Kimkim Trip Reviews

4.8
Based on 20,652 ratings
Read 20,652 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.

Our trip to Italy was absolutely wonderful, a...
Italy | May 26 - Jun 4, 2026

P
Priti M.
Macungie, PA, USA | Reviewed on Jun 05, 2026
Our trip to Italy was absolutely wonderful, and much of that was thanks to the exceptional planning and organization by Alex and his team. Every detail was thoughtfully arranged, from accommodations and transportation to tours and daily logistics, allowing us to fully enjoy the experience without worrying about the details.
The itinerary was well-balanced, giving us the opportunity to explore Italy's rich history, beautiful landscapes, and incredible cuisine.
What we appreciated most was...
Read more

Our trip to Italy was absolutely wonderful, and much of that was thanks to the exceptional planning and organization by Alex and his team. Every detail was thoughtfully arranged, from accommodations and transportation to tours and daily logistics, allowing us to fully enjoy the experience without worrying about the details.
The itinerary was well-balanced, giving us the opportunity to explore Italy's rich history, beautiful landscapes, and incredible cuisine.
What we appreciated most was the peace of mind that came from knowing everything had been taken care of. Instead of focusing on schedules and arrangements, we were able to immerse ourselves in the culture, sights, and experiences that made the trip so memorable.
We are extremely grateful to the team for their professionalism, attention to detail, and dedication that went into making our Italian vacation such a success.
Diliana was extremely helpful and always available and quick to help us when we had any questions.
Our guide in Florence was very versed in the history and gave us a fabulous tour. Also, our driver and guide Luca gave us a phenomenal tour when we spent a day with him touring Positano, Amalfi and Ravello. Five stars to Luca!
We would highly recommend Alex and his team from kimkim to anyone looking for a seamless, stress-free, and truly enjoyable travel experience.

Hotel Review
Hotel Residence Amalfi
Amalfi

Our stay at Hotel Residence in Amalfi was absolutely exceptional. Waking up to panoramic vistas of the sparkling coastline and enjoying sunset from the terrace made this trip truly unforgettable. A particular highlight was the incredible Michelin-starred restaurant in the hotel. The dining experience was outstanding, with exquisite cuisine, impeccable service, and a stunning setting that perfectly complemented our stay.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Conveniently located.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Day Trip to Capri, Anacapri & Blue Grotto
Day Trip to Capri, Anacapri & Blue Grotto
Sorrento
Quality of Experience
Blue Grotto was an experience of a lifetime!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Half-Day Trip to Pompeii
Half-Day Trip to Pompeii
Naples
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Gulf of Naples Sunset Cruise
Gulf of Naples Sunset Cruise
Naples
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Pisa, Siena & San Gimignano Day Trip with Lunch & Wine Tasting
Pisa, Siena & San Gimignano Day Trip with Lunch & Wine Tasting
Florence
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Day Trip to Positano, Amalfi & Ravello
Private Day Trip to Positano, Amalfi & Ravello
Sorrento
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private City Walk with Michelangelo's David
Private City Walk with Michelangelo's David
Florence
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Alex Mottler

.wonderful Morocco
Morocco | May 16 - May 24, 2026

kathy
kathy W.
Phoenix, AZ | Reviewed on Jun 05, 2026

Youssef our driver was incrediable. He was on top of everything and ensured our trip was top of the line. Youssef well portrayed the culture he represented by his honesty, compassion and willingness to go out of the way so that our trip was perfect.
We appreciated the families we had dinner with . The dinners were a special occasion for us to meet new people

Local specialist: Majid Mrabti
Majid
Majid Mrabti
Local specialist in Morocco & France | Replied on Jun 07, 2026

Hello Kathy,
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! I'm delighted to hear that Youssef made such a positive impact on your trip. His dedication, honesty, and genuine care truly reflect the values we strive for, and I’m glad he helped make your experience exceptional. I'm also happy that you enjoyed the dinners with local families;these moments are meant to create lasting memories and meaningful connections. Thank you for choosing us, and I hope to welcome you again on another adventur.
Best,
Majid

Best Vacation EverAfter 20 years, my husband...
Greece | May 21 - May 28, 2026

Casey
Casey B.
Goose Creek, SC, USA | Reviewed on Jun 05, 2026
Best Vacation Ever
After 20 years, my husband and I decided to take a trip to Greece for my birthday. Erica helped make this dream to Athens and Santorini a reality. It was the best vacation that we have ever had. We didn't have to worry about transportation from the airport to the hotel, or on any of our excursions. She took care all of it. I had no stress planning this trip. She heard what we wanted, our budget, and she planned it out so we didn't feel overwhelmed.
The day before we... Read more

Best Vacation Ever
After 20 years, my husband and I decided to take a trip to Greece for my birthday. Erica helped make this dream to Athens and Santorini a reality. It was the best vacation that we have ever had. We didn't have to worry about transportation from the airport to the hotel, or on any of our excursions. She took care all of it. I had no stress planning this trip. She heard what we wanted, our budget, and she planned it out so we didn't feel overwhelmed.

The day before we were to fly out, Erica took the time to go over our itinerary and answered any questions that we needed. She prepared us for our first European trip. Without her I don't know what we would have done.

I have never been on a trip where I didn't feel stress. We were able to enjoy ourselves, with amazing views, food, and experiences without having to worry over what to do next. It was well balanaced.

We will be using these services again. Thank you so much for what you did for us, and made it the best birthday ever. Thank you Erica for everything.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Keti
Santorini

Hotel Keti is located over 115 stair below the main walk way and shops. Be prepared to get your steps in. Beautifully located on the side of the cliff, they have amazing views. The breakfast was amazing, and the staff were the most wonderful people we had ever met. Friendly and knowledgeable. They were always happy to help us from restaurant recommendations , to how to get on the bus and go to Oia. We really appreciated their customer service and graciousness. They made us feel at home. We hope to return back .

Authenticity & Character
Location
Beautifully located. I didn't mind walking down all the stairs.
Staff
Love their personality. THey always had a smile on their face.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very comfortable and clean.
Plaka Hotel
Athens

This hotel is in the perfect spot in Athens, Greece. Located below the Parthenon, in Plaka, you are close to near by shops, grocery stores, restaurants, and bars. The staff was very courteous and friendly. The room was very nice. The rooftop bar has amazing food and beverages, and at sunset you can see the Parthenon and all of its glory. We look forward to staying here again.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Private Delphi Day Trip
Private Delphi Day Trip
Athens

Our transport driver was amazing. She told us about the land and how Greece uses it agriculture. She was wonderful at explaining the ski resort that we went through into Delphi. At the end of our tour in Delphi she took us to a wonderful restaurant for my birthday. Oh my it was so good. The staff was amazing. Best birthday experience. Our Tour Guide in Delphi was very nice. He was very knowledgeable of the landmarks and how they came to be.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Loved our driver.
Private Mythology Trail Storytelling Walk
Private Mythology Trail Storytelling Walk
Athens

Katerina was our tour guide and she is awesome. My husband and found how she told the stories of the tour to be amazing. She was so detailed and made you feel like as you walked that you were getting a once in a life time experience. She took us on a little hike that showed the Parthenon in the background, to tasting delicious ice cream and sorbet. Along the trip we stopped at a local cafe, where we tasted Greek coffee, which my husband loves, and I tried another type of coffee and love it as well. Out of the whole trip this was our favorite excursion. We hope to do the food tour with her when we go back.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Katerina was amazing. She hope to do the food tour with her next time.
Greek Cooking Class by Locals
Greek Cooking Class by Locals
Athens

We had the best time at the cooking class. We learned how to make Greek Street food. From Gyros, to Greek cheese cake, to making spice feta cheese it was an experience that we would not forget. The family was so welcoming. We all laughed, and had wonderful experience with food and wine. Learning how to make homemade pita bread was great. Thank you so much for this wonderful experience. We hope to return and learn something new.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Erica Gerakos

Judy and Zumi were AMAZING!
Japan | Mar 25 - Mar 31, 2026

E
Ericka B.
Denver, CO | Reviewed on Jun 05, 2026
Judy was absolutely Wonderful! She fit in everything I wanted to do for my Trip to Japan and was super flexible and easy to work with. She stayed on top of all my reservations and had seamless Transportation! I will definitely be booking with her again when I go back to Asia! Zumi, my tour guide in Kyoto, was simply the best! He was super friendly and knowledgeable and I had a great time "chasing the cherry blossoms" with him! 10/10 would recommend! Read more

Judy was absolutely Wonderful! She fit in everything I wanted to do for my Trip to Japan and was super flexible and easy to work with. She stayed on top of all my reservations and had seamless Transportation! I will definitely be booking with her again when I go back to Asia! Zumi, my tour guide in Kyoto, was simply the best! He was super friendly and knowledgeable and I had a great time "chasing the cherry blossoms" with him! 10/10 would recommend!

Activity Reviews
Tokyo Night Foodie Tour in Shinjuku
Tokyo Night Foodie Tour in Shinjuku
Tokyo

LOVED this experience! You can never have too much food in Tokyo - Plus we got the added bonus of great views and experiences along the way since it was a walking tour. Our Guide was amazing and we were her last tour ever! The food selection was wonderful and very different at each location so we got to experience a little bit of everything!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Chase Cherry Blossom in Kyoto
Chase Cherry Blossom in Kyoto
Kyoto

Zumi was absolutely wonderful!!!! He was super friendly and knowledgeable! He was great at taking pics as well! he made the day seem effortless and he knew all the best spots to see the Cherry Blossoms! 10/10 would recommend Zumi to anyone going to Kyoto!!!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Zumi went above and beyond to make sure I was taken care of - from the first moment to when we said Goodbye!
Transport
 Kimono Tea Ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya
Kimono Tea Ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya
Kyoto

This was such a fun experience! I got to wear a traditional Kimono and the Tea Ceremony was fully immersive!

Quality of Experience
Local specialist: Judy Zhang
Judy
Judy Zhang
Local specialist in Seoul and Japan | Replied on Jun 07, 2026
Hi Ericka, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! It truly made my day. I was especially surprised and touched to receive your feedback after some time had passed since your trip. It means a lot that you took the time to come back and share your experience. It was an absolute pleasure helping you plan your Japan adventure, and I'm so happy we were able to fit in everything you wanted to see and do. I'm also delighted to hear that you enjoyed your time with Zumi in Kyoto. I'll be sure... Read more

Hi Ericka,

Thank you so much for your wonderful review! It truly made my day.

I was especially surprised and touched to receive your feedback after some time had passed since your trip. It means a lot that you took the time to come back and share your experience.

It was an absolute pleasure helping you plan your Japan adventure, and I'm so happy we were able to fit in everything you wanted to see and do. I'm also delighted to hear that you enjoyed your time with Zumi in Kyoto. I'll be sure to pass along your kind words to him—he will be thrilled to hear that you enjoyed chasing the cherry blossoms together!

Thank you again for your trust and support. Guests like you are the reason we love what we do. Whenever you're ready for your next trip to Japan or anywhere else in Asia, I'd be honored to help you plan another unforgettable journey.

Wishing you all the best, and I hope to work with you again in the future!

Warm regards,

Judy 🌸

First, everyone at Kimkim listened to me care...
Costa Rica | May 18 - May 24, 2026

Yvonne Vizzier
Yvonne Vizzier T.
Memphis, TN | Reviewed on Jun 05, 2026
First, everyone at Kimkim listened to me carefully and were able to design the exact trip I requested. Overall every scheduled tour was really good with only one guide was a bit disappointing. Considering the number that we had is outstanding. The guide for the Volcano hike was outstanding. The raft guide was also very good especially with sighting animals. We really enjoyed the Jaguar Rescue which was my favorite tour even though there were no Jaguars! The number of animals was so... Read more

First, everyone at Kimkim listened to me carefully and were able to design the exact trip I requested. Overall every scheduled tour was really good with only one guide was a bit disappointing. Considering the number that we had is outstanding. The guide for the Volcano hike was outstanding. The raft guide was also very good especially with sighting animals. We really enjoyed the Jaguar Rescue which was my favorite tour even though there were no Jaguars! The number of animals was so varied it allowed us to see examples of just about every animal native to Costa Rica. The rate of release of rescued animals was extraordinary .

The volcano hike had planned paths that were good for a strong hiker but not a walker. For me the number of small rocks, extreme variation in walking elevations was extremely difficult. I should not have done it but I got through it and made finishing longer for the younger hikers. I think the description of that hike needs to include a caution. There was plenty of other things to see and paths to walk including a nice food/drink pavilion including restrooms.pp

I will likely use Kimkim to help me plan other trips.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Arenal Lodge
Fortuna

We were not there in the tourist season and often felt like the only guests which affected the service. It was adequate. The restaurant menu was very limited and the site remote enough to make easy access of other restaurants difficult. The bar did make a really good mojito.

Authenticity & Character
facing the volcano was nice but walks around to exterior difficult to find.
Location
It was difficult to get transport to other sites.
Staff
The restaurant has own server in the morning and another in the evenings so we got to know them.
Cleanliness & Comfort
our room was spotless but with expected wear from age.
Hotel Banana Azul
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

This was our favorite site as we were right on the beach, had great service and a good restaurant and bar. The layout is very tropical making fun for each of us. We enjoyed both pool and hot tub. Our last day there was a huge rain which ended up causing our cabin to be surronded by about 2 feet of water. So they moved us to the Tree House for our last night which was fun. For the move staff carried our luggage out of the cabin keeping everything dry. We missed the shower of the cabin and enjoyed the adventure of the event.

Authenticity & Character
It was not luxurious but very comfortable with everything we needed in “beach” location. In addition there were stations to refill our water bottles conveniently located.
Location
It was tucked in an easily accessible street and right on the beach.
Staff
Everyone made us feel that they existed to make us comfortable even with language difficulties.
Cleanliness & Comfort
We had no problems with the comfort and appreciated the explanation of the air conditioning system which made us very comfortable after and a day of activiies in the heat.
Local specialist: Adam Gomez
Adam
Adam Gomez
Local specialist in kimkim HQ | Replied on Jun 05, 2026
Thank you so much for your review! It really means a lot to hear that the trip came together the way you hoped it would! Designing it around exactly what you were looking for was the goal from the start. 🎉 The Jaguar Rescue Center is one of my favorite recommendations — people are always surprised by how much they love it even without the jaguars! And it sounds like the rafting and volcano hike guides made those experiences really memorable. I really appreciate your flagging the terrain and... Read more

Thank you so much for your review! It really means a lot to hear that the trip came together the way you hoped it would! Designing it around exactly what you were looking for was the goal from the start. 🎉

The Jaguar Rescue Center is one of my favorite recommendations — people are always surprised by how much they love it even without the jaguars! And it sounds like the rafting and volcano hike guides made those experiences really memorable.

I really appreciate your flagging the terrain and steepness of the volcano hike. I'll make sure that gets updated so future travelers can plan accordingly.

I hope to see you on another kimkim adventure! 🇨🇷

Once in a lifetime trip to Japan
Japan | May 24 - Jun 3, 2026

Greg
Greg B.
Atlanta, GA | Reviewed on Jun 05, 2026
Our trip to Japan was everything we hoped for and more, thanks to the incredible planning and support from Peter at KimKim and Emi at Oshinobi Travels. Every tour, every guide, and every experience felt thoughtfully curated and perfectly matched to what our family enjoys. From the moment we arrived, each outing ran smoothly and gave us a deeper appreciation for Japan’s culture, history, and everyday life. Our guides were not only knowledgeable, but also warm, engaging, and genuinely... Read more

Our trip to Japan was everything we hoped for and more, thanks to the incredible planning and support from Peter at KimKim and Emi at Oshinobi Travels. Every tour, every guide, and every experience felt thoughtfully curated and perfectly matched to what our family enjoys.

From the moment we arrived, each outing ran smoothly and gave us a deeper appreciation for Japan’s culture, history, and everyday life. Our guides were not only knowledgeable, but also warm, engaging, and genuinely excited to share their country with us. Whether we were exploring ancient temples/shrines, wandering through vibrant neighborhoods, or learning the stories behind iconic landmarks, each guide added personal touches that made the experience unforgettable.

We especially loved how every tour felt unique. Some days were filled with rich historical context and beautiful architecture; others were more relaxed and focused on food, local markets, or hidden gems we never would have found on our own. No matter the setting, our guides made the day feel special, and we walked away from each outing with new insights and wonderful memories. We had different guides at the different locations and activities but here is a list of all those wonderful guides that made us feel welcome and appreciated - Peco and Ryoma in Kyoto, Yuuki, Tadashi, Masa, Manabu and our shushi chef Nobu in Tokyo.

KimKim’s coordination was seamless from start to finish. The itinerary was full with lots of activities and walking, but communication was excellent, and every detail — transportation, timing, tickets, and transitions — was handled with care. It allowed us to simply enjoy Japan without stress or guesswork.

This was one of our favorite international trips, and KimKim played a huge role in making it so meaningful. We’re grateful for the expertise, kindness, and professionalism of everyone involved, and we wouldn’t hesitate to use KimKim again for future adventures.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Groove Shinjuku
Tokyo

We loved this hotel. It was our favorite of the places we stayed in Japan because the room was the most comfortable and more spacious. The breakfast buffets were very good (they do get crowded) and just what we needed to start our day. Great views of the city from our room on the 23rd floor. Easy to walk to all types of food, shopping and gaming.

Authenticity & Character
Really loved the contemporary/modern design. Beds were very comfortable and the air conditioning works very well at this hotel.
Location
Very good location for food and shopping. A bit of a walk to get to the train station.
Staff
Everyone was friendly and helpful.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The most comfortable location that we stayed in during our trip to Japan. Bed was amazing and the pillows were better than what we had at our other locations. More spacious than other places we stayed and it had a washer/dryer in the room!
Cross Hotel Kyoto
Kyoto

This hotel is located near a lot of restaurants and shopping. It was a great location for us to do our day trips during our time in Kyoto. The beds were firm but comfortable. The room was nice and had everything that we needed during our stay. The breakfasts were very good. The concierge was very helpful for a couple of things that we needed during our stay. This is a more modern place to stay but we were right at home here.

Authenticity & Character
Modern/comtemporary design.
Location
Great location. Close to food and shopping. Requires a little walking or a taxi to get to the train station.
Staff
Concierge was very helpful. Staff at breakfast was always friendly.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean and comfortable.
Asakusa View Hotel
Tokyo

Beautiful hotel in a great location. It was very comfortable and they treated us very nicely upon arrival. The breakfast buffet was one of our favorites during our trip to Japan. I wish we had more time at this location but this was just a one night stay that allowed us to get settled before our transfer to Kyoto.

Authenticity & Character
When you check in, there is a beautiful garden and they serve you tea while you are checking in.
Location
It was convenient to a lot of restaurants and activites.
Staff
From picking up our bags and transferring them to our room to the warm check in experience, this was a great staff.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Super amazing rooms. Clean and comfortable. Couldn't ask for more.
Activity Reviews
*Private Sushi Cooking Class with a Master Sushi Chef
*Private Sushi Cooking Class with a Master Sushi Chef
Tokyo

Our sushi‑making class with Nobu was a wonderful experience. He taught us about the different types of sushi and guided us step‑by‑step as we made several varieties ourselves. Nobu was funny, patient, and incredibly knowledgeable, and his expertise made the class both educational and fun. Best of all, we got to enjoy the delicious sushi we created. This was a highlight of our trip, and we highly recommend it.

Quality of Experience
Absolutely on of the highlights of our trip. Nobu was knowledgeable and funny.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Nobu was great. His sense of humor along with his knowledge made this a highlight for us.
*Private Guided Tour in Tokyo:  Highlights and Hidden Gems
*Private Guided Tour in Tokyo: Highlights and Hidden Gems
Tokyo

Our guided tour of Tokyo with Masa was excellent. He asked what we were most interested in and tailored the day perfectly. After enjoying beautiful city views from a high‑rise observation deck, he took us shopping for Harry Potter, Pokémon, and Star Wars merchandise — a big hit for our family. We had a delicious lunch at a shopping center, where we enjoyed ramen and dumplings, and then spent the afternoon walking through the Emperor’s grounds, taking in the peaceful scenery and learning about the history of the area.

Quality of Experience
Great opportunity to see things that we would not have known about or visited.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Masa was wonderful. He did a great job of asking us what we wanted and adapted as the day went along.
*Private Izakaya bar hopping tour in Tokyo: Best of Local Bars & Bites
*Private Izakaya bar hopping tour in Tokyo: Best of Local Bars & Bites
Tokyo

Our bar‑hopping evening in Tokyo with Tadashi was outstanding. He took us to three very different local restaurants, each with its own style and specialties. We started with incredible Wagyu beef and sake — both seared and served in a bowl of noodles — and Tadashi, being a sushi chef, explained every dish and drink in wonderful detail. The second stop focused on fresh seafood, sushi‑style, and the final restaurant featured Okinawan cuisine with delicious pork dishes. The beer at the last stop was pretty good, especially mixed with the fruit juices. We ended the night with Blue Seal sugar cane ice cream, which was absolutely heavenly. Tadashi was warm, knowledgeable, and made the entire experience fun and memorable. We highly recommend this tour.

Quality of Experience
Really enjoyed getting to sample 3 different types of Japanese food and the different beverages.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Tadashi was great. Since he is a sushi chef as well, his expertise was appreciated and his ability to detail the food and beverages were phenomenal.
*Private guided Akihabara Anime and Games tour
*Private guided Akihabara Anime and Games tour
Tokyo

Our Akihabara tour with Yuuki was fantastic. He took the time to learn what our son likes and brought us to shops that carried merchandise from his favorite games. He even helped our son track down a specific Pokémon card he wanted for his collection, which made the day extra special. Yuuki also took us through several arcades and played games with us, which made the experience fun and interactive. For lunch, he brought us to a revolving sushi restaurant that was a hit with all of us. Yuuki was friendly, knowledgeable, and made the entire tour feel personalized and enjoyable. We highly recommend this experience.

Quality of Experience
Yuuki tailored this to our son's gaming likes and helped him find Pokemon cards that he really wanted to add to his collection.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Yuuki was fabulous. Great energy and he was great at connecting with our son.
*Private Guided Tour in Nara:  Temples, Deer and Sacred Traditions
*Private Guided Tour in Nara: Temples, Deer and Sacred Traditions
Japan

We had a fantastic day in Nara with Peco, even with the rain. She guided us through the beautiful temple grounds and gardens, and we loved getting to see — and feed — the famous Nara deer. Peco shared great stories and history throughout the day, making each stop feel meaningful. She took us to a cozy local restaurant for lunch, where we enjoyed delicious food, and later introduced us to a sake tasting that was a fun surprise. We ended the day riding the bullet train back, which was a great experience in itself. On the ride to Nara, we experienced the special train that was very comfortable and relaxing. Peco was warm, knowledgeable, and made the entire day enjoyable despite the weather. We highly recommend this tour.

Quality of Experience
Wonderful. We learned a lot and Peco was great at taking us to places that we could not have found on our own.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Peco was fabulous. We had her on two days and both days, she was incredible.
Transport
The first train to Nara was beautiful. The seats were comfortable and relaxing.
*Private Guided Samurai Ninja Museum
*Private Guided Samurai Ninja Museum
Kyoto

We had a great time visiting the Samurai Ninja Museum. This was a very informative experience. We were guided from the 3rd floor down to the 2nd floor to see different information on the history of the Samurai and Ninjas. We had the opportunity to participate in a ninja star throwing contest and get our photos taken as we dressed like a Samurai. Full tour that didn't take too long.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The young lady that was our guide was great. She gave us lots of information and we could understand her very well as she did the tour in English.
*Private Hiking tour around a Hidden Route of Fushimi Inari Taisha with a Local Lunch
*Private Hiking tour around a Hidden Route of Fushimi Inari Taisha with a Local Lunch
Kyoto

Our hidden‑route hike at Fushimi Inari with Ryoma was outstanding. He guided us through a quiet bamboo forest used for harvesting, then led us up a much less crowded path to the mountaintop — steep steps, but beautiful and peaceful. Along the way, we even met a carpenter who helps maintain the shrines, which made the experience feel truly special. The carpenter even allowed us to try our hand at planing a board using a hand tool. At the summit, Ryoma helped us make an offering at the shrine, explaining each step clearly. After the hike, he took us to a family‑owned restaurant that’s been in business for over 116 years, where we enjoyed a traditional Japanese meal sitting on the floor. We ended the day with delicious matcha ice cream.

Quality of Experience
This was a great experience and we really enjoyed meeting the carpenter along the tour. He allowed us to try planing using his old fashioned method with hand tools. Great opportunity to see a craftsman at work.
Food
The restaurant was excellent. One of our favorite meals (soba noodles).
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Ryoma was fantastic. He was patient with us as we struggled on some of the steep climbing portions and was very encouraging.
Transport
We walked for this tour. We did not have private transportation.
*Private Guided Tour in Arashiyama
*Private Guided Tour in Arashiyama
Kyoto

Our private tour of Arashiyama with Peco was fantastic. She guided us on a beautiful hike up the mountain to see the monkeys, and the views over Kyoto were incredible. We visited several shrines along the way, each with its own story that Peco explained so well. One of our favorite moments was walking through the peaceful garden of a home once owned by a famous Japanese movie star — a spot we never would have found on our own. Peco was warm, knowledgeable, and made the entire experience feel effortless. We loved every part of this tour and highly recommend it.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide, Peco was outstanding. She has great energy. She took time to get to know us and find out what we like so she could tailor the experience to us.
Transport
We had a private driver that took us to the monkey park. He was very good. From there, we took taxis to the gardens and then back to the hotel. The private drivers are wonderful and they have very nice vehicles. The taxi drivers are Ok but the vehicles are not nearly as nice as the private transportation.
Local specialist: Peter Gruenzig-Sugiya

Best Family Travel Experience Ever!
Morocco | May 18 - May 27, 2026

Todd
Todd F.
Austin, TX | Reviewed on Jun 05, 2026
Sharon put together the perfect itinerary for us. After that, it was smooth sailing. Ahmed, our lovely driver, met us at the Casablanca airport as planned, and it was game on from there. I can't remember exactly the names of all the people we interacted with, but every one of them was amazing!!! Our guide in Casablanca was so nice to us, very knowledgeable, and gave us a great tour. Then off to Rabat, where again our guide was super sweet and knowledgeable, and the tour was... Read more

Sharon put together the perfect itinerary for us. After that, it was smooth sailing. Ahmed, our lovely driver, met us at the Casablanca airport as planned, and it was game on from there. I can't remember exactly the names of all the people we interacted with, but every one of them was amazing!!!

Our guide in Casablanca was so nice to us, very knowledgeable, and gave us a great tour. Then off to Rabat, where again our guide was super sweet and knowledgeable, and the tour was great.

Sayeed is the best as he took us all through the various parts of Fez allowing us to experience the old city and its neighborhoods and Souqs, the pottery coop, the tannery, and many, many other fascinating structures. Everything about our time in Fez was wonderful, and it is our family's favorite city to explore. Plus, since we are a family who like cats, it was heartening to watch Sayeed interact with and feed many of the cats on our tours - they love him too!

Ikram - what's to say about the most beautiful person we had the opportunity to spend time with. She is my daughter Megan's "twin flame" and they continue to chat. Ikram and her entire family were the sweetest and most welcoming ever ... who does that? Well, they do. We love them! We don't remember the name of the young woman who gave us a tour of the ruins, but she was so kind, and we loved that she was trying so hard to learn English.

Abdul was so very kind in giving us a tour of the 'Valley' - and how he remembers the most intricate details of the area's history is far beyond us, but we so very appreciate his passion for the history, the land and the people. Hakeem, our Marrakesh guide, was also super knowledgeable, and we loved the tour. He also connected the dots on how everyone is related which was both fascinating and helpful to better understand the people and culture of Morocco.

The family consensus of our top memories are the Sahara (riding camels, atv's, glamping, sunrise/sunset), the Valley of Roses with Ikrams family (the experience with Ikram was such a genuine experience with Moroccan culture and hospitality), and the souqs in Marrakech - they were definitely fun to explore.

However, none of that compares to Ahmed ... he is a very kind, smart, compassionate person who did everything he could to make us feel comfortable, safe and welcome. We very much appreciated his driving skills since we weren't exactly prepared for the drivers of Morocco (much crazier than those in the States!). And because of his deep love for his family and his Valley, we feel a close bond to him , his family and the Valley as well. We hope so much that Ahmed fulfils his dream of visiting the United States someday, and we hope even more that he takes the time to visit us in Cincinnati.

A big thanks to everyone who helped make our dream vacation the most heartwarming, educational, eye-opening and fantastic journey ever.

Hotel Reviews
Riad Nesma Suites & SPA
Medina, Marrakech

This was an outstanding hotel for us to end our trip. Its location is perfect for exploring Marrakesh.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Kasbah Tiziri
Kelaat Mgouna

Just when you think the hotels can't get any better, you stay here and are treated by the kindest people. The garden area was beautifully kept, the breakfasts were so yummy, and the rooms were spacious and clean.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Sahara Stars Luxury Camp
Merzouga

I half expected to see something from my Boy Scouting days, but boy was I blown away at these accommodations. I'd never heard the term 'glamping' before ... now I understand.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Riad Farouzi Fes
Fes

Best staff by far. Very welcoming and accommodating.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
I was allowed to stand in the kitchen and watch breakfast being prepared. It was wonderful.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Riad Kalaa
Rabat

Breakfasts .... oh my!!!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Private Cooking Class w/ Souk Tour
Private Cooking Class w/ Souk Tour
Morocco

The lunch was perhaps some of the best food we had. I'd like to think my family contributed a lot to that, but all the accolades go to the professionals who made the lunch incredibly special.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Guided Tour of Marrakech
Guided Tour of Marrakech
Marrakesh
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Dades Valley to Marrakech via Ait Ben Haddou
Dades Valley to Marrakech via Ait Ben Haddou
Morocco
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Day with the Locals in the Valley of Roses
Day with the Locals in the Valley of Roses
Morocco
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Merzouga to Dades Valley Via Todgha Gorge
Merzouga to Dades Valley Via Todgha Gorge
Morocco
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
ATV Quad Tour of the Desert
ATV Quad Tour of the Desert
Merzouga
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Fes to Merzouga via Ifraine and Azrou -  Camel Trek to Desert Camp
Fes to Merzouga via Ifraine and Azrou - Camel Trek to Desert Camp
Morocco
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Guided Tour of Fes
Guided Tour of Fes
Fes
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Rabat to Fes via Volubilis and Meknes
Rabat to Fes via Volubilis and Meknes
Morocco
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Afternoon Guided Tour of Rabat
Afternoon Guided Tour of Rabat
Rabat
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Arrive in Casablanca & Transfer to Rabat
Arrive in Casablanca & Transfer to Rabat
Morocco
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Sharon Louthian

Majid was extremely responsive. We had one mi...
Morocco | May 28 - Jun 4, 2026

J
Joseph L.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Jun 05, 2026
Majid was extremely responsive. We had one minor snafu and he responded in a very timely manner. Any questions we had while planning the trip were also rapidly answered. Read more

Majid was extremely responsive. We had one minor snafu and he responded in a very timely manner. Any questions we had while planning the trip were also rapidly answered.

Hotel Reviews
Elegancia Riad Boutique & SPA
Marrakech

This was clearly the nicest facility that we stayed in. It was located just off one the main streets in the Medina and the alleys we walked through were cleaner and wider than the prior Riad. Rooms were large and clean with elegant bathrooms and efficient AC. Staff was readily accessible. On 1 occasion, we asked for directions and a staff member actually walked us out to the street in the manner of a Ritz Carlton. When we received the itinerary, I was actually indifferent about the spa and massage. However, it was well appreciated after the trek through the desert and a nice conclusion to our trip.

Authenticity & Character
Location
See above
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Riad Ksar Ighnda
Ait Benhaddou

I feel like we should rate this an incomplete. It just felt very eerie as we were the only people staying in this facility and it was hard to tell "the vibe". The grounds, including the pool, spectacular view and chaises outside of each room were luxurious. Not unexpectedly, we had great service. There was a gentlemen who was our server at dinner who had very limited English and seemed so worried that he would get something wrong. Everything he served was perfect and he warranted a 100% tip on our dinner drinks.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
See above
Cleanliness & Comfort
Dar Hnini
Oulad Yahia Lagraire

We enjoyed the facility as it was the first time we encountered other travelers that we could socialize with in the desert and enjoyed chatting it up around the pool and dining room. Refreshing is an understatement when describing the feeling jumping in the pool after the previous day's camel root and tent stay.

Authenticity & Character
Well, I can now say that I slept in a Kasbah.
Location
The only criteria for location seems to be that it was along our route. The views from the facility were breathtaking but there really is not much to do outside.
Staff
The staff of the facility has missed an incredible opportunity. There clearly is a history behind this series of buildings and a receptive audience ready to listen. Why not assemble guests before dinner with a 15 minute presentation?
Cleanliness & Comfort
AC didn't work. I had it set to 18 and never dropped below 27. Told them about it in the morning and he claimed I had it set to 27. Never had a problem operating the AC in any of the other facilities.
Tiziri Luxury Camp
Merzouga

I think by desert camp experiences, this probably rates highly but you need to be prepared for the overnight desert experience. We stayed in very early June and it never cooled adequately at night despite the attempts with fans.

Authenticity & Character
Location
If you wanted to stay in the desert, then you're there.
Staff
Manager was very attentive. Ensured we made it back to our rendezvous point with our driver Mohammed in time, and the 15 minute desert drive was a nice finish
Cleanliness & Comfort
Despite the luxury label, we never felt truly comfortable due to the heat.
Dar Rihana Dades
Douar Aït Ouffi

The place was charming and well situated by a small creek. The location in Dades Valley was provided a relief from the otherwise sweltering temperatures and we were able to sleep with the windows open. The owner Mohammed was always available and attentive. Clearly obsessed with the operation as we would hear him barking instructions in the kitchen, then serving our meal, escorting us back to the hotel situated in the next building and then running back to the restaurant.

Authenticity & Character
Had a small "B and B" character to it. We almost expected Bob Newhart to suddenly appear
Location
Very quaint small village, situated creekside with walking paths in the rear.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Riad al Rimal
Marrakech

The location was very deep in the Medina as opposed to the last Riad and we had to navigate some questionable alleyways to get to the location. . The facility itself was very clean and food was excellent. We had a problem with the cold water faucet and were left with scalding water which prevented us from showering on the last day. I probably would have given this a 4 initially but downgraded it after our last Riad which was far superior.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Clean but see above comment regarding shower.
Activity Reviews
Marrakech – Telouet – Ait Benhaddou – Skoura/ Dades Gorge ( 5/6 Hour Drive)
Marrakech – Telouet – Ait Benhaddou – Skoura/ Dades Gorge ( 5/6 Hour Drive)
Morocco

Not much to say. It was a long drive with frequent scenic stops as were most of the drive. Full disclosure, drives are not something I would ever rate as a 5. However, I am going to make an exception here as there is no place to rate our driver Mohammed. The most important criteria for both of us is safety and that was one of my concerns. We never felt unsafe on the roads. It is easy to become impatient behind slow cars on single lane roads but Mohammed always waited for safe distance and visibility for passing. There only white knuckle experiences we saw were when other drivers tried to pass without adequate room and we would see cars in the opposite direction veering to the shoulder. Mohammed never attempted this. We also learned a great deal from Mohammed about daily life in Morocco and especially the small desert towns. Would definitely recommend him to other clients.

Quality of Experience
Food
N/A
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Mohammed!
Transport
Mohammed!
  Hammam  Spa  & Massage in Marrakech   3 PM Session
Hammam Spa & Massage in Marrakech 3 PM Session
Marrakesh

We've never done his before and not something I was looking forward to at the beginning of the trip. It was a very cleansing and refreshing experience after 5 days of heat, sand and saddle sores.

Quality of Experience
Food
N/A
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
N/A
Aït Benhaddou to Marrakech via Tizi n'Tichka Pass & the High Atlas Mountains
Aït Benhaddou to Marrakech via Tizi n'Tichka Pass & the High Atlas Mountains
Morocco

A short ride, glad to be done!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Guided Tour of Aït Benhaddou
Guided Tour of Aït Benhaddou
Morocco

Prior to the tour, we were exhausted and it was incredibly hot. I was not looking forward to this but glad we acquiesced. The climb to the top was difficult on such a hot day. Our guide was excellent and we were also pleasantly surprised to learn about the Jewish-Berber coexistence in AB from our guide.

Quality of Experience
Food
There was no actual food on the tour but we feels compelled to comment on the restaurant stop immediately prior. This was our worst experience in the week. We arrived not very hungry, but had 2 prix fixe meals of poor quality forced upon us. We were not very hungry and left with numerous untouched plates that we paid for. Given the number of tour vans in the parking lot, we almost sensed there was an incredible amount of untouched food that was reserved. And then when leaving there was an open door to the kitchen. After seeing this, we clearly regretted here. Find another option
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Relaxing Day in Darra Valley.
Relaxing Day in Darra Valley.
Agdz

It was a drive, not much else

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Camel trek to your  luxury camp
Camel trek to your luxury camp
Merzouga

I wouldn't do it again but could not leave Morocco without the experience. The guide (Abdul) was incredible. I was in awe watching him walk up the dunes in 100 degree temps and in flip-flops. Yes, it was physically uncomfortable. However, the overall experience, particularly watching the desert sunset was a once in a lifetime bucket list item.

Quality of Experience
Food
N/A
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Skoura/ Dades – Tinerir – Todra Gorge – Rissani – Merzouga – Erg Chebbi ( 5/ 4 Hour Drive)
Skoura/ Dades – Tinerir – Todra Gorge – Rissani – Merzouga – Erg Chebbi ( 5/ 4 Hour Drive)
Morocco

This was a long drive!

Quality of Experience
Food
I honestly don't remember where we stopped
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Rosewater Workshop in Boumalne Dades
Rosewater Workshop in Boumalne Dades
Boumalne Dades

I wouldn't have been disappointed if we missed this. Traveling outside of large cities is dotted with roadside stands and this wasn't much different.

Quality of Experience
Food
N/A
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Tour of Marrakech, the "Red City"
Private Tour of Marrakech, the "Red City"
Marrakesh

Whenever, we travel to a new location, we like to begin with a history introduction. The Bahia palace was a perfect first stop and introduced us to Morocco, but he was also knowledgeable on colonial and post-colonial Morocco. . There were several planned stops (Bahia palace and gardens). After that we wondered through the Medina and our guide showed flexibility in gauging our interest in various sites, markets, shops, etc. We are Jewish, did not inform the guide but were very appreciative of him pointing out the Jewish merchants and quarter. My only recommendation is to shorten the 4.5 hours. Maybe this is more manageable in the winter and early spring but we actually excused him and said goodbye after about 4 hours as we needed to sit, eat and rehydrate. Also, we wanted to go back to the Jewish quarter and he provided us directions from the square as we departed.

Quality of Experience
Food
N/A
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
N/A
Local specialist: Majid Mrabti
Majid
Majid Mrabti
Local specialist in Morocco & France | Replied on Jun 05, 2026

Hello Joseph,
Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m glad to hear that my responsiveness made your planning process smoother. It was a pleasure assisting you, and I appreciate your understanding regarding the minor issue. If you have any future travel plans or questions, I’m always here to help!
Best,
Majid

My Montenegro vacation was just perfect!
Montenegro | May 25 - Jun 1, 2026

Ullas
Ullas P.
India | Reviewed on Jun 05, 2026

My Montenegro vacation was just perfect! I did miss out on the initial hotels I had liked but the substitute ones were good too and I enjoyed all the 3 base towns and the stays and of course the driver and car at disposal was a blessing without having to worrying about anything. Even for supermarkets or dinners I was able to easily commute without having to worry about local transport. Perfect balance of mountains , old towns and the beaches of course. Thank you to all who helped me plan this and live this vacation. Violaine and Ivan and everyone.

Local specialist: Violaine Fejoz
Violaine
Violaine Fejoz
Local specialist in Tirana | Replied on Jun 07, 2026

Ullas,

Thank you for your feedback!

I'm very happy to hear that you enjoyed your trip and that the balance between the mountains, old towns, and coastline was just right for you. I'm also glad that the private driver made the experience comfortable and hassle-free.

Thank you for your trust, and I'll be sure to pass your kind words on to Ivan and the rest of the team.

Hopefully we'll have the pleasure of helping you plan another trip in the Balkans, or elsewhere, in the future!

All the best,

Violaine

Our amazing trip to Switzerland
Switzerland | May 26 - May 31, 2026

Marianne and Jerry
Marianne and Jerry W.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on Jun 05, 2026
We just finished our amazing trip to Switzerland! Caroline was so helpful ! She listened to our ideas and planned our trip so well according to our needs. She put our itinerary, travel documents and tickets all in one place on the kimkim app to make them easy to find. Since we had never used trains and buses before she suggested that we use the SBB app to help us navigate our itinerary. We also met many helpful travelers along the way that showed us how to make the train transfers. ... Read more

We just finished our amazing trip to Switzerland! Caroline was so helpful ! She listened to our ideas and planned our trip so well according to our needs. She put our itinerary, travel documents and tickets all in one place on the kimkim app to make them easy to find. Since we had never used trains and buses before she suggested that we use the SBB app to help us navigate our itinerary. We also met many helpful travelers along the way that showed us how to make the train transfers. Caroline was very professional and answered our questions in a timely manner. We are very grateful for her assistance and are happy to recommend her as your tour guide.

Hotel Reviews
Holiday Inn Express Geneva Airport
Geneva

This hotel is very close to the airport and provides a shuttle to and from the airport. Yet it doesn’t provide air conditioning so the room was very warm.

Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
They need to provide air conditioning
Seiler au Lac
Bönigen bei Interlaken

The hotel is right across the street from Lake Brienz. The bed is comfortable and the restaurant offers many delicious meals with beautiful ambiance. I would definitely stay there again!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Alpina
Grindelwald
Authenticity & Character
Location
It is only a 2 minute walk from the train station
Staff
They are friendly and helpful with checking and at the restaurant.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Caroline Kennedy
Caroline
Caroline Kennedy
Local specialist in Lyon | Replied on Jun 05, 2026
Hi Marianne and Jerry, Thank you so much for your kind review. It was truly a pleasure helping you plan your Swiss adventure, and I’m delighted to hear that you had such a wonderful time. I am so glad that you embraced the journey and made the most of every moment! Also I'm delighted that you found the itinerary and travel documents easy to use and that you had an overall smooth experience. Thank you again for trusting me with your trip. I hope the memories you made in Switzerland will... Read more

Hi Marianne and Jerry,

Thank you so much for your kind review. It was truly a pleasure helping you plan your Swiss adventure, and I’m delighted to hear that you had such a wonderful time.

I am so glad that you embraced the journey and made the most of every moment! Also I'm delighted that you found the itinerary and travel documents easy to use and that you had an overall smooth experience.

Thank you again for trusting me with your trip. I hope the memories you made in Switzerland will stay with you for many years to come.

And if you’re ever thinking about another European adventure, I would be delighted to help you plan it.

Caroline

Mohamed, our driver/guide became like a fami...
Morocco | May 16 - May 27, 2026

Jeff
Jeff A.
Cape Coral, FL | Reviewed on Jun 04, 2026
Mohamed, our driver/guide became like a family member to us. He was thoughtful, caring and very detailed. Our memories would not be the same without him. Read more

Mohamed, our driver/guide became like a family member to us. He was thoughtful, caring and very detailed. Our memories would not be the same without him.

Hotel Reviews
Casablanca Marriott Hotel
Casablanca

Our chef at the steakhouse, Mohamed, was great!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Palais Sebban
Marrakech

Great hotel. Only complaint was breakfast wasn't staffed well. Always had to ask for cups, glasses, silverware and items not replenished.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Riad Rihana Dades
Boumalne Dades

Mohamed was excellent, his focus on customer service was amazing.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
RIAD VILLA AMOOD
Merzouga

This hotel was excellent, from the pool, to the drinks to the dinner. Abdul was excellent.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Maryem Kouna
Maryem
Maryem Kouna
Local specialist in Marrakech | Replied on Jun 05, 2026

Hi Jeff,
Thank you so much for sharing this. We’re thrilled to hear how much Mohamed meant to your journey. His care and attention truly make a difference, and I’ll be sure to pass your kind words along to him.
Best,
Maryem

Japan Trip - Memories of a Lifetime!
Japan | May 22 - Jun 2, 2026

K
Kim C.
Denver, CO | Reviewed on Jun 04, 2026
Leny played a key role in shaping our Japan itinerary. I shared the cities we wanted to visit and a general sense of our interests, and she handled everything from there. She was incredibly flexible as we fine‑tuned the plans and always quick to respond, both before and during the trip. The local guides and transportation she arranged were outstanding. I’d wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone looking for an exceptional vacation. Read more

Leny played a key role in shaping our Japan itinerary. I shared the cities we wanted to visit and a general sense of our interests, and she handled everything from there. She was incredibly flexible as we fine‑tuned the plans and always quick to respond, both before and during the trip. The local guides and transportation she arranged were outstanding. I’d wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone looking for an exceptional vacation.

Hotel Review
MIMARU SUITES KYOTO SHIJO
Tokyo

Hands down, one of the best hotels I've stayed at. The location was great and was close to a ton of restaurants and local interests. Having a washer/dryer in the suite was perfect. Free coffee, water, beer, sake - what more could you ask for to both start and end your day! This hotel is 5-stars!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Hiroshima Peace (Heiwa) Walking Tour at World Heritage Sites
Hiroshima Peace (Heiwa) Walking Tour at World Heritage Sites
Japan

A very moving experience, definitely recommend spending the day in Hiroshima. We saw a lot during this tour and our guide was super knowledgeable and was very fluent in English. Be sure to give yourself time to get from the bullet train to the meeting location of the tour.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Tokyo to Hakone Private Transfer: Mt. Fuji and Hakone Full-Day Tour with English-Speaking Driver
Tokyo to Hakone Private Transfer: Mt. Fuji and Hakone Full-Day Tour with English-Speaking Driver
Japan

Our driver was wonderful! The various stops to catch great views of Mt. Fuji were perfect.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Leny Vergara
Leny
Leny Vergara
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Jun 05, 2026
Hi Kim, Thank you for your thoughtful review and for allowing me to be part of your family's Japan adventure. I really enjoyed putting this trip together for you and am so pleased to hear that everything came together smoothly. It’s wonderful to know that the guides, transportation, and overall arrangements helped make the experience enjoyable for your family. Thank you as well for your trust throughout the planning process. It was a pleasure working with you, and I appreciate your kind... Read more

Hi Kim,

Thank you for your thoughtful review and for allowing me to be part of your family's Japan adventure.

I really enjoyed putting this trip together for you and am so pleased to hear that everything came together smoothly. It’s wonderful to know that the guides, transportation, and overall arrangements helped make the experience enjoyable for your family.

Thank you as well for your trust throughout the planning process. It was a pleasure working with you, and I appreciate your kind words more than you know.

Wishing you and your family many happy memories from Japan, and hopefully, I'll have the opportunity to curate your next family adventure in Japan!

Warm wishes,
Leny

Hospitality, kindness and patience.
Guatemala | May 20 - May 28, 2026

Sammi
Sammi N.
Albany, NY, USA | Reviewed on Jun 04, 2026
Had a great time with everyone that I met, from the following :
Juli - our guide
Don Manuel - our driver
El Mono (Erwin) - Pacaya guide
Fernando and Oliverio!!!!
Karen worked with me and my sister about what we wanted to do and was very accommodating. I like change my trip itinerary like probably 5 to 6 different times but she was very patient and I told her what my budget was and she worked with me. She provided pretty much everything for me and spoke with me on WhatsApp to make sure...
Read more

Had a great time with everyone that I met, from the following :
Juli - our guide
Don Manuel - our driver
El Mono (Erwin) - Pacaya guide
Fernando and Oliverio!!!!
Karen worked with me and my sister about what we wanted to do and was very accommodating. I like change my trip itinerary like probably 5 to 6 different times but she was very patient and I told her what my budget was and she worked with me. She provided pretty much everything for me and spoke with me on WhatsApp to make sure that I had what I needed. From making sure that I made it safely to the next destination and to make sure that my driver was around.
I would highly recommend Karen and her team at Old Town. I am going to definitely book another mini trip with her for the volcano hike the big one Fuego.

Hotel Review
Hotel Casa Palopo
Panajachel

This place is like magical and majestic. You come here and you just feel like you're in some type of movie or dream. If everyone here is very nice and very hospitable.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Explore Tikal National Park
Explore Tikal National Park
Guatemala

Oliver!!!!!!! What can I not say about this guy? He was very funny and he knows everything about the of history of TIKAL and the whole entire region. Very knowledgeable.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Karen González
Karen
Karen González
Local specialist in Antigua Guatemala | Replied on Jun 04, 2026

Sammi,

It was truly wonderful getting to know you and your sister! during your time in Guatemala. I honestly hope that the next time you visit, we can share an adventure together and hike one of our beautiful volcanoes! Acatenango is in the bucket list.

Thank you so much for taking the time to write a review and for your kind words. Your feedback is greatly appreciated it to us and inspires our team to continue creating memorable and meaningful experiences for our travelers. Until next time, my friend.

Hasta la próxima, amiga.

Incredible Moroccan trip April 2026
Morocco | Apr 15 - Apr 26, 2026

Monica
Monica G.
Dallas, TX | Reviewed on Jun 04, 2026

From start to finish, the experience was incredible. Hamza helped me put together a tour that included outdoor exploration, desert adventures, cityscapes, waterfalls, gorges and great food. Mustapha was our driver and he was prompt, prepared for our questions and knew exactly what routes and times for the next stops. We had amazing city guides who took us through the main sites and trusted shopping areas.

My only complaint is that the vacation had to end! If you are considering a vacation to Morocco, the services here planned for seamless travel. I highly recommend!

Local specialist: Hamza EL Asely
Hamza
Hamza EL Asely
Local specialist in Marrakech | Replied on Jun 04, 2026

Hi Monica,

Thank you so much for your kind words. We’re really happy to hear you had such an incredible experience and that everything went smoothly.

We truly appreciate your recommendation, and we’d love to welcome you back to Morocco anytime for another adventure.

Best Wishes,
Hamza

Great experience
Greece | May 23 - Jun 1, 2026

Karen
Karen S.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Jun 04, 2026

We worked with kimkim to plan a trip to Greece for our 30th anniversary. The planning was easy and the trip went as smooth as could be. We’re already planning our next trip with kimkim. Highly recommend.

Local specialist: Siena Mueller

Flawless Service!
Italy | May 21 - Jun 3, 2026

Alan
Alan S.
Atlanta, GA | Reviewed on Jun 04, 2026
The KimKim team did a flawless job for our recent trip to Italy. Every transfer, hotel, tour, ticketing and communication went exactly as it should have. Our private tour guide were all amazing and gave us the best experiences. It was a relief to have the support because Italy is so very busy and KimKim made it possible for us to enjoy our trip and not stress. I HIGHLY recommend Giorgia, Beatrice and Anita and all who helped us have an amazing vacation! Read more

The KimKim team did a flawless job for our recent trip to Italy. Every transfer, hotel, tour, ticketing and communication went exactly as it should have. Our private tour guide were all amazing and gave us the best experiences. It was a relief to have the support because Italy is so very busy and KimKim made it possible for us to enjoy our trip and not stress. I HIGHLY recommend Giorgia, Beatrice and Anita and all who helped us have an amazing vacation!

Hotel Reviews
The Glam
Rome
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Palazzo Gamba Florence
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Carnival Palace
Venice
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Giorgia Torre

Great experience in Iceland
Iceland | May 19 - May 28, 2026

B
Brian T.
Boston, MA | Reviewed on Jun 04, 2026
Emanuela was absolutely fantastic. She listed to our wants and was able to create a great trip. Even while in Iceland she checked in to make sure everything was going well. Read more

Emanuela was absolutely fantastic. She listed to our wants and was able to create a great trip. Even while in Iceland she checked in to make sure everything was going well.

Activity Reviews
Inside the Volcano (Meet On Location)
Inside the Volcano (Meet On Location)
Iceland

Fantastic experience, very unique opportunity to go 450 feet below the surface. And they finished the trip off with a great bowl of lamb stew. The guides were very entertaining and knowledgeable.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Whale Watching RIB Boat
Whale Watching RIB Boat
Iceland

We got really lucky and saw three humpback whale. They were up close only 30 feet away at most

Hvamsvik Lagoon
Hvamsvik Lagoon
Iceland

This was simply amazing, 100% recommended it to anyone looking for something just perfect

Local specialist: Emanuela Grieco
Emanuela
Emanuela Grieco
Local specialist in Iceland | Replied on Jun 07, 2026

Hi Brian,

It was a pleasure and very easy to connect with you and work together on your trip. I am glad to read that you had a fantastic time on the amazing experiences we selected together. Entering a volcano chamber and meeting whales is definitely the highlight of every trip to Iceland.

Thank you for your trust and kindness and best regards,
Emanuela

Graduation trip to Spain
Spain | May 19 - May 31, 2026

M
Maria R.
Denver, CO | Reviewed on Jun 04, 2026
We really loved our trip to Spain and using kimkim to plan it. My sister and I took my daughter and her boyfriend to Spain for their college graduation present. We went to Barcelona, Sevilla, Granada, Ibiza, and Madrid. We had definite ideas about where we wanted to go, what we wanted to do, and what hotels to stay at and I considered just planning the trip myself. I'm very glad we used kimkim instead. It took a lot of stress off us since they booked all the hotels, trains, and... Read more

We really loved our trip to Spain and using kimkim to plan it. My sister and I took my daughter and her boyfriend to Spain for their college graduation present. We went to Barcelona, Sevilla, Granada, Ibiza, and Madrid. We had definite ideas about where we wanted to go, what we wanted to do, and what hotels to stay at and I considered just planning the trip myself. I'm very glad we used kimkim instead. It took a lot of stress off us since they booked all the hotels, trains, and inter-country plane trips. Coraima listened to my ideas and let me book some things they did not have on their recommendation list, such as the hotel in Ibiza (my daughter really wanted to stay at a hotel on bossa beach with a night club). The kimkim app we got on our phones was very helpful, with our daily itineraries and links to all of our tickets. Our favorite parts of our trip were the food tours! We especially loved the food tour of the gothic quarter in Barcelona and the Tapas and Flamenco tour in Sevilla. When we did have hiccups in our trip (a driver who never showed up, and a flight delay that caused us to almost miss a connecting flight and missing luggage for one night), Chinh, our local specialist helped us through that and even gave us some refunds. We would definitely use kimkim again.

Local specialist: Coraima Yañez

I honestly cannot say enough positive things ...
Italy | May 19 - Jun 3, 2026

Christine Louise
Christine Louise D.
Watertown, MA, USA | Reviewed on Jun 04, 2026
I honestly cannot say enough positive things about the service I received from Caterina and Anna at KimKim. I am disabled and they were incredibly thoughtful and forward-thinking about how to make my trip, and especially all of the transitions, remarkably stress-free. They truly went the extra mile for me and their kindness and professionalism made a positive impact on my experience! They partnered with Venice tour services provider, Your Custom Journey, which was truly the best and most... Read more

I honestly cannot say enough positive things about the service I received from Caterina and Anna at KimKim. I am disabled and they were incredibly thoughtful and forward-thinking about how to make my trip, and especially all of the transitions, remarkably stress-free. They truly went the extra mile for me and their kindness and professionalism made a positive impact on my experience! They partnered with Venice tour services provider, Your Custom Journey, which was truly the best and most knowledgeable tour support services I have every had. This trip was extremely important to me as I am becoming progressively disabled and so needed to take this trip at this time of my life and make the very best of it. They succeeded on ALL levels! I highly recommend them!

Local specialist: Caterina Belvedere
Caterina
Caterina Belvedere
Local specialist in Arsoli (Rome) | Replied on Jun 05, 2026
Dearest Christine,
I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for your beautiful words; they truly touched me. It was an absolute pleasure and a privilege to assist you in bringing this trip to life. And meeting you in person only confirmed the warmth and authenticity I sensed from our conversations, and it helped me appreciate the deep significance this journey held for you.
I am sure your suitcase has come back home filled not just with items, but with cherished memories, connections with...
Read more

Dearest Christine,
I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for your beautiful words; they truly touched me. It was an absolute pleasure and a privilege to assist you in bringing this trip to life. And meeting you in person only confirmed the warmth and authenticity I sensed from our conversations, and it helped me appreciate the deep significance this journey held for you.
I am sure your suitcase has come back home filled not just with items, but with cherished memories, connections with people, delightful flavors and scents, and moments of genuine laughter 😁.
May these experiences create an everlasting bond between you, us, and our country.
Sending you a big hug from both Anna and me.
Warmest regards
Caterina

Amazing Japan Trip with Sumo Tourney & Geiko Expereince
Japan | May 21 - Jun 3, 2026

M
MIKAL H.
Dallas, TX | Reviewed on Jun 04, 2026
Thanks for the amazing trip plan by kimkim and our local travel specialist Cannon. We had truly unique experiences including a grand sumo tournament in Tokyo and a private dinner with a Geiko in Kyoto with a translator. The trip details were very well thought out and the train tickets and transfers were seamless. Cannon was always available to help with questions and trip adjustments that we requested. I will definitely use kimkim again in the future. Read more

Thanks for the amazing trip plan by kimkim and our local travel specialist Cannon. We had truly unique experiences including a grand sumo tournament in Tokyo and a private dinner with a Geiko in Kyoto with a translator. The trip details were very well thought out and the train tickets and transfers were seamless. Cannon was always available to help with questions and trip adjustments that we requested. I will definitely use kimkim again in the future.

Hotel Reviews
Kanbayashi Hotel Senjukaku
Nagano

Excellent hotel, meals very well done, hot baths amazing.

Authenticity & Character
Beautiful authentic Japanese garden and onsen.
Location
Location within easy walking distance to the Snow Monkey Park.
Staff
Good service and very friendly
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very authentic, sleeping mattresses are prepared on the floor each night
FAV LUX HIDATAKAYAMA

Hotel location was excellent, hotel was heavily used and room was not very clean.

Authenticity & Character
Just OK
Location
Easy walking access to train station and old town
Staff
Check in was difficult and confusing with breakfast inclusion issues
Cleanliness & Comfort
Room was not well kept and showed details of not being cleaned well
Activity Reviews
Private Kimono Tea Ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya
Private Kimono Tea Ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya
Kyoto

Very fun experience learning about the tea ceremony and dressing in kimonos.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day Tour of Arashiyama Bamboo Grove & Sagano Scenic Railway
Full Day Tour of Arashiyama Bamboo Grove & Sagano Scenic Railway
Kyoto

Was raining the day we went and overrun with tourists. Also the guide was disappointing and didn't provide much detail or commentary.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day Shirakawa-go Tour
Full Day Shirakawa-go Tour
Japan

Very unique place and worth the trip, especially the house showing how they replace the original thatch roof. The guide helped make this a good experience.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Yasaka Shrine & Gion Walk with Nishiki Market
Yasaka Shrine & Gion Walk with Nishiki Market
Kyoto

As noted below, all of our Kyoto experiences with the guide were below average. He didn't have much personality or seem to be an expert on anything. He asked us each day what the plan was and what we wanted to do. He didn't take a leadership role or seem to be excited about showing off his city.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide for Kyoto was nice but not super knowledgeable or much personality. He essentially asked us each day what we wanted to do. We aren't the experts, we don't live here. I don't recommend this guide.
Transport
Tokyo Day Tour with Tsukiji Outer Market & Senso-ji - East & Central
Tokyo Day Tour with Tsukiji Outer Market & Senso-ji - East & Central
Tokyo

We didn't realize how touristy this market is. Would have preferred to go to the inner fish market where they auction the tuna.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guide was good. No complaints.
Transport
Private Sushi Making Experience with a Master Sushi Chef Trained at an Eminent Sushi Restaurant
Private Sushi Making Experience with a Master Sushi Chef Trained at an Eminent Sushi Restaurant
Tokyo

We loved the private sushi making experience. The chef was excellent.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Discover Timeless Takayama: Market, Tradition & Sukiyaki Delight
Discover Timeless Takayama: Market, Tradition & Sukiyaki Delight
Takayama

Excellent day and our guide was really good. What a beautiful small town away from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide Yuko was excellent. We highly recommend her. She was excellent and being flexible with helping us stop and shop for a few specialty items.
Transport
Private Dinner with a Geisha - Maiko Ozashiki Experience
Private Dinner with a Geisha - Maiko Ozashiki Experience
Kyoto

Top activity of the trip. Didn't realize how unique this experience would be. Having the translator made this an amazing expereince.

Quality of Experience
The Geiko was so graceful and welcoming. Truly a unique experience learning about the Geiko and Mayko culture.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
we had trouble finding this place but it was our fault as we went on our own versus having the driver wait and drop us off.
Local specialist: Cannon Xiao
Cannon
Cannon Xiao
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Jun 05, 2026
Dear Mikal, Thank you very much for your kind review. I am truly delighted that you were able to come to Japan and enjoy such meaningful and unique cultural experiences. It was my great honor to help design and arrange this trip for you. I also sincerely appreciate your detailed feedback, which has helped me better understand your experience in places such as Tsukiji Outer Market, your hotel in Takayama, and the guiding service in Kyoto. Your comments are extremely valuable. I hope I will... Read more

Dear Mikal,

Thank you very much for your kind review.

I am truly delighted that you were able to come to Japan and enjoy such meaningful and unique cultural experiences. It was my great honor to help design and arrange this trip for you.

I also sincerely appreciate your detailed feedback, which has helped me better understand your experience in places such as Tsukiji Outer Market, your hotel in Takayama, and the guiding service in Kyoto. Your comments are extremely valuable.

I hope I will have the opportunity to assist you again in the future and show you even more of the beauty of Japan.

Wishing you all the best, good health, and happiness always.

Best Regards
Cannon

Why travelers love kimkim

Custom trips for independent travelers who are too busy to plan
Customize your trip with the help of a local travel specialist

Kimkim has handpicked the world’s top local travel specialists so you will have peace of mind and an unforgettable trip that meets your exact requirements.

Authentic travel experiences

Kimkim’s local specialists ensure that you will have the best experience based on up-to-date local insights. On top of that, the vast majority of your money will go straight to support and grow local economies.

Secure & easy booking

Once you are happy with the trip, you can easily book via kimkim’s secure payment platform.

Local support during your trip

You can always reach your local specialist with a quick message or call in case you hit a snag during your trip, or simply want some great local recommendations.