Kimkim Trip Reviews for Iceland

Our trip to Iceland was our first trip with Kim Kim and we have already recommended both (Iceland and Kim Kim) to friends.

Emanuela Grieco was fabulous to work with. She developed a trip itinerary that checked all of the boxes for things I wanted to see and do in Iceland. Her expertise was invaluable in knowing what were the not-to-miss sights and experiences as well as what might not be worth our time or further driving distance. Some of our favorite things were hiking Fjadrargljufur Canyon, Skogafoss and the trail that starts above it to so many beautiful waterfalls, and up along the river to Hengifoss.

Our accommodations were exactly what we had asked for and Emanuela planned our itinerary for the perfect driving distance between each stop so there was time to enjoy the sights and relax in the evenings. We loved her restaurant recommendations from elegant dining in unexpected places (Narfeyrarstofa in Stykkisholmar) to casual, non-touristy breweries (Ölverk in Selfoss).

We also truly appreciated that Emanuela was looking out for us during our trip. At one point a big storm was headed to Iceland and Emanuela got in touch to make sure we knew to headed to our next destination early, before the Ring Road was closed. She managed a couple of tours that were canceled because of the storm and made sure we were refunded - no extra work for us. With her guidance we were safe and sound!

Activity Reviews

Vatnshellir Lava Cave Experience

Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Driving around Iceland you see plenty of lava fields but seeing what lava does underground is amazing!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Silfra Snorkeling Adventure with Transport

Reykjavík

Silfra Snorkeling was one of the most unique experiences of our trip. The water was so blue, so clear and so cold! But the equipment kept us comfortable and we have a great story to tell!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

We did so much in five days that my head is still spinning. The detailed plan, with driving directions and all confirmations and reservations made it possible to stay on schedule and see as much as we possibly could. Duncan worked with me to make changes as needed before the trip, including some last minute changes due to a traveller not being able to go with us. It all worked out with minimal stress for me. Duncan's expertise and knowledge of Iceland was invaluable, and resulted in a week packed with activities and no wasted time.

Iceland itself is an incredibly beautiful country, with dramatic, and at times otherworldly landscapes that have to be seen to fully appreciate. Waterfalls everywhere, history that goes back over a thousand years, and the "Fire and Ice" aspect make it a destination for anyone, but especially those who enjoy the outdoors. We bought new hiking boots for the trip and they were well used every day. We were cautioned that a fall (October) trip meant potentially mixed weather, and this trip didn't disappoint in that regard, but we got three nice days out of five, with one incredibly windy day, and one very rainy and cloudy day to round it out. We packed layers, with a good winter coat and rain pants to keep us warm and dry, and they worked. Our rainy day was just as full and fun as the others.

Must see spots from our trip and our perspective would include the lava fields at Fagradalsfjall. Parking area P2 is a short hike to the tip of the flow, and about a ten minute walk to the edge of the lava field where you can collect a sample for a souvenir and photo. If there's an active eruption (which there wasn't for us) it will take a much longer hike to see it, but this stop is easy. There are other trails that go farther to other parts of the valley and lava fields.

The Bridge Across the Continents is another quick and easy stop. There isn't much to it, but the impact of standing at the rift between two active tectonic plates is pretty impressive to contemplate, and it's fun to walk across the bridge from Eurasia to North America (and back).

The Blue Lagoon is a classic, and while more touristy than other hot springs, it is big and impressive, and warm and nice. I would recommend it for a final day activity to relax and unwind before flying home.

We spent the first night in Reykjavik and enjoyed the town. If seeing the city itself is on your list, then plan to spend one or two days there. It's a great town, and worth seeing, but we had a quick afternoon before dinner and bed and then on to the next day's adventures.

Whale watching at Reykjavik harbor was fun and easy, and we got to see whales! Several white nosed dolphins, four Minke whales, and two Humpback whales. The boat is large and comfortable, with inside seating to keep you warm, as well as full weather suits so that you can go up on deck without freezing when it's cold outside. On deck is definitely the best experience, even if it's cold. Our crew did a great job of looking out for whales, and helping us all look in the right places to see them. The two humpbacks came up alongside the stern for photos, which was a real treat. Do be careful with the directions to the ticket office; there is more than one operator, with different locations at the harbor. You don't want to be at the wrong one and miss your boat. If you are heading out of town afterward and want a good burger for the road, I recommend the Plan-B burger place on Grandagarður street. Very tasty.

Þingvellir National Park was a great stop for us. The visitor center has a large area that shows the history of Þingvellir back to its use in the earliest days of Iceland's history as a place of government. You can easily spend an hour in the visitor center, and there's a lot of park outside of that, so plan your time accordingly. We took a hike to the waterfall and then back past Thingvallakirkja (church). There are many hiking trails that you can follow if you want to spend the day.

The Geysir geothermal area is small but a fun visit. It doesn't have to take much time, so it fits into the schedule pretty easily. There were two highlights for us; one was visiting the place where all geysers got their name (though that original Geysir is no longer active), and the other was the very active geyser that erupts on about a five to seven minute cycle, so you never have to wait long for a show. More for the "fire" list. We were scheduled to go to Gullfoss after Geysir, but we spent so much time in Thingvellir that we ran out of daylight, so that will have to be on the "come back for more" list.

Kerid crater is a good stop for a short hike. The crater adds to the "fire" checklist, and there is a hiking trail around the upper rim, as well as inside along the water's edge. The blue-green water is beautiful. It makes for another easy and impressive stop.

Waterfalls. What can I say? Each is different, and all of them are beautiful. Seljalandsfoss was especially fun to walk behind the falls. The climb to the top of Skógafoss is a steep and long one, but the view is impressive. On sunny days, when the sun is right, the spray from the falls creates a beautiful rainbow.

The black sand beaches are really impressive, and there are many to choose from. We stopped at Dyrhólaey, which has a few hiking trails, one leading to the ideal spot for a photo of the "door hole" arch. Just up the road from Dyrhólaey is Reynisfjara, which was a big hit with my son, who loved to explore the caves and climb on the rocks. The scenery is dramatic, so be ready with a camera, but stay clear of the waves and be aware; the surf is dangerous and bitterly cold. Don't mess with it.

Vik is a charming little town on the south coast. We didn't have time to explore but it would be worth going back to. In Vik there is a "Lava Show" where they melt lava rock and black sand in a furnace and then pour it down a sloping display in front of the crowd. The heat and sound and sight is really amazing, as is the information provided by the guide who runs the show. You learn a lot about lava, how it forms, how it flows, as well as some local history about the nearby Katla volcano and the glacier that covers it. We enjoyed the show a lot. There is a nice little cafe outside of the theater where you can have lunch. They have some really great soups and light sandwiches.

Further east is Jökulsárlón, where icebergs break off from Vatnajokull (say "vat-na yokurk" and you'll sound like a local) glacier and float out to sea past the "Diamond Beach". There are lots of icebergs to see, as well as some harbor seals swimming among them. You don't need to go out on a boat to enjoy the bay, but we took the amphibian boat tour, which was fun just for the amphibious boat, but also for the informative tour and ability to get closer to the icebergs. The tour guide did a nice job of presenting information about Jökulsárlón and Vatnajokull. It was interesting and a pleasant half hour tour. There are also tours that go out on smaller, faster, inflatable boats.

On the beach side of the road is "Diamond Beach" where pieces of ice from Jökulsárlón wash up on shore and sit on the black sand like diamonds in the sun. It is very pretty and you can get some nice photos, but be aware that, like Reynisfjara, and other popular places, it can be crowded, so you will probably not get that "lonely beach" photo.

Further east was our easternmost stop, for the Crystal Blue Ice Cave tour under the Breidamerkurjokull glacier. The tour begins with a ride in a large off road capable van, which carries you down a bumpy, twisty, though flat, "F road" for about a half hour to a parking area where you then hike across the glacial moraine to the foot of the glacier. The walk is about twenty minutes and is not difficult, though the path is not paved. The view of the landscape is dramatic and enjoyable in and of itself. Our tour guide Andrea was a wonderful resource, providing history, and natural science information about the glacier and its moraine valley. Once at the glacier it's similar to entering any cave, but this one is made of ice. The color and shapes were spectacular. The cave is large, and although there were a fair number of people there from multiple tours, there was plenty of room. Again, be aware that you aren't likely to get a photo without people in it. This tour was one of the real highlights of our trip. The folks at GlacierAdventure.is were great and provided a very memorable experience. If you've worked up an appetite on your tour, there is a restaurant just across from their office that serves Icelandic dishes. "Ice theme"; check, check, and check.

Along the ring road is Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon, which was formed by a glacial lake that overflowed and cut the canyon long ago. It is deep and dramatic with a waterfall down one side. It doesn't take long to see it, and is a nice stop that won't take all day.

Back toward the west the "Lava Tunnel tour" is a cave tour of a lava tube that formed during an eruption long ago. If you have toured a cave before, this one is nothing unexpected, and in some ways less dramatic. There are no stalactites or stalagmites, but there are basalt formations and some mineral colors on the walls and ceiling that are unique to the lava tube. What makes this tour interesting is understanding how the tube was formed and seeing how the lava created the structures that cover the walls and ceiling. This tour isn't long, and it's not too far off the main road, so it would fit into a busy day without too much time taken. If you've seen other caves, and don't have a lot of time, this might be one to skip. I enjoyed it, but wouldn't give up a glacier tour or famous waterfall for it.

Iceland is a spectacular country; from the mountain climbing sheep to the volcanos, and glaciers, it is dramatically beautiful and full of surprises. My advice is to pack well for all types of weather because you are likely to see them all. Bring rain suits or a waterproof coat and rain pants. Waterproof hiking boots are a must. Most of all bring an adventurous spirit because this place has a lot to offer and it's almost all outdoors. Make sure that you pay attention to the cautions and advice about driving; there are some "gotchas" like the gasoline pump handle being green and the Diesel handle being black. Don't mess that one up. Make sure that your cell phone works in Iceland for voice as well as data. Mine (Verizon) worked fine for text and data, but was hit and miss for voice calls. Food was a question in my mind, especially in some of the less built up areas, but in general it's not hard to find something to eat, and as long as you are flexible, you will not go hungry.

October in Iceland was beautiful and amazing. We need to come back to see the summer, hopefully very soon.

Thanks to Duncan and kimkim for the excellent trip plan and coordination. It made getting the most out of our time so much easier. I have a memory with my sons that none of us will forget.

Hotel Reviews

Eldey Airport Hotel

Reykjanesbær

Eldey is nothing fancy, but it is very convenient for staging prior to a departure the next morning. The rooms were simple and comfortable. There was a continental buffet breakfast in the morning, which helped get everyone going before heading out to our flight.

Authenticity & Character

It's just a hotel. No special theme, none needed. It doesn't have "character", but it was a nice stay.

Location

Right on the airport, it's a ten minute drive to the terminal.

Staff

Very friendly staff. The woman at the reservation desk gave us an excellent recommendation for a restaurant for dinner.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Clean and comfortable rooms. Nothing fancy, but they did the job. The rooms have very large closets and a counter with a sink that suggests maybe longer stays would be suited to it, though I'm not sure why you would do so in this area.

Hotel Laki

Kirkjubæjarklaustur

Hotel Laki is an interesting mix for me. The location is stunning, with scenic countryside all around. The hotel itself presents well in the exterior and public areas. The restaurant, though a bit expensive, is nice and puts on a great buffet for dinner and breakfast (maybe lunch too?). There is a roof terrace that has a beautiful view, and is a great place to view the northern lights at night (if they cooperate). The surprise that cost them a star was the corridors and interior of the rooms. Both were clean and in good condition, but the decor was what I'd describe as "cell block chic", with plain, undecorated surfaces, and steel doors with turn-key deadbolts. It gave the impression of being fairly old, but maintained reasonably well, though it could definitely use an update. The rooms were compact but perfectly comfortable and clean. I would stay there again, but not if I was trying to impress a traveling companion. Any shortcomings were more than made up for by "Lady", a delightful Border Colley puppy (ca 2022) who met us in the front yard and invited us to play "fetch the stick", which of course we did.

Authenticity & Character

The rooms and corridors need a make-over.

Location

Very convenient location between Vik and the more eastern glacier areas.

Staff

Nice, friendly, and helpful.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Everything was clean and working.

Blue Hotel Fagrilundur

Bláskógabyggd

The hotel is right on the Golden Circle, which makes it a good stop. The check-in area has a sort of family feel, while the separate building with the rooms is more like a traditional hotel. Breakfast in the morning is a continental buffet as at most places, and it was good. They have hot tubs out back in the evening to relax in.

Authenticity & Character

The layout of the hotel was different, the rooms were simple and nice. It was just a pleasant place.

Location

Right on the Golden Circle. Very convenient. There is a nice restaurant "Restaurant Mica" right next door. It was very good, with a varied menu. Note that this is the only restaurant in the area, so be prepared. They're open for lunch and dinner. There was a 1 hour wait for dinner when we dropped in unannounced. Not a problem for us, but it pushed bedtime back a little.

Staff

Very friendly, helpful and nice people. Everyone in Iceland is nice.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Heimaleiga

Reykjavík

This hotel is downtown on one of the main shopping streets. The location is very good for someone staying to see the city for a day or two. The rooms are nice, with a European style. The restaurant for breakfast was great. You'll want to figure out where to park in advance since there is no parking associated with the hotel itself. Street parking is available if you can find a spot, and there is a parking lot not far away but you don't want to be searching at the last minute.

Authenticity & Character

The decor was nice, it was contemporary European style, which fit the area.

Location

Right in the shopping district.

Staff

Friendly staff, especially at the restaurant.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Comfortable beds, everything was clean and working as expected.

Activity Reviews

Faxaflói Bay Whale Watching Excursion

Reykjavík

This was a great activity. The boat and crew were wonderful, with constant communication about what we were seeing outside, where to look for whales, and dolphins, etc. There was a large indoor cabin where you could stay dry and warm, and they provided cold weather coveralls so that you could go out on deck without getting too cold. Being on deck was the best place to be for seeing the wildlife. We got to see several Minke whales, two Humpback whales who came alongside for close up pictures, and many white nosed dolphins and countless sea birds.

Quality of Experience

The great crew kept us informed and entertained. There was a place inside to get snacks and things to drink. The boat was large and comfortable. We got to see whales!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Excellent staff. They were constantly working to help us find whales and other things to see.

Transport

We drove ourselves. If a tour operator takes you there, it's no fuss, but otherwise you have to find your own parking and then walk over to the ticket office.

Lava Tunnel Activity

Iceland

This was an interesting and fun stop. Anyone who has gone on a cave tour will recognize this, however unlike a "normal" cave, the geology of the lava tunnel is very different. For example there are no stalagmites or stalactites, but there are basalt formations and colors created by the minerals deposited by the lava as it flowed through. I would say that this tunnel is not as visually dramatic as a lot of traditional limestone caves, but I found that the reality of what it is, a tube that lava flowed through and formed, was really special.

Quality of Experience

Different, educational, unusual type of cave to see and experience.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide was very knowledgeable and had a great personality. The staff was very friendly and extremely helpful, even accommodating a change in tour times for us.

Transport

We drove there ourselves. It was easy to find the location, there was adequate parking, and the ticket office is right at the entrance to the lava tunnel.

Crystal Blue Ice Cave

Iceland

Wow. This was my favorite activity of our trip. From the bumpy van ride to the parking area to the hike through the glacial moraine valley to get to the cave, just getting there was an adventure. The cave itself is beautiful and dramatic. Large enough to have many areas to see and photograph. I consider this a unique experience. There aren't many places where you can explore underneath a glacier.

Quality of Experience

Magnificent scenery to and from the cave, and the absolutely beautiful cave itself. The whole trip was an adventure.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide, Andrea, was excellent. She was engaging, and knew the area well, providing history, science, and climatological information all along the way, as well as being a great driver and entertainer.

Transport

The ride to the parking area was an adventure in and of itself. Some will disagree because it is very bumpy and twisty, but it's clear that you are going somewhere off the beaten path!

Icelandic Lava Show

Iceland

I really enjoyed this presentation. They have a great presentation where the presenter talks about the types of lava, how it forms and flows, the geology of the local area and the huge Katla volcano that sits under a glacier just outside of town, complete with a story from the last eruption in the early 20th century. The lava show itself is impressive. The heat and sound and bright glow of the lava as it flows out is very cool. The presenter does a great job of helping the audience learn about the nature and behavior of lava. It's a great activity, especially on a rainy day.

Quality of Experience

It was dramatic, beautiful, and educational.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our presenter was very knowledgeable, and had a great sense of humor and personality. He gave us a great show.

Transport

We drove ourselves. Finding the place was easy, and there was plenty of parking available.

Blue Lagoon

Iceland

This is probably the most "touristy" thing we did on our visit, but it's almost required. They have a kind of spa theme now, that has been added since I was last there many years ago, but it is still warm and wonderful to soak in the water while the cold Icelandic air swirls around.

Quality of Experience

Well organized and easy to get in and out. Everything was clean, the water was wonderful.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Helpful, friendly.

Transport

We drove ourselves there. Parking was close and sufficient. It's easy to find the entrance.

Emanuela was great to work with. We had a few starts and stops with our planning and each time she was flexible and understanding.
She provided us with options for our trip and each time we provided feedback, she came back with updates to the plan that better reflected what we wanted. She was very responsive and got back to us quickly each time we had a question.
Hotels were very nice and ones we wouldn't have found in our own searching. That was a nice perk of having someone who is familiar with the area.
We drove the ring road and Emanuela provided detailed Google map driving directions with detailed stops of each attraction plus a few cafes and restaurants she recommended. This was so helpful.
She also was available and checked in on us during the trip. She was able to change some departure times for us on our last day.
Overall I would recommend working with Emanuela.
**Highlights**:
Zodiac boat tour among icebergs
Relaxing geothermal waters
Loads of waterfalls

The ring road has many worthwhile stops, but is very long so give yourself time at each waypoint to enjoy it while not feeling rushed. 8 days left us changing hotels almost every day.

Francesca was incredible! She took our likes, dislikes, dietary restrictions, etc. into account and had incredible recommendations; she worked with us to make sure we had the best possible hotels for our budget, too. We had a minor hiccup when our plane couldn't land (weather at Keflavik) and were delayed a day, and she helped us to get refunds and to adjust our trip so that we didn't miss anything. Every time we talk about Iceland, I recommend KimKim and Francesca. She is the best!

Activity Review

Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon Kayaking Tour

Iceland

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

My husband and I just returned from an amazing 10 days in southern Iceland. The stunningly beautiful landscapes together with the detailed itinerary that Terry put together for us made for a trip that exceeded all of our expectations. We wanted a trip that was hiking based and Terry had wonderful suggestions that kept us happy and wanting more! We started in the Reykadalur Valley which was beautiful and an introduction to Iceland's many hot springs. Our Super Jeep trip to Thorsmork was definitely a highlight with an amazing hike that provided spectacular views from above of the valley, glaciers and mountains. The Mulagliufur Canyon was a trip into another world with 2 waterfalls and moss covered cliffs. We loved the Svartifloss waterfall and the stunning lava columns that surround it. We hiked up the Hjorleifshofdi Cape and also walked a trail from Vik's center where the views of Reynisdramgar beach's black sands and sea stacks from above were amazing. Terry nailed it and made it possible to put all of our energy into satisfying all of our senses and our love of exploration with none of the usual travel concerns about logistics. Thank you Terry!

Just returned from a brilliant trip to Iceland and have to thank Eva for putting together such a wonderful itinerary! As a "type A" trip planner kind of person, I am usually in charge of all of the details surrounding any trip we take as a family and/or with friends. That said, releasing everything to a stranger wasn't easy at first but the communication and suggestions from Eva quickly helped put me at ease. Hotels, tours, driving itineraries, etc - it was done with excellence and all there! She managed to fit in everything we requested and more in the 8 full days we had in Iceland and our tour around the ring road. Our only regret was that we didn't have more time to spend in her beautiful country!

One amazing detail Eva made happen was contacting her friend in Akuyeri to arrange a private opening of the Icelandic Aviation museum for my aviation obsessed father the day after his 75th birthday. Wow. That was above and beyond!

My wife also broke her foot a week before our trip and Eva was able to secure refunds for parts of the trip she couldn't participate in and provided great suggestions on how/where to navigate many of the places along the way so she could see as much as possible. Again, insights only an experienced local like Eva could provide.

All in all, dealing with Eva and KimKim was such a positive experience that I can see myself becoming a little less type A and using more of their services in the future! On behalf of myself, my wife, and my parents, thank you again for all you did to arrange and coordinate such a logistically seamless and wonderful trip for us!!!

A family friend recommended kimkim to us for our trip to Iceland. We had an itinerary of locations to explore.
We shared this info with Lisbet, who added a stop in the highlands, and suggested additional stops along our route with pertinent information for each site.
She was able to secure lodging for us that was convenient to all our “must see “ attractions.
Each hotel had a restaurant on site with breakfast buffet.
After a busy day of sightseeing, we often chose to settle in with wine and dinner there and enjoyed our meals immensely.
We were very pleased with the accommodations she chose for us!
Thank you, Lisbet!
Evelyn and Tom

I don't know what else to say other then everything was INCREDIBLE. Silvia was so helpful with everything we needed. She planned the perfect trip for us, down to every detail. Our biggest concerns before going to Iceland were; where are we driving every day, and the food. But Silvia made the driving effortless with daily google map itineraries, and in addition to daily local food recommendations, was able to get us hard to get reservations at amazing restaurants. My wife and I have already started talking about our plans to visit Sweden or Switzerland and would love to have Silvia as our agent again!

Activity Review

The Retreat Spa - Blue Lagoon

Iceland

So glad we ended our 8 day trip at the Retreat Spa. The best possible way to wind down a very busy and exciting week.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Excellent planning by Jenny and the KimKim Team. Just one small clitch at the start re whether we'd prepaid for the hotel in Reykjavik but quickly sorted out and thereafter no problems. Useful to note also that when using the bus transfer from Keflavik airport you are taken to a terminal and then change onto minibuses to take you to the drop off point for your hotel. Otherwise everything worked as per the Travel Plan with maps, suggestions for places to visit and possible detours.
Our trip involved an internal flight to Egilsstadir where we picked up the hire car and then working our way back to Reykjavik via Lake Myvatn, Husavik, Laugarbakki, Heydalur, Isafjordur and the Snaesfellsnes Peninsula. Highlights were the Whale Trip at Husavik, seeing the Northern Lights and whales in the fjord at Hvammstangi and the stunning West Fjords but throughout the trip the scenery was fascinating and surprisingly varied.
We found Icelanders very helpful and friendly and most of the people we met spoke English. Not sure what it's like on the more touristy routes but it's work noting that there are very few public toilets when out in the country areas.

We had an absolutely magical 10 days in Iceland. The itinerary developed for us was perfect, taking into consideration our preferences. We particularly enjoyed the inclusion of Hornstrandir, the western fjords and Husafell. The accommodations selected for us were perfect and it is unlikely we could have found them on our own. Loved our stay at the Lysuholl Farm and Skalholt. Rinolda was excellent. So responsive, quick to understand our needs and to develop a brilliant itinerary. The detailed itinerary was very informative and really helped us plan our days. We appreciated the dining and shopping suggestions too. Rinolda checked in throughout the trip, was quick to address minor issues that arose (for example, for some reason I couldn't download the ferry ticket, Rinolda got me a copy within minutes). Have recommended Kim Kim and Rinolda to several friends and look forward to being able to use Kim Kim again for future trips.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Lotus

Reykjavik

This was a delightful little hotel not far from downtown. We arrived in the afternoon and were offered a piece of cake! The breakfast room offered a lovely breakfast. The rooms were new and modern and very well appointed. Loved the bathroom!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Very convenient to downtown, and lots of dining options close buy

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hótel Klaustur

Kirkjubæjarklaustur

Beautiful hotel in a lovely town. Fantastic room, good wifi

Authenticity & Character

Location

Good place to explore from

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Skalholt

Selfoss

This was a very interesting location. It was a little difficult to figure out how to check in and dragging bags to the room wasn't necessarily easy. However, the room was comfortable, wifi was very good, and the included breakfast was fabulous. The restaurant served phenomenal meals.

Authenticity & Character

We very much liked the Church and the archeological aspects of the church grounds

Location

Staff

Lysuholl

Snaefellsnes

We had a wonderful cottage with glorious views of the Snaefellsnes Mountain and glacier. Amazing Sunset! Lovely to have the animals around. Great breakfast included with the room. Dinner was available for guests at a reasonable cost and it was very good.

Authenticity & Character

Nice little cottage rooms with fabulous views

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Fosshotel Westfjords

Patreksfjörður

Lovely hotel, beautiful views

Authenticity & Character

Location

The view

Staff

Very friendly staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Horn

Ísafjörður

The room was very comfortable. The only downside was it was necessary to walk to a sister hotel for breakfast. This was a very minor inconvenience. We would happily recommend this hotel to anyone visiting Isafjordur

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Husafell Canyon Baths

Iceland

This was as unexpected delight. The Canyon baths are very private (only six guests when we did it). The changing rooms are amazing, and the bathes themselves quite wonderful. The guide was amazing, knew so much about the region, the history of the bathes etc.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Wildlife and Arctic Foxes tour in Hornstrandir

Iceland

We very much enjoyed the day, but I think it was because there were only 6 guests. The guide mentioned that in busier times they have many more, and that would have diminished the experience. There was some confusion over whether or not lunch was included. Arriving late the night before and departing early in the morning meant it was difficult for us to arrange to bring our own lunch (we brought a pizza that we had ordered the night before). However, the soup, bread and wild mushrooms provided prior to our departure from Hornstrandir was fabulous. We also enjoyed the bonus whale watching on the boat ride over.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Thank you Duncan for arranging our 11 day self drive adventure in Iceland. Also, thank you to a local agent, Sigurdur, who provided much needed information when our wifi didn't work.

We definitely recommend KimKim to all our friends. Your complete plan was easy to follow and allowed for just the right amount of time to drive from one destination to the next. The hotels were all clean with great beds. All the little things really do add up. We would never have been able to see as much of Iceland as we did had we planned this self drive trip by ourselves.

KimKim seems to have everything covered and was timely in negotiating our trip plan. Duncan was quick to redo our plan when we added a day and also delayed our departure.

We look forward to arranging another adventure in the future with KimKim.

We had an absolutely fantastic vacation and really enjoyed experiencing Iceland. There are a few questions that I should have asked in retrospect, but nothing that detracted from our experience.

The Silfra snorkeling tour was incredible! Our tour guide, Johnna was excellent. She took us through every step giving us confidence that we would have a wonderful experience. Even her underwater photography skills were amazing!.
Our trek on the glacier was exhilarating! Wei, our tour guide, was quite competent and offered both technical knowledge as well as a great deal of information about how the glaciers are reacting to the environmental impact of global warming.

Our experiences are too many to list, however, the weather was perfect and our hikes along the coast as well as to various waterfalls were exceptional. A bonus was our opportunity to see the northern lights! We had that opportunity on two occasions! Our only disappointment was it was too late in the season to see the puffins. I guess that will be a good excuse to return earlier in the summer.

We enjoyed clean, modern accommodations and the breakfasts were typical of European hotels with a plethora of options to meet anyone’s dietary desires. I cannot recommend enough this wonderful opportunity to see this beautiful country. The Kim Kim staff was exceptional in providing us with great accommodations, wonderful tour guides, and they even found beautiful weather for us to experience this amazing country!

Hotel Review

Árnanes Country Hotel

Höfn

This was a quaint accommodation with a warm feeling provided by wood paneling and a modern bathroom facility. This group of small cabins were placed just off of the main road and easy to find. The continental breakfast was exceptional with a full array of breakfast foods.

Authenticity & Character

This was a quaint accommodation with a warm feeling provided by wood paneling and a modern bathroom facility. This group of small cabins were placed just off of the main road and easy to find. The continental breakfast was exceptional with a full array of breakfast foods.

Location

Very convenient as it was roadside

Staff

Very convenient as it was roadside

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Vatnshellir Lava Cave Experience

Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Our tour guide was informative and provide us with a safe and pleasurable experience. He was great at answering our questions and was very knowledgeable about the geology of the area. He did not rushes through and we had plenty of time to take photographs.

Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon Kayaking Tour

Iceland

Although somewhat overcast skies, the weather provided great opportunity for photographs amongst the icebergs and seals. Our tandem kayaks were stable and easy to operate. Our tour around the lagoon was relaxed and we enjoyed our tour guide thoroughly!

Silfra Snorkeling Adventure with Transport

Reykjavík

The dry suits for first class and kept us nice and warm. Our guide was excellent and prepared as well for the experience. The sunny day allowed lots of light in to chasm and made our experience that much more memorable!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

With plenty of time to get to this venue as the GPS was not as accurate as we would’ve liked it to have been.

Duncan was an amazingly responsive and intuitive specialist, understanding the types of adventures & experiences, places of both common and unusual interest, and level of difficulty (hiking) that we sought for our first trip to Iceland. Given that we were traveling in fall, we had to make a few "audibles" given the weather, and he was able to redirect our itinerary without missing a beat. He checked in on us during our trip (which was a positively wonderful touch), and made some additional recommendations during our trip to compensate for poor weather. The accommodations and restaurant recommendations were spot on, and honestly, we could not have had a better trip! Most memorable places were the Blue Lagoon, the challenge (given conditions) of the Glymer waterfall hike, the Reykajadalur Valley (and corresponding hike), the fantastic Skaftafell Glacier Hike (spectacular!), and the Jokusarlon Glacier. Every day was full of new adventures, beautiful landscapes and amazing experiences. The digital platform worked out beautifully and made navigating the country as easy as could be!

Hotel Review

Hotel Geysir

Bláskógabyggd

This is a beautiful hotel in the middle of a geothermal wonder. The staff and amenities are amazing, and the food is wonderful. It is a perfect choice!

Authenticity & Character

Loved the "sustainability" emphasis, and natural beauty respected by the hotel

Location

convenience for traveling to/from other locations

Staff

Genuinely wonderful, polite and helpful staff.

Cleanliness & Comfort

everything was perfectly clean and comfortable.

Activity Review

Skaftafell Glacier Hike

Iceland

Beyond the pure beauty, adventure and unique experience that this hike offers, we were impressed with the level of expertise and knowledge of the guides, as well as the attention to "safety". This was one of the best experiences we had..purely awe inspiring and breathtaking!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Othamn tried to work with in our parameters and did a great job with the sudden change to the schedule in the end. He and the local people were able to fix the issue with the dive group in a quick manner. The over all trip was great and was thoroughly enjoyed. If I were to do it over, I would have suggested an extra day or two in Reykjavík instead of the day on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula as the time of the year we were there was not the high time for the wildlife in that area.

Our Iceland trip was amazing. Terry did a great job of putting together a great itinerary with a good mix of planned and optional activities. Some of my favorite things were: Vatnshellir Lava Cave Tour, Husafell Canyon Baths and Jokulsarlon & Diamond Beach. The Geldingadalir volcano hike was really interesting.

The best meal we had on the trip was Narfeyrarstofa in Stykkishólmur. Amazing scallops. The food was presented interestingly and it was all very tasty. We also enjoyed Englendingavik in Borgarnes.

On our day back to Reykjavik we discovered Rósakaffi, a restaurant in an old greenhouse. We had a very nice snack here.

When there was a question about whether breakfast was included at one of our stays, the local KimKim staff was quick to help us resolve it.

There were easily enough activities to do and things to see that we could have stayed for several more days.

Activity Reviews

Husafell Canyon Baths

Iceland

I really enjoyed being down in the canyon and the baths were lovely.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Vatnshellir Lava Cave Experience

Snæfellsnes Peninsula

I found it really interesting to compare a lava cave to a limestone cave. Our guide, Andre, did a very nice job of explaining what we were seeing.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Terry did a great job of managing things we wanted to see, downtime and our route. We enjoyed having a couple things planned the first few days then relaxed into our own schedule and our own pace for a few days. It was perfect!

What a wonderful trip to Iceland!

It’s hard to believe how effortless it was - my group of friends regularly commented on how well thought out our days were and we can’t thank Lisbet enough for her expertise and patience.

Overall, I found the KimKim site & service modern, simple and extremely convenient. It was just so easy to plan and communicate with our agent, Lisbet.

Lisbet is an Iceland guru. Beyond the detailed itinerary, pre-planned Google Map and reservation documents, she had some seriously amazing recommendations on where to eat in Iceland. Our favorite was the Tapas restaurant in Reykjavik - moody, vibrant and some of the best tapas I’ve had in the world. Our favorite activity was the glacier hike near Vik -the expert guides helped us feel confident so we could take the full experience in!

Because the service was so magnificent, our group we were able to focus on connecting and build ing our friendships - thank you Lisbet & KimKim

This has been an amazing trip, Duncan has been extremely efficient in always providing responses very quickly and in great detail. I would not hesitate to work with Kimkim again!!! Special thanks to Duncan for all the support he has provided to us.

Nhung made many mistakes with the dates and desired activities. We told her many times we were not picking up/dropping off our 3d friend, Talya, at the airport. But Nhung messed that up so our first and fourth day activities were decreased to do the airport. We emailed her repeatedly to change it but she didn't. I feel we lost 25% of our trip potential itinerary. She also messed up the payments which I am still waiting for a refund

Our previous rep Sotiria was much more on top of things.