit and healthy and stop smoking before our wedding in September. Around 18 months ago we both joined a gym and started running together, but we rarely go now.

'We want a week's holiday that will kickstart our plan and get us fit. I wouldn't mind something drastic like a boot camp, but I'm not sure Dion would. His dad lives in Jamaica so he'd love to visit, and he's keen to go to Italy. We would avoid any sort of all-inclusive holiday; we like authentic trips where you meet local people and stay in small hotels.'

The budget: £1,000-£2,000

Stephanie Wienrich of Neal's Yard Agency says: 'Ulpotha is a traditional working village in Sri Lanka. Without the temptations of alcohol, wheat and dairy, the delicious organic vegetarian diet will help Lisa and Dion lose weight without really trying. (It's definitely not a boot camp!) They can join twice-daily yoga classes with leading yoga teachers, have slimming and detoxifying Ayurvedic therapies, swim in the lotus-ringed lake and go walking and hiking in the mountains, or cycle. Ulpotha has been a pilgrimage site for thousands of years and remains an oasis of tranquillity, cradled by low mountains and tiny emerald paddy fields. One week costs £1,300 for two people, including food and yoga, but not flights (about £400-£500 each).'

Stella Photi of Wellbeing Escapes says: 'Terme di Saturnia Spa Resort is set in the heart of Tuscan Maremma, Italy. Lisa and Dion will kickstart their detoxification by lounging in the natural, hot, sulphurous thermal waters, and get a personalised weight loss programme and training in the gym. This being Italy, food is a highlight, but instead of over-indulging there is a dietician who can prescribe personal diets. A week starts at £1,400 per person, including flights and treatments.'

Elaine Wylie, life coach, says: 'You need to have a goal that is positive and inspiring instead of negative. If you both went on a walking and talking holiday, perhaps experiencing the Camino de Santiago, or Pilgrim's Way, in Spain, you would find out what is preventing you both from enjoying the life you want and understand more about yourselves.'

'I need to quit before our baby is born'

Alex Monaco, 25, is a human rights lawyer from Bedford. His girlfriend is expecting a baby in February.

The brief: 'My new year's resolution is to give up smoking. I've smoked for 11 years and my girlfriend and I are having a baby in February, so I want to stop before then. I'd like to ease the pain by doing it on holiday, on a relaxing trip somewhere with great scenery where I could take lots of exercise. I've travelled round the world, in Asia and South America, and I climbed two of the highest volcanos in Ecuador - Cotocachi and Cayambe - so trekking perhaps? I would love to go to the Himalayas. I'd like to go in early 2007 for two weeks.'

The budget: £2,000

Stella Photi of Wellbeing Escapes says: 'We have the perfect place for Alex, which can help him overcome his smoking habit and addresses many of his needs. The awardwinning Ananda in the Himalayas is a spa that provides a fantastic mixture of traditional Asian practices, such as Ayurveda, yoga and meditation, and modern facilities. It offers a number of programmes; we would recommend the fitness one, which combines yoga (to calm the mind and help prevent cravings), Ayurvedic treatments (to detox the body and bring a feeling of rejuvenation and health) and lots of physical activity. Prices start at £2,000 for a week, including flights and transfers to Delhi, all meals, treatments and activities.'

Stephanie Wienrich of Neal's Yard Agency says: 'Alex could stop smoking on a holistic holiday in Lanzarote, which has some stunning scenery and is perfect for walking and hiking in winter. There are loads of healthy and distracting activities on offer in a supportive environment, from yoga and detoxing to hiking, cycling, surfing and diving. The combination of really wanting to stop smoking, the detox therapies and practising yoga should be a winning one - yoga makes you focus on your breath. From £1,010 for two weeks, staying in a single room, en suite, including treatments but excluding flights.'

Sally Watts from Erna Low Body & Soul Holidays says: 'Alex could try the stop smoking programme at Incosol Medical Spa in Marbella, Spain. Seven nights cost from £1,935 per person and include the following medical treatments: a general assessment, initial psychological advice, seven anti-smoking psychological support sessions, three medical check-ups and three acupuncture sessions. The programme also includes spa treatments: four neuro-sedative massages, seven personalised exercise sessions, three pressotherapy sessions and a basic facial treatment. Recommended sports activities include beach walking, cycling, aqua fitness, dance lessons, yoga, aerobics, stretching and use of the gym. Prices are based on one person in a single room, half-board, including return flights to Malaga and transfers.'

'We want to change our lives'

Glynis Howe, 49, is a social worker who lives in Hartlepool and has three children. She has a close group of friends (Liz Stein, Sue Mansell, Louise Walker and Lindsay Sunley) who are public-sector workers in their forties and fifties.

The brief: 'We are a bunch of women of a certain age who have high-pressured jobs as teachers and social workers, so are very stressed,' says Glynis. 'We are also financially challenged, having children at university. We call ourselves the Escape Committee because we are all looking to change our lives and jobs in some way. We all have skills over and above what we do for a living and want to get some advice on how we could combine them to set up some sort of business. We would like to take a group trip that includes relaxing and inspiring activities such as meditation, yoga and walking, where we could get some advice on how to put our plans into action.'

The budget: £300 each

Stella Photi of Wellbeing Escapes says: 'Our new yoga retreats in a cosy country house in the beautiful Norfolk countryside launch in February. They are taught by leading UK yoga teacher Howard Napper and we can provide them with a leading life coach for an extra motivational boost. Weekends from £365 per person, including all yoga, meditation, organic food and accommodation.'

Zoe Stebbing of Lotus Journeys says: 'A bespoke yoga and life coaching weekend at the peaceful Hotel Alahuar in the Alicante mountains will help these women to open their minds to new possibilities. They would have yoga twice a day to restore energy, plus two life coaching workshops and personal consultation time. The three-night trip runs in January, April or May for £300 per person based on two sharing, including meals but not flights.'

Stephanie Wienrich of Neal's Yard Agency says: 'Heartspring Retreats (01267 241999) in south west Wales is a magical, eco-friendly centre overlooking the coast in a beautiful conservation area. The group could design their own life-changing trip, incorporating meditation, yoga, massage, counselling and complementary therapies. From £220 per person for three nights; therapies from £20.'

Elaine Wylie, life coach, says 'I recommend a break with Fiona Robertson at her fantastic studio apartments near Biarritz. She's a life coach, alternative therapist, mother and has years of experience running her own business. I believe you only need to create enough space to find your answers; in this tranquil setting they can do just that. From £235 per person per week.'

Our panel of experts

Zoe Stebbing: Managing director of Lotus Journeys (020 8968 3666), which offers holistic and yoga holidays.

Stella Photi: Spa expert and co-founder of Wellbeing Escapes (0845 602 6202), a travel and wellbeing service.

Stephanie Wienrich: Works for Neal's Yard Agency (0870 444 2702), a healthy-holiday specialist.

Sally Watts: Sales representative for specialist spa operator Erna Low Body & Soul Holidays (020 7594 0290).

Elaine Wylie: An accredited life coach for people in both their private and professional lives. See www.elainewylie.com.

Next time ... Valentine's breaks

Do you need help planning a romantic trip for you and a loved one? Our experts can help. If you would like to take part in our next clinic, email escape.clinic@observer.co.uk giving your phone number, age, approximate budget and a brief description of the type of trip you're looking for.

· The experts were speaking to Gemma Bowes.