Quality Holidays For Single Parent Families

Single Parent Holiday - Sample Itinerary

Please note this is only a sample itinerary. Flight numbers, stated times and other information in this itinerary are subject to change.

Hotel Levitunturi - Lapland

   SAMPLE ITINERARY - SKI

LAPLAND SKIING - 10th FEBRUARY 2007

 TRAVEL ITINERARY    

 PLEASE NOTE: FINNAIR HAVE ISSUED ELECTRONIC TICKETS (E TICKETS) FOR THIS FLIGHT.  ENCLOSED YOU WILL FIND THE REFERENCE NUMBER REQUIRED AT CHECK-IN ALONG WITH YOUR PASSPORT.

 Your Small Families Hosts for this holiday are Allen, Carole & Kam

Your Small Families Hosts, whilst not carers or childminders are friendly, but unobtrusive and mostly work behind the scenes.  They look after any travel arrangements, act as hosts at dinner and activities (where applicable), liaise with local agents/guides regarding any group excursions that may be requested and generally make sure that everything runs as it should.  Your host will of course, also help resolve any problems you may have whilst on holiday.
 

 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.

HAND LUGGAGE (Important, please read)
Strict regulations have been implemented regarding the size of hand luggage allowed to be carried in the cabin. The maximum dimensions are as follows: 22” (56cm) long, 18” (45cm) wide and 10” (25cm) deep.  All bags larger than this must be checked in.  

NOTE: Once your luggage is checked in at the airport, you will not have access to it again until your arrival in Kittila, we therefore recommend that you carry any medication and refreshments that you or your children may need, in your hand luggage.  However regulations also apply on what can and cannot be carried in hand luggage and as these regulations and other security rulings can change at short notice, we recommend you visit www.baa.com prior to leaving home to obtain any updated security or baggage restrictions.

LUGGAGE LABELS
Please ensure that the '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, we therefore suggest that you check-in no later than 08.20 hrs. Check-In for Finnair is carried out by British Airways. Please check the TV monitors for full and up to date information.

Your hosts will be travelling with you and will be in the Check-In area to meet you.  In emergency, on the day of travel only, please call Allen on 07714 894239.

MEETING POINT
We suggest you meet your hosts and your fellow travellers at approximately 09.00hrs in the seating area outside THE BEAUTY CENTRE which is adjacent to the large DIXONS Store.

PASSPORTS AND VISAS
It is your responsibility to ensure that you have a valid passport. 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. Children, including babies, who are not already included on a valid 10 year passport, will need to hold their own passport to travel abroad.

Where a visa is not required, passports must be valid for at least the intended length of stay.  Should you require a visa, then your passport must be valid for at least 3 months from the expiry of the visa.

HELSINKI
On arrival into HELSINKI, you will pass through Passport Control before walking to the departure gate for the onward domestic flight to Kittila.  Your luggage will be transferred to the domestic flight by Finnair.

 GENERAL INFORMATION

 FIRST NIGHT
On arrival into Kittila and after collecting your luggage from the carousel, there is a short transfer to the Hotel Levitunturi.  On arrival, after dropping your luggage into your room, we will meet in the restaurant for dinner and the Small Families hosts will escort groups across the road to arrange equipment hire.

We have arranged for a representative from the ski school to meet us at the hotel at approx. 9pm in order to arrange and pay for lessons for those requiring them and lift passes for the more advanced skiers.  Beginners will not require lift passes for the first few days.

 We suggest that on subsequent evenings, we meet in the hotel bar between 6.30pm & 7pm for a pre-dinner drink before dining together at 7.30pm.  Tables will be reserved for us.

ADDITIONAL COSTS
5 DAY SKI HIRE                        ADULT & CHILD            €68 (Children get their crash helmet included)
6 DAY SKI HIRE                        ADULT & CHILD            €74
5 DAY SNOWBOARD                ADULT & CHILD            €103
6 DAY SNOWBOARD                ADULT & CHILD            €115
5 DAY LIFT PASS                     ADULT  €125                 CHILD  €76 (12 & under) Holiday starting 17th February gets Higher Spring Rates
6 DAY LIFT PASS                     ADULT  €121                 CHILD  €75 (12 & under) Holiday starting 9th February gets Winter Rates
LESSONS                                ADULT  €130                 CHILD   €110
(5 x 90 minute lessons at 12 noon each day Monday to Friday)

Equipment hire can be paid by cash or credit card at the shop, ski lessons and lift passes will have to be paid in cash if arranged at the hotel.  If you wish to pay for the passes and lessons by credit card they can be ordered at the hotel, but you will need to pay at the ski office (located at the bottom of the slope) the following morning.  If you require information on ski clothing hire, please contact the Small Families office.  It is advisable to purchase a toboggan from the ski hire shop (approx 8 euros each) as they are very useful for transporting equipment and small children to and from the ski lesson area.  In our experience in ski equipment the walk is very tiring for the young ones.

LAST DAY
The time of the transfers back to the airport will be advised the night before departure. Please ensure that your luggage is clearly marked with the 'Small Families' tags and is in the accommodation block 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, please ensure you see your own luggage being loaded onto the bus before the journey starts.

CURRENCY
The official unit of currency in Finland is the EURO. One Euro is approximately 68p and will be written as €1.  £1 is currently worth approximately €1.45 Euro and they can be purchased almost anywhere in the UK. 

Major Credit cards are accepted everywhere.

CLOTHING
Indoors - You will find the hotel very warm and you will only need casual clothing when inside. Don’t forget your bathing costumes for the hotel leisure pool.   

HOW TO DRESS FOR THE COLD WEATHER
The temperature can vary between + 5◦C and - 30◦C so you must be prepared!

Talk to anybody who lives in a cold climate and they will all say that there is no such thing as cold it just means that you are wearing the wrong clothing.  Because we live in the UK where we only experience short periods of being outside in the cold we are not used to dressing appropriately.  These notes are intended to give you guidance on how to dress for the cold.  You will be outside for much greater lengths of time as you may normally be.

The big secret of keeping warm is to wear lots of layers rather than just one thick one. By wearing layers it is possible to trap layers of air between your clothing which acts as insulation

Salopettes are obviously ideal for the ski slopes and for general wear around the village.  Several thin layers of clothing are far better than one thick layer, e.g. a thin pair of gloves covered by waterproof mittens, a thin pair of socks covered by a thick pair.  Balaclavas are useful but warm hats and scarves are as good. T shirts or thermal vests are best worn under your polo neck jumpers.  Good warm, waterproof jackets or coats are essential.

Sensible outdoor shoes or boots are essential and we recommend wearing them for arrival into Finland.  You may not go outside in Helsinki as the transfer from International to Domestic flights is all inside, however, you will feel the cold immediately we arrive into Kittila and you exit the aircraft down steps onto the tarmac which may well be covered with snow.

CHILDREN & SNOW – The whole point of travelling all the way to Lapland is to enjoy the snow and who would want to stop the children playing in and enjoying it.  However the majority of  children that suffer the worst are those diving into the snow and getting it inside their boots, clothes and gloves.  Please be prepared with spare gloves and socks to change into.

Remember it is about keeping warm not about looking good!

CHILD CARE
As well as many facilities in the hotel for the children, you will find on the opposite side of the front ski slope Kids Land which is all outdoors and is where the beginners will take their ski lessons.  Besides the skiing there is plenty for the children to do with their own Little Reindeer slalom course and non-stop snow jump.  There is a traditional Kota where warm juice is served and an open fire to warm cold little hands (the Kota is supervised).  The events at Kids Land are free of charge and is open from 9.30am – 5pm.

There is also a day care and play area called Tenavatokka in Kids Land, where professional people will take care of children from 1 year old upwards!  Open daily 9.30am – 5pm.  Childcare for the evenings can be arranged in your hotel room.

Tenavatokka’s childcare charges are as follows:-
Under 3 years               7 euros per hour
Over 3 years                 6 euros per hour
Over 7 years                 5 euros per hour

Telephone number for Kids Land and Tenavatokka is 00 358 16 641 377 and 00 358 16 641 246

HOTEL LEVITUNTURI FACILITIES

Telephone number of hotel: - 00 358 16 646301

All rooms are non-smoking rooms with kitchenette (coffee machine, microwave, refrigerator, basic crockery) iron & ironing board, bathroom with toilet, shower, clothes drying cabinet and hairdryer, telephone, radio and TV.

Towels are supplied in the rooms and can be used at  the pool.  Power supply is 230v/50hz and you will need an adapter for two-pin sockets.

To call the UK from Finland dial 00 44 then the number you wish to call, omitting the initial 0 (i.e. 0044 1763 226567).  Note the charges before making calls from your room.

There are two bars by the hotel restaurant and also a coffee/snack bar by reception, there is also a burger bar in the Children’s activity area.

HOTEL ACTIVITY CENTRE

Open each day 10am to 10pm

Children’s World – A huge play area for children with bouncing castle, sea of balls, toys, cars, video room etc.

Net Café -  There are four computers for emails etc, the cost is 3€ for 30 minutes & 5€ for 1 hour.  There is also wireless internet connection where you are welcome to you your own laptop free of charge.

Levi Las Vegas – Golf simulator (The Coer t’Alene or Pebble Beach) cost 28€ per hour & Billiards.

ScanBurger – Hotels answer to McDonalds & Burger king.

HOTEL SWIMMING POOL & SAUNA

Open each day 10am to 9pm

The hotel has a wonderful swimming pool with water massage equipment all around it.  In this area there is also a small pool for tiny children.  Jacuzzi and Finnish sauna and Turkish steam bath.

HOTEL SPORT FACILITIES
Open Monday 8am to 9pm, Tue to Sun 7am to 9pm
A fully equipped David-Centre Gym, Tennis, Badminton, Volleyball, basketball, floor hockey.

HOTEL SPA TREATMENTS
Open Mon to Fri 8am to 6pm

Pamper yourself and take a relaxing spa treatment.  There are too many to mention here but there are body massage, water massage, Indian head massage, herbal baths etc.  These can be booked at the hotel.

HEALTH HAZARDS - The main health hazard in Lapland is dehydration caused by the air being made incredibly dry by the cold. You will find that without protection your skin and lips can become dry very quickly.  Vaseline or similar oil based moisturiser is more suitable than any water based product.

WATER – The water is very safe to drink.

TRAVEL INSURANCE - It is essential that you and your family are covered by appropriate travellers insurance which should include cover for an emergency flight home in the event of serious injury or illness. Small Families can provide family travel insurance cover if required.

MEDICAL CARE – The EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) is valid in Finland for UK nationals and entitles you to free or reduced-cost treatment. The card only applies to treatment provided by state-controlled medical services; (any private treatment is not covered and must be paid for).  Due to its limited provision, the EHIC does not remove the need for full comprehensive travel insurance cover.  The EHIC, which is issued free of charge, replaces the old E111 form and can be applied for by calling 0845 606 2030 or via the website www.dh.gov.uk/travellers.  The hotel has a doctor on 24 hour call. 

TIME DIFFERENCES – Finland is two hours ahead of GMT all year round.

WEBSITES
If you would like to see what’s happening in Levi before you visit, please visit their website at www.levi.fi click on the Union Jack for English language and then go to the webcams to see live pictures of the ski slopes and the village.  The hotel website is www.levitunturi.fi

Every care has been taken to ensure that the information above is accurate however changes may occur and may not become apparent until in resort.

OPTIONAL SNOWMOBILE SAFARI
Each year, as we are in Lapland, we try to give you a taste of the activities available.  Two years ago this particular excursion was extremely successful and enjoyed by the whole group.  It would be on Thursday 15^th February after the ski lesson. 

2.30pm We go to the safari office to be given special clothing and instruction before taking to the snowmobiles (2 people per vehicle).  Small children will be inside snowmobile ‘pods’ and driven by fully trained guides.  Only adults can drive the snowmobiles.

We’ll head from the safari office to an old reindeer farm where you’ll have the chance to meet the reindeer!  After a hot drink and bun in an old log cabin we’ll return to Levi.  The drive will be about 30km in total over frozen lakes and forest, it will take approximately 2 hours.

The price is 55€ (£39) per adult & 32€ (£23) per child.

As we have to book this on your behalf could you please advise urgently if you would like to participate and send payment.  It is preferable that you email us at safari@smallfamilies.co.uk or telephone 01763 226567 with card details or to arrange another form of payment.

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