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Aleksandra Shebaltseva

As a passionate traveler, my approach is anchored in the belief that every journey is an opportunity for exploration and growth. With a penchant for immersing myself in diverse cultures and seeking unique experiences, I thrive on the spontaneity of travel. Through my role, I aim to inspire others to embrace the unknown, fostering a sense of curiosity and appreciation for the beauty our world has to offer. From cityscapes to natural wonders, my travel philosophy centers on creating meaningful connections and lasting memories, weaving together a tapestry of experiences that transcend borders.

What places and activities do you specialize in?

"My expertise spans the entire United Kingdom – from the captivating history of England to the breathtaking landscapes of Scotland, the unique cultural tapestry of Wales, and the charming allure of Northern Ireland. It's a boundless playground for exploration, and I thrive on curating activities tailored to any taste. Additionally, I'm an expert in traversing the captivating landscapes of Ireland, ensuring a seamless and unforgettable travel experience!
I specialise in green tourism and extreme activities, which can be adapted to families with children and solo travellers.
Let's embark on a journey that captures the essence of each corner of this diverse and enchanting kingdom!"

How did you get involved in travel?

"Travel is my lifeblood! I'm fueled by a profound passion for exploring new places, and the thrill of venturing into the unknown is an essential part of who I am. I simply can't imagine a life without constantly moving and discovering the wonders our world has to offer. Each new destination enriches me in ways beyond words!"

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"Every journey I embark on is a quest to make it truly unforgettable. I seek out new experiences, immerse myself in different cultures, and explore each destination from various angles. The richness of new feelings and perspectives makes every adventure unique and etches lasting memories in my heart. Travel, for me, is about creating a tapestry of extraordinary moments that I'll cherish forever."

Top itineraries and travel advice

Recent trip reviews for Aleksandra

Expert Travel Planning from Start to Finish
United Kingdom | Jun 29 - Jul 6, 2025

P
Pamela B.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Jul 08, 2025

We recently used Aleksandra to plan our trip to London and Paris, and she was absolutely amazing. She handled every detail—hotels, activities, and travel between cities—with such care and expertise. Everything was seamless, and her recommendations were spot on.

She made the entire process so easy for us. Aleksandra was responsive, organized, and really listened to what we wanted. Thanks to her, we were able to relax and fully enjoy our trip without any stress. I highly recommend her to anyone looking for a smooth, well-planned travel experience!

Local specialist: Aleksandra Shebaltseva
Aleksandra
Aleksandra Shebaltseva
Local specialist in England | Replied on Jul 08, 2025

Dear Pamela,
Thank you so much for your incredibly kind words — reading your review truly made my day! It was such a joy to help plan your trip to London and Paris, and I’m so glad to hear that you could fully enjoy your journey without stress.

Your trust, openness, and enthusiasm made it a pleasure to work with you, and it means a lot to know that my recommendations and planning added to your experience. Wishing you many more wonderful adventures ahead — and I’d be honored to help you again whenever you’re ready for your next trip!
Sincerely,
Aleksandra

Three generations explored London, Paris and Amsterdam, myself, my son, daughter-in-law, grandson (16) and granddaughter (11)
England | Jun 17 - Jun 27, 2025

J
Jan W.
Denver, CO | Reviewed on Jul 07, 2025
Three generations explored London, Paris and Amsterdam, myself, my son, daughter-in-law, grandson (16) and granddaughter (11), through a wonderful itinerary made possible by Aleksandra. Though we had only a little over 2 months to put together a 12 day European trip, Aleksandra worked with us via email and Zoom calls answering a multitude of questions and clarifying the itinerary. She especially saved the day (precisely 4 nights in London) when upon arrival we found inadequate hotel... Read more

Three generations explored London, Paris and Amsterdam, myself, my son, daughter-in-law, grandson (16) and granddaughter (11), through a wonderful itinerary made possible by Aleksandra. Though we had only a little over 2 months to put together a 12 day European trip, Aleksandra worked with us via email and Zoom calls answering a multitude of questions and clarifying the itinerary.

She especially saved the day (precisely 4 nights in London) when upon arrival we found inadequate hotel rooms, as it was not the beds we thought we had for five people. After notifying Aleksandra, she promptly corrected the situation with a third room at no charge. Her efforts were greatly appreciated and it allowed us to enjoy London stress free. Two separate days of London tours were broken up with a private tour with John our driver, to Stonehenge and Bath. It was a lovely day to experience both of those fascinating places.

On to Paris and of course the sparkling Eiffel Tower at night. We enjoyed the view on a late evening Seine River cruise and also during our trip to the top of the Eiffel Tower on another evening. We especially loved the Versailles bike tour led by Jean-Baptiste where we biked to the Sunday market to purchase our picnic food for lunch and continued a bike tour of the grounds and ponds until it was time for entry into the palace. In Paris, we loved the private cooking class at Cookin' With Class where Chef Christian taught us how to make chocolate candies, truffles and our own personal chocolate bars. He was excellent with the kids and revised the marshmallow recipe due to an an egg allergy in our family. Chef Christian made it a fun, hands on experience for all of us and so much chocolate to take home!

Amsterdam was charming with our Hotel Mai facing a lovely canal in the older section of the city. Anne Frank House was a must see and we found it very emotionally moving. De Kas is a farm to table restaurant where we had one of our best meals. Imagine eating for 3 hours, trying so many fresh, delicious dishes and desserts. On a day trip, Erik our driver and guide took us to see working windmills and the small village of Giethoorn where we boated down the canal to a lake with over a hundred swans.

We thank Aleksandra for helping us plan a wonderful European trip that we shall long remember.

Local specialist: Aleksandra Shebaltseva
Aleksandra
Aleksandra Shebaltseva
Local specialist in England | Replied on Jul 08, 2025

Dear Jan,

What a truly heartwarming review — thank you so much for your kind words! It was such a joy to help plan this special journey for three generations of your family, and I’m thrilled to hear that you all enjoyed it so much. I hope the trip leaves you with beautiful memories to cherish for years to come.
Wishing you many more wonderful adventures together! 🌸
Sincerely,
Aleksandra

We had a wonderful time on our recent self-dr...
Scotland | Jun 20 - Jun 28, 2025

K
Kathleen E.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Jul 07, 2025

We had a wonderful time on our recent self-driving tour of Scotland and Shetland! Aleksandra was incredibly responsive and worked with me to create a trip that worked with our budget. Adding the extra trip to Shetland made this a unique experience for us and having someone that helped with the planning and deciding where to stay was really helpful.

Local specialist: Aleksandra Shebaltseva
Aleksandra
Aleksandra Shebaltseva
Local specialist in England | Replied on Jul 08, 2025

Dear Kathleen,

Oh, what a joy to read this! 🥰
Thank you so much for trusting me with your adventure and for letting me play a small part in your beautiful story. Wishing you many more journeys just as memorable — and if the road ever winds back this way, you know where to find me!

Warmly,
Aleksandra

Stonehedge
England | Jun 20 - Jun 24, 2025

Sara
Sara S.
Menlo Park, CA | Reviewed on Jul 01, 2025
We have used Kimkim before and loved the experience. However, this trip was deeply disappointing. My husband’s bucket list item was to do a private Inner Circle tour of Stonehenge. When we booked with Aleksandra, we specifically asked to secure this tour as soon as possible because we knew it could fill up. Her response was, “We always have guides for that. It’s no problem.” Well, it was a problem. We were at Stonehenge during the summer solstice, when it’s closed for private tours.... Read more

We have used Kimkim before and loved the experience. However, this trip was deeply disappointing. My husband’s bucket list item was to do a private Inner Circle tour of Stonehenge. When we booked with Aleksandra, we specifically asked to secure this tour as soon as possible because we knew it could fill up. Her response was, “We always have guides for that. It’s no problem.”

Well, it was a problem. We were at Stonehenge during the summer solstice, when it’s closed for private tours. Aleksandra didn’t inform us of this until right before our trip. Had we known this back when we booked three months earlier, we could have adjusted our itinerary — for example, visiting Stonehenge at a different time or going to Spain first.

Summer solstice happens at the same time every year, and Stonehenge’s closure for private tours is a predictable, annual event. If Aleksandra were truly an expert on England, she should have been aware of this and flagged it immediately. Even more frustrating, had she reached out to a guide when we requested it in March, she would have discovered the conflict then, giving us time to adjust our plans.

This was a major letdown on what was meant to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

There were many other things she missed the boat on. We went to castle combs for three nights with no car and no grocery store in town. There were only two restaurants in town and one you needed a reservation When we told people we had no car there they couldn’t believe it. Oh, and no taxis. So we were stuck at the same restaurant for three days. Although, lovely town. Go for only one night or just lunch.

Hotel Reviews
Fox Den Cottage
Castle Combe
Authenticity & Character
Location
Castle Combs was beautiful but nothing to do for three nights. Only two restaurants no grocery store
Staff
Neighbor doesn’t seem too happy with renters.no staff to ask questions
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Hoxton, Southwark
London

The one good thing about the trip. Hotel was great.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Stonehenge and Bath
Stonehenge and Bath
England

We liked our guide but so many problems! For example we booked Bath but Aleksandra said oh sorry it doesn’t make sense to go to Bath. She told us a week before we left. Because of timing, we couldn’t do Bath. This was soooooo frustrating. She messed up so many times.

Quality of Experience
On our private tour, we were standing outside a fence because Kimkim messed up the tour.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide was great.
Transport
A Walking Tour of Big Ben and Westminster Abbey
A Walking Tour of Big Ben and Westminster Abbey
London

Guide was good.

Local specialist: Aleksandra Shebaltseva

Aleksandra was amazing in guiding us with our...
England | Jun 17 - Jun 27, 2025

Bruce
Bruce W.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Jun 30, 2025
Aleksandra was amazing in guiding us with our first trip overseas to London, Paris, and Normandy. She was able to develop an awesome itinerary based on our desired sightseeing requests as well as offer additional points of interest to consider and she coordinated and purchased tickets for the tours, hotel accommodations, drivers, and other modes of transportation. All we had to do was book our flights. The trip could not have gone any smoother with little to no issues during the ten day... Read more

Aleksandra was amazing in guiding us with our first trip overseas to London, Paris, and Normandy. She was able to develop an awesome itinerary based on our desired sightseeing requests as well as offer additional points of interest to consider and she coordinated and purchased tickets for the tours, hotel accommodations, drivers, and other modes of transportation. All we had to do was book our flights.

The trip could not have gone any smoother with little to no issues during the ten day trip. She also checked in with us to make sure things were going well. You could not go wrong with Aleksandra!

Hotel Reviews
Blakemore Hyde Park Hotel
London
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Plaza Elysées
Paris
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Chambres d'hôtes du Bas Manoir

A great countryside bed and breakfast outside of Caen for our stay in Normandy. The owners were quite friendly and delightful. The residence was built in the 16th century and was bombed on D-day, which made it that much more special to us.

Authenticity & Character
A 16th century residence and bombed on D-day, how authentic can you get!!
Location
Staff
Very friendly older couple.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hôtel A La Villa des Artistes
Paris

Right in the heart of Paris! What more could you want!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Palace of Versailles Day Trip With Driver Guide
Palace of Versailles Day Trip With Driver Guide
Paris
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Thames Cruise with Dinner
Thames Cruise with Dinner
London

Relaxing evening on the Thames with great food and sights from the river.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus
Hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus
London

Great place to start your stay by getting your bearings and layout of the city.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Churchill War Rooms & WW2 Westminster Private Tour
Churchill War Rooms & WW2 Westminster Private Tour
London

One of my favorite tours as a World War II buff. Plenty of history and gives you and understanding what went on in the bunkers!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
City & University Tour – Oxford Walking Tours
City & University Tour – Oxford Walking Tours
England
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Aleksandra Shebaltseva

40th Anniversary Celebration to London, Paris...
England | Jun 17 - Jun 27, 2025

Barry
Barry S.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Jun 28, 2025
40th Anniversary Celebration to London, Paris, and Normandy
Planning this trip was a totally awesome experience. Working with Alexsandra could not have been easier. She worked with us to provide great accommodations and events that fit exactly what we wanted to do during our 12 day trip. We were able to add, remove, and modify anything we needed. When one of the items was not available, Alexsandra was able to move one day's activities to a different day and add another tour that was only...
Read more

40th Anniversary Celebration to London, Paris, and Normandy
Planning this trip was a totally awesome experience. Working with Alexsandra could not have been easier. She worked with us to provide great accommodations and events that fit exactly what we wanted to do during our 12 day trip. We were able to add, remove, and modify anything we needed. When one of the items was not available, Alexsandra was able to move one day's activities to a different day and add another tour that was only available on a specific day! She also handled all of our transportation needs via trains and taxis during the entire stay (other than flights to and from our home and a rental car). She also made a great suggestion that we walk instead of taking a taxi from our hotel to a train station because it would be significantly faster than taking a taxi (and seeing the traffic backup on our walk, she was right!). We were able to request an earlier pick-up time for the taxi to the airport and Alexsandra handled it quickly and made sure we had proper confirmation.

Our trip included 5 days in London, 4 days in Paris, and a day trip to Caen (Normandy). There is no easy way to pick a favorite part of our trip because it was all so wonderful. In England our day trip via train to Windsor Castle and Oxford along with our tour of the Palace of Westminster (British Parliament) topped the list. In Paris, our private tour of Versialles, along with the Montmartre area were highlights of those days. Our day trip to Normandy to see the history and drive through the small towns was something we will never forget.

I would highly recommend using KimKim for your travel needs if you want control of planning your trip and activities, while using the expertise of a person knowledgeable in the area you are travelling to help coordinate the activities and handle the logistics. We did not want to just be a part of a big tour group; we wanted to experience things mostly on our own.

If you are traveling to the United Kingdom, I would highly recommend Alexsandra to assist you in your travel planning.

Our experience with KimKim was incredible and we will use KimKim again for travel in the future.

Hotel Reviews
Blakemore Hyde Park Hotel
London

Great location within 5 minute walk of 2 tube stations which allow you access to major attractions. Hotel was clean and roomy for a large city hotel. The staff was helpful and friendly. The breakfast was very good providing a traditional English breakfast buffet.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Although not located next to many of the traditional tourist attractions, this hotel was close to 2 tube stations which made it easy to travel to many locations within the city. 3 minute walk to the Kensington Gardens. Many pubs and restaurants also close by.
Staff
Friendly and helpful staff. Handled a request for an extra sheet promptly.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean and comfortable.
Hotel Plaza Elysées
Paris

Great location just north of Boulevard Champs Elysees. Clean room with nice ammenities. The staff was friendly, but was not responsive to issues after we checked in. The room was hot when we arrived late in the evening and it took a while for the air conditioning to be turned on in our room. Each room had a fan, but ours was not working. After bringing this to the attention of the front desk and being promised to have it looked at, we never heard from them. The room eventually cooled down sometime after midnight.

Chambres d'hôtes du Bas Manoir

A very lovely and charming bed and breakfast just outside of Caen, France. The owners were friendly and pleasant. The breakfast was simple with breads, pasteries, homemade yogurt and jams, and fruit (some grown on the property). Though over 300 years old, the rooms clean and well furnished with spacious and updated bathrooms. Note that this property does not have air conditioning and the room we stayed in did not have any windows that could be opened. The temperature during our stay was not unbearable so this was not an issue; however, it could be during higher temperatures.

Hôtel A La Villa des Artistes
Paris

Staff was friendly and helpful. Rooms were clean and updated. Rooms are a bit small but not out of line for large city accommodations. Breakfast was a little lacking with the food on the buffet not being restocked while we were eating. We had to store our luggage upon early arrival and they had to store it out in the lobby behind the bar. Nothing was missing but it provided a bit of concern.

Activity Reviews
Hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus
Hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus
London

Great way to see the sights without needing additional transportation. Easy to hop on and off. We did this on our first day after travelling overnight. It helped us get our bearings and see areas that were not on our itinerary later in our stay. We were delayed with heavy traffic.

Churchill War Rooms & WW2 Westminster Private Tour
Churchill War Rooms & WW2 Westminster Private Tour
London

If you are into WWII history this is a must see! Our guide was imformative and knowledgeable. He presented the a lot of information while walking us from the meeting point to the actual museum. Many of the items are as they were when the war ended, and the rooms were abandoned.

Thames Cruise with Dinner
Thames Cruise with Dinner
London

This was a very pleasant surprise of our trip. We had initially planned to remove this, but changed our minds and glad we did. The cruise started down the Thames with the first course of our meal and live music to entertain us. When we reached the turn around point, we were fed our main course and dessert which was excellent! The gentlemen provided entertainment following the meal. The setup of the boat was great. The views travelling back as the sun set and the lights of the city illuminated, were fabulous.

Quality of Experience
Food
Excellent
Guides, Drivers and Staff
City & University Tour – Oxford Walking Tours
City & University Tour – Oxford Walking Tours
England

Wasn't sure what to expect when we arrived but was pleasantly surprised. Led by a graduate student, we received a ton of information about the area and the university that we would have never been able to get on our own. Excellent guide who made the trip enjoyable.

Palace of Versailles Day Trip With Driver Guide
Palace of Versailles Day Trip With Driver Guide
Paris

We had never been on a private tour before and after this experience we will consider these more in the future! Our driver and guide Paul picked us up at our hotel and drove us out to the Palace. On the way he provided the history and background we needed to better understand what we were going to see. He answered questions and provided pleasant conversation during the entire trip. Once there, he managed us into the gardens and palace without any delays or waiting in line. He allowed us to take pictures and ask questions while moving us through and keeping us on schedule. He had a wealth of knowledge about the subject and again provided us with information we would not be able to get if we had toured on our own.

Quality of Experience
A private tour made the trip to the palace more informative
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Paul was fantastic! Pleasant and courteous.
Transport
Clean and comfortable vehicle
Private Transfer from Paris to Paris Charles dea Gaulle Airport
France

We used this company 3 times during our stay in Paris and each time they communicated with us prior to arrival, at arrival, and got us to our location with no issues. From our hotel to the airport, the driver was early and got us there on time. The driver was helpful, courteous, and friendly.

Local specialist: Aleksandra Shebaltseva

Amazing family Scotland trip
Scotland | Jun 12 - Jun 24, 2025

K
Karen P.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Jun 25, 2025
We had a wonderful trip! Aleksandra took care of every detail and was available the whole time! We are a family of 4, 2 adults and two young kids. Scotland was so beautiful and we can't wait to go back! Read more

We had a wonderful trip! Aleksandra took care of every detail and was available the whole time! We are a family of 4, 2 adults and two young kids. Scotland was so beautiful and we can't wait to go back!

Hotel Reviews
Virgin Hotels Edinburgh
Edinburgh

Location is amazing. Close to everything and walkable. I will say the "family" room was actually two hotel rooms next to each other that didn't physically connect, so my husband and I each split with a kid. For 3 nights this was no big deal and we were so close to everything it was worth it. I will say although friendly to kids here I wouldn't bring any kid less than 4 years old

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Newhall Mains
Inverness

Beautiful, amazing staff. Full kitchen and laundry but not near anything you are pretty stuck at the hotel if you don't have a car. We made due with taxi services. Meals are pretty set time wise so I would make sure you have snacks etc for kids to have on hand.

Location
Remote and beautiful
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Inverlochy Castle Hotel
Fort William

This was hands down amazing. I wish we had more nights there. My kids were treated like royalty! The grounds are stunning. We did falconry with them and it was a one of a kind experience.

Authenticity & Character
The history was spectacular
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Our room was the top floor and got very hot. The staff helped with fans but would have preferred a lower floor with more air flow.
AC Hotel by Marriott Glasgow
Glasgow

Great location. My only complaint was that the family room we booked didn't have air conditioning and was on a high floor, so we were sweltering. The staff helped with some fans but I would not suggest staying here.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Air conditioning needed there desperately
The Clermont London, Charing Cross
London

I want to go back. Ending here at this hotel was amazing because it was the best one of the whole trip. Location is stellar. We walked everywhere. Staff was amazing. Breakfast was great and dinner as well!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Taxi to Your Hotel
Taxi to Your Hotel
Inverness
Alnwick Castle Tour – The Real Hogwarts from Harry Potter
Alnwick Castle Tour – The Real Hogwarts from Harry Potter
Edinburgh

Loved this. It was a bit far from Edinburgh. Unfortunately we didn't get to do broomstick flying due to weather. I also highly recommend Lillidorei playground which is attached on the grounds. My kids would have stayed there an entire day

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Taxi
Taxi
Scotland
Hairy Coo Safari
Hairy Coo Safari
Inverness

Worth it for sure. Up close and personal with the coos! Felt very intimate because they only take 8 guests at a time.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Isle of Skye Tour including the  Eilean Donan Castle, Portree and other attractions
Isle of Skye Tour including the Eilean Donan Castle, Portree and other attractions
Inverness

Great day. Our driver was very flexible and we let him make suggestions of what to do and where to go!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Taxi to the Bus Station
Taxi to the Bus Station
Inverness
Jacobite Steam Train
Jacobite Steam Train
Scotland

Of course we had to do this as Harry Potter fans! It's a lot of riding but beautiful views! It was HOT. There is no AC on the train. Bring lots of water and a fan if possible.

Quality of Experience
Taxi to Your Glasgow Hotel
Taxi to Your Glasgow Hotel
Glasgow

Our hotel was about 1 block away which we didn't realize. But the ride was fine.

Private Transfer from Glasgow to Glasgow Airport
Glasgow

Leave earlier than you think. We nearly missed our flight due to the security line was so long.

Heathrow Airport Transfer
Heathrow Airport Transfer
London
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Aleksandra Shebaltseva

We loved our trip to Ireland/Scotland. Aleksa...
Scotland | May 17 - May 26, 2025

Carol
Carol M.
Kansas City, MO | Reviewed on Jun 16, 2025
We loved our trip to Ireland/Scotland. Aleksandra was very responsive to our questions and receptive to our suggestions and requests. We especially enjoyed the accommodations, which were all so different but equally impressive. We would not have been able to create this bucket-list experience on our own! We have already decided to use kimkim the next time we travel! Thank you so much for facilitating a great trip. Read more

We loved our trip to Ireland/Scotland. Aleksandra was very responsive to our questions and receptive to our suggestions and requests. We especially enjoyed the accommodations, which were all so different but equally impressive. We would not have been able to create this bucket-list experience on our own! We have already decided to use kimkim the next time we travel! Thank you so much for facilitating a great trip.

Hotel Reviews
Corriegour Lodge Hotel
By Fort William, Letterfinlay

Of all our accommodations, this felt most like home. Other hotels were more updated in decor and amenities, but this one exuded local character. The owners interacted with us as though we were friends, and the location could not have been more beautiful.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Another Place, The Machrie
Port Ellen

We couldn't believe how gorgeous this place was! Seeing and hearing the sheep when we woke up was magical -- as was the expansive and private beach. Loved the restaurant and the hot tub as well as the beautiful rooms and lobby. The only downside of the community was a lack of transportation, but that is not the fault of this hotel.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Virgin Hotels Edinburgh
Edinburgh

This was the first time we have stayed at a Virgin hotel, but it will not be the last! The three nights we spent in Edinburgh were top notch, and the hotel had a lot to do with it. The beautiful rooms made us feel very pampered, and it was as though the owners thought of every little detail. We also frequented the bar and got to know the friendly staff there.

Authenticity & Character
Location
In the middle of everything!
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The rooms were fabulous down to every little detail.
Iveagh Gardens Hotel
Dublin

I wish we had gotten to stay here longer. We flew in a bit later than expected and just stayed one night. But we really enjoyed our rooms, the lobby, the bar and the breakfast. It was fun to stroll the neighborhood, too!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Belfast Food Tour
Belfast Food Tour
Belfast

Very disappointing. It was as if the guide were a last-minute substitute for the real guide. He had nothing planned really (the restaurant he suggested for burgers was closed) and mostly chatted in general about stuff we already knew. The only good part was a seafood soup we had at a pub. Wish we had seen the Titanic museum instead.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Dublin Private Walking Tour
Dublin Private Walking Tour
Dublin

I reviewed by accident. Sorry! Please delete. We were not able to take this tour.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Wildlife Tour
Wildlife Tour
Scotland

This experience was way better than expected! We had requested an alternative to the three distilleries tour, and the wildlife tour did not disappoint. We were able to see dolphin, stags and birds, etc., and chat with the knowledgeable crew on the boat. The setup with tables and stools made it very comfortable, and it was not crowded at all.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Edinburgh Old Town Tour
Edinburgh Old Town Tour
Edinburgh

This tour was amazing and what we SHOULD have had in Belfast. We learned so much about Edinburgh -- all the statues, history, interesting side stories and more. I would definitely recommend this tour and our guide.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Scotch Whisky & Artisan Food Tasting Tour
Private Scotch Whisky & Artisan Food Tasting Tour
Edinburgh

This tour was just as good as the Old Town tour. Our guide was also great at adapting to last-minute changes in the restaurants we visited. The food was very tasty, and we loved all the backstory about the whiskey. I would recommend this tour and our guide wholeheartedly.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Aleksandra Shebaltseva

Aleksandra was always available to answer my ...
Ireland | May 30 - Jun 5, 2025

S
Stacy Ann G.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Jun 06, 2025
Aleksandra was always available to answer my questions when asked. We got picked up by a normal taxi service at the airport. I was very concerned because was not normal based on my previous travels with KimKim travel and based on what I requested. The driver told us we need to pay for toll or go the long way. We went the long way because we did not have a clue what was happening. On our return home, we opt to pay the toll because it was quicker. The taxi picked us up and did mention we... Read more

Aleksandra was always available to answer my questions when asked.

We got picked up by a normal taxi service at the airport. I was very concerned because was not normal based on my previous travels with KimKim travel and based on what I requested. The driver told us we need to pay for toll or go the long way. We went the long way because we did not have a clue what was happening. On our return home, we opt to pay the toll because it was quicker. The taxi picked us up and did mention we had to pay it if we wanted to get to the airport on time. I was not expecting a normal taxi to be my means of transportation for this trip.

My driver Mick that drove us to the cliffs of Moher was phenomenal. He came to get us with the preferred car service we expected from Kimkim. He was very informative and gave turn by turn commentary of the city of Dublin. Hene, we requested him for a second tour.

Mydie was good and then some. I would suggest she used a company owned vehicle instead of her persona car to take tourist on a trip. The car smelled of cigars which made it hard to breath. Considering the drive was over 4 hours each way, it caused us to feel sick, and the ride was overall uncomfortable. Mydie is really nice and would make this trip even better only if she has a better means of transportation.

The hotel was amazing, the safe was great, the restaurant was good, and I would go back to this hotel or recommend it to anyone traveling to Dublin.

Overall, great trip love Dublin.

Hotel Review
The Leinster
Dublin

Best hotel, great staff, the bar was good, and the cocktail were good

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Blarney Castle and Cork City Private Tour
Blarney Castle and Cork City Private Tour
Dublin
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
The Guinness Brewery Experience
The Guinness Brewery Experience
Dublin
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit the EPIC Interactive Museum & Jeanie Johnson Famine Ship
Visit the EPIC Interactive Museum & Jeanie Johnson Famine Ship
Dublin
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Dublin Private Walking Tour
Dublin Private Walking Tour
Dublin
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Howth Coastal Half-Day Bus Tour from Dublin with Live Guide
Howth Coastal Half-Day Bus Tour from Dublin with Live Guide
Dublin
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Cliffs of Moher Small Group Tour
Cliffs of Moher Small Group Tour
Dublin
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Wicklow Mountains, Glendalough & Kilkenny Tour
Wicklow Mountains, Glendalough & Kilkenny Tour
Dublin
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Aleksandra Shebaltseva

Scotland & Ireland road trip
Scotland | May 18 - May 29, 2025

Virginia
Virginia S.
Australia | Reviewed on Jun 05, 2025
We started our trip in Edinburgh. We had an amazing guide Zander who guided us through the old town and Edinburgh Castle. All the history between Scotland and England was fascinating. We also did the Vaults Tour. This was great as well, learning about how people lived in the bridge and even as recently as 2014 the use by a Wiccan coven to practice their witchcraft. The next day we headed off on our road trip.
Scotland Highlights:
1. Scone Palace which was the first castle we saw that...
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We started our trip in Edinburgh. We had an amazing guide Zander who guided us through the old town and Edinburgh Castle. All the history between Scotland and England was fascinating. We also did the Vaults Tour. This was great as well, learning about how people lived in the bridge and even as recently as 2014 the use by a Wiccan coven to practice their witchcraft.

The next day we headed off on our road trip.
Scotland Highlights:
1. Scone Palace which was the first castle we saw that wasn’t a ruin and is still occupied by the current Earl of Mansfield and his family.
2. Loch Ness cruise which was fun. We thought we caught something on video but now realise it was a seal 😬
3. TheHighland Coo Tour. Loved this. We had the best time visiting the coos and feeding the baby sheep they had.
4. Eilean Donan Castle was different being surrounded by water.
5. Isle of Skye. It’s all about the scenery. Absolutely beautiful countryside. The good thing about the Quiraing is you can see everything from the car park or a short walk. You don’t have to do the hikes to see the views
Ireland highlights:
1. Cobh. Beautiful seaside village
2. Ring of Kerry.
a. We absolutely loved exploring Muckross Abbey ruins. So many nooks and crannies.
b. Torc Falls. Something different and beautiful. 10min walk if fit but if you’re like me it’s a hard 20min walk back up but worth it.
c. Ladies View. We had lunch here and admired the view.
d. Derryanne Beach. Just to see a beach was worth it but it has nothing on Australian beaches.
e. Geokaun Mountain
3. Leap Castle - fascinating listening to the owner about how he rebuilt part of the castle to live in.
4. Guinness store - interesting but lots of walking!

Things to note:
1. You have to pay for parking everywhere and card isn’t always catered for so you need coins! So be prepared otherwise you waste a lot of time.
2. Portree was a pretty town but very busy being the main stop for hikers and travellers. So book dinner in advance or be prepared to eat at 5.30.
3. You need to book the ferry in advance to get off Isle of Skye if you want to go to Glenfinnan Viaduct. We missed out on this which was disappointing.
4. Ross Castle only does guided tours and you should book in advance. We got to look through their information room and it was very interesting so would have been good to have done the tour.

Hotel Reviews
Lochardil House Hotel Inverness
Inverness

Lochardil House Hotel was absolutely beautiful. The room was magnificent and the location was stunning. We loved it there!

Coolin View
Portree

The room at Coolin View was fine, but the narrow staircase was a bit of a worry. It felt like it could be a bit of a death trap if anything caught on fire, as we were up the very top. But, I mean, that aside, the room was fine.

Leonardo Royal Hotel Edinburgh
Edinburgh,

Probably the best hotel we stayed at was the one in Edinburgh. The food was really good and the overall experience was very nice. It was a great start to our journey.

Local specialist: Aleksandra Shebaltseva