Suggestions for Lapland please?

Jaynew · 15 Aug 17, 09:52 PM

I've decided quite late in the day that I need to take my children to Lapland to see Father Christmas before the eldest, who is 9, gets too old!

I've looked at the scheduled trips from UK travel agents for this Christmas and am amazed how expensive they are? I don't really want to wait until Christmas 2018 as he will be nearly 11 and I fear that boat may have sailed!

So as I did Florida DIY earlier this year I think i can manage Lapland DIY.

What's Rovaniemi like? It seems the easiest place to get to (flight to Helsinki from London and overnight train up). Or should I look at somewhere less commercialised?

I've started looking at accommodation for just before or just after Christmas and what is left is very expensive.

How different a trip would it be if we waited until the February half term? Could we still see Santa?

Any hints/tips/cost saving suggestions welcome!

dvc · 15 Aug 17, 09:58 PM

We took our daughter when she was 5 and used Canterbury Travel. As this is such a specialised trip, where you need snow suits, boots etc I wouldn't recommend doing it yourself. We flew from East Mids airport and just did a day trip. It was a fun day and very much worth it. The plane was just Santa people so lots of games for children, Christmas dinner etc it was really lovely. They provided all clothing etc, lots of things to do, sledging, reindeer pulled sleighride, seeing Santa, food etc.

Ripka · 15 Aug 17, 10:05 PM

Hi,

Kids (and grow ups) will love Lapland. We went to Saariselka for 3 days with Hays Travel many years ago when kids where young, managed to get a great last minute deal. It was not as commercial as some resorts and I loved the fact that you travel through the forest on a sleigh to meet Santa as a family in his cabin, rather than a big group in a hotel restaurant. It was magical and the look on the kids faces as Santa read out their hand written letters, which we had 'burnt' at home to send him was priceless.

Jaynew · 15 Aug 17, 10:55 PM

Originally Posted by Ripka

Hi,

Kids (and grow ups) will love Lapland. We went to Saariselka for 3 days with Hays Travel many years ago when kids where young, managed to get a great last minute deal. It was not as commercial as some resorts and I loved the fact that you travel through the forest on a sleigh to meet Santa as a family in his cabin, rather than a big group in a hotel restaurant. It was magical and the look on the kids faces as Santa read out their hand written letters, which we had 'burnt' at home to send him was priceless.

That's interesting thanks. I wonder what the possibility of last minute deals is wit ha travel agent as i definitely refuse to pay their exorbitant prices!

Jaynew · 15 Aug 17, 11:01 PM

Originally Posted by dvc

We took our daughter when she was 5 and used Canterbury Travel. As this is such a specialised trip, where you need snow suits, boots etc I wouldn't recommend doing it yourself. We flew from East Mids airport and just did a day trip. It was a fun day and very much worth it. The plane was just Santa people so lots of games for children, Christmas dinner etc it was really lovely. They provided all clothing etc, lots of things to do, sledging, reindeer pulled sleighride, seeing Santa, food etc.

Wouldn't the clothing be similar to what you would take if you were going skiing? I'm not sure i can justify an extra �1,500 (which is roughly how much the travel agents packages are compared to doing it DIY). I will happily research what clothing to take if it saves me that much.

JLH · 16 Aug 17, 01:26 PM

Originally Posted by Jaynew

I've decided quite late in the day that I need to take my children to Lapland to see Father Christmas before the eldest, who is 9, gets too old!

I've looked at the scheduled trips from UK travel agents for this Christmas and am amazed how expensive they are? I don't really want to wait until Christmas 2018 as he will be nearly 11 and I fear that boat may have sailed!

So as I did Florida DIY earlier this year I think i can manage Lapland DIY.

What's Rovaniemi like? It seems the easiest place to get to (flight to Helsinki from London and overnight train up). Or should I look at somewhere less commercialised?

I've started looking at accommodation for just before or just after Christmas and what is left is very expensive.

How different a trip would it be if we waited until the February half term? Could we still see Santa?

Any hints/tips/cost saving suggestions welcome!

we were looking at Rovaniemi , flights with Norwegian(feb half term) and found some apartments on Airbnb which were not too bad price wise for four nights. The only thing that has put us off is the prices of the activities . Mine are a lot older than yours and everything like husky rides , reindeer sleigh etc was in excess of 100 euros per person per activity. However I did read that a lot of places do provide clothing for activities so simple ski clothes should be adequate. Luckily mine are past the santa age and are happy enough to go skiing in Bulgaria as a much cheaper option!

Jaynew · 16 Aug 17, 02:14 PM

Originally Posted by JLH

we were looking at Rovaniemi , flights with Norwegian(feb half term) and found some apartments on Airbnb which were not too bad price wise for four nights. The only thing that has put us off is the prices of the activities . Mine are a lot older than yours and everything like husky rides , reindeer sleigh etc was in excess of 100 euros per person per activity. However I did read that a lot of places do provide clothing for activities so simple ski clothes should be adequate. Luckily mine are past the santa age and are happy enough to go skiing in Bulgaria as a much cheaper option!

U are so right. We are looking at a combined activity of snowmobiles, huskies and reindeer and it's nearly 600 euros for the 4 of us. Plus entrance to santa world or whatever its called and the snowman village and u are looking at 800 euros just for the activities. Still only makes it just over �2,000 plus food for the 4 of us for 5 nights. I have been quoted three times that for less nights via a travel agent.

Blue nose · 16 Aug 17, 07:37 PM

We did Winter Wonderland last year with Santa Tours. Think it was 1800 for 4 of us in a Saturday but if we'd gone mid week it was about 1100.

It was only a day trip but everything was included from meals on the plane, lunch there, hot drinks vouchers, husky rides, sledging, reindeer rides, snow mobiles and an individual family sleigh ride to see Santa.

They provided clothes including shoes. We just needed scarves, hats and gloves. We took a bottled of water and cereal bars.

The kids bought a teddy each and we bought drinks at airport on way home and didn't spend any other money.

Best money ever spent even though it was a small fortune 🙄

Kids talk about it more than our first trip to Florida 🤔

15 Aug 17, 10:05 PM	#3
	15 Aug 17, 10:05 PM Ripka Getting to know the DIBB
Ripka Getting to know the DIBB Join Date: Aug 16	Hi, Kids (and grow ups) will love Lapland. We went to Saariselka for 3 days with Hays Travel many years ago when kids where young, managed to get a great last minute deal. It was not as commercial as some resorts and I loved the fact that you travel through the forest on a sleigh to meet Santa as a family in his cabin, rather than a big group in a hotel restaurant. It was magical and the look on the kids faces as Santa read out their hand written letters, which we had 'burnt' at home to send him was priceless.

16 Aug 17, 07:37 PM	#8
	16 Aug 17, 07:37 PM Blue nose Imagineer
Blue nose Imagineer Join Date: Mar 16	We did Winter Wonderland last year with Santa Tours. Think it was 1800 for 4 of us in a Saturday but if we'd gone mid week it was about 1100. It was only a day trip but everything was included from meals on the plane, lunch there, hot drinks vouchers, husky rides, sledging, reindeer rides, snow mobiles and an individual family sleigh ride to see Santa. They provided clothes including shoes. We just needed scarves, hats and gloves. We took a bottled of water and cereal bars. The kids bought a teddy each and we bought drinks at airport on way home and didn't spend any other money. Best money ever spent even though it was a small fortune 🙄 Kids talk about it more than our first trip to Florida 🤔 Edited at 07:38 PM.