Brynn’s Italy - Cinque Terre, Amalfi, Florence & Rome
Italy | May 25 - Jun 7, 2025

M
Marnie G.
Atlanta, GA | Reviewed on Jun 09, 2025

Melanie from Kimkim made planning our niece’s 16th birthday trip a breeze. From start to finish Melanie was quick to respond and flexible with our many change requests. Once on the ground in Italy, Giovanna kept in touch daily to make sure we knew the plan for transfers and excursions. When we ran into a surprise, which only happened once or twice, Giovanna and the team resolved the issue quickly. We had great private guides (Stefano in Cinque Terre, Rafaela in Pompeii, and Paolo at the Colosseum in Rome were stand outs). The group tours were a bit of a let down after the private guide experience. Our transfer drivers were all early and efficient. Overall our KimKim experience was as fabulous and we will use them again!

Hotel Reviews
Relais Le Clarisse Rome
Rome

Great location, comfortable rooms, and very friendly staff. The breakfast was hearty and a great way to start our busy days.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Great restaurants and sights nearby.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Nazionale
Levanto

Easy walk from the train station and near the beach. The restaurant across the street was one of the best we tried in Italy. Loved that the hotel offered free beach towels and bike usage.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Alfieri9 Boutique Hotel
Florence

A little out of the way but walkable to all the sights. Hotel check in is across the street at another property which was a little confusing but we figured it out.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Montestella
Salerno

Location is good for exploring Salerno but the property is aging. Our room had water damage on the walls and a shower that leaked. Breakfast was good. Lots of street noise at times from our room. Staff was efficient but aloof compared to staff at other properties.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Pesto making class
Pesto making class
Cinque Terre

This experience was a little weak. We enjoyed that it was a private experience but it was quick. We were just told the ingredients, instructed how to make it and then ate it. Enjoyed the local wine.

Quality of Experience
Food
Average pesto in a paper bowl.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Loved Stefano
Colosseo and Roman forums adventure
Colosseo and Roman forums adventure
Rome

Incredible sights made all the more spectacular by our wonderful private guide Paolo. He made the place come to life and delivered his tour with passion and care. Wonderful experience!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Vatican & Sistine Chapel Tour
Vatican & Sistine Chapel Tour
Rome

The group tour of the Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel was very impersonal. The guide did not connect and the entire experience seemed rote and without feeling. The guide company was not real clear about what we were doing and were slow to get things started. Overall this was a painful experience.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Private driver was great. Group guide was subpar
Transport
The Accademia Gallery tour - skip the line
The Accademia Gallery tour - skip the line
Florence

Loved the private guide who got us in quickly. He was a little had to understand but it was helpful to have his insights

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Lemon tour and cooking class
Lemon tour and cooking class
Italy

This was one of our favorite experiences in Italy. Incredible staff, amazing views, delicious food. This was amazing.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
On time and personable.
Explore Pompeii Walking Tour
Explore Pompeii Walking Tour
Italy

Rafaela was incredibly knowledgeable and fun to be with. Pompeii is incredible and she made it even better. There was a mixup on the times of our tour so she was rushed and we didn’t get a full 2 hours but we made the most of it.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Melanie Rapuano
Melanie
Melanie Rapuano
Local specialist in Italy | Replied on Jun 15, 2025
Hi Marnie,
thank you so much for your review and for letting us know how your trip went. Sounds like you all had a lovely holiday and Brynn had a lovely birthday trip to remember.
Although I was in the backgroud the convierge always kept me up to date with your trip and I'm pleased Giovanna helped resolve a couple of issues you had during your stay.
Due to the holiday here in Italy we had to change the lemon tour and cooking class venue and it definitely sounds like we picked the perfect... Read more

Hi Marnie,
thank you so much for your review and for letting us know how your trip went. Sounds like you all had a lovely holiday and Brynn had a lovely birthday trip to remember.
Although I was in the backgroud the convierge always kept me up to date with your trip and I'm pleased Giovanna helped resolve a couple of issues you had during your stay.

Due to the holiday here in Italy we had to change the lemon tour and cooking class venue and it definitely sounds like we picked the perfect place for the perfect experience! So pleased you enjoyed it!

Sorry to hear about the hotel in Salerno, we will look into this, had we known at the time we would have done our best to change rooms for you.

I'm also sorry you didn't enjoy the Vatican tour, as you can imagine the Vatican has been taken over even more since the Pope's passing and with it being the Jubilee year too, not an excuse for the guide of course but I'm guessing it was also very busy; we will take this up with our supplier to make sure we do not use him again. Thank you.

I look forward to helping you plan your next trip to Italy and thanks again for trusting me and the team with your holiday.

Alla prossima!
Melanie