Personalized trips to South Korea
for independent travelers

We are just back from our wonderful trip to South Korea. We were really happy to have you as our trip organizer. From the very first contact till the end of the trip everything was smooth and easy. Our local specialist was amazing, supervising taking care of us during all our trip. All the drivers and guides, all our tours were according the plan. High level of service! Thank you and we are going to be back for having our next adventure together with you :)

From the moment I decided to use Kimkim for a trip to South Korea for myself and a son who graduated, it was the best decision made!

Jessica Wang worked with me over the many months before our travel date. She provided recommendations and insights on hotels and cultural experiences, while kindly changing the itinerary based on additional requests we had.

It was a seamless experience from the planning stages to our time in Korea. There was even a room issue with our hotel on Jeju Island and she reached out to hotel staff and got us upgraded to a better room.

What I loved about Jessica while we were in Korea, were her daily check-ins and reminders. She worked hard and professionally to make sure our experience and trip was exceptional—and it truly was! I'll actually miss our communications.

I'd like to mention our private tour guide Mr. Micky Park, when we were in Seoul. He was funny, informative, patient, on time, and surprised us with our lunch menu both days we were with him. He also got us to our destinations safely and he takes the best pictures ever! I highly recommend visiting the Demilitarized Zone in South Korea.

A shout out to Kayla Kim for our group tour to Gyeongiu Palaces during our time in Busan. She had high energy and wonderful suggestions for lunch and souvenir shopping. She took photos of our entire group and individually. I was amazed at how well she managed a group of 39 people.

Lastly, our small group tour guide Henry, in Jeju. This was a special moment of our trip because we were his only clients on the 2nd day with him. He tailored the trip per my request, to see some sites from a Kdrama that was filmed on Jeju Island. To his and our surprise, he discovered new areas he hadn't been to on the Island and loved it. They weren't huge touristy areas, so it was more peaceful and seemingly breathtaking. He also met a local Jeju native, who mentioned eating at a local village restaurant that ended up being fabulous. Henry said the cooking was authentic and reminded him of his mother's cooking. We got to know Henry and his life's journeys and share a special bond we'll never forget.

All three tour guides checked in with us a day or two before our tours with the pickup location and drop-off along with the itinerary.

South Korea is a wonderful country to visit from tasty cuisine, technology, hospitality and cultural experiences. We knew basic phrases in Korean and got around just fine since there is signage in English in most the big cities. Many Koreans speak English (although they don't want to admit it). Both my son and I loved it there so much we could live there.

I will definitely use Kimkim for another trip in three years to Japan. It was worth every penny spent. Hopefully, Jessica Wang will still be there!

Hotel Reviews

NINE TREE PREMIER HOTEL MYEONGDONG II

Seoul

This was a budget friendly 4-star hotel but surprisingly nice! The location was central and close to the subway stations, which we used to get around. The staff were warm, inviting and professional. From the time we checked in, the front desk staff, house cleaning and restaurant staff maintained a welcoming and friendly attitude. I highly recommend this hotel.

Authenticity & Character

Modern amenities

Location

Quiet (good insulation) close to subway, shopping, and centrally located in Seoul.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

They have 6 different types of pillows to chose from at check-in.

Lotte City Hotel Jeju

Jeju

The hotel could benefit from updating their rooms. The first night we were there, we were placed on the 8th floor. There was a stong mildew smell and the insulation isn't the best, so you can easily hear your neighbors. We reached out to Jessica and she contacted the hotel staff. They kindly upgraded us to a 17th floor room that was slightly larger, cleaner and odor free. We were extremely grateful! If you stay at this hotel, it appears the higher floors are cleaner and better maintained. We also had a window we could crank open for ventilation.

Authenticity & Character

Location

It's located centrally in Jeju city, but not accessible to sites outside the city, so you will need to plan in advance for taking a bus, taxi, or tour.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The pillows are uncomfortable and way to mushy. You might want to consider bringing your own or buying one when your there. The hotel has a beautiful rooftop garden and seating area. The pool is not included in the reservation. You will need to purchase a daily pass of you want to use it, which is 12,000 KRW each day.

Paradise Hotel Busan

Busan

Location, location, location! I really feel this was the best located hotel in Busan. It is right on the beach in Haeundae. It's a little pricy, but worth every penny spent! The staff is so kind and they really want to make sure you have a wonderful stay. We especially loved the bell boys. I left my phone in a lobby bathroom and realized it 40 mins later, so I ran back to the hotel and there was a staff member in the lobby waiting with my phone! I thank the guest who kindly turned it into the front desk.

Authenticity & Character

A bit dated but the location and comfort made up for that.

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The beds were comfortable and we had a private balcony.

Activity Reviews

Jeju Island UNESCO Day Tour (South Course)

Jeju Island

Small group tour day. We loved climbing the stairs up Eoseungsaengak Trail, visiting a Buddhist temple, seeing water falls, then ending the day at a green tea farm. We packed a lot in this day, but it was worth it.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Henry is very warm, kind and patient.

Transport

Jeju Island UNESCO Day Tour (East Course)

Jeju Island

This was our favorite day on Jeju Island. We were the only tourists booked this day for the small group tour, so our guide, Henry, was able to tailor the experience (per my request) to visit sites from a Kdrama that was filmed in Jeju. Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak was a nice hike and vantage point of Jeju. If your lucky, you might see Hayneos (women see divers), which we did this day. Loved the foot bath at the end of our day. Henry made this day a truly unforgettable experience. Even he, loved it because it wasn't his usual itinerary.

Quality of Experience

Food

We got to experience authentic Jeju cuisine at a local village. So amazing!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Henry is the best! He is authentic, so cool and chill.

Transport

Gyeongju The Old Capital of Korea One Day Tour

Busan

Although it was a large group tour, the tour guides managed it well. It starts and ends later, but there is a surprise in the evening that is worth the later hours! Believe me.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Large tour bus.

Korean DMZ Tour

Seoul

Everyone should add this to their itinerary when visiting Seoul. It is unforgettable.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full Day Seoul City Tour with Gyeongbokgung Palace and Bukchon Hanok Village

Seoul

The palace is majestic and we learned there is centuries of drama around it. Our tour guide told us some funny stories. Side note: If you get there at the right time, there is a changing of the guard ceremony.

Quality of Experience

Would recommend moving through the palace quickly and heading to the gardens if your short on time or have an itinerary.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Mr. Park is the best! He also has funny stories and takes wonderful pictures.

Transport

My husband and I had a terrific vacation in South Korea the first two weeks of April 2024.

Throughout 2023, we worked with our Kimkim agent Jessica Wang to plan our tour. From our initial email conversations to the final execution, Jessica made sure all our requests and concerns were addressed. This was our first trip to Korea, so we were eager to take it all in. Our plan included several days in Seoul, a tour of Taekwondowon, a visit to Andong with a stay in a traditional hanok and a visit to the Hahoe Folk Museum and Folk Village. We went on from there to Golgulsa Temple for a taste of Buddist life and seongmudo martial art. Gyeongju was next with more history of the Silla Kingdom, then on down to Busan. From Seoul to Busan we traveled with "Mr. Jones," our very attentive, friendly and knowledgable driver and guide. The last stop on the trip was Jeju Isalnd. We had some bad luck with some delicious food our first night there, and unfortunately ended up too ill to go out the next day. Jessica was terrific, checking in on us several times.
After flying back to Busan, we boarded the KTX train back to Seoul, an easy 2.5 hour trip.

If you have any interest in martial arts, go to Taekwondowon! It is a beautiful campus, with indoor and outdoor training areas. The theatrical TKD demonstration was really fun, and I think we got VIP'd because after the show, we were invited on stage for a little training! Andong and Gyeongju are great small cities with tons of history going back to the Silla Kingdom. We enjoyed an impromptu tour of the Hangeul Museum in Seoul. Mr. Kim, a docent, took us under his wing and guided us through the invention and development of the Korean alphabet and language. We learned more about 20th century Korea in Busan, especially the development of Gamcheon Culture Village and also Haedong Yonggungsa Temple.

We very much appreciated all the planning and attention Jessica and her team put into our vacation. It made everything flow smoothly with no worries.