I was born in Thessaloniki, Greece's second largest and —to my belief— most vibrant city, and a gastronomic paradise. I always loved being a traveler of my own birthplace, collecting all the city guides and travel magazines, old and new, strolling around for hours and hours searching for the cutest cafés, the oldest bakeries, the buildings with the best view, the new openings.
I learnt my city like the back of my hand, and it was time for new adventures. Studies, and work took me from Northern Italy (where I found my home away from home and I am forever convinced to have been Italian in another life) to Spain's Catalonia, to the French Atlantic coast, to the North of Portugal and back to Italy for a full immersion into its endless wine world. Five years of living out of a suitcase, four countries, seven regions, eleven temporary homes until I found my way back to Greece, to live in an Aegean island.
I have a passion for discovering and sharing the unique tastes and aromas of a place, what its lands produce and what its people make. The producers, the farmers, the artists, the gastronomes, the artisans, the makers of any kind, who make a place what it is. Being an excited member of Storywalking's team of travel specialists, I have the opportunity to show you Italy through our own eyes, while adjusted to your needs!
Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.
"Sao Miguel island of the Azores. Politically in Portugal, geographically in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, and in terms of the landscapes otherworldly! The lash green fields, the black sand, the blue sea, the crater lakes, the waterfalls, the hot springs, the forests, the crispiest wines, the delicious local dairy products, and the famous "cozido das Furnas" will make any foodie and nature lover fall in love."
Eirini's favorite itineraries and travel advice
Top itineraries and travel advice
Recent trip reviews for Eirini
Travel made easy
Italy
|
Apr 13 - Apr 21, 2024
patrick d.
Newark, NJ
| Reviewed on Apr 25, 2024
The process of using KimKim to find Eirini at Storywalking agency was incredibly easy and seamless. Eirini's knowledge of Italy to book drivers for day trips to Tuscany with a wine tasting and lunch that was outstanding, the Almafi coast car tours to Almafi & Revello along with a seperate day of hiking the path of the gods with a guide (enzo) who grew up in Positano and the best was the boat trip to Capri whit a crew that was fantastic! She picked 2 hotels for us that met our needs - in the...
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The process of using KimKim to find Eirini at Storywalking agency was incredibly easy and seamless. Eirini's knowledge of Italy to book drivers for day trips to Tuscany with a wine tasting and lunch that was outstanding, the Almafi coast car tours to Almafi & Revello along with a seperate day of hiking the path of the gods with a guide (enzo) who grew up in Positano and the best was the boat trip to Capri whit a crew that was fantastic! She picked 2 hotels for us that met our needs - in the center of the towns, clean, AC and king sized beds. While the Hotel Cavour Florence was a good, it paled in comparison to her pick for us in Positano with the Hotel Villa Gabrisa. HVG was bright clean, with fantasic view and staff - can't recommend this hotel enough! We finshed our trip in Rome with a private walking tour with Gioia whose knoweldge of the city's history made these "old building" really come alive with their rich history coming out in her descriptions.
Hotel Review
Hotel Villa Gabrisa
Positano
Fantastic location, no stairs to get to the hotel! If you haven't been to Positano before, this is a huge advantage for this property. The staff is awesome, food is excellent and the rooms are big, bright and clean.
Authenticity & Character
bright, clean and awesome views.
Location
on the main road to the town, no stairs and a quick walk to the beach.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Best hotel we had by far on the trip. True king size bed, well decorated and each room has a water view.
Activity Review
Lunch and Tasting in the Winery
San Gimignano
The food and wine were outstanding!! we had a 5 bottle tasting paired with 4 courses of food - come hungry b/c the food is outstanding and the wine even better. They served a 30 year old balsamic vinegar that was life changing and makes all regular balsamic pale in comparison. A great range of wines with their lone white and multiple reds - made for a great afternoon.
Quality of Experience
exceeded our expectations for the event.
Food
Their food was so good we bought the cook book!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
This is a 14 generation operation, ever one is family and they all care deeply about the product and the guests.
Local specialist: Eirini Daouka
Excellent travel company!
Italy
|
Mar 24 - Mar 30, 2024
Julie H.
Rochester, MN
| Reviewed on Mar 31, 2024
Erini and all of the KimKim team who helped us were excellent! We had a wonderful trip and didn’t have to worry about the details because the trip was so well organized. All guides were personable and seemed to really enjoy sharing their country with us. The Axus app provided all of the information we needed to easily get around. We will definitely utilize KimKim again. Thank you!
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Erini and all of the KimKim team who helped us were excellent! We had a wonderful trip and didn’t have to worry about the details because the trip was so well organized. All guides were personable and seemed to really enjoy sharing their country with us. The Axus app provided all of the information we needed to easily get around. We will definitely utilize KimKim again. Thank you!
Activity Review
Pizza School with Wine Tasting at an agriturismo
Italy
Food
The entire experience was great!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Eirini Daouka
Eirini Daouka
Local specialist in Greece
| Replied on Apr 09, 2024
Dear Julie,
Thank you so much for your kind words of enthusiasm. It gives us great joy to know that this was not only a wonderful trip for you, but a stressless one as well. Providing you with a smooth and relaxed trip is very important for us.
We are also happy to know that you enjoyed your tours with our trusted local guides. We are proud of collaborating with such passionate professionals!
The whole Storywalking team wishes you all the very best!
We look forward to welcoming you back to Italy in the future, arrivederci!
5 Star Family Vacation to Italy
Italy
|
Mar 14 - Mar 22, 2024
Christie B.
Manchester, CT
| Reviewed on Mar 28, 2024
We would highly recommend using Kim Kim for your next vacation! We just returned from Italy and had a 5 star experience! From private walking tours in Venice and Pompeii with passionate local guides to truffle hunting and olive oil tasting in Tuscany, a scavenger hunt through the Vatican and a private cooking class in Rome, every detail was customized for our family. Our Kim Kim travel advisor Eirini customized and planned the best vacation we’ve ever had!
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We would highly recommend using Kim Kim for your next vacation! We just returned from Italy and had a 5 star experience! From private walking tours in Venice and Pompeii with passionate local guides to truffle hunting and olive oil tasting in Tuscany, a scavenger hunt through the Vatican and a private cooking class in Rome, every detail was customized for our family. Our Kim Kim travel advisor Eirini customized and planned the best vacation we’ve ever had!
Hotel Review
Hotel Bernini Palace
Florence
The highlight accommodation of our vacation! Stunning property, incredible service in an ideal location of Florence
Authenticity & Character
Stunning rooms and hotel
Location
Centrally location but quiet
Staff
Helped with all our needs
Cleanliness & Comfort
The lobby is stunning and a place to enjoy!
Activity Reviews
Truffle Hunting in Tuscany with Olive oil tasting and guided visit to San Gimignano
Italy
A must do activity while visiting Florence! Our guide was passionate and made this adventure memorable for our family!
Food
Outstanding meals at both locations for lunch and dinner! Fresh, local ingredients!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Private Tour inside the Colosseum & Golf Cart Tour
Rome
A highlight of our visit in Rome! The best way to see the city and avoid the crowds! Our guide was fun and ensured our kids enjoyed each place we visited! We even stopped at his favorite bakery for a sweet treat!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Family Experience: Vatican Tour for Kids
Rome
This is a must for families with children! It was a fun and interactive way to explore the Vatican! Our kids, 11 and 14 loved it!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Market Tour & Cooking lesson
Rome
This was the highlight of our Italy adventure! Michaela was amazing! From shopping in the market to learning about local life and then cooking a delicious meal, this was the best family activity we have ever done! She is passionate about what she does!
Food
Outstanding! Delicious, fresh and an amazing opportunity to cook in Rome!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Eirini Daouka
Eirini Daouka
Local specialist in Greece
| Replied on Apr 09, 2024
Dear Christie,
It is a great pleasure to read your kind words and to know how much you treasured these experiences as a family. I had a wonderful time assisting you in creating this trip for your family.
It also gives us great joy to know that our local guides and collaborators have provided you with excellent services and have contributed in the creation of beautiful memories. We take pride in choosing expert local guides who love what they do.
On behalf of the whole Storywalking team, I...
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Dear Christie,
It is a great pleasure to read your kind words and to know how much you treasured these experiences as a family. I had a wonderful time assisting you in creating this trip for your family.
It also gives us great joy to know that our local guides and collaborators have provided you with excellent services and have contributed in the creation of beautiful memories. We take pride in choosing expert local guides who love what they do.
On behalf of the whole Storywalking team, I wish you and your family all the very best!
We look forward to welcoming you back to Italy in the future, arrivederci!
Love our Experience
Italy
|
Nov 18 - Nov 24, 2023
Kim R.
Keller, TX
| Reviewed on Nov 25, 2023
We had the best time. First time traveling oversees with 6 people. 4 young adults (15-21) and 2 adults. Eirini planned a wonderful trip that was interactive and she was always quick to respond. The Skywalker app was fantastic and I was able to share the entire trip with our friends. Our tickets, instructions, and itinerary were on there. Barbara was our life saver during this journey. On one excursion, I had our family walk instead of waiting for our ride (I didn't read the entire...
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We had the best time. First time traveling oversees with 6 people. 4 young adults (15-21) and 2 adults. Eirini planned a wonderful trip that was interactive and she was always quick to respond. The Skywalker app was fantastic and I was able to share the entire trip with our friends. Our tickets, instructions, and itinerary were on there. Barbara was our life saver during this journey. On one excursion, I had our family walk instead of waiting for our ride (I didn't read the entire description again and forgot), Barbara called the hotel to let them know and the tour guide so they could meet us. Another hotel, we had a room key error, she called them late at night to help us get into our rooms. She followed up on all our rides, encounters and tours. Our kids would tell me to ask Barbara and the other day asked how she was doing. Her customer service and caring attitude kept me going through the hiccups. Our guides were wonderful. Manuela, Mario, and our favorite Francesca made learning a lot of fun. We did planes, trains, and automobiles and through it all we made lots of wonderful memories, lots of lessons, and a lot of beautiful experiences that we are forever grateful for. This is the second time we used Kim Kim. There will for sure be many more times. Thank you again.
Hotel Reviews
Kraft Hotel Florence
Florence
This is such a beautiful hotel. We had such a great stay and everyone was so accommodating. The rooms were perfect for us and the breakfast was their favorites.
Authenticity & Character
Beautiful and comfy beds.
Location
Close to everything and easy to get around.
Staff
Everyone was so kind and helpful.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Rooms were clean and sheets were comfy and clean.
Rinuccini Relais Hotel
Naples
Loved staying here. It's a hidden gem in the middle of the square. We were able to walk everywhere and loved it. So much history. They were accommodating and they were able to help us get around. The rooms were nice and our Young adults (15-21) were in the rooms right next door to us.
Authenticity & Character
Love the character!
Location
The best location! You have to go through the main door/gate, then up an elevator, then get to entrance.
Staff
Absolutely Accommodating! We ran into some hiccups and they helped us through it .
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean and very comfortable.
Parlamento Boutique Hotel
Rome
Love this hotel and very accommodating! It was clean and they were so helpful with us. We are grateful for them and wish we would have stayed longer.
Authenticity & Character
Lot's of character and charm.
Location
The perfect location! We were close to everything and walked to everything to eat and shop and visit some museums. 30 min walk to the colosseum.
Staff
They were very accommodating. We were exhausted and came very early. He offered us food, to leave our bags, and told us where to go. Then we left early about 5 min. before breakfast and he offered us a croissant for the road.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Rooms were great and clean. They are on the smaller side but we slept great! Our young adults (15-21) stayed in a room that fit all 4 of them. We were in another room that was perfect for us.
Activity Reviews
Naples Street Food Tour (food included)
Naples
We had the best experience and Michele was so accommodating and knowledgeable. This is one of their favorite tours and we are grateful to have met him. He made it fun for all ages and great food we would have never tried without someone guiding us. The pizza was absolutely our favorite !
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Hotel was less than a block away so we met him at a starting point by hotel.
Learn how to make Pizza and Gelato
Florence
Lots of fun for the entire family. Great instructions and fun format to follow. The food, instructions, and time were perfect!
Quality of Experience
Explained everything really well. She helped when we needed help so we didn't feel left behind. There were about 12 in our group. Maybe next time have name tags so we could help learn who we were sitting next to.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
We walked to location.
Private Walking Tour of Florence | City Highlights with David & Duomo
Florence
Manuela was absolutely amazing. It was personal, we learned so much and are grateful for her and her knowledge. The kids thought it was a great way to start our time in Florence.
Quality of Experience
She took her time, asked us questions, and involved us. She's very smart and knew a lot about the areas and history. Enjoyed listening and learning!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Full-day excursion to Pompei and Sorrento - PRIVATE
Naples
Pompeii was amazing. Our tour guide was so knowledgeable. We would want to use him again! We learned so much and it was a great private tour. The kids enjoyed it and so did we. It was a great drive and was nice for our large family to have a someone drive us. They were knowledgeable about the areas. We stopped and took pictures on the way to Sorrento. Our driver stopped and we had a frozen lemon dessert on the side or the road with a beautiful view and sweet dog. It was nice to look around then meet up afterwards.
Guided Visit to the Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill
Rome
This was an amazing tour. Francesca was fantastic and we loved being with her. She was knowledgeable, engaging, and she helped us with all of our questions including getting a taxi. All of our tours were fantastic but we all enjoyed her stories the most. We were still tired and she helped us through that as well. We truly appreciate her!
Quality of Experience
Enthusiasm for her job and able to reach all age levels
Local specialist: Eirini Daouka
Eirini Daouka
Local specialist in Greece
| Replied on Nov 28, 2023
Dear Kim, thank you so much for your kind words. It was absolutely lovely assisting you, and a great pleasure to the whole Storywalking team to have made this trip come true for you and your family.
It gives us great joy to know that you have enjoyed your accommodations and experiences, as we do recognize the importance of having the rights guides, drivers and hotels, to ensure an enjoyable and unforgettable experience. We do take great pride in carefully selecting our suppliers, and we...
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Dear Kim, thank you so much for your kind words. It was absolutely lovely assisting you, and a great pleasure to the whole Storywalking team to have made this trip come true for you and your family.
It gives us great joy to know that you have enjoyed your accommodations and experiences, as we do recognize the importance of having the rights guides, drivers and hotels, to ensure an enjoyable and unforgettable experience. We do take great pride in carefully selecting our suppliers, and we are happy to know this has made a difference in your trip. Also, thank you for letting us know of how helpful our support chat has been.
I wish you all the very best!
Arrivederci from the whole Storywalking team!
Make unforgettable memories!
Italy
|
Oct 25 - Nov 2, 2023
Nyemal C.
Moreno Valley, CA
| Reviewed on Nov 15, 2023
My husband and I used KimKim to plan our honeymoon in Italy. We had an incredible time! Everything was curated perfectly for us. Transportation was a breeze, exploring on our own was safe and easy, all of our hotels were lovely, and all of the guided activities were incredible as the guides were knowledgeable and fun. There was also a good balance between touristy activities and downtime for us to do anything else we wanted to do. Bring good shoes because there is so much to see and do within...
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My husband and I used KimKim to plan our honeymoon in Italy. We had an incredible time! Everything was curated perfectly for us. Transportation was a breeze, exploring on our own was safe and easy, all of our hotels were lovely, and all of the guided activities were incredible as the guides were knowledgeable and fun. There was also a good balance between touristy activities and downtime for us to do anything else we wanted to do. Bring good shoes because there is so much to see and do within walking distance. We particularly enjoyed the tour of Vatican City, the Colosseum, and the drive through Chianti and Sienna. The food tour in Florence is also a must.
Eirini was our local specialist and made sure every part of our trip went smoothly. Thank you for making this a trip of a lifetime for us.
Local specialist: Eirini Daouka
Eirini Daouka
Local specialist in Greece
| Replied on Nov 15, 2023
Dear Nyemal,
I really appreciate your kind words, thank you!
We are delighted to hear that you've had a wonderful time during your honeymoon in Italy. It gives us the greatest joy to be able to provide travelers with beautiful memories that last for a lifetime, even more so in such special occasions. As a boutique tour operator, we take pride in carefully selecting our local suppliers and expert guides, to ensure the best experience. An overall stress free and comfortable trip is on the...
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Dear Nyemal,
I really appreciate your kind words, thank you!
We are delighted to hear that you've had a wonderful time during your honeymoon in Italy. It gives us the greatest joy to be able to provide travelers with beautiful memories that last for a lifetime, even more so in such special occasions. As a boutique tour operator, we take pride in carefully selecting our local suppliers and expert guides, to ensure the best experience. An overall stress free and comfortable trip is on the very top of our priority list, so we are happy to know that everything run smoothly.
On behalf of the whole Storywalking team, I wish you and Deng all the very best!
We look forward to welcoming you back to Italy in the future, arrivederci!
Smooth travels through Italy!
Italy
|
Jun 16 - Jun 30, 2023
Michelle E.
Chandler, AZ
| Reviewed on Jul 07, 2023
Beautiful memories!
Our first trip to Italy went very smoothly due to the planning and organizing from our specialist Eirini!
Highlights of the trip included our Pizza Class at a family farm in the hills of Sorrento, Limoncello class/lunch at Bona del Capo in the Amalfi Coast and our Tuscan castle wine tour/ lunch in Montalcino!
We definitely enjoyed these fun small group activities, met some great people! The private sunset cruise was not overly romantic with the Captain and Skipper...
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Beautiful memories!
Our first trip to Italy went very smoothly due to the planning and organizing from our specialist Eirini!
Highlights of the trip included our Pizza Class at a family farm in the hills of Sorrento, Limoncello class/lunch at Bona del Capo in the Amalfi Coast and our Tuscan castle wine tour/ lunch in Montalcino!
We definitely enjoyed these fun small group activities, met some great people! The private sunset cruise was not overly romantic with the Captain and Skipper directly behind us. Would have been bettter with a small group and different type of boat.
Our favourite walking tour was with Babi in Florence! It was so convenient having skip the line tickets into the Gallerie Academy to view Michaelangelo ‘s ‘David’!
The Kim Kim service was a little more than we wanted to spend as we had already booked our own hotels but overall we really enjoyed all our activities! Lastly the private transfers we had from hotels, train stations and airports was excellent with no stress. Especially our drive from Sorrento to Concha dei Marini!
Activity Reviews
Pizza School with Wine Tasting at an agriturismo
Italy
Wonderful experience! Enjoyed being up in the hills on a farm! The family was so hospitable and informative.
Not only did we really learn how to make pizza, we also enjoyed homemade wine , cheese and panna cotta!
Great evening!
Quality of Experience
The organization, the food and the hosts!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
They were professional but very friendly and fun
Transport
Got there safely
Private sunset cruise along the Sorrento coast
Italy
We didn’t enjoy this experience as much as if we would have been in a group.
The front of the boast had no seats, just a platform do not very comfortable. Also the Captain and Skipper were directly behind us so not very romantic.
It was nice sailing along the coastline, relaxing.
Quality of Experience
More comfortable boat, better snacks
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Friendly
Transport
They were late picking us up and we had to call our Italy liaison to connect
Limoncello Tour & Tasting
Amalfi Coast
Our host, Giusy, was so much fun and charismatic! Enjoyed picking lemons and taking pictures before heading into the restaurant for our limoncello class.
An interactive and fun experience making the limoncello, followed by drinking limoncello spritz.
Having a beautiful long lunch with a stunning view finished off a fantastic day!
Quality of Experience
The host, the property, the class and the food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Easy and organized
Transport
Close to our hotel
Wine Tasting & Cooking class with Lunch in Montalcino
Italy
Very interesting and informative tour of the winery! Enjoyed a delicious lunch afterwards!
Quality of Experience
Learning the history of the Winery along with type of grapes grown in the region.
Food
The Antipasti board was delicious!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Very knowledgeable
Rome Walking tour: Squares & Historic center
Rome
Went to some interesting churches and piazzas on our tour.
Our guide very knowledgeable
Secrets Walks of Sorrento: Street food by Locals
Italy
Enjoyed our walk through Sorrento. Our guide very knowledgeable.
Had a nice coffee and cake at a little restaurant.
Quality of Experience
Our guide was flexible to walk to other areas
Nice to stop for coffee!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
She was informative and clear
Private Walking Tour of Florence | City Highlights with David & Duomo
Florence
We really enjoyed our tour with Babi! She really took the time to explain things in an interesting way!
The details on the sculptures and buildings she gave made us appreciate them even more!
Having skip the line tickets was wonderful!
Quality of Experience
The combination of walking through the city along with specific sights like the Gallery Academy ( David) and the Duomo made it a complete package. Skip the line tickets bought ahead saved a lot of time.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Babi had a great personality! Very knowledgeable and personable!
Transport
She knew how to avoid crowds
Local specialist: Eirini Daouka
Eirini Daouka
Local specialist in Greece
| Replied on Jul 10, 2023
Hello Michelle! Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a detailed review, I am very happy to know that you enjoyed Italy so much and that you are going back home with some great memories!
It gives great joy to our whole team as well as for the wonderful guides who share their love and passion about their country, to know that we met your expectations.
It was also a pleasure for me organizing this trip with you and Denis!
If you ever wish to come back to Italy, we will be thrilled to help you again. Till then, arrivererci!
