Rinolda Juodvirsyte

My sister and I had an amazing adventure driving all around Iceland. We are sure to come back as there is so much to see in this beautiful country. read more

My sister and I had an amazing adventure driving all around Iceland. We are sure to come back as there is so much to see in this beautiful country.

We had an absolutely magical 10 days in Iceland. The itinerary developed for us was perfect, taking into consideration our preferences. We particularly enjoyed the inclusion of Hornstrandir, the western fjords and Husafell. The accommodations selected for us were perfect and it is unlikely we could have found them on our own. Loved our stay at the Lysuholl Farm and Skalholt. Rinolda was excellent. So responsive, quick to understand our needs and to develop a brilliant itinerary. The detailed... read more

We had an absolutely magical 10 days in Iceland. The itinerary developed for us was perfect, taking into consideration our preferences. We particularly enjoyed the inclusion of Hornstrandir, the western fjords and Husafell. The accommodations selected for us were perfect and it is unlikely we could have found them on our own. Loved our stay at the Lysuholl Farm and Skalholt. Rinolda was excellent. So responsive, quick to understand our needs and to develop a brilliant itinerary. The detailed itinerary was very informative and really helped us plan our days. We appreciated the dining and shopping suggestions too. Rinolda checked in throughout the trip, was quick to address minor issues that arose (for example, for some reason I couldn't download the ferry ticket, Rinolda got me a copy within minutes). Have recommended Kim Kim and Rinolda to several friends and look forward to being able to use Kim Kim again for future trips.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Horn

Ísafjörður

The room was very comfortable. The only downside was it was necessary to walk to a sister hotel for breakfast. This was a very minor inconvenience. We would happily recommend this hotel to anyone visiting Isafjordur

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Fosshotel Westfjords

Patreksfjörður

Lovely hotel, beautiful views

Authenticity & Character

Location

The view

Staff

Very friendly staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Lysuholl

Snaefellsnes

We had a wonderful cottage with glorious views of the Snaefellsnes Mountain and glacier. Amazing Sunset! Lovely to have the animals around. Great breakfast included with the room. Dinner was available for guests at a reasonable cost and it was very good.

Authenticity & Character

Nice little cottage rooms with fabulous views

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Skalholt

Selfoss

This was a very interesting location. It was a little difficult to figure out how to check in and dragging bags to the room wasn't necessarily easy. However, the room was comfortable, wifi was very good, and the included breakfast was fabulous. The restaurant served phenomenal meals.

Authenticity & Character

We very much liked the Church and the archeological aspects of the church grounds

Location

Staff

Icelandair Hotel Klaustur

Kirkjubæjarklaustur

Beautiful hotel in a lovely town. Fantastic room, good wifi

Authenticity & Character

Location

Good place to explore from

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Lotus

Reykjavik

This was a delightful little hotel not far from downtown. We arrived in the afternoon and were offered a piece of cake! The breakfast room offered a lovely breakfast. The rooms were new and modern and very well appointed. Loved the bathroom!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Very convenient to downtown, and lots of dining options close buy

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Wildlife and Arctic Foxes tour in Hornstrandir

Iceland

We very much enjoyed the day, but I think it was because there were only 6 guests. The guide mentioned that in busier times they have many more, and that would have diminished the experience. There was some confusion over whether or not lunch was included. Arriving late the night before and departing early in the morning meant it was difficult for us to arrange to bring our own lunch (we brought a pizza that we had ordered the night before). However, the soup, bread and wild mushrooms provided prior to our departure from Hornstrandir was fabulous. We also enjoyed the bonus whale watching on the boat ride over.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Husafell Canyon Baths

Iceland

This was as unexpected delight. The Canyon baths are very private (only six guests when we did it). The changing rooms are amazing, and the bathes themselves quite wonderful. The guide was amazing, knew so much about the region, the history of the bathes etc.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We had an amazing trip to Iceland. Rinolda, our KimKim specialist was super helpful and responsive, and created a plan that was perfect for us, even though we started planning really late.
Everything worked perfectly, the hotels were very good, and the whole process was very simple and straight forward. Best of all, we got to Iceland, got in the car, hooked up our phone - and off we went.
Rinolda sent us to some amazing spots and incorporated our interests into the plan perfectly.

Thank you Kimkim and Rinolda!

Rinolda knows her home country well. We enjoyed the driving route that she created for us, and the hotels she selected on our behalf were nice. Restaurant recommendations she made were helpful.

I would have preferred separate bookings for each couple traveling together, rather than the lead traveler having all bookings in his name.

When creating a travel itinerary, I would recommend that she include the tour providers name, phone number, and time and location for meeting with the... read more

Rinolda knows her home country well. We enjoyed the driving route that she created for us, and the hotels she selected on our behalf were nice. Restaurant recommendations she made were helpful.

I would have preferred separate bookings for each couple traveling together, rather than the lead traveler having all bookings in his name.

When creating a travel itinerary, I would recommend that she include the tour providers name, phone number, and time and location for meeting with the guide. In addition, advance notification of trip cancellations would be helpful.

Our rental car was not equipped with a GPS. A portable GPS was provided at an alternate Eurocar rental site, but the GPS was out-dated. It was challenging to navigate due to the lack of road signs, and a GPS with newer technology would have been beneficial.

The hiking guide and fishing guide were outstanding. They both knew their profession extremely well and were a pleasure to be with.

Hotel Reviews

Hótel Laxá

Myvatn

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Laugarbakki

Hvammstangi

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Isafjördur

Ísafjörður

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Fosshotel Westfjords

Patreksfjörður

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hótel Fransiskus Stykkishólmi

Stykkishólmur

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

The young man at the front desk was especially kind and helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

Lambastadir Guesthouse

Selfoss

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Skuggi Hotel Reykjavík by Keahotels

Reykjavík

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Geysir Geothermal Area

Golden Circle

Quality of Experience

Mývatn Nature Baths

Lake Mývatn

Quality of Experience

Viti Crater

Lake Mývatn

Quality of Experience

Kaldbakur Mountain hike

Iceland

Our guide was great and highly professional. He was a wealth of information about the country and culture of Iceland.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Saxholar Crater

Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Quality of Experience

Djupalonsandur Black Sand Beach

Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Quality of Experience

Gullfoss

Iceland

Quality of Experience

Fly Fishing in Golden Circle

Golden Circle

Ari was great and fun to be with. We caught plenty of fish and he handled them carefully and safely released all to the water.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Rinolda did an excellent job working with the four of us--two couples with similar, but also different interests in what we wanted to see in Iceland. Beth and I thought that Rinolda did a great job communicating with us, turning around updated itineraries and, importantly, establishing a reasonable schedule of travel, sights and layovers. All accommodations were high caliber, and connections with flights, transfers, hotels/guesthouses, rental car went off without a hitch. Quick handling of... read more

Rinolda did an excellent job working with the four of us--two couples with similar, but also different interests in what we wanted to see in Iceland. Beth and I thought that Rinolda did a great job communicating with us, turning around updated itineraries and, importantly, establishing a reasonable schedule of travel, sights and layovers. All accommodations were high caliber, and connections with flights, transfers, hotels/guesthouses, rental car went off without a hitch. Quick handling of refunds for excursion cancelled due to weather conditions and walking tour.

We would use KimKim again when planning a similar trip.

Hotel Review

Lambastadir Guesthouse

Selfoss

This was a very nice guesthouse. The family worked hard to make it a good experience. Clean, quiet, lots of information/brochures available re: local activities. Close to town, but not too close.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Kaldbakur Mountain hike

Iceland

Oli was a great guide. On the drive out and back (and during the hike) he shared a lot of information and answered many questions that we had been accumulating about Iceland culture. He also was knowledgeable about the local natural history (plants, animals and geology). The trip was well planned and safe. We would recommend this hike to any reasonably fit people who want to get off the roads and see some backcountry with incredible views.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Fly Fishing in Golden Circle

Golden Circle

Ari was a great guide, who worked energetically to assist us with our fly fishing trip. He arrived on time, got us on the water and fishing quickly. He was a pleasure to fish with. It also happened to be a beautiful day with perfect weather.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Two weeks in Iceland and it was an incredible journey! Our agent, Rinolda created a fantastic trip plan for us. We had one phone call with her and she understood everything we wanted for our travel. All the arrangements were great! The driving routes were well planned with numerous site seeing suggestions. We had no problems with hotel reservations and they were all very nice!

There is so much to explore in this beautiful country! The waterfalls were all gorgeous! Dynjandi is the... read more

Two weeks in Iceland and it was an incredible journey! Our agent, Rinolda created a fantastic trip plan for us. We had one phone call with her and she understood everything we wanted for our travel. All the arrangements were great! The driving routes were well planned with numerous site seeing suggestions. We had no problems with hotel reservations and they were all very nice!

There is so much to explore in this beautiful country! The waterfalls were all gorgeous! Dynjandi is the most beautiful falls I have ever seen! Latrabjarg Cliffs was magnificant with puffins and seabirds! Blue Lagoon was therapeutic with its spa! We took a two day South Coast tour and our tour guide Luba was wonderful! We love our trip so much that we are already planning to go back.
KikKim will definitely be our agent again!

Iceland in 11 days was magnificent!

Too bad we couldn't stay longer. Rinolda helped us well with planning our entire trip. We were pretty last minute (booked 1 month before departure) and she managed to book everything we needed. I started doing it on my own, because that's what I usually do, but this time I didn't have the time to do that. We loved the country! The only minor part was that we absolutely wanted to see and do everything, but that's just not possible in 11 days. So we did... read more

Iceland in 11 days was magnificent!

Too bad we couldn't stay longer. Rinolda helped us well with planning our entire trip. We were pretty last minute (booked 1 month before departure) and she managed to book everything we needed. I started doing it on my own, because that's what I usually do, but this time I didn't have the time to do that. We loved the country! The only minor part was that we absolutely wanted to see and do everything, but that's just not possible in 11 days. So we did less hikes than we would have liked. So one day, we'll have to go back!

Activity Reviews

Fimmvorduhals Day Hike

Iceland

Too bad we were in a cloud for this hike. We got a glimpse of the magnificent views we should have had. It's a long trip, but when the weather is not that bad, it's completely worth it. And doable might I say for someone with vertigo!

Quality of Experience

The weather, nothing to improve by people

Transport

Everything was taken care off. We would have liked to have the possibility to take the bus earlier in the morning, because we lost a morning of waiting on the bus. With a tight travel schedule like ours, we felt like we lost a lot of precious time.

Glacier hike on the Vatnajokull glacier

Iceland

It was nice, the staff was nice and experienced. But it was a group of all people: good hikers, amateur hikers... All together. Because of that, it's a simple walk to the first part of the glacier, you don't get very far. For me it felt like I could 've done it without a guide, and would have wanted to go further in with a guide.

Quality of Experience

I wanted to go higher up on the glacier

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Thanks Rinolda, for a trip of a lifetime! We appreciated all your expertise and recommendations..Helping us change our itinerary to make whale watching possible on a day with good weather and meeting you during our trip were such thoughtful additions! Every activity was well suited to our interests and the variety was perfect!
The only improvements might have been larger showers in the rooms and a bit larger car for the second half of the trip...the car you reserved for us was very tight... read more

Thanks Rinolda, for a trip of a lifetime! We appreciated all your expertise and recommendations..Helping us change our itinerary to make whale watching possible on a day with good weather and meeting you during our trip were such thoughtful additions! Every activity was well suited to our interests and the variety was perfect!
The only improvements might have been larger showers in the rooms and a bit larger car for the second half of the trip...the car you reserved for us was very tight for 4 adults plus luggage...also, in several of the hotels, it was not cool enough in our rooms at night with one tiny window being the only ventilation in the rooms...(maybe a fan could be suggested).
Overall, we all came home very thrilled with our trip with a lifetime of amazing memories from Iceland!

Thank you again SO much Rinolda!

Warmly, Elizabeth Koster

We are an adventurous family. My wife and I have been hiking over 50 years and we still work together so time away still requires packed vacations within a 2 week time frame. We had been to Iceland 10 years ago and were desirous to return. We hit the “Golden Circle and nearby iconic activities and in 5 days we packed in spelunking, white-water rafting, the Blue Lagoon, kayaking and hiking up Glymur falls, snowmobiles on glaciers and the essential Thingvellir, Gullfoss, Geysir and Reykavik.... read more

We are an adventurous family. My wife and I have been hiking over 50 years and we still work together so time away still requires packed vacations within a 2 week time frame. We had been to Iceland 10 years ago and were desirous to return. We hit the “Golden Circle and nearby iconic activities and in 5 days we packed in spelunking, white-water rafting, the Blue Lagoon, kayaking and hiking up Glymur falls, snowmobiles on glaciers and the essential Thingvellir, Gullfoss, Geysir and Reykavik. This time around, we wanted to be off-the-beaten path”. Google photos hit the right buttons; challenging day-hiking, glamping and experiencing Kjolur, Landmannalauger, Thorsmork, the Skogafoss canyon, glacier hiking, crossing glacial rivers, zodiacs among the icebergs, venturing on our own and a private understanding of the “out-back’s”: volcanos, vents, glaciers, canyons, culture (the poets of Hali) and the hard scrabble life of the Icelander (sheep, wool, geothermal, green houses, simple / efficient structures, helping each other). We had used other travel services which provide the “90%” tourist agenda but Kimkim, recognized our needs and hand-selected us with a most incredible self-adventurer herself, Rinolda Juodvirsyte. We wished to explore deeper into the volcanic-glacier physically changing land of a remarkable people who’s days change with weather, lava flows (Vestmannaeyjar islands , glacier melts, light/dark and personal isolation when their towns and dwellings are separated in floods and landslides). Rinolda puzzeled together a wonderful and exciting day-by-day roadtrip; even spending time with us exploring different Icelandic iconic locations at site and over dinner. Each day a challenging hike many times with a personal guide (chains and ladders), interpreting the culture, geology, directions and further recommending out-of the way treks, food surprises and explorations. We experienced how this constantly challenging island-nation is surviving climate change (carry your essentials and layered clothing with you, you never know what comes next), surprising volcano eruptions and lava flows, humongous glacier melts destroying roads and bridges (berms of volcanic rubble and single lane bridges, quickly and simply rebuilt), isolation between far-away towns, light-dark mood changes and always extending a happy, smiling, “can-do” attitude of “thetta reddast” (it will be okay, what will be, will be). I cannot recommend KimKim enough to pair you with the right expert to create the individualized experience for you.

We are a busy family, and did not have much time to do our own research on what to do in Iceland. Rinolda was just what we needed for a travel specialist! She took our requests and built a great itinerary for us. The program included not only the must sees, but also a number of suggestions in case we have extra time. She went over the itinerary with us before the trip in great detail and made any necessary changes based on our requests. She also booked all the hotels and hard to get tickets... read more

We are a busy family, and did not have much time to do our own research on what to do in Iceland. Rinolda was just what we needed for a travel specialist! She took our requests and built a great itinerary for us. The program included not only the must sees, but also a number of suggestions in case we have extra time. She went over the itinerary with us before the trip in great detail and made any necessary changes based on our requests. She also booked all the hotels and hard to get tickets in advance, so all we had to do was to show up. Rinolda also checked in with us throughout the trip to make sure that we were having a good time. She was quick to respond whenever we had a question. I couldn't have asked for a better agent!

Rinolda at KimKim did a great job in planning our trip. We had a wonderful trip because of the suggestions and the itinerary that Rinolda did for us, Hikes, restaurants, fjords, hot baths, ice lagoon in zodiac all were excellent. thank you Rinolda!

Rinolda was responsive and super helpful- would recommend! We had an amazing trip!!!

Rinolda helped us plan a great trip! She worked with us to design the right trip for our needs and abilities and found us tours that mixed adventure and education nicely. She also recommended wonderful restaurants.

Our trip to Iceland was nonstop fun & adventure! From the moment we stepped off the plane till the moment we departed our kimkim guide Rinolda had us covered. Day 1 we started off with a luxurious visit to The Blue Lagoon and a walking food tour in Reykjavik with our awesome guide Ben! After stuffing our faces we did some light shopping and headed north for the 1st hotel. Day 2 was a sightseeing / hiking while driving kind of day. We stopped for lunch in downtown Akureyri and visited their... read more

Our trip to Iceland was nonstop fun & adventure! From the moment we stepped off the plane till the moment we departed our kimkim guide Rinolda had us covered. Day 1 we started off with a luxurious visit to The Blue Lagoon and a walking food tour in Reykjavik with our awesome guide Ben! After stuffing our faces we did some light shopping and headed north for the 1st hotel. Day 2 was a sightseeing / hiking while driving kind of day. We stopped for lunch in downtown Akureyri and visited their art gallery and cathedral before driving east towards Lake Myvatn area for 2 nights. Day 3 was JAM PACKED with a wake watching tour in Husavik then loop around the peninsula to see Dellfoss and other sites along the way, ending with a nice soak at the sulfur baths and steam rooms in Lake Myvatn. Day 4 was long but we visited the author Gunnar Gunnarson's farm and cultural house, hiked great heights to see beautiful waterfalls, drove off road to see basalt column formations, and traveled through the East Fjords before settling in for the night at a cute spot in Breiddalsvik. Day 5 poured so our original ATV tour was canceled, but thankfully Rinolda was able to reschedule it for Day 7. It was nice having her so we didn't have to worry about what we would do that day in it's place or finding a new time to slot it in. Day 6 we visited the Diamond Beach and Glacier lake as well as hiked on a glacier. That was strenuous and a little above my ability but the guides were gracious and we were able to make the best of the situation. Day 7 was probably my favorite day of the whole trip. After a great night in Vik, we started strong with a visit to Skool Beans Cafe run by ex pat Holly, then had a BLAST ATVing on the black sand beaches with our guide Max, ultimately ending the day in Gullfoss with their famous geyser and great waterfall. The Gullfoss Hotel staff was phenomenal! Day 8 we kicked things off with snowmobiling on a glacier, which was absolutely wild. We also stopped at Estaduir II family farm for the freshest burgers I've ever had and ended the night with a walk around downtown Reykjavik to see the viking boat sculpture and yellow lighthouse. Day 9 our final morning in Iceland Rinolda didn't disappoint. She gave us the option of a direct path to the airport or a 2.5 hour ride around the peninsula stopping at geothermal sites, lighthouses, and other natural wonders, before returning our car & heading to the airport. Well, I'm sure you guessed which route we took. So as the title proclaims - this was our Iceland on the go adventure! Jam packed with sites, hikes, activities and fun we won't forget!