Lapland information

Kentcorn

We are thinking of going on a short break (3-4days) to Lapland next December, as much for as the kids.

I would appreciate anyones suggestions about best/worst travel operator, hotel etc.

I have read that it is better to book extra trips, such as skidooes, reindeer rides and the like with local operators because they are cheaper than booking before you go and you get more for your money. Does anyone have an experience of this and the cost?

Many thanks for taking the time to read this message.

spender

Have been to Lapland 3 times, twice with Cosmos on special SANTA trips, very very expensive, last time in January with Inghams for a week. The cost in January for 4 persons half board for 7 nights cost LESS than one adult for a 4 night Santa special. There are loads of companies doing the visits for Santa but look outside the circle and use Google as there are loads of companies offering trips less expensive than the mainstream operators offering Santa Trips (which are excellent and special but well overpriced). I suggest you visit https://www.tripadvisor.com and in the search put in Lapland forum, you can then read a wealth of info on Lapland and ask questions etc.

It really depends on what you want from your trip. With Inghams we once again did snowmobiles (fab), husky safari, reindeer safari etc. They were a quarter of the price compared to the ones on offer from the mainstream operators of Santa Trips. If you PM me I have a shed load of companies from when I was researching this year's holiday.

One thing is for sure, once you go you will want to go back again, again and again.

monkeyspanner

I would look at the alternative of a short ski trip to Norway. Try Crystal. When we went the hotel organised Santa to come into the hotel with his Reindeer on Christmas Eve(closely followed by the hotel staff with shovels!) and gave out presents to all the kids (parents give presents to the hotel to hand out). Then you can bolt on reindeer trips, skidoos, husky sled rides. We were lucky and got a place for our daughter for £50 for 10days in Geilo Half Board, bargain.

livinginhope

Like spender,we do the week long ski trip with Inghams,much,much cheaper,we go last minute,costs about £320 pppw in log cabin.We did the reindeer safari,husky farm safari and trip to santa park,costs were the same locally as with Inghams.
Can't add anything to spenders post,so hope you have a good time.

bargainbarmy

We went last Decemebr with First Choice on a 3 night Santa trip. It was fantastic. We booked about 4 weeks beforehand and we paid £319 each which was half the published brochure price. First Choice were excellent. People klnock them but our neighbours went on a day trip with Canterbury travel and they paid more than us and it sounded much the same. Do not go on a day trip...their kids were shattered. First Choice always reduce their prices mid Novemeber. Other tour operators don't reduce their prices much. We went to the Snow Princess hotel in Yllas and we had full entertainment and a busy programme. We hired a skidoo from a safari company opposite our hotela nd it only cost us £12 for one hour!!! The trips organised bythe reps are a rip off so beware.
We will be going again this December. I would note other people's comments about Inghams. They are cheaper but you have to go for a week and they don't provide all the extra Santa/Chrsitmassy stuff that the Santa trips offer. But if its just wintersports you are after go with Inghams.

bargainbarmy

We went last Decemebr with First Choice on a 3 night Santa trip. It was fantastic. We booked about 4 weeks beforehand and we paid £319 each which was half the published brochure price. First Choice were excellent. People klnock them but our neighbours went on a day trip with Canterbury travel and they paid more than us and it sounded much the same. Do not go on a day trip...their kids were shattered. First Choice always reduce their prices mid Novemeber. Other tour operators don't reduce their prices much. We went to the Snow Princess hotel in Yllas and we had full entertainment and a busy programme. We hired a skidoo from a safari company opposite our hotela nd it only cost us £12 for one hour!!! The trips organised bythe reps are a rip off so beware.
We will be going again this December. I would note other people's comments about Inghams. They are cheaper but you have to go for a week and they don't provide all the extra Santa/Chrsitmassy stuff that the Santa trips offer. But if its just wintersports you are after go with Inghams.