South Korea Travel Agents

Christine (from Kimkim) was very responsive and friendly, she had good suggestions for things for us to do. She didn’t always have the best attention to detail. It took several attempts to explain our situation, that we were combining a self paid trip with a hotel stay covers by the conference that invited me to Korea. After a couple of rounds she eventually got it right.

She failed to consider that our arrival at the hotel was going to be before check in time and did not suggest alternatives such as the option of paying for an early check in. She offered us one option for hotel— the L7 in Myeongdong. It was a nice hotel, well run, clean, with an excellent breakfast. However, for people our age, staying in Myeongdong got tiresome after a couple of nights. It would have been helpful to have been warned about the noise and crowds and offered a possible alternative.

We were directed to excellent activities and connected with an outstanding guide, Christine Lee and her husband Young. Christine was knowledgeable, warm and friendly. We got an excellent picture of Korean history talking with her and she showed us around Nami island and the garden of morning calm as an expert. These two experiences were outstanding!

Hotel Review

L7 Myeongdong by LOTTE

It’s a well run hotel, very clean, and the breakfast is excellent. Myeongdong is a central location with easy access to subway, the byeongbokgung palace. Myeongdong is where one of the major night markets with street food is located. However, it is harder to find quieter restaurants or easy places to walk around without crowds.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Central and close to subway.

Staff

Staff were great in the restaurant. They were unsure how to handle our early arrival straight from the airport.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Spotless and great maid service daily.

Activity Review

Discover K-drama Locations in European Villages & Nami Island

Seoul

The best parts of this trip was the visit to Nami Island and the garden of morning calm. The Italian and French villages are a bit tired and run down. Christine Lee and Young did an amazing job showing us around and teaching us about the history and flora of the area.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Jessica created a wonderful tour for us in Korea. We were met at the airport and guided throughout our stay which made this so very easy and not the least bit stressful. This was our first time having a private tour and I highly recommend it. One guide we had, Michael was especially impressive. He took us to visit historical sights, villages and the must see street food markets in Seoul. Jessica arranged our transportation on the high speed train to Busan for a few nights and that was amazing as well. I would not hesitate to use Kimkim travel in the future, they truly make touring a seamless experience, well worth the cost!

This has been an overall very positive experience. Christine was very helpful. The interaction was great and she always was able to adjust & finetune our wishes. We changed the itinerary a few times, but she always stayed friendly & professional. Even when we made a mistake, they were able to correct it last minjte.
In the excursions, the cooking class in Seoul was a great experience. In Jeju, the driver & guid Mr. Jimmi Koh has been truly wonderful, friendly & knowledgeable.

Thank You for a good cooperation !

Activity Reviews

Korean Full-Course Meal Cooking Class at Local Home with Local Market Experience

Seoul

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Discover Jeju with Seongsan Ilchulbong and Seongeup Folk Village

Jeju Island

Guides, Drivers and Staff

the guide & driver Mr. Jimmie Koh was wonderful

Transport

I cannot be thankful enough for all the patience, ideas, support and recommendation shown by Jessica and the team.
The experience and vacation turned out to be the most memorable and joyful ones for me and my wife.
Words cannot express what a lovely time we had and we will definitely re visit South Korea again :)

Can't say enough praise for my travel companion, S. Kim. She was extremely knowledgeable of the areas, history and travel plans. She was attentive to my dietary special needs and health issues. She made sure I was having a fun time and went shopping with me! She, Christine and Alicia need to have an award given to them by the Government for representing their country in such a fine and caring manner.!

Hotel Reviews

NINE TREE BY PARNAS SEOUL MYEONDONG 2

Seoul

Breakfast was phenomenal (nice blend of Western and Eastern cuisine) Clean Helpful staff that spoke very good English

Authenticity & Character

Location

Could see the N-tower from my window

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

bathroom very clean

Rakkojae Hahoe Hanok Hotel

Andong

Great to experience Hanok ... Staff worked with my dietary needs to the best of their ability. Clean. Bring your own washcloths. Friendly. Lots of picture moments from early history...

Authenticity & Character

attention to historical detail

Location

near historical village

Staff

friendly and helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

had to get used to 'hanok' style of room

Golgulsa Temple Stay

Gyeongju

Not a hotel, but more like a rustic hostel. Must have a healthy body to do steep climbs. Buggy in room, but not all guests experienced this....

Authenticity & Character

knowing that people at ~1000 AD were there

Location

Staff

informative and kind

Cleanliness & Comfort

I never saw kitchenware being sanitized--- just washed with scrubby and water, then put out for use. Rooms and baths were free of dirt debris, but I never knew if anything was used to sanitize the room, etc. (My mattress cover had dried blood on it...) I brought my own disposable sheets/pillowcase

Gyeongju Hwarangroo

Great location--- near historic Jeonju burial mounds. Clean, compact

Authenticity & Character

Would say it was a 'modernized' hanbok, but great experience

Location

Staff

Some were very kind, some were curt

Cleanliness & Comfort

bath was very clean

Shilla Stay Jeonju Hanok Village

11th floor restaurant staff person very helpful., Clean, nice view of city

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Had a situation at breakfast.... They were short of staff, so there was a waiting list an hour long to be seated. I have medical issues and was in distress and needed to eat something right away. I explained (through Papago) of my urgency, but 2 staff said that I would have to wait my turn. I asked for the manager, but they said that the person was not there that day. I apologized, but ran past them to go to the buffet. I sat at a used table, ate quickly and left. Otherwise, I would have fainted.... I wish their supervisor will let them be aware of medical needs of their patrons when it comes to eating needs. Thank you.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Half Day Gyeongbokgung Palace and Bukchon Hanok Village

Seoul

It rained! Enjoyed the hair / make up prior to going tot the Hanbok store. SK was helpful with photography and museum guide. Bukchon Village was nice to see, especially knowing that the aristocracy used to live there, near the Palace

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Romance in Seoul: Namsan Park and N Seoul Tower

Seoul

Just like the dramas--- saw a busker, ferry boat on the river. Wished I would have seen Rainbow Bridge with light show

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Explore the Ancient Andong

Andong

Too bad there was a deluge! The history of the place snatches you back in time.... So neat to know that you have to be a descendant of the original villagers to live there. One resident is a direct descendant of the original owner of the house in where he resides. Really neat!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Buseoksa Temple

Andong

My visit was shadowed by the fact of my chronic fatigue. This is a place best enjoyed by a healthy person because of the steep climbs. Great place for photos

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

SK climbed those paths with me! Pointed out interesting spots and photos

Transport

Half Day Golgulsa Temple Stay-D2

Gyeongju

My lack of health would not allow me to participate in the exercise activities. The tea with the monk did not have an interpreter. Every one was nice and pleasant.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

K-Beauty Experience in Seoul: Make-up and Hair Styling

Seoul

Sweet young ladies. They blended many colors to be the one that was right for me. (So you can't buy it, unfortunately...) Styled my hair for the hanbok experience later that day

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Starfield Library

Seoul

I did not know it was a library only! Great to see a place that I saw in several K-Dramas. From there, you walk into the COAX Mall. Outside is the Gangnam hand statue...

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Half Day Golgulsa Temple Stay

Gyeongju

I did not have the health for this activity/ Great picture opportunities

Quality of Experience

Food

I would have to bring my own food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Half Day Jeonju Hanok Village and Gyeonggijeon

Jeonju

Great history heritage ! Enjoyed the museums, dressing in hanbok again, ate chicken with some local merchants

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Jeonju Nambu Traditional Market Tour

Jeonju

Nice merchants--- willing to speak with a foreigner

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Half Day Seoul City : Insadong and Dongdaemun Market

Seoul

Nice place for clothes for self or souvenirs

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

helped me choose some clothes, then came wit h me for lunch

Transport