A holiday may not be the cheapest way to lift your spirits but it will certainly banish the blues of an Irish winter.

However, travel agents say the gloomy weather outlook is not the main motivation for the rising popularly of winter breaks. According to the Irish Travel Agents Association (ITAA) changing holiday patterns and more spending money are the main factors influencing people to seek out winter holiday destinations.

According to the ITAA, fewer people now take their holidays in one block and opt instead to divide their holidays into two or three separate trips. Research at Budget Travel shows that 45 per cent of their clients take more than one overseas holiday a year.

This means at least one winter break, usually a week in duration, either sitting under a scorching sun or navigating a European ski slope.

The ITAA points out that winter holidays now make up between 15 and 20 per cent of the overall package holiday market, with bookings reaching a new high again this year. Budget Travel, for example, has increased the number of winter holidays it is offering by 30 per cent this year and says the buoyancy in the economy is the main reason for it.

The ITAA expects to sell a total of about 160,000 seats during the winter season, consisting of 120,000 winter sun seats with the rest accounted for by skiing holidays.

Many of the best value packages are already booked out for November and December, although most travel agents can offer a decent selection for January and February.

Vacations around Christmas are the most expensive with holidaymakers paying hundreds of pounds extra to take a break over the festive and New Year periods. February and early March are often the cheapest, but the St Patrick's weekend is normally booked out months in advance.

Indeed, the travel industry regards winter as virtually over. Most outlets are now pushing next summer's packages and marketing campaigns are already under way by some of the larger travel agents.

According to Budget Travel's Ms Niamh Hayes, the company has sold 65 to 70 per cent of its winter programme which concentrates on Malta and Gran Canaria. She says many people look to book during bank holidays and other specific times related to their work. People who are seeking a quiet holiday also book in the winter, she says, as resorts tend not to be as busy during this period.

The choice of winter break destinations grows each year, helping to boost their popularity, according to Mr Barry Walsh of Joe Walsh Tours (JWT).

He says only a few years ago JWT and other travel agencies were offering a choice of about three to four destinations, whereas this year JWT has 10 locations on its books.

He says many people are choosing city breaks - Paris, London, Barcelona - for their winter holidays, with the flight promotions from some of the main retailers helping to fuel that market.

For those seeking the ultimate antidote to the gloomy weather at home, the sunshine and temperature counts are all important.

Winter holidays temperatures can be high. For example Gran Canaria, one of the most popular winter holiday destinations, hovers between 22C and 26C during the winter months.

A holiday in a long-haul location like Singapore might seem lavish but travel agents say its 30C temperatures in December and into the new year help to decide the issue for many people.

Winter holidays are usually cheaper than the summer equivalent and the difference is sometimes larger than you may think. For example a week in Tenerife for a family of four in January costs £1,020 with JWT, but the same holiday in the second week of July costs £1,289.

A week's holiday for four (two adults and to children) with Flyaway Tours to Marbella's Jardines Del Mar Apartments in January costs £1,122. The same holiday from July 31st to August 6th comes to £1,775 - a difference of £653.

At the other end of the temperature range the snow slopes of Andorra, Zermatt and St Moritz are also playing their part in the growth of the winter holiday market. Mr Ray Scully, manager of Inghams, the ski holiday specialists, says only five years ago there were about 5,000 seats sold for winter ski holidays The figures are now rising to between 30,000 and 40,0000.

He says the market ranges from young families to the more mature. He knows of one 72-year-old man who skis every year.

Mr Scully says places like Andorra make skiing holidays affordable for ordinary people. "People can go to the resorts in Andorra and enjoy themselves for a relatively competitive price." It is also good for beginners who can qualify for special rates. In addition, the atmosphere tends to be less competitive than the more prestigious resorts.

He estimates that 95 per cent of skiing holidays are for a week. At the top end of the market is a week-long stay in the French resort of Courchevel, which costs £1,850 per person, in comparison to a week-long break at a resort in Andorra at £420.

The one factor to remember about ski holidays is that you will have to pay out for the equipment. In the case of Andorra most of the extras come to about £146 per person, whereas in Courchevel skis, boots and tuition come to about £250.