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!
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Family winter adventure in Finland, independent reviews
 Reviewed 29 Dec 2008 by Pam Crosland |  |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Everything was perfect, exactly as we were told it would be and more. Very satisfied and would happily recommend this company to anyone. Husky safari was the best part of the holiday plus the rep assigned to look after us was first class. Special mention to Annti Pietikainen, thank you for all your efforts, you are a great asset.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Just go for it, try everything, you don't know what you are capable of until you try it. Snowmobiling, snow shoe walking and dog sledging at the age of 62 was something very special.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
It gave work to local people and they are very proud to show you their country. Back to nature and it wasn't unpleasant at all.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Amazing experience.
| Reviewed 30 Mar 2009 by Peter Chappell | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The husky sledding, the northern lights saw them 4 times but the last night there they were spectacular. The staff also took us on an optional trip up to the arctic sea in Norway. Well worth the 250 euros extra we paid as we got to see seals and sea eagles in the wild.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Finland is an expensive place so either take plenty of money or if you like a drink a few bottles of wine. We were the only British people in the hotel so the nights were not exciting but we did not mind this so if you want lively go elsewhere if you want peace, relaxation and a wonderful setting then go for it.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes all the staff were local and when we went out for the day we ate in local restaurants.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Well worth the money, despite the 3 hour transfer it is an experience I would recommend to everyone. The only thing i would have liked to see improved is the info, the itinerary changed daily and we were only told what we would be doing next day when we asked. This was no issue for us as we don't mind adhoc but it may bother some people. Still a fantastic holiday and one that everyone should try at least once in their life. Kiitos Suomi.
| Reviewed 15 Apr 2007 by David Anderson | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
2-day husky sledding safari over frozen lakes and through Arctic forests.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Hotel really will provide all the warm clothes you need.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes - benefit to local people definitely, impact on environment moderate.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
4 stars - would have been 5 if not for inefficiency of Finnair.
| Reviewed 11 Dec 2005 by Liz Gregory | |
We were a little unlucky with the weather as it has been unseasonably warm just before we went so there was not as much snow as normal, which meant that the itinerary changed slightly. So, while we did do every activity scheduled, there was not enough snow to go to the activities on the snow mobiles as intended. This made the Reindeer farm trip a little disappointing as the reindeer farm itself consisted of a short trip behind a reindeer!
The best part of the holiday was the husky safari, followed by the snow mobiling. The walk on the first day was good - but we would have liked to have done more/gone a bit further. It would have been useful to have approximate timings for the activities - how long they would last. We weren't sure before we went and no activity was longer than half a day. Had we known this, we may have planned other things before we went. I appreciate that many would go skiing in their spare time, but there may also be others like us who don't want to.
In the instructions, it also told us to take a towel. The purpose of this was not clear (and I realize know that I should have asked!). I took two large towels and did not use them at all. It might be good to tell people why the towels are needed (and maybe only take small ones).
I certainly don't feel that we harmed the environment on this trip apart from maybe when we used the snow mobiles (exhaust fumes). Overall, we had a great time and would definitely book to do a similar thing again. Our guide was great - very knowledgeable and friendly. Transfers to and from the airport worked very well.
Our brochure gives specific durations for each activity. Perhaps we should also include this in the trip dossiers we send out with the tickets. I will look at implementing this as soon as possible. The comment regarding the towels is a fair point. This is a throw back from a wilderness dog sled safari we run where you are required to take your own towels. Basically, our trip dossier needed updating and this has been done. Our apologies for the error.
Snowmobiling is a way of life in Finland and unavoidably, they do produce fumes. However, we only use qualified guides and approved trails which are designed to have a minimal impact environmentally. Other than changing the whole winter culture in Finland there is little else we can do in this respect I’m afraid.
The Finns are sometimes depicted as being slightly dour but in our experience they are fantastic hosts and very proud of their country. I’m delighted that our clients had a great time despite the unseasonable weather and attribute this largely to the expertise of our Finnish partners.
The best part of the holiday was the husky safari, followed by the snow mobiling. The walk on the first day was good - but we would have liked to have done more/gone a bit further. It would have been useful to have approximate timings for the activities - how long they would last. We weren't sure before we went and no activity was longer than half a day. Had we known this, we may have planned other things before we went. I appreciate that many would go skiing in their spare time, but there may also be others like us who don't want to.
In the instructions, it also told us to take a towel. The purpose of this was not clear (and I realize know that I should have asked!). I took two large towels and did not use them at all. It might be good to tell people why the towels are needed (and maybe only take small ones).
I certainly don't feel that we harmed the environment on this trip apart from maybe when we used the snow mobiles (exhaust fumes). Overall, we had a great time and would definitely book to do a similar thing again. Our guide was great - very knowledgeable and friendly. Transfers to and from the airport worked very well.
Read the operator's response here:
The snowy season in Finland started unseasonably late this year, perhaps another sign of global warming which is one of the reasons we are members of Responsible Travel. These holidays have operated for years and never before has there been so little snow in late November and I am sorry if it detracted from the clients’ winter experience. As you will appreciate, there is nothing we can do about the weather other than continue to operate our holidays in an environmentally responsible manner and hope that others follow suit. Overall however, I get the impression that our local partners ensured that our mutual clients had a thoroughly enjoyable holiday despite the weather enforced amendments.Our brochure gives specific durations for each activity. Perhaps we should also include this in the trip dossiers we send out with the tickets. I will look at implementing this as soon as possible. The comment regarding the towels is a fair point. This is a throw back from a wilderness dog sled safari we run where you are required to take your own towels. Basically, our trip dossier needed updating and this has been done. Our apologies for the error.
Snowmobiling is a way of life in Finland and unavoidably, they do produce fumes. However, we only use qualified guides and approved trails which are designed to have a minimal impact environmentally. Other than changing the whole winter culture in Finland there is little else we can do in this respect I’m afraid.
The Finns are sometimes depicted as being slightly dour but in our experience they are fantastic hosts and very proud of their country. I’m delighted that our clients had a great time despite the unseasonable weather and attribute this largely to the expertise of our Finnish partners.