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Just back thomsons!

liverpool
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580 posts
9 reviews
14 helpful votes
Just back thomsons!
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Just back from saariselka! Thought id review as i know there are a few people wanting to book thomsons for next year.

Had the most amazing time! Everything from check in at the airport, the 'party flight' etc was just fab!

The thomsons reps are great and I loved the fact that most I met were Finnish inc Santa - which made it all very authentic. The were obviously some English ones based at the hotels but most of the activity based ones we Finnish. The elf who collected us from the airport was brilliant, telling tales of all sorts! Sooooo lovely and very sweet for the kids!

Saariselka is lovely and so much snow! We spent hours on the toboggan run every day.

The activity day with thomsons was great, santas resort is just lovely, especially early on when its dark and all candle lit. The were some queues for the tasters but the kids played in the snow so didn't notice. Tasters were about 5-8 mins but still loads of fun and as the place is not at all commercial it didn't feel 'rushed'. The was also a Lappish ceremony, blacksmith elf workshop, mini skidoos, huge celebration hall for lunch etc. very picturesque.

The gala meal was fab- with Xmas dinner style food, entertainment and fireworks outside at the end. A lovely end to the holiday.

We paid extra for the husky excursion which was amazing!!!! A real highlight to the trip. We booked this with top safaris and paid €420 for 2.5 hour trip. It ended up being 3 hours with well over 2 hours driving and as there were only 4 families we each got our own sled so each drove for all that time. Such good value for money- much better than the tour operator one and cheaper.

Had such a fab time and so magical! Didn't want to leave!

Oh, didn't need half the clothes I took. Was -9 most days so not too bad but the kids def needed balaclavas and the hand warmers we a god send!

Ate out for meals but food wasn't overly expensive really, i thought not much more than at home. drinks were more but we knew that before hand so were prepared for it! From talking to others most said food in hotels was okay so personally I'd have been happy half board.

Any questions just ask!

Arsy, France
Level Contributor
3,328 posts
88 reviews
212 helpful votes
1. Re: Just back thomsons!
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so glad you had a good time - saarisleka is lovely isnt it?

liverpool
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580 posts
9 reviews
14 helpful votes
2. Re: Just back thomsons!
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Ah yes it was just amazing! So much snow! We ate in pirton pritti on the first night and as we came out the snow was up to my knees (around the trees etc). The kids then spent over an hour diving into it from various angles! In the end me and my husband joined in! Anyone watching must have thought we were crazy!

The only thing we missed out on was going the top of the mountain- after the huskies yesterday the kids were just so cold so wanted a swim. After that it was dark so I was bit worried about light at the top. So we just walked much further up the toboggan run - to about the 4th 'level' which still gave us a good run.

Just as we thought it was all over, just before we got the airport I looked out the window to see 3 elves sitting on a signpost waving in the middle of the roundabout!! Think they were esprits elves but still a great end to an amazing holiday!

I'd def go back but not for Santa (would spoil it I think) - more a winter holiday as lots I would love to do again!

So glad we did th huskies! Brilliant!

Arsy, France
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3,328 posts
88 reviews
212 helpful votes
3. Re: Just back thomsons!
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it really is an amazing holiday isnt it - when we go, we spend the whole time just playing in the snow, the kids just have an amazing time

so, are you going to go back again? if so, look at the ski companies and do it for a week :)

liverpool
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580 posts
9 reviews
14 helpful votes
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Yes we prob will - not sure if next year though as my husband loves the sun too! we would use inghams though for sure next as my husband is keen to ski as we've both skied before years ago but the kids haven't. I'm working on him for say feb- march 2014!!! :)

Stranraer, United...
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235 posts
6 reviews
5 helpful votes
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That;s great news.I'm so glad it went well. I'll prob have loads of questions in time!! I've def made the right decision with Thomsons and Saariselka :)

Manchester, United...
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18 posts
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Thanks for the info, we've just booked for Dec next year. Can I ask if you stayed at the Hotel Snowflake and if so did you like it?

liverpool
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580 posts
9 reviews
14 helpful votes
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We didn't stay there but visited the snowflake and the tunturi. I liked the look of both of them but would have chosen the snowflake purely for the thomsons entertainment team who are based there - we joined them 2 nights and it was fab! If we had stayed there it would have been easier than wrapping up warm etc to go out. I did find their bar more expensive than others though. We met others who stayed there half board who were happy with food etc.

Saariselka was really really quiet- suprisingly so! we ate in pirton pritti one night and at rakku a la carte another night -at 7pm and both times we were the only ones there!!!! Bit uncomfortable really with kids as we felt we had to keep our voices down!

Tip- on activity day to santas resort head across to huskies taster first as everyone goes for the nearby activities (reindeer, skidoos) and so queues get bigger for huskies later on!

Manchester, United...
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That's great, thanks loads for the info. Really looking forward to visitin but have a whole year to wait. Oh well at least we've got time to prepare.

south
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25 posts
1 review
1 helpful vote
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Hi,

We are also looking to book for next year. 2 adults and 2 children. I'm struggling to decide on which resort to stay in though, Rovaneimi, Kitilla or Saarisleka?? I like the idea of staying a lodge/log cabin with access to a hotel. I'm also considering wither a 4 night Satat break or a 7 night break, but with skiing?? Any thoughts would be very welcome. Many thanks

Stranraer, United...
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235 posts
6 reviews
5 helpful votes
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Hi hols

I think Roveniami is commercial and built up. I've booked for Saariselka for next Dec as is a village and much further north so more chance of snow in early Dec. I wanted a log cabin too but not availble through Thomsons at saarislka so gone for a 2 bed apartment at Snowflake hotel. kittila looked nice,yllas epecially but at saarislka children meet santa in the woods not just the gala meal

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