We are going to Lapland!!!!

[AnneBullen]

Coronavirus permitting obvs.

I am so so so excited. We are doing a three night tour with Canterbury Travel and staying in Pyha Astel as really wanted a log cabin that is close to the resort, not a fifteen minute walk away.

It’s look so magical and I cannot wait.

Anyone been/going?

I hope you have an amazing time. We went a couple if years ago with Canterbury Travel - the dc still sing the Elf Song as an official Christmas song.

It was managed really well and made some fantastic memories. Father Christmas was very believable. The elves were all excellent.

Just know you'll have a fabulous time. Went a while ago when our kids were a lot younger, it is truly a magical place. When we went you had to send the Christmas letter to them, and when they went to the big man he shows it to them and they couldn't believe it, their eyes lit up!

Take as much money as u can, the trips are lovely but they are expensive. We went on quite a few and one of the best was the trip on reindeers through the forest first thing in the morning, and another one that is good is travelling on huskies the kids loved it.

If you are going with Cantarbury Travels then the trips are all included.

There a limited number of extra things you can pay for and you book them in advance - we had one of the elves come and read the dc a bedtime story, which was amazing and I would recommend. We also did an adults only night time snowmobile ride (dm and dmil were with us and could babysit).

Thanks both! Can I ask you both which resorts you stayed in and what type of accommodation?

We stayed at a log cabin in Luosto

We did this trip and stayed in a log cabin in Luosto. It was amazing- we loved every moment.
The only money you will need is extras like alcohol with meals and souvenirs.
Take lots of snacks if your kids are fussy- or even if not- the food is the worst bit! OK for adults who will eat anything but not great. Or upgrade to the a la carte restaurant.
We’re off in search of Santa and his elves!

I’ve been put off the log cabins in Luosto as it says 15 minute walk from the resort which feels like quite a long walk with a tired 4 year old in those temperatures. Is that a fair concern or was it actually fine?

There are sledges to pull dc along on the walk. We didn't find it a particular issue, but we had plenty of adults to pull the sledges. We actually enjoyed the walk outside the centre of Luotso, it was beautiful.

The walk is fun- pull them on a sledge. You don’t want to get all togged up for a 2 minute walk.

This thread has prompted me to get our photos out from Lapland - lovely memories!

Saariselka in a hotel AnneBullen

I don't have kids but went a few years back - favourite place in the world - better than Maldives, Mauritius, Bora Bora etc

I am so jealous. Just looked it up and it looks amazing! Can I ask how old your DC are? Or for those who have been what was the best age? Would love to take mine. DS is 3 next month and #2 is due November. Is 6 and 3 the sweet spot?

I took my dc when they were 6 and 4 and they were the youngest in the group. With hindsight I wonder if it would have been more enjoyable for them a year or two later. The activities are aimed at 5-10 year olds I would have said.

7 and 4 would be better I reckon. DS was 51/2 and it was perfect.

Lovely, thanks both. Hard to find a time when magical for both with a gap of 3.5 years! 7 and 4 sounds like the one to go for and leaves lots of time to save for it!

I hope the OP gets there and had a wonderful time

Thanks so much for your advice guys..... we are actually going to go to Luosto and the guy advised there is more going on there, and stay in the open plan cabin which is a 10 minute walk away. Paying the deposit today!!!

Youngest DS will be 4 and 9 months - ideally we would have waited one more year for him but then eldest DS would be 10 and I think that might be pushing it as I hear some people think Santa isn’t real???? (Weirdos) and it might be a bit late for him, magic wise.

We are paying £5800 for a three night trip.

I used to work for a red letter days type of company back in 2001, I was the only employee! Anyway, we sold this Lapland trip and it looked so wonderful in the catalogue that I made an absolute vow I would take any children I had there. It was 4K at the time!

So so , my DC are adults now so I have missed the boat with them.
I did consider Lapland UK which is the better of the UK experiences but like you I was worried my older DC would be a bit p* takey and spoil it for the younger children there .

You need to have a word in your 9yo shell-like ear and tell him that even if he is the tiniest bit dubious he is not to wreck the magic for your younger DC .

He will love everything going on though , the husky rides and reindeer will be magical.

Enjoy ! (and buy Uniqlo Heat Tech underwear - my DD had these for ski-ing , they were a god send )

For anyone worried about missing the boat re DC ages I say still go! We went last year, but in Feb - our DC were 6 and 3 but we don't 'do' Santa so that wasn't part of the trip for us but it was still AMAZING. You get much more daylight if you do go in Feb and we saw the Northern Lights so so clearly. Plus reindeer slight ride, husky sled and general snow play - it was fabulous. ((Our 3 year old was too young though, we should've waiting at least a year and probably 2))

Very excited for you Anne

Hope you have an amazing time!

It will be fab and keep them believing much longer.

We went last Christmas and it was amazing. Best holiday ever. We went with Ingham's, with a 6 and 4 year old and they were the perfect age I thought. Best activity we did was a horse drawn sleigh ride one night. Did husky sledding, reindeer sled but the reindeer rebelled and ran off track which was scary but exciting, skiing lesson, santa village and ski mobiling. As well as a fab pool and lots of just playing in the snow