Hi
We are taking our 2 boys (aged 6 & 7) for a European holiday (from Australia) in dec 2017. We are looking at doing a Santa experience and wondering the best way to do it. It it financially best to book now, wait for last minute deals closer to the date or book our own flights and organise our own itinerary. We are looking to do it around 13 to 20 dec for 3/4 nights. Also looking for any other suggestions/recommendations. Thanks in advance ��☃️

What do you mean by Santa experience?

And are you really coming all the way from Australia for just 4 nights? Please elaborate a bit more on your plans so that we may help you if possible.

Maybe I've had too much to drink tonight, but I don't have a clue what you are asking . . .

Could Santa mean a Christmas holiday ?
Never sure with these guys down there.
(just woke up, so no alcohol !)

Hi unasmith,

Is this something like what you have in mind?

https://www.santaslapland.com/

I read your request as saying that you are planning a visit to UK/Europe in December 2017 - and want to have something like this as part of it??

Perhaps outline your thoughts/plans for spending your available time, along with ideas, wishes and thoughts from results of your current research so that people can help out with fuller responses.

Also have a look through this forum for trip reports from people who have spent winter holidays in Europe...
Our children are way too old for me to offer much advice, but we did manage to tour in both winter and summer in Europe when they were smaller and of course they loved the whole snow and Christmas experience!

Happy trip report reading and I hope you can get some help with your planning - especially as we all sit at home here in a pretty bad heatwave!

There are a bunch of Christmas things to do.

The Finish snow resort visit is fine, as long as you also, do the dog sledge tour for at least half a day. For kids seeing a fake Santa may be fine but adults will love the dog thing.

Now the bad news, in December it is dark in northern Finland, I'll let you research how many hours of daylight you will get.

But you could do the other Christmas thing that has spread all over Europe (Well France, Germany, UK, Italy etc) which is to go to a Christmas market.

I like Xmas markets. But is a Xmas thing to do ?
Next someone will say Xmas mass is a must (or Xmas mass is a mess, as you like).

Santa Experience is a term used for certain holiday packages in Lapland, the OP has probably heard of it. I have no idea how their pricing works on deals, but in general, prices do not get cheaper the longer you wait on most things (air fare, hotels, etc.). however, I would generally not book anything this far in advance, 10 months, but that's just because I don't do that, I hve no idea if best prices are now.

Here is a vendor, and they do mention special pricing on deposits until March
http://www.newmarketholidays.co.uk/1...ience-day-trip

Thank you all for your responses. Sorry I was trying to keep my question brief - this is the first time I have used this forum. I am planning to take the family to Europe for approx 10 week holiday from December 2017. I have lots of family in uk & ireland and plan to spend a couple of weeks there. We also hope to ski on Italy and visit other parts of The continent, so we should get to experience a lot. I am a huge kid at heart and love Christmas. You can book tours to Lapland and 'santas village' as both boys 'still believe' I thought this would be a once in a life time opportunity. But it's not cheap - looking at package deals. I'm looking for the most economic way to do this seeing we will be away for 10 weeks thus trying to keep to a budget. I remember 12 years ago when living in the U.K. there were lots of last minute package deals that would come up that we're quite reasonable. As we had a little bit a flexibility with dates ... I was wondering if these still get offered or if I'm better to book In. Advance. Thanking you in advance ����

generally very few late booking ops

The Santa experience offers things like visiting santas village, husky dog sleigh rides, reindeers sleigh rides, northern lights, there's elves, a visit with Santa. etc. I'm sure many of these things can be done in other places - but it's the total magical experience of going to where Santa lives that I'm looking for as we will get other opportunities to be in & do 'snow' activities.

Thanks for coming back to explain the term Santa Experience. Live and learn - I was about to ask the chimney guy who maintains our fireplace... Good luck in your search.