This was one our best trips!
Greece | Aug 4 - Aug 12, 2025

J
jo d.
Lexington, MA | Reviewed on Aug 21, 2025

This was one our best trips and the third we’ve booked with KimKim. We started after a one week cruise around the Greek islands, and continued on with 10 days in Greece. This trip was well planned, with a variety of places, activities, and methods of arrival (planes, ferries, car services). Gustavo is based in KimKim HQ and I was worried about local Greek knowledge and access to him. No problem! He was highly responsive, walked through the trip plan via a video (his idea), and when we had immediate issues to be solved, someone from KimKim jumped into the What’s App chat. Problems solved.

In Santorini we did the Fira Food and Views Walking Tour, the Jeep 4x4 off-road experience, and the Sunset Caldera Catamaran trip. All were small groups and personal, where we got new views of the island and Greece overall. Very high quality vendors were chosen.

In Paros, our snorkeling adventure was cancelled due to high winds, so we just rented a car and drove around. Pretty easy. There are less “experience” options on Paros (vs Santorini or Crete, for example), and we were ok with the vacation being more low key.

Hotel Reviews
Kasimatis by La Perla
Santorini

Location is in Imerovigli which is a good alternative to Oia. You can cab or bus to Oia for one day, but here you can walk to 2 villages. The front desk was always available and helpful. We had the Cave Suite with hot tub, used the tub once. This room doesn’t overlook the caldera, so upgrade if you want that. The room is clean, there’s a good size refrigerator and hot water kettle.. The bed was comfortable, A/C strong, shower good, robes and slippers provided - which is nice. There is no separate hair conditioner, so bring your own if you use it. They only provide 2 water bottles when you check in, and it would be great if they provided 2 per-day. The pool is decent size and right next to the bar. Breakfast was terrific, and we had dinner in the hotel restaurant which was quite good with fabulous sunset views.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Easy to get to - as long as someone else takes your luggage up and down the stairs!
Staff
Front desk (manager and her team) were very helpful. Housekeeping was really sweet and efficient.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Cove Paros
Paros

This is such a pretty property! It’s a big place with lots of variety, but still personal in its service. Shout out to the front desk team including Kristina who welcomed and oriented us to Paros. The room was looking out at the pool, clean, on the small side, but with good amenities including a fabulous heavy duty clothing steamer which we loved for our linen! We used the pool and the beach, both with comfortable lounge chairs that are light enough to move around. The sea is warm this time of year) so swimming was nice, and there was beverage/food service at both. Yamis and his team at both restaurants made us feel at home, starting with our welcome drink. Breakfast was absolutely amazing - you order small plates off a huge menu, and get as many items as you want. Terrific coffee. Dinner at their restaurant called Rada exceeded our expectations. Our two servers, both named Katarina, took great care of us. The food was outstanding.

Authenticity & Character
Comfy and elegant.
Location
Has its own private beach.
Staff
Yamas, Kristine, Catarina x2.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Nespresso coffee machines, nice hair products. Great clothes steamer!
Sofitel Athens Airport
Athens

Good airport hotel.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Snorkeling Adventure
Snorkeling Adventure
Paros

This was cancelled due to high winds. But they called the day before to let us know, which we appreciated.

Self-Guided Day Trip to Wineries & Brewery
Self-Guided Day Trip to Wineries & Brewery
Paros

We had some guidance from KimKim, but the hotel took care of the car rental, gave us a map, and walked us though the options.

Quality of Experience
Self-Guided Parikia & Naousa Markets Visit
Self-Guided Parikia & Naousa Markets Visit
Paros

We didn’t do this.

Fira Food & Views Walking Tour
Fira Food & Views Walking Tour
Santorini

This was one of the best food tours we’ve ever been on! Lena was fabulous, we went to 7 places, we ate and drank for 4 hours. The food choices and venues were so good! It as my birthday, so Lena surprised me with candles in the Loukoumades (fried dough balls with honey syrup, served with ice cream!). Highly recommend this.

Quality of Experience
The number of food choices was great as was the food itself.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Lena was wonderful.
Self-Guided Exploration of Santorini's Towns & Villages
Self-Guided Exploration of Santorini's Towns & Villages
Santorini

We just used this time to walk to the next town and relax. The self guided instructions weren’t especially helpful.

Quality of Experience
Jeep 4*4 Offroad Experience
Jeep 4*4 Offroad Experience
Santorini

Alex picked up us and since we were the only people on the “caravan” tour that day, we went all over Santorini with Alex in his jeep. We covered a lot of the island, had a nice beach break, a very light dinner at an authentic restaurant but one that had absolutely no ambience, and a beautiful sunset view before we went back to town.

Quality of Experience
We learned a lot and covered a lot of ground.
Food
A different restaurant for dinner.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Alex was excellent.
Transport
It’s a old-ish jeep, very bumpy!
Sunset Caldera Catamaran Cruise
Sunset Caldera Catamaran Cruise
Santorini

This was terrific. We made 3 snorkel stops. There were only 24 of us on the catamaran, plenty of space to find a spot you like. The beverages were limited to wine, beer, soda. The food was terrific and plentiful. The captain and the crew were attentive, professional, and fun.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Self-Guided Island Highlights
Self-Guided Island Highlights
Paros

We had ideas from KimKim but did our own thing based on the hotel recommendations. We only were out for 4 hours.

Quality of Experience
Self-Guided Beach Time
Self-Guided Beach Time
Paros

We hung out at the beach hotel. Didn’t do this, didn’t have the time.

Local specialist: Gustavo Camperos