Lapland

[Taggie]

We are going to Lapland for Christmas, we fly out from Gatwick on 23rd December and fly back on Boxing Day. So we will be seeing the Real Father Christmas on Christmas Day.

So Excited :thumbs-up :pgig: :thumbs-up

[welshwiz]

Aaaaww that's sooo exciting. We loved our trip 2 years ago. :o: :wavey:

[welshwiz]

See him HERE (http://www.santatelevision.com/santaclaus/en0518/en0518.html) for a little pre view. Take a look at all the little videos they are so sweet.

When we were waiting in line there were 4 sets of people of different nationalities infront of us and he spoke in their native tongue to each.

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee193/welshwiz/KIF_1755.jpg
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee193/welshwiz/KIF_1851.jpg

[I love walmart]

It does look absolutely gorgeous! I love the idea of being somewhere really wintery for christmas day, but I have to say it does make me smile when people get all excited about seeing the REAL Santa ;)

[Taggie]

Lovely Photos

Thanks for posting them :thumbs-up :thumbs-up

[simon and marcie]

Always wanted to do this :cry:

Who did you book with?

Marcie

[Taggie]

We are going with First Choice :thumbs-up

[welshwiz]

We also flew with First Choice but booked a log cabin direct. :wavey:

[scottishwee35]

I have looking at it, notice that only flight from Manchester and London. No Scotland flight? Anyone know?

Scottishwee35

[welshwiz]

I have looking at it, notice that only flight from Manchester and London. No Scotland flight? Anyone know?

Scottishwee35

We had to tracel to Manchester from south wales 2 years ago but now they've introduced a direct flight from Bristol too .

I can still only see Manchester/Gatwick/Birmingham and Bristol for direct flight though sorry .... maybe some specialist tour operators might charter planes specifically for this route at xmas time though?

[BarryandCaron]

A friend of mine is going from East Midlands in two weeks.

Caron

[jdybnsn]

There was a write up in one of the Sunday papers about taking an Xmas holiday in Lapland not long ago ....it sounded wonderful. :grin:

[Mazzy]

We are thinking of going next year. :d:

[Taggie]

Because of the dates we are there, it works out that we will get Christmas Dinner on Christmas Day and another Christmas Dinner on the flight home on Boxing Day.

It would be really handy if there was a Christmas Tree in the room, so we could put the presents under them, will have to pack a small one :pgig:

[Ramsay]

I was looking at this for next year but it works out so expensive for 3 or 4 days ..But would love to do it :)

[welshwiz]

I was looking at this for next year but it works out so expensive for 3 or 4 days ..But would love to do it :)

How does less than a grand for a week in a log cabin for a family of 4 suit you inc flights and car ;)

[Ramsay]

really ...All the ones i looked at were about 1500 for 3 people for 3 or 4 nights ...:(

[hel1304]

We are off for the day next Saturday (8th). Costing us over £1000 so you had a very good deal for your trip.

I am so excited too!! DD's don't know about trip yet - think we are going to tell them we are going to London for day & that is why we have to get up early - then tell them when we get to departures (have to be at airport by 6am)!

[simon and marcie]

WOW how did you get it that cheap??

I can only get it to £1600 for 3 days and i would rather put it towards florida. If i could get it to under 1k for next year would love to take kids

Marcie

[welshwiz]

I booked it all separately.

Flight only prices tend to go down last minute or you can use Ryanair then the overnight train. Our flights were less than £100 each

Checked which cabins were featured in the brochures then booked them independently. We paid £330 for a 4 bed cabin.

Plus car. The bloke waited for us for 2 hours and kept car defrosted he also helped us with our luggage. On the way home you just drop key into an honesty box.

Then decided on trips in the tourist info office over there. Plus padded the trip out with a bit of skiing & tobogganing & swimming etc

We were literally the only independent travellers on the entire plane ! :omg:

[simon and marcie]

OMG I wouldnt know where to start. Will start looking into it in New Year.

Which town did you stay in??

Were the cabins nice?

Are there restaurants there and what is the food like??

Sorry with all the q's

Anything else i need to know would be fantastic

Marcia

[welshwiz]

OMG I wouldnt know where to start. Will start looking into it in New Year.

Which town did you stay in??

Were the cabins nice?

Are there restaurants there and what is the food like??

Sorry with all the q's

Anything else i need to know would be fantastic

Marcia

We stayed in a ski resort called Levi. The cabins were lovely and TBH now I know how far it is from the airport etc and that we wouldn't get lost I'd probably book an individual one direct with an owner next time too. Levi is one of the biggest resorts and whilst we ate out every now and then it was nothing special although you can book traditional meals in the hotels and so on ....I didn't fancy eating a bit of Rudolf though so we stuck to the basics e.g. burgers for the kids. I guess I'd compare it to centre parks in the snow.

The people are really nice too and the speak fluent english.

Ski lift passes for the nursery slopes were free as were the kids toboggans :D

[welshwiz]

Some photos of our cabin & car


http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee193/welshwiz/KIF_1883.jpg
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee193/welshwiz/KIF_1875.jpg
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http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee193/welshwiz/KIF_1680.jpg
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee193/welshwiz/KIF_1679.jpg

[Heather1957]

We are off for the day next Saturday (8th). Costing us over £1000 so you had a very good deal for your trip.

I am so excited too!! DD's don't know about trip yet - think we are going to tell them we are going to London for day & that is why we have to get up early - then tell them when we get to departures (have to be at airport by 6am)!

My neice and her partner took her 10 year old daughter on Saturday for the day, she didn't know anything about it either until they got to Cardiff airport. I saw the pictures and it all looked fantastic and she (and they) had a great time.

[No1 tinkfan]

How exciting. You're never too old to see the 'real santa'.

[jlw34]

How wonderful, my youngest DD would be so jealous, she was only saying today that she would love to see the real santa and she is 9. How much longer will th magic last. My eldest now 12 found out at 9. I don't want it to end, infact i think i still believe... Have a fab time..

[Mishka]

Gosh you are so lucky. I hope you have the best time ever. I wish that we had done this when our kids were younger. Ds would still like it but DD would just give Santa attitude. I really really am so pleased and excited for you have a brilliant time x

[hayhay]

aww I went to Lapland a few years back! Was great fun!! Loooads of snow! I like the shopping as well. Aww and we went to go see some Huskies (sp) and a puppy! Was so cute! Looks like you had fun!! Nice photos! =]

[Ramsay]

Is the shopping expensive over there ..I am seriously considering taking my daughter next year now ...would be lovely :)

[St Kitts]

Trying to persuade hubby that a trip to Lapland would be fantastic - but he is of the bah humbug variety. Has anyone done one of the day trips with Canterbury Travel - they are the only company with availability on the dates we want. I have heard alot of good reports about Transun but is this company just as good?

Many thanks

Christine :wavey:

[St Kitts]

hURRAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - have booked today. Andy finally gave in to a weeks intensive nagging. Going on 23rd of December for day - flying from Leeds/Bradford so need to stay overnight in Travelodge. Can't wait. Will make Christmas fantastic - keeping it a secret from the kids.

Christine

[mickey rules]

my dds went with their grandparents when they were yonger. they said it was amazing and my mom and dad loved seeing their faces when they meet santa + they got really good pressie. you will have a wicked time.

[welshwiz]

hURRAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - have booked today. Andy finally gave in to a weeks intensive nagging. Going on 23rd of December for day - flying from Leeds/Bradford so need to stay overnight in Travelodge. Can't wait. Will make Christmas fantastic - keeping it a secret from the kids.

Christine

Well done Christine .....you'll have an amazing time & what a great date to go on too ! :sgrin: :Ball: :santa2: :xmastree:

[St Kitts]

Need to get our travel insurance upgraded to cover winter sports as one of the activities is riding/driving a snowmobile. The company we are traveling with wanted to charge £25 per adult and £12.50 per child just for one days cover. Can anyone recommend a reasonabl alternative?

Many thanks

Christine - I'm going to see Santa :pgig: :pgig: :pgig:

[Taggie]

Try moneysupermarket.com

They have a whole range of travel insurances, which is where we must get ours.

Need to get some travel money or something too :thumbs-up

[St Kitts]

Have had a good quote for travel insurance from the Post Office. For a family package for Ski/Winter Sports (including snow mobile) quoted for a 1-3day cover £28. Had to phone to add on a pre-existing condition - son Diabetic - an extra charge of £9.40.

I'm going to see Santa :pgig: :pgig: :pgig: :pgig:


Christine

[welshwiz]

Have had a good quote for travel insurance from the Post Office. For a family package for Ski/Winter Sports (including snow mobile) quoted for a 1-3day cover £28. Had to phone to add on a pre-existing condition - son Diabetic - an extra charge of £9.40.

I'm going to see Santa :pgig: :pgig: :pgig: :pgig:


Christine

Have a magical trip Christine :o: ..... did you notice that 'I love Walmart' is in Lapland at the moment?

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee193/welshwiz/dancingreindeer.gif

[Taggie]

Hope they give us a great account when they get back so we know what to expect :thumbs-up Only 2 weeks today and I will be there for Christmas :santa2: :santasmil

[welshwiz]

Hope they give us a great account when they get back so we know what to expect :thumbs-up Only 2 weeks today and I will be there for Christmas :santa2: :santasmil

Ooooohhh soooo exciting ....Helen (hel1304) has just got back too.

You'll have to take lots of piccies & do a proper trippy ...PLEASE.

BTW ..... if you are going to 'santaclausvillage' call your freinds and family whilst you're in line so they can log in to see you on the live webcam ;)

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee193/welshwiz/dancingreindeer.gif

[Taggie]

:pgig: we keep watching the webcam each day and if you go to Santa TV, they show that one and the one where you go into see Santa, last night, all the elves went in there at the end for a photo, soooo funny :pgig: :pgig:

We are supposed to be doing Santa Claus Village on Christmas Day :santasmil

[Taggie]

On Christmas Eve, we have from 2pm onwards to do as we please, I was hoping to do a Reindeer Safari or something, but don't know how to go about booking this, how will we get to it as we will be somewhere we don't know and how do we get back to the hotel?

We are doing the Taster sessions in the morning with First Choice :thumbs-up

[welshwiz]

On Christmas Eve, we have from 2pm onwards to do as we please, I was hoping to do a Reindeer Safari or something, but don't know how to go about booking this, how will we get to it as we will be somewhere we don't know and how do we get back to the hotel?

We are doing the Taster sessions in the morning with First Choice :thumbs-up

We stayed in a ski resort and booked all our safaris when we got there in the tourist information office. Some safari operators were very central others 10-15 mins away and plenty of package holiday travellers made it to the local ones on foot. I would imagine that your rep or hotel would be able to organise something for you or take a look at the links on your hotels webpage and try to pre book.

I woudn't recommend a long reindeer safari though ....it was the only one that we got really cold on as it's not a fast moving trip. however, the husky safaris and skidoo are brilliant (take your license just incase you want to hire one independently).

You might also find some links on the website of the town your staying in I think it's www.rovaniemi.fi

[welshwiz]

Try emailing their tourist information centre ....you might have time to get them to send through some brochures and maps

travel.info@rovaniemi.fi

HERE (http://www.rovaniemi.fi/?Deptid=18067)

An example of a local operator in Rovaniemi (sounds like they'll meet you in your hotel and transport you back by car at the end of the safari too)
http://www.erasetti.fi/EN/rovaniemi/programs/winter.html

BTW ....when you go on one of these safaris and they offer you thermal suits...just take the next size up and wear it over the ones that First Choice give you ....yes you'll look like michellin man .... but you'll be toastie warm on a long safari. Also....hubby didn't tell me until the end but my hand were freezing holding onto him on the skidoo and I felt sorry for him having to drive ....uh no ...the handle bars are HEATED !

[Taggie]

Thanks ever so muchly :thumbs-up

[susieb]

welshwiz!! That sounds amazing!

Which airport do you fly into? what was overnight train like? How far is it to drive from train station to Levi? Is driving terrifying with all that snow? Are distances fat apart fro trips etc???

I cant believe you got it so cheap!!

[welshwiz]

welshwiz!! That sounds amazing!

Which airport do you fly into? what was overnight train like? How far is it to drive from train station to Levi? Is driving terrifying with all that snow? Are distances fat apart fro trips etc???

I cant believe you got it so cheap!!

I think I mentioned somewhere about the night train ...although that's not what we .... I'd only do that if it worked out cheaper TBH although I did research it as an option at the time.

You'll be glad to know that we actually flew direct into Kittila from MANCHESTER ;) . It was a First Choice plane and we had a lovely christmas dinner on the plane, the crew were fab and all wore Santa hats, they even played kareoke carols on the screens. :grin:

Then when we got there it was a tiny airport with just the odd tourist charter that landed (loads of daytrippers though). Nearly everybody went on the package tour buses and I just asked the tour rep which way to go and she said just follow the bus....turn left out of airport 15 mins and we were there. The roads were well kept and continuously cleared....everybody drove very slowly and it was suprisingly flat. When we returned at the end of the week we just deposited the keys in an 'honesty box' (BTW outbound the car hire guy had spent 2 hours keeping the car ticking over for us and even helped us with our cases).

I chose a cabin that features in lots of brochures just so we knew where to go and that it was central to the resort. It was great though as our flight back was late and they allowed us to keep the cabin on until tea time free of charge. I just emailed them and booked it direct though rather than through an operator. There's a few to chose from on www.levi.fi

The tourist info office was about 500m from our cabin and they spoke really good english and there were plenty of different options of trips to choose from (some within walking distance and others 10-15 mins by car) .......I'd say go in the middle of the day though as only the husky farm was hard to find because we went in the evening and it was sooo dark.

I wanted to go to santaclausvillage though and it looked like and hour's drive on the map but took more like 2 hours going slowly .....the only problems we encountered then were reindeers in the middle of the road ....that was ahem fun trying to stop safely before we knocked rudolf over LOL :d:

Staying in a ski resort like Levi gives you the best of both worls really as you've got ski slopes and spa hotels plus all sorts of trips nearby. My hubby hated skiing as it was his first time but me and the kids had a great time whilst he sat in the Kota (hut) by the fire with the free hot chocolate on offer. We all loved the sledging/tobogganing though and there were people there of all ages with and without children.

I'd definately do it again as it was so relaxing whilst all the hussle and bussle is going on at home...except my eldest is now in High school and the cheap weekly flights go Sunday to Sunday and I won't take him out of school for a whole week.

Nobody I've ever spoken to believes me about how much we paid even my best friend paid nearly £2k for her family day trip :omg:

[susieb]

thanks so much. This is really helpful. weve always wanted to do this but it was out of our budget. I really like independent travel so this is briliant.

I cant see any flights on first choice site so will phone tomorrow.

Thanks so much again!!

[welshwiz]

thanks so much. This is really helpful. weve always wanted to do this but it was out of our budget. I really like independent travel so this is briliant.

I cant see any flights on first choice site so will phone tomorrow.

Thanks so much again!!

We flew on a First Choice plane that seemed to have been chartered out for ski hols during the winter iykwim.

Take a look here (http://www.ski-flights.com/kittilaflights.html)

[marissa]

Hi Taggie,hope you have a fab time.We went last xmas for four nights as well as xmas day and it was amazing!! We are still talking about it now.Father xmas was so amazing. Santa also came to our hotel after xmas dinner,Watch out for surprise when he goes!! We went with first choice and it was great. We did the reindeer and snowmobile trips and they were so fun.Xmas will seem dull this year!!

[Taggie]

It's so close now, it is scary :pgig: temperatures are warming up out there like last year :confused2

Did you pay extra to do the reindeer and snowmobile trips?

My boys still don't have a clue we are going, wonder if they will cotton on at the airport :pgig: :pgig: :pgig:

[I love walmart]

Just got back from Lapland on Wednesday night. It was beautiful! We only booked it the night before we went, so it was a little hectic getting there but I'm so glad we did it.

We went with Cosmos and stayed in Levi. I was a little worried that Levi was going to be some cheesy tourist trap, but it wasn't at all. It was not too large and felt very safe. The apartment we stayed in was small but very new and modern. It had a mezzanine type floor with a really steep set of stairs going up so not particularly child friendly but we didn't have any accidents. If I went again I would try to get a room in a hotel though rather than an apartment near the hotel, as it was a bit of a pain having to get the children all snowsuited up whenever we went for our meals at the hotel.

I have two boys aged two and five. The five year old loved this holiday the two year old not so much. I think we will go back but probably in two years time so little one can enjoy it too. The problem with DStwo was that when he had to walk anywhere he found it really hardgoing and got tired and grumpy. We then realised it was easier to pull him round on a tobaggon, but then cos he wasn't moving he got really cold and grumpy. He also doesn't know about Santa really so I think it was not the best holiday for him! We also didn't go for any long sleigh rides as after doing a five minute husky ride my boys faces were frozen stiff! If they were a little older I think I would balaclava them and take them on one though.

To anyone who's going soon the best advice I could give is "Take the right clothes!!". Make sure the gloves are ski type gloves and hats are deer stalker types that hug the sides of the face. The temperature ranged from -1 to -19 :omg: while we were there with a bit of a breeze thrown in sometimes. It's so important to keep everyone (especially little uns who aren't very mobile) warm and cosy. The snow suits they provide are brilliant but its the bits of body sticking out that felt the cold so don't chance taking that bobble hat and gloves your nana knitted you :d:

[marioner]

Just got back from Lapland on Wednesday night. It was beautiful! We only booked it the night before we went, so it was a little hectic getting there but I'm so glad we did it.

We went with Cosmos and stayed in Levi. I was a little worried that Levi was going to be some cheesy tourist trap, but it wasn't at all. It was not too large and felt very safe. The apartment we stayed in was small but very new and modern. It had a mezzanine type floor with a really steep set of stairs going up so not particularly child friendly but we didn't have any accidents. If I went again I would try to get a room in a hotel though rather than an apartment near the hotel, as it was a bit of a pain having to get the children all snowsuited up whenever we went for our meals at the hotel.

I have two boys aged two and five. The five year old loved this holiday the two year old not so much. I think we will go back but probably in two years time so little one can enjoy it too. The problem with DStwo was that when he had to walk anywhere he found it really hardgoing and got tired and grumpy. We then realised it was easier to pull him round on a tobaggon, but then cos he wasn't moving he got really cold and grumpy. He also doesn't know about Santa really so I think it was not the best holiday for him! We also didn't go for any long sleigh rides as after doing a five minute husky ride my boys faces were frozen stiff! If they were a little older I think I would balaclava them and take them on one though.

To anyone who's going soon the best advice I could give is "Take the right clothes!!". Make sure the gloves are ski type gloves and hats are deer stalker types that hug the sides of the face. The temperature ranged from -1 to -19 :omg: while we were there with a bit of a breeze thrown in sometimes. It's so important to keep everyone (especially little uns who aren't very mobile) warm and cosy. The snow suits they provide are brilliant but its the bits of body sticking out that felt the cold so don't chance taking that bobble hat and gloves your nana knitted you :d:

Sounds lovely , I think we are doing it next year and taking our Grandson.

[marissa]

Yes Taggie we did pay extra for the reindeer and snowmobile rides.Very expensive but worth it and after all to us it was a once in a lifetime trip! We also had the taster morning which was at our hotel.That was so much fun and us at the hotel got to go on everything as many times as we liked. Other people from other hotels had a tick board to try everything once so we were extra klucky there!

[Taggie]

Lovely photos :thumbs-up :thumbs-up

[kgfive]

We went on a day trip with Transun a few years back and we can still remember it so clearly. It was spectacular. I so wish that everyone could experience it.

You've just got to try some of the fish, baked outdoors round an open fire. You get it given to you in a foil wrap which keeps your hands lovely and warm whilst you eat it. It's yummy :d:. The snowmobile ride is also a must.

At the end of the day, once onboard the aircraft, it was fascinating watching the guys thawing the ice off the aircraft engines to let us take off.

The experience of a lifetime. ENJOY :wavey:

[St Kitts]

Have just returned from a visit to Lapland - Magic. Was so well organised and the kids were speachless - managed to keep it a secret until yesterday morning at the airport. The trip was exceptionally well organised - I would recommend Canterbury Travel.

Only down side was the 2 hour delay due to fog on the way back and attitude of ground staff at Leeds Bradford Airport on arrival - plane of more than 300 very tired people - alot of young children - and only one person on at passport control.


Christine :wavey:

[Taggie]

We returned today from our Christmas trip to Lapland from First Choice, it was fantastic and I will do a trip report on it :thumbs-up

[welshwiz]

:D Glad you all enjoyed your trips to Lapland

:D Looking forward to the trippie Taggie

Ka.x :wavey:

[Fizzy Fish]

This sounds amazing and something we definitely want to do with DD in a few years time.

Your photos look so maigcal and perfect!

[marissa]

glad you had a great time!!!!

[lainey5565]

cant wait to hear more Taggie.....
welcome home :wavey: