Kimkim Trip Reviews

This was the trip of a lifetime. I would recommend anyone to book using Nariku Travel Experiences and Joseph could not have been more accommodating or helpful. He put thoughtful intention into every detail and made every request of ours come true, making our ability to be present each moment of our trip. We stayed in some incredible places - I couldn't recommend them enough. Attentive staff, lovely accommodations, wonderful food, and thrilling sights. I especially enjoyed Naivasha Sopa Resort where zebras and giraffes were right outside my door. The Neptune Palm Beach Boutique Resort & Spa was another favorite of mine in Diani, and then the cultural enrichment of spending time in Maji Moto Maasai Cultural Camp was one of the most special experiences. Joseph found another winner in Maasai Mara at the Mara Kimana Luxury Camp. There is not anything we could change except go back and do it all over again. Thank you to Joseph and team for a most incredible and unforgettable time in Kenya.

Blenheim / Christchurch / Lake Tekapo / Queenstown Trip

We had an unforgettable trip from start to finish - we kicked things off in Picton, where we did a combo tour of the Marlborough wine region and seafood cruise in the Marlborough Sounds. Both expereinces saw a great balance of stunning views, calm waters (on the cruise), and nonstop photo opportunities.

Christchurch surprised us with its charm, walkability, and mix of historic and modern vibes. We did a self-guided walk of the town, including a stop at The Church Pub for food and drinks.. It made a great transition point before driving deeper into the South Islands natural beauty.

Lake Tekapo featured unreal turquoise water, open skies, and peaceful atmosphere. It may have been one of the most photogeneic places we visited on this leg of the trip.

Wanaka was a wonderful lake town, where it featured one of the most photographed trees in the world. I wish we could have spent another day here to experience the town more.

we wrapped up our trip in Queenstown, where you could easily spend a week there and not do everything. While there though we did get a chance to do a number of excursions, including a plane ride, horse-back ride, jet-boat ride, and river funyak excurions, where we were able to see the snow-capped mountain ranges known famously in many Hollywood blockbusters, including Lord of the Rings, Narnia, and Misson Impossible!

Between the scenery, activities, and unforgettable moments captured, our NZ trip exceeded expectations, it is purely a magical country, and the itinerary provided by KimKim was the perfect way to experience it.

As a kimkim employee, I recently traveled through France with Kimkim’s guidance, visiting Paris, Strasbourg, Avignon, Arles, Aix-en-Provence, and Marseille. From start to finish, the trip was seamless, thoughtfully planned, and full of memorable experiences.

The accommodations were comfortable and well-located, making it easy to explore each city. The guides provided excellent insights, and the self-guided information from Kimkim ensured we didn’t miss hidden gems along the way. Their recommendations for key stops enriched our journey and gave us a deeper appreciation of the regions we visited.

Transportation was flawless. Train travel was smooth, with transfers to and from stations handled seamlessly. For exploring at our own pace, the rental car was perfect. Following Kimkim’s advice to choose a small car proved invaluable—it made navigating narrow streets, parking in tight spots, and enjoying efficient gas mileage effortless.

The olive oil, wine, and cheese tastings were unforgettable, offering an authentic taste of French culture. Stopping at ruins along the way broke up longer drives into enjoyable segments. At the same time, hikes and outdoor explorations gave us the freedom to connect with nature and stumble upon unexpected treasures.

The flow of the trip was exceptionally well planned, maximizing our time without feeling rushed. The balance of guided experiences and self-guided flexibility allowed us to make the journey truly our own. Every detail—from logistics to local tips—was handled with care, making this trip both enriching and stress-free.
Thank you, Kimkim, for expanding our knowledge of France and helping us discover all that it has to offer travelers. This was a trip we’ll cherish for years to come.

The entire trip was wonderful. We were able to see so many things and cover lots of territory in a fairly short amount of time. I really appreciated the lodging options. Each was unique and special. There were a couple that stood out from the rest. At the top of the list was the Bastide de Bellegarde outside of Avignon. AMAZING! The chateau was wonderful. The rooms were spacious and the grounds were beautiful. The owner was lovely and went above and beyond to make us feel at home. We had dinner at the chateau and the food was spectacular. Both dinners were some of the best meals we had the entire trip. The owner gave us a private wine and cheese pairing, which we had done before at other places, but this was the best! So worth the stop! I loved the Christmas markets in Strasbourg and the tour was good as well. Having a rental car was well worth it. It allowed us to see so many unique and interesting sights like the Pont du Gard, wine tasting at Chateauneuf-du-Pape, and visits to Roman ruins in various spots around southern France. Driving was not too difficult. You have to pay attention to the GPS and watch for constant speed limit changes but the freedom a car provides is a nice addition to the trip. I fell in love with France on this trip, thanks to the wonderful planning and special touches KimKim included on the trip. Thanks for everything!

India is a fascinating country and we will never forget our experiences there. Many of the guides that were provided to us were outstanding. These included Shafali in Agra, Mr. Singh and Sanjay in Jaipur. Our driver Sachin was also excellent. Not only was he a fabulous driver, but he acted as a tour guide during our trips between cities. He was very accommodating and took us to all of the places we requested. The most thrilling parts of our trip were our safari in Ranthambore, where we were fortunate enough to see a tiger, and our visit to the Taj Mahal. We also enjoyed the markets and shopping everywhere we went. India is truly a country of contrasts, some amazing and some disturbing, but all are worth seeing. The local people we met were delightful and were truly a highlight of our trip.

Our trip was amazing, kimKim planned everything down to our Airport shuttles. Tour guides were great and knowledgeable.

Choosing Kimkim (and ultimately Leo of Uncharted Philippines) was an absolute heaven sent for planning my families two week adventure in the Philippines. I am a biracial Filipina American who for several reasons has never been able to visit the “motherland”.

There were several places that I wanted to visit and Leo created THE perfect itinerary for me, my husband and adult son. The Uncharted took all of the “work” from our vacation to Manila, Palawan (Puerto Princesa and El Nido) and Boracay . Ana was our contact on the ground and helped to facilitate communication with our activities/tours, guides and accommodations. We had a couple small bumps in the road that quickly remedied and every single guide was so knowledgeable attentive, flexible and gracious. Especially Zeon and Jhon in Manilla and Rich on Palawan . Our accommodations were top notch and in beautiful and active locations yet were not pretentious and felt rooted in local culture and community. We visited the most beautiful beaches, historical sites ,natural landscapes , and cultural hubs. Our tripped was packed with activities yet we didn’t feel rushed or stressed at all.

Uncharted/Kimkim made everything run so seamlessly and easily that It will be difficult for me to travel any other way. I am definitely planing to use them again in 2026 to visit other islands that I couldn’t fit in my itinerary.

In summary, this was hands down the best trip I’ve ever had and as a mom who has historically been in charge of all planning , coordination and organizing … the least stressful!

An 11 out of 10 !!

So, Adam was great. He was knowledgeable and helpful with a lot of trip experience, and willing to work with us generously on glitches. Alejandra not so much. She made a lot of mistakes, some were corrected prior to the trip, some had to be dealt with during the trip, like two duplicate hotel reservations, which we had to address when we checked in. Also, one transfer was incorrect and we didn't catch it until the day before despite multiple reviews. All in all, the trip was great, the hotels were perfect, the train rides wonderful, the tours were lovely, including the private tour of the Prado with an art history scholar for the guide. They always fixed the issues reasonably promptly, I just found that in terms of attention to detail and seamless organization, it was not anywhere close to the tour they put together for the Greece trip.

The entire team was really wonderful! I spent so much time communicating with Riwal before the trip. He was so accommodating and was great about adding Justin at the last minute and working out his details. I couldn’t ask for a better organizer.
While in Patagonia, Jose was our go to man. I appreciate his willingness to help when we had a cancellation of the Magdalena Island penguin tour. We loved the afternoon tour and the 8 pm bus ride to Puerto Natales worked perfectly.
Our guide, Nacho, was the perfect match. He was flexible with our itinerary and was so helpful with any issue we had. He was the best!

Activity Reviews

Blue Lagoon / Laguna Azul Hike to Laguna Cebolla

Chile

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Magdalena Island - Penguin Encounter Half Day Tour

Chile

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Torres del Paine National Park - Private Panoramic Tour

Chile

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full Day Tierra del Fuego - King Penguin

Punta Arenas

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We had a truly wonderful trip to Morocco, even though our very first day was disrupted by a canceled flight. From the start, Yassine and Younes went out of their way to adjust our schedule, making sure we were still able to see and experience as much as possible despite the unexpected change. That flexibility and care set the tone for the rest of the journey.

Younes—officially our driver, but quickly our friend for life—picked us up at the airport, and we knew immediately that he was going to make this trip something special. His kindness, calm presence, and genuine love for his country made every day better. He took us to the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca and drove us around his home city, sharing stories and explaining what we were seeing. That same thoughtful commentary continued everywhere we went, turning long drives into meaningful lessons about Morocco’s culture, history, and daily life.

Our journey took us from Casablanca to Rabat, Chefchaouen, Fes, Merzouga, Ouarzazate, and finally Marrakesh—each place offering its own beauty, rhythm, and unforgettable moments.

All of our local guides were excellent. Zahra in Fes was an absolute delight. She guided us through the medina with warmth and enthusiasm, introduced us to incredible sites and local crafts, and made sure we tasted a wide variety of delicious foods along the way. In Marrakesh, Mohammad was wonderful as well, leading both our evening food tour and our medina tour the next day with knowledge and energy.

While every guide added something special, we relied heavily on Younes’ recommendations and guidance throughout the trip. His insights, patience, and genuine care made us feel safe, welcome, and deeply connected to the places we visited. We feel incredibly fortunate to have had him not just as our driver, but as a true friend who helped make this journey unforgettable.

Hotel Reviews

Riad Twilight

Marrakesh

Although Riad Twilight was a bit confusing to find at first it proved to be a wonderful and very conveniently located place to stay. The staff was truly wonderful. Every time they saw us, they made sure we were taken care of with mint tea, coffee and some kind of treat. Our room was clean, comfortable, and a great place to relax after busy days in the medina. And the shower—without question—was the best of the entire trip. After long days of walking and sightseeing, it was a luxury we appreciated more than we can say.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Caravane

Ouarzazate

We arrived at Riad Caravane in the evening after a long day of travel and were immediately welcomed by the most wonderful gentleman. Unfortunately, we can’t remember his name, but his friendliness left a lasting impression. He told us that he lived at the riad, and it truly showed in the way he cared for us—making sure we felt comfortable, relaxed, and at home from the moment we arrived. That evening, we enjoyed an absolutely wonderful dinner paired with fantastic Moroccan wine, a perfect way to unwind and settle into the riad. Our room was very nice, clean, and comfortable. Breakfast the next morning was delicious. And a completely unexpected gesture, one of the staff members guided us to the nearby UNESCO site.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Luxury Camp Chebbi

Merzouga

After the most wonderful sunset camel ride through the dunes, we arrived at Luxury Camp Chebbi to discover that we were the only two guests staying there that night. What could have felt quiet instead became something truly magical—we were treated like absolute royalty. Despite it being just the two of us, the staff still played music and danced for us in the evening, creating an atmosphere that felt deeply personal, joyful, and unforgettable. It was one of those rare travel moments that feels completely genuine and generous. The camp itself was incredibly nice—beautifully set in the dunes, comfortable, and thoughtfully designed so that you could fully enjoy the desert without sacrificing comfort. Sitting under the stars, surrounded by silence and sand, was an experience we will never forget. There is truly nothing negative we could say about this stay. The experience, the setting, and especially the people were absolutely fantastic. Luxury Camp Chebbi was not just a place to stay—it was a once-in-a-lifetime memory and one of the highlights of our entire trip to Morocco.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Barceló Fès Medina

Fes

Barceló Fès Medina was a very nice and welcome stop during our time in Fes. After the energy of the medina, it was refreshing to return to a hotel that felt modern, comfortable, and calm. We especially enjoyed relaxing at the bar in the evening—it was a pleasant way to unwind, reflect on the day, and recharge before the next adventure. The breakfast buffet was another highlight: fresh, plentiful, and delicious, offering a great start to the morning.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Dar Meziana

Chefchaouene

Although Dar Meziana was a bit of a walk, that seems to be true of most dars or riads in Chefchaouen, and it was well worth it. The dar itself was quite lovely, with a peaceful atmosphere that made it a comfortable place to return to after exploring the city. The people were genuinely pleasant, and the breakfast was fantastic—fresh, generous, and a wonderful way to start the day. The only challenge we encountered was with the heat, which took us a while to figure out. It was a very cold evening, and we were a bit chilly at first, but once we understood how it worked, we were comfortable for the rest of the night. In the end, it was a small hiccup in an otherwise enjoyable and memorable stay.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Hammam Visit: Traditional Body Scrub

Morocco

After having experienced a Turkish hammam in the past, this hammam was a bit underwhelming for us. We were expecting a more vigorous scrub, but the exfoliation was very light and much shorter than anticipated. We also thought the experience would last closer to an hour, but it felt like we were finished in about 30 minutes. There was also some confusion at the end regarding payment. We were asked to pay again for the service, even though it had already been paid for through KimKim. Thankfully, our driver Younes stepped in and helped explain the situation, and everything was eventually sorted out. While the hammam itself didn’t quite meet our expectations, we recognize that experiences can vary, and we were grateful for the support and assistance that helped resolve the misunderstanding.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Younes was always amazing. He drove us there and walked us to the door

Transport

Exploring the Medina and Historical Sites Of Marrakesh

Marrakesh

We were fortunate to have Mohammed again for our Marrakesh medina tour, following the wonderful food tour he led for us the previous evening. Having the same guide gave the experience a sense of continuity and comfort. Mohammed took us to Bahia Palace, where we learned about its history, architecture, and significance, and then guided us through many of the busy souks of the medina. Navigating those lively, maze-like streets with him made the experience enjoyable rather than overwhelming, and he was always happy to answer questions along the way. We also visited the stunning Madrasa Ben Youssef,. As an added bonus, we were able to try mechoui—lamb cooked in the ground—which we had missed on the food tour the day before. That unexpected opportunity made the day even more special. Mohammed was consistently knowledgeable, professional, and engaging, and he helped us gain a deeper understanding of Marrakesh’s history, culture, and daily life.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Evening Food Tour in Marrakesh

Marrakesh

Mohammad was our young guide on the Marrakesh food tour, and he did a fantastic job introducing us to the city’s incredible food scene. Over the course of the tour, we sampled an impressive variety of foods, including pastries, harira (Moroccan soup), sheep’s head, snails, prickly pear, fried sardines, olives, fresh pomegranate juice, and beef tangia. Each stop offered something new, and Mohammad took the time to explain what we were eating and why each dish mattered in local culture.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Overnight in the Sahara Desert with Sunset Camel Ride

Morocco

The sunset camel ride was absolutely amazing and one of those experiences that stays with you long after the trip is over. I wasn’t quite sure how long we would be on the camels, but it ended up being close to an hour—just the right amount of time to truly soak in the beauty of the desert. Our guide led us gently across the dunes to a perfectly chosen spot to watch the sun set. The colors over the sand were breathtaking, and the quiet of the desert made the moment feel especially peaceful. He was incredibly gracious, taking his time to help us get photos so we could fully remember the experience. I only wish I could remember the guide’s name—and even the camels’ Berber names. Somewhere along the way, I started calling the camels John and Anthony, which added a bit of humor and made the ride even more memorable. This camel ride wasn’t just an activity; it was a moment of calm, beauty, and connection with the desert. It was truly unforgettable and one of the highlights of our time in Morocco.

Quality of Experience

Food

The dinner and breakfast at the camp were fantastic

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The staff at the camp were absolutely amazing to us..

Transport

Once again, Younes got us to the location of the camels without any issues

Exploring the Imperial City and Medieval Medina of Fez + Food Tour

Fes

Zahra was incredibly knowledgeable about every aspect of the Fes medina—its history, its craftsmanship, and especially its food. She guided us through the maze-like, confusing streets with complete ease. She took us to some truly amazing local food spots, introducing us to flavors we never would have found on our own, while also making sure we learned about the incredible craftsmanship that defines Fes. From traditional artisans to hidden corners of the medina, Zahra brought everything to life with warmth, enthusiasm, and local insight. Zahra was an absolute treasure, and spending the day with her was one of the highlights of our time in Morocco. We genuinely hope to stay in touch with her and would recommend her without hesitation to anyone wanting an authentic, enriching experience in the Fes medina

Quality of Experience

Food

Everything from the pastries, steamed chicken, avocado juice and kefta

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Zahra and Younes were a great team

Transport

Younes was amazing the entire trip as well as his vehicle

Overall, we had a great experience with the outings planned by our kimkim travel agent, Michelle. She gave some good insights that we would not have known about (like a marathon in Queenstown the original date we wanted to go). The accommodations were nice in Auckland and in Queenstown the views were amazing. We appreciate the help with planning out our trip.

Trip exceeded expectations ! Hard to do justice to how great an experience we had in a short review!

Pre-trip communications were exceptional : informative, timely responses, detail-oriented

Trip plan was fantastic..locations chosen were spectacular and captured the essence and beauty of Iceland, with the appropriate amount of time allocated for each location.

Gummi our guide was amazing ! A really nice and down to earth guy and a great conversationalist. Having a knowledgeable local guide providing minute by minute accounts and anecdotes about the history of Iceland and at the same time describing in real time the day to life of Icelanders, was invaluable. From the moment we met him we clicked and by the end of the week we had established a real personal connection….which really enhanced the experience.

We loved what we saw of Iceland and genuinely hope to return to experience the rest of the country.

My wife (and I) will never forget her ‘big birthday’ trip.

From November 27-December 13th my wife and I had an amazing experience touring Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi and many of the islands. I would have to say to have such a well planned trip, it first goes in the preparation. Tina was incredible, from helping us plan our trip, making sure our transportation was secure, setting us up with a very knowledgeable tour guide while we were in Bangkok, that taught us about the history and culture, and took pictures and videos of our trip as well. Tine gave us suggestions for different activities outside our excursions, and most importantly, being available during our stay. Anytime we had a question, she made time for us as if we were her only customers. If you are planning a trip, definitely reach out to Tina.

I wanted to specifically mention our transport drivers to and from the airport. On the ride to our hotel, our driver took the time to give us helpful hints for the week, later he messaged us links to places we might want to see and when we arrived at the hotel, he did not leave us until he knew we were safely inside the building. Our driver to the airport was also very helpful and concerned in making sure we knew exactly where to go. I thought they went above and beyond. Our tour guides were all very professional and extremely knowledgeable. Kimkim was wonderful by communicating with us regularly before and during the trip, especially since we had a few hiccups with our arrivals to Paris and one hiccup at the Eiffel Tower looking for the tour guide. We really enjoyed our time in the city of lights. The pastry making and perfume making was such a unique experience! Loved that and loved the river cruise!

Hotel Review

Aparthotel Quartier Libre Saint Georges

Paris

Very clean and comfy. Terrific shower. Great location!! Only complaint was that there usually wasn’t anyone in the lobby working. Had to call a number if needed assistance.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Having someone working onsite during stated hours

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Private Louvre Museum Visit

Paris

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Private Seine River Cruise

Paris

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Unlock the Secrets of Perfume-Making!

Paris

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Private French Pastry Class

Paris

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

I have never used an agency like this to plan a vacation before and I was a little skeptical. I take it all back now. Minah helped me plan the perfect 11 day trip across Thailand doing all of the things that were important to us. She handled domestic flights, hotels, transportation, and all of the excursions I dreamed of seeing. We didn’t have to worry about a thing! It was perfect!

The only "custom" things we asked for - diving and a pick up - that we were told were possible once we were on the island we were informed we not. So that went any see service/benefit.

For the boat review:
Legend Feedback

Day 1- Guide kept talking into the wind instead of to the group. No one knew what he was saying, even after informing him they could not hear. Guide miscounted people.

Day 2- Lack of towels in the swimming area, expected to return after snorkeling wet. Again, no towel provided. Guide still had not informed guests of the safest way to get on and off the Pangas- this is standard on other boats. Was told on day 2 not to drink the tap water in the room , luckily we knew that from previous boats. A little late for some.

Day 3- waiter still can’t remember food allergies. Again, standard on day 1 to go over guest allergies and confirm. None of this happened, I have to at each meal.

Day 4- partner developed a food borne travelers stomach. Atleast the doctor had meds, even if she kept trying to prescribe advil.

Day 5- clearly can’t manage time. Guide was 20 mins late for morning excursion. Afternoon they scheduled 1 hr - which ended up being much less due to island closure time - for a beach walk and snorkel. Most guests couldn’t complete the beach walk in that time. Multiple guest commented with the boat at half capacity they can’t imagine anything happening at full capacity. Crew forgot gas in the dingy, had to refill in the open water. Crew wasn’t ready to help off board, had to wait and call them. Guide again miscounted guests and almost left someone at the turtle ranch. On the beach a new guest thought I was crew because I was the only one stopping to help her. This happened a few times when I notice wildlife our guide wasn’t pointing out to the other people in our group.

Day 6 - guide miscounted again leaving the boat and left passengers because they claimed the notification was clear. We agree it’s been inconsistent the “get ready”, “and “up next” ad “leaving”. Sometimes they’ll say “up next” and never the other ones. Multiple people have missed their disembarkments.

Day 7 - people in our group requested to change guides and were approved to do so. People cleaning the room continue to not empty full garbage. after a week waiter remembered our drink order of water, guide still doesn't know the 8 people in his group.

Day 8 - hot tub temperature control breaks. Again I stopped to assist a guest struggling on the walk. No guide or crew stayed - they just left.

Overall. The boat was out dated, and the rooms couldn’t regulate temperate. There are ant traps in the room you have to avoid. They couldn’t go 1 hour without trying to sell something, to the point I got tired of being asked and started staying in my room. The wet room for snorkeling needs a fan like any other sane boat to try equipment if it's below deck. A small port window is not "airflow" - everything was musty and we took our stuff to the front to lay it out. No one on the boat had a tour so no one knew there was a front deck to sit on.

My “non luxury” Galapagos cruises had refreshments, and either warm towels after water or cold towels to clean your hands after an excursion, in addition to a substantial snack. They all also included at some level juice, wine and beer. This one had a single flavored water station and a small bite that was usually not there only on returning to the boat. It was pathetic- you had to wait in line for a single grape and glass of water freezing after snorkeling, and hope there was some left. The food was okay, if there was any left.

In general the communication leading up to the trip was lacking, and confusing. We were told one thing and then another thing on the boat.

I would never pay or recommend this boat ever again. I’m glad it was the itinerary I wanted.

Very well coordinated and orchestrated by KimKim and our local specialist. Tours and guides, including Angel, were knowledgeable and otherwise ideal. Just a few things that did not meet expectations: (1) getting an accurate final itinerary (but we were keeping our own version concurrently), (2) waiting time at the airport once we arrived was rather long (particularly challenging after 24 hours in transit) and the KimKim greeter and then the driver, ultimately, spoke no English, which made communications challenging, and (3) the hotel in Santiago did not measure up in any way to its billing.

I have been a huge cheerleader for KimKim, having taken a trip to Slovenia which was stellar in every way. So I did not hesitate to come back to KimKim again for a special birthday week in Scotland. Unfortunately, it was a trip that I could have planned on my own fairly easily for far less cost. I am at a loss to understand the value of KimKim for this trip. All in all, it was an uninspired, off-the-shelf undertaking with our specialist Stephen who I wasn’t convinced knew the area well when all was said and done. Never felt the enthusiasm I had in the past, but more of a bit of phoning it in and taking dictation. And through the process I did some push back (should have done more) but it never seemed to result in upping his game.

What I had loved about my past experience with KimKim was the surprise and delight of things to do or see that I would not have found or thought of myself. None of that was the case on this trip.

The itinerary for Glasgow turned out to be ho-hum at best. Lots of go to museum self-guided recos. The private walking tour that was booked was quite lovely and we thoroughly enjoyed it. BUT this came as a result of MY request for it, not the specialist’s recommendation (and a supplemental charge was added to do so). Ultimately, we were looking for some inspiration on things to do in Glasgow besides wandering around museums. I had requested a private Whiskey tasting several times which he said he was working on but never got back to me. Not one suggestion for something inspired.

Unlike our Slovenia trip, transfers to the stations, hotels etc. beyond airport drop off and pick up were not included and left to us to navigate via Uber and local taxis which were not included in the price.

Oban and the Highlands: I requested a castle and got a long in the tooth Isle of Eriska manor house that needs a whole lot of upgrades. And not being familiar with the logistics, it was a 38 pound taxi ride of at least a half hour to get into the town. And Oban area was the only recommendation that was offered. The 3 Isle tour day was fine. But again, I could have booked this on my own directly. It was full of tour groups on a crowded boat and on a coach. The islands, however, were lovely and once on them it was very nice. Our last day was the best day. Our private guide Campbell Cameron was sensational and the highlight of our trip. Kudos to Tartan Tours. THIS was the kind of experience I was hoping for the entire trip.

And the insult to injury is that when I voiced my complaint to KimKim requesting multiple times why this trip that cost me $11K actually would have cost approximately $6700 if I planned it myself, they never had an answer (and because it was so off the shelf it was easy to break out the costs). That is one big mark up for service. Other than just making reservations for things that I could have easily found myself, the value of KimKim for this trip is still a mystery to me. And to add insult to injury their recompense was to refund me a mere $500! Insulting at best to a good customer who has recommended KimKim multiple times to many others. Not only will I never use KimKim again, I will be sure to let all my travel friends know not to use them again and advise others to look elsewhere for a bespoke trip.

Activity Reviews

Full day in Glencoe and the Trossachs

Scotland

Saved our trip on our last day in the Highlands. Our guide Campbell Cameron was sensational and the highlight of our trip. Kudos to Tartan Tours. THIS was the kind of experience I was hoping for the entire trip. The scenery was breathtaking and his intimate knowledge of the place as in his bones. The loch ride was lovely and he drove us through all the nooks and crannies of Glencoe.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Walking Tour of Glasgow

Glasgow

Lovely guide who was very knowledgable and lovely. I had to request this be added to the itinerary as our "specialist" never offered anything of the kind. Oh yeah, and of course this was supplemental. While on the walking tour our guide took us by the council building where she told us there are tours of the interior, but only on weekdays. Our tour being on Saturday, we could not do it. This is something we would never have known about independently and could perhaps have been something for our specialist Stephen to suggest for our Friday itinerary.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Three Isles Tour – Mull, Iona & Staffa

Oban

Once at the islands it was great. But a crowded boat and coach trip. Could have booked this myself.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private transfer in town

Scotland

If we actually had any I would be happy to review them. But other than one trip from the train to our hotel when we arrived, we were on our own

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

University of Glasgow Tour

Glasgow

Don't bother. Given by an undwhelming student who could care less. We left early

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

This Thailand trip was truly an excellent experience. Everything from the culture to the food was amazing. Our first tour guide Betty did a great job showing us the Mosque and China Town. We enjoyed him so much and he was very informative. I liked how well Kim Kim put the trip together also. We always felt like VIPs because of the private guides and shuttles, even the signage at the airport upon arrival was nice. We made a stop by Perfect Tailor and I would like to personally thank SK for the experience. Everything was perfect and I’m so happy we booked with Kim Kim! I will definitely book another international trip with Kim Kim after this.

Part 2 from Emily G: A few highlights and recommendations from this trip: Hakone - spend at least two nights and days in Hakone - hot springs area. A great place to wind down at the end of the trip. Lovely. Go to the Open Air Museum! Leisurely enjoy the baths. Ride the gondola (ropeway) and take walks. Loved MIyajima Island (after a sobering and important day in Hiroshima). Had only one night and wished we had 2. Much to explore and at a slower pace. Loved Takayama - much more than Kanazawa. 3 nights there is good. Bike ride outside of town with Tomo! Dinner at Alba! (tiny place, make a rez, tell Juske you learned about it from the women from San Francisco, etc). Two days walking on the Nakasendo Trail. So beautiful to be out walking in nature most of the day and not too hard at all - but i would add a 3rd day if you have time. All of our hotels were comfortable EXCEPT don't stay at ACAI in Kyoto. Too "hip", tiny rooms, you can do better. Of course you will visit the many shrines, temples and castles and I enjoyed them much more than I expected - and you will go to Tokyo (explore the neighborhoods), Osaka, Kyoto (go to the Philosophers Walk) if this is your first visit; and we heard of SO many other places to explore. One more thing - among the many benefits of working with KimKim are the many guided excursions and day trips/city tours that they plan. Every guide was Excellent! and went above and beyond in many ways, Ask for Yumi in Tokyo; Sumi in Kyoto; Fumi in Kanazawa. Ernesto in Nara; Mayumi in Nara and Hiroshima. Arigato! BTW, this trip went so well that we are already planning a second KimKim trip in February in New Zealand and impressed with the help of our specialist, Michelle!