Francesca Garofolin
Francesca, a Peruvian native with an innate love for travel and food, brings a wealth of experience from exploring her home country, as well as other parts of South America and the world. With her guidance, you'll discover the very best that Peru, Argentina, and Bolivia have to offer, embracing their cultures and culinary delights.
What places and activities do you specialize in?
"I specialize in crafting immersive experiences across Peru, Argentina, and Bolivia. I have a deep connection to these regions, as I've explored their diverse landscapes and cultures extensively. Having been born and raised in Lima, Peru, my passion for uncovering hidden gems and authentic encounters led me to venture on weekend getaways, coastal road trips, and jungle expeditions. Over the years, I've delved into the heart of Cusco, curating journeys that provide travelers with genuine local experiences. As a devoted food enthusiast, I'm equipped with a restaurant recommendations in Peru, Argentina, and Bolivia, ensuring your culinary adventures are exceptional as well. I am enthusiastic about sharing my insights and expertise, guiding you towards the most incredible and meaningful experiences these remarkable countries have to offer."
How did you get involved in travel?
"My love for traveling started at a very young age. My parents would take me on road trips ever since I was a baby. As a child, I have some of my very best memories of traveling with my parents and exploring our beautiful country. And now, I love traveling and getting to explore new places on own. I am constantly looking for my next adventure. Any new destination I explore, I love connecting with the locals, trying their local food, and immersing myself with the culture."
Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.
"My first journey to Cusco as an adult remains one of my most cherished travel experiences. During my first year of college, my friends and I embarked on a brief 3-day get-away to Cusco, which unexpectedly extended to an unforgettable 10-day adventure. After rearranging our travel plans, we ventured into the Sacred Valley, where we were captivated by its enchanting beauty. The connection we had with the surrounding valley was extraordinary, and we basked in its rejuvenating energy. Since that transformative trip, Cusco has etched itself as my ultimate refuge—a place where I detach from the chaotic world and rediscover my inner self."
Francesca's favorite itineraries and travel advice
Top itineraries and travel advice
A two-week visit to Peru allows travelers to comfortably combine Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley with one of the country's more remote regions. Enjoy the culture and history...
From the remote Machu Picchu ruins to the lush Amazon rainforest, this seven-day itinerary brings you to Peru's iconic landscapes. Fly to metropolitan Lima, then connect with...
In this nature-focused adventure, you get the best of both Chilean and Argentine Patagonia. First, travel to far south to Punta Arenas for a visit to an island inhabited by...
Recent trip reviews for Francesca
We had constant support from both our Kim Kim...
Argentina
|
Dec 21 - Jan 3, 2024
Kimkim did a fantastic job arranging our trip...
Argentina
|
Sep 29 - Oct 18, 2023
- Patricio, our BA bike guide, introduced us to mate and alfajores!!
- Roxanne in... Read more
Hey Dino,
Thank you so much for your kind words! It was an absolute pleasure putting together your adventure through Argentina. Hearing about your experiences with the guides and places you visited brings such joy—it sounds like you had an incredible journey.
Kristy and I are grateful for the opportunity to assist you throughout your trip. If you ever decide to explore more destinations, don't hesitate to reach out. Recommending KimKim and myself is such a compliment :)
Safe travels!
Francesca did a great job getting things in p...
Peru
|
Sep 6 - Sep 22, 2023
Hey Roger,
Thank you for choosing us to organize this trip for you! We are so happy to hear about your positive experience in Peru. We are delighted that you found our guides knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful. We look forward to the opportunity of assisting you with future adventures :)
Safe travels!
Peru was AWESOME - Kimkim made it even better
Peru
|
Sep 9 - Sep 22, 2023
They checked in regularly, and when things went sideways (as they can when traveling, or in our case when an airplane loses an engine shortly after takeoff resulting in [thank goodness only] missed connections) they jumped in to ensure we were looked after.
We also can not say enough good things about our guide and host through the Sacred... Read more
Hey Jeff!
Thank you so much for sharing your fantastic experience with us! It's wonderful to know that our team ensured a seamless and enjoyable journey for you, even when unexpected challenges arose. We truly appreciate your kind words about Valerio and Jean Carlos. Your warm regards will be passed along! We can't wait to assist you with your next adventure, and we look forward to creating more unforgettable travel experiences for you.
Safe travels!
Francesca planned a fantastic honeymoon
Argentina
|
Aug 18 - Aug 26, 2023
We traveled to Buenos Aries and stayed at a Krista boutique hotel. We explored the city with a private tour guide (Jessica) who was amazing and very knowledgeable about the history of Buenos Aries. While we were there we also saw an excellent Tango show.
From there we traveled to Bariloche and stayed at an older hotel Tirol with perfect views, great walking distance to... Read more
Hey Madeleine,
Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're thrilled that you enjoyed your trip to Argentina. Planning your honeymoon and be part of this special trip was such a pleasure for us. We look forward to organizing more incredible trips for you in the future!
Safe travels :)
Excellent trip to Argentina!
Argentina
|
Aug 6 - Aug 19, 2023
Excellent trip to Argentina! Fran with KimKim was excellent in planning our itinerary and made changes when needed due to changing conditions in the country. I will definitely use KimKim again!
I'm happy to hear that you had an excellent trip to Argentina and that you appreciated the flexibility of our itinerary planning. It was a pleasure assisting you and making sure your travel experience was smooth despite changing conditions. I'm thrilled to know that you're considering using KimKim again in the future. Feel free to reach out whenever you're ready for your next adventure—I'll be here to help create another memorable journey for you!
Fran was absolutely incredible when it came t...
Bolivia
|
Aug 9 - Aug 15, 2023
Thank you Rebecca for visiting us in Bolivia! We are so happy to know your time in Bolivia was as special as you were planning. It was our pleasure to assist you and getting this trip plan for you. We hope to welcome you back for another adventure soon.
Safe travels!
Fantastic experience - Argentina
Argentina
|
Jun 5 - Jun 16, 2023
We had a fantastic experience in Argentina - such an incredible country with such warm people and incredible landscapes!
A huge thank you to Kristy and Francesca who planned our trip tailored to our interests and set us up with very informative local guides at each place (we did Bariloche, Mendoza, Salta & Iguazu). They were available on text for any change in schedules, other issues and we always felt we were in good hands.
Would highly recommend using the KimKim team for trips to South America!
Thank you Kartik for sharing your review of your trip to Argentina! We are very happy to hear that you had an amazing experience exploring this incredible country. It's our pleasure to assist travelers in discovering the beauty and uniqueness of South America. We hope to welcome you back for another adventure soon.
Safe travels!
Highly recommend!
Argentina
|
Mar 23 - Apr 2, 2023
Hey Ellie,
It was a pleasure to help you organize your trip to Argentina!! I'm so happy everything went smoothly during your stay! I'll share your review with all our local team, I'm sure they will be very happy :)
Hope to see you back in South America soon!
Best,
Fran
Francesca and Kimkim - highly recommend!
Peru
|
Dec 18 - Dec 25, 2022
Hi Noam and Rachael,
Thank you so much for choosing to travel with us, it was my pleasure to help you navigate the situation in Peru. I hope to be able to help you in the future and see you back in Peru to finish your Machu Picchu trip!