Kimkim Trip Reviews

What a magical trip - all thanks to Adam, his team (Lea, etc) and KIM KIM! They were amazing to work with! They kept in constant communication prior, during and after the trip. We chatted by phone regarding the itinerary prior to departure. We had 2 late adds - and they coordinated adding them to our itinerary. Then my stepdaughter missed her flight and Adam/team helped secure her a late night ride to the hotel. The hotels (Nayara and Hotel Aguas Claras) were amazing! We will never forget them. The activities Kim Kim picked were spot on. Zip Lining, Horseback riding, hot springs, hikes, etc. They also arrange all the transportation.
We plan to use Kim Kim for our next trip!

Hotel Reviews

Nayara Tented Camp

Fortuna

I've traveled the world - stayed in many nice places, but Nayara has them all beat. The turn down procedure, the grounds, the pools the amazing spa experience. Most of all the people. All the restaurants were wonderful. We will return

Authenticity & Character

One of the most amazing unique places in the world.

Location

Perfect location for accessing other activities - but you feel secluded as well.

Staff

Kind, genuinely friendly, accomodating

Cleanliness & Comfort

Absolutely clean!!!! and comfortable. We didn't want to leave!!!

Hotel Aguas Claras

Puerto Viejo

The people, the grounds, the pools, the food everything was stellar! The rooms were amazing. Clean, big, and unique. We will return here!

Authenticity & Character

The room was so beautiful. Huge outdoor kitchen/coffee/sittinbg area.

Location

Staff

NIcest people in the world. Friendly and accomodating

Cleanliness & Comfort

Super clean!!!

Activity Reviews

Sky Tram, Ziplines & Sky Walk Adventure

Arenal/La Fortuna

Very well run and we felt very safe! Fun. Once in a lifetime experience

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Friendly and safe!

Transport

Tabacón Hot Springs Experience with Meal

Arenal/La Fortuna

We opted not to do this excursion and relax and enjoy our location/hotel

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Horseback Riding on the Beach

Costa Rica

Our guide was amazing. Very informative and friendly. He made the ride more enjoyable.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Cahuita National Park Snorkel & Rainforest Hike

Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

Snorkeling was cancelled due to rough waves

Gummi did a great job. We thoroughly enjoyed his knowledge & passion for Iceland !
We are grateful that our last hotel in Iceland kept Toni's purse for us. It made our trip much more relaxed knowing they had her purse for us.

Hotel Review

Hotel Odinsve

Reykjavik

They kept Toni's purse for us. This made our trip much more relaxing.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Icelandic Food Walk

Reykjavík

Very interesting.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Faxaflói Bay Whale Watching Excursion

Reykjavík

We saw 2 whales.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Explore Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon by Amphibian Boat

Iceland

Fantastic experience.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Glacier Ice Cave Experience as part of a Private Tour

Iceland

Good tire changing experience.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Geothermal Bakery Experience

Golden Circle

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Laugarás Lagoon - Lerki

Iceland

Excellent activity.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Víðgelmir Lava Cave Experience

Iceland

Fun walking in an ice cave.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Both raffles makati and shangri la Boracay were very nice. The service was excellent!

Hotel Reviews

Shangri-La Boracay

Aklan

Property is stunning!

Authenticity & Character

Rooms dressed in tropical Filipino attire

Location

Beautiful sunsets

Staff

Concierge went above and beyond to help us! Very pleased!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Raffles Makati

Makati

Rooms are well appointed! Service was exceptional! Laundry service was very dependable.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Top Restaurants and Shopping nearby

Staff

Very professional

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Private Van with Driver (Day 2)

Manila

Our family felt very comfortable with our driver! He was respectful and caring. Drove us to Cavite to visit a family home and waited for us while we visited.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Yacht Sailing in Boracay

Boracay

Crew was very kind and helpful!

Quality of Experience

Food

Presentation was beautiful

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Joshua was very kind!

Transport

Private Van with Driver

Manila

Vehicle was very nice and our driver was the BEST! I felt I was in safe hands all the time!

Quality of Experience

Always on time !

Quality of Experience

Always on time !

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Genuine and friendly

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Genuine and friendly

Transport

New, comfortable clean van !

Transport

New, comfortable clean van !

Giulia did a masterful job turning our wishes into an amazing itinerary. Best of all, she made it all work seamlessly with some great guides! Maria and Luca in Rome, Alexandra in Florence, Alessandra in Como, Giovanni in Venice, Stephan behind the wheel to San Gimignano were just wonderful. Pleasant, informed, entertaining and enthusiastic!

Great trip to be remembered! Thanks Kim Kim!

Brown Family

Amazing trip! Bella and her team were all wonderful and so easy to work with. All the local specialist were great to be around and made the trip enjoyable. Would definitely visit again with Bella and her team. Fulfilled a destination on the bucket list and made fantastic memories for our 20th wedding anniversary.❤️❤️❤️

I just came back from a wonderful trip to Japan, I was extremely impressed with the service and friendliness of the tour guides.
They were always punctual, arriving on time to pick us up and they treated us exceptionally well.
There's one tour guide I'll always remember for his professionalism: Davin from Hungry Tours Osaka. The day we spent with him was a truly enriching experience.
I loved the visit where We could appreciate Mount Fuji and We have a wonderful lunch ,plus the very beutiful and very peaceful temple.
A hotel I'll always remember is the Riokan Aura Tachibana, it was such a lovely experience having to wear a robe to breakfast and dinner , the food was espectacular, the flavor, the presentation and the amazing service were all outstanding.
The first hotel in Tokio was located in a very good area, but the restaurant wasn't good.
What I remember is that it was a wonderful trip and that's why my friend and I are going in another trip with your company.

Angela did an amazing job planning our trip! She paid attention to every detail, provided thoughtful recommendations, and kept everything organized from start to finish. Her communication was excellent, and she made the entire planning process stress-free. I highly recommend her! 😊

Our family trip to the land of our ancestors in Scotland was a tremendous success, thanks in large part to our local specialist, Jane Davey, and her associate, Marine-Héloïse, who helped create a truly one-of-a-kind experience. The trip took a great deal collaboration and planning beforehand, but with their expertise we were able to put together the perfect trip for our family. Jane and Marine also connected us with Graeme Clive of Kilted Piper Tours who guided us for five days of our journey, including the Isle of Skye which was one of the real highlights of the trip. We enjoyed visiting many historic castles and their gardens, as well as the tasting experiences of visiting several scotch whiskey distilleries. Overall, we learned a great deal about the history of Scotland and our ancestors (including visiting some of the film locations of the television series Outlander which we were great fans of). We highly recommend working with Jane and Marine if a tour of Scotland is in your future!

Hamza of Original Travels was an amazing guide. He was punctual, friendly and always pointed out new experiences for us to stop and try and shared insider traveler information, like amazing restaurant suggestions. He was receptive to our needs and questions about the area and was a great mediator for working out our needs and plans, like moving our camel ride to an earlier time in Agafay. Having a local guide made the trip much more memorable and fun! It is the best way to get introduced to all of the best spots in Morocco. It was my second time with Hamza and we would love to return and use him as our guide again. He is simply the best!!

Additionally, the accommodations selected by Kim Kim were perfectly located and appointed. I would also like to mention how much we enjoyed the help and kindess of Muhammed at Palais Sabban- he was the best at transporting our bags and answering to our needs while on the property. This riad is a crowning gem and we loved everything about it.

Our tour guide in Essaouria, Hussan, was an extrememly knowledgeable historian and we appreciated all of the details of the area's history and sights that he took time to share with us.

I wish I could remember the name of our camel guide, he was so much fun and was the best photographer!

Again, many thanks to Kim Kim and Said for putting together an amazing itinerary for us. Our local guide Hamza made the trip so memorable and fun, it would not have been the same experience without him. We look forward to returning to Morocco!

Hotel Reviews

Palais Sebban

Marrakech

This was my second time staying at this riad and I loved it even more this time. It is in a perfect location, and a peaceful oasis from the hullabaloo of the city. It is so beautiful and each detail displays the depth of gorgeous Moroccan architecture and detail. We loved the peaceful rooftop with the pool and bar and many comfortable places to sit and relax. Muhammed was our baggage help/doorman, and he made the experience enjoyable for us with his attentiveness and kind conversations.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Le Medina Essaouira Thalassa Sea & Spa MGallery

Essaouira

A wonderfully appointed oasis of a hotel. The location was unbeatable, with the beach and beach restaurant and the sounds of the ocean just steps from the building. Very good breakfast!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Yes We Camp

Marrakech

This was such a special and unique experience. The grounds and rooms were nicely appointed and it was such a curated and special place. The food and the service were spectacular.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Ease of access from Marrakesh for a desert experience. Having been to Merzouga, it could never compete with the Sahara, but it provided and unique and fun desert adventure that was easy to get to within our time frame.

Staff

Attentive and kind, every one of them!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Free Afternoon in Marrakech

Marrakesh

We loved wandering and exploring on our own, especially within the souks and the medina at night was fabulously alive!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided Tour of Essaouira

Essaouira

Hussan was a fabulous guide. His historical knowledge of the area shined throughout his tour and we learned so much from him. This was a very worthwhile and greatly enjoyable activity. We loved that it was a small, private tour.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sunset Camel Ride in Agafay

Morocco

Although it could not compare to the experience I had in the Sahara desert, it was a great experience for it's proximity to Marrakesh. Our camel guide was so kind and the best photographer! The tour company was kind enough to move our time up by an hour so that we would not miss the dinner and performance of the camp.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Transfer from Marrakech Airport to Agafay

Morocco

Hamza was prompt and waiting for us when we arrived. We love Hamza!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

My parents and I recently returned from a two-week journey through Norway organized by Mathia, and I can say without hesitation that it was truly the trip of a lifetime.

From our very first conversation, Mathia was exceptional to work with. He was consistently responsive, patient, knowledgeable, and incredibly thorough throughout the entire planning process. No question ever seemed too small, and his communication was outstanding from start to finish. Planning an international trip with multiple destinations, hotels, transportation arrangements, and activities can feel overwhelming, but Mathia made the process remarkably smooth and stress-free.

Because I was traveling with my parents, it was especially important that the itinerary strike the right balance between activity, comfort, sightseeing, and driving time. Mathia did an excellent job creating a journey that accommodated different interests and energy levels while still allowing us to experience an incredible amount of Norway. Every stop felt purposeful, and the pacing never felt rushed.

What impressed me most was how thoughtfully the itinerary was designed. The trip struck a perfect balance between iconic destinations and lesser-known experiences, allowing us to experience Norway’s extraordinary natural beauty while avoiding the feeling of being shuffled from one attraction to the next. The route flowed seamlessly from Oslo to Aurland, Bergen, Ålesund, Valldal, Åndalsnes, and back to Oslo, with each destination offering something unique and memorable.

The accommodations were excellent throughout the journey, and many of Mathia’s recommendations became highlights of the trip. We experienced spectacular fjords, mountain scenery, charming villages, scenic drives, unforgettable hikes, wonderful restaurants, and countless moments that will stay with us for years to come. Some of our favorite memories came from places and experiences we likely never would have discovered on our own.

Another aspect we greatly appreciated was the support provided while we were traveling. Mathia happened to be on holiday for a portion of our trip, but he ensured we had contact information for other members of the KimKim team who were available to assist if needed. The transition was seamless, and the team checked in with us during the trip to make sure everything was going smoothly. That level of preparation and care gave us confidence that support was always available, even while Mathia was away.

If I were to offer one piece of constructive feedback for future travelers, it would simply be to provide a bit more guidance regarding transportation limitations in some of the smaller destinations outside the larger cities such as Oslo, Bergen, and Ålesund. This is certainly not a criticism, but rather something that may help future visitors better prepare their expectations.

For example, during our stay in Aurland before picking up our rental car in Ålesund, we discovered that local transportation options were extremely limited and often needed to be arranged well in advance. Demand was high, availability was scarce, and pricing could be surprisingly expensive. We looked into transportation to a nearby hiking trailhead and found that a round-trip transfer would have cost nearly $400 USD, which was far more than we anticipated. Ultimately, we adjusted our plans and found an alternate hike within walking distance of the hotel, but having a bit more advance awareness of transportation constraints in these smaller communities would have been helpful when planning activities. This is less a reflection on the itinerary itself and more a reality of traveling in some of Norway’s more remote and beautiful regions.

That minor observation aside, our overall experience was exceptional. Norway exceeded every expectation we had. The country’s natural beauty is extraordinary, but what transformed this from a great vacation into a truly unforgettable experience was the thoughtful planning and guidance we received from Mathia. His recommendations, organization, responsiveness, and attention to detail helped create memories that my parents and I will cherish for the rest of our lives.

I would enthusiastically recommend Mathia to anyone considering a trip to Norway. We are incredibly grateful for his assistance, professionalism, and dedication, and we would not hesitate to work with him again in the future.

Everything worked out well and we got to custom our experience to what we wanted to spend time more on.

I would say that the planning for Phuket was the least successful because traffic from the landing day was not taken into account which changed the first day Itenerary. The island hopping was also not anticipated to fill the whole day. If we knew, would have been fine skipping this. The tour guide did amazing with all the changes though!

Bangkok tour guide lady was exceptional! She was very accommodating and took all of our wants and really catered to how we want to spend time on.

Thor Thorsteinsson was our guide and was truly perfect….fun, knowledgeable, calm, genuine. His tempo for the days was fit everyone’s capabilities and interests.

What a magical trip! My husband and I are independent travelers but we wanted the expertise and logistical skill of a destination specialist who knew Norway inside out, and that's just what we got with Katie. We decided to travel from Oslo to Balestrand and fjord country to Bergen and then go on to Floro and the tiny island of Kinn -- mostly by ferries and train. Katie understood our budget constraints and still offered up remarkable suggestions on centrally located lodgings, including a cabin in Balestrand overlooking snow-capped mountains that we wanted to stay in forever. All the ferries and trains were arranged for and paid for in advance and she helped us secure an electric car for two days. Our entire trip (with PDF attachments and confirmations) was placed on an app, so all we had to do was open the app -- couldn't be easier. When a couple of hitches developed (as they always do in travel), we just reached out to KimKim and they responded in literally a minute and solved the issue right on the spot. Everyone there seemed committed to ensuring we enjoyed a wonderful vacation. A number of helpful suggestions were offered for us to explore at every stop we made, and we feel our two-week trip was filled with well-balanced activities (from cultural activities to awesome nature). We are still glowing from this trip and the wonderful people we met in Norway and the sights! OMG, the sights!

Gummi was excellent an tour guide and travel agent. His knowledge of Iceland and travel in general was outstanding

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Odinsve

Reykjavik

Didn't ike the property. Rooms were not at all spacious. stayed there 2 nights, rooms were not serviced. Property is in need of maintenance.

Authenticity & Character

while the location was good, the property is not well maintained.

Location

decent location

Staff

staff a bit surly at times, Clerk was more interested in smoking breaks than receiving guests. Rooms were not serviced

Cleanliness & Comfort

rooms were extremely small even for iceland standards. Badly in need of maintenance and repair

Hótel Kría

Vík

modern property inside the village of Vik.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hótel Grímsborgir by Keahotels

Ásborgir

Property has many individual building

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hótel Húsafell

Húsafell, Borgarbyggð

Authenticity & Character

Location

great Hub for day trips

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Center Hotel Arnarhvoll

Reykjavík

Great location by the water, Staff were very attentive and responsive.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Icelandic Food Walk

Reykjavík

Large group

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Faxaflói Bay Whale Watching Excursion

Reykjavík

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Explore Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon by Amphibian Boat

Iceland

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Glacier Ice Cave Experience as part of a Private Tour

Iceland

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

flat tire

Geothermal Bakery Experience

Golden Circle

Laugarás Lagoon - Lerki

Iceland

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

we had to take our own taxi

Transport

hired our own taxi,, roundtrip pretty expennsive

Víðgelmir Lava Cave Experience

Iceland

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Ivan and Sarah did an incredible job setting up a trip around Croatia based on our requests. They were always quick to respond to requests and questions. We would highly recommend KimKim!

Hotel Reviews

Hotel A'mare

Zadar

Best buffet breakfast!!!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Close to town

Staff

The Melegran

Rovinj

Great boutique hotel in the heart of Rovinj

Authenticity & Character

Unique place to stay

Location

Close to the waterfront, hotels & sites

Staff

Very helpful and friendly

Cleanliness & Comfort

Degenija

Rakovica

Great hotel very close to Plitvice NP.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Porto

Dubrovnik

Great location, breakfast buffet was delicious

Authenticity & Character

Location

Easy walk to Old Town

Staff

Attentive

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Privately guided walking tour of Zadar

Croatia

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Privately guided tour of Pula

Croatia

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Truffle hunting experience in Istria

Croatia

This was the highlight of our trip- very unique experience. Would recommend to everyone

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guide was amazing!

Transport

Peljesac Wine Tasting Excursion + Ston

Dubrovnik

Great small vineyard. We tried 3 different wines and a couple of grappas- all delicious

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Dubrovnik Food Tour

Dubrovnik

Great food! Great guide!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Walking tour

Transport

Tour Dubrovnik's Old Town

Croatia

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Great guide

Transport

We did three excursions and had drivers to each and had a driver from the airport.

Kim Kim was not good, or great but exceptional. Every person was professional, friendly and it ran like clockwork.

We had an amazing time in Sicily. Thank you!

Hotel Review

Hotel Sunset

Cefalù

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Private Driver at disposal

Italy

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Meet a "Manna" producer and discover an ancient tradition

Italy

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Driver at disposal

Italy

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Sunset Boat Ride in Cefalù

Italy

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sarah was awesome to work with. She was very responsive to all my inquires and listened to my interest requests providing us with an amazing itinerary. Everything went flawlessly and if there was any concern about anything while on our trip Sarah made sure she was available to reach out to. From the moment we arrived, everyone we encountered was so welcoming and prepared to greet us. This made our experience in visiting a new country even more enjoyable. It was a fabulous trip. I cannot say enough about Sarah and Royal Croatian Tours in providing us such an amazing itinerary and helping us develop such amazing memories of Croatia. Thank you.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Porto

Dubrovnik

A little farther from the Castle than we would like since we did spend most of our time in that area, but easy access to the local bus stop.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Near the bus stop, though it took a bit too learn the schedule

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Irini Luxury Rooms

Split

The host was very welcoming and responsive to any questions. The location was perfect. Just outside of the palace and easy walking to everywhere.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Dubrovnik Kayaking Adventure

Dubrovnik

There were many kayaking companies in the area. We were glad we were with what seemed like a smaller outfit. We were in a group with 4 other couples and our guide, where some other companies had 10 or more couples. We loved paddling around the outside of the castle, across the sea to way what were told was a secluded cove to swim. Unfortunately, when we got there, there were several motor boats in the area. We pulled ashore and as we got out of our kayaks several other kayak companies arrived. It was a small cove and it was packed with kayakers and swimmers. Not quite the secluded/private area that we were expecting. We left a little earlier than planned to get away from the chaos and paddled over to Lokrum island before heading back.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Private transfer from Split to Dubrovnik (stop for oysters and wine on the way)

Split

A 2 hour + drive to our first stop at a local winery/vineyard, Marlais. The vineyard sits next to a road built by Napoleon. We tasted 3 wines and some olive oil. From there we wend to an oyster farm near Ston. It is the only area in Croatia that they are allowed to grow oysters. Our guide took us to there family owned farm and shared with us some myrtle berry grappa and a little wine as he talked about his families history and their oyster business. He explained the process then shucked some fresh oysters at the end of his boat. We did a short walk around the small town of Ston which has a wall that is noted to be the 2nd longest in the world and was built to protect the salt works

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Day trip to Krka National Park

Croatia

Close to Split with the same appeal at Plitvice, but smaller. The waterfalls were beautiful and the water so clear. We also enjoyed a short hike to the river. It was so peaceful. A road less traveled from all the tourists. On our way back to town our driver took us along the coast. We stopped at an overlook on Gaj Hill home to the Black Madonna lighthouse tower with beautiful views of the sea and the city of Primosten. We enjoyed talking with our driver about the history of Croatia and his family. It was a wonderful day.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private boating excursion to Brac & Hvar Island by motor boat

Split

This was one of our most favorite experiences. Our boat driver, was very communicative and greeted us upon arrival ready for a days adventure. We spent some time in Hvar walking around looking at the shops and hiked up to the fortress. We grabbed a quick sandwich and beer before heading back to the boat. From there we went towards the Pakleni Islands and found an area to drop an anchor to go for a swim and enjoy the beautiful water of the Adriatic. We continued a trip to the island of Brac. We visited a village called Milna where we enjoyed a delicious meal at Kantun. After lunch we went a a Konoba and meet a lovely family that has made wine and olive oil since 1776. We did a little wine tasting and of course left with a bottle to enjoy later. It was a fabulous day on the water and exploring the local islands.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Croatian Cooking Class

Split

So much fun! We loved walking through the green market and then going to the fish market to pick up the local fish for our meal. Our chefs were very friendly and even gave us a little more history of the city as we walked to the cooking school to prepare our meal. They had prepared some welcome appetizers in advance for our arrival and greeted us with special local cocktail as they prepared the kitchen for our lesson. We prepared many dishes, including cleaning the fish for our meal. All the food was delicious and we enjoyed the company of another family in our group with of course some wine. The cooking school provided us with certificates, recipes and pictures of our experience.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our 10-day journey through Greece was the perfect way to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary. From the moment we arrived until our final sunset in Santorini, every detail was thoughtfully planned by Marianna, who created an experience that balanced history, culture, adventure, relaxation, and unforgettable memories.

Over the course of our trip, we visited Athens, Milos, and Santorini, accumulating an impressive 101,721 steps along the way. Somewhere between climbing the Acropolis, wandering the historic streets of Athens, exploring the breathtaking beaches of Milos, enjoying food tours through local neighborhoods, sailing through the Santorini caldera, and completing the famous caldera hike, I began to appreciate the wisdom of the Greek philosophers. Socrates encouraged us to examine life. Greece gave us 101,721 opportunities to do exactly that.

Athens was the perfect introduction to Greece. Standing atop the Acropolis and looking across a city that has shaped Western civilization for thousands of years was both humbling and inspiring. Our food tours introduced us to the flavors that define Greek culture, where every meal felt less like dining and more like participating in a tradition that has been passed down through generations.

Milos captured our hearts with its authentic charm and stunning natural beauty. We spent hours exploring picturesque villages, relaxing on extraordinary beaches, and discovering hidden corners of the island. One of the highlights was visiting the beautiful castle overlooking the island, where the panoramic views of the Aegean Sea created one of those rare moments that no photograph can fully capture.

Santorini provided a spectacular finale. Sailing through the caldera offered a unique perspective of the island’s dramatic volcanic landscape, while the caldera hike rewarded us with some of the most breathtaking views we have ever experienced. Every turn seemed to reveal another scene worthy of a postcard.

Beyond the scenery and historic sites, what impressed us most were the Greek people themselves. Everywhere we traveled, we met individuals who were deeply proud of their heritage and genuinely eager to share it. Whether speaking with local guides, restaurant owners, shopkeepers, or fellow travelers, we experienced a level of warmth and hospitality that made us feel welcomed rather than simply accommodated. Their love for their history was contagious, and their stories brought every destination to life.

Of course, no trip to Greece would be complete without experiencing its culinary staples. Fresh seafood, local cheeses, traditional pastries, olive oil, and dishes prepared from recipes perfected over generations became highlights of our daily adventures. Every meal was an opportunity to learn something new about the culture.

As Aristotle wrote, “Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work.” That perfectly describes Marianna’s approach to planning this trip. Her attention to detail, responsiveness, and thoughtful recommendations transformed a vacation into a once-in-a-lifetime anniversary celebration.

We returned home with incredible memories, a deeper appreciation for Greece’s remarkable history and culture, and 101,721 steps worth of stories. For anyone considering a journey to Greece, I cannot recommend Marianna and Kimkim highly enough.

Hotel Reviews

Agali Houses

Firostefani 00

Agali Houses delivered a flawless experience from check-in to check-out. The hospitality was exceptional, with a team that was welcoming, attentive, and genuinely committed to making every moment special. The rooms were stunning. Spacious, elegant, and beautifully designed, they perfectly captured the charm and aesthetics of Santorini while providing every modern comfort imaginable. Every detail was thoughtfully considered, creating an atmosphere that felt both luxurious and relaxing. The sunsets were simply unforgettable. Somehow, each evening’s view seemed even more breathtaking than the one before. Watching the sun melt into the Aegean Sea became the highlight of every day and a memory we will cherish for years. The room offered every creature comfort we could ask for, making it easy to unwind and enjoy the beauty surrounding us. Each morning, breakfast was a wonderful bonus, featuring fresh, delicious selections that started every day on the perfect note. Agali Houses is more than just a hotel. It is an experience defined by beauty, comfort, and world-class hospitality. If you’re visiting Santorini and looking for an unforgettable stay, this is the place.

Authenticity & Character

Views, Staff Attentiveness, Quality is unmatched!

Location

Perfect, you could stay in the hotel and not leave and you would have the best vacation of your life. Each night a sunset or spectacular than the last.

Staff

Staff were great! I need reservations, I received the best seat at the restaurant. The staff will make you feel as though you are the star!

Cleanliness & Comfort

En Milo

Milos

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Perianth Hotel

Athens

Absolutely amazing location and the hospitality to match. The accommodation was perfect, and a chocolate left on our bed each night made us feel special. Great location near everything and breakfast was fantastic each morning.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Center of everything you want to do or visit.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Staff was amazing!

Activity Reviews

Flavors of Athens Food Tour

Athens

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Athens Highlights

Athens

Quality of Experience

P

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

All of the guides were so nice and knowledgeable. We especially enjoyed our time with Marco during our visit to lake Cuomo. Even though it was super crowded Marco was able to get us on and off the boat in a very efficient manner he also modified our train trip for us because of an unanticipated delay which was a very clever way to help us enjoy the most for our time there. Marco went above and beyond, he even found us an exclusive restaurant with beautiful views. This was an amazing tour and we will always remember the hospitality that Marco gave us and a real flavor for the local culture!

We especially enjoyed our Milan experience where the driver for my daughter came back to the hotel to deliver her her passport that she left in the car! Grazie mile!!!! The hotel the Square Milano Duomowas also extremely comfortable and welcoming they even let my daughter check in before me without her passport.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Barocco

Rome

Very charming hotel - we especially enjoyed the breakfast and the staff that served us there!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The air conditioning did not de-humidify very well.

Rivoli Boutique Hotel

Florence

Authenticity & Character

Beautiful and unique decor with beautiful plants everywwhere, we especially loved the jasmine right outside our apartment!

Location

within walking distance to all!

Staff

Our staff were very helpful in going out of their way to help us with dinner reservations!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Our suite was a little noisy as it was right next to the restaurant. On the last day there was a huge leak in our apartment with water pouring from n the ceiling, they also lost power - we were glad to have been checking out that day.

Hotel The Square Milano Duomo

Milan

Very clean and upscale hotel! You will feel very welcomed -great location too!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Rome Unearthed: Guided Walk of Colosseum & Ancient City

Rome

Hands-On Roman Pasta Cooking Class in the Historic Jewish Quarter

Rome

A Food Lover’s Rome: Campo de’ Fiori, Jewish Ghetto & Trastevere

Rome

Half-Day Chianti Wine Experience

Florence

A Day on Lake Como: From Varenna to Bellagio

Milan

Nikola organised our private tour to Croatia. He designed our trip around the list of things we wanted to do and see and still left us plenty of leisure time to look around enjoy each of the places we stayed. Accommodation was excellent. All the guides on the private tours were very knowledgeable. I will use kimkim tours again.