Kimkim Trip Reviews

Based on the time we had and priorities we shared, Adam developed a complete itinerary for our first trip to Iceland with wonderful lodging well-suited to our group. Adam's communication was frequent and supportive before and during our trip. For a reasonable fee, our group of 4, which had minimal time to plan and communicate with each other, had an on-demand advisor and assistant who took care of booking lodging, transportation, and several structured activities that reflected our desires for the trip, budget, and timeline needs. It was easy, supportive, and affordable and we had a great trip!

Activity Reviews

Rye Bread tour (Geothermal bakery)

Iceland

The "bakery tour" was a fun activity and I would highly recommend a visit to the spa and brief presentation about traditional geothermal baking, but I would keep expectations realistic for the depth of the tour. We did not tour a bakery, but witnessed a guide pulling a pot out of the ground and then serving us the bread. On the one hand it was nice that it was just a brief spiel and demo by a friendly presenter, (especially in the windy rain outside), with a tasting as the main event, but if you're looking for something more in-depth about history, baking, or science, this isn't it. Not sure how much the tour is since it was booked for us, but I think I might be happy with a meal at the café and a visit to the spa. It was a great change of pace from driving and waterfalls, though, and the bread was delicious! At this time of year, there were 2 times available, 11:45 and 2:30, so take that into account with what else you want to do that day. We enjoyed the tomato greenhouse cafe and educational space about 40 min. from the bakery after the tour.

Quality of Experience

More depth to the tour, maybe a peek at the actual bakery, something more immersive--experience with the baking?, more history about baking in this way and the place of bread and rye and geothermal water in Icelandic cuisine. That said, it was enjoyable for what it was. The brevity might be especially appropriate for families with kids or itineraries with several other things on it for the day.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Friendly and clear

Transport

Just a short walk to the site where the bread is buried.

Skaftafell Glacier Hike

Iceland

Despite the rain and cloudy sky, our friendly and enthusiastic guide, Lilly, made sure we were all safe and having a good time out on the Skaftafell Glacier Hike. While there was not as much pre-hike safety and what-to-expect info before hitting the trail, as we've come to expect doing similar activities in the US, our guides and staff who outfitted us before leaving the meeting location were definitely open to questions and made sure we knew what we were doing on the glacier.

Quality of Experience

Just being on a glacier in Iceland was amazing. Wish the weather had been nicer and would have preferred to book a time that would have had us back before dark at this time of year. Great informative and fun guide.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

An informational chat with the group before leaving the meeting center would have been appreciated. Lilly was awesome--so friendly, made sure we were safe, and put us all at ease.

Transport

10 min bus trip was no problem. Some may want to know there is 15-20 min of hiking on either end of the glacier hike beforehand, especially the return hike in the dark if you're booking a hike after 3 in November.

We had an amazing trip to Cairo, Luxor and Alexandria. The tour guides were very knowledgeable and Mariam the Cairo guide was very caring and generous. We just loved her. I recommend this tour and specially working with Habiba and the people who made this trip a fantastic journey.

Hotel Reviews

Steigenberger Pyramids Cairo

Cairo

Loved everything about this hotel. Very clean and spacious roooms. The breakfast amazing and the people from the hotel as well.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Because it is near the most important pyramides and the great Egyptian Museum.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Iberotel Luxor Jaz Hotel

Luxor

The rooms were not very clean. The hall ways smell is not pleasant as well. The hotel in general is extremely old but the location and view is great. They really need to change their carpets and remodel everything. The people from the hotel are very nice and polite.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

They are very nice and helpful but could improve.

Cleanliness & Comfort

The rooms were not properly clean plus this is a very old hotel. The location is great and the view.

Activity Reviews

Pyramids and Cairo Sightseeing

Cairo

Quality of Experience

Food

The quality of the food could be better.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full Day Tour to Alexandria from Cairo by Car

Cairo

Quality of Experience

Food

The quality of the food is not good.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tour to National Museum, Islamic Cairo and Khan El-Khalili

Cairo

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sound and Light Show at the Pyramids

Cairo

I do not recommend this experience. It is very outdated the sound and there is nothing appealing.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Check out to Luxor West Bank

Luxor

Quality of Experience

Food

This was the best food but nothing out of this world.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tour to The East Bank of the Nile

Luxor

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Felucca Ride on the Nile in Luxor

Luxor

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

First time going with kimkim to plan our holiday itinerary.
Eric was assigned to us and the discussion/ideas flowed freely. We provided a list of activities we'd like to do together with my 8yr old girl and he planned a seamless itinerary that allowed us to participate in the activities based on a self drive route planned by Eric.
Our flight into Rejkavik was delayed. Eric and his team provided quick assistance with regards to our car rental. Unfortunately, due to the delay we had less time to explore the city.
Each day's itinerary was planned meticulously with 'must-see' sights and other sights if we had the time.
The hotel stays booked for us were very comfortable.
Working with Eric to plan the trip was an absolute pleasure.
It was a great trip, definitely one we will miss for a long time.

Activity Reviews

Horse riding tour

Hveragerdi

We enjoyed this every much, especially our 8 year old!

Solheimajokull Glacier Hike

Iceland

In my honest opinion, a must do in Iceland. Our guide, Malek, was very good.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

We were very impressed with the professionalism and enthusiasm displayed by all members of the KimKim team. The trip was truly an amazing experience from our first contact with Kate through Mr. Jeon’s drop off at the Seoul airport. I will not hesitate to recommend KimKim, and we will not hesitate to use your services in the future ( no need to send weekly emails). Sorry to be a broad brush stroke but everybody was good, proactive, attentive, polite, and would be rated highly. The hotels were all above average - the Mercure in Takayama was our favorite - the Excel in Shibuya probably our least favorite but still very acceptable. The itineraries which Kate developed were wonderfully executed by the team members. I have one suggestion - we had a driver in Takayama - probably not necessary / we took buses in Kyoto, which was interesting , but very time consuming. A driver in Kyoto may have been a better use of resources. Thanks for asking for my feedback. Keep up the good work!!!!!! Best regards, Adrian

Amazing trip. Alejandra was wonderful. Reminded us of things as we went along so we would be in the right place. Worked with us on the itinerary which was great

Hotel Review

Lansdowne Hotel

Ballsbridge, Dublin 4

Not great. Very Quirky. But the show in the basement was fantastic and the restaurant food good

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Rooms too hot or cold. Our room was not good, had an additional space that was useless and the main area too small particularly the bathroom

Activity Review

Introducing Joyce’s Dublin Walking Tour

Dublin

Fantastic. Our guide was great, knew James Joyce well.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We had a fantastic time in Ecuador with so many different experiences and did not expect that a small country had so much to see and do. In our travels in central and south America, Ecuador is definately one of the best places we have visited. Each area we visited were special in their own way, making it hard to pick a favourite.
Our trip would not have been as enjoyable without the planning that Jacquie and Alvaro did.
Further the guides we had, Sofia in Galapagos, Guido in Amazon, and Dan in
Quito were some of the best we've come across. Their knowledge of their areas, the support they gave, their enthusiasm and professionalism made our trip very fulfilling.
We would like to specifically mention Dan who spent so many days with us and made it very enjoyable by being flexible on our tours, very knowledgeable on many aspects of Ecuador, and showed his fondness of his country with his upbeat personality. He is an asset to your company and we definately would recommend him to anyone who would travel to the area.
We hope to someday come back to Ecuador and hope to have Dan, Sofia and Guido show us around again and for Jacqie and Alvaro plan our new adventures.
Our best wishes to you all.

My husband and I used Kimkim for the first time to help us plan a trip to Japan. Eleanor was responsive to all our requests and communications during the planning phases of our trip. Her thoroughness and attention to details made us feel Kimkim would be able to help us if problems arose. The locations of hotels she recommended were ideal in accessing the public transportation and sites we wanted to visit. The logistics of transporting us from airports and train stations to hotels were excellent. The drivers made contact with us the day before, sent photos of the cars and license plates and were always waiting for us when we arrived. We had arranged several private guides in Kyoto and Tokyo. The guides also texted us the day before our tour and confirmed details. The guides and drivers collaborated smoothly and allowed us to be flexible if we wanted to modify our tour. In Tokyo, For the 'night life' tour in Tokyo, our guide Ryoji maneuvered us through crowds and narrow alleys to experience up close the vitality of the entertainment district. We had requested a special tour of Ginza district architecture and during the planning stage, the agency contacted us directly to learn more about what we were interested in. We were delighted by Haruka's tour - it was exactly what we had hoped for. She brought illustrations of earthquake-resilience construction that enhanced our understanding of what we were seeing. In Kyoto, it was awkward because the guide had been told our tour would last all day, but we had clarified that we did not want a tour longer than 3 -4 hours. We learned that it was best to sit down together before starting a tour and talk about what was planned, then explain to the guide what our preferences were and our target time to end.

My husband and I had a fantastic 16 days in Chile thanks to KimKim’s thoughtful planning and operations teams. We loved the itinerary that was put together, the activities and knowledgeable guides that were arranged, and have already recommended KimKim (and their Chile travel partner ResponsibleTravelSA) to friends and family.

Itinerary : 16 days in Chile (4 nights in Atacaman, 1 night in Punta Arenas, 1 night in Puerto Natales, 4 nights in Patagonia, 3 nights in Easter island, 3 nights in Santiago) at the end of October 2024

The KimKim platform - very impressive ! Good/clean design, easy to navigate and the initial questionnaire where we could list our interests was very helpful for Tamer & team to lay out a draft itinerary which we then worked with Riwal to refine and finalize. The final itinerary in PDF is wonderfully thorough and detailed, it had every info we needed about our trip, we loved this ! The team even sent a Packing list before the trip. Would be great to have a KimKim app!

KimKim & ResponsibleTravelSA teams :
The team of Tamer B, Riwal, Angel, Gabriela are knowledgeable, experienced, thoughtful, patient and very responsive. Jose Luis, the travel agent for the Patagonia portion of the trip was very knowledgeable and accommodating and did a fabulous job.

My husband Vikram and I decided to head to Chile on Oct 22nd and reached out to the KimKim team on Oct 1st! Despite the short time to plan, the team went above and beyond to not only flawlessly plan a memorable trip but stayed in touch with us via WhatsApp throughout the trip answering our many questions with immense patience.

Riwal was someone we interacted with the most during the planning stage and he’s awesome - we loved how knowledgeable, patient, meticulous and thoughtful he is. He was also very kind to suggest all the internal flights we needed to book carefully listing the flight numbers and times, this was really helpful. He then brought in Angel, Gabriela to the conversations. Angel is very well versed with the details on the ground and he was also our guide during our first day in Santiago where he took us on a market tour for a few hours. We absolutely loved our market tour with Angel - he is so easy to talk to, extremely knowledgeable and kind and we learnt so much in that short span of a few hours with him. He also very thoughtfully arranged for lunch at a lovely vegan restaurant after the tour, since I’m vegan.

Atacaman desert :
Truly stunning and a must visit, the team had arranged for small group tours to several places over the 4 days including an Astro tour to see the night sky, flamingoes etc. All the guides were very knowledgeable especially Christian. The AstroTour was fabulous and the guides knowledgeable and fun. We even had a photo shoot with a professional against the backdrop of the Milky Way.
The small group tours were charming and typically include an impressive outdoor breakfast (they even take skillets and make omelettes outdoors !) and an equally impressive end to the tour with a cocktail celebration (Pisco Sour, assortment of snacks). But many tours start early (6 am) as they have to pick up the other folks and then have the outdoor breakfast before we actually head to the destination. So if you are short on time or need more flexibility in the schedule and pickup time, a private tour would be better.

Punta Arenas :
Unfortunately when we landed in Punta Arenas there was heavy wind and so all expeditions to Magdalena island to see the Penguins were canceled. We then got in touch with the local travel agent Jose Luis who was wonderful and accommodating and we asked that our bus tickets to Puerto Natales be moved up so we could reach Patagonia sooner. Jose Luis was great to work with and coordinated all the details on the ground for the Patagonia portion of our trip.
We loved our little adventurous hike to Base Torres which we split over 2 days camping at Chileno midway and the team did an amazing job in arranging a knowledgeable private guide Matias for the Torres Del Paine trek. The premium Chileno campsite was great too, we weren’t sure how it would be given the cold weather but the tent (and mattress/sleeping bag) were very comfortable. We were prepared with warm thermal wear, gloves, beanie. We had also taken a foldable LED lantern which was useful. The KimKim team had communicated to the Chileno campsite folks that I’m a vegan so every meal for me was specially prepared vegan (including desert !) which was very thoughtful. We even saw a puma walk across the road in front of our car as we were driving back from Las Torres to our hotel which was a highlight of our trip !!

Easter Island :
We spent 3 nights in Easter Island which we loved despite a long 6 hour flight to get there.
We had an indigenous Rapa Nui guide Steven who was quite a character but we enjoyed learning about his culture and all the stories he shared, passed down the generations - it was an extremely knowledgeable and a memorable tour with him. His passion to share about his Rapa Nui people and culture, authenticity shone through and we loved it despite his eccentricities :) It was not a boring guidebook tour.

The local tour company at Easter Island Rapa Nui Travel was very good too and the main lady who picked us up from the airport and drove us to the Kari Kari show etc (fabulous show, worth going to!) was wonderful.

Hotels :
- Hotel Icon (Santiago)
Nice hotel, great location, safe to walk around. The corner rooms have great views of the Andes!
The staff were very nice and allowed us to use the spa shower and gave us towels etc when we checked in early (as the room was not yet ready)

- Noi Casa Atacama (Atacaman)
Very nice hotel, great staff, 5-7 min walk to the Main Street where there are tons of shops and restaurants

- Hotel Cabo de Hornos (Punta Arenas)
Standard /basic rooms
Lobby and restaurant are great, good food

- Hotel CostaAustralis (Puerto Natales)
Great views & location
Nice lobby and restaurant area

- Hotel Rio Serrano ( Patagonia)
Fantastic rooms with the most incredible views, could easily stay here for a month, highly recommend this hotel.
Lovely restaurant with good food
Kind, wonderful staff, nice spa

- Hotel Hare Nua (Easter Island)
Fabulous boutique hotel, very aesthetically done.
The owners and staff keep the place meticulous and we loved their warmth and hospitality throughout our stay. The best part of the stay was the very thoughtfully prepared breakfast each morning. It was delicious and made with utmost love, they went out of their way to make vegan food for me, including serving vegan oatmilk. One of the days they were out of vegan milk to make a desert but went out of their way to buy it and then make me a desert. The love and care at this boutique hotel is outstanding - it was a home away from home for us.

While all the hotels suggested by KimKim were good, we worked with the team to make a couple of hotel and room upgrades based on our preferences.

All in all, a memorable trip and we’d HIGHLY recommend using KimKim travel.

Hotel Reviews

ICON Hotel

Santiago

Wonderful hotel, great location, staff, food !

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel NOI Casa Atacama

San Pedro de Atacama

Lovely hotel, great location - a few mins walk to town and restaurants etc. Wonderful staff, great food!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Cabo De Hornos

Punta Arenas

Standard /basic rooms Lobby and restaurant are great, good food

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Hare Nua

Hanga Roa

Fabulous boutique hotel, very aesthetically done. Highly highly recommend! The owners and staff keep the place meticulous and we loved their warmth and hospitality throughout our stay. The best part of the stay was the very thoughtfully prepared breakfast each morning. It was delicious and made with utmost love, they went out of their way to make vegan food for me, including serving vegan oatmilk. One of the days they were out of vegan milk to make a desert but went out of their way to buy it and then make me a desert. The love and care at this boutique hotel is outstanding - it was a home away from home for us. And no critters of any kind in the room even though hotel is surrounded by lush vegetarian :)

Authenticity & Character

Very cozy and aesthetically done

Location

Great location, short walk to the ocean side, to restaurants etc

Staff

Wonderfully warm, kind, you feel like you are staying with family

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Costaustralis

Puerto Natales

Great views & location Nice lobby and restaurant area

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Camping Chileno

Torres del Paine

Premium campsite was great. Lovely location by the river. A relatively short walk to the restaurant and main area. Wonderful staff, great food. The KinKim team had communicated to the Chileno campsite folks that I’m a vegan so every meal for me was specially prepared vegan (including desert !) which was very thoughtful.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Rio Serrano

Torres del Paine

The best hotel on the trip. Book without hesitation, it’s absolutely fantastic! Beautiful rooms with the most incredible views, could easily stay here for a month, highly recommend this hotel. Lovely restaurant with good food. Kind, wonderful staff, nice spa.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Incredible views, picture postcard perfect

Staff

Fantastic

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Chilean Market Tour in Santiago

Santiago

Fantastic experience with our guide Angel who make it a really fun, engaging tour ending with lunch at a vegan place that he thoughtfully selected as I’m vegan. Highly recommend doing this market tour wirh Angel !

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visit the Tatio Geysers - Morning tour

San Pedro de Atacama

Very unique and wonderful experience. Had a lovely breakfast on the hill overlooking the geysers

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Half Day Visit Ahu Akivi

Easter Island

Very unique, loved the tour. We had an indigenous Rapa Nui give the tour and it was different and wonderful as he shared stories passed down the generation, was not a boring guidebook tour. He had his eccentricities which we were taken aback by initially but realized he’s extremely passionate about the Rapa Nui indigenous people and their well-being and this authenticity and passion came through

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The car was not the best but it made for a somewhat unique experience :)

Full Day Trip- Red Rocks, Lagunas Altiplánicas & Atacama Salt Flats

San Pedro de Atacama

Absolutely fantastic, so unique and worth it ! Got to see many indigenous animals too like Guanacos etc.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Astro Fotografia

Chile

Absolutely wonderful, very knowledgeable Astro team. Made the whole experience very engaging and fun. They even had 2 large telescopes and pointed it to different planets like Saturn. The professional photos taken and the fabulous music and food made it even more memorable. Highly recommend !

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Laguna Cejar, Ojos del Salar y Laguna Tebiquinche

Chile

Wonderful but my husband and I felt that because we didn’t want to swim, this tour could have been skipped if we were short on time.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Afternoon Visit to "Valle de La luna "

Chile

Surreal, it’s like being on the Moon or Mars, very unique, highly recommend

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Transfer to the Airport for your Flight to Easter Island

Chile

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Torres del Paine National Park - Private Panoramic Tour

Chile

Fantastic place, absolutely stunning, nature at her best. Mind blowingly beautiful. Wonderful driver / guides.

Quality of Experience

Food

KinKim very kindly arranged for boxed vegan food for me (as I’m vegan) and even had vegan treats !

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Wonderful!!

Transport

Hike from Welcome CenterTorres del Paine to Refuge Chileno

Torres del Paine

Fabulous hike, great weather fortunately. Our private guide Matias was great and patient, my husband and I are very slow hikers

Quality of Experience

Beautiful scenery, so serene

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hike to Mirador Base Torres del Paine - Full Day Private Tour - From Chileno Refuge

Chile

Tough hike especially since my husband and I are not frequent hikers and we are glad we stayed at Chileno and started from there. We skipped the sunrise hike and startrd only around 8 am after breakfast.

Quality of Experience

Food

Fabulous food at Chileno camp, very thoughtfully prepared vegan food for me and even had a boxed vegan meal for the hike

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our private guide Matias was great

Transport

Good Bye Easter Island - Transfer to the Airport for your flight to Santiago.

Chile

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Kari Kari Cultural Show and Dinner

Easter Island

Excellent dance, we absolutely loved it! Highly recommend attending.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The main lady of Rapa Nui Travels was so kind to give us a ride to the dance and was staying back to give us a ride back but we told her we would walk back and she didn’t have to stay back just for us

Rano Raraku Volcano & Anakena White Sand Beach - Private Tour

Easter Island

Was lovely

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

This is my second trip through KIMKIM and everything ran perfectly. Not one snag in the whole week we spent in Costa Rica. Big shout out to Serendipity Adventures for handling everything locally. Our guides Alex and Mauricio were friendly, knowledgeable and fantastic company. We even managed to do everything we planned in between the many rain drops.

From beginning to end, the team at KIMKIM was on top of every question and worked with me to make whatever changes we needed to. I highly recommend working with them. I know I will again wherever I wander around the world.

Activity Reviews

Morning Sailing and Snorkeling Adventure

Costa Rica

Wonderful day sail to a secluded beach. The Captain and his crew were fun and friendly. The other guests were lovely and it was a relaxing day at sea.

Quality of Experience

Only lost a star due to weather. The rains and churned up the seas and the snorkeling was not good. No one's fault, except mother nature.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sunset Cruise with Wine & Cheese on Lake Arenal

Arenal/La Fortuna

Even though the weather was very threatening, we had a wonderful time. We had the whole boat to ourselves and our guide even serenaded us. He had a beautiful voice. And luckily, the rains didn't begin until we stepped off the boat.

Quality of Experience

Lost one star due to weather - not the service.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We visited India in March 2024 and it was amazing! Ravi and the Active India team were great, everything was so well organised. We visited Delhi, Jaipur, Ranthambore and Agra and had the most amazing time. Would definitely recommend Active India!

The care and attention we were given from the team at Columbus Guatemala travel and in particular from our link person Catherina throughout our trip was outstanding. Estovan and JJ our guides and drivers were always concerned, engaging and informative .
Guatemala is such a beautiful country and our visit was filled with exposure and discussion around culture, mythology, sightseeing alongside authentic inclusion in group activities and celebrations with Columbus Guatemala travel and the other companies booked by Catherina as part of our two week visit. In preparation for the trip, we received clear and detailed information about a whole range of useful tips on packing & preparation for our journey, which was invaluable.
Everyone we met at Columbus Guatemala travel proved to be helpful and inclusive and totally trustworthy.
Mostly the itinerary throughout Guatemala & briefly Belize was totally adhered to, occasionally pick up points were not totally clear but Catherina really was available for 24 hours a day as evidenced by her ability to always sort out a problem or clarify a confusion within a very short space of time.
We managed to see so much of Guatemala, the people, the temples and the beautiful countryside. I can recommend wholeheartedly KimKim and in particular Columbus Guatemala travel to others, I hope we will be able to make use of their services in the future.

Activity Reviews

Sumpango, Giant Kite Festival

Guatemala

Attending the Sumpango Giant Kite Festival was an incredible experience. The festival was beautiful but crowded, and the simple idea of having all group members in matching T-shirts turned out to be very clever for organization. This made a unique experience even more enjoyable and memorable.

Pacaya Volcano Hike & Picnic

Guatemala

The Pacaya Volcano Hike was quite the adventure, although I didn't realize it would be so uphill. Thankfully, there were horses to assist those who needed it, like myself. Despite my concerns about horse riding, we were well-catered for, making the experience delightful despite the initial challenge.

Halloween Walk and Chicken Bus Ride

Antigua

The Halloween Walk and Chicken Bus Ride in Antigua was the best Halloween experience I've ever had. It was such fun, with wonderful hosts and a fabulous evening. The local culture and festivities made it truly special.

We had a fantastic and memorable time celebrating our anniversary on a week-long trip to Morocco, all thanks to KimKim Travel! This was our second time booking with KimKim, and the experience exceeded our expectations. Maryem, our coordinator, was exceptional—always responsive and attentive to our needs, tailoring our itinerary perfectly to match our preferences.

Our Marrakech walking tour with Amnay was a delight; he was knowledgeable, engaging, and friendly, making the vibrant city come alive for us. The trip to the breathtaking Ourika Valley was another highlight, offering stunning views and an unforgettable stay at the serene Inara Desert Camp.

The true gem of our journey, however, was Essaouira. The peaceful, picturesque atmosphere of this coastal city provided the perfect ending to our trip, leaving us thoroughly enchanted. Our guide, Hicham, was also outstanding—friendly, professional, and an excellent companion throughout the experience.

We couldn't have asked for a better way to celebrate our anniversary. Thank you, KimKim Travel and Morocco Immersion Tours, for helping us create such incredible memories!

Hotel Reviews

Riad al Rimal

Marrakech

A charming riad nestled in the heart of the medina, just minutes from Jemaa El Fnaa Market and key monuments. The staff were pleasant and respectful. While the room was clean, it felt smaller than expected, with a comfortable bed but hard pillows. Breakfast was typical Moroccan fare—decent. The rooftop, however, was a peaceful morning retreat, complete with a jacuzzi we unfortunately didn’t get to try.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Inara Desert Camp

Marrakech

From the moment we arrived at this stunning desert camp, we knew we were in for a treat. It was our first time staying in a desert camp, and we only wished we had booked more than one night! The tents were spacious, beautifully decorated, and equipped with all the amenities of a standard hotel room. The bed and pillows were incredibly comfortable, and air conditioning in the tents added to the comfort. The staff were friendly and attentive, making us feel truly welcome. While the WiFi connection in our tent was spotty, we had no trouble connecting in other parts of the camp. Dinner was a delightful three-course meal, and the evening concluded with mesmerizing stargazing—a highlight of the experience. Overall, it was an unforgettable stay, and we can’t wait to return for another magical night in the desert.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Villa Beldi

Essaouira

Our stay at Villa Beldi Essaouira was absolutely fantastic. Located just outside the medina, the peaceful setting adds to its charm, offering a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle. The lush garden and inviting pool area are perfect for relaxing, and we often found ourselves tempted to spend the entire day by the pool. Our room was spacious, spotless, and tastefully decorated, with a comfortable bed, soft pillows, and excellent WiFi connectivity. Breakfast was a daily highlight, especially the delicious crepes and amlou, which we eagerly looked forward to each morning. The staff were friendly, attentive, and always ready to assist. Overall, Villa Beldi provided a serene and memorable stay, and we highly recommend it to anyone visiting Essaouira!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Guided Tour of Marrakech

Marrakesh

Our tour guide, Amnay, was very patient and knowledgeable. He educated us on the history, culture, and traditions of the Moroccan people. He spent more time than allotted with us, especially in the souks, and made sure that we got everything we needed.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Explore Ourika Valley

Ourika

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Camel Trek to Desert Camp

Agafay

This was such a fun experience! Our camels were well cared for, and the guides were very gentle with them. We took loads of pictures and enjoyed a bumpy ride with stunning views of the desert as we approached our desert camp.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Agafay to Essaouira

Morocco

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Afternoon Exploration of Essaouira

Essaouira

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

This was another amazing trip with the kimkim team! They use the most professional local guides and drivers and made everything effortless for us. All of our planned activities were exactly what we were looking for and the hotels were exceptional. We will only use kimkim for our international travel because of the customization to what we want and quality of everyone involved!

My friend and I hade the best time in Thailand, all thanks to a memorable experience from Tina our travel expert.. Tina planned our trip perfectly, by asking what are things we like to see and do.
We moved to Three different locations by plane and not once did we have to worry who was going to pick us up.
Some of our favorite attractions; Bangkok the beautiful temples, and history behind them. Leena our guide was very informative, and gracious.
Ching Mia, we were lucky to take part in a parade which was just beautiful. The elephant Sanctuary was fun and enjoyable from feeding, and bathing these giant animals was special. We had a wonderful time learning to cook delicious Thai food.
Lastly Phuket and its beautiful beaches were stunning, from the canoe rides done by John Gray tours, amazing. And the snorkeling with some awesome ocean fish.. We finished our stay taking a Thai cooking class, Jim our foodie guide was entertaining, lively and helped us create a delicious meal..

I will certainly reach out to KimKim and Tina for my next adventure. She was always on hand and ready to help whenever needed.

Thank You
Joan from Wisconsin

Hotel Reviews

Katathani Phuket Beach Resort

Phuket

The staff, the beautiful location, and the food all top notch.

Authenticity & Character

The lay out

Location

It was near the night market, The beach and pools were exceptional..

Staff

They were so friendly and helpful..

Cleanliness & Comfort

The room was so spacious. The beach bag and towel lent to us was a added plus feature..

The Quarter Hua Lamphong by UHG

Bangkok

The Quarter Hua Lamphong by UHG was a fine hotel overall, with a great location that allowed us to walk everywhere we wanted. The staff were friendly, but the beds were very hard, with no real mattress, just a box frame. That was the only downside to an otherwise good stay.

Activity Reviews

Half-Day Eco Elephant Care!

Chiang Mai

The Half-Day Eco Elephant Care was amazing. The guide at the sanctuary was hilarious and very informative. We got to be up close with the gentle elephants, feeding them, giving them medicine, and even bathing them. I'd highly recommend this to anyone visiting Thailand.

John Gray's Sea Canoe - Hong by Starlight

Phuket

John Gray's Sea Canoe - Hong by Starlight was one of our favorite activities. It was a long day starting early, with excellent food provided. The nighttime paddle into the caves to release floral arrangement candles was very special and memorable. A truly unique experience.

We crammed a lot of things into 5 days and the whole experience was seamless. All the guides were fantastic and looked after us throughout the whole trip.
Fabulous trip, exceeding our expectations. 👏👏👏

We had a phenomenal trip to Thailand for our honeymoon in November 2024. Thank you to Dat and the Realistic Asia team (especially Mr. Ron, our guide in Bangkok) for ensuring we had a smooth trip filled with culinary and cultural adventures! From punctual airport transfers to responsive communications to sightseeing accompanied by eye-opening commentary from our private guide, Kim Kim / Realistic Asia ensured that my husband and I were well taken care of and had the opportunity to learn a whole lot as well about Thai culture. It was my first time in Asia and do not speak Thai at all so it was most comforting to be in such good hands with our private guide who handled all on-the-ground logistics for us (payments at the night market, haggling with tuk tuk drivers, communications at restaurants etc.). We will definitely book with Kim Kim again for our next trip to Asia!

Activity Review

Full Day of Exploring the Ancient Capital Ayutthaya (RA)

Bangkok

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We had a very memorable trip exploring the east half of Bali with our driver, Essa. He was always punctual and navigated his way around Denpasar, Ubud, and the north the mountains effortlessly.

Our travel specialist, Ana, was great to work with and always replied very quickly. She is knowledgeable about Bali and helped us build a magical itinerary for the trip. We are so happy we booked this service through Kimkim!

Cory was absolutely wonderful throughout our trip. It's such a blessing to have someone local guiding you, as they truly understand the little nuances that first-time visitors might miss. Cory's advice to grab a bento box from a specific spot to which side on the train to sit on to see Mt. Fuji, and suggestions for great lunch spots made our experience even more special.

From the beautiful kimono tea ceremony to shopping in Ginza and exploring the breathtaking shrines, we loved every moment. Cory’s attention to detail and thoughtful recommendations helped us fully embrace the culture and kindness of the people. We are incredibly grateful for Cory’s assistance from start to finish, making this trip unforgettable.

Thank you, Cory, for going above and beyond!

Hotel Reviews

Mitsui Garden Hotel Otemachi / Tokyo

Tokyo

Our stay at the Mitsui Garden Hotel Otemachi was absolutely delightful. The staff were so kind and welcoming, and the rooms were spotless and comfortable. The breakfast was a highlight for us—my husband is still raving about the egg sandwich, calling it the best he’s ever had in his life (and he’s not easy to impress, lol!). The location was perfect; we could easily walk to different areas, grab snacks, and explore the city. When we visit Tokyo again, we’ll definitely stay here and recommend this hotel to all our friends. Thank you for making our trip so memorable!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Kawaramachi Jokyoji

Kyoto

A Tranquil and peaceful experience that we loved! Our stay at the Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Kawaramachi Jokyoji was amazing! The calm and serene atmosphere inside the hotel was incredible, and the traditional Japanese-style bathhouse was such a unique and fantastic experience. When we were tired from a long day of fun, we would go there. The rooms were spotless and perfectly prepared for us, making our stay comfortable and relaxing. The location was ideal—just a short walk to great food and shopping. One of the highlights was stepping outside to find a charming local business with a Kyoto coffee truck run by the sweetest guy serving absolutely delicious coffee. We absolutely loved our stay and can’t wait to return!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

remm plus Ginza

The Remm Plus Hotel was an ideal choice for our trip. The location couldn’t have been better—right in the heart of the shopping district! The rooms were cozy, spotlessly clean, and ready for us upon arrival, which made for such a smooth check-in experience. The breakfast was great, with plenty of options to choose from. We also loved how easy it was to step outside the hotel and find delicious food nearby. The automatic check-in process was modern and convenient, and the staff was absolutely amazing. When we needed extra assistance, they were quick to accommodate us with such kindness and professionalism. We would definitely stay here again and highly recommend it to anyone visiting the area!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Shibuya Bar Hopping Night Tour in Tokyo

Tokyo

We had an incredible time on the Shibuya Bar Hopping Night Tour, and our tour guide, Masa, made the experience truly exceptional. He ensured that everyone in the group felt included, engaged, and comfortable throughout the evening. Our 22-year-old son and his friends especially loved the tour, but we also found it to be a fantastic experience. Masa’s deep knowledge of the area and his insights about Tokyo’s nightlife were invaluable. This tour is perfect for your first or second night in the city because it helps you get a feel for the local spots and plan where you might want to visit again later. The places we visited were unique and authentically local, which was exactly what we were hoping for. While there were plenty of fried food options available—which many people would enjoy—we personally would have preferred a bit more variety. That said, it didn’t take away from how much we loved the experience overall. If you’re looking for a night of great drinks, fun exploration, and learning about Tokyo’s vibrant nightlife, this is an absolute must-do. We’d gladly do it again!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony with Kimono Wearing (Higashiyama)

Kyoto

A beautiful cultural experience for everyone. The Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony with Kimono Wearing was an unforgettable experience. My family joined me, and although the boys participated to indulge me, they ended up learning so much about the art of tea making, the culture, and, of course, the beauty of wearing kimonos. Personally, I enjoyed this—it made me wish I had someone to style my hair and dress me every day! The atmosphere was serene, and the attention to detail was impressive. We arrived a little early and had time to visit a nearby coffee shop, which turned out to be amazing—such a charming area with a great vibe. This experience was a wonderful opportunity to learn, connect, and grow together. I highly recommend it to anyone wanting to explore and appreciate Japanese culture in an authentic and meaningful way.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Mount Fuji Trip with English Speaking Guide

Tokyo

Here’s a polished version of your review for the Mount Fuji Trip with an English-speaking guide: Although I wasn’t able to attend the Mount Fuji trip, the others in our group had a fantastic time. While they were a bit bummed that it was too overcast to see Mount Fuji itself, they thoroughly enjoyed exploring the surrounding areas. The guide was excellent—knowledgeable, engaging, and helpful throughout the trip. They made sure the group had a great experience, providing interesting insights and ensuring everyone felt comfortable. The other locations visited were beautiful and offered a wonderful glimpse into the region's culture and scenery. Overall, it was a memorable trip that everyone appreciated, even with the cloudy weather. I’d definitely recommend this tour for anyone visiting the area—it’s worth it for the experience, the guide, and the chance to explore beyond just the iconic mountain.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Aft 87 years of age I experienced my goal of zip lining. It was wonderful and the guides exceptional. When we were unable to visit Manuel Antonio Park due to weather agents at Serendipity were quickly able to Schedual a wonderful cooking class.

Hotel Reviews

Arenal Manoa & Hot Springs

Fortuna

A beautiful relaxing casita. With total privacy. Wonder accommodations, hot springs and buffet.

Authenticity & Character

Tucked inside the jungle as one would expect in Costa Rica.

Location

Convenient to many activities.

Staff

Responsiveness to requests and always upbeat and friendly.

Cleanliness & Comfort

La Mariposa Hotel

Manuel Antonio

Hotel appeared a bit tired and could use slime upgrading.

Location

Activity Reviews

Sunset Sailing Cruise on the Brisa Elegante

Manuel Antonio

Nice to be able to have this final relaxing event.

Quality of Experience

Food

Night Excursion in Rainforest and Wild Frog Sanctuary

Arenal/La Fortuna

Very authentic and informative. Saw much nightlife I would not have seen on my own.

Sky Tram, Ziplines & Sky Walk Adventure

Arenal/La Fortuna

In my life bucket list. Done at 87 years of age.

Arenal Hanging Bridges Guided Walk

Arenal/La Fortuna

The Arenal Hanging Bridges Guided Walk was a disappointment, with only two out of five or so bridges open due to maintenance. The experience wasn't as spectacular as expected, and we didn't feel we got our money's worth.

Angela organized an amazing trip for our family. We all enjoyed the tours, guides, hotels and culinary experiences during our stay in Athens, Naxos and Tinos.

Hotel Reviews

Sweet Home Hotel

Athens

Excellent location in the heart of Athens close to the Parthenon and "Old Athens". Very friendly and helpful staff with wonderful breakfast.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Easily walkable to central Athens sights, museums, restaurants and shops

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Panos Studios

Naxos Town

Wonderful for our family vacation. Two suites met our needs to relax and cook when we wanted to

Authenticity & Character

Location

Close to the beach and short walk to center of Naxos with lots of restaurants very close by

Staff

Always helpful to our requests

Cleanliness & Comfort

Dolce by Wyndham Athens Attica Riviera

Vravrona

Very slow check in. Hotel was billed as updated but rooms and all facilities are very tired. Food was very mediocre

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

took forever to order a drink in the outdoor lounge

Cleanliness & Comfort

everything

Coocono Villas

Tinos

Beautiful Villas with nice welcome gift basket.

Authenticity & Character

Very Chic new contemporary design with wonderful views of the bay and Mykonos

Location

Short walk to the beach and easy walk to old town Tinos to visit restaurants.

Staff

All were very attentive and responded to our requests immediately

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Bike & Food Tasting tour - conventional bike or e-bike

Athens

Very good overview of old Athens.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Athens Coastal Bike tour - conventional bike

Athens

Wonderful way to see more of Athens than just the core.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guide was very helpful explaining the areas that we visited

Transport

Once Upon A Time in Naxos (a kids family tour!)

Naxos

George was wonderful with the little girls

Quality of Experience

Enthusiastic George

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide for the day was extremely helpful explaining the areas that we visited

Transport

Very Comfortable transport van

Private Cook Service in Naxos

Naxos

Food was fantastic and Maria was excellent explaining all dishes

Quality of Experience

Maria included the little girls when making some of the dishes. She brought small aprons and Chef hats for them:)

Private Half Day Catamaran Cruise

Naxos

A wonderful tour over to Paros and great swimming in two bays.

Quality of Experience

The Catamaran was very clean and well kept by the Captain

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Both the Captain and his mate were very personable and helpful with everyone. Snacks and drinks were a very nice touch.

Transport

A wonderful calm transfer across and back from Naxos to Paros

Naxos Culinary Tour

Greece

The cook and her husband were very gracious hosts and we had a fun dinner with them, the guide and some unexpected friends of the cook

Quality of Experience

Very helpful explaining how we could help prepare the dishes

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Van was a bit tired but clean

Tinos Full Day Tour

Tinos

Excellent tour of the small island. A great way to learn about the history of Tinos

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide was very knowledgeable and helpful answering any questions we had at all of the stops.

Transport

Cooking Experience - Meet the Locals

Greece

A fantastic lunch in the countryside with a wonderful cook.

Quality of Experience

Everyone (including the little girls) helped make the various dishes. Great explanations of how to make everything

Food

To be able to taste wonderful Greek cuisine that everyone had a hand in preparing. Lunch with the host and her husband overlooking the sea was special

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport