Featured … a fun-in-the-sun itinerary: cheap travel deals that earn points in January, from an all-inclusive family vacation in Turkey to a boutique hotel stay in Santorini

Each week our holiday hero, Neil Simpson, digs into a great holiday theme and does all the legwork so you don’t have to. This week: cheap travel deals.

Holiday deals abound in January – and many of the best deals are available for little or no down payment.

Turkey is considered one of the cheapest holiday destinations in 2023. A top choice for active families is the low-rise Holiday Village Turkey, located on an expansive private beach on the Dalaman coast. Every day there are free sunbeds and umbrellas on the sand, or you can swim in one of the hotel’s seven swimming pools.

Parents can relax while the kids play on the water slides, take classes at the local soccer, swimming and performing arts academies, or participate in daily activities from miniature golf to canoeing. In addition to five restaurants and four bars, the hotel even has its own bowling alley.

Book Tui’s Live Happy Sale this month and save up to 22 per cent on a seven-night all-inclusive stay for up to £1,052 per person in August including flights and transport.

Low deposit, interest and no fees today only £60 per person and the balance is payable within three months. You can pay nothing today and spread the cost of your spring break over a series of regular direct debits, also free and interest-free (tui.co.uk).

Deposits as low as £60 per person are enough to secure summer holidays in easyJet’s annual Big Orange sale. Flights, transfers to beach resorts and luxury hotels are included as the company seeks to continue its reputation as a no-frills, fly-only service. It also offers discounts of up to £300 per holiday booking until the end of January.

Style and perfect sunsets are promised on the Greek island of Santorini, where the boutique hotel Splendor Resort allows guests to spread out on a series of flower-filled terraces on the hills overlooking the Aegean Sea. Some rooms have a private pool, traditional vaulted ceilings and stone walls.

A £60 deposit with easyJet secures your stay at the boutique Splendor resort on the Greek island of Santorini (above)

Enjoy the view: Santorini promises style and beautiful sunsets, in the picture

The special prices cut holiday costs by £155 and reduce week-long breaks to £863 per person, including direct easyJet flights, private transfers, accommodation and breakfast.

Book before the sale ends on 31 January and after paying a deposit of £60 per person, the balance is not paid until 28 days before departure (easyjet.com).

Upgrades and extras come with discounts and low deposit requirements in Virgin Atlantic’s January sale. New Year’s deals include “kids eat free with breakfast and dinner” at many Florida hotels, and automatic upgrades from midsize cars to spacious SUVs on US Fly Drive vacations. Book this month and you can also qualify for “Two Weeks, Buy One” deals on Disney theme park tickets.

Virgin Atlantic’s January sale offers a seven-night stay at the Dockside Inn and Suites (above) in Orlando, Florida

Enjoy exclusive early access to The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter (above) as part of a stay at Dockside Inn and Suites with Virgin Atlantic

Budget options in Florida include seven nights at the Dockside Inn and Suites, part of Universal’s Endless Summer Resort in Orlando. Larger families can choose two-bed suites for up to six people, with free transportation to Universal’s three theme parks and exclusive early access to The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter.

Room-only packages, including direct flights from London or Manchester, start from £855 per person and can be booked with a deposit of £175 per person.

Otherwise, upgrade your stay and choose the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando, where there are more dining options; larger, newly renovated rooms; a spa for adults and a water taxi service to major theme parks.

Now pay £175 per person for a two-week summer holiday, including direct flights from London from £2,232 per person (virginholidays.co.uk).