Nadine Hikisch

Nadine was very helpful and really kind, but things didn't go as smoothly when she was gone during part of our trip. The most unhelpful incident was when I asked about tipping our Amsterdam driver: the response came after our last interaction. I have asked Nadine to please give Albert an additional sum (40 or 50 euros) before finalizing our account. I have not heard if that has happened.

I did not like the KimKim computer system. I used it at home on my MAC book, but took only our iPad and iPhone with us. Accessing tickets and a whole lot of past messages was not easily done on the iPad, and not at all on the iPhone during our times away from the hotel. Plus, I had to print each ticket for everything before leaving home since I could not put tickets on my iPhone. That took much time and organization on my part. Sometime please use the system as if you were a tourist. You'll see accessing the notes for individual day events requires you to scroll thru the entire system to find the note. I also had to create a separate Excel spreadsheet, as the summary report provided did not have enough information on it.

What was very helpful was Nadine getting the hotel reservations, two drivers/guide, and making museum (mostly) and train reservations. She also was helpful with canceling the safari event. She was not very helpful with our day trip to Waterloo, but once we got to the town via the train, my husband figured out the bus route and times. It was a worthwhile and interesting trip. Our day trip to Flanders Field arranged by Nadine was excellent and our guide, Lucas, was top-notch. Nadine also suggested if time to see the Mesgad Panorama, and that truly was good to do.

Hotel Reviews

The Collector Hotel

The Hague

I truly underestimated the effort to pull our trolley carts from the train to the hotel. While it was only a mile, the stone surfaces of the road made the effort really challenging. We should have been forewarned. One day staff member was extremely rude, but her colleagues made up for it.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Getting there from the train with luggage.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Comic Art Hotel

Ghent

Lovely hotel and very nice staff. Poor location as it's getting run down around them. Too bad.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Accommodation booked by traveler

We stayed at the Renaissance (Marriott) Hotel in Amsterdam and it was very good. My husband booked it with points and I want Nadine to know she can depend on the services of the hotel desk. They were all very helpful with whatever was needed. The hotel too was well placed for all events we did.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Close to much but still gave us walking opportunities! We clocked 8-10 miles daily.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel le Dixseptième

Brussels

This is like an old-fashioned elegant hotel, but it lacks enough business to reach that mark. The breakfasts were individually packaged (ie, yogurt in small containers, not in bowls for self service) and the last day only three customers were there. The woman server told us they do not have a kitchen where they make things.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Great for train, great for walking to restaurants.

Staff

One gentleman at the desk (and filling in for morning breakfast if needed) could use better manners. Others were very good.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Amsterdam - Rijksmuseum

Belgium

Fantastic. We needed 8 hours at least.

Quality of Experience

Daytrip to Cheese Farm, Edam and Zaanse Schans

Belgium

Too touristy.

Quality of Experience

Amsterdam - Rembrandt House

Amsterdam

Excellent special exhibit also

Quality of Experience

Amsterdam - Anne Frank House

Belgium

Even better than I had expected. A must.

Quality of Experience

Amsterdam - Resistance Museum

Belgium

Quality of Experience

Amsterdam - Private canal cruise

Belgium

I should have been told the price...I would not have agreed on that level. We ended up taking a public trip, which was fine. The boat was VERY hard to find. I think Nadine has not been there, as the directions were poor. It said we should pick it up near the mueums, but that wasn't correct. It was walking distance from our hotel.

Quality of Experience

Public Transport Pass Amsterdam

The Netherlands

Really easy to use. We missed it when we left for Belgium!!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Muiderslot Castle

Belgium

This was really good to see. Glad we added it although I got the impression from Nadine that wasn't usually visisted.

Quality of Experience

Transport

Amsterdam - Van Gogh Museum

Belgium

I guess I had expected more of his original works.

Quality of Experience

Nadine is exceptional! I have used Kimkim for several trips, and this was, by far, the best experience with a specialist. Nadine was responsive and knowledgeable, ensuring we had all the information needed for a safe and fun trip. I truly appreciated all of the additional tips, recommendations, and the welcome package at the hotel. Finally, our airport transfer driver, Robert, and the hotel hostess, Lisa, were phenomenal. I am genuinely grateful for Nadine and her helping curate an unforgettable experience!

We recently had the most amazing trip thanks to Nadine, and we can't thank her enough for the incredible experience. From the moment we told her what we were looking for this trip, and met her in person, it was clear how kind and thoughtful she is. Nadine accompanied us throughout the journey, ensuring that every detail was perfect.

What truly stood out was her remarkable attention to detail. On May 19th, she surprised us by booking a stunning hotel in Belgium to celebrate our anniversary. Her thoughtful gesture made our special day even more memorable.

Nadine went above and beyond, making sure everything was perfectly organized. She patiently taught us how to navigate each mode of transportation, making the entire trip smooth and stress-free.

Her warmth and dedication transformed our trip into an unforgettable adventure. We felt so cared for and looked after. Thank you, Nadine, for your incredible service and making our journey so magical. We can't wait to travel with you again!

We even got the chance to meet in person Nadine, and Emma; who also did a wonderful job making our special trip :)
A big shout to the kimkim team and Beat the Dutch!

Suki, Daniel, and Julian

Our group of 6 travelers had the most amazing trip to Netherlands and Belgium.

Nadine and Mieke were wonderful… attentive to what we wanted to see and do. We try to pack in a lot in a short period of time and they helped us do exactly what we wanted to.

We really appreciate the details that were shared with us … the hotels, the modes of transportation, optional activities as well
as food/dining suggestions. Every day was organized but yet had some flexibility built into it!

When train tickets weren’t available, it meant a lot that the team was available to correct the issue immediately.

Our trip was planned around the tulip blooms and I must say that was the highlight for us! While the weather was not ideal, it didn’t stop us from enjoying the spectacular display of the miles and miles of colorful flowers.

Geithoorn will always be my favorite, but we enjoyed walking around the canals of Amsterdam, Ghent and Bruges.
We definitely got a lot of walking in and not quite as much biking as we would have liked.
We left the two countries in awe of how easy it was to travel by train.

It was a fun adventure filled 9 days of vacation… something we would highly recommend to friends and family. Thank you Kimkim for introducing us to the awesome local consultants “Beat the Dutch” … loved working with Nadine and Mieke!

Nadine was a dream to work with - responsive, helpful, and kind. She designed an amazing trip for us to experience as much as we could during our first (but definitely not last) trip to the Netherlands. Due to severe weather in the States, we were unable to make our flight to Amsterdam. I emailed Nadine and before waking the next day, she had rearranged our schedule so we could salvage as much of our original plans as possible, including reissuing train tickets. The planned activities hit all the highlights so we got a great introduction to Dutch lifestyle, culture and history. The hotels she selected were exceptional and all conveniently located for rail travel between the cities and towns. For us, our favorite experiences included the restored village of Zaanse Schans. The windmill museum there was exceptionally done. Haarlem was delightful in every way and riding e-bikes through the National Park to the North Sea was a fun adventure. The gardens of Keukenhof should not be missed. I could have stayed there all day because it was so beautiful! Gouda was another place that we loved and could have spent more time there too. Of course, the cheese is legendary and well worth every bite! Riding bikes through the polder landscape was beautiful and fascinating. Thank you Nadine for helping us put together a fantastic trip!

Hotel Reviews

Boutiquehotel Staats

Haarlem

Exceptionally cool vibe. Delicious breakfast. Conveniently located. Helpful, friendly staff. Exceeded our expectations!

Authenticity & Character

Lots of character. Exceptionally designed and appointed.

Location

Close to the train station and to the central market area.

Staff

Very helpful.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Relais & Chateaux Weeshuis Gouda

Gouda

Unique hotel conveniently located to the market square. Lovely room!

Authenticity & Character

Old building with a ton of history. Totally modernized.

Location

Very convenient to the market square. Easy 16 minute walk to the train station.

Staff

Very helpful and friendly.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel des Arts

Amsterdam-Centrum

Centrally located hotel. Friendly staff. No elevator in building from 1733. Smaller but nicely decorated room.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Royal Bridges

Delft

Conveniently located to train station and market square in Delft.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Flower bulb, auction & Keukenhof excursion

The Netherlands

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Gouda - cycle tour in polder landscape

The Netherlands

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Public Transport Pass Amsterdam

The Netherlands

This card became my security blanket! I knew I could get anywhere. The public transportation in the Netherlands is AMAZING to begin with and this system is so easy and convenient.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Amsterdam - Canal cruise (join in)

The Netherlands

Excellent tour, just in the hard rain. Of course, no one can control that. Canal boat guide was very funny and very knowledgeable and gave us an informative overview of the city as seen from the water. He even provided blankets and hot water bottles to keep us warm during the tour.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Really phenomenal experience with BTD travel… Nadine was amazing at setting up an itinerary based on our interests. It was highly customized and flexible, and her communication throughout our trip was invaluable. Would absolutely use this company!!!