I'm originally from Burlington, Canada and I have always loved traveling, meeting new people and discovering unique places. Once I graduated university, I decided to take a year off to travel before finding a full time job back home. Little did I know, that year would turn into something much more! I spent 11 months in Croatia the first time around, and then I just kept on coming back to learn more, see more and discover more.
Here I am, 15 years later, living in Croatia, running Royal Croatian Tours with my Croatian husband. Our company is geared towards private, small group travel, where we’re able to create completely personalized, tailor-made trips. Our vision is simple: to show our guests the wonders of Croatia, the culture, the beauty and the people, all while providing exceptional client support. We want you to feel like you have a friend in Croatia, and that you have 100% support from us throughout your trip, for any reason at all!
What places and activities do you specialize in?
"We specialize in luxury travel throughout Croatia, and offer all of our activities privately, so you won’t ever have to join a larger group (unless of course, you want to). Some of the activities we offer include wine tasting, cooking classes, hiking, cycling and sea kayaking adventures, historical walking tours, along with boating excursions around the islands. "
How did you get involved in travel?
"Like I said, I discovered Croatia on one of my trips back in 2007, where I fell in love with the country (and then ended up marrying a local, who is now also my business partner at Royal Croatian Tours).
Since we both love exploring and showing people the beauty of Croatia, opening our own agency just came naturally. We think we make an excellent combo, as Ivan is a local Croatian and knows all of the ins and outs of Croatia, while I’m an expat, and do all of the communication with our guests personally. Coming from Canada, I understand what our guests are looking for when planning their trip, and traveling to a foreign country.
"
Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.
"I once rowed a small wooden boat down the entire length of the Mississippi River (around 2400 miles) with 5 other people. The journey took around 4 months to complete, we camped every night on the riverbank and cooked over an open fire - except when sweet, sweet local people would randomly invite us in for the night and prepare us a delicious home-cooked meal. It was this unexpected hospitality of complete strangers that I’ll never forget. Who in the world would invite 6 people they hadn’t even met (who also hadn’t showered in weeks) into their home and treat them like family? It was getting to know all of these different individuals, hearing their stories, and feeling their love that will always stay with me. I’ll also never forget how cold and wet we were, as it rained for a month straight and our boat had no cover or shelter. "
Sarah's favorite itineraries and travel advice
Top itineraries and travel advice
Family itineraries
Road trip itineraries
Best of Croatia & Slovenia: Zagreb, Ljubljana, Istria, & Dalmatia - 16 Days
A great route to discover Slovenia and Croatia over 16 unforgettable days. Starting in Croatia's dynamic capital, you'll first head into Slovenia to discover charming Ljubljana,...
Croatia Family Vacation: Zagreb, Rovinj, Šibenik, & Dubrovnik - 15 Days
This 15-day family-friendly vacation focuses on a few great locations and kid-friendly hotels to keep everyone entertained from Zagreb to Dubrovnik. Enjoy a day at the beach on...
Best of Croatia: Zagreb, Rovinj, Šibenik, Hvar, & Dubrovnik - 11 Days
From the romantic countryside of Istria to the charming coastal cities along the Dalmatian coast, this complete 11-day journey covering the best of Croatia has it all. The trip...
Recent trip reviews for Sarah
Sarah worked extensively with us to include a variety of activities, sights, and guided tours. The result was a personally tailored itinerary. She checked in with us regularly and was quick with remedies when our plans had to change due to weather. Our guides Ina, Marco, Djana, and Ivo were knowledgeable and passed along the history of each location, while keeping it fun and interactive. Croatia is beautiful with pleasant weather, delicious food, the right mix of historical sights and... read more
Sarah worked extensively with us to include a variety of activities, sights, and guided tours. The result was a personally tailored itinerary. She checked in with us regularly and was quick with remedies when our plans had to change due to weather. Our guides Ina, Marco, Djana, and Ivo were knowledgeable and passed along the history of each location, while keeping it fun and interactive. Croatia is beautiful with pleasant weather, delicious food, the right mix of historical sights and relaxing time in and around the Adriatic Sea. KimKim made it easy!
Local specialist: Sarah Cosic
Sarah, thanks for working with us to organize our trip for 4. You worked with us to tailor the trip to incorporate our interests and preferred accommodations. I appreciate the pivoting you did in response to the weather and your availability and communications. This was our first Kimkim trip and I recommend then without reservation.
Best experiences include Ina, an exceptional guide in Split. I so appreciate guides that can share an understanding of history and current social and... read more
Sarah, thanks for working with us to organize our trip for 4. You worked with us to tailor the trip to incorporate our interests and preferred accommodations. I appreciate the pivoting you did in response to the weather and your availability and communications. This was our first Kimkim trip and I recommend then without reservation.
Best experiences include Ina, an exceptional guide in Split. I so appreciate guides that can share an understanding of history and current social and political topics that impact the location. She was insightful and articulate. Keep her busy! Also a best was the wine guide Grgl Natkovic. Since we are from California wine region, we were interested in the industry in Croatia. While the local winery we first visited I would not recommend as part of future tours (good ambiance but mediocre wine), the wine we sampled at his family village was outstanding. His enthusiasm regarding H'var and the commentary he provided travelling from H'var city to Stari Grad was great. Here is a young entrepreneur to watch. Positive experiences with Marco for the walking tour of H'var. This walking tour and Marco's knowledge of the local plants was great. The walk through the countryside and "abandoned" villages was excellent. I would suggest an option to visit the interior of one of these houses to see what life in the village would be like. Also, Evo in Dubrovnik, is a guy who can pilot a boat like no body I know.
The accommodation selections were excellent. The drop off in Split could have been closer to the accommodation. The location of the accommodation in Split, H'var and Dubrovnik was convienient and well located.
Well done.
Hotel Reviews
Great location in Split. Very good aesthetic. You won't be disappointed.
Authenticity & Character
Good aesthetic, modern but a nod to the stone around you.
Location
Practically built into the wall of Diocletian's Palace.
Staff
Always helpful. Thanks for the beach towels.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Clean and tidy.
Good location. Family run but three young brothers and a second family.
Authenticity & Character
While this was a heritage hotel, with well stocked mini-fridge. If you are interested in aesthetics like architect, the authenticity was a little off in the patio and interior.
Location
Great central location. Nice steps
Staff
Run by two families. Both nice. Staff was the best part of this location.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean
Great location and staff. Great breakfast.
Authenticity & Character
While I appreciate the themed rooms, they felt a bit dated and busy. Felt like it would be a very ritzy place in 2000 - even though it was decorated in 2015. The exterior and the balconies are great.
Location
In the heart of the old city.
Staff
Always helpful. Breakfast staff excellent
Cleanliness & Comfort
Well done. Rooms were made up while we were at breakfast often.
Activity Reviews
Guided Walking Tour of Split
Split
Ina, awesome, articulate, intelligent. Could hang out with her for a day and chat no problem. Highly recommended.
Quality of Experience
Ina, again outstanding.
Croatian Cooking Class
Split
We enjoyed this. Particularly, the market experiences and fish market.
Quality of Experience
Lots of food to share. Much fun prepping it,
Food
Good easy recipes well handled by our chef/guide.
Hvar Wine Tasting Excursion
Hvar
Grgl, the guide was amazing as was his family village and winery. The commercial winery we visited needs an alternative.
Quality of Experience
Grgl's wine and company was outstanding.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Again Grgl was an outstanding guide.
Transport
Comfortable and easy.
Free Day in Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik
Morning swim at the south end of the walls was great.
Hike to Lost Villages of Hvar, Croatian Peka Lunch
Hvar
These "abandoned" villages were wonderful as was the walk through the countryside. The native plants we plant as ornamentals in California. The rock walls were astounding and worth the walk.
Quality of Experience
Recommended! With some humor as well.
Food
Very nice food and location
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Marco was entertaining and informative.
Local specialist: Sarah Cosic
We had a wonderful trip in Croatia! During the design process Sarah was responsive and accommodating, helping us choose options for activities and destinations within the country. We considered various day trips (for example, two Bosnia and Montenegro) that we ended up not taking, but Sarah had helped us with the research on those. We ended up booking most of our lodging, but Sarah had presented us with plenty of options on that front as well. The vendors she chose were terrific,... read more
We had a wonderful trip in Croatia! During the design process Sarah was responsive and accommodating, helping us choose options for activities and destinations within the country. We considered various day trips (for example, two Bosnia and Montenegro) that we ended up not taking, but Sarah had helped us with the research on those. We ended up booking most of our lodging, but Sarah had presented us with plenty of options on that front as well. The vendors she chose were terrific, particularly Mario’s sea kayaking and Grigo, Winko, and the group that took us on our bicycle trip on Hvar. The lunch of bread, cheese, charcuterie, and Croatian wine in a 19 century cellar was a true highlight of the trip. We had one glitch during the trip: a boating vendor that Sarah had hired mischeduled our family‘s reserved day. This was entirely the vendor’s mistake. Yet, Sarah was responsive immediately trying to work through things, and, when that became impossible, she refunded us that portion of the trip and treated our family to a lovely, delicious meal at a traditional Croatian konoba. As to logistics, it was terrific to have ferry schedules and tickets available for us and PDFs and all drivers accounted for at all times. Sarah was available at all times by WhatsApp, usually within seconds. Bottom line, it was exemplary customer service and our entire family is greatly appreciative!
Activity Reviews
Tour Dubrovnik's Old Town
Croatia
We had a terrific tour with Nadje. She was very knowledgeable and gave us such thorough overview of the history of Dubrovnik. We were all on little jetlagged, but she kept things interesting!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Dubrovnik Kayaking Adventure
Dubrovnik
This was a very nice activity. It was perhaps a little more strenuous than we thought it would be! Our group was led by Mario and Eddie. Eddie gave us useful tips about the island of Lokrum. We didn’t make it there, but maybe next time!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Hvar - Cycling Through the Island + Local Product Tasting
Hvar
This was terrific. One of the highlights of the trip, if not the highlight. The biking through warm hillsides and scenic medieval coastal towns and forested Bayside paths was idyllic. We were picked up in Hvar town by Grigo, who told us a great deal about the history of Hvar and adventurous he and his family had taken. Winko met our family on the tour. He, too, was knowledgeable and informative. Then, we had a fantastic meal in the cellar - there was delicious cheese, charcuterie, and bread. Somehow we managed to leave without a couple bottles of wine!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Grigo and Winko were terrific
Transport
Door to door service
Boating Excursion Around Korčula's Archipelago
Korčula
Well, if we have to give this a star, we can only give it one star… Because it never happened. This is because Fish and Fun, the boat run by captain Mario, did not have us scheduled on the correct day. Although Sarah did all she could to persuade him to accommodate us, it did not work out so we made other plans. Sarah did refund us the entire portion for this part of the excursion, and gave us a wonderful meal in Dubrovnik as compensation. So, for this portion of the trip, we give KimKim 5 stars, and Mario none. We also found another boat to take us to surrounding islands, so we were able to salvage part of the afternoon, albeit not on Fish and Fun.
Privately guided walking tour of Korcula Town
Korčula
This was an informative tour that provided a lot of information about Korčula
Local specialist: Sarah Cosic
Sarah was incredible to work with throughout our planning stages and then she and Ivan were super communicative during our actual trip. Not once did we have to worry about any logistics, everything was handled seamlessly. We were able to just fully immerse ourselves in the experience and make memories. Thank you from all of our family for building and executing the trip of a lifetime!!!
Local specialist: Sarah Cosic
Sarah was great to work with while planning this large family trip of 18 (9kids and 9 adults). She was very responsive and helpful from our very first communication.
We had a private tour guide, Mislav, who was amazing! He took time to get to know us and cater the different experiences to our needs. He was kind and engaging with all the children which made the trip even more special for them.
Thank you for a wonderful experience in a beautiful place! read more
Sarah was great to work with while planning this large family trip of 18 (9kids and 9 adults). She was very responsive and helpful from our very first communication.
We had a private tour guide, Mislav, who was amazing! He took time to get to know us and cater the different experiences to our needs. He was kind and engaging with all the children which made the trip even more special for them.
Thank you for a wonderful experience in a beautiful place!
Hotel Reviews
Wonderful staff and accommodations. Good location to walk to various places in the city.
Amfora Hvar Grand Beach Resort
Hvar
Beautiful resort and wonderful staff. The children loved the pool and slide.
Hotel Dubrovnik Palace
Dubrovnik
Wonderful and helpful staff and a breathtaking view at this location. Absolutely stunning! The city bus stop at the resort that went to old town was very convenient.
Local specialist: Sarah Cosic
Sarah was so amazing!!! She was helpful, patient, flexible and made perfect recommendations and chose great tour guides and drivers. We had a busy and complicated trip with a lot of moving pieces and absolutely everything went perfectly! Book with Sarah! No question! read more
Sarah was so amazing!!! She was helpful, patient, flexible and made perfect recommendations and chose great tour guides and drivers. We had a busy and complicated trip with a lot of moving pieces and absolutely everything went perfectly! Book with Sarah! No question!
Hotel Review
Amadria Park Hotel Capital
Zagreb
Lovely hotel in beautiful area! The bar and restaurant was great. Checkin could have been a little better and friendlier but bartender made up for it! Room on the corner was awesome!
Authenticity & Character
Beautiful
Cleanliness & Comfort
Book corner!!!
Activity Reviews
Guided Walking Tour of Split
Split
Our guide was terrific! We had explored the day before so she was super flexible and showed us all new things! Terrific tour!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Day Trip to the Caves & Beaches of Vis Island by boat
Croatia
This was really a fabulous day! JOSKO was a great captain and was flexible and told his own stories.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Tour Dubrovnik's Old Town
Croatia
This tour guide was nice but not a lot covered on the tour.
Quality of Experience
It was the least informative and comprehensive of our tours. Going inside the walls and museums would be great.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Sarah Cosic
Our family vacation to Split, Hvar, and Dubrovnik in Croatia was amazing! Our guide Sarah organized fantastic activities for our family of 5 (2 parents and 3 teenagers). She was lovely to work with and she was incredibly responsive any time we had a question. She even helped us find a shopping mall in Split when my kids' luggage was delayed. Every guide and driver was super friendly, helpful, and extremely professional. All 3 of our airbnbs were well located and beautiful.
We especially... read more
Our family vacation to Split, Hvar, and Dubrovnik in Croatia was amazing! Our guide Sarah organized fantastic activities for our family of 5 (2 parents and 3 teenagers). She was lovely to work with and she was incredibly responsive any time we had a question. She even helped us find a shopping mall in Split when my kids' luggage was delayed. Every guide and driver was super friendly, helpful, and extremely professional. All 3 of our airbnbs were well located and beautiful.
We especially enjoyed the food walking tour with Vicki in Split, our day hiking in Plitvice Lakes National Park, ocean kayaking in Hvar with our guide Reno, our walking tour in Dubrovnik with our guide Anna, and a farm to table experience where we enjoyed Peka in the most beautiful setting. Our favorite adventure of the vacation was our boat tour from Hvar to the blue and green caves, multiple gorgeous beaches, and lunch at the family owned restaurant Stoncica on the beach with the most delicious grilled fish (caught that day) and vegetables (grown on the family farm connected to the restaurant).
Activity Reviews
Split Walking Food Tour
Split
Our guide Vicki was very friendly and knowledgeable. She brought us to a series of great restaurants.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Plitvice Lakes National Park
Split
This was an amazing day! Beautiful scenery and wonderful hikes.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our driver Karlo went out of his way to stop at the airport on the way home and helped us get my kids' delayed luggage.
Pakleni Islands Kayak Tour
Croatia
This was super fun, and the beaches we visited were beautiful.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide Reno was very friendly and patient. He helped us have a great day!
Green & Blue Caves of Vis Island
Hvar
This was the best day of our whole vacation. Our boat captain Josko was the absolute best! We swam, saw the blue and green caves, visited stunning beaches, and had a delicious meal.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our captain was the greatest! He was very knowledgeable about the area and extremely capable on the water.
Tour Dubrovnik's Old Town
Croatia
This was extremely interesting and our guide was very knowledgeable.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Visit a family farm for an authentic Croatian meal + visit small town of Cavtat
Croatia
The meal at the farm itself was delcious and the setting was beautiful. The tour was fine, but it didn't include a visit to the artist's home or the museum as advertised and we were a little disappointed about that.
Quality of Experience
Including the art aspects of the tours as advertised. Also the communication between the driver, guide, and farmer/restauranteur could be improved.
Food
The meal itself was delicious and we really enjoyed it.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The driver was not very good. He didn't speak any English at all. He appeared to be in a rush to return home. The guide was good but the tour didn't include the things that were advertised that we were most interested in.
Local specialist: Sarah Cosic
We have to say hands down, we LOVE Croatia. Working with Sarah on the prep and Ivan and Sarah while in country was stellar.
During the planning process, Sarah was so helpful in her approach to setting up our trip. She gave us a first pass itinerary after meeting with me on what we were looking for in our vacation. She listened and responded so quickly, our trip was planned well in advance. She checked in and was responsive to any questions or concerns I had.
On our trip, Sarah and Ivan... read more
We have to say hands down, we LOVE Croatia. Working with Sarah on the prep and Ivan and Sarah while in country was stellar.
During the planning process, Sarah was so helpful in her approach to setting up our trip. She gave us a first pass itinerary after meeting with me on what we were looking for in our vacation. She listened and responded so quickly, our trip was planned well in advance. She checked in and was responsive to any questions or concerns I had.
On our trip, Sarah and Ivan were SO on point for our whole trip. They responded quickly to any questions and helped us manage all the excursions, made sure we knew all the contacts, and really made it so we could sit back and enjoy our vacation.
This is our first experience using an agency, and I do believe we will use them again in the future.
Croatia is a beautiful and amazing place, and Sarah and Ivan made it so that we really got to see and enjoy all the parts, not just the touristy parts!
Thank you for everything!!!
Activity Reviews
Visit Ston -> en route to Split
Croatia
The restaurant our driver picked was amazing. Just on the water and the fish was so fresh and had a lovely table side deboning.
Hike to Lost Villages of Hvar, Croatian Peka Lunch
Hvar
This excursion was so much more than we had hoped for. Our guide, Marco, was AWESOME. He was super knowledgable, but also super chill and fun to hang out with. We loved learning the history of the villages as well as the plants. My kids have both listed this as one of their favorite activities from the trip. The countryside is beautiful but to learn more about the nature and people was wonderful!
Local specialist: Sarah Cosic
We had a fantastic time filled with extremely positive experiences. Everyone we spent time with was knowledgeable, charming, professional, and overwhelmingly kind. Ongoing communication with Sarah and Ivan was prompt and helpful throughout the trip. read more
We had a fantastic time filled with extremely positive experiences. Everyone we spent time with was knowledgeable, charming, professional, and overwhelmingly kind. Ongoing communication with Sarah and Ivan was prompt and helpful throughout the trip.
Hotel Reviews
Esplanade Zagreb Hotel
Zagreb
A historic spot only a short walk away from plenty of city activities. Looks great inside and out, and has extremely attentive and courteous staff.
Authenticity & Character
Beautiful building.
Location
Short walk away from Tkalciceva Street and several parks.
Staff
Extremely courteous and attentive.
A great hotel, but quite a walk from old town.
Location
At almost 2km from old town, it was a trek to get where we wanted to go.
Staff
Extraordinarily kind and attentive.
Cleanliness & Comfort
One of the most spacious rooms we had in Croatia.
Heritage Hotel Fermai
Split
A fun little spot that was perfect for the two of us, but would be on the cramped side with a larger party.
Authenticity & Character
Fun interior and gorgeous exterior.
Location
An easy walk to the Riva, but far enough away to have a bit of quiet.
Staff
The staff were very friendly; we felt like part of their small family during our stay.
Cleanliness & Comfort
One of the most high-tech hotels I've been in, with digital displays to set "do not disturb" or "please clean" statuses for the room.
Activity Reviews
Game of Thrones Tour
Dubrovnik
Ana shared plenty of GoT filming fun facts and had some fun visual aids to bring scenes from the show to life on the streets. We also asked her to include some general Dubrovnik history and culture into her tour, and we learned a lot!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Hvar Wine Tasting Excursion
Hvar
Grgo picked us up in the afternoon, showed us some of the island that we otherwise would've never seen, and showed us some Hvar history. We tasted a number of wines at Duboković that were all superb, and ended up buying a bottle to take home with us. We then visited Grgo's family home and tasted some of their own wines alongside a light snack, all of which was extremely good.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Visit a family farm for an authentic Croatian meal + visit small town of Cavtat
Croatia
After a short drive from Dubrovnik, we had a lovely walking tour of Cavtat. We learned about the city's history, its relationship with Dubrovnik, and took in some gorgeous sights.
We then took another short drive to a family farm near Čilipi, and had an experience that I don't think I'll ever forget. Our host shared area history, family stories, and treated us to a delicious meal. The view was divine.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Split Walking Food Tour
Split
We learned, we ate, and we repeated the process. I'm not sure if the tour was meant for more than two, but there was SO MUCH FOOD. Everything was delicious and we took a good portion of leftover snacks along with us for the rest of the day.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Super friendly.
Transport
Pick-up at our hotel and a comfortable walking pace.
Local specialist: Sarah Cosic
Our agent Sarah organized this wonderful family trip for us and we are so thankful to her.
From the moment we arrived, Sarah had everything organized and enabled us to have a stress free and relaxing vacation in beautiful Croatia. We visited Dubvrovnik, Korcula, Hvar and Split and had the prefect blend of active, informative and entertaining tours and activities. Not easy with two 18 year old teenagers!
Our first time using Kimkim but definitely not our last! We couldn't have been happier and have a lifetime of memories
Local specialist: Sarah Cosic
Sarah was BEYOND amazing. Wow. Every day she planned for us was just perfect. Her communication was spot on. Can’t say enough about Sarah. Thank you so much. read more
Sarah was BEYOND amazing. Wow. Every day she planned for us was just perfect. Her communication was spot on. Can’t say enough about Sarah. Thank you so much.
Activity Reviews
Visit a family farm for an authentic Croatian meal + visit small town of Cavtat
Croatia
Wow. The city was worth seeing and the highlight was the local lunch after that was set up for us was outstanding.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Dubrovnik Kayaking Adventure
Dubrovnik
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Private Motor Boat Excursion to Brač & the Pakleni Islands (end in Hvar)
Split
Marko the Captain and Katya were incredible. They made our day special.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Krka National Park + lunch in the countryside
Split
The local lunch after the walk was one of our favorite eating experiences.
Food
Amazing local restaurant.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Hvar - cycling excursion with local snacks!
Hvar
I highly recommend this activity. Beautiful cycling tour with history and concluded with an amazing wine cellar wine tasting and local snacks.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Oyster Tasting & Farming Experience in Ston Bay
Dubrovnik
Highly recommend. Just incredible. Probably our favorite day of the trip.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Sarah Cosic
Sarah was exceptional! She did not miss a beat before and during our amazing vacation. All of her tours and transportation vendors were professional, punctual, and extremely knowledgeable about each region we visited. Marco who took us on his boat from Split to Hvar was the best. He made our day trip so fun and was one of the many highlights . The bike tour in Hvar, kayaking in Dubrovnik with Eddie, the list goes on. Sarah, you are very good at what you do! Our trip was seamless,... read more
Sarah was exceptional! She did not miss a beat before and during our amazing vacation. All of her tours and transportation vendors were professional, punctual, and extremely knowledgeable about each region we visited. Marco who took us on his boat from Split to Hvar was the best. He made our day trip so fun and was one of the many highlights . The bike tour in Hvar, kayaking in Dubrovnik with Eddie, the list goes on. Sarah, you are very good at what you do! Our trip was seamless, worry-free, and incredibly relaxing because you had it all under control for our party of eleven. Thank you! This was a trip of a lifetime.
Local specialist: Sarah Cosic
Sarah was really wonderful in her choices of both our activities and hotels. She planned everything—from drivers to schedules. We particularly enjoyed Hotel Cornaro in Split. And our skipper Marko who took us between Split and Hvar was fabulous: he took us to his favorite spots to visit, eat (under a canopy of olive trees), and swim. Then Grgo who took us on a winery tour in Hvar—including his own family’s winery—was a gracious host. We were able to visit several places and get insiders’... read more
Sarah was really wonderful in her choices of both our activities and hotels. She planned everything—from drivers to schedules. We particularly enjoyed Hotel Cornaro in Split. And our skipper Marko who took us between Split and Hvar was fabulous: he took us to his favorite spots to visit, eat (under a canopy of olive trees), and swim. Then Grgo who took us on a winery tour in Hvar—including his own family’s winery—was a gracious host. We were able to visit several places and get insiders’ views from our drivers and hosts. We learned so much about the history of Croatia and what it’s like to be a Croatian today. I recommend using KimKim and Sarah and Ivan 100%!
Hotel Reviews
Very nice hotel! Great rooms and spectacular service. The breakfast was one of the best I’ve ever had.
Location
Within walking distance of everything in Split
Staff
So helpful and nice. They helped us with dinner reservations and answered every question.
Amfora Hvar Grand Beach Resort
Hvar
Although a little dated, you can’t beat the incredible pool with the view of the Adriatic. The staff is very helpful, considering how many people stay there. The breakfast is amazing with so many choices. The only negative we experienced was in our bathroom where the sink and faucet were badly designed, and you couldn’t rinse your hands without splashing pools of water everywhere, and the bathtub/shower was poorly draining. Overall, I would recommend this hotel for the view and the food and service.
Location
The view of the Adriatic
This is a very new hotel and lovely inside. Our room was spacious and super well designed. It is conveniently located near a bus stop so we could easily get to the old town and anything we wanted to do. There are markets nearby too. And the food—including the breakfast—is really good. We had lunch and dinner there, and they took time and care preparing our food. Highly recommend this hotel!
Location
In a more peaceful residential neighborhood
Cleanliness & Comfort
So clean and new
Activity Reviews
Guided Walking Tour of Split
Split
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Private Motor Boat Excursion to Brač & the Pakleni Islands (end in Hvar)
Split
Marko was super wonderful and took us to his favorites spots to eat and visit and swim! Wonderful day!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Hvar Wine Tasting Excursion
Hvar
Grgo was really wonderful. He took us to two wineries, including his own family’s. He was so generous in his time.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Game of Thrones Tour
Dubrovnik
Tonka took us on a really fun Game of Thrones tour! She shared her own experience as an extra on the show. She told us about the history of Dubrovnik and shared some of her own personal story. Highly recommend!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Sarah Cosic
We had an amazing time in Croatia and Sarah was super responsive and helpful before and during our stay. She and her husband Ivan assisted with dinner recommendations and reservations and tweaked our itinerary when needed. The drivers and skippers were top-notch, friendly, and reliable. We enjoyed all of the excursions but both boat outings, kayaking and biking tours were favorites. The skippers we had, Marco and Ivo, were so friendly and accommodating. We are very satisfied with our... read more
We had an amazing time in Croatia and Sarah was super responsive and helpful before and during our stay. She and her husband Ivan assisted with dinner recommendations and reservations and tweaked our itinerary when needed. The drivers and skippers were top-notch, friendly, and reliable. We enjoyed all of the excursions but both boat outings, kayaking and biking tours were favorites. The skippers we had, Marco and Ivo, were so friendly and accommodating. We are very satisfied with our KimKim experience and will never forget this once-in-a-lifetime trip with our family.
Activity Reviews
Castles of Zagorje Region
Zagreb
Beautiful property and historical. Was able to take a horse-drawn carriage ride up to the castle due to a recent injury.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Zoran was great - super friendly and recommended an amazing place for lunch in the Vuglec Breg tourist village. Delicious food and wines. Highly recommend the wine tasting.
Private Motor Boat Excursion to Brač & the Pakleni Islands (end in Hvar)
Split
So much fun with Marco. Stopped at a few islands - Milna for a wine tasting and another for lunch.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
We loved Marco!
Hvar - Island Bike Tour with Local Food and Drink Tastings
Croatia
This is a must-do to see the other side of Hvar. The countryside is so beautiful and this excursion is family-run. At the end, you get some snacks and tastes of their own wines. They accommodated me with an e-bike due to a foot injury.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
We were picked up in the hotel lobby and driven to the starting point and then returned.
Private Boating Excursion to the Elaphiti Islands
Dubrovnik
Ivo was great - we went to some caves and snorkeled and he knew all of the cool places to go. He is an expert diver and this made us feel super comfortable. The water was insanely clear.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Dubrovnik Food Tour
Dubrovnik
This excursion was a bit disappointing. We were unable to make food selections so if you didn't like something, you missed out a bit. Wines were also limited to either white or red at each stop.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Give people more chances to go into churches, etc rather than just give the history of them outside. Provide more choices of food that are served. Much of it was wasted if people didn't care for it.
Transport
We didn't have transport to this excursion - we took an Uber which was fine but it was an added expense.
Half Day Kayaking Excursion
Korčula
Boris and his wife run this kayaking company and he knows the history of Croatia and Korchula inside and out. We were with a lovely group of people and made stops for snacks and sightseeing.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Sarah Cosic
This was our first trip to Croatia and our first time working with a trip/vacation planner – we could not have been more pleased with the customer service and welcoming accommodations from Sarah and Ivan. The excellent service and responsiveness were consistent all through the process including before we booked the trip (going back and forth on different itineraries) up to the last day when our plane departed. Prior to the trip questions were answered within a few hours through the on-line... read more
This was our first trip to Croatia and our first time working with a trip/vacation planner – we could not have been more pleased with the customer service and welcoming accommodations from Sarah and Ivan. The excellent service and responsiveness were consistent all through the process including before we booked the trip (going back and forth on different itineraries) up to the last day when our plane departed. Prior to the trip questions were answered within a few hours through the on-line chat, and during the trip Sarah and Ivan would respond to texts within minutes (about small stuff like questions about tipping etiquette, etc.)! We did not have to text with any problems because everything worked out perfectly – all transportation, hotels, and tour guides (probably our favorite part) were top notch! Sarah and Ivan reached out multiple times with more information if needed, and just to check on us to see how things were going. We would definitely work with Sarah and Ivan in the future and highly recommend them for your trip!
Local specialist: Sarah Cosic
Sarah did an amazing job of organizing our tours and drivers in Croatia. She was available and responsive from our first contact a year ago and remained readily available throughout the trip, actively managing anything that needed adapting (such as a flooded Krka national park that required a change in schedule and our sudden desire to do a same day cruise to Hvar). She offered many suggestions for itineraries, things to do in each city, and places to go between. Her use of WhatsApp was a... read more
Sarah did an amazing job of organizing our tours and drivers in Croatia. She was available and responsive from our first contact a year ago and remained readily available throughout the trip, actively managing anything that needed adapting (such as a flooded Krka national park that required a change in schedule and our sudden desire to do a same day cruise to Hvar). She offered many suggestions for itineraries, things to do in each city, and places to go between. Her use of WhatsApp was a nice touch.
The guides and drivers associated with KimKim were top notch - we could not have asked for more!
Highly recommend!
Local specialist: Sarah Cosic
We recently returned from a fabulous trip to Croatia which was arranged by Sarah and Ivan Cosic of Royal Croatian Tours.
We are seasoned senior travelers who have been on all kinds of vacations and excursions around the world with many types of travel companies and travel specialists. Sarah and Ivan arranged a complete tour of Croatia built to our specifications while fulfilling all of our requests and requirements.
Sarah was very responsive and helpful throughout the entire planning... read more
We recently returned from a fabulous trip to Croatia which was arranged by Sarah and Ivan Cosic of Royal Croatian Tours.
We are seasoned senior travelers who have been on all kinds of vacations and excursions around the world with many types of travel companies and travel specialists. Sarah and Ivan arranged a complete tour of Croatia built to our specifications while fulfilling all of our requests and requirements.
Sarah was very responsive and helpful throughout the entire planning process. Her expertise was evident as no details of our experience were overlooked. Every part of our personalized itinerary was executed to perfection.
We would recommend Royal Croatian Tours without reservation.
Hotel Reviews
Hotel Bellevue Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik
Great hotel. Good location. Excellent accommodations.
Location
Easy access to the old town
Heritage Hotel Fermai
Split
The Hotel Degenija in Plitvice Lakes was nice and what was expected for the area. The overall experience was enjoyable.
Bastion Heritage Hotel - Relais & Châteaux
Zadar
The Bastion Heritage Hotel in Zadar was a lovely hotel with a great restaurant and atmosphere. The experience was very enjoyable.
The Hotel Degenija in Plitvice Lakes was nice and what was expected for the area. The overall experience was enjoyable.
Amadria Park Hotel Capital
Zagreb
The Amadria Park Hotel Capital in Zagreb was a nice hotel with a good location and comfortable rooms. The overall experience was enjoyable.
Activity Reviews
Visit a family farm for an authentic Croatian meal + visit small town of Cavtat
Croatia
Authentically cooked traditional Croatian meal in a wonderful farmhouse setting. Divo Vukorep was the perfect chef and host.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Tour Dubrovnik's Old Town
Croatia
The walking city tour in Dubrovnik was great. The guide was knowledgeable, on time, and well chosen. Everything went smoothly.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Peljesac Wine Tasting Excursion + Ston
Dubrovnik
The wine tasting excursion was okay, but not as impressive as expected. The wines tasted were not the best, but the overall experience was still enjoyable.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guided Walking Tour of Split
Split
The walking tour in Split was well chosen, knowledgeable, and on time. The guides were great and the experience was enjoyable.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Day trip to Sibenik with lunch in the countryside!
Croatia
The day trip to Sibenik was great, with the lunch in the countryside being an excellent experience. The food and atmosphere were beautiful.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Zagreb - walking food tour!
Zagreb
The walking food tour in Zagreb was very nice and enjoyable. It was a great way to get acquainted with the city and its culinary offerings.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Sarah Cosic
In a nutshell, it was a phenomenal trip from start to finish. Sarah did a marvelous job working with me in the pre-planning stages and putting together what promised to be an active holiday that covered a lot of ground, and once we arrived in Croatia, Sarah and Ivan were in regular contact with us to make sure things were going well. Their accessibility and immediate response time was impressive, to say the least. It's difficult to fully convey how prompt, professional, courteous and... read more
In a nutshell, it was a phenomenal trip from start to finish. Sarah did a marvelous job working with me in the pre-planning stages and putting together what promised to be an active holiday that covered a lot of ground, and once we arrived in Croatia, Sarah and Ivan were in regular contact with us to make sure things were going well. Their accessibility and immediate response time was impressive, to say the least. It's difficult to fully convey how prompt, professional, courteous and engaging the drivers and guides were, but we are grateful to our drivers (Ivo and Zoran), our kayak guides (Eddie and T), our speedboat skipper (Ivo), and our bike tour guides (Joseph and Joke) for ensuring we had a truly memorable vacation in a very special part of the world.
Activity Reviews
Dubrovnik Kayaking Adventure
Dubrovnik
I had a great time during the Dubrovnik Kayaking Adventure. The weather was good, and the water was refreshing, even though it was a bit early in the season. I got some awesome pictures, and the experience was very enjoyable. I highly recommend this activity.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Private Boating Excursion to the Elaphiti Islands
Dubrovnik
The all-day boat tour to the Elaphiti Islands was exceptional. Our boat captain, a Croatian Navy Seal, was an excellent guide. The owner of the company personally came to our hotel and picked us up for the tour. Overall, it was a fantastic and personalized experience that I would love to do again.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Hvar - Island Bike Tour with Local Food and Drink Tastings
Croatia
This was one of the most special excursions of the trip. We rode on brand new e-bikes with fantastic local guides. At the end of the tour, we went back to the owner's tasting room for a wonderful wine and cheese tasting. It was an amazing, personalized experience that I would highly recommend to others.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Pakleni Islands Kayak Tour
Croatia
The Pakleni Islands Kayak Tour was a great experience. The owner of the kayaking company personally greeted us after the tour, and we were their first customers of the season. The tour was enjoyable, and the scenery was beautiful. I would definitely recommend this activity.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Biking Tour of Split & Marjan Hill
Split
The Biking Tour of Split & Marjan Hill was fantastic. We had private guides who spent hours with us, showing us the beautiful sights of Split. There was a small mix-up with the meeting location, but it was quickly resolved, and we had a great time. I would highly recommend this tour.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Day trip to Ljubljana including a biking tour of the city
Zagreb
Our day trip to Ljubljana was a memorable experience. We had a small group bike tour with a great guide, and we covered a lot of ground that we wouldn't have been able to on foot. The weather was colder than expected, but we still enjoyed exploring the picturesque European town. I would definitely recommend this day trip and biking tour.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Sarah Cosic
Sarah & Ivan of Royal Croatian tours, were fantastic. They helped us plan and schedule everything, cars, hotels, local guides and experiences. We were so happy to have their local expertise even before our trip started but once we were traveling they were invaluable. They found us wonderful accommodations at every location that were perfect for what we wanted and had transportation all arranged. Almost everything went like clockwork and was very well arranged, the only things that went wrong... read more
Sarah & Ivan of Royal Croatian tours, were fantastic. They helped us plan and schedule everything, cars, hotels, local guides and experiences. We were so happy to have their local expertise even before our trip started but once we were traveling they were invaluable. They found us wonderful accommodations at every location that were perfect for what we wanted and had transportation all arranged. Almost everything went like clockwork and was very well arranged, the only things that went wrong were two cancelled ferries due to weather and in both cases we contacted Sarah and Ivan and they immediately helped devise a back up plan and arranged when necessary a driver to our next destination with no delay . They were quick to respond to any questions and always available by WhatsApp, even at 6 am when our ferry was cancelled at the last moment. We would highly recommend Sarah and Ivan for Croatian travel and Kimkin made it very easy to stay connected with them.
Hotel Reviews
Hotel St. Joseph's Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik
Wonderful hotel right in the heart of old town and an easy walk to everything. Hotel staff was extremely helpful and friendly and the breakfast served in the room was great! Clean and well maintained.
Authenticity & Character
Old house that was renovated to a boutique hotel
Location
Close to everything in old yown
Staff
Fantastic and helpful
Aminess Korčula Heritage Hotel
Korčula
Lovely hotel right on the water. Easy walk to everything in Korcula. The only draw back was lack of elevators. Great breakfast and lovely seating on the patio looking out at the water for great sunset views
Local specialist: Sarah Cosic
My trip was back in August and I’m sorry that this review has taken so long to write, but the fact that I am writing it now is a testament to how truly wonderful Sarah is and how much gratitude I feel towards her for designing an amazing itinerary and also giving us a ton of support throughout the whole trip.
First, since this was post pandemic last august, airlines were just a complete disaster and unfortunately our situation was no different. We had delays AND cancelled flights in both... read more
My trip was back in August and I’m sorry that this review has taken so long to write, but the fact that I am writing it now is a testament to how truly wonderful Sarah is and how much gratitude I feel towards her for designing an amazing itinerary and also giving us a ton of support throughout the whole trip.
First, since this was post pandemic last august, airlines were just a complete disaster and unfortunately our situation was no different. We had delays AND cancelled flights in both directions which of course messes with your itinerary. While no one likes to be in that situation, having Sarah as our contact made everything run so much more smoothly and made me feel so much better. Every time something did not go according to plan I would shoot her a text and miraculously everything would get resolved. She immediately adjusted our itinerary to make sure we didn’t miss the things that were important to us. Because she had paid such close attention to what I told her I wanted, I didn’t even have to ask her! She just understood. I had another incident where I hurt my back and had to cancel one of the tours we had booked at the last minute and Sarah immediately found me an alternative that would suit us better at no extra charge. She really goes above and beyond and solves problems instantly!
Now the trip itself was just magic. I wish I could go back. I’ve never seen water so blue, and the people were lovely, and the history is rich and the food is just spectacular!! I was pretty ignorant about Croatian food and wine but that was a real shame because every dinner was fantastic and I really fell in love with the white wine. This was my ideal vacation because Croatia truly allows you to have any kind of trip you desire. There are beaches, boats, natural parks with gorgeous hiking and views, cities, cool architecture, history, wine country, Michelin star restaurants and the list just goes on.
This beautiful country should absolutely be on your bucket list and I think I will be back many times. Sarah is the perfect person to guide you through it. She knows every region and every activity and she’s incredibly competent, responsive and just an overall people person! Thank you so much for your support Sarah!
Local specialist: Sarah Cosic
