Kimkim Trip Reviews

4.8
Based on 21,606 ratings
Read 21,606 verified reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim. You can also read reviews about kimkim on 3rd party sites including Google, TrustPilot and Yelp.

The Boys Visit Japan
Japan | Aug 1 - Aug 10, 2026

V
Vincent W.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Aug 17, 2026
When my friends and I started planning the trip to Japan, it wasn´t clear exactly where to begin. Fortunately for us, we discovered Kimkim, and shortly after completing the preferences survey, Shona got back to us with an itinerary proposal in no time. Since then, she has remained actively engaged with us through the rest of the planning, the trip, and up to the end. In the planning phase, Kimkim´s itinerary chat allowed everyone on both sides of the chat to make and take into... Read more

When my friends and I started planning the trip to Japan, it wasn´t clear exactly where to begin. Fortunately for us, we discovered Kimkim, and shortly after completing the preferences survey, Shona got back to us with an itinerary proposal in no time. Since then, she has remained actively engaged with us through the rest of the planning, the trip, and up to the end.

In the planning phase, Kimkim´s itinerary chat allowed everyone on both sides of the chat to make and take into consideration others´ suggestions and recommendations. Shona let us know the requirements, addressed our concerns, and kept us up to date on bookings and reservations at every step, and we worked together to plan the best trip based on our budget. Thanks to this coordination, the itinerary was complete a long time before the trip. This breathing room ahead of the trip allowed for last-minute adjustments, which Shona actively managed for us.

During the trip, Shona and her team at Odynovo did not waver. From the moment we left for our trip up to when we returned, her team of coordinators, guides, and drivers was in constant communication with us. They made sure everything went smoothly, checking in to make sure we were where we planned to be and when we planned to be there; despite the language barrier.

The trip flowed seamlessly, a testament to their thoughtful planning. It was evenly paced, neither rushed nor laggy, considering the many activities we did and places we got to visit in a few days. The order of activities was well put together too. In every new place we visited, the guided days came first, followed by the self-guided days. Our tour guides were engaging and enthusiastic, intuitively showing us around, thereby boosting our morale to manoeuvre on our own and explore freely.

Leading up to the end of the trip, we only wished we had planned for more time. Shona and her team set a benchmark, a high bar, to which all trips to come, to Japan and other places around the world, will be compared. Japan is an interesting place, with a lot to offer in many aspects, and this trip, great as it was, was only an introduction, a momentous one. We look forward to returning sometime in the future, and we hope it will be just as amazing, if not more.

So, if you´re planning to visit Japan, and Shona is your agent, you´re in good hands. Actively participate in planning, remain engaged, and keep an open mind. Thanks, Kimkim, Odynovo, and thank you, Shona!

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Monterey Le Frere Osaka
Osaka
Authenticity & Character
Location
Great views from the higher floors.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo
Kyoto
Authenticity & Character
Location
You can walk around the local area and discover a lot with little effort.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Asakusa Tobu Hotel
Authenticity & Character
Location
It´s close to great local places to explore for a tourist.
Staff
Welcoming and friendly.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Overall, well-maintained.
Activity Reviews
Half Day Sagano Bamboo Grove and Tenryuji Temple Tour
Half Day Sagano Bamboo Grove and Tenryuji Temple Tour
Kyoto
Osaka Local Foodie Tour in Dotonbori and Shinsekai
Osaka Local Foodie Tour in Dotonbori and Shinsekai
Japan
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Kyoto Authentic Sake Tour in Fushimi: Sake Tastings & Explore Historic Breweries
Kyoto Authentic Sake Tour in Fushimi: Sake Tastings & Explore Historic Breweries
Japan
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
 Kimono Tea Ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya
Kimono Tea Ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya
Kyoto
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Samurai Sword Experience for Adults in Kyoto
Samurai Sword Experience for Adults in Kyoto
Kyoto
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Half Day Fushimi Inari Taisha and  Kinkakuji Temple
Half Day Fushimi Inari Taisha and Kinkakuji Temple
Kyoto
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day Tokyo City Tour
Full Day Tokyo City Tour
Tokyo
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Shona Zhang
Shona
Shona Zhang
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Aug 18, 2026
Hi Vicent, Thank you so much for this amazing review! We're absolutely thrilled to read your kind words. It was such a pleasure helping you and your friends plan this trip, and we're overjoyed that everything went so smoothly. Our entire team will be so happy to hear your wonderful feedback – We truly care about making every journey special. Knowing that you're already thinking about coming back is the greatest compliment we could ask for! We'd love to welcome you again anytime – whether... Read more

Hi Vicent,

Thank you so much for this amazing review! We're absolutely thrilled to read your kind words.

It was such a pleasure helping you and your friends plan this trip, and we're overjoyed that everything went so smoothly. Our entire team will be so happy to hear your wonderful feedback – We truly care about making every journey special.

Knowing that you're already thinking about coming back is the greatest compliment we could ask for! We'd love to welcome you again anytime – whether it's Japan or somewhere new.

Thanks again for choosing us. Wishing you many more incredible adventures ahead!

Warmest Regards,
Shona

Incredible Iceland
Iceland | Aug 3 - Aug 9, 2026

Judy
Judy C.
Miami, FL | Reviewed on Aug 16, 2026
We returned last week from a 7 day self-drive tour in Iceland. We connected with our Icelandic travel planner Gudmundur Oli, better known as Gummi, through Kimkim. Planning our customized tour with Gummi was easy through online chat, Zoom calls and phone calls. We were a group of 6, ages 10 to 71 and Gummi helped us plan a trip with something for everyone. Our trip was fabulous! From the Blue Lagoon, to the stunning waterfalls, to the thrilling Zodiac boat ride on Glacier Lake, and the... Read more

We returned last week from a 7 day self-drive tour in Iceland. We connected with our Icelandic travel planner Gudmundur Oli, better known as Gummi, through Kimkim. Planning our customized tour with Gummi was easy through online chat, Zoom calls and phone calls. We were a group of 6, ages 10 to 71 and Gummi helped us plan a trip with something for everyone.

Our trip was fabulous! From the Blue Lagoon, to the stunning waterfalls, to the thrilling Zodiac boat ride on Glacier Lake, and the ice caves, and the black sand beaches, to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, and the puffins!!

The landscape of Iceland is a study in contrasts. One day you feel like you could be on the moon and the next like you might be in the Rockies in Colorado. It's stunning. I loved the contrast between the vast open spaces and rocky landscape and the warm and cozy indoor spaces like our accommodations and restaurants. There's a very Zen feeling to it all.

If I had to mention one negative it would be the cost...of everything. Lunch for 2, no drinks will cost you 75 bucks. Even souvenirs are outrageous. I thought Bermuda was expensive, but Iceland has them beat.

Thanks Gummi, it was great! We felt like we had a friend in Iceland and knew you were just a phone call away.

Hotel Review
Frost & Fire Boutique Hotel
Hveragerdi

Loved this property! It was our favorite. The location is so unique and interesting along the river with views from our room.. The hot tubs and heated pool were great, even on a cold and rainy day. The staff is great!

Authenticity & Character
Location
The river view and quiet area.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Explore Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon by Zodiac Boat
Explore Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon by Zodiac Boat
Iceland

Fabulous! The lake was full of ice floes and seeing the glacier up close was very exciting.

Local specialist: Guðmundur Óli Pálmason
Guðmundur Óli
Guðmundur Óli Pálmason
Local specialist in Iceland | Replied on Aug 17, 2026

Thank you for the kind review Judy
Iceland really is a land of contrasts isn't it? As you say, vast open spaces, mountains, fire, ice, dark and light
I'm very happy to read you had such a great time, although Iceland is expensive, I agree with you on that
I do hope we'll see you in Iceland soon again though!
All the best
Gummi

Not a Great Experience
Brazil | Jul 31 - Aug 10, 2026

Rich
Rich W.
San Francisco, CA | Reviewed on Aug 17, 2026
Trip Planning
Provide a detailed itinerary. The itinerary on the kimkim site was quite high level, without any details. It was only after booking that we got more specific travel details from the local specialist, Giovanna, via the messaging section of the kimkim site. Giovanna was very responsive, checking in periodically with us before and during the trip.
The first day of the Rio tour was quite interesting, particularly visiting the artistic Santa Teresa neighborhood. After visiting... Read more

Trip Planning
Provide a detailed itinerary. The itinerary on the kimkim site was quite high level, without any details. It was only after booking that we got more specific travel details from the local specialist, Giovanna, via the messaging section of the kimkim site. Giovanna was very responsive, checking in periodically with us before and during the trip.

The first day of the Rio tour was quite interesting, particularly visiting the artistic Santa Teresa neighborhood. After visiting Sugarloaf Mountain on the second day, the tour consisted mostly of driving quickly through various neighborhoods.

I would suggest that kimkim offer a list of some suggested activities for the “free days” in Rio, such as attending the Carnival Experience, recommending museums, etc..

Flight Scheduling
For the Rio-Brasilia-Manaus journey, schedule flights earlier in the day, with ample connection time in Brasilia. Our evening GIS-BSB flight was somewhat delayed, so the 45-minute connection time was inadequate. We literally ran to the departure gate for Gol Airlines’ BSB-MAO flight, which was marked as “closed,” but the gate agent was able to quickly onboard us, and the baggage crew managed to get our luggage loaded, as well. The BSB-MAO flight landed at 10:55pm, so we didn’t arrive at our hotel until almost midnight. With a 6:30am shuttle-bus pick up the next morning, we barely got any sleep before the arduous journey to the Amazon Tupana Lodge.

Travel to Amazon
Inform travelers about the extent and methods of transportation to the Amazon Tupana Lodge. We would likely have chosen a different itinerary had we known that we would be packed into a shuttle bus for an hour, ride on an aluminum boat for 45 minutes, ride on an even smaller shuttle bus for a couple of hours, and then board another aluminum boat for 30 minutes – all while having to carry our luggage between the four travel segments.

Inform travelers who choose to go to the Amazon to pack a smaller bag for that segment and store their larger luggage at their Rio hotel.

Hotel in Rio de Janeiro
While the Windsor Excelsior has an excellent location on Copacabana Beach and the staff is quite professional and welcoming, the rooms are outdated and not well-maintained, with chips and wear-marks on the floor and the furniture. The thermostats did not work, so one’s choice was very, very cold or no air conditioning at all. The sheets on the beds really didn’t fit the mattress, and the blanket was so small that it was difficult for two people to share. The bathroom was tiny. We had to call maintenance to repair a flickering light in the room we had at the end of the trip. The walls were so thin that we could hear conversation from the room next to us. Internet coverage was spotty and quite slow. On our check-out date (August 10), the hotel had a plumbing problem so that the water pressure was very low, and we didn’t have hot water at all, which was a problem since we wanted to shower before our evening flight from Rio to Miami.

In short, the Windsor Excelsior was not even a 3-star hotel, in my book.

Amazon Tupana Lodge
The Tupana Lodge was very rudimentary, with the wood cabins having gaps in the floor, tiny bathrooms with no hot water, and only a single fan to combat the high heat and humidity. There was no “check-in” process so we were left unaware of how things worked, what services or activities were available to us or the timing of meals. The common room was closed and locked during portions of the day, so if someone (like me) opted not to go on an excursion, there was not any access to drinking water since the dispenser was inside. Additionally, internet access was turned on and off intermittently.

The staff was working on some handrails on the main outdoor walkway, but the one to our room was completely missing, which was dangerous, particularly when we were returning to our cabin after dark and there was a meter to a meter-and-a-half drop from the walkway to the ground. The hand-towel rack was falling off the bathroom wall, making it completely unusable, with shower shelf fasteners pulling out of the walls and quicky heading towards the same fate as the towel rack.

The lodge does not accept cash, and their credit card reader had difficulty connecting to their very spotty internet.

We gave the room key to the front desk at “check-out”, but they called our driver to the Manaus airport to ask if we had taken it.

Tupana Lodge Excursions
Schedules were not announced by guides. The “motorized canoe” described in the kimkim material was actually an aluminum fishing boat.

We were not informed that the evening hike into the forest was going to take 5 hours (including dinner). I abandoned the hike after 25 minutes and returned to the lodge, but the lobby was locked, so I had to search for a staff member to let me into our cabin.

We didn't learn that the Wednesday morning boat trip included fishing until we got on the boat, and we both hate fishing. We made the best of it by just reading books on our phones. When no one caught any fish, the guide was trying to find some facts to tell us about the Amazon River, pointing out the "great insight" (sarcasm intended) that water in the sun was warmer than water in the shade.

Communication from Leonardo, the Amazon guide, was lacking. Often, there was often no information provided on what we would be doing the next day, with only his comment that "I'll tell you at breakfast." When I asked what an afternoon activity was going to be, he answered that we were rowing canoes. I explained that I have a shoulder problem, and he dismissed my concern. I asked what we were going to see, and his response was "trees." Again, I opted out of the excursion. During excursions, Leonardo was often conversing with a local guide or boat operator without explaining what he was doing or trying to achieve. We guests often felt like an afterthought.

The 5:30 am boat trip was re-scheduled for our last day, when we had a long travel day ahead of us. My husband, Brad, did the tour, but I again opted out. Brad reported that there were no animal sightings and that the excursion was a waste of time. He also noted that there were only a few people on the excursion, indicating a lack of interest or poor planning in the types of activities offered by the Tupana Lodge.

The excursions were uninspired and repetitive, so I ended up skipping most of them. Consequently, for me, four days at the Tupana Lodge was way too long.

The lodge portion of the trip was a waste of time for me. Frankly, I hated being there.

Transportation
On a positive note, all the car services were on time and reliable.

Overall
Based on the low quality of this trip, we are unlikely to use kimkim’s services again.

Hotel Reviews
Amazon Tupana Lodge
Manaus

The Tupana Lodge was very rudimentary, with the wood cabins having gaps in the floor, tiny bathrooms with no hot water, and only a single fan to combat the high heat and humidity. There was no “check-in” process so we were left unaware of how things worked, what services or activities were available to us or the timing of meals. The common room was closed and locked during portions of the day, so if someone (like me) opted not to go on an excursion, there was not any access to drinking water since the dispenser was inside. Additionally, internet access was turned on and off intermittently. The staff was working on some handrails on the main outdoor walkway, but the one to our room was completely missing, which was dangerous, particularly when we were returning to our cabin after dark and there was a meter to a meter-and-a-half drop from the walkway to the ground. The hand-towel rack was falling off the bathroom wall, making it completely unusable, with shower shelf fasteners pulling out of the walls and quicky heading towards the same fate as the towel rack.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Intercity Manaus
Manaus
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Windsor Excelsior Hotel
Rio de Janeiro

While the Windsor Excelsior has an excellent location on Copacabana Beach and the staff is quite professional and welcoming, the rooms are outdated and not well-maintained, with chips and wear-marks on the floor and the furniture. The thermostats did not work, so one’s choice was very, very cold or no air conditioning at all. The sheets on the beds really didn’t fit the mattress, and the blanket was so small that it was difficult for two people to share. The bathroom was tiny. We had to call maintenance to repair a flickering light in the room we had at the end of the trip. The walls were so thin that we could hear conversation from the room next to us. Internet coverage was spotty and quite slow. On our check-out date (August 10), the hotel had a plumbing problem so that the water pressure was very low, and we didn’t have hot water at all, which was a problem since we wanted to shower before our evening flight from Rio to Miami.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Last Day Jungle
The Amazon
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Amazon Jungle day 3
Amazon Jungle day 3
The Amazon

We had already decided that we were not going to camp overnight, but we were not informed that the hike into the jungle would take 5 hours, including dinner. I abandoned the hike after 25 minutes and went back to the lodge.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Amazon Jungle day 2
Amazon Jungle day 2
The Amazon

We didn't learn that the Wednesday morning boat trip included fishing until we got on the boat, and we both hate fishing. We made the best of it by just reading books on our phones. When no one caught any fish, the guide was trying to find some facts to tell us about the Amazon River, pointing out the "great insight" (sarcasm intended) that water in the sun was warmer than water in the shade.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Giovanna Madeira

A fabulous trip through the north of Iceland
Iceland | Aug 6 - Aug 15, 2026

Patricia
Patricia S.
Mexico | Reviewed on Aug 17, 2026
We had driven the golden circle in 2023. This time we wanted to see the North. The Kim Kim team did a superb job on planning the routing, suggesting stops along the way, sourcing great accommodation, and even suggesting some restaurants. They made it easy, with clear maps, descriptions of points of interest, confirmed arrangements along the way, and clearly a thorough understanding of what would interest us. I don't think we could have made these kinds of choices on our own, since we don't... Read more

We had driven the golden circle in 2023. This time we wanted to see the North. The Kim Kim team did a superb job on planning the routing, suggesting stops along the way, sourcing great accommodation, and even suggesting some restaurants. They made it easy, with clear maps, descriptions of points of interest, confirmed arrangements along the way, and clearly a thorough understanding of what would interest us. I don't think we could have made these kinds of choices on our own, since we don't have the experience of Iceland and it is a very long way between towns. There was a huge advantage for us to have a rental car so that we could stop where we wanted, spend extra time at places of interest, or skip something where we didn't have the time to stay. The highlight was seeing the full solar eclipse at the Western most tip of Europe. When we return (and we will), we will be contacting Kim Kim again for the planning.

Hotel Reviews
Fosshotel Westfjords
Patreksfjörður

Excellent location, very friendly and helpful staff, nice rooms, wonderful breakfast.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Holt—The Art Hotel
Reykjavík

Beautiful and charming hotel, filled with artwork and lovely decor. The breakfast buffet is the best of all of the hotels where we stayed. The location is just 5 minutes off the main strip of restaurants and shops. Staff was very friendly and helpful.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Preeti Bhide

All the guides, drivers, hotel staff, etc wer...
Thailand | Aug 1 - Aug 16, 2026

Susan
Susan S.
Denver, CO | Reviewed on Aug 17, 2026
All the guides, drivers, hotel staff, etc were very friendly, caring and tended to all our requests and needs. Read more

All the guides, drivers, hotel staff, etc were very friendly, caring and tended to all our requests and needs.

Hotel Reviews
Buri Rasa Samui Village
Samui

The beach was great! Extensive food options and staff ready to greet and assist with needs.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
De Chai The Colonial Hotel & Spa
Chiang Mai

Breakfast was extensive and staff always ready assist with anything needed

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Riva Vista Riverfront Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai

Close to temples

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Once Bangkok
Bangkok

Great breakfast and able to get it “to go”!

Authenticity & Character
Rooftop
Location
The view of the river
Staff
Breakfast staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Bangkok Symbolic Temples
Bangkok Symbolic Temples
Bangkok
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Doi Inthanon National Park - A Nature Walk and Culture
Doi Inthanon National Park - A Nature Walk and Culture
Chiang Mai
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Lanna Lifestyle & Cooking Experience with A Local Family with dinner
Lanna Lifestyle & Cooking Experience with A Local Family with dinner
Chiang Mai

This was some fun and the family was just delightful. That two sons are very funny and personable. We got lots of great information and had lots of fun.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Afternoon Monk Blessing at Doi Suthep
Afternoon Monk Blessing at Doi Suthep
Chiang Mai
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Vivid Arts of Chiang Rai
Vivid Arts of Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Afternoon Visit Elephant Jungle Sanctuary (Joining)
Afternoon Visit Elephant Jungle Sanctuary (Joining)
Chiang Mai
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Night Street Food Tour After Dark by Tuk Tuk
Night Street Food Tour After Dark by Tuk Tuk
Bangkok
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Premium Koh Tao & Koh Nangyuan Snorkeling by Joining Speedboat (Tue/Thu/Sun)
Premium Koh Tao & Koh Nangyuan Snorkeling by Joining Speedboat (Tue/Thu/Sun)
Thailand
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Chiang Mai Culture and Art
Chiang Mai Culture and Art
Chiang Mai
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
The Scenery of Golden Triangle Region
The Scenery of Golden Triangle Region
Chiang Rai
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Back to The Glorious Days of Ayutthaya Kingdom
Back to The Glorious Days of Ayutthaya Kingdom
Bangkok
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Railway Market & Floating Market
Railway Market & Floating Market
Bangkok
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Phuong Nguyen
Phuong
Phuong Nguyen
Local specialist in Hanoi, Vietnam | Replied on Aug 18, 2026

Hi Susan & Jyoti,
Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re delighted to hear that our guides, drivers, and hotel teams made you feel well cared for throughout your journey. It was a pleasure to have you with us, and we truly appreciate you taking the time to share your experience❤️
Best wishes!
Phuong

Leslie and KimKim: Exceptional, Responsive, Professionals!
Italy | Aug 3 - Aug 13, 2026

D
deborah b.
Boston, MA | Reviewed on Aug 16, 2026
Our trip was planned flawlessly by Leslie at KimKim! Can’t say enough how incredible the trip was and how every place, guide, and tour were wonderful - - - even in 100 degree heat! Venice:
Our guide Sara was so warm, informative and loved her City. We learned so much about the history, saw the basilica, and went on a gondola ride. So lovely. Our hotel was fabulous and we made friends with the staff.
Florence:
Our guide Marco was charming and knowledgeable. We did some wine...
Read more

Our trip was planned flawlessly by Leslie at KimKim! Can’t say enough how incredible the trip was and how every place, guide, and tour were wonderful - - - even in 100 degree heat!

Venice:
Our guide Sara was so warm, informative and loved her City. We learned so much about the history, saw the basilica, and went on a gondola ride. So lovely. Our hotel was fabulous and we made friends with the staff.

Florence:
Our guide Marco was charming and knowledgeable. We did some wine tasting, visited sites and were again spoiled at our hotel.

Rome:
Once again our guide and hotel were memorable. Our guide did her best to help us be more comfortable in the extreme heat, while we learned about our host city. We visited the Collisium and the Vatican; both left us speechless in their beauty.

Amalfi Coast:
We had a full day boat ride. The Captain and Marta were the perfect hosts who love their professions! We were shown the Blue Grotto, Mt Vesuvius, Capri, and the Sorrento coastline. We swam in the sapphire blue water, had a delicious Italian lunch and learned about the locations history. Our hotel was on the water and we got to relax a couple days and even got to see the Solar Eclipse!

I’m really not able to do the trip enough justice. Every guide, tour, ride, etc. was on time and high quality. Each hotel had a great location and was 4 - 5 stars. The memories my kids, grandkids and friend made together will last a lifetime. Can’t thank Leslie enough for her careful planning, availability, and kindness.

Local specialist: Leslie Tranchina

This Is A Great Service
France | Jul 31 - Aug 6, 2026

B
Bob P.
Houston, TX | Reviewed on Aug 16, 2026
Review of Road Trip In France
What a great service! Marianna, our local specialist, was wonderful to work with. She was very responsive and had some good insights. Now for some specifics:
Picking up the rental car was seamless. With everything prepared and paid for it took just a few minutes to do the paperwork and drive away. As with every other driving excursion, a quick click on the embedded link brought up a saved Google map with a detailed route right to the exact next...
Read more

Review of Road Trip In France
What a great service! Marianna, our local specialist, was wonderful to work with. She was very responsive and had some good insights. Now for some specifics:
Picking up the rental car was seamless. With everything prepared and paid for it took just a few minutes to do the paperwork and drive away. As with every other driving excursion, a quick click on the embedded link brought up a saved Google map with a detailed route right to the exact next location.
Deauville was a good stop for us. It was a short drive after leaving our cruise ship to this wonderful seaside resort that had obviously been visited by many film stars and other well-known people. The Hotel Barriere Le Normandy deserved the 5-star rating – great facilities, great service, wonderful charm.
Another click on an embedded link, and we were off for the drive to Mont-Saint-Michel. This was one of the highlights of the trip. What an inspiring feat to build such a grand abbey on an isolated small island so many centuries ago.
Next stop was Amboise in the Loire valley region. The Hotel Le Clos d’Amboise was a charming converted chateau with a courtyard and inground swimming pool. The reception staff was extremely gracious and helpful. The breakfast included was okay. However, we would not recommend the restaurant for dinner. The servings were small, the service was slow, and the price was way too expensive for what was received.
A major highlight of the trip was the visit to the Clos Luc Castle, the final home of Leonardo da Vinci. It was fascinating to see his drawings and the replicas of machines based on his ideas. What a visionary individual he was!
Now came the only hiccup in the entire experience. Before we took the 30-minute trip to turn in the rental car we called the transfer company that was to give us a ride back to our hotel. The company had the return transfer scheduled for the following day and could not get us a driver for the current day. The hotel staff lined us up with a different transfer. We paid for the transfer, but Kimkim graciously refunded us the charge. Specific instructions on how to return the car to the underground parking garage would have been very helpful as the Avis representative was not in his office and did not speak very good English as he tried to transmit instructions as we circled the train station a few times.
All in all, working with Kimkim exceeded our expectations. We have already recommended them to others and will not hesitate to do so in the future.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Le Clos d'Amboise
Amboise

Nice converted old chateau. The reception staff was very good and helpful. The restaurant was OK for breakfast but would not recommend it for dinner.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Mercure Mont Saint Michel
Le Mont-Saint-Michel

Typical U.S. style basic modern hotel. We wanted to make sure we had A/C, though it was not necessarily needed.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hôtel Barrière Le Normandy
Deauville1

Great old 5-star hotel in a wonderful seaside resort

Authenticity & Character
Location
Very short walk to the beach.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Private transfer in town
Private transfer in town
France

Transfer was scheduled on the wrong day.

Visit the châteaux Chenonceau on your own (timed tickets provided)
Visit the châteaux Chenonceau on your own (timed tickets provided)
France
Quality of Experience
Local specialist: Marianna Leccese
Marianna
Marianna Leccese
Local specialist in Nice | Replied on Aug 17, 2026
Hi Bob, Thank you for taking the time to share your review. I truly appreciate your thoughtful feedback and your honesty in highlighting the areas where we can improve. Your feedback is incredibly valuable and helps us continue improving the quality of our service. I'm happy to hear that you had such a wonderful time exploring all the destinations and that you enjoyed the hotels.! I hope we'll have the pleasure of helping you plan another adventure in the future, and that you've returned... Read more

Hi Bob,

Thank you for taking the time to share your review. I truly appreciate your thoughtful feedback and your honesty in highlighting the areas where we can improve. Your feedback is incredibly valuable and helps us continue improving the quality of our service.

I'm happy to hear that you had such a wonderful time exploring all the destinations and that you enjoyed the hotels.! I hope we'll have the pleasure of helping you plan another adventure in the future, and that you've returned home with many unforgettable memories. Thank you for highlighting these experiences that you especially loved!

Best,
Marianna

All guides and drivers were great as we have ...
Greece | Aug 5 - Aug 8, 2026

Robert
Robert B.
Haverhill, MA | Reviewed on Aug 16, 2026
All guides and drivers were great as we have become to expect from Kimkim. Read more

All guides and drivers were great as we have become to expect from Kimkim.

Hotel Review
Electra Palace Athens
Athens
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Free Afternoon in Athens
Free Afternoon in Athens
Athens
Quality of Experience
Y
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
The Acropolis Museum Private Guided Tour
The Acropolis Museum Private Guided Tour
Athens
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Athens Highlights Private Guided Driving Tour with Jewish Heritage
Athens Highlights Private Guided Driving Tour with Jewish Heritage
Athens
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Guided Athens Food Tour
Private Guided Athens Food Tour
Athens
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
National Archaeological Museum Private Guided Tour
National Archaeological Museum Private Guided Tour
Athens
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
The Acropolis Private Guided Tour
The Acropolis Private Guided Tour
Athens
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Effie Parasyrakis

The people provided a terrific experience!
Kenya | Aug 1 - Aug 15, 2026

L
Linda M.
Kansas City, MO | Reviewed on Aug 16, 2026

Our guides God bless and George were fantastic. Request them!! George maneuvered well in heavy traffic in and out if Nairobi and always provided fantastic views of the wildlife. We had bird enthusiasts in our group and Godbless was very knowledgeable. He also gave us excellent views of the animals. He had an engaging personality and it was obvious he had good relationship with other guides.
Joseph did an excellent job of curating a customized experience for our group of six.
He was responsive to our questions.
It was an experience of a lifetime.

Local specialist: Joseph Thuo
Joseph
Joseph Thuo
Local specialist in Nairobi, Kenya | Replied on Aug 17, 2026
Hi Linda, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that you had such a memorable experience with God Bless and George, and that they made your journey even more special. It was a pleasure putting together this customized experience for your group, and we truly appreciate your kind words and recommendation. We’ll be sure to share your wonderful feedback with God Bless and George—they’ll be thrilled to know how much you enjoyed your time with them. Thank you again... Read more

Hi Linda,

Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that you had such a memorable experience with God Bless and George, and that they made your journey even more special.

It was a pleasure putting together this customized experience for your group, and we truly appreciate your kind words and recommendation. We’ll be sure to share your wonderful feedback with God Bless and George—they’ll be thrilled to know how much you enjoyed your time with them.

Thank you again for choosing us. We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back to Africa for another unforgettable adventure in the future!

Warm regards,
Joseph

All connections were smooth. A no hassle expe...
Finland | Jul 23 - Aug 7, 2026

Eric
Eric S.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Aug 16, 2026
All connections were smooth. A no hassle experience where we could still do things independently.
I thought the hiking around Pyha was exceptional. It is nice there was plenty of independent time in location ( except bear watching cabin) to be able to walk about.
Read more

All connections were smooth. A no hassle experience where we could still do things independently.
I thought the hiking around Pyha was exceptional. It is nice there was plenty of independent time in location ( except bear watching cabin) to be able to walk about.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Fabian
Helsinki
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Ski-Inn Kultakero Hotel
Pyhätunturi

Loved this place off season , after the big concert crowd had left. Was so nice to have our own sauna and hot tub. Such a nice spacious room for two people with kitchen facilities. The walking and hikes nearby were great. Unfortunately, our two outings with the same guide we didn’t get a chance to see much wildlife, but the weather was an issue and we enjoyed visiting with him.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Bear Watching Cabin
Kuusamo

It was a long time to be cooped up. I would have had second thoughts , if I knew it was 14 hours in a stuffy cabin with no chance to take a walk to get fresh air. It n the other hand it makes a memorable visit and a great story to see bears by the Russian border. I didn’t realize they bait the bears directly in front of the cabin. Something about this struck me as wrong , but my wife liked it more than I did.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Long drive to get to this cabin.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Arctic Light Hotel
Rovaniemi
Authenticity & Character
Location
Can walk anywhere from here
Staff
Attentive and accommodating staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Sauna in excellent shape
Overnight Train
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Solo Sokos Hotel Turun Seurahuone
Turku
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Haven
Helsinki

Liked the buffet.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Midnight Sun Photography Tour
Midnight Sun Photography Tour
Rovaniemi

Ryan was a very patient and enthusiastic guy that made for a memorable evening.

Quality of Experience
No
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Turku City Walking Tour
Turku City Walking Tour
Turku

Informative guide.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Canoe Trip in Lapland
Canoe Trip in Lapland
Rovaniemi

Beautiful spot , very private. Good guide.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Helsinki Sauna Tour
Helsinki Sauna Tour
Helsinki

Was a fun trip. Bike riding was no problem , felt safe.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Supportive and informative. Excellent English.
Transport
Overnight Bear Watching Experience
Overnight Bear Watching Experience
Kuusamo

Long time at a stuffy cabin. An interesting experience to see bears that close to the Russian border. I didn’t realize they baited the bears to come to the right in front of the cabin.

Quality of Experience
No
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Clearer communication
Transport
Good drivers on a long drive.
Porvoo Private Day Tour
Porvoo Private Day Tour
Helsinki

It was fine , seemed a bit touristy.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Fishing Experience
Fishing Experience
Finland

Didn’t have much time to get the line in the water, but still a nice spot.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Bird & Wildlife Watching Tour
Bird & Wildlife Watching Tour
Pyhä

Rainy day and didn’t see much.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Reliable for a rainy day
Transport
River Cruise on an Eco Rubber Boat
River Cruise on an Eco Rubber Boat
Rovaniemi

Our guide was informative and personable. He gave us a choice of rubber or rustic wooden boat. I chose the wooden, but there was a problem with a bit of a leaking. The bailing made for a memorable journey.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Guide should have probably checked boat leak before guests.
Short Arctic Wilderness Hike (Summer/Autumn)
Short Arctic Wilderness Hike (Summer/Autumn)
Rovaniemi

Nice hike , young French guide didn’t add much info.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Never felt like Ryan was rushing through things.
Transport
Picnic Cruise Along the Aura River
Picnic Cruise Along the Aura River
Turku

Boat operator did not arrive.

Transport
Back up plan for boat operator.
Guided Hike in the Archipelago Sea
Guided Hike in the Archipelago Sea
Helsinki

Our guide Alex was excellent with good sized group.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Taste of Helsinki & Tour of Suomenlinna
Taste of Helsinki & Tour of Suomenlinna
Helsinki
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Moonika Apart
Moonika
Moonika Apart
Local specialist in Rovaniemi | Replied on Aug 18, 2026

Hello Eric,

Thank you for your honest feedback! I'm very glad to hear you enjoyed the overall trip, that everything went smoothly, and especially the hiking and your time in Pyhä was memorable. I'm sorry about the issue with the boat trip, and I really appreciate your comments about the bear-watching experience. Thank you again and it was a pleasure helping you plan your trip!

Best,
Moonika

Marvelous Finnish Adventure
Finland | Aug 6 - Aug 15, 2026

Tess
Tess W.
Philadelphia, PA | Reviewed on Aug 16, 2026
We had a marvelous trip to Finland. Emerson established our itinerary, and every phase of the trip played out exactly as planned. For example, every driver we expected for a transport showed up early. I never felt worried that we would be stuck somewhere and have to figure out an alternative plan; things occurred as stated in the itinerary.
I loved the app too - it kept all of the important information, directions and tickets together in one source. I will definitely use KimKim again for...
Read more

We had a marvelous trip to Finland. Emerson established our itinerary, and every phase of the trip played out exactly as planned. For example, every driver we expected for a transport showed up early. I never felt worried that we would be stuck somewhere and have to figure out an alternative plan; things occurred as stated in the itinerary.
I loved the app too - it kept all of the important information, directions and tickets together in one source. I will definitely use KimKim again for international travel.
Emerson was available during the trip via the app or email, just in case we had questions or concerns. It was reassuring to know that we could consult with our travel specialist at any time. He was pretty quick to get back to us when we did contact him.

Hotel Reviews
Arctic Light Hotel
Rovaniemi

This is an amazing hotel! The room was incredibly spacious, and staff was friendly and helpful. The breakfast buffet was incredibly eclectic! We loved it!

Authenticity & Character
It has its own bar and restaurant, and has a beautiful lounge area with an outdoorsy decor.
Location
This is a great location to walk to city center businesses and shops, but feels like it is on a quiet side street.
Staff
So helpful and friendly. We asked for directions to locations and businesses multiple times and always received friendly help.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The room had so much space I. It and that made it feel exceptionally comfortable to stay in.
Overnight Train

The sleeper cabins with private bathrooms are extremely small for two people! You barely have room to do anything in the room or the bathroom.

Authenticity & Character
Definitely not a typical space to stay in. Very unique!
Location
Very convenient to use for a long travel distance, making overnight travel attractive.
Staff
Helpful. Answered questions that we presented.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Sleeper cabins for two people need to be a bit larger to allow both to be able to move around.
Solo Sokos Hotel Turun Seurahuone
Turku

A very nice hotel in a great setting in Turku.

Authenticity & Character
It has unusual decor inside.
Location
Perfect setting in order to walk downtown, yet it feels like it’s on a quiet street.
Staff
So friendly and accommodating in every situation that arose during our stay!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Room was plenty big, and there was plenty of comfortable space to sit in the lobby or dining/bar areas.
Hotel Fabian
Helsinki

This was a nice hotel, set in a very convenient location for walking around Helsinki. It is a smaller hotel, but the room was quite adequate.

Authenticity & Character
This was a smaller hotel, but was pretty adequate for most amenities.
Location
Close to downtown activities , businesses and parks.
Staff
Very friendly and helpful.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Everything was good.
Activity Reviews
Canoe Trip in Lapland
Canoe Trip in Lapland
Rovaniemi

We had a great canoe experience that included our ability to look at a solar eclipse.

Quality of Experience
Excellent training by the guide before we began.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Martin gave clear directions and explained how to stay safe.
Transport
Mushroom and Berry Picking
Mushroom and Berry Picking
Rovaniemi

This mostly involves picking blueberries to make juice.

Quality of Experience
It was fun and interesting.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The guide was nice and personable.
Transport
Finnish Legends and Stories Around the Fire
Finnish Legends and Stories Around the Fire
Rovaniemi

We enjoyed the campfire and whole experience.

Quality of Experience
Making pancakes was fun.
Food
The pancakes were good. We thought there might be other food provided, since it said dinner was included.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Martin told interesting stories.
Transport
Electric Fatbike Trip to the Reindeer Farm
Electric Fatbike Trip to the Reindeer Farm
Rovaniemi

The Fatbike made the ride so comfortable and easy. The reindeer farm experience we great.

Quality of Experience
Nice ride the farm was terrific.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The guide was terrific. He quickly and adeptly made us lunch at the fireplace.
Transport
Ooo
Korouoma Canyon & Auttiköngäs Waterfalls Adventure
Korouoma Canyon & Auttiköngäs Waterfalls Adventure
Rovaniemi

This was a fun, amazing, mostly moderate hike, and it had some nice viewpoints.

Quality of Experience
Good pacing
Food
I loved the fireplace at the shelter. It was so user-friendly and safe.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Knowledgeable tour guide.
Transport
Archipelago Ring Road Tour
Archipelago Ring Road Tour
Turku

This was a nice tour, but not quite what I thought I was getting. I thought we would get out of the vehicle more to see incredible sights. I didn’t realize that most of the time would be spent in the vehicle because it takes so long to complete the Ring Road.

Quality of Experience
Food
We only stopped to eat at once place to eat. The food was great, but we should have had a little more time to eat it.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The tour guide was very nice, and shared some good information.
Transport
Car was comfortable.
Turku City Walking Tour
Turku City Walking Tour
Turku

The guide was very knowledgeable, and gave us a nice mix of historical information as well as local cultural information.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
As mentioned previously, he gave a good mix of information. The only downside was that he seemed to become distracted by his personal wants when we entered the library.
Guided Hike in the Archipelago Sea
Guided Hike in the Archipelago Sea
Helsinki

We enjoyed a really nice hike through a forested nature area.

Quality of Experience
Very nice hike at a good pace, with free time given for exploration.
Food
The guide prepared traditional Finnish food, and the presentation was terrific!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The guide was very nice and interesting, and knowledgeable about forest plants.
Transport
She drive the van very carefully along these windy roads.
Helsinki City Walking Tour (3h)
Helsinki City Walking Tour (3h)
Helsinki

Nice walk around the city with a nice guide.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Emerson Siimer
Emerson
Emerson Siimer
Local specialist in Estonia | Replied on Aug 17, 2026

Thank you so much, Tess! I’m really glad you had such a great time in Finland. And thank you for taking the time to leave such a detailed review — all the feedback about the different experiences really helps us a lot.

It was a pleasure planning your trip!

Uganda was everything I hoped for, thanks to Steven and Fred!
Uganda | Jul 20 - Jul 31, 2026

K
Kristina L.
the Netherlands | Reviewed on Aug 16, 2026
My Uganda trip, booked through kimkim, was an incredible experience overall. The itinerary covered everything I had hoped for: gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, and Queen Elizabeth National Park were all absolute highlights, each with fantastic wildlife sightings and well-timed, well-organized days. A special mention goes to my guide and driver, Steven, who was outstanding throughout the trip. He was knowledgeable, attentive, and brought a level of care and professionalism that made a... Read more

My Uganda trip, booked through kimkim, was an incredible experience overall. The itinerary covered everything I had hoped for: gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, and Queen Elizabeth National Park were all absolute highlights, each with fantastic wildlife sightings and well-timed, well-organized days.

A special mention goes to my guide and driver, Steven, who was outstanding throughout the trip. He was knowledgeable, attentive, and brought a level of care and professionalism that made a real difference, from the way he timed the trekking activities to how he handled logistics day to day. He's a big part of why this trip felt so memorable.

I also want to highlight Fred, who checked in with me by phone almost every day to make sure everything was going smoothly. That level of attentiveness gave me real peace of mind traveling alone, and it didn't go unnoticed.

One area for improvement: the overall pricing felt too high, not because anything was missing from the trip, but because it's clear a significant markup was added on top of the actual bookings. This isn't a reflection of Steven's or Fred's work, both of which were excellent; it's specifically feedback on kimkim's pricing structure. If I might book with them again, I'd go in more price-conscious, even though the on-the-ground experience was fantastic.

Activity Reviews
Kazinga Channel Water Safari
Kazinga Channel Water Safari
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Half Day Game Drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Half Day Game Drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Ride 4  a Woman Biking Community Tour
Ride 4 a Woman Biking Community Tour
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi
Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Game Drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Game Drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day Chimpanzee Trekking
Full Day Chimpanzee Trekking
Kibale National Park
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Melvin Mapetla
Melvin
Melvin Mapetla
Local specialist in East Africa | Replied on Aug 17, 2026
Hi Kristina, Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a thoughtful review. It truly means a lot to me to know that your Uganda adventure was such a memorable experience. I'm especially happy to hear that Steven's care and professionalism, along with the regular check-ins, helped make your solo journey feel smooth and reassuring. It was a real pleasure being part of your trip, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to have helped create those special memories. Thank you as well for... Read more

Hi Kristina,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a thoughtful review. It truly means a lot to me to know that your Uganda adventure was such a memorable experience.

I'm especially happy to hear that Steven's care and professionalism, along with the regular check-ins, helped make your solo journey feel smooth and reassuring. It was a real pleasure being part of your trip, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to have helped create those special memories.

Thank you as well for your honest feedback on the pricing. I really appreciate you sharing it, and I'll certainly keep it in mind.

Wishing you many more wonderful adventures ahead.

Melvin

This trip was amazing!
Greece | Jul 6 - Jul 18, 2026

K
Kat K.
Seattle, WA | Reviewed on Aug 16, 2026
This trip was amazing! Chris booked eight of us according to our needs, and also provided a wonderfully eclectic experience! We chose to break up into two groups of four so we could see different places, and the timing of the split was perfect. It was wonderful to see so much of Athens, staying in three different hotels, and all were unique in their own ways. The car rentals went very smoothly too. We talked the whole trip about how wonderful Chris' arrangements were, and how much we... Read more

This trip was amazing! Chris booked eight of us according to our needs, and also provided a wonderfully eclectic experience! We chose to break up into two groups of four so we could see different places, and the timing of the split was perfect. It was wonderful to see so much of Athens, staying in three different hotels, and all were unique in their own ways. The car rentals went very smoothly too. We talked the whole trip about how wonderful Chris' arrangements were, and how much we appreciated the recommendations and free time. He was also very responsive whenever we had questions while on the trip.

My only recommendation is for the car rental: the Nissan Qashqai, while very comfortable, would not allow for turning off driver assist. This meant if I hugged the shoulder to let cars pass, the wheel would automatically and immediately move the car back into the center of the lane. It pinged whenever I drove 1kph over the speed limit. Not ideal for local driving behavior! The rental agency contact said, "this is a good car, but not a good car for Greece." The Ibiza SEAT was perfect though!

Please know the tour guides were wonderful. Irene at the Acropolis group tour and Penny at the Delphi private tour had us laughing, taught us a great deal, were very caring about the heat and shade, and thorough in where to go at the end of the tour. Experiencing two different styles of tours was also very thoughtful! Penny was delightful, and we still quote her.

Hotel Reviews
Avra Hotel
Rafina, Attica
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Heliotrope Hotels
Lesvos
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Achilleas Hotel
Athens
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Fedriades Hotel
Delphi
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
NLH Monastiraki
Athens
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Chris Gravas
Chris
Chris Gravas
Local specialist in Athens, Greece | Replied on Aug 18, 2026

Dear Kat,

I can't thank you enough for your kind words and stellar review, I really appreciate it! I also thank you for the feedback regarding hotels as well as the car rental, that is very useful for future travelers. I will also share your kind words to the guides too, they will be very happy!

Wishing you a wonderful rest of your summer!

Best,
Chris

Lucie was incredible! Grimm Faery Tale Trail Adventure
Germany | Oct 24 - Oct 29, 2025

J
Jen L.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Aug 16, 2026
Lucie was incredible! From start to finish she listened, planned, reworked and was just amazing! She included everything we wanted, selected lovely places for us to stay, made sure the trip went smoothly with a rental car, and gave helpful tips to us. When we added or subtracted things mid- planning she didn’t hesitate! She reworked our itinerary so quickly! I cannot say enough about how kind funny and professional Lucie was. We are planning our next trip in 2027 and will be asking for Lucie... Read more

Lucie was incredible! From start to finish she listened, planned, reworked and was just amazing! She included everything we wanted, selected lovely places for us to stay, made sure the trip went smoothly with a rental car, and gave helpful tips to us. When we added or subtracted things mid- planning she didn’t hesitate! She reworked our itinerary so quickly! I cannot say enough about how kind funny and professional Lucie was. We are planning our next trip in 2027 and will be asking for Lucie specifically! Thank you so much for planning our One of a Kind Grimm Faery Tale Trail Adventure! It was magical!

Hotel Reviews
Dolce by Wyndham Bad Nauheim
Bad Nauheim

Only spent one night here before flying home the next day but lovely hotel.

Authenticity & Character
Tucked away but close to the airport.
Location
Near airport. Easy to find.
Staff
So friendly!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean and nice.
Schlosshotel Kassel
Cassel

The setting of the hotel couldn’t be better! Right in a picturesque park with trails and wildlife surrounding you! The only drawback was the menu in the restaurant. Limited palate for dinner. And since the hotel is out of town we had to drive into town for supper which was tiring as we drove many days and just wanted to be in one spot for a moment.

Authenticity & Character
Lovely rooms pool and spa.
Location
Owls greeted us at night and deer in the day.
Staff
Very friendly
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean
Landhotel Bellevue Marburg
Marburg

Out of the way hotel. Classic old style! Lovely grounds. Menu options reminded me of my grandparents kitchen who were born in Germany! Lovely rooms!

Authenticity & Character
Great menu very local cuisine.
Location
Peaceful quiet beautiful gardens and grounds.
Staff
Accommodating and friendly!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Rooms clean. Hallways well lit and clean.
Local specialist: Lucie Dupuis
Lucie
Lucie Dupuis
Local specialist in Villefranche-sur-Saône | Replied on Aug 17, 2026

Dear Jen,

Thank you so much for your nice words! This means a lot to me!

I was really happy to create the "off-the-beaten-path" trip for you! And I would love helping you for your 2027 trip! :)

I'm so happy you loved your trip!

Best,
Lucie

Adam Warszawski of Iceland Offbeat was AMAZING
Iceland | Aug 10 - Aug 14, 2026

Meg
Meg R.
Boston, MA | Reviewed on Aug 16, 2026
Adam Warszawski of Iceland Offbeat was simply amazing!!! He was kind, patient, thoughtful, funny, and told us great stories about Iceland and about his guiding experiences. He even cleared an injured duck off the roadway as we were driving. We saw so many wonderful sights, and learned so many things about the land and its history --- all because of Adam. We miss his company in the days since we've arrived home! The entire experience was fabulous. The only reason I gave KimKim just 4 stars... Read more

Adam Warszawski of Iceland Offbeat was simply amazing!!! He was kind, patient, thoughtful, funny, and told us great stories about Iceland and about his guiding experiences. He even cleared an injured duck off the roadway as we were driving. We saw so many wonderful sights, and learned so many things about the land and its history --- all because of Adam. We miss his company in the days since we've arrived home!

The entire experience was fabulous. The only reason I gave KimKim just 4 stars was because of a mix-up at the very beginning of our trip. Another guide picked us up at the airport (ahead of Adam) and was brusque about not being our guide. I had talked to Adam for months ahead of time, planning this trip, and was in communication with Adam even as we landed in Iceland. But when we descended the escalator, there was Svarnen (?) waiting with a sign in his hand that had my name on it. All was eventually sorted, but we found those first few moments odd and uncomfortable.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Geysir
Bláskógabyggd

Lovely, large rooms, friendly staff, lovely breakfast.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Fosshotel Stykkishólmur
Stykkishólmur

Great food and spectacular views!! Rooms are a bit small for two people, and like so many hotels in Europe, the bathroom was dimly lit with no shelf space for toiletries or shaving kits.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Adam Warszawski
Adam
Adam Warszawski
Local specialist in Poland / Iceland | Replied on Aug 18, 2026

Thanks for the review Meg! It was a great time for me too, I already miss you all guys!

Sorry for the confusion at the beginning of your trip.

Hope to see you again in Iceland one day!
Adam

Fanny and Adrian did a great job. The food ...
Ireland | Aug 5 - Aug 13, 2026

P
Patti W.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Aug 16, 2026

Fanny and Adrian did a great job. The food tour in Kinsale and the Connemara Sheepdog demonstration were fabulous and definitely the highlights.

Local specialist: Fanny Venet

Thank you Janneke for a simply wonderful family holiday in South Africa and Namibia
South Africa | Jul 19 - Aug 10, 2026

Mark
Mark G.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Aug 16, 2026
From the initial introductory discussion with Janneke through to the end of our trip, our experience of working with Janneke was absolutely superb. She organised a 3 1/2 week family holiday in South Africa and Namibia. Her knowledge and advice from the outset was second to none and ensured that we had a very memorable holiday, staying in 10 different locations, with no 'duds'. We immediately warmed to her enthusiasm for her country, and she was always available throughout the trip to give... Read more

From the initial introductory discussion with Janneke through to the end of our trip, our experience of working with Janneke was absolutely superb. She organised a 3 1/2 week family holiday in South Africa and Namibia. Her knowledge and advice from the outset was second to none and ensured that we had a very memorable holiday, staying in 10 different locations, with no 'duds'. We immediately warmed to her enthusiasm for her country, and she was always available throughout the trip to give advice. We even met up near her home on the garden route which was particularly lovely. Given our family situation we had some specific requirements, which were all clearly understood and acted on. All the local partners that she worked with were friendly and knowledgeable - they were clearly well vetted. Particular shout out to Andrew our guide in Cape Town and the wine region and to the team in Namibia.

In terms of highlights, I'd go back to every spot, but top of the list would be Franschhoek (La Cotte Farm) and Hohenstein Lodge in Damaraland, Namibia.

So thank you Janneke and to the team - we will be in touch next time we come to south africa for sure! We need to go to Babylonstoren when it's not raining!

Hotel Reviews
Agama River Camp

Stunning place

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Sossus Dune Lodge

Beautiful place in the middle of nowhere with fantastic views. The stars were mindblowing. Really lovely food too. Slightly let down by one or two of the staff members giving a 'can't be bothered' impression, exacerbated by several missing things in our rooms (a missing duvet, missing towels). It was a long walk from the rooms to the reception so this stuff was annoying, but didn't overall detract from a memorable stay.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Incredible place in the middle of nowhere. Stunning views
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Several missing things in the rooms
Swakopmund Guest House
Swakopmund
The Windhoek Luxury Suites
Windhoek
Xanatseni Private Camp
Bushbuckridge

Wow. What a place. Beautiful rooms with high ceilings and thatched roofs. Decent (perhaps not stellar) food. Super friendly and helpful staff - they were a real joy to be around. Fantastic game drives with knowledgeable guides. It was a real privilege to stay here - I would love to come back.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Harbour House Hotel
Hermanus

Very spacious. Great location.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Lofts Boutique Hotel
Knysna

Brilliant place. Real character (the kids loved crossing a bridge over the lobby to get to their room). Stunning location.

Authenticity & Character
An old boathouse. Real character to the place
Location
Incredible views
Staff
My daughter was expecially chuffed that they found a suiteable khosa name for her.
Cleanliness & Comfort
La Cotte Farm
Franschhoek

Staying at La Cotte was of the highlights of our trip. Such a beautiful, peaceful location with lovely food and lovely rooms.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Romney Park Luxury Apartments
Cape Town

Lovely small boutique hotel/apartments. Worked well for us as was well equipped (washing machine / kitchen), large and comfortable rooms and nice views towards the sea.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
A Day in the Kruger Bush with Two Game Drives
A Day in the Kruger Bush with Two Game Drives
South Africa

A superb few days. Big thanks to our guide, Ross, who was super knowledgeable of the area and the animals and looked after us well. A real highlight of our trip.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Knysna Featherbed Eco Experience
Knysna Featherbed Eco Experience
South Africa

A nice trip. Quite busy on the initial part of the walk as everyone set off at the same time, but it did thin out. A nice way to explore the area, and the food at the end was super!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Franschhoek Scootours
Franschhoek Scootours
South Africa

This was so much fun!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Cape Town to Franschhoek with Wine farm visits
Cape Town to Franschhoek with Wine farm visits
South Africa

What's not to like about a wine tour in the beautiful landscape and towns of the area!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Bo-Kaap Walking Tour
Bo-Kaap Walking Tour
Cape Town

Interesting, but I wouldn't say it's a must do. Can wander around the area and get a feel in your own time

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Cape Peninsula & Penguins
Cape Peninsula & Penguins
South Africa

Wonderful trip. Big thanks to our guide Andrew for creating a wonderful tour. Kayaking with the penguins was a particular highlight.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Janneke Van Schalkwyk
Janneke
Janneke Van Schalkwyk
Local specialist in Garden Route | Replied on Aug 17, 2026

Hello Mark,
Thank you so much for your lovely review and for taking the time to share all the details in your feedback. It truly means a lot to us. It gives me so much joy to hear that you had such a wonderful trip. It was lovely meeting you.
I was actually at Babylonstoren on Wednesday, and it was a perfect sunny day. Even I had short sleeves on! So, I think you will simply have to come back.😉I will definitely share your wonderful feedback with our travel partners as well.
Warm greetings,
Janneke

Ireland Aug of 2026
Ireland | Aug 5 - Aug 13, 2026

Susanne
Susanne B.
Boston, MA | Reviewed on Aug 16, 2026
Food tour in Kinsale was great
Hotels without elevators were a surprise and should be advised about before booking.
Read more

Food tour in Kinsale was great
Hotels without elevators were a surprise and should be advised about before booking.

Hotel Review
Ashling Hotel Dublin
Dublin

Elevators did not provide access to all floors. Excellent staff and rooms.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Short walk into town
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Fanny Venet

Trip to Scotland
Scotland | Aug 6 - Aug 15, 2026

D
Dirk F.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Aug 16, 2026
Both Adam and Sandy were outstanding. All the hotels were amazing. Pauline with help from Gabriella could not have been better. If you had a question, they got back to you with an answer almost immediately. They were great! Thank you so much, Pauline!!! Read more

Both Adam and Sandy were outstanding. All the hotels were amazing. Pauline with help from Gabriella could not have been better. If you had a question, they got back to you with an answer almost immediately. They were great! Thank you so much, Pauline!!!

Hotel Reviews
No11 Boutique Hotel & Brasserie
Edinburgh
Authenticity & Character
Location
Cleanliness & Comfort
Foyers Lodge
Inverness

I wished to stay at a hunting lodge and this place was awesome.

Authenticity & Character
Charming building.
Location
Beautiful view of Loch Ness and close to Inverness.
Staff
The young woman that helped us at any time of the day was fantastic. She was so polite and pleasant. Outstanding!!!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Inverlochy Castle Hotel
Fort William

Beautiful experience.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Amazing view
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Victoria Square
Stirling

My wife just loved this place. It located close to everything we wanted to do.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Eskdale hotel
langholm

The staff was outstanding and the location was perfect.

Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel du Vin & Bistro Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Walk up Calton Hill
Walk up Calton Hill
Edinburgh
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Welcome to Langhom
Welcome to Langhom
Langholm
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Stirling Castle Tickets
Stirling Castle Tickets
Scotland
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
The Edinburgh Military Tattoo
The Edinburgh Military Tattoo
Edinburgh

AMAZING!!! Bucket list experience.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Two hour cruise on the Canal and Loch - Loch Ness
Two hour cruise on the Canal and Loch - Loch Ness
Inverness

Very fun, relaxing, and informative.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit the Kelpies
Visit the Kelpies
Scotland
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Edinburgh Castle Tickets
Edinburgh Castle Tickets
Edinburgh
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Culloden Battlefield private tour
Culloden Battlefield private tour
Inverness

Sandy was a pleasure to learn from. Great experience.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
A special Armstrong tour
A special Armstrong tour
Langholm

Adam is a wealth of knowledge and experience.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Pauline Mathieu

Greece trip
Greece | Jul 30 - Aug 8, 2026

L
Libby S.
Australia | Reviewed on Aug 16, 2026
Thanks for all your help with this trip. Apart from a few hiccups all went as planned and we loved Greece. Read more

Thanks for all your help with this trip. Apart from a few hiccups all went as planned and we loved Greece.

Hotel Review
Paros Agnanti Resort & Spa
Paros

Beautiful food, service and surrounds.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Close to town but away from the bustle
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Sunset & Wine Tasting Experience
Sunset & Wine Tasting Experience
Santorini

Lovely experience and evening.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Acropolis Beat-the-Crowds Discovery Walk
Acropolis Beat-the-Crowds Discovery Walk
Athens
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Siena Mueller

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