Hi, we are going this year. We have plannedthe trip independantly, flying Finnair to Rovaniemi, and staying in the SantaClausVillage log cabins. We have booked a private visit with the big man in Joulukka, which just looks fantastic.
We can afford to do a private meet, a visit to elf school, husky and reindeer ride, and an eveing under the stars with the elves because we booked independantly and saved 1000 against the Canterbury trip.
Canterbury and Esprit seem to do the least commercial tours, however a couple of our friends had their Canterbury trip cancelled last week due to low numbers.
Many people speak well of First Choice etc, however I think they do the busier route to santa via the Santa Park and Santaclaus village (we are only staying there due to proximity and availability), and not really the personalised search for santa theme.
If you check trip advisor for Rovaniemi or Yllas, Levi, Saariskella you will find feedback on the trips and hotels.
It's a pain looking through the trips as it is a lot of money and you want to get the correct tour for you,and each one is ever so slightly different. As we couldn't get the dates we wanted, i looked at my other options 5 days is costing us £1100 in accommodation, suits, breakfast and flights for 2 adults and 1 ds. This includes a flight to Helsinki, and afternoon there and a later flight to Rovaniemi. the owners of the log cabins are collecting us from the airport and there is a kids club free for 2 hours each afternoon with the elves in Santa Village.
www.joulukka.com/ this is where we are meeting Santa a private meet for 5 costs 850 euros, a lot I know, but the trip with a tour company would have cost us 3500 minimum, so this is a real bonus.
The people we have been in contact with in Joulukka have been amazing, and apparently we pay the elf when he comes to pick us up and transfer us to the park. Lol! I have also organised a snowmobile ride for DH, me on the back, and ds in a sleigh.
DS is 6 btw.
Hope you find what you are looking for, it is a maze!