FINNISH WINTER ACTIVITIES

Our Clients’ Reviews

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  Matt Harradine

  FINNISH WINTER ACTIVITIES

  

  Written January 2010

  This was a really really great trip and I thoroughly enjoyed Finland, The downside was our luggage being lost for nearly three days on our arrival, which did cause problems (pack wisely when organising hand luggage, -30 does require thermals at least). The extremely helpful hotel staff did aim to ease any issues, it was felt that the lack of Exodus representative meant that they were not much use at this point (or any other). The continuation of our trip has been extended nearly three weeks into our return, as we still do not have our luggage back. Was it worth the inconvenience of not having many clothes on our return home, it was a really good trip............I let you know once/if our luggage returns.Will I use Exodus again, well the lost luggage isn't directly their fault so maybe! 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Dogsleding was an awesome but every activity was really well organised and good fun

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Like I've said the Hotel staff were very helpful, there was no 'group leader' so Exodus didn't score very well here.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Pack hand luggage wisely!

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Once there it was fantastic!

   
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  Richard Arnold

  FINNISH WINTER ACTIVITIES

  

  Written March 2009

  A good range of activities, with, generally, appropriate standards of instruction; the one exception was cross-country skiing, which entails a lot of falling over for novices, and for which patience is required on the parts of both learner and teacher. The hotel was comfortable, and the staff there worked hard to cater for a particular dietary restriction.  

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  The highlight of the trip was the day spent husky-sledding - a wonderful experience in glorious weather.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Not applicable in this case, as, with a group of just two people, a leader was not required. This was not an issue except at two points, when things went wrong: at the start of the trip, when our luggage failed to arrive at Kajaani airport, and at the end, when it seemed as though our early morning taxi back to the airport was not going to show up. On both occasions, it would have been useful to have had someone around who could lend a hand.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Finn Air appear to have some difficulties checking luggage from London through Helsinki to Kajaani. Each incoming plane to Kajaani seems to carry some "RUSH" tagged bags - evidently delayed in transit - and the official responsible is quick to dispense small collections of toiletries, intended to give some temporary help to luggage-less travellers, which suggests that our own experience is not unusual. On that basis, it's worth considering what is packed as hand luggage, within the limits prescribed by the current regulations.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  It's worth a quick walk up the road from the hotel to visit the "Winter War" museum - it's hard now to imagine this quiet area of woods and lakes as a war zone, but I think it adds to the trip to know something of the region's history.

   
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  Ruth Davies

  FINNISH WINTER ACTIVITIES

  

  Written March 2008

  I got to participate in activities that I’d never done before and probably never will do again and I thoroughly enjoyed doing them – I don’t really ask for much more from a holiday.  I also want a husky puppy now too! 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  I’m not sure I’d describe any of it as ‘inspirational’ but the husky driving was most definitely a highlight (even when I crashed!) and I felt like the Snow Queen as my gang of dogs pulled me through perfect winter forests and across silent frozen lakes.

   

  Snow shoeing was fun too.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  We didn’t have a group leader but the girl who seemed to single handedly run the hotel was good fun and her Finnish to English translations of the evening menu were priceless ... a plate of grated root vegetables anyone?

   

  I really didn’t take to the bloke who ran the first husky farm mind you - he was just plain scary!

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Take your thermals and don't expect to see the Northern Lights.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  The husky farm based near the Russian border was nowhere near as good as the Vuokatti Husky people.  Vuokatti were informative and very inclusive and I had two totally different experiences … perhaps Exodus should use Vuokatti exclusively, they were certainly worth the Euros for the extra day's activity.

   

  All Exodus holidays should come with a free pack of UNO playing cards – they certainly helped kill the hours we had to wait between flights at Helsinki airport (thank you Ali!).

   

   
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  Shirley Turner

  Beyond my expectations

  

  Written September 2007

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  My dream has been to mush a team of Huskies across wild expanses of virgin snow. This holiday saw me realising my dream.  The whole experience was wonderful and indeed exceded my expectations. Friendly leaders were there to give instructions and a helping hand if needed. The scenery was just like that shown in the brochure and it went on for miles. Out of this world!

   

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  What did you think of your group leader?

  We didn't have a group leader.  We were instructed by locals who all spoke English and were very helpful.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Wear your thermal underwear!  Take your own kettle and tea bags if you can't live without your cuppa as there were no drinks making facilities in rooms.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  As well as the adventures, I enjoyed the peace and quiet and sense of space in this unspoilt area. There were no crowds, queues or traffic jams! I felt as though I had truly escaped from the hassle of modern life.

   
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  Paul Cumming

  FINNISH WINTER ACTIVITIES

  

  Written January 2008

  A holiday in a lovely place, full of possibilities - spoiled by lack of "Plan B's" which left people a bit bored when events were cut short or cancelled. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Some of our group were standing on the frozen lake on the first night there, just 50m from the back of the hotel and at a temperature of minus 10 celcius. The lake was groaning and "singing" eerily as it expanded and contracted as if it had some gigantic trapped monster whale beneath it.

  Then, for the first time in my life, I saw the Northern Lights and was completely blown away by the whole magical natural spectacle. That one moment will stay with me forever.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Our group leader was at all times a true professional. She was always friendly, helpful and available despite always working what seemed like 24 hours a day!

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Whatever is promised to you on your itinerary, get an idea what replacement activities (if any) might happen should any events be altered or cancelled.

  Be prepared for unusual food combinations! I mean the whole point of travelling is to try new things but I am certain that a mixture of tinned peaches, cold shrimp and (still) frozen peas does not constitute a "traditional" Finnish salad. The buffet menu thoughout our time there (over a week) was varied in name only, not ingredients.