Have you been basking complacently in the unseasonal British sun, before glancing at the calendar and seeing how late it is to book a summer holiday?
If you're still planning on getting away, the imminent start of the school holidays should start ringing alarm bells - both for those with children, and those without as prices shoot upwards out of term.
There are still plenty of holidays available, although you'll see few bargains. According to the Association of British Travel Agents (Abta), three of the big four tour operators cut capacity this year so even slower sales before the Iraq war doesn't mean that late bookers are going to benefit. In general, you're less likely to pick up a bargain now than this time last year; most of the best brochure accommodation has already gone.
Most independent tour operators are unlikely to offer any reductions this August. Martin Garland, chairman of the Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO), warns: "Demand for holidays has very much returned, and availability is rapidly being taken up. If you are looking for a good-quality holiday that meets your requirements, book as soon as possible, but my tip is that you should try to be flexible. Many AITO members are trying hard to find peak season flights for their clients. It's a lot easier if consumers are prepared to move their dates by a few days either way."
This advice is echoed by Abta: "Be flexible and not too fussy - and book early next year!"
Below is a brief snapshot from tour operators of what's available for August: what you've missed, anything discounted, and a choice holiday for a family that you can still book.
Thomson
What's sold: Pretty much sold out to the Algarve, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote.
What's discounted: Greece: Manchester to Corfu departing August 5 staying at the Vicky Apts, 2T rating. 14 nights' self-catering now costs £389 pp based on two adults sharing; or similar to Halkidiki departing August 4, seven nights £349 per person based on three sharing.
Family choice: Corfu: departing Gatwick on July 29, seven nights' self-catering at the Corfu Plaza costs £1,654 for two adults and two children.
· Thomson Summer Sun, 08702 413 157, thomson.co.uk.
VFB Holidays
What's sold: All private villas with pools on Corsica have sold out.
What's discounted: Two adults travelling together to apartments in Lama, Corsica, pay the same brochure prices per person as four adults would normally pay. From £441 pp for one week departing August 31, including direct flights and car hire.
Family choice: One week at three-bedroom terraced villa with shared pool and views, Maisons Ceccaldi, from August 10. £605 pp based on two adults and two children aged 2-16 sharing. Includes direct flights from Birmingham, personal insurance, and car hire.
· VFB Holidays, 01242 240340, vfbholidays.co.uk.
Bridge Travel
What's sold: Bestselling city breaks Barcelona and Prague are getting very tight on availability.
What's discounted: Some city breaks: Four nights for the price of three in Madrid at the three-star Tryp Gran Via from £237pp until 31 August, with Iberia from Heathrow; Four for three in New York at the three-star Amsterdam Court Hotel, located near Times Square, from £785 pp with Continental Airlines.
· Bridge City Breaks, 0870 191 7287, bridge-travel.co.uk.
Family choice: Les Agaves villa with pool in Provence, in an oak forest near Figanieres. Sleeps six, available for one week from August 2 for £1,320.
· Bridge France, 0870 191 7289, bridge-travel.co.uk.
Eurocamp
What's sold: Very limited availability in Brittany and the Vendee in France, and throughout Italy.
What's discounted: No late deals.
Family choice: 14 nights in a two-bedroomed holiday home for two adults and three children at Pachacaid holiday parc in Canadel costs £1,697 for the whole family (price includes return Dover to Calais ferry crossing for car and passengers. Flights and car hire are available at a supplement) Within easy reach of St Tropez and the Riviera coast, this parc has two separate pool complexes and free kids clubs.
· Eurocamp, 08703 338 338, eurocamp.co.uk.
The Villa Agency
What's sold: Still has good availability during July and August throughout the Algarve and Lisbon coast.
What's discounted: Save £1,092 on total price of a four-bedroomed villa (sleeps eight) with pool in Dunas Douradas, a luxury resort in 31 hectares of pine forest and adjoining one of the Algarve's finest stretches of golden beaches. Available for a week commencing August 9, 16, 23 or 30 for £3,563.
Family choice: Portuguese villa sleeping six for £,1286 (excluding flights). The secluded three-bedroomed Casa das Amendoeiras is set within 2,000m sq of farmland and surrounded by carob, fig, almond and olive trees.
· The Villa Agency, 01273 747 811, thevillaagency.com.
Sunvil Holidays
What's sold: Noel Josephides, MD of Sunvil Holidays says: "Since the official downscaling of British military involvement in Iraq, our phones have been ringing non-stop with enquiries for summer availability in Greece and Cyprus." But the earlier perceived threat from Iraq still means good availability for one or two week stays during the school holidays throughout Greece and Cyprus.
What's discounted: Save £266 pp on a two-week stay at the four-star Alexander The Great Hotel in Paphos, starting August 20. £657 pp, based on two sharing and includes flights from Gatwick, B&B accommodation and private transfers.
Family choice: The Villa Christina, set on one of the highest points of the village of Peyia village near Coral Bay, 40 mins from Paphos, costs from £1,829 (total) or £2,269 (total) for two weeks. Based on two adults and two children under 12 sharing, including flights from Luton or Gatwick, self-catering accommodation and car hire.
· Sunvil Cyprus, 020 8568 4499, sunvil.co.uk.
Classic Cottages
What's sold: Now only pockets of availability for family cottages in the west country - bookings up 5% year-on-year.
What's discounted: The Middle House in Dorset: in the centre of Puddletown village, near Dorchester, a Grade II listed thatched cottage over 350 years old. A week's stay from August 2, 9, 16 or 23 costs up to £690 pp based on full occupancy.
Family choice: Hesketh Dell, Torquay, is situated within a Grade II Listed Regency crescent (built by the Harvey brothers in 1848). Sleeps 10 plus baby - cot supplied. A week's stay from July 26 costs £2,127.
· Classic Cottages, 01326 56 55 55, classic.co.uk.
The Alan Rogers Travel Service
What's sold: Very limited mobile home availability remaining in Southern Brittany and the Mediterranean.
What's discounted: Luxury two-bedroom mobile home at Les Charmilles site at Fouras, in the Charente region of France, in a forest near Ile de Ré. £336 for up to five people.
Family choice: Camping in a family-sized, ready erected tent at Ill d'Offard, Saumur, in the Loire. Close to the beautiful chateaux in the region, on a site with three swimming pools, mini golf, canoeing and tennis. 14 nights departing August 9 from £1,161 for four people, including a return Dover - Calais crossing.
· The Alan Rogers Travel Service, 01892 55 98 98, alanrogers.com.
Mark Warner
What's sold: Very limited availability at San Lucianu Beach Resort in Corsica and Punta Licosa Beach Resort in southern Italy.
What's discounted: Altinel Beach Resort in Turkey for £599 per adult (saving £196). Seven nights departing Gatwick on August 4, 11 or 18.
Family choice: Lakitira Beach Resort on Kos has 11 tennis courts and FA qualified football coaches. £895 per adult, departing London Gatwick on August 6, 13 or 20. Children 2-12 sharing with the parents cost £537 pp, 2-6 year olds cost £671 pp and 7-12 year olds cost £761 pp. All prices include return flights, transfers, accommodation, three meals a day with free wines at lunch and dinner, windsurfing, sailing, water-skiing and wakeboarding all with tuition, tennis, aerobics, volleyball and children's clubs for over two year olds.
· Mark Warner, 0870 770 4222, markwarner.co.uk.
Sandals and Beaches
What's sold: Beaches Negril, Jamaica, is sold out.
What's discounted: Sandals Inn, Jamaica. Prices start at £1,189 pp on an ultra all-inclusive basis including flights from London.
Family choice: Beaches Boscobel Resort and Golf Club, Jamaica. Prices start at £1,329 per adult and £899 per child on an all-inclusive basis. Nursery plus five other separate programmes for toddlers and teens. Activities include boat cruises, talent shows, golf and snorkelling.
· Sandals and Beaches resorts, 0800 742 742, sandals.co.uk.
Laskarina Holidays
What's sold: The island of Halki is completely booked out throughout the month of August.
What's discounted: Villa Marilena, Alonissos - a two-bedroom villa for four located minutes from the harbourside and shops. £472 pp, Departing August 22, with return flights from Manchester or Gatwick to Skiathos, and transfers.
Family choice: Villa Platanakia, Samos - a two-bedroom ground floor apartment with an enormous terrace overlooking Kerveli Bay and beach located just below the villa. Two weeks for £602 pp, departing August 21, with return flights from Gatwick to Samos.
· Laskarina Holidays, 01629 822203, laskarina.co.uk.
Simply Travel
What's sold: Greece, the Peloponnese and Skopelos are almost fully booked.
What's discounted: Crete - £455 pp - Stay at the Villa Christina, set among olive groves close to the pretty, traditional village of Pentamodi, with private pool and garden. Price based on six people sharing and includes seven nights self-catering accommodation, car hire and return flights, departing July 29 from Gatwick, Manchester or Bristol.
Family choice: Zakynthos - £705 pp at the family friendly Peryali Villas, near unspoilt sandy beaches. Price based on a family of four sharing and includes seven nights accommodation, car hire and return flights, departing August 8 from Gatwick. Special offer includes one free creche place per two adults.
· Simply Travel, 020 8541 2211, simplytravel.com
· All prices correct at time of going to press. You can obtain a free copy of the Holiday AITO Directory, listing all 150 AITO tour operators, from aito.co.uk or 0870 751 8080.
