Kimkim Trip Reviews

Christine (from Kimkim) was very responsive and friendly, she had good suggestions for things for us to do. She didn’t always have the best attention to detail. It took several attempts to explain our situation, that we were combining a self paid trip with a hotel stay covers by the conference that invited me to Korea. After a couple of rounds she eventually got it right.

She failed to consider that our arrival at the hotel was going to be before check in time and did not suggest alternatives such as the option of paying for an early check in. She offered us one option for hotel— the L7 in Myeongdong. It was a nice hotel, well run, clean, with an excellent breakfast. However, for people our age, staying in Myeongdong got tiresome after a couple of nights. It would have been helpful to have been warned about the noise and crowds and offered a possible alternative.

We were directed to excellent activities and connected with an outstanding guide, Christine Lee and her husband Young. Christine was knowledgeable, warm and friendly. We got an excellent picture of Korean history talking with her and she showed us around Nami island and the garden of morning calm as an expert. These two experiences were outstanding!

Hotel Review

L7 Myeongdong by LOTTE

It’s a well run hotel, very clean, and the breakfast is excellent. Myeongdong is a central location with easy access to subway, the byeongbokgung palace. Myeongdong is where one of the major night markets with street food is located. However, it is harder to find quieter restaurants or easy places to walk around without crowds.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Central and close to subway.

Staff

Staff were great in the restaurant. They were unsure how to handle our early arrival straight from the airport.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Spotless and great maid service daily.

Activity Review

Discover K-drama Locations in European Villages & Nami Island

Seoul

The best parts of this trip was the visit to Nami Island and the garden of morning calm. The Italian and French villages are a bit tired and run down. Christine Lee and Young did an amazing job showing us around and teaching us about the history and flora of the area.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We just completed an incredible trip to Spain and Portugal with KimKim. We have traveled internationally before, both with structured small group tours (through Odessey) and with trips we planned on our own (relying heavily on Rick Steve's books). This time we read the reviews and decided to try out the KimKim program, as we knew what we wanted and had no time to plan it out. They did a great job!

We liked that Coriama arranged a Zoom meeting before we left, to ensure that all questions and plans were clear. We opted for their "middle" tier hotels - which were superb and very boutique. The locations were always in the center of town, and the hotel staff were wonderful without exception. Rooms were European small, but comfortable, and the "full or double" beds were at least queen-size. Breakfast were mostly European buffets and fantastic, and we enjoyed the other guests. Having drivers assist us with our connections was a real bonus and whenever we had an issue, a KimKim representative quickly and efficiently responded. When we had a transportation snafu after a delayed flight, Kim Kim was quick to reimburse us. We will definitely use KimKim again.

Jane planned a trip that was just what we wanted. Every detail was covered and we had no mishaps with our transportation or lodging or tours. I have recommended Kimkim to all my friends that are planning trips.

Hotel Reviews

Leonardo Royal London St Paul's

London

A large hotel in the city so a bit more impersonal than some of the other hotels but still very comfortable and convenient.

Authenticity & Character

My

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Grand, York

North Yorkshire

Very luxurious hotel and large comfortable rooms. Bigger than the other hotels we stayed in and newer too but we still really enjoyed it.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Eight

Bath

Such a cute place and comfortable too and right in the middle of everything. Next door to Sally Lund’s Buns. The staff were so friendly and helpful. The breakfast was excellent. Only slight negative was the metal spiral staircase which make carrying our bags down interesting.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Merchant's House

Salisbury

Delightful historic hotel with a chef who prepares authentic Indian dishes and more conventional dishes as well. Only slight negative was that we had to carry our bags downstairs ourselves.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Centrally located close to the market center and the cathedral.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Dark Tales of York Private ghost tour

York

We had a one on one tour with the most fabulous entertainer and host. I don’t remember his name but I loved watching his face while he told us stories.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

My husband and I recently had the incredible opportunity to visit China, and it truly exceeded all expectations. From ancient history to breathtaking natural landscapes, this trip had everything we could have hoped for and more. I want to thank Lisa for helping us put this amazing trip together through KimKim. She was so helpful and patient with us.

Highlights of the Trip

The Great Wall of China was nothing short of awe-inspiring. Walking along this historic wonder, we couldn’t help but be amazed by its sheer scale and beauty. The panoramic views from the top were unforgettable, and standing on such an iconic piece of history was an emotional experience.

We visited Chengdu to see the adorable pandas—and they definitely lived up to the hype! Watching these playful creatures in their natural habitat was a highlight of the trip. The conservation efforts here are truly impressive, and it was a joy to witness their charm up close.

In Xi’an, we were fortunate enough to see the Terracotta Warriors, a monumental archaeological discovery. The sheer number of life-sized statues and the detail in each one was staggering. It’s amazing to think that this army was created over 2,000 years ago to protect China’s first emperor in the afterlife.

One of the most stunning natural attractions was Zhangjiajie National Forest Park—the inspiration for the floating mountains in the movie Avatar. The towering sandstone pillars surrounded by mist create an ethereal, almost otherworldly landscape. It’s a photographer’s dream and a must-see for nature lovers.

Finally, Guilin was a peaceful escape, with its surreal limestone karst mountains and tranquil Li River cruises. The views were unlike anything I’ve ever seen and felt like something out of a dream.

Cultural Immersion

One of the aspects of the trip that stood out was the incredible cultural immersion. We had numerous opportunities to experience China’s rich traditions and daily life. Whether it was a calligraphy lesson, a traditional tea ceremony, or learning about the history behind local markets, we were able to connect with the culture in meaningful ways.

The people of China were warm, welcoming, and eager to share their stories. Our guides were exceptional—they were incredibly knowledgeable, personable, and made sure we felt comfortable and engaged every step of the way. They took the time to answer all our questions and ensured we had a smooth and enjoyable experience.

We want to thank all our guides: Zhang Yaping (Amy - Beijing), Ma Jun (MJ - Xian), Xiao Tuanming (Nancy - Zhangjiajie), Lin Xue (April), Owen (Guilin) and Vivian (Shanghai). You were all wonderful to get to know and helped make the trip memorable.

Food: A Culinary Adventure

The food in China was another highlight of the trip. Every meal was a delightful adventure! We had the chance to try authentic dishes that we’d never seen in the U.S. The flavors were bold and varied, from the spicy Sichuan cuisine in Chengdu to the savory dumplings in Xi’an. I particularly loved the Peking duck in Beijing—crispy, tender, and simply delicious. The variety of textures and flavors in Chinese cuisine was incredible, and I came home with a newfound appreciation for their culinary traditions.

Overall Experience

All in all, this was a once-in-a-lifetime trip that I will never forget. The sights, the food, the culture, and the wonderful people I met along the way all made this an unforgettable adventure. The expert guides and well-curated itinerary ensured that we didn’t just see China—we truly experienced it.

If you’re considering a trip to China, I wholeheartedly recommend it. Kimkim can help you design the best trip. I can’t wait to return someday!

Activity Reviews

Explore Xi'an City: Ancient City Wall and Drum Tower

Xi'an

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Marvel at the Picturesque Landscape in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Zhangjiajie

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Revel in the Splendor of Zhangjiajie - Grand Canyon and Tianmen Mountain

Zhangjiajie

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Explore Chengdu: Pandas, Wuhou Shrine,Jinli with a Hot Pot Lunch

Chengdu

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Discover the Beauty of Longji Terraced Fields and Learn to Make Bamboo Tube Rice

Guilin

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Explore the Scenic Countryside in Yangshuo by Cycling and Rafting

China

We didn't get to cycle but the rafting was very fun!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Marvel at China's Most Picturesque River - Li River

China

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Cooking Class in Yangshuo

Yangshuo

This was extemely fun! Well worth it

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Highlights of Shanghai with Yu Garden and the Bund

Shanghai

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Discover Xi'an: the Terracotta Army and Muslim Quarter

Xi'an

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visit a Local Family and Learn to Cook Homemade Dishes

Xi'an

This was an enjoyable experience. The family opened their home and we had a lovely time.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hiking along the Majestic Great Wall, Summer Palace

Beijing

We had a great day to visit the wall.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Beijing – Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City,Temple of Heaven with Peking Duck Lunch

Beijing

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

My husband and I looked at several tour agencies to help us plan a trip to the Lake District of Chile. KimKim came out of the gate with quick, helpful replies. Lorena was awesome as she helped tailor a 2 week visit with accommodations that met our needs and then some, as well as activities and tours . She was flexible as we went back and forth, as we did not a cookie cutter tour, but one that met our interests. One of the many experiences she recommended was an adventure cruise on the Skorpios 2… probably the highlight of our trip. If anyone gets the chance to take this cruise… do it. The service and sights were outstanding.
Lorena stayed in communication with us from start to finish… she deserves a big bonus!
We were also very happy with Vaale who was our local KimKim contact. The Whatsapp chat was very helpful and always answered quickly. There wasn’t one hiccup on this trip… all drivers, guides and accommodations were perfect. We will definitely be using KimKim again in the future. Thanks for making this a memorable trip.
Teri and Rob

Hotel Reviews

M/V Skorpios II Cruise

Santiago

If you get the chance… book this adventure cruise. The attentive service is outstanding. They sat us at a dining table of other English speaking people, as we were definitely the minority. But they made sure they provided English translations for any announcements or lectures. We soon became fast friends with the people at our dining table. The stops and sights along this cruise were memorable, with the visit to the San Raphael glacier being the highlight. Often we needed to take a smaller boat to visit the sights. The ship and its rooms were very comfortable and clean. The food was plentiful and delicious. A couple of our dining partners had food allergy issues that the staff were mindful of and provided good alternatives as needed. We loved that the cruise was small… we had only 70 people on board on our cruise in early November. We all dressed for an active trip. We didn’t want the typical large cruise experience and you won’t find it here, as it is geared to getting out and exploring the area along the route. We would highly recommend this cruise.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Wyndham Puerto Varas Pettra

Puerto Varas

This hotel is situated on a hill above the huge lake and if you get a room with a view… which I highly recommend…you can sit on a balcony looking at the 2 different volcanoes across the lake. It is a 5 minute walk to center of Puerto Varas… a cute town with many good restaurants nearby and shops. The rooms were spacious, clean and comfortable. The breakfasts were typical Chilean breakfasts and more than fueled you for a busy morning exploring the area and national parks. It was a perfect place to stay to explore the Lake District.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Eco Boutique Bidasoa

Santiago

Wow… a beautiful boutique hotel that was reasonably priced. The breakfasts were outstanding and included. The staff was attentive and friendly. The rooms and beds were comfortable and clean. The hotel is not close to the center of Santiago, but Uber is easy and quick to use and less expensive than in the US. There are plenty of good restaurants nearby if you don’t eat at the hotel’s restaurant. It is very safe to walk around the area of the hotel.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Skorpios II - 6 days/5 nights Cruise

Chile

Please see my detailed review of our KimKim experience in the first review in the list of reviews, as I gave specific information about this outstanding adventure cruise.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Trekking in Alerce Andino National Park

Puerto Varas

A great all day experience hiking about 5 miles on mainly flat terrain through an old growth forest. There are several steps at end to the waterfall, but it was safe and well maintained. Our guide was very knowledgeable about the park and we enjoyed may conversations with him on a variety of subjects .

Quality of Experience

Food

This was no fault of our guide, it just wasn't the best meal, as we are not big sandwich eaters. Perhaps a list of potential food options could be given to tailor a box lunch to our tastes.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Fly fishing on the Río Maullín

Chile

My husband wanted to do this activity as he is an avid fly fisherman. He raved about how accommodating the guide was to meet his specific interests and needs. It was a fun experience that allowed him to catch several big lake trouts.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Day Trip to Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park

Puerto Varas

Beautiful national park with easy paved trails. It was a time of year the schools are winding down before their big break , so it was filled with alot of very happy teenagers . They were well behaved, but made it a bit crowded to stand at the over looks at times. The highlight was when our guide drove up to the big inactive volcano where we took a chairlift up to the bottom of the snow covered part of the volcano. You could hike around the area. We were lucky to have clear skies so we could take lots of pictures of the views. The lunch we stopped in as part of the tour was delicious and loved that it was a local spot.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

City Tour in Puerto Montt & Puerto Varas

Puerto Varas

After a quick flight from Santiago to Puerto Montt we were met by a great guide arranged by KimKim and its affiliate LS. He took us around Puerto Montt and Puerto Varas, pointing out the local history, interesting sights and giving us helpful suggestions for our stay.

Quality of Experience

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Transport

Maipo Valley Wine Experience

Santiago

We enjoyed seeing both a small winery and one of the biggest ones in Chile. The tour guides were excellent and well informed. The lunch was very good. Our driver was very nice, always early and fun to be with.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Claire was the absolute best with planning our trip. She curated it perfectly to what we wanted and had the best excursions planned. She really paid attention to detail and made the whole process seamless. She was also quick to respond and available with any questions we had along the way.

I loved this trip. The planning and communication by my agent, Uma, was outstanding. I was on my own & she was communicating with me day & night, whenever I needed her. She would always answer me. When there was a cancellation for a tour she provided me with an alternative. Her suggestions for restaurants & activities was outstanding. I would definitely recommend her for a customized trip to New Zealand.
Hanna, our guide from Cheeky Kiwi Tours was over the top. Personable, patient, knowledgeable, & made us feel like we were the most important people in the world.
Thank you, Kim Kim for an amazing experience 😊

Hotel Reviews

Copthorne Hotel Greymouth

GREYMOUTH

Spacious & luxurious. Being on the top floor was great!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Bella Vista Queenstown

Queenstown

Very nice. Walking distance to everything you need.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Walking distance to everything you need.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Explore Punakaiki Pancake Rocks

New Zealand

The guide, Linda, was funny & entertaining. Unfortunately we had such windy & rainy weather that day we couldn’t stay out long. But the drink & snack at the end was a nice gesture.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Queenstown to Franz Josef Tour via Wanaka (One-Way)

Queenstown (NZ)

Hanna the driver & guide gave us highlights along the way & took care of all of our needs. She was wonderful.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Milford Sound Coach - Cruise from Queenstown

Queenstown (NZ)

Comfortable coach. Plenty of stops along the way.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Planning: Sharon was great. As we were planning, she was very patient with us as we made modifications to our plans and wishes. She also helped us navigate a couple changes that were required during the trip and made sure we were always aware of what we needed to do.

Tokyo: Blair was an incredible guide. We loved getting a feel for the city and Blair helped us find a couple smaller eateries in addition to doing everything "touristy" we had planned. She also gave us a really good feel for modern Japanese and Tokyo culture.

Kyoto: We enjoyed visiting the temples and appreciated Ellie's knowledge as she showed us around. She helped us understand the differences between cultures in Tokyo and Kyoto and helped us find a couple items outside of our planned tour (a restaurant and a limited-time exhibition) that we enjoyed.

I connected with Kim Kim and Ruth only a mere month and a half before our scheduled trip to New Zealand. Despite the late notice Ruth stepped up, got some preliminary information on our interests, and curated an amazing two week self guided tour of the North and South islands. Every single event, from group tours to picking up our rental cars with driving directions in tow, went off without a single hitch. We had so many amazing experiences along the way it’s hard to choose the best, but I will say if you get the chance to kayak at night in the glow worm caves in Rotorua: DO IT! Amazing. Even in the rain. Thank you so much Ruth for the attention to detail, the quick availability and the amazing organization. We will definitely be in touch for our next adventure.

Activity Reviews

Queenstown Private Transfer Hotel to Airport

New Zealand

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full Day Milford Sound Glass Roof Van/CruiseVan

Queenstown (NZ)

Quality of Experience

Everyone should take the time for this beautiful part of the world.

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Skyline Gondola Ride

Queenstown (NZ)

Quality of Experience

Glacier Boat Trip -

Aoraki / Mount Cook Village

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private transfer - Christchurch Railway Station to City Hotel

Christchurch

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Interislander Ferry - Wellington to Picton

New Zealand

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Afternoon/Evening Twilight Wine and Craft Beer Tour

Queenstown (NZ)

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Wellington Private Transfer Hotel to Ferry Terminal

New Zealand

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Zealandia by Night Tour

Wellington

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Introducing Te Papa Tour and Museum visit

Wellington

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Mitai Cultural Experience & Dinner

Rotorua

The host of the evening was absolutely amazing. Sharing his culture and knowledge was truly a passion for him and it translated into an amazing evening.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Waimangu Valley Nature Walk & Lake Rotomahana Boat Cruise

Rotorua

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hobbiton - Shared Tour

New Zealand

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Twilight Glow Worm Kayak Experience - 3 hour guided

Rotorua

The guides were absolutely amazing. Clearly very excited to share information and the beauty of these amazing creatures and their amazing habitat.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Welcome to Rotorua

Rotorua

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Auckland Private Transfer International Airport to Hotel

New Zealand

Quality of Experience

I

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Ngima no doubt is the most experience tour specialist for Nepal. He is friendly, responsible & will meet us frequently to arrange & meet trekking guide before hand to make sure things are going well. Frequently checking on us to make sure we are safe & sound. Ensure the suitable trekking guide & porter to make our trekking exp personal, flexible & fun. Please do recommend Ngima to others for making sure Nepal is a wonderful place for travel, trekking, hiking, culture, food & people.

Shona was truly the most incredible travel agent. From the planning, booking and trip, everything was perfect. During the almost year leading up to the trip she was so attentive and knowledgeable with any questions I had. Going to a new country where your language is not their main language can be very nerve racking but Shona made the entire process so easy. I had messed up our flight days coming into Japan and before I knew it Shona had everything taken care of and fixed. She truly took care of everything. From drivers, hotels, train tickets. It was all so organized and well thought out. I can’t thank her enough for making my husband and I’s dream trip a fantastic reality!

Hotel Reviews

HOTEL THE LEBEN OSAKA

Osaka

A stunning hotel within walking distance of the Shinsaibashi shopping district!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Rihga Gran Kyoto

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Keihan Tsukiji Ginza Grande

Tokyo

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Full Day City Tour with Osaka Castle

Japan

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Osaka Local Foodie Tour in Dotonbori and Shinsekai

Japan

Getting to try different foods was very cool but we only tried 3 foods in 3 hours. I was expecting a bit more. The tour guide was walking so fast that the group had a very hard time keeping up. We were a group of 3 couples and 1 older lady on her own. None of us were aware we were taking the metro so we didn’t come prepared with suica cards so getting through the station was a mess which caused a lot of frustration for us and the other people trying to get through the station. The food portion of the tour was finished but the guide was going to show us to the famous running man sign. This is where we lost a person of our group. She was an older lady who was there by herself. Again the guide was walking so fast and after about 5 minutes, we realized the older lady wasn’t with us. The guide tried to call the office she goes through because she did not have access to her phone number. The office ended up being closed. We never saw that lady again…

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Kyoto Highlights: Kinkaku-ji Temple, Nijo Castle and Fushimi-Inari Taisha

Kyoto

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Kimono Tea Ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya

Kyoto

This was genuinely such a cool experience! Getting to learn the history of a traditional Japanese tea ceremony while wearing kimonos was such a fun time. My husband and I are on the bigger side and they had plenty of kimono options for us to wear. We didn’t feel left out because of our size which we appreciated so much!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full Day Mt. Fuji with Lake Kawaguchi with Oishi Park

Japan

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tokyo Discovery with Shibuya & Harajuku - West

Tokyo

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Kumiko was so much fun! She was so knowledgeable about the areas we were in. She was always ready to take a great picture of us that we will cherish for a lifetime!

Transport

We just got back from our honeymoon trip to Japan, and Greg made the entire experience absolutely amazing. From the very beginning, he was incredibly responsive — anytime we had a question or needed help with something, he got back to us right away, which took a lot of the stress out of traveling.

The itinerary he put together was perfect for us. We had such a great time exploring Kyoto, Hakone, Osaka, Tokyo, and Nara. Every place we visited felt thoughtfully planned, and all the details were handled so smoothly that we were able to just relax and enjoy the trip.

We couldn’t have asked for a better first big adventure as a married couple. Thank you, Greg, for helping make our honeymoon so special!

Karla, We all loved this trip across Ecuador! The Mindo Cloud Forest and Cotopaxi National Park were highlights. Cuenca was fantastic and the Galapagos adventure was spectacular. The meals provided were `exceptional. Everything was on time and, despite the early departure several mornings, we got to see and do A LOT while we were there. I would review options of hotels while in the Galapagos. The facility was fine but not at the level of the other hotels we were in. Thank you for all your efforts and I appreciate all the time and effort that went into arranging all these experiences for our group!

Activity Review

Mindo Cloud Forest

Ecuador

We loved having the hummingbirds land on our hands. Beautiful experience!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

To begin with, it is of utmost importance to mention that Sarah and Ivan were nothing short of spectacular hosts.
1. The timeliness with which they responded to our inquiries via WhatsApp was unheard of - this made us feel safe & valued at all times.
2. They were incredibly professional and courteous at all times.
3. The itinerary they planned was very well organized and encompassed incredible sites.
My mother and I would also like to send our regards to Mr. Duro, our driver on two separate occasions. He was very professional and kind to us at all times. Having him as our driver on two separate days simply made the trip feel more relaxed.
The hotels we stayed in were amazing: very clean, with incredibly friendly staff, and with spectacular locations that either offered great views or short access to main attractions.
We only have two pieces of feedback:
1. Try to recommend travelers to carry cash for tips or expenses for specific days. For instance, on the day spent on the Adriatic Sea, it would've been great to know to carry cash for tips for the boat captain and crew. I would've exchanged currencies the day before the trip and taken that worry off my back.
2. Another great detail would've been a Spanish-speaking tour guide in Split to learn and absorb more of the city's background.
I sincerely hope Sarah and Ivan organize our next trip.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Porto

Dubrovnik

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Pharos Hvar Hotel

Hvar

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Azur Palace Luxury Rooms

Split

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Day Trip to Mostar

Croatia

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tour Dubrovnik's Old Town

Croatia

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Day Trip to the Caves & Beaches of Vis Island by boat

Hvar

A heads-up to carry cash to tips for the boat captain and crew would've been helpful.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Split Walking Food Tour

Split

A Spanish-speaking tour guide would've been more beneficial to us. Other than this, it was a great experience.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We have returned from a 21 day trip around Honshu, organized by the local specialist, Greg. Normally we plan our own adventures but were overwhelmed by the multitude of possibilities in Japan. Greg provided excellent planning to experience as much as possible, as efficiently as possible, within our time frame. Our trip included a few guided days as well as some local cultural experiences. We particularly enjoyed the kintsugi experience in Kyoto and loved visiting the tea farmer in Uji. For the other days, we had either specific recommendations (which sometimes included train tickets) as well as more loose recommendations for things to do at our leisure and on our own. The combination worked well! All the little details were covered, including a pocket wifi device which proved invaluable. Prior to the trip, Greg was alerted to the endurance/mobility limitations of one of our party and worked to create itineraries which would work with less demanding walking. Having someone in country familiar with the landscapes and distances was very helpful in our specific case. As the trip commenced, that limitation actually increased, but Greg was able to pivot to adapt to the changing needs, primarily consulting with guides to adjust the itineraries when it looked like we wouldn't be able to manage.

Hotel Reviews

The Prince Park Tower Tokyo

Tokyo

Located a short walk to the Tokyo Tower with views of the tower from the room. Breakfast was chaotic but offered views of Mt. Fuji on "lucky" days.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hilton Hiroshima

Hiroshima

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Thousand Kyoto

Kyoto

Beautiful hotel located adjacent to the Kyoto Central Station .. .in an ideal location for everything.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

IORI SHIROYAMA

Takayama

This villa is absolutely beautiful, with a sauna as well as indoor and outdoor baths. It is isolated with beautiful landscaping and outdoor spaces. The breakfast is delivered in the morning, but was a bit disappointing. I know Japan is a tea culture but there was no coffee (didn't know in advance to buy coffee for the machine). My only problem with it is that it is located way up a hill from the center of Takayama. It's a tough walk back up to the villa. We did take a taxi back to the villa and had to assist the driver to find the villa , even with his gps. Luckily I remembered some visual landmarks to get us to the space!

Authenticity & Character

Location

There is a shuttle to the villa at check in and check out - maybe shuttles at other times? It really is tough to get to on foot.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Hotel Sanraku Kanazawa

Kanazawa

Excellent location literally across from the fish market and close to bus transportation. Beautiful rooms with large baths.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Chisun Grand Nagano

Excellent location within a few minutes to the train station and center. Smaller rooms but clean and comfortable. We weren't prepared for the tatami mats at breakfast and the low chairs but the food was excellent.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Blossom Hibiya

Minato

Excellent location with an excellent breakfast buffet including many Japanese items.

Authenticity & Character

A very western hotel - but very well maintained

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Private Nishiki Market Brunch Walking Food Tour

Kyoto

Nishiki Market as included as part of our explorations with a guide. The hype about Nishiki Market I widespread but it was honestly a bit disappointing. It is packed with tourists and barely any locals. The crowds make it tough to even get to some of the stalls. It feels like it was a "necessary" stop but it was so removed from the original market.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Discover the secret gems of Kanazawa - Private Walking Tour

Kanazawa

Great afternoon exploring the market, including many tastes of the local fish and specialties (gold leaf ice cream!) and then far beyond in the town.

Takayama Half-Day Private Tour with Expert Guide

Takayama

Excellent energetic knowledgable guide thrilled to share hie new hometown with us.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Private Kamikochi Tour

Nagano

Beautiful day exploring in the countryside with an excellent guide and driver

Full Day Tour to Kurobe Gorge and Unazuki Onsen

Japan

Kintsugi Experience at Shikata Urushi, A Centuries-Old Japanese-Urushi Shop in Kyoto

Kyoto

I knew about kintsugi prior to this experience but had no idea about the complexity involved. This was an excellent overview of not only the actual hands-on work but the background of the materials.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

e provided our own transport via taxi

Tea Plantation Tour and Organic Green Tea Tasting

Japan

We absolutely adored this exploration of the era plantation and tasting the green tea varieties.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our ladies only trip to Brazil organized by Bruno, and I couldn’t be happier with the experience. Everything was perfectly planned — from the Christ the redeemer of Rio to the breathtaking Iguazu Falls and the incredible adventure in the Amazon.
In Rio de Janeiro, our guide Marcelo was good. He was knowledgeable, friendly, and full of local insights. From visiting iconic landmarks like Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain to exploring the beaches.
At Iguazu Falls, we had the pleasure of being guided by Joan and Chris. They coordinated everything seamlessly on both the Brazilian and Argentine sides, ensuring we didn’t miss a single viewpoint.
Finally, in the Amazon, our guide Leo was outstanding. His deep knowledge of the rainforest’s wildlife and ecosystems made every hike and boat ride fascinating. He was patient, fun, and made us feel safe while exploring such a wild and beautiful environment. We watched the sunrise, sunset and even moon rise.
Overall, Bruno did an amazing job organizing every detail. The trip ran smoothly from start to finish, and every guide went above and beyond to make it a memorable experience. I highly recommend this team to anyone planning to explore Brazil

Everything about my trip to Japan was exceptionally well-organized from start to finish. I loved every part of the experience, every site I visited and every city I explored, from Tokyo through Osaka and Kyoto to Kanazawa. It was a smooth, well balanced schedule with a lot of thought put into this itinerary. All the tour guides were friendly, professional, and always ready to help. In general, it was an unforgettable journey which exceeded all my expectations.

Hotel Reviews

Daiwa Roynet Hotel KANAZAWAEKI-NISHIGUCHI

Kanazawa

I'm giving this hotel a lower score only because it didn't quite live up to my personal expectations. I usually book boutique or upscale hotels for myself, so this was a little different for me. That said, the staff was super professional and friendly, which I greatly appreciated.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Candeo Hotels Osaka The Tower

Osaka

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Richmond Hotel premier KYOTO SHIJO

I'm giving this hotel a lower score only because it didn't quite live up to my personal expectations. I usually book boutique or upscale hotels for myself, so this was a little different for me. That said, the staff was super professional and friendly, which I greatly appreciated.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Ryokan Aura Tachibana

Hakone

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Mitsui Garden Hotel Jingugaien Tokyo Premier

Tokyo

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Full Day Gokayama and Shirakawago Tour from Kanazawa

Japan

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Osaka-Nara day trip with Osaka Castle

Osaka

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Kyoto's Cultural Treasures: Fushimi Inari-Taisha, Nijo Castle and Kinkaku-ji

Japan

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Half Day Samurai Ninja Museum and Kimono Tea Ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya

Kyoto

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full Day Mt. Fuji with Lake Kawaguchi & Oishi Park

Japan

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Tokyo Day Tour with Tsukiji Outer Market & Senso-ji - East & Central

Tokyo

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

I want to give Sebastian a great thank you for the places we saw on this trip. The local guides were very helpful in raising both our knowledge and experience of Paris and the two wine regions we visited.

Hello Liz and team mates,
Joan Carson and I wrote the review together that Joan submitted. I joined the planning late when Joan had much of it organized. We made a few changes together after I signed on- fine tuning actually not substantive. I can tell you that I fully share the points made in our full response. We were fine with the arrangements you suggested, lined up and that were so sensitive to our wishes. You informed us promptly about items that needed to be adjusted because of the tour company and we found an alternative that worked out fine. Had we needed more support during the trip, you were right there for us. Thanks so much,
Pat

Hotel Review

Mercure Lyon Centre Saxe Lafayette

Lyon

The pool is lovely and fine for relaxing with the jet massage or short swims. Its not for someone who needs to do laps.

Authenticity & Character

Not sure what you mean by this question. The hotel was definitely a 4 star. We did love the smiling lion at the entrance.

Location

We walked into town across the beautiful bridges. I would not call it a short walk but a short taxi ride if one is not looking for a walk.

Staff

Coped well with our intermediate French skill. Very helpful with information, reservations and suggestions. Staff in the restaurant also great. Fantastic breakfast buffet and all else we ate there. Its great to have a good restaurant and bar option on site at the end of a long day of walking, using the metro and absorbing the culture.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Lovely

Activity Reviews

City Excursion by E-Bike with Food Tasting

Lyon

As we said in our full review, starting off in city traffic means you need to be quite comfortable on an ebike. But alll in all, I enjoyed it- particularly the park and river paths.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Bruno was very good.

Farmer's Market Day in Lyon - Croix-Rousse

Lyon

the day was rainy and we walked a long way to find the market. Take the metro or taxi. On the positive side, we had made reservations at a great restaurant for that night, and we were definitely ready for that.

Culinary Walk in Lyon Old Town

Lyon

Wonderful way to be introduced to Lyon.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Private Beaujolais & Burgundy Wine Route Experience

Lyon

You may recall I had some trepidation about Beaujolais area but that first stop (small, family vineyard with intro duction by the young owner) wonderful. Then the chateau with all its history and beauty and charm, the varied wines etc as we edged up toward Bugundy- lovely. Lunch in Macon where we chose a very small new place with local residents and fine dejeurner. And the final more modern looking, large enterprise when the owner's daughter did such a great job of talking about the many chardonnay varieties which were fabulous, ending with a Premier Cru. It was a wonderfull day, a full day and beyond my expectations. I would love to see the areas further north into burgundy but it was about right with the amount of time in the car- more driving would have been difficult.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Private War History & Traboules Walk

Lyon

Wonderful, don't miss

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Francois gets 5 stars, he is wonderul

Transport

We walked many steps that day but thoroughly enjoyed. See full report for details.






For our part, we realize that planning should have begun earlier — probably 6 months in advance, because certain tours, hotels, etc were already booked. Nevertheless, Judy was terrific and resourceful, getting back to us quickly despite the challenges of being in different time zones. Our goals (arts and hands-on) were different from those of a typical tourist; Judy was good at accommodating them. We could have used more advice about the differences in those programs, so we researched them on our own. That meant we had to request additional things and changes as we learned about them.

Also, we made a scheduling error, not realizing that the flight arrived the day after it began, so Judy had to adjust our bookings to accommodate this. We threw her an extra challenge by asking her to add a day-trip to Hamamatsu for a family visit. Also, a freak accident on the take-off of our flight to Tokyo caused us to be re-routed through Europe, hence losing another day. Altogether, this meant our proposed 14 day trip had to be jammed into a shorter number of days. Upon retrospect, even without these unexpected adjustments, we should have allowed ourselves three weeks to do everything we wanted to do and to give ourselves more time for exploring on our own. An open day in each city would have been preferable and made for a more relaxed trip.

Tour guides - Guides in Tokyo and Kanazawa were excellent and flexible. However, Michiko (Kyoto), though eager to please was less well-informed and had weaker English. She was too focused on Samurai/Shogun history and wanted to take too many photos of us. We were surprised that her tour involved walking and buses, which worked out fine, but we were surprised as we expected a driver in each location unless specified.

Workshops and presentations - Our first workshop (sushi making) was a disaster. We were told to get there on our own by local train, but had no previous instruction about how to navigate. When we arrived at the address we were given, there was no signage and no staff there to greet us, so we didn’t know if we were in the right place. After contacting Judy, we discovered that the company had made a scheduling error, which they corrected as quickly as possible. The workshop was ok in spite of the space with was filthy with cigarette butts and used cups on the table. Looking online afterwards, we saw that there were many other sushi workshops that might have been better choices.

The other workshops were all excellent: washi paper making, dyeing, the artisan visit (embroidery), and an unscheduled visit to a gold leaf workshop that our guide created since we had extra time.

Transportation - There was a lot of transportation that we had to navigate on our own. We found it quite challenging, especially at first. We would have benefited from more advance information about how to manage the different systems and locations (some with QR codes, some with one ticket, some with two tickets). Even after we requested more direction from Judy, we still found it difficult. Fortunately, we were assisted by train station personnel or sympathetic travelers or residents who saw us struggling and shepherded us to the right place.

Hotels - Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka were excellent; the hotel in Kanazawa was fair (amenities were better than we thought at first due to a communication problem). Still, the room was very small and one side of the bed was against the wall.

Due to the popularity of Naoshima, we were booked in Okayama, which required a ferry ride each way. There too one side of the bed was against the wall. Although it was advertised as a beachfront facility. In fact it was a block or two from the waterfront (not a beach) and overlooked a bicycle track. There was a night race one of the nights we were there, which was unique.

Judy was an excellent planner, responding cheerfully under a number of challenging circumstances. It would have been helpful to be advised about how realistic it was to see so much in a short time, especially given our age. Although we’re in good shape for our ages we are in our 80s. As mentioned above, we needed more assistance with independent train travel. It would also have been helpful to have advice about restaurants near our various hotels. We were told that the guides could help us, but they had no more knowledge than what they or we could find online.

Hotel Reviews

Miyako City Osaka Hommachi

Osaka

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

SETOUCHI KEIRIN HOTEL 10 by Onko Chishin

Tamano

Inconvenient. Only recommended for bike racing enthusiats, adjacent to bike racing track. Description says beachfont but it’s over a block away from the water - essentially a small marina for fishing boats. No beach. We were only there because we weren’t able to book a place to stay on Naoshima and it was a 5 minute taxi ride to the ferry to Naoshima.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Cross Hotel Kyoto

Kyoto

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Intergate Kanazawa

Kanazawa

Functional, nothing special. Small room with one side of the bed against the wall.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Mitsui Garden Hotel Jingugaien Tokyo Premier

Tokyo

Authenticity & Character

Location

beautiful but far from anything other than an olympic stadium

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Kimono Tea Ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya

Kyoto

We didn’t realize that we’d have to wear kimonos. Wouldn’t have chosen to but it ended up being fun.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Traditional Yuzen Dyeing Experience

Kyoto

Fabulous personal hands-on experience with a master artisan.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full-Day Exploration: Arashiyama Bamboo Grove & Kinkaku-ji Temple

Kyoto

Unless you’re really into the bamboo grove and this particular temple, time would be better spent looking at pictures, avoiding the crowds and doing something else.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Gion Geisha Show and Walking Tour

Kyoto

We arrived too late for the walking tour but the Geisha show was fascinating.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We took a taxi on our own.

Half Day Artisan Tour in Kanazawa

Kanazawa

Wonderful embroidery folks. Unexpected. We wouldn’t have selected embroidery but it was terrific as was the guide.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Kanazawa Highlights with Art: Gardens, Castles & National Crafts Museum

Kanazawa

Intead of having a guide and driver, we traveled by bus with guide. Her English wasn’t as good as other guides and she was focused primarily on Samurai/Shogun. Sweet lady, though.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Driver rather than buses.

Tokyo Sushi Making Experience & Japanese Cooking Class

Tokyo

Scheduled at the wrong time, difficult to find, no signage, dirty.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Exploring Futuristic Odaiba with Sumida River Cruise

Tokyo

Wonderful guide, flexible so we were able to make changes to personalize the day.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport