Kimkim Trip Reviews

Five stars are not enough! Kimkim had everything covered for us and Eleanor was available throughout the entire period. Having a driver available picking us up at the airport and also back to the airport was a huge plus. Eleanor had everything setup for us (hotel stays, train tickets, attraction tickets, everything!!!).
Guides Ken in Tokyo, Chiyoe in Osaka, Yasuko in Kyoto, and Akie in Hiroshima were all wonderful guides and fun to spend the day with. They were all very informative.
r/
Jay

A Month in France -- everything went very well. TLDR: Highlights for me were the hotels, the restaurants gastronomique, the expos in Paris and swimming in the bay at Villefranche-sur-mer. The rooms were almost all exceptional. We had asked to be booked into Adéle et Jules in Paris and that was a bit of a step-down from the other hotels so that is on us. We remembered it as being better, but in comparison to the others, it was not. Breakfasts were also all great. The nights full of sirens at Le Terrasse made it difficult to sleep when jet lagged and it was impossible to get onto the rooftop cafe near sunset. The room and breakfast were awesome though -- the view was stunning. All the tours were great although I didn't buy any of the wines (I drink a lot of Bordeaux and NorCal wines so I'm spoiled.) We did buy a bottle of champagne as a gift to my French teacher though! Highly recommend the day trip to Reims to see the cathedral and taste champagne. All the drivers were great although the pick up at CDG was around 40 minutes late. Aix en Provence hotel to the train station was also late, but there appeared to have been a misunderstanding about arrival time -- it was OK but a little stressful. Also I didn't mention how much we liked the other hotels! Lyon had an amazing location and the view from the window of the river was really something (and the closed windows were very sound proof!) The garden and food at the hotel in Aix were phenomenal -- the walk to town was not ideal, but it was only 8 euros for a taxi home and they were easy to get. The expo in Aix of Toulouse Lautrec was great too -- thanks for getting the tickets ahead of time. And finally, Villefranche-sur-mer had the best ocean view for chilling out and we spent a lot of time on the balcony. There was the little issue at check out in that they had no record of pre-payment, but the extra charge was easily cancelled when the day crew took over the front desk. As I say to my family, "No complaining on the yacht." :-) Thanks again for everything and all your help.

Isabel helped us create our dream honeymoon in Puerto Rico! She even helped us out when we were on the Island and late for excursions or needing adjustments.

We had a great trip. Our guides were knowledgeable and interesting. They helped us understand Greek history and the significance of what we were visiting. We ate well and did a variety of activities. Our group was interested in an active vacation (walking, hiking, e-biking, etc) and Gustavo was able to customize our tour to accommodate that. We preferred to spend several days in one location instead of moving hotels every day, and the way the tour was laid out that worked fairly well.

Julia and the team at Kimkim made travel planning so delightful! They were quick to respond to any questions, concerns, or needs. Having team members located in Europe made support readily available while traveling through different time zones.
Kimkim was easy to work with while in the planning stages of our trip. They gave us several options, were flexible when we chose to do our own thing, and were extremely helpful in organizing it all in the end. Making it seamless and easy for us to enjoy the journey while they planned and organized all the details of our day to day. They focused on supporting the Portuguese culture and used locals employed in local tourism, which I appreciated.
Our itinerary included travel both by train and private drivers, which often were also our guide for the day. I loved using the Kimkim app. where our schedule was simple to follow and easy to use while boarding the train or confirming a guided excursion. I never had to wonder where a ticket or confirmation number was, nor worry if I had misplaced it!
Each guide was excellent. They were knowledgeable, personable and timely, often giving additional suggestions as they got to know us. I always felt safe and respected.
Our hotels were always located in “the perfect spot”. Loving to walk, we were easily able to get to many sites and used Ubers when necessary, making it a quick and easy return.
Some of our hotel rooms were very tight for space. (Jardim da Batalha Boutique Hotel in Porto: very quaint w excellent breakfast!!) and (Hotel Oslo in Coimbra)
Not spending much time in the room made it tolerable, but a bit more space would’ve been a nice comfort.
I especially enjoyed our hotel in Evora; Hotel Albergaria do Calvario. It was an old convent that used to make olive oil. The charm, comfort and excellent breakfast it provided won’t be forgotten. The rooms were large and very comfortable!
Residence Inn in Lagos was in an excellent location, but could’ve used some updating.
All staff throughout our journey were helpful and knowledgeable!
Our last night in Lisbon we stayed at Melia Aeroporto: very conveniently located by the airport, even when schulpping luggage!

Tuk-tuk in Lisbon was a great way to see highlights, avoid crazy traffic and pedestrians, and learn about the city. We had an exceptional guide, Antonio, who went out of his way to pick us up and then drop us off where we were planning to have dinner. Highly recommend!!

Would highly recommend a day trip to the Schist Villages(not supported by kimkim yet) but easy to set up. Our guide Miguel was wonderful to spend the day with.
The coast is beautiful and a must to see. I prefer the less traveled areas myself. We went to Sintra, Peña Palace, (which was impressive) and were to follow that w Quinta da Regaleria, but our guide Louis(highly recommend!!) thought it would way too much to fit in one day, so he suggested an alternative plan which included time along the coast, which was lovely!
Lots of great memories and will highly recommend Kimkim to others!

Hotel Reviews

Jardim da Batalha Boutique Hotel by Shiadu

Porto

Rooms are small but it has a quaintness to it, has an excellent breakfast and the staff were awesome!!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Very helpful and always pleasant with a greeting!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Rooms very tight for space

Hotel Oslo Coimbra

Coimbra

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Albergaria do Calvário

Évora

Excellent place to end and start your day!! Comfortable and very spacious room, excellent staff, breakfast, and the charm is lovely!

Authenticity & Character

Great historical place.

Location

Staff

Eye pleasant. Were able to leave luggage prior to room availability.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Exceptional!

Residence Lagos

Lagos

Authenticity & Character

Location

Very close to everything!

Staff

No staff generally seen except for morning kitchen staff.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Needs a little TLC.

Meliá Lisboa Aeroporto

Lisbon

Had a lite diner which was likely the worst food of my time in Portugal. Disappointed, when there wasn’t much for other options. Breakfast buffet looked excellent however! Nice job with that!!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Self-Guided Vila Nova de Gaia Port Lodges

Porto

Enjoyed our ramblings through the ups and downs of this city.

Douro Valley Day Trip with Wine Tastings & River Cruise

Porto

Enjoyed our two winery stops, the views, and drive through the countryside.

Quality of Experience

Great wine tastings in a beautiful place.

Food

Our lunch stop was very tasty.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

All were exceptional and very knowledgeable.

Transport

Private Exploration of the Costa Vicentina - Hiking on the West Coast, Lunch & Coastal Sightseeing

Lagos (Algarve)

Fun easy hike with beautiful views while learning about the area.

Quality of Experience

Food

Local! 🤗

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Great guide, Joan,(John) that made the day enjoyable, relaxed and informative.

Transport

Timely, text with updates.

Ponta da Piedade Kayaking Adventure

Lagos (Algarve)

Unfortunately, due to large swells and changing weather, this got canceled.

Quality of Experience

N/A

Guides, Drivers and Staff

I got a text regarding the weather change and the need to cancel or reschedule our kayaking adventure. Humberto reached out to me as soon as he was aware of the adverse weather to see if we could reschedule, but unfortunately, we weren’t able to do so. I appreciate their willingness, efforts and also knowledge in regards to the safety of their clients!! On my bucket list list for next visit.

Transport

N/A

Although my wife and I are experienced travelers, we felt we needed help in planning our trip to Norway. We engaged the Kimkim team to assist in planning and are very glad we did! The team solicited our input as to what things we wanted to do and see on our trip. From there, they booked the hotels, travel and excursions for the six day trip. The hotels were all very nice, especially our waterfront room at the Flåm Marina Hotel. Breakfast was included at each stop which was convenient. All the travel and connections were flawless. The excursions provided by the Kimkim team exceeded our expectations. We enjoyed the private sauna experience in Flåm as well as the waterfall hike, which we would have overlooked if we had booked things ourselves. We had walking tours in Oslo, Flåm and Bergen, and our guides (Minji, Luis and Thomas respectively) were friendly and knowledgeable. As it was off season in Norway, we were in small groups which made for a more intimate and casual experience. All of our tickets, confirmations and vouchers were stored on the Kimkim app which made for easy access. The team was also very responsive and available by chat whenever we had questions. Overall we were delighted with the trip and highly recommend Kimkim as a travel planner!

Hotel Reviews

Flåm Marina

Flåm

Small hotel, situated on the waterfront in Flåm. The staff was very friendly and we had beautiful view of the fjords and mountains right from our deck! Only a five minute walk from the Flåm railway.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Right on the water

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Det Hanseatiske Hotel

Bergen

Right in the harbor area, one block from the Mount Floyen funicular. Close to everything! Friendly staff and rustic charm.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotell Bondeheimen

Oslo

Ten minute walk from the train station and from harbor. Friendly staff and pleasant accommodations.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Private Floating Sauna Experience - Flam

Flåm

Lot of fun! This is not something we would have booked ourselves but glad we did! Floating sauna, 192 degrees F, water was 46 degrees F if you dared make the plunge!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Viking Valley Njardarheim (enterance tickets included)

Gudvangen

Interesting re-enactment of Viking life. As it was off-season, there were not many people around, but those that were, were friendly and knowledgeable. We got to shoot the bow and arrow as well as learn axe throwing. Our visit included a 45 minute guided tour in English which touched on aspects of Viking life back in the day.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Waterfall Hike & Stegastein Viewpoint Experience

Norway

Luis, our guide, first drove us to a lookout atop a mountain overlooking Flåm. The views were glorious! Then he brought us on an approx 4km hike up to a waterfall, which was also very pretty.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Luis was a good guide!

Transport

Essential Oslo Walking Tour

Oslo

Minji, our guide, was very friendly and knowledgeable. As it was off season, my wife and I were the only ones in the group, so we had a private tour!

Quality of Experience

Food & Culture Walk

Bergen

Our guide, Thomas, was friendly and knowledgeable. We had a number of stops and discussed some of the cultural and historical aspects of Bergen.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Karla did a great job putting together an itinerary for our one week Ecuador trip. Transfers, hotel check ins, and activities were all well coordinated. We enjoyed a large variety of activities and a combination of private and group day trips, as the itinerary encompassed highlights of the central part of the country. If you are excited to travel, but not about the planning, Kim Kim is a good choice!

We couldn’t have asked for a better experience for our once-in-a-lifetime mother-daughter trip than our Immersion Morocco tour. Our driver, Ahmed, was reliable, punctual, informative, funny, fun, and thoughtful. After 11 days and almost 2000 kilometers and many hours of sharing each other’s music and trading stories about families, sports, everyday customs and courtesies, it felt like we parted as friends who’d learned a lot about each other’s country.

Aside from some weather-related changes in itinerary, everything ran smoothly. All the hotels were lovely and in good locations for further exploration on our own. The city guides were professional and knowledgeable and added much to our understanding of what we were seeing, whether historical sites or architecture or everyday life in souks and villages. We really did feel “immersed” especially when we were welcomed into homes for home-cooked meals (always better than any restaurant) and a memorable excursion through a Rose Valley village.

We had tried to prepare for the trip by reading about Morocco but nothing came close to the detail and nuances we gained from Ahmed, our city guides, and just getting ourselves off the beaten path.

We highly recommend Morocco Immersion to anyone and will definitely use them again if we are lucky enough to return (which we DO plan to do someday!).

Our trip to Patagonia was all that we had hoped for and more. We not only took an amazing cruise but visited areas that others rarely get to see. Our trip to the Marble Caves stands out. It was a challenge to get there but well worth it. Luis, our driver, was excellent. 65Had basically came down to details from our original trip not being set up for our eventual trip. 2 times drivers were expected to pick us up and 2 times they had the wrong timing on their information and we were left stranded. Marcela however, always got the issue fixed. We had a few difficulties with drivers/guides unable to speak English, but we were always able to figure it out.
My favorite part of the trip was our 2 days Puma hunting. Our guide and driver did an outstanding job and we saw 2 Pumas.

Activity Review

Photo Safari Puma Tracking

Patagonia

I really enjoyed this portion of the trip. We spotted 2 Pumas on our 2nd day. They were very far away but it was thrilling nonetheless. It became a bit tedious when we travelled the same area over and over but I know they were looking in the best spots.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Eleanor was absolutely stellar. She planned an amazing trip for us that surpassed our widest expectations. She was responsive, helpful, and generous with ideas and suggestions. She is a star.
Our accommodations were all fabulous, particularly the Ryokan in Naishima, the hotel in Kyoto and in Wakka.
All of the guides were great, but our Hiroshima guide was truly outstanding.

Hotel Reviews

Naoshima Ryokan Roka

Naoshima

This ryokan is outstanding! It is probably the most amazing place I have ever had the pleasure of staying. The location is perfect for accessing art on the island, and the tranquil 8 room setting, replete with private baths in the room, is wonderful. The meals are exquisite, with perfectly prepared Japanese delicacies in artful presentation. A nice in a lifetime experience.

Authenticity & Character

This is a serene and sophisticated ryokan in a tranquil setting. Every need will be catered to.

Location

The hotel is in walking and biking distance to The New Museum and to the art houses in town. Complimentary electric bicycles and shuttle service are available on site.

Staff

The staff is courteous and will meet your every need.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Stunning, spacious rooms with private baths overlooking beautiful outdoor areas.

Wakka

Ehime

The location of this beautiful hotel is perfect. Located on the water, the views are stunning and the food is amazing. We stayed in one of the 8 private large separate units that included a hibachi dinner on the porch of the unit. It was one of the best meals f our trip.

Authenticity & Character

The tranquility of the location and the meticulous service are outstanding.

Location

This hotel is in an exquisite location on the water. The views are beautiful.

Staff

Lovely, helpful staff who go above and beyond to provide the guest with a comfortable experience.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Kyoto Umekoji Kadensho - Private Bath Facility

This hotel provides an upscale and authentic experience. Tatami mats throughout the facility ensure cleanliness and tranquility. The baths are large and lovely, and the food is excellent.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Located across from a train station with a five minute ride to central Kyoto.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Full Day Miyajima Island and Memorial Park Tour

Hiroshima

This is a must-do experience for any visitor to Japan. The Peace Museum is a moving and profound experience. I will never forget it, and I believe every visitor should experience it in order to fully appreciate both history and human behavior.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide was fantastic. She had a comprehensive understanding of Japanese history, culture, and Japan’s historical importance.

Transport

Pros: nice hotel, great driver (Reach) and guide Sen Soeu. Soeu had a very pleasant demeanor and knowledgeable.
Cons: we would have liked to know before that we were going in to really poor areas. Also it would have helped to know when and how much to tip at each stop.
Lastly we were not happy that you could have gotten us a Visa express back in Saigon.

I normally don't use a tour company, but I was so grateful for Eleanor's help guiding me. She was very patient, flexible and knowledgeable. She was great working with us to get the trip within our price point and she had really good suggestions about where to stay, what to see and what to do. She guided us every step of the way and our trip turned out to be great. We want to give a huge shout out to our tour guide Seiya Maegawa. He was awesome and really made Kyoto come alive.

We spent 3 nights in Tokyo and found the city exciting and generally easy to navigate. Our tour guide Toru was knowledgeable and helpful. The 1/2 day group was fun also. 2 nights in Hakone with a stay at Hakone Hotel Kajikaso, a vey nice place with in room pool or public onsen baths. The are is mountainous and very quiet. Quite crowded at lake Ashi but fantastic stroll on the old Tokaido trail to mountain side tea house. 2 nights in Takayama, a cute old city area and very nice compact old village area Hida in sato that is walkable from the hotel. 2 nights in Kanazawa with village visits Asako on the way there then a city tour with Nicola. Both guides were excellent and full of knowledge. 4 nights in Kyoto with a great second day tour with Yasuko. The old Gion area and Arashiyama area were very crowded, go early in the morning. The train station has a light show in the evening between the 4th and 10th floor that is near the food courts and exceptional. The day to KIX airport we stopped at Osaka castle and found that well worth the visit. Overall the trip was a great learning experience, Suica cards, subways, trains, buses and a great deal of walking. Have fun

Esteban was an exceptional guide! He was flexible, a wealth of knowledge and fun to be around. Esteban was professional and provided us a great experience in Guatemala!

I'd like to thank Mayra and the team she worked with to coordinate a very smooth experience on our Argentina trip. The coordination of hotels, domestic flights, transfers, guides, tours, etc all worked very well. I traveled with our two sons and they also enjoyed this trip. Thanks again

Hotel Reviews

Dazzler by Wyndham Polo Hotel Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires

Courteous staff, nice breakfast options, central to Buenos Aires

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Rochester Bariloche

San Carlos de Bariloche

Breakfast delivered to the room; beautiful view of the lake. Staff very helpful.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Private Northern Buenos Aires Exploration & Childhood Memories

Buenos Aires

Our guide, Valeria, was extremely knowledgeable. In a few hours, we covered a lot of sights in Buenos Aires. My thanks to her.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Navigation to Victoria Island with VIP Cabin

Bariloche

Knowledgeable staff; we highly recommend the VIP Cabin which made the trip extra special

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Majid did a phenomenal job planning our wonderful adventure in Morocco. He patiently listened to everything we wanted, thoughtfully refining the itinerary until we somehow managed to fit it all into our nine-day trip!

We were greeted at the airport by Hamid, our enthusiastic and amiable escort for the first few days as we explored Marrakech and the Agafay Desert. In Marrakech, we stayed at Riad Idra, an unbelievably beautiful and enchanting riad tucked inside the Medina and a fantastic home base for exploring the city. Our Marrakech guide, also named Hamid, was exceptionally knowledgeable and showed us all the highlights of the Medina, followed by an amazing evening food tour. We even ate snails!

Next, we headed to Alkamar Camp in the desert for a magical camel-riding and overnight glamping experience that was truly once in a lifetime.

From there, we were met by Ziad, who would be our driver for the majority of the trip. I cannot say enough wonderful things about him. Kind, attentive, and incredibly thoughtful, Ziad took care of us like an older brother every step of the way. He even came to pick us up from dinner one evening in Chefchaouen when I was simply too tired to tackle all the stairs!

Our next stop was Rabat, where we were guided by Osman, a native of the city who really brought it to life for us. He introduced us to all the major sights as well as some of his favorite hidden gems. We spent the night at The View Hotel, which was a luxurious and comfortable place to stay.

From Rabat, Ziad drove us to Fes, where we stayed at Palais Amani, another beautiful and charming riad. We especially enjoyed the hammam and the wonderful mint tea that greeted us upon arrival. Our one suggestion would be for kimkim to try to secure a larger room for two friends traveling together, as our room was a bit on the small side. Our guide in Fes took us to so many fascinating places, including workshops where local artisans create beautiful ceramics, which was a particular highlight.

Finally, we made our way to Chefchaouen, the enchanting Blue City. Our guide there was wonderful and introduced us to the many talented artisans and craftsmen who make the city so special. We stayed at the Taj Hotel, which was lovely, although it involved quite a climb up many stairs. If possible, we would recommend that future travelers be accommodated somewhere a little more centrally located within the Medina.

We were truly sad to say goodbye to Morocco after such an incredible adventure. Every destination offered something special, and the people who helped us along the way made the experience all the more memorable. From Majid's thoughtful planning to the wonderful guides, drivers, and accommodations, the entire trip was exceptional.

We would wholeheartedly recommend Majid and kimkim to anyone looking to plan a Moroccan adventure. You will be in wonderful hands!

Our driver Younesse Bouabid was outstanding. We can’t say enough good things about him. He shared insights and was always on call if we needed anything or had questions.

My wife and I have just completed an amazing trip to Portugal, using KimKim to help plan our 21 days there. Before I go any further, I want to say how invaluable the KimKim app was during the trip. Everyday’s itinerary was easily accessible, with the names of hotels, guides, drivers and their contact numbers.

We had many excellent guides and a few really stood out. Our Lisbon’s walking tour guide, Pedro A. impressed us with his historical and cultural knowledge of the city, plus it was exciting to have a shot of Ginjinha at 11 in the morning. In Porto, Carlotta guided us about and showed us the most important site in the city, the hospital she was born at. Carlotta also does food tours and directed us to a delicious dinner and a great evening of conversation with the owner. Our tour of the Douro Valley with Pedro was exceptional, with wine, port and olive oil tasting. Our tour guide to Peneda-Gerês National Park was a spunky woman named Inês. She joyfully led us on trails ending with beautiful waterfalls and a small village with a traditional lunch. On Madeira our rental car was waiting for us to explore the tropical island on our own. We hiked with Margarita through lush forests to beautiful waterfalls. Paulo, a professor of biology and geology, educated us about the world of cork production.
Hector and Espiritu Travel exceeded our expectations with the itinerary he designed from our initial thoughts for Portugal.
KimKim will be at the top of our list when planning our next trip

We had an incredible experience with the KimKim service. The personal touch, individual attention to our specific wants was much appreciated. Our tour guides were very experienced, friendly and very accommodating. We cannot thank you enough. Our trip to Hakone was exceptional, our Architectural Tour Guide in Gion was entertaining and filled us with a sense of awe. Our self-guided day that you planned for us in Arashiyama was the best experience.
I cannot thank you enough. I will not hesitate to use your services again on our next adventure.
I know you did not orchestrate our last impression of Mount Fuji as we flew away, but I kind of think you had a hand in it.

Activity Reviews

Kyoto’s Traditional Beauty & Samurai Heritage Experience

Japan

This was a great tour. We not only toured Kyoto and was awestruck with the temples and shrines but traveling via, trains and local buses was a lot of fun.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

A Day in Tokyo: Tradition, Culture, and City Views with Tsukiji Outer Market

Tokyo

This particular tour was exhausting. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable but was very tired and less enthusiastic as the day went on.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hakone Exploration with Mt. Fuji Views & Volcano

Japan

Chun was over the top awesome. This day goes down as one of our favorite days ever.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tokyo Night Foodie Tour in Shinjuku

Tokyo

Our tour guide was a college student who was very friendly and personable but the attractions that he took us to was not appreciated. Having said that the two sites we went for dinner were very good, where we had dessert- was a miss.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Ginza Architecture Walking Tour

Tokyo

This tour was exceptional. The explanations and history behind these iconic buildings in Gion was incredible. Our tour guide was incredible, he had an iPad to provide visuals and extra reading material if we were interested.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our trip to Portugal was fantastic! Julia and Summer did a great job setting everything up and communicating throughout the process. Everything flowed smoothly, and we had the nicest people as tour guides and drivers. I have already highly recommended Kimkim’s to a few people, and will continue to do so. Thank you all for a wonderful experience.