Iceland Offbeat

Kimkim did an amazing job with our trip. During our trip, we had a few snags (not by them) but the team was there to help guide us during a difficult time during our trip. Once everything got corrected , we got back on track, with no worries if something else came up unexpectedly. We knew they would be there!
I will be booking my next vacation through this company and many more.

Hannah planned an amazing trip for our family to Iceland in March- the driving itinerary gave us lots of flexibility to explore and she listened to our feedback to plan the perfect trip. Our kids loved Th ice cave tour and secret lagoon. We will definitely use KimKim again- it took all the stress out of travel planning.

Wow, where do I begin!

Reached out to KimKim a few months before our planned trip to Iceland planned for early February.

Adam was assigned as our personal concierge during the planning process and we couldn't have asked for a better, more informative guide to things to do in Iceland! All of the accommodations, excursions, etc mentioned below were set up by Adam and they were perfect.

Basically the process is you give your concierge an idea of rough dates you will be in Iceland, things you want to do or see, and a rough budget and they start the process of giving you choices so you can fine tune your itinerary to fit your needs. I am usually the travel planner but was really nice having someone take the reigns.

We only had 6 days so stayed in the South. We stayed in 3 primary locations -- Blue Lagoon, Vik, and Reykjavik.

Blue Lagoon -- Blue Lagoon is only about 20 minutes from the airport so a great place to go after the long flight from the US. We splurged and stayed 2 nights at the Retreat at the Blue Lagoon and it was worth it! Felt like being in a spa environment 24 hours a day. Literally walk around all day in your fluffy robe, take dips in a private area of the lagoon an much as you like, get spa treatments included in the stay (do The Ritual!), got an in-water massage, and ate at the onsite restaurants including Michelin Star restaurant Moss where I proposed to my girlfriend our last night there (luckily she said yes :-)) Wonderful place to relax and get used to the new time zone while enjoying one of Iceland's iconic thermal pools. True luxury experience.

Vik -- We had rented a nice little 4 wheel drive SUV set up through Adam and so set out to Vik on the most southern tip of Iceland as a jumping off point for some excursions in the area. Adam had sent along driving directions in google maps that included stops along the way to see waterfalls, museums, and other sites along the route which was very convenient -- so nice to be able to come and go and not be just one a 30 or 40 getting on and off the tour bus which we saw plenty of. Weather was actually really nice so road conditions were superb luckily. Stayed at Black Beach Suites just outside of Vik and it was really great, onsite bar and restaurant so we could wind down each day with a drink or two. We actually included Vik on our itinerary to get away from light pollution to see the Northern Lights but unfortunately it was cloudy the whole time we were there (apparently Vik is the rainiest spot in Iceland!) so saw none there. We went on 2 excursions while in Vik -- Ice Cave Tour and Snowmobile on the glacier. Both were freaking awesome, would recommend them to anyone wanting to get out and about in the Vik area.

Reykjavik -- After Vik we drove back to Reykjavik, this time on a little bit different course which included more places to stop and see the sites. Stayed at Hotel Borg which was centrally located to everything. Walked around and saw the sites including the famous church and road leading to it, finally saw the Northern Lights right from the harbor in Reykjavik so get to check that off the bucket list. Drove over to the Sky Lagoon on our last day to get one last thermal pool fix which was nice. Great way to calm down before flying back home.

Overall I cannot recommend Iceland and KimKim enough, especially our concierge Adam! He was in contact beforehand, helping us set up our packed itinerary so we got to see the maximum amount in our short time there and was available while we were there for the few things that came up (also, if your concierge is not available due to days off or hours they will put you in touch with others if needed). Just a great experience, will use KimKim on my next trip to Iceland or other places they can help and recommend them to anyone interested!

So much detail went in to the planning is this trip and I didn't have to do any of the work. Jenny was amazing and patient. My daughter and I had the trip of a life time, but hopefully we will get another one in a few years!

We felt like we were able to see many of the Gems Iceland had to offer. We acknowledge we had a bit of luck when it came to the weather, it was an incredible experience. New Year's Eve was amazing, we could not get enough of the fireworks and the energy in the city.

Activity Reviews

Solheimajokull Glacier Hike

Iceland

Beautiful!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hvammsvik Hot Springs (& Nature Reserve)

Iceland

a little crowded but gorgeous!

Hanna was the best. Every time we had a good moment we’d stop and laugh and say Hanna did good 😂. Will be planning an itinerary for every trip from now on, everything felt like a surprise which allowed for no expectations from over planning and looking at “perfect” travel photos

Othman asked the right questions and listened to our particular needs. We like having a little space, we wanted nature and some flexibility to linger if we wanted. Othman got it all. Often it was ‘go to this spot just next to this popular spot for a similar but more intimate experience.’ Or ‘this is not to miss and these others are optional’. It worked perfectly for us.

Our trip to Iceland with Alicia from KimKim Travel was absolutely amazing. The Magma hotel in Tunga was charming, and the food experiences were delicious and memorable. From the Blue Cave tour to the New Year’s cruise, every moment was well-organized and exceeded our expectations. We felt like family and created lifetime memories.

Planning a vacation has never been easier, thanks to having true experts to guide us (the KimKim team). We were especially pleased to learn that our travel planner, Èric, actually lived in Iceland. His familiarity with the country—its culture, terrain, and hidden gems—gave us complete confidence that we were in excellent hands.

We shared with Èric the kinds of activities we enjoy, the cultural and natural sights that were important to us, and the pace we wanted for our 22-day trip. With so much time to explore, we chose to rent a 4-wheel-drive vehicle so we could occasionally go off the beaten path and linger at our favorite places. Èric fully understood this style of travel and tailored everything beautifully.

Over the course of a year, we worked with Èric casually but consistently, and we deeply appreciated his prompt and easy communication. He is an excellent listener and wonderfully tactful as he guided us through unfamiliar territory. He created an initial itinerary as a baseline—never pushy—giving us all the time we needed to review and make thoughtful decisions. We kept the heart of his plan but added our own ideas and research, and he was always accommodating. When he had a better suggestion, he presented it diplomatically and with clear reasoning.

Throughout the planning process, it truly felt as if Èric were sitting right beside us, helping shape our journey. Once everything was finalized, he delivered a beautifully detailed and well-organized itinerary where every piece of information we might need was right at our fingertips.

Our time in Iceland was an amazing, fun, once in a lifetime trip. The accommodations chosen for us, the country’s natural beauty, the history and culture we learned about, and the wonderful Icelandic people we met made the experience truly exceptional. We couldn’t have asked for anything more—except perhaps a little more time!

We couldn’t have asked for a better planning experience and highly recommend working with Èric for an unforgettable Iceland adventure.

Activity Reviews

Reykjavik Food Walk

Iceland

It wasn’t quite what I expected. Our guide, sorry, I don’t remember his name, was an unforgettable character and spent a lot of time talking about local history, culture, and had some great jokes to share as well. But I was there to experience some delicious unfamiliar exotic local fare and thought this would be a great cultural food introduction of Iceland as we navigated to different eateries throughout downtown Reykjavik. I’m not a foodie, but it was not a good introduction as I shortly learned throughout my travels in Iceland, having meals at small local cafes in other towns and villages. What was offered on the tour was completely subpar to what I experienced elsewhere so I have to say that the food tour failed as an example of how delicious the traditional dishes really are. The food in the country including stops at some of the fuel stations were much better and delicious. But don’t let my opinion of the tour discourage you. Walking the city, enjoying the camaraderie of our group of 10, and getting a good idea of the lay of Reykjavik under the guidance of our big burly host was worth the time in itself. And you may have a completely different opinion of the food offered on this tour. Not all taste buds are alike!

Katla Ice Cave Superjeep tour

Iceland

My husband and I loved this tour! Our group of 8 others were friendly and fun. Our guide (sorry I don’t remember his name) was upbeat, funny, and so informative. He’s a skilled off road driver and really took us on a fun, scenic ride. For us it was all about the Super Jeep. It’s soooo cool! Once we were at our location we were suited up and had a nice moderate walk to the ice caves. It wasn’t a very extensive cave but it was a great example of an ice cave and beautiful inside. Throughout the tour we didn’t feel rushed. Our guide answered every question we had for him without hesitation. We couldn’t wait to get back into the Super Jeep for the ride back!!!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon Kayaking Tour

Iceland

When we first arrived at Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon the sun was shining and it was an absolutely stunning sight! The color of the water and different shades of blue coming off the floating icebergs took me by surprise-such beauty with the Vatnajökull glacier as the backdrop. It made me excited about kayaking the lagoon-a first for me to paddle amongst icebergs! But within the hour clouds took over and a light steady rain began. Suddenly the tour didn’t seem like it was going to be much fun. But our small group suited up and braved the walk with paddles in hand to where the kayaks waited. Instructions were given on safety while kayaking the lagoon and how to paddle. And I should mention that the outfitter had appropriate waterproof and warm gear for us during this wet and cold paddle trip. The weather deterred the majority of the visitors that were there earlier so we had the lagoon to ourselves. It was quiet and serene on the water and the rain stopped the moment we started our paddle. The clouds remained but didn’t take an ounce of beauty away from the experience. I had goosebumps paddling around the looming icebergs. They were pieces of artwork. Our guides were fun and informative and made safety a priority. The equipment was in very good condition, kayaks are sturdy. Our suits were a Godsend. The experience was unique and memorable. This is a good trip for people with any level of kayaking experience. I loved this experience. After our excursion we crossed the road to see Diamond Beach. Another amazing surprise!

Quality of Experience

Outstanding natural beauty, great equipment, terrific guides.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Care about paddler’s safety, did a great job of making sure we all had a fun experience.