The best summer vacation deals, from Bali to Barbados

Each week our holiday hero Neil Simpson takes an in-depth look at a holiday topic, doing all the legwork so you don’t have to. This week: the summer bargains.

Department store sales are in full swing, with travel agencies offering discounts and additional extras to boost summer bookings.

Most offer flexible terms so you can book now – often with an inexorable security deposit – and change dates or destinations later if necessary.

Kuoni’s long-haul deals include up to £ 405 off per week at a luxury Royal Santrian villa on Bali’s south shore.

Each of the resort’s 20 villas has a private pool surrounded by lush gardens, and activities range from yoga on the beach to a 24-hour butler.

Flight prices start from £ 1,710 per person and Kuoni can arrange connections from regional airports. Kuoni also aims to expand its January sale with weekly ‘handpicked deals’ year-round (kuoni.fr).

Luxury tour operator Inspiring Travel offers discounts ranging from 20-50% at top resorts around the world.

A week at a Cobblers Cove all-suite boutique hotel in Barbados now starts at £ 3,499 per person including flights. Guests can even join the hotel’s resident fisherman on a sail early in the morning, then watch the chefs serve their catch in the evening (inspiring travel companion.co.uk).

British Airways and Virgin Atlantic are competing to offer the best deals in their January sales.

With BA, additional extras available until January 25 if you spend £ 1,500 per person or more on holiday include fast-track security and access to the VIP lounge at Heathrow. Deposits start at £ 60 per person (ba.com/vacances).

Virgin Sale has many great deals geared towards families in Florida. Every fourth night is currently free at the Omni Orlando hotel, while you also save around £ 25 per day with free parking and waived stay charges.

The hotel has a water park with an artificial river, a wave pool, a 36-hole golf course and a children’s camp. A free shuttle takes you to Walt Disney World and other theme parks. From £ 989 per person for seven nights, including flights from Manchester or Heathrow (vacationsvierges.co.uk).

Free spaces for children are available in Tui’s January Sale, which also offers discounts of up to £ 300 per booking, depending on holiday costs.

Sporting families can keep busy with activities ranging from archery to zumba at Magic Life Bodrum Resort in Turkey. Or the less athletic types can stretch out on a lounge chair in the adults-only spa. Prices start at £ 462 per person for the all-inclusive breaks which also include free afternoon teas and midnight snacks (tui.co.uk).

Book flights and hotels with easyJet and get discounts of up to £ 300 per holiday on weekly stays, with the option to change your bookings free of charge up to 28 days before departure.

The latest deals include a week at the stylish Ivi Mare Hotel in Paphos, Cyprus. From £ 642pp with departures from a number of regional airports.

Or try Tenerife and enjoy the ocean and mountain views with a week at the Barcelo Santiago hotel. Days can be spent hiking or swimming at the foot of the Los Gigantes cliffs, or in cabanas by the hotel’s infinity pool. Prices start from £ 500 per person (easyjet.com).