Trips to Lapland - anyone with good (or bad!) experiences?

David_Harrison_2

Canterbury Travels are superb. Cannot recommend them highly enough.

Avoid B.A. one day trips - have heard nothing but bad things about them. To be honest, I would avoid all one day trips as it is too far to do in a day.

ccarcher

Canterbury Travels is without doubt
One of the best companies doing trips and highly recommended
http://www.santa-holidays.com/

not cheap by any means but the personal attention to detail is superb

Great news that your Son is gonna get to go by the way as thats what Christmas is all about for me, making kids dreams come true

WELL DONE THAT CHARITY AGAIN and have a fantastic TRIP !! :T :T :T :T

Gelfling_2

Lastminute.com have cheap Lapland hols at the moment - I've booked a 7 night stay in Ruka in an individual chalet/cabin with its own sauna/wood-burning fireplace for just £299 per person. They also have shorter stays and stays in catered chalet accomodation, some including excursions.

And for anyone wanting cheap ski wear to stay warm while you're out there, go to TK Maxx!

m4ndy_2

Hi

I went to Lapland last December and married my now husband Warren. It was the best day of our lives (so far). We took 18 other people with us and booked with Canterbury Tales who were fantastic 100/100.................

We went in search of Santa and took a 5 day trip............. Everyone must go at least once in there lifetime........... I have booked a day trip as a surprise for my husband for our 1st anniversary next month and have booked with Transun this time as they fly from Cardiff which is just around the corner from were we live...

Has anyone been with Transun???? What are they like???

cheekymole

m4ndy
That's lovely but I hope your DH doesn't read MSE!

spender

I am going to Lapland this year for 4 nights with cosmos holidays. It is very expensive but their trips eg snowmobile are all included, they are not just taster sessions. However 2 years ago I booked the same holiday at the very last minute after looking on teletext (in fact I woke up after my work christmas do hung over and thought what shall I do today, ended up booking the holiday after listening to a neighbour telling me about the trip she had booked) It was considerably cheaper in fact about two thousand pounds+ cheaper so if you can bear it wait until the last minute. In twelve hours I bought thermals, arranged car hire etc. Only managed it because in that week the tax man gave us a refund on child care vouchers supplied by OH work and I had cancelled a very expensive payment protection scheme on a loan and got a whopping refund after complaining that it was missold. This year I have paid full price for Lapland because for the first time in my life all four of my children are going (large age difference between youngest and eldest), this is the only reason I am doing the trip twice.

My advice is to do Lapland once, because it is a wonderful experience and with global warming the snow is coming later and later each year (even now checking on websites there is snow but not great layers of stuff).

black-saturn

There was only a light dusting of snow when I went and the bit where the shops were had no snow at all

jay-1

m4ndy wrote:

Hi

I went to Lapland last December and married my now husband Warren. It was the best day of our lives (so far). We took 18 other people with us and booked with Canterbury Tales who were fantastic 100/100.................

We went in search of Santa and took a 5 day trip............. Everyone must go at least once in there lifetime........... I have booked a day trip as a surprise for my husband for our 1st anniversary next month and have booked with Transun this time as they fly from Cardiff which is just around the corner from were we live...

Has anyone been with Transun???? What are they like???

My son and his daughter went with transun and had no complaints.Cabin crew were dressed as elfs and the fun started in the departure lounge while waiting to board.Children were encouraged to get up and sing with the elfs and generally have a good time on the flight.He did come back almost believing in Santa!One thing he was told was as soon as you get off the coach miss out the welcome bit and head straight to queue for Santa as the queues get massive.You get lovely photos taken-very proffessionally done

Hope you have a great time.

Housekeeper_2

I love these postings, being a Finn, and having been to Lapland a number of times myself.
Santa Claus at Arctic Circle does not give presents (did not give any to us when we saw him), but they do take a very good photo which you can buy afterwards. Like Jay-1 said, go to the queue straight away, because it can take a long time. There is also the Santa's Post Office where you get the official Santa stamp.
Another company for skidoo safaris is Lapland Safaris (I have no connection nor experience with them):
http://www.lapinsafarit.fi/?DeptID=20432
You may want to look at their price lists, and compare what you are offered. Then call them and book it in advance, maybe.
When everyone says that it can get really cold, they are not joking. Layering is a good idea, because then you can undress (partially) as you go indoors. And remember that it takes forever to get a family ready for outing with all the dressing up.
It gets very dark, and stays dark most of the day up in Lapland by now, so taking your own torch for evening walks is nice.
Re: Sauna - after a cold day outdoors, it is lovely to go to hot sauna. It is okay to go to sauna with a towel around you if you are embarrassed. Usually hotels have two separate saunas, one for girls and one for boys, or separate times, so you dont have to go to mixed sauna, btw, which Finns dont do anyway.
Hope you all have a lovely time!

monkeyspanner

Its not Lapland but how about Norway. All the same sort of things plus skiing. Thomson ski have offers on at the moment to Norway and Finland starting at £99 for 4th Dec. Can vouch for the Highland hotel in Geilo which is on offer for the 19th Dec for a week half board for about £440 from Gatwick. On xmas eve Santa visits hotel with Reindeer and all come into the hotel lounge (staff following with shovel and bucket) give your present to reception and santa will hand it out. We had a brilliant time.
If you're interested its http://www.thomsonski.co.uk and click on offers and late deals.