With increasing emphasis being placed on parents not taking children on holidays during the school term, the opportunities around the two weeks of Easter holidays are proving an early draw for many with the last week of June also looking likely to be booked up early.

"We still have some availability for Easter but the demand is already very high for so early in the year, " said Clem Walsh of Budget Travel. "Taking children out of school for holidays is looked upon more seriously nowadays so parents are taking care to book early. As for the current midterm break and Christmas . . . there is almost nothing left there for families hoping to get away. Everything is booked up."

While the Algarve and the Costa Del Sol generally do well around Easter, this year there is increasing demand for hotter places where travellers will be guaranteed the sun in March.

"The Canaries is our number-one destination at the moment, " said Walsh. "It's sunny there no matter what time of year. Cyprus and Egypt are also proving popular right now."

According to Suzanne Quinn of Holiday Homes Direct, skiing is also a big draw for parents looking to get away at Easter. "It's the perfect time of year for skiing because snow conditions are still good but it's that bit warmer for smaller children.

Easter seems to be particularly popular because it includes St. Patrick's Day this year, so we have advised our house owners to put on special offers for times outside the school holidays."

With many primary schools finishing slightly earlier than normal next summer, it has been predicted the last week of June will also soon book out quickly.

"Many families don't like to go away in July and August as the sun can be too hot for young children and flights are very expensive, " said Quinn. "The last week of June should be very attractive for parents hoping to get away early and we expect to see high demand for that this year."