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About Canterbury Travel?
For our director these tours are very personal full of romance and sensitivity. Knowing his own children, our tours have been produced with the aim of ensuring that all children leave Finnish Lapland aware that they have met the real Santa Claus, who for sure has never been just Ho Ho Ho in nature. Rather a kindly old gentleman, over 400 years old, who cares still for the spirit of Christmas, and hopes that all children appreciate the thought behind the gifts, rather than the gifts themselves. Who uses basic homespun logic and, indeed, who has brought many a tear of joy to the eyes of adults accompanying their children.
Whilst some might claim to be Santa’s favourite tour operator or profess to be experts in travel to Lapland , no other company can offer the breadth and wealth of experience that Canterbury Travel can. We have published a tour programme to Lapland for the last 25 years and currently most of our reservations staff have been to Lapland and are therefore able to share personal knowledge on our programme.
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Why Lapland?
Lapland promises fun for everyone, regardless of age. Here, a certain magic fills the air. You can feel it and knowing that Father Christmas has his natural home here only adds to the excitement. Deep in the pine trees sits his home, covered with snow – it’s the stuff that dreams are made of and you can see it on the faces of everyone, not just the children, as they set off in search of their fantasy.
It’s not just Father Christmas though that makes Lapland so exciting. You can ride a snow cat or skidoo (a motorized- snow vehicle) sedately along prepared tracks or if you feel more daring by driving across deep snow. Minimum skidoo driving age on public areas is 15 years with a driving licence. The challenge is very exciting but most of all it’s fun. Then there’s the reindeer and husky dogs to provide exhilarating rides which will live long in your memory. Here in Lapland the possibilities are endless and open to everyone, regardless of age and there’s a promise of finding Father Christmas in his secret hideaway. Lapland really is the winter experience of a lifetime, where dreams often do become reality
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What makes us different?
At Canterbury Travel we believe the less you have to worry about, the more enjoyable your trip will be. Therefore Canterbury Travel only offers fully inclusive day and overnight tours.
Your flights, accommodation and all meals excluding drinks are included in the cost of your tour.
On arrival at your resort we will supply you with warm overgarments and boots to protect you from the cold.
On our Search for Father Christmas you will note that there are husky, reindeer, horse and skidoo rides. All of these activities are included in the cost as well as the activities specified on the ‘day at leisure’ of your overnight tour. Other than drinks and souvenirs you do not need to spend anything.
Unlike some other tour operators all Canterbury Travel tours include a Personal Individual meeting with Father Christmas. You can be assured it will only be your family in the cabin with Father Christmas and that no other families will have to come in with you.
A gift for children 2-11 yrs inclusive is also included.
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Lack of Commercialisation
Our belief is that in such a natural setting it is important to maintain a total lack of commercialisation. Thus when you find Santa it is impossible to purchase anything, and opportunities for shopping in Luosto are limited.
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The Real Father Christmas
Simply look at the photos of Father Christmas within our brochure and you will have little doubt that you are meeting the real one.
As always it is the care and attention to all aspects of our tour operation that matters. As one letter of compliment stated: My 4 year old grandson looked at me with stars in his eyes after his visit to Santa’s house and said, “That was the real Santa - I know now that the others are only his helpers”.
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Letters to Father Christmas
You will be asked to follow certain guidelines to ensure that your children write letters to Father Christmas before you travel. You can imagine the delight when on meeting Santa he will normally be able to discuss its contents with your child. Indeed on many occasions, for our overnight tours only, Santa will provide your child with a present from the mentioned items in the letter. Naturally sometimes the elves producing Santa’s toys are swept off their feet by demand for a particular item and have to provide an alternative gift instead, but all is undertaken in the spirit of Christmas. This is a further example of the caring service a specialist operator can provide and which has not been available through any other organisation previously. Letters to Father Christmas are requested for both our overnight and day trips to enhance the magic of your Lapland visit.
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Our representatives
We provide you with the best of both worlds. Escorting you throughout our winter wonderland will be Finnish personnel well versed in dealing with the Arctic location but also fluent in English. When it comes to Santa he will fully understand your children, and will provide appropriate answers fitting totally with the English expectancy of Christmas.
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Your Flights
Tours in this programme are undertaken by charter flights. Charter services are based on the use of Britannia, Monarch and other carriers from airports specified in the programme. Flight times shown are subject to final slot confirmation by the airport authorities. Your flight duration is, on average, three and a half hours each way and with this in mind we have set out to make your journey as comfortable as possible. Where possible aircraft with on-board video entertainment will be provided, and where airlines and crew co-operate there will be a traditional Christmas sing along.
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Infants
Infants (aged under 2 on the return date of travel) are welcome on our tours as, after all, infants grow up in Lapland too. No charges are made for infants travelling on charter flights and cots are provided automatically in the family accommodation where appropriate. You will be required to bring suitable overgarments, boots and other provisions required during the tour for your infant. Prior to bringing your infant, you should contact your doctor and receive his professional advice about taking your infant to Lapland.
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No smoking policy
At the request of previous and current clients, bearing in mind the potential number of children on our tours, we operate a strict no smoking policy for our charter flights to Lapland . Kindly note the log cabin restaurant in Luosto will be totally non smoking, so if you wish to smoke at the table you will need to stay in the Luostotunturi Hotel.
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Photography
Photography used for daytime photographs in this brochure has been undertaken during the period of ‘graylight’ offering the most suitable conditions with clear skies. Such conditions cannot be guaranteed as they are subject to the vagaries of Arctic weather. Your local camera shop will be able to advise the best speeds suitable for other potential conditions that may apply during your tour. All photography has been obtained using professional equipment and professional Arctic photographers, and reproductions to the same standard may not be possible using normal amateur equipment.
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Meals
All meals during your stay are included and will be taken at outdoor locations as well as in restaurants in your resort. For more information on where you meals will be taken check the resorts pages as well as the itinerary page of your chosen tour.
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Climate of Lapland
The climate in Lapland can be extreme, with temperatures as low as -40 degrees centigrade. Nevertheless, because the air is so clear and dry it will actually feel warmer than you might expect. The amount of daylight can also vary enormously during the winter months, from between four to fourteen hours per day. The weather conditions can often dictate the itineraries of many of the tours and safaris that we operate and which, therefore, could need to change at a moments notice. Lapland is also renowned for the Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights - a prolonged and strange glow of light in the night sky. This occurs mainly between November–March, but does extend into other months. However, we cannot guarantee that you will see this spectacle during your holiday or whilst participating in any of our tours. Click here for a map and temperature charts.
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