The festive period is one of the busiest times of the year to make a holiday booking.
The first Saturday of the New Year - labelled Sunshine Saturday by the travel trade - is the day on which TUI in the UK books the most holidays for the whole year. Other tour operators and booking sites also report a surge in activity.
Psychologically, this booking behaviour immediately following the holiday break is easy to explain.
The Christmas cosiness is over, the work routine is just around the corner, while the sky usually tends to be a shade of grey. That is the time the winter blues are likely to strike.
To combat it, the best thing to do is to turn your thoughts to warmer things – the sun and the beach – and book a summer holiday. Many families also take advantage of the holidays to make their travel plans for the whole year.
Here are some of the offers available:
Sovereign
St Lucia
Sovereign has a seven-night B&B stay at the four-star Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort from £1,295 per person, saving up to £1001 per couple. The price includes return flights from London Gatwick and complimentary private airport transfers. Price based on May 2022 departures.
Greece
A seven-night half-board stay at the five-star Villa Costa in Kefalonia from £825 per person, saving up to £511 per couple. The price includes return flights from London Gatwick and complimentary private airport transfers. Price based on May 2022 departures.
Portugal
Seven nights half-board stay at the five-star Anantara Vilamoura Algarve Resor t from £875 per person, saving up to £708 per couple. The price includes return flights from London Gatwick and complimentary private airport transfers. Price based on May 2022 departures.
Corfu
A seven-night half-board stay at the five-star Domes of Corfu from £659 per person, saving up to £422 per couple. The price includes return flights from London Gatwick and complimentary private airport transfers. Price based on April 2022 departures.
Citalia
Sardinia
Citalia has a seven-night half-board stay at the four-star Hotel Bouganville from £4295 for a family of four, saving up to £2,627 per family of four. The price includes return flights from London Gatwick and complimentary private airport transfers. Price based on May 2022 departures.
Sorrento
Seven nights half-board stay at the three-star Hotel Jaccarino from £735 per person saving up to £230 per couple. The price includes return flights from London Gatwick and complimentary private airport transfers. Price based on May 2022 departures.
Matera
Seven-night B&B stay at the five-star Aquatio Cave Luxury Hotel & Spa from £1,149 per person saving up to £1,152 per couple. The price includes return flights from London Gatwick and complimentary private airport transfers. Price based on May 2022 departures.
LastMinute.com
The online booking site is offering £100 off some bookings and even more cash savings through exclusive discount codes. However the sale must end on January 23.
Discounts and offers
Save up to £100 on your next trip using code JANSALE100
Minimum spend £999 per booking available on flight+hotel, hotel only, or flight only products.
Book a summer holiday with a low deposit of just 15%
Minimum spend £500, on travel from May 1, 2022
Holiday deals
Hurghada, Egypt
Seven nights all-inclusive at 5* Jasmine Palace, including flight, departing January 20. From £389pp, Details here
Antalya, Turkey
Seven nights all-inclusive at 5* Lake & River Side Hotel & Spa, including flight, departing June 8. From £389pp. Details here.
Corfu
Seven nights all-inclusive, including flight, at 4* Aeleos Beach Resort, departing May 8, from £379pp. Details here.
Majorca
Seven nights B&B at 4* THB Cala Literas, including flight, departing June 7. From £389pp. Details here.
Lanzarote
Seven nights B&B at 3* THB Flora, including flights, departing on May 9. From £269pp. Details here.
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