Quality Holidays For Single Parent Families

Single Parent Holiday - Sample Itinerary
 

Please note this is only a sample itinerary. Flight timings and other itinerary information stated on this page may be subject to change.

Hotel Tropikki - Kuusamo - Finland

SAMPLE  ITINERARY - SANTA - LAPLAND - 2007

Your Small Families Host for this holiday is Keith & Allen

TRAVEL ADVICE

LUGGAGE ALLOWANCE
The luggage allowance for this flight is 20 kg per person (except for infants who do not have an allowance).  You may be charged by the airline for any excess luggage.  Please Note:  Recently a maximum weight restriction has been imposed of 32kg for any one piece of luggage; any piece of luggage in excess of 32kg will not be carried by the airline.

LUGGAGE
If you are flying into London to meet up with us, unless you are flying in with British Airways, we recommend that you do not through-check your luggage onto your Finnair flight, unless you are flying to London with British Airways.

HAND LUGGAGE
Please remember that there are now very strict regulations on what can and cannot be carried in hand luggage, please read the enclosed airport security tips. 

Once your luggage is checked in at the airport, you will not have access to it again until you are in Kuusamo. We therefore very strongly recommend that you carry any medication and refreshments that you or your children may need, in your hand luggage.

LUGGAGE LABELS
Please ensure that the enclosed 'Small Families' luggage labels are clearly visible on each piece of luggage, especially your hand luggage, for easy recognition by 'Small Families' staff and your fellow travellers. Remember that when you arrive at the airport everyone displaying these labels are your companions for the week so do please introduce yourselves.

CHECK IN
Check-In is at London Heathrow Terminal 1 and we recommend you do so no less than 2 hours before the published flight departure as several people this year have nearly missed their flights due to traffic problems!  We therefore suggest that you check-in no later than 0820 hrs. Check-In for Finnair is carried out by British Airways. Please check the TV monitors for full and up to date information.

ALLEN, who will be travelling with you, will be at Check-In to meet and assist you if needed.  In case of any problems then please call ALLEN on his mobile telephone which is ------------

MEETING POINT
We suggest you meet ALLEN and your fellow travellers at approximately 0930 hrs, in the seated area outside THE BEAUTY CENTRE, as marked in the enclosed Terminal 1 booklet. To reach the meeting point, proceed through Passport Control and the subsequent security check area and then turn right as directed to the shopping and restaurant area. THE BEAUTY CENTRE is adjacent to the large DIXONS Store.

PASSPORTS AND VISA'S
It is your responsibility to ensure that you have a valid passport, with an expiration date of at least 3 months after your return into the UK. If you are travelling on a British or Irish passport you will not need a visa, however other passports may be different in which case you should contact the Finnish Consulate.

For security reasons it is very important that you check that the NAMES ON YOUR FLIGHT TICKETS ARE EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE NAMES IN YOUR PASSPORTS.  Please be aware that you will be denied travel should the two not match.

Children, including babies, who are not already included on a valid 10 year passport, will need to hold their own passport to travel abroad.

CURRENCY
The official unit of currency in Finland is the EURO. One Euro is approximately 74 pence and will be written as € 1.

£1 is currently worth approximately €1.35 Euro’s and they can be purchased almost anywhere in the UK. 

Major Credit cards are accepted everywhere.

HELSINKI
On arrival into HELSINKI, we will pass through Passport Control before walking to the departure gate for our onward domestic flight to Kuusamo which is a free seating flight.  Luggage will be through checked to Kuusamo by Finnair.

KUUSAMO
In Kuusamo, we collect our luggage and proceed to the Coach for the 15 minute transfer to the Hotel Tropiikki.

FIRST NIGHT
18.45 approx.    Arrive hotel, quick freshen up before meeting for dinner (venue and precise timings will be given on arrival at hotel.  All Arctic Clothing will be delivered to the Hotel this evening.

DAY ONE
Today is a free day to allow you to acclimatise and relax, use the hotel’s leisure facilities and enjoy some fun in the snow.  Allen will be on hand to make suggestions for the day.  For anyone with a desire to ski this is a possibility just ask Allen.  All ski equipment can be hired at extra cost.

Breakfast and Dinner are served in the Hotel Restaurant.

DAY TWO
See Separate Itinerary page.

LAST DAY
Our Transfer back to the airport is booked for 12.00, although Allen will confirm the final details with you the night before. Please ensure that your luggage, clearly marked with the 'Small Families' Tags, is in the Hotel Foyer ready for loading onto the coach.

Remember to pay any outstanding bills charged to your room and hand in your room keys.

IMPORTANT
To avoid any misplaced or forgotten luggage you must see your luggage onto the bus before the journey starts.

GENERAL INFORMATION

CLOTHING
Like all Finnish Buildings, you will find the Hotel warm, such that you will only need casual clothing when inside. (Don’t forget your Bathing Costumes) Outside however the situation can be dramatically different, so we have to be prepared and take a few precautions. We are providing Arctic Suits, which are like a one piece thermal Ski Suits as well as Thermal Boots, Woollen Socks, Gloves and a Hat.  On top of this we suggest you take a scarf.

Please note that we are not suggesting that you travel in Summer Clothes because we will be in the open whilst we load and unload the coach. As we expect to find Snow upon our arrival please can we ask that you wear sensible outdoor shoes so that we do not have any falls.

HAIR DRYERS
These are fitted in your room.

TOWELS
Are supplied in the rooms and can be used in the pools or leisure facilities.

POSTAGE
You can purchase postcards in the hotel or at local souvenir shops, stamps should be purchased at the same time.

TELEPHONES
There are telephones in each room.  Please note the charges before making international calls. 

To call the UK, dial 00 44 then the number you wish to call, omitting the initial 0. (i.e 0044 1767 650312).

The number for the Hotel Tropiikki from the UK is 00 358 885 960.

CLIMATE and CLOTHING
Northern Finland in winter can experience temperatures between +10 and – 30. You should never go outside with Wet or Damp Hair.

POWER SUPPLY
230v/50hz is standard.  An adapter for two-pin sockets will be needed.

MEDICAL CARE
There is NO free health care for visitors to Finland - all medical services must be paid for. The hotel has a doctor on 24 hour call.  You MUST NOT leave home without adequate insurance, preferably including cover for an emergency flight home in the event of serious injury or illness.

TRAVEL INSURANCE
It is essential that you and your family are covered by appropriate travellers insurance. An E111 Form is not necessary to receive Health Care in Finland as your Passport is sufficient, but please see the booklet “Health Advice for Travellers” that we have enclosed.

HEALTH HAZARDS
The main health hazard in Lapland is Dehydration. This is caused by the fact that the air is made incredibly dry by the cold. You will find that without Protection your skin and lips can become dry very quickly.

TIME DIFFERENCES
Finland runs Two hours ahead of GMT all year round.

We would like to wish you a most enjoyable visit with Santa