Thinking of going to Lapland with Canterbury Travel. Are they worth the money?

[archstanton]

Thinking of booking a trip to Lapland this December. Probably the week before Christmas. But for DH, me and 3DCs it comes to 6k for the 4days!

I've looked at Cosmos, Transun and First Choice too. They work out about 1.5k cheaper which is obviously quite a lot. But I'd rather spend 5800 for an amazing time which is a trip of a lifetime than 4600 for an ok but very expensive trip IYKWIM. It's a huge amout of money which we've been saving for since last year so I want to get it right. DS is almost 7yrs and I just think it's this year or never as I think next year at almost 8yrs, the magic will have passed.

So has anyone done it? Who did you go with? Anyone know whether CT are worth it?

TIA

Yes it was the holiday club we stayed at. The pool was lovely (although you can be watched from above). there is a slide and a small kids pool and a hot tub there as well as waves. It is not huge but dd loved it. The sauna bits are in the changing rooms. Everyone just walked through reception/dining area in their swimming costumes and robes. By the way if you get in early and ask reception it is sometimes possible to get childrens robes otherwise it is adult size.

We just had a room which was fine. We met a family who stayed in the log cabins which they liked apart from the fact that they had to get back into the all in ones to come in for meals, where as we just walked along the corridor. Not sure if they had woodburners in. The food is not brilliant and the alcohol expensive as I said before. But there is a supermarket and off licence just along the road, so get your snacks and orange juice cartoons etc there. The bathrooms all had drying cabinets in so you can out your scarfs, hats etc in their to dry as well as your towels.

The search for Santa is part of the activity day. You get allocated a time to see him and then go and do all the other activities before/after then. You then go off in a sleigh behind a skidoo to try and find him. Even the skidoo driver is involved in the story and search as well as the "naughty" elves (they turn up everywhere - even at the airport when you arrive).

Even though my dd had been before she still loved the search for Santa. Some people didn't rate it that highly as you don't go that far from where all the activities are - but then when it is that cold you don't want to be going that far.

We booked our trip though santatrips.co.uk and got it slightly cheaper than Esprit quoted me. They also do deals the closer to the time it gets when there are places still left. Depends if you want to take the chance.

If you want any more info let me know.

Just checked with DH. He said the cabins did have woodburners - very nice.

Thank you so, so much. Really helpful.
They are actually coming out best at the moment. Can't find a bad word about them either in the MN archives or on the Tripadvisor type websites.

With Canterbury, they look amazing but reviews seem poor especially in the last 2yrs.

Transun also good but would need to travel to Manchester to fly to the resort with log cabins. Also no supermarket and the hotel does not have a pool or sauna.

I think I'm just going to go with Esprit though will have a look at the website you mentioned to see if it works out a little cheaper.

Thanks again, Sushiqueen, your advice and info has been invaluable.

we went on the day trip to lapland with Thomas cook & they were brilliant!
I have friends who have used them for a 3 or 4 day break with them and also ahd a fantastic time.

archstanton
Did you go with Espirit? to the Holiday Club? You were in exactly the same position I am in now, and I wondered if you booked it and if so how you got on.
Thanks!

What were your flight times?
I was thinking of taking family to Lapland for 2 nights, but the other grandparents only want to go for 1 day. They would go for 1 night, but no companies seem to do just 1 night.
I don't think it's the cost that's putting them off, rather they think 3 days is too long for a 7 year old & two 5 year olds.
But going for just 1 day means a very long day

We went with first choice and they were perfect as they had a flight from Scotland and it was a fab experience.

Funniest moment was the girl at the uk airport, could all travellers travelling with children please board first. She took a while to get what we were laughing at as well as her colleagues x