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Why Canterbury Tales Ireland?
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 Tales Ireland can. We have published a tour programme to Lapland for the last 23 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 we believe the less you have to worry about, the more enjoyable your trip will be. Therefore Canterbury Tales Ireland 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 on loan 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 Tales Ireland 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 Olos
are limited.
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How we enhance your stay at Olos
Children's entertainment (with the exception Lapland Melody) is provided in this resort on a regular basis, with each day's programme being advised on-site. Parents may participate or take the opportunity to relax. Outdoor tobogganing is available for children on a slope close to the ski center. Entertainment commensurate with the location is provided. Professional children's entertainers are employed with an entertainment package during late afternoon and early evening with the exception of arrival and departure days. Adult entertainment will be in the form of musical entertainment of the style of keyboard player/singer, harpist etc. These activities are in addition to the fully organized daily programme of events mentioned in each itinerary.
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MAGICAL EFFECTS
(Except One Day tours and Lapland Sonata Tours). In striving for excellence we are continually trying to improve the quality and magic of our tours. All children know that Santa has the magical ability to fade
away. Naturally, here in Lapland all things are possible and we have asked the elves that, in connection with our overnight tours to Olos, we be permitted to experience these special magical effects so that everyone can be aware that they are meeting the real Santa Claus. It should always be remembered that not everyone will see these phenomena, for on some tours the local Arctic conditions may not be suitable for their operation. But if your party is fortunate to experience these delights, there can be little doubt in your child's mind that, at last, they have seen and met the original Father Christmas.
FREE SOUVENIR DVD
A visit to Lapland should prove to be an exciting and emotional experience and Canterbury Tales Ireland wishes to ensure these special memories remain with you for time immemorial. With potential Arctic weather conditions that can result in frozen and shattered video cameras or flat batteries, we have chosen to include a souvenir DVD of Lapland with all our overnight tours (not applicable on Day Tours and Lapland Sonata). Your DVD will include general footage of Lapland, yet it will provide two specific clips of your personal party, one meeting Santa, and one other highlight of your visit. Thus, you are sure to return home in the realization that, no matter what the weather encountered, you will own a DVD full of treasured memories (one per booking form). Additional copies may also be purchased.
FREE SOUVENIR CD
Throughout your stay you and your children will have the opportunity to sing along to our own very special song 'In Search of Santa and His Elves'. As a lasting memory, on your departure from Lapland, we provide one CD per booking form for all our overnight tours (not applicable on Day Tours and Lapland Sonata).
FREE SPECIAL SOUVENIRS
On leaving Lapland you will receive a selection of souvenir licences to commemorate your visit to Lapland. These will include an Arctic Circle crossing certificate and licences covering your activities with reindeers, huskies and snowmobiles.
Meet Santa's special elves
(On all Olos overnight tours prior to 27 Dec & Lapland Extravaganza, except Lapland Melody)
You may know Santa's reindeers' names but do you know the names of some of Santa's elves? During your stay you may see some of his elves...could one of them lead us to Santa? Watch out for:
Snowy Bowy - Blue and white dress with silver. Like a snow queen, loves the snow, loves the bows on Christmas presents. She sometimes places bows on trees. She loves building snowmen, castles and making shapes out of snow. She also loves playing snow games.
Tricky Dicky - Orange and Yellow outfit.. Joker/Jester - acts like a joker - loves to play games with people - tells fibs to mislead people, cheeky and full of laughter. You'll never know what to believe!
Noisy Nod - Green outfit with lots of bells you can hear from afar. A cheerful jolly character who loves musical instruments, Christmas songs and carols. Often seen nodding his head and dancing to the bells and saying Ho Ho Ho. Could these bells lead you to Santa?
Speedy Sam - Red outfit. Is a very restless, impatient but very reliable helper to Santa, normally seen on a skidoo. Always in a rush to ensure things are ready and on time for Santa. Has Speedy Sam advised Santa if you've been good or naughty this year?
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. The Resort of Olos operates a
non-smoking policy within the accommodations and restaurant.
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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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How to make a reservation?
You may make a reservation through any ITAA (Irish Travel Agents Association) office, directly with Canterbury Tales Ireland, or simply use the online booking form to make a request. All prices featured on this website are in Euros or Pound Sterling for Belfast departures. Although the booking forms (brochure) are forwarded to an English address, the booking process is simple. If booking through your local agency payment must be made by cheque only unless your travel agent accepts any credit/debit cards in it's own right. Bookings made directly with Canterbury Tales Ireland by post or online may be made by Euro Cheque
(post only), credit cards (Visa Maestro, American Express or Diners). All payments made to Canterbury are protected as we hold Irish Tour Operators Licence T096. UK ATOL Licence no. 0739 (for Belfast departures)
The Online booking form is a request for reservation of your tour and even though a tour has an indication it is available it cannot be guaranteed untill we email you a confirmation of your booking. If you are unsure of anything, please do not hesitate to contact us on the numbers shown at the top of this page.
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