Kimkim Trip Reviews

4.8
Based on 16,542 ratings
Read 16,542 verified reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim. You can also read reviews about kimkim on 3rd party sites including Google, TrustPilot and Yelp.

It was nice to have a local travel agent to c...
France | Jun 3 - Jun 14, 2025

J
Jennifer B.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Jun 20, 2025
It was nice to have a local travel agent to connect us with experiences we wouldn’t have known about otherwise. It was a long trip with so many options but she really helped us narrow things down. There was something for the adults and the children and everyone was happy. Read more

It was nice to have a local travel agent to connect us with experiences we wouldn’t have known about otherwise. It was a long trip with so many options but she really helped us narrow things down. There was something for the adults and the children and everyone was happy.

Hotel Reviews
L'Empire
Paris

The staff at this hotel really made the visit worth it! They were very attentive and very patient. I do not recommend the basement room, smelled musty and very little light, but we had another room on the second floor which was wonderful.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Les O d'Annecy B&B
Saint-Jorioz

We’ve never been better taken care of than we were at this hotel. The breakfast was delicious, the staff was friendly and attentive, the rooms were comfortable, and the views were amazing.

Authenticity & Character
The decor was thoughtful and well done
Location
It was close to Annecy but not too close, perfect for exploring the surrounding area
Staff
Bernard gave the best recommendations, including where to go and what to eat. He absolutely enhanced our stay, we don’t think we would’ve enjoyed the area as much without his input. His wife is one of the sweetest women I’ve ever met. Both were extremely hospitable and just wanted to make sure everyone was comfortable and happy
Cleanliness & Comfort
We’ve never slept in a more comfortable bed. The mattress and the linens were excellent quality.
Local specialist: Lucie Rousseau

Highly recommended!
Nepal | Jun 9 - Jun 14, 2025

Cinthya Marlen
Cinthya Marlen H.
Japan | Reviewed on Jun 20, 2025

Incredible experience in Nepal thanks to Sangita / Himalayan Namobuddha Travel & Treks. From day one, the team was extremely kind and attentive, always looking out for our needs and making sure everything went perfectly. Whenever any unforeseen issue came up, they responded quickly and efficiently, allowing us to enjoy the trip without any worries. Their commitment to providing a genuine and well-curated experience truly stands out. Highly recommended!

Local specialist: Sangita Bajracharya

Greece Vacation
Greece | Jun 5 - Jun 18, 2025

W
Wayne S.
Kansas City, MO | Reviewed on Jun 20, 2025

Kimkim did a great job planning out a 14-day vacation to see the mainland of Greece, Naxos, Santorini, and Crete. The tours and activities were all that we hoped for combining culture, food, adventure, and history.

Local specialist: Siena Mueller

Trip of a Lifetime
Australia | Apr 27 - May 11, 2025

Judy
Judy H.
Flagami, FL | Reviewed on Jun 20, 2025
When we first began planning our itinerary for Australia, it was a bit overwhelming…so many beautiful places to go in just 2 weeks! But we were extremely fortunate to have found Vicky and kimkim who made planning a dream. She was spot on when we let her know our interests and came up with an amazing itinerary that was perfect for us! Communication was excellent, and in spite of a few rainy days, what we were able to see and do was fantastic, especially with our gifted guides in Sydney,... Read more

When we first began planning our itinerary for Australia, it was a bit overwhelming…so many beautiful places to go in just 2 weeks! But we were extremely fortunate to have found Vicky and kimkim who made planning a dream. She was spot on when we let her know our interests and came up with an amazing itinerary that was perfect for us! Communication was excellent, and in spite of a few rainy days, what we were able to see and do was fantastic, especially with our gifted guides in Sydney, Uluru, Melbourne, the Blue Mountains, Port Douglas, and along The Great Ocean Road. One of our favorite experiences was snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef, and Vicky selected the perfect company to take us there. The ABC snorkeling charter was fantastic, with our guides who were extremely knowledgeable and entertaining. Sunrise at Uluru was spectacular, as was the lovely evening dinner and viewing with our guide who spotlighted all to see in the beautiful night sky.
Many thanks to Vicky and Kimkim for a perfect trip, which will leave us with so many beautiful memories.

Hotel Review
Peninsula Boutique Hotel
Port Douglas

This was our favorite hotel. It was just across from the ocean and in walking distance to many wonderful restaurants and shops. The pool area was lovely, especially in the evening. Breakfast was wonderful, and we had free access to bikes to get to the area where we would take our snorkeling trip.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Close to places we could walk or ride bikes to.
Staff
Everyone that provided services of any kind was exceptional.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Beds were so comfortable, there was a nice balcony and amenities.
Activity Reviews
Uluru Sacred Sites, Sunset, BBQ and Star Talk
Uluru Sacred Sites, Sunset, BBQ and Star Talk
Uluru

One of our favorites !

Quality of Experience
Incredible scenery
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Knowledgeable and thorough
Transport
Comfortable
Sydney City Small Group Walking Tour (Small Group Tour)
Sydney City Small Group Walking Tour (Small Group Tour)
Sydney

Lots of great information

Quality of Experience
Lots of history and knowledge on the part of the guidses
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Very knowledgeable and entertaining
Transport
Transport was entertaining and safe
Sydney Opera House Tour
Sydney Opera House Tour
Sydney

The guide was exceptional and the opera house was very beautiful, inside and out.

Quality of Experience
An excellent guide with wonderful delivery of information
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Personable and easy to understand
Transport
Kata Tjuta Small-Group Tour Including Sunrise and Breakfast
Kata Tjuta Small-Group Tour Including Sunrise and Breakfast
Uluru

Sunrise was spectacular, but chillier than expected. Breakfast was okay, but it was very windy and cool outside.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Blue Mountains Small Group Tour
Blue Mountains Small Group Tour
Sydney

Weather did not cooperate so lots of clouds obscuring views, but the information was very good.

Quality of Experience
Lots of information
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
It was a long trip but the information was good
Classic Kuranda - Ex Port Douglas
Classic Kuranda - Ex Port Douglas
Port Douglas

Finding our way to start was somewhat confusing, but that was because there had been adjusted, but it worked out fine.

Quality of Experience
Scenery was lovely
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Good information
Transport
Comfortable
Small Group Kuranda Tour
Small Group Kuranda Tour
Port Douglas

It was a bit longer than expected but we enjoyed the experience.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Premium Daintree & Cape Tribulation Day Tour
Premium Daintree & Cape Tribulation Day Tour
Australia

Enjoyed the boat ride and seeing the crocodiles as well as the creeks

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Good information and safety
Transport
ABC Snorkel Charters Port Douglas Snorkelling max 12 passengers
ABC Snorkel Charters Port Douglas Snorkelling max 12 passengers
Australia

This was one of our favorites. The guides were exceptional and we saw lots of beautiful creature and life under the sea.

Quality of Experience
So much fun !
Food
Nice that provided us yummy sandwiches!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
They were fun and very professional.
Transport
Local specialist: Vicky Steinhardt
Vicky
Vicky Steinhardt
Local specialist in Noosa, Australia | Replied on Jun 20, 2025
Hi Bill and Judy, Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful words—it truly made my day to read your reflections! I’m so happy to hear that your Australian adventure turned out to be such a memorable and meaningful experience, and that the itinerary felt just right for you. Snorkeling with ABC on the Great Barrier Reef is always a standout, and I’m so glad you enjoyed it—they really do have a fantastic team. Sunrise at Uluru sounds like it was just as breathtaking as always, and I’m so... Read more

Hi Bill and Judy,

Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful words—it truly made my day to read your reflections! I’m so happy to hear that your Australian adventure turned out to be such a memorable and meaningful experience, and that the itinerary felt just right for you.

Snorkeling with ABC on the Great Barrier Reef is always a standout, and I’m so glad you enjoyed it—they really do have a fantastic team. Sunrise at Uluru sounds like it was just as breathtaking as always, and I’m so pleased you enjoyed the sunset BBQ and star talk too—such a special way to connect with the landscape and sky out there.

Thank you also for your lovely feedback about the local guides—it means so much to know they made a positive impact throughout your journey. And I couldn't agree more about The Peninsula—it's one of my personal favourites too! The service and location are consistently fantastic.

And a big thank you for sharing your gorgeous photos—I absolutely love being able to see and share the moments that made your trip so special.

It was such a pleasure planning this trip with you both, and I’m so happy it’s left you with so many wonderful memories.

Warmest wishes,
Vicky

Tailored to Us
United Kingdom | Jun 6 - Jun 13, 2025

K
Katherine T.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Jun 20, 2025
We had a great experience using kimkim and Tetiana for our UK vacation. Tetiana worked with us to suggest and finalize a good balance of scheduled tours and self exploration. We had a couple days in each London, Oxford, and Bath for our week of vacation. Highlights included a private walking tour with a retired royal guard. The history of London he shared with his experiences as a royal guard were educational and entertaining. In Oxford, we had a small group tour of the Cotswolds that... Read more

We had a great experience using kimkim and Tetiana for our UK vacation. Tetiana worked with us to suggest and finalize a good balance of scheduled tours and self exploration. We had a couple days in each London, Oxford, and Bath for our week of vacation. Highlights included a private walking tour with a retired royal guard. The history of London he shared with his experiences as a royal guard were educational and entertaining. In Oxford, we had a small group tour of the Cotswolds that was a great half day of seeing a number of villages. In Bath, we decided to explore on our own with suggestions of things to see. In all three locations, we had amazing stays at the inns Tetiana selected for us - all were charming with access to pubs, transportation and more local flare. It was so nice to have all the hotels, train tickets, and tour tickets prepaid and we greatly appreciated kimkim's web site where we quickly had access to all our electronic tickets, descriptions of our inns, our itinerary and chat with Tetiana if we needed anything. We absolutely will use kimkim again and tell all our friends!!

Local specialist: Tetiana Smal
Tetiana
Tetiana Smal
Local specialist in London | Replied on Jun 20, 2025

Dear Kathy,

Thank you so much for your incredibly thoughtful and generous review — I’m truly touched by your kind words! It means the world to know that your time in the UK was not only smooth and well-organized but also filled with meaningful moments and discoveries.

It was truly a pleasure working with you — your warmth, curiosity, and thoughtful approach made the planning process so rewarding. I would be honored to help with any future travel, and thank you again for sharing your experience with others.

Warmest wishes
Tania

Vietnam Travel Highs & Lows
Vietnam | Jun 6 - Jun 17, 2025

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Krithika P.
‘Ewa Gentry, HI | Reviewed on Jun 20, 2025
Overall the experience to Vietnam was fantastic. Dat & the Realistic Asia team made many things seamless and easy with little stress for our group. One personal note for me - many of the tours felt typical, when initially I think I went through KimKim to look for some "off the beaten path" tours or trips. As an architect I mentioned initially that I was really interested in seeing spaces and buildings and I feel like I missed some of that, especially in Ho Chi Minh City. It partly may... Read more

Overall the experience to Vietnam was fantastic. Dat & the Realistic Asia team made many things seamless and easy with little stress for our group.

One personal note for me - many of the tours felt typical, when initially I think I went through KimKim to look for some "off the beaten path" tours or trips. As an architect I mentioned initially that I was really interested in seeing spaces and buildings and I feel like I missed some of that, especially in Ho Chi Minh City. It partly may have been an expectation management which sometimes the tour descriptions aren't super clear about.

Also the larger group tours of 17+ were too much for me. I definitely preferred the smaller group (10 people or so) as it felt like we were waiting on other people less. The one tour we did with just our group was awesome and personalized. We also loved the Calista Cruise team and experience.

I usually plan my own trips so this was a first time for me using an agency. I'm glad we did, and now I have a better sense of how to plan for future trips! Dat was very reliable, quick to respond and very helpful in all areas. I highly recommend him and his team!

Activity Reviews
Daily tour sightseeing Halong Bay ( La Casta Daily cruise)
Daily tour sightseeing Halong Bay ( La Casta Daily cruise)
Hanoi

Duc and the team there were awesome. The food was good and the views are just stunning. The speed boat & kayak were fun!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Hanoi Half Day City Tour
Hanoi Half Day City Tour
Hanoi

The personalized schedule, places selected and the guide were great.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Hanoi - Ninh Binh (Dinh Le Temple, Tam Coc, Mua Cave) Day Trip by Group Tour (B/L)
Hanoi - Ninh Binh (Dinh Le Temple, Tam Coc, Mua Cave) Day Trip by Group Tour (B/L)
Hanoi

The place was wonderful, however the guide didn't give clear instructions, the group was too big and the food was terrible.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Let's Cook Vietnam - Join in  Rose Kitchen Cooking Class
Let's Cook Vietnam - Join in Rose Kitchen Cooking Class
Hanoi

Aroma was awesome. The size of class, organization and experience was wonderfully led by Aroma.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Dat Nguyen

We had an amazing time in Spain. Alfonso plan...
Spain | Jun 7 - Jun 16, 2025

A
Agnes K.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on Jun 20, 2025
We had an amazing time in Spain. Alfonso planned a memorable vacation in Southern Spain, knowing that we will be going to Morocco afterwards. He ordered the locations in a way that built beautifully upon one another. The guides were top notch and all had degrees in history or art history. The pacing was great with fun activities in between seeing the historical sites like visiting an olive farm in Mantilla, hiking the Caminito del Rey and going to a flamenco show. The accommodations were... Read more

We had an amazing time in Spain. Alfonso planned a memorable vacation in Southern Spain, knowing that we will be going to Morocco afterwards. He ordered the locations in a way that built beautifully upon one another. The guides were top notch and all had degrees in history or art history. The pacing was great with fun activities in between seeing the historical sites like visiting an olive farm in Mantilla, hiking the Caminito del Rey and going to a flamenco show. The accommodations were well planned, centrally located and with historical charm. His team stayed in touch with us throughout the trip and helped us communicate with guides when things came up. They also reminded us of important deals so our trip went smoothly! We highly recommend working with Alfonso!

Local specialist: Alfonso Nuñez
Alfonso
Alfonso Nuñez
Local specialist in San Sebastian - Spain | Replied on Jun 20, 2025

Dear family.
It was beautiful working with you.
We hope to know about you again in the future.
The very best!

Our day with Gummi was without question the h...
Iceland | Jun 16 - Jun 19, 2025

B
Bruce K.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on Jun 20, 2025
Our day with Gummi was without question the highlight of our trip to Iceland. He is very knowledgeable about his country, historically and culturally. Read more

Our day with Gummi was without question the highlight of our trip to Iceland. He is very knowledgeable about his country, historically and culturally.

Hotel Review
Hótel Keflavík by Keflavík Airport
Keflavík

In a word, I was disappointed. Not what I expected from a supposedly five star hotel at the rate of $350/night. The disappointment started when we arrived two hours before checkin time, and were told that our room was not ready but that for an extra fee, it could be made ready immediately. When I refused to pay the extra charge, we waited in the lobby until the official 3pm check-in time and when nothing happened, I again inquired as to the status of our room. Again we were told that it was not ready but then shortly thereafter, it mysteriously and inexplicably became ready. In other words, the hotel could have accommodated us but declined to do so. The room included breakfast, but, again not what I expected for the price. The assortment of items was inconsistent and the buffet would randomly run out of food and utensils. One day it was lids for the to go coffee cups (which were the wrong size anyway), another day it was bowls for the cold cereal. Sometimes there was smoked salmon, but only if you arrived early before it was all gone. Sometimes there was as orange juice in the juice dispenser but sometimes not. Sometimes there were no empty tables because they had not been cleaned. Overall, very disappointing. Finally, despite being an “airport hotel “, the hotel does not offer a shuttle service to the airport. That is, unless you are an airline employee in which case there actually IS an airport shuttle. In conclusion, this hotel would be my very last choice for my next trip to Iceland.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Inconsistent. Some were better than others. Overall, the guest-facing employees need a refresher charm-school class.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Guðmundur Óli Pálmason

Explore Japan's Cities - 5 Days
Japan | Jun 9 - Jun 18, 2025

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Karin S.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Jun 20, 2025
Olivia was very attentive with my planning needs. Both guides were knowledgeable and helpful .
Beautiful tour!
Read more

Olivia was very attentive with my planning needs. Both guides were knowledgeable and helpful .
Beautiful tour!

Activity Review
Full Day Tokyo City Tour
Full Day Tokyo City Tour
Tokyo

This was a lot to do in one day. We learned so much about the history and areas. The mobility issues for one of our members did not seemed to be considered in planning and made it difficult to keep up.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Olivia Luang

Rwanda, a beautiful place to visit. Need to use an agent based in Rwanada
Rwanda | Jun 2 - Jun 13, 2025

H
Helen L.
Canada | Reviewed on Jun 20, 2025
This is our third trip with KimKim. I am very disappointed with some of the issues around how this trip was planned. It was very expensive and when I asked to about option for cost reduction such as staying in mid range hotels (as requested on our booking form) some changes were made but we still ended up staying in top end accommodation. Despite voicing concerns about cost we were not told it was 50% less to see the gorillas in Uganada (what most other groups staying at our lodge in... Read more

This is our third trip with KimKim. I am very disappointed with some of the issues around how this trip was planned. It was very expensive and when I asked to about option for cost reduction such as staying in mid range hotels (as requested on our booking form) some changes were made but we still ended up staying in top end accommodation. Despite voicing concerns about cost we were not told it was 50% less to see the gorillas in Uganada (what most other groups staying at our lodge in Volcanos National Park had decided to do. We also had many issues with the way our itinerary was planned, zigzagging across the country which would mean far more time in the car than necessary. We discovered this mistake the day before we drove 11.5 hours when we expected to travel for 3.5 hours based on our itinerary (we could not do the planed stop or boat ride when we arrived at the location because it was dark, delays not do to road construction but just how long it takes to travel in this hilly country side. Another day was scheduled as 2 hours travel time, but this was actually 6. We were unable to do our night safari as we were not actually staying in Akagera National Park. Peter is based in Uganada and I feel it would be better to use someone based in Rwanada as the local Kimkim specialist. Driving around Rwanada is beautiful, but long road trips when you are not expecting them is hard, particularly when you are travelling with teenagers.

Our driver Khalif was excellent, with his other boss Agnes he managed to reorganize a part of our trip that meant we did not actually have to spend an extra 10 hours in the car travelling. He had not seen our itinerary until the day before he picked us up but was very aware it did not make sense. As we had booked our trip early October to travel in early June, paying our deposit in October it does not make sense why availability dates for gorilla trekking would be the barrier to having a sensible travel itinerary (instead of trying to Zig Zag across the coutry. Peter was unavailable to help as he was in the US, he never sent a follow up message to answer our specific questions seeking explanation or to apologize, despite know about our frustrations.

Hotel Reviews
Rutete Eco Lodge

This was a wonderful place to stay for three nights. Fantastic tour around the organic farm, wonderful food shared around a communal table with great conversations. Friendly and helpful staff. Juilianne is fantastic host and very knowledgeable about the local area and the country. Local female traditional drumming group visited one evening while we were there.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Outside the park therefor cannot to night safari. Instead consider behind the scenes tour as this was excellent.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Mantis Kivu Marina Bay Hotel
rusizi

Expensive, resort like hotel, on hill. Lack character but very clean and comfortable.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge
Musanze

Great lodge, heated with fireplaces and hot water bottles in the beds. Very comfortable. Beautiful scenery.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel

Did not stay here as this part of our trip had to be removed due to difficulties with our itinerary.

Activity Reviews
Morning Game drive akagera National park
Morning Game drive akagera National park
Akagera

Khalif is a knowledgeable guide. We saw so much wildlife and learned so much!

Cultural Village Visit
Cultural Village Visit
Volcanoes National Park
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Boat Ride in Akagera-Lake Ihema
Boat Ride in Akagera-Lake Ihema
Akagera
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Behind the scenes tour in Akagera National Park
Behind the scenes tour in Akagera National Park
Akagera

Great tour guide, fascinating to learn so much about the park and the relationship to Rwanada's history and the community development that is currently happening.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Kigali City Tour and shopping
Kigali City Tour and shopping
Kigali
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Volcanoes National Park Gorilla Trek
Volcanoes National Park Gorilla Trek
Volcanoes National Park

Wonderful experience! The hike was challenging but we really enjoyed it.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Buhanga Eco Park – Nature walk
Buhanga Eco Park – Nature walk
Volcanoes National Park

Beautiful forest, easy walk, interesting history.

Nyungwe Forest Canopy Walk
Nyungwe Forest Canopy Walk
Nyungwe

Fantastic views, great short hike.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe national park
Chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe national park
Nyungwe

Disappointing. Based on adjustments made to our schedule so we didn't have to zig zag across the country it took us 3.5 hours to get to trekking starting point (not the main park centre), this meant we arrived to the start of our hike very late and did not really get to see chimpanzee - one dark blob in a tree across a very wide valley. The long drive also meant we spent three hours getting back to the park centre the canopy walk later in the day.

Local specialist: Peter Mwanja

Stop the endless research & planning, use Kim Kim
Ireland | Jun 6 - Jun 19, 2025

Wendyjean
Wendyjean B.
Kansas City, MO | Reviewed on Jun 20, 2025
We had an effortless 2 weeks in Ireland and did the whole Isle with the help of Kim Kim and local agent (Ireland Walk, Hike, Bike) Joe. Joe listened to our needs of having a mix of 3-4 star places with some unique nice properties blended in. The things to do they suggest in each location were wonderful. Literally, the only thing we did not find very good was ‘EPIC’ tour in Dublin.
We made so many wonderful memories with the suggested routes they provided, everywhere we stayed was nice...
Read more

We had an effortless 2 weeks in Ireland and did the whole Isle with the help of Kim Kim and local agent (Ireland Walk, Hike, Bike) Joe. Joe listened to our needs of having a mix of 3-4 star places with some unique nice properties blended in. The things to do they suggest in each location were wonderful. Literally, the only thing we did not find very good was ‘EPIC’ tour in Dublin.
We made so many wonderful memories with the suggested routes they provided, everywhere we stayed was nice and included breakfast. They provide dinner, cafes, and places to see.
For someone who usually plans every vacation, this was complicated since we only stayed a few places 2 nights and most were 1 night. So I appreciated turning over the planning. I was apprehensive, but once we were a few days in and the recommendations and tickets to things were seamless - I realized the great value of using Kim Kim. I highly recommend!!

Hotel Reviews
Ashling Hotel Dublin
Dublin

Very good hotel, a bit of a walk to downtown but easy on light rail. Excellent breakfast.

Authenticity & Character
Excellent service and property, appreciate water bottle refill
Location
Easy access to tram, wish it was a tad closer to downtown area
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Malone Hotel
Belfast

We had room on top floor and it was a very good and clean room but sweltering hot. We found out at check out that we could have requested a fan. I suggest a lower floor room If you stay here. The restaurant breakfast was terrible, our least favorite of the trip. We also had dinner here and it also was only fair. They mainly were catering a meal and told us kitchen was backed up 20 minutes.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Bishop's Gate Hotel
Derry

Loved this hotel! No AC but had fans in the room. Offered water in the rooms. Service was outstanding. Breakfast was also very good. Charming hotel and great service

Authenticity & Character
Charming
Location
Right in the heart of the walled city
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Lough Eske Castle Hotel

Great castle and hotel. We were upgraded to suite and it was wonderful. We had cocktails at bar which were very good. We had dinner at Cedars which was good but not as great as we wanted. Waiter forgot our cocktails and served them after our appetizers with no apology. The appetizers were fair, entrees were good - the feathered beef was the standout dish. The rum soaked sponge was standout dessert. It was a menu where there are standout/excellent dishes but other dishes were not as strong. I had to tell the waiter to ‘tell kitchen to hold firing our entrees until we finish our cocktails’. I shouldn’t have had to do that.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Gerald, Geraldine were standouts
Cleanliness & Comfort
Wyatt Hotel Westport
Westport

very convenient to downtown. Overall a good rating. Breakfast was good each day.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Mount Juliet Estate
Thomastown

Beautiful estate location. Sadly, on 6/18/25 when we were there the Grill restaurant was closed and no piano playing which was a shame. Hotel had AC which was nice. Beautiful original estate and conference center

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Dean Garrison

We had a wonderful 2 weeks in Japan. Shona was excellent! We could call her at any time and she was always very helpful. Local guides and drivers were all very helpful and considerate as well.
Japan | Jun 1 - Jun 13, 2025

Irfan
Irfan L.
Houston, TX | Reviewed on Jun 20, 2025

We had a wonderful 2 weeks in Japan. Shona was excellent! We could call her at any time and she was always very helpful. Local guides and drivers were all very helpful and considerate as well.

Local specialist: Shona Zhang

Warm welcome to new country
Norway | Jun 12 - Jun 17, 2025

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Kimberly R.
Dallas, TX | Reviewed on Jun 20, 2025
We had a wonderful visit to Norway and Denmark, made easy, fluid, enjoyable and more personal working with Kadri via kimkim. Our hotel in Bergen, Oslo XVI, was perfect for location, comfort and quality. The food and culture tour we took was just what we wanted to start out with, to get to know the city more intimately and Diane was a great guide around the city to food stops we may not have found on our own, and she treated us to stories and tastes that made us feel so good and grounded in... Read more

We had a wonderful visit to Norway and Denmark, made easy, fluid, enjoyable and more personal working with Kadri via kimkim. Our hotel in Bergen, Oslo XVI, was perfect for location, comfort and quality. The food and culture tour we took was just what we wanted to start out with, to get to know the city more intimately and Diane was a great guide around the city to food stops we may not have found on our own, and she treated us to stories and tastes that made us feel so good and grounded in the city. The Fjordrive tour we booked on our own was also wonderful with such a warm welcome from our driver/guide Bjarte. His lux van, warm nature and expertise in all things Norwegian coupled with the exquisite beauty of Norway itself made the all-day tour to fjord and viewpoints wonderful. Kadri gave us all the information we needed to make the city of Bergen our own -- we loved it! Bergen is an incredible place to visit -- so much to do. so walkable, so beautiful, so friendly, and with Kadri and Kimkim team's help we were able to be in city for the first time as if we knew what we were doing. The transfers to airport and hotel were also lovely and stress-relieving for us. The only trouble we had was due to my lack of preparedness. Our phone service isn't perfect when traveling abroad and when we encountered a flight delay, I struggled to know how to reach the driver picking us up in Copenhagen. The best I could do was alert the kimkim team by email -- it was all I could think of to do. While the team (Kadri) responded quickly, they were not able to alert the driver in time to save us an unexpected fee. If I had a do-over, I would make certain I had all contact numbers and means of contacting support more at my fingertips. Everything had gone so smoothly the whole trip that we weren't ready for the flight delay when it happened. Overall, what I appreciated most from Kadri and kimkim was the access to local knowledge and expert choices/information so kindly shared with us, that made this first visit to Norway, 2nd visit to Denmark, really special from beginning to end.

Hotel Reviews
Opus XVI
Bergen

This hotel is perfectly situated in a beautiful, bustling part of Bergen making walking or access to trains, tours, and funicular easy. Though there can be a lot going on around there, our room overlooking the square was quiet and comfortable. Breakfasts in the morning are lovely as well, and the staff are welcoming and helpful.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Close to Bryggen and starting point for many tours, close to everything actually.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Copenhagen Admiral Hotel
Copenhagen

This beautiful hotel may still be finishing up its renovation. It is ideally situated close to the water for easy, beautiful walks, but our access to our room was strangely blocked by large covered carts containing supplies (?) maybe? So our first encounter with the floor we were on and getting to our room felt strange -- as if we were on a storage floor rather than a floor occupied by hotel customers. Otherwise, all else was nice -- nice aesthetic, clean room, comfortable bed. Just not outstanding, yet.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Food & Culture Walk
Food & Culture Walk
Bergen

I felt as though this was the best thing we could have done to start out our wonderful time in Bergen. Our guide, Diane, was friendly and kind and knowledgeable, and she helped us feel at home in the city, taking us to places we wouldn't have found on our own and introducing us to foods we may not have tried. She took us through the big, wonderful fish market (incredible) and we tried a warm fish cake unlike anything we'd ever had before that was so much fun to eat. She gave us bites of dried cod to try. She walked us up and down and around the old parts of the city and told us interesting stories as she popped us into a cool coffee shop and a wonderful old bathhouse now local hangout and a cool pub. This tour was great from beginning to end and gave us a welcoming, wonderful introduction to the city.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Kadri Talvik
Kadri
Kadri Talvik
Local specialist in Norway | Replied on Jun 20, 2025
Hi Kimberly! Thank you so much for your kind words! It truly means a lot to hear that your trip to Norway and Denmark was such a meaningful and memorable experience. I’m so happy that you enjoyed Bergen, the food tour with Diane, and the stunning fjord journey with Bjarte — it sounds like you embraced every moment! I'm sorry about the hiccup with the delayed flight in Copenhagen and the resulting fee — I completely understand how frustrating that must have been, especially after such a... Read more

Hi Kimberly!

Thank you so much for your kind words! It truly means a lot to hear that your trip to Norway and Denmark was such a meaningful and memorable experience. I’m so happy that you enjoyed Bergen, the food tour with Diane, and the stunning fjord journey with Bjarte — it sounds like you embraced every moment!

I'm sorry about the hiccup with the delayed flight in Copenhagen and the resulting fee — I completely understand how frustrating that must have been, especially after such a smooth trip. I appreciate your understanding and your thoughtful reflection on how to prepare for similar situations in the future.

It was a real pleasure helping you plan this journey, and I’m so glad I could be a part of making your visit feel effortless and personal. Wishing you many more wonderful travels ahead — and I hope our paths cross again!

Kind regards,
Kadri

Trip of a lifetime and a very organized planner!
Iceland | May 31 - Jun 9, 2025

Dawn
Dawn S.
Charlotte, NC | Reviewed on Jun 20, 2025
Wow, just wow!! I looked around for the best self-guided driving tours. I compared Kimkim to others. I ended up picking Kimkim because I liked the way they were able to customize the tour for us. I picked a 10 day driving tour driving around the Ring Road and also the Golden Circle. My guide stayed in touch with me via WhatsApp. I freaked out a lot in the beginning because I wasn't sure I was doing things correctly. Emanuella was very responsive and helpful. Because of the snow storm, we... Read more

Wow, just wow!! I looked around for the best self-guided driving tours. I compared Kimkim to others. I ended up picking Kimkim because I liked the way they were able to customize the tour for us. I picked a 10 day driving tour driving around the Ring Road and also the Golden Circle. My guide stayed in touch with me via WhatsApp. I freaked out a lot in the beginning because I wasn't sure I was doing things correctly. Emanuella was very responsive and helpful. Because of the snow storm, we ended up staying an extra day in Akureyri instead of two days in Myvatn. We were still able to catch up on some of the sites we didn't get to see because of the missed day in Myvatn once we headed there. Some excursions we couldn't do because of the weather - we were warned to go straight from Reyjavik to Arureyri. There was an excursion over gravel roads that we had to skip. Just wasn't safe because of the bad weather. But, there were so many sights suggested along the drive that we were always busy and didn't feel we were missing out. We went the first week of June. Such a great time because we have so much daylight. With driving, we got to see all the landscapes. From sunny and clear while we were in Reykjavik, to windy and snowy in Akureyri and other parts in the North, to sunny along the south. We lucked out on our days on boats with sunny weather. It was an amazing trip. We used the suggestions Kimkim provided for finding places to eat, where to visit, geothermal pools, boat tours, and even a horseback riding experience in Vik! I highly recommend using Kimkim. The driving tour came with driving instructions that included all the stops. All the excursion tickets didn't need to be printed - I just needed to give my name and they had our info. The food was so delicious. Highly recommend Icelandic lamb soup. Moe's Food truck in Akureyri was a hit with Gf fish and chips. Thank you, Kimkim and Emanuella!!

Activity Reviews
Explore Reykjavik and Sky Lagoon
Explore Reykjavik and Sky Lagoon
Reykjavík

This was our first stop after arriving. It was such a wonderful intro to Iceland. We loved going through the ritual. I was nervous about all the lagoons on our trip before arriving but I'm glad these were added.

Quality of Experience
People are friendly. They speak English everywhere.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
I was using a rental car.
Glacier Walking
Glacier Walking
Skaftafell

I was a bit confused where to meet but eventually made my way over after parking. It was a warm day and I was surprised that it was just as warm up the glacier. Our guide prepped us with ice pick and crampons for our shoes (some people didn't have the correct shoes and they had extra hiking shoes for those people). We took a 20 min 4x4 bus ride to the glacier. The off road part is really bumpy! Then, we hiked up to a base area where we put in our crampons. Our instructor was a glacier hiker from Finland. He gave us lessons on how to walk up and down with crampons on the ice. I went from nervous to confident in a very short time. We even got to look down a steep hole in the glacier. I highly recommend this tour. Definitely a highlight. We got lucky with the weather, too!

Quality of Experience
The young guide was very knowledgeable and a great teacher.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Even the young driver who brought us to the glacier and then picked us up at the end was amazing. She really handled the rocky terrain so well.
Transport
Reykjavík Puffin Watching
Reykjavík Puffin Watching
Reykjavík

My daughter loved this and we lucked out with sunny weather. They provide binoculars as you can't get too close. Nice tour guide. We saw lots of puffins!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The captain and guide worked well together
Amphibian boat tour
Amphibian boat tour
Jökulsárlón

We arrived over an hour early and they were able to move us to an earlier boat. The guide was really nice. I liked that the guide talked the colors of the ice and what they were. We even got to touch a piece of ice as well as taste it! I felt this tour was a good length of time. We were able to walk around the park afterwards.

Quality of Experience
It was fun!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The guide was informative and fun.
Horseback riding on the black sand beaches
Horseback riding on the black sand beaches
Iceland

Definitely one of the highlights of the tour for my daughter. I had to back out after an injury and was refunded for that. They meet at the barn. The guides explain the difference between the way Icelandic horses walk and American horses. Icelandic horses tölt and American horses trot. Then, all got on horses and they walked along the black sand beach in Vik. I drove over to the beach and watched them. Everyone was smiling and giddy at the end.

Quality of Experience
The staff was excellent and organized.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Emanuela Grieco

Well planned Australia family adventure
Australia | Jun 1 - Jun 17, 2025

Doug
Doug S.
Atlanta, GA | Reviewed on Jun 19, 2025
We had an amazing 17 day trip to Australia that allowed us to provide so many adventure for our 13 and 10 year old daughters. Everything was so smooth and on time- our guides were superb (shoutout Bluey from Go West in Melbourne, Max and Andres from SEIT in Uluru) and our Surf teachers rocked in Byron Bay. We had an incredible day diving and snorkeling the reef and accommodations were well located and comfy. KimKim made a 5 city trip easy and so fun. Read more

We had an amazing 17 day trip to Australia that allowed us to provide so many adventure for our 13 and 10 year old daughters. Everything was so smooth and on time- our guides were superb (shoutout Bluey from Go West in Melbourne, Max and Andres from SEIT in Uluru) and our Surf teachers rocked in Byron Bay. We had an incredible day diving and snorkeling the reef and accommodations were well located and comfy. KimKim made a 5 city trip easy and so fun.

Hotel Reviews
PARKROYAL Darling Harbour
Sydney

Breakfast here was incredible and location can’t be beat. A nice workout facility and comfy rooms. Very well located near sites and public transit hub and very walkable.

Authenticity & Character
A nice hotel- a bit corporate but nice.
Location
So easy to get to transit and sites.
Staff
Restaurant staff were very nice.
Cleanliness & Comfort
East on Byron
Byron Bay

What a spot! Right across the street from the beach but also close to town. So good to have our own space and laundry! Lovely pool and hot tub on site.

Authenticity & Character
Such a great beach house
Location
Great beach access and moderate walk to central town.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Lancemore Crossley St Melbourne
Melbourne

A nice hotel very well located in the theatre district. Great to have a “family suite” for kids to have own bedroom. The decor is very artistic but a bit dark. Also no hotel gym and limited room service.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Desert Gardens Hotel
Yulara

The resort is well located and the restaurants were amazing. Rooms are a bit basic but free laundry facilities were very appreciated. Running trails nearby and easy to arrange and pickup tours. Pools are available but unheated so we couldn’t use given time of year.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Loved the resort concept at Uluru.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Crystalbrook Flynn
Cairns

A lovely hotel. Great food onsite, very cool swimming pools and so well located right on the esplanade in Cairns. Loved the family suite setup and nice small gym with Pilates machine. Overall a great stay

Authenticity & Character
Very cool design and furnishings.
Location
So much is walkable.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Ultimate Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb
Ultimate Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb
Sydney

Loved this activity and great way to kickoff Sydney. Fun guide, just enough info on the tour and amazing pics.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Byron Bay Surf Lesson
Private Byron Bay Surf Lesson
Byron Bay

Just a great day. Likes it so much kids went back for a 2nd day lesson. Both instructors were excellent- kids were up within 10min in the water (Dad was a bit slower but still got up first lesson). Equipment was great

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Blue Mountains Day Trip with Hike
Blue Mountains Day Trip with Hike
Sydney

Lovely day visiting the farm to see Aussie animals and then to hike in the mountains. Hike was a lovely 1 hr hike that wasn’t too strenuous but had lovely sites including waterfalls.

Quality of Experience
Food
Boxed lunch with fine-
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Welcome to Cairns
Welcome to Cairns
Cairns

We ended up going to the Aquarium for the behind the scenes turtle hospital visit. Highly recommend. Really a treat to learn about turtles and rehabilitation

Quality of Experience
Mossman Gorge Day Trip with River Drift Experience
Mossman Gorge Day Trip with River Drift Experience
Port Douglas

A real highlight. The hike plus river drift was so fun and enjoyable for kids and adults alike. Our guide was very knowledgeable so we talked a lot about flora and fauna of the region

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Kata Tjuta Sunrise & Valley of the Winds Walk
Kata Tjuta Sunrise & Valley of the Winds Walk
Uluru

Highlight of Uluru visit. This 4 hour hike has some amazing vistas and was just challenging enough to work a sweat but still accessible for most folks.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Max was particularly good and knowledgable.
Transport
Phillip Island Wildlife Day Trip via Brighton Beach with Penguin Plus Viewing
Phillip Island Wildlife Day Trip via Brighton Beach with Penguin Plus Viewing
Melbourne

Big highlight- do not miss if you visit Melbourne. We enjoyed our day getting to Philip Island but the Penguin sunset was amazing- truly unlike anything we have seen. It was cold and windy and no one complained. Once in a lifetime stuff to see these small animals leave the ocean to return home.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Bluey was super!
Transport
Sunset Camel Ride
Sunset Camel Ride
Uluru

Great fun to do this and we lucked out with an amazing sunset. We were very fortunate to be near the front so we could chat with the guide which was a bonus.

Quality of Experience
Very well run
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling Trip with 2 Certified Dives
Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling Trip with 2 Certified Dives
Cairns

Top notch company. Kids and one parent really enjoyed snorkeling- equipment was great and they were easily self guided. Diving was outstanding. Great guide- very safe but laid back. We had a small group (guide plus 5 divers) which made for super dives. Very knowledgeable and equipment was excellent.

Quality of Experience
Food
Lunch and snacks were good and huge portions!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Self-Guided Tour of Sydney's Neighborhoods & Beaches
Self-Guided Tour of Sydney's Neighborhoods & Beaches
Sydney

Vivid light festival was on and highly recommend! We went to see it all 3 nights we weee in Sydney. Would recommend folks in this time frame plan around this event and really engage it.

Quality of Experience
Belongil Beach Horseback Ride
Belongil Beach Horseback Ride
Byron Bay

Great outfit. Lovely horses. Beach was eroded due to a Cyclone so we rode through the tea forest. Was different and fun.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Uluru Sunset Dinner & Light Show
Uluru Sunset Dinner & Light Show
Uluru

Overall good. A bit long between apps and dinner and drone show was very good but also just a bit long. Food was good.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Uluru Sunrise with Breakfast
Uluru Sunrise with Breakfast
Uluru

Our post sunrise walk was excellent- Andres was very knowledgeable and the sites were very interesting. Breakfast was just ok quality.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Siena Mueller

Wonderful excursions and guides
France | Jun 9 - Jun 17, 2025

Ann
Ann B.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on Jun 19, 2025

All of the tour guides we had were friendly and knowledgeable. They made the excursions interesting and fun. Our favorites were the trip to Carmargue, especially the bird sanctuary, the trip to Annecy, and the cooking class. It was a fantastic trip!

Local specialist: Liz Chreist

A perfect honeymoon in Italy!
Italy | Jun 7 - Jun 18, 2025

N
Nandita B.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Jun 19, 2025
From start to finish, our 12 day honeymoon (organized by Giulia) was absolute perfection. We went to Rome, Pompeii, Sorrento, Florence, and Venice. From the get-go, I felt I could trust Giulia to curate the best experience for us in our budget. A few standout things for us: First of all, the accomodations were incredible. Great locations and very high-quality. Second, we were very appreciative of the level of communication and service both ahead of the trip and during the trip. You know... Read more

From start to finish, our 12 day honeymoon (organized by Giulia) was absolute perfection. We went to Rome, Pompeii, Sorrento, Florence, and Venice. From the get-go, I felt I could trust Giulia to curate the best experience for us in our budget. A few standout things for us: First of all, the accomodations were incredible. Great locations and very high-quality. Second, we were very appreciative of the level of communication and service both ahead of the trip and during the trip. You know exactly where you need to be and when and all transfers were exactly as expected. No matter where we ended up, we could be rest assured that someone with a sign with our name on it would be waiting for us. Even during the trip, when one of our tours had to be adjusted (not Kimkim's fault), the team was super quick to come up with an alternative. Third, all the tours and experiences were just awesome. Special highlights were our private tour of the Uffizi Gallery, our private walking tour of Venice, and our day trip being driven around Amalfi.

A small anecdote to just highlight the level of service: a few weeks before our trip, Giulia had to contact us that because of last minute Jubilee changes, we needed to move our Vatican tour time to ensure we could see everything. While in Rome, we overheard another couple at dinner find out in real time that they wouldn't be able to go to the Vatican because they were scheduled to go at our original time. We told them that our travel agent had been so on top of it and sorted out this issue weeks ago!

We would definitely use kimkim again for a future trip!

Local specialist: Giulia Bonati

Coraima and Lea were great with communication...
Spain | Jun 9 - Jun 17, 2025

C
Catherine L.
Australia | Reviewed on Jun 19, 2025

Coraima and Lea were great with communication. We enjoyed the unique accommodations and varied and interesting tours.

Local specialist: Coraima Yañez

Wow, what an amazing trip to Italy. Luca was...
Italy | May 20 - May 28, 2025

Dale
Dale S.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Jun 19, 2025
Wow, what an amazing trip to Italy. Luca was awesome with planning our stays in Venice, Bologna, Maranello, Cinque Terra and Rome. Everything worked like clockwork from arranging hotels, train rides, taxies, boat taxies and personal tour guides. While the trip was packed with destinations my two daughters and I never felt like we weren't taken care of. The tour guides were extremely knowledgeable and thoroughly answered every question we had. MANY THANKS to Luca and the kimkim team that we... Read more

Wow, what an amazing trip to Italy. Luca was awesome with planning our stays in Venice, Bologna, Maranello, Cinque Terra and Rome. Everything worked like clockwork from arranging hotels, train rides, taxies, boat taxies and personal tour guides. While the trip was packed with destinations my two daughters and I never felt like we weren't taken care of. The tour guides were extremely knowledgeable and thoroughly answered every question we had. MANY THANKS to Luca and the kimkim team that we worked with. Italy is an amazing country from the history to the beauty and of course the food! I would not hesitate to utilize Luca and the kimkim team in the future. Thank you for making a lifelong dream come true!

Activity Reviews
GUIDED VISIT TO DOGE'S PALACE AND SAINT MARK'S BASILICA
GUIDED VISIT TO DOGE'S PALACE AND SAINT MARK'S BASILICA
Venice
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Semi-Private Full Day Excursion To Discover Ferrari Museum In Maranello
Semi-Private Full Day Excursion To Discover Ferrari Museum In Maranello
Bologna
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Rome Walking tour: piazzas and fountains
Rome Walking tour: piazzas and fountains
Rome

The walking tours were incredible. We walked a ton but learned so much from the tour guides. Highly recommend!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Gondola Ride
Private Gondola Ride
Venice
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Colosseum, Roman Forums and Palatine Hill
Colosseum, Roman Forums and Palatine Hill
Rome
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Luca D'Arcangelo

Amazing Family Trip
Ireland | May 25 - Jun 3, 2025

Libby
Libby B.
La Vista, NE | Reviewed on Jun 19, 2025
My family had a wonderful 10 day trip to Ireland, thanks to kimkim and our travel specialist, Claire. We were a group of 7 adults. We told her our interests/what we would for sure like to see and do. Claire came up with a detailed itinerary for us that made perfect sense. She was extremely prompt in the planning process and met with us via video chat to discuss details of our trip. Our first stop was Galway. We landed in Dublin and took a bus to Galway upon arrival. We stayed at the... Read more

My family had a wonderful 10 day trip to Ireland, thanks to kimkim and our travel specialist, Claire. We were a group of 7 adults. We told her our interests/what we would for sure like to see and do. Claire came up with a detailed itinerary for us that made perfect sense. She was extremely prompt in the planning process and met with us via video chat to discuss details of our trip.

Our first stop was Galway. We landed in Dublin and took a bus to Galway upon arrival. We stayed at the Connacht Hotel. The hotel was very nice. The only thing was it was a little far from the city centre so we did end up paying for many ubers (about 15 euro each time) to get to the main area. Otherwise it was about a 30 minute walk. This wasn't ideal for our group but our accommodations at the hotel were very nice and we made it work. When we arrived in Galway we explored the city and went to dinner and pubs of course.

Our second day in Galway we had a private tour to Connemara. Our tour guide, Colleen was excellent. She picked us up first thing in the morning. We stopped in the city of Cong, where The Quiet Man was filmed. We then went to a sheep show in the beautiful mountains. We had so much fun at the Killary Sheep Farm! It was a trip favorite. We also toured a castle along with stopping at many other sites/landmarks. We loved Colleen as she told us interesting information throughout the day and was very knowledgable.

The next day we took a bus to board a ferry to travel to the island of Inishmore (Aran Island). Some of us got a little quesy on the ferry ride! It is about 45 minutes to the island. The island was absolutely beautiful! We opted out of renting bikes. However, if we were to do it again we would definitely rent the bikes. If you want to see the island, bikes are totally the way to go! We bought Aran Islands famous wool sweaters and had delicious fish & chips. We took a very long hike and were able to see beautiful views!

The next day we had a private driver transport us to Killarney and on the way we stopped at the Cliffs of Moher. We did the Cliffs of Moher cruise, which was so much fun! A couple of us were a little nervous for the cruise after the tumultuous ferry ride previously. However, the cruise was all open air which really helped. We had a blast! After the cruise, we walked around the Cliffs of Moher. We ate lunch in Doolin and went to a couple shops!

Next, we arrived in Killarney at the Scott's Hotel. We all loved the Scott's Hotel. The rooms were very spacious and the location was ideal. We were right in the middle of pubs and shops! The hotel had a fabulous pub in the lower level with live music every night. The next day was a free day in Killarney. We all sort of did our own thing- a couple of us went golfing and some went shopping. In the afternoon, we did an "Afternoon Tea" at a nearby hotel which really looked like a castle. We loved this. The food and drink was delicious. It was the perfect way to spend the afternoon. We had a delicious dinner at Hilliard's. We had made a reservation prior. Would highly recommend dining here.

The next day, we had a private guided tour of the Ring of Kerry. This was through The Killarney Touring Co. Our tour guide was Aodan Griffin. We could not recommend him more- he was amazing! This day was the group's favorite day of our entire trip. Aodan brought us to many stops along the Ring of Kerry including wonderful spots for Irish coffee, an old Irish village, a museum about Skellig Islands, and Skellig's Chocolate Factory. He brought us to Valentia island where he spent summers growing up and where his grandfather lived and worked as a principal of the school. We also stopped at a golf course with breathtaking views for lunch. We ended the tour at the Torc Waterfall (Killarney National Park). Aodan truly made this experience wonderful due to his vast knowledge of the Ring of Kerry and hospitality.

The next day we had a private driver transport us to Dublin. We stayed at the Ashling Hotel. The hotel was very nice however we may have liked to be a little closer to the city center. Claire arranged for us to get bus passes, which made is very easy to get around the city. We explored the city and that night we went to a Celtic dinner and show. We enjoyed seeing the Irish dancers and listening to the music.

The next day we did a private walking tour. We loved our tour guide, Pascuale. He provided us with information about the history of Dublin and also provided us with wonderful dining recommendations. We ate lunch at his favorite Italian restaurant, it was delicious. Later that day we did the Guinness Storehouse tour and the Jameson Distillery. The group really enjoyed both of these tours. Later that night we went to Temple Bar, Bambino Pizza, The Hairy Lemon, and many other pubs we found along the way!

Overall, we are very pleased with Kimkim and the structure of our trip. We had a wonderful time, and all plans went smoothly! Thank you for everything !!!

Local specialist: Claire Monfray

Why travelers love kimkim

Custom trips for independent travelers who are too busy to plan
Customize your trip with the help of a local travel specialist

Kimkim has handpicked the world’s top local travel specialists so you will have peace of mind and an unforgettable trip that meets your exact requirements.

Authentic travel experiences

Kimkim’s local specialists ensure that you will have the best experience based on up-to-date local insights. On top of that, the vast majority of your money will go straight to support and grow local economies.

Secure & easy booking

Once you are happy with the trip, you can easily book via kimkim’s secure payment platform.

Local support during your trip

You can always reach your local specialist with a quick message or call in case you hit a snag during your trip, or simply want some great local recommendations.