Essential Information

Why Lapland Experience?
For our director it’s a very personal tour full of romance and sensitivity. Knowing his own children, your tour has been produced with the aim of ensuring that all children leave Finnish Lapland aware that they have met the real Santa Claus. For sure the real Father Christmas has never been just  Ho Ho Ho in nature, rather a kindly old gentleman over 400 years old, who cares still for the spirit of Christmas, who hopes that all children appreciate the thought behind the gifts, rather than the gifts themselves, who uses basic home spun logic and indeed who has brought many a tear of joy to the eyes of adults accompanying their children in the past. Whilst some might claim to be Santa’s favourite tour operator or profess to be experts in travel to Lapland no other company can offer the breadth and wealth of experience that Why Lapland Experience can. We have published a tour programme to Lapland for over 23 years and currently most of our reservations staff have been to Lapland and are therefore able to share personal knowledge on our programme.

Why Lapland?
Lapland promises fun for everyone, regardless of age. Here, a certain magic fills the air. You can feel it and knowing that Father Christmas has his natural home here only adds to the excitement. Deep in the pine trees sits his home, covered with snow – it’s the stuff that dreams are made of and you can see it on the faces of everyone, not just the children, as they set off in search of their fantasy.
It’s not just Father Christmas though that makes Lapland so exciting. You can ride a snow cat or skidoo (a motorized- snow vehicle) sedately along prepared tracks or if you feel more daring by driving across deep snow. Minimum skidoo driving age on public areas is 15 years with a driving licence. The challenge is very exciting but most of all it’s fun. Then there’s the reindeer and husky dogs to provide exhilarating rides which will live long in your memory. Here in Lapland the possibilities are endless and open to everyone, regardless of age and there’s a promise of finding Father Christmas in his secret hideaway. Lapland really is the winter experience of a lifetime, where dreams often do become reality. (Back to Top)

Our Specially Selected Resorts
Our tours are based at various locations, Olos, Salla and Suomu, where you may really believe Father Christmas lives, we are sure you will agree, not in a concrete block hotel in a main town.
We find him far in the wilds of Lapland but more will be revealed as you browse through the pages of our website.  (Back to Top)


What makes us different?
Our Tour Content
When purchasing a tour of this specialist nature, generally considered to be a once only expense, it is very important to consider the services you are purchasing. It’s easy to appreciate that in general terms flight costs to a given destination must be similar in nature. The land content is the main variant. Lapland Experience believe, whether you purchase a one day trip or a longer stay, it is important to enjoy the best standards of service and tour content available. Therefore our tours try and provide that extra content, presents for children, special souvenirs such as skidoo drivers licenses and many other services as shown for each tour. Our stay trips provide for a more relaxed atmosphere, an enhanced activity programme out in the wilderness and the romance of a search for Father Christmas. Day trips are full of activity rather than standing around shopping centres but of course to some degree are rushed by the limited time available (call our reservations team for information on day tours).

What the Cost Includes
- Return charter or scheduled flights to and from Rovaniemi, Enontekio or Kittila in Finland.
- Services as specified for each tour.
-Transfers and appropriate number of nights on full board basis for overnight tours.
-Loan of an all-in-one suit and boots for all  outdoor activities.
-Gift for Children aged 2–11 years inclusive.
- Services of local guide.   (Back to Top)

Lack of Commercialisation
Our belief is that in such a natural setting it is important to maintain a total lack of commercialisation. Thus when you find Santa it is impossible to purchase anything, and opportunities for shopping are limited.   (Back to Top)
 
How we enhance your stay
At Lapland Experience we aim to make your stay as memorable as we can. Listed below is a number of ways which will enhance your stay at the resorts of Salla and Olos and are unique to Lapland Experience  (not applicable on  Lyrical Lapland Tour)

Santa’s Special Elves: Santa's elves are seen on 2, 3 or 4 night tours only (except Lyrical Lapland).
We all know Santa’s reindeer names, but do you know the names of some of Santa’s elves? During our tours we may see some of his elves. Could one of his elves lead us to Santa?

Watch out for:
Noisy Nod – Green outfit with lots of bells. You can hear from far, a cheerful, jolly character. Loves musical instruments. Often seen nodding his head and dancing to the bells and saying Ho Ho Ho. Could these bells lead us to Santa?

Speedy Sam – Red outfit. Is very restless, and a very reliable, impatient helper to Santa, normally seen on a skidoo. Always in a rush & impatient to ensure things are ready and on time for Santa. Has Speedy Sam advised Santa, if you’ve been good or naughty this year?

Snowy Bowy – Blue and White dress with Silver. Like a snow queen, loves the snow, loves the bows on Christmas presents. She sometimes places bows on trees. She loves building snowmen, castles and making shapes out of snow. She also loves playing snow games.

Tricky Dicky – Orange and Yellow outfit. Joker/Jester – Acts like a joker - Loves to play games with people - Tells lies to mislead people, cheeky and full of laughter. You’ll never know when to believe!

Entertainment
Entertainment commensurate with the location is provided. Children’s entertainment is provided within the resort on a regular basis with each days programme being advised onsite. Professional children’s entertainers are employed with an entertainment package during the late afternoon and early evening with the exception of arrival and departure days. Parents may participate or take the opportunity to relax. Outdoor tobogganing is available for children. Adult entertainment will be in the form of fiddle and accordion, keyboard or similar. These activities are in addition to the fully organised day programme of events mentioned in each .

Magical Effects
In our strive for excellence we are continually trying to improve the quality and magic of our tours. All children know that Santa has the magical ability to fade away. Naturally here in Lapland all things are possible and we have asked the elves that in connection with our overnight tours to Salla and Olos that we be permitted to experience these special effects so that everyone can be aware that they are meeting the real Santa Claus. It should always be remembered that not everyone will see these phenomena, for some tours even the local Arctic conditions may not be suitable for their operation, but if your party is fortunate to experience these delights, there can be little doubt in your child’s mind that at last they have seen and met the original Father Christmas. (Excluding Lyrical Lapland Tour)

Souvenir DVD
A visit to Lapland should prove to be an exciting and emotional experience and Lapland Experience wish to ensure these special memories remain with you for time immemorial. With potential Arctic weather conditions which can result in frozen & shattered Video camcorders & flat batteries we have chosen to include for our overnight guests (excluding Suomu, and Lyrical Lapland Tours) a souvenir DVD of Lapland. Your DVD will include general footage of Lapland, yet it will provide two specific clips of your personal party meeting Santa & one other highlight of your visit. Thus you are sure to return home happy in the realisation that no matter the weather encountered, you will receive a DVD full of treasured memories of your visit. (One per booking form).

Souvenir CD
Throughout your stay, you and your children will have the opportunity to sing along to our own very special  song ‘In  Search of Santa and His Elves’. As a lasting memory we provide one CD per booking form on departure from Lapland. (Excluding Lyrical Lapland tour.)

Igloo Accommodation
Whether you are accommodated in a hotel, apartment, bungalow or cabin, the lure of the Arctic may prevail. Thus, we have made arrangements for igloos to be built (subject to satisfactory weather conditions) and invite you to request an overnight stay in one on our booking form. No additional charge is made. Resorts of Salla and Olos only.

Licences
On leaving Lapland you will receive a selection of souvenir licences to commemorate your visit. These will include an Arctic Circle crossing certificate and licences covering your activities with reindeer, huskies and snowmobiles as appropriate.

Festive Christmas Offers
Look out for our festive Christmas Offers for that extra value such as Free child places, Child Reductions for children up to 13 yrs, Senior Citizen Discounts, Free Places for Party Bookings, - details and conditions of these offers are shown within the pages of our website as appropriate.

We also have a range of 1 day tours available. Contact our reservations team for 1 day tours on lo-call 0845 1226872 or 01923 823470 (Back to Top)

Father Christmas
Simply look at the photos of the Father Christmas within our brochure and you will have little doubt that you are meeting the real Father Christmas.  As always it is the care and attention to all aspects of our tour operation that matters. As one letter of compliment stated “My 4 year old grandson looked at me with stars in his eyes, after his visit to Santa’s house and said, “That was the real Santa – I know now that the others are only his helpers”.    (Back to Top)

Letters to Father Christmas
You will be asked to follow certain guidelines and ensure that your children write letters to Father Christmas. You can imagine your child’s delight when on meeting Santa, he will normally be able to discuss its contents with him or her and indeed on many occasions, for our overnight tours only, provide your child with a present from the mentioned items in the letter. Naturally sometimes the elves producing Santa’s toys are swept off their feet by demand for a particular item and have to provide an alternative gift instead but all is undertaken in the spirit of Christmas. This is a further example of the caring service a specialist operator can provide and which has not been available through any other organisation previously. Letters to Father Christmas are requested for  both our overnight and day trips to enhance the magic of your Lapland visit. Further details will be sent with your confirmation invoice.
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Our Representatives
We provide you with the best of both worlds. Escorting you throughout our winter wonderland will be Finnish personnel fluent in English and well versed in dealing with the Arctic location. When it comes to Santa he will fully understand your children, and will provide appropriate answers fitting totally with the English expectancy of Christmas.    (Back to Top)

Your Flights
Tours in this programme are undertaken by charter and scheduled flights. Charter services are based on the use of Britannia, Monarch and other carriers from airports specified in the programme.   (Back to Top)

Infants
Infants (aged under 2 on the return date of travel) are welcome on our tours as, after all, infants grow up in Lapland too. No charges are made for infants travelling on charter flights and cots are provided automatically in the family accommodation where appropriate. You will be required to bring suitable overgarments, boots and other provisions required during the tour for your infant. Prior to bringing your infant you should contact your doctor and receive his professional advice concerning same.  (Back to Top)

No Smoking Policy
At the request of previous and current clients, bearing in mind the potential number of children on our tours we operate a strict no smoking policy for our charter flights to Lapland. If you require a smoking table in the restaurant please indicate under special requests on the booking form. (Smoking tables not available at Olos  Resort).    (Back to Top)

Brochure Photography
Photography used for daytime photographs in this brochure has been undertaken during the period of Graylight offering the most suitable condition with clear skies. Such conditions cannot be guaranteed as they are subject to the vagaries of Arctic Weather. Your local camera shop will be able to advise the best speeds suitable for other potential conditions that may apply during your tour. All photography has been obtained using professional equipment and professional Arctic photographers and reproductions to same standard may not be possible using normal amateur equipment.   (Back to Top)

Single Parent/Adult
No surcharge applies for one adult travelling with children on any of our tours.

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