We just returned from our 13-day family adventure to Italy with six different stops and it was outstanding. Kimkim and Melanie in Italy are the best.
Italy
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Jun 17 - Jun 28, 2025
We just returned from our 13-day adventure to Italy that we coordinated via our local specialist Melanie. It was superb. This was our second kimkim trip (the first was to the Galapagos) and I can't imagine planning a trip any other way. It is such a treat to have someone knowledgeable and thoughtful like Melanie to talk through the itinerary, make adjustments, handle all the hotel reservations and transfers and activities and guides and then to be able to focus on enjoying each stop. And when small things occur, to have someone just a WhatsApp text away, who responds immediately with support and guidance. Giovanna's texts each evening with the next-day plans were terrific. So much more to say about their attention to detail, etc. But basically the headline is don't hesitate to book an Italy trip through kimkim and Melanie.
Hotel Reviews
Lobby is a bit underwhelming with torn couch upon entry and ugly old furniture to the side. But rooms are clean and comfortable and the courtyard for breakfast is lovely.
Adequate hotel.
Two-room family room was new and fresh and great. Pool was nice. A bit of noisy tree-cutting or something adjacent during our stay but probably not a long-term issue. Would recommend.
This hotel was wonderful except for one person at checkin. GREAT location. Love Trastevere. Loved the courtyard. The rooms had enormous charm. Having to use phones to get in rooms was not awesome.
Activity Reviews
Our guide here was very friendly. We loved seeing the David and some of the other art. But again, as was typical for some of the guides, it was like she was reciting a memorized script and could not adapt to younger kids or husband who was just not that interested in all the detail.
Our guide arrived harried. She had just completed another tour. This was somewhat typical for some of the guides. Too overworked in the summer. Still, we learned a lot.
We liked Giovanni a lot. We did not go into St. Marks because of long line and heat. But enjoyed the explanation of the square, etc.
Outstanding. Friendliest boat crew. A great day but be prepared for crowds in Positano and Amalfi. Loved swimming off the boat.
Pompeii is amazing. But our tour guide Daniel was extremely gruff. Too overworked like some of the others. He did not like to be interrupted with questions. Nevertheless, enjoyed.
Both great. Our favorite guide of the tour was Santos for our golf cart tour. Didn't see much of the Jewish Quarter but got a feel for Trastevere and Rome in general. Colosseum was a delight to see. And we asked the guide to take us to the Arch of Titus as well, which I had wanted to see.
thank you so much for leaving your review! Of course thanks to whatsapp we were in touch daily. I'm sorry about the guides and if they seemed overworked, as you can imagine the summer, the heat, the crowds (especially this year with the Jubilee) is really taking a toll on them, but in no way is this an excuse, so thank you for acknowledging that and understanding. I'm pleased you enjoyed the Hotels, Le Clarisse is definitely a favourite of ours too, being in such a large busy... Read more