Profile photo for Fabio Ilardi
3345 messages
active 11 hours ago

Fabio Ilardi

Originally from Italy, I lived and worked in 6 different countries and traveled across about 40 more around the globe.
During my travels, I love to interact with local people, visit monuments and art galleries, taste local food, spend time connecting with nature, and get to know as much as I can of the local culture. I truly believe that traveling provides us unique chances of growth, at any stage of our lives.
I really love, as a local agent, to expose foreign travelers to my country’s beautiful history, culture, nature, and all the great experiences that it has to offer.

What places and activities do you specialize in?

"Our expertise spans both Italy's famous landmarks and its lesser-known, hidden gems. We regularly explore Italy to discover new travel opportunities, unveiling unique experiences for our clients along the way.

We create itineraries that embrace a wide array of activities, including hiking expeditions, guided explorations of historical sites, city strolls or cycling tours, boat adventures, delightful culinary and wine experiences, and immersive visits to local wineries. Our seasoned guides enhance your journey, ensuring it becomes an unforgettable experience."

How did you get involved in travel?

"I have always been fascinated by our world’s different cultures, customs, and history since I was a little kid. My first experience living abroad - in Norway - back in 2013, working in the tourism industry as a travel advisor and private guide at close contact with people from all-over the world, made me realize how important of a chance that would have been for my personal growth.
I still remember how it filled me with joy, hearing positive comments from my guests while admiring the views over the Norwegian fjords and the surrounding mountains – and it still definitely does, when I see tourists strolling around Italy’s ancient streets with an amazed look on their faces.

From that year after, I haven’t stopped moving around to explore the wonders of this planet. Even if only for a few days trip, I try to do that as much as I can.

I now happily live in Italy, Lake Como area, where I love to spend time riding my motorcycle, take amazing photos over the lake and the majestic alps in the background, or go for hiking excursions with friends.
From time to time, I like to treat myself at nice restaurants or take an Italian "aperitivo" with views over beautiful Lake Como. "

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"I carry with love the memories of my solo trip through Morocco in 2016. I covered around 2000 Km in a week, met people from different areas and backgrounds, while the main highlight was spending a night in the Sahara looking at the stars.

I flew to Marrakech with only one night booked at a local hostel, and nothing planned at all for the rest of the trip. I didn’t do much research either, as it was a very last-minute arrangement, plus, I was working so much the days prior to the departure.

The very first day I casually met the hostel manager who was born and raised in Italy from a Moroccan family and recently moved to Marrakech to start a new life. She advised me to take a 3-day tour through ancient Casbahs, Atlas Mountains, and Merzouga Desert. Here we go, I know what to visit for the next 3 days.

The morning after I jumped on a minibus and slowly started to collect all the other participants form their accommodations. We were a mix of people from Argentina, Australia, China, Mexico, and of course myself from Italy. The second day we even picked up a random Japanese guy on the way, who was literally boiling while walking under 45 degrees burning sun - God knows where he was trying to go, so he joined.

As we approached the Sahara, dunes were getting taller and taller and amazingly beautiful with their unique golden shades. We left the minibus after having taken a good amount of water for the afternoon and the night - which we obviously all forgot in the trunk and realized it only later in the afternoon – and took a camel to reach the tents camp.
The sunset was unreal, and even more unreal the night sky. I hadn’t seen anything like that before, and still now, many years after, I haven’t experienced such a clear vision of the night sky. We could literally see the universe. We eventually all fell asleep on the carpets out in the dunes close to the camp.

Fun fact - in the morning we were all set to leave the camp on our camels, when the first one in the line started to groan, all of a sudden it went crazy and ran away from the group. Consequently, all the others followed the first, I remember I struggled so much trying to stay on the running camel, but others in the group fell down. Nothing serious happened luckily.

After these 3-day tour I spent the remaining time with some people from the group and we ended the trip together. We are still in touch and this trip I believe is one that I will never forget.
"

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

Recent trip reviews for Fabio

The best vacation ever!
Italy | Nov 25 - Nov 30, 2023

S
Shelly B.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Dec 05, 2023
We planned a shorter trip to Italy in October for a November departure and were expertly handled by our specialist, Fabio. Or should I call him Fabulouso? :) Our trip was effortless, fun, interesting, and so full of some of the best of Italy in 5 short days! We had great accommodations in three wonderful hotels, transportation, tickets, and two awesome experiences - a food tasting tour in Rome and a cooking class in Sorrento. Fabio was available all the time via text or whatsapp, and... Read more

We planned a shorter trip to Italy in October for a November departure and were expertly handled by our specialist, Fabio. Or should I call him Fabulouso? :) Our trip was effortless, fun, interesting, and so full of some of the best of Italy in 5 short days! We had great accommodations in three wonderful hotels, transportation, tickets, and two awesome experiences - a food tasting tour in Rome and a cooking class in Sorrento. Fabio was available all the time via text or whatsapp, and was super responsive throughout this whole process. It was a little nerve wracking book all of this online, but the experience was top notch. If you want to go explore the world and looking for something other than a tour bus or cruise ship, I would highly recommend KimKim. It was conceirge level service and made the vacation just a breeze.

Thank you, Fabio!! Shelly & Chris

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Nazionale
Rome

Great hotel. Central location and QUIET for Rome. Not on a busy street at night. Loved it. Staff was awesome. Room was nice and bed comfy.

Authenticity & Character
Location
close to everything
Staff
very helpful as we arrived early in the morning from our overnight flight
Cleanliness & Comfort
everything perfect
Palazzo Marziale Boutique Hotel Sorrento
Sorrento

Beautiful small hotel. We were in the Youth Room. Big comfy bed and nice bath. Sorrento is walkable and we loved this location.

Authenticity & Character
super neat place !
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Barberini Roma
Rome

Nice hotel, the room was smaller and it was noisy at night with traffic

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Rome Food Tour
Rome Food Tour
Rome

We learned about Rome, Italy and FOOD! Armando was an awesome guide and we visited some fun locations!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
All of the transport staff were really nice. Prompt, Clean vehicles. Awesome
Pizza & Pasta Masterclass in Sorrento
Pizza & Pasta Masterclass in Sorrento
Sorrento

Fun time in Sorrento at the most beautiful location! We made pasta, pizza and tiramisu. Great time!!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Self Guided Visit to the Colosseum & Roman Forum | Skip-the-Line Tickets
Self Guided Visit to the Colosseum & Roman Forum | Skip-the-Line Tickets
Rome
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Fabio Ilardi
Fabio
Fabio Ilardi
Local specialist in Como, Italy | Replied on Dec 06, 2023

Buongiorno Shelly, thank you so much for your heartwarming review! It was an absolute pleasure assisting you and Chris in planning your Italian adventure. I'm thrilled to hear that your trip was effortless and fun. I'm also delighted that you enjoyed the accommodations, transportation, and the special experiences like the food tasting tour in Rome and the cooking class in Sorrento. Looking forward to assisting you again on your future travel plans through Italy, and wishing you and Chris a wonderful Holiday Season! 🙂🙂
A presto,
Fabio

Fabio and his Team made our trip so easy!
Italy | Nov 25 - Nov 30, 2023

C
Christopher K.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Dec 03, 2023
We could not have asked for a better trip planner. All of our transfer guides and our food tour guides were all very timely and professional. I would highly recommend Fabio for your next trip to Italy. Read more

We could not have asked for a better trip planner. All of our transfer guides and our food tour guides were all very timely and professional. I would highly recommend Fabio for your next trip to Italy.

Activity Review
Pizza & Pasta Masterclass in Sorrento
Pizza & Pasta Masterclass in Sorrento
Sorrento

So fun and what a beautiful view!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Fabio Ilardi
Fabio
Fabio Ilardi
Local specialist in Como, Italy | Replied on Dec 03, 2023

Hello Christopher, Thank you so much for your kind words! I'm delighted to hear that you had such a positive experience. It was truly a pleasure assisting you and Shelly with your journey, and I'm thrilled that the activities we planned together and our partners lived up to your expectations. I look forward to helping you on your next Italian adventure. Wishing you and Shelly all the best! 🙂
Greetings from beautiful Italy,
Fabio

Thank you Fabio!!!
Italy | Jun 25 - Jul 3, 2023

L
Laurianna C.
Springfield, PA | Reviewed on Nov 08, 2023

Fabio did an amazing job with planning our trip to Rome, Florence, and Naples. He made everything seamless, and was available to help very quickly via chat/email. We had the most time as a family of 6, and we are forever grateful to Fabio for helping us make the best memories.

Local specialist: Fabio Ilardi
Fabio
Fabio Ilardi
Local specialist in Como, Italy | Replied on Nov 08, 2023

Buongiorno Laurianna,
Thank you so much for taking the time to write this wonderful review. I’m thrilled to hear about your fantastic experience during your trip to Rome, Florence, and Naples. It was a pleasure planning your family's journey, and I'm delighted that everything went smoothly, allowing you to create cherished memories together. I am looking forward to assisting you on your next Italian adventure. Wish you and your family all the best! :)
Arrivederci,
Fabio

zurich to taormina oct3’23 to oct 20’23
Italy | Oct 3 - Oct 20, 2023

celi
celi d.
Costa Mesa, CA | Reviewed on Oct 28, 2023

zurich, lucerne, interlaken, zermatt, saint moritz,, bellagio, milan, palermo, taormina and catania!!!!! 18 days of unforgettable experience thanks to fabio who arranged it all! excellent service and assistance of all the tour guides and drivers as well! i highly recommend kimkim specifically fabio💕
i’m looking forward to my next trip with you😁

Local specialist: Fabio Ilardi
Fabio
Fabio Ilardi
Local specialist in Como, Italy | Replied on Oct 28, 2023

Buongiorno Celi,
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! It's been an absolute pleasure arranging your 18-day adventure through beautiful Switzerland and Italy. I'm thrilled to hear that you had an unforgettable experience! Wishing you all the best, and many more exciting adventures in the future! 🙂
Arrivederci,
Fabio

Switzerland and Italy: A Journey of Unforgettable Adventures and Enchanting Experiences"
Italy | Oct 3 - Oct 20, 2023

elaine
elaine a.
Australia | Reviewed on Oct 25, 2023
We had the greatest pleasure of embarking on a once-in-a-lifetime journey through Switzerland and Italy with Kimkim Travel, and it wouldn't have been the extraordinary adventure it was without the exceptional guidance of our tour guide, Fabio. From the moment we touched down in Zurich to the very last day in Taormina, Fabio's expertise and passion for what he does shone brightly. Fabio's expert assistance in planning our IT from the get-go and all throughout the entire trip, his... Read more

We had the greatest pleasure of embarking on a once-in-a-lifetime journey through Switzerland and Italy with Kimkim Travel, and it wouldn't have been the extraordinary adventure it was without the exceptional guidance of our tour guide, Fabio. From the moment we touched down in Zurich to the very last day in Taormina, Fabio's expertise and passion for what he does shone brightly.

Fabio's expert assistance in planning our IT from the get-go and all throughout the entire trip, his attention to detail, as well as his in-depth knowledge of the regions we visited were nothing short of remarkable. His insights into the history, culture, and popular sites to visit made the planning process easy and and added a layer of richness to every place we explored. From the picturesque cities of Zurich and Lucerne to the breathtaking landscapes of Interlaken, Zermatt, and the majestic Mt. Pilatus & Mt Gornegrat, Fabio made sure we not only saw these wonders but truly experienced them. When we needed help at a very short notice to secure a booking for paragliding in Zermatt, Fabio delivered outstandingly! He phoned the hotel in Zermatt and looked for the paragliding company. His careful planning and coordination ensured it went off without a hitch, giving us an adrenaline rush like no other. His attention to detail and safety gave us the confidence to enjoy every second of it. The paragliding experience was one of the unforgettable highlights in our trip - -and Fabio helped make it possible!!

Crossing over to Italy, we marveled at Milan's fashion and culture, the serene & enchanting beauty of Bellagio & Varenna in Como, and the stunning journey aboard the Bernina Express to the magical St. Moritz. Fabio's choice of stops, restaurants, and experiences reflected a deep understanding of what travelers like us truly appreciate.
One commendable thing that Fabio did for us was planning the trip to Lake Como. There were transpo-related changes due to an event that was happening at that time in Lake Como. Fabio informed us straight away and organized alternative ways to get to to Bellagio and Varenna, and even purchased for us the train and ferry tickets in advance, and recommended the restaurant along the way, & the sites that we should visit. Our van driver and tour guide - Paolo - was excellent.
Fabio made sure that nothing would get in the way of our plans to visit the enchanting Lake Como - and he really delivered!

The culmination of our journey was the enchanting island of Sicily. Fabio's expertise in Sicilian culture and history turned our time in Palermo, Taormina, and Catania into an authentic Sicilian experience. His recommendations for local delicacies and hidden gems enriched our adventure even further.

Throughout the trip, Fabio's professionalism, warmth, and enthusiasm made us feel like more than just tourists; we felt like friends exploring the world together.
His commitment to ensuring our journey was not just memorable but extraordinary was evident in every aspect of our trip - - from the train tickets, hotel & airport transfers to the hotels and restaurants.

All in all - Fabio's dedication, knowledge, flexibility and charismatic personality made this holiday in Switzerland and Italy an unforgettable and fabulous experience. We can't thank him enough for the cherished memories that we have built and bottled up in these incredible destinations.

On another note, we would like to give our feedback as well on a few things that can be done differently next time.
1. All the hotels that we stayed in were excellent. However, the choice of hotels in Zurich in Milan can be improved, in terms of quality and location. The hotel in Zurich did not have A/C, so it was not very comfortable at night due to the warm temperature. The hotel in Milan was not really centrally located so it was not that easy to go to the Milan center. We would always prefer a location close to the main public transpo.
2. In terms of planning the train schedules - it would be better next time if the gap between the time - especially for connecting train trips - should be sufficient enough to avoid undue stress. For example - the train schedule from Zermatt to Milan was too tight in terms of the lead time in between each transfer. Specifically the time gap between the train from Brig to Milan was just 7 minutes!! And the platforms were quite far from each other. We had to literally run - with all our heavy luggage - from Platform 4 to Platform 11 (if I remember correctly). That was very stressful & exhausting.
It would be better to plan the train trips in such way that there is enough time in between to get to the next platform without rushing too much, and to give allowance to delays (e.g: if the 1st train is delayed, then it will affect the subsequent trips).

Those are just the 2 things that we thought we would mention to further improve the planning process in the future.

In sum - if you're planning a trip with Kimkim Travel, make sure you request Fabio as your guide - he truly goes above and beyond to make your adventure extraordinary. Grazie mille, Fabio! Ti apprezziamo molto :)!

Local specialist: Fabio Ilardi
Fabio
Fabio Ilardi
Local specialist in Como, Italy | Replied on Oct 25, 2023
Ciao Elaine! Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a fantastic review. It's so wonderful to hear about the incredible journey you had through Switzerland and Italy. Your kind words and appreciation mean a lot to me, and I'm thrilled that I could assist you in planning your unforgettable journey through Switzerland and Italy. Your detailed feedback about the trip and your constructive suggestions are invaluable. We take every comment seriously and will use it to enhance our... Read more

Ciao Elaine!

Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a fantastic review. It's so wonderful to hear about the incredible journey you had through Switzerland and Italy. Your kind words and appreciation mean a lot to me, and I'm thrilled that I could assist you in planning your unforgettable journey through Switzerland and Italy.

Your detailed feedback about the trip and your constructive suggestions are invaluable. We take every comment seriously and will use it to enhance our future planning processes.

Once again, thanks so much and I am looking forward to assisting you on your next travel adventures!

A presto! 🙂🙂

The train system in Italy was very punctual a...
Italy | Sep 16 - Sep 24, 2023

O
Oliver C.
Princeton, NJ | Reviewed on Sep 26, 2023
The train system in Italy was very punctual and efficient. Lake Como, the Belvedere Hotel, and boat ride on Lake Como were amazing. The food tour in Florence with Aldo was mediocre, as was the Frame Hotel in Florence. Fabio, our travel agent, was extremely helpful and responded quickly to any issues we had. Read more

The train system in Italy was very punctual and efficient. Lake Como, the Belvedere Hotel, and boat ride on Lake Como were amazing. The food tour in Florence with Aldo was mediocre, as was the Frame Hotel in Florence. Fabio, our travel agent, was extremely helpful and responded quickly to any issues we had.

Hotel Reviews
Nolinski Venezia
Venice
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Belvedere
Bellagio
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Frame Hotel
Florence
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hassler Roma
Rome
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
2-hour Boat Tour | Cruise Around Lake Como
2-hour Boat Tour | Cruise Around Lake Como
Italy
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Florence Food Tour
Florence Food Tour
Florence
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Private Colosseum & Roman Forum Tour
Private Colosseum & Roman Forum Tour
Rome
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Fabio Ilardi
Fabio
Fabio Ilardi
Local specialist in Como, Italy | Replied on Sep 27, 2023
Ciao Oliver,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback about your recent trip to Italy. I greatly appreciate your insights and am thrilled to hear that you had such positive experiences with the train system, Lake Como, and the interaction with me. I am sorry to hear that the food tour in Florence with Aldo didn't meet your expectations and that you found the Frame Hotel in Florence to be mediocre. Your feedback is extremely important to us, and we'll certainly take this into...
Read more

Ciao Oliver,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback about your recent trip to Italy. I greatly appreciate your insights and am thrilled to hear that you had such positive experiences with the train system, Lake Como, and the interaction with me. I am sorry to hear that the food tour in Florence with Aldo didn't meet your expectations and that you found the Frame Hotel in Florence to be mediocre. Your feedback is extremely important to us, and we'll certainly take this into consideration to improve our offerings. Once again, thank you and I hope to have the opportunity to assist you with your future travel plans. All the best!
Arrivederci,
Fabio

Best Luxury Italy Tour
Italy | Sep 16 - Sep 24, 2023

April
April K.
Vienna, VA | Reviewed on Sep 26, 2023
If you’re shopping and comparing agencies, look no further - KimKim/Fabio will customize an itinerary and accommodate your every need to make your trip memorable. Hotels and private tour options Fabio offered were superior compared to other competitively priced proposals I’ve reviewed. Fabio is superb and you’re in good hands if you’re working with him. I have traveled both on my own and through agencies enough (over four continents and 30+ countries) to opine KimKim provides one of... Read more

If you’re shopping and comparing agencies, look no further - KimKim/Fabio will customize an itinerary and accommodate your every need to make your trip memorable. Hotels and private tour options Fabio offered were superior compared to other competitively priced proposals I’ve reviewed.

Fabio is superb and you’re in good hands if you’re working with him. I have traveled both on my own and through agencies enough (over four continents and 30+ countries) to opine KimKim provides one of the best services and experiences. I would go through KimKim again for my future trips.

I can be meticulous and demanding at times when planning for trips, but Fabio took his time to answer every questions I had, and deliver any requests I made leading up to and throughout my trip to Italy. Fabio responds promptly, works efficiently, and will go out of his way to ensure you are able to relax and enjoy your trip. He is extremely knowledgeable (from Michelin restaurants to best local restaurants, and best choices for your site tours) so he will be able to provide you with insightful recommendations. Fabio is extremely professional and I would highly recommend him. Do yourself a favor and plan your Italy trip with Fabio - you will be glad that you did! :)

Local specialist: Fabio Ilardi
Fabio
Fabio Ilardi
Local specialist in Como, Italy | Replied on Sep 27, 2023

Ciao April, thank you so much for taking the time to write this wonderful review. Your kind words are immensely valuable to us, as we constantly strive to provide the best possible service to our travelers. I am so glad that overall the trip went great, and it was a real pleasure assisting you before and during your trip to beautiful Italy. I look forward to working with you again on your next Italian adventure! I wish you all the best! 🙂
A presto,
Fabio

Italy Summer 2023 Trip
Italy | Aug 19 - Aug 27, 2023

Irini
Irini P.
Poughkeepsie, NY | Reviewed on Aug 29, 2023
First time planning a trip with Kim Kim and it was above all my expectations, very easy and friendly service that eased all my trip planning worries. Fabio was great from the start and very responsive during our trip for any questions. From the start with the airport pickup to the airport dropoff our trip went off without any issues. The three days in Rome were the perfect amount of time to see all the sites and Fabio booked us great skip the line tours.
Our Sorrento portion of the trip was...
Read more

First time planning a trip with Kim Kim and it was above all my expectations, very easy and friendly service that eased all my trip planning worries. Fabio was great from the start and very responsive during our trip for any questions. From the start with the airport pickup to the airport dropoff our trip went off without any issues. The three days in Rome were the perfect amount of time to see all the sites and Fabio booked us great skip the line tours.
Our Sorrento portion of the trip was great! I appreciate Fabio for suggesting Sorrento over Positano for our trip it was the perfect size town for us to stay in and explore in the middle of everything we wanted to see, between Pompeii, Mt Vesuvius, winery tour, and a trip down the Amalfi Coast. All while having a fantastic car service booked for each excursion booked and private tour guides to really explain to us the history.
Two downsides were our hotel in Sorrento Hotel del Corso was not really up to our standards a bit dated, the AC didn't work and the hotel staff wasn't very helpful and our room was on the main street which was very noisy.
The second downside was our Cooking class at Villa Ida was not up to our expectations it wasn't really a cooking class more so we helped them prep the food while they did the cooking behind the scenes. We were expecting to make either homemade pizza or pasta but instead we made cold salads and filled already cooked pastas. Also Charlie at the cooking class was very pushy for us to buy his wine, ceramics, and music boxes and when we declined buying anything the vibe in the room changed. It left a bad taste in our mouth.
Overall the trip was fantastic and I will definitely be recommending Fabio and Kim Kim to anyone planning a trip to Italy and will also be using them in the future.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Scalinata di Spagna
Rome

Great hotel in a fantastic location, staff was friendly and helpful the rooms were on the small side but very clean and tastefully decorated.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Del Corso
Sorrento

This hotel is extremely dated, other then the location I would not recommend this hotel to anyone. The rooms are extremely dated with uncomfortable old beds, our AC did not work and when we let the staff know they told us it was our fault for having it on to high. Our room was facing the main street and was extremely noisy so between the AC not working and the noise levels we didn't sleep very well. The bathroom amenities are minimal with cheap towels, and the breakfast left much to desire. We only ended up having breakfast one day out of the five.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Great location right on corso de italia close to the square.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Rome Food Tour
Rome Food Tour
Rome

Loved this tour so much! Simone was the best tour guide, very personable, knowledgeable and easy to talk too. He took us to great food spots including trying things we never would of tried and giving us a real roman food experience while also explaining to us roman history.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Full-day Private Tour of Pompeii, Mt. Vesuvius and a Local Winery
Full-day Private Tour of Pompeii, Mt. Vesuvius and a Local Winery
Italy

Loved all three aspects of this tour. Only negative is that doing all three activities in the August heat was very exhausting. We especially loved the Cantina winery tour and lunch, such a beautiful winery and unique experience that we got to check off our bucket list. The private tour of Pompeii was great, our tour guide was engaging and made the tour interesting and fun while learning aspects of Pompeii I never heard of before. Toninio our car driver was fantastic the whole day had the car cool and ready for us at all times.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Amalfi Coast Road Trip | Private Tour
Amalfi Coast Road Trip | Private Tour
Italy

The best way to see the Amalfi coast! Tonino our driver was great with explaining the area to us and what to see all while being very comfortable on the beautiful ride through the Amalfi coast highway.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Cooking Experience with Donna Rita
Cooking Experience with Donna Rita
Italy

Villa Ida cooking class was not up to our expectations, we were disappointed that there was not much cooking done on our side instead we actually prepped cold salads, filled already cooked pasta, and put together the layers of eggplant parmigiana. We were hoping that we would learn how to make either homemade pasta or pizza and sauce. The class was just extremely elementary level. In addition Charlie gives you a tour of his "wine cellar" where they make you watch a video on his homemade wine making process and history of the family. The whole time it is a pitch for you to buy his wine. While we were eating our dinner he constantly came our to walk more about the wine and let us know we can ship it to the US. At the end of the dinner they have us go back inside and see his ceramics, and music boxes he makes again trying to sell them to us. We sit down and he hands us a form and goes so how many bottle do you want to buy. When we informed him we wouldn't be buying any bottles he was clearly upset and shutdown ruining the vibe of the evening. We did not appreciate how pushy he was on selling his products. We were expecting a cooking class, not a wine tour and salesman pitch for 3 hours.

Quality of Experience
Food
Not the cooking class we expected and also had food pensioning afterwards.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Guided Tour of the Colosseum & Roman Forum
Guided Tour of the Colosseum & Roman Forum
Rome

Loved this tour, the guides knew what they were doing and talking about. It was a skip-the-line tour, so there was no waiting around. Definitely recommended.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Tour
Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Tour
Rome

Another great guided tour, very informative and well-organized. It was a small group, so it felt personal.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Self-Guided Day in Capri Island | Ferry Tickets Included
Self-Guided Day in Capri Island | Ferry Tickets Included
Italy

We enjoyed this self-guided tour. It was a nice break from the guided tours and allowed us to explore at our own pace. Would highly recommend it for a relaxing day.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Fabio Ilardi
Fabio
Fabio Ilardi
Local specialist in Como, Italy | Replied on Aug 30, 2023
Buongiorno Irini,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts on your recent journey through Italy. I am so glad that overall you had a great experience in this beautiful country. Your feedback is invaluable to us, and I truly appreciate you taking the time to provide such detailed insights into your stay.
I am genuinely sorry to learn that your experience with the hotel in Sorrento and the cooking class did not align with your expectations. Your experiences matter to us...
Read more

Buongiorno Irini,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts on your recent journey through Italy. I am so glad that overall you had a great experience in this beautiful country. Your feedback is invaluable to us, and I truly appreciate you taking the time to provide such detailed insights into your stay.
I am genuinely sorry to learn that your experience with the hotel in Sorrento and the cooking class did not align with your expectations. Your experiences matter to us deeply, and I apologize for any inconvenience you faced. Villa Ida, a cherished partner of ours in Sorrento, usually provides exceptional service, and I regret any shortcomings you encountered. Please know that your comments will be shared with our partner as we continuously strive to improve and enhance our services.
It was a pleasure working with you and I am looking forward to helping you again on your next Italian adventure. Thank you once again! I wish you and John all the best!

A presto,
Fabio

Trip to Italy
Italy | Aug 16 - Aug 25, 2023

Robin
Robin C.
New Britain, CT | Reviewed on Aug 26, 2023
Working with Fabio was very easy. He was always quick to respond and helped us plan a great trip to Italy that we will always remember. The private tours with Daniela and Elenora were particular highlights. They were so friendly and knowledgeable and felt like friends by the time the tour was over. Our tour guide for the Vatican (Guida? whose name I am not sure of ) was also friendly helpful and knowledgeable. Our guide Jessica in Florence was great as well. We will always remember the... Read more

Working with Fabio was very easy. He was always quick to respond and helped us plan a great trip to Italy that we will always remember. The private tours with Daniela and Elenora were particular highlights. They were so friendly and knowledgeable and felt like friends by the time the tour was over. Our tour guide for the Vatican (Guida? whose name I am not sure of ) was also friendly helpful and knowledgeable. Our guide Jessica in Florence was great as well. We will always remember the cooking class at Villa Ida with Roberta and her dad Carlo (Charlie). This was the best time we had on the trip. What a wonderful family!! I can’t say enough about this perfect experience. The boat ride to the blue grotto was also a highlight. We met such nice people on our tour and the young guide on the boat was fantastic. The hotel transferred worked out perfect. Everyone was friendly and always early which we liked because we are early people too! We would 100% use Kim Kim to book another trip in the future!

Hotel Reviews
HT6 Hotel Roma
Rome

This hotel was located within easy access to everything in Rome. It was well equipped and the staff was friendly.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Antiche Mura
Sorrento

We enjoyed that this hotel had a pool. Our room was located in a quiet space behind the main hotel. This made it feel like we were living within the city! It was quiet and well equipped.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Close to everything
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Renaissance
Florence

This hotel was close to everything. Upon arrival with your luggage you need to climb up a set of cement stairs with no access to an elevator until you get there. We are able bodied people but certainly would be a huge issue if you had any trouble navigating stairs and also the fact that you required to get your luggage up on your own. It was over 100 degrees in Florence when we were there and the Air conditioner did nothing to cool the room and was also restricted to a certain temperature. We were told breakfast was included and it was not. We also were told there was a view and there certainly was not. There weren’t even any windows looking out side. The staff however was nice.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Friendly
Cleanliness & Comfort
It was clean but we were. It comfortable due to the fact that the AC was restricted and it was never cool.
Activity Reviews
Best of Florence and David by Michelangelo | Small Group
Best of Florence and David by Michelangelo | Small Group
Florence
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Highlights & Hidden Gems of Rome | Walking Tour
Highlights & Hidden Gems of Rome | Walking Tour
Rome

We learned so many things on this private tour that we would never have learned or explored on our own. The tour guide was fantastic and felt like a friend when the tour was over.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Daniela was friendly and knowledgeable
Transport
N/A
Rome Food Tour
Rome Food Tour
Rome

Elenora was so fun and friendly. We were completely full after this tour! We enjoyed it immensely and she felt like our friend by the end!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Private Tour of Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica
Private Tour of Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica
Rome
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guida was knowledgeable and friendly
Transport
Sorrento Coast, Capri & Blue Grotto Boat Tour | From Sorrento
Sorrento Coast, Capri & Blue Grotto Boat Tour | From Sorrento
Italy

This tour was great fun! We met such nice people on the boat and enjoyed talking with them! The blue Groto was beautiful if a bit of a tourist trap.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The young tour guide was friendly and knowledgeable.
Transport
Cooking Experience with Donna Rita
Cooking Experience with Donna Rita
Italy

This was the highlight of the trip. The family was so friendly and we can’t say enough about our time there!

Quality of Experience
I
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Guided Tour of the Colosseum & Roman Forum
Guided Tour of the Colosseum & Roman Forum
Rome

The tour guide was friendly but we found it difficult to learn and pay attention with so many people in the group

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Fabio Ilardi
Fabio
Fabio Ilardi
Local specialist in Como, Italy | Replied on Aug 27, 2023

Hello Robin,
Thank you so much for taking the time to write a review on your trip to beautiful Italy. It was a pleasure to work with you before and during the trip, and I am so happy that everything went great overall. I am looking forward to working with you and Timothy on your next Italian adventure. I wish you all the best! 🙂
Arrivederci,
Fabio

Family of 5 - Best 10 day trip to Italy!
Italy | Jul 16 - Jul 26, 2023

Eugenia
Eugenia P.
Belleville, IL | Reviewed on Jul 29, 2023
Fabio helped us plan a 10 day trip to Italy in the middle of July for my family of 5. Kids ages 20, 18 & 14.
Every flight pick up, train transportation, driver to/from worked out. No one cancelled or late in arriving and all super friendly and helpful. We stayed in four different hotels along our trip and all hotels had exceptional service and per our kids, the best breakfast options. 😊
We jammed in so many nice excursions from the walking tour in Venice with our guide, Roberta, who...
Read more

Fabio helped us plan a 10 day trip to Italy in the middle of July for my family of 5. Kids ages 20, 18 & 14.
Every flight pick up, train transportation, driver to/from worked out. No one cancelled or late in arriving and all super friendly and helpful. We stayed in four different hotels along our trip and all hotels had exceptional service and per our kids, the best breakfast options. 😊
We jammed in so many nice excursions from the walking tour in Venice with our guide, Roberta, who showed us local piazzas, streets that were empty of tourists, inside the Basilica of San Marco and where to get the best gelato! She was great.
We had exceptional drivers, Stefano and Marcelo, and very happy we chose not to drive ourselves. We were able to sit back and really enjoy the scenery during our drive to/from Tuscany for some wine tasting and visiting Sienna and San Gimignano.
The other long drive to Amalfi Coast had crazy curvy streets with narrow, two way traffic and driving that ourselves would have been horrible!! I highly recommend no one tackle that drive. Our driver, Marcelo, handled it with a breeze and we relaxed during that drive (we all took dramamine to be safe!) The views are truly spectacular and have great pictures from it.
Despite the crazy heat, we tried to make the best of it and the only excursion I could have done without was visiting the Sistine Chapel. It was super super crowded and hot inside which makes for a bad combo. Our entrance time was at 4p mid-week and it was crazy. We thought we could easily go under the ropes to work our way out but security didn’t like that and it almost caused us a fine. We explained how my daughter & I felt sick and had to exit and they let us go. Asking security for permission to exit is the better way to handle.
Lastly, our all day boat excursion in Sorrento to see the coast from the water and visit Island of Capri. We had captain David and co-captain Charlotte.
Waves were high and at first not sure we were able to even go boating but captain suggested a slightly larger boat would help ease the feeling (mind you my daughter and I both have weak stomachs 🤢) and it all worked out. At no extra cost to us, we were upgraded to 40’ boat and it was all ours for the day. We packed a lunch and had paninis and swam at our leisure. The stop to Capri was about 3hours and long enough to really explore and visit the Garden of Augusto at the top of the island via a lift. Kids really enjoyed that.
Overall, there are not enough words to explain the exceptional level of service we received from Fabio and KimKim. Sure it comes at a premium but all worth it to have a great planned out vacation that our family will remember for years.
Our hearts are full of wonderful memories of Italy, so thank you!

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Plaza Sorrento
Sorrento

The roof top pool was a nice treat to be able to cool off and relax for a short time before dinner

Location
Cleanliness & Comfort
CC Palace Hotel
Roma
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Horto Convento Florence
Firenze

Super cute lobby area with bar. Bartender very friendly

Hotel Ca' Nobile Corner
Venice
Local specialist: Fabio Ilardi
Fabio
Fabio Ilardi
Local specialist in Como, Italy | Replied on Jul 30, 2023

Buongiorno Eugenia,
Thank you so much for taking the time to write this wonderful review and for the kind words. The extreme temperatures were a bit of a challenge, but I am so glad that overall you and your family had a great experience in this beautiful country. I really appreciate the detailed feedback on the activities and the services. Thank you! 🙂 I wish you and your family all the best and I am looking forward to assisting you again on the next Italian adventure!
A presto!
Fabio

Fabio was fantastic
Italy | Apr 8 - Apr 23, 2023

Suzanne
Suzanne P.
Overland, MO | Reviewed on Jul 25, 2023
Fabio was fantastic to work with from start to finish. Fabio worked with me to create a very memorable trip. I had a few ideas, but he gave great suggestions from excursions, restaurants, and money saving tips. I ended up taking two weeks spread amongst Rome, Florence, Sorrento and Venice with a few day trips to Capri, Cinque Terre, and Pompeii. That's a lot to coordinate by yourself so Fabio took all of the hassle out. All drivers and guides he booked for us were knowledgeable and friendly... Read more

Fabio was fantastic to work with from start to finish. Fabio worked with me to create a very memorable trip. I had a few ideas, but he gave great suggestions from excursions, restaurants, and money saving tips. I ended up taking two weeks spread amongst Rome, Florence, Sorrento and Venice with a few day trips to Capri, Cinque Terre, and Pompeii. That's a lot to coordinate by yourself so Fabio took all of the hassle out. All drivers and guides he booked for us were knowledgeable and friendly as well.

During the trip, Fabio was quick to respond to some issues that arose with our trains and Capri ferry, which was a huge help since we don't speak Italian. There was a massive train derailment outside of Florence, which would have made us lose a day of our trip - Fabio found a driver so we could keep moving within 30 minutes.

All in all, when you visit Italy you'll really appreciate Fabio as your agent.

Local specialist: Fabio Ilardi
Fabio
Fabio Ilardi
Local specialist in Como, Italy | Replied on Jul 30, 2023

Buongiorno Suzanne,
Thank you so much for taking the time to write this beautiful review. It was a great pleasure to work with you on this trip and I am so happy that overall you had a great experience. I am looking forward to assisting you on the Italian adventure, and I wish you and Matthew all the best! 🙂
Arrivederci,
Fabio

We worked closely with Fabio who over-deliver...
Italy | Jul 3 - Jul 15, 2023

Richard
Richard M.
Salisbury, MD | Reviewed on Jul 18, 2023

We worked closely with Fabio who over-delivered. He was prompt and clear in his responses and he curated an incredible itinerary for us in Venice and the Dolomites. Moreover, when we hit a foreseeable snag — a guide running delayed or a country-wide airport strike — Fabio provided exceptional service and insights by cell phone, seemingly 24/7.

Local specialist: Fabio Ilardi
Fabio
Fabio Ilardi
Local specialist in Como, Italy | Replied on Jul 19, 2023

Hi Richard,
Thank you so much for taking the time to write this positive review on your recent trip and for the kind words. It was a pleasure coordinating with you and I am so glad that overall you had a great experience in beautiful Italy! I am looking forward to helping you with your next Italian adventure. All the best, and a presto! 🙂
Fabio

Italian graduation trip
Italy | Jun 30 - Jul 9, 2023

L
Laurie P.
South Salt Lake, UT | Reviewed on Jul 10, 2023
Fabio put together a perfect trip for me, my husband and our grandson. It was just as we requested. We were very busy and saw all the fun and important sights. Everything went like clockwork.
All of our drivers were on time and very good. Some were friendlier than others but they all knew how to drive safely through the crazy, crazy Italian traffic. Our best drivers were Bruno who took us to Pompeii and then arranged a delicious pasta lunch at Cuomo’s in Gragnano and Stefano who took...
Read more

Fabio put together a perfect trip for me, my husband and our grandson. It was just as we requested. We were very busy and saw all the fun and important sights. Everything went like clockwork.
All of our drivers were on time and very good. Some were friendlier than others but they all knew how to drive safely through the crazy, crazy Italian traffic. Our best drivers were Bruno who took us to Pompeii and then arranged a delicious pasta lunch at Cuomo’s in Gragnano and Stefano who took us to Volterra, and Gimgnano plus a lunch at an unique winery in a beautiful setting.
The Hotel Kraft in Florence with the swimming pool, beautiful rooftop terrace with views of Florence and superior breakfasts was the best. The CC Palace in Rome was very nice as well. The Hotel Mignon in Sorrento was charming inside but lacking in attention to detail on the terrace and breakfasts.
We had such a great time which was due in part to arrangements and timing for tickets, tour guides and drivers.

Fabio was always available for any questions or concerns and responded quickly. I really enjoyed working with him.

Hotel Reviews
Kraft Hotel Florence
Florence

Clean comfortable rooms nicely decorated. Fantastic views from the rooftop terrace with a swimming pool and five-star breakfast and service. Centrally located and quiet.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Mignon
Sorrento

Centrally located but on a very noisy street. The room was bright and cheerful and very clean. The breakfast was ordinary and adequate. The deck outside the bedroom was dirty and neglected. Staff was very helpful.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
CC Palace Hotel
Roma

Hotel was mostly located, the staff was very helpful and friendly, and the hotel and the rooms have been recently decorated and are very nice and comfortable and clean. Breakfast was good and the breakfast room was pleasant.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Tuscany Day Trip to Siena & San Gimignano  | Winery Included
Tuscany Day Trip to Siena & San Gimignano | Winery Included
Florence

Hilltop towns of Volterra and San Gimignano should now be missed.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Tickets to Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel with Escorted Entrance
Tickets to Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel with Escorted Entrance
Rome
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Florence Art Tour: Uffizi & Accademia
Florence Art Tour: Uffizi & Accademia
Florence
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Not applicable. We walked.
St. Peter’s Basilica Tour with Dome Climb & Papal Crypts
St. Peter’s Basilica Tour with Dome Climb & Papal Crypts
Rome

The Vatican and the Vatican museums are so unique and beautiful that they should not be missed.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Guided Tour of the Colosseum & Roman Forum
Guided Tour of the Colosseum & Roman Forum
Rome
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Not applicable. We walked
Self-Guided Day in Capri Island | Ferry Tickets Included
Self-Guided Day in Capri Island | Ferry Tickets Included
Italy

The blue grotto and Anacapri were fun and worth doing. The crowds were awful which made the day more difficult.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Discover Pompeii Archaeological Park
Discover Pompeii Archaeological Park
Sorrento

Pompeii is fascinating.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Fabio Ilardi
Fabio
Fabio Ilardi
Local specialist in Como, Italy | Replied on Jul 10, 2023

Buongiorno Laurie,
Thank you so much for taking the time to write a review and for sharing your thoughts on the services received. I am so happy that overall you and your family had a great trip through beautiful Italy, and it was a great pleasure helping you craft this itinerary as well as assisting you during your travels. I am looking forward to helping you again on your next Italian adventure! 🙂 I wish you and your family all the best!
Arrivederci,
Fabio

We had the most wonderful time in Italy!
Italy | May 26 - Jun 7, 2023

Alissa
Alissa P.
Newport News, VA | Reviewed on Jun 30, 2023
We had the most wonderful time in Italy! We owe a huge thank you to our trip planner, problem fixer and behind the scenes guide Fabio. He took all the stressful pieces of our trip, such a booking trains, scheduling private transfers, finding wonderful tours, etc and planned it all out for us meticulously. While in Italy, he kept in contact with us checking in, asking for feedback, and was always available anytime of the day to troubleshoot. Fabio also found wonderful food and dinner... Read more

We had the most wonderful time in Italy! We owe a huge thank you to our trip planner, problem fixer and behind the scenes guide Fabio. He took all the stressful pieces of our trip, such a booking trains, scheduling private transfers, finding wonderful tours, etc and planned it all out for us meticulously. While in Italy, he kept in contact with us checking in, asking for feedback, and was always available anytime of the day to troubleshoot. Fabio also found wonderful food and dinner reservations for us, both before the trip and during. If we were unable to communicate with a restaurant or running behind due to events like the Tour de Italy bike race, he communicated with tour guides and helped cancel or change restaurant reservations. While in Rome, I suffered from sun poisoning, he was quick to find a physician that would come to me for assistance and when there was a language barrier with the agency, he immediately called and helped translate. During the trip, he took feedback from us and when he got to know our group more, he made suggestions to our future drivers and tour hosts to accommodate our preferences, such a wine tastings and food suggestions. Lastly, my husband and I had asked Fabio last minute before leaving for Italy, if he might coordinate a photographer for some belated wedding pictures, as we did not have a our wedding due to Covid-19. Fabio was able to find an amazing photographer for us last minute and made the whole day very special for us in and around Lake Como. We had a trip of a lifetime in Italy, our travels were seamless in and between the different cities and this was all due to and thanks to Fabio. I would hands down use him again if we were to go back and would also highly recommend him to anyone else going to Italy anytime soon!

Local specialist: Fabio Ilardi
Fabio
Fabio Ilardi
Local specialist in Como, Italy | Replied on Jul 05, 2023

Hi Alissa,
Thank you so much for taking the time to write a review about your recent trip to Italy. I am so happy that overall it went great and it was a real pleasure to meet you all! I am looking forward to assisting you again in the future and wish you all the best! 🙂
A presto,
Fabio

Fabio was amazing! He planned the perfect ann...
Italy | Jun 16 - Jun 24, 2023

J
Jon C.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Jun 27, 2023
Fabio was amazing! He planned the perfect anniversary trip for us and he always responded immediately if we had questions. Everything he scheduled was amazing and seamless. All of the drivers, hotels and tour guides were top notch and we’re waiting for us on the times he scheduled on our itinerary. It was such an amazing experience that we will be using KimKim again for international travel and we highly recommend Fabio for organizing your trip to Italy!! Read more

Fabio was amazing! He planned the perfect anniversary trip for us and he always responded immediately if we had questions. Everything he scheduled was amazing and seamless. All of the drivers, hotels and tour guides were top notch and we’re waiting for us on the times he scheduled on our itinerary. It was such an amazing experience that we will be using KimKim again for international travel and we highly recommend Fabio for organizing your trip to Italy!!

Hotel Reviews
Palazzo Alabardieri
Naples

Room was small but the location was perfect. Probably one of the best locations in Naples. Staff was very friendly and accommodating. Would definitely stay here again.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
La Badia
Sorrento

Some of the best views of the gulf of Naples and Sorrento. Only a short 20 minute scenic walk to downtown. The staff was very incredibly friendly and helpful. The rooms could be updated but were spacious nonetheless. Breakfast every morning on the terrace overlooking the Mediterranean will be in my mind forever.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
THE ONE Boutique Hotel & SPA Rome
Rome

The location and quality of this hotel was incredible. Very updated and modern and just minutes away from some of the most popular attractions in Rome. However some of the staff were rude especially at breakfast in the morning.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
The staff were very rude and we observed overt racism towards an Indian family while eating breakfast. The manager in charge of the restaurant was incredibly inappropriate and should not interact with customers.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Sorrento Coast, Capri & Blue Grotto Boat Tour | From Sorrento
Sorrento Coast, Capri & Blue Grotto Boat Tour | From Sorrento
Italy

Great experience but could have done better planning to ensure we could get into the Blue Grotto as advertised. Everything else was great and highly recommend!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full-day Private Tour of Pompeii, Mt. Vesuvius and a Local Winery
Full-day Private Tour of Pompeii, Mt. Vesuvius and a Local Winery
Italy

This entire experience was awesome. Pompeii was one of the most incredible things I’ve ever seen. The winery was beautiful and the food was delicious. I loved getting to the top of mount vesuvius, but would recommend moving that part to before the winery as it was tough to climb after drinking a lot of wine and eating a lot of delicious food. However the entire experience was top notch.

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

The tour guide was great and glad we did this instead of going by ourselves. It was a bit unorganized when we arrived and the employees didn’t give clear directions on where we needed to go or do. The rest of the experience was amazing and recommend seeing when you’re in Rome!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Fabio Ilardi
Fabio
Fabio Ilardi
Local specialist in Como, Italy | Replied on Jun 28, 2023

Hi Jon, thank you so much for taking the time to write this beautiful review and for sharing your thoughts on each activity and hotel. It was a pleasure helping you and Sarah craft a memorable experience through amazing Italy, and I am looking forward to assisting you again for your next adventure! 🙂 Wish you all the best!
Arrivederci,
Fabio

Once in a Lifetime Experience
Italy | May 26 - Jun 7, 2023

A
Anthony P.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on Jun 26, 2023
This trip was absolutely amazing and checked off all the boxes we wanted! First off, Fabio can’t be recommended enough. He was professional, made traveling easy (even for first timers) and created an overall once in a lifetime experience. We really felt like we got to experience a deep dive into all the food and culture Italy has to offer. From the history in Rome to the vineyards in Tuscany to the waters of Venice, Fabio’s recommendations never disappointed! The top of the list were... Read more

This trip was absolutely amazing and checked off all the boxes we wanted! First off, Fabio can’t be recommended enough. He was professional, made traveling easy (even for first timers) and created an overall once in a lifetime experience. We really felt like we got to experience a deep dive into all the food and culture Italy has to offer. From the history in Rome to the vineyards in Tuscany to the waters of Venice, Fabio’s recommendations never disappointed! The top of the list were definitely the Vespa tour through the Tuscany hills, the cooking tour, the Vatican tour (would highly recommend as early as possible) and of course our wedding photos in beautiful Lake Como! If we had any hiccups throughout the trip he would graciously help and have solutions for us in no time. I’d also highly recommend food tours to start off each city, we learned so much about each area through the food and got a lot of inside information about where to go and what to see during our stay there. Again we can not thank you enough for our wonderful trip and highly encourage anyone to request Fabio from ItalyBespokeTours to create an experience you’ll never forget!

Activity Reviews
Tuscany Sunset Vespa Tour with Wine Tasting
Tuscany Sunset Vespa Tour with Wine Tasting
Italy
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Florence Cooking Class and Lunch at a Farmhouse in Tuscany with Local Market Tour
Florence Cooking Class and Lunch at a Farmhouse in Tuscany with Local Market Tour
Florence
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Sunset Boat Trip along the Cinque Terre with Aperitif
Sunset Boat Trip along the Cinque Terre with Aperitif
Italy
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Fabio Ilardi
Fabio
Fabio Ilardi
Local specialist in Como, Italy | Replied on Jun 28, 2023

Ciao Anthony! Thank you so much for taking the time to write this amazing review and for the kind words. I am so happy that you and the group had a memorable experience overall in this beautiful country. It was great meeting you all in Como and assisting you throughout the trip. I am looking forward to assisting you on your next Italian adventure!! Arrivederci e a presto! 🙂
Fabio

Fabio did an outstanding job with our Italy trip
Italy | Jun 14 - Jun 25, 2023

LeeAnn
LeeAnn P.
Waukesha, WI | Reviewed on Jun 26, 2023
Fabio did an outstanding job with helping us with both with a 4nt land tour as well as day tours during our cruise in Italy ports of call. He was a great communicator, listened to what our needs and wants were and put together an itinerary that was perfect for us. He was always available when I needed him while we were in Italy and he always had constant communications with our drivers and their locations. I was SO impressed and will be using Fabio again!! Read more

Fabio did an outstanding job with helping us with both with a 4nt land tour as well as day tours during our cruise in Italy ports of call. He was a great communicator, listened to what our needs and wants were and put together an itinerary that was perfect for us. He was always available when I needed him while we were in Italy and he always had constant communications with our drivers and their locations. I was SO impressed and will be using Fabio again!!

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Nazionale Apartments
Rome

BEAUTIFUL hotel with an amazing breakfast included in a perfect location.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Kraft Hotel Florence
Florence

Beautiful hotel, the rooftop pool was excellent and the breakfast was very good.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Fabio Ilardi
Fabio
Fabio Ilardi
Local specialist in Como, Italy | Replied on Jun 28, 2023

Hi LeeAnn! Thank you very much for taking the time to write this great review. I am so happy that everything went as expected and beyond. It was a pleasure and easy communicating with you throughout the process of planning and while traveling. I am looking forward to assisting you and your family again on your next Italian adventure. All the best! 🙂
A presto!
Fabio

Fabio was the ultimate travel planner and host.
Italy | May 26 - Jun 7, 2023

russalle
russalle a.
Wilkinsburg, PA | Reviewed on Jun 20, 2023
Fabio was the ultimate travel planner and host. I have traveled to different countries for 15 plus years with travel specialists and Fabio is by far the best. He not only helped one of my sister’s find care and called a doctor for her, he also helped with my other sister’s lost luggage and getting her a free transport to and from to get her bag and contacted the airport directly to make sure it was there for her. Fabio was able to coordinate 5 family members all with different flights and... Read more

Fabio was the ultimate travel planner and host. I have traveled to different countries for 15 plus years with travel specialists and Fabio is by far the best. He not only helped one of my sister’s find care and called a doctor for her, he also helped with my other sister’s lost luggage and getting her a free transport to and from to get her bag and contacted the airport directly to make sure it was there for her.

Fabio was able to coordinate 5 family members all with different flights and arrival/departure times. We didn’t have a single mishap with our crazy travel schedules because he was so organized and on top of our dates.

He called each of our tour operators the day of to explain our family style and to coordinate with them to make sure we had the best experience. Not only did we love him, but each tour operator has formed a trusting relationship with him and speaks so highly of him. He only books tours/excursions with the best companies. That goes along way, especially when stopping in 5 cities like we did and having so much knowledge of each city, the different things to do there and who to book through.

He met us in Lake Como and went so far as to buy us a few beverages and to host us.

My older sister asked for last minute photographs of her and her recent husband and Fabio came through with the best photographer.

A few of my flights were canceled and I had to switch to a different city to fly out and he was able to cancel those train/excursion tickets and transition to a new city with the same money paid.

I work in sales and his attention to detail and ability to understand the family dynamic was amazing. He is so good at what he does and his understanding of the different tour operators in Italy helped us have the best time.

I wish I could plan all my trips with him across the world. I don’t think I will ever get as wonderful of a travel specialist as him. He really is fantastic.

Activity Reviews
Trastevere Local Food Tour
Trastevere Local Food Tour
Rome

We loved Dimitri. Amazing host and so knowledge of the city and food.

Quality of Experience
No
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Highlights & Hidden Gems of Rome | Walking Tour
Highlights & Hidden Gems of Rome | Walking Tour
Rome

Absolutely fantastic and our guide was a pleasure to meet.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Tuscany Sunset Vespa Tour with Wine Tasting
Tuscany Sunset Vespa Tour with Wine Tasting
Italy

This was our most favorite activity of the trip. Such a cool experience and breathtaking views of the countryside.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Tuscany Day Trip to Siena & San Gimignano  | Winery Included
Tuscany Day Trip to Siena & San Gimignano | Winery Included
Florence

Our driver was amazing. He took such great care of us and even stopped by the airport, out of his way with no extra charge, to grab my sister’s bag that was delayed a few days.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Florence Cooking Class and Lunch at a Farmhouse in Tuscany with Local Market Tour
Florence Cooking Class and Lunch at a Farmhouse in Tuscany with Local Market Tour
Florence

Carmela is amazing. She made this cooking class so much fun. We couldn’t stop laughing throughout the experience.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sunset Boat Trip along the Cinque Terre with Aperitif
Sunset Boat Trip along the Cinque Terre with Aperitif
Italy

Such an amazing way to see the different cities. Our boat operator was fantastic and added so many different touches with his knowledge of the area. We had a blast.

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

Giada was a pleasure to meet. Fun, witty and she knows the local spots for food. It was really nice to met someone from the city and to ask her questions about Venice throughout her life there. We loved her.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
[TRANSPORT] Venice Airport Private Water Taxi Transfer
Venice

The taxi service was very accommodating. I asked to leave earlier and they helped me make that happen without any extra fees.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Tour
Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Tour
Rome

Our guide was very knowledgeable and really helped us with more knowledge and background info.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Fabio Ilardi
Fabio
Fabio Ilardi
Local specialist in Como, Italy | Replied on Jun 21, 2023

Buongiorno Russalle!
Thank you so much for taking the time to write this wonderful review!! It was great and easy communicating with you before and during your stay in beautiful Italy. I am so, so happy that you and the group had lots of fun, and I am looking forward to meeting you again in the future, perhaps in some other lovely area across this amazing country. Wish you all the best!! 🙂🙂
A presto,
Fabio

I was skeptical of the value of using KimKim ...
Italy | May 26 - Jun 7, 2023

N
Nick K.
Cranberry Township, PA | Reviewed on Jun 20, 2023
I was skeptical of the value of using KimKim to book a recent trip to Italy, but I am taking the time to write this review because my experience was overwhelmingly positive. Our guide, Fabio, did an amazing job helping us plan and execute our trip. There were five people on my trip, and four unique schedules. I appreciated that Fabio had no issue with us booking our own lodging. It provided nice flexibility. Fabio seamlessly coordinated our various schedules (e.g., people flew in and... Read more

I was skeptical of the value of using KimKim to book a recent trip to Italy, but I am taking the time to write this review because my experience was overwhelmingly positive.

Our guide, Fabio, did an amazing job helping us plan and execute our trip. There were five people on my trip, and four unique schedules. I appreciated that Fabio had no issue with us booking our own lodging. It provided nice flexibility. Fabio seamlessly coordinated our various schedules (e.g., people flew in and out on different days, some people visited five cities, some visited three or four, etc.), and the travel between various cities was worry-free. Every driver was professional, punctual, and extremely courteous.

Similarly, the activities recommended and planned by Fabio were varied and enjoyable. I didn’t feel that any of the tours or excursions were overly touristy, and most of the groups were comfortably small. Additionally, I felt that Fabio did an excellent job scheduling toward our specific interests rather than recommending cookie-cutter options. While some events and activities were particularly memorable, all of the activities were enjoyable.

Finally, I’d be remiss not to specifically mention the most outstanding part of Fabio’s service: his real-time availability and problem-solving abilities during our trip. We experienced a variety of minor issues that would have been much bigger headaches without Fabio. For example, my wife’s luggage was lost upon our arrival in Florence and she had an extremely difficult time arranging for its pickup. One call from Fabio remedied the situation. Similarly, another member of my group experienced sun poisoning and Fabio was able to obtain prescription medication for her within a day. We also found that Fabio was an excellent resource for finding/making/changing restaurant reservations and making real-time changes to our daily schedule. It is difficult to overstate the value of having someone that speaks the relevant language and knows the region readily available to troubleshoot issues both big and small. It brought a peace of mind that is hard to properly articulate.

The bottomline is I never thought I’d use, much less recommend, a service like KimKim, but if its agents are half as good as Fabio I will be using it for all future trips abroad.

Local specialist: Fabio Ilardi
Fabio
Fabio Ilardi
Local specialist in Como, Italy | Replied on Jun 21, 2023

Ciao Nick!
Thank you so much for taking the time to write this amazing review. I am so glad that you and the group enjoyed my beautiful country and appreciated our services. It was a real pleasure meeting you all in person in Como, and I am really looking forward to meeting/assisting you again in the future! Wish you all the best! 🙂🙂
Arrivederci,
Fabio

Youngblood Italy Trip
Italy | May 25 - Jun 3, 2023

K
Kelly Y.
Mexico | Reviewed on Jun 11, 2023
All four locations we stayed at were very nice. The properties in Lake Garda and Verona were excellent. We probably could have skipped the Valtelina wine tour as it was not very impressive and the wine was not worth the drive. That's my only criticism of the entire trip. Read more

All four locations we stayed at were very nice. The properties in Lake Garda and Verona were excellent. We probably could have skipped the Valtelina wine tour as it was not very impressive and the wine was not worth the drive. That's my only criticism of the entire trip.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Villa Flori
Como

Beautiful view and clean hotel. It was easy enough to get a taxi into town but returning was a challenge.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Villa Cortine Palace Hotel
Sirmione

Beautiful hotel and stunning grounds to walk around.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Accademia
Verona

Great location and friendly staff.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Very close to downtown so everything was in walking distance.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Really large room and very comfortable.
Ca' di Dio Hotel
venezia

Nice hotel but a little bit of a walk to shopping and restaurants.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Very nice staff and very helpful.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean and modern hotel
Activity Reviews
Valtellina Wine Tour | Private
Valtellina Wine Tour | Private
Lake Como

This part of the trip was a little disappointing. Long drive and the wine and scenery was not impressive.

Full-Day Boat Experience - Explore Lake Como
Full-Day Boat Experience - Explore Lake Como
Italy

One of the highlights of the trip. Boat driver was very nice and took good care of us.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Valpolicella Wine Tour from Sirmione
Valpolicella Wine Tour from Sirmione
Italy

Beautiful location and great wine.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Venice in a Day Tour
Private Venice in a Day Tour
Venice
Local specialist: Fabio Ilardi
Fabio
Fabio Ilardi
Local specialist in Como, Italy | Replied on Jun 14, 2023

Buongiorno Kelly,
Thank you very much for taking the time to write this review and for sharing your thoughts on the tours, hotels, and overall experience. It was a pleasure assisting you before and during the trip, and I am looking forward to helping you and Cathy again in the future craft a memorable travel experience! 🙂
Arrivederci,
Fabio