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active 23 mins ago

Melanie Rapuano

My name is Melanie and I'm a Travel Specialist based here in Italy! I'm half Italian and half British and I come from a city just off the Amalfi Coast!
I've always loved creating travel plans for myself and for family and friends, even for places I'd never been to.
When arranging a trip I love mixing sightseeing with local experiences, experiences which really talk about the country, the people, the tastes, the smells and which you can take back home with you not only in a photo, but as a feeling too!

As a mum of 2 small children I also try my best to help with family trips, because we all know the saying happy children, happy parents, especially on holiday!!

I like to think of myself as your friend in Italy, the one who helps you plan your trips from a local point of view, just as if you were asking a friend about her beautiful country!

I've traveled ever since I can remember and I've always loved calling a place a ''home'' even if just for a few days and this is what I hope I can share with you about my part of the world!

What places and activities do you specialize in?

"I specialize in the whole of Italy, there isn't a corner we haven't discovered!
Our experiences vary from sightseeing private and group tours to limoncello making in a local lemon grove, to a cooking class in a Tuscan farm to private boat trips on the Amalfi Coast!Truffle hunting in Piemonte or a jeep experience on Mt Etna? We have it all covered with English speaking, professionals who can't wait to share their unique stories with you!
And if you are travelling with children, we make sure it's completely child friendly with a glass of wine for the grown ups!"

How did you get involved in travel?

"I guess I've always been involved in travel! Being half British I've always helped friends and family come to Italy and enjoy our everyday life! By the time I was 12 I think I'd been to Pompeii 15 times already not to mention the fact the Amalfi Coast is on my doorstep which made everyone want to come and visit me even more!
It's in my DNA!"

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"When travelling around Norway I stopped off to take some pictures in what seemed the middle of nowhere and I naturally took out my bottle of water and a snack. I was stopped by a Norwegian lady on a bike, she asked me why I was drinking bottled water. She told me Norwegians don't believe in buying water and went on about giving me some ''storytelling'' about how Norwegians lived. It was a random moment but it was so special, she took her time to talk to me about her beautiful country and share with me parts of everyday life which I would have never known!"

Melanie is part of the following groups: Italy Travel Agents, Italy Family Travel Agents
Top itineraries and travel advice

Favorite experiences

Pizza Cooking Class in Naples

Learn what makes authentic Neapolitan pizza the best pizza in the world with a family-friendly cooking class. Uncover all the secrets of this great Italian wonder in the exclusive company of a pizza chef. To start, your guide will lead you to the restaurant of one of the oldest families of...

Toddler-Friendly Family Walking Tour in Venice

Get your bearings and enjoy a fun, family-friendly orientation walking tour of beautiful Venice. Designed specifically for younger kids (toddlers and preschoolers), you’ll enjoy an exciting scavenger hunt filled with games and coloring.Oh no, kids! Poor Marco, the lion, is so worried—his friends...

Family Food Tour & Cooking in Rome

In this family-friendly tour of Rome’s food culture, you’ll first enjoy the city’s markets and then learn how to make traditional pizza on your own. Kids and families love this experience, as it offers lifetime memories and teaches new skills. You’ll visit Rome's most beautiful and ancient...

Chianti Wine Tasting & Farm Lunch

Absorb Chianti’s scenic countryside with a driving and winetasting tour. You’ll twist and turn along panoramic roads, tour wine cellars, learn about the history of growing Chianti grapes, and savor a traditional lunch of local products on a family farm. As you set off for Chianti, enjoy the...

Cinque Terre Sea Kayaking Tour

Enjoy Cinque Terre from a different perspective with a morning or sunset sea kayak tour. You’ll paddle from Monterosso al Mare to Vernazza, discovering cliffs and caves and swimming in the crystalline water. Kayaking allows you to explore otherwise inaccessible coastlines. Enjoy this special...

Sunset e-Bike Wine Tour in Cinque Terre

Discover the picturesque vineyards of Ca’du Ferrà on an exciting e-bike tour. Starting in Levanto, you’ll pedal up into the hill and reach the scenic vineyards, which stand at over 1,000 feet (350 m) above sea level. Stop here to visit a vineyard and enjoy a wine tasting in the cellar with some...

Recent trip reviews for Melanie

We just returned from our 13-day family adventure to Italy with six different stops and it was outstanding. Kimkim and Melanie in Italy are the best.
Italy | Jun 17 - Jun 28, 2025

Janine
Janine Z.
San Carlos, CA | Reviewed on Jun 29, 2025
We just returned from our 13-day adventure to Italy that we coordinated via our local specialist Melanie. It was superb. This was our second kimkim trip (the first was to the Galapagos) and I can't imagine planning a trip any other way. It is such a treat to have someone knowledgeable and thoughtful like Melanie to talk through the itinerary, make adjustments, handle all the hotel reservations and transfers and activities and guides and then to be able to focus on enjoying each stop. And when... Read more

We just returned from our 13-day adventure to Italy that we coordinated via our local specialist Melanie. It was superb. This was our second kimkim trip (the first was to the Galapagos) and I can't imagine planning a trip any other way. It is such a treat to have someone knowledgeable and thoughtful like Melanie to talk through the itinerary, make adjustments, handle all the hotel reservations and transfers and activities and guides and then to be able to focus on enjoying each stop. And when small things occur, to have someone just a WhatsApp text away, who responds immediately with support and guidance. Giovanna's texts each evening with the next-day plans were terrific. So much more to say about their attention to detail, etc. But basically the headline is don't hesitate to book an Italy trip through kimkim and Melanie.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Gardena Venezia
Venice

Lobby is a bit underwhelming with torn couch upon entry and ugly old furniture to the side. But rooms are clean and comfortable and the courtyard for breakfast is lovely.

Location
Staff
Woman at front desk was a bit intense. Not a warm welcome but we worked it out.
Cleanliness & Comfort
C-hotels Club
Firenze

Adequate hotel.

Central Wellness Hotel Sorrento
Sorrento

Two-room family room was new and fresh and great. Pool was nice. A bit of noisy tree-cutting or something adjacent during our stay but probably not a long-term issue. Would recommend.

Authenticity & Character
Location
It's far from the action which is a plus and a minus depending on your preference.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
new rooms.
Relais Le Clarisse Rome
Rome

This hotel was wonderful except for one person at checkin. GREAT location. Love Trastevere. Loved the courtyard. The rooms had enormous charm. Having to use phones to get in rooms was not awesome.

Authenticity & Character
Stunning converted convent or something.
Location
Trastevere!
Staff
All good except one guy who was working when we arrived.
Cleanliness & Comfort
very clean and quiet.
Activity Reviews
The Accademia Gallery tour - skip the line
The Accademia Gallery tour - skip the line
Florence

Our guide here was very friendly. We loved seeing the David and some of the other art. But again, as was typical for some of the guides, it was like she was reciting a memorized script and could not adapt to younger kids or husband who was just not that interested in all the detail.

Small group Uffizi smart tour
Small group Uffizi smart tour
Florence

Our guide arrived harried. She had just completed another tour. This was somewhat typical for some of the guides. Too overworked in the summer. Still, we learned a lot.

Venice Walking Tour with St. Marks Basilica and Gondola Ride
Venice Walking Tour with St. Marks Basilica and Gondola Ride
Italy

We liked Giovanni a lot. We did not go into St. Marks because of long line and heat. But enjoyed the explanation of the square, etc.

Boat tour along the Amalfi Coast
Boat tour along the Amalfi Coast
Sorrento

Outstanding. Friendliest boat crew. A great day but be prepared for crowds in Positano and Amalfi. Loved swimming off the boat.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Explore Pompeii Walking Tour
Explore Pompeii Walking Tour
Italy

Pompeii is amazing. But our tour guide Daniel was extremely gruff. Too overworked like some of the others. He did not like to be interrupted with questions. Nevertheless, enjoyed.

Golf Cart Tour Experience & Jewish Quarter with Colosseum Tour
Golf Cart Tour Experience & Jewish Quarter with Colosseum Tour
Rome

Both great. Our favorite guide of the tour was Santos for our golf cart tour. Didn't see much of the Jewish Quarter but got a feel for Trastevere and Rome in general. Colosseum was a delight to see. And we asked the guide to take us to the Arch of Titus as well, which I had wanted to see.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Melanie Rapuano
Melanie
Melanie Rapuano
Local specialist in Italy | Replied on Jun 30, 2025
Hi Janine,
thank you so much for leaving your review! Of course thanks to whatsapp we were in touch daily.
I'm sorry about the guides and if they seemed overworked, as you can imagine the summer, the heat, the crowds (especially this year with the Jubilee) is really taking a toll on them, but in no way is this an excuse, so thank you for acknowledging that and understanding. I'm pleased you enjoyed the Hotels, Le Clarisse is definitely a favourite of ours too, being in such a large busy... Read more

Hi Janine,
thank you so much for leaving your review! Of course thanks to whatsapp we were in touch daily.

I'm sorry about the guides and if they seemed overworked, as you can imagine the summer, the heat, the crowds (especially this year with the Jubilee) is really taking a toll on them, but in no way is this an excuse, so thank you for acknowledging that and understanding.

I'm pleased you enjoyed the Hotels, Le Clarisse is definitely a favourite of ours too, being in such a large busy city and then enjoying the calmness and charm, really helps recharge!

The Central Wellness was picked because it's not right in the center but not too far away, being in the center of Sorrento, especially when on such a busy schedule and with kids, can really take it's toll as young tourists are often in the streets until 3am (I'm sure they think it's Ibiza) so being a little tucked away, really helps on the sleep factor!

I know Isernia was a success too, of which me and Givoanna are so happy about, fate after all!

I tried to add the hotel in Ischia for you but as it's not yet in the kimkim's DB we didn't make it in time for the review, but I know how much you liked that too.

Thanks again Janine and your family for booking with me, I'm so happy you all enjoyed your holiday and we all look forward to your next trip to Italia!

Melanie, Giovanna and the rest of the team at ItalyCharme and Kimkim!

Melanie was fantastic, a dream to work with. ...
Italy | Jun 3 - Jun 18, 2025

Heather
Heather M.
Lakeside, CA | Reviewed on Jun 26, 2025
Melanie was fantastic, a dream to work with. I am looking forward to planning a trip with her again. As with any normal trip, there were some bumps and bruises with a couple of the excursions, due to the tour/guide themselves, not Melanie or KimKim, but overall it was a phenomenal trip and we had a truly fantastic time. I can't thank Melanie enough. Read more

Melanie was fantastic, a dream to work with. I am looking forward to planning a trip with her again. As with any normal trip, there were some bumps and bruises with a couple of the excursions, due to the tour/guide themselves, not Melanie or KimKim, but overall it was a phenomenal trip and we had a truly fantastic time. I can't thank Melanie enough.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Gardena Venezia
Venice
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Doria Palace Boutique Hotel
Rome
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
They were truly wonderful, friendly, and helpful. Took great care of us!
Cleanliness & Comfort
If you like AC control you need to tell the front desk. A lot of stairs, only one person can fit in the elevator.
La Residenza Fiorentina
Firenze
Authenticity & Character
Location
Across the street from the train station so the front view is not beautiful, but the location in terms of getting everywhere is pretty fantastic.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Issue with the AC not working in one of the rooms due to construction.
Central Wellness Hotel Sorrento
Sorrento
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
The Accademia Gallery tour - skip the line
The Accademia Gallery tour - skip the line
Florence
Rome Food Tour
Rome Food Tour
Rome
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Pompeii Walking Tour with driver half day
Private Pompeii Walking Tour with driver half day
Italy
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Andrew was fantastic!
Transport
Historical Rome walking tour and Colosseum guided Tour
Historical Rome walking tour and Colosseum guided Tour
Rome
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Venice Walking and Gondola Tour
Private Venice Walking and Gondola Tour
Venice

Giovanni was fantastic!!!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Florence cooking class and market tour - private tour
Florence cooking class and market tour - private tour
Florence

One of our favorite parts of the trip.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Boat tour: Fishing and lunch on board
Boat tour: Fishing and lunch on board
Sorrento

Angela and Luigi are a truly beautiful people, we had the best day with them. They customized the experience for us, interacted with us, cooked amazing food for us, we all felt like old friends when we left them at the end of the day. It was an extraordinary experience.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Walking tour to discover the local artisans workshop experience
Walking tour to discover the local artisans workshop experience
Florence
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Vatican & Sistine Chapel Tour
Vatican & Sistine Chapel Tour
Rome
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Melanie Rapuano
Melanie
Melanie Rapuano
Local specialist in Italy | Replied on Jun 27, 2025
Hi Heather,
thank you so much for taking the time to leave your lovely review.
Helping you plan your family trip was fun from the first email, it felt like we were always on the same track and we definitely worked on this together. I'm so pleased it worked out and you all had a fantastic holiday!
Regarding the Florence artisan tour our guide informed us that there weren't any real artisans open during the tour and instead of going to the ''fake ones'' which are just tourist traps, she...
Read more

Hi Heather,
thank you so much for taking the time to leave your lovely review.
Helping you plan your family trip was fun from the first email, it felt like we were always on the same track and we definitely worked on this together. I'm so pleased it worked out and you all had a fantastic holiday!
Regarding the Florence artisan tour our guide informed us that there weren't any real artisans open during the tour and instead of going to the ''fake ones'' which are just tourist traps, she prefered to go to a pottery artisan as at least he was a genuine local artisan. Again, I'm sorry this wasn't the tour you expected and next time we will just stick to the local activities; I'm sure Angela and Luigi would love to have you all back!

I can't wait to plan your next trip to Italy Heather and thanks again for booking this trip with me.

A presto,
Melanie

We used Melanie for our family with 2 teenage...
Italy | Jun 6 - Jun 18, 2025

J
janet k.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Jun 19, 2025
We used Melanie for our family with 2 teenagers. When planning for Italy, we tried to plan on our own at first but it was quite overwhelming especially coming from the US and for 13days. It was worth using Melanie's planning services especially with our limited time to travel as a family and to make the best use of our time! Our two teens kept saying the following " the way she planned this makes complete sense! and the tour guides were so nice and tailored the tours and conversations to... Read more

We used Melanie for our family with 2 teenagers. When planning for Italy, we tried to plan on our own at first but it was quite overwhelming especially coming from the US and for 13days. It was worth using Melanie's planning services especially with our limited time to travel as a family and to make the best use of our time! Our two teens kept saying the following " the way she planned this makes complete sense! and the tour guides were so nice and tailored the tours and conversations to their interests! that they loved the tours and felt it was well paced " Things that would have stressed us out, like navigating pickups, arranging tours to, how to navigate the train systems, Melanie planned every detail out. We were so relaxed with very little to worry about, and she had people everyday make sure that we were good with our day schedule. She planned it so that the kids and parents got to do the "right amount" of tours, down time, exploring on our own. It's so funny , it's hard to imagine these things can be stressful on a trip, but when you are working with Melanie, and once you are in the trip, we all started saying, that makes sense to arrange this on this date, and this place first... at one point the trains needed to be switched and she took care of it seamlessly. All the stuff I would read online on Italy travel planning before caused a bit of anxiety when they were planning their own trips, but with Melanie, we didn't have to worry about it, because her itinerary and services just worked. Additionally, when my girl and I got sick, she followed up with us on how to best get care. It felt very comfortable, like you had family helping navigate you through Italy. We will for sure use her again when we come back to explore other parts of Italy. Communication was very prompt, and drivers were kind and courteous, and Melanie and Agoda were fabulous in taking care of each step. Highly recommended !

Hotel Reviews
VENICE TIME HOTEL
Venice

perfect place, beautiful, great breakfast, people were so kind and welcoming Beautiful courtyard. Close to everything yet quiet and feels like a secret getaway from all the bustle to relax at night. Even had gluten free breakfast!

Authenticity & Character
Location
little alley , safe but literally close to the main areas
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
So' Lifestyle Hotel Sorrento
Sorrento

The best hotel for Sorrento, when the beachclubs can only offer so much, like more tanning than anything, this hotel had a wonderful beautiful pool to refresh. Highly recommended! even had gluten free breakfast! Kind staff and very clean and modern

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Della Conciliazione
Rome

perfect spot! close to vatican and yet only 20min walk to main shopping and sites. Didn't realize this hotel was right in front of the most charming brick laden street , quiet little souvenir shops, 3 gelatos all within the same street, outside restaurants patio dining, but yet quiet and right amount of bustle to make you feel part of something. Lovely beautiful hotel. Great breakfast. Lovely staff. Highly recommend. clean !

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Venice Gondola Ride
Venice Gondola Ride
Venice

Amazing gondola ride, our tour guide we didn't realize was so famous! He even sang for us! Our teen girls loved this.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private boat tour on the Amalfi Coast
Private boat tour on the Amalfi Coast
Italy

Must do! Our teens loved the private boat, had a bathroom, very clean, sunbathed on the desk, and skipper was so kind and flexible. Spent the whole day stopping and shopping and swimming in the sea. Clean nice boat

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Day trip from Sorrento to Pompeii and Mt Vesuvius
Day trip from Sorrento to Pompeii and Mt Vesuvius
Italy

OUR TEENS LOVED THIS! They way that Melanie our Kim Kim Agent timed the tour was perfect so that it wasn't too terribly hot. They really had a good experience with the tour guide, he was fantastic, he was so enthusiastic and our family could really get a first hand look at how they lived. He was a great storyteller,and could not have been with a better tour guide for Pompeii! Mt Vesuvius was fantastic also! Both timed just perfectly.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Colosseo and Roman forums adventure
Colosseo and Roman forums adventure
Rome

Our family loved this, great tour and guide, highly recommend private tour, get a lot more information!!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Appian Way by E-bike: Tour with Catacombs, Aqueducts, and Food
Appian Way by E-bike: Tour with Catacombs, Aqueducts, and Food
Rome

family loved this experience! Tour guide that Melanie picked was great, tailored the tour to the kids interests, so kind, and the. biking and catacombs was truly an experience for them. HIGHLY recommended!

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

The tour guide Melanie chose was fantastic! He was so knowledgeable and knew how to weave through the crowd! There were crowds of people, but Melanie's arrangement allowed use to bypass all the lines and just get in, the guide showed us all the key pieces and you could see all the correlation with the other. Fantastic and quite amazing tour!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Melanie Rapuano
Melanie
Melanie Rapuano
Local specialist in Italy | Replied on Jun 20, 2025
Hi Janet,
thank you so much for your lovely review.
As I mentioned in our messages, it was a real pleasure to have you as guests. It really did feel as though it was family visiting!
It's so important to get a better understanding of those travelling simply because it allows me to really customise the trip, just as if it were family. So you mentioning that same thing, is the best compliment ever, as I'm fullfilling my job and designing YOUR trips; not standard trips, not catalogue trips,...
Read more

Hi Janet,
thank you so much for your lovely review.
As I mentioned in our messages, it was a real pleasure to have you as guests. It really did feel as though it was family visiting!
It's so important to get a better understanding of those travelling simply because it allows me to really customise the trip, just as if it were family. So you mentioning that same thing, is the best compliment ever, as I'm fullfilling my job and designing YOUR trips; not standard trips, not catalogue trips, but your special trip exactly how you wanted it, without really knowing what it is you wanted! So thank you!

I can't wait to plan your next trip Janet.
Take care and keep in touch,
Melanie

We had an amazing two weeks in Italy (June202...
Italy | Jun 3 - Jun 15, 2025

D
Dori S.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Jun 16, 2025
We had an amazing two weeks in Italy (June2025)
We visited Rome Florence and Sorrento with many small cities in between. Melanie planned an amazing itinerary that covered many tourist sites. Having everything taken care of made the trip enjoyable for all. We had an amazing family vacation and made memories for a life time. Thanks to Melanie and the KimKim team.
Read more

We had an amazing two weeks in Italy (June2025)
We visited Rome Florence and Sorrento with many small cities in between. Melanie planned an amazing itinerary that covered many tourist sites. Having everything taken care of made the trip enjoyable for all. We had an amazing family vacation and made memories for a life time. Thanks to Melanie and the KimKim team.

Hotel Reviews
Grand Hotel President Sorrento
Sorrento

This hotel had absolutely amazing views!!! The views were the best part of this hotel. The rooms were fine but nothing special as was the food. The staff at the front desk were not very nice or helpful, it was as if you had to pull information out of them. Due to the location of this hotel (which is not ideal) you need to take a shuttle in and out of town. The shuttle was extremely hot and many times full, so it could become quite inconvenient. Not a hotel I would return to.

Authenticity & Character
Views were beautiful
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Rooms were clean outside at the villa could use some attention
Relais Le Clarisse Rome
Rome

This hotel is a gem in Rome. We were lucky enough to have garden rooms which we loved. Rooms are clean, staff is friendly and it’s a nice location

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Palazzo Castri 1874
Florence

This is a beautiful hotel, very clean, rooms are great, and a nice outdoor area. However, the location is a bit of a walk from the places you want to be close to and it is quite stuffy (staff and guests).

Location
Far from everything
Staff
Not overly friendly
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Boat tour along the Amalfi Coast
Boat tour along the Amalfi Coast
Sorrento

This tour was great!! Best way to see Amalfi and Positano by far. Would highly recommend a boat tour if in the area.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our driver was a bit quiet and unsure of where we were going but he was very nice and we had a good day
Transport
Colosseo and Roman forums adventure
Colosseo and Roman forums adventure
Rome

This tour was amazing!! In my opinion I wish the tour guide would have talked a bit less and really only spoke on key points. There was a lot of information given that was not of any interest especially to twenty something yr old boys.

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

The Vatican is amazing!!! No matter how you see it I can not imagine not being amazed. Our tour guide was very talkative and not all of the information was of interest to us. She also rushed us through areas when we wanted to stop and take pictures, she seemed more focused on getting through the tour than our experience

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Appian Way by E-bike: Tour with Catacombs, Aqueducts, and Food
Appian Way by E-bike: Tour with Catacombs, Aqueducts, and Food
Rome

This was the highlight of our trip. I highly recommend this tour as long as you can ride a bike, you see things you would otherwise probably not see while visiting Rome. The bonus was our tour guide Alex, he was just amazing!!

Quality of Experience
Your was great
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Alex was amazing!
Transport
Florence Walking Tour
Florence Walking Tour
Italy

This tour is just ok, not sure it is necessary when visiting Florence

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Day trip to Siena and San Gimignano
Day trip to Siena and San Gimignano
Italy

We loved this experience!!! We didn’t know much before we went but so happy we did. The views were amazing and walking around the beautiful streets, restaurants and stores made for a great day!!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Melanie Rapuano
Melanie
Melanie Rapuano
Local specialist in Italy | Replied on Jun 17, 2025
Hi Dori, thank you so much for taking the time to leave your lovely review.
And thank you so much for the notes on the hotels too, this is always very important to us.
Next time we will sure to select a hotel in the center of Sorrento, it's not always easy to find rooms but we will definitely find a better location for you.
I agree about Florence, it's so compact that just walking around is nice and relaxing, maybe next time we will make the tour less about sights and more about relaxing... Read more

Hi Dori,

thank you so much for taking the time to leave your lovely review.
And thank you so much for the notes on the hotels too, this is always very important to us.
Next time we will sure to select a hotel in the center of Sorrento, it's not always easy to find rooms but we will definitely find a better location for you.

I agree about Florence, it's so compact that just walking around is nice and relaxing, maybe next time we will make the tour less about sights and more about relaxing and activities for you to all enjoy as a family.

Thanks again Dori, and I look forward to helping plan your next trip!

Melanie

Great decision
Italy | Jun 3 - Jun 15, 2025

H
Harry S.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Jun 16, 2025
I usually do not write reviews, but I have to make an exception because this was a big trip for my family. We just returned from a great 2 week trip to Italy. (Rome, Florence and Sorrento). I found KimKim from an internet search and decided to give it a try. So glad I did because I was lucky enough to find Melanie. From the very first contact with her, she made me feel comfortable with the KK decision. Over the course of 2 to 3 weeks she and I crafted the perfect itinerary for our family.... Read more

I usually do not write reviews, but I have to make an exception because this was a big trip for my family. We just returned from a great 2 week trip to Italy. (Rome, Florence and Sorrento). I found KimKim from an internet search and decided to give it a try. So glad I did because I was lucky enough to find Melanie. From the very first contact with her, she made me feel comfortable with the KK decision.

Over the course of 2 to 3 weeks she and I crafted the perfect itinerary for our family. From accommodations, tours, transfers everything was thoughtfully arranged to meet our preferences.

What really made me write this review was the great communication. She responded quickly to all of our questions, gave recommendations, even while we were in Italy, making sure that everything was going smoothly. Having this comfort made our vacation completely stress-free.

The trip itself was flawless—every detail was taken care of, and every recommendation hit the mark.

If you're looking for a travel agent who genuinely cares, listens, and creates a tailor-made experience, you will not be disappointed with Melanie. We can't thank her enough for giving our family memories that will last a lifetime. Highly recommended!

Hotel Review
Relais Le Clarisse Rome
Rome

This was our favorite hotel on our 2 week vacation. Rome, Florence and Sorrento. We had rooms in the courtyard area which might be the reason we like it so much. The rooms themselves are nothing great but they had everything you needed. The hotel was clean and the staff was very friendly. The location, Travestere, was a nice break from all of the crowds in Rome center. Added bonus was that there are a lot of restaurants within walking distance.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Appian Way by E-bike: Tour with Catacombs, Aqueducts, and Food
Appian Way by E-bike: Tour with Catacombs, Aqueducts, and Food
Rome

Not having high expectations, our family of 4 booked this e-bike tour of aqueducts/Appian/catacombs. We’ve been in Italy for 2 weeks and this was one of the top highlights of our trip. Alex was exceptional, everyone in our family connected with him and had a fantastic time. We wish we could’ve taken him for the rest of our trip.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Alex was great!
Transport
Local specialist: Melanie Rapuano
Melanie
Melanie Rapuano
Local specialist in Italy | Replied on Jun 17, 2025

Hi Harry,
I feel even more honoured now knowing you don't usually write reviews!

Thank you for being the perfect guests. Thank you for trusting me with your trip and thank you for taking part in the trip planning too; it's always the best way to build a trip!

I'm pleased it all went smoothly and I'm even more happy I helped make those special family memories.

I look forward to your next trip to Italy and I will pass on your message to Alex.

Thanks again!
Melanie

Wonderful trip to Italy with SUPER nice and friendly specialist, Melanie
Italy | May 31 - Jun 12, 2025

Geoffrey
Geoffrey P.
Dania Beach, FL | Reviewed on Jun 13, 2025
Italy was booked by me as a trip of a lifetime and in many ways it was. While I ended up spending almost double of what the anticipated costs were due to a few hotel issues booked through Kimkim, my family and I loved our trip through Venice, Naples, Sorrento, Rome and Florence. Melanie is a wonderful person who listens, communicates, responds and does everything she can to assist. I highly recommend Melanie to anyone considering a trip to Italy. There were hiccups, mostly with hotels Kimkim... Read more

Italy was booked by me as a trip of a lifetime and in many ways it was. While I ended up spending almost double of what the anticipated costs were due to a few hotel issues booked through Kimkim, my family and I loved our trip through Venice, Naples, Sorrento, Rome and Florence. Melanie is a wonderful person who listens, communicates, responds and does everything she can to assist. I highly recommend Melanie to anyone considering a trip to Italy. There were hiccups, mostly with hotels Kimkim chose and we had to scramble and find new and better hotels to move ourselves and our 8 bags to (even though I was the one who had requested to keep within a budget, the location and amenities of the hotels were very subpar), but overall my family and I had an extremely memorable trip that we wouldn't have traded for anything. From the sights, the scenes, the food and wine, the mostly friendly and welcoming people and everything else that makes Italy so unique, we loved our trip

Hotel Reviews
Palazzo Nainer
Roma

Nice staff, nice place, nice location. Nothing outstanding here, but a very good either 3+ star or you could say, 4 star, hotel experience. As is definitely a theme of Italian hotels we noticed, once again a very friendly and helpful front desk and staff. They offered champagne and/or sodas for us and juices for the kids upon check in and then every day after that, and they made great cappuccino and espresso for no charge, while staying there. Rooms were clean - we had 2 rooms instead of 1 room due to the rooms being very small and we are a party of 4... for the first night, the AC was making insanely crazy loud noises in one room so we all slept together in one room, then the hotel moved that for us, and we were more comfortable the second and final nights. I will be requesting credit for that one night via American Express because why would anyone pay for a room that was unusable for one night? Other than that, a very pleasant stay, good location for shopping and restaurants/gelaterias and I do recommend this hotel overall

Authenticity & Character
See review - just a really nice place overall
Location
Nice location for everyone, kids and adults
Staff
Helped with bags (unlike the hotels Kimkim booked for us in Florence or Sorrento), and were always there to answer questions and assist us in every way
Cleanliness & Comfort
No issues here; very comfortable beds and everything clean and modern
La Casa dell'Orologio Sorrento
Sorrento

If you want to stay the very epicenter of Sorrento above all the bars, restaurants and action, this B&B style hotel is for you (please note, it is not a hotel as you'd envision... it is a very old, somewhat dilapidated apartment building with a 3rd floor converted into what is like a hotel, but is definitely a B&B facility where they installed a modern elevator). We did stay one night of our 3 nights in Sorrento, but after having almost no sleep whatsoever, we got back on the Hotel tonight app (see my review of the Florence hotel) and found Hotel Ambasciatori about 0.5 miles away and stayed there our final 2 nights. This place was mostly clean and again had nice staff, but was not for us in any way. The beds were the most uncomfortable I've ever felt in my life, but we could have gotten around that for 3 nights if we had been able to sleep at all. On our first and only night, the music, parties and screaming right below our hotel went on until 5 AM. Yes actually 5 AM... I'm the last one to complain about partying or having a good time outside in nice weather, I love all of that and did it for years, but the fact that screaming, yelling and insanity can occur unchecked until 5 AM is insane... we tried earplugs, putting pillows over our ears, and anything else but essentially we slept from around 5:30 to 7:30 AM. Not exactly a fun night of vacation. If you love all of that happening around you, there's nothing else really wrong with this facility except the horrible beds/mattresses. We absolutely loved Hotel Ambasicatori which we moved to, and will stay there again if we make it back to Sorrento

Authenticity & Character
None. It's a falling-apart building with the 3rd floor made into a B&B style hotel
Location
To us, a horrible location due to what I said in my review but perhaps to a 20 year old staying alone or with drinking buddies, it'd be perfect
Staff
Very nice lady working the desk, I don't recall her name
Cleanliness & Comfort
See review
La Residenza Fiorentina
Firenze

Of all hotels booked through the Kimkim service, this was by far the worst, and while I feel bad to give a one star to anyone, it has to be done here. The front desk gentleman was very sweet, very helpful especially when we told him we need to leave, but that's where it ends. The location is very rough, but that could be dealt with, had anything else worked out. The rooms are extremely dated and unclean, or at least, ours was. We checked in, so tired from a train ride with our 2 minor kids and having to carry our 8 bags about 1/3 mile down the street (due to no fault of kimkim's, our driver couldn't pass a broken down bus and couldn't reach the front of the hotel... but definitely should have and could have driven us around from another street instead of hurriedly telling the 4 of us with our 8 bags to get out of the van and find the hotel down the street).... when we got to the room we found someone else's hair on one bed and some eyelashes on another. The bathroom had obvious mold, and the room overall was just a very 1 or 2 star type of old, outdated, unclean look and feel. My wife said "if we're staying here for 4 nights, we have to make sure we are almost never in this room we have to be out of the room all day and evening and just here to sleep and leave".... so with all that, I logged onto an app called Hotel Tonight and found The Hotel Savoy in the middle of the city of Florence. I'm not going to review that hotel here, but it was the best hotel experience either of us had every had in our 42 years, in every way.

Authenticity & Character
The entire hotel would need to be revamped and remodeled
Location
Staff
I don't recall his name, the gentleman who checked us in, front desk. Super nice and friendly
Cleanliness & Comfort
I believe the review says everything; it was just very dirty, smelled terribly and unwelcoming
Hotel Olimpia
Venice

Perfect blend of great location with being quiet at night. Very nice front desk who answered any questions and concerns. No real amenities but overall a great hotel that I would recommend most people traveling to Venice to stay due to being clean, comfortable, accessible and friendly to tourists

Authenticity & Character
Very charming hotel and view
Location
Close enough to vehicle drop off point, beautiful water view, quiet nights
Staff
Extremely nice, friendly, helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
it was exactly that... clean and comfortable
Activity Reviews
Colosseum and Roman forums child friendly tour
Colosseum and Roman forums child friendly tour
Rome

Not a child friendly tour despite its name. Not a great experience. Brutal heat, crazy lines (I understand its the most visited sight in Europe, but people should be aware of this), and just way too long for what could've been accomplished in 45 minutes. I'm not sure why the title says 2 hours, when the guide actually said it was a 3+ hour event, but we did eventually inform her that we were done and wanted to end early. Look - seeing the colosseum in person, both for the adults and kids, was amazing. The history of what went on there (both from what we knew, and things we didn't know such as the fact that much of the gold, marble and materials used to construct it was stolen by the Romans from the Jews ... no surprise, more suffering and mistreatment of Jewish people even 2,000 years ago), it was all amazing to learn and see in person, but an overly long experience with an unbelievably loquacious tour guide, made it less memorable for us all. We were then taken to the gardens area near the forum, which we didn't find interesting or meaningful, and requested to end the tour so could get lunch. There must be better ways to check out the colosseum

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
 Pompeii half day tour form Sorrento
Pompeii half day tour form Sorrento
Italy

The history of this place is amazing and the tour guide was great, it's just a really tough day especially in the summer and as I understand, it gets way hotter in July and August. This tour would be great I imagine in March or maybe October/November... but 3 hours of walking around ruins in the heat, despite the incredible learning experience, is just tough for anyone. It's not the tour or kimkim's fault that we have a 7 and 11 year old, but they absolutely lost it about an hour in, and I can't recommend anyone attend this tour with someone under 20 years old. We thought the drive was an hour each way with perhaps 90 min or at most 2 hours of walking around, but it ended up being just about 3 solid hours of no shade, outside heat tour... so all that is a bit tough... but anyone interested in the history of this once-civilization should definitely go. I'm still glad I went and saw it all for myself

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Pizza Workshop
Pizza Workshop
Sorrento

What could be more fun than making pizza with professionals in the birthplace of pizza!? My wife and I, and of course our 7 and 11 year olds, absolutely loved every moment of this. It was the right amount of time - about 90 minutes altogether - and tons of fun. Also, extremely delicious, that goes without saying. No matter what, while in Sorrento/Naples area, DO THIS! Especially if you can get Luigi as your host - he's awesome, and funny, makes a great experience even better

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Olive and Wine Tasting in Tuscany Countryside
Olive and Wine Tasting in Tuscany Countryside
Italy

Phenomenal tour and activity. If you get car sick (my daughter does), make sure to either sit up front or take Dramamine or ginger before being picked up as the drive can get tough. That aside, which is no one's fault just a warning to future travelers, it's a picturesque perfect way to spend a day in Italy. We ended up spending hundreds of euros buying some wines and olive oils because they were just that amazing - they don't pressure you or anything, we just couldn't resist

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Pisa and Lucca with private driver
Pisa and Lucca with private driver
Florence

Loved it! Driver Simeone was super friendly and got us everywhere we needed to be quickly and in comfort. He recommended what ended up being one of, if not the, best meal of our lives at La Buca San Antonio in Lucca. This wasn't a guided tour, and for once, we actually appreciated that and enjoyed having it that way. Great experience!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Melanie Rapuano
Melanie
Melanie Rapuano
Local specialist in Italy | Replied on Jun 17, 2025
Hi Geoffrey,
thank you so much for your lovely review and as I was with you every step of your trip, you know how sorry myself and the team were about the problems with the hotels especially regarding the one in Florence which we have now removed from our list of hotels.
I'm really pleased you had a fantastic holiday and the kids were so good discovering a new part of the world, maybe the historical sites will be appreciated more when it's not so hot and when they are a little older, I'm... Read more

Hi Geoffrey,
thank you so much for your lovely review and as I was with you every step of your trip, you know how sorry myself and the team were about the problems with the hotels especially regarding the one in Florence which we have now removed from our list of hotels.

I'm really pleased you had a fantastic holiday and the kids were so good discovering a new part of the world, maybe the historical sites will be appreciated more when it's not so hot and when they are a little older, I'm sure they will be the ones asking all the questions to the guides one day!

I hope you are all making pizzas back home.

Thanks again,
Melanie

We are still basking in the afterglow of an a...
Italy | May 14 - May 28, 2025

Kris
Kris B.
Minneapolis, MN | Reviewed on Jun 09, 2025
We are still basking in the afterglow of an amazing 2 week trip to Italy that found us in Venice, Florence, Sorrento and Rome as home bases. With 4 travelers and lots of moving parts, I was concerned that something was bound to go wrong, especially as it related to transport and finding our guides. Happily (and honestly unexpectedly), the trip was 100% seamless thanks to our travel specialist, Melanie. From the moment we interacted, I knew I was in good hands because she became a partner... Read more

We are still basking in the afterglow of an amazing 2 week trip to Italy that found us in Venice, Florence, Sorrento and Rome as home bases. With 4 travelers and lots of moving parts, I was concerned that something was bound to go wrong, especially as it related to transport and finding our guides. Happily (and honestly unexpectedly), the trip was 100% seamless thanks to our travel specialist, Melanie. From the moment we interacted, I knew I was in good hands because she became a partner who genuinely cared about what we wanted to do, offered excellent suggestions, and remained sensitive to cost considerations. We chatted frequently online and at one point, at a time when I was concerned about the travel logistics, Melanie actually called on a weekend to reassure me and to talk me through what to expect. I felt like I was dealing with a friend which put me at ease during the planning process. She was always prompt in her responses and always made me feel like she was my guardian angel for this trip.

Highlights of our trip included stays at the Hotel Kraft in Florence, a lovely boutique hotel with a grand view of the city and landscape, and the Grand Hotel Presidente Sorrento that offered spectacular views of the town, Mount Vesuvius and the Tyrrhenian Sea. We were surprised and delighted by every single one of our private tours that were led by friendly, highly knowledgeable guides. These guides all treated us to "front of the line" access and provided an "insider" perspective that made the tours particularly enjoyable. Favorites included:

The "Best of Venice with Cicchetti Experience" -- Giovanni, our guide, led us on a walking tour to see such sights as the Rialto Bridge and local markets as well as the less-seen neighborhoods of Venice. Our tour included a leisurely stop for cicchetti and drinks in a local square and lunch at one of his favorite off-the-beaten-path restaurants where we were free to order what we wanted;

The Deep Wine Chianti & San Gimignano tour in Tuscany -- wow, just wow! San Gimignano is a gem of a place... we wished we'd had more time to spend in the village with Hilaria, our amazing guide. The wine tastings were exceptional, particularly at the Terre di Sovernaja, a family owned winery led by Frederico. In addition to tasting various wines and olive oils, we enjoyed lunch made by Nonna in the family home;

Cooking class at La Lemonaia -- like the aforementioned, this was an experience that was more than we anticipated. Our experience started with an informativel tour of the lemon grove located just a short walk from Sorrento's city center. At the end of our tour, we had a sit-down tasting of limoncello, lemon marmalade, lemon sorbet and other accompaniments. After being gifted with a bottle of limoncello and marmalades to take home, we had our own private cooking class with Chef Rosaria in the lemon grove's outdoor covered kitchen. What a great evening, eating the pasta and tiramisu we prepared in our own private outdoor space, surrounded by lemon trees!

This was a trip to celebrate our daughter's college graduation and we could not have planned it any better. A special thank you to KimKim and especially to Melanie for a trip we will never forget!

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Ruzzini Palace
Venice

We loved the location of Hotel Ruzzini Palace; staff were exceptional and very friendly. The hotel has a cozy bar offering great cocktails -- the perfect place to enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail and unwind at the end of each day. Great breakfast with plenty of selections.

Authenticity & Character
Beautiful sitting area. Charming hotel.
Location
A less busy square that is close to restaurants and shopping. Short walk to everything.
Staff
Attentive, welcoming, helpful, aim-to -please.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Grand Hotel President Sorrento
Sorrento

We loved this hotel because the views were unmatched! From our seaside room, we could see Napoli, Mount Vesuvius, the Sorrentine Peninsula and the Bay of Sorrento. That itself was an experience we will never forget. The rooms were spacious as were the bathrooms (ample vanity top). Loved that the beds were situated in the center of the room to take advantage of the unbelievable view. Plenty of storage space and plenty of space to move around within the room. (Note that we would not want a room that was NOT seaside as those overlook the parking lot and have no view.) Although the hotel feels a bit dated stylistically, it is clean and again, the views -- day and night -- more than make up for it. The Bar and Restaurant areas are large with floor to ceiling windows as well as outdoor seating. The pool and garden areas are beautiful. We enjoyed soaking in the Sorrento sun while enjoying the view. The only downside to the hotel is that it is not easily accessible to town. The hotel does run an hourly shuttle service that often does not have enough seating for those who wish to use it during peak hours...in those cases, the shuttle runs a loop to ensure that all guests are accommodated. We always took a cab back from town rather than waiting for the shuttle. We would definitely return to this hotel!

Authenticity & Character
Charming, unpretentious, beautiful views
Location
Really depends on what you are looking for. Spectacular for the view and tranquility. Not convenient to town, but nothing a shuttle or taxi can't solve.
Staff
Great service, from concierge to housekeeping, to bartenders and wait staff.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Kraft Hotel Florence
Florence

Very spacious rooms; ours had a terrace. Kind, friendly staff. The Kraft hotel has breathtaking 360 degree view of Florence and its surrounding areas from the top floor terrace that feels like a garden. Such a great place to enjoy a meal and/or drinks. The espresso martinis were exceptional! Located near the US Embassy, we appreciated that this was a quieter neighborhood...an approximate 15 minute (easy) walk to the Duomo area.

Authenticity & Character
The view felt like we were looking at a postcard of Florence!
Location
Quiet neighborhood but you did need to walk to get to main activities. Not a big deal for us.
Staff
Friendly and attentive
Cleanliness & Comfort
Relais Le Clarisse Rome
Rome

This was an interesting hotel that felt more like an Airbnb. This was our least favorite hotel, but I suspect this was based on our own personal taste and preferences. We had 2 rooms -- ours had the large terrace which was nice, but the room felt cramped with minimal storage space (hard with 2 suitcases and carryons) and a bathroom with no counter space at all. The breakfast area was undergoing construction so all breakfasts were delivered to the rooms. Ours was delivered 20 minutes late -- ordinarily not a big deal except that we were being picked up for a tour. The main desk closes at 8pm which means that the front doors are locked as well. Also, there were no stairs to the 2nd floor; only a small elevator that accommodates no more than one person/one suitcase or 2 people. There was a staircase next to our room but it was locked. From a potential fire perspective, this made me nervous.

Authenticity & Character
Not our style but it you are looking for a private garden setting that feels less like a hotel and more like you are renting a room, it's perfect.
Location
Great location from standpoint that it is near lots of restaurants, but it is a bit off the beaten track with respect to major sights.
Staff
Very kind front desk staff.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Felt dingy, but for some, that is probably some of the charm.
Activity Reviews
Walking tour to discover the best of Venice with "Cicchetti " experience
Walking tour to discover the best of Venice with "Cicchetti " experience
Venice

Love this! Giovanni was a great guide who led us on a walking tour of the popular sights and quiet neighborhoods. We especially liked walking through the market. He was so knowledgeable and friendly. Pace of the tour was not rushed; it was low key and very personalized. We enjoyed cichetti sandwiches and my husband's first Aperol spritz in a quieter neighborhood square...enjoyed the accordion player which was a bonus! Giovanni then took us to an authentic Venetian restaurant...both he and the owner offered up lots of meal suggestions before we were free to order as we liked. Ended our tour with tasty gelato!

Quality of Experience
We were able to see different sides to Venice, from the popular to the less touristy areas. Enjoyed great food.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Giovanni was top notch!
Transport
The Accademia Gallery tour - skip the line
The Accademia Gallery tour - skip the line
Florence

Mario Messineo was our tour guide. He met us at the hotel and from there, we proceeded to the Accademia. There seemed to be some confusion about our tickets as he did not have them with him when he picked us up; we had to stop to get them. No big deal. We were able to skip-the-line. The tour was good though it was at times difficult to hear Mario given his soft spokenness and the noise of others. Headphones might have been helpful.

Quality of Experience
Headphones so that we could hear our guide better.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
This tour didn't seem quite as organized, but still ok.
Deep wine Chianti and San Gimignano
Deep wine Chianti and San Gimignano
Florence

This was one of the highlights of our trip. We started with a tour of San Gimignano. Hilaria was our guide and she was so informative about the village. She worked to tailor our time around what we wanted, so we began with a stop for coffee, toured the village and came across one of her friends, a musician who played a hammered dolcima...magical! Wish we'd had more time here. We then ventured to Terra Di Sovernaja, a family owned winery led by so Federico Montagnani. We tasted 3 whites and 3 reds as well as 7 different olive oils from the winery. As proof that we enjoyed this tour, we ordered several cases of wine and olive oil to enjoy at home. This experience was made complete with a traditional Italian meal created by his mom, Nonna Silvama! Our final stop was to Il Colombaio where we enjoyed wine tastings with a focus on chianti Classico...again ordering several cases to enjoy at home. This was a stress-free trip with a private driver safely transporting us throughout the day.

Quality of Experience
Everything was 5 star!
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Ravello, Amalfi & Positano
Ravello, Amalfi & Positano
Sorrento

Personally, we felt a visit to each of these towns was too much for one day. At our request, we spent about an hour at a ceramics factory to purchase items to ship, so that admittedly cut into our time, but even so, we didn't have enough time to really experience and appreciate each of these towns. The time spent in each of these 3 villages was no sufficient for anything more than shopping and/or eating. If we were doing this again, we would opt for 2 days.

Quality of Experience
Just not enough time
Cooking class in Sorrento
Cooking class in Sorrento
Sorrento

Such a fun experience! We started with a tour of the lemon grove -- didn't previously realize how much there was to know about growing lemons! Enjoyed a leisurely "lemon tasting" that included limoncello, lemon sorbet, lemon marmalade and assorted appetizers. This lemon tasting was an unexpected surprise. From there, we enjoyed a private cooking class with Rosaria. There was a lovely outdoor kitchen with our own private dining area. We made ravioli and gnocchi, eggplant parmesan and tiramisu for dessert. While the menu was "standard" and nothing out of the ordinary, per se, the overall experience exceeded our expectations. A special thanks to Chef Rosaria and to Francesca, our lemon grove guide. We left with small gifts, including a bottle of limoncello, assorted marmalades, and cooking aprons.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
So fun to cook with Rosaria...she was delightful! Francesca also was a terrific lemon grove guide.
Transport
We had one way transportation to the Lemon Grove. Would have been impossible to walk back as originally suggested. We ended up taking a cab.
Colosseo and Roman forums adventure
Colosseo and Roman forums adventure
Rome

We enjoyed the golf cart tour, although it broke down 5 times in the middle of busy traffic! Not our driver's fault, but it was a little scary. Great way to see all the sights, stopping just a few times for pictures.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Cart broke down several times.
Vatican & Sistine Chapel Tour
Vatican & Sistine Chapel Tour
Rome

We toured the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, and Basilica with Barbara, our private guide whose knowledge of all things Vatican and enthusiasm for same was astounding! Although ours was a private tour, Barbara used headphones with us so that we could clearly hear her among the crowds.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Barbara shows a passion for the specialness of Vatican City, its artifacts, and its deep history.
Transport
Local specialist: Melanie Rapuano
Melanie
Melanie Rapuano
Local specialist in Italy | Replied on Jun 11, 2025
Hi Kris, where do I start thanking you for such a lovely review! And oh my the photos, like something out of a magazine, you all looked stunning and love the photos! From day 1 I just knew I wanted to plan your trip to Italy. You had been before so together we found ways to experience Italy again without missing anything out for your daughter whilst still enjoying Italy yourself! It really did feel I was planning for a friend. You certainly did see and do a lot in such a short time and by... Read more

Hi Kris,

where do I start thanking you for such a lovely review! And oh my the photos, like something out of a magazine, you all looked stunning and love the photos!

From day 1 I just knew I wanted to plan your trip to Italy. You had been before so together we found ways to experience Italy again without missing anything out for your daughter whilst still enjoying Italy yourself! It really did feel I was planning for a friend.

You certainly did see and do a lot in such a short time and by the smiles it looks as though it was definitely a trip to remember.

All our guides and drivers spoke very highly about you all and it was a pleasure for us and for them to have you as guests.
I'm so pleased it all went above your expectations.

I look forward to booking your next trip to Italy Kris and enjoy the wine when it gets to you!

Take care and stay in touch!

Melanie

Brynn’s Italy - Cinque Terre, Amalfi, Florence & Rome
Italy | May 25 - Jun 7, 2025

M
Marnie G.
Atlanta, GA | Reviewed on Jun 09, 2025
Melanie from Kimkim made planning our niece’s 16th birthday trip a breeze. From start to finish Melanie was quick to respond and flexible with our many change requests. Once on the ground in Italy, Giovanna kept in touch daily to make sure we knew the plan for transfers and excursions. When we ran into a surprise, which only happened once or twice, Giovanna and the team resolved the issue quickly. We had great private guides (Stefano in Cinque Terre, Rafaela in Pompeii, and Paolo at the... Read more

Melanie from Kimkim made planning our niece’s 16th birthday trip a breeze. From start to finish Melanie was quick to respond and flexible with our many change requests. Once on the ground in Italy, Giovanna kept in touch daily to make sure we knew the plan for transfers and excursions. When we ran into a surprise, which only happened once or twice, Giovanna and the team resolved the issue quickly. We had great private guides (Stefano in Cinque Terre, Rafaela in Pompeii, and Paolo at the Colosseum in Rome were stand outs). The group tours were a bit of a let down after the private guide experience. Our transfer drivers were all early and efficient. Overall our KimKim experience was as fabulous and we will use them again!

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Montestella
Salerno

Location is good for exploring Salerno but the property is aging. Our room had water damage on the walls and a shower that leaked. Breakfast was good. Lots of street noise at times from our room. Staff was efficient but aloof compared to staff at other properties.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Alfieri9 Boutique Hotel
Florence

A little out of the way but walkable to all the sights. Hotel check in is across the street at another property which was a little confusing but we figured it out.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Nazionale
Levanto

Easy walk from the train station and near the beach. The restaurant across the street was one of the best we tried in Italy. Loved that the hotel offered free beach towels and bike usage.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Relais Le Clarisse Rome
Rome

Great location, comfortable rooms, and very friendly staff. The breakfast was hearty and a great way to start our busy days.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Great restaurants and sights nearby.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Vatican & Sistine Chapel Tour
Vatican & Sistine Chapel Tour
Rome

The group tour of the Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel was very impersonal. The guide did not connect and the entire experience seemed rote and without feeling. The guide company was not real clear about what we were doing and were slow to get things started. Overall this was a painful experience.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Private driver was great. Group guide was subpar
Transport
Colosseo and Roman forums adventure
Colosseo and Roman forums adventure
Rome

Incredible sights made all the more spectacular by our wonderful private guide Paolo. He made the place come to life and delivered his tour with passion and care. Wonderful experience!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Explore Pompeii Walking Tour
Explore Pompeii Walking Tour
Italy

Rafaela was incredibly knowledgeable and fun to be with. Pompeii is incredible and she made it even better. There was a mixup on the times of our tour so she was rushed and we didn’t get a full 2 hours but we made the most of it.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Lemon tour and cooking class
Lemon tour and cooking class
Italy

This was one of our favorite experiences in Italy. Incredible staff, amazing views, delicious food. This was amazing.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
On time and personable.
The Accademia Gallery tour - skip the line
The Accademia Gallery tour - skip the line
Florence

Loved the private guide who got us in quickly. He was a little had to understand but it was helpful to have his insights

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Pesto making class
Pesto making class
Cinque Terre

This experience was a little weak. We enjoyed that it was a private experience but it was quick. We were just told the ingredients, instructed how to make it and then ate it. Enjoyed the local wine.

Quality of Experience
Food
Average pesto in a paper bowl.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Loved Stefano
Local specialist: Melanie Rapuano
Melanie
Melanie Rapuano
Local specialist in Italy | Replied on Jun 15, 2025
Hi Marnie,
thank you so much for your review and for letting us know how your trip went. Sounds like you all had a lovely holiday and Brynn had a lovely birthday trip to remember.
Although I was in the backgroud the convierge always kept me up to date with your trip and I'm pleased Giovanna helped resolve a couple of issues you had during your stay.
Due to the holiday here in Italy we had to change the lemon tour and cooking class venue and it definitely sounds like we picked the perfect... Read more

Hi Marnie,
thank you so much for your review and for letting us know how your trip went. Sounds like you all had a lovely holiday and Brynn had a lovely birthday trip to remember.
Although I was in the backgroud the convierge always kept me up to date with your trip and I'm pleased Giovanna helped resolve a couple of issues you had during your stay.

Due to the holiday here in Italy we had to change the lemon tour and cooking class venue and it definitely sounds like we picked the perfect place for the perfect experience! So pleased you enjoyed it!

Sorry to hear about the hotel in Salerno, we will look into this, had we known at the time we would have done our best to change rooms for you.

I'm also sorry you didn't enjoy the Vatican tour, as you can imagine the Vatican has been taken over even more since the Pope's passing and with it being the Jubilee year too, not an excuse for the guide of course but I'm guessing it was also very busy; we will take this up with our supplier to make sure we do not use him again. Thank you.

I look forward to helping you plan your next trip to Italy and thanks again for trusting me and the team with your holiday.

Alla prossima!
Melanie

Kimkim made our Italy trip (honeymoon) wonderful.
Italy | May 24 - Jun 3, 2025

Kay
Kay C.
Brookhaven, GA | Reviewed on Jun 05, 2025
Kimkim made our Italy trip (honeymoon) wonderful. The small Boutique hotels were so nice. Melanie planned everything wonderfully. She kept in touch with us all the way. Agota messaged us every evening, remining us of the plans for the next day and what to expect.
The tour in Venice (Ganna our guide) were knowledgeable and a joy to know. Daniele was our guide in Lake Como, he took us on an unforgettable tour through the backlands of the lake, up to a Grotto for lunch that was absolutely...
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Kimkim made our Italy trip (honeymoon) wonderful. The small Boutique hotels were so nice. Melanie planned everything wonderfully. She kept in touch with us all the way. Agota messaged us every evening, remining us of the plans for the next day and what to expect.
The tour in Venice (Ganna our guide) were knowledgeable and a joy to know. Daniele was our guide in Lake Como, he took us on an unforgettable tour through the backlands of the lake, up to a Grotto for lunch that was absolutely wonderful.
In Rome we took a private drive to a vineyard outside the city. We made pasta that they cooked for our lunch. Took a tour of the Vineyard. What a wonderful Day
I definitely recommend this team and will be using them again in the future...

Local specialist: Melanie Rapuano
Melanie
Melanie Rapuano
Local specialist in Italy | Replied on Jun 05, 2025
Hi Kay, thank you so much for your review! You definitely did have the honeymoon you both deserved!
Again I'm so sorry for the inconvenience in Venice and we were so pleased to be able to arrange Gianni for a last minute private tour instead (some things are just meant to be!).
The Lake Como tour sounds lovely so pleased you enjoyed it; Thank you fo listening to my suggestions and for trusting me with some an important holiday, I know I say it all the time, but every single trip really... Read more

Hi Kay,

thank you so much for your review! You definitely did have the honeymoon you both deserved!
Again I'm so sorry for the inconvenience in Venice and we were so pleased to be able to arrange Gianni for a last minute private tour instead (some things are just meant to be!).

The Lake Como tour sounds lovely so pleased you enjoyed it;

Thank you fo listening to my suggestions and for trusting me with some an important holiday, I know I say it all the time, but every single trip really does mean a lot to me and knowing myself and the team helped create special Italian memories, is an honour and reminds us why we do what we do!

I look forward to your next trip Kay, take care,

Melane

I have to tell you that I have never had such...
Italy | May 15 - May 28, 2025

Elysa
Elysa D.
Storrs, CT | Reviewed on Jun 04, 2025
I have to tell you that I have never had such an experience that actually exceeded my expectations. This was a 10th year anniversary .the Kim Kim TEAM made it an absolute dream. Prior to going to on the trip my assistant Melanie was helpful in choosing the destinations. We wanted to go to gave me other advice, including what not to pack into a day, tip information other questions I had during the trip once in ItalyI was contacted daily by WhatsApp my guide in Italy, who made sure that... Read more

I have to tell you that I have never had such an experience that actually exceeded my expectations. This was a 10th year anniversary .the Kim Kim TEAM made it an absolute dream. Prior to going to on the trip my assistant Melanie was helpful in choosing the destinations. We wanted to go to gave me other advice, including what not to pack into a day, tip information other questions I had during the trip once in ItalyI was contacted daily by WhatsApp my guide in Italy, who made sure that everything was perfect from Beginning to end. She texted me every day to see how my day went and to provide the passes for the tours for the next day. Assured that we were picked up, we were supposed to. What I could not believe that every single pick up and drop off an activity was exactly as planned. We had some wonderful guides along the way.Agota from Lee Italian side of the tour and one of the guy, Sarah, who drove us to a few places in one day was very pleasant. In fact, I left something in the car and she was kind enough to bring it to a hotel where I could pick it up the next day. I have never been so happy in a foreign country. We went to so many places Florence Venice the Amalfi Coast Sorrento I couldn’t have asked for better weather better a trip organization and I was happy to have the free days that we could wander around and get lost. Incredibly Google maps worked fantastically. We had a great meal everywhere. We went in Italy, which was of course expected Rome was wonderful. We had a great meal at Lampa, which I cannot_more. I had fun wandering to the Trevi fountain, which make sure you know what days of the week they’re cleaning it because I was surprised on a Monday morning when it was the water was off, but check the Internet and explained that it would be on later so we went back and had a great time. I cannot_how fantastic and easy the store company made it. We would certainly use them again my husband, who never left the country I was worried about going was very relaxed and comfortable The the entire time and we felt very taken care of. He’s actually wanting to go back to Italy next year, so this was an enormous prize for all of us thank you so much for all what you did for us .

Local specialist: Melanie Rapuano
Melanie
Melanie Rapuano
Local specialist in Italy | Replied on Jun 05, 2025
Dear Elysa,
what lovely words. Thank you so much. From the first day right up until the end of your trip, you were the perfect guests. I remember your doubts before booking and I remember thinking how special this trip must be to your both, so reading your words and seeing more of your beautiful pictures (thank you for sharing them along the way too) just proves what a fabulous holiday you both had, and here at ItalyCharme and Kimkim we are delighted to have been part of such beautiful...
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Dear Elysa,
what lovely words. Thank you so much. From the first day right up until the end of your trip, you were the perfect guests. I remember your doubts before booking and I remember thinking how special this trip must be to your both, so reading your words and seeing more of your beautiful pictures (thank you for sharing them along the way too) just proves what a fabulous holiday you both had, and here at ItalyCharme and Kimkim we are delighted to have been part of such beautiful memories.

The booking and concierge team do a pretty excellent job to make it all work and our drivers, guides and suppliers all care for what they do and I'm pleased it shows!

Thank you once again for trusting me with your anniversary and I can't wait to book your next trip to Italy!

Take care and you know where I am!
Melanie