Grand Cuvée Tours

We employed Kimkim's services because of its use of local talent to provide the best experience when touring a foreign city and country. We had an incredible trip with Kimkim to Athens. We expected the same level of concern to planning and detail on our just completed trip to Austria and Poland. That was NOT the case. When we arrived in Vienna, our private trasport driver was nowhere to be found. We circled the arrival hall multiple times. We utilized one of our Verizon cell phone travel passes to call the driver's cell (provided in itinerary). We finally located him and headed to our hotel, K+K Maria Theresia to freshen up after a long flight. The toilet in the room malfunctioned and the bathroom had no soap. We called the front desk and were told that the toilet had just been repaired with the wrong part so would not stop flushing and that soap would be provided. We checked out the following morning and boarded our OBB train from Vienna to Krakow- all according to our Kimkim itinerary. The Austrian conductor scanned our tickets and gave NO indication that there were any issues with the journey. Our tickets were scanned again by a Czech Republic conductor once the train crossed the border. Again nothing was said regarding the journey. When the train reached Hranice, the conductor announced that our journey has ENDED. He told us that due track damage, the OBB train would terminate at Hranice. Using very limited English he told us to try to find a local train or bus to either Bohumin or Ostrava but BEWARE because "bad people will try to cheat or steal from you." We were horrified. We had no roaming cell service so the "emergency kim kim number " was useless. We made our way into the train station and found the Regiojet desk. NO ONE spoke a word of English or German and they responded to all of our questions with "NO." We consulted the posted time tables and found a Regiojet train to Ostrava and purchased two tickets ($8.74). We also found a Regiojet bus from Ostrava to Krakow ($78). We had to take a taxi from the Ostrava train station to the bus station ( $10.90). We bribed a bus station guard to allow us to use the pay toilet (We had NO Czech coins) with a 5 Euro note. We managed to get to Krakow by bus with absolutely NO ONE from Kimkim or Grand Cuvee tours aware of the situation. We realize that the local arrangement staff is not responsible for weather related issues HOWEVER, the damage to the tracks was known in Vienna and in the Czech Republic. The only ones in the dark were the unsuspecting passengers who boarded the train. Our time in Krakow was not arranged by Kimkim and went flawlessly BUT OUR TRAVEL BACK to Vienna and onto Salzburg WAS. I contacted Grand Cuvee repeatedly because we were told by our Polish contacts that the OBB train to Vienna would not run. It was NOT until the evening before our scheduled 9/27 departure from Krakow to Vienna that Grand Cuvee confirmed that we would not be able to take the train from Krakow to Vienna. At this point, a private transfer by car was the best option. I paid Kimkim an additional $1000.00 for the private car and driver. The driver (Maciek) was excellent. He deposited us safely at the Vienna central train station for our train trip to Salzburg. We waited in the OBB lounge where we learned that multiple trains from Vienna to Salzburg were either delayed or cancelled. The OBB desk attendant suggested that we take the next available train. Since our tickets were booked as first class we were able to board an earlier train to Salzburg. The Imlauer Hotel Pitter was lovely. I believe Grand Cuvee upgraded the room which was appreciated. Our walking tour guide, Ms Klinger was very good. The Mozard Dinner Concert as arranged by Grand Cuvee was fantastic. We took the train the next day to Vienna with no issues. We returned to the Maria Theresia, stored our luggage and embarked on a walking tour of Vienna with Mojca. I would give the guide a B-. The most effective guides are those who have an itinerary and are able to weave YOUR interests into their plan. Mojca did not explore our interests but moved somewhat haphazardly from one spot to the next. When we passed the Maria Theresia library and my husband discovered that the library was open free to the public because it was Sunday, Mojca relented and went in. It was one of the highlights of the tour no thanks to the guide. The Mozart and Straus concert at the Kursalon and the Schonbrunn palace tour scheduled by Grand Cuvee were excellent. The Danube Tower tour was so so. The Sisi Museum and Imperial Palace tours were excellent. The concert at St Anne's church as arranged was lovely. Our stay at the Maria Theresia went well. The amenities in the room were functional. The hotel staff was incredibly friendly and helpful. Our transfer to the airport with Herr Wolfgang was on time and pleasant.
After our trip to Athens with Kimkim, we not only recommended your services but could not wait to use them again. After this trip- we will have second thoughts about a repeat. Your strength is in the intel that your local agents provide. The local agents did not stay informed. The trip to Krakow was incredibly stressful. The uncertainty of the transfer from Krakow to Salzburg created constant anxiety. Why were we telling Grand Cuvee that the trains were in question?
We feel that we spent a significant amount of money and then had to spend MORE. We also feel that we did not get good value for our money. We asked Grand Cuvee to petition OBB for refunds for our train fares. They have but why did we need to ask. I feel that Kimkim should cover the additional train, bus, taxi and private car fares. The Grand Cuvee team did try to turn this trip around for us but it was too little too late.

I do not think I would this company again for future trips. While we had a mostly enjoyable vacation, there were several avoidable mistakes made for our trip to Switzerland.

The initial issue was that our company waited for about four weeks after our deposit to arrange our hotel reservations. At this point, one of the hotels was full, so the company switched us to a different hotel. That hotel ended up being our least favorite, with stiff beds and no one at reception for much of the day. I believe it was the same tier hotel as the one quoted, but it begs the question as to why they delayed four weeks.

The second issue, which was much larger, was that they booked one hotel room for our trip when we had requested two. When I caught their mistake, the tour company’s response was that this was our fault, since we did not catch their mistake on their first itinerary. They wrote saying we needed to pay them an additional $1300 to get the second room. I had to call Kimkim to sort it out, and ultimately we received the two rooms that we had requested. However, this experience left a bad taste in our mouths given the initial response and having to argue about it. And for the record, follow-up communication from Kimkim was non-existent: I heard nothing from either company for a week while this was being resolved, which was stressful, and in fact never received a single follow-up from Kimkim about it at all.

The third issue was another attention-to-detail mistake. The tour company told us they made seat reservations for our train trip to Jungfrau, a popular tourist destination. This was written, in bold, on our itinerary. When we got to the station, we encountered hundreds of people, and we got stopped at the turnstiles and turned back for not having reservations at all. Two ticket attendants confirmed that we were holding non-reservation 2nd class tickets, and we were told to wait in line for the next available train with open seats. Long story short, our 1.5 hour trip took 3.5 hours, as we waited a full two hours in line, as train after train filled up with pre-reserved travelers and tour groups. This was a truly miserable experience.

My conclusion is that the time needed to double-check and correct the tour company’s mistakes could be better spent simply planning the trip on my own.

Activity Review

Funky chocolate workshop

Switzerland

This was an enjoyable experience. We learned a bit about chocolate, got to taste many varieties from dark to white chocolate and each made three chocolate bars.

Quality of Experience

This was a fun time.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

There was no guide or driver, so this rating isn't really for anything.

Transport

There was no transport.

This was our second trip using KimKim. Tomaz and Zala helped us plan our amazing trip to Switzerland. Each day was an adventure! We went to the ‘Top of Europe’, explored ice caves, hiked down grassy mountainsides, rode e-bikes through the Lauderbrunnen Valley, watched the sunrise on the Matterhorn and the moonrise on Lake Lucerne. Our accommodations were really nice, with only 2 disappointing room selections (one was changed). The breakfasts provided were delicious with local meats, cheeses, eggs and fresh fruits and breads that kept us going all day (the champagne offering was over the top). We had never traveled exclusively by train and we were so appreciative that each train/funicular/tram journey was planned for us in great detail. Within a day we were completely comfortable with not using a car. We do not prefer group trips so our 13 day adventure was designed by Tomaz carefully to allow us to explore all the places and activities we enjoy. The was a trip one that we will always treasure. We have so, so many pictures!!

When we started the thoughts of going to Austria I reached out to a company ( KimKim) that I never heard of. It took us awhile to finally say yes we’re using this company. Tomaz was very patient with me while we made our decision to use them. Once we made the decision Tomaz was wonderful picking out places to see and places to stay at. We had 4 of us that were traveling. . We flew into Vienna and stayed a few days then picked up a rental car and drove to Salzburg & Hallstatt. We stayed there for a few days & on to Munich for a few more days. Tomaz was so good at giving suggestions of sites to see. We were then handed off to Zala who made the reservations for hotels and sites to see. She did a great job of putting together the times, directions to the places and all the tickets. Directions were easy to follow and we never felt lost. Every thing we saw was amazing. She was always responsive to my emails that I sent her frequently throughout the trip. The only complaints we had were the hotels. While they were in great locations and nice places to stay they were not our idea of 5 star as we requested. Rooms were small and only queen size beds. My suggestion would be to throughly review your documents on the hotels. We had to upgrade in Vienna, at our expense. And in Munich they had king size beds but our agent did not book this. The hotel was fully booked so we could not get an up grade. Our room was so small and no mirror in the room, not even a chair to sit on the do my hair or makeup. Our friends who traveled with us got a larger room. Still only a queen size bed. Both the men in our group were over 6”. So check your reservation’s thoroughly. We would give this company a 5star. But go over your itinerary really closely because we probably could have had things done differently with the hotels. Thank KimKim for a wonderful vacation.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Sans Souci Wien

Vienna

Super terrific hotel. Beautiful place and great location. The staff was always eager to help in any way they could. The man who helped us the first day with our luggage was visible through out our stay. Always eager to please and help. . The restaurant was wonderful. We mostly ate there because the food was spectacular.

Authenticity & Character

It was a very lovely place all around.

Location

Easy to walk to everything.

Staff

The bell hop. The desk crew. The restaurant staff.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Super immaculate.

LOUIS Hotel

München

The location was the best of this hotel. Outstanding complimentary breakfasts. Rooms were very small and not accommodating for luggage placement or dressing and makeup area.

Authenticity & Character

Larger rooms

Location

Walk out the hotel and there is a fresh market everyday. City center is right there.

Staff

Average

Cleanliness & Comfort

Larger room. Make up area, mirror.

Activity Reviews

Guided Tour of the Historic Center of Vienna

Vienna

Maria was a wonderful guide. She knows her Vienna.

Quality of Experience

My special place was the Spanish Riding School

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Maria who did the walking tour

Spanish riding school performance

Vienna

We had front row seats and watched as these beautiful horses and riders went thru their paces. The school is in the middle of the city. My favorite thing to see.

Quality of Experience

Both horses and riders

Guided private walking tour of Hallstatt

Austria

Our guide Lisa was so sweet and gave us a wonderful tour of this quaint place.

Quality of Experience

Such a beautiful place nestled between the mountains.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Lisa was a delight.

Hallstatt Salt Mine

Austria

To think they found this mine high in the mountains all those years ago. Very interesting how they mined the salt. It’s a terrific ride up the funicular and see the view from up there. Our guide was informative and our group was not too large.

Quality of Experience

A must see place.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

She really knew the history of the mines and guided us thru easily

Transport

Riding up the funicular beautiful

Castle with fortress above Salzburg

Salzburg

Lots of things to see in this castle on the mountain. Great views of the city.

Quality of Experience

Zwölftenhorn Cable car St. Gilgen

Salzburg

Beautiful exhilarating walk once you ride up the cable car. OMG the views are spectacular. Watching all the hang gliders jump off the top was exciting. It was a Sunday morning and there was a special religious service on the very top. Everyone was dressed in tradition dress.

Quality of Experience

Unbelievable place to see. I could live there.

Hellbrun Palace

Salzburg

It’s a very special place. Lots of unexpected shooting water. The king had a terrific sense of humor. All the features are still working. The sculptures are so unique. We had a rainy day but brought an umbrella. Once in the castle you were high and dry. Lots of things to see and hear about. We used the whisper to take a tour.

Quality of Experience

All the quirky fountains.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Everyone had a smile on there faces and happy you came.

There were multiple agents we worked with besides Tomaz. In general many of the guided trips we booked had time to walk or drive by sites but did not allow sufficient time to go inside structures to experience them. My brother Dan submitted a more detailed review by email and I added comments. We received responses from KimKim indicating our comments would be reviewed.