Canterbury Travel Reviews 

We are sadly on our way home from a 4 day Magical (and I mean magical) Interlude at Sunday Morning Resort with Canterbury Travel. Everything was run incredibly smoothly, they looked after us at every point and there was never a moment when we didn't feel that everything was in hand. At the end, there was a delay at the airport and rather than just telling us to deal with it, they thought it through, holding us in the warm coach with access to a loo and convenience store until the blockage was cleared.
The hotel and resort is absolutely gorgeous, peaceful and luxurious. We were in the duplex cabins, authentic and a 5* standard.
The experiences were fab, no element of a Lapland bucket list was left untouched and the elves entertained our kids every step of the way.
Cantabury Travel designed, delivered and orchestrated everything, such that it felt that only our little coach was hunting for Santa and you only learn on the last night at the party that there were 8 coaches doing the same thing. Tay was our Arctic Star and he is brilliant - his enthusiasm is infectious, got our whole coach's head wobbling, and he entertained us throughout. Lexi was our hotel Star and she was super, swapping kit for us when needed and providing advice to the adults and colouring for the kids.

To be clear, I am not one for a "package holiday", and this felt incredibly special, worth absolutely every penny.

Just back from the 4 day/3 night Magical Interlude trip to Luosto (2 adults, 3 children) and wow, what a trip! The whole thing was so well organised with unexpected magic that even the grown ups weren’t expecting! Special shout out to our Arctic Star Emily who was phenomenal - always smiling and so organised. Also special mention to Tricky Dicky who was hilarious - seemed to just keep coming up with hilarious games and songs which kept the kids so well entertained. The absolute best way to start Christmas

Ella, the tour operator, has been so helpful from the beginning until booking. She made it easy, answering all our questions.

Underwhelmed.
We did the 4 days / 3 nights in Suomo Early Dec 2024. The kids did enjoy the trip first off. However, it just all felt too rushed and for no real reason. It is heavily scheduled, but it felt we were picked up very early in the day to accommodate the scheduling of other coach loads (we were coach 1 so guess we were first). Despite the rush there is then a lot of hanging around. The activities felt very transactional, lacked any Christmas sparkle which is our comment for the whole trip. It feels like you are transported to an activity, a coach load go through the activity then back on the bus again. There are errors - we were told on the way to the snowmobiles (Where the actual ride lasted a couple of minutes) children need to be 140cm minimum to go on as a passenger, so we had a disappointed child who watched her older sister go on. They were told they would therefore be pulled on a sleigh by snowmobile, but again this was not available when we got off. This was frustrating as promising something to a child and then not having it creates a lot of disapointment.
We found Santa very early on the second day (way before our 11.30am lunchtime slot), and the build-up and excitement to finding Santa was minimal. Finding Santa again was underwhelming. We were left hanging around for 40mins before it was our turn to walk up the path. Met him for 4minutes, then the kids were shown the door and told to keep it quiet – they had just been given presents!! It could have been much better.
The highlight was meeting the Huskey dogs and having a ride round the track. However, there is no trip to Santa’s workshop, no ice skating, no hot chocolate or toasting marshmallows, no ginger bread, no story telling with elves, no walks around the location, in fact very little freedom at all, and the activities were challenging.
Communication was lacking, Christmas magic was lacking, it felt rushed (but too much hanging around in the cold) and all very transactional, which is a shame as it is a lovely location with so much potential. We did have a lack of snow for early December, but I don’t feel this is a great excuse. There was very little contingency, and the scheduling seemed very messy and last minute. It is a lot of money, and I do not feel on this occasion our experience justified the cost.

We just returned from a -32 trip to Lapland day trip and all I can say is, luckily we followed your advice on layers as we enjoyed the whole trip even in that weather. The staff deserve a round of applause for making the day so extra special despite the weather they were cheerful and accommodating, we had a splendid time , recommend this day trip to all! 7 year olds dream complete x

Just returned from the magical interlude trip in luousto...we had a truly amazing time, thank you canterbury!
They think of everything, all the small details. Our hotel was lovely and clean, and the setting was perfect for our adventure to find Santa.
I did my research before and I'm so pleased we chose Canterbury, this is a once in a lifetime trip for us and it exceeded all my expectations.
Huge praise to all the staff involved! Fully recommend this trip.

We have just returned from Luosto in Finnish Lapland, a holiday with Canterbury Travel but we actually booked through Santa Claus Trips.
It was a Magical Interlude package where we "searched for Santa".
I won't go into much detail except to say we, 3 adults and a 7 year old had a marvelous time.
We stayed in the main hotel and unexpectedly were given a split level duplex family room, which the little one thought was great. Yes the hotel rooms are a bit dated etc but we found no problems with the room, food and the staff were friendly.
We had no problem getting a sledge stored outside the main reception.
Maisy looked after us for the 3 days on and off the coach very well. Canterbury Travel, their staff and helpers seemed to have everything well planned and were very professional.
A word of warning though, we have been back for a few days now and still can't get the Elf Song" out of our heads, hahahaha, not sure what i am talking about look it up on you tube.
I could go into a lot more detail, but I wouldn't want to spoil anything, read the itinerary on the website, the rest should be part of the magical surprise.
Yes drinks are expensive at the hotel and restaurants, but no different to the whole of Scandinavia.
If you are thinking of travelling to this part of the world I would have no hesitation in recommending this company.

Just returned home from a magical 3 night experience in lustuo. A memory me and my family, and 2 granddaughters will never forget.
We were on coach G with our star Kasserole, what a shinning star she was, every minute on the cach with her was fun, getting everyone involved and she knew all the children's names getting them all involved.
All the day activities were magical and great fun. But the way she kept it a secret when going to meet santa was amazing, she even brought tears to the adults eyes, wow Kasserole you played a blinder (don't want to say what she did incase your going and it will spoil the surprise you you). She not only made the kids days but the adults too.
What a magical holiday this gas been, and Kasserole is a bright shining star to canterbury travels.
If there is one criticism I have to make isbthe evening meal we were given in the cafe allocated to our log cabins, as we're always cold, always waiting to be restocked, but the lunches in the day were excellent so filled up on them. This did not ruin our experience and give this magical experience 100% from start to finish.
Canterbury keep hold of your shinning star Kasserole she is the best, Zara and Zoe already miss her.
One last thing to top our holiday was we got to see the northern lights, not one night but two, wow amazing.
Thank you 😊

The tour guide Emily was amazing and we had so much fun so Emily if you see this it is Evie aged 10 And Elsie aged 11 and thank you so much :-)

Just returned from a three night stay in Lousto. The experience was fantastic with attention to every detail. Everything was planned and executed like a military exercise. The staff, elves and our Arctic Star (coach D) were such fun, thoughtful and enthusiastic, I don’t know where they get their energy. I mustn’t forget to mention our coach driver who negotiated the icey roads and got us around safely He was forever opening the doors for us getting on and off the coach for the loo and never had a moan .

The hotel was great and staff there were friendly. The food was good for us too, loads of fresh salads, fruit etc.as well as hot food.

My only upset was the snowmobiles. One small circuit and we only got to go around once. As well as this, seeing my Grandsons face drop when he learned he was too small for the snowmobile. There were then no Skidoos for the younger children as advertised. We were not given a reason for this and it was a real upset on what would have been a magical time. We were the first to arrive this year so hopefully this will be sorted so no other small people are so disappointed.

A truly magical, once-in-a-lifetime trip to Lapland - the real-life Narnia 🌟.

Recently returned from a 3 night trip to Lapland as a solo parent with my 2 young kids (Matilda 7, Elliott 5). Travelling as a one adult family was a daunting prospect for me - it was my first time on a plane with my two kids. I needn’t have worried however as I got extra help and support every step of the way, as our “Arctic Stars” Daniel, Molly and Maisie, were so great with the kids, so fun, engaging and supportive. We were sat at the front of the coach the whole time right near the staff, and by day two of the trip my daughter had swapped seats to sit up front with Daniel! He was so patient and lovely.

The coach driver was also a lovely helpful man, helping people on and off the coach. Another thoughtful touch was that single parent families were sat next to or near each other both on the coach and in the restaurant for our evening meals. It was also good to have the same table each day too.

The Finnish people are so friendly and the elves - who we met when we exited the coach for each activity and spent time playing with the kids in the snow, signing their names in the kids books or having selfies with us - were friendly, authentic and extremely funny and playful.

The hotel was basic but had everything we needed, felt quite small and homely, comfortable etc. was in a great location with walking trails out the door to the frozen lake and the trails were lit by electric lamps - so romantic and magical. Little lodges we came across had fire pits with firewood you could use and the hotel did the best hot chocolate ever! It was also a lovely touch that when out and about during the day (the days were long and intensive - but well worth it) warm berry juice was served to warm us up a little.

The private meeting with Santa was exceptional and I was truly thrown when we were told we were going to the forest (where Santa lived) to search for some lost keys 🤣. We weren’t rushed and the look on the kids faces when they met him was priceless.

All the activities were fantastic. My favourites were the huskies and the tobogganing. I don’t have time to write everything I could or should but please just do it. It is expensive but worth every penny. The attention to detail, quality/authenticity of the activities, help and support from Cavendish Travel were second-to-none. The kids and grown ups all made new friends and the memories will last a lifetime. Thank you Cavendish Travel xxx

Saima was so friendly, pleasant and helpful that the whole process was a pleasure from beginning to end. Well done

Steven was very knowledgeable made it a very easy booking experience.

I rang to enquire about the day trip, Linda the call taker was brilliant. She was friendly, knowledgeable and really helpful. I booked the trip on the same call and all was done very quickly and easily.

I dealt with someone called Symi (I think?! Thats what her name sounded like anyway) She was very rude and blunt. I felt like i was doing her an inconvenince by phoning her! I had previously spoke to Becky who seemed to have s similar attitude, couldnt wait to get off the phone from me! I took my business elsewhere. Considering this company are booking once in a lifetime experiences, I would expect the staff to be more friendly and welcoming on the phone.

Carl was amazing, we’re organising our Canterbury holiday from Australia and Carl went out of his way to email back and forth answering questions prior to our booking confirmation on the phone. What a legend! We’re super excited for the trip and the booking was a great experience! Thank you Carl!

Excellent booking experience, staff member was friendly, informative and very helpful. Nice easy booking just want you want.

I can not with good conscience, recommend the Canterbury Travel Lapland day trip to Enontekio. I would strongly recommend you not to go. 

The cost for one day for two adults and two children was £2788. This would it be worth every penny if it delivered what it promised. The experience was the opposite of magical.

The Santa was not authentic, and the organisation around the visit was dreadful. We were initially given a time of 16.15. That time was pushed back to 17.00. We eventually saw him at 18:20. The Santa called my son “fella”. He didn’t know or even want to know the children's names; the whole experience was impersonal at best, but in reality, it destroyed the dream.

The guide responsible for getting the customers on the reindeer was so drunk he couldn’t string a sentence together. He attempted to ask us a question, and then he closed his eyes and passed out.  The other man guiding the reindeer walked over and ushered the drunk employee to an area out of the way where he continued to sleep.

We queued for over an hour and a half to check-in. We queued for 40 minutes on arrival to get a suit bag. We queued for sledges, food and every activity; we queued to see Santa; it was -20, and it was not enjoyable. 

Whilst we stood waiting to see Santa, the snowmobile drivers stood around chatting away to each other around the fire whilst we froze. Then, one of them cleared his throat and spat it on the floor beside my son. This isn’t supposed to happen at the North Pole

I have complained to Canterbury Travels, who offered a £100 toy shop voucher and a £300 cash refund. I guess it’s up to you to decide if that’s appropriate compensation for a trip that cost almost £2800 and shattered my children’s belief in Santa. I won’t ever get over the disappointment of this day, and I hope no one else experiences the same as we did. I’m devastated we booked it in the first place.

Efficient, friendly, knowledgeable lady travel agent

Amazing holiday all the staff at Canterbury travel was all very helpful made our holiday an experience of a lifetime the reindeer ride the husky ride meeting santa all the elves even the Canterbury travel staff in lapland was amazing especially our artic stars Carl, madie and millie who looked after us on the coach which made the experience even magical