Families who haven't yet booked a summer holiday will find plenty of choice and some good deals during the school holidays. But they may have to be flexible about where they want to go and the best bargains will be over the next four weeks before schools break up.
That was the message this week from travel companies, who report that sales have recovered since the slump during the war in Iraq. No one expects to see crazy deals in peak season to unnamed apartments; rather there should be some discounts for "luxury lates" - specified quality accommodation.
Companies featuring villas and cottages in Europe are offering discounts on certain properties. Jonathan White, head of product at VFB Holidays, said: "The downturn affected May and June, not the summer. There has been stronger demand in the last few weeks but there is still availability, especially if you can be flexible and look at the less obvious areas."
Owen Davies, marketing director of the Individual Travellers Company, said: "We have better availability in France and Italy for peak summer dates than for Spain and Portugal. There are discounts for selected houses, particularly larger villas, though it can be harder to find two consecutive weeks at a property."
Travel agents also report summer availability. Debbie Watkins, PR executive at Lunn Poly said: "People have been slower to book but the pace is picking up. There is still a range of good accommodation for families and some deals for 'luxury lates' in four-star accommodation. Destinations in the eastern Med, like Turkey and Croatia, are very good value because they have not been affected by the changing rate of the euro."
Colin O'Neill, marketing director of the Advantage consortium of independent travel agents, said: "Sales have been picking up week by week and are now ahead of last year. There is still availability for the peak holiday period though the bargains won't last all summer. The best deals will be for Turkey and Cyprus."
Tapestry is offering up to 25% off all its holidays to Greece and Turkey for departures on July 20.
Summer pickings
Haute Loire, France, £568
Saving: £131
One week in a two-bedroom holiday home for four on the edge of a farming hamlet in August, including return Channel crossings and insurance (VFB, ref THO.43, 01242 240310, vfbholidays.co.uk).
Chianti, Italy, £950
Saving: £238
One week's rental of an apartment sleeping four at an old hunting lodge near Greve, for departures on August 9. Includes car hire; flights to Pisa cost from £255pp. (08700 772772, indiv-travellers.com).
Turunc, Turkey £2,075
Saving: £425
14 nights self-catering in a one-bedroom apartment in Physkos sleeping four (020-8235 7777, tapestryholidays.com).
Costa Dorado, Spain, £165pp
Saving £300
Seven nights self-catering, based on four sharing, for departures from Gatwick on July 18 (teletextholidays.co.uk).
Ibiza, £494pp
Saving: £210
Seven nights half-board at a three-star hotel, departing on July 20 (0870 4443493, advantage4travel.com).
Altinel, Turkey £699pp
Saving: £96
One week from July 21 (0870 7704222, markwarner.co.uk).
