Aleksandra Shebaltseva

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

Dublin

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The Guinness Brewery Experience

Dublin

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visit the EPIC Interactive Museum & Jeanie Johnson Famine Ship

Dublin

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Dublin Private Walking Tour

Dublin

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

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

Dublin

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Wicklow Mountains, Glendalough & Kilkenny Tour

Dublin

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Aleksandra started with good questions to fully understand our needs and plans for our London trip. From those questions Aleksandra built a good trip plan with our interests and it truly was exactly what we wanted vs selling us ideas we didn’t want. I appreciated her responsiveness and making sure all of the details were covered. All of the transfers went as planned. Aleksandra assisted us with obtaining great Hamilton and Phantom theater tickets. We liked our day in the Cotswold through English Bus and the attention to providing an in depth experience. I would highly recommend Aleksandra with Good Vibes through KimKim.

Hotel Review

The Westminster London, Curio Collection by Hilton

London

Great location, great staff. Breakfast offerings were good and slightly above average.

Authenticity & Character

The helpful concierge staff

Location

Walkable to Westminster, Parliament and longer walk to Piccadilly.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Our room and bed were all kept very clean

Activity Reviews

Shakespeare's Stratford and Cotswolds

England

Liked the bus driver/tour guide and his ability to offer insights while driving. He was very knowledgeable and easy to listen to.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hampton Court Palace & Windsor Castle Private Car Tour from London

London

We liked having a dedicated black cab driver and car to tour the locations. Driver was very friendly and pleasant to have for the day.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The Royal London Tour: Changing of the Guard and More

London

We enjoyed our walking tour guide and her efforts to tailor the morning walk to our needs

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Bustronome

London

Great way to see many sights of London and have a relaxed dinner as well.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

London Secret Food Tour

London

The experience was good just a very busy area.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our trip to Scotland was a great experience. Starting with the planning with Aleksandra all the way to Edinburgh. Aleksandra was wonderful to work. We really liked experiencing things that we would not have found on our own, such as the ferry from Ballycastle or the Corriegour hotel near Fort Williams. We also very much appreciated that anytime we were scheduled for a driver, the driver was there, on time, and knowledgable.

Dublin: Our flights were delayed into Dublin, so we missed the Dublin walking tour. The Dublin Castle was interesting, but not a highlight of the trip. Iveagh Garden Hotel is somewhere we'd be happy to return to.

Belfast: Driver on time and ready. Arrived in Belfast at the Rooms2 Belfast Hometel. The low point of the trip was the food tour in Belfast. First, there was only one dish served and then ice cream at a convenience store. The guide, Conar, was a bit self-absorbed (we heard several stories about his family thinking he was the black sheep). Would not recommend this one again.

Ballycastle to Port Ellen: Ferry was great (a 38 ft vessel) and we were the only passengers. Arrived in Port Ellen and driver was waiting. Another Place, The Machrie was as good as it gets. The experiences at Laphraoig, Ardbeg, and Lagavulin was a great experience. And the part of our group that went on the wildlife tour said it exceeded there expectations. Islay overall was a highlight of the trip.

Fort Williams: Corriegour hotel was a pleasantly unique experience. Christian (mom), Ian (son), and grandaughter were great hosts - and the food was superb. In town, Grog & Gruel was a nice casual place. We enjoyed being in town. Ben Nevis was another opportunity for a good whiskey. Unfortunately we missed eating a Crannog Seafood - we were enjoying our time at Corriegour a bit too much.

Isle of Skye: What a dramatic landscape and interesting drive. The drive was a bit too long, but we felt like we saw a lot.

Inverness: The Hootenany music, food, and hotel was a unique (all positive) experience. Our one night in Inverness will be remembered fondly.

Edinburg: Train ride through the countryside. Arrive in Edinburgh. Virgin Hotel was perfect. Edinburgh Old Town Tour was perfect. Witchery was a fantastic experience. The castle is always interesting. And to finish it off, the Private Scotch Whisky & Artisan Food Tasting Tour was a highlight. We really enjoyed Edinburgh.

Simply put, we will never travel abroad again without using KimKim. Aleksandra was extremely helpful in the planning of the trip, coordination of everything and even during the trip when we had questions. Once you try KimKim you will never travel any other way.

Hotel Reviews

Corriegour Lodge Hotel

By Fort William, Letterfinlay

Absolutely love this place. Former hunting lodge turned boutique hotel run by a mother and son duo. If you stay here, do not dine anywhere else other than at the lodge. The food was not only the best meal we had in Scotland, but one of the best I have had in the last year, and we dine at many high-end restaurants.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hootananny

Inverness

Rooms were very nice and clean. Checking in was a bit strange, not real front desk, etc. Many other hotels in same area that I would probably opt for if I went back to Inverness.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Another Place, The Machrie

Port Ellen

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Virgin Hotels Edinburgh

Edinburgh

Never stayed in a Virgin hotel in the past. Will seek them out going forward. Perfect room. Perfect service. Perfect location. Perfect bar.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Iveagh Gardens Hotel

Dublin

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Room2 Belfast Hometel

Belfast

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Belfast Food Tour

Belfast

Just not what it was described. Guide was interesting but showed up with very little planned. Led with well this restaurant is closed, and that one is closed. Kind of like he was winging it as we went along. Told us we were ending with ice cream which I envisioned would be in a nice shop/creamery. Literally went into a convenience store where we got scoops from the attendant. Ice cream was fine, just not what you would expect on a "Food Tour".

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Edinburgh Old Town Tour

Edinburgh

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Scotch Whisky & Artisan Food Tasting Tour

Edinburgh

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our 12-day trip to England and Wales was absolutely spectacular. All 6 of us had a delightful time, and I credit Aleksandra with helping us work out the details on logistics, and also for choosing 4 charming bed and breakfast locations. Each location was excellent yet each was different. The owners and staff were helpful from beginning to end, and the locations were convenient but infinitely more enjoyable than a boring, cookie-cutter hotel. Aleksandra worked with us patiently as we asked questions and made suggestions. In the end, she recommended the best itinerary for our needs. It was truly the trip of a lifetime, and we are so grateful for Aleksandra and KimKim helping to make it all happen.

Hotel Reviews

The Mitre by Innkeeper's Collection

London

Our party of six was airport-weary when we arrived, and we are grateful that The Mitre let us check in early. The staff was friendly and helpful, especially Elwyn. We had 3 rooms and they were all excellent. The beds were comfy and housekeeping was attentive. (Thanks, Anju!) Breakfasts accommmodated all sorts of tastes, from fresh fruit over waffles to the full English breakfast. The location in Greenwich is extremely walkable with a convenient tube station and a neighborhood with its own personality, with less crows and hustle/bustle of central London. We would return here in a heartbeat. Thanks!

Authenticity & Character

Rooms were charming and well-appointed. Spiral staircase had character.

Location

Walkable, nearby tube station, a grocery and pharmacy nearby, plus lots of food options.

Staff

Elwyn and Anju.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Comfy beds, and attentive housekeeping each day.

The Northey Arms

Box

Our party of 6 adored the atmosphere at The Northey Arms. From the stately stone exterior to the charming upscale pub vibe to the inventive menu and the inviting outdoor seating, we loved this location. The rooms were inviting from the moment we walked in. Of course, a property can only be as good as its staff, and the staff of The Northey Arms functions like a well-oiled machine. The manager, Maddy, clearly has a top-notch training program in place, since all of the employees were a cut above. Katie, Chloe, Lottie, Marie, and Richard were all professional, friendly and helpful. The little touches like fresh flowers on the tables did not go unnoticed, and the food was memorably delicious. The mini-chocolate chip cookies served with tea were ever so yummy, and when we had to leave early on our last morning prior to the serving hours for breakfast, Maddy was kind enough to pack chocolate croissants for us to take along. We would return here in a heartbeat!

Authenticity & Character

Beautifully decorated with books and upscale pub appointments. Mourning doves cooing throughout the day were an added bonus.

Location

Convenient to Castle Comble and lots more of the Cotswolds.

Staff

Some of the best we encountered in the U.K.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Large shower, comfy beds, plenty of outdoor seating.

Tir y Coed Country House

Conwy

Sandra and Chris have created a delightful retreat in north Wales. Tastefully decorated common areas and bedrooms, a yummy snack and convenient tea tray/amenities in each bedroom, very cozy beds with down comforters. Breakfasts tables are laid beautifully and delicious breakfast served in attractive style. Sandra was very helpful with logistics and planning for local activities, transportation options, and recommendations.

Authenticity & Character

Charming decor, gorgeous landscaping, outdoor teak furniture on lovely lawn, bird feeders that attract numerous species

Location

Convenient to Conwy, and a nearby bus stop

Staff

Sandra was wonderful, and the cook was excellent.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Loved the down comforters in the bedrooms and the peaceful feel of the common areas.

Hill Farm

Oxford

Graham and Laura have created a delightful retreat in Oxford. Our party of 6 travelers had 3 rooms and all of us enjoyed our stay immensely. The property has an inviting drive up to a quaint country home and stables. The rooms have been beautifully updated with modern amenities, but with an attractive nod to their historic past. Two of the rooms had private backyards, and the peacocks wandering through the courtyard on occasion were an added bonus. The drawing room had a piano and sheet music as well as board games and a large table. The bedrooms contained an extremely helpful notebook with recommendations for activities and restaurants, as well as easy-to-follow instructions on transportation. Breakfast was delicious and plentiful, and while eating breakfast we had the added bonus of watching riders astride their show jumping horses. When the airline moved our flight 2 hours earlier, the staff kindly packed 6 take-away breakfasts with yogurt, fruit, croissant and juice for the ride to Heathrow.

Authenticity & Character

Lovely historic exterior but well-appointed and convenient interior.

Location

A short drive from Oxford, yet removed from the hustle and bustle.

Staff

Graham and Laura were extremely helpful and accommodating.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Cozy bedrooms, extremely clean and tidy.

Activity Reviews

Retired Royal Guard Central London Walk

London

We did not have a retired royal guard because we requested someone more knowledgeable of history and culture--we weren't interested in the "royal gossip." We were absolutely thrilled with our tour from Blue Badge Guide Olga B. Her love and appreciation for London are contagious! She gave an excellent balance of history and modernity, and was more than willing to answer every question and tailor the tour to our particular interests. She spoke to some local merchants and we were allowed to pop in and see notable features of their shops (such as Winston Churchill's tobacco merchant). She also made wonderful recommendations of what to do with our remaining time in London. We highly recommend Olga's tour for those who want to make the most out of their 3-hour overview of London.

Quality of Experience

Absolutely worth every penny, as we learned so much and enjoyed it immensely.

Private Oxford University Punting Tour

England

Our punter, Angus, gave us a delightful trip and added helpful commentary along the way.

Quality of Experience

A peaceful trip down the river while learning about Oxford University.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The punting company has been in the same family for over 100 years--we loved chatting with the owner.

Aleksandra was amazing! The amount of time and effort she put into making this itinerary and trip special for me was above and beyond what I expected. She was open to making adjustments to my trip itinerary based on my interests. She had good, timely communication and was kind and cooperative throughout this entire process. Her knowledge of Ireland was very impressive as I felt the itinerary she planned for me allowed me to do so much in only 10 days time. This trip was my first solo trip and first trip outside of the country and it has been the most memorable, amazing experience for me. Thank you so much, Aleksandra!

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Aleksandra helped us craft a picture perfect trip to the UK countryside. From the earliest planning phases, she listened to understand the experience we wanted and created a customized itinerary that ticked every box.

We started and ended our trip in London, and while we enjoyed the city's bustle, our focus was the countryside.

We began in Castle Combe at The Manor House. Aleksandra planned a memorable afternoon tea - one of the trip's absolute highlights. The grounds were beautiful and staff incredibly kind.

Aleksandra arranged a day trip led by Matthias at Galahad Tours. We visited picturesque villages and appreciated the historical context from Matthias. We'll recommend his company to every friend visiting the Cotswolds. Other highlights included Hidcote Gardens and Warwick Castle. We explored public footpaths and encountered local sheep - magical.

We visited Hebden Bridge and Heptonstall in West Yorkshire, chatting with locals in pubs. In York, we absorbed the city's rich history. Aleksandra arranged another tour through the Yorkshire Dales with driver Rob, who proudly showcased his beloved region. Highlights included Bolton Castle (a must!) and the town where they film All Creatures Great and Small - during filming day!

Aleksandra's thoughtful planning made us feel cared for throughout the journey. I highly recommend working with her and booking her private transfers between locations, which made the trip more relaxing and enjoyable.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

We will most definitely be back. Thanks, Aleksandra!