To make a reservation the required deposit is €200 per person. If you book via the Canterbury Travel Reservations Office on IRE 1800 827300 or UK 0800 270 0150, the balance is then payable 8 weeks prior to departure. (Other terms may apply if you book via a Travel Agent.)
From April 30, 2017 we will no longer be accepting cheque payments. Direct customers may continue to make payments by debit, credit card and bank transfer. Payments from Travel Agents can be made by bank transfer only.
Return charter flights to and from Rovaniemi or Enontekio Airport in Finland. Services as specified within the tour itinerary, transfers, accommodation and meals, and the loan of snow suits and boots for the duration of your stay. Gifts for children age 2-11 years inclusive on day tours and a gift allowance for children age 2-11 years on all overnight tours.
Not at all, our tours operate to resorts and venues which are typically idyllic and traditional. Where possible, our activity programmes are not held in touristic centres.
Santa being such a wise man, he knows that you have made a very special effort to find him. When you and your family have your private meeting with him, he will have a gift for all children (ages 2-11 years inclusive) and he will fully understand your children and provide appropriate answers to their questions.
On overnight tours you will be accompanied by a personal tour guide. They will meet and greet you at the airport and will be on hand throughout each day of your tour. Your guide has expert local knowledge and will be able to answer most of the questions you may have while in Lapland. Both our tour guides and our local representatives speak very good English.
Generally temperatures average between -5c and -25c, although it has been known to drop to -45c. It tends to be warmer late Nov and early Dec and you may wish to take this into consideration when booking your tour. However, we do provide a loaned thermal snow suit and boots for the duration of your stay in Lapland.
An average day in Lapland provides 4-5 hrs of grey light (usually between 10.00 and 14.30 Finnish time, although this can vary subject to location). When the sky is clear, it may be blue with the most amazing colours. At other times, the sky will be as though it is night time, although any light is reflected by the snow, making it possible to see where you are walking. Venues in Lapland are generally lit by roaring fires & Lappish outdoor candles, which provide a very attractive setting for our events.
It is possible to see the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis), though as a natural phenomenon, there is no guarantee. The lights appear like a storm in the sky with white, red or green lights dancing through the atmosphere.
To drive a snowmobile you must be in possession of a valid driving licence with the following exception – where all driving is undertaken on private land, the minimum driving age is 15 unless driving a children’s snowmobile where the minimum age is 4 years (subject to height restrictions).
It’s perfectly safe as long as you follow the instructions of your Arctic guides. Please remember that our activities operate in Arctic conditions & in the interests of safety your guide may alter the schedule contents of the tour at any time.
Infants (ages less than 2 years at the time of return travel) are permitted to travel on our tours. However, prior to booking, parents must take into consideration the nature of the terrain and the Arctic weather conditions where temperatures can fluctuate between -5 to -25c in December. You will be required to supply suitable clothing for your infant. The infant admin fee is €200 for day trip and €150 for overnight tour.
We understand that for many severely ill and disabled children and their parents, a visit to meet Santa is a magnificent dream. Our promise to you is that we care enough to try and ensure that this dream is realised. We have the honour to work with a number of leading children’s charities and we carry many children with conditions including cancer, cystic fibrosis, blindness and paraplegia. We hope to continue to play a part in making such special dreams come true.
Clients participating on an overnight tour will begin the day with a buffet breakfast with hot and cold options, followed by a simple yet warming lunch provided at the activity venue. The buffet dinner is more substantial and caters for most tastes, with children’s favourites available. Buffet stations are replenished frequently. For day trips food will be served throughout the day at the activity location.
A no smoking policy operates on all our charter flights and coaches to Lapland. The accommodation and restaurants used in this programme are non-smoking in all areas.
For information relating to entry requirements to Finland, passport validity and Visas please visit the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website for guidance at www.dfa.ie/travel/travel-advice/a-z-list-of-countries/finland/. For non-EU citizens, please check with your local Finnish Embassy.
For the latest country specific health advice go to www.travelhealthpro.org.uk/countries.
The Euro is the currency used in Finland. Please note there are no banking facilities at Enontekio Airport and only limited facilities at Rovaniemi Airport. Clients should obtain currency prior to departure.
Photography used for day time images in this brochure and on the website has been undertaken during the period of ‘greylight’, offering the most suitable conditions with clear skies. Due to the changeable nature of the Arctic weather, such conditions cannot be guaranteed. All photography has been obtained using professional equipment & professional photographers. Reproductions to the same standard may not be possible using normal amateur equipment.
Your activities are subject to local weather conditions which are out of our control. The resorts we use generally have reliable snow records, however, if there is insufficient snow for the planned activities to operate, our suppliers will move activities to where snow is available so that a modified programme of activities can operate. Alternative activities may also be offered that are not reliant on snow or ice. We reserve the right to amend or cancel any part of our tours or safaris if we or our suppliers consider that conditions are unsafe. See booking condition no. 15.