Julia Plaschke

Our time in Norway was so amazing that we’re both suffering from post-vacation sadness. We miss Norway! Family and friends always ask us after a trip, “what was your favorite part?” Every part of Norway was a highlight. As I’m writing this I’m drinking a cup of Friele. When we go back we will be using KimKim again. Julia was excellent in her recommendations as they matched perfectly what we wanted to see and experience. Everything on our itinerary I would consider a “must do” for anyone planning a visit. The gondolas, RIB tours, driving routes, hikes, viewpoints…everything including the ferry system was incredible. We experienced a roundabout inside a tunnel! I would be remiss not to mention the people. Norwegians all speak fluent English, are friendly and very helpful.

Hotel Reviews

Loenfjord hotel

Loen

Good location for a one night stay. Clean and along a river. If I had to stay again I would skip the restaurant. We found a few pizza places a short drive away.

Authenticity & Character

80’s decor. Definitely a bus tour stop.

Location

En route to our next stop. Along a river.

Staff

Waitress and chef could use additional training.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Comfy beds, two big windows we could open, TV.

Scandic Torget

Bergen

Great character, location and amenities. A minute walk from the harbor and city center.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Right in the heart of Bergen.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Ingrids Apartments

Eidfjord

I loved this spot.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

We didn’t have much interaction which is not always a bad thing.

Cleanliness & Comfort

They were undergoing needed renovations.

Dragsvik Fjordhotell

Balestrand

Character, location, views, clean and great restaurant.

Authenticity & Character

Amazing

Location

Right off the ferry on a fjord with fjord views.

Staff

Welcoming

Cleanliness & Comfort

I would almost ding one star for no TV, but the views are the award winning show.

Rosvang Gaard

Afarnes, Norway

Albert and Otto felt like friends…great conversation and incredible meals.

Authenticity & Character

Converted farmhouse with great history.

Location

Breathtaking views.

Staff

Special place full of life from special people.

Cleanliness & Comfort

They have impeccable taste in decor and finishes. Well done!

Grand Hotel Bellevue

ÅNDALSNES

Speechless. Our room was a corner with a huge balcony…the best corner. I wished we would have stayed three nights instead of one!

Authenticity & Character

This Grand Hotel was absolutely grand.

Location

We could see the town center, residential areas. Short walk to an amazing, unforgettable gondola with fjiord views. Do not miss the gondola.

Staff

Good restaurant.

Cleanliness & Comfort

We had dual aspect windows, a coffee bar and huge balcony. With their large smart TV we could enjoy some comfort shows at night.

Hotel Britannia

Trondheim

High end city hotel in the heart of Trondheim with hotel parking. Pro tip: park at the entrance on the street and they will park your car and secure it during your stay.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Heart of the city

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The room had a smart controller.

Svinøya Rorbuer

Svolvær

We had our own fisherman cabin!

Authenticity & Character

Eat at the restaurant and use the floating sauna.

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Had our own kitchen where I enjoyed coffee each morning while walking along the adjacent water inlet

Senja Fjordhotell

Stonglandseidet

One of my favorite stays and another corner room with dual aspect windows both with outstanding views!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Day trip to Devil’s Jaw viewpoint is a must.

Staff

Might be a cultural thing, but staff might ask what our plans are and make recommendations on things to do/see during your stay.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Amazing building and rooms that were impeccably furnished. Again, one of my favorite stays.

Thon Hotel Bergen Airport

Bergen

Location close to the airport.

Authenticity & Character

Functional for our return home.

Location

Close to airport, staff got us a taxi no problem.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Not the cleanest and the decor could use an update.

Activity Reviews

Finnafjord Safari by RIB

Balestrand

Amazing tour with a great tour guide. This is a must do experience.

Quality of Experience

Safe and fun. Our guide was very knowledgeable and even pointed out his farm!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Perfect for first timer introduction to RIB.

Transport

Lofoten Floating Sauna Experience

Svolvær

Clean, huge and private (for our visit anyway).

Quality of Experience

Therapeutic after a long drive.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Not applicable

Transport

Not applicable

Trollfjord and The White-Tailed Sea Eagles

Svolvær

Another excellent guide. We saw tens of eagles in natural habitat and witnessed them feeding from the fish the guide baited them with.

Quality of Experience

Not just eagles, but fjord tour as well. Excellent guide.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Top notch captain!

Transport

Guided Whale Watching RIB-Tour Andenes

Norway

We saw schools of pilot whales! Erin got sea sick as this was more open sea. They didn’t seem as organized as the first two RIB tour companies. I got the impression the guide and the boat captain might have been new, but their passion for what they were doing was clear. They will be great.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Lovely trip. Amazing hotels, travel connections, route.etc. If I were to do the trip over I would change the following : book the funicular rather than the cable car in Bergen, subtract the third day from Bergen and it to Oslo. Minor adjustments to a wonderful experience !

Hotel Reviews

Clarion Collection Hotel Havnekontoret

Bergen

Loved the included meals!!

Authenticity & Character

Location

So near to ferries

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Kviknes Hotel

Balestrand

View superb!! So close to ferry.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Fretheim Hotel

Flåm

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Karl Johan Hotel

Oslo

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Ægir Viking Meal Experience

Flåm

Ordered smaller meals off of menu

Quality of Experience

Cute place

Cider Tasting with snacks

Balestrand

Loved everything about the experience

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Mostraumen Fjord Cruise

Bergen

Lovely outing. Especially enjoyed the bits of Grieg background music

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Ulriken Cable Car

Bergen

Location of venue far from hotel and we got lost/ wasted time finding it.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Trip was amazing! Kimkim offered multiple selections for any easy-going-relaxef vacation. Fantastic experience wit Kimkim.

Hotel Reviews

Scandic Torget

Bergen

Room was extremely small, bit for one person it worked well.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Location in the central city.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Flåmsbrygga Hotel

Flåm

Great place to stay! Located in quick walking distance to all traveler locations.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Scandic Byporten

Oslo

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Norway in a Nutshell Tour

Norway

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Winter Fjord RIB Safari & Hot Drink in Undredal

Flåm

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Viking Day in Gudvangen

Gudvangen

Information provided was great. I had about 5 hours at this location and it was too long. You can visit this area in about 2 hours max including having a longer leisure lunch. This is not the Vikings Village fault - it was mine for booking too long it this location.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Food and Culture walk in Bergen

Bergen

Guide was great (I don't recall her name). Food, especially the soup. The dried fish - not so much.

Quality of Experience

Food

L

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Mostraumen Fjord Cruise

Bergen

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Fløibanen Funicular Experience

Bergen

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Oslofjord Sightseeing Cruise

Oslo

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our travel specialists, Julia and Fenne, were great. They provided a perfect trip that met all of our desires for one week in Norway. Hotel selection and convenience to train stations and activities was well thought out. All of the activities they had planned, cruises on fiords, train rides and the food and culture city walk in Bergen were all great. Will definitely be using kimkim again. Told locals about what kimkim can do for them in planning trips! Keep up the good work!

Both Julia and Fenne were super helpful during planning and in particular while we were traveling. Several unexpected changes occurred to our itinerary and both Julia and Fenne were immediately available to provide advice and expertise - including on the weekend.

Hotel Reviews

Bergen Børs Hotel

Bergen

Excellent hotel! Rooms were a little dark and would like to see wash cloths in each bathroom.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Nordis Apartments

Svolvær

A very nice hotel, but not well managed. Difficulty contacting our host to resolve simple issues like access to garage, etc. Once we were able to contact them they were helpful. Also, would have liked to see wash cloths, bath mat, cooking utensils, and more lighting in the room.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Havila Voyages

Fosnavåg

Wonderful experience. No issues.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Clarion Hotel the Edge

Tromsø

Excellent hotel and room!! Great view. Would have appreciated access to coffee in lobby all day.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Very attentive!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Cultural Walk with a Local in Bergen

Bergen

Guide was no-show.

Nærøyfjord Cruise, Flåm & Stegastein Day Trip

Bergen

Excellent trip. No issues.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Trollfjord and The White-Tailed Sea Eagles

Svolvær

Excellent trip!!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Wildlife Cruise

Tromsø

Excellent trip!!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Very informative!

Transport

Julia did an amazing job helping me plan my Norway trip from Oslo to Narvis and then to Stockholm. The transportation (train, bus, and air) and lodging arrangements were all taken care of by Julia. She made the trip easy and instruction/directions were easy to follow. She also recommended tours which helped a lot. I would use Julia/KimKim again for my next trip!!

Hotel Reviews

Scandic Nidelven

Trondheim

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Svinøya Rorbuer

Svolvær

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Thon hotel Narvik

Narvik

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Flåmsbrygga Hotel

Flåm

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Oslofjord Evening Cruise with Prawn Buffet

Oslo

There was no Tour Guide on places we were seeing. And the Shrimp Buffet was crawfish (not shrimp) with only white Bread and Lettuce served. There should be a side-dish or REAL SHRIMP. I was expecting more food items.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Ulriken Cable Car

Bergen

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sightseeing Tour of the Lofoten Islands

Svolvær

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We have just completed our 15-day Scandinavia adventure! We found the trip planning and excursions that were suggested by Julia to fit our tastes and also provide enough time for wandering around on our own. In Copenhagen we especially appreciated the personal tours of Kronoberg and Christiansborg castles. In Norway the wonderful stop in Balestrand with the rib boat tour and fjord tours were amazing, along with the accommodations. Having all the trains and boats planned for us was great to allow us to focus more on the locations and less on planning that aspect of travel which was welcomed. The information provided to us prior to the trip was accurate and we only had a few times where things were not as clear but this was likely not KimKim but the specific train company itself. We greatly enjoyed our time and felt we were able to see and do the things we wanted with some guidance but also allowing time for us to discover on our own. I would certainly use KimKim in the future to assist in planning!

I was very happy with all aspects of our trip. All the excursions were great, I especially enjoyed the private day trip with Kronborg & Frederiksborg Castle, the RIB boat tour and the Orchard Tour & Cider Tasting! All the accommodations were good, but the Zander K Hotel in Bergen was a bit small for three people. All the transportation went well, but I would have liked a little more information, especially with regards to how the trains worked, we got a little confused a couple of times. But, we never missed any connections, so it all worked out. In general, I had a great time and so glad I went. I will definitely recommend you guys to family & friends!
Thank you!
Debbie

Our Norway trip was fantastic. The itinerary the kimkim team helped develop allowed us to see so much of this beautiful country and have so many great experiences along the way. There was a bit of a miscue in our initial booking, which led to a rework of our original itinerary, but we appreciated how the kimkim team responded by introducing some different experiences. Our itinerary included 4 days on the Hurtigruten, moving us from Bergen up to Svolvaer; I wasn’t sure how this was going to go, but it turned out to be one of the favorites of our trip. Other favorites were Bergen, a guided tour by Martin in Trondheim, and then sea kayaking and arctic surfing in Lofoton. I say favorites, but these are better described as the best of equals because we enjoyed everything on the trip. There were six of us and everyone had a blast.

Julia was our main kimkim contact. She was terrific, both during itinerary planning and then as a very responsive resource/helper when questions or concerns came up on the trip.

This was our first experience with kimkim. We really appreciated their help in creating a wonderful trip and then their on-going help as we made our way through Norway. We will definitely use kimkim again in other adventures.

We will start by saying what a wonderful trip we had to Sweden and Norway last month. Julia and Fenne were our connections in these countries and did such an amazing job helping to plan our daily activities, travel, restaurants and so much more. It was a big trip in the making and they were there at every step with answers and suggestions to our questions sometimes on a daily basis. We would certainly recommend KimKim to anyone for any type of travel and will definitely use them again in the future. We had full confidence that our trip would go off without a hitch and it did!!

Thanks again to the KimKim team and especially Julia and Fenne..we will remember our trip for many years to come!!

Hotel Reviews

Opus XVI

Bergen

Authenticity & Character

Location

Very walkable location to many attractions in a beautiful city in Norway

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Bank Hotel

Stockhol

Another spectacular hotel with a great location in the heart of Stockholm

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Private tour to Royal Palace & Drottningholm Palace

Stockholm

This was a wonderful tour with a private driver and tour guide. Well worth the time and money. Tobias was our guide who so passionately spoke about his love for his country and people and this was it evident throughout our tour.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport