Kimkim Trip Reviews for Italy

Guilia was very helpful in planning the trip to meet our needs. She was always responsive despite the time difference, She worked with our budget and gave us great restaurant tips, and made it easy for us to enjoy our vacation. She also advised us well on the balance between seeing sites and having time to explore the cities. She picked great hotels in excellent locations for us and picked amazing tour guides. We highly recommend Giulia if anyone is planning a trip to Italy.

Thank you, Rita, for the trip you set up for my Granddaughter Maddie, Grandson Nate, and me. Everything worked as it should. All the accommodations were great, especially Matera. You had very nice drivers for us and wonderful guides here and there. Roberta at Pompeii was so informative and that was a great experience for Nate and me. Maddie and I enjoyed the experience cooking with Madia done through Loliv.com and Claudio, and the golf cart experience at Alberobella. i have already recommended both to friends who are traveling to Puglia in May and in October. The October couple has used KimKim in the past -- in fact, they were the couple who recommended the agency to me years ago. It was great fun to explore --an amazing experience to be with Nate driving the Amafi coast (!) -- so wonderful to be in Puglia with Italians, rather than tourists from all over the world. And I learned that I can, indeed, get myself through airports, trains and cities by myself when I have to . Altogether a satisfying trip for me, one I hope the grandkids will remember fondly, and one that has taught me that I will be able to travel without my late husband. Thank you for all your input, planning and execution!

Hotel Reviews

Hilton Rome Airport Hotel

Fiumicino

It was a Hilton Garden Inn. Good for the night before travel. shuttle every 15 minutes to the airport. Not much airport traffic noise

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Dimora Storica Muratore

Lecce

Fascinating to be here. Location was right next to the old city and had a peaceful garden surrounding the villa. Hostess was wonderful, especially when she saved a little breakfast for my sleepy granddaughter!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Boston Hotel

Bari

Well located business-type hotel right next to the old part of Bari. Comfortable.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Aquatio Cave Luxury Hotel and Spa

Matera

Wow! great place with fabulous ambiance! Loved seeing the construction of a modern hotel in old caves right in the middle of old Matera.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Miramare Sorrento

Sorrento

Very pleasant place away from the crowds but within walking distance of all the shops, restaurants and activity

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Unico Relais

Napoli

Very nice once inside. the street entrance was not well labeled and took some scrutiny

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Guided Experience in Alberobello: Trulli, Countryside & Picnic

Italy

Great fun to move around with the golf cart. The guide was on a Segway, and had grown up in the town. He had wonderful stories and experiences to share. Have the transportation made is possible to see just about the whole area in the 3 hours, as well as stops for a little shopping and lunch. Lunch was at a local's home, with a cooking demonstration and stories about the couple who lived there shared by the guide. We were also able to see the inside of a house that had been brought up to date and was currently a residence on the Unesco side of the town, as well as a house recreating what the former residents had for living space.

Quality of Experience

Food

Transport

Discover Authentic Apulian Cooking with a Local

Italy

Restaurant had exceptional character, and a wonderful, charismatic owner who taught us to make some Puglian dishes. Very patient with me -- I had a hard time mirroring her quick hands making orecchiette. The story of her place and strategy in having a vegan restaurant was so interesting. Having someone there to translate made a huge difference to what turned out to be a very genuine experience. Loved it!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Great conversation on the way

Explore Pompeii with an Archaeologist

Italy

Excellent Guide named Roberta. Very informative, very impressive to see the engineering of the place, so much more that I expected.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Discover Naples: Guided Walk & the Veiled Christ

Naples

Excellent guide, great fun to walk around Naples

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

I think my review would be more succinct using bullets:
*Overall: Fabio Ilardi did many things that preceded the final plan and were crucial to its success. He was knowledgeable, patient, he LISTENED to all my suggestions and concerns, he conveyed an enthusiasm for the task following through at every juncture resulting in a near flawless itinerary that was easy to navigate and access.

*Transportation: From planes to trains to vans, all went so smooth. Even though he had nothing to do with the airline reservations, he knew the details and incorporated into the itinerary. Vans were there without fail and drivers clearly communicated pick-up locations when access to certain areas was restricted or inconvenient. Trains were great. Having been to Italy 9 times (most of those trips doing my own driving), I was really pleased with the convenience of train travel.

*Accommodations:
Venice, Ca Negra Lagoon Resort. convenient location although the difficulties in trying to convert a 400 year old villa to a modern hotel were evident. No air conditioning as we were told the city did not allow it until May. That made for a stuffy room so we opened windows where possible. Shower plumbing was difficult to figure out (I wish hotels everywhere would opt for the simplest plumbing fixtures instead of fancy and complex.)
Florence: Frame Hotel. Great place. Great location. Loved the provenance associated with the Mona Lisa, discovered there after its theft in 1911.
Naples. Eurostars Hotel Excelsior. What a jewel! Way past expectations. Beautiful rooms. Elegant throughout. While all the included breakfasts were very good to great, here it was over the top...... buffet was 75 long! Waterfront construction made it a little tricky to negotiate but when completed, this will be quite a gem on the waterfront in the shadow of Vesuvius .
Rome. Terrace Pantheon Relais. Again, great location. Convenient to many of the common sites. Rooftop lounge.

*Activities:
Mask painting in Venice. We all had a ball and the kids loved it. Nice people.
Gondola Ride: Wonderful guide (Giada, as I recall) who commented that the traffic on the Grand Canal was unusually light making for a very relaxing excursion. Lots of fun facts.
Murano: all enjoyed the tour and demonstration. Very pleased that a family run business continues to thrive.
Burano: an unexpected treat. Had never been there. Lonardo(?) was fun to be with and seemed to know everyone. The only disappointment was that we had no real time to spend in the beautiful and unusual shops. We did visit a lace making shop and were amazed at the short demonstration and the intracacies of the goods on display.
Truffle hunt in Florence: Probably the highlight of the trip especially for the kids. Out for close to two hours and back with 3-4 lbs of truffles. Guide was a lot of fun and informative. Roberto and his dog, Dora, stole the show and everyone got a shot with the shovel. The luncheon at La Cantina dei Tartufi was, hands down, the best meal we had on the trip. Beautifully presented with wine pairings and exquisite food. Paola and his wife were the kind of people you'd want to be friends with. It was clearly evident they love what they do. I would go back there in a heartbeat.
Leonardo Da Vinci Interactive Museum. This was described as an "interactive" exhibit and it was. Not as impressive as the one we visited in the town of Vinci but fascinating none the less.
Herculaneum: Having been to Pompei on two other occasions, this was the more perfect initial introduction to the tragedy of Vesuvius. It was much more manageable and not at all crowded. Our guide, Veronica, was terrific, a wellspring of information and great at fielding questions from the kids.
Galleria Spada in Rome: My wife and I had been here twice before. Even though this is not a typical stop on most itineraries, everyone found it fascinating.
Pizza and Tiramisu making in the "In Rome Cooking School" . Gianlucca was a talented, captivating host. Everyone's creation passed the test for deliciousness especially the Tiramisu. Would not have missed this for sure. Tricky to find. No signage, only a discreet number and an unmarked door. Walked right passed it twice.
Rome Tour: Definitely a marathon but worth the craziness. Did not expect the crowds. Giorgio, our guide, had his challenges. The Vatican was a zoo and they wouldn't accept the bar code for the group tour. We had to email all our individual tickets to each other's phones before they would allow entry. Different lines for different groups and we weren't the only ones caught in the confusion. Giorgio, an excellent guide, did his best despite the lack of accommodation on the part of the Vatican personnel. Can't imagine that place in the summer during high season. The first time I was in the Sistine, 56 years ago, I was able to lay down on the floor and photograph the ceiling. This time, I would have been crushed under foot. They wouldn't have found me until closing! Our other stops (Coliseum, etc.) were much less difficult.

All in all, a great trip enjoyed in different ways by a diverse family group. I don't believe any one of us will be forgetting this one any time soon. Thank you to Fabio for his patience, resourcefulness and for delivering the goods. I am blessed that I had the luxury of not having to be overly conscious of the total cost (including airfare, three times that of my first home). And you know the old saying, "You can't take it with you!"

Hotel Reviews

Terrace Pantheon Relais

Rome

This was a good fit. Close to a lot realizing Rome is a difficult city to navigate. The transportation people made that easy despite oppressive traffic everywhere.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Eurostars Hotel Excelsior

Napoli NA

I asked for clean, comfortable, well located hotels in safe locations. This place was over the top. Luxury and provenance evident everywhere despite its age (108 years). Exquisite rooms and location, right on the water. Rooftop restaurant and bar with breathtaking views. Breakfast buffet was 75 feet long and delicious served in an elegant ballroom.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Frame Hotel Florence

Florence

The building was formerly an apartment hotel where Vincenzo Perugia (the Louvre employee who stole the Mona Lisa in 1911) hid the painting under his bed until 1917. The Mona Lisa was a repeated presence throughout the hotel. Great job converting this structure to a comfy modern hotel. Great location in the antique section of Florence, a stone's throw from the Duomo.

Authenticity & Character

Location

In the old section of Florence, a short walk to most of the high points.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Ca' Nigra Lagoon Resort

Venice

Authenticity & Character

As I recall, this place was over 400 years old.

Location

Convenient to the arrival area. 20 minute walk, or less, to just about everything

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Private Luxury Tour: Explore Rome’s Wonders in a Day

Rome

full day, whirlwind tour but a must if you only have the one day like we had. Crowds were unexpected for this time of year (April). Lines everywhere but this is Rome so you have to deal with it or stay home.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Roman-Style Pizza Making Masterclas with Tiramisù

Rome

Making your own pizza and tiramisu with the guidance of a trained chef. Then, to dine on the results of your labors. What's not to love. Appetizers, wine, pizza and tiramisu.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Galleria Spada Timed Entry (self-guided), Including Borromini’s Perspective

Rome

This is an "off the beaten path" site which is not on any standard list but is fascinating none the less. The Boromini perspective is amazing and a shock to the viewer. You have to see it to appreciate it

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

No real staff or guide. Pretty much self guided.

Transport

They were always on time!

Afternoon Visit to Herculaneum Archaeological Site

Naples

A much smaller version of Pompei but much more easy to negotiate and not as overwhelming. Veronica was a great guide.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Truffle Hunting Experience With Lunch and Wine Tasting

Italy

Start to finish, this was great. It was good to be out in the country wandering between vineyards and olive groves. Our guide was informative and amusing with a great sense of humor. Roberto and his dog, Dora were the stars. 3-4 lbs of black truffles in and hour and a half. Kids loved it. The Luncheon at La Cantina dei Tartufi was the best food we had on the trip and that's saying a lot as we had some fabulous meals. The owner/host, Paolo and his wife, were perfect hosts.

Quality of Experience

The outdoors, exquisite countryside, a fun activity and a fabulous luncheon

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Fun and educational at the same time

Transport

Evening Gondola Ride with Guided Tour

Venice

Our guide, Giada, was great, although while tooling down the Grand Canal with motor craft around, hearing her was a challenge.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Murano and Burano Tour: Discover the Magic of Venice's Islands

Venice

Great to see a very old family business thriving. Beautiful factory and showrooms. Excellent explanations. Fascinating demonstration. Burano was an unexpected gem. Wish we had more time to explore the beautiful shops.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Vaporetto ride was reasonably comfortable. Someone prone to seasickness might want to prepare.

Learn How To Decorate Venetian Masks - Families And Small Groups

Venice

Lots of fun. Helpful instruction. Many choices and the freedom to be creative. The introduction into the history of the Venetian mask was new to all of us and very interesting.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Rita is the absolute best! She thought of everything to make our trip so special abroad. The first trip we took in 20 something years and everything was thought of on her end. From train tickets to the best hotels to private drivers and extraordinary tours. I would never hesitate to recommend Rita or this group to anyone traveling abroad. I can’t say enough about the service we received and the ability to reach out with any questions no matter how big or small and receive an immediate response. If I could give more than five stars I would. We definitely plan on using this group again.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Rivage

Sorrento

I’m not certain that I would stay here again and that it is truly a three star hotel. The lobby area and the dining area were exceptional. The pool was beautiful. The rooms however, are very very poor in their furnishings. One of our rooms, even smelt very musty. But the location was wonderful. Again, the exterior of the hotel was really pretty and the staff was so kind and nice in the restaurant area. One night we even ate at the hotel and the food was so delicious. For us it was just the rooms that were terribly lacking in comfort and decor.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Orto de' Medici

Florence

This is a definite five star hotel not a four star. It is beautiful inside and the staff is so very helpful. The location is perfect as well. We will definitely stay at this hotel again in the future. Very luxurious very beautiful. And we enjoyed our aperitifs before we headed out for dinner. The person in charge of the bar area was so kind and gave us beautiful history of the resort in the area. A definite asset to the hotel.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Domus Volumnia Country House

Perugia

This is a very small place, but the staff is so kind and helpful. It is very peaceful, although a bit out of the way from the center of Perugia. If you are looking for a peaceful, quiet, clean place to say I would recommend this holiday house for sure.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Eitch Borromini Palazzo Pamphilj

Rome

Truly, one of the most beautiful hotels we have ever stayed at. The hotel staff was exceptionally kind and helpful. The location was terrific and the hotel itself simply beautiful. We will definitely stay here again when in Rome.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Sailing the Amalfi Coast: From Sorrento to Amalfi & Positano

Italy

If I could get this experience more than five stars I would. It was just the best day that we’ve ever had in a long time. The boat crew showed us so much and also made us laugh. It was just a really happy fun easy day. The stops were great in Amalfi, Positano, and another area which name escapes me that is where we stopped for a very authentic delicious lunch. If you’re looking for a wonderful day on the Mediterranean please look no further than this boat trip. I cannot recommend it enough!!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Florence on Foot: Michelangelo’s David & Duomo

Italy

Another wonderful tour with Liv tours! Our tour guide was exceptionally knowledgeable, showed us the off, beaten places. We learned so much through her about the city of Florence. Would definitely recommend!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Discover the Vatican: From the Museums to the Sistine Chapel

Italy

Our Liv tour guide was exceptional in her knowledge! We learned so much that otherwise I don’t think would ever be possible if you went on your own or with a group. This was a wonderful private tour and we definitely recommend this tour group.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Rome on Foot: Spanish Steps, Pantheon & Trevi Fountain

Rome

This was an amazing tour by a Liv tour guide. We were able to learn a lot about Rome and experience the Trevi fountain away from the crowds. Our tour guide was so knowledgeable and kind. I would definitely do this private tour again.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Wonderful itenerary to get a taste of all the cities we visited in our very first trip to Italy. Hotels were excellent with only one small issue in Rome, but Anita got that taken care of. Our tour guides were all extraordinary and we liked them all. For 70+ year olds perhaps no more 7 hour tours with a lot of walking. Three to four hours seemed to be the best. I think our favorite cities were Florence, Sorrento, and Palermo. Our wine tastings and pairings were superb! And our cooking class in Palermo with Chef Marco was a special delight.
All in all an incredible once in a lifetime experience. Grazie mille, Alan y John

This was our first international trip and it was wonderful! Clemens, Andrea, and Kamila organized everything beautifully. We appreciated the use of the app and the team was always available for questions and recommendations.
The planned tours had personable, knowledgeable guides who made you feel like a friend. We especially loved our Vespa tour with Federico, Your Buddy on the Coast! We will definitely work with KimKim for our next trip!

Had a wonderful 2 weeks in and around Tuscany. Martina listened to our wants and needs and planned a fabulous trip - perfect accommodation, great tours, seamless travel and a great mix of cities and small villages. Lorenzo stepped in and provided awesome support throughout the actual trip - always accessible for whatever we needed. I cannot recommend them enough!

Hotel Review

Palazzo Petrus

Orvieto

Amazing service and such a beautiful room - cannot fault!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Central to everything

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Rialto Market and "Cicchetti" food tour

Venice

Georgia was great - took us to some hidden gems and historical places to sample traditional Venetian food and culture. Highly recommend - such good fun!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Discover Orvieto Underground

Orvieto

Very knowledgeable guide and really interesting to learn all the history. Was well worth the visit!!

This was our second year using Kimkim to plan and schedule our vacation and if it's possible, we're even more pleased than last year. I can't say enough about how great a job they do from planning and customizing the perfect trip, to making sure every little detail is addressed. Giulia did a wonderful job planning our vacation and we were super impressed and appreciative with her checking in throughout our trip to make sure we had everything we need. The Vamoos app is fantastic and makes it SUPER easy to navigate. The guides were absolutely awesome! I have recommend to all my friends and people I've shared about our trips that you MUST go with Kimkim to plan your next trip! Thank you for making our trip to Italy such an amazing experience....now I need to Kimkim to start working on our next trip to Europe!

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Casa Adele

Taormina

Gorgeous hotel, super friendly staff, great location

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Very kind and super helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Residence Amalfi

Amalfi

Great hotel, but if a quiet room is a must, make sure you don't stay in the corner.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Great view, but very noisy

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Godfather and Mafia tour with Pasta lunch (from Taormina) - Small Group

Italy

The Godfather tour was amazing, I highly recommend it for any fan of the movie series

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Giuseppe did an amazing job! He was super knowledgeable

Transport

Mount Etna expedition and Etna wine experience

Italy

Tony was absolutely amazing! His knowledge of Mount Etna and the history made this an incredible experience! The lunch served as well was fantastic!

Quality of Experience

PERFECT day!

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

We loved Tony, what an amazing job he did!

Transport

Day trip to Capri Island from The Amalfi Coast - small group

Italy

What a great experience! We couldn't have asked for a better day! Both boat captains were amazing

Quality of Experience

The knowledge of the island from our captain/guide was incredible

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The guide was was awesome

Transport

Andrea did an outstanding job crafting a personalized tour of Sicily for us. He met with us via Zoom before the trip and answered all our questions in detail. He assisted us in getting our seat selections for our connecting ITA flights between Roma and Palermo. He was readily available and responsive during the trip when we had questions. We would definitely work with Andrea on any future trips to Italy.

All hotels were unique and wonderful - Palazzo Balsamo (Palermo), Villa Fiorita (Taormina), Asmundo di Gisira (Catania), Palazzo Artemide (Syracusa - Ortigia), Villa Athena Resort (Agrigento) and Palazzo Natoli (Palermo). The staff at all the hotels were very friendly and helpful.

All the guides - Chiara (Palermo), Giuseppe "Pepe" (Taormina), Aureliano (Catania, Syracusa - Ortigia), Francesco (Mt. Etna), Ivana (Ragusa) and Marco (Valle dei Templi Agrigento) were professional, deeply knowledgeable, passionate, and fluent in English. We highly recommend all of them to anyone seeking a personalized tour with a subject matter expert.

The owner of the chocolate laboratory in Modica (I believe her name is Sara) was also very knowledgeable and patient with us!

Our two dedicated drivers, Giovanni and Salvatore were critical to the success of our visit. Both these young men are excellent, safe drivers. They were always punctual and professional in their dealings with us. They coordinated all our trips with our guides and hotels. They represented their companies and their country flawlessly. We highly recommend them and would gladly ride with them again!

Hotel Reviews

Palazzo Natoli Boutique Hotel

Palermo

Neoclassical palazzo located right off Via Vittorio Emmanuelle, near the Duomo di Palermo, Palazzo Reale and Quattro Canti.

Authenticity & Character

Renovated neoclassic palazzo.

Location

Neoclassical palazzo located right off Via Vittorio Emmanuelle, near the Duomo di Palermo, Palazzo Reale and Quattro Canti.

Staff

Very friendly and accommodating

Cleanliness & Comfort

Large clean room. Large, clean, modern bathroom

Hotel Villa Athena

Agrigento

The hotel is located inside the archaeological park and has stunning views of the Greek temples. It has an elegant 1950 vibe. I expected to see Gina Lollobrigida and Sophia Loren in the lobby! Restaurant staff wear white tuxedos and bow ties for breakfast and lunch. They change into dark suits for dinner. Grounds are immaculate. Ready access to the park.

Authenticity & Character

It has an elegant 1950 vibe. I expected to see Gina Lollobrigida and Sophia Loren in the lobby! Restaurant staff wear white tuxedos and bow ties for breakfast and lunch. They change into dark suits for dinner. Grounds are immaculate.

Location

The hotel is located inside the archaeological park and has stunning views of the Greek temples.

Staff

The staff all were very friendly and helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

Clean with well-maintained grounds. The bed was very comfortable. The bathroom was modern, and the room had air-conditioning.

Palazzo Artemide

Pristine hotel located right next to piazza and the Duomo San Lucia. Excellent restaurant.

Authenticity & Character

Neoclassical building surrounded by other neoclassical and baroque buildings

Location

Located right next to piazza and the Duomo San Lucia

Staff

The front desk staff was very helpful. Restaurant staff Stefano, Chiara, and Lorenzo were excellent.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Air-conditioned, clean, modern bathroom

Asmundo di Gisira

Catania

This was the most unique hotel we stayed in. The hotel is also an art gallery!

Authenticity & Character

Neoclassic palazzo with artwork in rooms and all common areas! Weirdly wonderful, over-the-top Italian!

Location

Centrally located with easy access to the piazza and Duomo di San Agarta.

Staff

The breakfast room staff are very professional and accommodating. The manager was actively engaged andcharming.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Clean and well maintained

Boutique Hotel Villa Fiorita

Taormina

Pristine, chic, with stunning views of the sea and cliffs. Breakfast/lunch room staff Marija and Ettore were excellent. Front desk staff Annalisa and Francesco were very helpful in setting up dinner reservations.

Authenticity & Character

This place was pristine and offered excellent views.

Location

Stunning views of the sea and cliffs. Easy access to Taormina center

Staff

Marija and Ettore

Cleanliness & Comfort

Bed mattress was excellent. The room, bathroom, and terrace were immaculate

Palazzo Balsamo

Palermo

All the front desk, restaurant, and housekeeping staff were very helpful. The hotel is well-positioned in the historic center of Palermo. The hotel is elegant and clean. We would definitely stay there again.

Authenticity & Character

Retained its neoclassic style with modern ammenities

Location

Right off Via Maqueda in the historic center of Palermo

Staff

Fluent in English, friendly, and very accommodating

Cleanliness & Comfort

Pristine, with a modern bathroom and air conditioning. The mattress was excellent, too!

Activity Reviews

Palermo time at your leisure

Italy

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Ragusa guided visit

Italy

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Entrance ticket to Temple Valley

Italy

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Modica chocolate laboratory

Italy

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Syracuse Guided Walk - Private Guide

Italy

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Syracuse Neapolis Archaeological Park - private guide

Italy

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Mount Etna expedition - Private

Italy

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Food walk in Catania (private guide)

Italy

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Ancient Theater of Taormina entrance ticket

Italy

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided visit to the Ancient Theatre of Taormina (private guide)

Italy

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Temple valley guided visit

Italy

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Monreale Cathedral tickets

Italy

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Monreale Cathedral Guided visit

Italy

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Palermo guided walk insight on the anti-mafia movement and street food tour (private guide)

Italy

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our trip to Italy was amazing and it's all thanks to the great work of our travel specialist Jessica and KimKim Travels. The site made it easy to identify aspects of the trip that were the most important to us and Jessica created an itinerary that was perfect for us . Every aspect was thought out and seamless- from the transports and trains to the hotels and tours, everything was amazing! We will definitely use KimKim again!

Hotel Reviews

Salotto Monti Rome

Rome

The hotel was very nice and a good location.

Authenticity & Character

Location

It was good location, walkable to some of the attractions.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The hotel was clean and well maintained, however we did have an issue with the air conditioning, which was not fixed during our stay.

7Florence B&B

Florence

This hotel was the most modern and spacious of the rooms that we stayed in. It was across from the train station which was very convenient. It was walkable to the main attractions and there were lots of places to eat nearby.

Authenticity & Character

Nothing, while the building was not traditional it was well maintained with modern amenities.

Location

Staff

Friendly staff they gave us great local recommendations!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Locanda Leon Bianco on the Grand Canal

Venice

Very nice hotel, loved the old world charm - there were a lot of steps! It was a great location, the staff was friendly, the breakfast was delicious and we would definitely go back.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Pompeii & Mt. Vesuvius Volcano Day Trip from Rome with Lunch in Naples

Rome

Pompeii was incredible and our guide was great.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Vatican Tour with Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica

Rome

There are no words to describe how incredible the Vatican tour is. Our guide was fantastic. The only downside was that we did not get to tour the Basilica because the Pope wanted to use it.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Colosseum & Ancient Rome Tour with Roman Forum

Rome

The Colosseum and Ancient Rome Tour was amazing!! Our tour guide was great and full of information.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Best of Florence Walking Tour with David & the Duomo

Italy

Our guide was great and very knowledgeable, but definitely above our level. I enjoyed the David, but felt like it was too rushed, there was a lot more that I would have liked to see in the gallery besides the David. The outside of the Duomo was beautiful and the dome was amazing, but I don't think we needed to go inside.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Chianti Full Immersive Wine & Olive Oil Experience

Florence

This is Italy! When I see pictures of Italy this is what I think of - a gorgeous afternoon in the Tuscan sun drinking wines. By far my favorite day! The tour and guides were great, the wineries were amazing, the wines were refreshing and the lunch was delectable.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hand-made Pasta & Typical Dessert Cooking Class

Florence

This was a great experience. Federico was a great teacher and the sauces he made were delicious!! I definitely recommend it.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Legendary Venice: St. Mark’s Basilica with Terraces & Doge’s Palace

Venice

This tour was amazing! The Basilica and Doge's Palace were gorgeous. Our tour guide was great - he was knowledgeable and funny.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Bacaro Tour: eat like a local with a tour through the hystorical Osterie

Venice

Our tour was great! The food was delicious and our guide was friendly and knowledgable.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The details of our trip were well communicated and easy to follow in the app. It would have been nice to have the option of adding the itinerary to a google (or other) calendar. Our tour guides in Rome: Francesca, Marta, and Massimo were excellent. Our tour guide in Florence: Sara was exceptional! The tour of Capri and Anacapri was amazing! The day trip through Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello with Antonio was well paced and interesting. Our accommodations met our expectations other than the one night in Naples. We only had a few issues and the team in country was prompt to respond and resolve the issue. The transportation and transfers were timely, professional, and adequate for our party of 5.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Tirrenia

The room was a little small but comfortable. The breakfast room had a fabulous view with delicious choices each morning. The staff were helpful and friendly.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Rivoli Boutique Hotel

Florence

The room was amazing! Plenty of room and comfortable. The breakfast was delicious with many choices each morning. The staff were friendly and helpful.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Monte Cenci

Rome

The room layout was comfortable. The breakfast was delicious. Hotel staff were friendly and very helpful.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

A Taste of Naples: Guided Walk & Street Food Tastings

Naples

This experience did not go as we expected. The guide seemed unprepared and did not provide any information about the foods we were eating. It did not seem like she had planned ahead and coordinated with the cafe. The cafe seemed to be chosen on the spot. The food was good, but overall the experience was disappointing.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

A Day Along the Amalfi Coast with a Driver at Your Disposal

Italy

Antonio provided interesting facts during our drive. The landscape along the Amalfi Coast is amazing!!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The Pearl of the Mediterranean: A Day on Capri Island & Anacapri

Italy

We had an awesome day! Do not miss the chairlift - it is totally worth it!!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tuscan Excursion: Siena & San Gimignano with Wine Tasting & Lunch

Italy

Alexandro was an excellent driver providing small tidbits of information as we drove. The winery was in a picturesque setting with excellent wine and food.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Masters of the Renaissance: A Journey Through the Uffizi

Florence

Sara was an exceptional guide through the Uffizi. Her excitement and passion for Florence were contagious.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Discover the Vatican: From the Museums to the Sistine Chapel

Italy

Massimo was entertaining and very knowledgeable. The pace was great.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Rome Unearthed: Guided Walk of Colosseum & Ancient City

Rome

Our guide Marta provided an excellent learning experience with her knowledge and experience. The pace was great.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Rome on Foot: Spanish Steps, Pantheon & Trevi Fountain

Rome

Our guide Francesca was knowledgeable and interesting. The pace of the walk/tour was great. The gelato treat at the end was a welcome surprise.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Melanie did a great job of listening to what we wanted and providing it. It was our first time to Italy so wanted a mix of "the things you have to see" and time to really appreciate the country and culture. It was perfect for our needs.

We ended up really appreciating the slower pace of Salerno. Still beautiful with lots of amenities, but not as touristy as other things.

Our guides were all great. We learned a lot in every place we went - history, architecture, cultural significance. All amazing.

Agota was incredible in keeping us informed and shifting things as needed. I'm pretty sure this is a 24 hour job.

Thank you!

Activity Reviews

Colosseo and Roman forums adventure

Rome

Sara was an excellent guide and was really good at ensuring we were at the Forum early (which wasn't quite as busy) and the Colisseum afterward. She was also really good at checking in with us regarding taking photos, resting, getting drinks, and keeping us on time. It's all amazing but more than you can see in the tour. We are putting the Forum back on our list for the next visit.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Very short walk from the hotel.

Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica Visit

Rome

Due to some changes, we did the Basilica on our own and then the Vatican and Sistine Chapel with a guide. Roberta was knowledgable and really enthusiastic about everything. She was really good at explaining what we were going to see before we saw it and helping us understand historical themes. Basilica was amazing. We went to a small mass during our visit. The art is incredible. Just an amazing building.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We had a driver over and uber on the way back.

Food & Wine Sunset Walk in Trastevere

Rome

I loved that we ate things that were not the normal things you have everywhere. My favorite was the cheese, meat, bruschetta at the first restaurant. All of the food was excellent and Marta was great at explaining everything and ensuring we were all organized and enjoying ourselves.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Marta's explanations and keeping us together.

Transport

Walked over. Easy taxi back.

Florence cooking class and market tour

Florence

Giulia was our instructor and was so good at giving us information about buying the ingredients, the cooking techniques, etc. We also loved the family we shared the experience with. So much fun. One of my favorite things.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Easy walk from the hotel

Semi private Chianti and San Gimignano tour

Florence

Claudius was our driver and was so fun and engaging. I loved that he pointed out things on the drive. The tour guides at each location were informative and we appreciated learning more about Chianti Classico wine. San Gimignano was incredible and we liked the loose schedule - we could walk around at our leisure.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Explore Pompeii Walking Tour

Italy

Our guide was educated in historical architecture and gave us such a good understanding of the place and importance of the different areas.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Easy train trip

Our trip planner, Guilia, was excellent. Her responses on text and e-mail were immediate and she was able to orchestrate many moving parts seamlessly. I loved the personalized travel application for each family member since we had a number of schedules to manage. I loved the kimkim communication platform which help me organize my thoughts and respond quickly for answers I knew and later for things I had to delay. It would have been helpful to know in advance the walking times to our various tour destination points. A preprinted map with meeting points, restaurants and bars may have been useful. Our cooking class was delightful but it was scheduled at 7pm and the pasta was finished and served at 9pm. It was also not enough to be considered dinner for six people. It was a snack and would have been a nice light lunch or day activity. Our tour guides were very sweet and knowledgeable but we suffered from tour guide fatigue and had to cut our last (4th) tour short. Also, next time I will ask the planner to add restaurant recommendations to use as a starting point for planning. Hotel location on the water was perfect for our family of adults with plenty of cafes and space for gathering. We loved our sunny weekend in the fascinating city of Venice. Thank you!

The trip was fabulous. The local team (Storywalking) and the drivers were fabulous. Leslie could have communicated a little better about the itinerary change. We found out in the middle of the trip that our itinerary had changed and for a reason that wasn't true. I didn't ask for that change. When I asked Leslie to show me the message where I had asked, she could not provide it. Was a little disappointed with Leslie.

Hotel Review

Grand Hotel Capodimonte

Sorrento

Fabulous!!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Private Capri Boat Tour and Blue Grotto

Italy

PHENOMENAL!!!!!! Boat driver was excellent

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full Day Tour Amalfi Coast: Positano, Amalfi and Ravello

Italy

We could have been given a little more time in each city - Positano, Ravello and Amalfi. Felt a little rushed.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The veiled mistery of Naples: inside the Sansevero Chapel

Italy

Very good

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Pompei & Vesuvius Experience from Sorrento

Italy

Excellent!! Guide was good!!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Tour to Paestum and Mozzarella Tasting

Italy

This was ok. We didn't need to spend the whole day here.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We had such a wonderful time on spring break in Italy! Luca was a pleasure to work with and did an amazing job arranging our tours. His communication was perfect and timely when we were planning. Everything was perfect, and we didn’t have a single issue on our travels. He booked some great hotels, and the kids had a blast while everyone was fully engaged on all the tours. It was truly an experience of a lifetime! This was our 4th trip with KimKim, and will certainly use them again. It makes traveling so easy!

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Continental

Sorrento

Great hotel with amazing views. So close to main Sorrento. Very comfortable.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Quirinale

Rome

Great location. Great rooms for family. A little dated, but still very comfortable. Huge rooms for European hotels.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Capri self guided day-trip with hydrofoil tickets

Sorrento

Great experience. A little more info in navigating Capri to get to the top of the mountain on the chairlift would've been helpful, but it was still easy to figure out.

Quality of Experience

Transport

Amalfi coast discovery tour with Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello

Italy

We went early in the season, so I feel we missed some of the beauty, especially with the weather. The tour guides were ok, not the best, not the worst

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Pasta and Tiramisù lovers workshop

Rome

Lots of fun. Great experience. Lots of fun had by all. Highly recommend!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Vatican & Sistine Chapel - Small Group Tour

Rome

Great tour with a great guide. Great history and explantation. Wish it included St. Peter's Basilica since we had come so far, but that was an extension on our own.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

PANTHEON SMALL GROUP GUIDED TOUR

Rome

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Colosseum, Roman Forums and Palatine Hill

Rome

We got delayed by other members of the tour who showed up late, which then delayed our tours. We then got stuck in line for security. Wish there was a skip the line option. This then made us cut short our experience in the Roman Forums.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

GOLF CART TOUR ROME (Rome Highlights)

Rome

lots of fun, a great way to see Rome and move around the city quickly. Our guide Patrick was great. We covered a lot of Rome in a short period with great views

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

**Best Trip Ever — Planned by Giulia!**

When I think about this trip, the first thing that comes to mind is the incredible level of planning behind it. Giulia made me feel like I was her only client, while also going above and beyond to create an unforgettable experience for my parents. Because of my parents medical needs, certain accommodations were essential, and I was unfamiliar with how this accessibility worked in other countries—things like transportation, baggage assistance, private vehicles, and elevator access.

Giulia handled every single detail flawlessly. From coordinating transportation between hotels to selecting ideal locations, arranging private tours, and ensuring smooth luggage handling, nothing was overlooked. My parents said it best: “We literally felt like royalty the second we got off that plane—Giulia thought of everything.”

One of the standout aspects of the trip was the thoughtfully designed itinerary. Each day included planned activities, but there was also flexibility built in for leisure time. My parents especially appreciated having their afternoons free to rest and recharge, rather than being scheduled every minute of the day like with some travel companies.

Another highlight was Enzo, the private transfer driver. While he handled most of the major transfers between hotels, he did so much more than just drive. Enzo shared meaningful insights about Italy that went beyond what they experienced on tours. He took the time to connect with my parents, making them feel truly special—something that set him apart from typical drivers.

Overall, this trip exceeded every expectation. Thanks to Giulia’s care, attention to detail, and genuine thoughtfulness, it was truly the best trip ever.

Our trip to Rome was wonderful and the itinerary Fabio put together for our family was so much fun. It was great to have the same private guide for our Coliseum and Vatican tours (Mirta was fantastic and so good with the kids!!) and for our car transfers. The Fiat tour with Daria was fantastic and our cooking class was the star of the trip. Thank you for a seamless travel experience!

Overall, the trip was good. But there were several issues with either the driver, the hotel or the tour that was booked at different points on the trip. We also had to correct our tour itinerary because there were several timing inconsistencies. One of our tours was canceled at the last minute in Rome and there were inconsistancies with the timing to begin with. The other Rome tours were great. Everything in Florence and Sorrento was great. We were not pleased with the hotel in Naples (it was not a real hotel), and our tour in Naples was very disorganized and not professional.

Hotel Reviews

Il Campo Marzio

Rome

Rooms were historic and clean. Breakfast was not huge but enough. The location was good. I missed having basics like kleenex and robes.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Unico Relais

Napoli

This was not a real hotel. There was a mix up with the address (apple maps and google maps have two different addresses) and apparently they recently moved. It has no signage and no lobby. The driver could not park near the door so we had to haul the luggage ourselves up the long street. There is a "sexy store" across from the entrance (porn store). A lady met us at the gate and let us in and showed us the rooms. The hallways and elevator into the building were very worn and run down looking. The breakfast was a voucher at a cafe down the street and the food was cold and awful tasting and service was very slow. There was no on-site staff during the night if we had an issue. If we wanted to store bags, our only option was an unlocked closet. It was close to city center but I would rather be at a nicer hotel with staff and walk a bit more. The inside looked new and was nice. Missing kleenex, lotion, robes and some of the nice features found at other hotels. No A/C.

Authenticity & Character

Not a hotel

Location

Next to "Sexy Store".

Staff

One lady was nice but no stars for not being staffed like a hotel.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Enterance, halls and elevators were dirty. Rooms were clean and new.

Hotel Tirrenia

Nice hotel. The room was a bit small but we made it work. It was nice and clean and the meals were great.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Rivoli Boutique Hotel

Florence

Very clean and close to the city center. We would go back again. The rooms were quite large. The bathrooms were large. It looked like it was recently updated (and some parts still under construction). Breakfast was great.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Monte Cenci

Rome

Very nice, clean hotel and the staff was excellent.

Authenticity & Character

Location

It was not near city center but probably saved us money. We walked to and from.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

A Taste of Naples: Guided Walk & Street Food Tastings

Naples

The guide did not make any reservations or plan ahead for restaurants. We walked through very crowded areas, and no reservations were made to sit and try the local cuisine. These were very touristy places. We just went to restaurants and she asked what we wanted to try with little insight on why the food is famous there. I have taken many food tours, and the guides usually have reservations, food chosen in advance, an explanation of the food, and often go to less crowded, unknown places with better quality than the tour trap cafes. Overall, I was disappointed.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We walked but we only walked in super crowded areas.

A Day Along the Amalfi Coast with a Driver at Your Disposal

Italy

Driver didn't say much. I would have liked more history and knowledge of the region. And we just got dropped in city center where it is super touristy. All we had time to do was look around and shop. Maybe 60-120 minutes at each stop. Shopping was very touristy. We had no guidance on where to eat or where to go to avoid crowds.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The Pearl of the Mediterranean: A Day on Capri Island & Anacapri

Italy

Guides were great and made the best of unpredictable weather. Bring your seasickness patch just in case. We had high seas and the boat was rocking!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Discover the Vatican: From the Museums to the Sistine Chapel

Italy

Very funny guide but he knew his history and knew everyone in the building. He has connections!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We walked everywhere.

Rome Unearthed: Guided Walk of Colosseum & Ancient City

Rome

The guide was great. She was very knowledgeable.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We walked there.

Rome on Foot: Spanish Steps, Pantheon & Trevi Fountain

Rome

Tour guide was amazing! She was very knowledgeable.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We walked everywhere.

Our travel agent was Rita. She was fantastic! When we were getting ready to officially book the trip, my father passed away. I told her we needed to pause the planning while we were grieving and mourning him. She expressed her sympathies and said just to let her know when we were ready to move forward. When I reached out to her she was ready for us. I loved the communication. While leading up to the trip I would think of a question and she would answer it quickly. She sent us an itinerary and we wanted to scale it back a little and she did. The tours she set us up with were fantastic and small group size for the Colosseum and Vatican. That was a huge plus! Part of me was a little nervous to use a Travel Agency that was strictly online but my cousin recommended them and I have no regrets. Rita and the contacts we had while on our trip were close to local time and knew the areas so that was so helpful. I would definitely book a trip with them again!

Hotel Reviews

The Glam

Rome

Great location! Walking distance to Trevi Fountain and Colosseum. Near lots of shops too.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Friendly and helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

Ca' Pozzo Inn

Venice

Loved how quaint and quiet it was! All of the staff was friendly and helpful.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Right near a water bus stop.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Discover the Vatican: From the Museums to the Sistine Chapel

Italy

Lots to see and lots of walking. Very crowded but that’s why having a small group was so nice. We had 6 of us in our group.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Discover the City by Gondola

Venice

So cool! Definite must do when you are in Venice. Got to go down canals you can’t get to by foot.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Get Inside the Colosseum with Arena Access

Italy

Loved that it was just a group of 6 of us. So much information and got to see so many different spots around the arena.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

So friendly and knowledgeable

Transport

We did all the walking. However where to meet was not correct I’m glad I reached out to be sure where to meet.

We had a wonderful planning experience with Giorgia. She had great recommendations for things to do, not only for planned activities but also for things to do in our free time. She also listened to our wishes for some free time and the kinds of tours we were interested in. All the arranged tours went smoothly - we had information on where to meet our guides and tickets for events were included in an app for our phone. We did two food tours which were both excellent. The guides for both were lovely, knowledgeable and passionate about their city. We were fortunate that for both tours we were the only two with our guide so we had a very personal experience. We also did a Catacombs tour with Marco that was equally wonderful. Our hotel was conveniently located near the Piazza Navona so we could walk most everywhere.
We would definitely recommend the Kimkim service.