Earmuffs and other stuff for children

Sorry if this has come up before but we are off to Rovaniemi on a daytrip this Saturday bringing our children aged between 5 and 9.

We are getting conflicting advice on what headgear they should wear.....some say a hat and earmuffs, while others say that a hat with ear cover is the business.

Please help! Any advice here would be really appreciated!

Also, how many changes of socks and gloves per child?!!

Thanks everybody!

|||

personally I would take a hat that covers their ears, earmuffs can be annoying and fall off

as you are only going on a day trip one pair of gloves should be fine, just check they are not sweaty inside so when you are inside places take them off and turn them inside out, as for socks, I reckon a good sock liner and if you can, get some merino wool socks too, two pairs of socks in total should be fine, the thinner the better too

just going back to the gloves, if you have mittens they will be easier to turn inside out etc

|||

Mittens are good, especially for children who seem to have more difficulty getting gloves on and off quickly.And they keep your fingers warmer than gloves. A warm windproof hat with earflaps is best I find. Needs to have some form of lining insulation maybe fleece or fur.

|||

hi , we got back on friday and it was only -5 , but the day before was -35 so we were lucky, my kids are 7 and 10. We had balaclavas for them both with a hat on top. But to be honest they were too warm , but better to be warm than cold. We took 3 pairs each of spare gloves but could of done with a few more! they were that excited to see snow they couldnt put it down!

|||

My children always just wear a hat with the flappy bits that cover the ears and does up under the chin.They are fur lined only inside and are lovely and warm.Do not see them about much in the shops so if anyone knows where they sell them let me know as we have had ours for the third year running this year.

|||

Thank you all so much. Will take all of your thoughtful words on board...THIS EVENING !!!

Any thoughts on face cream. Someone mentioned that it%26#39;s essential, but not sure which brand that I should look for.

Also, lunch time - leave it for a while, or go straight after arrival - which works best on a one day trip. Thanks again, you%26#39;ve been very helpful!

|||

-:- Message from TripAdvisor staff -:-

This topic was inactive for 6 months and has been closed to new posts. We hope you'll join the conversation by posting to an open topic or starting a new one.

To review the TripAdvisor Forums Posting Guidelines, please follow this link: http://www.tripadvisor.com/pages/forums_posting_guidelines.html

We remove posts that do not follow our posting guidelines, and we reserve the right to remove any post for any reason.

Removed on: 10:17 am, September 11, 2009

Help! what too wear on gala night.

Im off to the snow princess in Yllas this sunday, with my very exited 5 year old. I was just wondering if anyone could advise me on what too wear for the gala night, im a bit stuck. thanx

|||

im just going to wear me jeans and maybe a sparkly top as youve still got to get there in ure ski wear lol

|||

I have been dying to say little Black dress and 3%26quot; stiletoes for ages. lol

I think a nices top and Jeans or if you have the legs and bum for it some leggings as they are easy to pack with some little flat pump shoes - ( anyone would think i was Suzanne or trinny,)

Shell

|||

Shell,

Take it you are wearing your jeans then -LOL hehehehehehehe

Kelly, HOHOHO

|||

Button it shortie- actually taking leggins but my top covers my bum. lol

Plus i dont need to wear heals.

Shell

Ho Ho flippin Ho

|||

It must be a very long top then lol

Kell.

|||

Thank you for your advice. Cant believe only 2 sleeps to go. Anyone flying out from manchester on sunday.

|||

-:- Message from TripAdvisor staff -:-

This topic was inactive for 6 months and has been closed to new posts. We hope you'll join the conversation by posting to an open topic or starting a new one.

To review the TripAdvisor Forums Posting Guidelines, please follow this link: http://www.tripadvisor.com/pages/forums_posting_guidelines.html

We remove posts that do not follow our posting guidelines, and we reserve the right to remove any post for any reason.

Removed on: 1:16 pm, September 12, 2009

Transport from airport

Hi, can anyone advise on best form of transport from HEL airport to Radisson SAS Plaza hotel in Helsinki. I have just booked the holiday for 30th Dec to 3rd Jan. Is hiring a car a good idea or is bus, taxi or train better? Help please, thanks.

|||

Hi

Plenty of info on options on here or at the airport website. There are 2 buses (the air bus and a local one - forget the number) that do the route, or you can get a taxi. Don%26#39;t think hiring a car is worth it just to drive into the city, which is fairly compact and has great transport, like trams.

There are info stalls at the airport.

|||

I think you should take the airport bus. It actually has its last stop very close to your hotel. You only have to walk around the Railway Station and you are there.

The schedules can be found here:

finnair.com/filecontent/com/citybus_com.txt

|||

You can catch bus 615T from the airport and it will take you to the bus station *which is at the railway station*. Cost 3 Euro 40 cents. You can then either walk down to the Radisson 10 to 15 minutes or take a cab.

|||

I just got back from Helsinki. I used the Finnair City Bus to get to and from the airport (5.20 Euros each way). It makes stops at a couple of hotels but the two main stops are airport and railway station. It ran exactly on schedule.

Once you%26#39;re in Helsinki, you probably won%26#39;t want a car -- their tram service is excellent, and the city%26#39;s very walkable (though it will be COLD!).

|||

we always just hop into a taxi as its incredibly easy with simple access into the city. You will not need a car whilst in Helsinki, its a very easy city to get around.

|||

Bus, either Finnair or public number 615, will take you to the railway station. Finnair bus is about 200m away and 615 about 100m away for Radisson Plaza. In any case practically no walking. Taxi will cost maybe 30 €, saves 15 to 30 mins.

Train is not an option.

Rental car for this trip is worthless. If you plan to drive, rent a car from the city when you need it. There are no free parking lots in Helsinki City area and parking the car for a day will cost the same as taking a taxi.

|||

As said previously, the Finnair bus from the airport is the best way. There is usually a guy next to the bus who will put your bags in the lockers under the floor; then board and pay the driver (who will make small change) - no need to buy tickets in the terminal or anything, and the drivers generally speak a small amount of English.

|||

-:- Message from TripAdvisor staff -:-

This topic was inactive for 6 months and has been closed to new posts. We hope you'll join the conversation by posting to an open topic or starting a new one.

To review the TripAdvisor Forums Posting Guidelines, please follow this link: http://www.tripadvisor.com/pages/forums_posting_guidelines.html

We remove posts that do not follow our posting guidelines, and we reserve the right to remove any post for any reason.

Removed on: 5:19 pm, September 14, 2009

Inghams brochure for 2008/2009

Hi,

Does anyone know when the new Inghams brochure is due out with prices for 2008-2009 holidays?

thanks!

|||

It should be out around the end of next month.Every year it seems to be getting earlier though!Ours last year arrived on our doorstep the week before we went which was the first week in december.

|||

Thanks Bluny.

Can you preorder it?

I want to be able to book early for 2009 as we are planning on getting married there and I just want to make sure I%26#39;ve got time to get everything organised ;-)

|||

I would imagine you could pre order one.They always send ours out automatically as have booked with them before.There is a number that is on there brochure which says to call if you want a brochure sent and its 020-8780-4444.

|||

Hi Bluny,

Thanks for that. Have phoned them and they say they will send me one out when they become available - probably in december the woman said.

Wish I was going this year - you lot are all getting me jealous because you%26#39;re all so excited about your hols!!

Was considering booking anyway but the wee man will only be 12 months old in december and if we go on our own, I think we%26#39;ll be inside for most of the time as it may be too cold for him. Also we certainly couldn%26#39;t go on any of the husky rides, etc.

Waaaa - at least I can listen to you guys and read all about it when you come back!!!

|||

Yes but it will be something nice for you to look forward to next year.Expecially getting married out there.It will be lovely!

|||

Keep an eye on the website as well. The Earlybird booking process is reliable in my opinion based on this years experience.Onbline discounts too.

|||

How much of a gambler are you?

Wait 12 months and pick up a bargin on Lastminute!!!

|||

Would not dare chance it caroline!I want new year next year and i know it will go quickly!

|||

If I wasn%26#39;t going to get married, I would chance it!

But seeing as I%26#39;ll need to organise everything in advance, I%26#39;ll be booking it early. ;-)

So, the Early Bird - when do these deals start? Don%26#39;t know about these, but I take it you get a discount if you book early?

Also, would the holiday dates be likely to change by the time the holiday came round? Or just possibliy the flight times?

|||

Inghams early bird brochure will be out end nov beginning of dec.You get a discount of about £200-300.The dates will not change but maybe the flight times.The flight/airports where changed this year for the people that were going to saariselka.They were surposed to fly to ivalo and it got changed to kittila airport which involves nearlly a 3 hour transfer.(not good)

Foot Warmer

Has anybody tried/used the self adhesive hot patch foot warmer. I have just seen these on ebay for £7.50 for 20 pairs. Appear so much cheaper than the other brand so just want to know if they are effective. Thanks

|||

Recently received package of foot and hand warmers and tried them out yesterday. They%26#39;re great - stayed warm for ages - really did have happy feet!

|||

Hi, I just wondered if you bought your warmers from ebay how long the delivery was on them as I have left getting mine a bit late , we go on the 16th.

Having last minute worries about being warm enough now!

Ta

Lyl

|||

what boots do you have - good socks should be enough if you have decent boots.

shell

|||

I got mine off ebay from member premier-camping-supplies. They were delivered within 48 hours, so plenty of time if you%26#39;re going on the 16th. I may not end up needing them, but last thing I want is the kids complaining they%26#39;re cold and not enjoying it so worth the investment in my opinion.

I also got hand warmers off ebay - from member bestbuyfar. They were also delivered within 48 hours.

|||

Hi Lyl

Only ordered mine yesterday pm from ebay and they were here this morning - super service. Haven%26#39;t tried them so hoping they will be ok.

|||

Thanks everyone for your replies, I have just ordered some off ebay and hopefully they will be here soon, its just over a week till we go.

We have snowboots from Millets which are fur lined and lovely but I just wanted to have the warmers for the safaris. Oooh I can%26#39;t wait now. I get excited every time I visit this forum!

Lyl

|||

Lyl - get some mini hot water bottles for the safaris as well - they have them in Primark kids section for £3 with funky covers on them or Instore have them for a fiver .

Shell

|||

Ta Shell, I was in Primark yesterday but went straight to get what I wanted and didn%26#39;t browse or I might have seen them. I picked a small one up from Tesco today though for £5. My youngest has one of those wheat things that I thought we could use so the girls are sorted, but I%26#39;ll probably check out Primark next week and treat myself to one as I%26#39;m a bit of a wuss when its cold!

Lyl

|||

-:- Message from TripAdvisor staff -:-

This topic was inactive for 6 months and has been closed to new posts. We hope you'll join the conversation by posting to an open topic or starting a new one.

To review the TripAdvisor Forums Posting Guidelines, please follow this link: http://www.tripadvisor.com/pages/forums_posting_guidelines.html

We remove posts that do not follow our posting guidelines, and we reserve the right to remove any post for any reason.

Removed on: 2:17 pm, September 14, 2009

Rovaniemi tomorrow. Day trip. Queues, chaffing & carrying.

Sort of last minute trip from Shannon, county Clare.

We hope to make our way through the postings.

Just a couple of things.

Have heard there is a rush to the queue to meet Santa, which for us, seems to go against the goodwill of the whole trip.

Is this nonsense?

If not, can you hang back and take the visit without any frenzy?

Is there a problem with skin, chaffing and so on, and if so, any advice for young children?

Is a ruck sack practical for gloves, scarves, that will undoubtedly be flung at us from all directions :-) - or would it make activities difficult?

Which activity provided the most fun? (Sleigh mobile sounds great.)

Thank you for any advice.

|||

Hi, Cant help much, but i have bought one of those ruck sacks that go diagonally across your body (Tesco £2 - bargain) and it a lot easier to wear than the other types - i use mine with the pouch across my chest rather than on my back.

Have a fantastic time.

Shell

|||

Thanks Shell - we%26#39;ll go there this evening.

|||

If you are meeting the Santa in Santa Claus Village, you shouldn%26#39;t have to wait in queue! They opened a new Santa Claus Office couple of weeks ago and this reduces the queues. I think it basically works so that you%26#39;ll get a time when the Santa is waiting for you and until that you can explore other things in the Office (which is new and bigger now).

Check out the webpage of the office for more information:

www.santaclauslive.com/main.php…

Hope this helps you!

|||

-:- Message from TripAdvisor staff -:-

This topic was inactive for 6 months and has been closed to new posts. We hope you'll join the conversation by posting to an open topic or starting a new one.

To review the TripAdvisor Forums Posting Guidelines, please follow this link: http://www.tripadvisor.com/pages/forums_posting_guidelines.html

We remove posts that do not follow our posting guidelines, and we reserve the right to remove any post for any reason.

Removed on: 1:17 am, September 11, 2009

Roadtrip-suggestion

I´ll have guests from USA this summer and I´m going to show them the most beautiful parts in Finland by car. My route plan comes here:

Start from Helsinki (2-3 days) and drive early in the morning to the west from Helsinki. Have a breakfast in a small beautiful city called Tammisaari (in the coast, 1h from Helsinki). Then drive in the coastline through Kemiö and Parainen to Korppoo.

Did you know that Finland has the biggest archipelago in the Europe? I personally think this part and Lake Saimaa are the most beautiful areas in our country.

From Korppoo take a ferry to Aland islands. Ferry from Korppoo to Långnäs (in the main island) on the late afternoon. Stay in a cabin somewhere in the island for two nights. Visit the %26quot;capitol%26quot;, Mariehamn.

Take a morning ferry from Hummelvik to Kustavi in mainland. Drive the coastline to the north through Uusikaupunki to a city called Rauma. There is a biggest old wooden part of the city in the Nordic countries and it´s a UNESCO sight. Stay there couple of hours and drive up to Pori and stay the night there. Spend the next day in Pori at the Yyteri beach and relax and catch sun :) (it´s beautiful and long sandy beach).

In the evening drive up to Vaasa, Kokkola or Oulu (Vaasa-Oulu 320 km) and stay a night in some of the cities or in a tent. It´s allowed to put a tent anywhere, but there must be at least 100 m to a closest house.

You probably know that the sun doesn´t set at all during june-july in Lapland and that´s what´s beautiful! Prepare for the mosqitos!

Drive up to Rovaniemi, to the Arctic circle. Spend the day there and visit Santa Claus :) Then drive north to Ylläs-Levi area. Book a cabin for a day or two. Drive up to northwest to a village called Kilpisjärvi ( in the Finland-Norway border). Then go to Norway and drive the coastline to the east to a city called Alta. This area is amazingly beautiful!

From Alta drive back to Finland to the Lake Inari (biggest lake in Lapland). Visit the Siida museum (museum of the sami culture and Lapland nature centre, www.samimuseum.fi)

From Inari drive down to Kuusamo, close to east boarder, (Inari-Kuusamo 450km).. In Kuusamo take a short or long hiking trail called Karhunkierros. (was it 12 and 72kms?).

Then drive down to Lake Pielinen and visit Koli. Then to city called Kuopio or Joensuu. Then to Savonlinna. Spend a day there and see the sights. Book a cabin from the Lake Saimaa for couple of nights.

End your trip to Helsinki!

This route could be done in 2 weeks. Here´s some useful

websites:

www.virtual.finland.fi

www.visitfinland.com

www.visitaland.com

www.alandresor.fi

www.lomarengas.fi (you can book the cottages etc. from this site)

Here´s some distances:

Helsinki-Vaasa 420 km

Vaasa-Rovaniemi 525 km

Rovaniemi-Inari 320 km

Kuusamo-Kuopio 420 km

Kuopio-Helsinki 383 km

Savonlinna-Helsinki 334 km..

|||

Being an American living here in Finland for some 15 yrs. wow this sounds like a real swell trip.

I hope your guests are nature lovers and enjoy quietness --

for me maybe 2 days on Åland may be stretching it as well as Lappi -that is just my opinion don%26#39;t take me to serious. I like pohjois Karalia - a place called Kontiolahti is a must see.

|||

This surely gives a good overall picture of Finland, but involves some very heavy driving. Better make sure that they are used to sitting in a car.

I usually plan not to drive more than 300 kms per day. Start in the morning, watch and stop on whatever that%26#39;s interesting on the way and arrive in the afternoon/early evening to your next hotel. Sometimes 1 or 2 long legs (up to 1.000 kms per day) will be needed to get there where you are going.

|||

Now, this is a great post! I am planning to visit Finland next summer and explore a little bit by car for one week. What parts of this roadtrip could be skipped to fit in a week?

|||

I would shortern the days in coastline and skip Aland (beautiful but too much time).

Week is quite tight but with good planning (and leave time for extra), it can be done. I depens a lot, where you spend your time.

Drive quite straight from Koli to Savonlinna, skip Joensuu etc. so you%26#39;ll have more time in Helsinki (and Porvoo) if you have not been in here.

|||

Helsinki is quite dead in mid summer... Everybody is enjoying Finnish summer in their own or rented Holiday houses at Lake shores.

I dont agree with that you should skip Joensuu or other places where is real finnish summer traditions.

For example rent a Holiday villa and go hiking, swimming and enjoy the nature - if you live in city. Maybe you can be more relaxed when you go back home ;)

|||

-:- Message from TripAdvisor staff -:-

This topic was inactive for 6 months and has been closed to new posts. We hope you'll join the conversation by posting to an open topic or starting a new one.

To review the TripAdvisor Forums Posting Guidelines, please follow this link: http://www.tripadvisor.com/pages/forums_posting_guidelines.html

We remove posts that do not follow our posting guidelines, and we reserve the right to remove any post for any reason.

Removed on: 7:17 pm, September 14, 2009