We all know about the commercialisation of Christmas, and unfortunately the same is true in Lapland where mass tourism has arrived in the last few years.
That’s why specialist tour operator Transun has created its very own Father Christmas experience in the “True Lapland”, far above the Arctic Circle and remote from the commercialised ski resorts and towns used by other tour operators. (http://www.transun.co.uk/
Transun uses only small, family-run hotels and cabins, some of which are owned by the native Sami (Lapp) people whose main occupation is reindeer herding.
The company guarantees that each family will have a private meeting with Father Christmas, and he won’t be in a shopping centre but in a traditionally decorated log cabin or kota (Lapp hut) which you have to search for during a ride through the snow-draped forest.
Transun’
The ultimate True Lapland experience is to travel over Christmas itself or over New Year, and there are still places available for families who want to give the traditional soggy British festive season a miss.
Not only will you meet Father Christmas, but all meals are included plus a great festive dinner (not on day breaks), with a wide choice of winter activities such as husky, reindeer and snowmobile safaris, and tobogganing. Thermal clothing is included so you can enjoy the chilly temperatures, and you’ll be travelling on Santa’s own airline (our planes have sleighs!) and with Santa’s own safari company.
Nico Kostich, Transun’s commercial manager, explains: “Visiting Father Christmas in Lapland is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and you don’t want to leave anything to chance.
“Our resorts at Karesuando and Hetta in the far north offer a truly magical experience that will delight all the family. If you go to a commercial resort – where there could be long queues to meet Father Christmas and you can’t even have a photo without paying – you could come back very disappointed.”
Transun short breaks from 12 UK airports depart throughout December and cost from £959 for two nights, while day breaks cost from £429 with a limited free child offer. Festive Collection breaks over Christmas and New Year depart from Gatwick and Manchester and cost from £849 for three nights, and families can save at least £400 with Transun’s “stay, play and eat for free” offer for children.
The fun doesn’t stop after the festive season, as Transun has introduced a new Arctic Spirit programme to Lapland which offers lots of winter activities between January and March 2009. Take a husky safari to a wilderness cabin, stay at the unique Ice Castle, enjoy a trip on an ice breaker ship and see the Arctic city of Tromso, possibly with a glimpse of the Northern Lights. There are special family departures over the February half-term.
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