Kimkim Trip Reviews

My input was included with Rae's. Overall a very memorable and fun experience. Kimkim reduced the stress and found nice places to stay.

Hotel Review

Tulloch Castle Hotel ‘A Bespoke Hotel’

Dingwall

A very friendly and fun place to stay! We did not get to see the green lady ghost, but we had a great room...

Authenticity & Character

Location

Our of town

Staff

very friendly

Cleanliness & Comfort

good food and bar

Activity Reviews

Tickets to British Museum

London

I was glad we went, however a few hours is not nearly enough time. It would take days to see the place. I did not especially like the "layout" of the exhibits, however it was impressive.

Quality of Experience

Glen Afric, Culloden & Clava Cairns From Inverness

Inverness

Much better than I anticipated. Well worth the time. Culloden was an emotional experience.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We had a truly memorable trip. Roshan was a fantastic guide. His knowledge of everything was outstanding. He was kind and attentive. He even added in extra stops that he thought would be interesting. We really appreciated him and I can't recommend him highly enough. The initial help from kimkim was very good. All in all we had a great holiday.

Our custom trip to Croatia focused on history and local food experiences. The itinerary was well organized, and the pacing allowed us to really enjoy the destinations.
Our tour coordinator, Sara, was fantastic to work with. She handled all the planning and logistics seamlessly, ensuring everything ran smoothly from start to finish.
The local guides provided by kimkim were also a definite highlight of the trip. In particular, Petra was fun and entertaining during our wonderful tour of Plitvice Lakes National Park, and Grgo was excellent during our time in Hvar. Both were incredibly knowledgeable and added a lot of value to our experience.
I'd definitely recommend kimkim if you want a tailored trip with reliable local expertise and great support.

Our Greece trip was absolutely amazing and would not have been if Eirini wasn't helping us every step of the way. Her expertise about Greece and everything she put together for us was over the top perfect and effortless for all involved. I will be singing her praises and recommending her and Kim Kim for any travels to Greece. We could not have been happier with everything that she did and the places we stayed. Beyond expectations and loved it all.

Hotel Reviews

Althea Apartments

Pyrgos

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Limeni Village Mani

Lakonia

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Ennea Muses Rooms & Suites

Nafplio

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Urban Stripes Athens

Athens

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Acropolis & Museum tour

Athens

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The wines of Nemea tour

Nafplio

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The trip was great! The chosen activities were all good and I was very glad to have used Kimkim for the most part. I don’t like giving up control so much (control freak, obviously), but I only truly regretted it twice and kind of rolled my eyes once. They were not quick enough on getting us train tickets and we lost the opportunity for the original timing altogether (which I ended up being really glad for) and still weren’t able to get us seats together on the later time (which was not pleasant- not only was it annoying to not be next to my family, but also none of us had windows). The second thing I regretted was the first hotel- but it’s hard to say if I could have done significantly better - I did do way better on the last hotel 😮‍💨. That said- without them I would have likely not done three things that were the true highlight of the trip: one was a cruising sauna (in the end I booked this outside the Kim Kim portion of my trip myself, because due to the train timing issue they had to cancel the floating sauna they had intended for us- but I wouldn’t have booked at all probably without them putting it in my itinerary originally! The second was the Flåm train ride- what a treat! And thanks to the awful seats on the first leg of the train journey, we ended up having probably the best seats in this ‘free seating’ portion- so that worked out and was a true treat. The third was the fjord safari- super highly recommend!! It was wonderful, and we ended up having a private tour which was great. The one activity that was eye roll worthy and I regret on so many levels was the ‘dinner cruise’ in Bergen. For one, I’m sure it was unnecessarily expensive, two: at this point we had seen the fjord several times and it is definitely way prettier by Flåm and Balestrand, and three: the meal was waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too long. My 16yo was jumping out of his skin and frankly so was I- it’s just that as an adult I could hide it better. Even my husband, who does like relaxing in beautiful scenery way longer than us, was not pleased with the overly drawn out meal. I wish I had asked more about this, I would have likely taken it out. To me, dinner cruise means you’re on a boat that has food- so it was also a case of wrong interpretation by me. Overall- the trip was amazing and I’m glad I used Kimkim, but I will ask more questions next time.

Cory is an amazing trip planner!! She planned all the details of my family trip to Japan. I have a family of 5 including 3 daughters in their 20's. My family is a demanding client, but we all agreed that this was our best family vacation ever. Not only did Cory plan all the details, but she was available while we were traveling to answer questions. I would highly recommend Cory and KimKim for anybody considering a trip to Japan.

Hotel Reviews

Kyoto Takasegawa Bettei

Kyoto

This is a 3 star hotel likely because it does not have a full service restaurant. But the rooms were spacious, comfortable and well maintained. Breakfast was delivered by room service daily and was very good. The people working at the front desk were all very kind, efficient and helpful. We really enjoyed staying at this hotel.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Cleanliness & Comfort

All the people working at the hotel went out of their way to help us. They were fantastic!

Hakone Retreat villa 1/f

Hakone

Top notch 5 star resort. We had 2 villas which were very spacious, luxurious and had private onsens.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Prince Park Tower Tokyo

Tokyo

We had 2 rooms which were both very comfortable and roomy. The facilities including the restaurants options in the hotel were excellent. The breakfast buffet was truly outstanding. All the staff we dealt with were courteous and efficient. I give this hotel very high marks and would return.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Very good at their jobs and pleasant to deal with.

Cleanliness & Comfort

The hotel is clean and well maintained.

Activity Reviews

Luxury Transfer by Private Car to Tokyo Disney (Round-Trip)

Tokyo

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Akihabara Anime & Gaming Adventure Tour

Tokyo

I'm sure this was good for the right people. Once we started the tour we realized we were not particularly interested in Anime and gaming so we ended the tour early.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tsukiji Fish Market Food and Culture Walking Tour

Tokyo

Our tour guide was pretty good but a bit hard to understand. I think we could have done this tour on our own without a tour guide.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Japanese Calligraphy Experience (Nara)

Japan

Another highlight of our trip! The 3 woman (2 sisters and their mother) who taught our private class were excellent. We took our final work product home and will be hanging it on the wall. We will never forget this experience.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony with Kimono Wearing (Higashiyama)

Japan

This was a fun and memorable experience. One of the highlights of our trip. We took great photos of our family in kimonos and enjoyed the entire experience.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Private Kyoto Temples & Gion Tour

Japan

Pam was an outstanding tour guide. She was very kind and patient with us and gave us an excellent tour experience.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Pam was the best.

Transport

Tokyo Night Food Tour in Shinjuku

Tokyo

Max was an excellent tour guide. Food was all great and the tour was very interesting.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

We used Kimkim to plan our family trip to Costa Rica, and overall we had a wonderful experience. They handled everything—from transportation and hotels to activities—and it made traveling as a family very smooth and stress-free.
The itinerary was thoughtfully planned, and the coordination on the ground worked well. Our local contact, Graciela, was especially helpful and responsive when we needed to adjust pickup times throughout the trip.
Of course, we traveled during the rainy season, which is outside of Kimkim’s control, and it did impact a couple of activities. For example, during the Arenal Volcano hike we couldn’t see much due to fog, and at Río Celeste the river didn’t have its famous blue color because of the heavy rain. At Tenorio National Park, we felt the guide was trying to shorten the hike due to the conditions, but we asked to complete the full route since it was part of what we had booked.
There were also a few minor inconsistencies worth noting. Some activity descriptions (Río Celeste and Manuel Antonio National Park guided hike) mentioned that snacks would be included, but they were not provided. In hindsight, we understand that food isn’t allowed in Manuel Antonio Park, so this may have been an error in the description. Additionally, after the Manuel Antonio tour, our guide left once we decided to stay at the beach, and we arranged our own transportation back to the hotel.
My husband did not join us at all for the canyoning and rafting, which it was the right call for him (he would have not been able to do those activities), and on hindsight, we should have said that from the beginning, so we didn't pay for him. It would have been helpful to adjust the booking accordingly, especially since lunch was included in those activities.
That said, the guides overall were professional and knowledgeable—we just wish we remembered all their names to give them proper credit.
The hotels were very well chosen:

Sibu Hotel in Monteverde was outstanding—truly boutique with incredible attention to detail and deserving of more than a 3-star rating. Their lobby is an art exhibit.
Casa Luna in La Fortuna was also a great stay, great breakfast, very nice grounds and pools. Great service.
La Mariposa in Manuel Antonio had amazing views and beautiful pools, but the rooms felt a bit basic compared to the other properties, and we wouldn’t consider it a true 4-star experience. Being off-season meant limited breakfast options and slower service, though Gregory was excellent and very accommodating.

We did notice that the Manuel Antonio area is quite expensive (similar to U.S. pricing), but the beaches are beautiful and the national park is absolutely a must-see.
Some highlights of the trip included the Ecotermales hot springs, ziplining in Monteverde, and seeing wildlife in Manuel Antonio. One additional must-do that we arranged ourselves was La Fortuna Waterfall—a lot of steps, but definitely worth it for the swim at the bottom.
Finally, in San José:

Hotel Presidente is centrally located, but that comes with heavy traffic (we had to be dropped off at the corner). The room we were assigned was also quite small despite traveling as three people.
Parque del Lago, where we stayed first night in Costa Rica, was more convenient location-wise.

Overall, despite a few minor issues and weather-related challenges, we had a fantastic vacation. Kimkim made planning easy and allowed us to fully enjoy Costa Rica. We would absolutely consider using them again for future trips.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Presidente

San José

Hotel Presidente is centrally located, but that comes with heavy traffic—we had to be dropped off at the corner because the street was temporarily closed. The room we were assigned was also quite small, especially considering we were traveling as three people. Once we opened our suitcases, there was barely enough space to move around. The next day, I noticed that some of the rooms around us were much larger, so I’m not sure why we were given such a small room and bathroom. That said, the breakfast was very good, and the hotel itself has a unique charm in its design. We especially loved the rooftop patio and the abundance of plants and flowers throughout the property, which added a really nice touch. Staff very friendly and helpful.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Just because of the small room. Room was very clean, no problem.

Sibū Boutique Hotel

Puntarenas

Sibu Hotel was hands down the best hotel we stayed at during this entire trip—truly boutique, with incredible attention to detail, and absolutely deserving of more than a 3-star rating. The lobby alone feels like an art exhibit. The rooms are exceptionally well equipped, including a fully stocked minibar with drinks and snacks (complimentary on the first day), which was a really nice touch. We really appreciated the room for 3 having a third proper bed. They even had an ice machine—the only place we saw this—while at other hotels we had to request ice and water from the restaurant or bar. (Tap water is safe to drink everywhere, but it was a bit inconvenient filling a thermos from small sinks.) The room amenities were outstanding: custom toiletries, a travel toothbrush, sewing kit, shoe towel, and even a cosmetic mirror—everything thoughtfully provided. The hotel grounds are small but beautifully designed, with every corner carefully landscaped. There are cozy sitting areas throughout and even a fire pit outside—it’s just a beautiful, welcoming space. I would easily rate this hotel as a 4-star property. They also have sister hotels in the area, and I’d expect those to be just as impressive.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel La Mariposa

Manuel Antonio

La Mariposa in Manuel Antonio has absolutely stunning views and beautiful pools, but the rooms felt somewhat basic compared to the other properties we stayed at, and we wouldn’t consider it a true 4-star experience. We had three people in the room, and the third bed was a small, squeaky bed with an uncomfortable mattress. In comparison, at Sibu Hotel—where we also had three in a room—the third bed was a full, proper bed, which made a big difference. The room itself was quite minimalistic, with basic wall-mounted dispensers for shampoo and conditioner (not even marked which one is which). That said, the view from the balcony was incredible, overlooking Espadilla Sur Beach and Manuel Antonio National Park. The wildlife on the property was also a highlight—we saw plenty of capuchin and spider monkeys, especially active in the mornings, eating mangoes from the nearby trees. There were often mangoes scattered right outside our door. Manuel Antonio is truly full of wildlife—you don’t even have to go far to see it. At one point, we were walking back from dinner and spotted a sloth in a tree just a few feet away. We were especially excited about this hotel since we had planned two days to relax by the pool and beach, and based on the photos and 4-star rating, we came in with high expectations. It’s possible we didn’t get one of their better rooms—there are several floors of rooms in the main building, and those may offer a different experience. We did enjoy the pools—they are very nice—and the overall setting is beautiful. We didn’t dine at the restaurant as it seemed pricey, though we did try the bar; drinks were on the expensive side but very good. The entire area is built on a hill with narrow roads. While it’s technically walkable to nearby restaurants, there are stretches without sidewalks, so we ended up using Uber a few times, which was very reasonable.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Casa Luna Hotel & Spa

La Fortuna

This Hotel has very nice rooms, spacious and comfortable. Staff is very friendly and helpful. The hotel grounds overall are very beautiful (the flowers and landscape are amazingly beautiful). It has a short hike trail on the property. The breakfast was very good. If I would go to La Fortuna, I would definitely stay there again. Close to pretty much all attractions in the area.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Parque del Lago Boutique Hotel

San José

Great location being downtown San Jose but not in the middle of the city. Good breakfast, room clean and decent size. Great Soda place right next to it.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Hike

Costa Rica

Definitely a must-do. The guides communicate with each other and know exactly where to look for wildlife. They typically come equipped with professional tripods and binoculars and can even help take great photos using your phone. The park has strict rules about food and drinks, so even though the activity description mentioned a snack being provided, it’s unclear how that would be possible. Also, keep in mind that if you decide to stay in the park after the guided tour—either at Manuel Antonio Beach or Espadilla Sur (which are side by side and absolutely worth visiting for their beautiful sand and calm waters)—the guide will leave, and you’ll need to arrange your own transportation back to the hotel. The public bus runs every 20 minutes from the public Espadilla Beach (outside the park) for about $1 per ride, so getting back wasn’t too difficult.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Selvatura Park Self-Guided Hanging Bridges & Zip Lining

Monteverde

One of the highlights of our trip—a definite must-do. The canopy views were absolutely breathtaking. Some of the ziplining runs are quite long, so try to relax and enjoy the experience. Definitely go for the Tarzan Swing! The hanging bridges were also very nice. Just take your time and enjoy the walk—it’s about 3 km long, not 3 miles (we made the mistake of thinking it would be longer and ended up rushing to get back in time for the next bus).

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Coffee, Chocolate & Sugar Cane Farm Experience

Arenal/La Fortuna

It was a great visit, and we learned a lot. Unfortunately, we happened to go on a day when it was raining heavily, with very little break between the tastings and walking to the next stations. The farm is clearly geared toward tourists and is more informational in nature, but they were transparent about the fact that coffee grown in that area isn’t considered the best due to the high amount of rainfall. Even so, we still gained a lot of insight into chocolate (cacao), coffee, and sugar cane production.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Río Celeste & Tenorio Volcano Rainforest Hike with Lunch

Arenal/La Fortuna

Of course, we traveled during the rainy season, which is outside of Kimkim’s control, and it did impact a couple of activities. For example, at Río Celeste the river didn’t have its famous blue color because of the heavy rain. At Tenorio National Park, we felt the guide was trying to shorten the hike due to the rainy conditions, but we asked to complete the full route since it was part of what we had booked. The lunch was nice, but no fruit snack as listed in the activity description. No biggie. I did appreciate though the driver pulling over to show us through his binoculars a sloth up in a tree. He took pictures with our camera.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Canyoning & Balsa River Rafting Combo Adventure

Arenal/La Fortuna

These activities are definitely not for the faint of heart—especially the rappelling! We had a great time, and everything (organized by what seemed to be two different companies) was very well coordinated, including transportation. The lunch provided was very good, and we especially enjoyed the small cultural demonstration of sugar cane juice extraction. My husband opted out of canyoning and rafting, which ultimately turned out to be the right decision—he wouldn’t have been able to participate in these activities, and even tagging along with the driver wouldn’t have added much value. In hindsight, I wish we had clearly indicated from the start that only four of us would be participating, so we wouldn’t have paid for his activity and lunch.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Arenal 1968 Hike & Visit to Ecotermales Hot Springs

Arenal/La Fortuna

We traveled during the rainy season, which is outside of Kimkim’s control, and it did impact a couple of activities. For example, during the Arenal Volcano hike we couldn’t see much due to the fog. That said, Franklin and his driver were excellent—friendly, professional, and very accommodating. We really enjoyed the insights Franklin shared about the local plants and vegetation throughout the hike. Even though the volcano was mostly covered in clouds, the viewpoint of Arenal was still beautiful in its own way. At the end of the hike, they provided fresh fruit, which we appreciated very much. We only wish we remembered all of their names so we could give them proper credit—they truly made the experience enjoyable despite the weather. The driver also took us to Ecotermales, which turned out to be one of the highlights of our trip. The dinner there was fantastic, and everything was well coordinated—the driver returned later in the evening to pick us up and take us back to the hotel, making the entire experience seamless.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our trip to Japan was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and we are incredibly grateful for all the planning and support provided by our travel agency.

From the moment we arrived, every detail was thoughtfully arranged. The hotels were comfortable and well-located, transportation instructions were clear, and the itinerary gave us the perfect balance of guided experiences and free time to explore on our own.

We experienced the energy of Tokyo, the beauty of Mount Fuji and Hakone, the rich history and culture of Kyoto, and the vibrant atmosphere of Osaka. We enjoyed everything from ancient temples and peaceful gardens to bustling markets, incredible food, and the efficiency of Japan's world-famous rail system. Every destination offered something unique and memorable.

What impressed us most was how smoothly everything came together. Traveling internationally can feel overwhelming, but the guidance we received gave us confidence every step of the way. Even when unexpected changes arose, we felt supported and informed.

Japan exceeded our expectations in every way. The kindness of the people, the cleanliness, the respect for tradition, and the breathtaking scenery made this an unforgettable journey. We returned home with wonderful memories, a deeper appreciation for Japanese culture, and a long list of experiences we will cherish forever.

Mahalo for helping make our bucket-list trip a reality. We would happily recommend your services to anyone considering a visit to Japan.

LENY you are amazing!!!!

P.S. The luggage forwarding was great, ensure you research how many days from one hotel to the next. ADDITIONALLY our luggage being sent straight to the airport on the last leg of travel was exceptional!

Gummi worked very closely with us to create an amazing and unforgettable trip to Iceland's southern coast. He accommodated our group's varied needs (small children, upgraded rooms for medical needs) and was so quick with on-the-ground support. My daughter's favorite memory was riding the horses at Sturleryker stables; my son's favorite may have been the Lava show; and mine was the whale watching where we got to see orcas and a sperm whale. The tours were all amazing!

Hotel Review

Black Beach Suites

Vik I Myrdal

This was our favorite hotel by far. If the weather had been better, I know we would have had stunning views.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Sturlureykir Horses Stable Visit

Iceland

The trainers/guides were so incredibly kind and supportive of our group. It was my first time riding a horse, and my daughter's too, and they helped us all with patience and kindness.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

I had a really good time, and all of the guides I had were especially good.

2 wonderful guides:
1. Ivo - we were pleasantly surprised how easy it was to spend hours driving with Ivo. He helped us learn so much about daily life in Portugal and felt like a true friend by the time our trip ended. We spent much time talking about our own family and Evo even joined in during our weekly FaceTime call to her three year-old granddaughter.
2. Bernardo - a treasure trove of history in Porto and there probably was not a question to which we did not receive an informative response.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Lisboa Plaza

Lisbon

The location was excellent and staff were very helpful. Accommodations were “dated” or “charming” depending on your personal preference although the only minor inconveniences for us were slow elevators and hard room keys.

Authenticity & Character

Character yes!

Location

Could walk nearly everywhere which is most important attribute

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Room slight cramped, very clean

NH Hotel Porto Jardim

Porto

Location was excellent and staff was very helpful. One of the things which annoyed us most was the lack of outdoor non-smoking gathering places, but this may be a nationwide problem as we also encountered it in Lisbon. Breakfast was good except for the coffee and unfortunately, I could not find a nearby Starbucks or similar. Also, the step in bathtub without any handrails was treacherous.

Authenticity & Character

Location

We were able to walk almost everywhere except for Belem and Fado dinner

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Vert clean but see comment about showe.

Activity Reviews

Immerse Yourself in the Portuguese Culture by Experiencing a Fado Dinner

Portugal

Basically, the evening did not seem much beyond a dinner show. Perhaps, the experience might’ve been better at a different restaurant. It just did not feel authentic, but more of an activity designed solely for tourist and something locals have grown tired of. If I had a good friend that was going to Lisbon with limited time, I would tell them to investigate some of the other wonderful restaurants in the city and skip the Fado experience.

Quality of Experience

Food

Skip the steak and order the fish.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

N/A

Transport

N/A

Discover Sintra on a Group Tour with Pena Palace Tickets and a Scenic Stop at Cabo da Roca

Portugal

The day was a great mixture of a visit to historical beautiful palace with gardens, walking up the narrow inclined streets of a centuries old village and concluding with a lunchtime stop at a modern coastal resort.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Lisbon's Historic Odyssey on a Private Walking Tour with Ginjinha & Pastel de Nata

Lisbon

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Walking only.

The Essence of Douro - A River, Wine, and Gastronomy Experience with a Private Driver

Portugal

The whole day was a wonderful experience and something that I would clearly recommend to anybody who includes Porto on their itinerary. The dining experience and lunch were superb as was the wine tasting. The only part that could’ve been improved was the boat trip down the Douro river as our guide did not really add much and it just felt like a perfunctory out and back trip.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

See my above comments about Ivo. He was a pleasure to spend four hours with.

Transport

See above.

The Flavors of Port Wine - Sip & Discover

Porto

I guess it’s something that you need to do in Porto, but it seemed like a typical tourist driven experience with diversions to the gift shop. We’ve been on Wine Tours before and there didn’t seem much to differentiate it from others we have been on. However, the most pleasant surprise was the cheese tray that was added in by Kim Kim. The tray was huge, and we passed it around to some of the other tasters at our table.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

N/A. Close enough to the hotel that we were able to walk.

Porto's Historic Odyssey on a Private Walking Tour

Porto

Bernardo was a superb guide and a wealth of information. We felt it in a 2 1/2 hours we spent with Bernardo that we received an excellent introduction to Porto and directions on how to spend some of our remaining time.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Everything flowed as planned. Aleksandra,did a wonderful job. I thought it was amazing.

Hotel Reviews

Pembroke Townhouse Dublin

Dublin

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Ballea Castle

Cork

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Maldron Hotel Sandy Road Galway

Galway

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Dublin Private Walking Tour

Dublin

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Blackrock Castle Tour

Ireland

No guide for scheduled tour

Wicklow & Powerscourt Half-Day Tour

Dublin

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Sean was very knowledgeable & helpful

Transport

Trip of a lifetime!
The organization was very good, the activities were well planned and Jesus' daily updates including with boarding passes for internal flights were excellent. It did not seem to me that Jesus went to sleep.
I thought the guides were very well chosen - Fernando in Quito was an amazing fount of information about Quito, its history and the area. Our guides in the Galapagos, Justin in Santa Cruz and Oswaldo in San Cristobal, were very well-informed and good hike guides, though they was not with us all the time owing to boat trips and island changes. I would like to mention our transport driver (Arturo?) in San Cristobal - he was very courteous and prompt.
In the Galapagos, I would only change our hotel - the Golden Galapagos. It did not meet the standards of our other hotels.
The Indigo seemed much more organized.

In Lima, Nancy was an excellent guide with lots of historical details that we learned from her. However, our guide in Cusco was exceptionally way above the guides we had on this trip (Julio and the driver Robert) were above and beyond. Partly it was due to the elevation and related issues, but they also had really detailed knowledge and insights that were very interesting to hear.

We had a great time!

What could you improve - ditch the Golden Galapagos. Also, I noticed that the company always picked the cheapest room in the hotels. Can you manage to upgrade it a bit, to the second lowest level? At least ask the question!

Our recent trip to Japan, organized by KimKim, was an unforgettable experience from start to finish. The itinerary, Cultural Harmony & Culinary Discovery, was perfectly designed, beginning in Tokyo and ending in Osaka. It gave us a wonderful balance of Japan’s rich traditions, modern energy, beautiful scenery, and incredible food.
Every part of the journey felt thoughtfully planned and seamless. We especially want to recognize the wonderful guides who made our trip so memorable. Davin led us on an amazing walking tour of Osaka, bringing the city’s energy and food culture to life. Yosh guided us through Tokyo’s old town and the beautiful Nezu Shrine, where we also had the special experience of crafting our own maneki-neko lucky cat.
Masa gave us an incredible tour of Tsukiji Fish Market and introduced us to the anime and subcultures of Akihabara, which was such a fun and unique experience. Toru showed us Mount Fuji on the most perfect viewing day imaginable — truly an iconic and unforgettable moment. Asuka led our amazing tour of Nara and the Kyoto area, sharing so much history and local insight. Masako was also outstanding, bringing deep knowledge and expertise to our tour of Hiroshima and Miyajima Island.
The culinary side of the trip was another highlight. We enjoyed delicious regional foods, explored local markets, and experienced the depth and variety of Japanese cuisine. Ending the trip in Osaka, known for its food culture, was the perfect finale.
KimKim made the entire process smooth, organized, and enjoyable. The recommendations were excellent, the logistics were well coordinated, and the trip felt personalized and stress-free from beginning to end.
Overall, this was a truly special journey that combined culture, food, history, and discovery in the best possible way. We would highly recommend KimKim to anyone planning a trip to Japan.

Overall I was very happy with this trip. Adeline did a good job of communicating when planning the trip. All of the local guides were great except one and she was still passable. We did a lot of the trip on our own. As an experienced traveller we were able to figure out the local transportation but for people who are not seasoned or dont have a good understanding of Google maps the trip would have been difficult. I would encourage every one to stay in a Ryoken.

We had a wonderful experience using
Kim Kim and especially their local agent, Jane who helped organize our 13-day driving tour through England. Having an agent actually based in the country with local knowledge of major building and gardens made a huge difference. Her local recommendations, and attention to detail created a smooth and memorable trip from start to finish.
Our itinerary included:
* London
* Royal Tunbridge Wells
* Isle of Wight
* Lyme Regis
* St Austell
* Henley-on-Thames

I have done 2 trips with Kim Kim, England and Uganda to see gorillas. Both trips went
extremely well and would absolutely work with them again.
William Gordon, CA

I had dreamed about visiting the South of France for 30 years, and it was time to go!

Audrey was excellent in designing a tour that included everything I was interested in seeing and experiencing.

The hotels she chose were unique and charming. The guides she arranged were knowledgeable, engaging and fun to travel with. And when there was a transportation snag (train strike), she stepped right in and made it right so I could get to my destination in time.

The pace of the travel was excellent - usually three nights in one town with day trips to local sights - so I was able to settle in for a few days and really experience the locale.

Honestly, it could not have been better planned or executed. I appreciate what Audrey did for me in making my dream come true

Hotel Reviews

Casa Blanca B&B

Bordeaux

Tucked away on a residential street in Bordeaux, this was a surprise. Close to the tramway with easy access to the main part of town, it was quiet and restful. The staff was very helpful in figuring out how to get tram tickets and where to board. They also did a cooked to order breakfast rather than a buffet and I enjoyed what they served.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Figuring out the locks in an old building took a couple of conversations with staff, but I learned how to work them. Otherwise, just great!

La Villa des Consuls

Sarlat-la-Canéda

Great location, charming suite, helpful staff.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

There was an issue with the door lock, which was being addressed after I left, but otherwise just great.

Le Donjon – Cœur de La Cité Médiévale

Carcassonne

I only had one night here but I enjoyed the lovely room with patio overlooking tall trees. That was refreshing. An amazing breakfast buffet!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Garlande Hotel Avignon Centre

Avignon

Well located with very helpful owner and staff. Great breakfasts. Spacious and comfortable room.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Maison Dauphine Appartment & Art Gallery

AIX-EN-PROVENCE

Charming with a delightful and helpful owner, Veronique. Great location and easy access to the main part of Aix.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Food tour in the historic Bordeaux

Bordeaux

I really loved learning about the food specialties of Bordeaux and walking around the old town and seeing the food market.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Marianne was excellent with great information and delicious samples for us to try.

Transport

We walked so no vehicular transport involved. Got there by tram which was easy.

Bay of Arcachon Day Trip

Bordeaux

This was a fun day. Enjoyed seeing Arcachon. I didn't have the right footwear to climb the sand dune, but enjoyed sitting in a cafe waiting for the group to return. A surprise was meeting a friend from my hometown in the tour group. She had moved away, and we hadn't seen each other in a few years. We had a lovely time catching up (and speaking English)!

Quality of Experience

Food

I enjoyed learning about the oyster culture as my cousin is an oyster farmer in Virginia. And the shrimp and fois gras were delicious for lunch.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Lascaux and Les Eyzies Museum tour

Sarlat

Being in a real prehistoric cave and seeing the art there was a unique experience. Then seeing the reproduction of Lascaux was fascinating. The art was easier to see in this exhibit than in the smaller, real cave earlier in the day. Lunch by the river was relaxing and delicious.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

My last day with Clara was delightful. She helped me understand the area and its history and customs so much.

Transport

Visit of Milandes Castle (Entrance Tickets Included)

France

This was a great experience seeing the restored chateau, learning about Josephine Baker, and seeing the bird show.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Enjoyed another day with Clara

Transport

Full-Day Discovery of the Dordogne Valley: Castles, Villages & Timeless Landscapes

France

The villages, lunch al fresco, and a ride on the river were a delight.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Another great day with Clara

Transport

A Half Day Trip from Sarlat to Rocamadour village (Morning)

France

This is an amazing site with a lot of steps! The ability to build so much on the side of a mountain was impressive.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Clara was lovely and it was a pleasure to spend several days with her getting to know the White Perigord.

Transport

Guided Visit of the Medieval City of Carcassonne

Carcassonne

I only had one night here and it was crowded with folks on spring break. The military aspect of the walled fortress wasn't my favorite, but I'm glad I got to see this unique town.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Day Excursion to Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer with Driver-Guide

France

This was a surprise day! Since I had already been to Arles, we were able to visit La Carmargue, which was fascinating. We saw the bulls, the horses, the flamingos, the salt water pools, and the rice fields. Had a lovely lunch in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer and a walk on the beach.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Another day with Adrien was wonderful and informative. We had fun.

Transport

In the footsteps of Van Gogh

Avignon

I enjoyed seeing Arles and thought I would be sad seeing the Hospital where van Gogh spent time, but it was pleasant and very interesting to see what we saw.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Ghis was excellent, so knowledgeable, and enthusiastic to share his love of this area.

Morning Luberon Villages Tour: Roussillon, Gordes & Sorgues River

Avignon

It was good to be with other English-speakers on this group tour. We enjoyed our time together and the beautiful villages we visited - including the square where A Good Year was filmed!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Jocelyn was an excellent guide, kind when I tried out my French on him, and funny.

Transport

Day excursion to Sainte-Baume caves

France

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Adrien Jeanjean was quite knowledgeable, flexible since I didn't want to hike, and easy to spend the day with.

Transport

An amazing experience! The whole trip to Croatia was excellent. The Kimkim team took care of us every step of the way, were always prompt, knowledgeable and available. Our accommodations were very nice and included a full breakfast every morning, which was appreciated.
We loved the variety of excursions as every day brought something new and interesting to see and do, exploring tiny hilltop villages, going deep into magnificent caves, exploring Roman ruins, hiking in the national parks and topped off with an amazing private speedboat ride to explore the small islands around Dubrovnik. These are just a few things that we enjoyed.
Our guides, Mario, Pero, Goran, and Antea knew so much about the attractions and history of Croatia and kept us interested and entertained. It was especially nice to spend a few days with Mario and Goran and get to know them. They were very accommodating if we wanted to slightly change our day. Robi is a top notch tour organizer who is easy to reach, communicates every detail and provides loads of tips of where to eat and what to do on free time. All said, we thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of our trip and would highly recommend Kimkim to anyone looking for an amazing experience!

Activity Reviews

Dubrovnik Old Town and the City Walls

Croatia

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private boat trip to Elafiti islands

Croatia

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Pelješac penisula and Ston- triple atraction - from Korčula

Korčula

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visit to Korčula island and town

Korčula

Quality of Experience

Explore Hvar

Croatia

Quality of Experience

Explore Split & Diocletian's palace

Split

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Krka National Park

Croatia

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visit to Zadar

Croatia

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Explore Plitvice Lakes National Park

Croatia

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visit to Rovinj and Pula

Croatia

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Motovun, Grožnjan, Oprtalj - inland of Istria. medieval towns on hills

Croatia

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Postojna and Škocjan Caves in Slovenia

Croatia

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visit to Bled lake and Ljubljana town

Croatia

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

To be perfectly honest, I arrived in Egypt with very neutral expectations. These were swept away in no time at all by the impeccable quality of the welcome provided by Egypt Promotion Tours. Every transition and every point of contact went smoothly.
Above all, I appreciated the knowledge of our guides, Omar and Mohammed J. Both patiently answered my countless questions, some of which were perhaps a little unusual.
The organisation dealt with unexpected incidents swiftly and efficiently, such as a lost suitcase or a malfunctioning air conditioning unit.
I felt well looked after and safe throughout my entire stay.
My initial neutral expectations were replaced by amazement and appreciation for this diverse, millennia-old country, with fantastic food and smiles that seem to come from the heart and reach the eyes.
This was made possible, among other things, by the excellent organisation: thank you very much for that!

Paul provided the best travel customer experience we’ve ever had!

From the start of travel planning he engaged. He provided a travel recommendations and responded to inquiries and suggestions immediately. Throughout the process he responded within minutes of questions being sent. This included multiple times of what we considered off hours on weekends and later than most of us work. He also called a couple of times to ensure we were on the same page. During the trip he asked how things were going and volunteered to travel (inconveniently across Quito to meet us). Kim Kim and Paul allowed us to create a photo album. Here we are nearly three months after the trip and he’s still been responsive to our questions and thank yous. We cannot recommend him enough!

The trip was amazing. My wife and I put it at the top of our list and we’ve traveled significantly. When we first looked at the itinerary we thought there might be too much snorkeling. I’m a scuba instructor and admittedly think snorkeling leaves something to be desired. To my amazement the snorkeling was better than many dives that I’ve done. Thank you for the humbling experience. We saw sharks, sea lions, sea horses, turtles, iguanas. Wonderful stuff. The birds, tortoises and SEALIONS were something else.

I loved that we asked for changes and Paul found options. Within the process we added a friend traveler and he was able to align our plans completely.

TOP NOTCH.

Paul - you truly are the best. Thank you!