Anyone been to Lapland

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Want to take the kids, does it matter how old they are to experience the magic of it being Santa's home? Really struggling with justifying spending that much money on a 4 night trip

We won a trip there, I thought the Fater Xmas trip was really naff. I would not have paid for it.

We won a trip too! It was awesome!

We went in March so it was only -20 at the coldest.

We had 3 days in Lapland and 2 in Helsinki. We slept in a log cabin and a glass igloo, went sledging and snow mobiling and for a reindeer ride.

It would have cost about 4K for 4 of us but was honestly the best family holiday ever. So much fun, so interesting too. We went to Saariskellan. Would def recommend going outside of silly season - still so magical, perhaps even more so and also not ridiculously cold.

Yes went to Levi late December, minus 25. Done huskies, snowmobile, reindeer sledging and rode into woodlands at night in a one horse open sleigh complete with jingle bell. Expensive but worth every single penny. Just myself and my child, memories that'll last forever. Santa's workshop was brilliant. Research area and excursions as with every thing you get good and bad one's glad I looked it all up beforehand. Was just amazing

We went and it was amazing, was about £400 each including flights, hotel with pool and spa, breakfast, snowmobile, husky rides, reindeer rides, Santa gala meal with fireworks. Kids and us absolutely loved it, really magical and worth the money. 3 nights over Christmas.

We even went back for 2 weeks in summer. Would happily go every year if had the money. Wouldn't take under 5s as very cold, down to minus 30C when we were there.

We have been to Enontekio twice and loved it both times. I wouldnt go to the more commercialised ''Santa park's type ones though. Enontekio is properly in the middle of nowhere and the husky rides, reindeer rides etc are unlimited.

Please can I ask at what age were your children and was that on reflection too early, too late or just right? Thanks!

I had a 6 and 12 yo. Perfect age. I wouldn't take an under 4. Too cold.

Mine were 5 and 7 and both absolutely loved it. 5 year old did struggle with the cold when at husky / reindeer / snowmobile place but was a restaurant were you have lunch you could take him to to warm up. So it was fine but some younger ones were crying a lot and would say his age was borderline. He is quite small and young for age. 5 to 10 would say would be ideal so kids still might believe too but even as adult its really amazing so older is fine. We did 3 nights over Christmas which was magical. Kids still talk about it 5 years later.

@PenguinsRabbits do you mind if I ask how you got it so cheap? It's crazy moly expensive when I've looked!

*crazily

We booked last minute via TUI Santa Sport Hotel but someone asked me that last year and I looked and prices had risen massively. Not sure why, maybe exchange rates? We went in 2012.

We went in the summer 3 years ago and flights were £1300 for 4 of us as no direct flights in summer but rest of it was very reasonable pricing though guess that's low season for them as more reindeer than people around then.

We went in Feb half-term this year and my god it's cold up there! I knew it would be and we're skiers, so we're used to layering up and getting out there anyway and spending hours outside in the cold, but there is a real difference between -6 and -25, particularly when you're sitting still on a reindeer-pulled sleigh.

If you do go, I heartily recommend that you do the short excursions as if the weather is very cold (like it was when we went), you can end up borderline hypothermic very easily. DS1 (11) couldn't feel his feet after our reindeer trip and was sobbing in pain. Husky mushing is really good fun though and we enjoyed the skiing in Levi.

Been twice....both times in December and to Rovaniemi. Absolutely fantastic and kids loved it. Paid about 1200 for 3 of us for 3 days.

TY. We have a few more years to save then!

Just double checked and it was 2,200 we paid for 4 of us for 3 nights over Christmas not 400 each, brain is like a sieve atm. That was flights, transfers, snowgear and boots, hotel for 3 nights which had pool with spa, breakfast in hotel each day, one trip for snowmobiles, husky and reindeer with lunch, one gala 3 course meal at which Santa arrived on his reindeer then fireworks on Xmas eve, one trip to see Santa, cookie making, elf workshop then more reindeer and husky rides and lunch. It was quite full-on days especially as we also went swimming and to the hotel's kids playcenter each day but great fun.

We're going in January; it's just over €1000 for 4 for indirect flights from Dublin via Gatwick, accommodation and car hire for a week. The kids will be 9 and 7 and are looking forward to it so much!

We went to Enontekio for a day trip last year. Kids were 6&8 and it was amazing.

Still can't get my head around a 4 day trip costing 3.5k at the moment.

It is phenomenal - best holiday ever. If you can afford it, then it really is the most magical holiday of a lifetime. Even if your kids are no longer believers, it's still amazing. We went with Canterbury Travel & can't recommend them highly enough.

We went to Rovaniemi the week before Xmas. Booked it around 2 month before hand with Thomsons. Cost around £400 each- was same price for adults and children. This included everything/clothing/meals etc. Was just a day trip but we did lots of activities eg sleigh ride, husky ride etc.

We went to Saariselka 4 of us for 3 days about £3500 I think which was eye watering but really worth it. Wouldn't take under 5s though. It was about -30 the day we arrived and lots of little ones couldn't stay outside for long. Luckily it warmed up to -10 after that which was fine!

We went to Luosto with Canterbury Travel for 4 nights when my boys were 4 & 6 . It was incredible, and at 22 & 24 they still say it was their best holiday ever , and they have both travelled a lot .

We also went to Luosto with Canterbury travel - for Christmas just gone, with a nearly 5 year old. It wasn't the cheapest but it was the most magical thing I can imagine...snow falling on a sleigh through a forest to Santa’s hidden house. I cried with emotion and am not like that usually!! We liked Luosto as we are skiers and could just walk up two mornings and have a few hours on the slopes. Canterbury had every single little thing just perfect...go for the log cabins if you are considering it.

It was Luosto for us too with Canterbury - amazing! Truly magical! We are off in search of Santa and his elves ....