Lapland Operators

Specialist Reports Special Interest Holidays Winter Themed Holidays Lapland Operators Esprit Travel 

	Esprit Travel
185 Fleet Road, Fleet, Hampshire GU51 3BL			MAP
tel: (01252) 618 300

Known for its family skiing and summer activity holidays, is offering three and four-day trips to Finnish Lapland throughout December. These include husky dog sledding, reindeer sleigh rides, and snowmobiling, plus a visit to Santa in his log cabin. Toboganning ans how-shoeing are also options, along with meeting local Sami people. For and extra charge there is also the option of more husky sledding, snowmibiling, a reindeer sleigh ride, and downhill and cross country skiing.
Accommodation is either in four-star hotels, or log cabin chalets, complete with log fire, Christmas tree, and private sauna. As a useful touch, rather than providing meals in a restaurant some 20 minutes' chilly walk away, each chalet has its own host to provide a buffet breakfast, and four-course evening meal. This means tired children can go to bed while parents are still eating.
Being based at a centre some 200km north of the Arctic circle should mean less crowding that at more popular resorts, but it could be colder as well, a consideration with very young children.
Extras include special Lapland writing paper with flight tickets for each child so they can write to Santa and say what they would like for Christmas. Parent/elf liaison in resort enables him to discuss the requests with the child.
In addition Esprit's childcare service with fully qualified nannies for infants and Snow Rangers for children up to 7 years allows parents and older children to tackle the more adventurous options on their own.

Sample Price

The programme is selling itself on its value for money with adult prices lower than some competitiors and decent child discounts. The best prices are in early December and start from £699 per adult for a three-day/two-night break in a log cabin, including all flights, transfers and activities, full board. Price rises to £889 in the chalet over Christmas for four days. Child discounts for 6-11 years range from 25% to 10%, depending on dates and accommodation. Price includes thermal clothing for the duration of the holiday.