Profile photo for Alex Mottler
4847 messages
active 21 hours ago

Alex Mottler

I am a kimkim Travel Specialist with the goal of making sure your time spent in Norway is extraordinary! I have had the opportunity to visit 45 States (plus Puerto Rico) and 17 countries so far! Learning about different cultures, trying new foods like Fårikål, and enjoying the beauty of our planet, such as the Norwegian fjords, are paramount to enjoying a fulfilling life, in my opinion. My hope is to help as many people get the most out of life through incredible experiences as I can.

What places and activities do you specialize in?

"I specialize in covering Norway's best-to-see excursions for those looking to see the country as a "traveler" rather than a "tourist", like I enjoy doing. If you're hoping for a true Viking experience or a family-filled adventure where you can taste delicious food, learn about the cultural highlights, and see incredible views of nature, I will be a great resource for your trip to the land that invented Salmon Sushi! "

How did you get involved in travel?

"My father was in the United States Army's Special Forces for most of my youth, which enabled my family to move around the U.S. and Europe beginning at age 7! Growing up accustomed to the lifestyle of moving around and being taught to respect every culture I interact with made me want to continue traveling more on my own as I've progressed in life, and I'll never stop! My experiences motivated me to earn a degree in Sociology and to frequently travel solo, explore the world with my fiancée, and continue traveling the globe with my family. "

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"One of my favorite memories was taking a cruise along the Sognefjord, the deepest and longest fjord in all of Norway, where I saw some seals swimming nearby. The cruise offered samples of delicious local seafood (mussels & scallops, crawfish & crabs, and prawns), including some of the freshest fish I've ever had! After the cruise docked, I was able to take a cablecar ride up the beautiful Mount Ulriken where I met a guide for a fantastic hike to the peak of the tallest mountain in Bergen (there are seven major hiking mountains to visit around Bergen). Seeing foxes and red deer run around while looking out over the fjord and mountain range was a very unique experience!"

Top itineraries and travel advice
Family itineraries
Luxury itineraries
Road trip itineraries
Honeymoon itineraries

Favorite experiences

Art, Culture & History Walk in Balestrand

Discover the humble village of Balestrand on a walk with a local guide. Your host will share stories of the town's history and its people—still today, a vibrant artist colony. The tour starts at Høyviksalen, also known as the Høyvik Hall, where you'll find furniture made by the famous (at least...

Kayaking in the Sognefjord

The Sognefjord isn't nicknamed the "king of the fjords" for nothing. This is Norway's deepest and longest fjord, stretching 205 km (127 miles) from just north of Bergen, on the west coast, to Jotunheimen National Park. There are many arms to the Sognefjord, including the UNESCO World Heritage...

Fjord Cruise to Hardangerfjord

This tour features a lovely cruise from Bergen to Rosendal, a small village on the southern shore of the Hardangerfjord, which is known as the "queen of the fjords." The journey isn't short on scenery either, as the ship sails through the fjords of Bergen and abounds with spectacular views of...

Hike with Husky Dogs near Tromsø

Enjoy a hike through the countryside near Tromsø in the company of adorable Huskies and their pups. You can cater this family-friendly activity to your liking, choosing hiking routes that vary from easy to medium. As you walk with a guide, you'll learn about the kennel and what the Huskies do...

Northern Lights Adventure in Tromsø

Chase the Northern Lights and capture the beauty of Norway at night. Your hosts commit themselves to find the Aurora Borealis and will drive around in the pursuit of clear skies. Along the way, you'll learn about the science behind the colors and hear stories about local culture, folklore, and...

Recent trip reviews for Alex

Alex and Nick planned a great trip.
Norway | Jun 27 - Jul 3, 2025

Emily
Emily P.
Dallas, TX | Reviewed on Jul 04, 2025
Alex and Nick planned a great trip. Communication was easy, timely, and useful. Only minor hiccups, but they were handled quickly. The next time I need travel booking help, I will use kimkim. Read more

Alex and Nick planned a great trip. Communication was easy, timely, and useful. Only minor hiccups, but they were handled quickly. The next time I need travel booking help, I will use kimkim.

Hotel Reviews
Scandic Grand Tromsø
Tromsø

Hotel offered exactly what we needed.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Nordis Suites
Svolvær

Beautiful view of the harbor.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Be sure to have the taxi drop you off near the Nordis restaurant. We were dropped off at the wrong location, but it was only a short walk to the correct place. Building is close to everything in town.
Staff
We did not interact with staff except to call and get our apartment code. It would be helpful if they had What'sApp.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Radisson Blu Airport Hotel, Oslo Gardemoen
Gardemoen
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Welcome to Tromsø
Welcome to Tromsø
Tromsø

Tromsø is a wonderful small city. Beautiful views. Very easy to each airport bus to city center.

Quality of Experience
Midnight Sun Cruise
Midnight Sun Cruise
Tromsø

Beautiful views. The guide on the boat was really funny and knowledgeable about the local area. She was great.

Quality of Experience
Locals Guide to Svolvær
Locals Guide to Svolvær
Svolvær

Small town, but one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen.

Quality of Experience
Husky Puppy Training Visit
Husky Puppy Training Visit
Tromsø

So much fun. Really nice facility. Beautiful views on hike.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Self-Guided Arctic Cathedral Visit
Self-Guided Arctic Cathedral Visit
Tromsø

Such a beautiful church.

Quality of Experience
Explore Tromsø
Explore Tromsø
Norway

Nice, walkable city.

Quality of Experience
Private Lofoten Floating Sauna Experience
Private Lofoten Floating Sauna Experience
Svolvær

Really nice sauna. Try the polar plunge at least once.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
We walked and did not use transport. It is a short walk from the main harbor area.
Trollfjord Cruise by Electric Boat
Trollfjord Cruise by Electric Boat
Svolvær

Incredibly beautiful even though it was raining and cold. Guides were very knowledgeable, friendly, and nice.

Quality of Experience
Local specialist: Alex Mottler

Stress free trip to Norway!
Norway | Jun 18 - Jun 27, 2025

Jennifer
Jennifer W.
Dallas, TX | Reviewed on Jul 04, 2025
Our trip to Norway was planned out in steps with Alex who asked us questions and planned a trip tailored to our likes.
The trip was stress free! It was all planned with some down time in between the bigger events.
The app was easy to use and we enjoyed our tour of Norway!
I would highly recommend using KimKim!
Read more

Our trip to Norway was planned out in steps with Alex who asked us questions and planned a trip tailored to our likes.
The trip was stress free! It was all planned with some down time in between the bigger events.
The app was easy to use and we enjoyed our tour of Norway!
I would highly recommend using KimKim!

Hotel Reviews
Scandic Byporten
Oslo

Great location and nice hotel.

Authenticity & Character
Charming
Location
Central to Oslo and by the train station
Staff
Asked twice to have our safe reset so we could use it. They didn’t get to it
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean
Dragsvik Fjordhotell
Balestrand

Stunning hotel, family run and very friendly. Don’t miss out on their amazing dinner! The views were amazing and the rooms were roomy and clean.

Authenticity & Character
Run by a local family with locally sourced food and decor
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Wangen Apartments by Fjord Resort
Aurland

Amazing location with an outstanding view of the fjord. Clean rooms and comfortable

Authenticity & Character
Location
Cleanliness & Comfort
Scandic Torget
Bergen

Nice hotel in the city right off of the pier. Small rooms but clean and comfortable.

Local specialist: Alex Mottler

The trip was amazing! All pick-ups, train ti...
Norway | Jun 21 - Jun 30, 2025

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Lea Marie C.
San Diego, CA | Reviewed on Jul 02, 2025

The trip was amazing! All pick-ups, train tickets, excursions, worked like clockwork. The city tours were awesome. Both guides were very knowledgeable. The only item I would have changed was the seafood dinner in Bergen. The restaurant offered either a 5-course seafood meal or shellfish extravaganza. If given a choice I would have preferred the shellfish.
Thank you KIMKIM and Alex, Nick, and your whole team.

Local specialist: Alex Mottler

Making memories on our Golden Anniversary in Norway
Norway | Jun 17 - Jun 24, 2025

Margaret
Margaret K.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Jun 25, 2025
We had a wonderful time celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary in Norway. Alex planned a perfect trip that included Bergan, Flåm, Geiranger, and Alesund. The Bergen city tour set the stage for our immersion into Norway. We had the right balance of planned and free time each day. We loved the boat ride to Flåm from Gudvagen in a spectacular Fjord, the Flåm tour and the train to Myrdal were highlights. The city of Alesund was a nice surprise with another spectacular fjord cruise to... Read more

We had a wonderful time celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary in Norway. Alex planned a perfect trip that included Bergan, Flåm, Geiranger, and Alesund. The Bergen city tour set the stage for our immersion into Norway. We had the right balance of planned and free time each day. We loved the boat ride to Flåm from Gudvagen in a spectacular Fjord, the Flåm tour and the train to Myrdal were highlights. The city of Alesund was a nice surprise with another spectacular fjord cruise to Geiranger. We were able to do many hikes, took a plunge in Alesund and enjoyed our Seafood Tower at the Cornelius Restaurant on our Anniversary. Alex and Nick were ready to lend assistance if needed but everything was planned so well we didn’t need any help. Timing was spot on for connections and next event timing. Thanks for a very memorable experience in Norway.

Activity Reviews
Fløibanen  Funicular Ticket
Fløibanen Funicular Ticket
Bergen

We checked the radar to for this activity in. We had a 2 hour break in the clouds which gave us the opportunity to ride the vernicular, hike the area and have a drink at the restaurant on top. If it had been a sunset type of day we may have had dinner, however the sunsets are around 11:00 at night.

Quality of Experience
Cultural Walk with a Local
Cultural Walk with a Local
Bergen

Thomas did a great job explaining the long history of Bergen. The big take away was the number of fires and rebuilds that were done and the power struggles throughout history.

Quality of Experience
Guide was extremely knowledgeable and excited about Bergen’s histort
Explore Bergen
Explore Bergen
Bergen

We had just arrived from an overnight flight. It was raining. We did the easiest thing and walked to the fish market, had a couple beers and had dinner. We noticed the locals ignored the weather so we did too and just dressed accordingly and carried our umbrella.

Local specialist: Alex Mottler
Alex
Alex Mottler
Local specialist in kimkim HQ | Replied on Jun 30, 2025

Margaret, this pictures are incredible! We sincerely appreciate you taking the time to write such a fantastic review🤩 Nick & I are truly grateful that we had the opportunity to help with such a monumental occasion - 50-years of marriage is something that we dream to achieve with our partners and you inspire us🫶 Also, knowing that you ended up plunging into the water in Ålesund makes me so happy because that was one of my favorite things to do as well!

Had a wonderful Kimkim planned a well though...
Norway | Jun 7 - Jun 15, 2025

S
Sangeeta D.
Miami, FL | Reviewed on Jun 22, 2025

Had a wonderful
Kimkim planned a well thought out trip
Thank you team

Local specialist: Alex Mottler
Alex
Alex Mottler
Local specialist in kimkim HQ | Replied on Jun 30, 2025

Sangeeta, thank you so much for the 5-star review! It was mine & Nick's pleasure to help you & your family experience the natural beauty of Norway🤩 We appreciate you choosing us to work with and hope you made plenty of great memories together🙌

Alex put together a great trip for me and my ...
Norway | Jun 13 - Jun 15, 2025

Joost
Joost S.
Sunnyvale, CA | Reviewed on Jun 17, 2025
Alex put together a great trip for me and my daughter on short notice! First time to Norway for both of us! We will definitely have to come back. Nick and Alejendra were very helpful after the trip was booked and helped adjust some last minute timing changes. Read more

Alex put together a great trip for me and my daughter on short notice! First time to Norway for both of us! We will definitely have to come back. Nick and Alejendra were very helpful after the trip was booked and helped adjust some last minute timing changes.

Hotel Review
Home Hotel Bryggen
Bergen

Very convenient location just off the harbor. Our room on the 6th floor was huge. The style and finishes are a bit dated, which on the plus side helps create the feeling that you are in a historic building. The small gym in the basement is nice, with a great sauna, which i used twice. We were positively surprised to learn that the hotel offers a complimentary fika (sweets & tea) in the afternoon and even a buffet style dinner for all guests at 6pm. We used this to our advantage by having an early dinner and then go out into the bright summer evening to eat some more fish and desert near the harbor. The breakfast buffet was great with lots of fresh choices, but quite crowded when it opened at 8. On Saturday night the bar across the street was very noisy with locals partying until 3am, which affected my sleep a little, but then again i was happy to see the Norwegians celebrating the nice summer weather. Overall a very solid hotel with character at a perfect location.

Authenticity & Character
Rooms feel a bit dated, but that only adds to the authentic character of this historic building. Great photos on the wall everywhere
Location
2 minutes from the harbor.
Staff
Staff was friendly and helpful.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The rooms and bathrooms are clean and comfortable but quite basic for this type of hotel.
Activity Reviews
Fløibanen  Funicular Ticket
Fløibanen Funicular Ticket
Bergen

Cool experience. We took the funicular to the top and then did a challenging hike to the top of the Gondola via steep and remote trails.

Quality of Experience
Food & Culture Walk
Food & Culture Walk
Bergen

Great overview of the history of Bergen by our guide Serena. She was very engaging and kept our group of 8 interested for the full 3 hours. I highly recommend this walk as we learned a lot of details about Bergen's history we would otherwise be unaware off.

Quality of Experience
Great overview of Bergen's history and some nice food stops
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Serena was excellent and fun to chat with
Local specialist: Alex Mottler
Alex
Alex Mottler
Local specialist in kimkim HQ | Replied on Jul 01, 2025
Thank you for the lovely review, Joost! We're so glad you and Lula had a great first trip to Norway🏔️ Alex, Nick, and Alejendra were all happy to help make it smooth and memorable, even with last-minute changes. It’s great to hear you enjoyed the hotel’s charm, location, and little surprises like the fika and evening buffet. Sorry about the Saturday night noise — summer in Norway does bring out the celebrations! We’d love to help with your next trip whenever you’re ready to return to see... Read more

Thank you for the lovely review, Joost! We're so glad you and Lula had a great first trip to Norway🏔️ Alex, Nick, and Alejendra were all happy to help make it smooth and memorable, even with last-minute changes.

It’s great to hear you enjoyed the hotel’s charm, location, and little surprises like the fika and evening buffet. Sorry about the Saturday night noise — summer in Norway does bring out the celebrations! We’d love to help with your next trip whenever you’re ready to return to see more fjords in less-crowded, off-the-beaten-path locations😁

Also, wonderful photo's, thank you for sharing these!

Norway June 2025
Norway | Jun 2 - Jun 8, 2025

R
Rebecca C.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Jun 15, 2025
We thouroughly enjoyed our trip to Norway. The itinerary put together by Kimkim allowed us to have both planned excursions to the best sights, but also gave us time to explore on our own. When things unexpected happend, our Kimkim team of Alex and Nick stepped in to help out. We started in Bergen at the Raddison Blu. Rooms were simple but confortable and the breakfast was wonderful. We stopped by Flam on our way to Oslo. In Flam we enjoyed wonderful hking and a cruise thru the fjords with our... Read more

We thouroughly enjoyed our trip to Norway. The itinerary put together by Kimkim allowed us to have both planned excursions to the best sights, but also gave us time to explore on our own. When things unexpected happend, our Kimkim team of Alex and Nick stepped in to help out. We started in Bergen at the Raddison Blu. Rooms were simple but confortable and the breakfast was wonderful. We stopped by Flam on our way to Oslo. In Flam we enjoyed wonderful hking and a cruise thru the fjords with our charming guide Nathan. Alex and Nick made the trip easy to plan and the itinerary had all the details needed to make transfers easily. Thank you Kimkin for a great trip.

Hotel Review
Fretheim Hotel
Flåm

great breakfast and view. Rooms needed updating but beds are comfortable and bathrooms worked well.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Alex Mottler
Alex
Alex Mottler
Local specialist in kimkim HQ | Replied on Jun 18, 2025

These pictures are amazing, Dr. Carey🤩 We're excited to help with a future trip, but hearing how well Nathan treated you as a guide is fantastic. Aren't breakfast buffets around Norway incredible?

It was truly a pleasure working with you & your family for this wonderful journey through the Norwegian fjords. I appreciate you for being so fun & friendly to chat with during the planning process, Nick & I hope you got plenty of memories to reminisce on together forever🫶

Norway in a Nutshell!
Norway | May 24 - May 31, 2025

Floyd
Floyd D.
Bartlett, IL | Reviewed on Jun 12, 2025
All the guides and tours were fantastic. Donna and I had no issues except more rain than needed and a boat cancellation. All in all, the trip was fantastic to match the scenery. We were especially happy to complete our trip in Oslo and the hotel room(Karl Johan) and location in Oslo were fantastic. All the information was informative and accurate with the phone app. Congrats to Alex and Nick for planning a wonderful experience. Warm regards, Floyd and Donna Del Muro Read more

All the guides and tours were fantastic. Donna and I had no issues except more rain than needed and a boat cancellation. All in all, the trip was fantastic to match the scenery. We were especially happy to complete our trip in Oslo and the hotel room(Karl Johan) and location in Oslo were fantastic.

All the information was informative and accurate with the phone app.

Congrats to Alex and Nick for planning a wonderful experience.

Warm regards, Floyd and Donna Del Muro

Hotel Review
Karl Johan Hotel
Oslo

Great hotel and location. Recommend the upgraded room for comfort. We had a front facing view from the highest floor so we were pleasantly pleased with the everything about the selection. Our tour guide was waiting in the lobby and the entire Oslo experience was fantastic. Oslo is a great walking city and highly recommend you experience all that the city has to offer.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Was a great hotel!
Local specialist: Alex Mottler
Alex
Alex Mottler
Local specialist in kimkim HQ | Replied on Jun 18, 2025

Working with you & Donna was awesome for Nick & I, Floyd🙌 The way you both were able to pivot when the boat issue came up was pretty awesome, you guys are travel pros! I know the rain wasn't the best, but the aesthetic of the fog-covered mountains must have been epic. The Karl Johan was the highlight of my last trip to Oslo as well, so I'm grateful you got a great room, too.

As for the app, I'm thrilled it worked so well while it's still so new! kimkim can't wait to help with another adventure whenever you both are ready!

Norway's natural splendor
Norway | May 3 - May 10, 2025

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Lance G.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Jun 08, 2025
From the very first glimpse, Norway's natural splendor and majestic landscapes, we were captivated. We were particularly awestruck by the thunderous waterfalls, plummeting hundreds of feet from snow-capped mountains into the icy fjords—a humbling display of nature's power. The grandeur of these sights will forever be etched in our memories.
The transportation arrangements were seamless, allowing us to fully immerse ourselves in the ever-changing scenery. The train journey offered...
Read more

From the very first glimpse, Norway's natural splendor and majestic landscapes, we were captivated. We were particularly awestruck by the thunderous waterfalls, plummeting hundreds of feet from snow-capped mountains into the icy fjords—a humbling display of nature's power. The grandeur of these sights will forever be etched in our memories.
The transportation arrangements were seamless, allowing us to fully immerse ourselves in the ever-changing scenery. The train journey offered unparalleled views, winding through some of the most beautiful landscapes on the planet. Equally memorable was the opportunity to bike along the Rallarvegen, a truly exhilarating way to experience the wild beauty of the region up close.
We were especially touched by the profound sense of place, feeling as though we stood in a valley carved by ancient forces, a testament to the myths and legends that permeate the Norwegian landscape. It was a journey that stimulated not only the senses but also the imagination.
While my own adventure concluded with a rather ungraceful dismount from my bike (a minor anecdote that only adds to the charm of the memory!), it did nothing to diminish the profound wonder and appreciation for this incredible trip.
We highly recommend this trip to anyone seeking an immersive encounter with some of the world's most spectacular natural beauty and rich cultural heritage.

Local specialist: Alex Mottler
Alex
Alex Mottler
Local specialist in kimkim HQ | Replied on Jun 18, 2025
Thank you so much for sharing such a thoughtful and beautifully written review, Lance! It’s clear that Norway really spoke to you like I had hoped when we were planning —and we’re so glad you felt the magic of the landscapes, the legends, and the journey itself. Your description of the waterfalls, the train ride, and biking the Rallarvegen brought a smile to mine & Nick's faces (even the ungraceful bike dismount—we’ve all been there!). It means a lot to know the trip left you with such... Read more

Thank you so much for sharing such a thoughtful and beautifully written review, Lance! It’s clear that Norway really spoke to you like I had hoped when we were planning —and we’re so glad you felt the magic of the landscapes, the legends, and the journey itself.

Your description of the waterfalls, the train ride, and biking the Rallarvegen brought a smile to mine & Nick's faces (even the ungraceful bike dismount—we’ve all been there!). It means a lot to know the trip left you with such lasting memories.

We truly appreciate your kind words and recommendation. It was a joy to be part of your memories that were made!

Norway Honeymoon Success
Norway | May 20 - May 29, 2025

Grace
Grace S.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Jun 04, 2025
We had a blast in Norway for our honeymoon. We appreciated the kimkim team for handling all the logistics (hotels, transportation, some meals, etc.). We especially love the scenery in Flåm and Balestrand and our favorite activities were kayaking in Bergen and the boat ride/fishing excursion in Tromso.
Before the trip we were busy with wedding planning, so it was so awesome to not have to worry about planning all the honeymoon details. Thank you!
Read more

We had a blast in Norway for our honeymoon. We appreciated the kimkim team for handling all the logistics (hotels, transportation, some meals, etc.). We especially love the scenery in Flåm and Balestrand and our favorite activities were kayaking in Bergen and the boat ride/fishing excursion in Tromso.
Before the trip we were busy with wedding planning, so it was so awesome to not have to worry about planning all the honeymoon details. Thank you!

Activity Review
 Øygarden Kayaking Excursion with Island Lunch
Øygarden Kayaking Excursion with Island Lunch
Bergen

We loved this tour. Johan was a fabulous tour guide. Definitely one of our favorite acitivities!

Quality of Experience
Great tour guide, descriptions of scenery, beautiful
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Fabulous. Very knowledge and fun
Transport
Local specialist: Alex Mottler
Alex
Alex Mottler
Local specialist in kimkim HQ | Replied on Jun 07, 2025

I'm beyond glad to learn that everything went so well, Grace, you both deserved an incredibly memorable experience for your honeymoon🤩🫶 The natural scenery around Flåm, and especially Balestrand, always blow me away! I hope you both caught a good few fishses during your time in Tromsø😁

It was truly a pleasure to help with such a significant event in your lives, and I'm happy our team was able to take the stress out of planning for you🙌

kimkim will always be happy to help provide more great trips around the world whenever you both are ready!