Kimkim Trip Reviews

This was our first experience staying in an Onsen. Definitely something one should try at least once when they visit Japan! From leaving your shoes at the front door to picking out a kimono to wear while on-site, each experience was new. Dinner was served over several courses in your own private space in the dining area. Breakfast was in the same space, with many dishes offered. The beds were comfortable and the room was spacious and comfortable.

We weren't sure when we were first presented with the idea to stay in a hotel located within the train station in Hiroshima, but it turned out to be one of the best stays! The room was on the smaller side (bed right up against the wall), but we didn't spend much time there, as we were out seeing the historical sites. Breakfast in the on-site restaurant was outstanding with many local and western items to choose from. We caught the streetcar steps from the hotel door, and when we were leaving to head back to Tokyo, the Shinkansen platform was just at the other end of the train station. Easy Peasy!

We really enjoyed our 5 night stay at this hotel. The room was a nice size with a comfortable bed, and a relaxing shower that was separate from the sink and toilet (which was in it's own space!). The breakfast was outstanding, with many different dishes to try. The location was near a laundromat, restaurants and public transportation. The Nijo Castle was a short walk away and well worth the visit!

We stayed two nights in this hotel. The room was large enough to have space on both sides of the bed!! On-site restaurant offered a delicious breakfast with something for everyone. The location was walking distance to many sites and public transportation.

We enjoyed 4 nights at this hotel. The room was a bit smaller than we were thinking it would be (bed was against the wall and one of us had to crawl over the bed each night to sleep. The view from the room however, was amazing! We were on the 17th floor and had a city view with gorgeous sunsets. The on-site restaurant had an outstanding breakfast with many local and western dishes to try! The location was excellent being close to many subway stations and temples. We went to a 6:00 a.m. Buddhist service that was a 10 min walk from the hotel. We would definitely stay here again!

We've been on many food tours, and this one was pretty good. We had a small group of 6 for this tour, which was a good size. Our guide, Yuma, was nice and showed us some local history and a small temple where you wouldn't have expected to see one!. The local food was good.

We were fortunate to have Pam once again as our guide! She met us at our hotel and we took a taxi to the train station to catch a local express from Kyoto to Osaka for the day. Dotonbori and Shinsekai were short subway rides away from Osaka Castle. There were so many shops to explore in these districts! The castle was beautiful, though we didn't go inside as there was a huge line.

When this experience was first presented, I didn't think we would appreciate it as much as we did. Hisae and her mother were excellent, patient teachers. Japanese Calligraphy is very different from English calligraphy. For this class, we used a thicker brush to write out different symbols. Who knew a couple downward strokes and cross bars were a word! The brush strokes are performed in a style unique to Japanese Calligraphy. Hisae's mother was very gracious and wrote out our grandchildren's names in Japanese calligraphy for us to present to them as something special from Japan.

Our guide, Pam, was the best! She walked us down some back roads to see some off the radar temples before heading to the bamboo grove. The bamboo is never cut in this area, so it's quite dense and beautiful!

What a fun experience! It's like getting ready for the prom. You pick out your kimono and the ladies help you get it wrapped the correct way. Then they do your hair and add accessories to your hair to make you shine! Then it's off to take pictures in the garden. Once you're done, you are led to the tea room where a lovely lady explains and demonstrates how to make Matcha tea. This experience was something even my husband enjoyed. There is also an option to wear your kimono all day as you wander around the Gion area.

Akira was our guide for this half-day tour. We toured around the Rokuharamitsu-ji and Kiyomizu-dera temple. What amazing buildings! Our next stop was in the Gion area of Kyoto. So much history and streets to wander down!

We had a lot of fun with the guest artist decorating Japanese bowls to keep - we were pleasantly surprised how well our bowls turned out! The location was close to where we were staying and was in a one room building, which is also used for other activities. Lots of light and a welcoming location.

Our guide, Rimiko, took us all around the Omicho Market where we tried some raw oysters, Crab and pork croquettes, local Wagyu beef freshly grilled as well as some favorite desserts of Rimiko that she introduced us to. We stopped at the Oyama Shrine on the way to the Samurai district and saw where the Samurai lived at one time, though the area has been gentrified.

This actually turned out to be a fun experience. The retired sumo wrestlers had a good rapport with the audience and knew how to work the crowd!

This was a small group tour with 7 of us (an Australian family of 5 and my husband and myself). The guide spoke very good English - she had lived in Australia for a time, which was very helpful as we had lots of questions. The tour actually took place in parts of the red light district of Tokyo. What an eye-opening experience that was. Often food tours will inundate you with 7-10 stops .This tour was nice in that we only went to 3 spots. The first stop was to a restaurant where we had tempeh and sushi. The second stop was the best - Korean barbeque wagyu beef we grilled at the table - delicious! Last stop was to see the lights over the city and have some gelato. The tour guide was fun and the group had a good time!

We thoroughly enjoyed our time with Masa-san, our guide the first full day in Tokyo! Masa-san was very knowledgeable about both the Buddhist and Shinto temples we explored. He was enormously helpful in showing us how to navigate the subway system and using our Suica card.

We truly cannot express how much we loved everything about this hotel. Every detail, from the warm hospitality to the breathtaking views, made our stay extraordinary.

The hotel was nice in terms of accommodations, but the lack of concierge service was a major disappointment for us. Personalized service and assistance are very important elements of our travel experience. While the hotel staff were friendly and welcoming, the absence of a concierge made it difficult to navigate the area and arrange activities smoothly.

The local company we worked with was outstanding. Their kindness, professionalism, and attention to detail made a lasting impression on us.

We absolutely loved our guide! Her kindness, knowledge, and thoughtfulness stood out. She made sure we took plenty of pictures and helped us create memories we’ll cherish forever.

Experiencing the rich history and culture firsthand felt like stepping back in time — it was absolutely spectacular.

I loved seeing the Capuchin and squirrel monkeys!

Absolutely gorgeous!! The food was fantastic!!

Our guided hike through Manuel Antonio National Park was an unforgettable experience! The park is absolutely stunning — lush, vibrant, and full of wildlife at every turn. Our guide was fantastic, helping us spot so many animals we would have easily missed on our own. We saw several sloths, along with a variety of other fascinating creatures, from colorful birds to playful monkeys. The trails led us to some truly beautiful beach areas, where we could relax and take in the breathtaking coastal views. Travel tips: bring plenty of water, comfortable walking shoes, binoculars if you have them, and an extra couple of dollars. We purchased ice-cold coconuts on our way out, and they were perfect for the occasion! This tour was the perfect combination of nature, wildlife, and relaxation — highly recommend it to anyone visiting Costa Rica!

We started our day at Selvatura Park with a guided nature walk, and it was such a fascinating experience! Our guide was incredible — he pointed out animals and creatures we never would have noticed on our own, like bats resting inside a hollow tree and orange-knee spiders hidden among the plants. Note to future travelers: this walk is quite long and can be challenging for those who aren’t used to a lot of walking or uphill terrain. It’s absolutely worth it, but it helps to build up your stamina beforehand so you can fully enjoy the experience. After the nature walk, we continued to the zip line adventure with Sebastian and Carlitos, and it was amazing from start to finish! They were so patient and kind, especially with my 80-year-old mom, who needed a few walking breaks along the way. They never made us feel rushed — instead, they turned each stop into part of the adventure, pointing out the scenery and keeping everything fun and relaxed. I’m usually afraid of heights, but both Sebastian and Carlitos helped me feel safe and confident the entire time. Their encouragement made the adventure unforgettable — full of excitement, laughter, and stunning views. And don’t miss the Tarzan Swing at the end — it’s the perfect way to wrap up an incredible day at Selvatura Park!

Our whitewater rafting adventure with Jiro was an absolute highlight of our trip! He took excellent care of us from start to finish — making sure we were safe, comfortable, and having a great time throughout the entire experience. Jiro’s energy and expertise made the trip both exciting and enjoyable. He explained everything clearly, kept the group laughing, and made even the more challenging rapids feel fun and manageable. If you’re considering this excursion, don’t miss it — it’s an unforgettable experience and Jiro is fantastic!

It was a great experience.

Great location and very beautiful decor

Fabulous breakfast. Good location

Beautiful Hotel!

Super view from our room!

Super hotel. The people here were so helpful and kind.

Best way to go from Split to Hvar. The only problem was our weather that day was not great. But you cannot predict that.

Super informative and great host. Learned so much.

Absolutely the star of the trip in terms of accommodations! So cute, incredible views, amazing breakfast, and wonderful hostess, Katia. My mom said it was the best shower she’s ever had! We could’ve stayed here all week!

This room was nice, bigger than expected and very clean. The breakfast was lovely and we found the host to be exceptionally kind and informative. We appreciated the elevator and would not have enjoyed lugging our suitcases up those steps! The location was perhaps the only drawback, as it was a good 40-45 minute walk from both the Colosseum and the Vatican. I’m not sure if there is a better location, but we ended up needing taxis and Ubers several times.

This was probably our least favorite accommodation, although there was nothing too much to complain about. The staff were very friendly and helpful and the breakfast was delicious! The breakfast attendant/housekeeper was so friendly and we enjoyed her hospitality. The steps up to the suite were a challenge and the room was a little stuffy and warm. That necessitated we open the windows, which let in some insects that bit me during the night. I had a 8 bites on my hand and two on my face. I didn’t feel like it was a big deal, it a fan could’ve helped a bit instead of leaving the windows open. We asked for a fan but never got it. We liked the location and the shower. Felt the room decor was just blah. All in all, just not our favorite, but not bad either.

Our driver and tour guide were both top notch. I have forgotten our guide’s name (I want to say Mario, but I’m not sure).

We loved our guide, Linda! She was amazing at her job. So funny, informative and kept us at a great pace the whole time. Would definitely do a tour with her anytime!

This was our least favorite tour. I don’t want to be harsh because it was mostly due to a crisis back home we were dealing with. We really could t enjoy the tour or focus on it bc we were so consumed with worry about the crisis at home. Filomena was super knowledgeable and accommodating to our needs. We found her accent sometimes hard to understand and it required a lot of attention and effort to keep up. We enjoyed our time, it just was a bad day for us.

We enjoyed the gallery. I downloaded an app that provided information which we enjoyed and I thought enhanced the visit since we didn’t have a guide.

We really enjoyed this tour! Elena was a great guide. She was informative and insightful. The group was a bit too large for our taste, but now we know!

This was the highlight of the trip! We had our chef, Alberto, all to ourselves and made the most delicious and authentic meal. We will treasure this experience but years to come!

Sarah was an exceptional guide! We felt like family by the time it was over and fell in love with Venice

Easy to find, lovely and enjoyable ride. There wasn’t any narration provided but it was fun!

Loved this boutique hotel and all the lovely people who work there. The food was superb too!

We had one all day rainy day on the trip. Here. And the room with balcony view made the day vey relaxing. Nice poolside amenities.

Wonderful lodging, new and comfortable. Food was awesome.

Lovely helpful staff and great breakfast buffet. Location close to main attractions. And awesome bakery just outside their door!

Kimkim nudged Serene Private Cruises to move our tour forward on day to miss forecasted rain. It happened! We were met at the ferry from the mainland and taken directly to our boat. Most relaxing excursion we had.

To see the monasteries, some still working to day, tucked into amazing mountain structures was astounding. For those who love geology and geomorphology this place is MUST.

George from Greek Travel Tellers did an awesome job connecting art to how it told the Christian story to illiterate church attendees.

Private driver was awesome. Learned a lot from Marianna about Olive Oil and Malina's meal was wonderful. Wine tasting was fun.

Pantheon without the scaffolding! Amazing. Guide was awesome and spoke great English. This walk is a must!

Location and cleanliness was top notch

Loved this hotel. The only downfall is no elevator but otherwise stunning.

Super windy day but clear skies and views. This is a must do for anyone who loves the outdoors and how nature shapes our landscape with human history thrown in.

This was a much needed form of exercise with incredible views and bikes. The guides were professional, experienced and helpful to everyone. We loved this excursion.

It’s okay but a bit too crowded. The dancers and musicians are very good

Leo and Louis (in training as guide) were entertaining and informative. We thoroughly enjoyed the market and learning about Spanish cuisine. Highly recommend

This tour was so amazing! Our guide and everything about it is memorable

it was so gorgeous riding through the Rice fields and it was just so peaceful green and just the most beautiful mountain back. My family absolutely loved this site.

This was my favorite place. We went to. It was so gorgeous. It was like from a movie. I highly recommend anyone going to Taiwan to take a tour down to this gorgeous waterfall.

Our stay at Riad La Croix Berbère Luxe in Marrakesh was lovely. The exterior was unassuming, but inside it felt like we unearthed a gem. The staff were very accommodating, especially when we weren't feeling our best. We found solace in a nearby rooftop restaurant that patiently served us simple meals as we recovered.

Staying at Kasbah Tiziri was a wonderful experience, especially with the Canadian owner who was very empathetic to our situation when I fell ill. She kindly offered to let us use her washing machine, provided us with extra paper towels, and even sent us off with some bananas for the journey. Her kindness made a tough time much more bearable.

Staying at the Riad Farouzi Fes was a delightful experience. When you wind your way through the alleyways of the walled city and a big wooden door opens up into a charming little courtyard with gorgeous tile work and a fountain, it's breathtaking. We really liked it there, and everyone was very friendly and helpful throughout our stay.

My goodness, we were not expecting a king sized bed, hot water and full-on plumbing in this remote location. Very quiet, comfortable, we were well taken care of. Would have had great night views only the evening was completely overcast.

Not to miss. A bucket list item i got to check. Camels are not a particularly comfy way to travel but it was only for an hour-ish and a once in a lifetime experience.

We visited all the points of interest! Couldn't have weaved our way through all the alleyways without our guide!

Really comfy and quiet at night. Nice pool on the roof to jump in after a hot day.

Amazing food, super comfy Martian pod.

Our driver Bassam did the tour ad was great.

Camp itself was excellent with amazing food and fantastic accommodation. Again, the jeep tour wasn't quite what we wanted, the bedouin driver kept stopping to get henna done, or for a coffee stop, or to have a cigarette. Didn't appreciate that we had come to see the desert scenery. If they want to do henna etc this can be offered back at the camp, not wasting our time in this beautiful desert.

Excellent site, really breathtaking

Guide was excellent.

Really quick and efficient

Excellent. Rustic and expensive but how they manage to maintain the offer in such challenging conditions is astonishing.

Very expensive but very very good and astonishing for where it is located.

Don’t buy the inclusive dinner for travellers. It’s a poor second to the full menu which is not expensive in any event.

About as good as an airport hotel can be (which are so often deeply disappointing)

The sanctuary Lodge is magnificent! The location is second to none and is well worth the cost. Service was impeccable. The accommodations were lovely and the view was spectacular. The activities the hotel offered were really fun as well. We did a potato tasting and an alcohol tasting, which were very enjoyable.

This hotel far exceeded all of our expectations. It’s about 45 minutes away from Puno town, but was worth it for the serene surroundings and incredible service. They also offer all of the excursions directly from the hotel so there’s no need to go back to the city for anything. The service was impeccable. The food was Michelin level. The staff was friendly and accommodating at every turn.

The hotel is beautiful and historic. The location is perfect and conveniently located near the main Square. The service was impeccable. Nothing was left to chance. The food the restaurant was really good. We definitely enjoyed our time there and would highly recommend it. I only wish we had more time to spend in the hotel.

This food tour was a highlight. We heard that Lima has become a top foodie destination and there’s so many choices. But since we had such a limited time, we wanted to maximize our food exploration with a tour. The lima gourmet company was exceptional!

Uros floating islands was a really cool experience. There’s nothing like it and the people were warm and friendly. It’s a business though and they want us to buy their goods. They have us a ride in one of their boats which was fun. We also went to their little main island with a few restaurants. It’s a very different way of life and neat to see. Taquile island wasn’t very interesting. It took 1.5 hours to get there from Uros and there wasn’t really anything special except to see the native people and eat lunch. They had beautiful clothing but other than that I didn’t really get anything else out of it.

The train ride through the Andes was magical! Everything from the staff, comfort of the cabin, food and drinks, and entertainment were exceptional. This leg of our trip was definitely more about the journey than the destination. We were only in Peru for a short time so utilizing one whole day to travel by train for 10 hours was a calculated decision that paid off. We thoroughly enjoyed our time on the train and would highly recommend it to other others. It was a great way to see a part of the country that isn’t easy to access.

I appreciated that this tour was a combination, walking tour and driving tour. There’s a lot to see that can’t be covered by just foot. But there are several locations within the town that are more easily accessible by walking. I would have liked to include walking into the town Square and seeing the main cathedral as part of the tour. I think that could’ve been a quick add on before getting into the car. We didn’t really have that as part of the tour though. Once we were in the car and driving around, I liked the first stop at Saqsaywaman. However, there were two other ruins that seemed redundant and less important. I don’t feel like those were added value. Instead, we asked our tour guide if there were other things we could see, and he was able to pivot and take us to a llama farm. That was a highlight! We saw a llamas, alpacas, vicunas, guinea pigs and condors. We happen to get there around feeding time so we were able to feed them and interact. We thoroughly enjoyed that part of the tour.

This train ride to watch peachy was the most exquisite experience. Everything from start to finish was five star. The staff were friendly, the food was Michelin worthy, the accommodations were impeccable, and the drinks were delicious! The train was on time the entire way.

We visited circuit one and circuit three and had an amazing experience. Our tour guide Ray was very knowledgeable and helped to paint the picture of what Machu Picchu was like in it prime period. The weather was amazing and made for a mystical and magical experience.