Holiday Reviews
We invite every traveller who books a holiday via us to send in a review. Because we don't run the holidays they're completely independent and unedited... remember to read between the lines though, as two people on the same trip can have different views!
Read our review policy
Lapland winter adventure holiday, independent reviews
 Reviewed 8 Jan 2009 by Judith Figuiere |  |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
It's difficult to choose, there were so many memorable and exciting parts. Perhaps the late night snowmobile ride - that was absolutely amazing and very beautiful. Then of course there was our guide, Jouni, who went out of his way to an unbelievable degree to be of service to everyone. He was always smiling, always willing, never complaining of anything, and achieved a level of balance between everyone, both customers and suppliers, to a degree I doubt I could ever achieve! I don't know how he does it.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Try to check-in a bit early for the return journey if you want to be sure of sitting next to your partner. Also, put on an extra layer or two if you are taking a reindeer sleigh as you will be sitting inactive in extremely low temperatures, thereby feeling the cold more.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
It definitely benefited the local people. They had almost too much work in a time when loads of folk are loosing their jobs in the rest of the world. I really haven't a clue as to whether it minimized impact on the environment, I probably wasn't listening when that information was given out.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Absolutely fantastic. Wonderful experience of what it really is like to live with deep Arctic snow.
| Reviewed 6 Feb 2008 by Karina Roberts | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
There is no single most memorable or exciting part of my holiday because so much of it was great. Husky sledding was great, especially because the huskies are so excited about the prospect of running. Cross-country skiing is my new favourite sport. Eating by fires makes food and drink seem so much better. Deep sleep is a joy, as is snow all day every day. Snowmobiles are exciting. Being pulled along by a wild animal, a reindeer, is a great way to see the countryside. Ice fishing may seem boring but it's great to be sitting on a reindeer skin on a frozen lake surrounded by snow ... and then to cook the catch on a fire and eat it fresh, magic.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Snow shoes are exhausting so don't plan to use them for more than an hour unless you're super fit and determined to lose a stone of sweat alone! I get hot easily and I only had a very warm hat. For cross-country skiing, snow shoeing and walking around, a thinner hat would've been great. A pair of thin lightweight trousers are useful to wear under the thermal overalls as I had snowboarding trousers (useful for cross-country skiing without the overalls) which made me feel a little too cumbersome. Don't bother packing too many non-outdoor clothes as you don't end up wearing them much. The mittens provided are great but for skiing and, for example, ice-fishing waterproof gloves are useful. Be prepared to consider paying quite a lot for additional activities on your free days, though there are things you can do that either cost nothing or are very cheap. Don't expect to see the Northern Lights and if you see the smoke from "the" chimney turn green - it is the northern lights and it's not always as dramatic as the pictures lead you to believe.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
These weren't things that stood out in my mind, although the reindeer and husky farmers were both local family run places ... oh, and the ice-fishing kota. So to an extent, yes, locals did benefit.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
It was better than I hoped it would be and I never felt like I was on a "package" trip. I had an exceptionally amazing week.
Read the operator's response here:
We love it when a plan comes together. Just to mention that since the traditional industries such as forestry became heavily mechanised, tourism plays a massive role in sustaining employment and incomes in Lapland. All those people our delighted client saw working at the wilderness centre, at the snowmobile rental, the dog mushing etc would not have jobs or would have drifted away to urban areas if it weren't for tourism. Tourism is vital to this regional economy.The other aspect of these adventurous trips is that they are not focussed on Christmas and Santa. One day Santa trips are of little benefit to the local economy and are highly seasonal. Travelling to Lapland for longer stays outside the Christmas and New Year periods generates immensely important cash flows in the local economy.
| Reviewed 5 Feb 2008 by Damian Clithero | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The entire holiday was memorable from the moment we arrived at our hotel they made us feel more than welcome and paid attention to every detail. Nothing on the holiday was done in half measures, from the 5 course evening meals to the daily excursions we left feel extremely contented with everything. Loved the snow mobiling, loved the huskey safari, loved the reindeer farm, loved the x-country skiing and loved the snow shoeing!!!
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Batteries die really quickly out there so be sure to take quick photos and then hid the camera until needed again, id even go as far as to say take a spare battery is cost effective. Find a phrase book that has the phonetic spelling of Finish as they take a real joy in people trying to learn their language, however it is nothing like how it is actually written
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes absolutely, there is a real care and concern about the evironment and they make every endevour to maintain its natural beauty
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Erm - absolutely blinking fantastic, can't stop raving about it and will absolutely definitely return for another bout of Finish hospitallity
| Reviewed 13 Apr 2009 by Rachel Dudman | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The husky dog safari was great fun - not as easy as it looks!
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Take plenty of money so you can do something good on the free days - we went skiing / snowboarding which was excellent.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
The majority of the local population relies on tourism for their income so this holiday certainly benefited them. I don't know how much this holiday impacted on the environment.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
The holiday was really good - both relaxing because of the beautiful countryside, and invigorating because of the activities. The food was excellent and the Finnish people were extremely friendly. The hotel wasn't particularly luxurious but was warm, comfortable and practical.
| Reviewed 11 Feb 2008 by Ottilie Sefton | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Driving a team of 4 huskies was one of the best things I have ever done
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Be reasonably fit before you come, prepare to be challenged, and know you will be in very safe hands
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes - for the huskies, reindeer, cross-country skiing and optional riding. Snowmobiles, though fun, are noisy, smelly and polluting and must have a pretty negative effect on the environment.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Hard to put it between 4 and 5 - certainly 1 of the 2 equal best holidays.
The activities, scenery and guiding were excellent, as was the equipment. The food was interesting and tasty (though not ideal for those wishing to slim!). The hotel staff were very friendly and helpful, but the pool was very cold (so not good if you were expecting to spend your or your children's time in it) and the housekeeping so laid back that when I was checking out of my room I found the fluff covered socks of a previous occupant under my bed.
Read the operator's response here:
Once again we are delighted to hear such positive feedback.Just to clarify regarding snowmobiles which are a way of life in Lapland. They appear to give of a lot of fumes but the apparent quantity is accentuated by the cold. Think about how much a car appears to gives out on a cold morning. It's no different to a summer's day but the cold makes it seem like so much more. The vast majority of snowmobiles employ 4-stroke engines which are much cleaner than previous versions.Additionally, there is a huge industry which has built up around snowmobiles and they make an extremely valuable contribution to the local economy. The locals use them for just about everything from going to the shops to herding lost reindeer. Equally, garages, mechanics, parts suppliers and tourism providers all benefit from the income streams.
| Reviewed 1 Apr 2007 by Victor Coleman | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
We had a wonderful holiday experience from start to finish. Our group was made up of 3 Australians, 3 English and 2 Northern Irish and we had a tremendous time together. The weather was beautiful with clear blue skies for most of the week. The highlight for us was undoubtedly the Husky dog sled safari. Absolutely fantastic!
That is not to suggest that the other activities (snowmobiling, reindeer safari and cross country skiing) were not good. They were superb! The professionalism and wry wit of our guide Ramio also contributed greatly to our overall enjoyment. The food was plain and wholesome and the outdoor lunches historic.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
The main tip we would give to others taking this holiday would be to appreciate that most of the necessary clothes are supplied on site. This should save a lot of suitcase space.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Kittila is a remote village in a remote area of Finland and tourism of this nature obviously brings and sustains much needed employment and economic benefits generally to the local population.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
We would rate the holiday overall with 4.5*. It was just so different to other holidays we have taken. Absolutely marvellous!
| Reviewed 14 Dec 2006 by Janet Richards | |
We booked with this operator, as recommended by yourselves. I was very pleased with the holiday in total, from looking for the holiday at the start, your recommendation, the booking procedure and of course the holiday itself. Everything run smoothly from start to finish and was a stress free experience.
Thank you very much,
A happy customer
Thank you very much,
A happy customer