Kimkim Trip Reviews

As a first-time visitor to South Korea, I arrived with excitement, curiosity, and a carefully planned itinerary. Like many travelers, I wanted to see the highlights, try the food, learn about the culture, and make the most of every day.

What I did not expect was how deeply this country would affect me.

South Korea surprised me.

Not only through its history, landscapes, and traditions, but through the kindness of its people, the pride they take in their culture, and the way they welcomed visitors with warmth and sincerity.

As someone accustomed to a fast-paced lifestyle, I often find myself moving from one destination to the next without fully appreciating where I am. This journey challenged that habit. It encouraged me to slow down, observe, ask questions, and become fully present.

Looking back, that may be the greatest gift this trip gave me.

First and foremost, I would like to thank Ms. Christine. Throughout the planning process and during my travels, she remained attentive, responsive, and genuinely invested in ensuring I had a wonderful experience. International travel can sometimes feel overwhelming, but Ms. Christine’s guidance, patience, and professionalism helped create a sense of confidence and reassurance throughout my journey.

I would also like to recognize the exceptional transportation specialists who played an important role in making this experience seamless.

Mr. Kim in Seoul and Mr. Oh in Jeju consistently demonstrated professionalism, punctuality, and genuine care throughout my travels. Arriving in a new country can be intimidating, especially when navigating airports, accommodations, and unfamiliar surroundings. Both gentlemen ensured every transfer was smooth, comfortable, and stress-free. Their kindness and attention to detail allowed me to focus on enjoying the experience rather than worrying about logistics.

I would also like to extend my gratitude to the accommodations that welcomed me throughout my journey.

ENA Suite Hotel in Seoul provided a wonderful introduction to South Korea. The property was comfortable, conveniently located, and served as an excellent home base while exploring the city. After full days of sightseeing and cultural experiences, returning to a welcoming and well-maintained hotel added greatly to the overall enjoyment of my stay.

I would also like to thank Shilla Stay Plus Jeju for an exceptional hospitality experience. The accommodations, atmosphere, and attentiveness of the staff contributed significantly to my time on the island. Their professionalism and care created a relaxing environment that allowed me to fully appreciate the beauty of Jeju. Every interaction reflected the warmth and hospitality that I encountered throughout South Korea.

One of the greatest strengths of this journey was the quality of the guides who helped bring South Korea to life.

Ms. Sophia provided an exceptional introduction to Korean culture and city life. She was knowledgeable, engaging, and welcoming, helping transform Seoul from a destination I had only read about into a city I could truly appreciate and understand. Her enthusiasm for Korean culture was contagious, and her guidance created a wonderful foundation for the rest of my journey.

My experience with Mr. Simon was equally memorable. His professionalism, organization, and historical expertise elevated every location we visited. Mr. Simon has a remarkable ability to communicate information in a way that is both educational and enjoyable. His passion for history and culture allowed visitors to gain a deeper understanding of the places we explored while still having a wonderful time.

Jeju Island ultimately became the highlight of my South Korea journey, and much of that was due to the incredible guides who introduced me to different sides of the island.

Mr. Zin guided my East Coast Jeju tour and provided an outstanding experience. His energy, attentiveness, and passion for Jeju were evident from the very beginning. Whether helping guests capture beautiful photographs, explaining local history, or ensuring everyone felt included, he consistently went above and beyond. Through his guidance, I experienced locations such as Hamdeok Beach, Seongeup Folk Village, Seongsan Ilchulbong, and Manjanggul Cave in ways that made them both memorable and meaningful.

My South West Jeju experience with Mr. Jay left an especially lasting impression.

While every guide throughout my journey was exceptional, Mr. Jay had a unique ability to transform sightseeing into understanding. His explanations of Jeju’s geology, traditions, culture, language, and natural wonders allowed me to experience the island through an entirely different lens.

From Hallasan’s 1100 Altitude Wetland and Jusangjeolli Cliff to Songaksan Mountain and Bomunsa Temple, every stop felt connected to a larger story about Jeju itself. One of the most fascinating lessons involved Jeju’s oreum, often referred to as parasitic or satellite volcanic cones. What initially appeared to be beautiful scenery became a deeper lesson about the island’s remarkable geological history.

Small details became meaningful discoveries. Learning why Jeju’s hydrangeas bloom in different colors depending on soil conditions and learning the Korean word for hydrangea, 수국 (Suguk), transformed simple observations into cultural experiences.

Perhaps the greatest gift Mr. Jay gave our group was the opportunity to slow down. In a world that constantly encourages us to move faster, see more, and rush from one attraction to another, he encouraged curiosity, observation, and presence. Before this trip, Jeju was simply a destination on my itinerary. Afterward, it became a place I hope to return to.

One of the unexpected highlights of this journey was discovering how differently each region of South Korea made me feel.

Seoul energized me.

Its pace, innovation, and vibrancy demonstrated how a nation can honor its traditions while embracing the future.

The historical sites humbled me.

Learning about Korea’s resilience, sacrifices, and preservation of its cultural identity gave me a deeper appreciation for the country and its people.

Jeju changed me.

As someone accustomed to a busy lifestyle, I often find myself moving quickly from one destination to the next, focused on seeing as much as possible. Jeju invited me to do the opposite.

It encouraged me to slow down.

To observe.

To ask questions.

To appreciate the details.

To simply be present.

Whether I was admiring hydrangeas blooming along the roadside, learning about volcanic oreum, enjoying a local meal, walking along a coastal trail, or listening to stories shared by local guides, I found myself experiencing travel differently than I had before.

I visited Jeju during hydrangea season and witnessed the island dressed in remarkable shades of blue, lavender, pink, and violet. The scenery was breathtaking, but what remained with me most was not a photograph or a landmark.

It was a feeling.

A feeling of connection—to nature, to culture, and to the present moment.

Jeju is an alluring and majestic wonder, captivating visitors not through spectacle alone, but through its rare ability to inspire awe, curiosity, reflection, and peace.

Some destinations impress you for a moment.

Jeju stays with you long after you leave.

Before this trip, Jeju was simply a destination on my itinerary.

After this trip, it became a place I hope to return to.

One of the lessons I took away from this journey is that travel is about far more than transportation, accommodations, and itineraries.

Beautiful destinations can be researched.

Flights can be booked.

Hotels can be reserved.

What cannot be replicated so easily are the people who transform a destination into a meaningful experience.

Throughout my journey, I benefited from the knowledge, passion, local insight, hospitality, and genuine human connection provided by the individuals who helped bring South Korea to life.

That, to me, is the true value of travel.

The destinations were beautiful.

The experiences were memorable.

But it was the people who transformed this journey into something unforgettable.

To Ms. Christine, Mr. Kim, Mr. Oh, Ms. Sophia, Mr. Simon, Mr. Zin, and Mr. Jay—thank you.

You did not simply help me travel through South Korea.

You helped me experience it.

A piece of my heart will forever remain in South Korea, and especially on Jeju Island.

We were a group of three who had little time to plan our trip to France to meet a group of friends to attend a wedding in Arles. We started in Paris and ended in Marseille by way of Arles and Avignon.

Emilie was our planner and she was very patient and. made great suggestions to include things we’d not considered. We went through several iterations of the plan and she was amazingly gracious and kind when we waffled, changed our minds or weren’t sure. Many thanks to Emilie!

There were many things we LOVED about the trip. The hotel in Paris (Bastille Speria) was well appointed with all of things that , are pet peeves when I travel (if unavailable) - enough hangers, hooks in the bath, ample products, tasteful decor, wonderful lighting
And a delicious breakfast. And the coffee machine…tres bien! The tips on the bus and metro were helpful and having the vouchers and the itinerary in the app made things easy. Emergency numbers also came in handy a couple of times - no scrambling! The Hotel Medeval in Avignon was notable for a great location and VERY friendly and fun staff that made us feel right at home. The rooms were lovely and the rest of the hotel is in the middle of and update and it is a place to put on your list for a next trip. In the basement, there is a passageway that leads to the Palace of the Popes and this will become a subterranean bar in the next year of so. We went on 7 tours during the two weeks and had some great guides. We had Remy for three tours and he was very knowledgeable and had a great personality; Sonja was so fun and full of historic details in Monmart and Valerie was wonderful in Marseilles on a gourmet food tour. Konstantine, our driver for the last two days, was SO thoughtful, funny and all around nice. He got us settled and bagage checked at the airport. He went above and beyond expectations. Thank you Emile for curating a wonderful trip!

Hotel Reviews

Hôtel LIFE Marseille Vieux-Port

Marseille

Once in the reception area, this hotel is OK. BUT, there are 39 steps to get to reception. There is an elevator once you arrive in reception. Staff did help with luggage; but I wouldn’t stay here again just because of the steps.

Authenticity & Character

The hotel is not well marked and easy to miss at night.

Location

It’s right on the harbor. Lots to see and is near restaurants and the train that will take you around the city

Staff

Staff were kind and helpful but not as personable as at some of the other hotels we stayed in.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Common areas and the rooms were clean and comfortable.

Hotel le Medieval

Avignon

Rooms were nicely appointed and clean. The hotel is under the process of renovation and will be closed around Christmas to complete stairwell, lobby and breakfast area. Currently it could benefit from more decor in some areas; but this is coming. It is family owned and lacks that corporate cookie cutter feel.

Authenticity & Character

As noted above the place is being renovated in the common areas. The rooms have been renovated and the rest is somewhat plain; but there is a lovely plan for the renovation.

Location

Right around the corner from the Palace of the Popes, market, restaurants, etc.

Staff

Incredibly friendly - reception and breakfast staff knew our names and greeted us every day. We had lots o laughs and they were helpful in directing us to things we needed in town.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Bedrooms were very clean and comfy.

Hôtel Bastille Spéria

Paris

Great location, nice decor, well appointed rooms, lovely breakfast and convenient to Metro, bus and anything you need. The neighborhood felt like the residential part of the French Quarter in New Orleans. My favorite hotel of the trip.

Authenticity & Character

Nice decor and attention to detail

Location

Close to transit and part of a real neighborhood rather than commercial, touristy area.

Staff

Friendly and helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

Everything

Activity Reviews

Afternoon Saint-Rémy, Les Baux & Pont du Gard Experience

Avignon

Remy was our wonderful guide and we learned so much!

Quality of Experience

Wish we had more time.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

We loved Remy, our guide.

Transport

Van was comfortable.

Private Montmartre Tour | From Le Moulin Rouge to Sacré-Cœur

Paris

Sonja was a wonderful guide and we enjoyed her so much!

Quality of Experience

Entrance Tickets: Sainte-Chapelle & Conciergerie

Paris

We were blown away by St Chappelle. Loved it.

Quality of Experience

Welcome to Paris

Paris

It rained cats and dogs the afternoon we were there. We were late to the tour, but notified the tour guide and they came back to find us and give us our tickets.

Quality of Experience

We got drenched and it was cold.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The guides went the extra mile to find us even though we were late. Very nice!

I would like to thank KIMKIM, my travel specialist Habiba and all the guides on my trip. This trip was amazing. We had 2 days in Cairo, 3 night cruise, 2 night in Hurgada and back to Cairo. This was all setup by my travel specialist . Habiba was excellent. She put together my itinerary and made everything work. She was easy to work with and I felt strong personal service. I give her five stars. Also KIMKIM is an excellent company. When I had a small issue they resolved my concerns and even got me upgraded. This was all done on a holiday. They called right back and issue was solved. I really liked all my guides. Mohammed was my cruise guide and was knowledgeable and easy to work with. He had to manage 6 peoples needs and he never made it feel like work. Imam in Cairo was fun and excellent as well. The service with travel between destinations as well as to see the sites was excellent. They worked with Sun tours and they were always there on time and with a smile.
The accommodations were 5 stars as well. Beautiful resorts and excellent cruise. This was a trip of a lifetime and only happened with the help of the whole team. Thank you, Thank you. I will use KIMKIM anytime I want to set up a big trip in the future.

Hotel Reviews

Iberotel Casa Del Mar Resort

Beautiful resort. The buffet food could be a little better. I was very happy here though and would recommend it.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Ibrotel crown Emperor Nile cruise

cairo

Great boat and service. Lots of fun. Staff was fun and made you feel good.

Authenticity & Character

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Pyramids Resort by Jaz

Cairo

Beautiful hotel and close to the pyramids. Good food.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Luxor West Bank to Hurghada

Luxor

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Luxor East Bank

Luxor

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Travel from Aswan to Luxor via kombo and Edfu

Egypt

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Aswan full day tour

Aswan

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Giza Pyramids & the Grand Egyptian Museum

Cairo

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

I had a wonderful and memorable trip to Finland, thanks to Alise, my local tour expert from Kimkim. She carefully planned the itinerary according to my preferences and was always ready to provide helpful advice and support throughout the trip. Her attention to detail and prompt assistance made the entire journey smooth, enjoyable, and stress-free.

I would also like to thank the three excellent tour guides who made my experience even more enriching: Ruslan in Helsinki, Emmi in Tampere, and Karoliina in Turku. Each of them was highly knowledgeable about their city, local culture, and history. Their passion and expertise allowed me to gain a much deeper understanding of the places I visited and made every tour both informative and engaging.

Overall, this was a fantastic experience, and I highly recommend Kimkim, Alise, and her team to anyone planning a trip to Finland. Their professionalism, local knowledge, and dedication helped create an unforgettable journey.

Recently took our family of four to Japan for 10-days. We booked through KimKim travel with Leny and had a great experience. The recommendations were spot on and the family had a fantastic time. Reservations were no hassle and the train travel was pretty intuitive. I especially like the convenience of the mobile app that KimKim provided, it was a convenient and handy way of accessing our itinerary and train reservation QR codes. We were on the app constantly to check where and when we should be. I would definitely use KimKim again for Japan.

We had an incredible trip to Croatia!! Our local representative, Sara, was outstanding from the moment we started planning the trip to the end. Sara helped us plan an incredible journey, and was very patient and responsive to all the questions we had before the trip started. During our trip Sara stayed in touch with us every day, responding to questions and providing us with an update on the next day’s activities!

The trip ended up being spectacular. The hotels, restaurants and experiences were top notch h and I would recommend using this group for any upcoming trips!

Hotel Reviews

Hotel More

Dubrovnik

The best hotel we stayed in Croatia!!! This is a first class hotel with a beautiful pool, pool bar and great sea swimming area. The rooms were spacious and very comfortable!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Out of the center craziness, but a very short walk to the hotel!

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Beach Bay Hvar

Hvar

A beautiful hotel a very short walk to the center of town. A great sea view with great lounges facing the sea.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Time Boutique Hotel

Split

The hotel was very nice but it was a bit out of the old town. There were some advantages being out of the center of activity, but being a bit closer would have been nicer. The rooms were a bit tight, but nicely set up.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

16 Lakes Hotel

Rakovica

The hotel was very close to the National Park and had a great outdoor pool which we enjoyed after a long day hiking. We also had cocktails and dinner which was very good.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Spirito Santo Palazzo Storico

Rovinj

Amadria Park Hotel Capital

Zagreb

A beautiful hotel in a restored bank building very close to the center of town. Our room had a window facing the street, which we enjoyed. The included breakfast was first class!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Private Walking Tour of Plitvice Lakes National Park

Croatia

The national park was incredible. I wish we had more time there to explore more of the park. Our guide was very knowledgeable.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Truffle Lunch with Presentation at Local Family Estate

Croatia

Visiting this local family and going out with their dogs to find truffles was a great treat! The dogs were very active and they were very good at finding truffles. The lunch was just delicious!!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Absolutely one of the best trips I've taken. I found MITA via KimKim and from the first contact I was treated as a valued old friend. I worked with Sharon directly to create a robust tour that was a combo mix of budget friendly and luxury with a private guide, and she delivered above and beyond.
Our tour began in Casablanca where we were met by our driver Rachid, who would become our best buddy, ever so kind and helpful and always at the ready to take us on to our next adventure.
Over the next 10 days we stayed in Rabat, Fez, Merzouga (Sahara desert), Valley of the Roses and ending in Marakesh. Each city/town had it's own unique flavor and Sharon chose the best local guides for each area. We walked long distances of antiquities, local markets, wandered in the desert at sunset and learning in depth history and the colorful culture of Morocco. What I most appreciated was the hotel/riads that we stayed in, right in the heart of the medinas, that at first was perplexing until I found my rythym of navigation. Each riad was special, the rooms spacious and well apointed and the staff hospitiable When I was lost a few times, I never felt unsafe at any time. Our stay in Valley of the Roses included a lunch at a personal friends home, where we cooked together and dined, spending the afternoon talking about our different cultures, what dreams each of us had, and our commonalities...young Ikram, a lovely young girl worked double duty translating and helped in getting us dressed in tradtional muslim attire, very fun to feel this age old tradition amongst women. This day was special beyond, the family was absolutely delightful.
I really appreciated knowing each day what to expect as our driver Rachid took full ownership of coordinating all of our guides and meeting points. One day there was a slight hotel issue and immediately he, Sharon and Abdou jumped in to remedy in a heartbeat.
Morocco is truly the heartbeat of civilization and learning the culture in the tour MITA created was tremendous. I cannot stress enough how impressed I was to feel so taken care of, my needs and desires met with 'can do' service.
If you're looking to travel to Morocco, this company is hands down, the best.

This is my second trip using KimKIm, and I will do so again...the vetting of numerous tour operators is challenging and they strive to deliver, and do, the best experienced travel professionals with in depth knowledge of each area of the globe.

Date of experience: May 2026

We are a family of 6 people from the US doing a family vacation - parents and 2 sons and their wives, so all adults. Most of us had been to Paris before but not to Bordeaux and Sarlat so it was great to see some new areas. We traveled between cities by train and we had private tours of sites around Bordeaux and Sarlat. First of all, I would highly recommend Audrey and Beau Voyage for anyone going to France. The itinerary was perfect, with a nice mix of activities that everyone could enjoy. The accommodations everywhere were excellent. We especially enjoyed Le Temps Retrouve in Sarlat. Frederic was so welcoming, kind and helpful and his house was perfect for us. He made our stay so special. It was just a short walk to the city center for dinners and exploring and we did have some excellent meals there! We also liked La Maisson Bor’deaux and L’Empire Paris. Both were very well located, clean and comfortable, and the staff were very helpful and pleasant. The trains worked out very well for our transportation and it was relaxing to travel that way. The train from Bordeaux to Sarlat was very busy but that was part of the adventure! Our tours were excellent. In Bordeaux, we enjoyed spending time with Gabriel. On our wine touring day around Saint Emilion, we visited 2 chateaus plus did a walking tour of Saint Emilion and another tasting there. We especially liked our tour of Chateau Fonroque. Very interesting and different from other wineries we have visited in the US. The tour to Arcachon was also very good. We all climbed the sand dune and enjoyed a glass of wine at the top. Then we took a boat tour with a lunch spread onboard that was incredible. We had enough time after the tour to get a coffee at a local cafe before continuing back to Bordeaux to catch the train to Sarlat. We did a cooking class with Bruno at O’Plaisar des Sens Restaurant in La Roque-Gegeac and it was excellent, complete with a visit to the market for shopping for fish and produce, and truffle hunting with Bruno and his dog. Such a unique and interesting experience! Very fun. Clara was very good for our 2 days of touring in Sarlat, although she seemed to be more a driver than a guide. The weather forecast for one of the days was for rain, so she was able to switch some things around so we did a little more on the first day and a little less on the rainy day. We did a boat ride in La Roque-Gageac and walking tour of the town. Then we went to Mirandes Castle, saw the bird show, and did the self-guided tour of the castle. On the rainy day, we visited Chateau Beynac and Chateau Castelnaud. We had a guided tour at Castelnaud which was good. Because of the rain, we did not get to Domme or the Gardens of Marqueyssac, but that was ok. We did appreciate the flexibility with Clara being able to change things around. It might have been nice to have a little more commentary from her as we drove around, but she was very pleasant and accommodating, so not a huge problem. We did enjoy having some free time in Sarlat as we went to the market and bought things to have a picnic lunch and we also had time to relax by the pool. In Paris, we did a boat tour on the Seine which is always a nice way to see the city. We all went to Notre Dame which is very crowded these days with so many people wanting to see the renovations. It is spectacular. I recommend getting advance reservations for this. It’s free on the official Notre Dame website. The walk-up line on a Saturday morning was huge and although I have no idea how long people were waiting, it was nice that we could just walk right in. Even though it takes a bit of planning and was slightly inconvenient to book in advance, it was well worth it in my opinion. In general, for a group our size (6), I was glad that we had made all of our dining reservations in advance. We had contacted some of the restaurants directly, and in Sarlat, Frederic was kind enough to make recommendations and advance reservations for us. Given that most of the restaurants were quite small, I think it would have been difficult to turn up without reservations. I don’t know if Kimkim makes dining reservations but we had good success by contacting restaurants directly or by emailing the hotels and asking for their assistance. I didn’t love everything about the Kimkim app. It was convenient to have all of our tickets and vouchers in one place so that part is nice. Having the itinerary on the app is nice too, although we did some customized things on our tours and the app didn’t seem to be able to keep up with that. For the most part it was correct, but for example, the tour description of Arcachon Bay was nothing like what we actually did. So there were a few little glitches like that. The other thing that I didn’t love was the “Trip Chat”. It was fine to communicate with Audrey this way; however, once I invited my family members to view the trip, they all became part of the trip chat. Since I was planning the trip with Audrey, it didn’t seem necessary to include everyone in every communication, as it often meant everyone’s phone dinging in the middle of the night due to the time difference with France. Maybe it would be good to have the option of including others in the chat part of the app. Overall, this is a minor complaint. Our trip to France was fantastic and I don’t think there was anything about the itinerary we would change. I would not hesitate to use kimkim again for booking a trip. I really liked being connected to a local tour operator who is so knowledgeable about the area and could help us put together a wonderful itinerary that we all enjoyed. Thank you for everything!

Thanks so much to Majid for his patience in helping us create a fantastic trip and itinerary.

Special thanks and appreciation for Khalid, who was super fantastic! He always had a smile, was super helpful and insightful about local culture and history, provided great insights everywhere we went and ensured a fantastic experience for us. He was invaluable and helped to really make the experience special and unforgettable.

Our trip to Peru was our third trip with kimkim and it could not have been better! The guides, excursions, hotels, etc. were wonderful. Our guides Martin, Diego, and Wilson were kind and knowledgeable and felt like friends. My husband had stomach trouble on the trip and within an hour of notifying our guide Diego in the Sacred Valley he came to our hotel with medicine and rearranged our schedule the following day so as not to miss anything. Thank you kimkim for another amazing trip!!

Graduation trip for a family of 5, of which 3 are active teenagers/college students. We were looking for adventures and sure got it - Holden and the team picked lots of activities with a good balance of adrenaline and balance in nature for 10 days. The hotels were just our cup of tea, local comfort with rooms beautifully nested in the rainforests, yet safe from insects (which was a big stipulation for the mom, no visibly present arachnids - the hotels even mentioned that they did a special swipe daily). Holden and Serendipity were very accommodating to our changes and questions throughout the planning and exploration of the itinerary. All the guides were fantastic - be it Mauricio for awesome animal spotting, Bryan for rafting, Andres with AMAZING passion and knowledge of the cloud forest, or William and Gordie making me feel comfortable diving into a perceived abyss called waterfall repelling - drivers on time, service in hotels top-notch. Adrian even sent the forgotten airpods from one hotel to another, which was extra appreciated.

Adrian did a great job listening to my ideas, and he built an excellent itinerary for my trip to Ireland and the Isle of Man TT with my son. He took feedback and made tweaks before and during the trip. In Limerick, we asked our local driver for restaurant and pub suggestions. Lo and behold, the places were already on our list from Adrian and Kimkim.

The mobile app was great, with daily narratives and tickets/passes easy to find and use.

Highly recommended. We had a great time!

From The Reformation to The Sound of Music

My sweet wife, Savannah, and I found our time in Germany and Austria to be truly memorable. Even with a few hiccups, such as canceled flights and lost luggage, the comfort and ease of KimKim's hotel and shuttle reservations helped us find stability throughout our trip. With all the hotel, attraction, and museum tickets, and even restaurant suggestions, we felt right at home navigating large cities like Berlin, Munich, and Vienna, as well as quaint towns like Wittenberg, Erfurt, and Rothenburg ob der Tauber. No matter where we were on our trip, we knew we could trust the local knowledge provided by our KimKim app.

Our visit to Wittenberg was a highlight, especially our tour with Mathias. He is very knowledgeable and enthusiastically shared each story from Martin Luther's life. As a member of the local church — the very one where Luther preached during his time there — Mathias provided us with a private tour. It was clear he loves his town and is proud of its history.

We had wonderful meals, especially in Rothenburg and Salzburg. Lots and lots of great beer was consumed. One can never go wrong ordering a helles at the local beer hall.

My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed our 'Sound of Music' bike tour with guide Chloe. It gave us an up-close experience of Salzburg, revealing its beauty. After the tour, we both agreed that Salzburg is the most incredible place we've ever visited. It combines a charming small-town atmosphere with lots of activities.

We highly recommend this service and will definitely use KimKim for our next trip abroad.

With Love,
Savannah and Noah Glover

Everything with KimKim from start to finish was fantastic! From the first time I posed my ideas to the actual execution of the trip, I felt heard and supported. They planned the perfect out-of-the-way three day excursion to Cefalu and Cerda (my grandfather's birthplace) before we transferred to Taormina. Not too many people choose Cerda as a destination, so KimKim arranged for a hotel in Cefalu and tours in the city/surrounding area. We took a sunset boat cruise with Sealand Tours which was fantastic because of the captain and his wife; they were so welcoming and fun! We went to meet a manna producer on the top of a mountain which we all loved WAY more than we expected! We had no idea what manna was or why it was a notable stop, but all of that changed once we met Mario. Madonie Explorers did a great job joining with Sealand and Mario. Storywalkingtours was our in-country contact and they answered every question and request in a timely manner and gave us an overview of each day the night before, which was so helpful.

I can't say enough positive things about our experience because of everyone involved in planning it. I 100% recommend everyone I just mentioned for top-notch planning and communication.

Hotel Review

Hotel Sunset

Cefalù

This hotel is not only at a perfect location right down the street from all of the restaurants and bars, but it was a little oasis on its own. The rooms are a bit smaller than we are used to in America; however it was very comfortable, clean, and well-appointed. Everyone on the staff was pleasant and eager to help us. They were also very patient with our broken Italian! There are multiple outdoor areas for lounging, there is a rooftop bar with an infinity-edge pool overlooking downtown Cefalu, and live piano music in the lobby a few nights a week. The beach is literally across the street, it's in a quiet location, and is a five-minute walk to the start of the bars and restaurants.

Authenticity & Character

So many areas to sit and enjoy the view of Cefalu and the sea

Location

Perfect distance if you want easy access to downtown, but a place to escape the noise at night.

Staff

They were helpful and kind

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very clean!

Activity Reviews

Meet a "Manna" producer and discover an ancient tradition

Italy

We had NO IDEA what to expect here, but were blown away by what we saw. Mario is on of 18 manna producers left in the world and learning about the process on the top of a mountain was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Once we got to the top, we saw his "office" which is a collection of ash trees (manna sap) olive trees, and almond trees. We learned about his ability to graph various trees and his deep knowledge of manna harvesting. Even though the manna was not being harvested when we visited, we got to try some from the season before!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Driver at disposal

Italy

Every driver was attentive and professional!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Professionally dressed, always offered water, there were phone chargers in the back seats

Transport

Clean, large, beautiful rides each time

Private Sunset Boat Ride in Cefalù

Italy

This was one of our favorite activities of the trip! Captain Alex and his wife Melinda (ex-pat from Indiana) were so friendly, welcoming, and fun! As we went along the coast of Cefalu, Melinda gave us some of the history, pointed out landmarks, and gave us some of the inside scoop on the real estate and hotels. As we anchored for the sunset, they brought out food and drinks for aperitivo with a perfectly-paired playlist. We waved goodbye to the sun as it set on the horizon and got to see Cefalu in a whole new light on the way back.

Quality of Experience

Didn't know what to expect and loved it!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Fun and knowledgeable. I felt safe the whole time and learned a lot

Transport

Smooth, slow ride which is perfect for people who might not like being on the water.

We throughly enjoyed our tour of Jerusalem. Our guide, Elias, was phenomenal. He was extremely knowledgable about the the long and complex history of the region and the specific sites and conveyed the information in an engaging and nuanced manner. Elias went above and beyond taking us to his favorite snack shops. He knows seemingly everyone in Jersulem and was able to get us into areas other tourists may not be able to access. Elias even help us manage the difficulties with our rental appartment. We will definatlet seek out Elias to be our guide anytime we return to Israel.

Turkey is working to make the country a welcoming place for tourists. Kim Kim asked if as a couple what we wanted to do. They were responsive to changes we requested as we jointly planned this 7 day trip. The cost was reasonable and highly personalized. Our guides were flexible, well educated about Turkey, with adjusting scheduled activities and daily itinerary. That meant a lot to us both. Could not have been a better trip!

This is my third time using kimkim. I've been happy with each experience.

I was originally planning to visit Vietnam (Hoi An and Hanoi) in November 2025. I was connected with Lucy who put together a great itinerary for me in the limited amount of time I had. We made a few changes to match my interests…and then I cancelled fairly last minute for work related reasons. This ended up being a blessing as Hoi An had some bad flooding around that time, which Lucy had warned me about (and I basically disregarded - so you should always listen to your TA because they know what they are talking about!)

Kimkim makes it easy to reschedule and I moved my trip to May 2026. I was able to add on dates and make additional tweaks to my itinerary. As my travel date came closer, she made sure I had my visa and all other travel information needed. Lucy also checked up on me throughout the trip and made sure I was doing okay.

I like to travel alone and heard that Vietnam was a safe place for a solo female traveler. I otherwise didn't know what to expect visiting the country. The guides I had helped make me feel comfortable and provided a great education about the country. Specifically, my primary guide in Hoi An was Huan who took me to My Son Sanctuary as well as a tour of Hoi An's Old Town. He was very informative and was also very accommodating of my slow pace. I also had guide Chay in Hoi An, who was flexible in changing my scheduled tour for that day. In Hanoi, Trung took me to a village in Ba Vi Hill area where I met several fascinating people. Finally, I had guide Quoc in Pu Luong, whom everyone we passed in the villages seemed to know! I finished my trip with a two night cruise in the Ha Long Bay. Every day was one great experience after another - from the lanterns in Hoi An to the tiered rice fields to the iconic limestone rocks reaching up from beneath the water. And all these great experiences were made more memorable by the welcoming people I met. A truly great trip!

I loved all of my hotels. However, my Hoi An hotel was between the Old Town and the beach. I would recommend that if you want to be closer to Old Town, that you should mention that when planning. I used Grab and the cost to Old Town was minimal and didn't take that long.

Our 15-day trip to Japan was incredible, and Marii made the entire planning process easy and stress-free. She provided great suggestions that we incorporated into our itinerary, and we loved how the trip included a little bit of everything—from traditional cultural experiences to modern attractions.

The tours were fantastic and gave us a well-rounded experience of Japan. Highlights included a tea ceremony, a food tour, and exploring different regions and aspects of Japanese culture. We also appreciated having free time built into the itinerary, along with Marii's excellent recommendations for places to visit, restaurants to try, and activities to enjoy on our own.

I would also like to recognize the wonderful guides we had throughout our trip. Every guide was knowledgeable, engaging, and welcoming. They made us feel comfortable from the start and helped create memorable experiences in each destination.

One of the highlights of our trip was our tour of Hakone and Mt. Fuji with Masashige. He took us to several beautiful viewpoints to see Mt. Fuji and shared fascinating information along the way. Seeing Mt. Fuji from these locations was truly unforgettable and one of the biggest highlights of our trip.

We were also pleasantly surprised by Kanazawa and Hiroshima. These destinations offered a different pace and were less crowded, allowing us to experience another side of Japan. Yoshiko, our guide in Kanazawa, and Lisa, our guide in Hiroshima, made these tours especially meaningful through their knowledge, storytelling, and passion for the local history and culture.

Another guide who left a lasting impression was Moeka during our Kyoto Arashiyama Bamboo Forest and Garden Tour. She had such wonderful energy and thoughtfully took us to quieter locations before visiting the bamboo forest. One of the most memorable parts of the tour was learning traditional calligraphy. She wrote our names in Katakana and guided us as we practiced writing them ourselves. It was a relaxing, unique, and unforgettable experience.

Hakone also deserves a special mention. The scenery was absolutely beautiful, and being surrounded by mountains and nature was the perfect way to slow down, disconnect, and appreciate Japan's natural beauty. It quickly became one of our favorite places on the trip.

All hotel, transportation, and activity information was easy to access. We experienced a couple of minor issues with Shinkansen tickets and a chopstick-making reservation, but Marii and her team responded immediately and resolved everything quickly. Their communication throughout the trip was excellent, including helpful reminders and detailed instructions before each tour, which made navigating Japan much easier.

Everyone we worked with was kind, knowledgeable, and professional. It was clear that a lot of care and attention went into planning our trip. Thanks to Marii and her team, our trip was smooth, well-organized, and truly unforgettable. We enjoyed every minute of it and highly recommend Marii and her team to anyone planning a trip to Japan.

We had a very flexible itinerary with one pre-arranged event and it worked out really well for us as we could adjust as we needed to to fit our schedule and energy level (after having just come off an organized tour). Rita did a great job putting it all together. We didn't get to stay in one hotel location but the team was proactive in quickly getting us another accommodation before our arrival. We were especially appreciative of having contacts while we traveled to address things or answer questions if needed. We were also very appreciative of parking suggestions and mapped locations for the towns we visited.

Activity Review

Puglia’s Liquid Gold: Olive Oil Experience and Lunch at a Historic Masseria

Italy

Beautiful location and knowledgeable employee who gave us some good understanding of the olive trees. The olive oil tasting and lunch were very nice.

Adam was fantastic to work with in developing our itinerary, and Adam was in contact throughout the trip to ensure we were supported. The trip was spectacularly memorable. Such a great balance of planned and free time that we were hoping for. This is the second time we’ve used kimkim, and we will use them again!

Hotel Reviews

Las Casas de la Judería

Seville

The hotel was in a great location.

Authenticity & Character

A bit awkward to get around. The piano bar player didn’t seem to play that much. The pool was handy on a very hot day.

Location

Great location for walking to the heart of Sevilla.

Staff

The staff were very attentive.

Cleanliness & Comfort

The rooms were graciously sized.

Hotel Alhambra Palace

Granada

The grand dame hotel of Granada!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Perfect to walk the park and to get to Alhambra.

Staff

Super friendly

Cleanliness & Comfort

CoolRooms Palacio de Atocha

Madrid

Loved this hotel! I wish we were staying longer.

Authenticity & Character

Beautiful room and rear courtyard with dining.

Location

Easy to watch places.

Staff

Super friendly.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Excellent cleanliness

Activity Reviews

Private La Alpujarra Villages Day Trip

Granada

Fascinating history of this region! Loved this day trip.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Alhambra & Generalife Gardens with a Historian

Granada

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Private Cádiz & Jerez Day Trip with Sherry Tasting

Seville

This was an awesome tour of Bodega Lustau! So delicious and informative.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Visit to Seville's Cathedral & Alcázar

Seville

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Private Flamenco, City & Tapas Experience

Seville

Great history of Flamenco and an awesome show.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Historic Landmarks Walk

Seville

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff