Kimkim Trip Reviews

Despite the short notice for our Portugal trip, João executed everything flawlessly. He was incredibly responsive, took the time to understand our wishes and preferences, and organized every detail beautifully. Everything was thoughtfully planned, making our trip smooth and enjoyable from start to finish.

He even surprised us by showing up in person to guide us on one of our day trips! That level of dedication and personal attention went above and beyond our expectations.

We highly recommend João to anyone looking for a knowledgeable, responsive and thoughtful travel agent. He made our Portugal trip truly special, and we would definitely work with him again!

Our trip was planned from start to finish. Everything was taken care of. Adam did a fantastic job.

We had a wonderful Scotland adventure with a day in London. Aleksandra listened to what we were looking for and then arrange everything. She mapped out our routes. Helped with all the arrangements needed. And was available for any and all questions. She was amazing to work with!! We will definitely be using KimKim again.

Activity Reviews

The Wee Food Tour of Glasgow

Glasgow

Lei was so much fun! We learned a lot about Glasgow as a city, as well as the food that makes up the Scottish lifestyle.

Quality of Experience

Create Your Own Harris Tweed Handbag Workshop

Edinburgh

All four of us...2 women, 1 man, 1 teenage boy...had a fun time creating our own bags to take home. The staff were friendly, patient, and accommodating.

Quality of Experience

Highland Coo Tour

Scotland

We were able to have a private tour of the cows and sheep. It was wonderful to connect with Donna on so many common experiences. And the cows were worth all the hype!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Royal London Tour

London

David was amazing!! He listened to what our interests were and tailored our tour to us. It was the highlight of our London time.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Panama is a beautiful country and every single Panamanian we met on the trip was kind, helpful and enjoyable to be with and made the trip a memorable experience. The trip itinerary Kimkim created for us was perfect as it covered almost the entire country starting with a VIP tour of the Panama Canal and ending on the remote part of the country at the eco resort at Morillo beach. Every resort we stayed at was gorgeous, clean and in beautiful locations. The guides and drivers for all our activities (Ariel, Jordan, Edgar, Elvis) were excellent and knowledgeable; Yuri, our guide in Panama city, was outstanding – he was courteous, extremely helpful and always pleasant and willing to go out of his way to help us and answer our questions. Roberto our driver in Panama City was excellent, courteous and always on time and a very careful driver. The VIP tour of the Panama Canal, volcano hike, Cloud Forest hike, the mangrove boat rides and whale watching/dolphin events were great fun and the highlight was bringing in turtle eggs at Morillo beach at 4 am in the morning and releasing newly hatched turtles into the ocean. Morillo beach and owners Cari and Ryan were awesome in the amount of time they spent with us showing us around and explaining the story of how they created this resort, the work they do on conservation and animal rescue, all in a spectacular location.

Our Kimkim trip planner Emily was outstanding and put this itinerary together for us at the very last minute. She checked in daily to make sure we were ready for the next day/event, provided details and arrival times of the drivers and other daily updates, making sure every step along the way was smooth and effortless and responding to all our questions immediately. She worked with us to make minor changes to the itinerary and executed the trip plan perfectly. She was always professional, courteous and concerned that we were doing ok.

We will continue to travel with Kimkim as we have done to other countries, mainly because of people like Emily who made the trip thoroughly enjoyable and a VIP experience.

Hotel Reviews

Morrillo Beach Eco Resort

Veraguas

This eco resort was the highlight of our Panama visit and is one of a kind, owned and operated by Cari and Ryan who spent time with us, not just showing us around and explaining the story of how they found and meticulously created this on earth heaven in this spectacular location, but the local employment they have created and close relationship with their great staff. Cari's conservation work with Capuchin and Howler monkeys along with conservation work they do on the property was an eye opener and we also thoroughly enjoyed conversations with them on so many topics! The resort has a feel of living in the midst of nature on a spectacular beach and a remote location far from civilization. Morillo beach is well known as one of the best surfing locations. Visit to the local turtle conservation initiative to see turtles come in from the ocean to lay eggs and an opportunity to release baby turtle into the ocean was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Night skies are clear with a view of the Milky way. If you can take the effort to visit and stay at this place, it is well worth it. We would highly recommend a visit to this place.

Bocas Del Mar Hotel

Boca Chica

This hotel is in a quiet remote gorgeous location and we picked a room with a spectacular view to the ocean. Hotel was absolutely clean with courteous staff, good food at the restaurant and great swimming pool. Boating activity from the hotel including whale and dolphin watching. Entire experience here has a VIP feel to it.

Boquete Garden Inn

Beautiful boutique hotel with a gorgeous flower garden. Breakfast was served on a little patio that overlooked the garden with trees and continuous bird activity. The location was just a few km from the city with a restaurant close by and easy walking or taxi access to the city. There was no A/C but it was not required with the pleasant weather in August when we visited.

Central Hotel Panama

Panama

This hotel is in a perfect central down town location with easy walking access to restaurants, shopping and local sights. It was clean with an extensive breakfast choices and courteous staff.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Cloud Forest Hike: The Waterfalls Trail

Boquete

Mangrove Sunset Cruise experience

Boca Chica

Behind the Scenes Miraflores Locks

Panama City

Turtle Nesting Watching

Mata Oscura

Boquete - Baru Volcano by Jeep

Boquete

Canal Rainforest Boat experience

Panama City

Great and well organized trip. Everyone in every process was respectful and the activities were top notch. Will recommend to anyone.

Our trip to Portugal was fantastic from beginning to end. Everything that was promised was delivered, and the entire experience felt seamless, thoughtful, and very well executed.

I work in the travel industry for a company that provides luxury travel services (Nothing to do with Portugual or Europe), so I’ll admit that I have fairly high standards and can be a little skeptical about turning over the planning of our own family vacation to someone else. Joao very quickly put those concerns to rest.

From the initial contact, he was responsive, thorough, and understood what would make the trip right for our family. Traveling with a 14-year-old, an 18-year-old, and two parents isn’t necessarily an easy audience to please, but Joao created an itinerary that was remarkably well balanced. There was enough planned to make each day interesting and memorable without ever making the trip feel over-scheduled. Everyone had something to enjoy, which is no small accomplishment!

Joao’s attention to detail continued well beyond the planning stage. He checked in with us just before we left, throughout the trip, and again after we returned home. He also remembered that we were celebrating our 31st anniversary, and that personal touch ( with flowers and treates) meant a great deal to us.

Our accommodations were wonderful, well chosen, and very well located. Condes de Azevedo Palace in Porto was a particular highlight and such a memorable place to stay. The locations of all the hotels made exploring easy, whether on foot or using Uber.

Our driver/guides in each city were personable, punctual, friendly and gave us a deeper understanding of the region. The vehicles were immaculate and comfortable.

Perhaps what I appreciated most, especially given my own background in travel, was how effortless the trip felt. I know that “effortless” travel usually means someone has done a great deal of work behind the scenes. Joao clearly had. We were able to simply enjoy Portugal, enjoy our family, and celebrate 31 years together without worrying about the details.

We came home with wonderful memories and an enormous appreciation for Joao and the care he put into our trip. I would absolutely use KimKim again and would recommend Joao without hesitation.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Cascais Miragem

Cascais

Very spacious. The hotel is being renoveated in two months so any review seems irrelevant but it was great for near term travelers.

Authenticity & Character

Authenticity & Character

Location

Location

Staff

Especially wonderful, knowing the hotel was dosing soon.

Staff

Especially wonderful, knowing the hotel was dosing soon.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Cleanliness & Comfort

Condes de Azevedo Palace

Porto

Beautifullly restored. Loved it.

Authenticity & Character

Location

It wasm very convienent that it had a small parking lot that allowed pick up/dropoff/

Staff

The Manager on Duty was from a sister hotel but but he carried our luggage and went out of his way to get ice for my husbands knee and provide restaurant recommendations.

Cleanliness & Comfort

They don't provide daily housekeeping unless you request. This is fine, we requested and received but I do like to have my room made up daily without any additional effort.

PortoBay Marquês

Lisbon

Comfortable and well located for easy transportation.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

To Eat Suggestion: Brasão - Coliseu

Porto

Although we had a reservation we had to wait. Confusion about our order.

Quality of Experience

Immerse Yourself in the Portuguese Culture by Experiencing a Fado Dinner

Portugal

Performance was good. Service was terrible, Food was mediocre, Didn't like that the performer came around to sell his CDs.

Quality of Experience

Food

Tickets to Lello Bookshop

Porto

It was good but would have benefited from clearer understanding of how the tickets work. The guide for the walking tour didn't seem to know we had tickets and didn't give us clear understanding of how the ticketing system worked.

Quality of Experience

Porto's Historic Odyssey on a Private Walking Tour

Porto

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The Essence of Douro - A River, Wine, and Gastronomy Experience with a Private Driver

Portugal

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Explore Sintra's Fairytale Villa with a Private Driver and Pena Palace Tickets

Portugal

Discover Lisbon’s Historic Center & Belém in a 3-Hour Tuk Tuk Adventure

Lisbon

This is the second trip I have taken to Colombia in a year and Michael Gold of Chaska tours helped organize both. This trip was centered around birding in the Amazon region of Colombia but we enjoyed birding for a day in the high paramou area near Chingaza PNN with Hernann as our wonderful birding guide there. As soon as we landed in Leticia we were birding with our guide, Sergio Leon, who was well versed in the birds and reptiles of Los Amazonas and we were thrilled to learn from him for the next 5 days. Our visit to Buru Lodge was lovely and we enjoyed the delectable Amazon fusion dinner with other guests there but the highlight of our trip was traveling by boat on the Rio Amazonas ( pink and gray river dolphins observed) to Nomad Lodge and all of our experiences there. Thank you Michael Gold, Charla yours and Kimkim for arranging this spectacular birding trip for us!

We had a wonderful experience planning our recent trip to Japan with Adeline through kimkim. From the very beginning, she was incredibly responsive, helpful, and easy to work with, which made the entire planning process feel much less overwhelming.

We especially appreciated how transparent Adeline was with her guidance and recommendations. She took the time to understand what we were looking for and was always clear about our options. Whenever we had questions or wanted to make changes, she responded quickly and thoughtfully, and we always felt like she had our best interests in mind.

There are so many details involved in planning a trip to Japan — transportation, hotels, activities, and navigating between different cities — but Adeline put everything together in a way that was organized and easy to follow. Once we arrived, everything went seamlessly. All of the arrangements were taken care of as planned, and we could simply enjoy the trip without having to worry about the logistics.

Having Adeline's support gave us a lot of peace of mind, both before and during the trip. She was knowledgeable, organized, responsive, and genuinely helpful throughout the entire process.

Overall, we had a fantastic experience with kimkim and would definitely recommend Adeline to anyone planning a trip to Japan. She made the whole experience easy and stress-free, and we are very grateful for all of her help!

Hotel Reviews

Yamanochaya Hakone

Hakone

We really wanted to love our stay at Yamanochaya, especially because of its beautiful location and the wonderful onsen experience. Unfortunately, the property didn’t quite live up to our expectations. The property itself felt quite dated, and we noticed some areas in the common spaces where the decor and furnishings were visibly worn or broken. Our room also had a small area of mold on the floor, apparently from a leaking AC unit. While it wasn’t a major part of the room, it was disappointing to see and something that should be addressed. The biggest disappointment for us was the kaiseki meal. We consider ourselves very open to trying different foods and have traveled extensively, so we were looking forward to experiencing a traditional Japanese meal. Unfortunately, the meal left quite a bit to be desired. Some of the dishes didn’t seem particularly well prepared, and the steak was quite tough. Overall, we found the meal difficult to get through and it wasn’t the dining experience we had hoped for. That said, there were definitely some positives. The staff were extremely friendly, warm, and accommodating, and they did their best to make us feel welcome throughout our stay. The onsens were also a highlight and provided a wonderful opportunity to relax and enjoy the natural beauty of Hakone. Overall, Yamanochaya has a lot going for it, particularly its location, onsens, and genuinely kind staff. With some investment in updating the property, maintaining the common areas, addressing issues such as the mold, and improving the dining experience, I think it could be a much more memorable stay.

Authenticity & Character

Needs to be updated and repairs done on visible items.

Location

Set back from the town so it's more relaxing.

Staff

Our room attendant was amazing. She was so kind and attentive.

Cleanliness & Comfort

We had small area of mold on the floor as the AC unit in the room was leaking. Mold just doesnt appear after a day so this is an issue they have ignored.

Genji Kyoto, a Member of Design Hotels

Staying at the Genji Kyoto Machiya Townhouse Annex was one of the most unique and memorable parts of our time in Kyoto. It gave us the opportunity to experience a classic Kyoto neighborhood and get a real sense of what it might be like to live in one of the city’s traditional machiya homes. The townhouse was beautifully decorated and thoughtfully styled, striking a wonderful balance between traditional Japanese character and modern comfort. The design, materials, and details really captured the spirit of old Kyoto without feeling dated. There was something very special about coming back each day to such a beautiful and peaceful space. The townhouse was also very comfortable for the three of us and gave us plenty of room to relax during our four-day stay. It felt much more personal and intimate than a typical hotel experience and really added to the feeling that we were experiencing Kyoto rather than simply visiting it. The breakfast each morning was delicious and was such a wonderful way to start the day. And the rooftop cocktails were absolutely divine! Enjoying a drink from the rooftop while taking in the surroundings was one of those experiences that made our stay feel truly special. Overall, the Genji Kyoto Machiya Townhouse Annex offered a wonderful combination of authentic Kyoto atmosphere, beautiful traditional design, comfort, and memorable hospitality. If you’re looking for something different from a conventional hotel and want to experience a more traditional side of Kyoto, this is a very special place to stay.

Authenticity & Character

The townhouse was beautifully decorated and thoughtfully styled, striking a wonderful balance between traditional Japanese character and modern comfort.

Location

Was set in a traditional old style neighborhood yet getting to the subway was an easy walk.

Staff

The staff was so pleasant and welcomed us warmly each time. They handled requests promptly and with a smile.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Beds and futon were very comfortable. Townhouse was clean and well maintained throughout the stay.

BELLUSTAR TOKYO, A Pan Pacific Hotel

Tokyo

We had a wonderful stay at the Bellustar Tokyo Pan Pacific. The hotel is modern, beautifully designed, and has a very thoughtful feel throughout. Our room was extremely comfortable, and the views of Tokyo were absolutely amazing — especially at night. The location was also a big plus. Having easy access to several different subway lines made it very convenient to get around Tokyo and explore different parts of the city. It was a great home base for our stay. What really stood out, though, was the service. The staff were exceptionally warm, welcoming, and attentive without ever feeling overbearing. Any requests we had were handled quickly and efficiently, and we always felt well taken care of. Overall, the Bellustar Tokyo Pan Pacific was a fantastic choice for our stay. Between the beautiful modern design, comfortable rooms, incredible views, convenient location, and genuinely excellent service, it made our time in Tokyo even more enjoyable. We would definitely stay here again.

Authenticity & Character

Well thought out and quality accents.

Location

Very close to restaurants, shopping and most importantly subway system.

Staff

The staff was so pleasant and handled issues/requests immediately.

Cleanliness & Comfort

The bed was super comfortable.

Activity Review

Small Group Food Tour in Local Neighborhood

Tokyo

Our small group tour in Tokyo with Mami was one of the highlights of our trip! Mami was absolutely amazing — warm, personable, knowledgeable, and so much fun to spend time with. She took us to three completely different venues, and each one offered something unique. The food at every stop was wonderfully prepared, and it was such a great way to experience different flavors and sides of Tokyo that we probably wouldn’t have discovered on our own. What really made the experience special, though, was Mami herself. She made us feel comfortable right away and had such a genuine, engaging personality. She shared her knowledge of the food and the local area while making the tour feel more like we were spending an evening with a friend than being on a formal tour. By the end of the evening, we honestly did not want to leave her! It was such a fun and memorable experience, and Mami made it even better. We would highly recommend this tour, especially if you have the opportunity to have Mami as your guide!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

It is hard to summarize how incredible our trip to Iceland was. Noga, Maria, and Nick were so helpful in the planning. This was our first international trip with our kids (5 &7) and I felt more prepared than I ever thought possible. I can't really pick our favorite thing, because all of our days were full of favorites. The Folklore Walk in Reykjavik with our guide Stephen was a great way to start of our trip. The kids were engaged and we learned a lot about Icelandic culture. We stayed in Stykkishomur on the 3rd and 4th nights of our journey and we fell in love. The hotel had a disc golf course on site and that was an amazing surprise for my husband who is an avid disc golf player. We loved the Black Sand beach, the Geothermal Bakery Experience, and the Laugarvatn Fontana Spa. We were enamored with the waterfalls, the landscape, the moss, the volcanoes, everything along the way was incredible and at one point my kids said "is this a dream??" and I thought maybe it was. On the last full day we did a Food Walk in Reykjavik with guide Andre/Snowy, and this was a complete trip highlight. Both of my kids adored him and we all enjoyed the food (they are adventurous eaters!). Before the airport we hit the Blue Lagoon which was a great way to relax before the airport. We were sad to leave and really excited for our next travel adventure! Thank you kimkim! 10/10

This was the trip of a lifetime!
Luca was great to work with in planning this trip. He was always responsive and friendly and very helpful in making suggestions and answering questions. It was so convenient to have everything pre-booked and everything worked and timed out perfectly - from train tickets to car service to hotel check ins to private tours.
The hotels were all great and conveniently located to all we planned to do. We would like to give a special shout out to the front desk staff at the Charme Spagna Boutique in Rome and the rooftop bartender/housekeeper at Hotel Sorrento City in Sorrento - and to our favorite concierge, Leonardo, at Hotel Davanzati in Florence, who was incredibly friendly and helpful. All of the tours were fantastic. We definitely recommend visiting the coliseum and the Roman Ruins, and we especially enjoyed the tour guides who led us through Accademia Gallery in Florence and the walking tour/St. Mark’s Church/Doge’s Palace tour in Venice.
The one thing that would have made this trip even better is if the Kim Kim app was more functional by listing times and details and transfer information. It would be helpful to use the app rather than having to refer to the web browser for each part of the trip.
We will absolutely use Kim Kim again to plan our next overseas adventure!

We had a fabulous trip to Costa Rica all thanks to Bryan, who planned it, and the local Costa Rican team with Serendipty Adventures led by Adrian, who helped make it happen. The trip was so unique and a special way to celebrate our anniversary. We went to Tortuguero, La Fortuna, and the cloud forest. Adrian, who was in regular contact with us, seamlessly pivoted behind the scenes to change the itinerary when flooding affected the coast. Our driver Alex was a wonderful guide throughout the trip and taught us about local history, agriculture, flora and fauna. He had an eye for the camouflaged sloths and numerous birds. He added special touches by stopping to purchase traditional snacks.

All of our guides were exceptional in their kindnesss, thoughtfulness and knowledge.
Ricardo knew just where to find two-toed and three-toed sloths and taught us about their uniqueness.
We went bird watching with David, who carefully traversed the muddy forest to find a variety of beautiful birds.
Uber gave us a tour of his family's organic farm where we learned the Spanish names for all of the roots and herbs and pressed sugar cane for juice. His mother guided us in cooking a delicious traditional meal, and his father made a special chocolate heart for our anniversary! Finally, Luis took us on a river trip in Tortuguero where he found monkeys, iguana, sloths, and numerous birds.

This was a one-of-a-kind trip arranged and executed by a talented team where we met some of the nicest and knowledgeable people who really took pride in sharing their country with us.

Hotel Reviews

Lomas del Volcán

Fortuna

This hotel is really a resort at the base of the volcano. It is a gorgeous property with a large heated pool, heated jacuzzi, and cold pool. The rooms are individual cabins that are truly luxurious. The breakfast buffet is the best we had with delicious local fruits, all kinds of breads and pastries, an omelet station and waffle iron with fresh juices and coffee. They gave me gluten free bread and delicious gluten free pancakes, which was an extra special treat.

Authenticity & Character

Location

The location near the volcano and numerous parks for walking, ziplining, horseback riding, and sloth seeing is ideal.

Staff

The staff was very helpful and attentive to our needs.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Manatus Hotel

Tortuguero

This is a beautiful hotel right on the river. We loved seeing the monkeys swinging from the trees!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Presidente

San José

The hotel is beautiful, rife with local plants.

Authenticity & Character

Location

It is centrally located in San Jose.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

EcoTermales Hot Springs & Meal

Costa Rica

The springs were beautiful and delightful after a long day of travel.

Quality of Experience

Food

The buffet had a wide variety of food, but most was pretty bland.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Organic Cooking Class

Arenal/La Fortuna

The walk through the farm led by Uber was thoroughly enjoyable as he picked several roots and had us figure out what they were by feel and taste and then taught us their Spanish names. We then pressed sugar by hand and drank the juice. Later we went to his family's home, where his mother guided us in making tortillas and a traditional meal. We were touched at the end of the meal when they gave us a chocolate heart made from their own cocoa beans for our anniversary.

Quality of Experience

Food

The food we prepared was the best Costa Rican meal we had during the trip.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Uber and his family were so welcoming and informative.

Transport

Private Sloth Observation - Day or Night Walk

Arenal/La Fortuna

This walk was very exciting as we got to see several two-toed and three-toed sloths.

Quality of Experience

The guide Ricardo was very knowledgeable and taught us about the sloths lifecycle, digestive system, and habits.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private: Birdwatching in Arenal Mundo Aventura Park

Arenal/La Fortuna

We arrived at 5:30 in the morning for a private tour led by David. He deftly brought us through the park, a virtual forest, and found numerous birds that we had never seen. He was very kind to take stunning pictures through his binoculars to keep for memories.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our drive Alex was always prompt and happy to see us.

Guided Boat Excursion Through the Tortuguero Canals

Tortuguero

Ricardo was very knowledgeable about the animals and astute at finding monkeys, sloths, iguanas and birds.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

What a well organized and pleasant trip we had! Daniel was an enthusiastic and charming tour guide in Oslo. I loved each city: Oslo had so many sights to see-City Hall, Fram, Munch, and Open Air museums were fantastic. Opera House was fun to walk to and climb to roof. Transportation well organized by KimKim. Easy to get to train station from hotel, from cruise boat to hotel, to and from airport, etc. Train ride was beautiful and bike ride on path next to train going downhill looked like a great ride too! Flam and fjiords were gorgeous (my favorite pictures), but port was touristy with cruise ships. Our day trips in Flam were great with a challenging hike Brekkefossen and kayaking. I would replace Viking day Village with trip to Viking museum in Oslo when it opens. We were able to see Viking exhibit at Historical museum in Oslo, though. Bergen was interesting, particularly the funicular, hike, walk through Bryggen where we discovered St. Jorgen's hospital leprosy museum and church. Cruise to Rosendal was special, especially the Stone park, Manor and gardens.

Thank you for organizing a great trip!

Trip was overall amazing. I am really glad we did the whole ring road instead of just the golden circle. Every stop we did around the golden circle was way more crowded which takes away from the experience. Seeing all the diversity in the landscapes felt out of this world.

Hotel Reviews

Frost & Fire Boutique Hotel

Hveragerdi

Our room was pretty small and shower water pressure was not good. They had a hot tube and a sauna which was nice. Breakfast didn’t start till 8am which is a problem because we had to catch an early flight

Authenticity & Character

Pretty on the river and near geothermal area

Location

Near geothermal areas

Staff

They let us get to breakfast early

Cleanliness & Comfort

Shower pressure was not great

Hotel Katla by Keahotels

Vík

Rooms were the biggest we came across. Breakfast was standard. The texture of the pillow and comforter was a very interesting choice.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Close to Vik without the noise and traffic

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Comfortable rooms but weird texture bedding

Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon

Hnappavellir

Very nice hotel. Restaurant was amazing and so was breakfast. They have spacious rooms and we loved the sauna and hot baths. Staff even have a feature to call your room if the northern lights are out

Authenticity & Character

Loved the hot baths and sauna

Location

Staff

Very helpful and nice

Cleanliness & Comfort

Rooms were big and comfortable

Hotel 1001 Nott

Egilsstadir

Nice rooms with pretty Mountain or lake views. Restaurant was average but they seemed understaffed especially when a big tour group came in. Doors to the room were a challenge to lock.

Authenticity & Character

Location

In between two cities which made it very convenient

Staff

Seemed understaffed and one employee seemed very confused

Cleanliness & Comfort

Heated floors were nice!

Vogafjós Farm Resort

Myvatn

Loved the farm to table experience here. Rooms were a bit smaller and rustic. We were not able to open windows due to the very prominent sulfur smell from the geothermal areas which made the room hot. Shower pressure was great. Restaurant was great and we loved being able to see the cows as we ate. You can also go pet the cows and the dogs!

Authenticity & Character

We loved the farm experience

Location

Hotel is in an area like a national park so not much around

Staff

Everyone was very friendly

Cleanliness & Comfort

Maybe including some fans in the room due to the outdoor smell making it hard to open windows

Hótel Kea by Keahotels

Akureyri

This hotel was a bit of a maze to get to our room but the rooms were spacious. They don’t have parking spots for guests which was a bit annoying and could be an issue on weekdays when parking is not free. Rooms were spacious and breakfast was good!

Authenticity & Character

Weird layout

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Fosshotel Stykkishólmur

Stykkishólmur

Room was a bit dated but was spacious. Weird fold out shower doors were different. Breakfast was above average with a fair amount to choose from. We love the hotel cat!

Authenticity & Character

We loved the cat!

Location

Small town is near by but a far walk

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Skuggi Hotel by Keahotels

Reykjavík

Pretty average hotel. Beds were comfortable and they provided a fan which was nice because it was on a busier street so we didn’t want to open windows. Location was great. Breakfast was average.

Authenticity & Character

Average hotel

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Clean and comfortable beds

Activity Reviews

Geysir Geothermal Area

Iceland

A bit smelly but so fun to wait for the geysir

Quality of Experience

Explore Stykkishólmur

Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Small town but went to a great restaurant recommended by kimkim

Quality of Experience

Hike to Múlagljúfur Canyon

Iceland

We went on a rainy day. First part was easy. After first lookout point it gets moderate-hard.

Quality of Experience

Explore Vík

Iceland

Went to the famous crepe hut which was great

Quality of Experience

Kirkjufellsfoss

Iceland

Easy to get to from parking lot. Looks like a monitor background

Quality of Experience

Dyrhólaey Arch and Cliffs

Iceland

We didn’t get to see puffins due to the weather

Quality of Experience

Explore Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon by Zodiac Boat

Iceland

Very cool experience. They gave us very warm overalls. Got to see some wild life!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Vök Baths Experience

Iceland

Felt more exclusive than the blue lagoon. Facilities were really nice. Jumped in the lake for some contrast bathing!

Quality of Experience

Vatnshellir Lava Cave Experience

Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Fun to walk through the caves and see how lava created these tunnels.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Just had to walk outside.

Seljalandsfoss & Gljúfrabúi Waterfalls

Iceland

Was fun to walk around the waterfall.

Quality of Experience

Reynisfjara Beach & Reynisdrangar Columns

Iceland

Cool experience but we had some of the strongest winds we all have ever experienced.

Quality of Experience

Stuðlagil Canyon

Iceland

Very cool to see in person. Walk is easy but long to get there

Quality of Experience

Explore Akureyri

Iceland

We did our most favorite hike of the trip in this town called “Hraunsvatn”. So beautiful

Quality of Experience

Dettifoss, Selfoss, and Hafragilsfoss

Iceland

Europes most powerful waterfall. It is crazy to see all the mist that comes from it.

Quality of Experience

Hidden Waterfalls E-Bike Experience

Iceland

We had some bad weather on the way back but this was a ton of fun and a great way to explore and stay active

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Bikes were great quality

Skogafoss Waterfall

Iceland

Definitely the most crowded waterfall but so worth it. It is really something everyone should see in person

Quality of Experience

Glacier Ice Cave Experience

Iceland

45 minute rough ride but the experience is cool. Guide was great with all his stories

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Long drive crammed in a car

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach

Iceland

Diamond beach is a bit underwhelming in the summer.

Quality of Experience

Geological Wonders of Lake Myvatn

Iceland

Very different experience than other parts of Iceland. VERY buggy and a bit smelly but very worth it.

Quality of Experience

Glaumbær Farm & Museum

Iceland

It was cool to see how the Icelandic people lived once but overall not our thing.

Quality of Experience

Blue Lagoon Premium Admission

Iceland

This was a great thing to do post plane ride. Super easy and relaxing

Quality of Experience

Sólheimajökull Glacier Walk

Iceland

This was an awesome experience. We had amazing weather and a great guide who really explored with us. Our group was about 1/4 of the size as the other company which allowed us to see a lot more. Our guide even found us an ice cave!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

About 1 mile hike to get to the glacier

Explore Seyðisfjörður

Iceland

Town is surrounded by beautiful waterfalls and mountains. The town itself is small so you really need about 30-40 minutes to walk around the whole thing

Quality of Experience

Goðafoss Waterfall

Iceland

Pretty waterfall. Can drive to two different parking lots. One side you can climb down and get on the rocks which makes for a good photo! All the options for paths makes it accessible to all ages

Quality of Experience

Èric was fantastic. He provided very quick and accurate responses. He built itineraries that were customized to my needs and had the right balance of open time and new, unique activities.

Activity Reviews

The Secret Lagoon

Iceland

Skaftafell Glacier Hike

Iceland

Highlight of the trip. A long hike that includes ice climbing and seeing a lot of a magnificent glacier.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Katla Ice Cave

Iceland

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon Kayaking Tour

Iceland

A must do if you want to kayak around icebergs and see seals.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

GeoSea Geothermal Baths

Iceland

Reykjavik Food Walk

Iceland

A great way to start your trip to orient yourself around Reykjavik. Lots of food! Come hungry.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Silfra Snorkeling

Iceland

Unique and one of a kind!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The Geothermal Vok Baths

Iceland

Husavik Whale Watching

Iceland

A must do in the north of Iceland. We saw dolphins and tracked a humpback whale who was feeding.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Horse Riding in the Geothermal Valley

Iceland

Super fun and the guides were helpful for new riders. The scenery could not have been more impressive.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

We had a fantastic time in Winelands. The communication leading up to the trip and whilst on tour was excellent. We wanted to make a few last minute changes and nothing was an issue. The wineries we visited were second to none. Thank you to Anna Marie and team.

Hotel Reviews

Lanzerac Wine Estate Hotel

Stellenbosch

Outstanding hotel! Would come back to South Africa just to experience this hotel again. Exceptional service, we upgraded our room to a suite which was just stunning however I believe their standard rooms would be perfect as well. Staff amazing, food and beverage service was next level

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

THE CELLARS-HOHENORT

Constantia

Stunning hotel in Constantia. Excellent staff and beautiful decor. Breakfast was wonderful. We would consider a room upgrade next time. The standard room was lovely with an expansive bathroom but a little more room in the actual bedroom would have been nice. Beautiful welcome drinks and chocolates. Centrally located. Will def stay here again

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Visiting Babylonstoren

South Africa

Outstanding lunch and service. The weather was horrendous so we didn’t stay around to look at the farm but it was one of the best lunch experiences we had

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Ryan Boon Steak & Chips @ Invincible

Franschhoek

Great dinner and wine list. Excellent service. Put this on the list!

Quality of Experience

No

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Boekenhoutskoof Wine Tasting

Franschhoek

Exceptional farm and tasting. Whilst we were there with 10 others it felt very boutique. Their wines are amazing.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Discover Groot Constantia

South Africa

A must do when in Constantia. Whilst a little on the touristy side it’s def worth a visit. Lunch was so so but the tasting experience was great

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Constantia Wine Route with a Sommelier

South Africa

Must do when in Constantia. We went to some boutique wine farms and were treated like royalty because we had Freda out sommelier with us. 4 tastings turned to 10! Freda was knowledgeable and this was a highlight of the trip

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Judy did an outstanding job arranging my trip. I emailed him the specifics of what I wanted to do in Japan, and he arranged everything for a flawless trip. I was able to summit Mt. Fuji, ride the Shinkansen and attend a formal tea ceremony. They cover all the small details that I wouldn't have thought of, such as sitting you on the side of the Shinkansen where you can observe Mt. Fuji.
This trip was a dream come true for me. I will definitely use KimKim again for my future adventures. Just outstanding service all around!

Hotel Reviews

Cross Hotel Kyoto

Kyoto

Authenticity & Character

Location

Close to shopping

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Mt. Fuji Mountain hut

For what it is, it's great

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Groove Shinjuku

Tokyo

Great staff and beautiful hotel

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

9h nine hours Hamamatsucho sleep lab

Great capsule hotel. I don't think I would stay in one again. Great experience but I prefer regular hotels.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Easy to walk to anywhere

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

2-Day Hiking the Mt. Fuji Subashiri Trail (Sep.~Oct.) - Day 1

Japan

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

2-Day Hiking the Mt. Fuji Subashiri Trail (Sep.~Oct.) - Day 2

Fujikawaguchiko

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tokyo Day Tour with Tsukiji Outer Market & Senso-ji - East & Central

Japan

Full Day Kyoto City Tour with Tea Ceremony

Kyoto

Our guide in Madrid - Jose - was excellent. He really balanced telling the history of Madrid with his communicating his life experience as a local resident. He could tell when the jetlag was hitting us and it was time for a cappuccino!

Raquel is a very knowledgeable guide in Seville. She is very passionate about her city and Andalusia in general.

The guides were very knowledgeable and helpful. They also took extra steps to make our handicapped group members feel comfortable.

The van driver from Farsund to Arendal went above and beyond to take some small detours at our request which permitted us to see some sights otherwise would be missed.

The extra effort to coordinate with family in Farsund and the guide making sure that their reception of us went very well made our group very very happy that we had made the journey.

kimkim and Hector did a fantastic job organizing our trip to Barcelona and Madrid. My wife has some medical issues that made her extremely anxious about such a long (11 day) trip. So a big thanks to kimkim and their local partners for being so good about crafting schedules for trips, tours and meals that did not overwhelm our schedule. Your flexibility in trip planning, easily usable website, detailed instructions and, most importantly, your regular communications while were were on the trip were greatly appreciated. It all made my wife and able to relax and really enjoy such a beautiful country.

So many things to comment on
1. Ticketing for trains and site visits. These were all done clearly and correctly. It was great to have them all easily available on the kimkim app. And, when we decided to take an earlier train back from Toledo to Barcelona (temperatures neared 40 degrees C in the afternoon!), it was no problem because kimkim bought the tickets directly from the train system, not through a third party and Natalia worked it out with the station agent.

2. The hotels in Barcelona and Madrid were well chosen, given the price range and interests we identified on your app. Great locations and very welcoming staff. We spent the longest time at Hotel Meninas in Madrid, and would particularly recommend that anyone.

3. The Tapas & Tradition tours was so much fun. And delicious. We were part of a group seven, plus our guide Andres. Andres had chosen and prepared the 3+ restaurants well. So we enjoyed the tapas, drinks and learning about the traditions around this wonderful way of eating with friends. It helped a lot that everyone in the group was wonderful and fun to hang out with. What a great start to our first night in Madrid. Thank you Andres!

2. Walking tours of Madrid old town and Toledo. On separate days, two engaging and extremely knowledgeable guides really gave us a sense of the history, beauty and life in these two very different cities. Because it was a private tour (just me and my wife), Geza (Madrid) and Natalia (Toledo) made sure to build in plenty of stops along the tour so my wife could rest her legs and still enjoy the trip. I think both of them know the location of every bench along the tour route! That would not have been possible if we were in a larger tour group that we would have had to keep up with.

Thank you Geza and Natalia!

And it was funny to run into Geza leading a larger group two days later near our hotel! And a special thanks to Natalia for thinking to thoroughly explain El Greco's painting The Burial of the Count of Orgaz, initially using a picture on her phone, while my wife could remain seated at the back of the room and then later go up to look at it closely. Very thoughtful guide work.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Meninas

Madrid

Authenticity & Character

The hotel and street seemed very much a part of and older area of Madrid, which we liked very much. We felt very much in the middle of the city, but on a quiet street.

Location

Easy walk to the Royal Palace, Plaza Major and the Opera. Interesting neighborhood to walk around. As it was on a small, narrow street, but super easy to get to the places we wanted to visit.

Staff

Oh, the staff here were so nice, helpful and welcoming. And no-one laughed at my poor attempts at Spanish (just kidding, they would never do that). We felt very much at home here.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very well designed and maintained. The lobby was comfortable to hang out in. And the breakfast on floor -1 was delicious.

H10 Art Gallery

Barcelona

Beautiful artwork in a modern setting. Love the patio area out the back of the lobby and the included breakfast. The staff were very welcoming and helpful. Great location in central Barcelona.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Nice neighborhood to walk around in. Easy cab ride to El Sagrada Familia, Gothic Quarter, the beach and all the other sites. I like the pool and exercise room as well.

Staff

Super friendly and helpful with anything we asked for like taxi arrangements, dinner recommendations, etc.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very modern feel, but also welcoming and comfortable.

Activity Reviews

Spain Important Trip Information: Please Review Before Departure

Spain

As we noted earlier, the H10 Art Gallery was a great choice. We loved the amenities, patio, art, lobby, but especially the helpful staff.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We arranged for a private care to the airport and that worked out seamlessly.

An Excursion to Toledo by Train, Guided Walk

Madrid

Natalia was the best! I gave details earlier, but we really did learn a lot and enjoyed her company around this amazing city.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Walking Madrid’s Old Town

Madrid

I didn't know these individual pages were coming, so I put my details on the first page. Geza was fantastic.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tapas & Tradition: A Madrileño Evening

Madrid

I shared to details of this on the first page of this review. Andres, the restaurants and the whole group were great.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

As I said in the first page of the review, Andres was a perfect person to learn from and share tapas with.

Transport

We took a taxi to the meeting point

We arrived at Avellera through Kim Kim, a platform we have used a few times now. We were immediately partnered with Clemens and his team who were very responsive every step of the way.

The communication during the planning phase was excellent, and my questions were typically answered within hours, or over night, as I am in North America. The responses were professional and detailed. An initial Zoom meeting with Clemens also helped, as it puts a face to the communication and personality that made me feel comfortable that he cared about our trip.

After two Zoom meetings and around 7 or 8 different versions, we set out on our trip.

We stayed in 5 different hotels during the 12/13 day trip. Each one had a different personality and if I was planning the trip myself, I would have never found them, or been comfortable enough with the area (since I knew nothing about Austria) to book myself.

This is perhaps the biggest benefit. When using a travel agent, my goal is to save time and have a fantastic experience and make zero decisions. I knew nothing about Austria when setting out, so I wouldn't know one area from the next. You pay for this - the trip was not cheap - but for us, it was worth it and we knew that going in. If you could fix your own teeth, you wouldn't need a dentist. But we all need dentists and pay accordingly. This is not different.

A BBQ high in the hills in Obergail complete with accordion player and his family follows by the most magnificent hike with views that will fill your camera, is something I would have never found on my own.

Breakfast in Austria (at one of the most jaw dropping and insane hotels we have ever stayed at), lunch in Italy and zip lining in Slovenia - all in the same day - is something else we never would have found.

Tour guides, who were all mostly some of the nicest and friendly and excited to show us their country is something else we never would have found. When a tour guide doesn't look at their watch the entire day and even towards the end of the day asks "would you like to go see that?" means alot to us.

When we show up at a hotel and they say "your tour guide called us 10 times with questions" that is a WOW moment for me, since it showed that the team at Avellera truly cared about us and making sure all would be to our satisfaction.

Planning and executing a trip is never perfect. There are always things that come up and hiccups along the way. How a company handles this is what sets the tone and decides whether we would recommend them and use them again.

When we arrived in St Gilgen, it was late, we were hungry and we didn't realize restaurants close at 8 or so. There was one shower for the 4 of us and we didn't have the code to access our hotel and there was no air-conditioning. (Ironically this ended up being one of our favourite hotels of the trip, as simple as it was). Naturally I was "less then friendly" in my What's App messages to the team. I was pretty upset. The response from Avellera (looking back when i had a clear head finally) was a lesson in customer service. They apologized profusely, called around to many restaurants in the area to ensure we would have somewhere great to go (our second best dinner of the trip) and never, at any point treated me like I was treating them. They put the customer first and solved the problem.

The next day we had a professional report delivered to us with ALL future dinners reserved at the best restaurants in the area. It was very impressive. Days later we also had the codes we needed to check in to the hotel in Obergail a day in advance. Another very nice touch and showed that they were listening to my complaints from the day before.

On another location, our guide was very poor for a long full day hike. I'll spare the details, but he couldn't have tried harder to show how disinterested he was in taking care of us on a very difficult (but spectacular full day hike). Avellera sprung into action and they are working even now (after we are home) to make it right. Dealings with the guide were poor but Avellera was clearly on our side.

Overall, there were a couple of things from the itinerary that we would change, but that happens with every trip we've had planned for us, but this truly was an exceptional trip to Austria and we would enthusiastically recommend Avellera to anyone considering using them. The team will take care of you and plan a trip of a lifetime.