Hi,
Wow! What an absolutely fantastic and awesome trip!
We went to Saariselka, hotel Riekonlinna, with Emagine for 4 nights and had the most amazing time.
I had concerns, because when you look forward to something as much as this it is bound to fall short of expectations, but i can honestly say it didn%26#39;t.
The weather was worryingly warm, +4c when we arrived and hovered just around freezing. However, there was still plenty of snow, and as the surface layer melted and re-froze there was the most spectacular glaze reflecting the light - the reps said they%26#39;d never seen it look like that before!
The hotel was fine - we had interconnecting rooms with balconies and a sauna.The food was excellent (we did have a private resteraunt which was very cosy and Christmassy). The reps were outstanding - they were tremendously helpful, friendly, imformative and so many of them - i couldn%26#39;t remember who was who! They were fantastic with the children who really enjoyed the kid%26#39;s club for 1 1/2 hrs each afternoon.
The husky safari was brilliant and very well organised with our children in a sled pulled by the guide with one of the reps looking after them too. We had a very long safari and there was plenty of time for both of us to have a go at driving. The same day we also did the snow mobile safari which was also excellent and very long - i amazed myself by having a go and really enjoying it!
As others have said, the Arctic activity day was superb, again with loads of time to do things again and again and there was no queuing.
We were taken in a snowmobile pulled sled along a candle lit trail to meet Father Christmas and he was delightful! Absolutely charming, had lots to say to the children - very gentle and authentic. We were amazed that he even knew which of my twins was which when we entered his cabin, i think his elves had been doing a lot of research!
The 4th day was a free day and we walked up the mile long toboggon run (much to my daughter%26#39;s disgust!) It was a beautiful walk with wonderful views and a lovely sunset. After a hot chocolate at the cafe at the top we toboggonned down! Fantastic! Some of us got a taxi back up and did it again, some of us were dragged off to lunch!
The Chritmas party was held in a different resteraunt and was superb. Again the reps played and danced with the kids, the food was great and a lot of new friends were made. Father Christmas (same one of course!) arrived and called each child up to receive a present. There was time for each child to have their photo taken. The presents were wonderful, really good quality, age appropriate exiting gifts and all the kids were delighted. Even the adults received a little something!
We got home late and put the kids to bed and went on the balcony. As we looked we saw ...the NORTHERN LIGHTS!!! A dream come true! We got the children up and all watched together. Fantastic!
On our last morning we decided to pack early and book a cross country ski lesson. It was just our family and was really good, and then it snowed! The first time all week and it was great.
Due to fog at Gatwick our plane was delayed but Emagine handled it brilliantly. They kept us at the hotel and put on a film for the kids. I heard the boss of Emagine on the phone to the UK trying to sort out everything he could for the passengers coming out from Gatwick.
When we did finally get on the plane there was one last surprise! On our seats was a cuddly toy husky (all the kids had received one on their pillows when we arrived) and a letter from Santa to our 2 year old who had stayed at home with Grandma! I was choked up i can tell you!
We were given a questionnaire and one of the qus was whether the trip was value for money. We both resented having to say it because it was such an expensive trip, BUT, yes in all honesty it really was very good value for money. It really could not have been any better. I would whole heartedly recommend this trip to anyone - and when James is older we might just have to save up and take him too!
Phew! sorry that was so long - Hope it whetted a few appetites and brought back a few memories!
Love Sonia x
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Sonia,
Your trip sounds fantastic, I really enjoyed reading about it. Imagine +4 and you worrying about silk liners etc.!!
Your Father Christmas experience was what I would have loved for all of children/adults who were with us (with Sunway) Ours didn%26#39;t mention childrens names and was very quiet, had an authentic look and voice, but didn%26#39;t say much. Each child regardless of age got a husky puppy.
We got a small sweet on our pillow! And no husky on our seat on plane which was 2 hours delayed.!
How was your flight on way out? Sunway gave a bag with colouring books, markers, a santa hat, sweets. The crew wore santa hats just for when we were boarding the plane. After that it was just like any flight to anywhere!
Anyway, %26#39;twas great hearing about your trip. And sure I think ye will save up to bring little James!
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Hi Cooleen,
No, the flights were pretty standard - no colouring or singing or anything - that would have been good! However, the crew were friendly and pleasant, the food was yum, and soft drinks were free. Also there was a film for the children each way.
I%26#39;ve missed your posts, where did you go and would you go again?
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Hi Sonia,
I just saw your post now!
It was Rovaniemi we went to. My post about the trip is on page 2 with the Levi v Yllas topic with the 56 replies, mine is on page 5 of those replies.
Yes, I would go again, didnt decide yet when and where, but from reading others posts, I think maybe Yllas would be nice for a change and more snow than Rov.
Also would like to go back to Poland and especially Zakopane (lots and lots of snow!)
Regards,
Cooleen
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Hi Sonia,
Just wanted to say that we went with Emagine too and absolutely loved it - well worth the money and an experience we will treasure for ever. The Emagine reps made the holiday even more special - they couldn%26#39;t do enough for us %26amp; worked really hard. I think the lesson learned is that if something is once in a lifetime you should get the best! Anyway, glad you had such a great time - it%26#39;s a really magical place isn%26#39;t it!
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Hello Hannibal, what was the snow like in Saariselka? we are off on Jan 13 for a weeks skiing and I am looking at the smow forcasts daily. Is there full snow coverage at the moment? I would appreciate your reply.
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Hi,
We went with Emagine too but I am a bit miffed as we never got any toy husky on our childrens pillow and it would have been nice as we got delayed for hours on the way out and on the way back.
Had a great time though but still searching for our huskies!!!
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