Melanie at KimKim was amazing!
Italy | Apr 20 - Apr 29, 2026

A
Anand R.
Dallas, TX | Reviewed on Jun 28, 2026

Working with Melanie was fantastic and everything I wanted and more! She worked with me months in advance to plan the ideal surprise anniversary trip for my wife in Italy. She communicated immediately and thoughtfully, did her research to find options and made great suggestions. I especially appreciated her guidance is not overscheduling! The free days were some of the best days of the trip!

We loved learning about historical places, buildings, art, etc. Florence cathedral, Uffizzi and walking the district across the bridge were fantastic. Our days in Sorrento and Amalfi coast were heavenly and loved the day trips to Path of God's and the coastal towns. Ravello was a neat gem. I wish we had more free time there to explore the towns and places like Ravello. Pompeii was the real highlight for us and wish we had dedicated a while half day there instead of 2 hour tour. We ended in Rome only 1.5 days so of course would love to go back and spend more days in Rome and Florence. The walking tour the last night in Travestere was absolute highlight! Will plan to do that in every city next time.

The hotels were fantastic, arranged transportation from hotel were great, and bullet trains a nice splurge.

The only less than ideal experiences were the Murano tour - it was short and a sales pitch to buy instead of showing us the area.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Kraft
Florence
Authenticity & Character
Location
It was 20 minutes walk from center so nice and quiet for us and gave us some more walking. A little closer would have been nice.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Central Wellness Hotel Sorrento
Sorrento

Pleasant hotel.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
No nonsense but not overly service oriented. One front desk person did not help too much with suggestions.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Barocco
Rome

Amazing ambiance! Breakfast was out of this world!!!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Ruzzini Palace
Venice

Beautiful romantic room, breakfast was like in a high end palace room, amazing! Staff were excellent.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Vatican & Sistine Chapel Tour + Basilica
Vatican & Sistine Chapel Tour + Basilica
Rome

The Vatican and Basilica are world wonders. Our personal tour was 3 hours but still rushing literally. Our guide was nice buy talked too fast and felt like he needed to rush. It was nice to get past long lines but I think I would have preferred going myself and using audio guide but then would need whole day there.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
He talked too fast and felt rushed us.
Transport
Ravello, Amalfi & Positano
Ravello, Amalfi & Positano
Sorrento

Absolutely amazing. Coast drive and visiting towns were great but wish we could had a few more hours to really explore each town, get lunch, etc. Path of God's hike tour was amazing.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Panoramic trail nicknamed The Path of the Gods + Transfer from Sorrento
Panoramic trail nicknamed The Path of the Gods + Transfer from Sorrento
Italy

Amazing! Loved the guide and the lunch on mountain side! Wish we had thought of breaking off at end to walk to Positano.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Trip to Murano and glass making workshop
Trip to Murano and glass making workshop
Italy

We thought we would get a tour and learn about glass making. Instead they did 10 minute demonstration of glass blowing and then spent rest of time showing us their store. The pieces were amazing but we had wanted to really learn and see glass blowing and what is done on the island. I dont k ow if they didn't have people to take us around that day or this is the tour. We were disappointed with this.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Rome Food Tour
Rome Food Tour
Rome

This is 10 stars!!! Wow a magical evening! The guide Toni was spectacular! About 10 in our group, great food and wine, great explanations. We went to 3 restaurants then Gelato. Too much food in the end! I wish we had planned this in every city!!!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Venice Gondola Ride at sunset
Venice Gondola Ride at sunset
Venice

Its Venice and a gondola, so amazing. But not too exciting in our opinion. The guide didn't do much and Venice is sort of dirty. The sunset part was nice.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Melanie Rapuano
Melanie
Melanie Rapuano
Local specialist in Italy | Replied on Jun 28, 2026
Hi Anand,
thank you so much for your lovely review. I'm so please we were able to plan the perfect surprise trip and it all worked perfectly!
As I mentioned in my email, I do apologise that the Murano experience was not what you expected, we have already emailed the supplier to check why it was more about selling and less about the actual glass making.
I agree, the gondola is one of those must do's but it's also just that. We extended the time as a little Easter egg surprise for you, it's... Read more

Hi Anand,
thank you so much for your lovely review. I'm so please we were able to plan the perfect surprise trip and it all worked perfectly!
As I mentioned in my email, I do apologise that the Murano experience was not what you expected, we have already emailed the supplier to check why it was more about selling and less about the actual glass making.

I agree, the gondola is one of those must do's but it's also just that. We extended the time as a little Easter egg surprise for you, it's usually 30 minutes so maybe an hour was just too much.

Sometimes when you head back home and wish you had longer in that place, it means you have to return, this is to say, Ravello is waiting for you :)

Thank you for also pointing out about the hotels and guides, we will of course check everything to make sure everything runs smoothly.

Thanks again for trusting me with your special surprise, and I look forward to the next adventure!

Ciao :)