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Insiders Travel Experiences

Insiders Travel Experiences is a GNTO-registered DMC in Athens, as well as a HATTA and ASTA member.

Founded in 2013, the company offers specialized themed tours and complete holiday packages throughout mainland Greece.

Our expertise is designing programs completely tailored to the wishes of our guests- even customizing elements on the way. We aim to offer unique travel experiences that exceed your expectations.

We want to give you the opportunity to discover what lies beneath the surface through our distinctive Insider’s look.

Our philosophy is to offer high quality, private, and personalized experiential vacation packages that engage travelers, and give them the opportunity to see Greece through our eyes, as we know and love it.

By carefully listening to your passions and interests we create a program that covers every aspect of what makes up your dream vacation.

Insiders Travel Experiences is part of the following groups: Greece Travel Agents, Italy Travel Agents

Featured trips & expertise

Top itineraries and travel advice

Recent Trip Reviews for Insiders Travel Experiences

Chris did an AMAZING job from start to finish...
Greece | Jul 11 - Jul 16, 2025

Stephanie
Stephanie W.
Dallas, TX | Reviewed on Aug 15, 2025
Chris did an AMAZING job from start to finish. He listened to our needs and wants and implemented them perfectly. When we wanted to change something prior to our arrival date, he delivered our updated needs and communicated with the tour operators prior to our reserved dated. I would highly recommend him and his services. Read more

Chris did an AMAZING job from start to finish. He listened to our needs and wants and implemented them perfectly. When we wanted to change something prior to our arrival date, he delivered our updated needs and communicated with the tour operators prior to our reserved dated. I would highly recommend him and his services.

Hotel Review
NYX Esperia Palace Hotel Athens
Athens

Amazing hotel, very modern, clean and the roof top restaurant gave us the perfect sunset view of the Acropolis.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Acropolis Guided Tour
Acropolis Guided Tour
Athens

Thanos was very knowledgable and easy to talk too. It was nice to take this tour in the evening b/c it was not nearly as crowded. The cruise ships disembark in the morning, thus making it less crowded later in the day. It was also cooler.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Flavors of Athens Food Tour
Flavors of Athens Food Tour
Greece

Ilia was FANTASTIC! She was easy to talk too and showed us a real food tour where locals eat. The food was delicious and even though the tour was 4 hours in the heat, we didn't feel like it was that long because of the conversation, stops around the city and the various visits with local eateries.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
South Coast Of Mykonos: Dragonisi Island Half Day Cruise
South Coast Of Mykonos: Dragonisi Island Half Day Cruise
Mykonos

Absolutely Stunning! We had the most amazing time and would highly recommend this tour to anyone that wants to experience Mykonos by boat.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
All Time Classic Santorini
All Time Classic Santorini
Santorini

We loved Santorini and this tour was catered to our wants and the places we wanted to visit. Everything about Santorini is gorgeous, but it is extremely busy. Many of the go to spots were filled with so many tourists it became difficult to get around.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Chris Gravas
Chris
Chris Gravas
Local specialist in Athens, Greece | Replied on Aug 18, 2025

Dear Stephanie,

Thank you very much for your kind words and appreciation! I'm very happy that we managed to pull off this trip for your group and that everything went smoothly from start to finish. Your feedback for the tours and hotels is also very valuable and we will share it with the respective partners.

I suppose you meant to leave a 5-star review, but maybe by mistake you pressed the 4 stars :)

In any case, I wish you all the best with safe future travels, and I would love to plan your next adventure to Greece again and/or Italy!

Kind regards,
Chris

An exceptional travel experienceChris, than...
Italy | Jul 27 - Aug 3, 2025

Maria
Maria H.
Atlanta, GA | Reviewed on Aug 14, 2025
An exceptional travel experience Chris, thank you and your team, Maria, Stefania, Placid, and each and every driver for a truly memorable experience! Our family is forever grateful for your recommendations and thorough planning. You played a part in helping us explore Italy is ways we wouldn’t have otherwise. From the moment we landed in Rome, from the train ride to Florence, the scenic ride through the Tuscan region, and back to Rome, every detail was carefully planned. And that made it... Read more

An exceptional travel experience

Chris, thank you and your team, Maria, Stefania, Placid, and each and every driver for a truly memorable experience! Our family is forever grateful for your recommendations and thorough planning. You played a part in helping us explore Italy is ways we wouldn’t have otherwise. From the moment we landed in Rome, from the train ride to Florence, the scenic ride through the Tuscan region, and back to Rome, every detail was carefully planned. And that made it such an enjoyable trip!

Forever thankful!
Maria

Hotel Review
Kraft Hotel Florence
Florence

A lovely gem with the breathtaking views!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Chris Gravas
Chris
Chris Gravas
Local specialist in Athens, Greece | Replied on Aug 15, 2025

Thank you so very much, Maria, for your kind words and appreciation, we truly cherish it! I will extend to everyone involved as well, they were very happy to know your family and offer a memorable holiday! All the best and take care!

Kind regards,
Chris

Chris was absolutely fantastic, and the agenc...
Italy | Jul 27 - Aug 3, 2025

Maurchet
Maurchet H.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Aug 10, 2025
Chris was absolutely fantastic, and the agency set up a truly first-class trip to Italy for our family! My wife and kids enjoyed everything and can’t stop talking about how much fun they had. We highly recommend Chris and his team to arrange your holiday or vacation travels. Your adventure awaits! Read more

Chris was absolutely fantastic, and the agency set up a truly first-class trip to Italy for our family! My wife and kids enjoyed everything and can’t stop talking about how much fun they had. We highly recommend Chris and his team to arrange your holiday or vacation travels. Your adventure awaits!

Hotel Reviews
Al Manthia Hotel
Rome

Great hotel.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Kraft Hotel Florence
Florence

Choose this hotel. Great views, and first class all the way. Ciao

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
 Colosseum & Roman Forum private guided tour
Colosseum & Roman Forum private guided tour
Rome

The tour guide was so knowledgeable and took on our family on our own private journey of Rome! It was remarkable!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel
Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel
Rome

Great tour and unforgettable!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Food tour among squares and fountains of Rome
Food tour among squares and fountains of Rome
Rome

So amazing and the we even were able to see my historical sites while we ate! One of my favorite tours!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Walking tour of Florence (Private)
Walking tour of Florence (Private)
Florence

Really great tour. Can’t miss opportunity!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Tuscany Highlights: Siena, San Gimignano & Pisa with lunch & wine tasting
Tuscany Highlights: Siena, San Gimignano & Pisa with lunch & wine tasting
Florence

Remarkable views and not a lot of walking. Enjoy the wine. 😉

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Chris Gravas
Chris
Chris Gravas
Local specialist in Athens, Greece | Replied on Aug 11, 2025

Dear Maria & Maurchet,

I humbly thank you for your kind words and recommendation, I appreciate it very much! It was a pleasure planning this trip for your family and offering you the chance to create lifetime memories! I will be happy to work with you again on your next one, to Italy or Greece!

Until that time, all the best and safe travels!

Kind regards,
Chris

Thanks Elena
Greece | Jul 6 - Jul 20, 2025

T
Troy T.
Australia | Reviewed on Jul 27, 2025

Elena was very helpful throughout the whole planing process and during the trip. Communication was great and she was always quick to reply to a question on the whats app chat. Thanks so much.

Local specialist: Elena Kyrimi
Elena
Elena Kyrimi
Local specialist in Athens | Replied on Jul 28, 2025

Hello Troy,

Thank you very much for your review and comments!
It was my pleasure to assist you throughout your trip and make sure you had a great experience!
I hope to see you all again in the future!

All the best,
Elena

I think overall we had a very good trip, my f...
Greece | Jul 11 - Jul 18, 2025

J
Juan Pablo H.
Flagami, FL | Reviewed on Jul 25, 2025

I think overall we had a very good trip, my family loved Greece. The tour guides we had in Athens, in Naxos and in Santorini were great!
My only call out was our hotel in Naxos which was not really up to our expectations and usual standards. I would have liked to book the hotels myself.

Local specialist: Elena Kyrimi
Elena
Elena Kyrimi
Local specialist in Athens | Replied on Jul 28, 2025
Hello Juan Pablo, Thank you so much for your kind words—we’re truly happy to hear that you and your family had a wonderful time in Greece and enjoyed the tours and local experiences in Athens, Naxos, and Santorini! We appreciate your honest feedback regarding the hotel in Naxos. We’re sorry to hear it didn’t meet your expectations. Your insights are valuable and help us refine our recommendations moving forward. Should you decide to travel with us again, we’d be happy to offer more... Read more

Hello Juan Pablo,

Thank you so much for your kind words—we’re truly happy to hear that you and your family had a wonderful time in Greece and enjoyed the tours and local experiences in Athens, Naxos, and Santorini!

We appreciate your honest feedback regarding the hotel in Naxos. We’re sorry to hear it didn’t meet your expectations. Your insights are valuable and help us refine our recommendations moving forward. Should you decide to travel with us again, we’d be happy to offer more flexibility around hotel choices, including the option for you to select or suggest accommodations directly.

It was a pleasure helping to plan your trip, and we’d love the opportunity to assist you again in the future.

Warmest regards,
Elena

We had limited time at our locations. Chris w...
Italy | Jul 7 - Jul 14, 2025

Surinder
Surinder D.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Jul 15, 2025
We had limited time at our locations. Chris was able to arrange seamless car transfers and tour bookings to maximize our exposure to each site with days of respite in between. All the car drivers arrived a few minutes earlier than scheduled time, which was amazing! Communication via text and WhatsApp was detailed and appropriately frequent. One of the tour guides was running late and Chris and Maria were able to sort out the situation early on a Saturday morning! Read more

We had limited time at our locations. Chris was able to arrange seamless car transfers and tour bookings to maximize our exposure to each site with days of respite in between. All the car drivers arrived a few minutes earlier than scheduled time, which was amazing! Communication via text and WhatsApp was detailed and appropriately frequent.

One of the tour guides was running late and Chris and Maria were able to sort out the situation early on a Saturday morning!

Hotel Reviews
Sheraton Lake Como
Como

Excellent hotel, plush and beautiful. Great staff and food quality and choices. By far the most amazing brunch I’ve seen with fresh juicing station and fresh omelettes. Spa and gym lounge ones clean and equipped enough. It’s not downtown in the lake como village but walkable to the next town Cernobbio. Easy water shuttle service around the lake. Nighttime travel may be challenging without a car but plenty of walkable restaurants. Nice pool and outdoor seating options and outdoor restaurants as well on site.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Very courteous and helpful. Give good advice about local activities and sites
Cleanliness & Comfort
Nice and modern rooms with bathrobes and slippers. They even had a steamer iron!!
The Poet Hotel
La Spezia

Nice location, close to walking to downtown shopping and restaurants. Wonderful front desk staff Glulia and Gaia. Some knowledge about local restaurants. Rooms were clean but dated, in need of new paint with unfinished wood floors and deep gouges. End rooms were very spacious.

Authenticity & Character
Has character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Rooms need a paint job but that’s about it
Hotel dei Cavalieri Milano Duomo
Milano

Fantastic hotel and location. Walkable to all sites and good choice of walkable restaurants. Very close to the Duomo cathedral and Gucci/LV flagship stores! Only stayed one night but very peaceful and plush rooms with spa like bathrooms, marble walled, slippers and bathrobes too. Went to be rooftop bar but was very pricey for a drink so just enjoyed the views which are great. Good breakfast buffet but no omelette station.

Authenticity & Character
Large big box high quality hotel like ritz Carlton
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Half day food & wine tasting in Lake Como
Half day food & wine tasting in Lake Como
Italy

Nice walk of the town and some boating on the ferry. I hadn’t realized the huge size of the lake and expected more lake time so I rented a boat the next day! Went through some churches, shopping and limited wine tasting. Lunch selection was great. Had a nice walk through Torno, with narrow streets and small coffee shop for a rest. Renzo was great but I wish he was louder!

Quality of Experience
Food
Nice pasta place for lunch. Wine tasting offering was on the skimpy side.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Timely and very pleasant young Shuttle driver from town to the hotel (Yuri)
Cinque Terre Tour With Limoncino Tasting
Cinque Terre Tour With Limoncino Tasting
Italy

Be aware that this is a cruise ship tour. We had some delays in the morning as a result. However Lisa the guide was fantastic. You get to see many sites in a short time. The best part was after the last stop and the cruise ship passengers had to depart, you can keep the train tickets and ride from site to site all night if you like. However the crowds did get worse during the day. Luck selections and souvenir shops are plentiful

Quality of Experience
Beautiful scenery
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Good trains but lots of crowds
Local specialist: Chris Gravas
Chris
Chris Gravas
Local specialist in Athens, Greece | Replied on Jul 16, 2025

Dear Surinder,

Thank you very much for your kind words and appreciation of our services, I am most grateful. Also, thank you for the details regarding the hotels and the activities, this will surely be of use to future travelers. I am very happy that everything was smooth and that all logistics of your trip were up to your standards. I look forward to planning your next family adventure, to Greece or Italy again. Until that time, enjoy the rest of your summer, and happy and safe travels!

Kind regards,
Chris

1st Trip to Athens and Naxos was a success!
Greece | Jul 3 - Jul 9, 2025

Penny
Penny H.
Dallas, TX | Reviewed on Jul 11, 2025
Elen was responsive and patient with us during the planning process. She customized our travel plans to our individual needs. She had good communication throughout our trip as well. She made some great recommendations on our places to stay. We really enjoyed our time in Athens and especially in Naxos. The staff at Hotel Astir in Naxos were very friendly and accommodating. Our sailing trip with Yatching Naxos was the highlight! Read more

Elen was responsive and patient with us during the planning process. She customized our travel plans to our individual needs. She had good communication throughout our trip as well. She made some great recommendations on our places to stay. We really enjoyed our time in Athens and especially in Naxos. The staff at Hotel Astir in Naxos were very friendly and accommodating. Our sailing trip with Yatching Naxos was the highlight!

Hotel Reviews
Avra Hotel
Rafina, Attica

Nice hotel with amenities. Only drawback was lack of swimming pool. Easy beach access and within walking distance to Rafina square. Located at the port. Check in process was easy. Staff was pleasant and helpful. Food was pretty good.

Authenticity & Character
It has been there for quite a while but has been updated. Layout of the quadruple room was ideal for our family.
Location
Fairly close to airport. Accessibility without getting on highway which saved us time on our departure day. At Rafina Port. Within walking distance to a small beach.
Staff
Helpful and friendly. Particularly the restaurant staff.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Clean and comfortable.
Astir of Naxos Hotel
Saint George Beach, Naxos Town Cyclades, Naxos Island

This family owned and operated resort is very close to the beach. The pool was welcoming and refreshing. The owner and staff were extremely friendly and gracious. They were attentive and helpful.

Authenticity & Character
Family owned and operated. Small boutique resort.
Location
At the end of St. George's beach. Less crowded area. Walkable beach access. It was perfect!
Staff
Friendly and helpful.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Everything was clean.
Four Streets Athens
Athens

The property manager was very welcoming and helpful. He met us on site, walked us through the features of the property and even made recommendations for food around the area.

Authenticity & Character
In the heart of downtown Athens.
Location
If you want to be close to the vibrant downtown Athens area and within walking distance of the Acropolis, this is a great location!
Staff
Very helpful, communicative and responsive.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The layout was perfect for our family.
Activity Reviews
Naxos Day Cruise
Naxos Day Cruise
Naxos

Hands down the best thing we did the entire time we were in Greece! The captain and first mate were very gracious hosts, served us great food and drink, ensured we had a good time and were great to talk to. Being in the water and being able to see islands and beaches from a relaxing boat ride was mesmerizing!

Quality of Experience
Being on the Aegean sea!
Food
Options and authentic greek cuisine.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
So knowledgeable, friendly and fun.
Transport
Drivers were all prompt and friendly.
Acropolis Guided Tour
Acropolis Guided Tour
Athens

Our guide, Valia, was a treat! She spoke English very well, knew the history and culture, offered much insight, volunteered to take pictures and was pleasant during the whole tour.

Quality of Experience
The guided tour gave us so much more context than we would have gained on our own.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Such a pleasant person and great story teller.
Transport
Walking was easier than we thought!
Local specialist: Elen Hakhverdyan
Elen
Elen Hakhverdyan
Local specialist in Athens | Replied on Jul 17, 2025
Dear Penny,
Thank you so much for your thoughtful and detailed review! I’m delighted to hear that your first trip to Athens and Naxos was such a success and that you enjoyed every aspect—from the personalized planning and hotel stays to the sailing trip and guided tours.
It was a pleasure to assist you throughout your journey, and I’m thrilled that the recommendations and arrangements met your expectations so well. I’ll be sure to pass along your kind words to the teams at Hotel Astir, Avra...
Read more

Dear Penny,
Thank you so much for your thoughtful and detailed review! I’m delighted to hear that your first trip to Athens and Naxos was such a success and that you enjoyed every aspect—from the personalized planning and hotel stays to the sailing trip and guided tours.
It was a pleasure to assist you throughout your journey, and I’m thrilled that the recommendations and arrangements met your expectations so well. I’ll be sure to pass along your kind words to the teams at Hotel Astir, Avra Hotel, and Four Streets Athens, as well as to your guide Valia and the crew on your day cruise.
Your feedback truly means a lot, and it’s wonderful to know you had such memorable experiences. Thank you again for choosing us to help create your Greek adventure—we look forward to helping you plan many more in the future!

Elena was a wonderful help, always attentive ...
Italy | Jun 19 - Jul 1, 2025

Lauren
Lauren K.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Jul 10, 2025

Elena was a wonderful help, always attentive and able to answer our questions. She was very knowledgable, as well as punctual. Elena was great with setting everything up, getting us in touch with our tour guides and making sure that everything was going smoothly. We would definitely recommend this service to others and cannot wait to be back to plan our next trip.

Local specialist: Elena Kyrimi
Elena
Elena Kyrimi
Local specialist in Athens | Replied on Jul 28, 2025

Hello Lauren,

Thank you very much for this lovely review and the wonderful comments!
It was great planning your trip and it will my pleasure to do it again in the future!!

Warmest regards,
Elena

Elena was the absolute best!
Greece | Jun 19 - Jul 4, 2025

Stephanie
Stephanie L.
Granite Bay, CA | Reviewed on Jul 07, 2025
Elena was the absolute best! She was attentive, helped with all questions we had and pivoted when our flight was delayed. She was even one step ahead and when she saw that one of our days when we were supposed to have a catamaran ride it was going to be too windy she change our plans around to ensure we could go on another day. Everything she planned was amazing. Hands down our most memorable vacation and included once in a lifetime experiences that we will remember for the rest of our lives. Read more

Elena was the absolute best! She was attentive, helped with all questions we had and pivoted when our flight was delayed. She was even one step ahead and when she saw that one of our days when we were supposed to have a catamaran ride it was going to be too windy she change our plans around to ensure we could go on another day. Everything she planned was amazing. Hands down our most memorable vacation and included once in a lifetime experiences that we will remember for the rest of our lives.

Hotel Reviews
ONBOARDING TEMPLATE Decumani Hotel de Charme
Naples

It was a very clean hotel and the staff was nice. The breakfast room is the highlight of this hotel. Our girls loved that they felt like princesses!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Florida 3* Sorrento
Sorrento

The staff were vey nice. The hotel was clean and in a perfect location.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Heliotopos Hotel
Santorini

It was the best hotel we have ever been to. If you want to have the best view, the kindest hotel staff and be in the the middle of Santorini, this is the hotel for you!

Authenticity & Character
you can not beat this view!
Location
Staff
The staff were super sweet. They made us sandwiches and even got in early to make us coffee before our early morning flight.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Liana Beach Hotel & Spa
Naxos

The staff was kind and having the beach right across the street was amazing.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Amalia Hotel Athens
Athens

It was right downtown and next to everything! I would recommend it to anyone. It was the perfect location for us as we only had one day in Athens and from this hotel you can walk to everything.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
 Amalfi Coast: Amalfi, Positano & Ravello from Sorrento
Amalfi Coast: Amalfi, Positano & Ravello from Sorrento
Greece

We loved our guide, she was amazing and we had the absolute best day!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Diamond Caldera Morning Cruise
Diamond Caldera Morning Cruise
Santorini

Hands down the best experience we have ever had. It was a once in a lifetime experience that I would do again. It is a must do for anyone traveling to Santorini!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Amazing Staff
Transport
Pompeii guided tour en route to Sorrento
Pompeii guided tour en route to Sorrento
Greece
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Acropolis & Plaka Walk Guided Tour
Acropolis & Plaka Walk Guided Tour
Athens

Our guide was very knowledgeable. We only had 1 day in Athens and .he did an awesome job at making sure we got in everything we needed to know

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Tour To Capri From Sorrento
Tour To Capri From Sorrento
Greece
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Cooking class at Anna Maria's
Cooking class at Anna Maria's
Sorrento

We had the best experience at Anna Maria's Cooking Class. My husband and our 3 daughters had so much fun. They really amerce you into the experience. It is a must do if you are in Sorrento. You will not forget it!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Elena Kyrimi
Elena
Elena Kyrimi
Local specialist in Athens | Replied on Jul 10, 2025

Hello Stephanie,

It is so great to read all these wonderful comments and feedback! It is truly rewarding for us to continue all this good work!

Thank you for the detailed feedback on all hotels and activities. This is really helpful for us to improve our services and create great experiences for our travelers!

We would love to see you again in the future, and I would be more than happy to plan another trip for you, wherever your heart takes you!

All the best,
Elena

Amalfi Coast and Rome: A Dream Family Vacation
Italy | Jun 27 - Jul 4, 2025

Michelle
Michelle P.
Tuckahoe, VA | Reviewed on Jul 07, 2025
The Gems of the Amalfi Coast and Eternal Rome vacation was my family's favorite and most memorable trip we've taken together. I usually plan our family vacations, but I was less confident about planning an international trip that would require either renting a car or scheduling multiple transfers during the trip. I decided to contact kimkim. I was so fortunate to have been connected with Chris. He listened to what I wanted, made adjustments along the way, and created a dream vacation for... Read more

The Gems of the Amalfi Coast and Eternal Rome vacation was my family's favorite and most memorable trip we've taken together. I usually plan our family vacations, but I was less confident about planning an international trip that would require either renting a car or scheduling multiple transfers during the trip. I decided to contact kimkim. I was so fortunate to have been connected with Chris. He listened to what I wanted, made adjustments along the way, and created a dream vacation for my family. He even arranged transportation for my oldest child to join the rest of the family on the second day, which was when she completed a summer term abroad. In addition to Chris, Maria was our local contact. She was always just a text away to answer questions and to provide us with drivers' contact information and pickup times. Having our activities and transportation taken care of allowed us to have a more relaxing and enjoyable vacation. The accommodations were another excellent aspect of our vacation. The Charme Spagna Boutique Hotel in Rome was a little gem! The room was comfortable and quiet, breakfast was excellent, and the staff were so kind and accommodating. In Sorrento, we enjoyed Hotel Leone with its lovely pool and patio, delicious breakfast, quiet but convenient location, and friendly staff. When we ended our trip with another stay in Rome, we found the accommodations at The Republic to be outstanding. Again, the rooms were comfortable and spacious, the staff accommodating, and the breakfast very enjoyable. The activities were where we truly made our memories, and Chris selected the perfect ones for our family. My family of five had so much fun at our Mediterranean cooking class at Villa Pane (even my 17-year-old son enjoyed it). Luca took us on an amazing tour of the Amalfi Coast, sharing many stories about local history and landmarks. We were so grateful that he was driving on the narrow and busy road! Paola was the most entertaining and engaging tour guide on our visit to Capri and Anacapri. She really took care of our group and made sure we had the best experience. Our private tour of Pompeii was fascinating. Our guide there was extremely interesting and informative, as was our guide at the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museum. We were impressed with and appreciative of the knowledge all of our guides shared with us. We were also grateful not to be part of a large tour group. The most people we were grouped with were another family of five. Another great thing about our vacation was that not every moment was planned. We had free time to explore Rome and Sorrento, visiting places that we chose along the way, including the beach in Sorrento and various historical sites and museums in Rome. We made the most of our time in Italy without stress, thanks to Chris, Maria, and the kimkim team. Now that we're home, we can't stop looking at our photos and dreaming of our next trip to Italy.

Hotel Reviews
Charme Spagna Boutique Hotel
Rome

The Charme Spagna Boutique Hotel in Rome was a little gem! The room was comfortable and quiet, breakfast was excellent, and the staff were so kind and accommodating. My family arrived very early in the morning in Rome. Although our room wasn't ready, the staff kept our luggage while we explored. They were able to open the room to us earlier than expected, which was nice since we were jetlagged. Of all the hotels we stayed in, my children enjoyed the breakfast and snacks here the most. Our room even opened to a lovely patio, where we enjoyed our meal. The hotel is also in convenient walking distance to Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Convenient to Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, and the Capuchin Crypt.
Staff
The front desk staff were extremely kind and accommodating. They kept our luggage before we could get into our rooms and after we checked out, before our train out of Rome.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The bed and shower were fantastic!
Hotel Leone
Sorrento

We enjoyed Hotel Leone with its lovely pool and patio, delicious breakfast, quiet but convenient location, and friendly staff. Our family of five had two rooms, which were conveniently assigned next to each other. Because it was so hot when we visited in July, we were glad to have the pool. We only wish it had stayed open past 7 PM.

Authenticity & Character
Location
It was nice and quiet outside of the main square of Sorrento, but it was easily walkable to all the restaurants and shops.
Staff
They were friendly, and the breakfast staff was especially attentive.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The housekeepers kept our rooms very nice. We also enjoyed having a balcony.
The Republic
Roma

We found the accommodations at The Republic to be outstanding. We were graciously welcomed at the front desk. Our family of five was assigned two spacious and comfortable rooms. We were even treated to a surprise bottle of Chianti when we arrived. Because it was so hot when we were visiting in July, we were happy to have a nice, luxurious shower in the room. Our family also enjoyed the breakfast with its variety of hot and cold foods, fruits, and beverages.

Authenticity & Character
From the treatment of the staff to the quality of the furnishings and comforts in the room, this hotel feels high-class.
Location
This hotel was convenient to the Rome Termini Station. We found the metro an easy way to travel across the city. We found some restaurants and shops within walking distance that had a more local/authentic vibe than some more centrally located ones.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Chris Gravas
Chris
Chris Gravas
Local specialist in Athens, Greece | Replied on Jul 07, 2025
Dear Michelle, Thank you so much for the detailed review and description of your trip, and all your kind words and appreciation. I am humbled by your wonderful review, and Maria is grateful as well. I was very happy to help plan this memorable family experience for all of you, and that you enjoyed every aspect of it, transfers, tours, hotels, guides, free time, as well as the direct help from Maria and me when needed. I will be very happy to plan your next adventure again, either to Italy... Read more

Dear Michelle,

Thank you so much for the detailed review and description of your trip, and all your kind words and appreciation. I am humbled by your wonderful review, and Maria is grateful as well. I was very happy to help plan this memorable family experience for all of you, and that you enjoyed every aspect of it, transfers, tours, hotels, guides, free time, as well as the direct help from Maria and me when needed.

I will be very happy to plan your next adventure again, either to Italy or Greece. Until that time, I wish your family a wonderful rest of your summer and happy and safe travels!

Kind regards,
Chris