Kimkim Trip Reviews for Italy

I started touring Europe 45 years ago and one way or the other always had to delay my start due to time constraints (work) and so never made Italy as it was always the start of these summer trips where I chaperoned high school students. The teacher in charge of these trips had been every year for 20+ years and was thus knowledgeable and thorough in their highlights and sites to visit. Each student would cover a subject in their respective city so it was quite informative.
Giulia has managed to put all that together for my wife and I as though she was actually on the tour with us, what with flawless transportation and guided tours with the most informative locals who prefer small groups (like just the 2 of us) over the larger tours with people wandering around tethered to listening devices.
In Milan the Duomo was handled by Emanuela who was easy going, knowledgeable and enthusiastic in our tour. You know your guide is good when other guides stop to ask advice!
In Venice for our cicchetti tour we had Lorenzo who was born and raised in Venice so knew every story, side street and place of interest from a personal connection. By the end of the trip we felt as we had known each other for years and actually enjoyed each other’s company for some time after the tour had officially ended. Excellent experience!
In Bologna we had Riccardo who used to be a professor, now you talk about passion for all things Bologna this man has it! He knows everyone and even got us into places that were already closed so you talk about a personal experience this was it! I highly recommend him and suggest to Giulia that you’d like him as your Bologna guide!
We also got to meet Giulia and we had a wonderful lunch where we learned all about the different cold cuts and cheeses! Such a treat for us!
We felt guided, safe and cared for with Giulia and her team, communication was great, recommendations were superb and we moved flawlessly through Northern Italy.
Though a bit more expensive than other tours or attempting to do it yourself my experience has always shown that having a travel expert who lives in the areas you are visiting is a very valuable and worthwhile investment!
Thank you Giulia for a wonderful experience, my wife is only crying intermittently now as she didn’t wish the trip to end! Hope to use you again soon!
Grazie,
Bobby and CeeCee

The planning process with Anita was thoughtful and responsive to our preferences.

All three destinations - Bologna, Levanto, and Alba - proved to be excellent and not over-touristed. The three accommodations were first-rate, and the cooking classes were fun.

When we experienced a car problem, Anita and the KimKim team were available and helpful in resolving it.

All in all, we were very satisfied with the experience of working with KimKim, and will be back for future trips!

Activity Reviews

From The Vegetable Garden to Table: Cooking class with Locals

Italy

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Cooking Class at a Farmhouse in Bologna Countryside

Italy

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our recent trip to Italy was wonderful. The amazing KimKim team helped us plan the trip and assisted us with our transportation, hotels, restaurant reservations as well as tours in 3 different cities. Our travel specialist, Valeria Arcangeli, was awesome and so very helpful in helping to plan the itinerary. She even helped us with reservations for restaurants in the 3 cities we visited (which we learned later was outside of her normal scope).

We unfortunately lost luggage on flight from Geneva to Florence, however our contact Marta in Florence was very helpful in giving us the correct way to handle retrieving the luggage. She also was so kind in her instructions for our train trip to Venice, even coming to station to make sure we got on the correct train. We always had people waiting for us to transport us from trains to hotels and everyone was so kind and helpful. We loved the walking tour we had in Venice, our guide was exceptional.

The entire experience was amazing. We have used KimKim for previous trips and have recommended them to our friends and plan to continue to use them in the future. Thank you to all for the wonderful Italian experience.

Gloria Tudor

Activity Reviews

Milan Duomo Rooftop Terraces Guided Tour

Milan

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Private walking guided tour of Venice highlights

Venice

We had the very best guide for this walking tour - Alyssa! she was so knowledgeable and helpful!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Florence and Accademia City Tour

Italy

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our trip to Italy was our third experience using kimkim. We had a wonderful trip. We enjoyed the two hotels, in Venice and in Florence, which were well-located and accommodated the three of us women in one room really well. Where I feel improvement could have been made was in planning that went beyond the usual tours to allow us to see more off-the-beaten path parts of Florence and its surrounding areas, in particular. Our tour guides for our small group tours were very good, especially the two guides who work for Walks. Francesca, our daily contact, was good in touching base the night before (missed a day or two), and answered questions as needed. Overall, we appreciated the structure provided by kimkim and especially the choice of accommodations that put us in the center of things.

Hotel Reviews

La Maison du Sage

Florence

From check-in to help with dinner reservations to complimentary evening bubbly in the courtyard to ample breakfast in a beautiful room, the Maison du Sage was top-notch. Our room was comfortable for three women in a king bed and single bed, with additional space on the balcony and the shared living areas of the flat. Beautiful decor and authentic details of the vintage building enhanced the experience. Great location within a 20-minute walk to key Florence sites.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Daniel and everyone on staff were helpful with securing dinner reservations throughout our stay.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Staff does a great job daily.

Hotel Ca' d'Oro

Venice

Well-located, nice room with high, beamed ceilings and wonderful canal views. The three of us were very comfortable in the queen bed and single bed. Breakfast was nicely presented and filling. The hotel is a short walk from the Ca ‘d’Oro stop on the Grand Canal and walking distance to others. Great local restaurant at the corner, which was recommended by hotel front desk.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Walking distance to everything, or the water taxi stop that will take you there.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Daily room cleaning was appreciated.

Activity Reviews

Half Day-Trip to Pisa from Florence

Florence

While we enjoyed our trip to Pisa, and our driver was personable and prompt, we felt we could have used the train to get here. The tower is exactly as you’ve seen in photos. The surrounding park quite crowded. The highlight for me was the cemetery building adjacent, which is lined with frescoes and Roman sarcophagi, and the floor, with beautiful, but sad, graves, engraved with likenesses and inscribed with Latin verses.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Masterpieces of the Renaissance: Uffizi Gallery Tour

Florence

A highlight of our stay in Florence, the Uffizi Gallery building alone is worth the visit. The art displayed includes well-known paintings and sculptures you will not want to miss. Our guide was knowledgeable and put the works we saw in context. She was helpful in navigating the entry and security lines which were abundant and mystifying. The art and the building are worth lingering over. We stopped in the rooftop cafe for lunch just as a heavy rain shower broke out, so sat under umbrellas, enjoyed our spritzes and sandwiches and waited for it to blow over.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Best of Florence Walking Tour with David & the Duomo

Florence

Our group tour with 16 people and a guide was very good. The “Walks” guide, Alma, studied art in Florence and never left so she had many stories and experiences to share. We had fast entry tickets to The Academia, where we visited Michelangelo’s David, one of the highlights of my Italy trip. The museum/school is set up so you approach David down a long gallery where other significant marble statues helped her explain the process of carving and finishing these works. At the end, you see David under a dome, beautifully lit, where you can approach very closely. The tour continued to the exterior of Duomo, the Baptistery, and the Ponte Vecchio, finishing at the historic central point of Florence, so most of the highlights of central Florence were included. Great tour made better by an enthusiastic guide.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Walks tour guide was very informative and interesting

Murano Excursion with boat

Venice

A guide met us at our hotel and walked us to the water taxi dock on the northern edge of Venice, about a 10-minute walk. We were ushered onto a beautiful motor launch and zipped across the lagoon to Murano. We were deposited at the dock of Venier, the glass blower, where a guide seated us in the glassblowing room where we watched a demonstration of their craft. A tour of their showroom followed. Pretty strong sales push by our guide and I did buy a pitcher and glasses they will ship to me. When we left the studio, their launch took us to the lighthouse water taxi stop and we jumped on another boat to Burano where we had lunch.

Quality of Experience

I enjoyed the glassblowing demonstrations and the showroom tour. Most of the glass was unaffordable.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Professional and accommodating.

Transport

Beautiful trip across the Venice Lagoon in a classic wooden craft.

Visit to a Peggy Guggenheim Museum and Palace

Venice

A beautiful palazzo on the Grand Canal, filled with amazing, historic, important art, as well as the ghosts of the famous artists and patrons who frequented it when Ms. Guggenheim was alive. Great view of the Grand Canal from her front entrance. Charming garden where she and her pets are laid to rest.

Quality of Experience

Transport

Welcome Walking Tour to Venice: The comprehensive view of the Floating City

Venice

Very pleased with this overview of Venice’s highlights and the insights lent by our guide, a native Venetian. Loved learning about the gondoliers and their craft. Enjoyed the gondola ride at the end so much.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

A gondola ride concludes the tour!

A heartfelt thank you to Tasos, our outstanding travel consultant, for crafting a flawless and enriching journey through Milan, Lake Como, and Lake Maggiore. Every detail—from accommodations to transfers—was seamlessly executed, allowing us to fully immerse ourselves in the experience.

We were especially impressed by the local tour guides, whose deep expertise, warmth, and captivating storytelling brought each destination to life. Their insights added layers of meaning to every site we visited, making the “Last Supper” and the Armani/Silos Museum true highlights of Milan.

At Lake Como, the Charming Bellagio Boutique Hotel lived up to its name—intimate, elegant, and staffed by genuinely helpful professionals. And at Lake Maggiore, the Grand Hotel Des Iles Borromées was nothing short of spectacular, offering timeless grandeur and breathtaking views.
b
Tasos, your meticulous planning and thoughtful recommendations made this trip unforgettable. Many thanks for rearranging two days at Lake Como due to rain. We’re deeply grateful for your guidance and look forward to the next adventure you help us create. Mille grazie!

Hotel Reviews

Grand Hotel Des Iles Borromees

Stresa

Beautiful hotel from the mid-19th century. Gorgeous in every way. Staff and service were exceptional.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Charming Bellagio Boutique Hotel 

Bellagio

Such a beautiful hotel, well appointed, and gorgeous gardens, pool, and gazebo. The staff was exceptional in every way!! Breakfast was delicious and well presented.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Easy to walk to all places of interest in town.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Senato Hotel Milan

Milano

Lovely place, great location and exceptional front desk service! Delicious breakfast spread!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Private Driving Tour of Lake Maggiore

Lake Maggiore

We visited the Suisse towns Locarno and Escona and drove back to Italy to visit Canobio. Our driver Roberto was on time, attentive and enjoyable.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Tour of the Borromean Islands

Lake Maggiore

Carolyn our fabulous tour guide walked us through each of the islands and was thoroughly knowledgeable about each one.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Guided Tour of Varenna

Lake Como

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Guided Tour of Como and Brunate

Lake Como

Such a fun day. The funicular took us up to the top of the mountain where we toured Brunate, the most charming and beautiful village. Don't miss this event. Carolyn our tour guide was amazing.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Lake Como Boat Tour

Lake Como

This was such a fun experience not only because of the wonderful and beautiful sites but because our tour guide Pietro was the best.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Last Supper & La Scala Museum Tour

Milan

An unforgettable experience.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Armani Silos Museum Tour

Milan

Outstanding experience. Lorella who was a certified Armani docent provided us with an amazing tour. An experience I'll never forget.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Guided Tour Duomo and Sforza Castle

Milan

Our guide Merilena guided us through the rooftop and Duomo tours. The elevator to the rooftop was a blessing. Don't miss these views.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Museum of Science and Technology Tour

Milan

Worth seeing this! Very educational.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Tour of Brera District

Milan

Our guide Lorella was amazing, knowledgeable, and personable.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Local transfer in Milan

Milan

All tranfers were on time, vehicles were clean, spacious and well cared for. Drivers were pleasant, enjoyable, and knowledgeable.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We had an incredible trip in Italy thanks to Marina! She helped make some decisions for us on where to go, and provided great excursions to make an it an immersible experience.

All in all we had a trip of a lifetime. We had so many guides, all of which were phenomenal!! Fabio put together a memorable trip for us, responsive, caring and enthusiastic. Thank you and would highly recommend going with Fabio!!!

Hotel Reviews

Grand Hotel Ambasciatori

Sorrento

phenomenal location

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

U-Visionary Roma Hotel

Rome

modern and dark

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Golden Tower Hotel & Spa

Florence

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Cà Bonfadini Historic Experience

Venice

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Free afternoon in Rome

Rome

Quality of Experience

get used to people

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Amalfi Coast Road Trip - Visit Amalfi & Positano | Private Tour

Sorrento

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full-Day Private Tour of Pompeii and Mt. Vesuvius, with Lunch at a Winery at the Foot of the Volcano

Italy

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Discover the Art and Flavors of the Amalfi Coast: A Full-Day Immersive Experience

Italy

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Walter was with us for several days. Very kind and patient!!

Transport

Private Tour of the Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel

Rome

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Laura is brilliant

Transport

Private Colosseum & Roman Forum Tour

Rome

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tuscany Day Trip to Siena & San Gimignano | Lunch & Wine Tasting Included

Florence

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Enea is a rockstar

Transport

Val D’Orcia & Brunello Wine Tour with Lunch and Two Wine Tastings

Italy

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Renaissance Walking Tour of Florence with David

Florence

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Venice Food Tour

Venice

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We had a great trip. It was good to have the driver meet us at the airport so that we would know where to go. All of the transportation connections were excellent. The representative took us from the hotel to the train station so that we were at the right train and right car for the next train we knew what to do and did not need help. The boat trip from the airport to the hotel in Venice was a great experience. We enjoyed walking around Venice and the tour guides were excellent. The tours were excellent as we learned more being a group of three than a group of 20. We could ask questions at leisure. Sorrento was nice even though it rained each day for three hours as we got rain slickers for 2 dollars and an umbrella and walked about like everybody else did. The trip to Pompey and the trip to the winery were fun. There was so much history to learn. The trip to Rome was great by train, comfortable, had wifi and served snacks. The food was great in all places. It was tasty and flavorful to the last bite. We had a tour of the Vatican and the Colosseum that were great. All of the hotel accommodations were what we expected. We had a great trip and look forward to using Andrea again as the process was seamless and without any stress for me to figure out what we should see, when and how. This was a great trip that we enjoyed very much.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Smeraldo

Rome

We had a water leak from upstairs and it drained into my suitcase so they immediately changed the room and had my clothing cleaned.

Authenticity & Character

nice hotel

Location

close to everything

Staff

very attentive

Cleanliness & Comfort

very clean

Hotel Continental

Sorrento

very classy hotel

Authenticity & Character

classic

Location

close to the center of Sorrento with shopping

Staff

very attentive

Cleanliness & Comfort

very clean

Hotel Flora Venice

Venice

pretty hotel located right in the middle of Venice near all of the shopping.

Authenticity & Character

pretty hotel very rustic

Location

Staff

very attentive

Cleanliness & Comfort

impeccably clean

Activity Reviews

Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel - private guide

Rome

Great to be in the place where you can imagine being out in the crowd where the Pope had been in the balcony out welcoming the crowds of people to the Vatican.

Quality of Experience

so much history that was very rich

Guides, Drivers and Staff

attentive

Transport

on point

Colosseum and Roman Forum - Private guide

Rome

Great history to learn how Rome was built on multiple levels

Quality of Experience

The colosseum is an amazing place to see

Guides, Drivers and Staff

very helpful

Transport

clean and comfortable

Rome Private Guided Walk

Rome

It gave an orientation of Rome so that over the next three days, we were able to navigate independently.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

perfect The train was amazing, clean, comfortable

Day trip to Capri Island from Sorrento - small group

Italy

It rained so we did not experience.

Quality of Experience

weather did not permit this activity

Guides, Drivers and Staff

weather did not permit this activity

Transport

weather did not permit this activity

Pompeii ruin visit with a private guide

Italy

He was very insightful about the ruins and how life actually was at the time.

Quality of Experience

definite learning experience, very knowledgeable

Guides, Drivers and Staff

On time and took care of her belongings while we enjoyed the tour

Transport

informational as well

Wine tasting in Pompeii area including light lunch

Italy

The food was great and flavorful and the wine was delicious.

Quality of Experience

everybody was treated as if they were the only patron present

Food

flavorful to the last bite, not sure I will be able to eat an American pizza again

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The mercedes transport vans were comfortable and roomy.

Transport

It was good to have somebody looking for us.

The Jewels of Venice (St. Mark & Doge Palace)

Venice

Interesting to learn how Italy transformed to a unified country.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

punctual and on point

Hidden Venice and cicchetti experience

Italy

It was fun to eat like everyday Italians do.

Quality of Experience

food was delicious

Guides, Drivers and Staff

excellent, punctual and responsive

Transport

very punctual and got us to the right place at the right time with no stress

The struggle is real!! I really want to give a 5 star review and would have preferred the choice of 4.5 or 4.75 stars because although we had a rather upsetting start - the issue was addressed without so much of a heartbeat and we ended up being very pleased with the service we received. I found Ariana to be intuitive to what we were looking for in our trip. We had to make only a few revisions to the initial booking because she listened to us; and generally knew what questions to ask. She was a pleasure to work with.

We had two problems in the actual trip - one at the beginning and one at the end. We are in our mid-70’s and requested that there be no hotels without luggage service because it was difficult for us to handle. We had arranged for private transfers and drivers to help with that problem. There was a issue with the initial transfer from the train station but after they were made aware of our stated expectations the CEO stepped in and took care of the problem.

The second issue they are likely not aware of because it happened the last night of our trip. The hotel they booked us in at Lake Como (Alberto Terminus) had live “music” the night before we flew out of Milan. It went on until 11:30pm and it was directly below our room . The hotel was extremely rude when we attempted to address the issue with them. There was nothing they were willing to do to make our last night comfortable. They even told us that there was no management on site to address our complaint that we were never told that they have live music EVERY Thursday and Sunday night. We would have chosen another hotel. I’m doubtful that Story Walking Tours knows of this - but hopefully they will address it going forward. I don’t blame them for it - and I only mention it so that they can take it into consideration when booking other guests. All in all - we are grateful for our experience with StoryWalking and are thinking of using them for our next vacation if they work the area.

Hotel Reviews

Albergo Terminus

Como

The atmosphere was wonderful but what they forgot to mention was that they have LIVE MUSIC EVERY THURSDAY AND SUNDAY EVENINGS, DIRECTLY BELOW OUR ROOM. The room we booked was one of their best rooms until you find out that if you need to get rest on a Thursday or Sunday night - it will be almost midnight before that occurs. The staff was rude, not at all concerned with our comfort and totally unwilling to do anything about the inconvenience that we suffered. I would NEVER stay at this hotel again. It really is a shame because the food at their restaurant was exceptional and the atmosphere was great - the bed was rock hard and the “music” unbearable! The staff at night should be fired.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

La Torretta

Manarola

We absolutely LOVED EVERYTHING about this hotel. The room was fantastic, the reception when we arrived made us feel very special and the staff could not have been more attentive. I must say that you haven’t had breakfast until you’ve eaten at La Touretta! This is a true Boutique Hotel and we loved every minute we were there. So quaint and beautiful with an exceptional staff. We could not have been more happy!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Montecarlo

Venice

The location was 5 star, the rooms were 3 star. Overall we were satisfied with our stay. Nothing exceptional but it met our basic needs and it was in a fantastic location for us.

Authenticity & Character

Older but very clean.

Location

Very close to St Mark’s Square

Staff

Not overly friendly but not rude.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very clean but the bed could have been more comfortable

Activity Reviews

Cinque Terre Full Day Tour with Lunch in a Vineyard

Italy

This was probably our best guide. She was fun to be around and knowledgeable. She was great at gearing her pace to one of our group who needed extra time.

Quality of Experience

Overall it was great - because of the guide

Food

The lunch in a Vinyard was so-so. The food was okay but very plentiful. Service was extremely slow and the staff was all business - not at all personable.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guided was wonderful.

Transport

It was just okay - we took a taxi and were overcharged

Cinque Terre Trekking & Train Card

Italy

This was our best guide of the trip. We loved our time with her. The lunch service was extremely slow and the staff at the vineyard were not at all friendly. I might pick a different location.

Quality of Experience

Our guide was a 5 star the rest mediocre.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Storywalking Experience: Navigating Venice's Hidden Corners, Murano's Artistry & Charming Burano

Venice

This was quite enjoyable. The guide was pleasant and knowledgeable.

Quality of Experience

everything we saw and did was interesting and fun

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Knowledgeable guide, interesting sights and a great day

Transport

Boat ride was fun and interesting

Boat Tour in Cinque Terre

Italy

This was cancelled due to weather

Private Gondola Tour With Serenade

Venice

The “vocalist” left a LOT to be desired. He used his iphone to read the lyrics while singing. He had a mediocre voice at best. The guitarist was wonderful but neither one of them even spoke to us when they got on the gondola. They provided to atmosphere at all.

Quality of Experience

Hire people who can sing and know the lyrics

Venice Walking Tour with St. Marks Basilica Access

Italy

The guide on this tour was very hard to understand. She was very nice but I would not hire her again for an English speaking group because her accent makes it almost impossible to understand what she is saying.

Day-Use Room at your Hotel

Italy

Convenient location and sufficient for what we needed!

Quality of Experience

everything We needed was close by.

Trip of a lifetime and fantastic support from both Elisa and Lorenzo

Once-in-a-lifetime trip! Manuela did an amazing job scheduling the right activities for us but most importantly, she took my request for incredible hotels in our price range seriously. I could not have asked for better hotels than Masseria Petranima and Tenuta Monacelli. They were so different but both beautiful, peaceful, relaxing with amazing staff. We felt very well cared for everywhere we went. Gorgeous, secluded locations. We also really enjoyed our cooking class with
LE CUCCHIARE - Alessandra was so welcoming and spent a good part of her day with us and it was so personal. We also loved seeing her small town with her. The boat tour day was also a highlight! Our boat captain was friendly and did a great job navigating some choppy waves.

We had an amazing time and reccommend this itinerary to anyone looking for a trip that is equal parts adventure and relaxation!

Hotel Review

Masseria Petranima

Ostuni

Incredibly peaceful. The trulli are so unique and fun to stay in. The staff here are incredibly kind and helpful. It's off the beaten path so be prepared for some bumpy driving - but it's really worth it!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Local Market Visit & Private Cooking Class

Italy

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Family-Owned Winery Visit: Vineyard Tour and Wine Tasting in the Itria Valley

Italy

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Boat Tour in Polignano

Italy

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We worked with Leslie and the KimKim team to plan and book our honeymoon to Italy, spending 14 unforgettable days exploring Puglia and Sardinia. From the very beginning, the team made the process seamless and stress-free. They arranged excursions for about half of our trip and gave us the freedom to explore on our own the rest of the time, which was the perfect balance.

What stood out most was their incredible availability and attention to detail. They were just a chat or phone call away whenever we needed them—whether it was helping us find parking when we were short on time, coordinating a meeting spot when we couldn’t locate our guide, or even offering last-minute restaurant recommendations. Their local knowledge was invaluable, and their suggestions for things to do during our free days gave us some of our favorite memories of the trip.

Overall, KimKim made planning and experiencing our honeymoon in a completely new part of the world not only easy, but truly special. We would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a travel agent who combines expert planning with personal, on-the-ground support.

Fantastic tours and guides. Enrico, Pauola, Vincenzo were absolutely amazing.

Our transfers were on-time and great drivers.

Activity Reviews

Day Trip to Capri Island and Anacapri

Italy

What a day. Boat rides, chair lift, trolly car and amazing views and shopping. Our tour guide Vincenzo “Vinnie” was fantastic and so helpful. He made our day special.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Full Day Amalfi Experience

Italy

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Explore Sorrento

Italy

Quality of Experience

K

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Pasta Making Class with Gelato

Italy

The chef and event was a night to remember.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided Visit of Florence Including David and Duomo

Italy

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Murano Glass Blowing Tour with Water Taxi

Italy

The day was amazing. Great tour, great boat ride and spectacular event.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Venice Gondola Ride

Venice

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

KimKim did a great job coordinating our 4 city, 10 day trip. Kept to our budget and scheduled excursions to maximize our experiences. The daily update messages were appreciated. Coordinating our transportation schedules was something I don’t think I could have done on my own—it was extensive.
The Coliseum and grounds and of course the Vatican in Rome was time well spent. The hustle and bustle of Florence (and the leather!) was enjoyable. The relaxed and quaint atmosphere in Cinque Terre was a good third stop and the water city of Venice and its rich history was a great final stop. Did I mention the food and wine? I miss it already.
Looking forward to working with the company of another country soon…..

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Corte dei Greci

Venice

Great central location. Hotel a bit dated, however. Have to leave your room key at the front desk when you leave-that was a first.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

I used a bath towel as a blanket since they only offered one thin sheet.

Hotel Palazzo Guadagni

Florence

Very good location with restaurants and shopping just steps from the front door. Be ready to walk up some stairs, but it’s worth it!

Authenticity & Character

The windows and uniqueness of each room.

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Margherita

Great location and very friendly staff.

Authenticity & Character

Our room overlooked a garden of tomatoes!

Location

Right on the main road.

Staff

Kind and responsive.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Venice at Sunset: Cicchetti, Food & Wine Tour

Venice

You’ll certainly get to know the food and culture! Hit a few places I would have never gone to-that was a gift. Certainly helps to have a good group of people and we did!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Private Gondola Ride Venice & City Stroll

Venice

Crowded. Our gondolier didn't talk or offer any information. Just going through the motions. Short trip as well.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Pesto Experience

Italy

Must do. Food and fun the whole time. Die Die Die!!!! You’ll understand if you go.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Cinque Terre Trekking & Train Card

Italy

The walk from Monterosso to the next town was the highlight of the few days there.

Quality of Experience

Sunset Cinque Terre Boat Tour from Monterosso

Italy

Thankful to have a good boat of fun people. The seas were a little rough so take your necessary meds or sea bands.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Chianti Full Immersive Wine & Olive Oil Experience

Florence

Knowledgeable hosts with tasty products. I ordered wine and olive oil to ship home!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

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

Rome

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Colosseum & Ancient Rome Tour with Roman Forum

Rome

Our guide was awesome and she sure loves Russell Crowe!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Venice was beautiful and a wonderful experience. Very romantic. Our guide, Sara, was great. Very friendly, good personality and an informative guide. Roberta and Alexandra were also great guides. We really enjoyed Murano and our private tour of the glass factory. Then we went to Burrano where we enjoyed the colorful houses and their reflections on the water. We were able to get some beautiful pictures.
Cinque Terre was marvelous. Our hotel, La Torretta, was beautiful and the staff was exceptional. The views were outstanding. The breakfasts were amazing. We would definitely stay at this hotel again. Our guide, Sandra, was friendly, helpful and she gave us a lot of history and information. She was also exceptional!
Rome was beautiful. Wish we could have spent a few more days here so that we didn't have to pack a lot into 2 full days.
The one thing I would change is the train rides. I would of preferred to ride in first class.

Our trip to Italy for our 25th Anniversary was incredible in every way!

Working with Eleonora, our local travel specialist, was so easy. We really appreciate the guidance and suggestions she made during the planning process as we figured out which cities we wanted to visit and what we wanted to do. Instead of us spending days/weeks researching every detail about what to do and where to stay, Eleonora shared ideas from what other travelers have enjoyed and recommended. She set up the best tours with the best tour companies, arranged all of our transportation between cities and selected amazing hotels in our budget! Our hotel in Rome even had a personal roof top deck and bottle of champagne awaiting us! What a delightful surprise!

Where kimkim really exceeded our expectations was in answering our questions during the trip and helping us problem solve. When we needed clarification on something on our itinerary, we were able to chat with someone from the team quickly to get our answers. When we learned there was a train strike planned for one of the last days of our trip, Gabriele acted quickly to adjust our travel plans between cities, so we wouldn't find ourselves stranded. He even called our hotel to request breakfast boxes since we had a new early morning departure planned. It was something that could have been a real travel headache and messed up the end of our trip, but instead it was quickly taken care of by kimkim.

Thank you, Eleonora, Gabriele, Lorenzo and the kimkim team for the trip of a lifetime!

Hotel Reviews

Antica Locanda Leonardo

Milan

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Park Hotel Argento

Levanto

LOVED this hotel! We LOVE LOVE LOVED the breakfasts and dinner we had here- we are actually still talking about the food daily and we have been home for a few weeks. This hotel is outside of the 5 villages of Cinque Terre but let me tell you its OK. This is kind of what makes it better and more relaxing. It is quiet there with beautiful views. There is a quick walk you can make to the train station- it is kind of like a nature trail, so might not be the best options for strollers or luggage. They also have a shuttle that is easy to take. Then its a quick few minute train ride to the other towns you will want to visit. We enjoyed having a drink while relaxing at the pool. The service was great. Again - the food was AMAZING!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Il Guelfo Bianco

Florence

Updated rooms. Great location. Nice breakfast options.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Navona Colors

Rome

Great service. Quaint little hotel, central to so much. Delicious breakfast. Private rooftop deck in the penthouse was amazing and one of my favorite parts of the trip.

Authenticity & Character

We walked everywhere in Rome and this hotel seemed to be pretty central.

Location

Staff

Loved the friendly front desk - gave great food suggestions. Breakfast staff also great.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Cinque Terre group boat tour

Italy

LOVED this! We had spent a few days hiking and walking through Cinque Terre. Seeing it all from the boat tour was extra special. We have the most amazing pictures from this trip. We enjoyed the wine and food on the boat. And even took a swim!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Day trip in the Tuscan countryside, wine tour, lunch and guided visit to San Gimignano

Italy

We LOVED this tour. It was great to see different wineries. We learned so much, drank amazing wine, enjoyed a delicious lunch and even met some new friends on our tour.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided Visit to the Colosseum, Palatin Hill and Roman Forum

Rome

Our guide was great! He was entertaining, informative and fun to spend the day with.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Semi private tour of Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter Basilica

Rome

There are so many tour companies when you visit the Vatican. I really liked how our tour guide pulled us off to the side when she gave us information instead of some who kind of rudely stop in the center of everything. This was one of my most favorite parts of our trip!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

My wife, Lindsay, and I had a fantastic 30th anniversary trip -- BIG THANKS to KimKim as well as our travel planner Melanie Rapuano! We also had nice help from Giovanna, with Italy Charme (partnered with KimKim). This was a special vacation not just because of our anniversary, but also because I wanted to go to the town where my Italian side of my family is from. The challenge? It's a VERY small town in a relatively remote area of the Basilicata region.

Melanie and the KimKim team made everything easy. Yes, I could have booked most of the trip on my own. But it would have been SO much more time consuming...which company should I rent a car from? Which hotels are the best for our needs? Where should we go first, second, etc...? All of these kinds of questions are where Melanie was a tremendous help. She was ALWAYS available...before and during the trip. She listened to what we wanted, asked a number of questions at the beginning of the process, and then NAILED IT with every aspect of the trip -- from the hotels she chose for us, to the fast answers to every question, every detail was taken care of.

Here's where we went:
* Flew into Naples from Atlanta (USA)
* Spent two nights in Salerno, with a day-trip to Positano / Amalfi coast.
* Picked up a rental car and drove to the Basilicata region...stayed two nights at Aura Glamping (HIGHLY recommend!) and visited my family's hometown of Accettura, as well as two incredibly beautiful nearby towns (Pietrapertosa and Castlemezzano)...did the zipline between both towns, billed as one of the longest and highest in Europe.
* Drove to Matera and stayed one night (incredible town!)
* Drove to Tropea, in Calabria, and stayed 5 nights. Melanie helped arrange for a private snorkling trip as well as a cooking class in the countryside -- both were PERFECT and very memorable.
* Drove back up to Naples and spent two nights there, including a walking food tour of the town, before flying back home.

I would highly recommend KimKim. And if you're traveling to Italy, request to work with Melanie -- she's the BEST!

Glenn

Hotel Reviews

Napoli Tree - Lungomare

Naples

Fantastic B&B very close to the waterfront.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Rocca della Sena

Tropea

We will be back. That should say enough! It's a great hotel, with friendly staff and a to-die-for view, perched right above the beach.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Excellent location with easy access to the beach and many lidos (we enjoyed Lido Charley for food, and Lido Costa Degli Dei for it's great position on a sandy part of the beach).

Staff

Big thanks to Georgia at the front desk (such a nice person!) and to Francesco, behind the bar (appreciate the grappa and also the fact that he knew how to make a great Old Fashioned!).

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very clean and super comfortable!

Aura Glamping Experience

Accettura

This is owned by my 3rd cousin, Giuliano. So, yes, I'm a little biased. But I would say this even if he wasn't my cousin -- Aura Glamping is AMAZING! If you want a relaxed place to stay, off the beaten track, and have plans to be in the Basilicata region...you need to consider Aura Glamping!

Authenticity & Character

Location

The views of Accettura and the surrounding countryside are amazing!

Staff

Giuliano is a gracious host, and he brings a morning breakfast in a beautiful picnic basket...complete with everything you could want!

Cleanliness & Comfort

The "yurt" was spotlessly clean, and has a very nice bathroom with toilet, sink, shower, bidet -- a true luxury in a camp setting (the reason for calling this "Glamping!"

Hotel Montestella

Salerno

A very nice hotel, close to the waterfront and ferries that take you to the Amalfi coast. Great shopping and restaurants within walking distance from the hotel. They have an awesome breakfast as well! The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is that we arrived a little early and our room wasn't ready. We waited for nearly two hours in the lobby...the person at the front desk never told us when our room was ready (despite walking by us several times, and seeing my wife asleep in the lobby). Checkin was supposed to be 2:00. We still hadn't been told the room was ready, and had to go to the front desk and ask if it was ready yet. The response? "Your papers?" AGAIN -- this was annoying but we were early, so I kind of understand. Otherwise, the hotel was fantastic!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The lobby, breakfast area, and rooms were spotless. The only downside was that the paint was peeling from above our terrace and dropping in large pieces onto the table outside of our room.

Activity Reviews

Naples walking food and historical tour

Italy

Very nice walking tour of Naples. I wish there was more food involved, but we learned a lot!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Cooking Class in the Tropea Countryside

Tropea

Excellent class -- highly recommend!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Costa degli Dei - Tropea Capo Vaticano in a Dinghy!

Tropea

Melanie made this extra special by booking a private snorkling tour, rather than this larger group that we had initially planned to be with. So, I can't really provide a review of this trip "by dinghy." Instead, we were on a bow-rider outboard engine boat, skippered by a guy named Lorenzo. He was an incredible host and knew all the best spots to snorkel. Lorenzo also has a vast knowledge of the local history -- we not only had a great time snorkling, but also learned a ton!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our experience with KimKim, Elisa and Lorenzo was fantastic. The hotels in Rome and Florence were in the perfect location and so unique and wonderful. Our drivers were all wonderful and communicative. The tour guides took us on the most unique adventures and took the time to show us special, authentic local eateries, artisans and cultural areas. The hotels, tours and transportation were all flawless. Everything was timed perfectly I can't say enough about the wonderful experience we had on our trip. I highly recommend and will absolutely use them again!

* We really enjoyed our stay at The Glam. The hotel was ideally located and close to many historic sites which allowed us easy access by walking or taxi. The hotel was comfortable and the breakfast was very good.
* Campo de Fiori, Jewish Ghetto and Trastevere Food Experience was an excellent, memorable experience. Our guide, Lisa, was outstanding.
* Private Guided Tour of the Colosseum and the Roman Forum was another wonderful experience. Our guide was able to navigate us through the crowds and provide us with the history we needed to bring the surroundings to their former glory. She was a very knowledgable and personable guide.
* Taking the train to Sorrento was a little overwhelming if you aren’t an experienced train traveler. We were targeted by a young person who impersonated a railway employee offering to help us. She showed us how to read the schedule and grabbed our bags to take to the appropriate platform. When the train arrived, she carried them onto the train. Then she demanded that we pay her 20 euros per person for the “service I provided.” We were all tired and flabbergasted at this point, so we gave it to her. Later we realized, we had been scammed. I recommend that you warn others to watch for this type of con at train stations. Most 70 year old Americans don’t travel by train, so they aren’t accustomed to the machinations of train stations. We are perfect targets.
* Sorrento - the town is quaint, but very, very over crowded. This part of the journey did not start well. Our driver dropped us off at the wrong apartment, so we stood outside of it with our luggage trying to communicate with the apartment caretakers via cell phone about where we were. When he finally figured out that the apartment was the wrong one, he told us to grab our luggage, and he told us where to walk . He met us along the way.
* Villa Sofia - I cannot recommend it to anyone. The beds were extremely hard and left the four of us with back aches. Frankly, it was like sleeping on a board. There was no shampoo, no bath soap and one large towel per adult for a three-day stay. Every Air B&B where I have stayed has basic amenities. The decor was authentic Italian style which would be a plus for some travelers. It did not compensate for the negative aspects of the villa.
* Private driver along the Amalfi Coast - excellent! Our driver deserves a medal for his skills in navigating the twists and turns of those steep mountain roads!! He provided us with interesting facts and history about the towns along the Amalfi Coast, and reserved a restaurant for us where we had an incredible meal overlooking the Mediterranean. We stopped in two of the towns where we had sufficient time to explore and shop. He crafted the time according to our needs. He was an outstanding guide.
* Capri Islnd and Anacapri - beautiful island, but the day was overloaded. There were too many activities planned for this day. By the time we took a boat to the island, rode a jeep to the top, jumped on a cable car, took a tram, etc., we were exhausted. There was no down time to explore on our own. The guide was pushing us to the next activity. She was good friends with the other guides; they kept telling us how good our guide was. It was like attending a sorority party of guides. The chosen restaurant was terrible. We were stuck in a corner with no view and our waiter was the rudest server I have ever encountered. I asked if I could have my dressing on the side. He yelled out, “IMPOSSIBLE!” He never came back to the table. The next waiter was not much better. Our guide had to intervene because the waiters could not understand basic English. I recommend a different restaurant for future travelers!
* Free day - we really appreciated a free day to roam around!
* Hotel Palazzo Vannoni - we loved this hotel! The original frescos on the ceilings were magnificent! The owners were so welcoming and hospitable. Levanto is the perfect place to stay. It is not overly crowded and allows easy access to the rail system connecting the villages of Cinque Terre. Exploring the villages is a unique and incredible experience; those memories will last a lifetime.
* Hiking and Wine Experience - this was an exhilarating experience! My husband and I cannot give enough kudos to our guide, Elizabeth. She was the best of the best!! There were several moments when my courage lagged on those mountain trails, and she rallied the adventurer in me. Our hike was followed by a delicious wine and food tasting experience. Elizabeth made sure we were returned safely back to our hotel. She wins the prize for most outstanding guide in our journey.
* Connection to Florence - I’m not sure how there was no advanced knowledge that a railway connection was closed causing a last minute change in the itinerary to be made that ended up costing over $500. Usually railway construction projects are communicated far in advance. Regardless, two railroad connections schlepping luggage is too much for most American senior citizens.
* Hotel ll Guelfo Bianca - great hotel centrally located in Florence. We were able to support the local economy in the central market, view the Duomo, and walk among the beautiful pieces of art and architecture that is found everywhere in this amazing city. The hotel prepared an early breakfast for us because we were picked up at 3:30 a.m. to be taken to the airport.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Il Guelfo Bianco

Florence

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Palazzo Vannoni

Levanto

Authentic frescos on the ceiling. Warm and friendly staff. Fantastic location.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Villa Sofia

Sorrento

The beds were extremely hard. The amenities provided were sparse. Be prepared to bring your own shampoo and bar soap. Only one large towel was provided per adult for a three-day stay.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Glam

Rome

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Cinque Terre Hiking & Wine Experience

Italy

Day Excursion to Capri Island and Anacapri

Italy

OVERCROWDED itinerary

Private Full Day Amalfi Experience

Italy

Private Guided Visit of the Colosseum & Ancient City

Rome

Campo de’ Fiori, Jewish Ghetto and Trastevere Food Experience

Rome

We have used Kim Kim for our trips to Spain, Scotland and Italy. Love the personalized service and small group tours. They are always helpful when we have questions and like how you send messages daily on our trip.
Our recent trip to Italy with KimKim Travel was absolutely amazing! We visited Venice and Florence, and everything about the experience—from planning to the final day—was seamless and memorable.
In Venice, we were enchanted by the romantic canals, rich history, and stunning architecture. The local guide provided by KimKim was knowledgeable and engaging, making our gondola ride and visit to St. Mark’s Basilica even more meaningful.
Florence was equally unforgettable. From walking through the Uffizi Gallery to seeing Michelangelo's David in person, every moment was well-organized and thoughtfully curated. The food, the culture, the art—everything exceeded our expectations.
KimKim Travel did a fantastic job tailoring the itinerary to our interests, and the communication throughout the planning process was smooth and responsive. Every transfer, tour, and accommodation was arranged with care.
We highly recommend KimKim Travel for anyone looking to explore Italy without the stress of planning. This trip created memories that will last a lifetime!

Hotel Reviews

La Maison du Sage

Florence

Wow!!! Such a great B&B/hotel. Loved the atmosphere and the rooms. Felt like i was at home. All the staff was great. The breakfast and service was wonderful.

Authenticity & Character

Such a unique B&B with a front desk.

Location

Across the street from Basilica of Santa Croce and short walk to everything

Staff

Amazing staff. Daniel is the bomb. Got us reservations where we wanted you go and suggested great restaurants.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Great/clean/love the patio

Hotel Ca' d'Oro

Venice

This was a nice hotel. Pleasant and helpful. Not a fdn of their breakfast. The view out our window was beautiful.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Half Day-Trip to Pisa from Florence

Florence

There was not enough time. It took over an hour to get there. Wish we chose to do something else on our 1/2 day adventure.

Masterpieces of the Renaissance: Uffizi Gallery Tour

Florence

Great to have an expert walk you around to see the important art work. Our your guide was wonderful. She pointed out things you might walk by.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Best of Florence Walking Tour with David & the Duomo

Florence

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Murano Excursion with boat

Venice

Great idea. Not a fan of this tour. Too expensive and rushed us off the island to Burano. Wanted to walk around. They only catered to people spending thousands of dollars. Did not like the jewelry. Wish we could of gone yo another site.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visit to a Peggy Guggenheim Museum and Palace

Venice

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Welcome Walking Tour to Venice: The comprehensive view of the Floating City

Venice

Great walk around Venice with a very knowledgeable local.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Ok