Kimkim Trip Reviews

My overall experience of the trip, starting with planning it, was wonderful. Rajat, with infinite patience, organised my sentimental journey to India down to the smallest details according to my admittedly demanding expectations ('demanding' in the sense of the number of things that had to be squeezed into the seven-days long time frame, and the distances involved). From the exit to the city at Indira Gandhi Airport on 23.10 to the passing of the boarding gate in the opposite direction on 31.10 guides and drivers were always there together with their spacious, comfortable Toyotas. I saw and tasted everything I had looked for, and more, even though – as I had been warned beforehand – Delhi has changed past recognition: only historical monuments, including Lutyens' New Delhi, are what they were sixty and fifty-five years ago (but not their surroundings: e.g. what they've done to our then favourite spot, the Hauz Khas, is a crime).

My warmest thanks go in the first place to those who escorted me the longest: Narendra, wonderful both as a driver and as a companion, especially during our five-hours long voyage from Agra to Lucknow, and Hemant, an exemplary guide, knowledgeable, helpful and tactfully enduring idiosyncrasies of his know-it-all charge; but so were Piyush in Lucknow and Bhati in Udaipur/Chittorgarh. I was less satisfied with Hemant’s substitute during my second day in Delhi, who apparently did not know all the particulars of my excursion. The trouble with the guide who took over from Hemant during the second day in Agra was of different nature: he was doing his very best, but, though normally I have no problem whatsoever with the Indian pronunciation of English, I understood very little of what he was saying and vice versa, which led to some misunderstandings.

The hotels in Delhi (the first three days) and Lucknow were exactly as I had specified – decent rooms with decent baths, no luxuries – with those in Agra and Udaipur above the specification, especially the former. The only one below was the Taurus Sarovar Portico Hotel in Delhi: poor service, thanks to which I never had my Goodbye India dinner, and musky smell in my room which made sleep all but impossible.

Apart from these slight hiccups the trip was a great experience, a tribute to the professionalism of the KimKim team. I was especially touched by the way you handled my skipping the planned lunch at Karim’s in Old Delhi. I skipped it as a well-known tourist trap to avoid another disappointment after the disastrous culinary experiences in other celebrated places, including my once favourite original Moti Mahal, the day before, and considered the matter closed: it was my conscious decision, even though while making it I was not aware that the meal was to be paid by KimKim, not me (the guide in my opinion was not aware of it either). Lo and behold: on our way to Agra I learn that you decided to stand me another in a place of my choice. The best of it all was that the lunch we had at a place near Fatehpur Sikri, recommended by Hemant, was one of the best meals I had during the whole trip. Thank you!

Sticking to the culinary matters – after all, it was this aspect that first drew my attention to KimKim – apart from the heavenly biryani in Lucknow, I had the tastiest meals off the beaten paths. Apart from that place near Fatehpur Sikri, I think especially of the New Minar restaurant in the Greater Kailash area in Delhi close to my hotel and the vegetarian restaurant in Chittorgarh recommended by Bhati (a great surprise to the staunch carnivore I am).

Pedro & the team exceeded our expectations in every way possible. We had the most beautiful and amazing honeymoon ever, we were able to navigate through all activities and days with minimal stress because of how engaged the team and Pedro were with us. Outstanding experience all the way around.

Hotel Reviews

The Lumiares

Lisboa

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Jardins do Porto

Porto

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Estoril Vintage Hotel

Estoril

Absolute paradise! Staff members & overall service was out of this world!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Explore Sintra's Fairytale Villa with a Private Driver and Pena Palace Tickets

Portugal

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Unveiling Douro Charm on a Small Group by Land, River and Rail

Portugal

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Pedro and the whole team were such a blessing to work with on our honeymoon. Both before and during the trip they were very thorough, very detail oriented, and gave great reminders, recommendations, and just overall exceptional communication if we had questions or needed to reach out for whatever reason. Overall 10/10 experience and would recommend to anyone!

Hotel Reviews

The Lumiares

Lisboa

Beautiful hotel. Easy to navigate. Outstanding service! Great location in Lisboa with everything you could want or need close by.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Estoril Vintage Hotel

Estoril

Best experience I’ve ever had. Breathtaking property and views from the property. The service was more than amazing. We literally did not leave the hotel and we wish we could have stayed longer. So classy, so relaxing, so perfect. I have no complaints and it’s hard to put in words how special it was to stay at Estoril Vintage. Everyone from the staff was outstanding but Paulo might have been our favorite to interact with.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Jardins do Porto

Porto

Great stay, great staff, great location, beautiful room. Wonderful experience staying at Jardins. Would recommend to anyone!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Unveiling Douro Charm on a Small Group by Land, River and Rail

Portugal

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Explore Sintra's Fairytale Villa with a Private Driver and Pena Palace Tickets

Portugal

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

This is our second trip using Kim Kim and Mathilde and I can't wait to for our next one. Our trip was stress free. The attention to detail is excellent. The only issue that we had for this last trip was the rental car agency. They ended up charging us $900 for services that I said no too at the time of pick up (I recorded the conversation with my phone). I tell you this so you can find another car rental place to deal with. Those guys are crooks.

What an amazing two weeks! Three longtime friends traveling through Morocco together was already going to be special, but Kimkim and Morocco Immersion made the experience even better than we imagined. I had previously used Kimkim for a trip to Patagonia and had such a great experience that I was confident using them again. They certainly did not disappoint.

Our itinerary took us through Rabat, Chefchaouen, Fes, Merzouga and the Sahara Desert, Dades Valley, Marrakech, Essaouira, and Casablanca. It was the perfect combination of organized experiences and free time, allowing us to see and experience so much while never feeling overly scheduled. We stayed primarily in riads, and the accommodations selected for us were excellent and added so much to the Moroccan experience.

Our driver Ahmed deserves a special shoutout. He was with us for 10 days and was simply wonderful. He kept us laughing, took great care of us, and made all those hours on the road part of the adventure rather than just transportation. By the end of our time together, it felt like we were traveling with a friend. He truly had a wonderful impact on our entire experience.

Nihad, our planning coordinator with Morocco Immersion, was fantastic as well. She was incredibly responsive to our requests and created an itinerary that was just right for us. We also spent a great day with Omar, who drove us to Casablanca.

One special memory was having the opportunity to spend time with Abdou and Sharon, the owners of Morocco Immersion, and their friends over a wonderful couscous lunch at their kasbah.

From the initial planning through the execution of the trip, everything was handled beautifully. It was seamless and stress-free, which allowed the three of us to simply relax, enjoy, and experience the beauty, culture, food, and hospitality of Morocco.

Thank you to Kimkim and the entire Morocco Immersion team for giving three longtime friends an unforgettable adventure!

This was my first time using Kimkim and I was nervous about all the details working out. However, I needn't have been concerned. Bryan did an excellent job helping me choose all the activities and arranging all the handoffs. We enjoyed so many fun activities: white water rafting, jungle cruise, farm tour and dinner, zip lining, ATV ride, jungle hikes, chocolate and coffee tour, night tour and geothermal pools. The on-ground support had been promised and I was delighted to find that the crew I worked with during the vacation was just as helpful and responsible as Bryan. All of our transitions were seamless and we were very pleased with our guides. The only thing I wish we had skipped was the bird watching tour because it was raining pretty hard and the tour guide didn't seem too excited to be hosting us. The townhouse they booked for us was really nice and came with a personal chef who cooked us amazing breakfasts each morning! Thanks Kimkim, Bryan and the crew on the ground!

This was our first KimKim experience and it didn’t disappoint. The drivers who transported us between locations were always on time and definitely made our trip easier and more efficient. The guides were all amazing and SO knowledgeable about environment, history and culture of their country and the region we were visiting. Only one guide was disappointing- the food tour in Buenos Aires- while she was very friendly she was not well versed on culinary traditions and did not take us to the last two events promised on the itinerary.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Magnolia Boutique

Buenos Aires

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Poincenot

El Chalten

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Sierra Nevada

El Calafate

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Pampa Lodge Quincho y Caballos

Torres Del Paine

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Costaustralis

Puerto Natales

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Alma Sur

Punta Arenas

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Casa Galos Hotel & Lofts

Valparaíso, Cerro Alegre

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Ismael

Santiago

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Buenos Aires City Tour

Buenos Aires

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Buenos Aires Traditional Argentine Food Tour

Buenos Aires

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Full Day Private Tour of Lago del Desierto

El Chaltén

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

My wife and I have journeyed widely but had never used a travel service before. We may never again travel without relying on KimKim. They designed a 16 day trip that took our group of eight from ancient Athens to the white-clad cliff edge villages of Santorini. We learned to cook Greek cuisine, sampled wines to be found nowhere else in the world, kayaked the volcanic shoreline, snorkeled through a sea cave, climbed the highest summit in the Cyclade islands, were treated to al fresco breakfasts overlooking the sparkling blue Aegean, and sailed the sea at sunset. We stayed at unique and beautiful hotels, walked the quaint streets of a small fishing enclave and relaxed in a spa large enough for us all. We enjoyed fish fresh from the sea and ate from the very olive trees that had fed locals since the time of Christ.

Reviewing the chats over the course of the past 18 months, I am awestruck by the KimKim team's attention to detail, suggestions on itineraries, willingness to make changes, care in making all arrangements, and saving our collective trip in the face of unforeseen weather delays. Special thanks to Siena for planning it all, Lea for insuring the transportation and hotels were in order and scrambling to make changes when weather interrupted our plans. Kate, Chinh, and Wanjaria for stepping in to answer our questions and the group as a whole for allowing us all to enjoy our time in Greece carefree while they did all the work on our behalf.

Most of our guides were exceptional, especially Helen, our Athens Historian guide, who provided a very informative walk through the Acropolis. On Santorini, Hercules explained the wine culture unique to this island. We explored Milos with Daphne, from the hillside where the Venus de Milo (Aphrodite of Milos) was discovered, to the catacombs and small fishing village below. David led a windy hike up Mt. Zeus one day, then returned the next to lead us through sea caves by kayak.

Travel with the help of KimKim was unlike any travel we have ever done before. We were pampered, watched after, and cared for so well we can't imagine ever vacationing without their help again.

Judy helped us plan a 14 day Japan holiday for a family of 7 with ages 11 , 16, 26, 47, 50 , 57 yr old
It was a 4 centre holiday Tokyo , Hakone , Kyoto and Osaka
We booked our own hotels separately but Judy arranged transfers and guides and booked some events for us - e.g. Samurai stable , Gyoza cooking lesson , Shibuya Skytree, Samurai museum - that we had to make our own way to via public transport or walking but with the Suica card that was manageable . All the things she booked for us were excellent
Before the trip Judy was very quick with her responses to our many detailed questions and very quick to advise and adapt the itinerary when we changed from a 17 day trip to a 14 day trip . We felt very confident in her hands
When we got to Japan everything was seamless . Judy continued to be very quick to respond . The various guides and drivers she’d arranged WhatsApped us the day before we were meeting them with times and other details . We felt very well looked after .
The Kyoto guide (Yuki ) and driver ( Shu ) were particularly good . Yuki’s English was very good and she really enhanced our 3 days of Kyoto sightseeing . Shu San the driver was very very courteous - he was always dressed smartly and got out to open the door and shelter us with his umbrella every time we left the car!
It is difficult to pick a favourite moments from the trip as I I enjoyed every minute from start to end but the following I really enjoyed but didn’t expect to as much as I did
- Teamlab planets - so much more interactive than I expected
- Tsukiji food market - one of the best food markets I’ve ever been to . The sushi restaurant recommended to us by our guide Yoshi was fantastic .
- Hakone Kowakien Tenyu hotel with private bath , particularly good for those of us who weren’t comfortable with the hotels open onsen , which btw were excellent too .
- Hakone - open air art museum . Quite a few famous artists work there including Picasso , Anthony Gorman , Henry Moore
I would highly recommend using Judy at KimKim to plan a Japan trip . The service was provided was very tailored and flexible e.g. we were allowed to book our own hotels but I’m sure Kimkim would have booked those for us too if we’d asked

George was an attentive, thoughtful professional. He listened, researched and created the perfect mix of activities for us.

Hotel Review

Anantara Chiang Mai Resort

Chiang Mai

The highest quality service I have experienced at a hotel! Excellent location as well. The river suite was stunning and a great escape from the outside world.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Very knowledgeable, resourceful and courteous

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Bangkok Cultural Tour

Bangkok

Sasha was a great guide. Very flexible and sensitive to our needs and wants.

Quality of Experience

Food

The high end restaurants were great

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Food Tour by E-Tuk Tuk:

Bangkok

The guide was great but we were leery of eating street food early in our trip. May consider a little more controlled experience for first time travelers to Bangkok. It wasn’t clear what choices were exceptional versus just there.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market

Bangkok

Quality of Experience

Food

We didn’t try much food due to a full breakfast.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Mama noi Thai Cookery School

Chiang Mai

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Half Day Morning Chang Chill Elephant Sanctuary

Chiang Mai

It was fine but a little contrived. The trail walking was a Bit more challenging than anticipated and our shoes got quite muddy

Quality of Experience

Food

Transport

Dinner on the Manohra River Cruise!

Bangkok

High quality food and smooth ride

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Late Afternoon: Temples, Markets & Food Tour:

Chiang Mai

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Cheeva Spa - The Tranquility Package

Chiang Mai

Quality of Experience

Transport

Evening: B Samcook Home16

Chiang Mai

Probably the highlight of the trip. Great food, owner engagement and celebratory atmosphere!

Quality of Experience

Food

Exceptional dining experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

MIA Dining Experience (Michelin Star)

Bangkok

High service quality and innovative food experience

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Christine was very helpful in helping us create an itinerary that accommodated our needs. She took all our ideas into consideration and helped us plan the perfect trip!

Hotel Reviews

ENA Suite Hotel Namdaemun

Seoul

This hotel was great. The staff was very kind and helpful and the room was perfect.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Shilla Stay Busan Haeundae

This hotel was beautiful! The room was a little small, but overall a great experience.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Explore Seoul Highlights

Seoul

This was such a fun day! Seeing the palace was especially wonderful. We loved learning about the culture of Seoul from our amazing tour guide, Jung.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Jung was amazing. She was so knowledgeable and catered to our needs, which at times was hard because we traveled with our 3 month old. Jung was so accommodating and kind! Our driver was also very kind and transported us safely.

Transport

Discovery of Gangnam: K-Star Road, Garosu-gil, and COEX Mall

Seoul

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Busan Highlights: Culture, Nature, Local Life & Cafe

Busan

We loved our time in Busan! We had an amazing tour guide, Sunni, who helped us see so many incredible things in the short time we had there. She was so knowledgeable and very accommodating to our needs.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Family Felxible Day in Seoul with Seoul Forest

Seoul

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Relaxing & Flexible Time with Seoul Korea Temple (with 8-hour Private Car & Driver Service)

Seoul

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our trip was amazing and we loved the people and all of the places we visited. We had some minor glitches with checking in, including the wrong hotel name and address on the Kim Kim platform and differences in the checking in names on the reservations. We would have like more transparency in the room size; especially for the 3 nights or more in some of the cities we stayed in. Couple of hotels in the big cities, Tokyo and Osaka, the rooms were really tiny and it was difficult to walk around in the room with our suitcases and no closets to hang our clothes or put away our suitcases. Perhaps this could have been discussed with the perspective clients. The locations of the hotels in the 3 big cities were great and we were close to the metro stations. It was a bit difficult getting around on our own and we were glad to have a guide from the first day who bought our ticket and helped us navigate. For any tourists who isn't use to mass transportation, it is definitely worth hiring an English speaking guide to help get around. Taxis are pretty expensive so if you have a lot of suitcases, it's worth pre arranging transfers from the airport, and train station to the hotel. We had a couple of outstanding guides. Anna in Hong Kong and Hiro our guide for Osaka. Both were excellent and really made the tour extra special. We loved our Hakone stay, wonderful Ryokan and Japanese Teppanki dinner as well as the Buddhist monastery. If your guests can afford it, one more night stay would be recommended for either place. The weather was lovely in Mt Koya so we really enjoyed easy walks throughout the area. There were some nice cafes and restaurants in case your guests don't like vegetarian meals. We loved the Osaka aquarium which we found out later is the largest aquarium in the world. I would recommend that as an alternative to Nara. I heard from some of my friends who have been to Nara that they weren't crazy about Nara. However, we had bad weather so Nara that day was not an option. Food was very reasonable in Japan and even in the big cities. The best breakfast was the one in Ten-yu and the hotel in Kyoto. The breakfast in Osaka and Tokyo were ok. If any of your guests are going to H.K, I would highly recommend the Langham at Tsimsha Tsui . The hotel is a 5 star hotel and very reasonable for what you get. The breakfast is very expensive...38.00 usd per day, but we went to a local coffee shop and had breakfast there. Do not recommend Macau if your guests aren't interested in gambling. It was disappointment and the lunch at the casino wasn't great. However Lantau island is very relaxing and well worth it.
In all it was a great trip and Shona did a great job!!

Hotel Reviews

Karaksa hotel grande Shin-Osaka Tower

Osaka

The rooms were a bit small. But location was about a 5 minute walk from the train station.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Great location. Close to the train station and shopping

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

莲华定院 (Ren'gejo-in Temple (Pilgrim's Lodging))

Beautiful decor! Amazing room. Bedding very comfortable considering we slept on the floor.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Keisei Richmond Hotel Tokyo Oshiage

Great location, but rooms were small. We wish we had upgraded to a slightly bigger room. Having no closets made it difficult to maneuver in our rooms. Many of the staff did not speak English; however some had a portable translator. Across the street at their sister hotel, above was an amazing grocery store. We bought snacks and some Japanese Sake.

Authenticity & Character

The hotel staff were very nice and we loved the Onsen.

Location

We were across from the Sky tower metro. We went to the top one evening to see the night skyline.

Cleanliness & Comfort

All of the Japanese hotels were very clean. I think we had one problem with the Kyoto hotel only.

Hakone Kowakien TEN-YU

Hakone

Amazing 5 star hotel or Ryokan. Not sure which it was. But very authentic and wonderful Onsen. It was so relaxing. We didn't see much of the area since we didn't check in until 3pm and the weather was terrible, cold and rainy but perfect for the Onsen.

Location

Great location. Beautiful decor, excellent staff.

Staff

They were all nice and very professional.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very clean and we only had one problem in that there was a stain on the sheets and they came right away and changed the bed.

Sakura Terrace -Adult Only

We loved their welcome cocktail. I had the best plum wine there. The room was very small only 19 sq. meters. We asked to upgrade and Shona did that right away at her expense. I highly recommend this hotel if you can upgrade to a larger room.

Authenticity & Character

Great location and wonderful amenities. Free cocktail welcome drink, nice Onsen.

Location

It's close to the train station. However it was difficult to find the hotel. Especially for an older couple, it would be worth hiring someone to meet them at the train station and helping them with their suitcase. It's worth the extra costs and probably a lot cheaper than a taxi.

Staff

The Japanese staff were so polite and helpful.

Cleanliness & Comfort

We upgraded to a bigger room. Our bathroom had a bit of a musty smell but I think it just needed a room deodorant.

Mitsui Garden hotel Gotanda Tokyo

Tokyo

Authenticity & Character

Location

My least favorite of all the hotels. However it was close to the airport.

Staff

Activity Reviews

Hong Kong Island Half-Day Classic Tour by Public Transportation

Hong Kong

We enjoyed Anna. She was great and very easy going and informative.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Kowloon Classic Half-Day Tour by MTR

Hong Kong

It was very enjoyable seeing the shrine and how the Buddhist worshiped.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Anna our guide for both the half day tour of Hong Kong and Kowloon was wonderful.

Transport

We loved the size and quality of the vans for our pick up.

Adrian was very helpful with planning our trip to Ireland. Everything went very smoothly and having everything booked and arranged in advanced made the whole vacation very easy and relaxing. Overall would recommend both Kimkim and Ireland.

Hotel Reviews

Randles Hotel Killarney

Co. Kerry

Great room and vibe, staff were great, breakfast was delicious. Only downside was the wifi.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Trinity City Hotel

Dublin 2

Great service, nice room, good breakfast, ok wifi.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Hyde Hotel

Galway

Once again great staff and room, finally had half decent wifi. Only downside was the limited breakfast menu.

Authenticity & Character

This place has a great vibe.

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Stauntons on the Green

Dublin

Authenticity & Character

Location

Depends. For us it was a bit of a hike from our car drop off location.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Didn't care for the bed here, only place I didn't sleep well.

Activity Reviews

Dublin Private Walking Tour

Dublin

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Galway Food Tour

Galway

Excellent food tour, more food than expected, skip breakfast.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Ferry to Inis Mór (Ferry Only - Return Trip)

Ireland

On the off season for tourists the island was pretty dead. Very scenic but difficult to make a full day out of.

Quality of Experience

Transport

Jameson Experience Tour Premium Whiskey Tasting

Ireland

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guinness Storehouse Connoisseur Experience

Dublin

Way more interesting than expected

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Halloween in Galway (Macnas + City Atmosphere)

Galway

Quality of Experience

Cliffs of Moher Visitor Center tickets

Ireland

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Walk with Wolfhounds

Ireland

Probably one of our favorite experiences of the whole trip. Guides were great. Dogs were great. More history and interesting than I expected.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Visit to Kyteler’s Inn: Medieval Pub with a Witchy Past!

Kilkenny

Sounds very interesting on paper, really just a good pub to stop at for some fish and chips, still good, just not as spooky as we'd hoped.

Quality of Experience

The trip was wonderful. Just what we wanted. Kudos to Hector.

All guides were interesting, informative, and gracious. This included tapas tours, city tours, and museum tours.

All drivers were pleasant, helpful, and on time. They all arrived a few minutes early to insure we left at the appropriate time and this was especially helpful.

The hotel was perfectly situated in the heart of Madrid. It was very "Spanish", which is what we wanted. We were able to walk almost everywhere.

We had a last minute canceled train reservation due to a transit strike, the day of our trip to Toledo. Kim Kim was with us all the way by text. When it became clear that the train was finally going to be cancelled, they arranged for a driver to take us back and forth to Toledo. He arrived within an hour of the cancelation. They coordinated with our guide in Toledo. The transition was seamless. We had a wonderful day.

How a travel agency responds to challenges is the true test of the quality of the agency. Kim Kim performed like a champ. They exceeded expectations. We will definitely use them again and recommend them to our friends.

Activity Reviews

Walking Madrid’s Old Town

Madrid

Guide was interesting, informative, and friendly.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We started the tour right from the hotel. That was awesome.

An Excursion to Toledo by Train, Guided Walk

Madrid

The tour was wonderful and the guides lunch recommendation was excellent.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The driver was flexible. We wanted to leave an hour early and he obliged. He was also very willing to pull over for photos.

Masterpieces of the Prado Museum: A Private Experience From Velázquez to Goya

Madrid

The guide was very knowledgeable and gave us exactly the tour we wanted. We asked for the highlights of the museum and she delivered with great enthusiasm and interesting insights and details.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

N/A

Tapas & Tradition: A Madrileño Evening

Madrid

We especially enjoyed the small size, and the enthusiasm and knowledge of the guide. We experienced a wide range of tapas and Spanish beverages.

Quality of Experience

Food

My favorite was the tapas at the first restaurant and trying the Spanish Vermouth that was served on tap.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

N/A

When I began making plans for a trip to the Philippines, I began looking on the Internet for options, Since our visit would be limited to one week, it seemed we could divide our visit between two places. Kimkim offered a private tour and our contact, Angela, suggested ideas that were suited to our interests and our ability (since we are 80+ years of age!). What Angela made it easy and we have been very happy with the tour. She followed through each day too to be sure everything was going well.
All the guides (Anthony, Jonathan, Kat) were on time meeting us and did great jobs of answering question. Our drivers also did a good job of navigation the traffic! They were knowledgeable and incredibly thoughtful to plan all the details for our tour. We felt we were very well cared for!
Manila was interesting for the history and the Fairmont Hotel was excellent! They even offered so many choices of pillows! Everyone was friendly and helpful. The breakfasts were excellent!
The Shangri-la was excellent and offered so much -- also excellent breakfasts!
This has been an excellent trip! We have traveled the world and the Philippines has the friendliest and most helpful people!

Hotel Reviews

Fairmont Makati

The pillows were wonderful -- so many choices! Breakfasts were excellent and the rooms were so thoughtfully furnished.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Shangri-La Mactan

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Cultural Dance Show with Dinner in Manila

Manila

This show began at 7:00 PM but we were told to come at 7:00 PM -- and dinner was served at 6:00 PM! We had to eat while watching the show.

Food

Transport

Margoth and the entire team at Alcantaro (the local travel agency) were fantastic from start to finish. My family of four (me and my wife, 16 y/o daughter, 13 y/o son) spent 4 days and 3 nights in Cartagena at the start of November.

- Planning and booking our trip was easy. We quickly agreed on the activities we wanted to do within our budget - and our hotel was in a perfect location in the Old City.
- We had two different experiences at El Arsenal in Getsemani - they were among the highlights of our trip. We made (and ate) ceviche. And then we came back another day to sample exotic fruit and then make (and eat) ice cream. The staff was so kind that we also got to learn how they make chocolate - and sample plenty of it too. Plus, my wife and I sampled some rum at the end.
- We spent a day in the Rosario Islands. The boat trip was as advertised (just over an hour each way), and the snorkeling was fun - very pretty coral reef.
- We also really enjoyed our visit to the castillo and La Popa (at the top of the hill).
- Every meal that Margoth arranged was great. Some of our favorites include: (1) Crepes & Waffles, (2) Cande, (3) Alma, and (4) Juan del Mar.

Review notes from Karen (other travelers may add opinions and/or have different feedback):
Let me first say that having the pre-trip planning support from Marii was extremely helpful and the 'real-time' availability of support from the KimKim team was invaluable at critical points in our travels! Many Thanks!

It was frustrating at times when the itinerary in the KimKim app was not updated with changes. Also, trying to find specific information between the app and WhatsApp was often confusing for me. It would be optimal if there was one platform to access for updated information as we travel.

We had some spectacular guides! In particular, we appreciated Mario on our first full day in Tokyo as he helped navigate the first full day of getting around the big city. How quickly I forget the names of other guides - but in Tokyo, they were very good. Sumo Stables and Wagyu Beef tasting were fun!

My favorite guide was in the Mt. Fuji area, Lewis, who was quite knowledgeable of the area and very relatable. Both accommodations in the area were wonderful; especially with the private onsens.

On the other hand, we found the Geisha District Walk tour disappointing and the guide ineffective in sharing any information of interest. For the Nara & Kyoto tours, Kazu was attentive and knowledgeable.

I was a bit disappointed with the Miyako Hotel in Kyoto. Although in a good location, it was really busy, crowded and not so comfortable for four nights.

A highlight for all of us was the Kimono Tea Ceremony. Despite a very rainy day, we enjoyed dressing in kimonos and learning about the traditional tea ceremony.

Yuka, our guide in Osaka, was efficient - perhaps walking a bit fast for our pace.
The bullet train to Hiroshima was a great experience!
My time touring the war memorials was a bit difficult for me due to personal reasons but I'm glad to have visited there.
The guide, Hasshi, was pleasant and helpful with train tickets but less effective in relating about the history of the area.

And finally, we would not recommend repeating the Cooking Class - at least, not with the person leading ours. We enjoyed seeing the market but it went downhill from there. The young man was clearly not a chef nor had much cooking experience.

Overall, we had a terrific and memorable visit to the wonderful Japanese culture. We could not have organized and experienced it without the much-appreciated assistance of KimKim. Arigato gozaimasu

We are new this year to organized tours and this trip is by far our best ever. Planning from the start through the end of the trip was a personally tailored and very professional experience. All of the details were handled by Erin with Dittmar Adventurers, and during the trip additionally by Dania. We loved that on each travel day all of the transfers happened smoothly. The excursions were all perfect for us!!! The Rapa Nui history of the Moai and the beauty of the island, and laid back vibe was a perfect start to our vacation. In Puerto Varas our guide Juan, so knowledgeable about the local area and a lovely person to spend 3 days with-hiking the Osorno volcano, the forest, biking around the lake, and an amazing day at a local farm and restaurant with Cornelia. The farm to table experience was definitely a highlight. In Punta Arenas we had a kayaking and boat excursion with dolphins that was so awesome. Claudia and Nicolas and their team are so fun. Hiking with our guides Diego and Josefa in Torres del Paine was an adventure and so beautiful, the views are stunning. We had a second day in the park with Andres and Juan, and did a big loop all around with a focus on wildlife- Condors, Guanaco, an Armadillo even!!! and so many different birds, short hikes to waterfalls, glaciers and icebergs!! We got back to Puerto Natales and had dinner at El Guanaco, a special mention because this was an amazing meal. The Octopus (the sauce it is plated on is memorable) and ribeye were perfect. All of the recommended restaurants we tried were delicious, included in our itinerary. We had a day at a Patagonian Ranch, Estancia, with Tomaś…another not to be missed. We ended in Santiago and had asked to do food and wine things here…we visited 4 wineries, with Casa Lapostolle being the absolute don’t miss. Their red wines, at every price point are amazing. Next we really enjoyed Montes- the Icon wine experience is worth it!! and the lunch at Fuego de Apalta is excellent.
Part of the wonderfulness of this vacation were all of the experiences we had. An even bigger part of it was the really wonderful guides and people we met doing all of the fun stuff. I’m guessing that is one of the reasons to plan a trip with someone like Erin who knows the local area and people.
Overall an exceptional experience. I think that the extensive questionnaire in the beginning is very helpful for the them to tailor the trip to places and experiences that you will love.
This trip made us fall in love with Chilé…the people, the country, the food and wine. We will return to visit more areas💝

This is our 4th trip with kimkim, and you have always been our first choice whenever we plan a holiday. We genuinely love the service you provide, especially the quality of hotels and the excellent network of local tour guides you have.

Regarding our Japan trip, Winnie was very patient and supportive throughout the planning process. It took a little time for her to fully understand our requirements and for us to get familiar with her working style, but overall, it was a really good experience.

One area where I feel there could have been improvement is in suggesting more experiences and activities proactively. We were hoping for more unique and exciting options beyond the usual sightseeing, rather than having to research and request additional experiences ourselves. A few more personalised recommendations and suggestions from Winnie would have made the trip even more memorable. Nevertheless, I would still give her a 5-star rating for her patience, dedication and willingness to accommodate our requests.

A special thanks to Winnie and kimkim team for arranging the complimentary Sagano Romantic Train ride as a birthday treat. That was a lovely gesture and much appreciated!

The hotels provided were good, and the tour guides were knowledgeable, energetic and dedicated.

Overall, it was a wonderful trip, and we truly appreciate the efforts of the entire kimkim team. Thank you for continuing to make our holidays memorable. We look forward to choosing kimkim for our future travels as well!

Hotel Reviews

Mitsui Garden Hotel Ginza Premier

Tokyo

The hotel was peaceful and comfortable, with a lovely city-view room. The staff were very friendly and supportive. The only drawback was the limited halal, vegan and vegetarian options at breakfast. Even the omelettes were prepared using the same pan as ham and other ingredients, making it difficult for Muslim and vegetarian travellers. A separate pan and a few more dietary-friendly options would have made the stay even better.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Walkable distance to ginza shopping streets.

Staff

Very decent and helpful staff ,listened patiently to our queries.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Bed liner are changed after 3 days

La Vista Fuji Kawaguchiko

Hakone

We loved the vegetarian dinner, the beautiful views and the convenient location. The staff were polite and well-behaved, and the rooms were clean. However, we did find a cockroach on the balcony. It would also be helpful to clearly label vegan, vegetarian and halal food options, as most dishes contained pork or beef. Better dietary labelling and more suitable options would greatly improve the experience.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Rooms with Fuji views are amazing

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Mitsui Garden Hotel Nagoya Premier

Nagoya

Felt the rooms n bathroom very too tiny n the breakfast spread was not that great.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Vischio Kyoto by GRANVIA

Kyoto

Loved the breakfast spread, with plenty of options! It would be even better if halal and Muslim-friendly food items were clearly labelled and available . The room was comfortable, although the toilet was a little too small. The location was excellent, close to malls and the train station. Taxi travel can be slightly expensive due to the distance, but public transport is very convenient. Overall, a great stay, especially for the breakfast and location!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Cross Hotel Osaka

Osaka

The location was perfect, just next to Dotonbori, and the ambience was lovely. However, the room was quite small and noisy due to its location on the main street. Breakfast had very limited options, especially for halal, vegan and vegetarian preferences. While the location and ambience were excellent, the noise and limited breakfast choices affected the overall experience.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Asakusa, Harajuku & Shinjuku Highlights

Tokyo

Though this trip was helpful coz it helped us know about the train system in Japan it was a tiring journey as a lot of walking is required and we felt we could have added Shibuya also to it but time was not sufficient which was a little disappointing.

Quality of Experience

Felt we should have taken private tour rather than train as too much of walking on the first day itself of the tour.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The guide was very patient, kind, and helpful. He assisted us with the train details and was very decent and supportive throughout.

Transport

Confusing n tiring

Full Day Mt. Fuji with Lake Kawaguchi, Oishi Park and Shiraito Falls

Japan

Our guide n the driver were very good..especially the driver she drove so smooth n nice we were very comfortable guide also was very helpful n did help us with buying local farmer grapes

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

1-Day Tour from Nagoya: Kamikochi Guided Hike in the Japanese Alps

Japan

This was our dream destination,again we wish we would have got some more time here though it was tiring we enjoyed it.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Explore Fushimi Inari & Arashiyama

Kyoto

This day had a lot of activities packed in enjoyed all of it

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Special thanks to the driver he was very proactive with helping us with umbrellas while entering and leaving the car as it was raining and even the guide even though he was very old he was so energetic and kind

Transport

Special thanks and appreciation to the driver very decent and helpful.

Private Transfer from Kyoto to Osaka via Nara with Osaka Castle

Japan

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Ada did an absolutely amazing job with planning our 12 day Japan trip. We loved all the activities - sumo wresting match, sake tasting (although could use less time learning the history), TeamLabs, food tours, and all the small group and private tours. Kimiko was absolutely amazing - we had her as our guide for both Tokyo and Hakone - she was thoughtful, informative, and truly felt like we were with a friend taking us on tours in their home country. We had a great time exploring Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, and Osaka - all of the food was delicious, we did not have a bad meal. We did more private tours, which allowed us to customize how much time we wanted to spend at different areas ex. we loved Nara and were able to spend more time there and less time at Osaka Castle, which we enjoyed simply taking pictures of. We loved our hotel in Tokyo, away from the touristy areas. Kyoto and Osaka were in the tourist areas, which made it easier to walk everywhere, but felt more chaotic. Overall, would recommend KimKim (second trip with them) to plan and coordinate the trips - we didn't have to worry about anything before, during, or after the trip.

Activity Reviews

Lake Ashinoko Tour with Mt. Fuji Views

Japan

This was the highlight of our trip - we loved the ropeways to the top of the mountain, amazing views of Mt Fuji and the pirate ship across the waterway.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Kimiko was absolutely amazing! Our driver was great as well.

Transport

Loved the Alfard - comfortable car and drive into the mountains.

Asakusa Sumo Club: Sumo Show Admission with Chankonabe in Tokyo

Tokyo

This was surprisingly a great addition to our trip. We had a fun time learning and watching the match. It was very entertaining.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff