Good Vibes Tours

As a frame of reference, I am lifetime Premier Gold on United (over 1MM miles) and at my level of British Air I was able to get upgraded to The CONCORDE when it was still flying. I have travelled extensively for both business and leisure in my life and am very aware of service quality. Following are my observations/reviews of my trip to Dublin and Scotland from 9/17 through 9/30 2026.

During trip planning, I advised KimKim that I had mobility limitations with regard to walking and this had significant impact on my ability to fully or even partially take part in most walking tours. I accept that my limitations are my own concern and that they had no understanding of the extent of my limitations, but I feel that they may have not factored it in. I say that because KimKim booked a trip for us in Sep 2025 with the same limitations and we had far less walking tours. I probably should have questioned the tours for this trip but I trusted them after last year.

DUBLIN

Trinity Townhouse Hotel: A
A boutique hotel with nice spacious rooms. Limited on-site amenities and dining options. Very good location. Note: there are no lifts.

Private walking tour: D
I was unable to finish the 2.5 hour tour and had to end it within the first hour and taxi back to the hotel. My wife did continue the tour and reported that she rated it a B+. I was concerned that they scheduled such a long walking tour for me and that it was in the morning of our arrival from the US.

St Patricks: F
I was unable to go to the cathedral after the aborted walking tour.

Wicklow Mtns, Glendalough, Kilkenny tour: C (rained most of the day)
The bus was reasonably comfortable and the guide and driver were pleasant. The scenery on the tour was very nice.
I was unable to walk the trails at Glendalough (the primary purpose of that part of the trip) but I did go into the visitors center (an additional 4 euro fee) while the others were walking. There was a very informative 15 min video of the history of the area that was well done. We toured the Kilkenny castle which was okay as castles go. We were limited by time and rain and were not able to see the Kilkenny town. Overall, the tour tried to do too much within the available time.

Guiness and Jameson tours: Jameson - B / Guiness - F
The Jameson tour was very well done. The man who did the presentation was excellent - informative, cordial, and humorous. The tasting was informative - it was interesting to actually see how the tastes differed based on how the products were prepared.

I can honestly say that the Guiness tour was a complete and colossal waste of my time. Unfortunate because i had been looking forward to it. Where do I start? We were told by a cabby that it is the most populated tour in Europe and based on our experience it may well be. The line to get in from outside was measured in blocks - we got in upon arrival as part of a tour group (the single and only advantage of being in the group). Once inside it was so crowded one could hardly move around. The major attraction of the tour was the Gravity Bar at the top of the facility where you could redeem your tour coupons for a glass of Guiness. We were never given the coupons by our tour guide so we never got our Guiness. Also, there were so many people we could not sit or really take advantage of the view. Our guide rushed our group so much through the facility that we never really got a chance to appreciate the tour itself. I couldn’t tell you one significant thing about Guiness except that they treat their employees well (which we learned from a taxi driver on our way there). As an aside, that driver showed us around some interesting things to see in Dublin which helped to somewhat save the day for me. (Also note that we took the taxi from Jameson to Guiness because I could not make the walk). We did see the old hospital/museum and he took some pictures of us.

I have to say that the guide for the Guiness tour was a major disappointment. While trying to be entertaining, he failed to be informative. The way he rushed us through the Guiness tour was appalling. I would advise some additional training or a new profession.

GLASGOW

Kimpton Blythswood Hotel: A+
A five star hotel with everything that one would expect from same. Comfortable room and nice restaurant. Excellent location.

Glasgow Essentials Tour: F
Once again unable to take the tour. My wife did take the tour and rated it a B.

Wee Food Tour: F
Again not taken. My wife did take the tour and really enjoyed it, rating it an A.

Train travel to Inverness - very nice comfortable ride with lovely scenery and WiFi for most of the trip.

INVERNESS

Ambassador Hotel: B+
A comfortable hotel in a good location. Lots of stairs but there is an elevator. A bit quirky layout with rooms laid out in a highly irregular fashion. Restaurant on-site with an acceptable menu. Our room was very nice though the bathroom was a little tight. But, for 500GBP per night I think we could have done better.

Inverness Walking tour: F
Again not taken. My wife did take the tour and rated it an A.

Loch Ness Cruise: A+
We took a bus tour to get to and from the cruise. The driver was very informative and made the trip enjoyable. The river cruise itself was very nice. Comfortable boat, excellent narration, toilets and food/drink on board. We had rare clear sunny weather and the views were spectacular.

Urquhart castle: F wife rating it an A-

Isle of Skye tour: F and A
A wonderful tour with an excellent driver (Roy Martin). The weather was an F. The isle of Skye was an A.

This day we both started to feel sick with cold symptoms probably contracted from the bus tour.

Candor Castle: F Wife rated it an A.

Culledon Battlefield: F Wife rated it a B

Train to Edinburgh: Not as nice as the earlier trip, but perfectly fine until we got to Edinburgh station. We looked for a taxi and were told to take an escalator or a lift. When we got to the escalator, the up side was not working. When we got to the elevator it was not working. We were then told to walk up a long steep ramp. So two elderly people with luggage trekked up this 150 yard ramp to get to the taxis. At least the taxi driver was very helpful. I am the one with mobility limitations but my wife was hammered by the walk up the ramp to the taxis.

EDINBURGH

Courtyard by Marriott: F
Check-in was uneventful except that whoever booked the room (KimKim) did so under the wrong name. The hotel tells me they cannot correct the error or they won’t get paid - really? So now i have to explain to everyone at the hotel that my booking name is wrong.

Our room overlooks a major trash/recyling area for the hotel and we get to listen to them dumping glass and cans into the bins. Keep in mind, this goes on all day while we are stuck in our room because we are sick. And continued into the night. Last heard after 9 PM.

After breakfast the first morning we returned to the room to find that our key cards would not unlock the door. I took the cards to reception which was crowded with incoming people. They asked for ID (my ID was inside my locked room). They then remembered that my name was wrong so they remembered me and reprogrammed the key. Tried to unlock the door then and it still did not unlock. Went back to reception and tried again. Key still did not work but they had sent someone to check it. He had to replace batteries in the lock. This event alone would have made us late for the tour if we were taking it. After breakfast the second day the same thing happened. Needed to get maintenance again to reset the lock mechanism. I’m getting afraid to leave the room.

Showered this morning. Water pressure was very low. Shower is not enclosed and was drafty. Towels were okay for me but not my wife and compared to our other three hotels were not very quality. Very disappointing but consistent with our experience at this hotel. Toilet seems to keep running frequently.

Day before check-out I stopped at reception (waited in line) to ask what if anything I needed to do to check-out the next day. The room was pre-paid and I left a credit card on file for other charges. The person who helped me said all I had to do was drop off my keys in the express check-out box. Upon leaving the next day that is what I did. As I left the hotel to get into my taxi a hotel employee chased me out of the hotel to tell me I hadn’t paid my incidental charges. He was quite accusatory and argumentative and I told him about my conversation the day before with his colleague. I was not happy. He made some vague comment about what would happen if I did not come back and pay it. My taxi was waiting. I went back and once again told them (loudly) what I had been told the day before. I paid it on my card, the same one they had on file. I advised them that this was the worst hotel experience I had had in a long time. Maybe forever and I left. Thank goodness. This was a terrible hotel experience that ranks as bad or worse than the Guiness tour.

Dining at the Witchery: F-
We were unable to do this dinner because we were both so sick. So we may be charged a 150GBP no-show fee.

Edinburgh walking tour: F
We were unable to take this tour, but did cancel it before pick up.

Edinburgh castle tour: F
Also unable to take this tour.

Had dinner at Mamma Roma. Nice dinner. Extensive (maybe too much so) menu. Excellent service.

Hollyrood Palace: me - B wife - B+
Managed to make this tour. There was walking and stairs but within what I could handle. It was self-guided with free audio headsets. Interesting stories and reflections on what life may have been like when the castle was in everyday use.

Had lunch at a place called Cafe Vivo near the Palace - the worst fish/chips I have ever had. Room service for dinner.

Roslyn Chapel: A
Excellent driver and guide (Christof). Interesting place with many stories. Filming location for the ending of The Davinci Code.

Glenkinchie Distillery: A+
An excellent tour with a great guide (Willie). Very informative and fun. The tasting was excellent. Lots of stairs, but I managed okay with proper motivation.

David Connor
1 352-804-3910

Hotel Reviews

Courtyard By Marriott Edinburgh

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND

Courtyard by Marriott: F Check-in was uneventful except that whoever booked the room (KimKim) did so under the wrong name. The hotel tells me they cannot correct the error or they won’t get paid - really? So now i have to explain to everyone at the hotel that my booking name is wrong. Our room overlooks a major trash/recyling area for the hotel and we get to listen to them dumping glass and cans into the bins. Keep in mind, this goes on all day while we are stuck in our room because we are sick. And continued into the night. Last heard after 9 PM. After breakfast the first morning we returned to the room to find that our key cards would not unlock the door. I took the cards to reception which was crowded with incoming people. They asked for ID (my ID was inside my locked room). They then remembered that my name was wrong so they remembered me and reprogrammed the key. Tried to unlock the door then and it still did not unlock. Went back to reception and tried again. Key still did not work but they had sent someone to check it. He had to replace batteries in the lock. This event alone would have made us late for the tour if we were taking it. After breakfast the second day the same thing happened. Needed to get maintenance again to reset the lock mechanism. I’m getting afraid to leave the room. Showered this morning. Water pressure was very low. Shower is not enclosed and was drafty. Towels were okay for me but not my wife and compared to our other three hotels were not very quality. Very disappointing but consistent with our experience at this hotel. Toilet seems to keep running frequently. Day before check-out I stopped at reception (waited in line) to ask what if anything I needed to do to check-out the next day. The room was pre-paid and I left a credit card on file for other charges. The person who helped me said all I had to do was drop off my keys in the express check-out box. Upon leaving the next day that is what I did. As I left the hotel to get into my taxi a hotel employee chased me out of the hotel to tell me I hadn’t paid my incidental charges. He was quite accusatory and argumentative and I told him about my conversation the day before with his colleague. I was not happy. He made some vague comment about what would happen if I did not come back and pay it. My taxi was waiting. I went back and once again told them (loudly) what I had been told the day before. I paid it on my card, the same one they had on file. I advised them that this was the worst hotel experience I had had in a long time. Maybe forever and I left. Thank goodness. This was a terrible hotel experience that ranks as bad or worse than the Guiness tour.

Authenticity & Character

it is like a poorly run US hotel in a historic and character-filled city

Location

Staff

training and customer service and attitude

Cleanliness & Comfort

Everything about this hotel needs improvement generally clean. Had to request servicing. Exposure to exterior recycling noise at all hours was terrible.

The Ambassador Hotel

Ambassador Hotel: B+ A comfortable hotel in a good location. Lots of stairs but there is an elevator. A bit quirky layout with rooms laid out in a highly irregular fashion. Restaurant on-site with an acceptable menu. Our room was very nice though the bathroom was a little tight. But, for 500GBP per night I think we could have done better.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Kimpton - Blythswood Square Hotel, an IHG Hotel

Glasgow

Kimpton Blythswood Hotel: A+ A five star hotel with everything that one would expect from same. Comfortable room and nice restaurant. Excellent location.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Trinity Townhouse

Dublin

Trinity Townhouse Hotel: A A boutique hotel with nice spacious rooms. Limited on-site amenities and dining options. Very good location. Note: there are no lifts.

Authenticity & Character

See over all review

Location

See overall review

Staff

See over all review

Cleanliness & Comfort

See over all review

Activity Reviews

Private Glasgow Essentials Tour

Scotland

Glasgow Essentials Tour: F Once again unable to take the tour. My wife did take the tour and rated it a B.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Transfer from Glasgow Airport to Glasgow

Glasgow

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Transfer from Dublin to Dublin Airport

Dublin

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Dublin Private Walking Tour

Dublin

Private walking tour: D I was unable to finish the 2.5 hour tour and had to end it within the first hour and taxi back to the hotel. My wife did continue the tour and reported that she rated it a B+. I was concerned that they scheduled such a long walking tour for me and that it was in the morning of our arrival from the US. St Patricks: F I was unable to go to the cathedral after the aborted walking tour.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Loch Ness Cruise and Urquhart Castle

Scotland

Loch Ness Cruise: A+ We took a bus tour to get to and from the cruise. The driver was very informative and made the trip enjoyable. The river cruise itself was very nice. Comfortable boat, excellent narration, toilets and food/drink on board. We had rare clear sunny weather and the views were spectacular. Urquhart castle: F wife rating it an A-

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The Ultimate Isle of Skye Tour from Inverness

Inverness

Isle of Skye tour: F and A A wonderful tour with an excellent driver (Roy Martin). The weather was an F. The isle of Skye was an A.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Clava Cairns, Culloden and Cawdor Castle Private Tour

Inverness

andor Castle: F Wife rated it an A. Culledon Battlefield: F Wife rated it a B Train to Edinburgh: Not as nice as the earlier trip, but perfectly fine until we got to Edinburgh station. We looked for a taxi and were told to take an escalator or a lift. When we got to the escalator, the up side was not working. When we got to the elevator it was not working. We were then told to walk up a long steep ramp. So two elderly people with luggage trekked up this 150 yard ramp to get to the taxis. At least the taxi driver was very helpful. I am the one with mobility limitations but my wife was hammered by the walk up the ramp to the taxis.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Inverness Walking Tour

Scotland

Could not attend

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The Wee Food Tour of Glasgow

Glasgow

Could not attend

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Rosslyn Chapel & Glenkinchie Distillery Private Tour

Edinburgh

Roslyn Chapel: A Excellent driver and guide (Christof). Interesting place with many stories. Filming location for the ending of The Davinci Code. Glenkinchie Distillery: A+ An excellent tour with a great guide (Willie). Very informative and fun. The tasting was excellent. Lots of stairs, but I managed okay with proper motivation.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Edinburgh Old Town Tour

Edinburgh

Could not attend

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Wicklow Mountains, Glendalough & Kilkenny Tour

Dublin

Wicklow Mtns, Glendalough, Kilkenny tour: C (rained most of the day) The bus was reasonably comfortable and the guide and driver were pleasant. The scenery on the tour was very nice. I was unable to walk the trails at Glendalough (the primary purpose of that part of the trip) but I did go into the visitors center (an additional 4 euro fee) while the others were walking. There was a very informative 15 min video of the history of the area that was well done. We toured the Kilkenny castle which was okay as castles go. We were limited by time and rain and were not able to see the Kilkenny town. Overall, the tour tried to do too much within the available time.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guinness and Jameson Irish Whiskey Experience Tour

Dublin

Guiness and Jameson tours: Jameson - B / Guiness - F The Jameson tour was very well done. The man who did the presentation was excellent - informative, cordial, and humorous. The tasting was informative - it was interesting to actually see how the tastes differed based on how the products were prepared. I can honestly say that the Guiness tour was a complete and colossal waste of my time. Unfortunate because i had been looking forward to it. Where do I start? We were told by a cabby that it is the most populated tour in Europe and based on our experience it may well be. The line to get in from outside was measured in blocks - we got in upon arrival as part of a tour group (the single and only advantage of being in the group). Once inside it was so crowded one could hardly move around. The major attraction of the tour was the Gravity Bar at the top of the facility where you could redeem your tour coupons for a glass of Guiness. We were never given the coupons by our tour guide so we never got our Guiness. Also, there were so many people we could not sit or really take advantage of the view. Our guide rushed our group so much through the facility that we never really got a chance to appreciate the tour itself. I couldn’t tell you one significant thing about Guiness except that they treat their employees well (which we learned from a taxi driver on our way there). As an aside, that driver showed us around some interesting things to see in Dublin which helped to somewhat save the day for me. (Also note that we took the taxi from Jameson to Guiness because I could not make the walk). We did see the old hospital/museum and he took some pictures of us. I have to say that the guide for the Guiness tour was a major disappointment. While trying to be entertaining, he failed to be informative. The way he rushed us through the Guiness tour was appalling. I would advise some additional training or a new profession.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

See review

Transport

The drivers, tours, and hotels that Aleksandra chose were all professional and outstanding, with a shout out to Paul Clarke. Would strongly suggest including Northern Ireland in the trip.

I appreciated the planning that went into the trip, and Kate's immediate replies when we had questions/issues during the trip.
Note: the Royal Hotel in Portree was probably "royal" 20 years ago, but now it's a 2-star hotel at best.

We enjoyed the Whiskey Food Tour, but expected going to more than one location and having wine besides whiskey (per the description).

Also liked the app. Used it multiple times a day.

Hotel Reviews

Merchiston Residence

Edinburgh

Nice apartment!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Cleanliness & Comfort

Most comfortable beds that we had for the entire trip. The restrooms were a nice size.

The Royal Hotel Portree

Portree

The pictures we were shown were VERY outdated. The hotel is quite run down.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Avalon

Inverness

Nice, clean rooms. Enjoyed breakfast.

Authenticity & Character

Location

A little off the beaten path, but could walk to town in 20 minutes.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

East Claremont Guest House

Edinburgh

Each room was cute; had its own theme. The bathrooms were impossibly small. The breakfast was good.

Authenticity & Character

Location

We were approximately a 15 minute walk from Old Town / New Town.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

One of our rooms had a bed that slanted. Bathrooms were hard to navigate for our taller family members.

Activity Reviews

Private Scotch Whisky & Artisan Food Tasting Tour

Edinburgh

Joann, our guide, was quite enjoyable and knowledgeable. But disappointed that the "tour" was one restaurant. And disappointed that no wine was available to taste, as indicated in the write-up.

Quality of Experience

add another restaurant, and wine (or update the description to exclude wine)

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Since we only went to one restaurant, not sure why we met where we did, only to walk another 15 minutes to get the restaurant

Talisker Distillery

Scotland

Didn't do. It would have cost 100 pounds to taxi to and from the distillery from Portree. Would recommend scheduling something else in its place in the future.

Loch Ness Cruise and Urquhart Castle

Scotland

This was the family's overall pic. It was an enjoyable boat ride to the castle. Appreciated the comedy of the guide on board. The castle is beautiful!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

also loved the bus driver's sense of humor

Transport

Edinburgh Old Town Tour

Edinburgh

Stuart was a great tour guide! Funny and informative.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Explore Glen Affric, Culloden, and Clava Cairns Tour

Inverness

Our guide Cammy was awesome! She did an incredible job explaining EVERYTHING. Glen Affric is incredibly beautiful!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Ireland is a beautiful place full of wonderful hospitable people. People with a great sense of humor, a wealth of information, and real love for their country. It felt like they couldn’t wait to show it off. The local guides were indispensable because they gave us a tremendous sense of history of the areas that we were touring as well as great local restaurant and pub recommendations. This had been a bucket list type trip for us and it did not disappoint. Aleksandra was so helpful in steering us toward local sites & museums that we never would have thought about. The Butter museum or the 14 Henrietta St Tenement museum were very informative and gave you a sense of Ireland’s past. Would highly recommend Kimkim to any one who doesn’t want a big bus tour of all the usual tourist spots but instead a chance to get off the beaten path and see more of the local culture such as a local food & pub tour in Galway.

Hotel Reviews

Trinity Townhouse

Dublin

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Corrib House Guest Accommodation

Galway

Very lovely guesthouse with very helpful and attentive staff! Lovely tea house and courtyard made the place feel very homey.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Staff was very accommodating when we needed breakfast a little earlier in order for us to make some tours.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hayfield Manor Hotel

Absolutely lovely with all its old world charm!!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Killarney Heights Hotel

Killarney

Authenticity & Character

Location

Would’ve preferred a hotel closer to the center of town

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Guided Tour of 14 Henrietta Street

Dublin

Quality of Experience

A very great look into Irish tenement history with guides who had first had experience growing up there

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Irish Tour Private Luxury Giants Causeway Day Tour From Dublin

Dublin

Quality of Experience

lol

Guides, Drivers and Staff

One of the best guides we’ve ever had! Extremely personable and chock full of history

Transport

Food and Culture Walking Tour with Tastings

Ireland

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Midleton Distillery Experience & Whiskey Tasting - Home of Jameson

Cork

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Killarney National Park Private Tour

Ireland

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Dingle Peninsula Tour

Ireland

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Galway to Cliffs Cruise, Aran Islands and Connemara Full Day Tour

Galway

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The Classic Ring of Kerry & Skellig Ring Tour

Ireland

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guinness Storehouse Experience Tour

Dublin

I know it’s a must see for all Ireland visitors, but it felt very Disneyesque. The free Guinness pints in the rooftop bar were a nice experience

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our trip to Scotland was amazing. Each location was different and beautiful and a good sampling of what we wanted to see in Scotland. Each lodging was also different but also beautiful. From quaint inns to personal cabins to luxurious hotels. We self drove so had a lot of flexible in what we did but the KimKim app was so useful in helping us decide what to do for the day. We did have some preset excursions. The Cairn distillery tour was very good and the Hairy Coo tour was really fun. And the castles....got to see castles in Scotland.

Hotel Reviews

N°11 Boutique Restaurant and Rooms Hotel

Edinburgh

Staff

Corriegour Lodge Hotel

By Fort William, Letterfinlay

The food was incredible and the owners so accommodating and friendly.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Bracken Hide Hotel

Portree

Location

Amazing views

The Ambassador Hotel

Staff

Very friendly

Atholl Arms Hotel

Dunkeld, Perthshire

Activity Reviews

Edinburgh Old Town Tour

Edinburgh

The Cairn Distillery Tour & Lunch

Scotland

Highland Coo Tour

Scotland

The trip was great. We began our adventure in Edinburgh. The airport pickup was flawless, and the Hoxton was fine except for billing error at checkout. The self-guided tours were great. The Hoxton is at walking distance of the start points for all the self-guided walking tours. The whisky tasting with Joanne was one of the highlights of the trip. She is a sommelier, with extensive whisky knowledge. We had food pairings with the guided whisky tasting. We highly recommend her and we may do in the future a remote (Zoom) whiskey tasting with her.
Next was Stirling which was a nice change in pace after Edinburgh. Our guide for the Stirling Old Town & Castle Private Walking Tour was Donnie. He is retired, lives in Stirling was very knowledgeable about the town history. From Stirling we drove to Inverness which was nice and our accommodations great. Our local guide for the private walking tour was good. We went to famous Hootananny Pub and had dinner and enjoyed live music. The atmosphere was amazing.

The rest of the trip went well except for driving the narrow roads to Portree and back to Glasgow from Fort William. Portree was nice but ourseeightsseing was limited by the seasonal rain.

Overall, excellent trip with outstanding support from Kate (Kateryna Garkavenko). Who helped us plan the trip to Scotland.

Activity Review

Private Scotch Whisky & Artisan Food Tasting Tour

Edinburgh

The whisky and Artisan Food Tasting was one of the highlights of the trip. Joanne, a sommelier, was extremely knowledgeable about whisky, food pairings and the history of Edinburgh. We highly highly recommend this tour with her.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our trip was excellent and exceptional due to the attention to every detail!
Our drivers were so knowledgeable and helpful every day, even providing some special extra locations in our travel.
Throughout our trip we trusted Kate to assist us when changes had to be made. She was so professional and accessible, making our trip delightful!

Hotel Reviews

The Royal Adelaide Hotel

Windsor

The staff was delightful. The room was very large and accomodating.

Authenticity & Character

It was modernized to make the stay comfortble to foreign travelers, but maintqined a"British charm".

Location

A nice walk to the center of Windsor.

Staff

The staf was so helpful! And, special recognition to Sarah who was so friendly and charming in the reataurant!

Cleanliness & Comfort

The spacious bathroom with seperate tub and shower.

The Head of the River

Oxford, Oxfordshire

Enjoyed the entire experience here.

Authenticity & Character

Very popular pub and restaurant!

Location

Right on the river with a large, beautiful patio/deck. Obvioously a very popular place for local residents.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Indigo Bath

Bath

Spacious room and bathroom. Nice amenities including robe and slippers.

Authenticity & Character

Location

So convienient!

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The room was great!!!

Primrose House St. Ives

St Ives

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Fox Inn

Dorchester

Just what we had hoped for as an experience in country English setting!

Authenticity & Character

Authenic locally sourced food that was outstanding.

Location

Pastorial setting.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Just a caution to some travelers who are not spry--no air conditioning and no lift.

The Southern Belle

Brighton

Authenticity & Character

Great traditional pub on ground level. Kitchen is not open every evening. Breakfast was great!

Location

Very close to the beach

Staff

The same gentleman was on stff in the evening when we arrive and in the morning when we were served breakfast. He was helpful and pleasant.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Canterbury Cathedral Lodge

Canterbury

Perfect location! Very friendly and helpful staff. Breakfast was a special benefit, with a separate dining room.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Cleanliness & Comfort

Lacked air conditioning.

Activity Review

Iconic Oxford Private Walking Tour

Oxford

This was our 4th kimkim planned trip - and as with our other trips, we had a great time. As before, our local specialist worked with us to understand us and what we hoped to achieve with the trip, what we liked and didn't like with travel, and then how to fit as much in as made sense for us... all within the time we had allotted for the trip. I believe by the time we actually left the US for Scotland, we were on v4 of our travel guide.

And unfortunately, as with a previous trip, the weather and airport issues created a last minute problem with air travel such that we were delayed leaving the US and even had to be rerouted on another airline. We contacted our kimkim local specialist (Tetiana) via the app - at what was likely midnight in the UK... and Tetiana made sure that our airport pickup was changed and that our hotel knew of our now very delayed arrival.

On one other occasion we had an unforeseen issue (no breakfast provided at a guest house - where it should have been)... Tetiana again immediately figured out the issue and solved. I mention these two unpleasant events first - as they both illustrate the value of having a professional help plan your trip, and then being available to manage problems.

Now to the good stuff... Scotland is a wonderful place to visit. We spent a few days in Glasgow, then by train to Fort William / Glencoe, and then by car to the Isle of Skye... where we spent 5 days. We ended our excursion with 3 days in and around Inverness, and lastly... 3 days in Edinburgh. Highlights for us on Skye... not just the main tourist sights, but finding hidden treasures off the beaten path (mostly on single lane roads). Tetiana found one for us... Waternesh Farms...

We found Inverness to be more than a place to spend the night while we explored the highlands... it's a really nice town. We loved our B&B (Bluebell House) and morning walks along the river (which take you thru the Ness Islands). We lucked out on our last night, with a reservation at the Highlanders... seats at the table closest to the stage - with a night of traditional music and pub food.

In Edinburgh, we really liked the neighborhood of our B&B (within New Town) as we were adjacent to a street filled with restaurants, and bus stops and a tram stop that made travel within Edinburgh easy. For those who enjoy B&Bs, we want to recommend the place we stayed... The Ben Cruachan Guest House. And for hidden gems, the two adjacent modern art museums (located in the West End... and just minutes off the tram).

Wonderful trip - itinerary, accommodations and drivers!! You really came through to provide a trip to exceed expectations Thank you for your professional attention to details.

Great experience working with you. You were proactive and responsive during every step of out trip. We used drivers John and Ollie. They were fabulous.