Kimkim Trip Reviews

Everything was planned perfectly.There were no issues in our travels the sites were very impressive.

Hotel Reviews

Scandic Torget

Bergen

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Kviknes Hotel

Balestrand

Hotel is a mixture of old and new. Location is amazing.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Rooms are very warm no air conditioning.We had an unusual warm weather for Norway

Heimly Pensjonat

Flåm

Rooms are small . Staff is wonderful and the food is good.

Authenticity & Character

Authenticity & Character

Location

Location

Staff

Eager to help and friendly

Staff

Eager to help and friendly

Cleanliness & Comfort

Cleanliness & Comfort

Karl Johan Hotel

Oslo

Great place to stay in Oslo. Location is excellent

Authenticity & Character

Authenticity & Character

Location

Right in the centre of town

Location

Right in the centre of town

Staff

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Fjærlandsfjord Cruise & Bøyabreen Glacier Visit

Balestrand

Quality of Experience

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Always informative and helpful!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Always informative and helpful!

Transport

Transport

Private Floating Sauna Experience

Norway

Quality of Experience

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Train ride to Flam was impressive

Transport

Train ride to Flam was impressive

Some parts of our trip were above and beyond our expectations. Our 5-night stay in Amboise was very charming and lovely - however it was a one mile walk to ANYTHING, including restaurants and tour meeting points. From speaking to our specialist, I assumed that our tour group would pick us up and drop us off at our hotel - not so. Also, I told the specialist how much I disliked crowds, and our trip to Monet's garden was on a 100 person double decker bus, and into a tremendously crowded area, where it was difficult to enjoy the garden.

I can't speak highly enough about the team from Say Hue Que in Buenos Aires, Micaela, Mila and Camilla. You ladies are fantastic. You made our trip from planning to execution to emergency hospital visit run so smoothly. You also linked us up with some amazing guides, in particular Carlos from Condor Travel in Peru, who was with us for six days, including four days walking the Inca Trail. His knowledge of Incan history, flora and fauna was exceptional. And a huge shout to our chef, Wilbur and his team of porters who made it possible for us to complete the Inca Trail. Who thought we could eat restaurant quality food in the middle of the Andes, miles from anywhere. You always had smiles on your faces and your speed and agility on the trail was mind blowing.
Lake Titicaca was also a beautiful place, but more than the floating reed islands of Uros, which were fascinating. Our guide, Abad, also from Condor Travel, lead us for two days hiking Taquile Island, cycling the Luquina Peninsula and kayaking along the coast of the lake. He helped us create memories of a lifetime!
Our guides in Buenos Aires and Iguazu Falls also did a good job but as we had small group tours (we had private tours in Peru) we didn't get to know them so well.

Activity Reviews

Half Day Brazilian Falls tour

Argentina

The Brazillian side of the falls gives you a totally different perspective and so worth doing.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Great Adventure Boat Trip (Iguazú National Park)

Puerto Iguazú

So much fun. worth the money for the experience. Well organized.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full-Day Iguazú Falls Argentine side

Puerto Iguazú

A great day out. The falls are immense and spectacular, with so many different vantage points. Plenty of time to walk the trails and take loads of photos.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Driver and guide were both personable and helpful.

Transport

Not into shared transfers as they take so much time.

Half-Day Dinner & Tango Show

Buenos Aires

The night was marred by it taking 75 minutes to get there as we were the first to be picked up and others weren't in the lobby on time, so we did a lot of waiting, and then 50 minutes to get home as we were the last to be dropped off. Mu husband then got sick afterwards (he never gets sick)

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Half-Day Parks & Squares Bike Tour

Buenos Aires

A good overview of Buenos Aires. Our guide was knowledgeable and interesting. We learned a lot about buenos Aires in the 4 hours with him.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Program Uros, Taquile, Luquina - Day 1

Puno

Our guide Abad made the two days a memorable experience. Viewing the lake from different perspectives gives Lake Titicaca more life. Everyone goes to see the Uros Islands, the floating reed islands, which are incredible, as are the people who live on them. But Lake Titicaca at 4000m, is more than that and to experience it hiking, cycling and kayaking is a great experience as you get to see different perspectives of the region. The home stay was also great to do.

Quality of Experience

Food

We ate local food prepared by local families.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We were transferred by boat. Not a speed boat but at a speed to absorb the atmosphere and enormity of the lake

Full-day trekking to the Rainbow Mountain and the Red Valley

Cusco

Rainbow Mountain is beautiful as is Red Valley. A must see natural phenomena.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Classic Inka Trail Program (4 Days / 3 Nights) - Day 1

Sacred Valley

I'd rate it 10 star if I could. Carlos Z our guide was superb as were Wilbur, our chef, and his team of porters.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full Day Kayak

Sacred Valley

This kayak on Laguna Puiray was excellent. The guide supplied us with quality kayaks as well as good quality wetsuits and booties. We explored the lake and heard about the history and geography of the area. The picnic lunch was far more than a picnic. It was an amazing spread of local dishes prepared on site just for us. A great day out. Highly recommend the adventure.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Half-Day Bike Tour: Local Life & Markets

Santiago

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The local company, Authentic Ecuador was fabulous from start to finish! We had a welcome package of chocolates and coffee in our hotel room upon arrival, Paul met us at our cooking class and checked in with us along the way , our experience at the Napo Cultural Center was amazing, and our guide in Quito, Daniel, was truly exceptional…we feel like we were shown the highlights by someone who not only loves his country but wants others to also see how great it is…we had so many discussions, so many experiences ( chocolate tastings, coffee tastings, etc)…we feel like we are leaving a good friend in a country that we cannot wait to return to! Thank you again Paola! And Thank you Paul! and thank you Daniel!

Hotel Review

Napo Cultural Center

Quito

The Cultural Center was a great fit for us, amazing food, wonderful guides, and fabulous cultural as well as animal interactions!

Authenticity & Character

Love that it is owned and operated by the indigenous tribe

Location

Easy to do wildlife viewings each day

Staff

Everyone was helpful, professional, and truly seemed to love their job

Cleanliness & Comfort

Spotless, comfy, and great food!

Activity Review

Cooking Class

Quito

We had so much fun with Carolina, the chef! The food we made was delicious!

Quality of Experience

The fun history provided by the chef as we cooked everything

They were very detailed and everything went so smoothly. I loved getting the daily reminders of our itinerary. The guides and drivers were all great and professional. I would definitely recommend KimKim for anyone who wants a hassle free vacation planned

Hotel Reviews

Adamant Suites Santorini

Santorini

This property was beautiful just wish we knew what exact room we were getting. Our trip advisor told us we were getting upgraded and that wasn’t the case so we were very disappointed. The hotel handled it very professionally though and it wasn’t their fault. They were very helpful with luggage etc.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Palazzo Veneziano Venice

Venice

Great location and very nice rooms.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Albergo Terminus

Como

Such a great property such a charming room with an amazing view of lake como

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Maison il Conservatorio

Sorrento

Beautiful property but the fan in the room caused the lights to bang against the wall. This hotel was in a great location and breakfast was great.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Casa Montani Hotel

Rome

Easy check in and the room was beautiful. This room was in the perfect location to everything.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Harmony Hotel Mykonos

Mýkonos City

Loved this hotel and the breakfast was amazing. It was in a great location.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Luxury Catamaran Cruise around Santorini

Santorini

Didn’t get to get bc of winds

Private Tour Amalfi Coast: Positano & Amalfi

Italy

Great driver very knowledgeable and courteous.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Exclusive Capri Boat Tour from Sorrento

Italy

This was great the boat driver was awesome and patient while we went to the blue grotto.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Pasta Making and Tiramisu Class

Rome

So fun total highlight of our trip.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The Best of Colosseum & Ancient Rome With Exclusive Arena Access

Rome

She was amazing very intuitive to her group - kept things moving offered to take pics etc.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Evening Rome Walking Tour

Rome

She cared more about the little details in a building etc and skipped over some of the big tourist things saying oh that’s to crowded. We were tourists and wanted to see the Spanish steps trevi fountain etc. She didn’t gear it to what we wanted to see and do.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Venice Gondola Ride

Venice

Just ok didn’t interact or offer to take pics etc.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Venice Walking Tour with St. Marks Basilica Access

Italy

She was amazing very informative.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Unforgettable Journey Through Morocco with KimKim Travel and Our Amazing Driver, Ilyace.

My wife and I recently returned from an incredible trip to Morocco, meticulously planned by KimKim Travel, and we couldn’t be happier with the experience. From start to finish, everything was seamless, thoughtfully curated, and stress-free — allowing us to fully immerse ourselves in the magic and beauty of this fascinating country.

Our journey took us from the bustling city of Casablanca, to the serene blue streets of Chefchaouen, the rich culture and history of Fes, the awe-inspiring dunes of Merzouga in the Sahara Desert, the peaceful palm groves of Skoura, and finally to the vibrant, colorful energy of Marrakesh.

Every destination offered something unique, and KimKim's local team, including Sharif in Fes and Hanan in Marrakesh, ensured that we experienced each place in a truly authentic and comfortable way.

One of the standout aspects of our trip was the fantastic lodging arranged for us. Each riad and hotel was not only beautiful and welcoming but also ideally located and reflective of the local character. We felt like every stop was a special experience, thanks to the thoughtful accommodations.

A major highlight of our journey was our private driver, Ilyace. From the moment he picked us up, we knew we were in great hands. He was incredibly professional, punctual, and knowledgeable — but more than that, he was kind, personable, and genuinely passionate about sharing his country with us. His insights, recommendations, and stories enriched every leg of the trip, and we felt both safe and cared for throughout. Ilyace truly went above and beyond, and we can’t thank him enough.

In summary, we wholeheartedly recommend KimKim and their Moroccan team to anyone considering a trip to Morocco. Their attention to detail, personalized approach, and the wonderful local connections (like Ilyace!) made our trip unforgettable. We came home with not only beautiful memories but a deep appreciation for the culture, landscape, and people of Morocco.

Hotel Reviews

La Maison Arabe Hotel

Marrakech

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Ksar El Kabbaba

Skoura

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Desert Luxury Camp Erg Chebbi

Merzouga

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Palais Amani

Fès

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Dar Jasmine

Chefchaouen

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Guided Tour of Fez Medina

Fes

Sharif was excellent!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Great organization, recommendations, adaptability. Impressed by the Norwegian team that planned our week long tour for 6 of us from Canada in May 2025.

Hotel Reviews

Heimly Pensjonat

Flåm

Cute little place but a little too basic.

Kviknes Hotel

Balestrand

Karl Johan Hotel

Oslo

Scandic Torget

Bergen

Great breakfast and location. We had a really hot room on the 3rd floor over top of a courtyard where garbage was actively put out multiple times until 2:30am making it hard to sleep. Rooms did not have basic amenities such as anywhere off the floor to put your luggage eg rack or bench. No facial tissues in the rooms and no hair conditioner or body lotion, and only one hanger. Really chintzy. First and last time I’ll stay at a Scandic hotel.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Not helpful with items we were missing.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hated that we had to call for room service. They were missing basic amenities and so hot and loud!

Activity Reviews

Fjærlandsfjord Cruise & Bøyabreen Glacier Visit

Balestrand

Loved film and glacier visit and guide but visit to museum was much too short over lunch because didn’t have enough time to see museum and eat after the 15 minute film. Another 30-45min needed.

Private Floating Sauna Experience

Norway

It is really hard to put into words how wonderful this experience was. We have been planning this trip for a couple of years and we were really not sure how to go about the process of making this experience the easiest and best. My brother did the research and chose you guys to do all the reservations, day trips and destination pick ups which were expedited flawlessly. We wish we had had a couple of more free days to explore each city but our time constraints didn't make that possible. Thank you!

Hotel Reviews

Scandic Torget

Bergen

Scandic Torget in Bergen was well-located in the main area, which made it easy to explore the city. The hotel was nice, although we might have wished for a bit grander experience since we don't travel often. But, overall, it was a very pleasant stay, and everything went smoothly during our time there.

Quality Hotel Ålesund

Ålesund

Quality Hotel Ålesund was a nice spot to stay with a lovely waterfront view. It was comfortable and provided all the amenities we needed. Again, the breakfast offerings were superb. It was a good base for exploring Ålesund.

Hotell Bondeheimen

Oslo

Hotell Bondeheimen was a nice start to our trip. We were only there for one night, but the breakfast spread was phenomenal, which we really appreciated. We did have to request a room change due to a broken window, but the staff was gracious and accommodating.

Karl Johan Hotel

Oslo

Becareful if you are booked in the Back yard rooms...Your view is a block wall you can touch from your window. ..Rooms 247 upward... They were, however, very accommodating when we asked to move.. And this was on Constitution day.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Fjord Cruise to Rosendal

Bergen

The day trip to Rosendal was quite beautiful, especially the hike up to the waterfall, but it did end up being a bit long. While the experience itself was lovely, it left us feeling like we missed out on exploring more of Bergen. If there were more time to spend in Bergen, it could have been a great additional activity.

Private Floating Sauna Experience in Ålesund

Ålesund

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The guide that took us through Ollyantatambo to Cusco was very knowledgeable and wise. He educated us in history and guided us well. Our only disappointment was the inability to ride the Hiram Bingham train from Cusco due to last minute cancellation. Other than that, our experience was great and we would recommend Kim Kim travels.

Alvaro & Jose planned & executed an extraordinary trip. All the plane and boat transportation, 5 hotels! and the incredible adventures. Our restrictions, no problem, our last minute changes, no problem. Responsive from first contact, to every little nitpicking question we came up with.
Guide Romero, amazing, great information & so considerate - Highlands giant tortoises, Charles Darwin Research & bonus Lava Tunnel! Guide Bebe, wonderful and trip to Lava Java fascinating and fun. Uninhabited Island, perfect boat ride and guide to the top of island, again so much fascinating information and the view, unbelievable. Isabel Island, coordinatot Julio, could spend a day with him, he really took care of us. Tinoreras Islet, what a hike near lava formations to a lagoon, sharks, sea turtles, magical. Volcano hike, worth every mile to see the lava cone, Guide Julio, so patient, so fascinating in his own right. Back in town saw flamingos! Lobos Island, hike over lava rocks to see incredible wildlife, blue-footed boobie with her egg! Back to Quito, a city worth exploring.

Seriously, the trip of a lifetime, made possible by Alvaro, Jose and the wonderful people of Equador ♥️

Hotel Reviews

Swissotel Quito

Quito

Top-notch hotel, comfortable room, great food, really wonderful and helpful staff.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Casa de Nelly

Puerto Baquerizo Moreno

Lovely room, good breakfast, great staff.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Gran Hotel Tintorera

Puerto Villamil

Very pleasant room, excellent breakfast, great staff.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Lava House Galapagos

Puerto Ayora

Nice comfortable room, good breakfast, great staff.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Ilatoa Lodge

Quito

Didn't get to spend enough time there, but great venue, wonderful owner.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Welcome to Ecuador: Let Your Adventure Begin!

Galapagos Islands

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We just returned from our trip to the Isle of Skye arranged by Kateryna. I was having trouble finding transportation from Ft Williams (where we ended our West Highland Way walk) to the Isle of Skye. I also wanted a driver/guide for our 3 days there. I contacted KimKim and Kateryna responded promptly. She was able to arrange a driver to pick us up in Ft Williams and drive us to Isle of Skye. The drivers (Brian and his son Ian) were excellent. They were prompt, friendly and very knowledgeable about the area. We lucked out with perfect weather to enjoy the beautiful scenery. Highly recommend Kateryna to plan a trip to Scotland.

Sardinia is beautiful and we loved the activities scheduled for us. The hotels were lovely and well situated. The guides for all our activities were knowledgeable and personable. There were a few minor glitches-our driver was given the wrong address for the car rental center which caused some stress. Our driver from the airport had some difficulty finding the hotel in Cagliari and did not speak any English so there were some communication challenges. We had previously booked a trip to Portugal with KimKim and it was flawless, so we were expecting the same for this trip. Overall the trip was great and we will likely book through KimKim again for future travel.

Guides were excellent. Very knowledgeable of the history and traditions. The food choices were great

Hotel Reviews

Cape Panwa Hotel

Phuket

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Villa De Pranakorn

Bangkok

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Orchid Trendy Cruise

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

La Siesta Classic Hang Thung

Authenticity & Character

Location

Jo

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Victoria Xieng Thong

Luang Prabang

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Water puppet show

Hanoi

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Halong Bay - Disembarking Cruise (Orchid Cruise)

Ha Long Bay

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Continuing Lan Ha Bay (Orchid Cruise 3D2N)

Ha Long Bay

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Onboarding - Ha Long Bay - Lan Ha Bay (Orchid Cruise)

Ha Long Bay

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Unfold The Secret of Hanoi Street Food

Hanoi

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hanoi History & Old Quarter

Hanoi

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Day trip to Ninh Binh (Hoa Lu, Tam Coc & Mua Cave)

Hanoi

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

An Insight into The UNESCO Heritage Site of Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Local Morning Discovery

Luang Prabang

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Buffalo Dairy Farm

Luang Prabang

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Morning Hike to Kuang Sy Waterfalls

Luang Prabang

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Full Day Live Like A Local

Luang Prabang

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visit Pak Ou Caves, The Religious Symbol of Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Back to The Glorious Days of Ayutthaya Kingdom

Bangkok

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Bangkok Symbolic Temples

Bangkok

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Railway Market & Floating Market

Bangkok

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Phuket Elephant Sanctuary Morning Visit (Joining Activity)

Phuket

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Phi Phi Islands (Maya Bay & Monkey Beach) & Bamboo Island Discovery by Join-in Catamaran

Phuket

Quality of Experience

Hi

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our 12-day trip to England and Wales was absolutely spectacular. All 6 of us had a delightful time, and I credit Aleksandra with helping us work out the details on logistics, and also for choosing 4 charming bed and breakfast locations. Each location was excellent yet each was different. The owners and staff were helpful from beginning to end, and the locations were convenient but infinitely more enjoyable than a boring, cookie-cutter hotel. Aleksandra worked with us patiently as we asked questions and made suggestions. In the end, she recommended the best itinerary for our needs. It was truly the trip of a lifetime, and we are so grateful for Aleksandra and KimKim helping to make it all happen.

Hotel Reviews

Hill Farm

Oxford

Graham and Laura have created a delightful retreat in Oxford. Our party of 6 travelers had 3 rooms and all of us enjoyed our stay immensely. The property has an inviting drive up to a quaint country home and stables. The rooms have been beautifully updated with modern amenities, but with an attractive nod to their historic past. Two of the rooms had private backyards, and the peacocks wandering through the courtyard on occasion were an added bonus. The drawing room had a piano and sheet music as well as board games and a large table. The bedrooms contained an extremely helpful notebook with recommendations for activities and restaurants, as well as easy-to-follow instructions on transportation. Breakfast was delicious and plentiful, and while eating breakfast we had the added bonus of watching riders astride their show jumping horses. When the airline moved our flight 2 hours earlier, the staff kindly packed 6 take-away breakfasts with yogurt, fruit, croissant and juice for the ride to Heathrow.

Authenticity & Character

Lovely historic exterior but well-appointed and convenient interior.

Location

A short drive from Oxford, yet removed from the hustle and bustle.

Staff

Graham and Laura were extremely helpful and accommodating.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Cozy bedrooms, extremely clean and tidy.

Tir y Coed Country House

Conwy

Sandra and Chris have created a delightful retreat in north Wales. Tastefully decorated common areas and bedrooms, a yummy snack and convenient tea tray/amenities in each bedroom, very cozy beds with down comforters. Breakfasts tables are laid beautifully and delicious breakfast served in attractive style. Sandra was very helpful with logistics and planning for local activities, transportation options, and recommendations.

Authenticity & Character

Charming decor, gorgeous landscaping, outdoor teak furniture on lovely lawn, bird feeders that attract numerous species

Location

Convenient to Conwy, and a nearby bus stop

Staff

Sandra was wonderful, and the cook was excellent.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Loved the down comforters in the bedrooms and the peaceful feel of the common areas.

The Northey Arms

Box

Our party of 6 adored the atmosphere at The Northey Arms. From the stately stone exterior to the charming upscale pub vibe to the inventive menu and the inviting outdoor seating, we loved this location. The rooms were inviting from the moment we walked in. Of course, a property can only be as good as its staff, and the staff of The Northey Arms functions like a well-oiled machine. The manager, Maddy, clearly has a top-notch training program in place, since all of the employees were a cut above. Katie, Chloe, Lottie, Marie, and Richard were all professional, friendly and helpful. The little touches like fresh flowers on the tables did not go unnoticed, and the food was memorably delicious. The mini-chocolate chip cookies served with tea were ever so yummy, and when we had to leave early on our last morning prior to the serving hours for breakfast, Maddy was kind enough to pack chocolate croissants for us to take along. We would return here in a heartbeat!

Authenticity & Character

Beautifully decorated with books and upscale pub appointments. Mourning doves cooing throughout the day were an added bonus.

Location

Convenient to Castle Comble and lots more of the Cotswolds.

Staff

Some of the best we encountered in the U.K.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Large shower, comfy beds, plenty of outdoor seating.

The Mitre by Innkeeper's Collection

London

Our party of six was airport-weary when we arrived, and we are grateful that The Mitre let us check in early. The staff was friendly and helpful, especially Elwyn. We had 3 rooms and they were all excellent. The beds were comfy and housekeeping was attentive. (Thanks, Anju!) Breakfasts accommmodated all sorts of tastes, from fresh fruit over waffles to the full English breakfast. The location in Greenwich is extremely walkable with a convenient tube station and a neighborhood with its own personality, with less crows and hustle/bustle of central London. We would return here in a heartbeat. Thanks!

Authenticity & Character

Rooms were charming and well-appointed. Spiral staircase had character.

Location

Walkable, nearby tube station, a grocery and pharmacy nearby, plus lots of food options.

Staff

Elwyn and Anju.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Comfy beds, and attentive housekeeping each day.

Activity Reviews

Private Oxford University Punting Tour

England

Our punter, Angus, gave us a delightful trip and added helpful commentary along the way.

Quality of Experience

A peaceful trip down the river while learning about Oxford University.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The punting company has been in the same family for over 100 years--we loved chatting with the owner.

Retired Royal Guard Central London Walk

London

We did not have a retired royal guard because we requested someone more knowledgeable of history and culture--we weren't interested in the "royal gossip." We were absolutely thrilled with our tour from Blue Badge Guide Olga B. Her love and appreciation for London are contagious! She gave an excellent balance of history and modernity, and was more than willing to answer every question and tailor the tour to our particular interests. She spoke to some local merchants and we were allowed to pop in and see notable features of their shops (such as Winston Churchill's tobacco merchant). She also made wonderful recommendations of what to do with our remaining time in London. We highly recommend Olga's tour for those who want to make the most out of their 3-hour overview of London.

Quality of Experience

Absolutely worth every penny, as we learned so much and enjoyed it immensely.

Our group of 6 (3 couples) just returned from an unforgettable 10 night trip to Morocco! I probably would never have attempted to organize a trip for the 6 of us to Morocco, but with Hassan's great communication and expertise in putting together an excellent itinerary and Khalid's help (our driver) in executing that itinerary, it was possible for us to see this beautiful country. And I'm so grateful we did.
Our trip took us from Tangier to Chefchouen, then to Fes and Merzouga, the Dades Valley, Skoura and finally Marrakech. The landscapes were much more varied than we had imagined and watching the scenery, and how it changed, from the inside of our car as we drove was incredible. I'm thankful we got a glimpse of the ways of the nomadic people in this region during our time. If we had only visited a big city like Fes or Marrakesh, we would have missed this. For example, we saw shepherds moving with their sheep or goats, the temporary homes they use, and some collecting water at a spring to be carried back by their donkeys.
Khalid, our driver, made sure to point out everything that was noteworthy so we didn't miss anything as we drove. He was a well of knowledge and taught us so much. And thanks to him we could relax and enjoy our time as he managed all the navigating and timing, as well as facilitating the hotel check-ins and city guides. He did a superb job and anyone getting him as their driver is very fortunate!
The highlight of our trip was our 2 nights in the desert staying at Tiziri campsite (which we rode camels to). Other highlights were the walking tour of Fes and the meals we spent with locals - both a dinner with a family in Fes and a lunch with Mohammed in the Dades Valley (after a very enjoyable 3 hr hike). L'ma lodge in Skoura had one of the most peaceful and beautiful gardens I have visited and by the time we arrived there (around day 8) we were thankful for this restful 'oasis'.
I would say our least favourite part of the trip was Marrakesh. It was our last stop and the busyness of the city felt a bit overwhelming. We did really enjoy our hotel, however - Maison Arabe. And we did a cooking class and Hammam in it which we'd definitely recommend.
If I could add a night or two I'd book a second night in Chefchouen, to enjoy the quiet tourist-free mornings and evenings, and a third night in the desert because it's simply amazing!

Hotel Reviews

Dar Rihana Dades

Douar Aït Ouffi

Authenticity & Character

Location

View of river and mountains was lovely

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Villa Pomme d'Or

Midelt

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Riad Salam Fes

Fes

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

La Maison Arabe Hotel

Marrakech

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Beds were the most comfortable of all our hotels (finally a softer bed!)

Tiziri Luxury Camp

Merzouga

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Lma Lodge

Skoura

Authenticity & Character

Location

Sadly the palm trees in Skoura (around the hotel, not on its property) are all dead looking right now because of the drought. It was not how I imagined this lush oasis to be and I think travellers may want to know this in the future before deciding to visit this city.

Staff

The owner comes to each table at the first dinner to introduce herself and tell some of the story of the history of the property.

Cleanliness & Comfort

The gardens are probably the most beautiful gardens I've seen. There are countless areas set up to sit amidst the garden making it a very peaceful and quiet stay.

Riad Nila

Chefchaouen

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

They held on to our passports for several hours the first night which made us a little uncomfortable. When we asked for them after a couple hours, they said they weren't done with them. This never happened at any of the other hotels so I'm not sure what caused the delay.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Merzouga to Boumalne Dades via Tinghir & Todra Gorge

Morocco

A cool sight to see. The most interesting thing was watching a nomadic woman collecting water from a spring at one end of the gorge. As for walking through cool rock landscapes though, the 3 hr hike we did later when we got to Boumalne Dades was more memorable.

Skoura – Ouarzazate – Ait Benhaddou – Telouet – Marrakech ( 5 Hour Drive)

Morocco

This was quite disappointing. There were so many tourists, souvenir stalls, and our guide gave us almost no information. His accent was extremely hard for us to understand. But he didn't speak very much. He spent most of his time on his phone or speaking to other tourists and jumping into their photos. I didn't learn anything about this place from the visit.

Walking tour of Marrakech

Marrakesh

Hammam Spa & Massage in La Masion Arabe at 5 pm

Marrakesh

Overall a good experience. Didn't realize we'd be in a room with our friends while doing the hammam! Also, two of us had skin reactions after which took a number of days to heal. I don't think it was the fault of anything the spa used - probably just over sensitive skin. But something for people to consider before doing this if thorough exfoliation isn't something you're used to or have sensitive skin.

Hike Through Todra Gorges & Oasis for 1 Hour

Morocco

Guided Hike for 3 hours with your local treking guide No Drive

Skoura

Loved this hike. Giving it a 4 though because there seemed to be a bit of miscommunication as we thought we had asked to reduce it to 1.5 hrs and it ended up being the full 3 hrs. It was a beautiful hike and we were glad we had gone that long in the end, but would have brought more water/sunscreen if we knew the length. It also ended with a meal at our guides home which was fantastic and we were thankful for. However, again the communication was a bit off on this morning. We didn't realize we were having this lunch until right when we were leaving for the hike. And as we were asked after to pay for the lunch, it seemed odd we weren't made aware of it before hand. I still don't see it in our original itinerary either. So it felt like a bit of a surprise.

Lunch with a Moroccan Berber Family in Sahara Desert

Merzouga

We had berber pizza and a berber family owned restaurant. It was delicious and I'd recommend travellers go there for a great meal and nice hospitality. However this was a little different than we had expected. We thought we were going to a berber family's home and eating with them.

Merzouga Area Desert advanture

Merzouga

Did the ATV tour which was fun. Again, I would have loved a little introduction before we set off. Our guide did not speak English, so that was a bit challenging too, especially since there had been no intro.

Camel trek to your luxury camp

Merzouga

No instructions given. Just walk up to the camel and get on and off you go! I would have appreciated a little intro in order to feel more comfortable.

The Monkey Trail (3M Squared Loop Trail)

Midelt

Really just a place to stretch your legs. Not a noteworthy hike. Seeing the monkeys on the side of the road with their babies was fun though!

Dinner with a local Family in Fes

Fes

Fes: Exploring the Imperial City

Fes

Saw a panoramic view of the city, wandered the markets, and visited a mosaic workshop and tannery. Would recommend all of it!

Guided Tour of Volubilis

Volubilis

Transfer to Fes, Volubilis & Meknes

Morocco

This day was very long so I think driving straight to Fes and not stopping at Volubilis and Meknes would have been a better choice for us. Volubilis was interesting but it was just too much for a day.

Chefchaouen Walk and Sunset

Chefchaouen

We had a very good time in Norway. Ethel and Jacob worked with us and delivered a very well planned vacation. We had no issues with any of the reservations.

Julio met us at the CR Airport in Liberia and transported us to Penas Blancas to cross the border. He was very helpful, knowledgeable, friendly and professional. Very glad to have his assistance crossing the border. Ariel met us at the Nicaragua Immigration/Border Crossing. He was very helpful in navigating all the lines, safety checks and ID checks. He was to drive us thru to Granada. He realized that we'd been on a "red-eye" flight and were probably Hungary. He asked if we'd like to stop in the little town of Rivas. There he guided us to a wonderful little cafe - where we had very needed coffees and breakfast. FABULOUS homemade pastries, hearty breakfast burrito and terrific iced coffees. He located our Airbnb in Granada and made sure we and our luggage were safely inside and starting to settle before he left. We felt very "taken care of and safe". Next day Oscar met us with a horse-drawn carriage driven by Wilburn. They took us around to different historical and interesting locations including a beautiful cemetery (which Heather loves seeing cemeteries around when we travel). Oscar then lead us on foot to the heart of the city, into little shops, tasting rooms, and the daily "Marketo" where we were very grateful to have his guidance thru all the little vendor stalls, fresh meat/fish market, tortillas stalls, spices, household goods, cakes/candy, clothing, jewelry, etc. etc. He took us a Chocolate Tasting, up a Cathedral staircase to the bell tower (where the views were AMAZING). Next morning we were taken to a 4x4 Tour onto the Volcano Mombacho. There Agustin was a very informed and enthusiastic "naturalist and environmentalist" with all kinds of details on the plants, geography and history of the volcano, animals and rainforest. The same day around 3:30PM Oscar returned to guide us on a Kayaking tour on Lake Nicaragua. Peaceful, beautiful, full of nature, monkeys, egrets, cranes, herons, trees and little islands. Gorgeous sunset!!! Before we got back to the Airbnb, Oscar took us to a street vendor he was familiar with and helped us pick out an authentic Nicaraguan Dinner with fried plantains, rice/beans, vinegar coleslaw, char-grilled pork & chicken - it was sooooo good! Thankful for Oscar's thoughtfulness and willingness to share his time, knowledge and energy with us.

Next day we transferred from Ferry to the island of Opemete. Horacio met us at the Ferry Dock and the A/C in his car was very welcome!!! He had very good English and was very eager to share with us about his Ingenious history with the island. Got us to our Hotel - Villa Parasio - VERY nice environment and view. Staff were very attentive, friendly and nice. Rooms are a bit "out-dated" and sorta "old school" for Western standards - but CLEAN, safe, had everything you need. A/C worked in room. Were able to use existing plugs/outlets to charge our devices - shower had custom tile. Hotel is on slight hill, over looking the shoreline - WATER views. Dining area provides unbelievable views. At the included breakfast we were visited by Blue Crested Jays we were not shy... but not aggressive. It was an unexpected animal encounter.

Eric greeted us for our daily experience. First stop was Antonio's home - were he helped teach us how to make "Maca - Tamales" from scratch. Very impressive, welcoming and informative. Needed time to cook the food, so we went on to our next stop and planned to return when the meal was fully cooked.
Next stop was Puesta del Sol - a community for women and children surviving domestic abuse. They are self-sufficient, eco-friendly and give tours to educate the public about their program, island, culture and how to help support recovery, healing and safety for their community. AMAZING experience, so encouraging and inspiring!!!
Then back to Antonios to EAT the Maca-Tamales. Wow, Wow, Wow!!! Nothing like the tamales we are used in Southern California. Such a hospitable, knowledgeable and gracious Host Antonio and his assistance were.
Then on to Ficas Madgelena Coffee Plantation (used to be one of the islands first Hostiles). Shorter tour, short little hike up to Petrogliths carved into the volcanic rock.
Last stop was Ojo De Aguas - a natural mineral spring that can be enjoyed. Little restaurant and bar to get some snacks, and enjoy all the beautiful, clear, mineral water. So peaceful and relaxing. GREAT day of different kinds of experiences.

Had to wrap up Nicaragua - Horacio drove us back to the Ferry - then Oscar was there to get us to the Costa Rican Border. So nice to see familiar faces and to have friendly/personal interactions. Both gentlemen were very impressive.

Overall our planned tours, drives and guides were perfectly planned by Emily and her crew. Had fairly good communication thru What'sApp - and had fairly timely responses considering the internet/wireless availabilities. If there were any minor clarifications or alterations to our plans - Emily was right on it and provided the necessary information.

LOVED our trip - would book and plan with KimKim and Emily again in the future.

We recently returned from an unforgettable trip to Costa Rica, organized by Kimkim in collaboration with Serendipity Adventures—and we couldn’t be more impressed.

From the very beginning, the planning process was smooth and highly personalized. Bryan was amazing! He truly listened to what we were looking for—adventure, nature, culture, and relaxation—and crafted the perfect itinerary.

Serendipity’s attention to detail and local expertise shone through at every stop. Our guides, Alex and Mauricio, were incredibly knowledgeable, passionate, and friendly. Every drive with Alex felt like a fascinating history lesson, and we loved that he took us to his favorite local restaurants. Pulling over to see sloths was an unexpected and unforgettable treat! Our final stop at Vista Mar was the perfect way to end the trip—watching the sunset while enjoying delicious food.

With Mauricio, our hikes and adventures were equally enriching, filled with history, personal stories, and unforgettable wildlife encounters. His local recommendations were also fantastic—we’re still dreaming about the smoothies at Red Frog!

If you’re planning a trip to Costa Rica and want a customized, immersive, and stress-free experience, I can’t recommend Kimkim and Serendipity Adventures highly enough. It was truly the trip of a lifetime!

We really enjoyed the 21-day trip in Spain that Raquel arranged for us. We are two active older adults that have lived and traveled in Europe a number of times. We like making our own adventures.
We ask Raquel to arrange two long stays, one in Granada and the other in Leon, plus a several day car trip in the Basque country. From each location we ask Raquel to suggest several day-long adventures and make arrangements for a few special ones. All the hotels were beautiful and well located, the train tickets were spot on common and the individual car arrangements were perfect. I don't think we could have wished for anything better.
We recommend Kimkim travel and Espiritu for your next travel plans in Spain

My husband and I have been travelling together since 1967 and have travelled all over the world. Usually we traveled independently and I booked everything myself; even when there was no internet. However, as we have aged and are disabled we recognized the need for a private tour. I was amazed at how Anita, our local travel specialist, listened to our needs. She understood our needs and she came through with a fabulous trip that went off without a hitch. All our hotels were small boutique hotels(3-5 stars) near many restaurants so that we could access them ourselves for dinner. All hotels had elevators or were ground level. The ones in the old city centres had some old world charm but had beautiful modern bathrooms, comfortable beds and were fairly large for European hotels. I got to approve them before we finished the trip planning.
As my husband and I can't walk more than 200 metres, Anita arranged private drivers and private guides for all our site seeing and city transfers. All the cars were luxury Mercedes. All the drivers were well dressed and exceedingly polite and helpful. We had lots of interesting and fun discussions with them on long drives but that was our choice. We enjoyed talking with Luca from Palermo to Agrigento and with Stephano who took us to Modica. Piero who took care of us in Taormina was superb, a real professional. He added a lot to our trips to Mount Etna.
Our tours were all sensitive to our capabilities and our likes and dislikes. The highlights were the cooking classes outside Palermo and in Ortigia. The chefs were very knowledgeable and we had a fun time and wonderful food that we actually made! The best site seeing was at the Cathedral in Monreale and the Roman Villa Del Casale in Piazza Armerina.
The most disappointing plans were the Ape Calessino rides in Ortigia and Taormina. We thought they would be able to go in areas that cars were not allowed, but it turned out that was not the case. They were fun and unique to ride in but did not fulfil our purpose which was to go to pedestrianized areas without having to walk.
The Trip Plans app was great. We always knew who was coming to pick us up, their name and phone number and we were able to easily communicate through WhatsApp. I highly recommend KimKim and Espiritu for excellent service. Thank you for a very memorable trip.

Hotel Reviews

Doric Boutique Hotel

Agrigento

This hotel is world class. The grounds were exquiste. The view of the Temples and the sea were extraordinary. The restaurant had an interesting menu. The room itself was small, but attached to the room is a private plunge pool so it is hard to complain. The staff was very happy to pick us up in golf carts if we found it too long a walk. There is nothing nearby so you have to eat at the restaurant or take a cab elsewhere.

Authenticity & Character

Modern hotel focusing on being sensitive to the environment.

Location

Amazing for the view and the gardens. Not so good if you want to be independent.

Staff

Friendly and helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

Prepare to be wowed.

Hotel Casa Adele

Taormina

The room we had was very large with many windows. We had a king-size bed that was very comfortable. Our room had a very large private outdoor furnished terrace with a wonderful view. The bathroom was beautiful and very modern. There was a private garage which our drivers could pull into. This was very helpful as the street was very narrow with lots of traffic. There were many good restaurants in close proximity. The managers were very helpful and provided us with a shower seat upon request. They also had a cane to loan us. My only criticism would be to get a smart TV that we could either use Mirroring or something that would allow guests to sign into Netflix.

Authenticity & Character

The room decor was elegant

Location

Close to restaurants and pedestrianized shopping street

Staff

They were always happy to help. The breakfast staff was also very cheerful.

Cleanliness & Comfort

If you don't get the room with the private terrace there is another rooftop terrace for everyone to enjoy.

Activity Reviews

Sicilian Bread and Pizza in a Rustic Farmhouse

Italy

This was different than originally planned due to our abilities. We did not go to the Rustic Farmhouse but stayed in Ortigia. We had a snack at the market and then went through the food part of the market with the Chef, Allissia. Then she sent us back to her town villa via Velocar and we cooked and ate there. She was delightful and very knowledgeable. It was amazing how much we cooked in a short period of time. We couldn't eat all the food!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private guided visit of the Roman Villa del Casale in Piazza Armerina

Italy

Without the private guide we would not have truly appreciated this site. We have seen mosaics in other places but this villa was so impressive. Each mosaic told a different story and our guide explained them all to us and put them in context for the time. She pointed out many details that we would never have noticed.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visit to the Old Family Oil Mill

Italy

This was one of the highlights of the trip. We actually made cannellonis including the shells and filling. My husband is lactose intollerant and Carlo had lactose free ricotta cheese and also lactose free buffalo mozzerella for his lunch. I was able to take the walk through his farm garden but unfortunately it was too difficult for my husband . there was another couple there and we had a lot of fun with them. We made pasta as well and then we had a magnificent lunch. Carlo was a good teacher and has a beautiful home and setting for this experience.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport