Thank you!

Italy | Mar 10 - Mar 20, 2025

Hi Jessica, 4.29.2025

I’ve wanted to send you a note to say what an amazing experience we had in using Kim-Kim for our recent trip to Italy. What we were most impressed with was how easy it was to work with Kim-Kim and you especially. From day one we knew you were only an email away to any questions or changes we wanted to make to our trip to Italy.
Our amazing trip started when we landed in Rome around 10am and our driver was already there to greet us and retrieve our bags. Tired from our long flight the private driver greeted us with chilled bottles of water and some sweet treats, a very nice touch to begin our adventure. After a 40-minute drive from the airport we arrived at the Monti Palace Hotel in Rome. After checking in we were led to our room and saw that it was smaller than expected but very clean and the hotel was beyond our expectations. The bathroom was extremely large with an oversized shower and plenty of space to lay out our travel gear. We were so excited after arriving, we dropped our bags and headed out to explore Rome, we wandered the streets and didn’t return till 8pm. The next morning, we had our first breakfast at the roof top café. The Cafe included everything one could want and more, the view of Rome from the terrace dining room was breathtaking. Day two was our first tour that you had suggested of the trip, the Colosseum and Roman Forum. We met our tour guide easily at a nearby park and waited for the others to arrive. All the guides from the entire trip were professional, friendly and spoke English well. Later that evening we had our walking food tour guided by Enzo who was born and raised in Campo and took us to many places that highlighted the food in Rome. Enzo was also an archologist, so he was able to give us a tremendous amount of background to the areas we were visiting throughout the tour. Day three was Highlights of the Vatican and Sistine Chapel we met our tour guide outside who gives tours the Vatican and Chapel daily, he was just as excited as we were to show us everything just as if it was his first tour ever given. His passion for history and arts really showed during the whole tour. Day three was one of the highlights from the trip, we made our short train ride to the Contadina Breakfast Farm Tour. I did not know what to expect to see on this tour but the views on the train ride were well worth the venture outside the city of Rome to Frascati. We were greeted by our host Oreste who was gracious and much of a Renaissance man, A baker, wine maker, guitar player and best of all an amazing storyteller. From the moment we entered his home we became part of his family, on the table they had an amazing breakfast of homemade cakes, cheeses, meats, wine and pastries. Oreste began to tell us about his family’s vineyard and his love of his country. He was soft-spoken and lived a simple life on his own terms. He told stories of harvesting grapes with his children during the day and sitting by the fire at night playing guitar and singing with family. After breakfast we hopped in his car and took a short drive to a nearby winery to tour the underground wine caves and take in the views from the hills overlooking the city of Rome, just an amazing experience for our last day in Rome! Now off to Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast….
The next morning, we met our private driver who took us to the train station and again he arrived prompt, friendly and English speaking. We boarded our train, and we were off to Sorrento. We arrived at the Hotel Florida around 2 in the afternoon and had a free afternoon to explore. We asked the hotel front desk for some of the local’s favorite spots to eat nearby. We found ourselves at a small family run pizza shop and had a beautiful margarita pizza and soaked in the culture. Downtown Sorrento was close by, so we walked and explored the shops, ate gelato and walked the waterfront, the views were breathtaking and lots of pictures were taken. Waking up the next day we had our Capri boat ride and Blue Grotto tour. Our Captain greeted us, and we were off to Capri. It was breezy but the sun warmed us while we sailed across the water. We were dropped off and had the mid-morning to venture through the winding narrow streets of Capri. It was like stepping back in time and living in a different world. We headed back and boarded our boat for our trip around the island of Capri. Our captain had packed mozzarella and tomato sandwiches for lunch and refreshments to enjoy. Unfortunately, because of the high winds and rough water we could not enter the Blue Gratto, but we were able to look inside. We headed back and disembarked with another great day of memories.
The next day was a huge highlight of our trip when we met Enzo who would give us a private tour of the “Path of Lemons” in Ravello. We met Enzo at the top of the Ravello mountain and he would lead us 5000 steps down through the town to the ocean. Along the way he told stories of his childhood and gave us the history of living in the hills. He also pointed out plants and vegetables growing along the way. When we arrived at the small town below, we enjoyed Italian pastries and sipped expresso looking up at the mountain top where the day had started just a short time ago.
Mount Vesuvius and Pompeii were on day 8, we were joined by a group of 25-30 people then boarded a bus to head to Mount Vesuvius. We took in the view from the top of the mountain and looked down at the volcano from above. Lunch was at a nearby restaurant we were served a great lunch of pizza and then it was off to Pompeii.
Day 9 was a private tour with Ciro La Motta @taximistercabdriver, we explained that we had toured much of the area already and asked if we could stop at some other areas, which he thought would be interesting and beautiful. Ciro stopped at many churches, cliffs, waterways and beaches along the way that we had not seen before. But the highlight of the trip was when we were asked what kind of music we liked, I mentioned the Bee Gees and just like that Ciro cued up the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack, he would have made all the Bee Gees happy with his cover. Ciro finished our tour with his rendition of Elvis’s Suspicious Minds. Another amazing Day!!!
The next morning, we headed back to Rome for our last night before heading back to the States. Jessica, I would just like to thank you and your whole team for everything you did. The hotels, transfers, tours and amazing people were all perfect, this is a trip that we will never forget. Please express to everyone how thrilled we were with their hospitality, kindness and the love they showed us.
We will be using Kim-Kim in the future for sure!!!!!
Thank You,
Carolle and Rich
Arrivederci!!!!