Santa’s Lapland Faq’s

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All my included activities are fully covered for medical costs (up to the insurance limit). The snowmobile supplier’s insurance also covers damage to the snowmobile, (subject to a €500 excess). For more insurance details go to http://retail.mpibrokers.com/santas-lapland

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Flying out to see me in my own homeland couldn’t be easier, with the non-stop flights I have organised for you, direct to Saariselkä’s own local airport of Ivalo – a short and easy 25-minute transfer from Saariselkä itself. These flights are exclusive for my own special guests, and depart from the UK around 6 or 7am, returning 3 to 4pm at the end of your stay. I am so happy that there are more regional flights from the UK to make it much easier for you to come and see me in Lapland. In-flight catering: all my flights, both outbound and return, include a full buy-on–board service with drinks and snacks etc. All flight details and timings are provisional and subject to change until confirmed with your e-tickets for your flight. You will be welcomed at Ivalo Airport by my helpers and one of my own reindeer. My magical flying reindeer may also be out and about practising with Rudolph, so make sure you look out for them when you are coming in to land!

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It is a condition of booking with us that you and your party take out suitable Wintersports Insurance from a reputable provider. We would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to the Award Winning Ski Insurance Specialists MPI Brokers, who we have worked with for many years. Their policy satisfies our booking conditions and for the avoidance of doubt, we do not accept any costs, expenses or liability due to your failure to obtain proper insurance. Santas Lapland customers receive FREE insurance for children and from just £22.95 for Adults. For more info visit http://retail.mpibrokers.com/santas-lapland

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Through our partnership with winners of the prestigious ‘British Travel Awards’ Airport Parking & Hotels – APH we are able to offer up to 35% discount to all of our Santa’s Lapland customers at airports throughout the UK. With our Lapland flights all departing early in the morning why not take advantage of some of the great ‘Airport Hotel and Parking’ packages and stay at an airport hotel the night before you fly. This takes the stress out of getting to the airport in the morning on time and finding the car park. Taking an extra night away this allows you to wake up fully refreshed & enjoy your entire break to Lapland. If an overnight stay is not for you then the ‘Meet & Greet’ Valet Parking is the perfect way of dropping your car off. ‘Meet & Greet’ Valet Parking saves you time, hassle free and so convenient. Simply drive to the airport terminal, where an APH chauffeur meets you and takes your car to their nearby secure car-park. On your return, your car is then delivered back to you directly at the terminal, for you to drive straight off home! Visit https://santaslapland.aph.com for more information and to book your Airport Parking for your magical Lapland Holiday!

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My festive friends at Santa’s Lapland will send out full details to you with my special writing paper for the children – all this is supplied with your pre-departure information.

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No, there is no need, as all the detailed information is passed on directly to my helpers in Saariselkä for your convenience.

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Yes, but only on the ‘Adventures Galore’ day on my Santa’s Spectacular 4-day breaks.

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Usually on the afternoon / early evening of the main activity day, or on departure morning, depending on the activity and availability, and of course on the ‘Adventures Galore’ day on my Santa’s Spectacular 4-day breaks. Although you can sometimes also book these in resort, pre-booking in advance in the UK is cheaper, and is the only way to guarantee your reservation, as places fill up fast! See page 20 for details.

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I do not recommend these trips for infants under 2 years of age. Toddlers of 3-4 years generally love the excitement and magic of it all, but clearly will not be able to benefit from all of the activities.

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Yes, absolutely! Many grandparents come to see me every year and they have tremendous fun, not to mention the simple joy of being with the grandchildren in such a magically special place! Don’t forget my special Grandparents’ Bonus - see 'Offers' for details.

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Yes – you can see on the itineraries that there is plenty of free ‘fun-time’. Saariselkä has several small souvenir shops and two supermarkets for purchasing traditional Lappish goodies, and Ivalo Airport also has a small selection of souvenir shops.

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No problem, I have all sizes – but please mention this when you book, so I can put one aside for when you arrive in resort.

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During December it is normally about -12°C, but can reach as low as -30°. These temperatures are perfectly manageable however with the thermal suits and boots I provide free of charge. My activity helpers reserve the right to amend itineraries if weather conditions dictate.

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Not at all! As you can imagine, I do not like these ‘Santa theme-park’ experiences. I want you to experience the true, traditional spirit of Christmas, set in the unspoilt wilderness of Lapland, where each family’s private meeting with me is much less commercialised for example than a department-store ‘grotto’ in the UK. This is why I live near Saariselkä, with its charming, unspoilt atmosphere and ‘winter wonderland’ feel, which creates a far more magical and Christmassy atmosphere than some larger resorts.

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Yes, most people in Saariselkä speak English extremely well, like me!

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Approx. 4½ hrs in December, with approx 2-3 hours of ‘grey light’ either side, rather like twilight in the UK.

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The Euro – and there is one cash-point machine in Saariselkä. If this is out of order however, there is nowhere else, so ensure you bring enough Euros with you! Major credit cards (except Amex) are accepted in hotels, most restaurants and for booking my ‘Optional Lapland Adventures’ locally.

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My Saariselkä hotels serve an extensive buffet breakfast, and a hearty breakfast is also provided in my Christmas Cabins. Lunch is provided on your ‘Search for Santa’ day and is a simple, sustaining meal rather than ‘Haute Cuisine’. Lunch is not included on arrival or departure days, or on your ‘Adventures Galore’ day on my Santa’s Spectacular 4-day breaks. Dinner in the hotels is generally buffet-style, and mostly offers a choice of international cuisine, some Lappish specialities and standard children’s options. My Christmas Cabins offer good home cooked food that I have chosen specially for you.

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The ‘Aurora Borealis’, more commonly known as the Northern Lights, is a natural phenomenon caused by solar particles colliding with the earth’s magnetic field. As a natural event, no one can predict or guarantee their appearance during your stay. However, December is one of the best times to see them, and Saariselkä is an ideal location, being one of Lapland’s most northerly resorts. See page 20 for my ‘Northern Lights Adventure’ evening snowmobile expedition!

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Yes, there is a superb swimming-pool in the Santas Hotel Holiday Club in Saariselkä, complete with water-slide, waves, water-chutes, two whirlpool spa-baths, an upstream ‘river’, children’s pool and pool-bar! It is free for Holiday Club guests, and offers a special reduced rate, payable locally, for my other guests staying elsewhere.

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Lapland is 2 hours ahead of UK time in December (i.e. GMT + 2).

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Yes is the answer! This is a very special time, just for your family, and my special snowmobile driver and helpers will help you to find my hidden log-cabin in the woods. I know some other companies just don’t allow enough time for this, but I promise that on these, my own special trips, you are absolutely guaranteed your private family meeting with me!

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My home is above the Arctic Circle, so the right clothing makes all the difference in keeping you and your children warm, happy and having fun. I have arranged for each of you to have a complimentary thermal outer-suit for your stay, along with cosy woollen socks, snow-boots, outer gloves and hats, all free of charge. I recommend you also bring additional mittens or gloves (ideally waterproof ones for children’s snow play) to be worn next to the skin, and balaclavas or scarves to cover your face if necessary. Hats should have flaps or be able to be pulled down to cover your ears. Several layers are far more insulating than one or two thick items, so the best bet is thermal undies, shirt or roll-neck fleece and a jacket/anorak under your suit when outdoors.

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Yes – as there will be so many magical moments to capture! However, extreme cold can adversely affect some cameras, so do check the manufacturers’ guidelines. Camera batteries also discharge very quickly in the cold, so bring plenty of spares! Also be aware of the ‘twilight’ times, when flash photography is necessary.