We returned from Yllas yesterday and yes we stayed in the log cabins (Cosmos Santa Holiday, very expensive but good). In fact we enquired about going back but not doing Santa and the Cosmos rep recommended Inghams. We stayed in a fantastic log cabin complete with Sauna and 3 bedrooms with beautiful log fire. We had our meals at the Hotel yllasrinne.

Fantastic location, fantastic scenery, very very quiet and very out of the way (nearest supermarket 40 minute walk). Snowmobile rides superb.

Go you will not regret it and the log cabins are fab.

Thanks for your replies.

Am going to book for yllas, i know you mentioned it was quieter than levi but that suits us.

17th december for 7 nights, so we return xmas eve....next year. Hubby can't believe we are planning a whole year ahead, but i told him you gotta grab the moment while we can afford to do so !!!

So 1 year and 2 days to go

Bye for now

I just booked yesterday with Inghams for a week in Yllas staying at the Polar Star for Jan 15th 2006. I can't wait!

Phil.

Oh Phil, you are so lucky.....wish it were us going so soon.

Would really appreciate it, if you can give me feedback on your return. A nice lengthy report would be great

Enjoy............

p.s are you taking children with you ?

No worries, I'm happy to let you know what we think. We don't have children there's just the two of us (fortunately ) and to be honest it was a question I asked at time of booking - would there be any kids where we were staying - and the agent said they only allow children if you're taking the whole cabin. That suits me just fine. I've read Yllas may be pretty quiet and Levi is the place to go for more of a bustling atmosphere, but again I'll let you know. I'm quite happy with this as one thing I cannot stand is commercialism. I can tell you we've travelled pretty extensively and I'm more exited about this one than any other holiday so far! Roll on Jan 15!

Phil

Hi,

We're in the same position at the minute. Toyed with the idea of Lapland last year but for a first winter break decided to give Austria a go 2006. Now, though we've definitely set our mind on Lapland and the Yllas Log Cabins - we're a couple with no children so would love to hear how you go on! Like you we're thinking of going with Inghams because we want to fly from Manchester - the late return on Sunday nights to Gatwick don't help if you have to back at work Monday morning!

Don't know if you've found this site but its the official Yllas one and has lots of good info - there is a similar one for Levi as well.

http://www.yllas.fi

http://www.levi.fi

Us Prestos

it was really magical and very beautiful
very peaceful and quiet place
we arrived thurs lunch and got kitted up with suits etc then straight out in snow sledging etc, eve meal was about 6pm , straight after that we went out again , coach collected us on fri 9.30am and we were out all day reindeer sleigh rides, husky sled ride - ! our team of dogs were very keen , that was brilliant the dogs were so excited and we got to shout " mush mush" a lot , then we went in search for santa, more sledging, ice sculptures etc then back to hotel about 4.30pm, went swimming hotel had fab pool with waves etc, gala dinner about 8pm then we went out again sledging ! sat am we got up early went out again and did a bit of shopping before leaving for airport at about 11.30am. So it was a fun packed few days - some people didnt go out later at night or even first afternoon which i thought was a bit mad we were there for such a short time we thought we should make the most of every moment.It really didnt make much difference going out late at night as its dark most of the time anyway the lightest time of day is 10.30 - 2.30 when its grey like dusk rest of time its pitch black.Have tonnes of photos and most of them are good which we are surprised at really as the extreme cold affects cameras etc , (it was minus 25 when we arrived !!)we video'd oour daughter with santa ! keep looking at all the pics def going back in a few years.

WELL DONE ESPRIT !

Glad you had a great time in Saariselka and The Holiday Club Hotel..................it would be hard not to !!!

I Can't believe people didn't bother going out in the snow at all times possible...........we like you was out when we could 'stealing' sledges for our use from around the resort late at night !!

The Swimming pool is a great way to unwind after the long day searching for Santa, Huskeys, Reindeers etc.....

Will also definetly go back one year.

Hello all, just stumbled across this forum, and we are off to Yllas on the 8th of Jan, its a return visit we went last year and fell in love with the place, everything is just Magical out there, the quiet, the scenery and the people, last year we stayed in the log cabins belonging to the Akas Hotel they were fabulous, the 1 room one is just right for a couple, with kids it may seem a bit cramped ! own sauna is wonderful, the supermarket is very good (dont forget the sledge, used for bring the shopping home ! unique) you can only buy beer there if you want wine you have to order it in the morning at the Post office and collect later (it is brought to the post office on the school bus!!) Juliis restaurant is a must, as is the Poro restaurant near santas house ,this year we are in the Yllas log cabins(with mezanine) and will write all about it on our return,already booked for 2007 already and trying levi , ,

We are looking at going to Lapland for the 6 night over Christmas break with Emagine next year and wondered if anyone had any experience of this trip or company. We will be very disappointed if it is too commercialised as that is what we want to get away from in this country. I have read one very glowing report of this company anyone know otherwise???? thanks.

Hi Sharon

Welcome to HT!

Have a look HERE, AngelaH travelled with Emagine.

Pippy

Thanks for that-however how do i know that Angela does not work for Emagine-sorry Angela but recent events have made be a bit wary of these forums!!

Hmmmmmm, well in that case are you going to believe anyone who posts a positive remark?

Of course I am I wouldn't have asked the question otherwise but Angela's reply is so glowing and kind of reflects some of the semantics of the brochure descriptions that I wondered if there were any other views out there-if they all turn out to be positive- fantastic-but there is nobody perfect is there-and so many of the Lapland stories seem to be a bit ropey at the moment I was kind of surprised at this report.

You may have a point there!

http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/viewtopic.php?p=186583&highlight=#186583

Hi Drew & Nita,

Look forward to seeing your report on your return.
We are booking the 2 room cabin with mezzanine.
Enjoy your trip

Hi!
We travelled with Emagine in December 2004 on a 3 night break to Ruka. We booked very late in the year (Nov 04) and Emagine were very helpful in trying to find us any available spaces as most were booked up for the time that we were able to travel. They were very prompt at sending out our tickets etc and even sent a little booklet about what clothing to wear and useful Finnish phrases. The Hotel Rantasipi Rukahovi where we stayed was fantastic and just like in the brochure, our experience of Emagine was very good, however that was the extent of our dealings with them as, unlike Angela we did not have any Emagine reps/guides and were unaware that Emagine even had their own reps/guides, also we did not have arranged transport from the airport and had to get our own bus transport, but we were aware of this from when we booked. Hope this has helped a little.

Just been with Emagine and feel compelled to inform anybody thinking of going how good this company is.

From start to finish their service is outstanding. We took the three night/ four day trip from 16th to 19th.

We did not tell our two kids where we were going and the Reps that traveled on our flight kept the teasing going until they worked it out. The reps were at check in and travelled on our flights, they were informative and helpful even carrying family's cases to the coaches. We were staying in Hotel Riekonlina which had a short transfer from Ivalo. The reps had everyone's room keys sorted out in advance; it felt we were off the plane and in our room in no time. Next came a short meeting providing more info and outlining the plans.

There are a number of families and they split us into 3 groups and allocate two reps to each group. We took it in turns to collect the essential warm clothing. Finland is very cold (-16 when we landed) but you are provided with almost everything you could require including Suits, boots, balaclava, gloves, socks, hats etc. They do not supply thermal underwear which is essential; you do need a few layers.

I won't go into detail about the trips but as we were split into small groups they felt personal and comfortable. The snowmobile safari and Husky rides were fantastic which we did on the second day.

The third day is the magical trip to the Reindeer farm. Centered on a frozen lake where you can go Quadbiking, snowmobiling, ice fishing, Ice hockey is where you get to see the big guy! Here Emagine excelled as they manage to take each family individually on a ride to find Santa and you really think you are the only ones there.

There are many surprises and other small reasons for my recommendation but I can tell you nobody on our trip had one complaint. My kids will remember this holiday for a long time Thank you Emagine.

Steve, Wendy Sam(8) and Jake(4)

Yep Me and my wife are going to yllas for our honeymoon 8-15th Jan glad to hear that the cabins are nice as I had a letter from the holiday people saying that due to a fire 2 cabins were severly damaged fortunatly not ours but until further notice there are fire restrictions in place till the cause of the fire is known.

looking forward to seeing the northern lights

couple of questions

a) Do they have internet access there?
b) Are the plugs 2pin or 3 pin ie do i have to buy an adaptor