Kimkim Trip Reviews for Norway

Planning our trip to Norway was an incredibly enjoyable experience. It felt easy to communicate with Christina and I felt she really understood my requests and created a really excellent itinerary for us. We also worked with Tricia, Linda and Tom who were very responsive with messages and questions and exceptionally helpful in making bookings and small changes when needed. They all went above and beyond and made our week in Norway so seamless. Will definitely be booking more trips with Kimkim! Thank you so much for everything.

Hotel Review

Thon Hotel Stavanger

Stavanger

Breakfast was amazing! Comfortable rooms, clean, incredibly modern. The snacks and free tea/coffee at reception was very welcome after big days exploring Stavanger and around

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Guided Overnight Hike to Trolltunga for Sunset/Sunrise

Norway

Absolute highlight of our trip! Everything about it was incredible. A must-do!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Kristiina the Oslo guide was wonderful and very helpful
There a lot more sites to visit in Oslo than Bergen and it would have been nice to have more days there rather
than Bergen but both were very good
Enjoyed the train from Oslo to Bergen--saw scenery at multipel altitudes both below and above tree line
The Fjord cruise in Bergen, Rib boat in Flam, Sea Kayak in Geranger/Glacier tour in Balestrand, and the cable care in Bergen were all wonderful. Hiking in Balestrand was a challenge but the views were great. It is amazing that people could live and farm on the steep cliffs years ago. The Cornelius dinner was amazing. Getting back at 11 pm and having to get up at 3 AM was not great planning but the meal was worth it.
We were very fortunate to have clear weather for the Sea Kayak! The waterfalls after it rained were wonderful
The scenery was fantastic
Car rental and driving was interesting. The Bergen self service rental has no one to talk to. We found another Hertz
location on the road and got an introduction to the car. Our taxi driver from the hotel drove past the location and I
had to tell him where to go! Every time I put gas in the vehicle we were double charged large amounts on my credit card--These are still pending as of today. Driving on the roads was an experience--the tunnels were unbelievable-how in the world did they do them!!! More switchbacks than I have ever seen and done
The airport transfer did not show up for the flight home--we had to take a taxi.. Hoping that can be refunded
All in all a wonderful trip and may well use Kim Kim again

Hotel Reviews

Bergen Børs Hotel

Bergen

great bar and dining area Bath had a shower with only curtains--presume for person in wheelchair Large room

Location

near wharf

Staff

front desk helpful when airport ride didn't show up

Cleanliness & Comfort

again the bath

Hotell Utsikten

Geiranger

Great views closing for season the day we left Nice lounge area no elevator/ on 3rd floor very tiny rooms

Authenticity & Character

Location

view

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

very tiny room and bath

Hotel Aurlandsfjord

Aurland

great views No elevator and we wer on 4th floor/ a hike

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Norge by Scandic

Bergen

modern hotel not as much character

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Bristol

Oslo

wonderful staff delightful hotel with shower and bath and terry cloth robes Breakfast amazing my favorite hotel

Authenticity & Character

see above

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

see above

Activity Reviews

Fjord Cruise & Seafood Dining Experience

Bergen

Quality of Experience

Dinner was amazing culinary triumph

Guides, Drivers and Staff

waitress Anna was delightful, Owner was there and talked to every group

Transport

Fjærlandsfjord Cruise & Bøyabreen Glacier Visit

Balestrand

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Fjord Safari by RIB

Flåm

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Waterfall Kayaking Excursion

Geiranger

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

not applicable

Mostraumen Fjord Cruise

Bergen

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private City Walk

Oslo

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

walking in the rain actually fun-- "No bad weather--just bad clothing possible" per our guide

Our late summer trip to northern Norway was incredible. We couldn't have planned such a memorable, custom trip without our trip specialist, Tricia. The pacing of our trip and the chosen destinations were well matched to our abilities and interests. The mild weather added to our enjoyment of the outdoor activities. Because we were off-season, destinations were uncrowded; in fact, on several tours, my husband and I were the only people. Repeating our overnight accommodations as we returned from the far north was genius.

Our flight had multiple legs, first into Dallas, then Dallas to Helsinki, then Helsinki to Oslo. It all went smoothly. I particularly enjoyed the pretty berry pastry at the Helsinki airport coffee shop. Upon our arrival in Oslo, we used the Flytoget train, buying a roundtrip ticket at the station. These trains are clean, frequent, and quick. As we had arrived before check-in time, we left our bags at the Amerikalinien hotel, walked over to the Oslo Opera House, and walked to the top to enjoy views of the harbor and city. We walked over to Barcode Street Food for a wide variety of options for dinner and drink. Altogether, we ate there three times during our time in Oslo; I particularly enjoyed the poke at Hawaii.

Adding a 'recovery day' after our overnight flights to Oslo was wise. The breakfast at the Amerikalinien had extensive, delicious options. We had a rainy day in Oslo, but it didn’t mar our tour on the Silent Oslo Fjord Cruise. With an Oslo pass, we used public transit to travel to Lazy Boyz Harley-Davidson Oslo in the suburbs for a couple t-shirts. The lounge at the top floor of the Munch was perfect for an overview of the harbor and city while enjoying a cold drink.

Using our return pass, we returned to the airport for our midday flight to Alta. The flight itself was scenic and one would wish every airport was the airport in Alta. Our car rental with Hertz went smoothly start to finish. We enjoyed lunch in the local mall at Aranya AS. In total, we ate three meals there. The parking app for the mall was easy to set up and to use. The mall is a good spot to buy a missing cord or some Norwegian chocolate.

Our afternoon was spent at the World Heritage Rock Art Centre and Alta Museum. The museum offers a range of exhibitions including local life in the time of the rock carvings up to 9000 years ago, the more recent history of mining and fishing, and World War II history. There are two long paths with extensive boardwalks that allow you to view the rock carvings along the way. Allow enough time to view the carvings and soak in their fjord setting. We returned for a second visit when we returned to Alta.

Then we made our way to Trasti and Trine’s Lodge. Our spacious room was very comfortable; the breakfasts were delicious with a generous range of dishes offered. We enjoyed morning walks down to the river. It was interesting to learn about the Northern Light huskies and to visit the puppies. We enjoyed a leisurely evening meal in their excellent restaurant. The next morning, we had the Altafjord Cruise on the Ice Cube of Aurora all to ourselves. The water was choppy, but didn’t mar our adventure. We learned about World War II in Alta, viewed a fjord waterfall, and looked for seals with high quality binoculars. The fjord was in full fall color.

After two nights in Alta, we spent our next two nights in Honningsvag at The View, a smartly converted Cold War Era military barracks. As suggested by its name, this location has a commanding view of the fjord. We enjoyed the northern lights on the outdoor balcony each night of our stay. Be sure to download an app such as Aurora that can provide you with alerts. We also left our window drapes open all night. We enjoyed a dinner at NorMat. The hotel does not offer food other than breakfast, but it has several beers on tap. The local museum, Nordkappmuseet, had an excellent variety of exhibits on local history and art – the section on World War II and post war recovery was particularly moving.

Because of the warm water currents, the fall colors around Honningsvag were not as far along as either Alta or Karasjok. Coming into Honningsvag, we passed through several long tunnels, including one that took us 800 feet below sea level – a record for us. Nevertheless, our drive on winding roads to NordKapp was still quite dramatic. NordKapp itself was impressive. We arrived early, allowing for plenty of photo opportunities, and time before the Nordkappmuseet opened. The museum has a nice café and gift shop. It’s a great spot to buy and send postcards from NordKapp. The northern lights, sea birds, local history, and World War II history displays were all well done.

Our next two nights were spent in Engholm Husky Design Lodge in a very stylish custom cabin. Each detail of our lodging was carefully considered and beautifully crafted, mostly from natural materials. It is a perfect spot to cocoon in nature in any season. We enjoyed the opportunity to ride along on a husky training run through woodland trails out to the river and back, and to visit with the latest litter of huskies. We drove over the border to Finland for lunch and a stop at the grocery store for snacks. We bought postcards and stamps and mailed them on the spot. The Sámi Museum in Karasjok - De Samiske Samlinger/Sámiid Vuorká-Dávvirat was an excellent introduction to the culture and traditions of the Sami people including artifacts, traditional clothing and tools, art and history.

After returning to Alta, we went on a northern light tour with Glød Explorer. Glød means ‘glow’. We were the only tour members that evening. Starting with a delicious fish soup and an introductory film, Gard took us out to the best spots for catching the lights. With light rain and clouds, it took patience and a few locations before the lights were visible. Alta claims to be the home of the light for good reason, the local skies seem to be a node for the lights. Not only were the flickering beams dancing, but less common forms directly overhead morphed in forms that resembled fish or flowers. Gard even took our photo with the lights in the background. It was the perfect highlight to our trip!

Our return travels went smoothly. It was a trip we will always remember – off-season and perfectly attuned to our specific interests and requests. Thanks Tricia!

Hotel Reviews

Amerikalinjen

Oslo

Outstanding hotel in a very convenient location across from the train station and within easy walking distance of the city harbor area. Staff was attentive and accommodating. The hotel was able to hold our luggage until checkin so we could begin exploring the city. When checkin was a bit delayed, we were given an upgraded room. The hotel was decorated with items reflecting the history of the American Line in Oslo. Comfortable beds! The sumptuous breakfast was a real treat. On the day we departed before the regular breakfast hours, we were offered a packed breakfast. The hotel bar was very stylish with unusual cocktails. We stayed here for a total of three nights; two as we arrived in Norway and the night before we departed.

Authenticity & Character

Loved the historical details from the American Line that were featured throughout the hotel.

Location

Easy walking distance to the downtown harbor area including the main station, opera house, dining, and museums.

Staff

Attentive - offered a packed breakfast when we had an early departure.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Comfortable, cozy bed and bedding. Loved the modern, full powered shower and generously sized bath area.

Engholm Husky Design Lodge

Karasjok

We loved the very stylish custom cabin. Each detail was carefully considered and beautifully crafted, mostly from natural materials. It is a perfect spot to cocoon in nature in any season. We enjoyed the opportunity to ride along on a husky training run through woodland trails out to the river and back, and to visit with the latest litter of huskies.

Authenticity & Character

This lodge exudes character. We marveled over the handcrafted details of the decor. Quiet, peaceful, thoughtfully designed.

Location

This location is convenient to activities in Karasjok and just over the border into Finland.

Staff

Dedicated to huskies! It was a real treat to go out on a training run.

Cleanliness & Comfort

You could happily cocoon in this lodge in any season.

The View

Honningsvåg

A smartly converted Cold War Era military barracks with the outstanding view. We enjoyed the northern lights from the outdoor balcony every night of our stay. The complimentary breakfast was very nice each morning. The hotel does not offer food other than breakfast, but it has several beers on tap.

Authenticity & Character

Very cool retrofitting of an old Cold War era military barracks.

Location

Not in the heart of the town, but with outstanding views of the harbor.

Staff

Staff was very knowledgable of the area with excellent tips.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Comfy, individualized bedding was the best.

Trasti & Trine´s Lodge

Alta

Very welcoming and comfortable accommodations for lodging and dining. Extensive grounds with trails to the river. And, best of all, huskies! This location is convenient to activities in the Alta area. It is a great location for watching the Northern lights. The breakfasts were delicious. The evening is devoted to fine dining. A unique offering.

Authenticity & Character

Huskies!

Location

Just out of town. Beautiful country setting; lovely in the fall. Very convenient to all activities in the Alta area.

Staff

Very friendly and helpful in answering our questions and offering suggestions, such a the river hike.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Loved the individualized bedding; I might just try that back home! Generously sized rooms and baths.

Activity Reviews

Hunting the Northern lights with Photographer

Alta

This was a perfect adventure to conclude our time in northern Norway. Glød means ‘glow’. We were the only tour members that evening. Starting with a delicious fish soup and an introductory film, Gard took us out to the best spots for catching the lights. With light rain and clouds, it took patience and a few locations before the lights were visible. Alta claims to be the home of the light for good reason, the local skies seem to be a node for the lights. Not only were the flickering beams dancing, but less common forms directly overhead morphed in forms that resembled fish or flowers. Gard even took our photo with the lights in the background. It was the perfect highlight to our trip!

Quality of Experience

Alta is the home of the northern light for good reason. The local nodes result in unique, memorable morphing forms.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Gard was an excellent guide full of enthusiasm and local knowledge of the lights.

Transport

Van was a comfortable way to tour looking for northern lights.

Altafjord Cruise

Alta

Easy to find. A choppy day did not deter our enjoyment of this trip. We were the only two on the cruise on this day. We learned about World War II in Alta, viewed a fjord waterfall, and looked for seals with high quality binoculars. The fjord was in full fall color.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The personal experiences of our captain and his knowledge of the fjord and local area was a key part of this tour.

Transport

Silent Oslo Fjord Cruise

Oslo

This cruise was an easy introduction to Oslo. It was very peaceful to view the city from the water. The tour guide's narrative was just right, informative while giving space to enjoy the cruise.

Prior to KimKim, we had not worked with a travel company, but I cannot say enough about what a positive experience it was! Anu took our beginning plans and filled them in with not only wonderful places to stay in Oslo, Geiranger and Flam, but gave us so many options for additional activities through out our two weeks. It was so nice to have transportation provided from and to the airport and to have ferry and bus tickets purchased in advance. Every detail was addressed and it was helpful to have Rufo on call when we had questions during the trip. I'd highly recommend working with KimKim if you plan to travel in Norway!

Hotel Review

Scandic Bakklandet

Trondheim

The Scandic Bakklandet in Trondheim was just okay. The rooms were very basic. Initially, we had to move rooms because the one we were given was small and musty. I was hoping for a better experience with this particular stay.

Activity Reviews

Flåm Railway, Zipline & Cycling Adventure

Norway

The Flåm Railway, Zipline & Cycling Adventure was such a great fun! I thoroughly enjoyed the whole activity and would definitely recommend it.

Waterfall Kayaking Excursion

Geiranger

Kayaking on the Seven Sisters Kayaking Excursion was an absolute delight. The entire experience was well worth it and I would highly recommend it to other travelers.

Summer Kayak Lofoten

Norway

The summer kayak trip in Lofoten was fantastic. I was very happy with the entire experience. The surroundings are incredibly beautiful, making it truly memorable.

The Kim Kim person we interacted with the most was Tricia and she did a great job creating and booking an interesting itinerary and activities along the way. Tom handled communication with us as well , when Tricia was unavailable promptly and with courtesy.
One thing to note, which may help other travelers, is to advise them about the changing weather conditions up in the northern part of Norway in September and beyond because flights can be canceled by the airlines unpredictably due to weather and therefore the other connections will suffer from it. Better include a buffer of time so travelers don’t incur added expenses with flights and lost time, during their return as we did.

Hotel Reviews

Scandic Syv Søstre

Sandnessjøen

Good hotel for a short stay. Good breakfast with paid parking on the street. Room was comfortable. Located in the city close to the port close to the departing ferries. Good breakfast.

Authenticity & Character

Modern, not noteworthy.

Location

Close to the port.

Staff

Helpful staff.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Clean room and common areas.

Hustadvika Havhotell

Fraena

Very good hotel by the water with views to the sea and the mountains. Comfortable with a room that had a great view. Free parking with good breakfast. Recommended for a short or longer stay.

Authenticity & Character

Pleasing architecture.

Location

In the countryside by the sea.

Staff

Helpful staff.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Comfortable and clean.

Setran Gård

Salsbruket

An authentic farm close to a lake with a view and animals (sheep, pigs, horses, chicken, rabbits). The individual cabin was great, roomy and comfortable. They do not offer breakfast or meals but there is an equipped kitchen if you with to buy ingredients and cook your own meals. A special location with lots of walking to do nearby and a beautiful nature.

Authenticity & Character

An authentic farm setting.

Location

Countryside location with nice views.

Staff

Very helpful caretaker couple when we went.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Clean cabin.

Valldal Fjordhotell

Valldal

Very nice hotel close to the fjord. Depending on the room the view is nice. Very quiet hotel with a comfortable room. Good breakfast, free parking. Small lounge. Near the hotel there is a nice trail to walk by the river and a rental place with kayaks and other local guided tours.

Authenticity & Character

It’s a functional hotel with a pleasing look.

Location

Very special location next to the fjord with nice outdoor surroundings

Staff

Not so helpful, but just OK.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Room and common areas were clean. Good for a few days stay.

Thon Hotel Terminus

Oslo

The hotel is close to the main Oslo rail station which is a few minutes away walking. The hotel has small rooms but clean and tidy. Breakfast was good.

Authenticity & Character

Just average.

Location

Very centrally located close to the railway station.

Staff

Helpful staff.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Clean hotel.

Thon Hotel Trondheim

Trondheim

A centrally located hotel good for a short stay. Paid parking available a couple of blocks away from the hotel. Decent breakfast. The room was rather small but clean.

Authenticity & Character

Just average. No character to speak of.

Location

In the city center.

Staff

Staff was OK.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Clean room and common spaces.

Vega Havhotell

Vega

A super nice hotel with a Norwegian character by the sea. Nice room, quiet with a view and great breakfast. The hotel has a small lounge and a nice architectural character. Family owned the staff was very helpful.

Authenticity & Character

Traditional Norwegian architecture

Location

By the sea in an undeveloped area great for walks along the seashore.

Staff

Very helpful staff, provided by the family that owns the hotel.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very clean and tidy with a comfortable room.

Scandic Havet

Bodø

The hotel is on the port with nice room views. Ample space in the room and in the common areas. The hotel has a contemporary character. Helpful staff and easy to walk to. The hotel does not have a dedicated parking and paid parking is available in surrounding parking lots. Street parking is free between 4pm to 8am. Breakfast is very good and varied.

Authenticity & Character

It’s a modern hotel with no particular character.

Location

Central location easy to access cruises or walks in the city.

Staff

Very helpful staff.

Cleanliness & Comfort

The room and common areas are clean and well maintained.

Svinøya Rorbuer

Svolvær

Very nice hotel with individual cabins next to the water an excellent location close to the port. Breakfast is ample but not as varied as with other hotels. A good place to stay for a few days to visit Lofoten and learn about the fishing tradition of the stock fish trade. The hotel is not one building and it’s pleasant to walk to the main reception and restaurant from the cabin.

Authenticity & Character

The architecture with wood is attractive and cozy.

Location

Activity Reviews

Guided Kayaking in Valldal

Valldal

The kayaking tour in Valldal was quite enjoyable. Initially planned as a five-hour tour, it was cut down to three hours, which was actually sufficient for us. The guides were not local but were knowledgeable and made the experience interesting by explaining different aspects of the fjord and aquaculture. There were about eight or nine kayaks, making it a pleasant small group experience.

A Taste of Norway's Culture and Cuisine

Oslo

The culinary and culture tour in Oslo was a bit disappointing. The guide was nice and knowledgeable about the city and its architecture, but the food stops were underwhelming. We only visited two places, and one was even closed. The food we did try, like a hot dog with shrimp salad and a pancake, didn't live up to the expectations of a "gastronomy tour."

Fabulous trip! John in Began was very good and took us to areas we would not have ventured. Trondheim guide was good and provided an interesting tour. Cycling tour Tromso was very good. We also did our own tour to the Russian border which was eye opening. Went to old and new border crossings. I would recommend this.
The tour itself in both Hurtigrutin and Havila were exceptional. The crew on Hurtigrutin were more relaxed and humorous while Havila was a bit more refined. Enjoyed both. The inn in Aurland was quaint with a very interesting couple running it and room was very good with exceptional views. All the hotels were exceptional and the breakfasts were fabulous.

We didn’t do the planning but our friend Renee and our organizer Mathia did a great job!!

Thanks again for some a wonderful trip and great memories!!

Nancy

This was a wonderful trip!!! The KimKim people were readily available and led us to some fun sites and activities. The guides were comfortable and knowledgeable and were quick to sell the good of Norway. It really pays to do the city guide deal, getting oriented and finding opportunities for more exploration. The stave churches are pretty amazing, but finding them and exploring their localities makes them even more valuable. We heartily endorse KimKim and our main contact, Katie😎👍

Blue skies!
R&L Gee
Cambridge, Ma

Thank you for all the excursions and hotel stays you planned for us while we were there! Norway is a beautiful country. Clean air, clean water, exceptional people and scenery. Nothing quite like it.
We enjoyed the culinary/historical tour with Frida. She was knowledgeable and fun and the food was wonderful.
I was sorry to have missed the kayaking trip but Mark enjoyed it a lot. The trip to Flam was gorgeous. The Lofoten Islands were a real treat. We loved the speed boat trip to the fjords with the great guide and sea eagles galore.
We regretted the cancelation of a couple of trips due to the weather but because we had a rental car we made good use of exploring a lot of the towns and islands!

Activity Reviews

Summer Kayaking Excursion

Reine

I'm unable to rate this since it was cancelled.

Trollfjord Sea Eagle Safari by RIB

Norway

Even though I was doubtful that the speedboat would be fun it turned out to be great! We were in for a great ride and the scenery and explanations from our guide were super. We loved the views and the sea eagle experience!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Northern Lights Hunt with Photographer

Svolvær

Getting to the correct meeting place seemed hard and awkward only to find out that it was cancelled because of the weather. Because we weren 't able to contact anyone we had to rely on the kindness of a stranger (who also led expeditions) to call for us. It was just disappointing because we hadn't been notified earlier. Even though we understood that the weather would be a factor we were sorry to have missed the opportunity to see the lights.

Private Lofoten Floating Sauna Experience

Svolvær

It was a good experience but not one that worked out too well because of scheduling. Hurried to get there and weren't sure whether we could change clothes there or should change before we came. A little more info would have been nice. We aren't used to saunas and only lasted a few minutes.

Quality of Experience

It was too hot for us. I could have cooled off in the water but couldn't rely on the steps out of the water to be able to get back on shore.

Food and Culture walk in Bergen

Bergen

This was a great way to see the city, hear the history & sample the food! Frida did a great job of showing us everything.

Quality of Experience

Food

Tasting the food of Norway!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Kim Kim/Mar provided a helpful service in booking accomodations and providing suggestions for activities.

However, the 35 page itinerary was unnecessarily complicated. The 7 page daily schedule should have been a one page one table summary of locations, hotels and events. The 24 page detailed itinerary was a bit repetitive - could have been refined to 12 pages of key information: e.g. travel routes; hotel booking; booked activity; other options.

Many of the "other" options for activities were impractical given our timing; seems these were sometimes boilerplate lists from other itineraries. (For example, if we finished the Styggevatnet kayak/glacier walk at 17:30 and then had a 2.5 hour drive to Flam, how were we expected to fit in additional activities?) One small note - Skjolden Resort was ok but no food was available. Local pub only opens Friday-Sunday this time of year. Local hotel was not serving outsiders. No other restaurants in the area. Better to generally select bed and breakfast hotels.

If we were to do this again, we would have spent more time in the Jotunheimen Park area.

Such an incredible and amazing trip! The process of planning was easy from start to finish. I really feel like Kadri and team listened to what I wanted and created the perfect itinerary. I loved how easy it was for them to work with me to change and move things around to ensure I had the trip of my dreams. Once there, it was nice to have them check in to ensure everything was going smoothly and to have someone to reach out to at any point for anything. I could not have asked for a better experience or more perfect trip! Thanks!!

Hotel Reviews

Thon Hotel Maritim

Stavanger

Great location and great rooms. Delicious breakfast

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Rosendal Fjordhotel

Rosendal

Spacious room in quaint hotel. A little walk from city center. Breakfast was good. Staff were amazing. Views were gorgous

Authenticity & Character

Location

~15 min walk from city center.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Trolltunga Hotel

Odda

It was a nice hotel; however it was at the very top of the hill and away from everything so if you wanted to go to the grocery store or a restaurant, you had to walk down hill (~20-30 min) and then back up. The rooms were comfy but small and there was no wifi in the rooms. The breakfast was basic and minimal.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Fretheim Hotel

Flåm

Beautiful property. Great location. Delicious breakfast. Amazing views.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Scandic Torget

Bergen

Awesome location. Nice hotel. Delicious breakfast!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Overnight Hike in Trolltunga

Odda

Such a cool and unique experience glamping. The "beds" (aka sleeping bags) are all lined up 5-6 on a raised wooden platform so it was a little 'weird' sleeping that close to strangers. It was very comfortable and warm though and you cannot beat the views!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Pulpit Rock Hike with Lunch

Stavanger

Such a nice hike. Our guide took us on a different trail up which was nice as we a) got to see more things and b) avoided the crowds. He was great about taking photos and knowing the good angles and poses.

Quality of Experience

Food

n/a

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Kjerag Hike with Lunch

Stavanger

This hike is NO JOKE! One of the hardest hikes I think I've done to date (and I'm an avid hiker and pretty active). The landscape was amazing and gorgeous. We had pretty much all elements of weather. It was a little slick which definitely added to the challenge.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Trolltunga Via Ferrata + Sunset/Sunrise Combo

Norway

My all time favorite activity that I did here! Could not have asked for a better experience. Sleeping in the yurts on the top was amazing. Delicious dinner and breakfast provided. It was so nice being up there after all the day hikers left and essentially having the mountain to yourself. And seeing the stars and milky way were unforgettable. I loved doing the via ferrata up and hiking down. 10/10 experience

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Glacier Kayaking Excursion

Norway

It was nice. I thought we were going to be able to get closer to the glacier than we did (though, I understand why). It was nice that wet suits and gloves/booties were provided. The scenery was nice; however if I had known that glacier hike was an option, I probably would have chosen that instead.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Floating Sauna Experience

Norway

Such an awesome experience! Beautiful view from the sauna and you get a natural cold plunge jumping into the fjord. Love the experience!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Fjord Safari by RIB

Flåm

The experience was good, don't know if it was for me. I preferred the kayaking as a way to see the fjords. The guides were amazing and they provide you with gear to keep you warm and dry.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

3-hour Fjord Paddling

Flåm

Great experience. Guide was amazing and scenery was beautiful. Great way to see and experience the fjords.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

n/a

Fjord Cruise & Seafood Dining Experience

Bergen

The food and experience was amazing. The only "negative" is that you're at the pace of other diners while eating and there is only one boat back so you are essentially "stuck" there until the boat comes back. The food was delicious and the staff were amazing

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We have used and recommended Kim Kim to others many times. The attention to detail; the ability of the agents, such as Mar, to plan a trip, met our highest expectations. We gave Mar specifics such as, booking boutique hotels and setting us up with guides in the cities and booking specific activities such as a Zodiac boat ride on the Fjord waterways . Her choice of hotels was perfect. I think the most important advantage of Kim Kim is that you are given a local Norway agent who responded quickly to any questions we had while on this trip.

We absolutely enjoyed our trip to northern Norway! Mathia was great to work with and we even got to meet for coffee during our trip! He was very professional and proactive in arranging everything and also quick to respond to weather conditions affecting certain activities, making changes, etc. Best of all- we got to see the northern lights! Thanks Mathia!

Our trip to Norway was a wonderful experience. Hotels were well located, close to centres of towns and close to departure and arrival points for tours and public transport. All accommodation was clean and comfortable.
The excursions and day trips which Eliise recommended were relevant interesting and operated smoothly and all our tickets were accessible and easily presented to the tour operators.
The only small disappointment was the view from our hotel in Bergen which did not match expectations or other hotel views. Although the room was clean and comfortable standard room the only window looked out on to a brick wall dominated by a huge aluminium heating duct. An upgrade which we would have been happy to pay for was not possible as all rooms were fully booked.
However the overall experience with kimkim was positive and well researched, giving us a trouble free holiday in a beautiful location. Eliise recommended a sea eagle experience in Lofoten which was one of the highlights. Thank you very much to the team at kimkim for organising such a beautiful holiday in a truly spectacular country.
Regards Jenny Baxter

Fantastic trip

Everything worked flawlessly.
It was helpful on many occasions to have pre booked tours and excursions - they were often sold out or unavailable to others.
Even the weather was cooperative,

Hotel Reviews

Amerikalinjen

Oslo

Really cool building. Nice room Great location Friendly staff Great breakfast

Authenticity & Character

Old steamship line headquarter converted to boutique hotel lots of character

Location

Close to everything

Staff

Helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

Thon Hotel Kirkenes

Kirkenes

A bit of a walk from dock but there are no hotels right near dock. Close to centre of town, nice harbor view

Authenticity & Character

Just clean modern hotel

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

MS Havila Polaris

Fosnavåg

Awesome ship. New, well thought out public spaces and outside spaces ( better than Nordkapp ). Less, but better food ( though Nordkapp was good ).

Authenticity & Character

More of a cruise ship than ferry. More reserved crew ( but still very nice )

Location

It’s sailing though immense natural beauty

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Bigger cabin than Hurtigruten. Well designed public and outdoor spaces.

Thon Hotel Harstad

Harstad

Clean, great breakfast, nice size room, close to dock

Authenticity & Character

Average modern hotel

Location

Close to dock

Staff

Very accommodating to special request - had room available at early morning check in and having breakfast at check in day not check out day,

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hurtigruten

Bergen

MS Nordkapp. Very friendly, happy, and helpful crew. Good food. Cabin a bit small ( Arctic Superior outside ) but nice enough.

Authenticity & Character

Nordkapp is a working ship with passengers traveling point to point not just cruising

Location

It’s a ship sailing through amazing scenery

Staff

They were happy people

Cleanliness & Comfort

Ship was spotless though 28 years old

Vangsgaarden Gjestgiveri

Aurland

Quaint, quirky Big room excellent Fjord view, Close to everything in Aurland Very nice proprietor. Good breakfast

Authenticity & Character

Historic buildings

Location

Close to fjord, dock, town

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Norge by Scandic

Bergen

Good central location close to transportion, everything walking distances. Nice enough room. Fantastic breakfast.

Authenticity & Character

It’s a clean modern large hotel

Location

Easy walking distance from public transportation, points of interest

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Andersgrotta WW2 Bomb Shelter Visit

Kirkenes

Interesting.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Nærøyfjord Cruise & Viking Valley Tour

Norway

Incredible beauty

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Boat and taxi right on time

Visit Stegastein Viewpoint

Norway

Very lucky with weather. View was incredible

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Bergen Walking Tour With a Local Guide

Bergen

Nice time. Guide was good. Weather was so-so but what can you do?

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Out trip was so well organized by Mar and supported thereafter by Fenne and the result was a seamless and totally enjoyable trip to Norway including all the sights that we wanted to see. The hotels were excellent and very well placed to the city centers. The excursions were all very enjoyable and without problems. Personally this was my first time using KimKim but I am already working on another trip for next year with a new KimKim agent who already has shown the same qualities.

The trip was amazing that Ethel put together She extremely patient with my many changes to our travel plans. It would have taken me months to pull a trip like we experienced together. I really appreciated how she listened what we were interested in dining on our trip.

Hotel Reviews

Scandic Bergen City

Bergen

We had a nice sized room compared to others we stayed at. Staff was helpful in providing guidance in the city.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Close to many attractions

Staff

Provided excellent directions

Cleanliness & Comfort

Kviknes Hotel

Balestrand

Best breakfast! Rooms were standard European rooms. Staff was excellent.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Close to everything

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Heimly Pensjonat

Flåm

Best view of the fjord from our room. The evening meal was excellent.

Authenticity & Character

Has a boutique feeling

Location

Close to everything

Staff

Answered all of our questions

Cleanliness & Comfort

Clean

Scandic Byporten

Oslo

Really liked the close proximity to everything. The staff was extremely friendly and breakfast was great.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Close to museums shopping and public transportation

Staff

Helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

European rooms are always a bit small

Activity Reviews

Day trip to Fjærland

Norway

Beautiful fjord and glacier!

Quality of Experience

The views

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Excellent explanation of the area

Transport

Summer Kayaking Excursion

Norway

Sunny day, calm waters, waterfalls what more can one ask for.

Quality of Experience

It was informative and the scenery was amazing

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide was knowledgeable.

Ægir Brew Pub Beer Tasting

Flåm

Really enjoyed learning about how they got started and how the beer is made

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Manager was knowledgeable.

Transport

Fjord Cruise & Seafood Dining Experience

Bergen

I wouldn’t recommend this place to anyone. The owner was very sexist and the food was bland and the worst meal we had In Norway. We would have preferred to stay in Bergen that night instead of spending 5 hours on this trip.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Boat cruise Bergen - Rosendal (round-trip) on The Hardangerfjord Express

Bergen

Thankfully the weather was good otherwise I am not sure it was worth the 2 hour ferry ride

Quality of Experience

Transport

Food and Culture walk in Bergen

Bergen

Loved learning about the food and culture of the area with someone who grew up there.

Quality of Experience

Good food

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Local!

Mathia paid attention to our desires for our visit to Noway and planned an amazing trip tailor-made for us. He was helpful in the initial planning stages, the pre-trip last-minute details, and all along the way during our travels in Norway. We could not have been more pleased with our adventure and the services of Mathia and KimKim. Highly recommend this firm for anyone wanting to plan a trip that includes the things you want to see and experience.

Hotel Reviews

Zander K Hotel

Bergen

The Zander K Hotel in Bergen was another great accommodation. Everything was lovely, and the breakfast was excellent.

Wangen Apartments by Fjord Resort

Aurland

Our stay at Wangen Apartments by Fjord Resort in Aurland was amazing. It was a really nice place, and being right on the fjord made for a picturesque setting.

Scandic Nidelven

Trondheim

Scandic Nidelven in Trondheim was fine, but parking was a bit of a hassle. We had to park a distance away and pay quite a bit for it. However, the hotel itself was downtown and convenient for exploring the area.

The Tide Rorbuer

Sørvågen

Staying at The Tide Rorbuer in Reine was lovely. It was a great location right on the water, and the accommodations were beautiful. We really enjoyed our time there.

Activity Reviews

Loen Skylift

Norway

The Loen Skylift was an exhilarating experience. The views from the top were simply breathtaking and worth every moment. A must-do if you're in the area!

Short Hike with a Local in Bergen

Bergen

The hike in Bergen was a highlight of the trip as well. Our guide was very accommodating. We realized the initial hike planned might have been beyond our abilities, so he adjusted it for us. The new route was still challenging and offered great views, making the experience memorable.

Private Lofoten Tour

Norway

The Lofoten Islands tour was probably my favorite part of the trip. We had a tour guide for the whole day, and it was just wonderful. The scenery was breathtaking, and we were able to explore so much. It was a full day of adventure and beauty that I won’t forget anytime soon.

Kimkim helped our group of 2 couples plan an amazing customized trip to Norway! The planning process worked out well with the input of Christina then as the trip got closer her colleagues Tricia and Tom were great help with final details and any questions while on vacation. We ended up with a boat trip in a fjord, kayaking in a fjord, hiking the Trekanten lodge to lodge in Trollheimen and some city time in Oslo. The lodges and hotels were lovely accommodations with incredible breakfasts. Having Kimkim book 7 lodges/hotels, 2 taxis, 1 rental car and 2 trains for us was incredibly helpful. I will be using Kimkim for future trips and would highly recommend them.

We liked Olso and the tour guides we had. Most of the rooms were nice and Mathia was quick to answer us and help out. We made a last minute change in plans and he took care of it.

Hotel Reviews

Fretheim Hotel

Flåm

We left a night early. It was dated and uncomfortable. It was probably the nicest hotel in that town. The balcony was nice.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Brakanes Hotel

Ulvik

Dated with a broken bed and broken tv. The balcony was nice but that's about it.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Banken Hotel

Haugesund

Not the best hotel. But it was in a small town and we didn't expect much.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Eilert Smith Hotel

Stavanger

Outstanding service and room. Absolutely amazing.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Fjordcruise on UNESCO Nærøyfjord

Norway

Beautiful beautiful river trip.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Explore Oslo's Hidden Gems with a Local Expert

Oslo

We really liked our guide and saw so much of Olso we would never have seen without him.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Bergen Walking Tour With a Local Guide

Bergen

The guide was great. Unfortunately we had to cut out early because the rain got so so bad.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Flor & Fjære Garden Cruise

Stavanger

Beautiful tour, great food.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our trip was nothing short of amazing. Everything was coordinated down to little details.