Kimkim Trip Reviews

4.8
Based on 21,421 ratings
Read 21,421 verified reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim. You can also read reviews about kimkim on 3rd party sites including Google, TrustPilot and Yelp.

England, Scotland and Ireland, the castles
England | Jul 11 - Jul 26, 2026

Gary
Gary B.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on Aug 02, 2026
Landed at Heathrow and were taken straight to Windsor. Castle tour and wandering through town. First (and best) cheese toastie of the trip (and we had several). Then off to Henley. A cute little place and Tanya was a wonderful guide for the next few days. Hever castle, Highclare and then a night on the water at Leeds. There is a great market next to the train station for lunch, snacks, gifts…
Landed in London and had a short walk to our very centrally located hotel in Covent Gardens. Had a...
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Landed at Heathrow and were taken straight to Windsor. Castle tour and wandering through town. First (and best) cheese toastie of the trip (and we had several). Then off to Henley. A cute little place and Tanya was a wonderful guide for the next few days. Hever castle, Highclare and then a night on the water at Leeds. There is a great market next to the train station for lunch, snacks, gifts…
Landed in London and had a short walk to our very centrally located hotel in Covent Gardens. Had a wonderful pub tour, went to Michelin star restaurants, and found it quite easy inconvenient to walk or take the tube to get everywhere.
Then back on a train and off to Scotland. A couple of nights in Edinburgh with a city and castle tour, walk of the royal mile and more good food. Off to the countryside with a stay at a lovely hotel with its own Michelin starred chef, right next door to a world renowned chocolate shop. Had a wonderful and educational tour of the Dewars/Aberfeldy whisky distillery and trips to Blair and Stirling castles.
A short flight over to Dublin where we had a wonderful city tour with Seamus and then a standout connoisseur’s tour of Guinness. A drive over to the Atlantic coast with a tour of Galway and a couple of nights on the water. Fortunately we had no rain the entire two weeks, unfortunately until the last day. Our trip to the Cliffs of Moher was disappointing due to no visibility, but I should point out that the visitor center was well worth stopping in.
Thanks to Kimkim for helping us have a wonderful trip!

Local specialist: Alex Rawson

Family trip to Jeju
South Korea | Jul 20 - Jul 29, 2026

joyce
joyce h.
Norwood, OH | Reviewed on Aug 02, 2026
Jun was our guide for four days in Seoul. He was lovely, very friendly and knowledgeable. He humored all of our requests, including driving us to an obscure part of Seoul with very NARROW streets to see where our mom used to live (in the 50’s).! I would say he became a friend during our time with him. Jiyoung
was our guide in Jeju and drove us all over, showing us the things that only a resident of Jeju could know. The trip was well planned and the hotels were spectacular! The Parnas on Jeju...
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Jun was our guide for four days in Seoul. He was lovely, very friendly and knowledgeable. He humored all of our requests, including driving us to an obscure part of Seoul with very NARROW streets to see where our mom used to live (in the 50’s).! I would say he became a friend during our time with him. Jiyoung
was our guide in Jeju and drove us all over, showing us the things that only a resident of Jeju could know. The trip was well planned and the hotels were spectacular! The Parnas on Jeju had an outstanding pool with a view of the ocean and the Lotte and Conrad in Seoul had extensive and excellent breakfast buffets. Overall a most memorable trip that I will remember forever.

Hotel Reviews
Conrad Seoul
Seoul

Beautiful lobby and amazing breakfast hiffet

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Parnas Hotel Jeju

I’d definitely stay here again. The pool was the best I’ve seen in a long time, very warm and with infinity views of the ocean

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Lotte Hotel Seoul
Seoul

Beautiful hotel with wonderful buffet

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Jessica Wang

2026 Vienna Switzerland and Italy
Ireland | Jun 29 - Jul 12, 2026

Joanne
Joanne A.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Aug 02, 2026
Our 2026 European vacation, planned through KimKim, was absolutely wonderful! Stephen created an amazing 14-day itinerary through Vienna, Switzerland, and Italy. From arranging all of our private drivers to booking all of our first-class train tickets, every detail was taken care of. He planned all of our excursions, prepaid the tickets, and provided easy-to-follow directions for every destination. Our hotels were all very nice and prepaid as well, making the entire trip... Read more

Our 2026 European vacation, planned through KimKim, was absolutely wonderful!

Stephen created an amazing 14-day itinerary through Vienna, Switzerland, and Italy. From arranging all of our private drivers to booking all of our first-class train tickets, every detail was taken care of. He planned all of our excursions, prepaid the tickets, and provided easy-to-follow directions for every destination. Our hotels were all very nice and prepaid as well, making the entire trip stress-free.

Some of the highlights of our trip included the Sound of Music Tour in Salzburg, Austria, the Golden Round Trip to Mt. Pilatus, and the unforgettable Jungfraujoch excursion. Every experience was fantastic.

Lake Como was absolutely stunning. We spent one afternoon on our own at the Mandarin Oriental Lake Como, where we enjoyed a wonderful lunch, breathtaking views, and explored the beautiful grounds for about three hours.

Then came the Dolomites—they are simply AMAZING!

The only disappointment was the location of the hotel booked for our stay near the Dolomites. If Stephen had never visited the area himself, he probably wouldn’t have known, but the hotel was located in an industrial area about 1 hour and 40 minutes from the Dolomites. As a result, we had to hire a private driver for an 8-hour tour, which cost us an additional $1,000. Although it ended up being an incredible day, we wish we had stayed at a hotel much closer to the Dolomites so we could have enjoyed more time there.

This was our second trip booked through KimKim, and we highly recommend them. They truly take the guesswork out of planning a vacation, allowing you to simply relax and enjoy the experience.

We will definitely use KimKim again and again!

Thank you, Stephen, for planning such a memorable trip for us.

— Joanne, Erika, and Joyce

Hotel Reviews
Magna Pars l'Hotel à Parfum - Small Luxury Hotels of the World
Milan

This was a 5star hotel for sure they go over the top enjoyed our stay very much

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Loom Bolzano
Bolzano

Brand new hotel very modern just in a poor location in an industrial area but very friendly staff and very clean

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Albergo Le Due Corti
Como
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Soldanella Hotel
St Moritz

Fit to all our needs

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Hey Hotel
Interlaken

This hotel was awesome very big and spacious

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Boutique Hotel KARL
Luzern

Had no air conditioning But thank the Lord it was a cooler night

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The room was just VERY SMALL
Theater Hotel Salzburg
Salzburg

Fit all our needs

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Austria Classic hotel
Vienna

Fit all our needs

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Welcome to the Dolomites!
Welcome to the Dolomites!
Bolzano

The dolomites are breathtaking. It’s a beautiful area well worth going.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private transfer
Private transfer
Lake Como

It was great not groom another train! And having a private driver for this 4 hour drive!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Mythical Jungfraujoch - Full day exploration from Interlaken
Mythical Jungfraujoch - Full day exploration from Interlaken
Ireland
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sound of Music Bus Tour
Sound of Music Bus Tour
Salzburg

This tour is a must do!!! It is 4 hours long but very enjoyable!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Stephen Molloy
Stephen
Stephen Molloy
Local specialist in Dorset and Lyon | Replied on Aug 02, 2026
What beautiful photos! Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a detailed and thoughtful review. Reading your comments truly made my day. It was a pleasure helping plan this journey for you, Erika, and Joyce, and I'm delighted to hear that so many aspects of the trip came together so well. From Vienna to Switzerland and on through Italy, my goal was to make the experience as seamless and stress-free as possible, so it is wonderful to know that the private transfers, first-class... Read more

What beautiful photos!

Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a detailed and thoughtful review. Reading your comments truly made my day.

It was a pleasure helping plan this journey for you, Erika, and Joyce, and I'm delighted to hear that so many aspects of the trip came together so well. From Vienna to Switzerland and on through Italy, my goal was to make the experience as seamless and stress-free as possible, so it is wonderful to know that the private transfers, first-class train travel, prebooked excursions, hotel arrangements, and detailed trip guidance allowed you to simply enjoy the adventure.

I especially loved reading about your highlights. The Sound of Music Tour is always great fun, Mt. Pilatus offers some of the most spectacular scenery in Switzerland, and Jungfraujoch is truly one of Europe's unforgettable bucket-list experiences. I'm also pleased that you had the opportunity to spend time at the Mandarin Oriental on Lake Como. It is a beautiful property and a wonderful place to slow down and appreciate the lake's incredible setting.

And of course, the Dolomites. I couldn't agree more with your assessment that they are simply amazing. The dramatic mountain scenery, the alpine villages, and the unique blend of Italian and Austrian influences make the region one of the most spectacular destinations in Europe.

I also genuinely appreciate your feedback regarding the hotel location in Bolzano. Bolzano is often considered the gateway to the Dolomites and can work very well as a base, particularly for self-guided travelers who have a rental car and the flexibility to explore the mountain roads and valleys independently. However, having personally visited the Dolomites myself, I recognize that in your case it was an oversight on my part not to plan the trip closer to the mountains themselves. Looking back, I think I was influenced by your earlier travel days and the longer journey from much further west, and I was concerned about adding too much travel time and creating an overly demanding itinerary. In trying to make that day easier, I underestimated how important immediate proximity to the Dolomites would be for maximizing your time in the region! Sorry Joanne!

While I'm glad the private driver experience turned into such a memorable day, I completely understand your point and appreciate you sharing it. Feedback like this helps me continue refining future itineraries so that travelers can enjoy the very best experience possible.

Thank you again for your kindness, your trust, and for choosing to travel with me through Kimkim for a second time. It means a great deal that despite this one shortcoming, you found the overall trip such a success and would recommend both Kimkim and my services to other travelers.

I hope the wonderful memories from Vienna, Switzerland, Lake Como, the Dolomites, and Milan stay with you for many years to come, and I would be honored to help plan your next European adventure whenever the time comes.

Warm regards,

Stephen Molloy
High Point Holidays

An amazing Iceland roadtrip!
Iceland | Jul 25 - Aug 1, 2026

Aashini
Aashini S.
North Charleston, SC | Reviewed on Aug 02, 2026
My husband and I wanted to a celebration trip to Iceland for him finishing his medical residency, and Adam was the perfect person to help us plan it! We wanted to drive around and visit key sights, but also relax and enjoy ourselves. Adam's guidance was crucial, and his expertise really helped us figure out what places to visit and what to skip. The driving instructions for each day were amazing, and it was a seamless experience to have all the bookings for tours/hotels done in advance. It... Read more

My husband and I wanted to a celebration trip to Iceland for him finishing his medical residency, and Adam was the perfect person to help us plan it! We wanted to drive around and visit key sights, but also relax and enjoy ourselves. Adam's guidance was crucial, and his expertise really helped us figure out what places to visit and what to skip. The driving instructions for each day were amazing, and it was a seamless experience to have all the bookings for tours/hotels done in advance. It took a lot of pressure off us, and it was a fantastic trip!
The highlights were the Skaftafell Glacier Hike, RIB Whale Watching, Westman Islands, and Sturlureykir Horse Riding!

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Hamar
Borgarnes

This was a perfect hotel for a 1 night stay in Borgarnes. The room and bathroom were clean and spacious. The breakfast spread was pretty decent and made it convenient for us. The highlight of this hotel is the hottub and sauna with amazing views!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Inni - Boutique Apartments
Hveragerdi

This was a really lovely apartment in Hveragerdi! The owners have put a lot of thought into the interior design and made the place very cozy. The apartment was well stocked with kitchen appliances and thoughtful touches (like a first aid kit, candles, blankets, robes, hottub slippers etc.) The place was clean and very comfortable for a couple during a 2 night stay. The access to a hottub, sauna and steam room were amazing bonuses after long days of hiking and driving. Highly recommend!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Vík í Mýrdal
Vík

Great hotel in the middle of Vik! The rooms were spacious and clean, and were well designed. The breakfast spread was awesome, and the staff were very friendly and helpful. Highly recommend for a stay in Vik!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Local 101
Reykjavik

Pros of this Hotel: 1) Great location downtown as everything was within walking distance. 2) Breakfast was a small spread but really fresh and tasty. 3) Parking was easy to find. 4) Very friendly staff! Cons of this Hotel: 1) The bathroom is TINY! The shower and toilet don't have a separation on the floor, so it's easy for the area to get flooded. There is no room to maneuver and for 2 adults this was a challenge. The sink was in the room next to the bed and it splashed very easily, which caused some issues. 2) The Petite Double was way too small for 2 adults and luggage. It was hard to move around. I would recommend that for 2 people, you size up in the room size.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Walkable to everything
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The room was clean, but the bathroom layout could be improved.
The New Post Office
Vestmannaeyjar

We stayed in a nice 1 bedroom apartment at The New Post Office. It was very spacious and clean, and suited our needs. The kitchen was well stocked with appliances. My one suggestion is that the bedroom could use a cupboard or chest of drawers for items.

Authenticity & Character
Location
It was close to the ferry and walking distance from food outlets
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Skaftafell Glacier Hike
Iceland

This hike was the highlight of our trip! We did the Arctic Adventures tour and had Frasier as our guide. He was really knowledgeable and friendly, and made the experience amazing. The tour gave us a harness, helmet, crampons and a pick axe. We were bused over to the glacier area and then it was a bit of a walk to the glacier itself. However, we spent plenty of time on the ice and it did not feel rushed at all. Frasier took photos for anyone who wanted some and made the whole hike really fun! I highly recommend this to hikers of all levels (we were complete beginners at glacier hiking).

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Rye Bread tour (Geothermal bakery)
Iceland

You know how when you have to do a school project on a topic that's only 5 minutes but you have to fill time to make it 45 minutes? That's what we felt this tour was - a time fluffer. The geothermal bakery was very cool to learn about, but this tour genuinely felt like it could've been 10 minutes total. We felt the guide was just filling time by digging holes and shoveling dirt when it wasn't entirely necessary. The tour group had 30 people in it which felt like a lot. The bread itself was tasty, and was served with butter and fish. You could get a piece and then get more if there was still leftovers. I felt like the experience should have included a drink (tea/coffee/hot chocolate) but that was only there to purchase for high prices. This was a small tour that I only recommend if you have a lot of time and want to do something instead of exploring nature.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Horse Riding
Iceland

We had a fantastic horseback riding experience at Sturlureykir with Lena! It was just the two of us on the tour and we got there early, so we actually spent some extra time with the horses. We started with grooming our horses and getting to know them before getting up on our saddles. Lena was patient and very thorough with what we can expect on the trail. We are both beginners at riding and it was an exceptional experience. Our horses were perfectly trained and very friendly, so we loved our time with them. Lena took us through the river and took lots of photographs for us, which was super nice of her. After the horse riding, Lena took us around the farm and gave us rye bread and hot chocolate. I absolutely recommend doing a horse riding tour as it was a flawless experience!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sky Lagoon
Iceland

Sky Lagoon was an amazing experience! I had visited Blue Lagoon many years ago, and this was a superior experience in my opinion. The 7 step spa ritual is included with every admission and it was really relaxing and fun to do it. The lagoon was quite large and even though there were many people around, it still felt relaxing and rejuvenating. We went at 4pm and stayed till 7 pm as there was no limit on how long you could stay. The views are incredible and worth it. The shared changing rooms were very clean and the access to private showers, towels, and free lockers was great.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Reykjavik Premium Whale Watching
Reykjavík

The RIB boat experience was very cool! The tour gave us warm jumpsuits, gloves, scarves, goggles and even motion sickness meds to make us comfortable on the boat. It was really cool that the boat could get really close to whales (as opposed to the big whale watching boats that have to stay far away from the animals). The tour guide Laura was friendly and knowledgeable and even showed us puffins. It was nice that if you didn't see many whales, they allowed you to do the tour again on another day free of charge! We could not avail of this perk due to our schedule, but it was thoughtful. We managed to see only one whale, because of low levels of feed in the area on that day, but it was still worth it! Note: sometimes the tour runs late, so leave at least 30 minutes buffer before any activities.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Adam Warszawski
Adam
Adam Warszawski
Local specialist in Poland / Iceland | Replied on Aug 02, 2026

Thank you for the review, Aashini!

Thank you for taking the time to write such detailed feedback. It means a lot to us, as it helps us understand what works really well and what we can still improve.

I'm so happy to hear that you had a fantastic time in Iceland, and I'm glad I could help make your trip a memorable one!

Exceptional Iceland Itinerary and Expert Guidance!
Iceland | Jul 22 - Jul 31, 2026

Joe
Joe B.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on Aug 02, 2026
Working with our travel coordinator for our recent trip to Iceland was an absolute game-changer. From start to finish, their deep knowledge of Iceland truly shone through, allowing us to experience the country like seasoned insiders rather than standard tourists.
They crafted a brilliant itinerary that maximized our time effortlessly, blending a wonderfully diversified portion of Iceland—from dramatic waterfalls and black sand beaches to glaciers and geothermal wonders—without ever making...
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Working with our travel coordinator for our recent trip to Iceland was an absolute game-changer. From start to finish, their deep knowledge of Iceland truly shone through, allowing us to experience the country like seasoned insiders rather than standard tourists.
They crafted a brilliant itinerary that maximized our time effortlessly, blending a wonderfully diversified portion of Iceland—from dramatic waterfalls and black sand beaches to glaciers and geothermal wonders—without ever making us feel rushed.
Every single element of the trip exceeded our expectations:
• Accommodations: They chose excellent hotels that were comfortable, beautifully located, and offered a fantastic retreat after a long day of exploring.
• Dining: Their outstanding restaurant recommendations gave us an authentic taste of local Icelandic cuisine, saving us from guesswork and guaranteeing memorable meals at every stop.
To put it simply, this diverse and complex itinerary would’ve been completely impossible to develop on our own without an immense amount of time researching, planning, and second-guessing. If you are planning a trip to Iceland, having this level of expertise on your side is invaluable. We couldn't recommend them more highly!

Hotel Review
Hotel Skogafoss
Skogar

Great location: incredible hike!!!

Authenticity & Character
Location, location, location
Location
Best location for incredible hike
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Glacier Ice Cave Experience
Glacier Ice Cave Experience
Iceland

Exciting shuttle ride to the Location. Incredible walk on the glaciers and hiking the ice caves.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Guðmundur Óli Pálmason
Guðmundur Óli
Guðmundur Óli Pálmason
Local specialist in Iceland | Replied on Aug 02, 2026

Thank you for the kind review Joe! I am very happy to read you had such a great time in Iceland and I do hope you'll visit us again soon
All the best
Gummi

Amazing Job by the KimKim Team
Thailand | Jul 28 - Aug 1, 2026

D
Devyn N.
Japan | Reviewed on Aug 02, 2026
Bella did an amazing job setting things up for us and adjusting to our needs. Our diver from the airport, for a tour of the island, and delivery back to the airport as well as the other drivers, tour guides from Mr. Tu's and the Elephant Sanctuary were exceptional. Mr. Tu's team was especially thoughtful, ensuring everyone stayed hydrated and safe. The team from the Elephant Sanctuary were very courteous and took pictures as needed so those on the adventure could enjoy it to the fullest, even... Read more

Bella did an amazing job setting things up for us and adjusting to our needs. Our diver from the airport, for a tour of the island, and delivery back to the airport as well as the other drivers, tour guides from Mr. Tu's and the Elephant Sanctuary were exceptional. Mr. Tu's team was especially thoughtful, ensuring everyone stayed hydrated and safe. The team from the Elephant Sanctuary were very courteous and took pictures as needed so those on the adventure could enjoy it to the fullest, even if it felt a little rushed.

Hotel Review
Samui Buri

Check-in and check-out was a breeze and the staff was extremely helpful. The atmosphere of the hotel was quiet and peaceful for a beachside resort, which made the experience more relaxing than the hotels I have stayed at in the past.

Authenticity & Character
It was quiet and peaceful for a resort. The style of the hotel was open air with the rooms being spacious and air conditioned without feeling out of character.
Location
The location is great. The atmosphere is quiet and peaceful, though it is a bit out of the way and pretty far from the touristy area, so transportation is needed unless you enjoy long walks on the side of the road.
Staff
We didn't interact with most of the staff other than at meals, but the ones we encountered were courteous and motivated to help in whatever manner they could.
Cleanliness & Comfort
As stated above, the room was spacious. It was also very clean and the AC made it a comfortable place to relax after a long day.
Local specialist: Bella Saung

Everything worked well, except the “self-tour...
Germany | Jul 28 - Aug 1, 2026

S
Stephen p.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on Aug 02, 2026
Everything worked well, except the “self-tour” of Rothenburg. While the app worked, it regularly did not and was very hard to use. Would not recommend it, nor permit another client to use it. The tour guide at Nuremberg was amazing. Overall a great experience. Read more

Everything worked well, except the “self-tour” of Rothenburg. While the app worked, it regularly did not and was very hard to use. Would not recommend it, nor permit another client to use it. The tour guide at Nuremberg was amazing. Overall a great experience.

Hotel Review
Hotel Sonne (Adult-only)
Rothenburg o.d.T.
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Caroline Kennedy

Liked Kim Kim better before the digital days
Italy | Jul 14 - Jul 19, 2026

Tammy
Tammy S.
Omaha, NE | Reviewed on Aug 01, 2026
The process of planning and booking this trip was not as positive as the first trip my sister and I did with Kim Kim about 3-4 years ago. For one thing, the computer program did not ever unlink my sister from the trip she had Kim Kim plan to France in March/April 2026. Even MY receipts for payments for MY trip to Italy with my granddaughter were sent to her email! She was not associated with the trip to Italy in any way.
I am not a big fan of having to download everything digitally. I...
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The process of planning and booking this trip was not as positive as the first trip my sister and I did with Kim Kim about 3-4 years ago. For one thing, the computer program did not ever unlink my sister from the trip she had Kim Kim plan to France in March/April 2026. Even MY receipts for payments for MY trip to Italy with my granddaughter were sent to her email! She was not associated with the trip to Italy in any way.
I am not a big fan of having to download everything digitally. I finally got the trip loaded on my phone, BUT my cellular provider evidently does not have good coverage in other countries. I could not get to the trip information on my phone unless I was in the hotel and had WIFI available. Thankfully my granddaughter's cellular coverage worked in Europe, so we used hers when we were away from the hotel.
Jessica was good to respond to the requests when planning, for example booking us a pizza tour rather than a winery tour. It might have been reassuring to be advised that our hotels were within walking distance of the tour meeting places in most instances. The heat this year in July made the walks more challenging, but most people in reasonably good shape would be able to do them. The hotel in Rome was very nice, the staff very accommodating, and the breakfast exceptional. The hotel in Naples was interesting, but when the driver dropped us off, we could not really see where the hotel was. There was a large wooden door (sometimes open for drive through, other times closed with just a walk-through door) with several signs on the right side. The name of the hotel was there among several other signs, on a sign about 20x20 inches square. A person had to punch in a code number to open it if it was not open to drive through. Then one went up a small and rather dingy elevator to a landing with a double wooden door that one used a plastic card to open, then one had a large metal key for one's room. The breakfast room and service were not nearly as nice as the hotel in Rome. The most positive thing it had going for it was it was right on the Dante Plaza where the Pizza tour met to begin.

Hotel Reviews
Rinuccini Relais Hotel
Naples

Hard to find at first - front door did NOT look like most hotel front doors. Getting in and out of hotel was complicated and a little tricky. Breakfast room and service were only average.

Authenticity & Character
The building certainly had character!
Location
Right on Dante Plaza
Staff
Young woman at the desk was very helpful, but no one was available overnight.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Once inside the upper floor and doors of the hotel, things were clean and the AC was nice and cool, but the area around the hotel seemed a little dingy and rough.
Albergo Del Senato
Rome

The rooms were clean and service very good. Breakfast was exceptional. Hotel location was close to a lot of the famous sites in the historic Rome area. Liked it very much.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Close enough to walk to a lot of the historic sites
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Air conditioning worked well during the July heat wave.
Activity Reviews
Naples Pizza Tour
Naples Pizza Tour
Italy

Again, it was hot, even in the evening so it was not as pleasant as it could have been. Our guide was good, but she had to order so much food. My granddaughter and I could not possibly eat all of it, but she said she was supposed to. The sit-down restaurant was nice and welcome as it was cool. It is too bad that outdoor restaurants do not allow people to sit down briefly when there are empty seats in their area - at least for a little while. We had to "perch" on the side of a planter while our guide got our dessert. There were no park benches or other public places to sit in the area. We ended up taking it back to our hotel, but as we were leaving the country the next day, it mostly went to waste.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Highlights of the Vatican & Sistine Chapel Tour
Highlights of the Vatican & Sistine Chapel Tour
Italy

It was hot and crowded. I was surprised that the museum did not have air conditioning that worked well. The guide pointed out some interesting things about the paintings and other contents of the museum that I had not thought about or noticed before. The Sistine Chapel was smaller than I was expecting. St. Peter's Basilica was large but also crowded. We did not see most of the lovely side chapels, however as we were finishing and our guide leaving us, a Mass was about to begin, and I was able to stay for it. Since there were no papal audiences during July, it was special to me to be able to attend a Mass in St. Peter's.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Day Trip to Pompeii from Naples
Day Trip to Pompeii from Naples
Italy

We had a guide who seemed very attuned to what we would be interested in concerning the homes and daily lives of the unfortunate inhabitants of Pompeii and Herculaneum. I liked her approach to guiding us through the site.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Mount Vesuvius Entrance Tickets
Mount Vesuvius Entrance Tickets
Italy

Jessica answered my questions about the park, but since we were first timers there, it might have been nice to know about the various paths that one could take to the crater rim and the places to get a drink at the top. Our driver took us by a cameo factory on the way there, and that was interesting, but there was a lot of sales pitches made as well as information given.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
The Best of Colosseum & Ancient Rome With Exclusive Arena Access
The Best of Colosseum & Ancient Rome With Exclusive Arena Access
Rome

The tour was amazing. Our guide was OK but not as good as some I have had. The meeting place was a little confusing because of the two places (upper and lower) it could have been. The guide explained and showed us many things but did not "bring to life the fascinating history and architectural marvels of the structural, sharing stories of emperors, gladiators, and the roaring spectators". The heat may have had something to do with that I suppose.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Jessica Proietti

Amazing experience, would book again
Colombia | Jul 22 - Jul 28, 2026

Chante
Chante R.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Aug 01, 2026
Michael was a great specialist and maintained excellent communication with us before and during the trip. Nancy was our guide in Colombia and is absolutely amazing! We learned so much from her and she was always attentive to us and went above and beyond. We even see her as a friend now. Read more

Michael was a great specialist and maintained excellent communication with us before and during the trip.

Nancy was our guide in Colombia and is absolutely amazing! We learned so much from her and she was always attentive to us and went above and beyond. We even see her as a friend now.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel San Pedro de Majagua
Isla Grande

Excellent rooms and customer service. We enjoyed the beach a lot and the food was good but be prepared to spend money if you are staying various days because the meals aren’t cheap and it adds up. We also wish they had some type of nightly entertainment for guests.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
GHL Hotel Armería Real
Cartagena

Hotel is in Getsemani so you are able to walk to a lot of places. There is a pool on the rooftop that has a bar and restaurant with excellent (but pricey) food. Breakfast was included but was just ok

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Michael Gold

Great trip in Australia
Australia | Jul 18 - Jul 28, 2026

Ingrid
Ingrid W.
Seattle, WA | Reviewed on Aug 01, 2026
Overall, kimkim put together a very good trip and was conscientious and thorough in all the bookings. Samantha provided some great suggestions, asked the right questions and took good care of transfers and so on. We were so delighted with the recommendation of staying at Silky Oaks and the Gorge day with Backcountry Bliss. Also, the Kuranda Skyrail day had to be cancelled when it closed for maintenance and kimkim did a great job of providing several good other options and talking us through... Read more

Overall, kimkim put together a very good trip and was conscientious and thorough in all the bookings. Samantha provided some great suggestions, asked the right questions and took good care of transfers and so on. We were so delighted with the recommendation of staying at Silky Oaks and the Gorge day with Backcountry Bliss. Also, the Kuranda Skyrail day had to be cancelled when it closed for maintenance and kimkim did a great job of providing several good other options and talking us through which one might be best for us.
My concerns are:
The reef outing with Ocean Free was on a really small sail boat that felt very cramped. It was slower than the other boats that were all passing us and getting to Green Island more quickly. I can see that some folks may prefer the charm of a sailboat and that would be worth going more slowly for them, but I think kimkim should have pointed this out and given us options to choose from. I also felt in danger of falling when the boat was pitching wildly in choppy water and there were inadequate handholds.
Our other reef outing was cancelled due to weather, which is of course understandable and no one can be blamed for poor weather. The issue was that the tour operator didn’t let us know they cancelled, so we got up early, dressed and were waiting for the pickup. I would hope that kimkim would refuse to book with operators that are careless with their clients’ time.

Hotel Review
The StandardX
Fitzroy

The StandardX is disappointing. The lobby and restaurant are very hip and stylish-looking, so I guess that is why it is a “boutique” hotel, but there is little interest in comfort. We were warned about the small room, but one *tiny* drawer for 2 people? We had to live out of our suitcases, very inconvenient. No decent-sized bedside table or reading lamp for one side of the bed? Unacceptable. The in-room coffee is a no-good dunkbag, rather than a Nespresso machine or even a decent instant coffee. It was not a comfortable place to spend 3 days.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Cleaniness was very good but comfort was poor
Local specialist: Samantha Slais

Caroline was outstanding!
Switzerland | May 25 - Jun 5, 2026

Tony
Tony G.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Aug 01, 2026
Caroline was an excellent travel planning advisor for our recent trip to Switzerland! She listened to our requests and helped us customize an amazing experience for our family that took into account our unique requests and included many of the beautiful highlights in Switzerland. She helped us get all of the hotel and tickets that we needed and explained clearly how we would use them. When we decided we wanted to depart from Milan, she helped us make that happen too. She was flexible and... Read more

Caroline was an excellent travel planning advisor for our recent trip to Switzerland! She listened to our requests and helped us customize an amazing experience for our family that took into account our unique requests and included many of the beautiful highlights in Switzerland. She helped us get all of the hotel and tickets that we needed and explained clearly how we would use them. When we decided we wanted to depart from Milan, she helped us make that happen too. She was flexible and easy to get in touch with, even during our trip when we had questions. Everything went so smoothly! Overall it was a wonderful trip. Thank you Caroline!

Local specialist: Caroline Kennedy

It was great to encounter Ramiro, our driver ...
Peru | Jul 21 - Jul 29, 2026

J
Jenni L.
Dallas, TX | Reviewed on Aug 01, 2026
It was great to encounter Ramiro, our driver several times throughout our trip. Ismerelda was also very personable and knowledgeable. Our drivers, transfers, flights, trains and buses all were on schedule all the time. The guides were very helpful when our spanish just wasn't doing the job. All of the hotels were chosen carefully, and all delivered except one. But making the move to another hotel was fairly seamless, again with the help of our driver and guide. We learned a lot from this... Read more

It was great to encounter Ramiro, our driver several times throughout our trip. Ismerelda was also very personable and knowledgeable. Our drivers, transfers, flights, trains and buses all were on schedule all the time. The guides were very helpful when our spanish just wasn't doing the job. All of the hotels were chosen carefully, and all delivered except one. But making the move to another hotel was fairly seamless, again with the help of our driver and guide. We learned a lot from this trip, and will plan better for our next one. I would not hesitate to use Kimkim again.

Hotel Reviews
Quinta San Blas by Ananay Hotels
Cusco

This is a nice hotel if you're looking for absolutely no frills. We only stayed one night of three. The staff is nice, and place is clean, and the bed was comfy. But we had a lot of down time during these days and no where to go. There is no lobby, the courtyard is outdoors in open air with no place to sit and relax. It's downright cold when the sun goes down, so you have to be in your room to stay warm. The room itself only has a small window looking out into the courtyard, so your view is a wall. We felt too enclosed to spend three nights here. The breakfast was nice, with enough selections to give us variety, but the lack of spaces was a turnoff for us.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
the place was clean, the comfort was missing.
Tierra Viva Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu

this was a very nice and clean hotel in a great location. We only had a very short time here, but the staff was very accommodating, and spoke great english. The breakfast buffet is nothing awesome, but had plenty of selections to fill your belly before treking to Machu Pichu. The bed was quite comfortable also.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Las Qolqas EcoResort Ollantaytambo
Ollantaytambo

Another gem in the middle of nowhere! Our tent, # 3, probably has the best views of the mountains of any of the tents. While the dinner menu is not extensive, the selections were more than generous portions, and tasty. The service was quick and efficient. We had a fire in our fireplace every night and all we had to ask for them to come start it. The grounds are filled with flora of all kinds in bloom, and very nicely kept.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Second Home
Barranco, Lima

What a gem! Walking distance to the beach, restaurants, etc... The grounds are gorgeous with views of the ocean, and a number of different places to sit and relax, or have breakfast. The staff was very friendly. The rooms were more than adequate. It's a shame we couldn't stay longer!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Scenic Train Journey to Aguas Calientes from the Sacred Valley
Scenic Train Journey to Aguas Calientes from the Sacred Valley
Peru

This is a beautiful journey. The train was very comfortable, and on time. We had purchased tickets in advance, which is really the only way to go. Otherwise, the lines are long as the crowds are everywhere.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Lunch at Mountainview
Lunch at Mountainview
Peru

Lots of confusion about our reservation when we arrived here. Our driver not only didn't speak english, he also didn't understand our spanish well. After going through several management, no one could determine why we were there, but since I could prove we had prepaid, they let us order off our special menu. The food was awesome! The llamas wandering throughout the dining room only added to the ambiance! The views are also incredible from here.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Discovering the Treasures of Machu Picchu
Discovering the Treasures of Machu Picchu
Aguas Calientes/ Machu Picchu

We got our tickets for Circuit 2 a year in advance, and it was well worth the wait! We had an amazing guide (Rolly, aka Roy) throughout the ruins, and even with the number of people there, he kept our pace at one that allowed us to enjoy the views without the crowds. He was also a decent photographer.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Pachamanca Lunch at El Albergue Farm in Ollantaytambo
Pachamanca Lunch at El Albergue Farm in Ollantaytambo
Peru

This was an incredible experience! It was awesome to see how everything was done, and the food was really good, and plentiful. The only complaint was we had special ordered the cuy for our lunch, and that message never reached the right person. I would definitely make time in your trip for this. Our driver dropped us off at the top of the hill where train tickets are sold, and we were told the Farm is next door, but that was not the case. So we spent some time trying to figure out where to go asking in our broken spanish! We eventually figured it out.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Fly to Cusco, and transfer to the Sacred Valley
Fly to Cusco, and transfer to the Sacred Valley
Peru

Driver was on time for pick up, the flight was uneventful. The drive to our hotel was very long....2 hours on bumpy roads. We realize we are traveling, but it was a very long day to get to our final destination.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Half Day Cusco Tour
Half Day Cusco Tour
Peru

Our driver and tour guide were great. The tour went longer than planned, and was a bit overwhelming at the end of a busy week, but that was not their fault. We saw some cool places and learned some new things about the area, so that was nice.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Kristy Tizon

My dream family trip!
France | Jul 3 - Jul 10, 2026

A
Alison D.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Aug 01, 2026
We had a wonderful weeklong trip to Annecy and Chamonix thanks to Amandine. After spending two weeks in Paris I wanted to go to a beautiful place away from the city and the crowds where my family (myself, husband, and two kids ages 12 and 10) could go hiking and do other outdoor activites, but I was overwhelmed thinking about planning this trip myself. After staying in airbnbs and doing all the research myself for many years I took a leap of faith and put my trust in Amandine and she did not... Read more

We had a wonderful weeklong trip to Annecy and Chamonix thanks to Amandine. After spending two weeks in Paris I wanted to go to a beautiful place away from the city and the crowds where my family (myself, husband, and two kids ages 12 and 10) could go hiking and do other outdoor activites, but I was overwhelmed thinking about planning this trip myself. After staying in airbnbs and doing all the research myself for many years I took a leap of faith and put my trust in Amandine and she did not disappoint. She was friendly, professional, responsive, and efficient with making revisions. She selected ideal destinations, arranged TGV tickets (including a surprise upgrade to first-class), found mid-range hotels with clean, comfortable rooms that had beds for each kid and nice breakfasts, arranged transparent kayak rentals, bike rentals, and gondola tickets, scheduled a hiking guide (Quentin was amazing) and two drivers, and recommended restaurants. I felt a genuine connection with her and the extra money was well-spent. I wouldn't hesitate to ask her for help planning another trip to France.

Local specialist: Amandine Baillarguès

Great 9 Days in Norway for First Timers
Norway | Jul 12 - Jul 20, 2026

C
Chris M.
Boston, MA | Reviewed on Aug 01, 2026
Everything was great and stress free. Would absolutely work with Mathia again if we come back to Norway in the future, which we intend to do. Accommodations were good, transportation was easy. Could not have gone better. Read more

Everything was great and stress free. Would absolutely work with Mathia again if we come back to Norway in the future, which we intend to do. Accommodations were good, transportation was easy. Could not have gone better.

Hotel Reviews
Heimen Hotel
Bergen
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Kviknes Hotel
Balestrand
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Vestlia Resort
Geilo
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Thon Hotel Terminus
Oslo
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Bergen Walking Tour With a Local Guide
Bergen Walking Tour With a Local Guide
Bergen
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Finnabotn RIB Tour
Finnabotn RIB Tour
Balestrand
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Train to Flåm -> Ferry to Balestrand
Train to Flåm -> Ferry to Balestrand
Norway
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Mathia Pacenti
Mathia
Mathia Pacenti
Local specialist in Vesterålen, Norway | Replied on Aug 01, 2026
Dear Chris,
Thank you very much for your wonderful review. It truly means a lot to know that your journey through Norway was smooth, stress-free, and lived up to your expectations.
It was a real pleasure helping you plan your adventure, and I'm delighted that the accommodations, transportation, and every part of the itinerary came together so well.
I’m especially happy to hear that you’re already thinking about returning to Norway. There is still so much more to discover, and I would be...
Read more

Dear Chris,
Thank you very much for your wonderful review. It truly means a lot to know that your journey through Norway was smooth, stress-free, and lived up to your expectations.
It was a real pleasure helping you plan your adventure, and I'm delighted that the accommodations, transportation, and every part of the itinerary came together so well.
I’m especially happy to hear that you’re already thinking about returning to Norway. There is still so much more to discover, and I would be honored to help you plan your next adventure whenever the time comes.
I wish you and your family all the best. :)
Mathia

Thanks kimkim for another amazing adventure! ...
Zambia | Jun 14 - Jun 26, 2026

Mike
Mike S.
Waterford, MI | Reviewed on Aug 01, 2026
Thanks kimkim for another amazing adventure! Petru made planning our Zambian safari/honeymoon extremely simple. She was there every step of the way and answered all of our questions promptly. We especially enjoyed our safari activities with Green Safaris. They were outstanding hosts and made our trip incredibly memorable. Thanks to all our guides: Cristobel, Albert, Jakob, Frazier, Moses, and Luke. We got to see so much of the Zambian flora and fauna thanks to all of these wonderful guides.... Read more

Thanks kimkim for another amazing adventure! Petru made planning our Zambian safari/honeymoon extremely simple. She was there every step of the way and answered all of our questions promptly. We especially enjoyed our safari activities with Green Safaris. They were outstanding hosts and made our trip incredibly memorable. Thanks to all our guides: Cristobel, Albert, Jakob, Frazier, Moses, and Luke. We got to see so much of the Zambian flora and fauna thanks to all of these wonderful guides. All of the accommodations were incredible. It was so cool to be staying out in nature, listening to the sound of hippos eating at night and lions roaming the plains.

Hotel Reviews
Avani Victoria Falls Resort
Mosi-oa-Tunya Road, Livingstone 20100

Within walking distance of Victoria Falls, and having free admission. This was by far the best part of the resort. The pool was nice and having animals wander nearby was incredible. It did feel a bit more commercialized than some of the other camps but otherwise was a very enjoyable hotel!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Baines' River Camp
Lower Zambezi Valley

This was a great camp. The food an accommodations were top of the line. The only downside, and this is minor, is that the camp is located so far outside of the National Park. The boat ride to the park was always enjoyable but it felt more dethatched than some of the other places we stayed.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Chisa Busanga Camp
Lusaka

This was an amazing camp. The nests were one of a kind and incredibly unique. We really enjoyed having dinner with the other guests each night. The authentic Zambian meal was one of our favorites too, thanks for sharing a bit of your culture with us.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Shawa Luangwa Camp
Lusaka

Simply amazing! Our first ever safari camp. Situated right along the river, where hippos would wander for snacks at night directly beneath our tent. We thoroughly enjoyed the accommodations. Melania did a great job taking care of us each and every day. The food was fantastic and we definitely ate too much.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
City Lodge Johannesburg O.R. Tambo International Airport

Convenient walk from the airport terminal. Perfect place to stay for an overnight layover. The breakfast is served early and was delicious.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Safari activities in the Kafue National Park
Safari activities in the Kafue National Park
Kafue

Wow! We had so much fun at Kafue. The wide open plains and plentiful lions, antelope, and even a few cheetahs...memories that will stick with us for a lifetime.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Thanks so much to Frazier for making this safari so enjoyable.
Transport
We especially liked the electric vehicle to get a bit closer to the wildlife.
Local specialist: Petru van Zyl

Our trip to Iceland was amazing and we could ..
Iceland | Jul 23 - Jul 29, 2026

Stacey
Stacey B.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Aug 01, 2026

Our trip to Iceland was amazing and we could not have done it without our local specialist, Guðmundur Óli. The detailed itinerary was beyond our expectations and he had us visit so many natural attractions that we would have never known about. Each day was planned and every stop was already loaded into the GPS for us. We stayed at a different hotel every day in a new city and he was sure to recommend restaurants in every city. Thank you for a great and unforgettable trip!

Local specialist: Guðmundur Óli Pálmason
Guðmundur Óli
Guðmundur Óli Pálmason
Local specialist in Iceland | Replied on Aug 01, 2026

Thank you for the kind review Stacey! I am happy to hear you had such a great time in Iceland and that everything worked out perfectly as planned
Take care and visit us again soon!
Gummi

Super experience with Sara!
Germany | Jul 3 - Jul 18, 2026

Bruce
Bruce S.
Seattle, WA | Reviewed on Aug 01, 2026
We cannot say enough about the service Sara and KimKim provided in making a bucket list 2-week trip to Germany come true. Over several iterations and many location changes, Sara provided timely and helpful advice and a full range of options. Once we got our itinerary finalized, she was super prompt to assemble the details. We are very happy we upgraded our hotel selections from our original plan, thanks to her assistance. The trip planning was almost perfect, minus one challenge related... Read more

We cannot say enough about the service Sara and KimKim provided in making a bucket list 2-week trip to Germany come true. Over several iterations and many location changes, Sara provided timely and helpful advice and a full range of options. Once we got our itinerary finalized, she was super prompt to assemble the details. We are very happy we upgraded our hotel selections from our original plan, thanks to her assistance. The trip planning was almost perfect, minus one challenge related to a car rental office not being open. (Not KimKim's fault!) This is our second trip with KimKim, and we are true believers. Thank you, and until next time!

Hotel Reviews
The Niu Leo
Nuremberg

Modern, somewhat sterile hotel, just like you would see in any big city. Their food service was very good, and not very pricey!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Ruchti - Zeit für mich
Füssen

This lodge is located in a beautiful, scenic and peaceful neighborhood only 10 minutes walk from the Fussen old town and commercial hub. It is like being in a park! This is a quaint, cozy hotel, with interesting furnishings and a fun lounge and well-staffed, excellent restaurant.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Living Hotel Das Viktualienmarkt
Munich

We were thrilled with the scenic location across the street from the market and 5 minutes walk to the Marienplatz. Also the neighborhood Ludwigsvorstadt-Isarvorstadt adjacent to the hotel was fun to explore. The staff is cordial and professional and always met our needs promptly. The room was refreshed every morning, and the bathroom was spacious and well appointed.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Can't get much better than across street from Viktualienmarkt
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
ClapClap Hôtel
Strasbourg

Our room was not clean, and the common areas are a bit run down. There is no air conditioning and our room was situated in a location without much circulation. The bathroom is tiny. On the upside, it is super easy to walk into the old town.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Deutscher Hof
Trier

Very convenient and comfortable lodging, within easy walk into the main plazas and sights of Trier. We had a rental car, so the easy access to parking was perfect and unexpected! The hotel looks classy, beds were very comfortable, and the showers worked above average. Was not thrilled with not having air conditioning on a 35 degree day, but we slept OK because there was a breeze.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Trierer Hof
Koblenz

Roomy and comfortable. This part of Koblenz is a bit boring, but it is easy to get to the tourist sights and transportation hub.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Pension Winzerhaus
Bacharach

Stefan made us feel extremely welcome. He and his wife are wonderful people! The room was quite simple and spare, which was fine with us since it is located very conveniently and the hosts were so nice. They provided an excellent quality breakfast as well. Bacharach is a dreamy little town to explore.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Scandic Frankfurt Museumsufer
Frankfurt

Spacious and spotless! We were amazed at the high quality of this hotel, and its central location in Frankfurt. Will stay there again!

Authenticity & Character
Location
5 min walk from train station!
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Cleanest hotel I have ever seen!
Activity Reviews
🏰 Neuschwanstein Castle Skip-the-Line Tour – A Smooth Visit to Bavaria’s Iconic Castle
🏰 Neuschwanstein Castle Skip-the-Line Tour – A Smooth Visit to Bavaria’s Iconic Castle
Germany

Steven did an admirable job guiding us to and through the castle given the circumstances. There was a big thunderstorm so we gathered and walked up to the castle in a gusty downpour. Everyone was soaked! It was interesting that he was not able to get us into the castle in our given timeframe, so we stood around outside for 30 minutes. The castle is astonishing, but you are rushed through it and so it's hard to truly savor the experience.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Guided City Centre History & Architecture Walk
Private Guided City Centre History & Architecture Walk
Strasbourg

Gustave gave us a very heartfelt, entertaining walking tour of the old and new sectors of Strasbourg. He did a super job giving us the historical context of this region's people and its social complexity. And he was very funny!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Sara R

My grandson and I had a wonderful time throug...
Australia | Jul 9 - Jul 26, 2026

T
Thomas L.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Jul 31, 2026

My grandson and I had a wonderful time throughout the entire trip to Australia. Thanks to the Kimkim team for all your assistance but most importantly, to Jeab. She was absolutely wonderful. Attentive through out 18 days, she checked in almost daily. As with any trip, there are hiccups and her assistance throughout was outstanding! Thanks Jeab and to the Kimkim team for making this a memorable event in our lives

Local specialist: Jeab Kwanchanok
Jeab
Jeab Kwanchanok
Local specialist in Austral NSW, Australia | Replied on Aug 02, 2026
Hi Thomas, Thank you so much for your kind words! It truly means a lot to me. The Vio Travel team, Kimkim, and I are so happy to hear that you and Maxwell had such a wonderful time in Australia. It was an absolute pleasure helping you plan the trip and supporting you along the way. I'm delighted to have been a small part of creating such a memorable experience for both of you. If you ever start thinking about another adventure—whether it's Southeast Asia, Australia again, or somewhere... Read more

Hi Thomas,

Thank you so much for your kind words! It truly means a lot to me.

The Vio Travel team, Kimkim, and I are so happy to hear that you and Maxwell had such a wonderful time in Australia. It was an absolute pleasure helping you plan the trip and supporting you along the way. I'm delighted to have been a small part of creating such a memorable experience for both of you.

If you ever start thinking about another adventure—whether it's Southeast Asia, Australia again, or somewhere else—please don't hesitate to reach out. I'd be more than happy to help you plan your next journey.

Wishing you and Maxwell all the very best, and thank you again for trusting me with your trip!

Best wishes,
Jeab

Nine days of fun and adventure in Iceland in July
Iceland | Jul 21 - Jul 29, 2026

Jane
Jane B.
Philadelphia, PA | Reviewed on Jul 31, 2026
Noga was so excellent from the planning phase to the implementation of our plans and the guidance of our day to day itinerary. We loved that we visited out of the way places as well as the popular "must sees". The timings suggested on our itinerary worked out perfectly. We appreciated that kimkim was available during the trip whenever we needed help. The ride to and fjord views at Hvammsvik hot springs was awesome. It is worth going to see the puffins at Storhofdi lookout on Heimaey of... Read more

Noga was so excellent from the planning phase to the implementation of our plans and the guidance of our day to day itinerary. We loved that we visited out of the way places as well as the popular "must sees". The timings suggested on our itinerary worked out perfectly. We appreciated that kimkim was available during the trip whenever we needed help. The ride to and fjord views at Hvammsvik hot springs was awesome. It is worth going to see the puffins at Storhofdi lookout on Heimaey of Westman Islands. Would recommend the glacier lagoon kayaking at Solheimajokull. Had so many memorable moments in dramatic Iceland!!

Hotel Reviews
Skuggi Hotel by Keahotels
Reykjavík

Food was mediocre. Would recommend eating in town. Even breakfast was mediocre.

Location
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Vos
Hella
Authenticity & Character
Cleanliness & Comfort
Fosshotel Stykkishólmur
Stykkishólmur
Location
Surrounding town and restaurants were great!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Fosshotel Núpar
Kálfafell

The view from thus hotel is awesome! The food is very good. It is a bit far from alternative dinner options. The bathroom needed to be cleaned better.

Authenticity & Character
Cleanliness & Comfort
Bathroom needed better cleaning
Local specialist: Noga Heyman

The absolute perfect bucket list trip!
Japan | Jul 9 - Jul 16, 2026

Kerry
Kerry B.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Jul 31, 2026
My husband and I just returned from our trip to Japan and have said multiple times how absolutely perfect it was. I am so glad we worked with Elizabeth and KimKim on this bucket list trip. They connected us with world class tour guides and interpreters - I keep telling people that we may return to Japan just to visit Naoko. She was our tour guide for two days in Kyoto and one in Osaka. Not only was she incredibly knowledgeable about past and present Japan, but she was adaptable, thoughtful... Read more

My husband and I just returned from our trip to Japan and have said multiple times how absolutely perfect it was. I am so glad we worked with Elizabeth and KimKim on this bucket list trip. They connected us with world class tour guides and interpreters - I keep telling people that we may return to Japan just to visit Naoko. She was our tour guide for two days in Kyoto and one in Osaka. Not only was she incredibly knowledgeable about past and present Japan, but she was adaptable, thoughtful and full of recommendations for places to eat, see, shop, etc. In addition to her tours, the other highlights for us were our private kyudo and iaido lessons in Kanazawa - both brought me to tears because they were so meaningful and our teachers were so genuine as they shared their culture and history with us. It sounds like a lot of people don't choose those experiences, so I cannot recommend them enough for a traveler looking to feel immersed in the culture on their visit. Another experience we will treasure forever is our dinner with a geisha (geiko) in Kyoto. I do not have the words to describe that evening and do it justice so just trust me, ask Elizabeth to schedule this for you if you can! What an absolute privilege it was to have that experience. I also loved our Kanazawa market tour with Selda and our Nishiki market tour with Leandra and would not hesitate to recommend both experiences! Finally, Elizabeth and her colleagues were so easy to work with via WhatsApp on the trip and even sent us videos to help us navigate the train stations. Japan has been my husband's bucket list trip and again, I am so glad we connected with Elizabeth through KimKim to plan the most perfect trip. We will remember our time in Japan forever!

Hotel Reviews
Kanazawa Sainoniwa Hotel

We loved Kanazawa Sainoniwa Hotel!!! Our room was great, the food was top notch (I will dream about that breakfast forever!), the staff was so kind and helpful, and you can't beat the access to the public onsen.

Authenticity & Character
Location
I gave it a 4/5 because you do need to take a taxi to and from town, but it's very easy so I wouldn't hesitate to stay here again.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Courtyard by Marriott Tokyo Station
Tokyo

We had a quick overnight in Tokyo and chose this hotel based mostly on location. It has all the standard amenities you might need, including a fantastic breakfast, but it's real value is in the location. I'd stay here again if we needed a home base in Tokyo near Tokyo Station.

Authenticity & Character
This was a Marriott and it felt like a Marriott - which was fine! We had other accommodations in Japan with more character but since we only had one quick night in Tokyo, this worked out perfect for the location.
Location
Very close to Tokyo Station and walking distance to Ginza and other Tokyo locations. Great spot!
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Kanazawa Samurai Diary (Budo) & Samurai Iaido Experience
Kanazawa Samurai Diary (Budo) & Samurai Iaido Experience
Kanazawa

We ended up splitting the activities so we did kyudo one afternoon and iaido the next day. Both were absolute privileges to be part of and I can not recommend them enough. It was a really special way to feel immersed in the history and culture of Japan as our teachers walked us through the steps that have been practiced for hundreds of years. I honestly was moved to tears at both experiences and am so grateful of the time and energy given by our teachers. These were very special experiences.

Quality of Experience
Both of our experiences were incredibly authentic - in a way above and beyond anything I could have ever expected.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our translator was amazing!!!
Dinner with Maiko in a Traditional Kyoto Style Restaurant Tour
Dinner with Maiko in a Traditional Kyoto Style Restaurant Tour
Kyoto

It is very hard to write this review because it's hard to really explain how special this dinner was. We ended up having dinner with a geiko (the Kyoto term for geisha) and it was an experience I will treasure forever. Few get the opportunity to dine with a maiko or geiko so I would encourage anyone who can do so to make sure to prioritize this as they plan their trip to Japan. It was such an interesting way to immerse ourselves in the history and culture of the area - plus the food was delicious! I cannot recommend this enough.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
She was fantastic! It felt like having dinner with a friend and she did a great job introducing us to the geiko.
The 10 Tastings of Kanazawa: Street Food
The 10 Tastings of Kanazawa: Street Food
Kanazawa

Selda was an incredible guide on this trip! She encouraged us to try foods we were initially hesitant about and I am so glad she was with us as we explored the market. I discovered many foods that I wouldn't have without her, and I loved learning more about the history of Kanazawa and how it's fish market has impacted the history there. From the freshest fruit, to the juiciest steak, to the largest oysters and freshest sushi.....what an amazing way to spend an afternoon in Japan!

Quality of Experience
Selda really made this experience so special. Anyone can visit Kanazawa market, but being there with her meant we got to experience what the locals enjoy.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Selda was such a warm and funny guide. It felt like exploring the market with a good friend.
Nishiki Market Food Experience
Nishiki Market Food Experience
Kyoto

We absolutely loved our food tour at the Nishiki market! Without Leandra's tour, I doubt we would have tried half of the food that we did - she encouraged us to try foods that looked different than something I might chose myself (and I loved them!), and she did a great job explaining how each food fits into the culinary life of a Kyoto resident. I also appreciated that the food included all sorts of things like sweet, savory, meat, pastries, seafood, tempura, etc. She did a great job introducing to foods that looked a bit intimidating and she also gave us some great recommendations for the rest of our time in Kyoto!

Quality of Experience
She did a great job introducing us to food that looked intimidating to this westerner! I loved everything we tried and I also enjoyed learning more about the history of the market itself in addition to the culinary history of each booth/storefront.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Leandra was absolutely fantastic! I highly recommend booking a food tour with her!
Local specialist: Elizabeth Ei Ma

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