lapland on the cheap

was thinking of a trip to lapland myself last christmas but a friend of mine went and said it was horrendous so am not going to bother....in her experience, all the kids on the trip had a terrible time. It was so cold that half the things they had planned to do had to be aborted e g the sleigh ride to santa - instead having to go by coach. They went for the day and she said that most of the kids spent the entire time crying and saying they wanted to go home. A few had even lost interest in seeing santa by the end of the day...too much money for too little reward.

DO NOT do the one day trip - it is far too rushed and too long a day for the kids.

We did a Thomas Cook trip at the beginning of December, cost 300 pounds each. Up at 3.00 a.m. left North London by 3.30 a.m. to get the train from Victoria Station to Gatwick. At Gatwick by 5.00 to check-in - I think it was a 7.00 a.m. flight arrived in Rovenaimi there time 12.00 - took over an hour for all to get and change into thermal clothes and boots. From there onto buses - drove to a park where our group was first to see Santa - then onto the next Kota Tent for an Artic Cermony which was really boring for adults let alone kids. Then lunch time - the meal provided was good - our group for some reason appeared to be first in and last to leave -(poor organisation) - we then headed to the husky sled ride - 2 sleds with tired dogs - 2 people at a time. This took forever for the bus load to have a turn. Waiting around here for all to have their turn is when I felt the cold. From there we walked over the the reindeer sleigh ride. For me this was the best of the four things we did. Five sleighs each with one reindeer tied together - it was magical but in reality not long enough.
After this we were back on the bus, back into Rovenaimi to Santa's Post Office and shops -
7.00 p.m. we were to board the bus, because of late comers didn't leave until 7.30 back to the airport, to the plane. Arrived back at Gatwick around 10.30 p.m. the majority of little children were sound asleep and carried off by parents still asleep. Seemed forever to get through Immigration - then to head home. We did not get home until near 1.00 a.m.

Although we enjoyed ourselves, we had a lot of issues with the organisation of the day. Save your money and if going with an organised trip spend at least 2 full days their or if doing it yourself I would allow min. of 5 days which includes your travel, otherwise the kids will be far too tired. I'm not sure that you will save a great deal doing it yourself but you will see and do what you want at a pace suitable for the kids.

As to travelling while the kids still believe, I'm not sure that really is such a big issue - even if they don't believe they will fall into the magic of the place and really enjoy the experience. Actually thinking about it, for what it will cost you, probably better to take them at an age they will really appreciate the trip.

Hello! We are living in Rovaniemi and we organize holidays for people. Cottages, hotels, cars, activities at good prises. We are not a tour operator, so we don't have bigger prices than they usually are. If you are interested write in our e-mail starrysky@suomi24.fi
How long time you want to stay, what kind of accomondation you want, activities...for example do you want to live in cottage, or in hotel?...do you want to have a reindeer safari, visit huskypark?...do you want to rent a car?
There are a lot of things that you can make above visiting Santa, a lot of things that you will remember for all llife...
contact us and we will make together holidays especially for you!
best regards
STARRY SKY
Rovaniemi Finland