This trip epitomizes why we use KimKim. Fir...
Italy | Jun 23 - Jul 10, 2026

T
Tom D.
Boston, MA, USA | Reviewed on Jul 20, 2026

This trip epitomizes why we use KimKim.
First idea, go to Barcelona to see some of the 2026 Tour de France and continue on. Second idea go early and end the trip in Barcelona, start somewhere else. Hmmm Verona looks interesting.
Contact KimKim and outline a driving trip from Verona to Barcelona over 18 days.
In comes Leslie, a KimKIm Italy travel expert based in Bologna who puts together an amazing itinerary. Stops, tours, things to see, with a few tweaks (for us no wine tours) and then we get to hotel selection. This is where Leslie and team excelled, we stayed at some wonderful places that we would never have found on our own no matter how long we scraped the internet.
Select the hotels, confirm the flights, add one more stop to break up a long driving day and we are good to go.
It all worked. The hotels were amazing, the tours and tour guides (Julien in Avignon was a stand out) were excellent. Working with Annalisa, our daily What’sApp contact, each afternoon we confirmed all the next days activity. We made a last minute change to a pickup point in Barcelona that was handled perfectly.
Memorable stops, Isola Bella ( just go), Avignon, Aigues-Mortes, Girona, cycling heaven. The history is amazing.
This was our 5th KimKim trip and was probably the best and definitely will not be the last.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Accademia
Verona
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
La Maison Molière
Arles
Grand Hotel Des Iles Borromees
Stresa
Royal Hotel Sanremo
Sanremo
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
La Chapelle sur la Sorgue
L'Isle sur la sorgue
Authenticity & Character
Location
Perfect
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hôtel La Casa Pairal
Collioure
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Clean comfortable, but strange layout
Hotel Regina
Barcelona
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Palau Fugit
Girona

FAntastic, cannot recommend enough

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Private Walking Tour of Verona
Private Walking Tour of Verona
Italy
Private Gothic Quarter Walk
Private Gothic Quarter Walk
Barcelona
Half Day Tour: Isola Bella and Fishermen's Island
Half Day Tour: Isola Bella and Fishermen's Island
Italy

Our favorite tour of the trip Who knew?

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
History, Legends & Monuments Walk
History, Legends & Monuments Walk
Girona
Avignon Private Guided Walking Tour with a Licensed Guide
Avignon Private Guided Walking Tour with a Licensed Guide
Italy

Julien was our favorite tour guide of the trip

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Leslie Tranchina
Leslie
Leslie Tranchina
Local specialist in Bologna | Replied on Jul 24, 2026
Hi Tom, Wow... thank you so much for such an incredible review! Reading your words truly made our day. It was an absolute pleasure designing this journey with you, especially watching it evolve from a simple idea around the Tour de France into such a memorable road trip. I'm so happy that the hotels, the route, the guides, and all the little details came together so well. Finding those special places to stay is one of my favorite parts of planning a trip, so it means a lot to hear how much... Read more

Hi Tom,

Wow... thank you so much for such an incredible review!

Reading your words truly made our day. It was an absolute pleasure designing this journey with you, especially watching it evolve from a simple idea around the Tour de France into such a memorable road trip.

I'm so happy that the hotels, the route, the guides, and all the little details came together so well. Finding those special places to stay is one of my favorite parts of planning a trip, so it means a lot to hear how much you enjoyed them.

Thank you as well for mentioning Annalisa, she will be delighted to know they helped make your experience even more special.

Most of all, thank you for trusting me and Storywalking with your fifth KimKim journey. Knowing that you consider it your best one yet is an incredible compliment.

I hope our paths cross again for KimKim trip number six. Until then, I wish you many wonderful memories from this adventure!

Warm regards,

Leslie