Kimkim Trip Reviews for Norway

Our friend did all the planning throu Kim Kim so we're not certain what criteria he selected (standard /premium, etc....) but everything was very well done.....no hicups and the overall quality of each and every accomodation was excellent. A good mix of experiences as well. Overall we're impressed with the level of expertise and planning that Kim Kim provided and are considering using the services again.

Hotel Reviews

DFDS overnight cruise

Great cabin with ample space. Food was Ok, not exceptional. Access to the prvate lounge was nice but there were no views from the lounge....a little unfortunate. Overall a great experience.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Karl Johan Hotel

Oslo

Great staff and the quality of the facitiy was excellent. Location does not get any better.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Clarion Hotel Admiral

Bergen

Great location and excellent food both breakfast and dinner. The rooms and hallways were a little tired / worn looking. Our room was quite small (no room for 2 bags) as oposed to our traveling partners who has sufficient room for the four of us to sit together.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Flåm Marina

Flåm

For one, you can't beat the location. Having the extra sitting area in the room was very well appreciated. Breakfast selection was OK but the dinner was excellent. Walking through the houskeeping service area to get to the room as a litle awkward. The staff was cordial ovreall but not as welcoming as other placed we visited in Norway.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Overnight Cruise

Bergen

Small cabin but had a nice view. Food was great. As was the common area seating. Felt like a commuter ship as things were being cleaned while we were boarding / sailing / disembarking.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Norsk Folkemuseum - The Open Air Museum (museum tickets included)

Oslo

Quality of Experience

Transport

Viking Day in Gudvangen

Gudvangen

Learned a lot of details about viking life and culture. Good hands on demostarations but all were not staffed at the time of our visit.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Nærøyfjord Cruise by Electric Boat (one way)

Gudvangen

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Past & Present City Walk

Bergen

Eirik did an excellent job....being a lifetime resident with a great understanding of the history and culture.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Fløibanen Funicular Experience (tickets included)

Bergen

Tons of hiking opportunities at the top. Food in the cafe is limited and not very satisfying, We did not try the restaraunt but it looked amazing, as did the bar.

Quality of Experience

Overall an excellent vacation to Norway. Eliise and Fenne did a great job coordinating the travel plans with the hotels and other travel partners. Everything was exactly as presented with no issues checking into the hotels or activities. We really enjoyed the Havila cruise although we where on the ship only from Bergen to Trondheim. Response times from Kim Kim were good both during the planning and actual trip stages. I would highly recommend KIm Kim to anyone looking for a Norway experience.

Victor Alfirevic
USA

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Britannia

Trondheim

Staff

Bergen Børs Hotel

Bergen

Great location close to main attractions. Also a 2 minute walk to Clean Kokos a self service laundry.

Location

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Oslo Opera House Backstage Experience

Oslo

Excellent facility and worth a tour.

Quality of Experience

Transport

Transit to Airport at 3:30 AM was punctual.

Trondheim City Walking Tour

Trondheim

Very worthwhile. A visit to the Cathedral is a must, We were fortunate to experience the pipe organ playing which was superb.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guide was enthusiastic about explaining Trondheim's history.

Private Floating Sauna Experience

Norway

Fun experience, recommended.

Food & Culture Walk

Bergen

Quality of Experience

Plenty of food unique to Norway. Last stop was the oldest bar in Bergen.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guide was a bit inexperienced and not as knowledgeable as a couple other of our guides.

Norway in a Nutshell Tour

Norway

Signage could be improved,

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Local knowledge including flora.

Oslofjord Dinner Cruise

Oslo

Nice start to a trip to Oslo.

Waterfall Hike & Stegastein Viewpoint Experience

Flåm

Guide was fantastic. Local knowledge including flora.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Fjord Cruise & Seafood Dining Experience

Bergen

Definitely a unique experience. Highly recommended for foodies. Could cut the overall time down by 30 minutes as we got back to hotel quite late.

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Mostraumen Fjord Cruise

Bergen

Nice trip to see more fjords.

Quality of Experience

Transport

Ship is clean and very comfortable.

Our family of 4 (parents and 2 boys ages 9 and 7) had a terrific week in Norway. We covered a lot of ground and saw many sights. Starting our trip with the floating sauna in the Oslo harbor was a great first day activity when we were fighting jet lag. My husband and I both jumped right into the frigid water from the diving board. Woke us right up! The next day we really enjoyed seeing the colorful summer cottages and hiking through the harbor islands with Astrid.
Then the Norway in a Nutshell tour was breathtaking in terms of the Flam railway through the mountains and fjord cruise.
I was also particularly intrigued when the train stopped in Finse, a polar wonderland for skiing and expedition training not accessible by road. I’ll have to come back to Finse and get off the train the next time. So unique.
We enjoyed learning about the city of Bergen with Chao and then taking the funicular to the top to take in the views. The next day, the helicopter ride was just incredible. Our pilot was Jan Gunnar. Flying over the tops of the mountain peaks, seeing the remote cabins above the treeline, and viewing a glacier was just spectacular and so special.
We then spent a few days in Tromsø, which we loved. The dogsled ride and the Sami reindeer experience were really fun and full of learning. I have a son who has a fear of dogs but the dogsled was organized well and he managed to warm up to the dogs enough to pet a few of them, which was a real breakthrough. We also enjoyed Polaria, the aquarium, where we saw the seal feeding, and the troll museum, which highly entertaining for young boys. The city itself is stunningly beautiful and we felt like we were in a winter wonderland in late April. One day we got 4 inches of snow. Our hotel, the Scandic Ishavshotel, was right on the harbor and we spent hours watching boats go by. We would have loved to do some ski touring or snowmobiling outside the city in the surrounding mountains, but we ran out of time. We all agreed we need to come back!

We all loved many things about our trip and wished we had more than just a week in Norway. Everything was so delightful - the people, the culture, the food, the experiences. We came home changed and enlightened by the experience, with many new ideas to pursue. Our first night home we cooked Norwegian fish soup!

Traveling in Norway with kids this age was no problem at all. We had virtually zero language barriers because English is so widely spoken, and Norwegians are particularly friendly to children. We even got invited into the old fire station in Bergen so our kids could see them preparing the antique first engines for National Day coming up. So cool! We would highly recommend this trip.

Mar did a great job listening and then setting up the perfect itinerary.
The activities and hotels were all wonderful.
We will definitely use Kimkim again for trips that require local knowledge.

Hotel Reviews

DFDS overnight cruise

Room was nice and a good location on the ship

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Karl Johan Hotel

Oslo

Great location, clean and modern.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Flåm Marina

Flåm

Absolutely the best location on the waterfront. The only downside was that our room had an interior bedroom. With no windows and no ventilation, the room was too warm. Restaurant was nice. The included breakfast was great. We had a nice dinner there as well

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Rooms need ventilation. Some of the furnishings were a little dated.

Clarion Hotel Admiral

Bergen

Great location The breakfast and dinner was outstanding.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Our dinner waiter was wonderful and I interesting to talk to.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Overnight Cruise

Bergen

Room was on the small side. The angle of the wall made it very difficult for a tall person to move around.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Nærøyfjord Cruise by Electric Boat (one way)

Gudvangen

Norsk Folkemuseum - The Open Air Museum (museum tickets included)

Oslo

Viking Day in Gudvangen

Gudvangen

Great, authentic feeling experience

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Past & Present City Walk

Bergen

Wonderful, knowledgable guide

Fløibanen Funicular Experience (tickets included)

Bergen

Thank you Mar for the amazing adventure to Norway. We explored Oslo, then headed into the fjords and stayed in Flam and Balestrand. Hiking the fjords was a dream. Our final destination was Bergan. The city was a dream. The funicular above the city is a must do. We will certainly use KimKim again to plan our next adventure.

A 5 star scale is not sufficient to rate my experience planning a trip to Norway with Mathia! I sought an off-the-beaten path, stunning, relaxing, reinvigorating adventure with my teenage son. After being told by Norwegians and American friends who had traveled to the quieter Northern regions that our desire to explore up there in a relatively short trip was ambitious and that the weather would be risky, But Mathia inspired me to trust his love for the region and orchestrated an itinerary that captured exactly what we were seeking...and more! Of course it's impossible to see everything that this otherworldly country has to offer, but I know we used every day well, without having to skim through a landscape that must not be rushed. When I made a mistake in booking a flight, Mathia heroically and selflessly adjusted the plan at the 11.9th hour and we didn't miss a beat. I have ZERO regrets about how we spent our time. We felt well taken care of by innkeepers and adventure guides known to Mathia. We tasted the local flavors. We fell into the rhythms of the midnight sun. I will forever be grateful for Mathia for making this dream trip possible and would trust him again in a heartbeat!

This is our third trip with Kimkim. We absolutely had a wonderful time traveling by car in Norway. We couldn’t have done it without our Kimkim consultant, Kadri, booking agent, Fenne, and 24/7 assistance agent, David. It was a beautifully smooth operation they run as a team. Kadri listened to what we wanted: slower pace, and accommodations (boutique hotel, cottage or cabin) with beautiful views and balcony or deck when possible. She met our wish to perfection! You cannot imagine how much we enjoyed staying at each hotel, cottage or cabin with absolutely gorgeous views!! Fenne did all the bookings perfectly (which is not as easy as you think based on our experience), and she was always quick to communicate with us like Kadri. Lastly, but not least, David. We knew that there are a team of people on the other side of WhatsApp messages and calls, but we happened to get help from David most of the time. Norway is a large country with so many roads and ferries. There were some road closures as well due to snow David was always there to help us navigate our way. Just for a few of many examples, we once changed our itinerary at the last moment by going to Kvitnes to stay over night, rather than driving to Hennningsvaer directly as originally planned. We thought we just had to plug in the driving route with google maps, but it showed 2 ferry rides. So, we talked to David and he found a solution by plugging in 2 towns in between, that made it shorter routes without ferry rides. We couldn’t have done it, but he could do it quickly with his local knowledge. When our flight was delayed, he informed the hotel of our late arrival as well as arranging for our dinner. We loved the seamless team efforts to make our Norway experience just so superb beyond our imagination! Thank you for everything. We loved our Norway trip and will cherish the beautiful memory forever.

Anders was amazing at setting up my trip. He answered all my many questions and helped design a wonderful itinerary.
Jacob was there everyday when I emailed . and was always so helpful and encouraging!

Hotel Reviews

Quality Hotel Ålesund

Ålesund

Lovely hotel. Right there in town. Great breakfast buffet. Very helpful staff.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Scandic Torget

Bergen

Perfect location! Comfy bed!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Art Nouveau and Maritime History Tour

Ålesund

Lucas our guide was warm and personable and had great knowledge about the history of Alesund.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Fløibanen Funicular Experience (tickets included)

Bergen

Quality of Experience

Thanks to Katie, we had such an amazing trip that we will remember forever. My mom always wanted to see Norway, her father’s home, and Katie made it possible. She created a plan that accommodated our different ages, needs and desires for the trip. We had a busy season prior to the trip and I would not have had the time or knowledge to plan this myself. Communication was great and the process was collaborative, in that we were asked about our preference every step of the way. We received a detailed plan, including ready-to-print/save tickets, itineraries, and essential information. Everything went smoothly and we really enjoyed all of the activities planned as well as the selected accommodations. It was also nice knowing that there was a local contact person in case something went wrong. We are grateful to Katie and KimKim for such an unforgettable experience.

The private city OSLO walk with Bjorn our tour guide, was amazing. His in-depth knowledge of not only of the Oslo architecture, but of all Norway kept us intrigued for the entire walk. He is so easy to talk to and learn all aspects of Norwegian customs and traditions. It was a little disappointing that the Oslo Street food tour was cancelled. We were delighted with almost every aspect of the itinerary provided by Kimkim, including all of the hotel accommodations, the cruises, and transfers. In hindsight, we wished Kinkim could have provided more information on the public transportation bus and subway routes around Oslo as we had to rely on the more-expensive Uber services to get to the various scheduled activities. Also, in hindsight, we wish Kinkim offered a walking tour of Bergen as well. The weather was perfect: 40 - 50 degrees with sunny sky's. Otherwise, we were most pleased with our trip and look forward to working with your expert specialists the next time we travel.

Katie and all who had a hand in our adventure....

Karen, Chris and I thoroughly enjoyed our two-week odyssey from one end of Norway to the other. While I was not involved in the planning of the trip, I commend you for the selections of hotels and travel arrangements throughout. Well-situated for our purposes, clean... and the laundry facilities in Bergen a real plus! I personally appreciate your extra effort to add this 3rd traveler in an efficient and economically viable program. The detailed itinerary you prepared was VERY essential to the smooth transitions from one locale to the next (and for accessing travel tickets AND local bus/museum pass in Oslo!); we referred to it daily. The suggested restaurants were spot on for those we tried - as much for a taste of the local culture as for a wide range of food options. The couple who welcomed us on Senia, John and Stiig were all as personally engaging as they were knowledgeable about their cities... and also honest about recommendations about how to use our remaining time in Bergen and Oslo, respectively. Plus.... we got a real feel for each city with the walking we did.... a joy! The extras.... a short snowshoe test, the aurora cabin experience, a floating sauna with dip into a fjord, and the open-air fjord tour in Senia (replete with a short hailstorm) allowed us to experience the real environment of Norway, replete with sea eagle sitings while hunting and nesting. Grateful for the dry suits provided for this expedition.... fun! Finally, my gratitude for the pre-trip conference call to review and finalize details of the trip shortly before departure. The nuances of your scheduling after we hung up were icing on the cake. And it was credit card ONLY throughout the trip.... (with exception of tips to the guides) just as you said. Many, many thanks for excellent service throughout.

A couple of personal observations and a question:
1. It would be helpful if all the information re each step of the itinerary (hotel, tour guides, schedule (arrival/departure) and transportation logistics, city background info, suggested sites to visit) info could be summarized chronologically for easier referral. We got lost in looking for info in a city as pieces appeared in different sections of the itinerary.
2. In Senia... it would have been helpful to know about the dry suits in advance. We dressed in layers for the anticipated cold .... and it took time to remove all the clothes to suit up as others waited for us to finish. Might also avoid packing unnecessary clothing.
3. A single guest is often assigned a room no bigger than a closet.... with a bed to match the dimensions. Almost like sleeping in a coffin. I encourage you to do all you can to ensure that this does not happen to one of your clients. It was miserable in Oslo in particular.

And my question:
I was felled by a virus upon our arrival in Senia. I missed the Northern Lights tour (and never had a chance to see them again as I was still sick as we moved to the second location in Senia). Is it possible I could receive a reimbursement for this activity due to my illness? Such a disappointment to miss this AND to lose my day of outside exploration before traveling to Bergen.

Hotel Review

Grand Hotel Terminus

Bergen

The hotel is very well located for easy movement around Bergen, especially of traveling by train. The hotel was clean, the staff friendly and accommodating, and the availability of coffee and tea in the reception area a welcome gift after hours of touring. A special kudos to the hotel for making laundry facilities available - at no cost to guests - on a 24/7 basis. Customer-friendly doesn't get better! The restaurant facilities are very nice and the ability to use this space outside of formal service hours was a plus..... especially due to the small size of the single guest room (a little bigger than a coffin). My only complaint is that while people around us received a generous glass of wine when ordered, we received a MUCH smaller quantity in the same size glass. NOT an optical illusion. I reported this at the reception desk as we departed... it was noticeable and questionable.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

As a single guest, I was assigned to a very, very small room. Almost a coffin. Very uncofortable.

Activity Review

Arctic Boat Safari in Senja

Senja

I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to experience Norway up close through this time on the open water. The provision of the dry suits was unexpected and MUCH appreciated.... made this tip entirely do-able. The boat's captain was an experienced sailor and kept a watchful eye at all times for any opportunity to see wildlife in air or in the water. The only "needs improving" for this event would be more guidance regarding what we are seeing or stories about the area as we are passing through it for the entire group. The tour manager spoke to smaller groups at times, but there was no real tour information provided at any time during the excursion.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

As noted, the boat's captain kept a watchful eye out for any opportunity to see wildlife throughout the cruise. He made the difference.

Transport

I appreciated the opportunity to be able to remain outside throughout the excursion, even when water was choppy or weather uncooperative.

kimkim organized a memorable Norway experience for my teen and me. So many great moments to highlight, from snowshoeing above Aurlandsfjord with our wonderful guide Irvin, to exploring the same fjord in a small boat, to discovering Oslo by bike with our very knowledgeable guide Patrick, to snowmobiling above the 69th parallel north near Tromsø in a small group. Our only regret is not spending more than a week in such a mindblowingly beautiful country.

This is the best planned trip I have ever been on. Katie’s help was beyond expectations! The itinerary was seamless and easy to follow! Senja was my favorite place on the trip. It is the most beautiful place on earth. The fjord trip from Flan was another favorite. The guided city tours were exceptional giving a good overview and local content about history and the people. I love Norway and what it stands for: protection of the environment , free education and healthcare, low crime, emphasis on healthy living, recycling, electric transportation, care for its people. It was a spectacular vacation and I was sad to leave. The glaciated peaks and arctic air and water will be forever in my mind. Thank you so much for a beautiful trip! And Katie you were wonderful! I have never experienced the kind and thoughtful connection you provided on any tour I have taken. You are one of a kind. I would definitely book with you again.

Hotel Reviews

Norwegian Wild

Vangsvik

Authenticity & Character

Location location location

Location

This hotel is across the street from a national park. The views from the cabins are breath taking across the fjord.

Staff

They went the extra mile.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Thon Hotel Opera

Oslo

Easy access to train to the airport. There was a fire alarm at 2 am that had us leave the hotel and stand in the cold for about 1/2 hour .

Location

I liked the location. It was easy to use the buses and train

Staff

The staff was excellent. They helped me locate my iPad at the airport . A lady was on the phone quite awhile to ID my iPad . I took the express train in picked up my iPad and came back in an hour.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Mefjord Brygge

Mefjordvær, Senjahopen

We had a house so we each had our own bedroom. That was nice for Chris because I snore. It was comfortable, local and not fancy.

Authenticity & Character

Location

The snow capped mountains and fjords were breathtaking

Staff

Everyone was helpful and guides were entertaining. However, they were not up on the geology of the area.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Not much really. It was an authentic local wood house.

Grand Hotel Terminus

Bergen

Nice hotel centrally located. The down comforters are too hot.

Staff

Staff was helpful and answered all of out questions

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very clean

Flåmsbrygga Hotel

Flåm

Room was right next to breakfast area. Very convenient.

Location

Staff

Didn’t use the staff much. Just to check in

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Northern Lights Safari

Senja

It’s hit or miss to see the northern lights but our guide made them available to see

Quality of Experience

Good informative guide

Discover Senja

Senja

It was a blustery day with high winds. We did see a lot but it was very cloudy and overcast. The tour guides did a fair job considering the conditions.

Arctic Boat Safari in Senja

Senja

Best part was watching the sea eagles and seagulls dive for fish. We got a really good show. Pictures were hard to get.

Bergen Walking Tour With a Local Guide

Bergen

The guide was well informed and gave us lots of history. The only improvement would be to not talk while walking . It was hard for me to hear everything. If the guide stopped and faced us while talking it would have been alot better.

Free day in Senja

Senja

Went for a walk in the national park. There was fresh powder and it was beautiful. We didn’t need snow shoes so that was nice.

Mostraumen Fjord Cruise from Bergen

Bergen

Lots of waterfalls!

Fjordcruise on UNESCO Nærøyfjord

Norway

This fjord was very special . I think all people visiting Norway should experience it. Pictures don’t do it justice.

Quality of Experience

Felt like I was in a National Geographic video! The beauty was overwhelming!

Transport

The ferry was perfect! Comfortable and easy to view surroundings!

Explore Oslo's Hidden Gems with a Local Expert

Oslo

Guide was good. Probably walked 10 miles that day. I loved walking thru the different neighborhoods. We got a museum pass for use after the tour and the next day. Put in a lot of walking. Plus learned how to use the busses!

Flight from Southern Norway to Tromsø

Norway

Flight was a normal flight. Got this picture out the window

Contrary to previous experiences with KimKim, this trip was full of missed details and frustrating, last minute, expensive scrambles for transfers. It was very different from my previous trip to Turkey, where everything was impeccably planned and the communication was flawless. On the bright side, Norway was beautiful and the people were lovely and so kind. It’s just a shame that the overall quality of the trip was diminished by the poor planning and communication.

This was our third trip using Kim Kim, and generally speaking we have always received outstanding service, which was why working with Maria was so shockingly disappointing. From the start, Maria was not responsive to our requests and there were an alarming amount of details there were not addressed. For example, in previous trips, all of our transfers were scheduled and included as part of our package, where as with this trip, no transfers had been set up and no transfers were included as part of the package - something we did not realize until late in the planning process. One of the reasons we use Kim Kim is because of the seamlessness and peace of mind knowing that all of the details have been taken care of. When we inquired about one of the major transfers in our trip, Maria suggested we rent a car, at a huge additional expense, which would have been a 9 hour drive, through mountainous, winter conditions. I find this to be ludicrous for a travel expert to suggest. Due to the last minute planning of these details, we ended up having to take 3 flights to reach our destination. At one point during our trip, we had inquired about canceling an excursion. Our local guides never checked in to ask why we wanted to cancel or if there was something going on that we needed help with. It turns out the excursion ended up being canceled by the tour company (who ended up contacting us directly) and it took Kim Kim more than 3 hours to inform us of this cancellation. Before, during, and after our trip, Maria never reached out once to check in and see how things were going. Again, this has not been our previous experience with Kim Kim. The draw of using Kim Kim, who uses local experts, would imply useful information and tips for the areas and destination, and that was completely absent in this trip. For example, that it was recommended we walk from the train station to our hotel in downtown Oslo rather than being over charged by a local Taxi driver. I can go on and on. Additionally, we had an issue with checking into one of the hotels where the clerk had questions about charging the credit card on file. We tried to reach out to Kim Kim and the emergency line and could not get through. On the bright side, we loved Norway as a destination. The excursions were fantastic and fun. We had requested to stay at Sorrisniva, the Holman Husky Lodge, as well as take the Havila Capilla and they certainly did not disappoint, We would highly recommend each of these stays/experiences. The dog sledding with Trasti & Trine, was a particular highlight and an amazing experience. All in all, despite the unexpected challenges working with Maria presented, we loved our time in Norway, and found the local people to be friendly and kind. Sadly, if this had been my first and only experience with Kim Kim, I probably would never use this company again, as in this case, there was no added value.

Hotel Reviews

Sorrisniva Arctic Wilderness Lodge

Alta

Simply amazing hotel! Everything about our experience exceeding our expectations.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Holmen Husky Lodge

Alta

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Scandic Kirkenes

Kirkenes

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

King Crab Safari from Kirkenes during Winter

Kirkenes

This was the most disappointing excursion we experienced on our trip. Not necessarily the fault of the tour company. The weather was too warm, and the ice was not frozen enough for us to actually get to experience the king crab fishing ourselves. We had to stand at a far off distance, while the staff went and picked up the king crabs. Of course, we still enjoyed a lovely dinner of the fresh crabs.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Dogsledding Day Trip

Alta

This was the most amazing experience of our entire trip. The dogsledding was such an authentic experience. The owners of the company took us out themselves and we had such an enjoyable conversation with them about their own 'professional' competitive experiences dogsledding. Truly amazing. We would do this again in a heart beat. Highly recommend. To top it off, the owners are a Michelin Star chef and provide lunch of the trip. They have their own restaurant and bar on site. Amazing.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

It was a fantastic 2 weeks in Norway! Thanks for the itinerary, and to Katie for the great help when we had questions, and the follow-ups, before and during the trip, together with her colleagues, Tom and Matthia, who stood in for her over the weekends in Norway. The places we went were great, and we particularly loved Sommaroy, which Katie suggested. It was a great winter wonderland, peaceful and so beautiful, and yes, we got to experience faint northern lights just above our cabin, though it was cloudy. We were initially upset about the interior of the Cabin we had, which did not look any like the image we saw, but the beautiful place just compensated the initial disappointment. The view was awesome! Overall, it was all great and awesome! We knew we were paying a bit more for the whole trip compare to if we were to prepare our itinerary and make our own bookings, but its all worth it, as it has been so seamless and saved us a lot of headache planning and all the hassles, and has assured us that there is someone to reach out to when we needed help. Thanks Katie and team! Bravo to Kimkim for the group of professional planners and guide!

Want to start with our trip was fantastic and we had complete confidence in our itinerary and specialist. We knew it was an ambitious trip involving many modes of travel that could be overwhelming but Mathia helped organize and plan everything to perfection. Our trip was flawless and his knowledge and communication was stellar which made us feel at ease for a trip of a lifetime for us. All accommodations made for us met and exceeded our expectations. A lot of thought was put into the location of our accommodations to algin easily with meeting points and distance to travel hubs. We had several "bucket list" items to check off while in Norway and Mathia helped us realize every one of them. From dog sledding to seeing the northern lights, sleeping in an ice castle to hiking Trolltunga, cruising the fjords to a cable car ride for a stunning nigh time view of Tromsø we felt like we were able to do it all with ease.

It was important for us to be able to be independent during our trip and we did not want to be part of a guided tour. KimKim offered the flexibility to plan our own customized adventure and Mathia's careful planning allowed us to travel confidently and experience not only the popular tourist areas of Norway but also the smaller out of the way villages and settings. Mathia was in contact with us daily to ensure we made each of our many travel connections and took a genuine interest in our excursions.

Mathia's extensive knowledge of Norway gave us many opportunities to enjoy first class activities that were 100% tailored to our interests. We went dog sledding in Rorøs with Rorøs Husky where our guide went out of his way to give us an authentic and enjoyable experience. The rorbuer where we stayed in Svolvær gave the traditional feel of the fishing village and the driving tour we took of the Lofoten Islands gave us a rich blend of beautiful scenery combined with the history of the area. Our guide was extremely friendly and knowledgeable and customized our trip to include Henningsvær Stadium after he found out we are avid soccer fans. Even our cable car operator in Tromsø was brimming with friendliness and great advice when he recommended we stop at the cafe rather than wait in the long line to return to the bottom of the mountain. We were able to enjoy the most delicious cinnamon knot we have ever had in the warmth of the cafe with beautiful views of the lighted city below.

The staff at Sorrisniva in Alta were second to none. From the friendly and professional drivers who brought us to and from the resort to the staff that were accommodating and assured we were comfortable.

Lastly, the hike up to Trolltunga was stunningly beautiful and fun as our guides were knowledgeable, professional and entertaining. We thoroughly enjoyed our time with their knowledge and witty humor.

We loved Norway and have such fond and loving memories of this beautifully stunning country. The people of Norway were helpful and friendly, often going out of their way to assist us when ever needed.

Our trip would not have been possible without KimKim's flexible travel plan options or Mathia's extensive knowledge and assistance. We highly recommend KimKim and working with Mathia to anyone wanting to explore and visit Norway.

Hotel Reviews

MS Havila Polaris

Fosnavåg

Newer ship, quiet, comfortable with great views for the observation lounge. Our room was very spacious and comfortable. Overall a relaxing experience with professional and helpful staff.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Svinøya Rorbuer

Svolvær

Beautiful and stunning location with updated traditional cabins. Delicious breakfast buffet and options. Staff are friendly and professional.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Thon Hotel Opera

Oslo

Great location and walking distance to many attractions and restaurants. Clean, comfortable rooms with a wonderful breakfast .

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel

alta

A fun unique experience sleeping in an igloo / ice castle. We enjoyed the resort and staff that were friendly, accommodating and professional. The hot tub was amazing as we enjoyed the warmth of the hot tub in the winter night and watching the northern lights dance above us. Highly recommend a visit and night's stay.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Trolltunga Hotel

Odda

Incredibly welcoming and accommodating hotel with great restaurant. We arrived late to check in but the very kind woman at the front desk welcomed us and ran to the kitchen to see if we could still order dinner. A few minutes later we were seated in the lounge followed shortly by two very delicious meals. We would have been happy with leftovers as we knew we were inconveniencing the kitchen but the salmon and pork dinners were freshly prepared, perfectly garnished and served by the chef himself. Our room was charming and comfortable where we got a great night sleep before our long hike the next day. Breakfast was healthy, plentiful and served early enough to fit into our schedule. When we returned from our hike of Trolltunga, we celebrated our success with great time spent with the front desk woman where we talked about our respective countries and families. It was very comfortable and warm. Unfortunately we didn't get her name, but we know made a friend and we will remember her kindness and friendliness. Highly recommended.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Scandic Ishavshotel

Tromsø

Busy hotel in the heart of the port of Tromso. Short walk to any public transportation as well as restaurants and pubs. Many excursions pick up directly in front of the hotel. Hotel restaurant was a bit expensive but the service and atmosphere were good. Our room had a beautiful view of the port and cathedral.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Bergstadens Hotel

Røros

Great location to walk the cozy downtown area. Despite the small town there were many restaurant options. Breakfast was abundant and delicious with made to order items. Very close to public transportation. Room was clean and comfortable with beautiful views.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Scandic Alta

Alta

Our late check in was accommodated and our room was comfortable. They did a good job managing the regular guest along with several guests who were in the area for an athletic tournament. The breakfast buffet was abundant with plenty of options. Walking around town was beautiful with tree lined streets, a skating rink, fire pit and cathedral.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Thon Hotel Oslo Airport

Gardermoen

Quick stay before catching our flight out of Norway. Clean, spacious room with friendly staff. Easy shuttle transport to and from airport.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Dogsledding in Røros

Røros

An absolutely amazing adventure with an experienced and knowledgeable guide, Torgeir. Our guide's wife, Mary, assisted us with a smile and quick tutorial. We had the most wonderful time learning how to use and control the sled along with reading the dogs during their exciting running adventure. Our dogs were very determined and excited and we were all smiles as we wove our way up and down hill taking in the beautiful countryside. We stopped for a rest and some snacks and Torgeir shared a warm, mulled fruity drink that was delicious and hit the spot on our pit stop. We returned happy and tired with a great appreciation of our guide's experience and love of the dogs and their excitement for running.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Lofoten Highlights - Henningsvær

Svolvær

Our tour of Lofoten Islands was a wonderful and exciting experience. Our guide was knowledgeable, accommodating, funny and friendly. He showed us what he felt was amazing to see and gave us options to choose what we would like to see. We stopped at a beautiful beach, saw the amazing Henningsvær Stadium and magnificent islands of Lofoten. He gave us many insights into the history of the islands and stopped at many beautiful overlooks that we would not have found on our own.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Northern Lights Adventure in Tromsø

Tromsø

What an amazing experience! We left Tromsø in a snowstorm with no expectations of seeing the northern lights. Our driver and guide's optimism and enthusiasm were contagious and we soon found ourselves immersed in her stories and pride in her Sami heritage and history of the northern lights. The hours flew by and soon we were in an open area under a canopy of stars. Soon the lights came streaking across the sky and with her instructions we were able to capture the gorgeous green and pink ribbons in the sky with our cameras. Topped off with delicious cake and hot chocolate we finished our night with more laughs and some quiet reflection before we were dropped off at our hotel.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided Winter Hike to Trolltunga

Norway

This hike exceeded our expectations in many ways. As experienced hikers in our home area, we had never done any substantial hiking in another country. The pre-hike meeting put some of our nerves at ease and meeting our guides the next morning helped us feel even more comfortable. They were friendly, knowledgeable, easy going and most of all encouraging. Each of us 4 clients had a struggle at one point or another, but our guides knew what to say, how to help and created a safe and supportive environment that was very necessary on a hike this long. Their senses of humor lightened the mood and helped us focus on having fun. The stunning scenery spoke for itself and we thoroughly enjoyed every mile of our adventure.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Katie was great to work with. She was very responsive and knowledgeable about our destination, Norway. We had a number of requests to customize the trip and she was able to accommodate those requests. One of the biggest benefits we realized was when our original destination (Tromso) was booked up and she was able to pivot to another location (Alta) while still fulfilling our requests. We also enjoyed the daily check-in’s and follow through during the trip and after. We highly recommend Katie for your travel needs!

Hotel Reviews

Radisson Blu Airport Hotel, Oslo Gardemoen

Gardemoen

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Sorrisniva Arctic Wilderness Lodge

Alta

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Bjørnfjell Mountain Lodge

Alta

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel

alta

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Trasti og Trine Dog Sledding

Alta

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Polar Night Bonfire Trip

Alta

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Arctic Light Snowmobile Experience

Alta

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided Snowshoe Tour

Alta

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Ice Sculpting Experience

Alta

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sami Culture Experience with Reindeer Sledding

Alta

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Stig was an excellent guide in Oslo. We learned a lot on our tour.

Hotel Reviews

Thon Hotel Opera

Oslo

Central location. Good food. Helpful staff. Comfortable room.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Short walk from the train station

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Radisson Blu Airport Hotel, Oslo Gardemoen

Gardemoen

Great hotel right next to the airport.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Scandic Grand Tromsø

Tromsø

Location was great. One elevator and very small. Room was comfortable. Breakfast was just ok.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Explore Oslo's Hidden Gems with a Local Expert

Oslo

Our guide, Stig, was awesome.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We originally planned a bucket list trip to Norway to see the northern lights, Alex was our first connection to kimkim and was fantastic to work with he helped change and tweek things to our interests, while in Norway carina was right on it when I needed her assistance for a booking! Norway in a nutshell was an unexpected delight because it seemed like it was going to be so complicated but turned out so easy with every ticket for train bus and boat all going perfectly! I would highly recommend using this team of travel experts , one added bonus was every driver picking us up at airports and hotels were 100%on! Thanks for my epic trip of a lifetime