DIY Lapland has anybody done it

shazziere

i conmpletely agree with the last writer....you definately need to go further north for the snow!

pudding

Thanks BillScarab...

bargainbarmy

We wnet to Yllas just before Christmas with First Choice. It was fantastic....loads of snow and we got a half price dela. we only paid £1500 for 4 of us for 4 days. It was full board in anice hotel and all activities laid on. problem you will have with DIY is that you may not get accom that easily and you may also feel isolated. the group trips do make you feel part of a group and I think it is so much better than DIY. I originally planned to do the Ryanair flighjt to tampere but after having looked inot it felt it was too much for young children. First Choice do fantastic discounts around mid Nov for departures in Dec. I would look at them if I were you.

sticher

Hi, we went to Lapland two years ago and I booked the whole thing myself - no travel agents at all. We stayed a whole week for less than what it cost for one day with those specialised companies.

We stayed in Rovaniemi - Hotel Aarkansus (I think it was - I researched such a lot I would have to check back to make sure). We went in December, before Christmas and booked everything once we were there - husky ride, snowmobiles, ice hole fishing, etc. There are loads of Hotels in Rovaniemi, and as has been said you can get the local bus to Santa park.

One tip I have got is to join the Fin Guild - you don't need to be Finnish, but you then qualify for cheaper flights on Finnair. I booked the flights direct (very helpful people) and we flew to Helsinki and then changed and flew to Rovaniemi. We had 3 young children and apart from the dash to get our connection, found no problems.

I bought all our gear before we went, although for the trips you book they do supply specialised clothing anyway. Rovaniemi also has an open air ice rink and a little slope where everyone goes sledding - great to keep the kids occupied between trips.

If you want to ask anything else, please feel free.

pudding

Thanks Sticher a great help..If I think of anything I will get back to you if that's ok...My mind is lapland crazy at the moment...looking at lots of info on the net..Will join the Fin Gulid for sure...We have been emailing some hotels already for prices etc..Glad you can do all the booking when you arrive..That's what I was worried about booking flight/hotels etc then not knowing what to do when we arrive...What did you do for food...With organised holidays they are usually full board etc...Did you eat in the hotel?

boots_babe

pudding, we got married in Lapland this February - can definitely recommend it, what an amazing place. We booked our travel with Arctic Experience but I would say definitely DON'T book with them as they were terrible. They were so bad that I wanted to cancel but couldn't.

Anyway my point is, we then booked our family to come out with us, and as Arctic Experience were bad, we did it ourselves. Booked flights from Manchester to Saariselka (Northernmost Finland) with Finnair (via Helsinki), and booked the hotels ourselves directly. The Finnish people in the hotels were ever so helpful, we had no problems whatsoever with our bookings, and I will definitely be going again AND most importantly booking ourselves rather than using a package. If you have any Lapland related questions please feel free to PM me and I will try to help

pudding

Thanks Boots_babe..We live in doncaster and we were just thinking of going to tampere via stansted..Manchesters even better..Did you just find your hotel online through a search..I am just worried of being in the middle of nowhere and can't get about..Really want to do DIY as can't afford to pay travel brochure prices...I get a discount on the trains as I work for the railways
When do the flight timetables come out as can't book a hotel etc till we book flights..

boots_babe

We did loads of research as we wanted everything perfect for the wedding. Our hotel was www.kakslauttanen.fi and I couldn't recommend them enough. Beautiful setting, lovely log cabins, each with your own sauna and roaring fire. Only 10 mins from the main village of Saariselka, which in itself was big enough to have enough nice places to eat and things to do, but small enough that you could walk around if you wanted to, which was lovely.

We were keen to book our flights, but found that the timetable didn't come out until end of May/early June. The main restriction is on flights - as there is only one main airline did our route (Finnair), not sure if similar situation with where you're going. But hotel wise there were plenty to choose from, to suit all budgets, you could get somewhere right in the middle of the action, or out in the sticks. I think you wouldn't have any problem contacting hotels directly - we had extra questions etc with the wedding but we still mainly emailed, but also rang a couple of times using the MSE callchecker.

One thing, when booking activities such as snowmobiling, husky riding etc, you will prob find it cheaper to do it when you get there. The prices we were quoted initially were considerably more than when we got there and looked around the various people running trips - also trips booked via the hotel were more expensive so again better going direct.

On a package they usually provide clothing, but if you plan ahead you can get setup really cheaply - buying out of season you get some great deals on snow gear, as well as online look at TX Maxx they have loads of great cheap ski stuff - they had lots a couple of weeks ago when I went.

Can't comment on train travel as we didn't do that whilst there, but generally no problem with public transport, buses always punctual and drivers friendly and helpful - not at all like in England, taxis reliable and cheap! :rolleyes:

pudding

Thanks...I am off to tkmaxx later as it's open till 8pm near me..I have noticed before snow gear stuff quite cheap...I need to get it now while it's cheaper..
your info has been a great help..
The log cabins look great...lots of info on the hotels website..
Looking forward to planning it all now...Thanks Again

FL

Hi
Having read the most of the thread I realise you can do these holidays yourself and Canterbury Travel are expensive. What I would say in their defense is that we went with them the week before Christmas and the whole event was very well organised. There was plenty of snow and there were at least 5 activities a day. We went on the skidos at least 5 times, tobagonning, rides on reindeer sleighs etc. We searched for Santa and there was even a catchy song. The accommodation was brilliant and the food. Kids loved it. The santa experience itself was fantastic and unbeatable.

In the evenings they lead on 2 hrs of kids activities which was a bonus as it was dark by 2 due to the short days.

We visited Santa's village on the way back to the airport so even fitted that in too. I believe at the beginning of December there are discounts. I am not sure if this is the sort of holiday that would be the same if you did it yourself as you would miss out on the atmosphere and experience with Canterbury travel.