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Eleni Fotiou

My love for traveling, my curiosity, and strong motivation for research, as well as an inner quest for identity, made me study international relations and focus on the Mediterranean region. I traveled extensively in the Mediterranean, Italy, Greece, Turkey and the Middle East. As a student, and later as a researcher and policy analyst, I participated in exchange programs, backpacking, and volunteer projects.

Writing and photography have always been the best companions in my journey and a means to better understand the world and to self-transform. Nowadays, my three kids have taken over this challenging role and guided me to find my inner “harbor” in the authenticity of the Mediterranean landscape and in simple things, as precious as an olive tree, a grapevine, and a boat sailing in calm waters.

Today, it is undoubtedly the love for our land, the Mediterranean, that made me want to share what I have seen and felt that matters in traveling; a better understanding of the world, of ourselves, exploration, in other words, the art of a meaningful life. Life is a journey anyway, in which “you hope your road is a long one, full of adventure, full of discovery."

What places and activities do you specialize in?

"Italy and Greece; family travel & hands on experiences; educational & sophisticated travel…but in essence, creating tailormade trips inspired by anyone willing to travel and explore our land."

How did you get involved in travel?

"I think I was always involved in travel. I always remember myself designing trips with my parents, my grandma, and later for my solo trips or with my friends and colleagues. When I became a mother, I felt I should not let my job define my life; but rather the opposite. "

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"The travel experience I will never forget was my road trip in the Mediterranean: from Italy to France, Spain, and Portugal, and from Greece to Egypt through Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Israel following the literary path of historian and travel writer William Dalrymple. I relived this journey once more 7 years later in my first personal travel photography exhibition “Faces from the Mediterranean”."

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

Recent trip reviews for Eleni

We loved our driver George. He was GREAT. ...
Greece | Jun 25 - Jul 9, 2024

Sandra
Sandra D.
Golden Gate, FL | Reviewed on Jul 18, 2024
We loved our driver George. He was GREAT. I think if we were to do it again, I would ask for a slight upgrade in the hotels. They were nice and what we asked for. Naxos Hotel was the best and Santorini was our least favorite. Not that the rooms weren't nice but the management was not warm and welcoming. We particularly enjoyed the cooking class and our "down" day in Naxos. Read more

We loved our driver George. He was GREAT. I think if we were to do it again, I would ask for a slight upgrade in the hotels. They were nice and what we asked for. Naxos Hotel was the best and Santorini was our least favorite. Not that the rooms weren't nice but the management was not warm and welcoming. We particularly enjoyed the cooking class and our "down" day in Naxos.

Hotel Review
Antony Suites & Residences Naxos
Naxos

This was our favorite hotel. LOVED it. Clean, roomy, management was friendly, and close to the beach and downtown.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Private Naxos Food & Culture Tour
Private Naxos Food & Culture Tour
Naxos

We enjoyed the entire afternoon!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Caldera Cruise & Volcano Visit
Caldera Cruise & Volcano Visit
Santorini

Fun day. Not everyone went but those of us that did had a great time.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Private Santorini Wine Tour
Private Santorini Wine Tour
Santorini

Last stop was the best. Could have eliminated the first stop. Too much wine for one afternoon.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Loved our guide. Harry was great.
Dinner in Athens with Acropolis View
Dinner in Athens with Acropolis View
Athens

This was a wonderful dinner. Quite the surprise and everything was Great!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Private Guided Tour in Ancient Olympia
Private Guided Tour in Ancient Olympia
Olympia

She was our favorite guide. Friendly, funny, spoke English well, and very informative.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Cooking Class in Nafplio
Private Cooking Class in Nafplio
Nafplio

Best and favorite activity!! 5 stars

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Eleni Fotiou
Eleni
Eleni Fotiou
Local specialist in Athens | Replied on Jul 19, 2024

Dear Sandra,
Thank you very much for your precious feedback. I am very happy you enjoyed the tour and activities I included in your itinerary and arranged for you. I am looking forward to hosting you again to Italy or Greece!
All the best, Eleni

12 people, 15 days, 6 cities and 3 islands; Greece can be a logistical challenge - - no one could have done it better. Kudos to Eleni and her KimKim team!
Greece | Jun 25 - Jul 9, 2024

Diane
Diane S.
Shaw, DC | Reviewed on Jul 17, 2024
From start to finish Eleni and her team handled our group of 12 (6 couples most of us very close to retirement) with grace, enthusiasm and professionalism. They stayed in communication with us almost daily through WhatsApp, providing us with flight and ferry tickets, so we were aware they were monitoring our trip (and our needs) from a distance. That REALLY came in handy when in our last hotel, we had a room issue and we couldn't resolve on our own (hotel staff met our request with a... Read more

From start to finish Eleni and her team handled our group of 12 (6 couples most of us very close to retirement) with grace, enthusiasm and professionalism. They stayed in communication with us almost daily through WhatsApp, providing us with flight and ferry tickets, so we were aware they were monitoring our trip (and our needs) from a distance. That REALLY came in handy when in our last hotel, we had a room issue and we couldn't resolve on our own (hotel staff met our request with a 'shrug'). When we reached out through WhatsApp (late on a Saturday evening) they immediately went into action and contacted the hotel manager at home (!) on our behalf and the issues was resolved the next morning. Truly felt supported all the way throughout the trip.

The guides and drivers they selected for us were AMAZING - George (our driver for 6 days) became part of our family within hours, the tour guides were hand-selected by to Eleni and her team, and were wonderful.

We chose to focus on culture and food, so we had 2 wine tastings, a cooking class (4 hour, wonderful experience!), a tour of a honey farm, and olive oil tastings. All our breakfast meals were provided by the hotel, but except for 2 days, we had one prepaid meal arranged by the KimKim team. Each one was unique, with gorgeous views, and the food was over the top - - both the quality and the amount (we literally asked one of our drivers if this amount of food was 'normal' in Greece!). We tried food we probably would never have experienced if left to our own devices!

Those 5 starts I gave were truly earned by this team.

BTW - we (my husband and I) traveled in Italy last year with a different group of people - a trip also arranged by Eleni - and we had the same amazing experience - so I actually introduced Eleni to this travel group. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.

Hotel Reviews
Fedriades Hotel Delphi
Delphi

I really enjoyed our stay at Fedriades Hotel in Delphi. The town itself was beautiful, and the hotel offered stunning views of the valley from our windows. The restaurant right across the street, recommended by the hotel manager, was great too. It had a large bank of windows with valley views and delicious food. There was a bit of an odd situation where one room was significantly larger with a sitting area, kitchen, and giant patio, so we ended up drawing straws to see who would get it. It added a bit of fun to our trip, though it was unexpected. Overall, this hotel was fantastic.

Ippoliti Hotel
Nafplio

Our stay at the Ippoliti Hotel in Nafplio was very nice. It was probably the fanciest hotel in terms of interior décor, and having a pool was a great touch. There was a bit of confusion as some of our group members were placed in a different building with upgraded rooms, and we almost didn’t know where they were. Despite that, those who received the nicer rooms were thrilled, and we tried to ensure everyone got a fair turn at the better accommodations.

Abelonas Retreat
Santorini

Our stay at Abelonas Retreat in Santorini was good but had some issues. We had six rooms in total, and one couple ended up with a room where the bed was against two walls, making it very inconvenient. The manager wasn’t available to help right away, but your team managed to get us a new room the next morning, which was a relief. The hotel manager was kind of grumpy and not very accommodating when we asked for better views or nicer rooms for those who hadn’t had such experiences yet. This was the only place where we felt a bit let down.

Activity Reviews
Local Dinner in Naxos
Local Dinner in Naxos
Naxos

The restaurant was tucked up in the heart of the old market. WONDERFUL food, and super cool atmosphere. Great choice!

Quality of Experience
Food
Dinner in Athens with Acropolis View
Dinner in Athens with Acropolis View
Athens

The view from their rooftop was AMAZING - exactly as you see it here. The food (7 courses - really?!) was fabulous. GREAT start to our trip

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local meal in Galaxidi
Local meal in Galaxidi
Delphi

What an amazing meal - I think there were 7 courses (most featuring some type of delicious seafood). BEAUTIFUL views too

Food
Private Acropolis Guided Tour
Private Acropolis Guided Tour
Athens

The Guide was amazing, and the acropolis is a 'must see' in Athens, but it was CROWDED and hot. Recommend this, but maybe not in the middle of summer.

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

I cannot say enough about our driver for the first 6 days of our journey. George - you are amazing and your "Tetris" training came in handy as you dealt with our luggage day after day!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Guided Tour in Ancient Olympia
Private Guided Tour in Ancient Olympia
Olympia

I think we agreed that this was the best tour of all - our guide was fantastic, we arrived near the end of the day, so very few other people there (and maybe a bit cooler). A must-see.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Private Tour of Delphi
Private Tour of Delphi
Greece

Another surprise 'hidden gem' of a place. Finally learned what/who the Oracle of Delphi is and why this place was so special. The little town of Delphi is gorgeous too...

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Honey Tasting  at a Farm
Honey Tasting at a Farm
Olympia

We have some experience with beekeeping, so listening to a master beekeeper is always a treat. She was amazing, and had some really interesting other (bee related) things to look at / taste and purchase. Baklava = honey!

Quality of Experience
Private Cooking Class in Nafplio
Private Cooking Class in Nafplio
Nafplio

All I can say is that this was a highlight of our trip. We had a BLAST and the food was amazing. Who knew how time consuming it was to prepare octopus (or squid - can't remember the difference now!)!?

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Acropolis of Mycenae Guided Tour 
Acropolis of Mycenae Guided Tour 
Greece

It was our 2nd time there, so less 'amazing' for us and it was HOT, but our guide was great!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Private Epidaurus Guided Tour
Private Epidaurus Guided Tour
Greece

Good tour, nice to have the same guide twice (he was great).

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Private Naxos Food & Culture Tour
Private Naxos Food & Culture Tour
Naxos

So glad we got to go see some of the villages higher up on the island of Naxos. BEAUTIFUL places, and our guide was (again) amazing!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Caldera Cruise & Volcano Visit
Caldera Cruise & Volcano Visit
Santorini

I wasn't really sure about spending 6 hours on a boat cruising around in the caldera - but it was a wonderful experience. Very much worth doing. Especially liked hiking on the heart of the ancient volcano.

Quality of Experience
Food
Lunch with Olive Grove View
Lunch with Olive Grove View
Greece

Our host was the owner and manager so he was a wealth of information with TONS of interesting things to share with us. The olive oil was smooth and flavorful, and (like so many of our dining experiences in Greece) the food was both wonderful and PLENTIFUL!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Wine Tasting and lunch in a winery in Nemea
Wine Tasting and lunch in a winery in Nemea
Greece

Maybe I've been to too many wineries. This was a very nice experience, but also similar to other wine adventures I've enjoyed. The food (with wine pairings) was very good...

Quality of Experience
Food
Private Santorini Wine Tour
Private Santorini Wine Tour
Santorini

This was actually a '3 winery' tour - which was a very nice way to spend our last evening in Santorini. The meal at the last winery was wonderful.

Quality of Experience
Food
Local specialist: Eleni Fotiou
Eleni
Eleni Fotiou
Local specialist in Athens | Replied on Jul 17, 2024

Dear Diane,
Thank you so much for your wonderful review and I am "double happy" that I managed to meet your expectations in Greece this time. You and your fellow travelers have been so helpful and responsive, so together we managed to create a unique trip for all. Thank you again. Eleni

Greece - a trip of a lifetime
Greece | Jun 25 - Jul 9, 2024

Gayle
Gayle Z.
North Olmsted, OH | Reviewed on Jul 17, 2024
George, our driver, to/from Athens was amazing! Drove carefully and efficiently; engaged well with our enthusiastic group; got us to our destinations in a timely fashion.
Our tour guide in Olympia was fabulous! She was very knowledgeable about the site and museum, and interacted extremely well with our group.
The private cooking class is highly recommended to future groups. Costas and Agathi were incredible hosts - so genuine, and happy to have us there. The food was delicious, too.
Read more

George, our driver, to/from Athens was amazing! Drove carefully and efficiently; engaged well with our enthusiastic group; got us to our destinations in a timely fashion.
Our tour guide in Olympia was fabulous! She was very knowledgeable about the site and museum, and interacted extremely well with our group.
The private cooking class is highly recommended to future groups. Costas and Agathi were incredible hosts - so genuine, and happy to have us there. The food was delicious, too.

Hotel Review
Leonidaion Guesthouse Olympia
Archaia Olympia

Our group of 13 had the place to ourselves as there are only 8 or 9 rooms. The roof top deck was a great place to hang out after a long day of travel and touring. Our host was extremely pleasant, and a talented bartender. Located very near to the main drag, so we walked to lunch, and back from dinner. Would definitely recommend if you are in the area.

Authenticity & Character
Has real keys for the rooms - not plastic/electronic cards. Small hotel, very personable hosts.
Location
Walkable distance to restaurants, shopping and ancient ruins.
Staff
Very personable, and engaging. Were able to accommodate the GF request for breakfast.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The entire place was very clean; comfy beds; en-suite baths; good hot water and water pressure.
Activity Reviews
Private Guided Tour in Ancient Olympia
Private Guided Tour in Ancient Olympia
Olympia

Our tour guide was amazing - she was very knowable about the site and museum, and interacted with our group extremely well. Many in our group took the opportunity to "run" in the Olympic stadium - what an unusual experience - so grateful!

Quality of Experience
Great tour guide - it really makes a difference!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Very knowledgeable, friendly and engaging.
Transport
We had a private transfer.
Local meal in Galaxidi
Local meal in Galaxidi
Delphi

While the food was amazing, there was entirely too much of it - 7 courses, I think. The reservation was at 7 pm, and not starting to eat until 7:30 pm - that's just too late in the evening for this mid-western gal. Also, there didn't seem to be anything to do in the little town - so nothing to entertain us while we waited until 7 pm. They refused to seat us until 7 pm.

Quality of Experience
Too much food, too late in the evening, too far from our hotel (30 minute drive)
Food
Food was absolutely delicious, just way too much of it.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
They refused to skip the main course, even when none of us wanted it. Way too much time between courses. Did not take a reservation earlier than 7 pm. Refused to seat us until 7 pm.
Transport
Our driver picked us up at the hotel, and delivered us to a parking lot near the restaurant.
Private Tour of Delphi
Private Tour of Delphi
Greece

Interesting little ruin within walking distance of our hotel.

Quality of Experience
Very interesting. Unfortunately, both the Theater and the Stadium were closed the day we were there - would have loved to wander and see a bit more.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide was very good. There was some confusion as to the meeting place - we were late because we expected her to be in the plaza at the base of the entrance - she was at the ticket window at the top of the entrance.
Transport
Walkable from our hotel (10 minutes)
Honey Tasting  at a Farm
Honey Tasting at a Farm
Olympia

While the activity was somewhat interesting, the reality fell short of expectations. The time of day was also unfortunate - several in our group were fighting to stay awake. The honey was delicious, but lacked depth of flavor.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Our driver was in it with us - sat through the presentation and the tasting! What a good sport!
Private Epidaurus Guided Tour
Private Epidaurus Guided Tour
Greece

This tour was amazing, only because we were allowed to explore/climb/sit in the 2500 year old Amphitheater! The rest of the ruin was overshadowed by this experience. Be sure to schedule your visit for the very first thing before the rest of the tourists arrive, and ask to see the Theater first.

Quality of Experience
The experience in the Theater. In the US, we are not allowed to touch historic artifacts.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide was very much into the mythology and ancient stories of Greece - these stories overshadowed the objects we were looking at. His accent also was fairly heavy, and so more difficult to understand than other guides.
Transport
We had our own private driver who picked us up at our hotel, and delivered us to the entrance of the ruin.
Local Transfer in Athens
Greece

The driver picked us up at the front door of the hotel, and delivered us to the bottom of the hill where we met our guide. George was great - so glad we had him for 5 days. I don't want to travel any other way again!

Quality of Experience
We didn't have to figure out where to go, and what time we had to leave to get where we were going.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
George was very pleasant and engaging, and an excellent driver.
Transport
Vehicle was newer and very clean; definitely the right size for our group.
Private Acropolis Guided Tour
Private Acropolis Guided Tour
Athens

What a great experience to see and tour the Acropolis with an expert. Though the place was packed with other tourists, I felt we had a much better experience rather than an audio self-guided tour. It also helped to have someone personally walk us through the entrance gates - less waiting and confusion.

Quality of Experience
The shear history and magnitude of the place.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our driver dropped us exactly where we needed to be. Our guide was well spoken about the ruin, and her grasp of the English language made it very easy to understand her.
Transport
Dinner in Athens with Acropolis View
Dinner in Athens with Acropolis View
Athens

Beautiful location - rooftop terrace - great food, and got to watch the Acropolis light up as the sun went down.

Quality of Experience
Location and view.
Food
Delicious food, plenty of it, and they easily accommodated a GF diet
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The wait staff were so pleasant, efficient and accommodating
Transport
Walk-able from the hotel - 15 minutes. And after a large meal, it was great to walk some of it off
Acropolis of Mycenae Guided Tour 
Acropolis of Mycenae Guided Tour 
Greece

The bee hive tomb was very cool! The rest of the ruin was "meh."

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The guide was very interested in mythology and ancient stories - there was minimal talking about the ruins/rubble we were looking at. He also had a fairly heavy Greek accent which made him difficult to understand.
Transport
Our driver picked us up at the hotel, and delivered us to the entrance.
Lunch with Olive Grove View
Lunch with Olive Grove View
Greece

What a great, relaxing lunch in the shade under the trees. Our host was very knowledgeable and personable - we really enjoyed our time with him. They served fabulous food, and easily provided plenty of GF food for the two individuals who required it.

Quality of Experience
Fun, entertaining, good food
Food
Very good, and plenty of it
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Personable folks, all around
Transport
Our driver picked us up at the hotel, and delivered us to the doorstep
Wine Tasting and lunch in a winery in Nemea
Wine Tasting and lunch in a winery in Nemea
Greece

It was a beautiful location and building. The tour felt a bit rushed, but fun to see the things. Lunch was excellent, but entirely too much food - several dishes were never touched, and that feels very wasteful. We enjoyed the family style serving, and they easily accommodated the two who are GF. The wine was OK - it tasted very young (not aged).

Quality of Experience
Fun, and an opportunity to get out of the heat for a bit
Food
Amazing food, and plenty of it
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guides were very pleasant and knowledgeable
Transport
Our driver made sure we weren't too early, though we were still early
Private Cooking Class in Nafplio
Private Cooking Class in Nafplio
Nafplio

Our group really enjoyed this - our hosts were so genuine, kind, and welcoming. And the food was delicious!

Quality of Experience
Fun and educational - I know I learned several things from Chef
Food
Amazing! And they shared the recipes, so we'll be trying it ourselves sometime
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Costas and Agathi were just so genuine and pleasant
Transport
Door to door service - in both directions
Local Dinner in Naxos
Local Dinner in Naxos
Naxos

Good food, walkable from the hotel, staff were kind and accommodating for our large group of 12.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Naxos Food & Culture Tour
Private Naxos Food & Culture Tour
Naxos

We thought it would be more about food than culture, and it was longer than 4 hours. Though one of the dishes on this tour was my favorite in all the food I ate while in Greece for two weeks! The olive oil tasting was fun and educational, though I enjoyed the history - spoken and visible - more. The retail shopping after lunch went long - I believe there was something about the credit card machine.

Quality of Experience
Food
Lunch was amazing
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide was lovely, knowledgeable and well spoken
Transport
We were picked up and dropped off at the hotel.
Caldera Cruise & Volcano Visit
Caldera Cruise & Volcano Visit
Santorini

This was a lot of fun, though long - advertised as 6 hours, and it was 8 hours if not more. Also, as advertised as a traditional wooden boat, but the diesel fumes got old really quick.

Quality of Experience
It was beautiful to be on the water, and having the opportunity to swim in the ocean was great
Food
When you're hungry, food tastes good - the chicken was overcooked
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Picked us up and dropped us off a 10 minute walk from the hotel
Private Santorini Wine Tour
Private Santorini Wine Tour
Santorini

While it was fun and interesting to see the differences between the three wineries, dinner was too long (timing - too much time between courses - and too much food), especially as we were departing early the next morning.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Eleni Fotiou
Eleni
Eleni Fotiou
Local specialist in Athens | Replied on Jul 17, 2024

Thank you so much Gayle for your detailed review!
I am looking forward to plan a future trip for you and your family.
Eleni

Trip to the Mythical History of Greece Review
Greece | Jun 17 - Jun 24, 2024

K
Katherine M.
Canada | Reviewed on Jul 08, 2024

Planning and booking a trip on Kimkim gave us the personalized trip experience we were looking for, tailored to our exact needs. Our local specialist Eleni was amazing to work with, and we would recommend her to anyone looking to book a memorable vacation in Greece. Eleni was amazing to work with. She answered all our questions, provided excellent suggestions based on our likes/dislikes and all communications with her were prompt and professional.

Local specialist: Eleni Fotiou
Eleni
Eleni Fotiou
Local specialist in Athens | Replied on Jul 08, 2024

Thank you very much Katherine!
I am very happy you enjoyed the trip so much!
Looking forward to hosting you again, Eleni.

Athens - Crete - Santorini - an amazing trip!
Greece | Jun 12 - Jun 22, 2024

Erica
Erica S.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Jun 24, 2024
We had a fantastic trip. From the private transfer upon landing in Athens to every single excursion and restaurant recommendation, we had a wonderful time.
Athens - we stayed at the Athens Cypria Hotel right near the Plaka district. The rooms were nice and quiet, and breakfast was great. It was easy walking distance to explore Plaka, the Lycabettus Hill, and historical sites. Our private tour guide at the Acropolis was fantastic. We had a private driver to Sounio with dinner and see the...
Read more

We had a fantastic trip. From the private transfer upon landing in Athens to every single excursion and restaurant recommendation, we had a wonderful time.
Athens - we stayed at the Athens Cypria Hotel right near the Plaka district. The rooms were nice and quiet, and breakfast was great. It was easy walking distance to explore Plaka, the Lycabettus Hill, and historical sites. Our private tour guide at the Acropolis was fantastic. We had a private driver to Sounio with dinner and see the sunset at the Temple of Poseidon. A private day trip to Delfi included an amazing tour guide (Electra) and lovely lunch at an olive grove.
Crete - we loved this island. We stayed at the Aquila Atlantis hotel, which was very nice and close to the culture of downtown Heraklion. We had dinner at Peskesi, and it was a highlight of our whole trip. One day of our trip started with an olive oil tasting and tour of an olive grove, which was lovely (Koronekes Olive Mill). THen we went to lunch in downtown Archanes (Bakailiko) where we had amazing service and food, then we went to the Palace of Knossos. On our free day, we spent the entire day at Sarantari beach. We rented two chairs for 10 Euro and had a lovely little lunch from the beach cafe. Then we took a high speed ferry to Santorini.
Santorini - we stayed at the Heliotopos Hotel. It was such a lovely experience in the family room, what a gem of a boutique hotel! Imerviglio was a perfect spot - 30 minute walk along the trail down to Fira for shopping and sightseeing. We enjoyed dinner at Pelican Kipos (one of the staff recommendations) and it was perfect. We enjoyed the boat trip with Santos to see the caldera, visit the crater, and swim in the hot springs. Finally, our full day tour of Santorini with Argyros Travel was fantastic, ending with lunch at Mario's right on Black Beach.

Hotel Reviews
Athens Cypria Hotel
Athens

We had a nice quiet stay here. We had two rooms adjoining by a private hallway, which was very nice. It is an older hotel but has nice updates. The breakfast was very good, and it is within a few minutes walk of Plaka and the historical sites. The view from the bar is quite nice! We did not have an Acropolis view from our room but it was quiet except on the one weekend night we stayed there.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Aquila Atlantis Hotel
Heraklion – Crete

We had a nice time here! It is close to the downtown area for walking, and had free parking (we rented a car). The rooftop pool was a hit. Our room was nice and big, and had a balcony, so it worked very well for our family of 4. The breakfast is delicious!! Very nice help from the staff with parking.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Heliotopos Hotel
Santorini

This is a gem of a hotel. Perfectly situated in Ivermiglio, which was a quiet village with nice restaurants, supermarkets and some shops. The family room had a double bed on the first floor, along with sitting room, kitchenette. The upper loft had two twin beds, so it was great for the family. Our room was right on the Fira to Oia trail, so we could easily get down to Fira. The staff here is so so so lovely. They helped direct us to things to do, were so kind, and offered us breakfast sandwiches for our early morning checkout (they even had someone come early to help us take our bags to the street). It is a boutique hotel experience that is not to be missed. The sunset views here are 100% phenomenal!!!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Private Delphi Day-trip
Private Delphi Day-trip
Athens

This was our favorite day! We had a lovely driver and our tour guide at Delphi was wonderful. We learned so much about both modern and ancient Greece! The lunch at the olive grove was so delicious and a wonderful end to our day!

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

The private tour of the palace was a really great event. Our tour guide was well-informed, took time to answer the kids questions, kept them engaged, and helped us take lovely family photos!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Private Cape Sounio Sunset tour
Private Cape Sounio Sunset tour
Greece

We left our hotel around 5 PM and went to dinner at tavern near Sounio. The meal wasn't our favorite of the trip, but there aren't a lot of restaurant choices near Sounio. The cape and the Temple of Poseidon did not disappoint! We got there around 7:30 PM and had enough time to walk around and find a spot to watch the sunset.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Caldera Cruise & Volcano Visit
Caldera Cruise & Volcano Visit
Santorini

We were picked up by the Santos transfer on time and had a nice trip to the port where we waited for our boat to arrive. The group on our boat was mostly couples and one other family with young children. The trip included 1 hour at the volcano crater (which is just enough time to walk to the top and back down), then we sailed to an area where we could swim to hot springs. After that, we sailed to a second area for swimming followed by a delicious dinner, then back around to the port near Oia to watch the sunset. Overall it was a lovely day!

Quality of Experience
Food
They provide a really good dinner of chicken kebabs, bread, rice, meatballs, greek salad, and a glass of local wine (or juice). The snack options for purchase were pretty limited (pringles and pretzels) so I'd tell the travelers to bring snacks.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Athens Mythology Family Tour
Private Athens Mythology Family Tour
Athens

We had a wonderful tour guide who met us at the Acropolis Metro and then walked us to the top of the Acropolis and then the Agora, and gave us great insight into the history. Our guide was wonderful , incredibly knowledgeable and kind. She knew that our family already knew a lot of the Greek mythology history, and so she gave us some insider tips on other things to see in the area. She could also tell when our kids were getting bored and fading, and helped us find them some ice cream to cool off between our stops.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Olive Farm Visit & Lunch in Archanes
Olive Farm Visit & Lunch in Archanes
Heraklion

The Koronekes Olive Mill is such a lovely experience! Our guide was really informative and we learned a lot about the olive oil process and the island of Crete. Also, the lunch at Bakaliko was so delicious. The servers were lovely, and they suggested some great dishes and wines for us.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Santorini Family Tour & swimming
Santorini Family Tour & swimming
Santorini

This was a really nice day with Argyros Travel. Our driver Takis and guide Harry were great. We got to Oia for some pictures before the crowds, and then traveled down to Megalochori to see an older town and original cave house. Then we went to Akrotiri for a guided tour (it was very cool!!). After Akrotiri we did the Atlantis museum, then over to Black Beach for lunch at a restaurant Mario, which was wonderful and had a beautiful view. We learned a lot about Santorini's history, culture, and the tourism industry.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Eleni Fotiou
Eleni
Eleni Fotiou
Local specialist in Athens | Replied on Jun 24, 2024

Dear Erica, I am really happy that you enjoyed the whole trip and that the itinerary was balanced and what you were looking for.
I am looking forward to welcoming you again in Greece or Italy where I also specialize in.
Eleni

Seamless Trip in Italy and Greece
Italy | May 21 - Jun 3, 2024

N
Nici F.
Prairie Du Rocher, IL | Reviewed on Jun 10, 2024
Our local specialist, Eleni, was very knowledgeable about Italy and Greece and directed us to places we might not otherwise think to visit. She was quick with her responses and patient with all my questions. Our departing flight was canceled and we got delayed by a day...Eleni and KimKim took care of the changes we needed to make immediately and put together the documentation we'd need to file our insurance claim without me even asking. She knew exactly what to do. The local guides Eleni... Read more

Our local specialist, Eleni, was very knowledgeable about Italy and Greece and directed us to places we might not otherwise think to visit. She was quick with her responses and patient with all my questions. Our departing flight was canceled and we got delayed by a day...Eleni and KimKim took care of the changes we needed to make immediately and put together the documentation we'd need to file our insurance claim without me even asking. She knew exactly what to do. The local guides Eleni arranged were top-notch. Everything went exactly as planned and we didn't have any hiccups for two weeks of traveling. This was our second trip planned with KimKim. The thing we appreciate the most is the stress it removes from us during the trip. It's worth every penny to not wonder where to go or what to do. One of our favorite stops was at a small family vineyard in Nafplio, Greece. We also loved Pompeii...I'm so glad Eleni convinced me it was worth the stop.

Activity Reviews
Family Treasure Hunt in the Colosseum & the Roman Forum
Family Treasure Hunt in the Colosseum & the Roman Forum
Rome

This is one of the best tours we've ever had. There are some special surprises for the kids, adults also appreciate.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Pasta & Gelato Making Class
Pasta & Gelato Making Class
Rome

This was the best meal we had all week in Italy, and that's saying a lot since all the food in Rome is good. We remade the recipes as soon as we got back home. Homemade pasta is on regular rotation in our house now.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Athens Food Tour
Athens Food Tour
Athens

Part of this tour was really interesting (olive oil tasting!) but a lot of it was not well executed. Our guide was very sweet and knowledgeable but other than the olive oil tasting didn't provide much of anything we could experience just by going to restaurants on our own. We were hoping for more tastings and possibly meeting the chefs.

Quality of Experience
The olive oil tasting was exactly what we had hoped for, but it was just one small part of the tour.
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
More experienced guide and more tastings instead of just sitting at a restaurant and ordering food.
Greek Cookies making & farm lunch
Greek Cookies making & farm lunch
Italy

We love spending time with locals more than anything else when traveling and being on this family's farm for the afternoon was amazing. We loved everything about it. It's worth the beautiful drive to the country.

Private Pompeii Tour for kids with light lunch
Private Pompeii Tour for kids with light lunch
Pompeii

Pompeii was much larger and far more interesting than any of us expected. Our private guide was very knowledgeable and great with kids. We could've spent even more time here, we loved it so much.

Local specialist: Eleni Fotiou
Eleni
Eleni Fotiou
Local specialist in Athens | Replied on Jun 11, 2024

Hello Nici,
I am so happy that my recommendations and choices added real value to your trip, and I would really like to thank you for your time in writing a detailed review. Reviews make the whole team very happy, and better! I wish you a great summer ahead.
Eleni

Fantastic trip that included nearly all of th...
Greece | May 25 - Jun 3, 2024

S
Shephali w.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Jun 04, 2024
Fantastic trip that included nearly all of the main Grecian highlights, travel was impeccably coordinated with luxurious Mercedes sprinter vans and clear instructions on who to meet at which locations. The tour guides were truly outstanding especially Zakia at the Athens sites, Giannis and Nektaria in Crete and Iota in Santorini. The company was flexible in shifting our plans while in country to accommodate preferences. Would absolutely travel with Kimkim again Read more

Fantastic trip that included nearly all of the main Grecian highlights, travel was impeccably coordinated with luxurious Mercedes sprinter vans and clear instructions on who to meet at which locations. The tour guides were truly outstanding especially Zakia at the Athens sites, Giannis and Nektaria in Crete and Iota in Santorini. The company was flexible in shifting our plans while in country to accommodate preferences. Would absolutely travel with Kimkim again

Hotel Reviews
Ivis 4 Boutique Hotel
Athens

Perfect hotel in Athens. Incredibly friendly staff and easy walking to all major sites. Laundry on site definitely an added bonus

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
San Salvatore Monastery
Chania

Such a cool space to stay — old monastery with incredible views of the sea and easy easy walk to shops and restaurants. Fabulous service

Authenticity & Character
lol
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Olive Green
Heraklion

Convenient location. Incredibly small rooms not easy for a family of 4. Staff the least friendly of all of our hosts in Greece Likely fine for a couple but not ideal for a family with children

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Azure Villa Santorini
Santorini

Absolutely stunning views of Santorini with perfect location between Fira and Oia. Joanna was the loveliest host who met us personally and ensured we were well cared for while on the island. Perfect for families or groups of 6-8

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Eleni Fotiou
Eleni
Eleni Fotiou
Local specialist in Athens | Replied on Jun 04, 2024

Dear Shephali,
Thank you very much for your wonderful words and the detailed review that will help us become better. I am looking forward to plan a future trip for you in another part of Greece or in Italy where I also specialize in. Eleni

Eleni and her team were incredible!
Italy | Mar 23 - Apr 1, 2024

jennifer
jennifer o.
Denver, CO | Reviewed on Apr 15, 2024

Eleni and her team were incredible! Our family of 4 had a pretty last minute trip request to Italy and they delivered. We visited Bologna, Florence and Venice and would do it all again. Every detail was well planned out. The hotels were in perfect locations. The local tour guides and activities were wonderful and unique - we gained so much knowledge during these tours while having fun at the same time. We never could have planned something like this ourselves. We are so thankful for Eleni and her team for creating wonderful memories for our family.

Local specialist: Eleni Fotiou
Eleni
Eleni Fotiou
Local specialist in Athens | Replied on Apr 16, 2024

Dear Jennifer,
Thank you very much for your nice words that sparked enthusiasm in our team! Also, thank you very much for your cooperation and efficient communication during the planning phase. I am looking forward to plan a great trip to another part of Italy or Greece (next time, a little bit earlier!)
All the best
Eleni

Athens was AMAZING!!
Greece | Mar 24 - Mar 30, 2024

Sonal
Sonal B.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Apr 02, 2024
Everything about this trip was absolutely AMAZING!! I don't know how Eleni coordinated all of this to make it a reality, but we had so much fun and felt so taken care of, and it was the most incredible week! The drivers were absolutely wonderful - George and Anthony went above and beyond on our trips to Delphi/Mycenae/Nafplio/Epidaurus and Cape Sounio/Temple of Poisedon respectively. George especially made our experience one we will carry with us forever! And the guides - the guides were... Read more

Everything about this trip was absolutely AMAZING!! I don't know how Eleni coordinated all of this to make it a reality, but we had so much fun and felt so taken care of, and it was the most incredible week! The drivers were absolutely wonderful - George and Anthony went above and beyond on our trips to Delphi/Mycenae/Nafplio/Epidaurus and Cape Sounio/Temple of Poisedon respectively. George especially made our experience one we will carry with us forever! And the guides - the guides were amazing! Efie and Stephanie and Theodorus brought every site to life and the kids (and us adults) were mesmerized by the blending of mythology and history happening right before our eyes. And to top it all off, the hotel was fantastic - perfect location for wandering in the evenings, safe, clean, comfortable, spacious with a welcoming and accomodating staff who made us feel so relaxed and at ease. This was truly the trip of a lifetime - Thank You to everyone who made it a reality!!! And I can't leave without mentioning the cats - we LOVED the cats!

Hotel Review
Amalia Hotel Athens
Athens

Fantastic location - perfect for experiencing the Acropolis, Agora, across from Parliament and easy walking to so many sites and lovely restaurants and shopping. The staff were so welcoming and accomodating, the rooms were clean and comfortable and spacious. And breakfast in the morning was a nice perk!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Walking distance to wonderful restaurants, sites, shopping - just perfect!
Staff
Everyone - from the front desk to the restaurant staff to housekeeping was so patient and accomodating and helpful!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Private Athens Mythology Family Tour
Private Athens Mythology Family Tour
Athens

Our lovely guide really made the sites come to life for us - Stephanie was wonderful! This is a must do!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Delphi Day-trip
Private Delphi Day-trip
Athens

This whole day was amazing! Delphi is gorgeous, Efi was so knowledgeable and wonderful with our kids and their love for mythology, and lunch at Mer Des Oliviers was as delicious as it was beautiful! And to top it off, our driver George was so sweet and helpful and made it a wonderful day!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Mythical Argolis Day trip for history lovers
Mythical Argolis Day trip for history lovers
Athens

Everything about this day was magical - the sites, the guide (Theodorus) was the perfect blend of fun and informative and gave us plenty of time to explore on our own as well as with him. And George, again, was fantastic. Even though it must have been an exhausting day for him, he was so enthusiastic about the area and went out of his way to show us the most beautiful views and experiences!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Round trip Transfer in Athens
Athens

So nice not to have to worry about how to get to and from the airport on a very long day of travel! The drivers in both instances were great!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Cape Sounio Sunset tour
Private Cape Sounio Sunset tour
Greece

Temple of Poseidon at sunset on the coast - breathtaking! And dinner to follow was delicious!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Useful Information
Greece
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Eleni Fotiou
Eleni
Eleni Fotiou
Local specialist in Athens | Replied on Apr 02, 2024

Dear Sonal,
Our team and I were so touched from your glowing review! Thank you very much for your kind words. You can be sure that I will convey to all our guides and our drivers your impressions. I am looking forward to welcoming you in our part of the world and to plan your next family trip to Greece or Italy.
Safe travels!
Eleni

Our trip was wonderful! It was exactly what w...
Italy | Oct 6 - Oct 14, 2023

C
Christin S.
Athens, GA | Reviewed on Oct 21, 2023
Our trip was wonderful! It was exactly what we were looking for. Everything was planned for us each day and we have no worry or stress about transportation or waiting in lines. Highly recommend Eleni for all of your Italy trip planning. It will be a vacation you remember forever! Thank you Eleni! Read more

Our trip was wonderful! It was exactly what we were looking for. Everything was planned for us each day and we have no worry or stress about transportation or waiting in lines. Highly recommend Eleni for all of your Italy trip planning. It will be a vacation you remember forever! Thank you Eleni!

Hotel Reviews
Art Hotel Commercianti
Bologna

We stayed two nights here in October and it was lovely! The uniqueness of this hotel really has a special feel. Also the location could not have been better. There was an issue with our air conditioner, however staff was quick to assist us and help to make us comfortable!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Capo d'Africa—Colosseo
Rome

We stayed one night in this hotel after flying into Rome. It was very nice and clean. The staff was extremely friendly and helpful. They assisted in getting us dinner reservations and it happened to be the most amazing meal we had on our entire 9 day trip! Highly recommend!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Orto De' Medici
Florence

We stayed three nights in this hotel and were very pleased. The staff was helpful and the rooms were very spacious and clean. We were in a corner room with a balcony and it was wonderful to be able to sit outside in the evenings or leave the door open to enjoy the breeze. Highly recommend!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Palazzo Alabardieri Hotel Napoli
Naples

This hotel is fabulous! We stayed two nights here and were more than pleased! We had an early morning and ordered room service for our breakfast meal. It was delivered exactly at the requested time and was delicious. The morning we left for the airport, they had breakfast boxed and waiting to send us. Staff was extremely helpful! Very good experience!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Cinque Terre Day Trip from Florence
Cinque Terre Day Trip from Florence
Florence

This tour was wonderful! We had a blast with our tour guides Marco and Ellenora. Viewing the villages of Cinque Terre by boat was amazing. The view was spectacular. We had lunch at a local restaurant in Venazza and the pesto was to die for! We hiked up the hillside to get a better view point and were able to take some amazing pictures!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Food, Music & Culture Day Trip
Food, Music & Culture Day Trip
Italy

We adored this tour. We started at the acetaia and learned all about the production of balsamic vinegar. The tasting was a wonderful experience, as was the tour itself. Then we moved on to tour Casa Museo Luciano Pavarotti. My husband and I being very into the musical arts, we very much enjoyed this tour. The self guided tour with the headset was perfect and allowed you to tour at your own speed. Next was lunch at an amazing little restaurant not far from Pavarotti's home. There was a table for two set for us on arrival and the services was amazing. The food even better. We finished the day with a trip to the Ferrari museum. This was my husband's favorite portion of the trip! Overall it was a wonderful day!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Naples Street Food Tour
Naples Street Food Tour
Naples

This was out favorite tour of our entire trip. Maria was our tour guide and she was amazing. There was never a dull moment and she ensured that we saw everything we were interested in. The food choices she made for us per our preference and expectations were right on point. We sampled pastries, fried pasta, fried pizza... just to name a few. We ended our tour of The Chapel of San Gennaro. Maria shared the entire history of San Gennaro and explained the meaning and ritual behind everything in the chapel. She was so informative and truly excited to share this experience with us!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Pompeii Tour & Mount Vesuvius visit with lunch and wine tasting
Private Pompeii Tour & Mount Vesuvius visit with lunch and wine tasting
Pompeii

This was an adventure filled day! Our tour guide Giuseppe was wonderful! He was very knowledgeable about Pompei and was able to lead us through Pompei without getting stuck in any large crowds. Next we went to Mt Vesuvius where we hiked to the top of the crater! The view is amazing! Lastly we had a wine tasting at Cantina de Vesuvio. Both the lunch and the wine were spectacular!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Tuscany Day Trip from Florence with Chianti, Siena & San Gimignano
Tuscany Day Trip from Florence with Chianti, Siena & San Gimignano
Florence

This trip was a very busy day! Siena was a very quick walking tour due to an accident on the freeway that required us to take the long way around the our lunch in Chianti. The lunch was a winery and it was amazing! The last stop was San Gimignano. Our guide, Sandra, was very knowledgeable and gave us great information!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Eleni Fotiou
Eleni
Eleni Fotiou
Local specialist in Athens | Replied on Oct 22, 2023

Christin, I would like to sincerely thank you for your warm words!
I know you were anticipating this special trip for long, so it is even more important for me that everything went great! I am looking forward to welcoming you again in Greece this time and meet you and your family in person.
All the best, Eleni.