Kimkim Trip Reviews

4.8
Based on 16,760 ratings
Read 16,760 verified reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim. You can also read reviews about kimkim on 3rd party sites including Google, TrustPilot and Yelp.

Stress free trip to Norway!
Norway | Jun 18 - Jun 27, 2025

Jennifer
Jennifer W.
Dallas, TX | Reviewed on Jul 04, 2025
Our trip to Norway was planned out in steps with Alex who asked us questions and planned a trip tailored to our likes.
The trip was stress free! It was all planned with some down time in between the bigger events.
The app was easy to use and we enjoyed our tour of Norway!
I would highly recommend using KimKim!
Read more

Our trip to Norway was planned out in steps with Alex who asked us questions and planned a trip tailored to our likes.
The trip was stress free! It was all planned with some down time in between the bigger events.
The app was easy to use and we enjoyed our tour of Norway!
I would highly recommend using KimKim!

Hotel Review
Scandic Byporten
Oslo

Great location and nice hotel.

Authenticity & Character
Charming
Location
Central to Oslo and by the train station
Staff
Asked twice to have our safe reset so we could use it. They didn’t get to it
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean
Local specialist: Alex Mottler

A lovely 2-week vacation in The Netherlands
The Netherlands | Jun 12 - Jun 24, 2025

Nancy
Nancy A.
North Atlanta, GA | Reviewed on Jul 03, 2025
Had a lovely 2-week vacation in The Netherlands, primarily in Haarlem and The Hague. This was my second trip to the Netherlands and my husband's first. Every time I go, I fall more in love with the Dutch way of living! Our travel specialists, Nadine and Bas, were amazing and always helpful when we needed them. I would definitely recommend them whether you want a very organized, fully packed trip or a more laid back, open ended one. They really take good care of you! Read more

Had a lovely 2-week vacation in The Netherlands, primarily in Haarlem and The Hague. This was my second trip to the Netherlands and my husband's first. Every time I go, I fall more in love with the Dutch way of living! Our travel specialists, Nadine and Bas, were amazing and always helpful when we needed them. I would definitely recommend them whether you want a very organized, fully packed trip or a more laid back, open ended one. They really take good care of you!

Hotel Reviews
Boutiquehotel Staats
Haarlem

My favorite hotel in all of The Netherlands! Each room is unique and fanciful. The breakfast is delicious and the staff could not be more friendly and welcoming.

Authenticity & Character
Creative and unique
Location
Just 2 blocks from the train station and 3 blocks to the historic district
Staff
Kind and welcoming
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel des Arts
Amsterdam-Centrum

Building dates back to the 1700s. Charming and quaint, it is in a great location. About one block from the (spotless) metro. Convenient to seeing many sites in Amsterdam. Friendly staff.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Mai Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Beijers
Utrecht
Authenticity & Character
Beautiful! Each room is unique in it's own way.
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Due to the historic nature of the hotel, there is no AC. Probably not an issue for some, but just know this when you are making your plans.
Activity Reviews
Public Transport Pass Amsterdam
Public Transport Pass Amsterdam
The Netherlands

Can't live without this! Makes travel within the country so easy!

Haarlem - cycling to the beach
Haarlem - cycling to the beach
The Netherlands

The bike culture in the The Netherlands is the envy of the world and for a good reason!

Quality of Experience
Local specialist: Nadine Hikisch

Our interactions with the team including Cath...
Ireland | Jun 17 - Jun 27, 2025

K
karen h.
Boston, MA | Reviewed on Jul 03, 2025
Our interactions with the team including Cathy and Stephen were most positive. Stephen provided wonderful support in the planning and he and Cathy were most helpful in trouble shooting when we had issues.
Our walking tours were exceptional in Dublin, Kinsale and on Achill Island. The tour guides were extremely open to questions and in engaging with us. We learned so much from them.
Read more

Our interactions with the team including Cathy and Stephen were most positive. Stephen provided wonderful support in the planning and he and Cathy were most helpful in trouble shooting when we had issues.
Our walking tours were exceptional in Dublin, Kinsale and on Achill Island. The tour guides were extremely open to questions and in engaging with us. We learned so much from them.

Hotel Reviews
Castle Hotel
Dublin

This hotel was more than adequate and in a great location. The breakfasts were amazing and the staff helpful

Authenticity & Character
Older hotel but well preserved
Location
Easy to walk around the city
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The room was a little crowded and warm but we had a fan.
Granville Hotel

Lovely older hotel

Authenticity & Character
Nice older hotel. Large rooms and very comfortable
Location
Close to everything we planned to explore
Staff
One of the managers went out of his way to help
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very comfortable
The Montenotte
Cork

The hotel looks wonderful. When we arrived we were welcomed by staff. However the room was a disappointment. We could hear the band playing and I called the desk after 11 and they responded in a way that was not very helpful. Also the room was obviously a smoking room and had a strong cigarette smell. We were moved the second night

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Designate smoking rooms, deal with the noise from the music late at night
Foley's Townhouse Killarney
Killarney

Great location, comfortable room and friendly staff

Authenticity & Character
Location
You can walk to restaurants and music. Great parking on premises
Staff
The people were helpful and friendly
Cleanliness & Comfort
Wyatt Hotel Westport
Westport

Great location in the center of town. Easy to walk to the Westport house

Authenticity & Character
Well run , comfortable rooms
Location
Staff
Front desk staff. Very short stay for ud
Cleanliness & Comfort
7 Cross Street Boutique Hotel
Galway

This was a bad experience. When we were shown the room I noticed ear plugs and when I asked about the noise issue the response was that it should be ok for a Wednesday night. The yelling on the street and the music was so loud and did not end until after2. The street cleaners started at 5:45 AM

Authenticity & Character
The rooms were so tiny and uncomfortable
Location
Do not book a room
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Cleanliness fine- lacked comfort
Local specialist: Cathy Geoffroy

Amazing Trip
Peru | Jun 19 - Jun 29, 2025

Phillip
Phillip W.
Atlanta, GA | Reviewed on Jul 03, 2025
Luis was exceptional. He gave us his undivided attention every moment of every day we were with him. His knowledge of the history and culture of the Cusco/Sacred Valley region facilitated extremely education experiences, and his energy kept us active and ensured days full of adventure. Though we spent less time with them, our guides in Lima and the Altiplano were wonderful too. Read more

Luis was exceptional. He gave us his undivided attention every moment of every day we were with him. His knowledge of the history and culture of the Cusco/Sacred Valley region facilitated extremely education experiences, and his energy kept us active and ensured days full of adventure. Though we spent less time with them, our guides in Lima and the Altiplano were wonderful too.

Hotel Reviews
Terra Andina Mansion Colonial
Cusco

The breakfasts and staff were very good. Unfortunately, the accommodations left quite a lot to be desired. The room was very cramped, had no windows or other means of ventilation, and was way too warm at night. There was no room for unpacking luggage. The bathroom smelled of sewage. The hot water was unreliable. And, the soap and shampoo dispensers remained empty, despite our requests that they be refilled. The building has a beautiful interior, but we would opt for a Motel 6 over such an uncomfortable facility.

Authenticity & Character
Beautiful colonial interior
Location
Close to main square, market, and other attractions
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Cramped. Sewage smell. Hot at night. No window or other means of ventilation.
Urubamba Ava Valle Sagrado Spot
Urubamba

Beautiful rustic hotel with great staff. Unreliable hot water and no bathroom ventilation.

Authenticity & Character
Pleasantly rustic
Location
Close to town and restaurants
Staff
Great staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very comfortable except for lack of hot water and bathroom ventilation
Sonesta Posadas del Inca Puno
Puno

Beautiful view, great staff, good restaurant, comfortable room. More modern than our other accommodations while in Peru.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Lakefront with mountain view
Staff
Very helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Jimena Salazar

Fun in Greece
Greece | Jun 18 - Jun 29, 2025

M
Margaret M.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Jul 03, 2025
Athens- problems w Gatsby hotel but kimkim issues a partial refund which was great. Mythology tour of acropolis with Michael was stellar. Hotel in chania was so unique, great hospitality and delicious breakfast. Cretan cooking class was way too long and food not so tasty. Samaria gorge and guide was fantastic. Should have told us to bring flip flops for beach at the end because sand was very hot. Knossos and guide fantastic. Added wine tasting since not much else to do in Archanes. Loved... Read more

Athens- problems w Gatsby hotel but kimkim issues a partial refund which was great. Mythology tour of acropolis with Michael was stellar. Hotel in chania was so unique, great hospitality and delicious breakfast. Cretan cooking class was way too long and food not so tasty. Samaria gorge and guide was fantastic. Should have told us to bring flip flops for beach at the end because sand was very hot. Knossos and guide fantastic. Added wine tasting since not much else to do in Archanes. Loved hotel and the restaurant below in Naxos. Loved e-bike tour. Overall loved this trip.

Hotel Review
Domus Renier Boutique Hotel
Chania, Crete

Great view and amazing breakfast.

Authenticity & Character
Historical
Location
View
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Siena Mueller

Best trip of our life! Sarah was thoughtful,...
Croatia | Jun 20 - Jun 26, 2025

Kate
Kate P.
Seattle, WA | Reviewed on Jul 03, 2025
Best trip of our life!
Sarah was thoughtful, responsive, and thorough. With only a few brief conversations, she totally nailed planning the perfect, customized trip for my husband and I. I’d you are headed to Croatia, you need to talk to Sarah!
Read more

Best trip of our life!
Sarah was thoughtful, responsive, and thorough. With only a few brief conversations, she totally nailed planning the perfect, customized trip for my husband and I. I’d you are headed to Croatia, you need to talk to Sarah!

Hotel Reviews
Villa Split Heritage Hotel
Split

The feel of a bnb at a hotel. Everything was clean, updated, and the staff went above and beyond. Highly recommend!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Neptun Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik

If you are looking for an over the top resort, this is it.

Authenticity & Character
Big, resort style feel. Not friendly and warm like every other place we stayed in Croatia.
Location
3.5 mile walk into the old town and far from any local shops or restaurants.
Staff
Unfriendly and boarder line rude. Our key did not work multiple times and we continued to have it replaced. They dismissed our concerns and said it was because we put it next to our cell phone (we didn’t.) The ATM in their lobby stole €50 from us and they were unhelpful. They did not greet us or smile and seemed constantly annoyed if we had questions.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean and full of anything you could possibly need. You can certainly find anything your heart desires at the breakfast, as well.
Heritage Hotel Dea
Hvar

Everything was just perfect about this place! The staff were kind, the breakfast was delicious, the amenities were beautiful, and it was so clean! We can’t wait to return.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Korsal
Korčula

Excellent stay here while we were in our honeymoon. The staff was so kind, the location is an easy walk to the downtown, and the view was lovely. The amenities were clean and updated.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Private Motor Boat Excursion to Brač & the Pakleni Islands (end in Hvar)
Private Motor Boat Excursion to Brač & the Pakleni Islands (end in Hvar)
Split
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Half Day Kayaking Excursion
Half Day Kayaking Excursion
Korčula

Boris was amazing!!

Korcula to Dubrovnik (via the Peljesac Peninsula & Ston for wine and oysters!)
Korcula to Dubrovnik (via the Peljesac Peninsula & Ston for wine and oysters!)
Korčula

Our driver, George, Dobo the oyster man, and the vineyard family were some of our favorite people on the trip. So kind, we learned so much, and enjoyed each experience. **I would not recommend this for anyone that gets car sick.

Local specialist: Sarah Cosic

What an amazing trip! Martina worked closely ...
Italy | Jun 14 - Jul 1, 2025

Susan
Susan B.
Houston, TX | Reviewed on Jul 03, 2025
What an amazing trip! Martina worked closely with me to plan our trip to Italy, from Rome to Santa Margherita, to Cinque Terre, to our villa, and ending in Florence. She gave great ideas and scheduled wonderful drivers like Ileana and Simone to get us from the train station to our hotels. When our train cancelled in Pisa, Lorenzo at KimKim made sure we got picked up and got us to our hotel in Santa Margherita. We had the most amazing tour guide, Elisabetta, in Santa Margherita take us on a... Read more

What an amazing trip! Martina worked closely with me to plan our trip to Italy, from Rome to Santa Margherita, to Cinque Terre, to our villa, and ending in Florence. She gave great ideas and scheduled wonderful drivers like Ileana and Simone to get us from the train station to our hotels. When our train cancelled in Pisa, Lorenzo at KimKim made sure we got picked up and got us to our hotel in Santa Margherita. We had the most amazing tour guide, Elisabetta, in Santa Margherita take us on a beautiful walk to Portofino. And Martina's suggestion of an evening trip to Camogli was spot on. We loved watching the sunset there. Our boat tour in Cinque Terre was fabulous with Fish and Chill and the list goes on and on. Everything was thoughtfully planned and well executed. I will use KimKim again for sure.

Local specialist: Martina Venturi

Fabulous Greece adventure!
Greece | Jun 17 - Jun 26, 2025

F
Fran S.
Denver, CO | Reviewed on Jul 03, 2025
Our family had a fabulous trip to Greece! Erica took time with us to discuss what we were looking to do and created an amazing itinerary! Everything was perfectly planned from the activities to the shuttles. Thank you Erica and Lea for helping us take this wonderful vacation! Read more

Our family had a fabulous trip to Greece! Erica took time with us to discuss what we were looking to do and created an amazing itinerary! Everything was perfectly planned from the activities to the shuttles. Thank you Erica and Lea for helping us take this wonderful vacation!

Hotel Reviews
Aloni Hotel
Paros

Wonderful location and amazing staff!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Irida Luxury Apartments
Naxos

Great location, close to the sea and great restaurants, very clean, and a fabulous staff!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Elia Ermou Athens Hotel
Athens

Great location in downtown Athens. Fabulous and very helpful staff!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Marble Carving Workshop
Marble Carving Workshop
Paros

This was a really fun activity for our teenagers! Very memorable and we each left with a unique piece!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Kolymbithres Beach E-Bike Excursion with Picnic
Kolymbithres Beach E-Bike Excursion with Picnic
Paros

This was a great activity for our family! Ages 11,14 and 16. Biking the backroads of this Greek Island was very fun for all of us. The beach time and picnic were amazing. Would definitely recommend!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Old Town Food Walk
Old Town Food Walk
Naxos

This was really fun for our family! Even the teenagers had a good time. Our guide Natasha provided an amazing walking tour of the town’s history and food and the samples and dinner were fabulous!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Ancient Athens Acropolis & Mythology Walk
Ancient Athens Acropolis & Mythology Walk
Athens

Great historical walking tour! Would definitely recommend!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Erica Gerakos

Our trip to Iceland was incredible.
Iceland | Jun 14 - Jun 23, 2025

Stephanie
Stephanie B.
Canada | Reviewed on Jul 03, 2025
Our trip to Iceland was incredible. We were 6 adults who travelled the Ring Road, 2550kms in total! We were fortunate to have Gummi as our travel advisor and local fixer. From start to finish, Gummi was a great help. WE had only two issues during our entire trip and Gummi was very quick to respond and to smooth out the problems. He picked some wonderful hotels for us to stay in. Our favourites were the Hotel Ranga, Hotel Jokulsarlon, and the Hotel Husafell. He arranged for us to drive a... Read more

Our trip to Iceland was incredible. We were 6 adults who travelled the Ring Road, 2550kms in total! We were fortunate to have Gummi as our travel advisor and local fixer. From start to finish, Gummi was a great help. WE had only two issues during our entire trip and Gummi was very quick to respond and to smooth out the problems. He picked some wonderful hotels for us to stay in. Our favourites were the Hotel Ranga, Hotel Jokulsarlon, and the Hotel Husafell. He arranged for us to drive a Toyota Proace via Blue Car Rentals, which was perfect for the group. It was quite easy on fuel too. Our tours were also quite good, although the Katla ice cave is less of a cave and ore of a smaller hole due to ice melting and deterioration. All of our small tour guides were terrific. The lava cave experience in Vidgelmir was particularly fantastic. Also important were the detailed notes that Gummi provided about parking, facilities at the places we visited, and other relevant information. Our days were quite filled, and we mostly felt like we saw the main highlights of Iceland, and a bit more. That said, by the latter part of our trip, we opted not to drive around the entire Snaefellnes peninsula in order to enjoy a more leisurely day. Gummi arranged for us to experience four of the famous Iceland thermal baths. I added two more: the Secret Lagoon and the Lysulauger algae bath. For some of the group, it was their first and only trip to Iceland; for others, we will return again!

Local specialist: Guðmundur Óli Pálmason
Guðmundur Óli
Guðmundur Óli Pálmason
Local specialist in Iceland | Replied on Jul 03, 2025

Thank you for the kind words, Stephanie. I am happy to hear that you were happy with the trip and that everything went smoothly.
The Katla ice cave is constantly changing, as meltwater re-shapes the cave and its environment, I am sorry to hear it didn't compleately live up to expectations, but such is nature I guess.
It makes my day knowing that some of you are already thinking about returning! There's so much to see and do in Iceland!
Until next time!

The entire Kym Kim team did a great job. The ...
Malaysia | Jun 14 - Jun 30, 2025

B
Byron F.
Slidell, LA | Reviewed on Jul 03, 2025
The entire Kym Kim team did a great job. The things that really stood out for me personally are as follows: 1. Helen, who was one of the guides at the canopy tour did an excellent job of hanging back at the end of the line where I was struggling along because of my Parkinson’s disease. She was very encouraging and supportive, but did not attempt to push me ass doing something I didn’t want to do or wasn’t comfortable. As it turns out I did in fact cross all of the bridges on the canopy... Read more

The entire Kym Kim team did a great job. The things that really stood out for me personally are as follows:

1. Helen, who was one of the guides at the canopy tour did an excellent job of hanging back at the end of the line where I was struggling along because of my Parkinson’s disease. She was very encouraging and supportive, but did not attempt to push me ass doing something I didn’t want to do or wasn’t comfortable. As it turns out I did in fact cross all of the bridges on the canopy tour and it was amazing. On our way back we had a really good personal discussion about Parkinson’s disease, it turns out that Helen‘s mother has Parkinson’s disease as well. So we ended up talking about all of the work that the caregivers have to do to support a Parkinson’s patient in the family. It was a very real and touching discussion. I appreciated her honesty and her wellness to share.

2, on a lighter note, Layne provided a great experience of buying all the ingredients for lunch at the market and then taking him home for her and her mother with the help of several other people made us this fabulous lunch. But it was the richness of the discussion, especially with lanes, mother, who clearly is the matriarch of the family that made much so special.

3. By far, Sylvester was the biggest highlight of them all. When it was clear that I had a serious medical condition in my left eye that required immediate attention. He was on top of the situation from the beginning to the end and stayed with me and my wife, every step of the way. I especially appreciate his support from my wife. I’m not sure if she would’ve held it together if it hadn’t been for Sylvester. He made it quite clear that he was there to remove any barriers and help us get to Singapore to get medical help as soon as possible. He helped us understand, not only the policies and procedures but at times also the politics around how to get things done in the Malaysian system. He was excellent at offering a third alternatives that might help us achieve our goals quicker and better but he also let us make the final decisions. It was clear that he had management support this endeavor as no obstacle was too big for him to tackle. We will be indebted to him for the rest of our lives. As it turned out, I had a very successful surgery and the doctors expect I will recover to 90% of my vision in my left eye. Without his help, it could’ve easily been an entirely different outcome. And lastly, I want to thank Nick for developing such a caring culture in his organization and other senior leaders as well or their critical role in the behind the scenes Support of all the help that Sylvester provided to us. Of course the help was not limited to Sylvester, we got support from the office staff. The on-site staff, etc., if you ever need someone to talk about what a caring culture looks like in the action and how Kym Kym exemplified carrying culture, I would be happy to share my story and experiences with others. do some, it may not seem like that big of a deal. But letme insure you that when you lose virtually 100% of the vision in one eye and you’re not sure if it’s gonna be permanent or not. You are so preoccupied with worry and fear about the loss of your vision, that it is hard to focus on solving the immediate problems at hand to enable you to get the medical care you need. So the role that Sylvester played is not only essential because we were in a foreign land far away from home. But it was also essential because we were not in the best mental frame of mind to sort things out and make the best decisions on our own. I will be forever grateful to you and your team for the support we received which was certainly way beyond the minimum that could be expected. Please share as you see it. Thanks for everything, Byron.

Local specialist: Nick Jansen

Scotland Mother Daughter trip
Scotland | Jun 10 - Jun 21, 2025

Margie
Margie M.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Jul 03, 2025
My daughter found KimKim when she started planning our trip to Scotland. Kate worked very well with our requests, the changes while planning our 2 week trip. The accommodations were excellent in every area we visited, along with scheduling the visits to the castles, dining and transportation on the ferries. I highly recommend Kate and Kim Kim for travel planning. Read more

My daughter found KimKim when she started planning our trip to Scotland. Kate worked very well with our requests, the changes while planning our 2 week trip. The accommodations were excellent in every area we visited, along with scheduling the visits to the castles, dining and transportation on the ferries. I highly recommend Kate and Kim Kim for travel planning.

Hotel Review
Dungallan Country House
Oban

The accommodations at the Dungallen Country House was delightful. The staff was so helpful, breakfast was lovely and when we asked for lunch to take with us, it was ready when we were leaving. Gorgeous setting!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Kateryna Garkavenko
Kateryna
Kateryna Garkavenko
Local specialist in London | Replied on Jul 03, 2025

Thank you so much for the lovely review, Margie!

It makes me so happy to hear that two of you had such a great time in Scotland. I’m thrilled that everything from the accommodations to the castles and ferries went smoothly. It was a pleasure working with you to make it all come together ❤️

Dungallan Country House sounds like a fantastic spot—glad the staff took care of you and that you enjoyed the setting.

Your recommendation truly means a lot to me, and I’d be happy to help with any future trips. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you need anything!

Cheers,
Kate

Perfect Bucket List Trip to Japan - Thanks Kim Kim!
Japan | Jun 21 - Jul 2, 2025

E
Eric L.
Seattle, WA | Reviewed on Jul 03, 2025
My wife and I are celebrating our 10 year anniversary this July and I knew early on that a family of four trip to experience Japan for the first time together would be a once in a lifetime event. I knew well enough that I would not be able to plan and execute such an important trip myself so I feel so grateful that I stumbled upon Kimkim and hit the ground running. Ben was my wonderful trip planner and from the first interaction, he was so extremely helpful and patient with my 1,000s of... Read more

My wife and I are celebrating our 10 year anniversary this July and I knew early on that a family of four trip to experience Japan for the first time together would be a once in a lifetime event. I knew well enough that I would not be able to plan and execute such an important trip myself so I feel so grateful that I stumbled upon Kimkim and hit the ground running.

Ben was my wonderful trip planner and from the first interaction, he was so extremely helpful and patient with my 1,000s of questions and itinerary changes. I wanted this Japan trip to be something that would be relatively stress free for me and my wife but also contain a variety of activities and experiences that our entire family would enjoy. Working with Ben to plan the entire trip was such a breeze. Despite having never worked with a planning company before let alone with Kimkim, I felt completely at ease and comfortable with Ben's recommendations and suggestions.

Every part of the trip was designed and planned wonderfully. From the meticulous selection of amazing hotels across the spectrum of Japanese styles (ryokan, onsens, apartment-style, mountain resorts) to all the fun hands-on activities for adults and kids alike (sushi-making, samurai museums, sumo shows, etc), this was a trip that none of us will ever forget.

And I would be remiss without mentioning our incredible tour guides, Peter and Ursula. Peter was so on task and schedule with us during our Tokyo days and he was so patient and gracious with our children throughout the tours. I can't count how many times he and I would be carrying my napping daughter still in her stroller up and down various train station steps over multiple stations and transfers. He never failed to take care of our every need in this unfamiliar place. We had zero stress with Peter around that allowed us to soak up the joy of the experience 100%.

Ursula was our amazing tour guide (and pseudo member of the family) in Kyoto/Osaka. Our family hit it off with Ursula right from the get go and she was always so flexible with our minor changes in scheduling and events as we did our best to adapt to our children's energy levels and attention spans. The extremely hot weather in Japan also put added pressure on everyone but both Ursula and Peter were always ready to lend a hand and make sure we all stayed healthy and happy throughout.

This trip was planned as perfectly as I could have imagined and I owe Ben/Peter/Ursula/Kimkim a huge thank you on behalf of my entire family. The next time we want to take another adventurous trip, I would not hesitate for one second to work with Kimkim again. I also highly recommend Kimkim to anyone who wants to plan a milestone trip like ours without the hassle and stress.

Thank you again Kimkim team! Until we meet again!

Eric, Wanee, Easton, and Esther

Local specialist: Ben Tanaka
Ben
Ben Tanaka
Local specialist in Japan, China | Replied on Jul 03, 2025
Dear Eric, Wanee, Easton, and Esther, Thank you so much for your incredibly thoughtful and heartfelt message. Reading your kind words truly made my day — it was a real joy and honor to help craft such a special journey for your family’s 10-year anniversary celebration. I'm thrilled to hear that the trip brought so many unforgettable memories to your family and that both Peter and Ursula helped make your time in Japan smooth, meaningful, and filled with joy. Your trust and openness... Read more

Dear Eric, Wanee, Easton, and Esther,

Thank you so much for your incredibly thoughtful and heartfelt message. Reading your kind words truly made my day — it was a real joy and honor to help craft such a special journey for your family’s 10-year anniversary celebration.

I'm thrilled to hear that the trip brought so many unforgettable memories to your family and that both Peter and Ursula helped make your time in Japan smooth, meaningful, and filled with joy. Your trust and openness throughout the planning process made it such a pleasure to work together.

Thank you again for allowing us to be a part of this milestone trip. I hope we can cross paths again someday for your next exciting journey — whether to Japan, China, or somewhere else magical in the world.

Wishing you all continued love, laughter, and adventure!

Warmest regards,
Ben

Well-planned trips adds joy to your journey.
Indonesia | Jun 25 - Jul 1, 2025

Raman
Raman K.
Pakistan | Reviewed on Jul 03, 2025
We came across kimkim while planning the trip to Bali. The website was thoroughly designed to cater our travel needs. I decided to move on and give it a try.
I was more intrigued by the prompt responses and excellent guidance by the local specialist, Priscilla. Her responses and understanding of our travel needs was spot on. She dealt us in very professional way and also helped us with the scheduling of our payment ,making it easier for us. The itinerary was exceptionally well-planned,...
Read more

We came across kimkim while planning the trip to Bali. The website was thoroughly designed to cater our travel needs. I decided to move on and give it a try.
I was more intrigued by the prompt responses and excellent guidance by the local specialist, Priscilla. Her responses and understanding of our travel needs was spot on. She dealt us in very professional way and also helped us with the scheduling of our payment ,making it easier for us. The itinerary was exceptionally well-planned, allowing us to experience the best of the island's beauty. The accommodations and transportation were also excellent, adding to the overall comfort of our journey. Throughout our journey, Priscilla and her team were available for guidance on whatsapp group. We never felt unattended ,even for a second in Bali.
Highly recommend.
Raman.

Local specialist: Priscilla Puteri
Priscilla
Priscilla Puteri
Local specialist in Jakarta | Replied on Jul 03, 2025

Hi Raman and Family,

Thank you for your kind words, it truly means so much to us! We hope the experiences and memories you’ve made will always bring a smile when you think of them :)

Stay happy and healthy! And know that you always have friends here in sunny Indonesia :) We are always ready to welcome you back and help you discover even more of what our country has to offer.

With warmest regards,
Priscilla

Everything was perfect and top notch quality....
France | Jun 12 - Jun 26, 2025

Cole
Cole C.
Denver, CO | Reviewed on Jul 03, 2025

Everything was perfect and top notch quality. Extremely pleased

Local specialist: Emilie Dubreuil

An Unforgettable Adventure
Ecuador | Jun 14 - Jun 28, 2025

Dana
Dana W.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Jul 02, 2025
My daughter and I spent two weeks making memories for a lifetime in Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands. The folks at Kimkim provided a fabulous itinerary that allowed us to experience so many different aspects of this wonderful country and its people. Perhaps the best thing they did for us was to find a superb driver and guide, Cristobal Cabezas, who accompanied us throughout our journey and offered valuable historical and cultural insights along the way. He introduced us to many gastronomical... Read more

My daughter and I spent two weeks making memories for a lifetime in Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands. The folks at Kimkim provided a fabulous itinerary that allowed us to experience so many different aspects of this wonderful country and its people. Perhaps the best thing they did for us was to find a superb driver and guide, Cristobal Cabezas, who accompanied us throughout our journey and offered valuable historical and cultural insights along the way. He introduced us to many gastronomical specialties--such as guinea pig (cuy), and (more to our taste) local ice cream and chocolate. Cristobal took us places that most tourists would never see, and helped us appreciate the many beautiful and interesting places we went in Ecuador. Some highlights included taking a cable car up to Pichincha, one of the volcanoes that surround the capital city of Quito. The views from the top are spectacular, and it was fun to dangle over the valley on a swing that is a short way up the mountain, available to all who are willing to climb a bit in the oxygen-depleted air. Another highlight was the cooking class that was arranged for us. We tasted fruits that we didn't know existed and learned how to make some traditional--and delicious--food that we can enjoy again back at home with the recipes from our meal. One of our favorite spots was Maquipucuna Reserve, a lush, verdant, privately controlled preserve in the cloud forest that made us feel like we were in a different world. Our only regret was that we were able to spend so little time there--it would have been nice to be able to explore the maze of pathways longer and relax in the beautiful lodge. We got to bird watch in Mindo, where we caught glimpses of toucans, parrots, and many other brightly colored species of birds. In Mindo we also went on a night hike with a knowledgeable guide who pointed out numerous critters of various shapes and sizes and genuses--scorpions and fireflies and other insects, as well as nocturnal birds and mammals. After spending a couple of days in the cloud forest, we spent a morning at the vibrant, colorful market in Otavalo, which featured every indigenous handicraft imaginable of exquisite quality--blankets, scarves, jewelry, ponchos, tablecloths, clothing, and more. Again, we wished we had had more time to spend there. We easily could have spent a full day wandering the stalls and inspecting the artisanship and skill of the artists and vendors there. As wonderful as all of our excursions in Ecuador were, the Galápagos Islands offered an entirely different and even more spectacular adventure. On our various expeditions we learned about the blue-footed boobies, frigate birds, penguins, sharks, sea turtles, iguanas, sea lions, and of course, the giant tortoises that inhabit the islands. The islands abound in wildlife of countless varieties, and none of the amazing creatures that we saw seemed to be afraid of humans. We were cautioned to not touch, but they paid little attention to us as we gawked and marveled at the abundant flora and fauna on these amazing islands. Overall, we had a fabulous adventure, thanks to the excellent care of our Kimkim hosts!

Hotel Reviews
Vieja Cuba
Quito

Pleasant and clean, although the rooms were quite small (cozy). Very friendly staff.

Sisakuna Lodge
Mindo

The rooms were spacious, but the shower was not even lukewarm, and I don't think the sheets were clean.

Hotel Acoma
Otavalo

Small room and bathroom with the worst shower imaginable, alternating scalding and frigid water. One plus was that it was very quiet.

Capitan Max B&B
Puerto Ayora

Lovely rooms and host. Clean, comfortable, and great location.

Hotel La Laguna
Puerto Villamil

Located right across from a lagoon where flamingoes hang out, it is a lovely, comfortable, clean hotel with a friendly, helpful staff. Enjoyed this hotel more than any other on our trip!

Activity Reviews
Kayaking & Snorkeling at Las Tintoreras
Kayaking & Snorkeling at Las Tintoreras
Galapagos Islands

There was no kayaking, but the snorkeling was interesting, and we saw some beautiful and fascinating animals.

Papallacta Hot Springs & Spa
Papallacta Hot Springs & Spa
Ecuador

The hot springs are great, but the best part of this excursion was walking one of the beautiful paths up to a waterfall, through some of the most stunning landscape imaginable. Lovely!

Quito Cooking Class
Quito Cooking Class
Galapagos Islands

Our cook and teacher, Dennis, was fabulous. We loved the food, which was plentiful, and the instruction was accessible and fun. One of our favorite activities!

Ride the Cable Car to Pichincha Volcano
Ride the Cable Car to Pichincha Volcano
Quito

Wonderful view of Quito and beautiful trail up to the volcano (although we didn't go the whole way). Loved swinging on the swing at the top!

Maquipucuna Reserve
Maquipucuna Reserve
Ecuador

Paradise on Earth. Not to be missed! Such a beautiful place! The trails were delightful, the lodge was gorgeous, the food was delicious, but the best part is the story of the couple who started acquiring land for this exquisite preserve. One of the most beautiful and tranquil places we have experienced anywhere.

Transfer to Quito Airport, Arrival to Galapagos & Highlands of Santa Cruz
Transfer to Quito Airport, Arrival to Galapagos & Highlands of Santa Cruz
Galapagos Islands

Daniela, our guide, was so kind and informative. The tortoises were everything we had imagined they would be! A fascinating excursion that brought to life everything we had read about the Galápagos.

Excursion to an uninhabited island
Excursion to an uninhabited island
Galapagos Islands

Nesting season for the blue-footed boobies--they were everywhere! We were able to get quite close to them, and they seemed quite unbothered by our presence. Amazing!

Snorkel at Los Túneles
Snorkel at Los Túneles
Ecuador

Wow! Otherworldly terrain and extraordinary access to amazing sealife while snorkeling. Definitely a highlight of our trip!

Night Walk in the Cloud Forest
Night Walk in the Cloud Forest
Ecuador

We had an excellent guide who could find nocturnal critters in the darkness that were absolutely amazing!

Local specialist: Paul Cisneros
Paul
Paul Cisneros
Local specialist in Quito | Replied on Jul 03, 2025
Hi Dana, Thank you so much for your kind words about our team! I’ll make sure to share them with everyone so they know how much you enjoyed their company during your trip, especially with Cristobal, who I’m sure became a friend to both of you. I’m really happy to hear that you connected with our culture and our people, and that you were adventurous enough to try new flavors… even cuy, haha! I’m sure you’ll be able to recreate those delicious recipes you learned in the cooking class once... Read more

Hi Dana,

Thank you so much for your kind words about our team! I’ll make sure to share them with everyone so they know how much you enjoyed their company during your trip, especially with Cristobal, who I’m sure became a friend to both of you.

I’m really happy to hear that you connected with our culture and our people, and that you were adventurous enough to try new flavors… even cuy, haha! I’m sure you’ll be able to recreate those delicious recipes you learned in the cooking class once you're back home.

Hearing about your experiences in Quito, Mindo, the Maquipucuna Reserve, Otavalo, and the Galapagos Islands truly made me happy, and knowing you shared it as mother and daughter makes it all the more special.

I hope you’ll be able to visit us again soon and explore those places you didn’t get to see this time. I also truly appreciate your feedback about the activities and hotels; it’s incredibly helpful for us to keep improving our services.

Wishing you all the very best!
A big hug from your friends in Ecuador, 🤗
Paul

Our trip was amazing! Start to finish. Kate w...
Scotland | Jun 22 - Jun 30, 2025

M
Megan M.
Boston, MA | Reviewed on Jul 03, 2025

Our trip was amazing! Start to finish. Kate was super helpful and enthusiastic. Great network of guides and drivers. The ability to personalize our trip was key. Will use Kim Kim again!

Local specialist: Kateryna Garkavenko

Summer fun in Italy was fantastic
Italy | Jun 22 - Jul 2, 2025

M
Michael E.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Jul 03, 2025
We had a wonderful experience with Kimkim and Travel12. Tasos was exceptional and insured all details for the trip were meticulously planned. Everything was run professionally and couldn’t have been smoother. Valentina was the best way to start on the golf cart tour of Rome. She is terrific. The colosseum and forum tour with Giuseppe was great with a ton of information. Every driver we had took great care of us all around Italy. The highlight of the trip was a tour of Cinque Terre with... Read more

We had a wonderful experience with Kimkim and Travel12. Tasos was exceptional and insured all details for the trip were meticulously planned. Everything was run professionally and couldn’t have been smoother. Valentina was the best way to start on the golf cart tour of Rome. She is terrific. The colosseum and forum tour with Giuseppe was great with a ton of information. Every driver we had took great care of us all around Italy. The highlight of the trip was a tour of Cinque Terre with Elisabetta, the best guide we’ve experienced! It was entertaining watching the glass blowing in Murano and the tour of Venice and St. Marks with Nico was a perfect ending to our trip. Would certainly recommend each of these excursions and the overall experience. Thanks

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Palazzo Guadagni
Florence
Authenticity & Character
Busy terrace lounge at night
Location
Noisy square. Close walk to the ponto vecchio though
Staff
Friendly staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Palazzo Vannoni
Levanto
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Olimpia
Venice
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Capo d'Africa—Colosseo
Rome
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Tasos Mylonas

The trip was amazing! All pick-ups, train ti...
Norway | Jun 21 - Jun 30, 2025

L
Lea Marie C.
San Diego, CA | Reviewed on Jul 02, 2025

The trip was amazing! All pick-ups, train tickets, excursions, worked like clockwork. The city tours were awesome. Both guides were very knowledgeable. The only item I would have changed was the seafood dinner in Bergen. The restaurant offered either a 5-course seafood meal or shellfish extravaganza. If given a choice I would have preferred the shellfish.
Thank you KIMKIM and Alex, Nick, and your whole team.

Local specialist: Alex Mottler

Amazing Portugal trip
Portugal | Jun 1 - Jun 9, 2025

Bonnie
Bonnie W.
Flagami, FL | Reviewed on Jul 02, 2025
The food tour in Porto was amazing and the CoolTours Sintra day trip is a must do. Kim Kim plans a great trip! Read more

The food tour in Porto was amazing and the CoolTours Sintra day trip is a must do. Kim Kim plans a great trip!

Hotel Reviews
Casa dos Lóios by Shiadu
Porto

Great service, clean and excellent location. They also had an amazing breakfast.

Authenticity & Character
Location
You can walk to many of the main sights and there are plenty of places to eat within walking distance also.
Staff
Everyone was very friendly.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Costa D’Oiro Ambiance Village
8600-544

Love the location and the very spacious rooms.

Authenticity & Character
Location
We could walk to the main plaza with many shops and restaurants.
Staff
Everyone was very friendly.
Cleanliness & Comfort
MeraPrime Gold Design Hotel
Lisbon

Great location but small rooms.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Easy walking distance to many sights, hotels, and shops.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The rooms are the typically smaller size rooms in the older areas of Europe. It was safe and clean.
Activity Reviews
Explore Porto's Culinary Scene and Bolhao Market
Explore Porto's Culinary Scene and Bolhao Market
Porto

One of favorite tours ever! We loved everything we tried and the guide was great.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Discover Sintra and Quinta de Regaleira
Discover Sintra and Quinta de Regaleira
Lisbon

An amazing tour and amazing sights. I would recommend this tour to anyone. Rui was our guide and he was phenomenal.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Beatriz De Pablo Rocha

Serendipity+ kimkim: the Best Week Ever.
Costa Rica | Jun 14 - Jun 20, 2025

Barb
Barb K.
Dallas, TX | Reviewed on Jul 02, 2025
Going to Costa Rica has always been a dream trip. Serendipity not only made that dream come true- they created the perfect trip for us. The entire trip was smooth as glass. My husband and I are very independent travelers, so handing our travel reins over to Serendipity was a leap of faith. They came through in every way. Every hotel, meal, activity was carefully curated & fined-tuned to suit us perfectly. Thank you Bryan from kimkim! We had a busy schedule but it was paced intelligently,... Read more

Going to Costa Rica has always been a dream trip. Serendipity not only made that dream come true- they created the perfect trip for us. The entire trip was smooth as glass.

My husband and I are very independent travelers, so handing our travel reins over to Serendipity was a leap of faith. They came through in every way. Every hotel, meal, activity was carefully curated & fined-tuned to suit us perfectly. Thank you Bryan from kimkim! We had a busy schedule but it was paced intelligently, and every activity and hotel stay was easy and effortless. Wilman from Serendipity was accessible always- responsive, cheerful, professional, and thoughtful. I would not only recommend Serendipity to anyone considering Costa Rica, but we will definitely use them again. I am impressed by the friendliness and professionalism of this company.

I cannot say enough positive things about Serendipity. They made our trip perfect and effortless, and it the most fun, perfect week.

Learning about and experiencing all things Costa Rica is something every adventurer should consider. When you go, you'll love it even more by using Serendipity's team.

Barb in Austin

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Lomas del Volcán
Fortuna

A private bungalow, in Paradise. Right under a volcano. What's not to love! The best b'fast, quiet and beautiful.

Authenticity & Character
Very Costa Rican!
Location
Easy access to everything.
Staff
Over and above, every one!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Immaculate
El Mangroove, Autograph Collection
Playa Hermosa

Very comfortable but elite, in a good way. Perfect pool. Perfect food.

Authenticity & Character
Everything is gorgeous
Location
Right on the BEACH!
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Immaculate!
Celeste Mountain Lodge
Bijagua

The best views. Ever. No comparison- from anywhere we've stayed. Beautiful!

Authenticity & Character
Very Costa Rican!
Location
Perfect, close to everything
Staff
Professional, friendly, helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
EcoTermales Hot Springs & Meal
EcoTermales Hot Springs & Meal
Arenal/La Fortuna

Very fun, clean, relaxing. Unique!

Quality of Experience
Food
Very delicious and traditional CR food!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Tapir Valley Nature Reserve Night Walk
Tapir Valley Nature Reserve Night Walk
Bijagua / Rio Celeste

We saw Tapirs! Very unique trip. So much to see!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The guide was amazing- very passionate about all things Costa Rica.
Rio Celeste & Tenorio Volcano Private Hike
Rio Celeste & Tenorio Volcano Private Hike
Bijagua / Rio Celeste

This place is stunning. Stunning!

Quality of Experience
We saw fascinating things all along this hike!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The guide was intelligent and so interesting!
Wetlands Boat Ride and Rum Tasting at Hacienda El Viejo
Wetlands Boat Ride and Rum Tasting at Hacienda El Viejo
Costa Rica

Fascinating experience! It took our trip to CR up to the next level of interesting facts.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
So informative! He spied things we never would have seen!
Morning Sailing and Snorkeling Adventure
Morning Sailing and Snorkeling Adventure
Costa Rica

This sailing trip was superb! My husband went snorkeling and they took me ashore to the gorgeous beach. Sand soft, water perfection!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Bryan Leon
Bryan
Bryan Leon
Local specialist in Cartago, Costa Rica | Replied on Jul 02, 2025

Dear Barb,

Thank you so much for your kind words! It was a true joy to help bring your Costa Rica dream to life. I'm so glad the trip felt smooth, personalized, and perfectly paced—it means a lot, especially coming from seasoned travelers like you.

Wilman and the whole Serendipity team are thrilled to hear your feedback. We’d love to welcome you back anytime for another unforgettable adventure.

Pura Vida!💚
Bryan

Why travelers love kimkim

Custom trips for independent travelers who are too busy to plan
Customize your trip with the help of a local travel specialist

Kimkim has handpicked the world’s top local travel specialists so you will have peace of mind and an unforgettable trip that meets your exact requirements.

Authentic travel experiences

Kimkim’s local specialists ensure that you will have the best experience based on up-to-date local insights. On top of that, the vast majority of your money will go straight to support and grow local economies.

Secure & easy booking

Once you are happy with the trip, you can easily book via kimkim’s secure payment platform.

Local support during your trip

You can always reach your local specialist with a quick message or call in case you hit a snag during your trip, or simply want some great local recommendations.