Travel Insights

Insights, ideas and itineraries from kimkim's trusted network of Local Travel Specialists and Experts

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Relaxing Secret Cyclades - 16 Days

See the lesser-known side of the Cyclades on this 16-day island itinerary. After sampling the street foods of Athens, you'll ferry off to the Cycladic islands that deserve just as much of the spotlight as their more-famous siblings. Tour the mansions of the Cycladic capital on Syros, explore the Tinos marble scene, bike the beaches of Naxos, and see the villages and vineyards of Ios before your return to Athens, accompanied by the sweeping views of the Aegean Sea.

Greece in September: Travel Ideas, Weather, and More

September is a fantastic month to experience Greece, as the weather and sea temperatures are perfect as can be. Whether you’re keen on an active adventure, cultural immersion, or simply fun in the sun, there’s really no better time to visit than late September, when most other travelers return home and prices are starting to fall.

Greece in August: Travel Ideas, Weather, and More

August is the hottest month of the year—and also the busiest and the most expensive. But the sea is a perfect temperature for swimming, and Mykonos, Santorini, and other “party islands” are off the hook.

Greece in July: Travel Ideas, Weather, and More

July is high season in Greece, with gloriously sunny weather, azure skies, and warm seas. It's the perfect month for swimming and sunbathing—but you'll be sharing the beaches with lots and lots of visitors, and prices are at their highest.

Cathedral rock formation in Paracas National Reserve

From Lima to Nazca: Wildlife, History & Gastronomy - 5 Days

This itinerary is a great way to see the highlights in and around Lima. Get an authentic taste of Peru during your Lima city and food tour. Next, experience the beauty and wildlife of the Ballestas Islands and Paracas National Reserve. Finally, get an aerial view of the famous Nazca Lines - including massive etchings of a condor, a hummingbird, and a monkey. These impressive works of art are best viewed from the skies, as some of them are up to 600 feet in size!

Views of the Annapurna Range from the hilltop village of Bandipur

Best of Central Nepal: Sightseeing & Relaxation - 7 Days

Explore the cultural and natural highlights of the Kathmandu and Pokhara valleys, with an additional day in Kathmandu. Begin with Kathmandu's main cultural sites before driving to Pokhara, stopping en route at one of Nepal's most picturesque villages in Bandipur. After exploring Pokhara, you'll have some time back in Kathmandu to relax and sightsee before catching your return flight home.

Best of Central Nepal: Sightseeing & Relaxation - 6 Days

The Kathmandu and Pokhara valleys provide the perfect balance of Nepal's cultural and natural highlights. You'll start with Kathmandu's main cultural attractions before going overland to Pokhara, stopping en route at Bandipur, one of Nepal's most picturesque villages. After exploring Pokhara, you'll have additional time in Kathmandu to relax and sightsee before your flight home.

Greece in June: Travel Ideas, Weather, and More

Greece really heats up in June, and days late in the month can often be sweltering. And rain? What rain? Time to hit the beach! But crowds are building, and price bargains disappear—so the earlier you can go in the month, the better.

Greece in May: Travel Ideas, Weather, and More

May boasts fantastic sunny weather and little rain. The waters are just about warm enough for swimming. Shoulder season bargains still apply. And you’re still ahead of the summer crowds. It all adds up to perhaps the most perfect month of the year!

Local villages in the lower Annapurna foothills

Luxury Annapurna Panorama Trek - 6 Days

Combine adventure with comfort in this well-rounded Himalayan experience. From Kathmandu, head to Pokhara where you will have time to explore Lakeside before making your way to the village of Astam. Spend three days hiking moderate to steep ascents, sharing routes with shepherds, donkey trains, and farmers. Marvel at the incredible Annapurna mountain range and enjoy relaxing evenings in luxury lodgings. Your city accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara will also be some of the best in the country, combining traditional Nepali design with modern comforts.

Annapurna Panorama Luxury Trek - 5 Days

This short 5-day itinerary combines adventure with comfort for a well-rounded Himalayan experience. Start your trip in Kathmandu and make your way to Astam where you will begin three days of trekking. Hike mild to steep ascents to bring you to incredible vistas, as you share the route with shepherds and donkey trains and pass through rhododendron forests. At night, you'll stay in luxury lodges for a nice contrast to the day's challenge.

Greece in April: Travel Ideas, Weather, and More

April is a fabulous month to visit Greece. The weather is delightfully sunny and has warmed sufficiently for sunbathing (finally, you can pack swimwear!). Flowers are in bloom. Shoulder-season prices still offer a bargain. And best yet? The crowds haven’t yet arrived.

Greece in March: Travel Ideas, Weather, and More

Greek winter fades into the March shoulder season, when visitor numbers begin an uptick yet prices remain attractive. The weather is beginning to warm up, with plenty of mild sunny days and the first bloom of spring flowers—time to pack the T-shirts and shorts with your cold-weather clothing.

Greece in February: Travel Ideas, Weather, and More

This winter month is the low season in Greece, with very few visitors, a subdued nightlife, and gray weather. Many restaurants and other businesses are closed, awaiting the warmer months—but prices are at their lowest, and there's the Carnival festival to enjoy.

Greece in January: Travel Ideas, Weather, and More

If you’ve already “done” Greece in summer, take advantage of bargain prices in the country's low season. The good news? You’ll feel like you have Greece to yourself. The bad? Often undesirable weather, with gray skies and frequent rain—although temperatures are generally mild and rare sunny days can be crystal clear.

Relaxed Athens, Santorini, Naxos & Mykonos - 8 Days

Escape the troubles of the world with eight days in the Cyclades. You'll arrive in Athens, then head to the islands to explore famous Mykonos and Santorini as well as lesser-known but spectacular Naxos. Enjoy your Greek vacation filled with sun, sailing, and sampling, with cooking classes and traditional dinners accompanying your days of blissful idleness.

Relaxed Athens, Santorini, Naxos & Mykonos - 14 Days

Head to Greece for 14 days of relaxation. Start with a culinary tour and winery day trip on the mainland before chilling island-style in the Cycladic Islands. Cruise through the caldera of Santorini, prepare a typical Greek meal on Naxos, and recline on sandy beaches throughout.

Active Cyclades: Tinos, Naxos & Ios - 9 Days

Spend 9 days touring some of the best (and least crowded) islands in the Cyclades. Over the week, hike the Tinos marble route, canoe across Mylopotas Bay, and take a sunset bike ride around Athens. Whether you're atop the rocky hills of Tinos or paddling over the waves of the Aegean, adventure awaits during your active week in Greece.

Active Cyclades: Tinos, Naxos & Ios - 11 Days

Active travelers will love this 11-day itinerary through the Cycladic Islands. Experience some of the lesser-known islands in this chain—Tinos, Naxos, and Ios—after a fun welcome dinner on the mainland. Scuba dive in Naxos, hike the marble route on Tinos, and more: the adventures in this Greek itinerary won't disappoint.

Active Cyclades: Tinos, Naxos & Ios - 14 Days

Get off the beaten path while hopping between lesser-known Greek islands on this two-week tour. Catch a wave at Kolymbithra beach, dive in Naxos, or cruise the waves of the Aegean—adventure awaits around this itinerary's every turn.

Escape the crowds of the Everest region by getting away with your own tent

Best Campsites in the Everest Region

Escape the crowds of the Everest region by adding a night of camping to your trek. The following camping spots can be added onto most treks and will allow you to experience a truly unique style of trekking in the Himalaya. These camps lie at high-altitude passes or in remote corners of the valley where you'll awake to some of the best views that Nepal has to offer.

Flowers growing in the window of a typical colonial house in Cartagena

Cartagena, Flower Festival, and the Colombian Amazon - 11 Days

Colombia's heritage extends from the shores of the Caribbean to the rainforests of the Amazon. This unique 11-day itinerary hinges on an event which takes place in Medellín every August: the Batalla de Flores, or "Festival of the Flowers," is one of the biggest spectacles in the entire country. So set aside some time at the end of summer and prepare for an excursion that you won't soon forget.

Baby turtle on the beach in Tortuguero National Park

Explore Tortuguero from San José - 4 Days

Tortuguero National Park is most famous as a sanctuary to nesting sea turtles—you can witness the babies hatch on the beach during this 4-day excursion to the Caribbean coast. After spending a day exploring San José, you'll make your way east to the untouched beaches of Tortuguero. Delve deeper into the park and paddle a canoe around its arterial waterways, keeping an eye out for plenty of other wildlife along the way.

Arenal Waterfall Expedition - 4 Days

This quick-hit excursion to Arenal Volcano National Park offers an outdoor adventure where Costa Rica's stunning waterfalls take center stage. The trip starts and ends in bustling San Jose, but the village of La Fortuna will be your base as you enjoy Arenal's many cascades. Keep an eye out for wildlife on a hike to the incredible Rio Celeste waterfall. Along the way, cool off with a swim at the base of the waterfalls, or indulge yourself with a dip in the healing waters of Tabacón before heading back to the capital.

The Guanacaste region on the Pacific Coast is known for its arid landscape and beautiful beaches

Coast to Coast Adventure: Tortuguero, Arenal Volcano & Guanacaste - 9 Days

Experience both Costa Rica's Caribbean and Pacific coasts on this nine-day adventure. From the capital of San José, you'll make your way to Tortuguero National Park to watch sea turtles hatch on the beach. Then, head inland to Arenal Volcano and its rainforest trails and relax in Tabacón's natural hot springs. After a river wildlife safari and a chocolate lesson, you'll travel to the Gulf of Papagayo. Here, you'll go snorkeling and surfing and end your journey with a sunset cruise around the bay.

Coast to Coast Family Adventure - 11 Days

Experience the best Costa Rica has to offer on this family-friendly 11-day adventure. You'll watch sea turtles on the Caribbean beaches of Tortuguero National Park, hike around Arenal Volcano, zip-line through the cloud forest of Monteverde, and finally relax on the remote, Pacific beaches of Guanacaste. Along the way, you'll make your own hot chocolate and coffee from bean to cup, spot monkeys in the wild, swim under a waterfall—and maybe even catch a wave.

Boats for hire line the shore of Phewa Lake in Pokhara

Nepal's Classic Highlights - 9 Days

This trip combines the main cultural and natural highlights of Nepal's three main regions—Kathmandu, Chitwan, and Pokhara. You'll spend a night in the hilltop village of Nagarkot and the ancient cities of Bhaktapur and Patan, then head south to experience the wildlife, jungle, and birthplace of Buddha. Finally, you'll have a couple days in Pokhara to relax and enjoy some adventure before departing.

Kathmandu Valley Rim - 4 Days

Escape the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu City on this short getaway to the ridgeline that surrounds the Kathmandu Valley. You'll explore ancient cities and villages along a hike short multi-day hike and wake up to great views of the Himalaya. In the end, explore the streets of Kathmandu by vintage Vespa before you depart.

Laid-Back Athens, Tinos, Mykonos, Santorini & Crete - 14 Days

Find your piece of paradise with the two-week version of this laid-back itinerary. Start with street food and native wine varietals in Athens before heading to Tinos for a cultural tour. Glamorous Mykonos and Santorini are next before continuing to Crete, where turquoise lagoons and village tours ensure you're thoroughly blissed out before you return to Athens.

Laid-Back Athens, Tinos, Mykonos, Santorini & Crete - 21 Days

Find some island sunshine and serenity with this itinerary. You'll start in Athens, sampling the street food and cycling past the city's famous landmarks before you head to sea. Stop in petite Tinos first, a frequent pilgrimage site and home to centuries of marble carvers. Then head to Mykonos to recline on the beach before ferrying over to Santorini for a boat cruise through the volcanic caldera. You'll continue in Crete, with turquoise lagoons and botanical gardens making sure you're fully blissed out before you go back to Athens.

Active Athens, Tinos, Naxos, and Crete - 10 Days

Do much more than lounge on the beach with this Greek itinerary. You'll start in Athens, then head out to the islands to hike through rocky villages, bike past idyllic beach scenes, and trek the Samaria Gorge. Top it off with a culinary tour before you return to Athens for a sunset celebration.

Active Athens, Tinos, Naxos, and Crete - 17 Days

From Athens to Crete, you'll do more than hang out beachside on the 17-day version of this itinerary. Watch the sunset over the Temple of Poseidon, hike the lunar landscape of Volax, bike past the beaches of Naxos, and trek the Samaria Gorge in the Cretan White Mountains. With opportunities to snorkel, ride horses, and other outdoor activities throughout, your trip will end with a culinary excursion in the traditional village of Vamos.

Andes Exploration: Huaraz & the Cordillera Blanca - 5 Days

From metropolitan Lima to the remote Peruvian Andes, this 5-day adventure brings you to the heart of the mountains. Start in Lima— the capital of Peru—then take a quick flight to Huaraz, a mountain town popular with outdoor enthusiasts. Spend a day exploring the city's history, then head into the mountains to see stunning glaciated peaks, bright blue mountain lakes, and Peru's highest mountain—Mt. Huascaran, which towers at 22,205 ft.

Discover Colombia's Cities & Beaches - 8 Days

This fast-paced 8-day itinerary highlights three of Latin America’s most exciting cities. You'll start off in the cosmopolitan capital of Bogotá to explore the thriving food and art scenes, then fly to scenic Medellín, a hip metropolis making a comeback after a turbulent past. End the trip in Cartagena's Old Town, a romantic inner-walled city with colonial history. Too much city? You'll spend an outdoorsy day visiting Tayrona National Park for a dose of rainforest and the Caribbean Sea.

Food & Culture in Colombia: Bogotá, Medellín, Cartagena, & Tayrona National Park - 15 Days

On this 15-day culinary tour, you're never far from the flavors that comprise Colombian culture. You'll dive right in, sampling exotic fruits, savory street food, and local rum. You'll even participate in cooking classes and prepare some of the nation's most famous dishes. In between food-related adventures, take time to relax on some of Colombia's pristine beaches in Tayrona National Park.

Trekking in Colombia's Zona Cafetera - 6 Days

In this itinerary, you'll embark on a high-altitude 4-day trek into Los Nevados National Park. You'll visit a working coffee farm and enjoy the unique scenery of the Páramo Eco-system here. While many travelers only see the Cocora Valley and Salento on a quick day trip, you'll get to know Colombia's Zona Cafetera from an in-depth perspective over the course of your 6 days in the region.

Discover culture, landscapes and architecture in Morocco

How kimkim Trips Work in Morocco

Planning the perfect trip to Morocco? Here's a quick introduction to kimkim, how our trips work, and what makes us unique. We'll go over how our itineraries are customized to your interests, and what to expect during your trip.

Las Lajas Sanctuary in Ipiales, near Pasto

Journey Across Colombia's Cities: North to South - 15 Days

This diverse, action-packed trip starts on the northern Caribbean Coast with time to explore Tayrona National Park. From here, spend a few days in the inner-walled city of Cartagena and hop a flight to Medellín, with its thriving arts and culture scene. Then, you'll visit a coffee farm before heading to the vibrant capital of Bogotá. Continue the journey with a visit to the famous salt mines and end the trip in Cali, the salsa capital of the world.

Colombia Adventure: Zona Cafetera, Tayrona Park, & Caribbean Coast - 15 Days

Depending on personal preference, some folks like rugged activity on their vacation while others prefer relaxing on white-sand beaches fronting crystalline waters. Others opt for the museums and nightlife found in more cosmopolitan destinations. We wonder why not enjoy it all? That's just what this itinerary offers: city life, culture, the great outdoors and plenty of time to relax.

Colombia's Caribbean Coast and Islands - 13 Days

A big draw of Colombia's Caribbean coast is its large amount of diversity in a relatively small space. Over just a few hundred miles you're in close proximity to Spanish-colonial architecture, the towering mountains of the Sierra Nevadas, white-sand beaches, running rivers, arid deserts, and biodiverse marshland. It's the ultimate tropical adventure.

Paramillo del Quindío, PNN Los Nevados, Colombia

Colombia's Cities & Zona Cafetera Trek - 15 Days

This itinerary starts and ends in two of Colombia's most exciting cities, Bogotá and Medellín. In between, you'll visit a working coffee farm and set off on a four-day trek through the Central Andes in Los Nevados National Park. After your trek, relax in the thermal pools outside of Manizales, with the still-active Nevado del Ruiz volcano as a backdrop. Then it's off to Medellín, a dynamic place to finish your trip.

Iconic skinny wax palms in Colombia's coffee region.

Colombia Adventure: Zona Cafetera to the Caribbean Coast - 15 Days

Your journey starts in the heart of Colombia's Coffee Region, where you'll overnight on a working coffee farm. From there, head to the reborn metropolis of Medellín, a city whose reputation as a global hotspot is enhanced by its rising culinary and art scene. Then, it's time for a bit of nature as you embark on a rafting trip down the Río Verde and end your adventure on the Caribbean coast where you'll explore Cartagena and nearby islands.

Ama Dablam (22,349 ft / 6,812 m) translates as "Mother's necklace"

Ama Dablam Base Camp Trek - 13 Days

The 13-day version of this trip features nine days of trekking in the Khumbu and Everest regions, bringing you to the foot of towering Aba Dablam. Along the way, visit the Sherpa monastery at Tengboche, have lunch at Ama Dablam base camp, and spend time acclimatizing at the world-famous Namche Bazaar. Before your trek, you'll have a bonus day in Kathmandu—take a city tour with a local guide, day-trip into the Kathmandu Valley, or simply take advantage of the fantastic eateries and nightlife and bustling Thamel.

Ama Dablam Base Camp Trek - 12 Days

The 12-day version of this itinerary takes you to the foot of Ama Dablam, one of the most picturesque peaks in the Everest region. After a day of touring in Kathmandu, you'll follow the traditional route to Everest Base Camp before branching off into a less-trodden valley. Each day involves 5-7 hours of walking, and you can experience the culture of Sherpa villages and visit a number of famous Buddhist monasteries along the way.

Aerial view of Medellín's skyline after dark

Colombia's Cities and Caribbean Coast - 13 Days

This 13-day itinerary eliminates the hard choices travelers often have to make when planning a visit to a country as diverse as Colombia. You don't have to choose between cities and culture or nature and beach time. On this adventure, you can have it all. Your journey begins with the Spanish colonial plazas and pulsing discos of Bogotá. You'll then jet to the reinvented city of Medellín and experience its rising culinary and art scene. End the trip on the Caribbean coast where you'll explore the beaches and mountains of Tayrona National Park and the cobbled streets of Cartagena's walled city.

Camino Verde and Tayrona Park Hiking Adventure - 13 Days

This active 13-day adventure combines the epic Camino Verde trek in central Colombia's rainforests with one of South America's most exciting and fascinating cities. Cradled in a fertile valley in the Andes, Medellín is best explored by foot and gondola, where you can observe the sprawling metropolis from high overhead. In a blink, you'll go from city streets to the surrounding countryside. After completing the three-day Camino Verde trek, reward yourself with time to explore the trails and relax on the incomparable beaches of Tayrona National Park.

Colombia's Coffee, Whitewater, and Caribbean Islands Adventure - 13 Days

With 13 days you can experience all of the highlights Colombia is renowned for throughout the world. Your journey starts in the heart of Colombia's Coffee Region, where you'll overnight on a working coffee farm. From there, head to the reborn metropolis of Medellín, a city whose reputation as a global hotspot is enhanced by its rising culinary and art scene. Then, it's time for a bit of nature as you embark on a rafting trip down the Río Verde and end your adventure on the Caribbean coast where you'll explore Cartagena and nearby islands.

Dancers at Carnival in the town of Barranquilla

Colombia's Vibrant Cultures: The Caribbean to Cali - 13 Days

This diverse, action-packed itinerary covers a lot of Colombian ground in two weeks. The trip starts on the northern Caribbean Coast and allows time to explore Tayrona National Park. This protected area is home to rugged mountains, indigenous ruins, and white-sand beaches hugging turquoise waters. You'll then spend a few days enjoying city life as you explore the ancient fortress city of Cartagena. Mixed in with all this is a jaunt to Caribbean islands and a visit to the heritage site of a long-standing Afro-Colombian community. You'll cap your two weeks of adventure with a jaunt to the southern Colombian city of Cali, the salsa capital of the world.

Sensoria, in Rincón de la Vieja National Park

Costa Rica Adventure: Whitewater, Volcanoes & Surfing - 9 Days

This fun 9-day itinerary highlights Costa Rica's amazing natural scenery through a thrilling series of adventurous activities including whitewater rafting, kayaking, zip-lining, and more. Starting in the nation's capital, you'll make your way to rivers, jungles, waterfalls, and cone-shaped volcanoes, culminating on the Pacific coast with time to do some surfing in Tamarindo's famous beaches.

Volcano & Pacific Beach Family Adventure - 7 Days

Experience a range of Costa Rica's top natural highlights on this family-oriented 7-day adventure. Beginning in Liberia, you'll explore Rincón de la Vieja National Park, home to a towering volcano of the same name. Next, you'll base yourself in the surf town of Tamarindo, a great jumping-off point for visiting the sun-kissed beaches and unspoiled rainforests of the Nicoya Peninsula. There are plenty of kid-friendly activities along the way, including waterfall hikes, kayak excursions, surf lessons, and whitewater rafting.

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