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Leslie Tranchina

Born and raised in the heart of Italy, in Bologna—a city perfectly nestled between the Dolomites and Rome—I have always been passionate about nature, hiking, culture, and savoring incredible food. My curiosity and love for learning have led me to explore the world, with a special focus on uncovering the treasures of my own beautiful country.

As a travel designer, I specialize in crafting personalized journeys that go beyond the typical tourist experience. My approach is rooted in finding off-the-beaten-path destinations, avoiding crowds, and immersing travelers in authentic, lesser-known places where every trip feels like an adventure.

What places and activities do you specialize in?

"I specialize in designing trips throughout Italy, with a focus on destinations like the Dolomites, Tuscany, the Amalfi Coast, and small, enchanting villages. Whether it's a food and wine journey through Emilia-Romagna, a serene coastal hike, or a cultural immersion in hidden medieval towns, I take pride in curating experiences that showcase Italy’s rich diversity and charm.

Let me help you create your perfect adventure—one that will linger in your memories forever."

How did you get involved in travel?

"My journey into the travel world began with a deep love for planning. From a young age, I dedicated myself to uncovering hidden gems and culinary delights, meticulously organizing trips for family and friends. Over time, this passion evolved into my profession, as I became the trusted guide for anyone seeking meaningful and memorable travel experiences."

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"One unforgettable experience that shaped my perspective was hiking through the Dolomites at sunrise. The stillness of the mountains, the crisp air, and the golden hues of the sun painting the peaks reminded me why I love connecting people to places that stir the soul."

Leslie is part of the following groups: Italy Travel Agents, Italy Family Travel Agents
Top itineraries and travel advice
Family itineraries
Luxury itineraries
Road trip itineraries

Recent trip reviews for Leslie

Kimkim did a wonderful job of helping us to plan our first to Italy!
Italy | May 15 - May 28, 2026

Lisa
Lisa D.
Pittsburgh, PA, USA | Reviewed on Jun 01, 2026
Kimkim did a wonderful job of helping us to plan our first trip to Italy. From creating an exciting itinerary to booking tours, they really planned a great trip for us. I loved that you could ask questions and make suggestions for each of the things they planned, before you even book the trip. And then a few weeks before we started our trip, Leslie was so patient with our last minute questions...and I asked a lot of them! Once we left for Italy, their daily reminder of what was on our... Read more

Kimkim did a wonderful job of helping us to plan our first trip to Italy. From creating an exciting itinerary to booking tours, they really planned a great trip for us. I loved that you could ask questions and make suggestions for each of the things they planned, before you even book the trip. And then a few weeks before we started our trip, Leslie was so patient with our last minute questions...and I asked a lot of them!

Once we left for Italy, their daily reminder of what was on our itinerary for the next day was so helpful and comforting. During the trip, they responded very quickly to real time questions during the day.

The meeting places were exactly where they said they would be. Each tour was wonderful. The driver who picked us up at the airport waited so patiently for us. The Naples food tour was so delicious and the portions were large. The guide, Sara was awesome! The driver from Naples to Sorrento was wonderful (GianFranco?) and the Pompeii tour guide was so informative and really customized our tour to what we were interested in. She knew everything about Pompeii!! Loved her! (sorry, can't remember her name). The Jewish Ghetto tour was perfect. The guide (Sara?) was so knowledgeable about everything. We loved her and the tour. The pasta making experience was so much fun. The instructors/chefs were fun and patient. Everything was so well organized. And I can't believe how easy they made it feel/seem as we made pasta. So enjoyable!! The Colosseum Tour and Sistine Chapel Tour were both well organized and informative. We loved the tour guides. The Oreste/Contadina Farm experience was lovely. Oreste was fascinating. We learned about our host and how he maintains his farm. The food was outstanding and delicious and generous.

The hotels were awesome! They were so clean and the breakfasts were all so full and delicious. An interesting thing happened when we checked into our first hotel, we entered our hotel room and there was no electricity. We called down to the front desk and found out you had to put your room card into the slot to make the electricity turn on. Ha ha!! The first hotel in Rome was lovely and charming. The Naples hotel was quirky in how you had to get into the courtyard and the pay to use the elevator. But it was so centrally located we loved it. The Sorrento hotel had the most beautiful view on its rooftop that it brought tears to my eyes!!! The hotel in Travestere was centrally located and we loved it. The courtyard to relax in was beautiful. We even liked how to use our phone to get into the hotel and to our room. And at each hotel the people were so friendly and helpful!!

Thank you Kimkim for helping make our first trip to Italy so very wonderful and memorable!!!!

Hotel Reviews
Rinuccini Relais Hotel
Naples

This is a great hotel in the middle of Naples. Great location. It was quirky regarding getting into the hotel and room but the staff was awesome in explaining all of the details.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Centrally located
Staff
So patient and friendly
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Degli Aranci
Rome

We loved this hotel. It was charming and in a quiet neighborhood outside of the main part of the city of Rome. It was a 45 minute walk into the city. The breakfast was delicious and had plenty of variety. The staff were very helpful. The room was clean and it was maintained well.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Quiet neighborhood
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Britannia Sorrento
Sorrento

We loved this hotel. The rooftop view was the most awesome sight!! It brought tears to my eyes. You could see so far. It was a 10 minute walk into Sorrento. When we checked in they asked us about if we needed tours etc. The boat tour they booked for us to Amalfi town and Positano was outstanding. It was a private dock and boat. The tour picked us up at the hotel and the whole experience was smooth and easy!! We had free time in both cities and we loved it. Thank you!!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Beautiful rooftop view. Easy to walk into Sorrento.
Staff
The boat tour suggestion was awesome. Thanks!!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Relais Le Clarisse Rome
Rome

We loved this hotel. It was centrally located. The Travestere neighborhood is interesting and so close to the central part of Rome. We walked everywhere and even walked back to the Colosseum. The inside courtyard was peaceful and lovely. We sat there and read one afternoon.

Authenticity & Character
Liked using our phone to get into the hotel and into our room.
Location
Centrally located. Loved it.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Colosseum & Ancient Rome Tour with Roman Forum
Colosseum & Ancient Rome Tour with Roman Forum
Rome

This tour was awesome. The guide was so informative. She knew so much information. Loved it.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Highlights of the Vatican & Sistine Chapel Tour
Highlights of the Vatican & Sistine Chapel Tour
Italy

It was a great tour. The tour guide was knowledgeable and patient with our questions. She helped us to maneuver in all of the crowds.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Cooking Class in the Heart of Rome
Cooking Class in the Heart of Rome
Rome

This class was so much fun! The instructors/chefs were patient and friendly. They made the process seem so easy!! And the food was delicious.

Quality of Experience
Food
The pasta and ravioli were yummy. The sauces delicious.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Contadina Breakfast at a Farm - 30 min from Rome
Contadina Breakfast at a Farm - 30 min from Rome
Italy

This experience was interesting and fun! The food was so delicious and plentiful. Oreste was an interesting man and was so welcoming. The experience was calming and informative. His wife drove us back to the train station.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Arrange for a driver from Rome to the farm or arrange for a taxi to and from Frascati train station to the farm.
Naples Street Food Tour
Naples Street Food Tour
Italy

This tour was awesome. The guide was fun and informative. The food was plentiful and delicious. SO much food! Big portions and each was yummy!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Private Transfer from Naples to Amalfi Coast with Pompeii en route
Private Transfer from Naples to Amalfi Coast with Pompeii en route
Italy

The driver was great. He was timely and informative. Enjoyed our conversation with him. The Pompeii tour was awesome. The guide customized our tour for our interests. She was so knowledgeable! Showed us the best areas and knew everything!!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Rome: Jewish Ghetto, Great Synagogue & Trastevere Tour
Rome: Jewish Ghetto, Great Synagogue & Trastevere Tour
Rome

This tour was our favorite! The guide was so knowledgeable. Her personal knowledge of the history of the Jews in Italy was helpful and real!! She was amazing! And we appreciated sitting in the Great Synagogue and hearing not just the history but also how the guide observes her Judaism today! Wonderful. Thank you!!

Quality of Experience
We learned so much about Judaism in Italy!!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
She knew experiences from her family also. And being Jewish was able to realistically share facts.
Local specialist: Leslie Tranchina

phenomenal trip to Florence and Rome
Italy | May 24 - May 30, 2026

Ben
Ben G.
Miami, FL | Reviewed on May 31, 2026
Had a phenomenal trip to Florence and Rome. We did all of the classics such as the colosseum and the Roman forum but also did many unique experiences such as our Roman food tour and our bike through Tuscany. All of our transfers were perfect and timed correctly. I never felt like we were rushed . All of our drivers were prompt and helpful. Service during the trip itself was also highly exceptional . Could not recommend more highly. Will be using again for sure. Read more

Had a phenomenal trip to Florence and Rome. We did all of the classics such as the colosseum and the Roman forum but also did many unique experiences such as our Roman food tour and our bike through Tuscany. All of our transfers were perfect and timed correctly. I never felt like we were rushed . All of our drivers were prompt and helpful. Service during the trip itself was also highly exceptional . Could not recommend more highly. Will be using again for sure.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Orto de' Medici
Florence

Luxurious hotel in the close to the action in Florence.

Authenticity & Character
Historic building itself
Location
Central to activities
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Eitch Borromini Palazzo Pamphilj
Rome

Luxury hotel in the heart of Rome. Staff was very friendly and helpful. Had some personal issues that we needed assistance with and the staff jumped right in, going above and beyond beyond to provide service.

Authenticity & Character
Balcony and rooftop were amazing
Location
Close to many of the premium areas
Staff
Responsive to all issues that arose.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very nice beds and room Temperature was great with nice AC!
Activity Reviews
Downhill To Florence Bike Tour
Downhill To Florence Bike Tour
Italy

Nice activity with only some physical work needed at times to go up hills. Beautiful views of Tuscan countryside. There is some steep downhills and people need to feel very comfortable on a bike and handing it safely .

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Tour of San Gimignano & Monteriggioni
Private Tour of San Gimignano & Monteriggioni
Italy

Great private tour of these Tuscan villages. it was nice to get away from the busyness of Florence itself. It felt like stepping back into history. She provided in depth information that could not be found in a guidebook, Only from a local.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Leslie Tranchina
Leslie
Leslie Tranchina
Local specialist in Bologna | Replied on Jun 01, 2026
Thank you so much, Ben 😊 We’re absolutely delighted to hear that you had such a phenomenal trip to Florence and Rome. One of our favorite things when designing an itinerary is finding the right balance between Italy’s iconic highlights and experiences that feel more personal and unique. We’re also very glad that everything felt smooth and well-paced throughout the journey. Behind the scenes, a lot of care goes into coordinating transfers, timing, and logistics so travelers can simply relax... Read more

Thank you so much, Ben 😊

We’re absolutely delighted to hear that you had such a phenomenal trip to Florence and Rome.

One of our favorite things when designing an itinerary is finding the right balance between Italy’s iconic highlights and experiences that feel more personal and unique.

We’re also very glad that everything felt smooth and well-paced throughout the journey. Behind the scenes, a lot of care goes into coordinating transfers, timing, and logistics so travelers can simply relax and enjoy the experience without ever feeling rushed.

Thank you as well for your kind words about our drivers and in-trip support team. We truly care about making every part of the journey feel seamless and stress-free.

It means so much to know that you would travel with us again, and we would absolutely love to help you plan another Italian adventure in the future!

Warm regards,
Leslie & the Storywalking Team

Perfect planning for multi-city family vacation
Italy | May 17 - May 25, 2026

Deanna
Deanna C.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on May 26, 2026
Everything was coordinated beautifully for a multi-city family vacation. All transfers were on time and the accommodations were amazing. Read more

Everything was coordinated beautifully for a multi-city family vacation. All transfers were on time and the accommodations were amazing.

Activity Review
Cinque Terre Trekking & Train Card
Cinque Terre Trekking & Train Card
Italy
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Everyone was prompt, friendly, and helpful
Transport
Local specialist: Leslie Tranchina
Leslie
Leslie Tranchina
Local specialist in Bologna | Replied on Jun 01, 2026

Thank you so much, Deanna 😊

It was truly a pleasure helping your family experience Italy together, and we’re so happy to hear everything felt smooth and well coordinated throughout the journey.

Knowing that the transfers, logistics, and accommodations allowed you to simply relax and enjoy your time together means a great deal to us.

Thank you again for trusting us. We hope to welcome you back to Italy again someday!

Warmly,
Leslie

Rome & Apulia 50th Anniversary
Italy | Apr 25 - May 17, 2026

A
Adrienne R.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on May 21, 2026
I would not hesitate to use Kimkim again for travel planning. From beginning to end of planning, Leslie from Storywalking was a great help and advisor and tailored everything to our needs, from train tickets to cooking classes. Once in Italy, Francesca was our devoted and helpful contact. All our tours and guides were excellent. Our 50th anniversary trip to Italy (with our whole family in Apulia) was a great success and will be a cherished memory. Read more

I would not hesitate to use Kimkim again for travel planning. From beginning to end of planning, Leslie from Storywalking was a great help and advisor and tailored everything to our needs, from train tickets to cooking classes. Once in Italy, Francesca was our devoted and helpful contact. All our tours and guides were excellent. Our 50th anniversary trip to Italy (with our whole family in Apulia) was a great success and will be a cherished memory.

Hotel Review
The Great View
Rome

It certainly was “A Great View!” A clean comfortable apartment in a fantastic location. Sitting on the terrace or looking out the windows we had views of all of Rome including the Colosseum and the Forum. Wonderful!

Authenticity & Character
Everything
Location
Nearer to public transportation
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Leslie Tranchina
Leslie
Leslie Tranchina
Local specialist in Bologna | Replied on Jun 01, 2026
Thank you so much, Adrienne, Your words truly mean a lot to all of us. It was such a pleasure helping you plan this very special 50th anniversary journey with your whole family, and we’re incredibly happy to hear that the trip to Puglia became such a meaningful and successful experience for everyone. One of the things we care about most is making travelers feel supported not only during the planning process, but also throughout the journey itself — so hearing that you felt well cared for... Read more

Thank you so much, Adrienne,

Your words truly mean a lot to all of us. It was such a pleasure helping you plan this very special 50th anniversary journey with your whole family, and we’re incredibly happy to hear that the trip to Puglia became such a meaningful and successful experience for everyone.

One of the things we care about most is making travelers feel supported not only during the planning process, but also throughout the journey itself — so hearing that you felt well cared for from beginning to end is incredibly rewarding.

We’re also delighted that you enjoyed the balance of experiences throughout the trip, from the cooking classes to the tours and local guides. Those shared family moments are exactly the kinds of memories we hope our travelers will treasure for years to come.

Thank you again for trusting us with such an important celebration.

All the best,
Leslie & the Storywalking Team

Danielle was a great guide for our tour of Tu...
Italy | May 12 - May 18, 2026

Gregory
Gregory H.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on May 21, 2026
Danielle was a great guide for our tour of Tuscan hill towns and a delightful lunch at a local farm. Danielle was outgoing, humorous and very knowledgeable. Read more

Danielle was a great guide for our tour of Tuscan hill towns and a delightful lunch at a local farm. Danielle was outgoing, humorous and very knowledgeable.

Hotel Review
Relais degli Angeli
Siena

Beautiful hotel in a former home. Great location in Siena.

Authenticity & Character
Beautiful
Location
Easy walk to significant sights.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Leslie Tranchina
Leslie
Leslie Tranchina
Local specialist in Bologna | Replied on Jun 01, 2026
Thank you so much, Gregory Gregory and Luann We’re truly delighted to hear how much you enjoyed your time with Danielle. She has a wonderful way of combining knowledge, warmth, and humor, and your words describe her perfectly. It makes us especially happy to know that the Tuscan hill towns experience and lunch at the local farm became such a memorable part of your journey — those authentic countryside moments are exactly the kind of experiences we love creating for our travelers. Thank... Read more

Thank you so much, Gregory Gregory and Luann

We’re truly delighted to hear how much you enjoyed your time with Danielle. She has a wonderful way of combining knowledge, warmth, and humor, and your words describe her perfectly.

It makes us especially happy to know that the Tuscan hill towns experience and lunch at the local farm became such a memorable part of your journey — those authentic countryside moments are exactly the kind of experiences we love creating for our travelers.

Thank you again for traveling with us and for taking the time to share your experience!

Warm regards,
Leslie and the Storywalking Team

Wonderful Italian family vacation
Italy | May 10 - May 17, 2026

K
Kristine H.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on May 21, 2026
We had a wonderful family vacation to Sestri Levante (Cinque Terre)and Rome. We were very thankful to have had a local specialist plan this trip with knowledge about which activities would work best for all members of our family. We enjoyed our stay in Sestri Levante, away from crowds, yet still on Ligurian sea and an easy trip to explore the 5 towns of Cinque Terre. We loved the restaurants there and we even ended up adding a local cooking experience to our stay in Sestri Levante at... Read more

We had a wonderful family vacation to Sestri Levante (Cinque Terre)and Rome. We were very thankful to have had a local specialist plan this trip with knowledge about which activities would work best for all members of our family. We enjoyed our stay in Sestri Levante, away from crowds, yet still on Ligurian sea and an easy trip to explore the 5 towns of Cinque Terre. We loved the restaurants there and we even ended up adding a local cooking experience to our stay in Sestri Levante at Trattoria da Turin. We would highly recommend the pasta experience to others. Family friendly, wonderful staff, and getting to eat our completed pastas at the end. We had to cancel our boat tour due to the changes in location (weather was windy and sea was choppy) but we very much appreciated Leslie’s help in making this happen. Sometimes we realize that things won’t work out as well on a trip and it was nice to have a knowledgeable person helping along the way. Ending our stay in Rome felt like it would be rushed, but we enjoyed all of the tours and recommendations that Leslie coordinated. The Coleseum/Roman forum tour was excellent and even our youngest was entertained by the information shared by our tour guide, Gigi. He was personable, knowledgeable, and comedic. The Vatican/Sistine chapel tour was an experience we were glad to have done but we did find that we were more tired during this time and the tour was probably a little long for the 10 year old. Our tour guide, Patricia, did her best to share info on the highlights and was helpful at end of tour in sharing recommendations. My family would probably say the bike tour to Apian
Way was the highlight of the trip. I also enjoyed the bike tour but I was slightly nervous about using e bikes in the city. Our tour guide, Alessandro was conscientious of this and helped us feel safe. He also shared interesting facts along the way. We enjoyed our stays in both hotels and how each one had a very different feel. It was great to have transportation to various locations figured out for us so we did not have to spend too much time figuring out tickets and transfers. Overall a great and memorable trip and we are happy we went with booking through KimKim.

Hotel Review
Hotel Due Mari
Sestri Levante

Enjoyed the character of the hotel.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Colosseum & Ancient Rome Tour with Roman Forum
Colosseum & Ancient Rome Tour with Roman Forum
Rome

Excellent tour guide, Gigi!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Gigi was knowledgeable, personable and fun. He made the experience relatable for all in our group, even the 10 year old.
Transport
Appian Way & Catacombs By E-Bike
Appian Way & Catacombs By E-Bike
Rome
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Leslie Tranchina
Leslie
Leslie Tranchina
Local specialist in Bologna | Replied on Jun 01, 2026
Thank you so much, Kristine and Scott, Reading your feedback truly made us happy. It means so much to know that your family had such a memorable experience together in both Sestri Levante and Rome. We’re especially happy that choosing Sestri Levante turned out to be such a positive part of the journey — having the beauty of the Ligurian coast while avoiding some of the heavier Cinque Terre crowds is exactly why we love recommending it for families. And we absolutely loved hearing that you... Read more

Thank you so much, Kristine and Scott,

Reading your feedback truly made us happy. It means so much to know that your family had such a memorable experience together in both Sestri Levante and Rome.

We’re especially happy that choosing Sestri Levante turned out to be such a positive part of the journey — having the beauty of the Ligurian coast while avoiding some of the heavier Cinque Terre crowds is exactly why we love recommending it for families. And we absolutely loved hearing that you added the pasta-making experience at Trattoria da Turin! Those authentic, hands-on moments shared together around food often become the memories people carry home the longest.

Thank you as well for your understanding regarding the boat tour cancellation. Unfortunately, the sea conditions along the Ligurian coast can sometimes change quickly, and safety always comes first. We’re are all ready to adjust things smoothly along the way.

It’s wonderful to hear that the guides made such a positive impact on your experience. Gigi, Patricia, and Alessandro will all be so happy to hear your kind words. Reading that even your youngest enjoyed the Colosseum tour — that is always the best compliment for a guide.

And it does not surprise us at all that the Appian Way bike tour became the highlight of the trip. It’s such a special way to experience Rome beyond the classic monuments.

Most of all, thank you for trusting us with your family vacation. Creating journeys that feel smooth, personal, authentic, and enjoyable for different ages and travel styles is exactly what we hope to achieve.

We truly hope to welcome your family back to Italy someday for another adventure together!

Warm regards,
Leslie & the Storywalking Team

My perfect itinerary to Northern Italy
Italy | May 6 - May 14, 2026

Natalia
Natalia J.
Flagami, FL | Reviewed on May 19, 2026
From the start of my perfect itinerary to Northern Italy, the KimKim’s specialists Elisa and later on, Leslie were incredible at taking notes on all my suggestions and accommodating my wishes for every part of the trip. They planned carefully the itinerary and we enjoyed every parto of our visit to: Milan, Verona, Lake Garda, Bolzano and Venice; the highlight and most difficult part was our visit to the Dolomites, but they found the most wonderful Guide, Alessandro, who took us up and down... Read more

From the start of my perfect itinerary to Northern Italy, the KimKim’s specialists Elisa and later on, Leslie were incredible at taking notes on all my suggestions and accommodating my wishes for every part of the trip. They planned carefully the itinerary and we enjoyed every parto of our visit to: Milan, Verona, Lake Garda, Bolzano and Venice; the highlight and most difficult part was our visit to the Dolomites, but they found the most wonderful Guide, Alessandro, who took us up and down those gorgeous mountains, valleys, lakes and little towns! It was above all my expectations and the best experience of my life! Thank you all!

Activity Reviews
Venice at Sunset: Cicchetti, Food & Wine Tour
Venice at Sunset: Cicchetti, Food & Wine Tour
Venice

Our guide Anna was really the perfect guide for this activity, we had so much fun wondering the bars and food locations all around the San Polo neighborhood. The last restaurant where the served us pasta was not a good choice, not a typical place and the food choices we had were not good at all. The rest was perfect!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Day trip to Lake Garda: Sirmione, Malcesine, Cable Car to Monte Baldo
Day trip to Lake Garda: Sirmione, Malcesine, Cable Car to Monte Baldo
Italy

Our driver and Elena, our guide in Sirmione were great, friendly and very professional.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
"The Great Dolomites Road" (Western Dolomites)
"The Great Dolomites Road" (Western Dolomites)
Italy

The most beautiful rides through mountains, lakes, valleys and towns ever! Alessandro is very knowledgeable, lives in the area and takes you to where you get to see the very best of the Dolomites! Driving the Great Road of the Dolomites was an unbelievable experience. The only cable car open after closure of winter season was the highlight with the most amazing view!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
The Heart of the Dolomites " (Eastern Dolomites)
The Heart of the Dolomites " (Eastern Dolomites)
Italy
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Excellent
Local specialist: Leslie Tranchina
Leslie
Leslie Tranchina
Local specialist in Bologna | Replied on May 20, 2026
Dear Natalia, Thank you so much for your beautiful words 😊 It truly means a lot to us to know that your journey through Northern Italy became such a special and unforgettable experience. Reading that the Dolomites were “the best experience of your life” honestly makes us incredibly happy! It was a real pleasure to help shape this itinerary together with you. We are also very happy you enjoyed exploring the Dolomites with Alessandro — it’s such a magical part of Italy and we knew you would... Read more

Dear Natalia,

Thank you so much for your beautiful words 😊

It truly means a lot to us to know that your journey through Northern Italy became such a special and unforgettable experience. Reading that the Dolomites were “the best experience of your life” honestly makes us incredibly happy!

It was a real pleasure to help shape this itinerary together with you.

We are also very happy you enjoyed exploring the Dolomites with Alessandro — it’s such a magical part of Italy and we knew you would appreciate its beauty.

Thank you again for trusting us with such an important journey. We hope Italy left a little piece of itself in your heart and we truly look forward to helping you plan another adventure in the future!

Warm hugs from Italy 🇮🇹

Leslie

Wonderful trip to Italy
Italy | May 10 - May 17, 2026

S
Scott H.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on May 18, 2026
We very much enjoyed our trip to Cinque Terre and Rome. Leslie took the time we had available and our particular desires and made a truly memorable experience. The choice of Sestri Levante in particular was great as a base for going to Cinque Terre. The Colosseum and Roman forum tour with Gigi was phenomenal as was the Appian Way ebike tour with Alessandro from Bikeology. Kimkim provided stellar customer service and handled the details making this an easy trip. It was especially helpful to... Read more

We very much enjoyed our trip to Cinque Terre and Rome. Leslie took the time we had available and our particular desires and made a truly memorable experience. The choice of Sestri Levante in particular was great as a base for going to Cinque Terre. The Colosseum and Roman forum tour with Gigi was phenomenal as was the Appian Way ebike tour with Alessandro from Bikeology. Kimkim provided stellar customer service and handled the details making this an easy trip. It was especially helpful to have they there to help when a 3hr customs line caused us to miss our train and they seamlessly obtained new tickets. They also were able to get a refund from a tour that was moved to a location and time that didn’t suit due to weather. Truly great customer service and I would highly recommend them to anyone visiting Italy.

Local specialist: Leslie Tranchina
Leslie
Leslie Tranchina
Local specialist in Bologna | Replied on May 20, 2026
Dear Scott, Thank you so much for this wonderful feedback 😊 It truly makes me so happy to hear that you enjoyed both Cinque Terre and Rome and that the trip became such a memorable experience for you. I’m especially glad you appreciated Sestri Levante as a base — I always feel it offers such a beautiful balance between authenticity, relaxation, and easy access to Cinque Terre. And what wonderful choices for experiences! Gigi and Alessandro are both truly passionate about what they do, so... Read more

Dear Scott,

Thank you so much for this wonderful feedback 😊

It truly makes me so happy to hear that you enjoyed both Cinque Terre and Rome and that the trip became such a memorable experience for you.

I’m especially glad you appreciated Sestri Levante as a base — I always feel it offers such a beautiful balance between authenticity, relaxation, and easy access to Cinque Terre.

And what wonderful choices for experiences! Gigi and Alessandro are both truly passionate about what they do, so I’m thrilled to hear their tours became highlights of your trip 😊

Most importantly, thank you for recognizing the support side of our work as well. Travel does not always go exactly as planned, so being there to help quickly and smoothly when unexpected situations arise is something we deeply care about.

It was honestly a real pleasure helping you discover Italy, and I truly hope this journey will remain a beautiful memory for a very long time.

Warm regards from Italy 🇮🇹
Leslie

Knowledgeable Team and Great Experiences with some challenges
Italy | Apr 21 - May 4, 2026

Rosemarie
Rosemarie F.
Atlanta, GA | Reviewed on May 11, 2026
Overall, we had a very good experience with Kimkim and enjoyed our two-week trip to Europe. Our travel specialist, Leslie, was knowledgeable about the destinations and provided excellent suggestions for hotels and activities. Many of the recommendations contributed positively to our trip and helped us discover experiences we may not have found on our own. We especially liked Patrizia who escorted us through Bellagio. Also, our driver, Rolant spoke excellent English and was fun, which made... Read more

Overall, we had a very good experience with Kimkim and enjoyed our two-week trip to Europe. Our travel specialist, Leslie, was knowledgeable about the destinations and provided excellent suggestions for hotels and activities. Many of the recommendations contributed positively to our trip and helped us discover experiences we may not have found on our own. We especially liked Patrizia who escorted us through Bellagio. Also, our driver, Rolant spoke excellent English and was fun, which made traveling enjoyable.

However, there were several areas where the planning process could have been improved. One of the biggest issues was that the final itinerary was not provided in a timely manner. While we had shared the cities we wanted to visit, flights, and some hotels and activities we were interested in, we were not really asked which activities we specifically wanted included or excluded from the schedule. Much of the itinerary was created without our direct input, and we did not receive the finalized schedule until shortly before departure.

As a result, we ended up requesting multiple changes while we were already traveling. Although adjustments were eventually made, handling itinerary changes during the trip itself was stressful and time-consuming. In several cases, activities had already been booked and charged to us even though they were not things we were particularly interested in doing, which unfortunately resulted in lost money.

Another frustration was the lack of pricing transparency. When we requested a detailed cost breakdown for hotels, transfers, and excursions, we were told that this was not possible and that only percentage allocations could be provided. A more itemized breakdown would have helped us better understand the value of the services and make more informed decisions during the planning process.

In summary, the trip itself was very enjoyable. The destination expertise was strong, but better communication, earlier itinerary finalization, more collaboration on activity selection, and greater pricing transparency would have significantly improved our experience.

Hotel Review
Hotel Belvedere Bellagio
Bellagio

Beautiful hotel, beautiful scenery wonderful experience.

Authenticity & Character
Beautiful hotel in a very picturesque location
Location
Gorgeous view!
Staff
The staff was very helpful and polite.
Cleanliness & Comfort
When we asked for a different room, we were given a suite with a view. It was our anniversary and we were welcomed with a bottle of champagne and candy.
Local specialist: Leslie Tranchina
Leslie
Leslie Tranchina
Local specialist in Bologna | Replied on May 22, 2026
Thank you so much for taking the time to share such thoughtful and detailed feedback. I’m truly happy to hear that overall you had a wonderful trip and that many of the experiences, hotels, and people you met along the way contributed positively to your journey. I will also be very happy to pass your kind words along to Patrizia and Rolant At the same time, I genuinely appreciate your honest observations regarding communication, itinerary timing, activity collaboration, and pricing... Read more

Thank you so much for taking the time to share such thoughtful and detailed feedback.

I’m truly happy to hear that overall you had a wonderful trip and that many of the experiences, hotels, and people you met along the way contributed positively to your journey. I will also be very happy to pass your kind words along to Patrizia and Rolant

At the same time, I genuinely appreciate your honest observations regarding communication, itinerary timing, activity collaboration, and pricing transparency. Your feedback is extremely valuable and helps us continue improving the experience we provide to future travelers.

Thank you again for trusting us with such an important trip and for your patience throughout the process. It was truly a pleasure helping you discover Italy and Europe, and I hope the memories you created will stay with you for a very long time

Warm regards,
Leslie

Tuscany and Rome trip
Italy | May 2 - May 9, 2026

K
Karina A.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on May 10, 2026
Leslie did a great job cultivating a trip for the books for us! The only miss was our hotel in Rome, which we did not like unfortunately. Read more

Leslie did a great job cultivating a trip for the books for us! The only miss was our hotel in Rome, which we did not like unfortunately.

Hotel Review
Eitch Borromini Palazzo Pamphilj
Rome

In short, this hotel had us wanting to go home. We had requested a LUXURY trip, and as part of this, we expected an excellent and comfortable hotel in Rome. We wanted to be well taken care of, and were paying for this experience. Our agent picked Eitch Borromini. When looking at the photos, we were pleasantly surprised. However, the reality did not match what we saw online. The one and possibly the only thing we appreciated was the location. The hotel was in Piazza Navona, and walkable to many of Rome’s fantastic attractions. We did not get to have the breakfast, but the boxed breakfast provided to us could have been a lot better. We were given crackers, jam, Nutella, and a packaged croissant. I’ve had the privilege of being at several high end hotels and asking for boxed breakfasts in various countries (including our phenomenal accommodation in Tuscany), and they were all far more nutritious, fresh, and enjoyable. However, I cannot speak to what breakfast at the hotel would have been like. Our biggest gripe was the room. The room was not very clean, it appeared dated, and unkempt. There was a lot of dirt and dust on the floor, and there was a bug problem. We killed some in the shower room, and there were flies around the room as well. The room with the toilet smelled badly as well. We were supposed to be in a luxury suite, and there was really nothing luxury regarding it. We didn’t even have any proper windows to look out of, and the iron didn’t work. Perhaps we were supremely unlucky with the room. While I understand Eitch Borromini is an old palace and has character and charm, the issues we encountered were not secondary to it being an old palace. Also, an odd thing, but in the room with the shower (the toilet/sink and shower were in different rooms), there was a locked glass door and a dark staircase that could be seen. It was quite disconcerting and as a trio of three women, we didn’t feel very comfortable. I know I would not want to stay in that room alone. Finally, the hospitality wasn’t great either. We requested some water in the evening, as they provide a complementary bottle, which we finished after a long day walking around Rome, and were told to drink the ones in the mini fridge…which they would then charge us for. We had to call twice and explain that we would not be paying for the mini fridge water, and finally about 30 minutes later, someone came with the provided complementary water. When we asked for help with luggage in the morning of our departure, they told us to bring it to the elevator first (which wasn’t that close to our room). I’ve had less “luxurious” hotels send people to help with luggage’s, or deliver a luggage cart. We were shocked that there would be no help. For a hotel that claims it’s a 5-star luxury hotel, there was nothing 5-star or luxury about it, and we should not have paid the price for staying here (assuming they were luxury prices as we did not see the breakdown when we paid kimkim). I will be coming back to Rome, and I will not be picking this hotel again.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Great central location
Staff
Needs more attentive staff, and maybe some women. No women were seen employed outside of the housekeeper.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Room was dirty and had bugs.
Activity Reviews
Colosseum & Ancient Rome Tour with Roman Forum
Colosseum & Ancient Rome Tour with Roman Forum
Rome
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Early Morning Vatican Tour
Early Morning Vatican Tour
Rome
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Truffle Tour and Homemade Lunch
Private Truffle Tour and Homemade Lunch
Italy

Incredible incredible incredible experience! We learned so much, and Massimo and his family were extremely welcoming. The meal with this tour was the best we had in Italy’

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
E-Biking through the scenic cypress trees of Val d'Orcia with Wine Tasting
E-Biking through the scenic cypress trees of Val d'Orcia with Wine Tasting
Italy

Amazing views of Val D’Orcia and a wonderful guide. Would absolutely do this tour again! It was our favorite experience.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Cooking class and wine tasting at Castle
Cooking class and wine tasting at Castle
Italy

Phenomenal private tour and cooking experience. What a unique tour! We loved it.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Exclusive Chianti Wine Tour with a Driver at your disposal - Half-Day Tour
Exclusive Chianti Wine Tour with a Driver at your disposal - Half-Day Tour
Italy

Great experience, we just wish we had an English speaking group. Our tour guide spent a lot of her time speaking to the Italian group before us, and we felt we were losing a lot of information when she translated.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Leslie Tranchina
Leslie
Leslie Tranchina
Local specialist in Bologna | Replied on May 22, 2026
Hi Karina, Jessica & Sarina, Thank you so much for your message, and first of all I’m truly happy to hear that you really enjoyed your trip to Tuscany and Rome. It was a pleasure organizing it for you! I also really appreciate you taking the time to share your honest feedback regarding Eitch Borromini. This kind of feedback is extremely valuable to me. I understand what you mean, hospitality and overall feeling are very important, especially for travelers seeking a more elevated and... Read more

Hi Karina, Jessica & Sarina,

Thank you so much for your message, and first of all I’m truly happy to hear that you really enjoyed your trip to Tuscany and Rome. It was a pleasure organizing it for you!

I also really appreciate you taking the time to share your honest feedback regarding Eitch Borromini. This kind of feedback is extremely valuable to me.

I understand what you mean, hospitality and overall feeling are very important, especially for travelers seeking a more elevated and refined experience, and I’m genuinely sorry to hear the hotel did not fully meet your expectations.

Please know that I absolutely take comments like yours into consideration when evaluating future recommendations for my clients.

Thank you again for your kindness and openness throughout the process—it truly means a lot.

A big hug to all three of you, and hopefully our paths will cross again for another Italian adventure someday 😊

Warm regards,
Leslie