Kimkim Trip Reviews for Greece

Angela helped us make an immaculate plan for our trip to Greece! It was a short notice yet she worked to make it perfect for us. Angela was very responsive inspite of time differences and very pleasant to work with throughout.
Our guides were all fantastic. Peter and Andreas were extraordinary.

Hotel Reviews

Belle Epoque Suites

Athens

Hotel is near Matreaski square so is convenient location. Room was quite small and lobby as well. The lift is inconvenient and hard to load suitcases. Staff was very friendly and quite understanding to help with late checkin and check out. Not fancy but definitely worth for a quick stay.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Near Mastreatski square. Lots of eateries around.

Staff

Very friendly and flexible staff.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Elevator is a pain and noisy especially if you have a room next to it.

Above Blue Suites

Santorini

Nice little gem that is in a rock style, facing the sea and at a high point. The balcony has a jacuzzi and best sunset view. Room was convenient though AC didn’t seem powerful enough to cool the whole room. Ample space and very convenient. Staff is friendly and courteous. But if stairs to climb up and down to room but the bell boys were happy to lug the suitcases for us.

Authenticity & Character

Well decorated and typical Santorini style.

Location

Fantastic for sunset views right from the room. Few restaurants and market were wt stone throw’s distance. Convenient for private trips not sure of group trips.

Staff

Courteous, friendly, cleaning staff was amazing

Cleanliness & Comfort

Cleaned the jacuzzi every day. Cleaning lady provided with essentials even when we didn’t want room to be cleaned. There is a stench in the bathroom which is probably due to plumbing or sea water.

Happy Cretan Suites

Malevizi, Crete

Absolutely fantastic hotel that is kid friendly, comfortable and with all amenities. Little away from town which probably the only drawback but it’s self sufficient.

Authenticity & Character

Well decorated, very convenient.

Location

Little far from port, airport, town and tourist spots. Definitely suited for private tours and or travel by taxi

Staff

Fantastic staff. Reception was friendly and thorough. Welcomed us with cookies and champagne. They gifted a local brand of lotions as parting present. Hand written welcome and thank you notes were very sweet and thoughtful. Waiters at restaurant were very friendly and helped plan a surprise dessert for my husband birthday at a very short notice.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very clean and convenient. Only complaint is that AC was not in the bedroom and so was very hot.

Activity Reviews

Sunset Black Waters Sea Kayak

Greece

It was fun activity to kayak with them. There were two guides so was feeling safe with my little guy. We got to see beautiful sunset and insides of a cave. There was a short snack break with fruits and lemonade. They even arranged hot tea for my son. Dinner was very delicious as well. Highly recommend this!

Quality of Experience

Great sunset and fun in water

Food

Snack and dinner were delicious. Accommodated vegetarians.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guides were helpful and adaptive to my child.

Transport

Convenient

We guide you in the Past 2024

Greece

This tour was great with multiple activities. Starting with a visit to Pyrgos village where we got to walk around and experience the classic Santorini houses and the blue dome churches. We got a glimpse of Red Beach. Wish could actually go to beach. We also got to see Akrotiri ruins however due to a strike we cdnt have a guide to explain. It’s a little harder to get a good idea without a guide. Lost Atlantis museum was informational and was enjoyed by my kid. It’s like a VR simulation.

Quality of Experience

Guide was friendly and knowledgeable

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Staff was helpful though we missed not having guide for Akrotiri

Transport

Private Tour of Delphi & Thermopylae From Athens

Greece

Visit to Thermopylae was interesting. There is not much to see in terms of monuments or remains. However, the 3D simulation and the history is quite interesting. Delphi was amazing to see. Lot of the original monuments are in the archaeological site. Museum was informative as well. Lunch location was fantastic- both food and view. Peter was an engaging and knowledgeable guide!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Peter was an engaging and knowledgeable guide/driver

Transport

Athens Highlights Mythology Tour

Greece

This tour was very informative and wonderful to see the Roman Agora, Acropolis, Parthenon and more. It covers most of the Ancient monuments in Athens. Needs quite a bit of walking but the guide was very good. She was engaging, giving references to mythology.

Quality of Experience

Great tour to cover the monuments in Ancient Athens

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guide was very knowledgeable, engaging and helpful

Cave of Zeus & Knossos Palace with Lassithi Plateau from East

Greece

Good day tour that covers visit to Dakiti, Lassithi plateau, cave where Zeus was born, ceramic pottery factory/store, Knossos palace which has been partially recreated to see the Minoan civilization.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Andres was very knowledgeable

Transport

George, our driver, to/from Athens was amazing! Drove carefully and efficiently; engaged well with our enthusiastic group; got us to our destinations in a timely fashion.
Our tour guide in Olympia was fabulous! She was very knowledgeable about the site and museum, and interacted extremely well with our group.
The private cooking class is highly recommended to future groups. Costas and Agathi were incredible hosts - so genuine, and happy to have us there. The food was delicious, too.

Hotel Review

Leonidaion Guesthouse Olympia

Archaia Olympia

Our group of 13 had the place to ourselves as there are only 8 or 9 rooms. The roof top deck was a great place to hang out after a long day of travel and touring. Our host was extremely pleasant, and a talented bartender. Located very near to the main drag, so we walked to lunch, and back from dinner. Would definitely recommend if you are in the area.

Authenticity & Character

Has real keys for the rooms - not plastic/electronic cards. Small hotel, very personable hosts.

Location

Walkable distance to restaurants, shopping and ancient ruins.

Staff

Very personable, and engaging. Were able to accommodate the GF request for breakfast.

Cleanliness & Comfort

The entire place was very clean; comfy beds; en-suite baths; good hot water and water pressure.

Activity Reviews

Private Guided Tour in Ancient Olympia

Olympia

Our tour guide was amazing - she was very knowable about the site and museum, and interacted with our group extremely well. Many in our group took the opportunity to "run" in the Olympic stadium - what an unusual experience - so grateful!

Quality of Experience

Great tour guide - it really makes a difference!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Very knowledgeable, friendly and engaging.

Transport

We had a private transfer.

Local meal in Galaxidi

Delphi

While the food was amazing, there was entirely too much of it - 7 courses, I think. The reservation was at 7 pm, and not starting to eat until 7:30 pm - that's just too late in the evening for this mid-western gal. Also, there didn't seem to be anything to do in the little town - so nothing to entertain us while we waited until 7 pm. They refused to seat us until 7 pm.

Quality of Experience

Too much food, too late in the evening, too far from our hotel (30 minute drive)

Food

Food was absolutely delicious, just way too much of it.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

They refused to skip the main course, even when none of us wanted it. Way too much time between courses. Did not take a reservation earlier than 7 pm. Refused to seat us until 7 pm.

Transport

Our driver picked us up at the hotel, and delivered us to a parking lot near the restaurant.

Private Tour of Delphi

Greece

Interesting little ruin within walking distance of our hotel.

Quality of Experience

Very interesting. Unfortunately, both the Theater and the Stadium were closed the day we were there - would have loved to wander and see a bit more.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide was very good. There was some confusion as to the meeting place - we were late because we expected her to be in the plaza at the base of the entrance - she was at the ticket window at the top of the entrance.

Transport

Walkable from our hotel (10 minutes)

Honey Tasting at a Farm

Olympia

While the activity was somewhat interesting, the reality fell short of expectations. The time of day was also unfortunate - several in our group were fighting to stay awake. The honey was delicious, but lacked depth of flavor.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our driver was in it with us - sat through the presentation and the tasting! What a good sport!

Private Epidaurus Guided Tour

Greece

This tour was amazing, only because we were allowed to explore/climb/sit in the 2500 year old Amphitheater! The rest of the ruin was overshadowed by this experience. Be sure to schedule your visit for the very first thing before the rest of the tourists arrive, and ask to see the Theater first.

Quality of Experience

The experience in the Theater. In the US, we are not allowed to touch historic artifacts.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide was very much into the mythology and ancient stories of Greece - these stories overshadowed the objects we were looking at. His accent also was fairly heavy, and so more difficult to understand than other guides.

Transport

We had our own private driver who picked us up at our hotel, and delivered us to the entrance of the ruin.

Local Transfer in Athens

Greece

The driver picked us up at the front door of the hotel, and delivered us to the bottom of the hill where we met our guide. George was great - so glad we had him for 5 days. I don't want to travel any other way again!

Quality of Experience

We didn't have to figure out where to go, and what time we had to leave to get where we were going.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

George was very pleasant and engaging, and an excellent driver.

Transport

Vehicle was newer and very clean; definitely the right size for our group.

Private Acropolis Guided Tour

Athens

What a great experience to see and tour the Acropolis with an expert. Though the place was packed with other tourists, I felt we had a much better experience rather than an audio self-guided tour. It also helped to have someone personally walk us through the entrance gates - less waiting and confusion.

Quality of Experience

The shear history and magnitude of the place.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our driver dropped us exactly where we needed to be. Our guide was well spoken about the ruin, and her grasp of the English language made it very easy to understand her.

Transport

Dinner in Athens with Acropolis View

Athens

Beautiful location - rooftop terrace - great food, and got to watch the Acropolis light up as the sun went down.

Quality of Experience

Location and view.

Food

Delicious food, plenty of it, and they easily accommodated a GF diet

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The wait staff were so pleasant, efficient and accommodating

Transport

Walk-able from the hotel - 15 minutes. And after a large meal, it was great to walk some of it off

Acropolis of Mycenae Guided Tour 

Greece

The bee hive tomb was very cool! The rest of the ruin was "meh."

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The guide was very interested in mythology and ancient stories - there was minimal talking about the ruins/rubble we were looking at. He also had a fairly heavy Greek accent which made him difficult to understand.

Transport

Our driver picked us up at the hotel, and delivered us to the entrance.

Lunch with Olive Grove View

Greece

What a great, relaxing lunch in the shade under the trees. Our host was very knowledgeable and personable - we really enjoyed our time with him. They served fabulous food, and easily provided plenty of GF food for the two individuals who required it.

Quality of Experience

Fun, entertaining, good food

Food

Very good, and plenty of it

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Personable folks, all around

Transport

Our driver picked us up at the hotel, and delivered us to the doorstep

Wine Tasting and lunch in a winery in Nemea

Greece

It was a beautiful location and building. The tour felt a bit rushed, but fun to see the things. Lunch was excellent, but entirely too much food - several dishes were never touched, and that feels very wasteful. We enjoyed the family style serving, and they easily accommodated the two who are GF. The wine was OK - it tasted very young (not aged).

Quality of Experience

Fun, and an opportunity to get out of the heat for a bit

Food

Amazing food, and plenty of it

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guides were very pleasant and knowledgeable

Transport

Our driver made sure we weren't too early, though we were still early

Private Cooking Class in Nafplio

Nafplio

Our group really enjoyed this - our hosts were so genuine, kind, and welcoming. And the food was delicious!

Quality of Experience

Fun and educational - I know I learned several things from Chef

Food

Amazing! And they shared the recipes, so we'll be trying it ourselves sometime

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Costas and Agathi were just so genuine and pleasant

Transport

Door to door service - in both directions

Local Dinner in Naxos

Naxos

Good food, walkable from the hotel, staff were kind and accommodating for our large group of 12.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Naxos Food & Culture Tour

Naxos

We thought it would be more about food than culture, and it was longer than 4 hours. Though one of the dishes on this tour was my favorite in all the food I ate while in Greece for two weeks! The olive oil tasting was fun and educational, though I enjoyed the history - spoken and visible - more. The retail shopping after lunch went long - I believe there was something about the credit card machine.

Quality of Experience

Food

Lunch was amazing

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide was lovely, knowledgeable and well spoken

Transport

We were picked up and dropped off at the hotel.

Caldera Cruise & Volcano Visit

Santorini

This was a lot of fun, though long - advertised as 6 hours, and it was 8 hours if not more. Also, as advertised as a traditional wooden boat, but the diesel fumes got old really quick.

Quality of Experience

It was beautiful to be on the water, and having the opportunity to swim in the ocean was great

Food

When you're hungry, food tastes good - the chicken was overcooked

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Picked us up and dropped us off a 10 minute walk from the hotel

Private Santorini Wine Tour

Santorini

While it was fun and interesting to see the differences between the three wineries, dinner was too long (timing - too much time between courses - and too much food), especially as we were departing early the next morning.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

This was our second trip booked with Kim Kim, and just as our first trip, it was amazing and even better. Mariliza planned a great trip for us that saw the highlights of Athens and a relaxing tour of the islands. All our hotels on the islands had amazing views from our rooms.

We started in Athens, driver picked us up and took us to our hotel was at Coco Mat near Plaka, which was prime location to activities, food, shopping, and acropolis. He had given us a print out of our itinerary that was a lamented booklet which was very helpful and a nice touch, we referred to the booklet many times. The mythology tour was great with our guide as we got all the highlights including the Parthenon and the Acropolis.

Next we took the ferry to Mykonos and stayed at Nimbus Hotel. This was our favorite hotel in terms of hotel staff. They were super friendly and helpful. Provided great recommendations for good food and beach clubs. We had a great time in Mykonos. We had a booked Yacht Sailing tour. This was our first time sailing. It was a good experience, but realized we are not boat people, and decided to cancel our Sail in Santorini, and Mariliza understood and issued us a refund. We instead applied that credit to a last minute Flying Dress photo shoot in Santorini that was arranged and it was an amazing experience for my wife.

Next we took ferry to Naxos. Naxos was amazing, our tour guide fore one of the days was Nasos with Naxos Tours, hes the man and very friendly. We did a Kitro tasting and Sophie was hilarious. Our room had a great view of the unfinished apollo temple and the beach. The breakfast made by the hotel owners every morning is so good. We rented a car, must have a car in Naxos, and went to the beach every day and visited some of the villages and ate delicious local food in Chalki. Nasos gave us an itinerary for day trip sightseeing which was great. Our time in Naxos was very romantic.

Last stop was Santorini. We stayed in an infinity pool suite with views of the Caldera. Since we got our beach fix on Mykonos and Naxos, we spent most of our days in the pool with the view. We visited Oia, did a self-guided hiking tour to Fira, a wine tour and island tour. Our last day was the Flying Dress photoshoot.

Overall, epic trip to Greece that we will remember. Definitely would like to go back and visit the the other islands. My wife and I have very busy work life, so we appreciate the planning of Kim Kim and just showing up for a vacation. If any hiccups, Mariliza was very prompt in her response and taking care of things.

Hotel Reviews

COCO-MAT Athens BC

Athens

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Nimbus Mykonos

Mykonos

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Cyano Suites

Naxos

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Astra Suites

Santorini

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Discover Santorini, Semi-Private Tour

Santorini

The tour was fine, and our guide and driver was great. The winery stop at Art Space was mediocre. While paros gave us a good tour, the staff member at the winery was more interested in selling us art painting and wine bottles. Seemed a little too touristy. The Kitro experience in Naxos was much better and family owned.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Flying Dress Photoshoot

Santorini

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Free afternoon in Athens

Athens

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Free day in Naxos

Naxos

Welcome to Santorini

Santorini

Athens Highlights / Mythology Tour

Athens

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

⛵ Sailing Cruise to Delos archaeological site & Rhenia islet

Mykonos

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Naxian Blend of History & Local Flavors

Naxos

Nasos is the best

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our family of four recently had the pleasure of planning our Greek getaway through KimKim, with Hara as our dedicated travel planner. From the moment we arrived, Hara's thoughtful touch made our experience exceptional. She welcomed us at our hotel check-in with kind gifts unique to Greece, ensuring a warm introduction to the country's culture. Throughout our trip, Hara was attentive and accommodating, readily available by text to address any questions or last-minute arrangements.

Hara crafted an absolutely magnificent trip for us, spanning Athens, Naxos, and Santorini. Her meticulous planning struck a perfect balance between enriching private tours and ample free time for our own explorations.

Every detail of our journey was flawlessly executed, enhancing our experience at every turn. One of the standout moments was our unforgettable private cruises—a daytime catamaran adventure and a mesmerizing sunset cruise—that truly captured the essence of Greece's stunning coastal beauty.

Hara's expertise and attention to our preferences ensured that every aspect of our trip exceeded our expectations. Already, we're eagerly planning our next family adventure with KimKim, confident in their ability to create another unforgettable journey.

Hotel Reviews

18 Grapes Hotel Naxos

Naxos

Our stay at 18 Grapes Hotel was nothing short of exceptional. The attention to detail and genuine care extended to guests, both in the rooms and throughout the property, truly stood out. Located just a short stroll from one of Naxos's most stunning beaches, the hotel offers the perfect blend of luxury and convenience. One of the highlights was the delicious made-to-order breakfasts, which were a delightful start to each day. The dedicated staff ensured our comfort with their warm hospitality and attentive service, making our stay truly memorable. Additionally, the rooftop restaurant served delicious food with breathtaking views, adding an extra touch of luxury to our evenings.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Elia Ermou Athens Hotel

Athens

The hotel was wonderful, and the location was superb! The roof top dining was such an amazing experience. The food was delicious, and the exquisite views of the Acropolis made it that much more special.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

El Greco Resort Hotel Santorini

Santorini

Our recent stay at El Grecco hotel left us with mixed feelings. While the lobby was charming and the receptionists were friendly and helpful, there were some notable drawbacks. Accommodation: We booked two rooms, one of which had a mildew smell, and the other had stains on the furniture. However, the clerks were responsive and tried their best to address these issues promptly. Atmosphere: The hotel tends to host large groups, which meant a bustling atmosphere with frequent tour groups checking in and out. Dining Experience: There was a wide variety of breakfast options available, though the food itself was average in quality. Location: One aspect we found inconvenient was the hotel's location. While there were some decent restaurants within walking distance, we found ourselves spending most of our time in Oia, wishing we had chosen accommodation there or closer. Overall Impression: In summary, El Grecco offers a pleasant lobby and friendly reception staff. However, the issues with room conditions and the bustling nature of the hotel, combined with its location, left us feeling that it was an average choice for our stay in Santorini.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

E-Bike Experience in Naxos

Naxos

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Magnificent Athens

Athens

Our tour guide as wonderful! He was incredibly knowledgeable and did an excellent job of providing a comprehensive and engaging tour.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The Island of Naxos

Naxos

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The Island of Santorini - Private Tour

Santorini

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Catamaran Morning Private Cruise

Santorini

This excursion was undeniably one of the highlights of our trip! We enjoyed it so much, we added a sunset tour to our itinerary.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Thank you for helping us create a wonderful trip
Some feedback:
1. Transfers between the islands would have been better to fly than take the ferry for time saving. Also a larger ferry like the one between Athens and mykonos much better than a small one from Mykonos to Santorini
2. The hotel in Mykonos was beautiful and had an amazing view. However, it was far from town and we had to order in groceries and food. Would have preferred to be closer to town. Same goes for the hotel in Santorini, would have preferred more in town
3. FYI: Last tour in Santorini: Great tour however just to know for the future: sunset cruise was 9 hours and not 4.5 hours as advertised (we started at 1pm and came back at 10pm). More lunch cruise than dinner. Probably not the best tour the night before flying out of town (we left for the airport at 5pm the following day to travel back to the US)
4. Angela was awesome!

Our trip was nine days: three days in Athens, three days in Mykonos, and three days in Santorini. We stayed in great hotels and took ferries to get to the islands. Even though we didn’t have activities planned for travel days, we had activities every day (which was a bit much). We did a walking tour to the Acropolis and the Acropolis museum, a walking/tasting tour in Mykonos, a driving tour around Mykonos, a wine tasting tour including a visit to the Atlantis museum in Santorini, a catamaran ride to Rhedia & Delos, and a catamaran ride around Santorini. On travel days, we found our own restaurants, which gave us a chance to explore the hotels’ neighborhoods and get souvenirs. We also had a couple of sunset dinners at really nice restaurants in Mykonos and Santorini. I will say, the restaurants with a view were more expensive than the other restaurants in the area. We had transfers booked to take us to the hotels and ferries. The transfer drivers and hotel managers were great and helpful. They were a wealth of information for us on this trip. The food and atmosphere were amazing everywhere we went. However, since I was out of shape from having major surgeries during the pandemic, it was physically hard for me to get around. Plus, there are some areas you can’t drive through. You may have to walk to meet the Ubers and tour groups. I made it work but start training yourself for long walks before the trip. I was able to find Ubers on the app in Athens but they’re not as readily available on the islands. It was also very busy everywhere we went because this is the most popular time of year to vacation there. It didn’t bother us because we live in cities that get a lot of tourists. Everyone was friendly and respectful of each other for the most part.

If you’re going to the Acropolis, try to go first thing in the morning or late afternoon. It got so hot, windy, and dusty, and the crowds got so much bigger after 10-11am. We also bought bottled water because you’re not supposed to drink the tap water on the islands and you'll need water because it's hot. They let us swim on the catamaran tours, but the Aegean Sea was really cold. The islands have steep streets and driveways. You may be dragging your luggage up those streets and steps. Again, start training yourself for the extra walking and hiking before your trip. The trips on the ferries were choppy. Bring your Dramamine and earplugs so you don’t get seasick. Also, we caught a flight on Aegean Airlines from Santorini back to Athens because it was quicker than taking the ferry back. We scheduled in an extra hour to get our bags and go through customs. But it didn’t take long to transfer through the airport in Athens to get to our flights back home.

Kim Kim and Gustavo really listened to us and planned the perfect trip to Greece for our family. We were blown away that after telling them we wanted a Mamma Mia style experience we had two surprises waiting at different destinations with the Mamma Mia theme in mind. Great job Kim Kim!!

Hotel Reviews

Narges Hotel

Paros

Wonderful little boutique hotel in Paros with the best staff! Loved it!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Walking distance of the sea and many shops.

Staff

Staff was incredible - very sweet and helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

Adriani Hotel

Naxos Town

Incredibly small room for a family and only bedding was a sheet. However the staff was nice and breakfast was good

Authenticity & Character

Has character and very clean

Location

Staff

Staff was nice and accomodating

Cleanliness & Comfort

Sofitel Athens Airport

Athens

Beautiful hotel next to the airport but you would never know it - quiet and very comfortable!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Traditional Greek Cooking Class

Paros

This was one of our favorite activities! Maria and her team were gracious cooking hosts and we learned how we can bring Greek cooking back home!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Exploration of Naxos's Old Town and Castle

Naxos

Wow- this was incredible! Katiana (?sp) was so knowledgeable and had so much passion for her city and her country. She went above and beyond by arranging for special music from Mamma Mia for our daughter during this visit.

Quality of Experience

Chalk full of history and information about the country the island and the city

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Katiana was awesome!

Every detail was attended to on our trip. I mentioned to my trip planner Gustavo that I’m visiting Greece due to my love of Mamma Mia, and sure enough our hotel had the soundtrack playing for me when I arrived. Not only that but our tour guide in Naxos, Katia, hired a musician to play ABBA songs for me in the beginning of our tour. All of this was a surprise to us and we are so grateful for the attention to detail that our trip planner provided us. So glad we planned our trip with KimKim!

We had the most amazing first annual international trip with our children planned by Thanos. We went to Greece and even though we had some hiccups getting there (due to airline issues) Thanos was so communicative through the whole thing, ensuring that everything would go as smoothly as possible, even offering suggestions on different times for our rescheduled flight. All the activities that he recommended were so much fun for all of us. The hotels picked were lovely and worked well. This is definitely a trip that we will reminisce about!

I was very happy with the services we received with planning our trip to Greece. Our specialist, Aggeliki was in constant contact with us from start, and immediately responded to our concerns while we were on the trip. The guides were superb, especially Eddie in Mykonos! He was so friendly and attentive and was so knowledgeable about Mykonos.

We seemed to email with various Kimkim staff while we were on our trip. There were a couple of small hitches which were resolved very quickly. Great service! Overall we enjoyed ourselves and the accommodations, excursions and transfers went well.

Hotel Reviews

Asha Suites

Fira

A fabulous hotel with beautiful view of the Aegean. Nice balcony overlooking the sea where we watched the sunsets. In a central location for restaurants and shopping. The best of our hotels on the trip. Very helpful staff. Lots of steps to and from room (which allowed for a great view). Very quiet despite being in a noisy location. Lovely breakfast served on our balcony.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

very helpful.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Sofitel Athens Airport

Athens

This is an international hotel chain very top of the line. You can literally walk across the street to the departure gates for the airport. Very top of the line fabulous breakfast. A long way from the city. Good only for arrival and departure from airport. Expensive.

Authenticity & Character

Location

far from city and sites but near airport.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Adriani Hotel

Naxos Town

Near shopping and attractions. Lovely breakfast spread each morning. Pleasant staff.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Garifalakis Comfort Rooms

Milos

A lovely small hotel run by a very friendly woman who couldn't have been more helpful and pleasant. It is far from the Port and in a smallish village "Polonia". About a 15 min. walk to restaurants. Small beach nearby. Cab ride (20 euros each way) for nicer beaches. ). No shopping to speak of and other sites accessed by car. The only hotel that did not include breakfast.

Authenticity & Character

Location

One should just know it is quite a long way from the larger city.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Attalos Hotel

Athens

Adequate small room. Clean. Helpful staff. Central location with view of acropolis from rooftop bar.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

South Coast E-Bike Adventure

Santorini

This tour was the highlight of our whole trip. VERY knowledgeable, friendly and skilled guide - the owner, Katarina. We saw places and small villagers and even inside homes that we would never have seen otherwise. Tour included the guide taking photos of you and then giving you a video of your route along with the photos. Pretty much did the half of the island you dont' normally see by bike. Very doable. We were a group including a 14 year old, a 42 year old and a 77 year old. Katarina made it work for all of us. The bikes made the hills very manageable. Terrain was rough but she coached us how to approach it. Highly rec. this tour!!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Morning Caldera Catamaran Cruise

Santorini

Unfortunately, we happened to do this tour on a very windy day with v very rough seas. People were getting seasick and you should know that it is not a sail. It is motoring on a catamaran - with not too many places to sit where you have back support. Boat anchored three different times for swimming - but most people did not swim as the water was so rough. Nice lunch prepared on the boat but so windy that food was literally flying off our plates. It is probably a good tour on a calm sea day.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Self-Guided Beach Day by Boat

Naxos

We did not do this as it was very expensive and not included on our package. Roughly $359 to rent a boat plus $100 for fuel. Plus more of course if you hired a driver.

Private Day of Highlights

Milos

This was an amazing tour and very worthwhile. Our guide Ian's drove us around a good portion of the island explaining history and answering our questions. We saw the place where the Venus de Milo statue was disco verde, went into some catacombs, had a chance to jump/dive off small cliffs into the ocean at an amazing beach, with fabulous white stone landscape. We had time to swim and time to lunch on our own and shop. A highlight of our trip.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Planning and booking a trip on Kimkim gave us the personalized trip experience we were looking for, tailored to our exact needs. Our local specialist Eleni was amazing to work with, and we would recommend her to anyone looking to book a memorable vacation in Greece. Eleni was amazing to work with. She answered all our questions, provided excellent suggestions based on our likes/dislikes and all communications with her were prompt and professional.

We had an amazing trip with great recommendations from our planner!
Kimkim was very attentive to our asks and preferences and they were so helpful when certain things in our itinerary got canceled due to weather!

Hotel Reviews

Galaxy Hotel Naxos

Naxos

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Kastro Suites Santorini

Santorini

Absolutely the most perfect location.. amazing views .. the actual rooms were dated tho. The bathroom showers didn’t stay up (needed to hold the shower head w one hand while washing hair w the other). They have very limited staff. One guy practically did everything!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

They could have more staff. Only had one main guy!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Athens Cypria Hotel

Athens

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Photo shoot in Santorini

Santorini

Great must do!!! They take you to the most amazing locations that you would never find on your own

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Santorini Highlights with Wine

Greece

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Everyone was very accommodating. We didn’t have to worry about anything. Best vacation we have had. Thank you so much !

Hotel Reviews

Petinos Beach Hotel

Mykonos Cyclades Islands

Everyone was amazing!!!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Katikies Chromata Santorini - The Leading Hotels of the World

Santorini

The staff were amazing!!! Best vacation we have ever had. Thank you for your hospitality. It was impeccable.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Sunset Caldera Catamaran Cruise

Santorini

The ride was fun and but scary very different terrain from the normal. You should be on good shape to do it.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

My wife and I were recommended to Kimkim by friends of ours who had used your services a few times. Chris, our agent, was very easy to work with. He laid out an entire itinerary for our trip to Greece based our on desires. It was the best vacation we have ever taken. The hotels we stayed in were perfect in terms of location and amenities.

Wow, this trip was an absolute dream full of fun and adventure. I am so thankful for KimKim/Travel 12 for doing the hard work and allowing me to sit back and relax. Although some excursions were not as expected all were very enjoyable with knowledgeable guides and fantastic scenery. I started my trip in Athens and was thankful for Travel 12's placement of lodging right in the city center as I was a bit overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle of the city. I experienced a mythical and historical tour of the Acropolis and some other ancient remains and was able to sample the local fare. I have several food restrictions and Travel 12 was excellent at providing some recommendations throughout my trip. During my time in Athens I even met and had dinner and wine with my local specialist (shout out to wonderful IRENE LAPPA). After Athens I moved onto spectacular Naxos for some fun in the sand, waves, and mountain towns. It was amazing. Enough said. Crete was next on my list and I highly, highly, highly recommend visiting the Palace of Knossos, hiking the Samaria Gorge (if that is your jam) using the ELAFONISSOS TRAVEL company, kayaking from Stravos beach with CONTACT CRETE, and visiting Balos and Falassarna beaches using CHANIA AVENTURES. Travel 12 helped to establish my itinerary including lodging, transportation, and excursions based on my preferences. While in Greece they also provided me with a WhatsApp number to contact for assistance. This was very beneficial to me.

Thank you to Travel 12 and all of the guides I met while in Greece!

Activity Review

Samaria Gorge Guided Hiking (Group Tour)

Chania

This was such an amazing hike. The views alone made the next-day soreness well worth the effort. I am an experienced hiker so can certainly say that this trek is very doable, but you would be best served with the proper shoes and perhaps some experience and stamina due to the terrain and weather conditions (it gets hot out of the trees!). I took this trip with ELAFONISSOS TRAVEL and was so lucky I did as I experienced a sprain to my ankle two days prior and they were able to rent me a hiking stick for added stability over the loose and slippery rocks. The guide was knowledgeable about the conditions one would experience on the hike and there was no pressure to remain with the group, but pace the hike to your ability and comfort. Along the way there were rest stops and water to fill up if needed. At the end of the hike lay a beautiful beach for a dip to cool off and multiple restaurants to eat while waiting for the ferry to take you back.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We loved the trip! It was designed to be a fast paced trip to see as many archeological sites as possible and I do wish we had more down time but we were designing the trip around my daughter's specific interests. Mariliza was great and with only one exception we had wonderful experiences with everyone she set us up with. Had a difficult interaction with one staff member at The Editor Hotel on day 1 but it only highlighted how amazing everyone else was that we dealt with. We had several small changes in times on ferry rides and the like but Mariliza kept in contact with us and we had no issues.

The trip could not have been more perfect. Tasos and the entire team really listened to what we wanted. He made recommendations and suggested revisions where appropriate based upon his knowledge. Their team was always easy to reach with any questions we had. I would definitely work with them again and will recommend them without hesitation

Hotel Reviews

Cyano Suites

Naxos

Beautiful view, clean and comfortable suite, and incredible breakfast. Cyano Suites are very close to the harbor

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Above Blue Suites

Santorini

Spectacular view and a great staff. Beautiful clean suite. The balcony was very nice but a bit dated. Overall, and amazing location and a great choice. We would love to return

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Zillers Boutique Hotel

Athens

Beautiful and historic hotel with an amazing view of the Acropolis. Perfectly located to explore historic Athens. Small hotel with a great staff. The hotel felt very welcoming and the rooftop restaurant was perfect.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

The Athenian Democracy tour

Athens

Tina was wonderful. She was not only extremely knowledgeable but has a real love of the history of Athens. She’s a perfect guide you through historic Athens

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We walked the tour. You need to be up for a long walk but I can’t imagine a better way to experience it

Dinner in Athens with Acropolis View

Athens

Quality of Experience

Food

Incredible dinner

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Very friendly staff

SUMMARY:
One word: απίστευτος... or in english, INCREDIBLE! But even that one word doesn't do justice to the kind of trip we had in Greece and the amazing team at Be a Greek. We arrived in Athens for a couple of days to see the local sights, ferried to Mykonos for 3 more days and enjoyed some local farm-to-table and beach time, and then ferried to Santorini for 4 days for an opulent and relaxing close, before flying back to Athens for our flight home the next day.

PRE-TRIP PLANNING:
I don't know where to start with this review, so it's probably best where our trip started, when I first reached out to kimkim. The service looked straight forward enough to request an itinerary for our Greece trip, and immediately put me in touch with Effie from Be a Greek - local Greece travel experts. She titled our trip “Dream Vacation in Greece” and catered to every request - what our dates were, the type of vacation, budget, what's most important for the trip, where do you want to spend more/less money, more/less time, etc. Within only a day or two, Effie turned around a full 10-day itinerary that we iterated on a couple of minor tweaks, but within only a few days, our entire trip was finalized! And then we waited to see how it turned out...SO MUCH BETTER THAN EXPECTED!

ARRIVAL IN ATHENS:
From the moment we landed in Athens till the day we left home, we were met with white-glove service from start to finish. Effie had someone waiting at the airport holding a sign with my name to pick us up and take us to our hotel (Altar Suites Athens). The check-in process was seamless as they were waiting for us as well - our room was amazing with an incredible view of the Acropolis and the Parthenon . We had time that evening to roam around Monastiraki and enjoy dinner also with a view of the Acropolis and the Parthenon. The next morning Effie had arranged a Private Walking Tour of Athens including the Acropolis - once again, a driver was waiting for us outside our hotel to take us to the meeting point for our tour guide. Our tour guide was Natasha and my goodness Natasha was so well informed and shared really interesting stories about the rich history of Athens and also about the cultural ongoings of recent history. We had great conversations throughout the day. Natasha also took us out for a break and stopped by a local restaurant and offered us refreshments :). Thank you Natasha for an incredible tour - you made our day in Athens so memorable!

OFF TO MYKONOS:
The next day Effie once again arranged for a driver to take us to the seaport for our super ferry to Mykonos. Before I go on, I'll mention it now, but every form of transport, hotel, tour, was all arranged by Effie and her team from the moment we landed. I'll share a little more about the communication later :). The ferry was a little more than 3 hrs, and due to the slightly inclement weather (higher winds than usual), the ride made us a little nauseous, but we managed. As we arrived at port, once again rinse and repeat - driver, hotel (The George Hotel), simple check-in! Effie arranged a Farm and Wine Tour the next day at a local Mykonos farm where we got to experience a true “farm-to-table” meal with wine and met their farm animals! BTW, we didn’t have to figure out transport to/from, since that was also arranged :). Now here is a quick communication example of where Effie and the team at Be a Greek stood out - we decided on-the-fly to go out to a different hotel bar for some cocktails - we simply messaged Effie and team and they quickly responded on options on where to go and arranged with the driver for the change in plans, and not only that, but to be available when we are ready to go back to our hotel later that evening. The seamlessness and ease of making a quick change in plans in a foreign country where you don’t speak the language - it really felt as if we’re at home and messaging our friends with a new plan to meet up! After all that we spent the night back at The George in preparation for our ferry to Santorini the next day.

OFF TO SANTORINI:
Driver, ferry, arrival to port, driver, arrival to hotel – I can’t express how much this made our trip that much easier not having to navigate the local taxis or other transport options. As we arrived at our hotel in Santorini (Andronis Concept Wellness Resort) - I’m going to put this out there right now - the best hotel experience I’ve ever had! I am a Lifetime Platinum member at a leading hotel chain and have been traveling for my career for almost 20 years, and the Andronis Concept is by far the best! We had mentioned to Effie that we wanted to spend the most time in Santorini and also be able to enjoy the hotel as a relaxing end to our vacation - and Effie went beyond expectations - this hotel had a massive infinity pool, a heated pool under a cave, and our room had its own private heated infinity pool for ourselves with a postcard view of the caldera! I could not have imagined a better stay and relaxing end to our trip. This by far was the best part of our trip - each morning waking up to a billion dollar view and each night watching the glorious Santorini sunset from the privacy of our balcony and pool. We did go out and enjoy two excursions - one being the hike from Fira to Oia which we did one morning - (quick fact - there are a couple other Andronis properties in Oia, so we were able to take advantage of our included breakfast in those sister properties when we reached Oia which was nice). The other excursion arranged by Effie was the Sunset Dinner Cruise - this was a nice, easy and enjoyable (also a must-do) experience when visiting Santorini! Incredible view and the Aegean Sea is just so clear and magnificent! Our saddest day was when we were leaving Santorini - not only because the hotel was amazing, but we knew it was time to head back home as well.

LAST NIGHT IN ATHENS:
We received a pleasant surprise as we arrived back in Athens - Effie, our Be a Greek contact and master trip coordinator met us at the Arrival terminal in Athens herself! She had booked us a night at the Sofitel immediately across from the airport and walked us over to the hotel to settle us to check-in. We had a great final dinner at Jenny’s Rooftop at the Sofitel before another nice breakfast and walked over back to the terminal for our flight home.

COMMUNICATION:
Effie and her team created a WhatsApp Chat Group for our trip beginning the morning of our trip. We had constant communication with Effie and the entire Be a Greek team that became our 24x7 support throughout the trip. They used it to message us each evening of the plans for the following day, any e-tickets/boarding passes for transportation (ferries/flights), and timings for when our drivers would be at a pickup spot. From start to finish, the Be a Greek team was along with us and at no point did we feel lost, or unaware of plans, or even quick modifications to plans. It was also very helpful when our ferry to Mykonos was delayed - without asking, we got a message in the chat letting us know about the delay even before passengers were made aware at the port! Whether it was for any on the fly recommendations, or suggestions on things to do on our “free” days, Effie and the team at Be a Greek were always available and truly exemplified the meaning of white glove service.

IN CLOSING:
The experience we had on this trip from the initial planning on KimKim to getting in touch with Effie from Be a Greek to the actual execution of the trip, we could not have asked for a more memorable vacation. We’ve looked back in fondness on our trip each day since returning on how amazing each day turned out and how we wouldn’t change anything! We personally want to thank Effie and the entire Be a Greek team for all that they did and truly making our vacation a Dream Vacation! If you can’t tell by now, for those looking for a hassle-free, worry-free, all-inclusive planned vacation where all you need to do is enjoy, I could not ask for a better team than Kimkim and Be a Greek! We will absolutely use them for our next vacation! Effie - You were amazing and thanks again for going completely out of your way, and over and beyond our expectations to meet us before we left Athens. THANK YOU!!

Angela was sooo helpful throughout the 2 year process. W
She was patient and informative

Hotel Reviews

MELO Athens

Athens

Clean spacious hotel in the heart of the action. Friendly staff Was hoping for a rooftop but was under construction

Authenticity & Character

Unique layout. Very modern

Location

In the middle of it all. Close to eating and transactions

Staff

Helpful and kind

Cleanliness & Comfort

Overall clean

Dream House in the Venetian Castle

Amazing location. Authentic Greece layout. Close to Port and shopping. Wonderful host

Authenticity & Character

Updated few hundred year old apartment inside a castle!

Location

Staff

Our host was sooo helpful. Gave us a list of area spots and recommendations that were all perfect

Cleanliness & Comfort

Entire unit spotless. They also cleaned every day

Blue Dolphins Apartments & Suites

Firostefani, Santorini

Nice hotel. Great staff. Close to most things

Authenticity & Character

Updated room and clean

Location

Close to most things

Staff

Very inviting and friendly

Cleanliness & Comfort

Was overall clean. Had a unusual aroma coming out of the drains

Activity Review

Athens Highlights Mythology Tour

Greece

Our tour guide was ingaging and knowledgeable

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Was great and friendly

Transport

We walked there and back. Explored