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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

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 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

Elena arranged a 14-day trip for my husband a...
Italy | May 5 - May 18, 2025

Tracy
Tracy B.
Kalaheo, HI | Reviewed on Jun 24, 2025

Elena arranged a 14-day trip for my husband and me through Rome, Florence, Venice, and Milan. It was all arranged beautifully. Highlights were being in Rome during the conclave and announcement of the first American pope, shopping in Florence, a storybook setting and a gondola ride in Venice, and beautiful Lake Como and seeing the Last Supper in Milan. Especially valuable to us was the selection of boutique hotels in the best locations and transportation planning. We had a similarly awesome experience with KimKim planning our trip to Morocco. Next is Vietnam and Cambodia!

Local specialist: Elena Kyrimi
Elena
Elena Kyrimi
Local specialist in Athens | Replied on Jun 26, 2025

Hello Tracy,

Thank you for the lovely review and feedback!
It is really great to hear that you had such a wonderful time in Italy and it was really a unique time to be in Rome, with the election of the New Pope.
Maria, our partner in Italy, and I were really happy to be there for you every step of the way and make sure you had an amazing time.

It will be our pleasure to welcome you back in the future and make sure you have a great time!

Warmest regards,

Elena

Italy High School Trip
Italy | Feb 25 - Mar 7, 2025

F
Felicity B.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Jun 19, 2025

I took 13 students to Italy this spring and we had a phenomenal experience working with Chris and the KimKim team! We spent 10 days in Rome, Sorrento, and Florence studying the Roman Empire and the Renaissance. Our guides, particularly Stefania and Carmine, were absolutely incredible and my students and I learned so much. KimKim handled everything and it was such a smooth process. My school was so impressed they want me to lead a similar trip in the future. I cannot recommend KimKim enough!

Local specialist: Chris Gravas
Chris
Chris Gravas
Local specialist in Athens, Greece | Replied on Jun 20, 2025

Dear Felicity,

I truly appreciate your kind words. I am humbled. I am very happy that this trip turned out to be an amazing experience for you & your students, and that the whole trip went as smoothly as possible. Should you wish to do a similar trip with me in the future, you know where to find me :)

Thank you very much for your recommendation and review, and I wish you all the best with safe future travels!

Kind regards,
Chris

Great time was had by all!
Greece | May 4 - May 14, 2025

C
Colm K.
Verona, WI | Reviewed on May 29, 2025
After an initial miscommunication on the Athens hotel the trip was great. Elen did a great job planning the itinerary and the outings. All the guides were excellent - great insights and knowledge but also articulate and personal. The food and wine tastings were very enjoyable. Naxos stands out as our favorite destination but Athens and Santorini were also great experiences. We absolutely loved the people, the food, the wine and the history! Read more

After an initial miscommunication on the Athens hotel the trip was great. Elen did a great job planning the itinerary and the outings. All the guides were excellent - great insights and knowledge but also articulate and personal. The food and wine tastings were very enjoyable. Naxos stands out as our favorite destination but Athens and Santorini were also great experiences. We absolutely loved the people, the food, the wine and the history!

Hotel Reviews
Agali Houses
Firostefani 00

Fantastic views, lovely people and great location. The only issue could be the stairs - there are a lot of stairs to walk steeply up each time you leave the hotel. It's the price to pay for magnificent views of the caldera.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Ammothines Cycladic Suites Naxos
Naxos

Amazing hotel, staff and location! Highly recommend.

Authenticity & Character
Best bar and restaurant in Greece
Location
Walk across the dune to the sea!
Staff
Can't say enough about the staff, wonderful experience.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Family owned and everyone has bought into making it great.
Electra Metropolis
Athens
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Mountain of Zeus Hike & Traditional Lunch
Mountain of Zeus Hike & Traditional Lunch
Naxos

George was an amazing guide, funny, personable and great insights and knowledge. Highly recommend this hike with George!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Elen Hakhverdyan
Elen
Elen Hakhverdyan
Local specialist in Athens | Replied on May 30, 2025
Dear Colm,
Thank you so much for your thoughtful feedback!
I’m truly delighted to hear that you had such a memorable time in Greece and that the overall experience—from the guides to the tastings and destinations—was so enjoyable. Naxos is indeed a gem, and it’s wonderful to know it was a highlight for you.
Regarding the Athens hotel: I’d just like to clarify that while the initial hotel category wasn’t what you expected, we upgraded you to a better option right away to ensure your comfort....
Read more

Dear Colm,
Thank you so much for your thoughtful feedback!
I’m truly delighted to hear that you had such a memorable time in Greece and that the overall experience—from the guides to the tastings and destinations—was so enjoyable. Naxos is indeed a gem, and it’s wonderful to know it was a highlight for you.
Regarding the Athens hotel: I’d just like to clarify that while the initial hotel category wasn’t what you expected, we upgraded you to a better option right away to ensure your comfort. I’m glad the rest of the trip went smoothly and left you with such positive impressions.
It was a pleasure working with you, and I’d be more than happy to help you plan another adventure whenever you’re ready!

First trip using KimKim exceeded all expectations.
Italy | May 18 - May 25, 2025

P
Peter K.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on May 27, 2025
Wow! This was my first trip using KimKim. My wife and I wanted a special trip in Sicily with our adult children to see the sights and connect with relatives in a remote part of the island. Our local specialist Chris was excellent in every way. My wife broke her leg in January so we had to put the trip planning on pause until we were confident she would be ready. Chris was very accommodating with this and with some minor last minute changes. Everything was excellent from the airport... Read more

Wow! This was my first trip using KimKim. My wife and I wanted a special trip in Sicily with our adult children to see the sights and connect with relatives in a remote part of the island. Our local specialist Chris was excellent in every way. My wife broke her leg in January so we had to put the trip planning on pause until we were confident she would be ready. Chris was very accommodating with this and with some minor last minute changes. Everything was excellent from the airport transfers to the local guides to the hotels (with the exception of the hotel in Palermo which was very noisy). We had a private cooking class in Taormina with Luca. 3 members of our group are gluten free. They had one station set up that was gluten free and another for gluten tolerant. Our guide for the Mount Etna hike to Vale de Bove was incredible. He is part of the Italian mountain search and rescue team. He was very friendly and knowledgeable. The drivers we had were professional and very personable.

Hotel Reviews
Palace Catania | UNA Esperienze
Catania

Great location. Very nice rooms. Be sure to enjoy the rooftop bar and restaurant with views of Mt. Etna

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Relais Chiaramonte
Ragusa

Stunning views, Very clean and modern rooms. Beautiful pool. One of the best meals we had in Sicily.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Countryside relais
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Villa Athena
Agrigento

This is probably top-10 in hotels we have stayed in. The views of the temples are incredible. Be sure to plan to enjoy a meal in the outdoor dining area.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Saracen Sands Hotel & Congress Centre
Isola delle Femmine

We asked for a hotel near the PMO airport because we had a 0550 Flight in the morning. The hotel is a very large convention hotel. The room was clean but smelled strongly of mold and vinegar. The concrete was spalling on the wall. The worst problem was the *very* loud birthday party with DJ in the courtyard until 11 PM our first night. The desk staff promised there would be no party on our second night before our flight. They lied. There was a very loud DJ in the courtyard facing our room and the other courtyard had a party with loud music. At 10PM we insisted on a new room. The Staff accommodated us by moving us to a recently built villa but that required us packing and moving to a new building outside the hotel campus. … Less than 3 hours of sleep before a very long trip home. … FYI the beach was filled with garbage, very unappealing but not under the control of the hotel.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Positive: they moved us into a quiet room at 10 PM. Negative Staff lied to us by stating there would not be a party on Saturday night.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very loud, don’t stay if you want to sleep before midnight.
Activity Reviews
Full day excursion to Taormina with a Sicilian cooking class
Full day excursion to Taormina with a Sicilian cooking class
Italy

The cooking class with Luca was a highlight of the entire trip. Half the group was gluten free. Luca had a separate gluten-free station set up for the pasta making portion of the class. Luca was fun and engaging and even experienced cooks learned a lot about Sicilian specialties. The class was super fun and the food was delicious and abundant. … Our guide for the Taormina was a solid “B” grade and was the weakest link of the trip. She was grumpy that our lunch ran late and started the tour with “I have a doctor’s appointment so it is OK if you want to have time to walk around.” She was technically ok but seemed rushed and distracted.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Etna hiking & wine tasting
Etna hiking & wine tasting
Italy

Our guide Dario is a serious mountaineer. He was very fun, entertaining and informative. He is also a member of the Italian Search and Rescue team so we knew we were in good hands. We had a fantastic view of the Vale de Bove, a UNESCO heritage site. I have done lots of backpacking and climbed many mountains, but this was one of the most stunning sites I have seen.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Agrigento - Scala dei Turchi - Valley of the Temples
Agrigento - Scala dei Turchi - Valley of the Temples
Agrigento

Lorenzo was literally one of the best tour guides we have ever had. His deep knowledge of history gave context to the site. His style is extremely entertaining and he made the whole tour super fun. He talked for 2 hours and the tour went by in a flash. Lorenzo is one of the few people I would specifically seek out if I were to visit Sicily again. I wish I could give 6 stars

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Ragusa & Agricola Occhipinti guided tour
Ragusa & Agricola Occhipinti guided tour
Ragusa

Ragusa is worth a quick visit. Our driver was amazing. He took us to a great spot on the superior village to get a view and then took us to the lower village. He dropped us in the Piazza, pointed out a great gelato shop and told us he would meet us by the garden. This gave us the perfect opportunity to stroll through the Main Street in an unhurried manner. Occhipinti gave an excellent tour and the wines were quite good. (We ordered a couple of cases to ship home). However, the vineyard is a bit out of the way and probably not worth a special trip unless you are in the area.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Chris Gravas
Chris
Chris Gravas
Local specialist in Athens, Greece | Replied on May 27, 2025
Dear Allan, I want to thank you for your kind words and appreciation of all the services organized and offered to you. I am very happy that everything went smoothly and that you enjoyed a wonderful family holiday to the unique, authentic land of Sicily. I want to thank you also for your more detailed feedback regarding the experiences, guides, drivers, and hotels, and rest assured, I will be considering very seriously everything you have mentioned about the Saracen Sands Hotel. Overall, it... Read more

Dear Allan,

I want to thank you for your kind words and appreciation of all the services organized and offered to you. I am very happy that everything went smoothly and that you enjoyed a wonderful family holiday to the unique, authentic land of Sicily. I want to thank you also for your more detailed feedback regarding the experiences, guides, drivers, and hotels, and rest assured, I will be considering very seriously everything you have mentioned about the Saracen Sands Hotel.

Overall, it was a pleasure working with you, and I hope to get the chance to plan another trip for you in the future, in Italy and/or Greece.

Wishing you all the best with happy & safe future travels!

Kind regards,
Chris

All the guides were knowledgeable, certified,...
Greece | May 5 - May 16, 2025

Nader
Nader V.
Denver, CO | Reviewed on May 23, 2025
All the guides were knowledgeable, certified, and on time. We enjoyed having them as guides. The best was the guide we had in Naxos food tour . Considering the cold weather and wind, we think there was no need to the two boat tours . The water was cold and the sea was choppy. We could have those two days scheduled differently. Elena should have told us more detailed information as to what to expect, what to wear, and what to eat. We liked the breaks we had on arrival and departure days in... Read more

All the guides were knowledgeable, certified, and on time. We enjoyed having them as guides. The best was the guide we had in Naxos food tour .

Considering the cold weather and wind, we think there was no need to the two boat tours . The water was cold and the sea was choppy. We could have those two days scheduled differently. Elena should have told us more detailed information as to what to expect, what to wear, and what to eat.

We liked the breaks we had on arrival and departure days in each location.

Both boat experiences were useless and boring. Maybe it could be better in late May or mid June.

You should have provided more info about taxes and VAT.

Hotel Review
The George Hotel
Mykonos

The pools were cold and only one hot tub. We should have had some restaurant suggestions.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Near downtown
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Mycenae and Nafplio Excursion
Mycenae and Nafplio Excursion
Athens
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Villages of Naxos & Beyond
Villages of Naxos & Beyond
Naxos
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Naxos Day Cruise
Naxos Day Cruise
Naxos
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Elena Kyrimi
Elena
Elena Kyrimi
Local specialist in Athens | Replied on May 23, 2025
Hello Nader, Thank you very much for the detailed review. I am happy to see that you enjoyed all the guides, especially the one in Naxos.
Regarding the weather, as you understand it is not possible to predict beforehand, as now for example, a few days after you departed, the weather is Greece is too hot and unlikely high for this time of year. In any case, this is why we discuss all details of the trip beforehand and we agree together in everything we plan.
Regarding the rest of the... Read more

Hello Nader,

Thank you very much for the detailed review.

I am happy to see that you enjoyed all the guides, especially the one in Naxos.
Regarding the weather, as you understand it is not possible to predict beforehand, as now for example, a few days after you departed, the weather is Greece is too hot and unlikely high for this time of year. In any case, this is why we discuss all details of the trip beforehand and we agree together in everything we plan.

Regarding the rest of the information, if you look at your plan again, you will see that the accommodation tax - or else the climate crisis resilience tax- was mentioned in detail in every hotel you stayed and restaurant recommendations for every location you visit were also included in your itinerary. I am sorry you missed this information, but again, since I was there for you for the questions you had, had I known that, I could have told you where to find this information.

I hope you had a good vacation overall and you can always reach out to us if you plan to come back in the future!

Best regards,

Elena