Lapland December 2010

bitsandbobs

Hi all

Im after a bit of advice, in October my mum died and she has left us a bit of cash so i would like to take our daughter (who will be 5 in may) to Lapland next December so we can say its a christmas present from her nan.

Anyways im not sure wether i should book now or wait until nearer the time, the sort of trip we are looking for is a 3 night 4 day with plenty of activities and if possible to see the northern lights as one of the activities, I thought I would ask here and see if anyone has any advice on when to book, who to book with, what trips to go on and how much we should be looking at paying, dont want to go over christmas but would be nice departing round the 18th or thereabouts from Manchester.

Thanks in advance

bitsandbobs

bitsandbobs

Anyone offer any help at all?

diddyangel

I have never been but there was a discussion on this last year, but a lot closer to the end of the year. It might help you http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1906901&highlight=lapland

Not sure if that'll be any good but didn't want to read and run - it sounds like a very lovely idea and a very special way to remeber your mum.

Hope you have an amazing time when you go, I'd love to go one year!

changeways

Hi,
First choice holidays are fab for lapland. They are on sale already for dec 2010 and their 3 and 4 night breaks include organised activities. They do bb, half board and full board in different areas in lapland

how lovely to go and see santa in the snow! Im already looking myself for december!:j

bitsandbobs

Thanks for the replies, is there any particular area thats best to go to

minimad1970

Hi, My son and I went with Canterbury Travel for 4 days, it was to Rovaniemi and you could stay in the hotel or a log cabin. We stayed in a log cabin and it was beautiful but close enough to the restaurant and coach pick up for day time activities.

stormCat99

We've been twice to Lapland now and loved it. Prob can't help with picking a location - we went to a remote village in northernmost Finland in February time, as we preferred this to the busy touristy places. But if you have any questions at all about what to take etc, then feel free to PM me I'll be happy to help.

Whatever you do you'll have a fantastic time. When we went, we thought it was a one-off, trip of a lifetime. But having experienced it we just had to go back, so went again in Feb 2009. Think we should plan another trip soon!

poe.tuesday

if it's a santa break you want then espirit do a very good one to saariselka - this is one of the most northern resorts and the assurances of snow in dec is better, it is also a lovely small town.

if you are thinking about cantabury or transun, look at the recent reviews on them as they have not good very good reviews recently so just be mindful of this

personally I would always recommend a week long stay going with inghams, however, if it's the whole santa experience you want then you can not beat companies such as espirit. the other company to look at is activities abroad, they offer an all inclusive deal with food etc, which is expensive in lapland so you may find this a better option - they have a very good repuation and offer a wide range of trips, they seem a lot less commercial than cantabury and transun

bitsandbobs

Thanks for all the advice folks, been looking at 2 night 3 day breaks from Manchester. Had one prices with Esprit for 14th december for £1900 for me, wife and 5 yr old daughter but then went on santatrips megaquote and it came out the same deal with esprit as the tour operator for £1650, it looks exactly the same itinerary but is much cheaper if you dont book direct with Esprit, does that sound right?

BillScarab

We went in 2006 with Emagine Travel. They're one of the specialists and were superb. We stopped up in the far north as well at the Harriniva Hotel in Muonio. One of the things I liked was you sent all your measurements in advance and all the winter clothing was waiting in your wrdrobe when you got there. So there was no time wasted trying things on.

Also each of the kids had a cuddly toy Husky dog waiting on their bed when they arrived. The little touches like that were really good.

My view is that if you want a really well organised, speical holiday then book it early. If' you're happy to take a bit of a chance on where you go leave it to the last minute. Personally I'd also stay away form some of the Ski resort tyoe places. There;s nothing wrong with them but it feels more special if you're in a more remote place.

poe.tuesday

whilst I would agree to part of Bills statement about the ski resorts, there are some very small places that are also ski resorts that are really magical, other places such as ruka and levi are larger ski resorts and are built up, they do have something to offer if you want more things to do and eat out etc, personally they are also not for me, but the smaller resorts are wonderful, in particular, saariselka, I think me calling it a town maybe an exaggeration ;-) we stayed in an amazing log cabin with just a few other cabins around it and it was a good 10 min walk to anywhere