Profile photo for Kateryna Garkavenko
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active 6 hours ago

Kateryna Garkavenko

Travel is undoubtedly one of the most rewarding experiences available to the human race. Most people will really benefit from any trips made. I am personally passionate about travelling and having visited around 50 countries already, I am now keen to explore the world in greater depth. Experiences are certainly personal and will touch individuals on different levels but almost always in a very positive way. I am passionate about travel and a great believer in the benefits it brings. I am fully committed to creating tailor made tours to meet individual needs and hopefully these will result in lifetime memories.

What places and activities do you specialize in?

"Iconic landmarks of the capital of Great Britain, historical sites and its royal glory. Romantic landscapes and fabulous beauty of England's countryside with thatched-roof cottages. Beautiful national parks of Wales with its stunning wild scenery. Charming Roman baths and Georgian architecture, and of course Scotland with its rich history, culture and well-known castles."

How did you get involved in travel?

"After quiet a number of different occupations including high-end residential real estate expert, advisor to the Head of the bank, YAGP ballet competition organiser I did understand that only tailoring travel tours makes me feel that I live my life fully. "

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"Conquering Thorang - La Pass 5,415 meters high on our Annapurna Circuit track in Nepal was probably the most profound emotional experience I've ever had. It was my personal challenge surrounded by breathtaking Himalayan landscapes and best friends. "

Top itineraries and travel advice
Family itineraries

Recent trip reviews for Kateryna

A lot of Scotland!
Scotland | Jun 14 - Jun 23, 2024

Patricia
Patricia L.
Pulaski, VA | Reviewed on Jun 24, 2024
Katerina was amazing. She was always prompt with her replies and followed up on all our suggestions and questions.
Will definitely use her on our next trip her.
All of our transitions were smooth except for checkin to apt. in Edinburgh on June 18. We had nor received any checkin details for keypad. Fortunately we did make contact with her and got in. The email with those details had not been received on our end. All lodging was most acceptable.
Our Orkney guide Ann was excellent as was...
Read more

Katerina was amazing. She was always prompt with her replies and followed up on all our suggestions and questions.
Will definitely use her on our next trip her.
All of our transitions were smooth except for checkin to apt. in Edinburgh on June 18. We had nor received any checkin details for keypad. Fortunately we did make contact with her and got in. The email with those details had not been received on our end. All lodging was most acceptable.
Our Orkney guide Ann was excellent as was John on Shetland and Nicholas for Cairngorms. He also helped us with transportation to Ayr to ride the amazing Clydesdales!

Local specialist: Kateryna Garkavenko
Kateryna
Kateryna Garkavenko
Local specialist in London | Replied on Jun 25, 2024
Dear Patricia, Thank you so much for your kind words! It was truly a pleasure to work with you on planning your trip, and I'm absolutely delighted to hear that you enjoyed your experiences. I'm also glad to know that your interactions with Ann, John, and Nicholas were excellent and that they added to your enjoyment of the beautiful Scottish landscapes and activities. I'm sorry about the check-in hiccup in Edinburgh. Thank you for your patience and understanding as that issue was resolved.... Read more

Dear Patricia,

Thank you so much for your kind words! It was truly a pleasure to work with you on planning your trip, and I'm absolutely delighted to hear that you enjoyed your experiences. I'm also glad to know that your interactions with Ann, John, and Nicholas were excellent and that they added to your enjoyment of the beautiful Scottish landscapes and activities.

I'm sorry about the check-in hiccup in Edinburgh. Thank you for your patience and understanding as that issue was resolved.

Your itinerary was indeed inspiring, and I must admit, the Clydesdales Farm has now made it to the top of my own list of places to visit! I wish you many more amazing trips ahead and would be absolutely thrilled to assist you with any future travel plans.

Kat

Incredible Trip to Scotland
Scotland | Jun 5 - Jun 12, 2024

N
Nailah B.
North Atlanta, GA | Reviewed on Jun 22, 2024
Working with Kat made our trip go seamlessly! Every detail was taking care of and we had an amazing time in Scotland. We had the pleasure of experiencing private tours of the Highlands which made for an unforgettable time. Read more

Working with Kat made our trip go seamlessly! Every detail was taking care of and we had an amazing time in Scotland. We had the pleasure of experiencing private tours of the Highlands which made for an unforgettable time.

Hotel Reviews
Malmaison Edinburgh City
Edinburgh

Very upscale hotel that is centrally located to tourists sites, restaurants, and shopping. The staff was exceptionally friendly and accommodating. Would definitely stay here again!

Authenticity & Character
Malmaison's unique decor made for a memorable stay
Location
close to tourists activities, restaurants and shopping
Staff
Staff was friendly, professional and accommodating
Cleanliness & Comfort
Rooms were clean and beds were comfortable.
River Ness Hotel, a member of Radisson Individuals
Inverness

Nice hotel, rooms were quite small but efficient. Breakfast was included which was a plus. Convenient to restaurants/bars and some tourist sites.

Authenticity & Character
Rooms were small
Location
Staff
they were professional and helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
Found hair in the bed
Cameron house

I can't say enough good things about Cameron House. This is a very posh and wonderful property with every amenity and an exceptional staff. We spent the last days of our trip here and could not have asked for a better ending. The room was well appointed with robes, slippers and even a welcome video. The grounds were immaculate and we had a beautiful Loch view. All of the restaurants had good food and the breakfast buffet was enormous. We didn't want for anything! This property is highly recommended.

Authenticity & Character
The property was rich with character. It felt like we were staying in a castle!
Location
Scenery and landscaping was superb.
Staff
The staff was absolutely amazing. Everyone was super friendly and exceptionally helpful. Tom, the bar manager went above and beyond to meet our requests.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The room was very clean. There were robes and slippers in the closet. The bathroom had a soaking tub and wonderful shower.
Local specialist: Kateryna Garkavenko
Kateryna
Kateryna Garkavenko
Local specialist in London | Replied on Jun 25, 2024

Dear Nailah and Nikki,

Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! I'm thrilled to hear that your trip to Scotland was both seamless and memorable. It was truly a pleasure to organize your journey, especially the private tours of the Highlands—I'm so glad they were a highlight of your trip!

Your experiences fuel my passion for travel planning, and I'm delighted to have contributed to your amazing adventure. If you ever decide to explore more of Scotland or any other destination, I would be more than happy to assist you again.

Wishing you both many more unforgettable journeys ahead!

Kat

The 7 to 80 family trip to Great Britain !
England | Jun 5 - Jun 17, 2024

Marijane
Marijane G.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on Jun 21, 2024
Our tour Guide for the Harry Potter location sites was excellent. She was knowledgeable, she had clips of the various scenes that related to the sites, she pasted the tour so that we all survived. And she was fun and very personable. Our driver for our auto. Tour was also very knowledgeable friendly was delightful with our seven and 10-year-old boys. He introduced them to the telephone in a red iconic london phone booth. He had the phone number of that particular booth so when they were in... Read more

Our tour Guide for the Harry Potter location sites was excellent. She was knowledgeable, she had clips of the various scenes that related to the sites, she pasted the tour so that we all survived. And she was fun and very personable.

Our driver for our auto. Tour was also very knowledgeable friendly was delightful with our seven and 10-year-old boys. He introduced them to the telephone in a red iconic london phone booth. He had the phone number of that particular booth so when they were in there, he called the number and the boys, who had never seen a telephone like that, didn’t know what to do. He told him to answer it. They didn’t know how. It was a delightful event for everybody. He also took us to Buckingham Palace and we saw the guards and the parade. We went to a number of famous stores and were cordially invited in. Also our driver gave recommendations for restaurants and made sure that we were safely dropped off and heading in the right direction for our next event. The next event was the tower of London. Which was OK. It was a simple tour with a lot of stories, which were interesting, humorous, and gory. In order to see the Crown Jewels, We had to stand on a conveyor belt that moved us right along, so everyone had a chance to see the jewels, but you could not take time to look at them. We rode the London Eye. The boys played in the park across the walk from the eye. We took a Luncheon cruise on THAMES. That was interesting and fun for the boys, especially when the people from the bridge threw peanut at us, and the food was pretty good too. We spent time in Hyde Park at DIANA’s playground, we rode the paddleboats, we did the canals in Little Venice, Camden market, a couple of pubs, a day at Harry Potter studio, and many trips on the underground.
We took the train to Edinburgh, meet another family member, then vusted many castles and “Outlander” shooting locations. One really fun thing KimKim planned for us was High Tea at a prestigious Country club. The seven and 10-year-old had never been to such a place. It was such fun to watch their eyes when the trays came out with the tea service. It was also fun for them to see the hairy cows out front. We Rented cars, went from Edinburgh to Inverness to Fort William, and then back to the Train to London.
It was nice to have Kim Kim set the bases for our trip and we could deviate from it as we saw fit. There was plenty of activities, free time and downtime so that everyone had a delightful time and no problems. The places where we stayed and we comfortable for all of us. Our trip wasn’t easy to plan. Our age range,of family, went from 7years old to 80 years old, and for a group of 5 and 6 people.
Thank you Kim Kim.

Hotel Reviews
Black Sheep Hotels Cabins
Spean Bridge

Very comfortable. Very nice place right on the Loch Lochsley. High marks. Good food.

Authenticity & Character
Upscale.
Location
Right on the Loch. Kids could skip rocks on the Loch. Kim Kim hired a private boat tour for the young folks.
Staff
They were unfazed by having young children to dinner.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very nice.
Notting Hill Residences

We enjoyed the location. Apt #3 There was one bathroom for 5 people. The shower was a tub /shower. A dangerous tub shower with a deep step down to get out if the tub. I would not recommend for someone my age 80. Chances of falling were great. I’m pretty agile and could manage. But many other seniors Or handicapped people would not be able to do it without falling. There were ants and the ceiling leaked onto the pull out bed in the living room/kitchen. Other wise beds were comfortable and rooms were small but adequate . Apt#1 same lay out as #3, but walk in shower. MUCH BETTET! we now had 6 people to one bathroom, but only for two nights. No other issues.

Authenticity & Character
The location,
Location
Not far from tube stop, many restaurant choices nearby, laundromat next door, easy in and out , relatively quiet. Girls elementary school next door. 8 AM student arrival would wake up people, but we were up. They wear straw hats. Very cute.
Staff
Bathroom
Cleanliness & Comfort
You let yourself in with a code. You are on your own.
Cairn hotel & Appartment
Edinburgh

Two bathrooms. 6 people - much better showers. . Comfortable. Easy access, to trolley, walking distance to Royal Mile, good location, great towels,

Authenticity & Character
It was comfortable.
Location
Easy walking distance to main attractions and trolleys
Staff
No just the key.
Cleanliness & Comfort
All good
Bunchrew House Hotel
IV3 8TA

Nice. Each hotel room had a bath room. Great towels. Comfortable. Lounges, breakfast very good.

Authenticity & Character
Appearance and interior.
Location
On our route and iconic building
Staff
They were very pleasant and accommodating.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very nice
Activity Reviews
Discover London in a Private Black Cab
Discover London in a Private Black Cab
London

Read my review from the beginning. This guy was great. Very good with the kids, many interesting stops and good advice for the rest of our trip.

Quality of Experience
We enjoyed it.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
He was great.
Transport
Comfortable.
Tower of London Beefeater Welcome & Crown Jewels
Tower of London Beefeater Welcome & Crown Jewels
London

The was less then I expected. The beefeater was fun. He had great stories. He did his job well but we didn’t do anything more than walk from location to location.. we were on a conveyor belt to look at the Crown jewels.

Quality of Experience
Great stories
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Funny and entertaining
Transport
There wasn’t any
Thames Cruise with Lunch
Thames Cruise with Lunch
London

Food was quite good. It was well organized. The stories were fun and entertaining. It was a relaxing way to see a part of London and we didn’t get hit by any peanuts. People throw things ontothis boat. from the bridge. We didn’t believe it until they threw peanuts at us. The guide said it usually is a milkshake.

Quality of Experience
It was fun
Food
Surprisingly, much better than I thought it would be.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Entertaining and efficient
Transport
Comfortable
Rosslyn Chapel & Glenkinchie Distillery Private Tour
Rosslyn Chapel & Glenkinchie Distillery Private Tour
Edinburgh

This was interesting. It gave us a look into a slice of Scottish life that otherwise we wouldn’t of known plus the ride out to the chapel was quite interesting. The scenery and our driver for the TAxi was great and stories.

Quality of Experience
It’s a delightful old Chapel with a history.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our cab driver was great
Transport
The cab picked us up and the driver was fabulous
Explore Harry Potter's London Tour
Explore Harry Potter's London Tour
London

Our guide was very knowledgeable. She took us to a number of different sites. She had clips of the videos for us to see she was very thorough. I give her high marks.

Quality of Experience
The guide was delightful
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Again, the guide was delightful
Transport
It was a walking tour
Seal Spotting Loch Linnhe Cruise
Seal Spotting Loch Linnhe Cruise
Scotland

This was fun for the kids they could run up and down the stairs on the ship. They could see the different places and we did get very very close to some seals.

Quality of Experience
It was a good idea for a seven and 10-year-old to be entertained
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The captain of the boat, let the kids steer on the way back.
Transport
Boat was fine
Local specialist: Kateryna Garkavenko
Kateryna
Kateryna Garkavenko
Local specialist in London | Replied on Jun 25, 2024
Dear Marijane and Family, Thank you so much for taking the time to share your delightful experiences from your recent trip to the UK. I am absolutely happy you had a truly wonderful time filled with memorable moments and adventures! I'm thrilled to hear that your tours, especially the Harry Potter locations, captured your imagination and that the guide's knowledge and enthusiasm enhanced your experience. It’s wonderful to know that your driver was not only helpful and knowledgeable but also... Read more

Dear Marijane and Family,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your delightful experiences from your recent trip to the UK. I am absolutely happy you had a truly wonderful time filled with memorable moments and adventures!

I'm thrilled to hear that your tours, especially the Harry Potter locations, captured your imagination and that the guide's knowledge and enthusiasm enhanced your experience. It’s wonderful to know that your driver was not only helpful and knowledgeable but also provided such a unique and fun experience for the boys with the telephone booth—a story that no doubt will be cherished for years to come!

The variety of activities and sites you visited—from the historical depths of the Tower of London to the playful moments in DIANA’s playground and the enchanting High Tea—seem to have struck the perfect balance for everyone in your family. It's always our goal to tailor each trip to fit the unique needs and interests of our travelers, and I'm so pleased we could achieve this for your diverse family group.

Your feedback is invaluable, and we are delighted to have been part of your journey. Should you ever decide to plan another adventure, whether in the UK or beyond, we would be honored to assist you again.

Kat and Team

Overall decent, with a couple of hiccups. Fir...
Scotland | May 24 - Jun 2, 2024

M
Matt M.
Edison, NJ | Reviewed on Jun 09, 2024
Overall decent, with a couple of hiccups. Firstly, there were some issues booking the hotel so we ended up getting charged at the hotel, which we got refunded for. Secondly, there was an event we were not sent the tickets/confirmation email for and we were charged 50% when we asked about it. Moral of the story - keep an eye out when booking trips and make sure everything has been confirmed a couple of days prior. Read more

Overall decent, with a couple of hiccups. Firstly, there were some issues booking the hotel so we ended up getting charged at the hotel, which we got refunded for. Secondly, there was an event we were not sent the tickets/confirmation email for and we were charged 50% when we asked about it. Moral of the story - keep an eye out when booking trips and make sure everything has been confirmed a couple of days prior.

Hotel Review
Virgin Hotels Edinburgh
Edinburgh

Amazing stay.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Kateryna Garkavenko
Kateryna
Kateryna Garkavenko
Local specialist in London | Replied on Jun 12, 2024

Thank you so much for your feedback! I'm really sorry about the hiccups with the hotel booking, but I'm glad I could quickly sort it out with a refund.

I'm thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your stay at the Virgin Hotel!

Your tip about confirming bookings a couple of days prior is super helpful, and I’ll definitely keep that in mind.

Scotland/ Family trip
Scotland | Apr 27 - May 6, 2024

Mary Rita
Mary Rita G.
Niles, IL | Reviewed on May 19, 2024
This was a lovely trip to Scotland! Robert our tour guide in Edinburgh Old town was great! Our Outlander tour with Edinburgh Black Cab Tours and Stephen was to exciting. Then the best day on our trip was the day on Isle of Skye with Sandy. Isle of Skye was an amazing day.
Wish we had had adjusted more than 1 day at the end of the trip. Not sure I was a fan of all our accommodations. Loved our adventure to 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿
Read more

This was a lovely trip to Scotland! Robert our tour guide in Edinburgh Old town was great! Our Outlander tour with Edinburgh Black Cab Tours and Stephen was to exciting. Then the best day on our trip was the day on Isle of Skye with Sandy. Isle of Skye was an amazing day.
Wish we had had adjusted more than 1 day at the end of the trip. Not sure I was a fan of all our accommodations. Loved our adventure to 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Hotel Reviews
Amano Covent Garden
London

Loved this area. Great place to stay in the theatre district. Staff was very accommodating!!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Destiny Scotland - Distillers House
Edinburgh

This was very roomy any clean, but more like a VRBO. Not much food in the area to grab for breakfast. No time on our schedule yo find a place to pick up food yo cook and more supplies for our room.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
No staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Ac Marriott Inverness
Inverness

Amazing, new hotel in Inverness! The staff was friendly and very supportive! Had a blast at the bar with the friendliest bartenders! Breakfast was great!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Corran
Onich

This stay was a bit ruff! The Corran was clean and very local which I loved, but there was no food options near hotel. It was a 40.00 cab ride to Ft William. So our 1 day stay added 120.00 to go back and forth.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Amazing remote views, not close to town.
Staff
No stsff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Clayton Hotel
Glasgow
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Edinburgh Old Town Tour
Edinburgh Old Town Tour
Edinburgh

Robert was very informative on our walking hour. He very knowledgeable and showed us so much of the city.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
None provided
Outlander Castle Tour
Outlander Castle Tour
Edinburgh

For the Outlander Fans this the day!!!!! Edinburgh Black Cab Tour and Stephen were fantastic! Even if not a fan of the show you would have enjoyed all the local stops. Again 💯% and over the top with knowledge and friendliness.

Quality of Experience
Stephen! Great stops/ great lunch/ went out of his was.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Edinburgh Black Cab Company was great
Private Edinburgh Castle Tour
Private Edinburgh Castle Tour
Edinburgh
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
None provided
Seal Spotting Loch Linnhe Cruise
Seal Spotting Loch Linnhe Cruise
Scotland

Fine, but a bad weather day.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
None
Rosslyn Chapel & Glenkinchie Distillery Private Tour
Rosslyn Chapel & Glenkinchie Distillery Private Tour
Edinburgh
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Edinburgh Black Cab and Melvin
Transport
Isle of Skye Tour including the  Eilean Donan Castle, Portree and other attractions
Isle of Skye Tour including the Eilean Donan Castle, Portree and other attractions
Inverness

Best day of our trip!!!!! The Isle of Skye for our day trip was so captivating, beautiful, stunning, awe inspiring and to top it off a gorgeous weather day. Staring off visiting the highland coos, Loch Ness, Eileen Dune Cadtle ,5 Sisters of Kintail ,and then over to Skye. Portree, Man of Stor, Kilt Rock and Quiraing

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Sandy was a joy to send the day with.
Transport
Local specialist: Kateryna Garkavenko
Kateryna
Kateryna Garkavenko
Local specialist in London | Replied on May 22, 2024
Hi Lynn, Mary Rita and Moira, It was my absolute pleasure to tailor this trip for you! I’m so delighted to hear that you enjoyed your time in Scotland and that you had such memorable experiences, especially on the Isle of Skye and with our wonderful guides like Robert and Stephen. And I am absolutely in love with your photos, they are amazing!!! Your feedback is truly priceless and will help me to tailor future trips even better. I’m grateful for your detailed reviews of the accommodations... Read more

Hi Lynn, Mary Rita and Moira,

It was my absolute pleasure to tailor this trip for you! I’m so delighted to hear that you enjoyed your time in Scotland and that you had such memorable experiences, especially on the Isle of Skye and with our wonderful guides like Robert and Stephen. And I am absolutely in love with your photos, they are amazing!!!

Your feedback is truly priceless and will help me to tailor future trips even better. I’m grateful for your detailed reviews of the accommodations and activities. I'm especially glad to hear about the highlights and the great service you experienced at places like Amano Covent Garden and AC Marriott Inverness.

I’m sorry to hear about the inconvenience you faced at The Corran. Thank you for bringing this to my attention. I will make sure to reconsider its inclusion in future itineraries to ensure a more seamless experience for our travelers.

Thank you again for choosing me to help plan your adventure. And I wish you plenty of exceptional trips ahead!

Best,
Kat

Great second trip with kimkim; local guides a strength
Scotland | Apr 27 - May 6, 2024

Lynn
Lynn K.
St. Petersburg, FL | Reviewed on May 13, 2024
Our second trip with kimkim was terrific. We had great local guides and our coordinator, Kateryna, booked us into wonderful hotels. We saw an overview of Scotland, with a night in London to start and a night in Dublin right before we returned home.
Our activities included tours of Edinburgh Old Town (Robert, our guide, was great), Edinburgh Castle (a second great guide), castles and countryside under the umbrella of an “Outlander” tour (lovely and fun, great guide: Stephen of Edinburgh...
Read more

Our second trip with kimkim was terrific. We had great local guides and our coordinator, Kateryna, booked us into wonderful hotels. We saw an overview of Scotland, with a night in London to start and a night in Dublin right before we returned home.
Our activities included tours of Edinburgh Old Town (Robert, our guide, was great), Edinburgh Castle (a second great guide), castles and countryside under the umbrella of an “Outlander” tour (lovely and fun, great guide: Stephen of Edinburgh Black Car Tours), a seal watching boat tour (bad weather, unfortunately), a whisky distillery tour (fun), a tour of Rosslyn Castle (beautiful—both with Edinburgh Black Cars again), and the highlight, Isle of Skye on a 75-degree, sunny day (spectacular, and a great guide: Sandy Dear Tours).
We enjoyed several fine dinners. Notably, The Witchery in Edinburgh was reserved for us by our coordinator.
We feel we got a good first introduction to Scotland. Kimkim set us up with tour guides we never would have found on our own.
After booking two trips with them (Spain and Scotland), I feel that is their strength: finding guides that really know their areas and are personable and enthusiastic. We enjoyed our trip and, should we go back, have parts of the country we would like to visit in depth.
We will use kimkim for our next trip.

Hotel Reviews
Amano Covent Garden
London

Clean, comfortable room for three travelers. Foldout bed was set up for us before we arrived, which was nice.

Authenticity & Character
Modern hotel was elegant and updated
Location
Easy to walk to sites
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Destiny Scotland - Distillers House
Edinburgh

Good location. The apartment had one bedroom with queen bed and a shower, plus an anteroom with queen bed off the living room, plus a full bath and full kitchen. Great for three of us, quite large, relatively quiet even though it’s on a busy corner. Easy to walk to a couple breakfast convenience stores and a couple pubs.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Corran
Onich

A self-check-in property. We did not receive the code before we arrived and had to contact our kimkim coordinator so waited a bit in the rain. The property is outside Fort William about a 20-minute taxi ride. Clean, a bit dated decor, not as convenient as we hoped given we did not have a car. Restaurant was closed, which we were not informed about prior to arriving, so we had to venture back and forth to the town to eat and to meet our boat tour. Overall, fine, but expensive and inconvenient.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Cleanliness & Comfort
Ac Marriott Inverness
Inverness
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Clayton Hotel
Glasgow
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Edinburgh Old Town Tour
Edinburgh Old Town Tour
Edinburgh

Our guide, Robert, was terrific. Engaging, personable, he started by asking us what we were interested in: architecture, history, ??? He shared great stories, and shared insights into kilts, showed us a couple of Harry Potter sites, and recommended pubs. Great tour and guided introduction to Edinburgh. Do this first!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Edinburgh Castle Tour
Private Edinburgh Castle Tour
Edinburgh

Great guide for our smallish (15) group from several countries. On a windy, rainy, day, he added insights, humor, and moved things along but in a comfortable way for our group of diverse ages (from toddler to seniors). We loved his stories and highly recommend him.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Outlander Castle Tour
Outlander Castle Tour
Edinburgh

Our guide, Stephen, made this tour great. Engaging, funny, responsive, we couldn’t have asked for a better experience. He spent a lot of time with us, showing us castles, ruins, towns (Culross was my favorite), graveyards, and the best pub for fish and chips for lunch. Highly recommend Edinburgh Black Car Tours.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Stephen was a fantastic guide.
Transport
Comfortable luxury car.
Rosslyn Chapel & Glenkinchie Distillery Private Tour
Rosslyn Chapel & Glenkinchie Distillery Private Tour
Edinburgh

The most beautiful castle we saw in Scotland. The brief lecture was interesting, too. Glenkinchie Distillery is a beautiful facility. The group we were with had a lot of fun and our guide was absolutely great. Highly recommended.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our driver from Edinburgh Black Car Tours, Melvin, was such a gentleman, so kind.
Transport
Isle of Skye Tour including the  Eilean Donan Castle, Portree and other attractions
Isle of Skye Tour including the Eilean Donan Castle, Portree and other attractions
Inverness

This tour was the highlight of our entire trip! Our guide, Sandy of Sandy Dear Tours, was great. We were out for about 10 hours, and we ran into very few people the entire day. I don’t know how he managed to put us in the right spots all day without running into tour busses. We were blessed with great weather, too. Very informative and truly breathtaking scenery made this our #1 event of our trip.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Sandy Dear was a great guide, comfortable large SUV, and responsive to our requests.
Transport
Seal Spotting Loch Linnhe Cruise
Seal Spotting Loch Linnhe Cruise
Scotland

The boat trip was interesting, with new information for us on salmon farming, Ben Nevis, and seal island. Unfortunately it was quite rainy and cold which limited how many seals happened to be out at the time. The tour commentator and crew were great.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Kateryna Garkavenko
Kateryna
Kateryna Garkavenko
Local specialist in London | Replied on May 14, 2024
Hi Lynn, Mary Rita, and Moira, Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback. It was an absolute pleasure to create your trip, and seeing your photos while you were traveling brought me so much joy. I’m delighted that you enjoyed your time in the UK and had such positive experiences with our guides. Thank you also for your high reviews of the guides! I will reconsider The Corran Hotel and will not propose it to future travelers based on your feedback. Your insights are invaluable in... Read more

Hi Lynn, Mary Rita, and Moira,

Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback. It was an absolute pleasure to create your trip, and seeing your photos while you were traveling brought me so much joy. I’m delighted that you enjoyed your time in the UK and had such positive experiences with our guides.

Thank you also for your high reviews of the guides!

I will reconsider The Corran Hotel and will not propose it to future travelers based on your feedback. Your insights are invaluable in helping us improve our services.

Wishing you plenty of amazing adventures ahead!

My warmest wishes,
Kateryna

It was one of the best!
England | Apr 18 - May 3, 2024

S
Sylvia H.
Canada | Reviewed on May 11, 2024
What a fantastic trip! Thank you KimKim Team for pairing us with Kateryna. She is a gem!
Our first tours featured Canterbury Cathedral, Dover Castle, Portsmouth Dockyards and Stonehenge from Eastbourne. Excellent guide David Canterbury.
In ancient York, the breathtaking Cathedral, the Roman Walls, the Shambles, the lively city centre, (Alfred, John) were highlights, along with trips to James Herriot Country with guide Chris* and a ride on the steam railway from Whitby with Mark.
Back in...
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What a fantastic trip! Thank you KimKim Team for pairing us with Kateryna. She is a gem!
Our first tours featured Canterbury Cathedral, Dover Castle, Portsmouth Dockyards and Stonehenge from Eastbourne. Excellent guide David Canterbury.
In ancient York, the breathtaking Cathedral, the Roman Walls, the Shambles, the lively city centre, (Alfred, John) were highlights, along with trips to James Herriot Country with guide Chris* and a ride on the steam railway from Whitby with Mark.
Back in London, an amazing walking tour of the city centre with Dave Lombardi, a dinner cruise on the Thames and tea at the Ritz are all rated 10/10.
All of our tour guides and drivers were excellent. The underground and railway systems were very manageable.
We recommend the One Tun Pub and Rooms in London and #34 Bed and Breakfast in York.

Hotel Reviews
Number 34 Bed and Breakfast York
York

Clean, comfortable, quiet room on the ground floor. Short pleasant walk to the Cathedral and city centre. Great breakfasts with lots of choice and pot of fabulous tea.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
The One Tun Pub and Rooms
London
Authenticity & Character
Location
Close to underground and quirky area
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Kateryna Garkavenko
Kateryna
Kateryna Garkavenko
Local specialist in London | Replied on May 14, 2024

Hi Sylvia,

I wanted to send a heartfelt thank you for all your kind words. Being your guide was an absolute pleasure, and seeing you enjoy every moment of your trip was incredibly rewarding.

Your kindness and curiosity made the experience even more special. Helping you create unforgettable memories was a true joy for me.

Wishing you many more perfect trips ahead!

Warmest wishes,
Kateryna

What an amazing time we had in London!
England | Jan 2 - Jan 8, 2024

Robyn
Robyn B.
Canada | Reviewed on Jan 10, 2024
What an amazing time we had!
I asked Kat to help me organize a surprise 16th bday trip for my daughter and I gave her a wish list of places my daughter wanted to see/things she wanted to do.
Kat organized our trip so we made the most of our time. Her suggestions for a walking tour of Roman ruins on London was really good. Kevin, our guide, knew so much history. We also took a car trip to see Hampton court and Blenheim castles with David and he was also so knowledgeable.
I am so happy with...
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What an amazing time we had!
I asked Kat to help me organize a surprise 16th bday trip for my daughter and I gave her a wish list of places my daughter wanted to see/things she wanted to do.
Kat organized our trip so we made the most of our time. Her suggestions for a walking tour of Roman ruins on London was really good. Kevin, our guide, knew so much history. We also took a car trip to see Hampton court and Blenheim castles with David and he was also so knowledgeable.
I am so happy with the trip Kat planned. I thank her from the bottom of my heart.
Robyn

Activity Reviews
Private Day Tour to Bath and Windsor Castle
Private Day Tour to Bath and Windsor Castle
London
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Roman London Private Walking Tour
Roman London Private Walking Tour
London
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Hampton Court and Blenheim Palace PrivateTour
Hampton Court and Blenheim Palace PrivateTour
London
Quality of Experience
I
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Kateryna Garkavenko
Kateryna
Kateryna Garkavenko
Local specialist in London | Replied on Jan 11, 2024

Dear Robyn,

I'm delighted to hear that you and your daughter enjoyed the surprise 16th birthday trip! It was my pleasure to organize your travel based on your amazing and thoughtful wish list!
Your kind words mean a lot, and I'm thankful for the opportunity to contribute to your memorable experience.

Warmest regards,
Kat

Great tour guides made all the differene!
England | Nov 22 - Nov 26, 2023

Pam
Pam N.
Franklin, MA | Reviewed on Nov 28, 2023
Our trip to London did not disappoint. We were extremely satisfied with our Kimkim experience. Kateryna was very easy to work with and very accommodating. We made a lot of changes to our itinerary leading up to the trip, Kateryna was very responsive and was able to meet all of our requirements. It was a jam packed 4 days and we were able to hit all the hot spots and then some. The Black Cab Tour with Steve was the perfect way to start the trip. It gave us an overview of the city and hit... Read more

Our trip to London did not disappoint. We were extremely satisfied with our Kimkim experience. Kateryna was very easy to work with and very accommodating. We made a lot of changes to our itinerary leading up to the trip, Kateryna was very responsive and was able to meet all of our requirements. It was a jam packed 4 days and we were able to hit all the hot spots and then some. The Black Cab Tour with Steve was the perfect way to start the trip. It gave us an overview of the city and hit on all the key sites. The Tower of London tour with Don was very entertaining and informative and the talk by the Beefeater was very authentic. Two highlights of the trip were the Soho Music and Historic Pub Tour with Jack and the Retired Royal Guard Central London Walk with David. Both of these tours were filled with interesting information given by knowledgable and personable tour guides. All of our cab drivers were extremely friendly and pleasant. We look forward to using kimkim again when planning our next trip.

Hotel Review
St James' Court, A Taj Hotel
London

The Taj 51 is a unique property in a great location. The staff was very solicitous and the service was impeccable!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
The concierge staff was extremely helpful and accommodating.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Discover London in a Private Black Cab
Discover London in a Private Black Cab
London

Our tour guide Steve was great! He was super friendly and knowledgable and funny!

Tower of London Beefeater Welcome & Crown Jewels
Tower of London Beefeater Welcome & Crown Jewels
London

Our tour guide Don was great!

Soho Music and Historic Pubs Tour, private tour
Soho Music and Historic Pubs Tour, private tour
London

This tour was a lot of fun! Jack was a great tour guide and shared a lot of very interesting facts about famous musical artists and the beer was good too!

Windsor Castle Half Day Trip from London including Entry
Windsor Castle Half Day Trip from London including Entry
England

The castle is amazing but be sure to leave time to explore the town!

Retired Royal Guard Central London Walk
Retired Royal Guard Central London Walk
London

David was an amazing guide! His insider knowledge was very interesting and made for a fun tour!

Local specialist: Kateryna Garkavenko
Kateryna
Kateryna Garkavenko
Local specialist in London | Replied on Nov 28, 2023
Hi Pam, I'm so pleased to hear that you had an amazing time on your trip to London! Your kind words and positive feedback mean a lot, and I'm delighted that I could contribute to creating a memorable experience for you. It was my pure pleasure to assist with the planning, and I'm so glad the itinerary, tours, and guides met your expectations. I'll make sure to pass on your appreciation to Steve, Don, Jack, David, and all the cab drivers. They'll be pleased to know that their efforts made... Read more

Hi Pam,

I'm so pleased to hear that you had an amazing time on your trip to London! Your kind words and positive feedback mean a lot, and I'm delighted that I could contribute to creating a memorable experience for you. It was my pure pleasure to assist with the planning, and I'm so glad the itinerary, tours, and guides met your expectations.

I'll make sure to pass on your appreciation to Steve, Don, Jack, David, and all the cab drivers. They'll be pleased to know that their efforts made your visit special.

Thank you for choosing Kimkim, and I hope your future travels are just as fantastic!

Wish you only good vibes,
Kat

Scotland planned and executed in under 3 weeks!
Scotland | Sep 12 - Sep 22, 2023

C
Cindy B.
Mercer Island, WA | Reviewed on Oct 19, 2023
Our trip to Scotland was a wonderful experience filled with beautiful scenery and many memories. Our specialist Kat at Kim Kim was a great resource and very helpful in the planning of our trip. The time difference between the USA and Europe did cause some issues with booking(s). However we planned and executed the trip in less than 3 weeks. From that aspect it was very helpful having someone book excursions and hotels. Read more

Our trip to Scotland was a wonderful experience filled with beautiful scenery and many memories. Our specialist Kat at Kim Kim was a great resource and very helpful in the planning of our trip. The time difference between the USA and Europe did cause some issues with booking(s). However we planned and executed the trip in less than 3 weeks. From that aspect it was very helpful having someone book excursions and hotels.

Hotel Review
Virgin Hotels Edinburgh
Edinburgh

We extremely enjoyed the Lounge Bar next to the entrance. An amazing bartender on staff there. Very knowledgeable and creative. The hotel beds were very comfortable, and the location to EVERYTHING was amazing.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Close to everything.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Kateryna Garkavenko
Kateryna
Kateryna Garkavenko
Local specialist in London | Replied on Oct 19, 2023

Cindy, thank you for your kind words and feedback. I'm delighted that I could assist you with your trip planning and that you enjoyed the beautiful scenery and memories created in Scotland. Working with you was my pleasure!