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Chris Leontopoulos

Hello, my name is Chris

I am Canadian by birth, but my family’s roots can be traced centuries back to two beautiful mountain villages in Greece.
One in the shadow of Mount Olympus, and one very near Ancient Delphi on Mount Parnassos.

As a boy, when my family would visit Greece, my father would take me to see the ruins at Delphi, Olympia and other historical sites. He would fill my head with a images of how life was in ancient times, tell me stories about Socrates and Alexander the Great.
Our family moved back to Greece when I was a teenager, and I have been living in Greece all my adult life.

This was a turning point in my life. 

I was intoxicated by the landscape, the culture, the lifestyle. To this day, I am constantly reading and learning about the history of Greece, crisscrossing the mountains on my motorcycle, or sailing Poseidon’s beloved Aegean sea, eagerly uncovering new aspects of the diverse culture.

Now, as a father myself, I love taking my children to those same sites, reading with them tales of Odysseus and Jason, and inspiring them to dig into the vast wealth of the culture themselves.

​My passion for exploring Greece, for learning new things, for meeting new people, combined with my high standards for quality services, has lead me to be employed in various aspects of the travel and hospitality industry since I was a teen. From summer jobs at souvenir shops, to cooking at traditional tavernas, to reservations desks, to managing small hotels.

​So it is no accident that I created a vocation based on these experiences, becoming a Greece travel specialist.

Actually I consider myself to be somewhat of an ambassador of Greece. I am always excited for the opportunity to “show off” this stunning country to travelers from abroad.

Whether it is for a romantic honeymoon, for some fun in the sun, and especially for those who want to dig beneath the surface, and uncover the many layers of this timeless and beautiful country. 

What places and activities do you specialize in?

"I specialize in all things Greek!

There are so many unique islands, so many beautiful settings and sites on the mainland, so many distinct “shades of Greece” that it could take a lifetime to explore them all! So many options for amazing and exciting activities depending on one’s interests. Then, there are so many ways of getting around, some scenic, some adventurous, some comfortable, and some not very efficient! Boats, planes, cars, trains etc. Given that most visitors only get to visit Greece once in a lifetime, and they have limited time to do so, it is essential to make the right decisions when planning.

This is where I come in.

I make a special effort to understand my client’s special interests and needs, their budgets and time constraints. I strive to make each custom trip that I design exciting, memorable, and efficient so that no time or money is wasted. After so many years of exploring Greece myself, I apply my extensive experience, my passion for the culture and history, quality services and accommodations, to suggest the best locations, activities, and accommodations for each and every traveler.

Over the past few years, I have extended my area of expertise to Italy. I’ve planned several custom trips, and I’ve had the pleasure of exploring many parts of our neighboring country myself, comparing our similarities and learning about our cultural differences. "

How did you get involved in travel?

"I think that it goes back to my early love for mythology and for the Greek language.
When I first started to read the adventures of Jason and the Argonauts, of Odysseus, and the labors of Hercules, I realized that the backdrop for all these amazing tales was travel and exploration.

The Odyssey begins with this phrase:
"Sing in me Muse, and through me tell the story of that man skilled in all ways of contending, the wanderer, harried for years on end…..he saw the town lands and learned the minds of many distant men…"

As I began to learn the Greek language at an early age, I would frequently come across the term “tetraperatos” (τετραπέρατος) and I understood it to mean someone who is very intelligent, or smart.

At a later age, when I began to dig deeper into the semantics of the language, I realized that the literal meaning of the word is “one who has seen the four corners of the world” (tetra= four, + perata= distant ends).
So the Greeks have coded into their language the concept that intelligence is a direct result of travel.

As you can understand, I was left with little choice. If I wanted to cultivate myself and broaden my horizons, reading books would not be enough.

I had to get out and explore the world! "

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"I always like to think that the most exciting journey is the next one that is in the planning!
If I look back at my travels in Greece and abroad, I have a hard time selecting one specific trip over the other as the most unique. But I can recall highlights from many.

As a novice sailor, my first actually trip as a skipper, my wife and I chartered a boat from Athens, and on the first afternoon we dropped anchor for the night in the little gulf under Cape Sounion. It was a night with a clear sky and full moon, (planned by accident of course!) and I spent the night captivated by the spectacle of the full moon rising above and illuminating the ruins of the majestic temple of Poseidon. I don’t think that I’ll ever forget how beautiful the sight was. It was like the sea god was giving me his consent for my first trip, nodding to me that he would ensure calm seas along the way. Clearly I misinterpreted the sign, because the trip turned out to be quite an adventure in the end!

A few years earlier, I took advantage of a short hiatus between positions, and decided to “take off” on my motorcycle, to destinations unknown! Armed only with basic biking gear, a couple of changes of clothes and a map, (this was before smart phones, GPS, and Gopro cameras!). I flipped a coin to decide if I would go north or south, (it came up north) and took off! I rode for hours on end, mountain top to mountain top, tiny village to tiny village, sea side town to sea side town, only planning to get to whatever destination made sense by nightfall. I saw so many hidden corners of Greece, tasted so many local delicacies, met so many wonderful people along the way, made so many friends that I am still in touch with to this day. I still remember the sinking feeling that I had in my gut, about 10 days later as I traversed the last few miles to return to my “base” and get back to “normality”.

More recently, I had the extreme pleasure of traveling for a week on the largest full-rigged sailing cruise ship in the world, the Royal Clipper. We embarked from the port of Piraeus, with Rome as our ultimate destination. We rounded the Peloponnese, stopping at Monemvasia and Olympia. Then after a full day at sea, we reached the coast of Sicily, the town of Naxos, where we were met be a huge sign on the dock informing us that Naxos was the first Greek colony on Sicily in the 7th century BC. After a day of exploration with a rented car that took us up to Mount Etna, we sailed through the mythical straits of Scilla and Haryvdi (as Odysseus did so long ago!) and we stayed up on the deck till very late at night to see the live volcano on the isle of Stromboli as we passed it by. A puff of smoke and a bursting red hue lighting up the night sky every few minutes. Unforgettable! After exploring the stunning towns on the Amalfi coast, witnessing the amazing ruins at Pompeii, we reached Rome where we spent a couple of days taking in as many of the sites as possible, and of course enjoying the amazing food!
What made this particular trip memorable, besides the incredible cruise ship, like a setting taken out of a story book from the 1900’s, besides the amazing sites and places, was the fact that this was my first “father and son” adventure! I got to see all these things not only through my eyes, but through the wild and excited eyes of my 8 year old boy as well. A priceless experience that I wish for every parent. "

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

Recent trip reviews for Chris

The trip and the organization of the trip was...AMAZING
Greece | Oct 1 - Oct 10, 2024

R
Rebecca S.
Flagami, FL | Reviewed on Oct 21, 2024
The trip and the organization of the trip was perfect. Starting with the pick up in Athens to the Plaka Hotel (the staff was great and helpful). Faye, our guide to the Acropolis and Museum was outstanding. Fun and personable, extremely knowledgeable and listened to us when we needed to take a few breaks. Would recommend her to everyone. Great dining at the rooftop restaurant at the Plaka hotel as well! The people in Athens were very open to sharing information and very kind. The trip to... Read more

The trip and the organization of the trip was perfect. Starting with the pick up in Athens to the Plaka Hotel (the staff was great and helpful). Faye, our guide to the Acropolis and Museum was outstanding. Fun and personable, extremely knowledgeable and listened to us when we needed to take a few breaks. Would recommend her to everyone. Great dining at the rooftop restaurant at the Plaka hotel as well! The people in Athens were very open to sharing information and very kind. The trip to Naxos was great, boat ride was easy and fun! The driver was great and the Ippokampos hotel was lovely, rooms were very clean, they accommodated us since we arrived early. Aumetria, Ervis,V and LinLin all went out of their way to make sure we had what we needed and to educate us on loval lore, the women who cleaned our rooms every day was also amazing but did not catch her name. Katia was our tour guide who loved sharing the local customs and knowledge of all thing Naxos and how they tie into the other islands. Very amazing day and would recommend Katia to everyone! Loved the food to table experiences during the entire trip! Next was Santorini. Again, transportation arrangements were spot on! While there were alot of stairs it was good exercise for us, just took us a little longer 😁. The accommodations were beautiful and relaxing. Met great people at the hotel who will be long distance friends. Chris who manned the pool bar was outstanding, fun, kind, energetic and shared his island knowledge with us. The wine tour with Elsa was fun, relaxing and entertaining. Great tour and another amazing guide who shared her knowledge and love of the local wine industry. The Vanilla Restaurant also was a great place to dine with excellent food. This trip was truly amazing and the detail that you all put into the itinerary before our trip and during our trip was priceless to me. I didn’t have to plan or worry about a thing (which is my job when I am working! So I have some understanding of what goes into your detailed planning). This detail may be more than you were looking for and I just wanted to thank you and make sure you know you and the whole team is appreciated! I have passed on your name to a few of my colleagues who will be planning trips in the future to Greece and Italy.

Hotel Reviews
Plaka Hotel Athens
Athens

Amazing staff, comfy rooms, excellent rooftop restaurant with spectacular view.

Authenticity & Character
Comfy like home!
Location
Centrally located and walkable to many sites.
Staff
Kind and knowledgeable
Cleanliness & Comfort
Clean rooms and all bathroom accessories that you would need.
Ippokampos Beachfront Hotel
Naxos

Charming rooms. Friendly and helpful staff that share their love of the island.

Authenticity & Character
Crisp white buildings and rooms with modern touches. Quaint door colors and shutters with families and neighbors chatting with each other and were kind enough to teach us a few words so we could greet people with a hello in their language!
Location
Centrally located, easy walk to shops and restaurants. Can walk right outside to the beach and swim in the Aegean Sea.
Staff
Friendly, super efficient, kind staff that makes you feel like you have no worry in the world! They were priceless!!!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Clean, comfortable, modern and charming all rolled into one and from the rooms to the restaurant to the lounge chais on the beach!
Agali Houses Santorini
Firostefani, Santorini

Beautiful rooms. Modern vibe with the crisp white and light wood accents. Breakfast in the morning was delicious, pool was amazing and Chris at the poolside bar was fun, kind and always made sure we had what we needed! 120 stairs will help keep you in shape! Take your time and enjoy the view on your way up and on your way down as it is amazing!

Authenticity & Character
Blended in with the white outside of all the buildings and the bright blue domes and colorful doors and shutters. What you see in pictures is what you see in real life!
Location
Quiet and located near shopping and a taxi ride to wherever you wanted to go and if you enjoy walking or hiking, this is a great place to be!
Staff
From registration to the brothers yhat carried our luggage up and down to and from our rooms to breakfast and poolside everyone was happy, smiling, shaing their culture to give us the best experience! Well done!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Clean, comfortable rooms, entire area including breakfast area and pool all well kept even with all the people traffic!
Activity Reviews
Private Acropolis Hill & Museum Tour
Private Acropolis Hill & Museum Tour
Athens

Faye was amazing and her knowledge and love of Greece that she shared with us made our experience truly amazing. Would recommend her to everyone!

Quality of Experience
Again, Faye made this a learning experience that rivals a semester of college!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Faye! Fun, friendly, knowledgeable, kind and listened to us when we needed to take a break! Faye is priceless!
Transport
We walked so helped keep us healthy!
Food & Culture tour in Naxos town
Food & Culture tour in Naxos town
Naxos

Katia is an amazing ambassador for Naxos. Her love os the island, the people and local businesses that are her neighbors was palpable during our tour. It felt like we were walking the neighborhoods visiting friends and stopping for a bite to eat or a cup of coffee as we winded our way through history. I highly recommend Katia to guide you through life and history in a fun and friendly way!

Quality of Experience
Each shop and restaurant we visited shared with us their history and wares. Nothing better than walking into a local place of business and getting recommendations from locals to take home with you. Friendly, cast of characters and truly love what they do!
Food
Everything! Greek scrambled eggs, olives and olive oil, local wine, local cheeses, Naxos potatoes, spanakopita , tiropitakia with local honey, greek salad and the list goes on.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Again, Katia is the best, we walked for the tour!
Transport
Santorini Highlights & Akrotiri
Santorini Highlights & Akrotiri
Santorini

The tour with Elsa was great. Learning about how advanced a “buried” city was is truly amazing and humbling at the same time. Leaning about the different areas was interesting and the way the circular close to the ground grape vines is very inventive and shows the tenacity and resilience of the people od Santorini.

Quality of Experience
The advanced nature of the buried city!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Their genuine nature and love of their country.
Transport
Getting to and from was comfortable and easy. And driver was great!
Local specialist: Chris Leontopoulos

Beautiful Beach on Naxos Island
Greece | Oct 1 - Oct 10, 2024

Sandra
Sandra K.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Oct 19, 2024
we toured the Parthenon/Acropolis with Faye in Athens and she was great!
enjoyed culture and food tour on Naxos Island with Katia.
In Santorini, the katamaran sunset cruise was amazing with Yanni, Yanna and Panos, our crew. food was delicious, sites and swimming in the Agean Sea was so delightful.
Read more

we toured the Parthenon/Acropolis with Faye in Athens and she was great!
enjoyed culture and food tour on Naxos Island with Katia.
In Santorini, the katamaran sunset cruise was amazing with Yanni, Yanna and Panos, our crew. food was delicious, sites and swimming in the Agean Sea was so delightful.

Hotel Reviews
Plaka Hotel Athens
Athens

Immaculate room with balcony. Very comfortable, felt like home. Included a delicious breakfast. Rooftop bar and restaurant with views of the Parthenon. Had one of the best meals of my trip at this restaurant.

Authenticity & Character
The way the room was decorated. It didn't feel like a motel room but like you were staying at a friend's house. very warm feeling and inviting
Location
There were shops and restaurants where the hotel was located and within walking distance to the Parthenon.
Staff
everyone at the hotel provided excellent service
Cleanliness & Comfort
beds were comfy, bathroom updated and impressed by the cleaniness
Ippokampos Beachfront Hotel
Naxos

Our room had a patio overlooking the beach and Mediterranean Sea. Room was very clean and fresh. Ate breakfast (included) outside everyday right on the beach and by the water. Food was delicious.

Authenticity & Character
The architecture of the bldg and the rooms were so bright and sunny. loved sitting on the balcony and watching the sunset.
Location
great location right on the beach, shops and restaurants within walking distance.
Staff
The staff at hotel and restaurant were exceptional!
Cleanliness & Comfort
The room was immaculate and beds so comfy. I'm missing Naxos Island already
Agali Houses Santorini
Firostefani, Santorini

The room was so modern and beautiful and had a large patio overlooking the other islands and caldera. The hotel/rooms were built on the side of the cliff so there were many steps. The pool had a beautiful view and there was a bar where you could also order lunch type meals. Food/drinks were great and Chris, the bartender, provided excellent service. Breakfast was also included and very good.

Authenticity & Character
The amazing view and sunsets
Location
at the top of the cliff, there were many nice restaurants and shops. The steps from our room to the top of the cliff were many and difficult for us due to our age. If you took your time and rested when needed, it was manageable and worth staying there.
Staff
The staff was so accomodating and, thankfully, carried our suitcases down to our room and up the steps when leaving.
Cleanliness & Comfort
everything was spotless. Bed was very comfortable.
Activity Review
Private Acropolis Hill & Museum Tour
Private Acropolis Hill & Museum Tour
Athens

a lot of steps but worth it. tour guide was very informative and fun. Enjoyed the Acropolis Museum and all the stories about the Gods and Goddesses.

Quality of Experience
faye, the tour guide, took more time than alloted to finish the tour. We appreciated that!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
guide was great
Transport
no transport... we walked from the hotel
Local specialist: Chris Leontopoulos

TRIP OF A LIFETIME
Greece | Oct 1 - Oct 10, 2024

K
Kathleen T.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Oct 17, 2024
The entire trip was perfect! Well planned out along with all very knowledgeable guides. I cant really pinpoint one thing that stood out, but if there was one thing i would have to say Santorini was my favorite (other than the steps)! But then i think 🤔 maybe it was Naxos, very relaxing & i loved the farm to table meal or maybe it was Athens, the history (wish we could of had one more day there)! Like i said , LOVED the entire trip! It was a trip of a lifetime!❤️ Read more

The entire trip was perfect! Well planned out along with all very knowledgeable guides. I cant really pinpoint one thing that stood out, but if there was one thing i would have to say Santorini was my favorite (other than the steps)! But then i think 🤔 maybe it was Naxos, very relaxing & i loved the farm to table meal or maybe it was Athens, the history (wish we could of had one more day there)! Like i said , LOVED the entire trip! It was a trip of a lifetime!❤️

Activity Reviews
Private Acropolis Hill & Museum Tour
Private Acropolis Hill & Museum Tour
Athens

Loved the tour…our guide was fabulous and patient!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Food & Culture tour in Naxos town
Food & Culture tour in Naxos town
Naxos

I was so personal and our guide was very helpful and knowledgeable! Loved every second!

Quality of Experience
Individual attention to detail!
Food
It was a variety of farm to table food and the attention to detail and the restaurant staff was amazing
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Knowledge
Transport
Premium Sunset Catamaran Cruise in the Caldera lagoon
Premium Sunset Catamaran Cruise in the Caldera lagoon
Santorini

The crew was very attentive and answered any questions or concerns

Quality of Experience
The length of the cruise along with dinner was well worth it
Food
Amazing and such a variety
Guides, Drivers and Staff
They were attentive and friendly
Transport
The transport was on time and curious
Santorini Highlights & Akrotiri
Santorini Highlights & Akrotiri
Santorini

Loved the hotel and staff! The only suggestion i would make is there are a lot of steps going up & down not a lot of handrails…might want ti check on ages and disabilities ! Lived the pool and rooms

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
All of our guides were fantastic
Transport
They were on time and courteous
Local specialist: Chris Leontopoulos

Our trip to the Parthenon was SPECTACULAR & o...
Greece | Oct 1 - Oct 10, 2024

M
Mary Beth A.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Oct 12, 2024
Our trip to the Parthenon was SPECTACULAR & our guide was beyond knowledgeable. Learned many new & interesting facts about this guided tour. Our guide in Naxos was so very friendly & just fun to be around. She didn’t rush us through the tour & the lunch/dinner with her was informative & so very interesting . Our guide in Santorini was also friendly & very informative. We felt she really enjoyed being with us & sharing her knowledge of the wine tour. Our day trip on the catamaran was over... Read more

Our trip to the Parthenon was SPECTACULAR & our guide was beyond knowledgeable. Learned many new & interesting facts about this guided tour. Our guide in Naxos was so very friendly & just fun to be around. She didn’t rush us through the tour & the lunch/dinner with her was informative & so very interesting . Our guide in Santorini was also friendly & very informative. We felt she really enjoyed being with us & sharing her knowledge of the wine tour. Our day trip on the catamaran was over the top enjoyable & definitely FUN!!! This was a wonderful experience touring just a small part of your exhilarating country. Thank you for this trip of a lifetime 🤩

Hotel Review
Ippokampos Beachfront Hotel
Naxos

The accommodations were FANTASTIC!! The view was SPECTACULAR! The service at the restaurant was EXCELLENT! The beach and sunset views were AMAZING! Couldn’t ask for anything better.

Authenticity & Character
The cleanliness & friendly staff.
Location
The view….
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The entire hotel!!
Activity Review
Premium Sunset Catamaran Cruise in the Caldera lagoon
Premium Sunset Catamaran Cruise in the Caldera lagoon
Santorini

The staff on board was accommodating & informative .

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Always there at the designated time & location.
Local specialist: Chris Leontopoulos

We had a guide for the acropolis, and for Cha...
Greece | Sep 13 - Sep 21, 2024

H
Howard W.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Sep 30, 2024
We had a guide for the acropolis, and for Chania. Both guides were excellent. Read more

We had a guide for the acropolis, and for Chania. Both guides were excellent.

Hotel Reviews
Noma Hotel Athens
Athens

The hotel was very nice and centrally located within easy walking distance of all the attractions. However, it's located in a very busy pedestrian area which was sometimes noisy well into the night. Also, a church located across the street rang the church bells every morning at 6:30.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Within easy walking distance of all the sights.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Kydon, The Heart City Hotel Chania
Chania

A very nice, modern hotel in a perfect location just across the street from the historic section of the city. Lots of shops and restaurants in the area. The buffet breakfast is amazing and delicious.

Authenticity & Character
Modern hotel with all the modern amenities.
Location
Across the street from the historic section of the city.
Staff
Staff was very friendly and helpful.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Blue Dolphins Apartments & Suites
Firostefani, Santorini

Beautiful hotel with amazing views of the harbor. Very helpful and friendly staff. I would definitely recommend it, except it's not a good choice for anyone who has difficulty with steps.

Authenticity & Character
Traditional Santorini character -everything painted white and built into the hillside. Lots of steps.
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Acropolis & Athens Mythology Tour
Acropolis & Athens Mythology Tour
Athens

Our tour guide was great. He gave us lots of information about what we were seeing without it being overwhelming. He also did a great job of maneuvering our group though the crowds and occasionally stopping to make sure we were all still together and for us to take a brief break. Lots of walking, hills and steps.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Chris Leontopoulos

Our trip to Greece was perfect!
Greece | Aug 30 - Sep 9, 2024

M
MaryBeth S.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Sep 13, 2024
Our trip to Greece was perfect! Our specialist Chris was very helpful and patient when we requested adjustments to the itinerary to be able to visit all of our dream destinations. Our favorite activities were the Jeep tour in Chania and the sunset cruise in Santorini but all of our activities were awesome and the guides were fantastic! The transport between locations and to and from activities was seamless, we were very impressed by the travel team's attention to details. I would absolutely... Read more

Our trip to Greece was perfect! Our specialist Chris was very helpful and patient when we requested adjustments to the itinerary to be able to visit all of our dream destinations. Our favorite activities were the Jeep tour in Chania and the sunset cruise in Santorini but all of our activities were awesome and the guides were fantastic! The transport between locations and to and from activities was seamless, we were very impressed by the travel team's attention to details. I would absolutely use Kimkim in the future and will recommend to friends.

Hotel Reviews
San Salvatore Monastery
Chania

Perfect location, steps from the water front, restaurants and shops but far enough away to avoid the crowds. There are beautiful beaches were you could rent chairs and receive food and beverage service about 10-15 mins walking distance. Our host Irene was lovely, she made sure we were taken care of and provided a variety of tasty breakfast options that were delivered at our request. The Inn itself is very unique, with it's history presented along the ancient walkways and garden, the room was clean and modern with plenty of space indoors and private outdoor space.

Authenticity & Character
Unique mix of ancient architecture and history with modern living space and amenities.
Location
Close to everything, beaches, restaurants, shopping and very safe.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The room was spacious with sea views, clean with basic toiletries provided.
Alta Vista Suites
Santorini
Authenticity & Character
The room was built from and old cave, with modern furnishing. The pool was just as shown in the photos with amazing views!
Location
Walking distance to shops and restaurants. 3 min walk (up stairs) to pickup location for our tours.
Staff
Manolis was great, he is a local who knows everyone! He gave us restaurant suggestions where we were able "drop his name" and get a table without reservations and arranged a cab to/from Oia.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The room was huge, spotless and quiet. The bed was comfortable, bottled water was provided along with toiletries.
Local specialist: Chris Leontopoulos

Mother/Daughter Trip to Italy
Italy | Jun 21 - Jul 2, 2024

Karisa
Karisa W.
Seattle, WA | Reviewed on Jul 11, 2024
I have to be SUPER honest, I was very skeptical about using a travel agent as I have always researched and booked our trips myself. But this was the first time I was traveling internationally on a mother/daughter trip and wanted everything to go a smooth as possible. I chose kimkim because of all the excellent reviews. From start to finish I have been exceptionally pleased with my entire experience with them.
Kimkim connected me with Chris Leontopoulos who was fantastic! He was very...
Read more

I have to be SUPER honest, I was very skeptical about using a travel agent as I have always researched and booked our trips myself. But this was the first time I was traveling internationally on a mother/daughter trip and wanted everything to go a smooth as possible. I chose kimkim because of all the excellent reviews. From start to finish I have been exceptionally pleased with my entire experience with them.
Kimkim connected me with Chris Leontopoulos who was fantastic! He was very responsive to any and all questions. He helped set up all the excursions we wanted. I loved where all the hotels were located - very central to everything we were wanting to see and easy to walk everywhere. The private transfers from the airport was a nice touch I wouldn’t have originally set up on my own - but arriving at a foreign airport/train station with a driver ready to take us to our next destination without all the hassle? Priceless! And made us feel extra safe traveling on our own.
I also liked the use of the WhatsApp to communicate if any snafus occur during your trip. We had one driver waiting at the wrong location and were able to remedy that within 10 minutes by texting and dropping our location. Very cool!
I will absolutely be using Kimkim in the future! Thank you!

Hotel Reviews
Al Teatro Palace Venice
Venezia VE, Italy

Lovely hotel. Very nice breakfast in the mornings.

Authenticity & Character
Location
5-10 minute walk from the water taxi drop off. We went to the wrong place 1st - was a little confusing without having the address in our itinerary.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Maison il Conservatorio
Sorrento

Nice breakfast area

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Air conditioner worked AMAZING
Boutique B&B Torre de' Conti
Florence

We loved the character of the place and having umbrellas for guests was a much needed touch due to a couple rain storms while there. The hosts were great. We couldn’t tell that there was air conditioning - would have been nice to have stronger working air conditioner.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Air conditioner was the only negative for us.
Mynavona Hotel Rome
Rome

Nice location for an easy walk to Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps. Couple minutes away is a Taxi Station which was convenient.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Central to everything we wanted to see
Staff
Very friendly
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Vatican Guided Tour
Vatican Guided Tour
Rome

Very happy to skip the long lines on a hot day

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Basilica Tour
Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Basilica Tour
Venice

I was bored on the tour. Would have preferred to wander on our own. Things I would have looked at longer (like the armory and dungeon) we went through quickly.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Chianti Wine & Olive Oil Tour from Florence
Chianti Wine & Olive Oil Tour from Florence
Florence

Loved our tour guide and the wineries were great!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Morning Florence Highlights Walking Tour
Morning Florence Highlights Walking Tour
Florence

Of all the excursions I was least excited about it was this one. But we ended up LOVING it due to our fantastic tour guide. Saw things we wouldn’t have found on our own and learned FUN facts about all the different areas of Florence. Highly recommend.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Colosseum & Roman Forum Tour
Colosseum & Roman Forum Tour
Rome

Very helpful having a tour guide to give facts/history about the Colosseum. I did specifically as for a tour that went below but apparently this was not it so that was a little disappointing.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Explore Pompeii Walking Tour
Explore Pompeii Walking Tour
Italy

Interesting. Glad to have a guide walk us through fairly quickly with great facts.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Amalfi Coast Boat Tour From Sorrento
Amalfi Coast Boat Tour From Sorrento
Sorrento

Guide didn’t know anything about the promised itinerary. Enjoyed swimming to escape the heat. We enjoyed the trip to Capri by boat more than going along the Amalfi Coast.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Chris Leontopoulos

My wife and I were recommended to Kimkim by f...
Greece | Jun 22 - Jul 2, 2024

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Brian H.
Dallas, TX | Reviewed on Jul 04, 2024

My wife and I were recommended to Kimkim by friends of ours who had used your services a few times. Chris, our agent, was very easy to work with. He laid out an entire itinerary for our trip to Greece based our on desires. It was the best vacation we have ever taken. The hotels we stayed in were perfect in terms of location and amenities.

Local specialist: Chris Leontopoulos

Trip of a Lifetime!
Greece | May 16 - May 30, 2024

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Kristen M.
Manhattan, NY | Reviewed on Jun 05, 2024
I honestly cannot think of enough wonderful things to say both about our local specialist, Chris and the company as a whole. From the beginning stages of planning all the way up until the end, everything was smooth and seamless. Chris was extremely knowledgeable and very easy to speak with and always prompt with his responses. The trip was tailored perfectly to our likes/interests. It's truly hard to pinpoint a specific 'favorite' from the trip, as there were so many great moments. If I had... Read more

I honestly cannot think of enough wonderful things to say both about our local specialist, Chris and the company as a whole. From the beginning stages of planning all the way up until the end, everything was smooth and seamless. Chris was extremely knowledgeable and very easy to speak with and always prompt with his responses. The trip was tailored perfectly to our likes/interests. It's truly hard to pinpoint a specific 'favorite' from the trip, as there were so many great moments. If I had to choose a few, I'd say the cooking class in Vamos is an absolute must. The atmosphere was so unique, the food delicious and the instructor, Mrs. Koula was very warm and inviting. Another highlight was the Jeep Safari from Rethymno to Prevali beach. It was so enjoyable to go 'off the beaten path' to smaller villages in the mountains and to a very private, beautiful beach. Dionysus, our guide, was a lot of fun and had great information to share with us!
All of our accommodations were centrally located, which was so great as we ended up walking most everywhere. Speaking of walking......we did A LOT of that but I wouldn't have wanted it any other way as it took us to some places that we likely wouldn't have ended up at otherwise. All of the tour guides we had were exceptional; very knowledgeable and friendly. The preset transfers were convenient and very prompt. All of the extra recommendations given by the company (restaurants, neighborhoods, sights, etc) were an added bonus.
Overall, I cannot recommend this company enough! If you're thinking about planning a trip, don't hesitate to reach out to them!!

Hotel Reviews
Plaka Hotel Athens
Athens

Excellent location

Authenticity & Character
quaint hotel with lots of character
Location
within walking distance of so many great things
Staff
The gal that comes around at breakfast every morning to see how things are going and if we need any assistance was wonderful!
Cleanliness & Comfort
SanSal Boutique Hotel
Chania

very well kept boutique hotel!

Authenticity & Character
modern hotel; large balcony on the waterfront
Location
within walking distance of the old port and many restaurants/gift shops
Staff
very friendly staff - eager to assist with any questions
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean and comfortable
Rimondi Boutique Hotels
Rethymno

This hotel was wonderfully located. So quaint and quiet.

Authenticity & Character
super cute and very unique floor plan - loved having our own rooftop deck!
Location
great location in the heart of the 'old' town
Staff
The woman that assisted with breakfast every morning always had a smile on her face and was very friendly.
Cleanliness & Comfort
very tidy
Olive Green
Heraklion

we literally only slept here so I can't speak to much about the hotel. It was sufficient for what was needed.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
we only interacted with the gal at the front desk but she was very short with us and not real friendly
Cleanliness & Comfort
Alta Vista Suites
Santorini

Hotel was very unique, cave-like hotel. Took a bit to adjust to the very little natural light, however, really loved the quirkiness of it!

Authenticity & Character
very authentic; cave-like
Location
within walking distance of many shops and restaurants; view from the hotel was incredible!!
Staff
Eduardo was EXCELLENT! Never stops moving and extremely pleasant and helfpul
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Cooking Class in Apokoronas
Cooking Class in Apokoronas
Chania

The uniqueness of this class was incredible. The setting was located in an old Olive Mill. The cook was very warm and inviting. The food - SCRUMPTIOUS!!

Quality of Experience
Food
very authentic and the flavors were out of this world!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
the promptness of the drivers was perfect!
Private Preveli Beach Jeep Excursion from Rethymno
Private Preveli Beach Jeep Excursion from Rethymno
Rethymno

going 'off the beaten path' was so interesting - getting to see what life is like in small villages in the mountains was fantastic.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Dionysus was so much fun and extremely knowledgeable
Transport
Local specialist: Chris Leontopoulos

Our trip was wonderful and perfectly planned ...
Greece | May 16 - May 30, 2024

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gmbc32
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Jun 05, 2024
Our trip was wonderful and perfectly planned and executed by this company. I would recommend them to everyone. All of the tours were personal and our tour guides were exceptional with immense knowledge. We loved the cooking lesson in Vamos, the jeep tour excursion in Rethmyno, and the sea kayaking in Santorini. We probably enjoyed Chania the best with all the beautiful architecture, history, terrific fresh food, and our place to stay was beautiful. All of our hotels were within walking... Read more

Our trip was wonderful and perfectly planned and executed by this company. I would recommend them to everyone. All of the tours were personal and our tour guides were exceptional with immense knowledge. We loved the cooking lesson in Vamos, the jeep tour excursion in Rethmyno, and the sea kayaking in Santorini. We probably enjoyed Chania the best with all the beautiful architecture, history, terrific fresh food, and our place to stay was beautiful. All of our hotels were within walking distance of everything we wanted to see. AND we did a lot of walking and climbing!!! Also, our transfers and tour guides were always very prompt! It was probably a once in a lifetime vacation for me, as I'm 73, but I don't think we missed anything!

Hotel Reviews
Olive Green
Heraklion

Not a bad place to stay for a night. The street noise was pretty loud and the receptionist was not too friendly

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Plaka Hotel Athens
Athens

perfect place to stay, close to innumerable restaurants and the acropolis and the museum. great breakfast, too.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
SanSal Boutique Hotel
Chania

Beautiful hotel and close to everything we wanted to see and do. Terrific breakfast. The lady that came around during breakfast was very helpful and nice.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Rimondi Boutique Hotels
Rethymno

Very nice hotel in a great location. Room was very nice with a juliet balcony and our own private balcony for relaxation. Food was wonderful and the waitress was very accomodating and friendly

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Alta Vista Suites
Santorini

A very unusual hotel with a cavelike room. Eduardo worked so hard carrying our suitcases up and down stairs. He went out of the way to help us and brought us our breakfast every day. It was close to everything, but not a lot of walking traffic in front of us.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Private Acropolis Hill & Museum Tour
Private Acropolis Hill & Museum Tour
Athens

wonderful tour with a very knowledgeable guide.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Old Town of Chania guided walk
Private Old Town of Chania guided walk
Chania

Areagna( the princess) was full of information. We enjoyed all the history and architecture.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local Transfer in Chania
Greece

Our transfer was right on time and had a lot of information along the drive

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Cooking Class in Apokoronas
Cooking Class in Apokoronas
Chania

This was one of the best experiences we had during the trip. Maria was very interesting and made it a hands on class. The food was terrific and the site was great too.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Rethymno Food Tour
Rethymno Food Tour
Rethymno

Vincent was a good tour guide, although it was an English tour, three of the people and he spoke French most of the time. The last restaurant was a surprise. We wouldn't have ever found it by ourselves. Very good food.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Preveli Beach Jeep Excursion from Rethymno
Private Preveli Beach Jeep Excursion from Rethymno
Rethymno

This was one of our favorite tours. Dionysis (sp?) was great with a lot of information about all the local agriculture, and wildlife. We had some great picture stops, and the restaurant for our meal was amazing.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Knossos & Museum Tour
Private Knossos & Museum Tour
Greece

My goodness ! I didn't know one person could retain as much knowledge as Lena. She was the best tour guide we had, and didn't waste any time. Her enthusiasm showed!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Santorini Sea Kayak tour
Santorini Sea Kayak tour
Santorini

Adonis and his crew were very good at helping all of us. The sea was not calm, but they were very watchful. We would recommend this to all ages. I am 73, and I enjoyed it. The lunch was good at the beach, too

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Santorini Farm Tour: Food & Wine
Santorini Farm Tour: Food & Wine
Santorini

We had a local tour guide that was involved in all of the processes we saw. The wine tour was great and she personally knew a lot about each wine. The tomato farm was great with 5 different ways to enjoy the fruit.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Chris Leontopoulos