Kimkim Trip Reviews

Our family vacation to Japan was fantastic and Myaen was so thoughtful and did a great job of conceiving and preparing a trip that had the right balance of guides and self-exploration as well the right mix of contemporary / modern Japan and traditional sights.

Throughout the trip our guides (Junko, Haruki, Momoko and others) were quite amazing and did a great job of catering a tour to our needs that day.

Activity Reviews

Magnificent Views in Arashiyama - Guided w/ Private Car and Driver

Kyoto

Our guide Junko was quite phenomenal. It was unbearably hot in Kyoto the days we were there and Junko did a Teriffic job of adjusting the itinerary to accommodate for the heat. She offered up a new sequence of temple visits to be outdoors during the early AM and then offered some new indoor outings for us in the PM.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Junko was a fabulous guide.

Traditional Kyoto Tour

Japan

Our guide Junko was quite phenomenal. It was unbearably hot in Kyoto the days we were there and Junko did a Teriffic job of adjusting the itinerary to accommodate for the heat. She offered up a new sequence of temple visits to be outdoors during the early AM and then offered some new indoor outings for us in the PM.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Junko was a fabulous tour guode who accommodated my family when my son was not feeling well.

Tsukiji Fish Market Visit with Sushi Making Experience

Tokyo

An excellent tour of the “old” Tsukkiji fish market area. Sampling the fresh fish was quite amazing. But overall was a bit disappointed by the size of the market and how touristy the experience was.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Sumo Practice Viewing in Tokyo

Tokyo

I thought we would be touring an actual sumo stable. Instead we got a fairly sanitized sumo exhibition with slapstick comedy. The show itself was fun but much less authentic than we were expecting. .

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Izakaya Food Tour

Tokyo

Our guide Haruki did a great job of creating a fun welcoming atmosphere and took us to some fantastic places in Kabukicho.

Quality of Experience

Our guide (Haruki?) was amazing and the food was fantastic! Exceeded my expectations.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide Haruki was amazing.

I recently had the pleasure of working with Emanuela to book a family vacation to Iceland, and I cannot recommend her services highly enough. From start to finish, Emanuela was incredibly knowledgeable, attentive, and helpful, making the entire process smooth and enjoyable.

During the planning stages, Emanuela provided us with excellent advice and a variety of great options for travel and accommodations. She took the time to understand our interests and preferences, crafting an exciting itinerary that perfectly suited our family. Her expertise and attention to detail ensured that every aspect of our trip was well thought out and meticulously planned.

While we were in Iceland, Emanuela's support continued to shine. She was readily available to answer any questions we had and provided valuable tips that enhanced our experience. Thanks to her, we discovered hidden gems and had unforgettable adventures that we would have otherwise missed. I wouldn't hesitate to book another trip through Kim Kim, and would certainly recommend Emanuela to help book your next trip to Iceland.

Had a wonderful experience in Sri Lanka thanks to Rikaz’s help with planning the itinerary. The cost was also very reasonable considering it took the stress off researching and booking our own hotels and tourist sites to visit.

The trip to Yala National Park was so memorable - we saw elephants, so many bird species, crocs, deer and the elusive leopard. The safari lodge that was booked for us was also wonderful. Beautifully designed, nice pool to swim in after long rides on the safari jeep and with all the amenities we needed. Service was top notch and the food was so yummy!

Our stay in Mirissa was great too - the beachfront Lantern Boutique Hotel had beautiful crashing waves at its doorstep 24/7 and the beach was a short drive away. There were local family owned eateries where we had authentic Sri Lankan food and a delicious grilled seafood dinner by the beach.

The itinerary was well thought out and our amazing driver Aruna also took the initiative to bring us to additional places on request. We went to a turtle hatchery, elephant sanctuary, wood carving demo, snorkeling with turtles, whale watching and more!

I would definitely recommend Kim Kim for your next vacation!

The trip to Peru was perfect!!
Liz Karen was able to assist us to find travelling options we desired to get. Transfers between different location was smooth and on time.
We also want to thank Kimberly, Javier, Rhonald, and, most importantly, David for guiding us around Peru. This historical and scenic sightseeing was way above our expectation.

Our rating to the trip, Andean Travel Experience, and Kimkim would be 10000000 out of 10!!

Our trip to the Quito and The Galapagos Islands was fabulous! The services provided by KimKim, especially Anthony who coordinated everything for us, was flawless. Every guide and driver we had were knowledgeable, timely, friendly, and welcomed us to Ecuador with open arms. We loved our trip to the cloud forest with David and our 7 day cruise around the Galapagos islands aboard the Archibel I where we saw tons of birds, sea lions, penguins, rays, and other sea animals. When we needed help making a few important changes on the fly, Anthony made it all happen. We felt very supported by him and the KimKim/Responsible Travel Team before and during our travels.

Hotel Reviews

La Palma Polo Club

La Palma Polo Club is a unique experience and location! Our room was HUGE. Loved all the windows and rustic decor. Only thing missing was a desk. Food was good at the restaurant too. Enjoyed walking the grounds. There are not many rooms so you feel like you are at a special place . We only stayed one night before catching our flight so we didn't use the pools or the spa.

Authenticity & Character

Hotel was beautiful.

Location

While the hotel is closer to the airport than Quito, it is still a half an hour a way. It is also not convenient to Quito if you want to use it as a base for touring. That said, the location is beautiful and it is a great place to stay, particularly if you want to hang out for a few days.

Staff

Very helpful and friendly.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Everything was clean and comfortable! The bed was great. The decor was beautiful.

Archipel I

Guayaquil - Ecuador

We really enjoyed our time on the Archipel I. The food was delicious and plentiful. The chef put a lot of thought into offering a diverse menu for every meal. The fruit drinks provided whenever we returned from an excursion on shore or aboard the dingy were a great treat. The rooms are comfortable, with ample amount of space for storing luggage and clothing. On the first part of the trip we were in a room at the front of the boat which was particularly bumpy, especially because of the route we were on. For the second half of the trip, we moved to a room at the back of the boat which we found a lot less bumpy. The sea may have been less wavy either way but we liked being in the back better and really appreciated the opportunity to move. Overall, the staff on this boat are super.

Authenticity & Character

Great ship to see the Galapagos Islands on.

Location

We went on the 7 day cruise - around the western islands and then up to Genevese.

Staff

Great staff -- so customer focused and efficient. They knew how to get things done and keep the group moving forward and able to address issues as they came up.

Cleanliness & Comfort

The vessel and cabins were very clean. The bathrooms, while very clean and usable, are beginning to show their age a bit.

Ikala Quito Hotel

Quito

Great hotel, beautifully appointed room with comfortable bed. Lots of options for the breakfast buffet and for dinner as well. Appreciated the two for one mojitos as well! Hotel has armed security 24/7 and feels safe.

Authenticity & Character

The decor in the room and in all the common speaces.

Location

Easy to walk to a few restaurants. Nice to be in a neighborhood.

Staff

While their English wasn't great, it was good enough to provide super service and help us when the safe in our room wouldn't open!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Perfectly clean. Good temperatures. Loved the linens on the bed.

Activity Reviews

Puerto Egas (Santiago Island) - Rabida Island

Galapagos Islands

Bartolome Island - Sullivan Bay (Santiago Island)

Galapagos Islands

This island was another highlight of our trip but not because of the wildlife. The landscape and view from the top is magnificent! Snorkeling after the hike around the cove was lots of fun too.

Exploring Genovesa Island: Prince Philip Steps and Darwin Bay

Cruise Ship

This island was the highlight of our trip! So many birds (red-footed boobys, blue-footed boobys, frigate birds and their chicks), everywhere you looked! Plus several short-eared owls and many other interesting things to see. It is a magical place.

Twin Craters - El Chato Reserve (Santa Cruz Island) - Transfer Out to Baltra Airport

Cruise Ship

We stopped by the twin craters on our way to the airport. It was cool to see the crater (we actually only had time to see one) but I wouldn't go out of my way to see it. The time we spent seeing the wild giant tortoises on property nearby was more worthwhile. There were so many of them - both male and female.

Baltra Airport - Fausto Llerena Breeding Centre (Santa Cruz)

Cruise Ship

We are glad we saw the breeding center but it is nothing like seeing the giant tortoises in the wild! The breeding center focuses a lot on educating visitors about the tortoises and the Galapagos ecosystem. The baby tortoises from various islands was interesting to see.

Birding Day in the Cloud Forest

Quito

Our guide knew of a few "private" birding locations where locales set up bananas and other fruit to attract birds to their property, including hummingbirds. These locations did not disappoint! We saw dozens of colorful and unique birds and were able to feed a vast array of beautiful hummingbirds. We also went to the butterfly refuge which was okay. The highlight there was seeing two kinds of toucans and a sunbittern on or near the property.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

David knows his birds and was passionate about seeing and finding them!

Arrival to Quito

Galapagos Islands

Friendly driver met us at the airport and we had a smooth transfer to our hotel for the evening.

Transfer to the airport for your flight back home (Departure)

Galapagos Islands

Smooth transfer with lots of time to check in at the airport.

Colonial Quito City Tour & the Middle of the World

Quito

Really enjoyed the Middle of the World experience. Very fun and worthwhile. We also enjoyed the tour of old Quito and the view of the city from the Virgin of Quito statue overlooking the city was outstanding!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

David was a great guide, adjusting the tour based on our interests, and sharing with us lots of interesting information about Quito's history and current situation.

Black Turtle Cove - Flamingos and Relax in Bachas Beach

Cruise Ship

Espinoza Point (Fernandina Island) - Vicente Roca Point (Isabela Island)

Cruise Ship

Moreno Point - Urbina Bay (Isabela Island)

Cruise Ship

Thank you for helping us create a wonderful trip
Some feedback:
1. Transfers between the islands would have been better to fly than take the ferry for time saving. Also a larger ferry like the one between Athens and mykonos much better than a small one from Mykonos to Santorini
2. The hotel in Mykonos was beautiful and had an amazing view. However, it was far from town and we had to order in groceries and food. Would have preferred to be closer to town. Same goes for the hotel in Santorini, would have preferred more in town
3. FYI: Last tour in Santorini: Great tour however just to know for the future: sunset cruise was 9 hours and not 4.5 hours as advertised (we started at 1pm and came back at 10pm). More lunch cruise than dinner. Probably not the best tour the night before flying out of town (we left for the airport at 5pm the following day to travel back to the US)
4. Angela was awesome!

Our trip was nine days: three days in Athens, three days in Mykonos, and three days in Santorini. We stayed in great hotels and took ferries to get to the islands. Even though we didn’t have activities planned for travel days, we had activities every day (which was a bit much). We did a walking tour to the Acropolis and the Acropolis museum, a walking/tasting tour in Mykonos, a driving tour around Mykonos, a wine tasting tour including a visit to the Atlantis museum in Santorini, a catamaran ride to Rhedia & Delos, and a catamaran ride around Santorini. On travel days, we found our own restaurants, which gave us a chance to explore the hotels’ neighborhoods and get souvenirs. We also had a couple of sunset dinners at really nice restaurants in Mykonos and Santorini. I will say, the restaurants with a view were more expensive than the other restaurants in the area. We had transfers booked to take us to the hotels and ferries. The transfer drivers and hotel managers were great and helpful. They were a wealth of information for us on this trip. The food and atmosphere were amazing everywhere we went. However, since I was out of shape from having major surgeries during the pandemic, it was physically hard for me to get around. Plus, there are some areas you can’t drive through. You may have to walk to meet the Ubers and tour groups. I made it work but start training yourself for long walks before the trip. I was able to find Ubers on the app in Athens but they’re not as readily available on the islands. It was also very busy everywhere we went because this is the most popular time of year to vacation there. It didn’t bother us because we live in cities that get a lot of tourists. Everyone was friendly and respectful of each other for the most part.

If you’re going to the Acropolis, try to go first thing in the morning or late afternoon. It got so hot, windy, and dusty, and the crowds got so much bigger after 10-11am. We also bought bottled water because you’re not supposed to drink the tap water on the islands and you'll need water because it's hot. They let us swim on the catamaran tours, but the Aegean Sea was really cold. The islands have steep streets and driveways. You may be dragging your luggage up those streets and steps. Again, start training yourself for the extra walking and hiking before your trip. The trips on the ferries were choppy. Bring your Dramamine and earplugs so you don’t get seasick. Also, we caught a flight on Aegean Airlines from Santorini back to Athens because it was quicker than taking the ferry back. We scheduled in an extra hour to get our bags and go through customs. But it didn’t take long to transfer through the airport in Athens to get to our flights back home.

We absolutely loved our time in Morocco and couldn’t recommend Hassan and our driver Ismail more. The initial arrangement of the places we wanted to go were easily coordinated by Hassan and constant, effective communication received. Our driver Ismail was amazing! His local knowledge and care to ensure we were all completely looked after, was exceptional. What a place. Having our own air conditioned vehicle and knowledgeable driver in Ismail along with the brilliant guides and accommodation we had at each place enabled us to enjoy every moment without having to worry about organizing transfers etc. It was all incredible but the.blue city, Chefchaoen, riding camels in the Sahara and the arrangement of our stay with a local Berber family in the high Atlas Mountains along with the cultural and historical significance of Fes, absolute highlights and not to be missed! Thank you so much Hassan and Ismail and all of the guides we had at each place, for sharing your knowledge and your wonderful hospitality, it was all brilliant!

Kristiina was very responsive and helped put a trip together that worked well for our family. The emergency support contact while we were in Norway was also extremely responsive and helpful. The tour guide we were connected with in Bergen was also super helpful and provided all sorts of helpful information about restaurants and places to avoid.

Overall the trip was good and kimkim did a fine job making planning a 10 day trip super easy. There are some items we would have done differently and a couple of misses, but hind-sight is 20/20. We had an issue with some of our tickets not downloading properly (expired link), but they were able to solve it quickly on the fly by sending us the needed documents via Whatsapp.

I'm not sure we would say we got the "insider's" guide to Norway and no real spots off the beaten path, but we had a good time and it was incredibly beautiful. Quick review of hotels we stayed at: Hotel Bondheim in Oslo was mixed--one room we had was very nice and the other was quite dumpy. Scandic Torget in Bergen is probably nice if you have a view of the water, but we didn't and the rooms were pretty small. Great breakfast though. Very busy part of town, which is good and bad. Kringsjå Hotel in Balestrand was our favorite. Not super nice rooms, but had great balconies off the rooms, great views, and an extensive lounge area and game area that was awesome for our kid. Also not crowded at all. Finally, the hotel manager there is the nicest man ever.

Hotel Reviews

Kringsjå Hotel

Balestrand

Decor hasn't been updated in a while, but charming hotel nevertheless. Hotel manager was amazing.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Beds weren't amazing, but good enough.

Scandic Torget

Bergen

In a very busy part of town--could be loud depending on which direction you are facing. Hotel layout is a bit unusual (historic building) and some rooms are quite small. Breakfast room was impressive!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotell Bondeheimen

Oslo

One room is very nice and the other was quite dumpy. Very small elevators, but somewhat typical for Norway.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Norway in a Nutshell Tour

Norway

Amazing tour, but a lot to fit into one day, particularly for younger kids.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Oslofjord Evening Cruise with Prawn Buffet

Oslo

Loved the tour, but food was pretty mediocre and drinks were quite expensive.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Luggage Transfer Service

Norway

Finnafjord Safari by RIB

Balestrand

This was a very nice tour and the folks running it were knowledgeable and very nice. I thought I read that we were supposed to bring layers for this tour, but they provided a whole insulated waterproof suit to wear--so all those layers I brought were not needed. My 6-year old was scared by the suits and the prospect of going really fast, so she and my wife had to bail. I'd suggest 8 years old may be the min age you might want to consider taking on this trip, depending on how adventurous your kid is. The boats go 40-50 mph and the water was pretty choppy on the day we went, so a fair amount of bumps, but nothing crazy. The seats are tall and her feet would not have touched the ground, which would have been okay, just adds a bit to the uncertainty factor. Some 6-year olds would probably have a blast--but not for all.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Private Hardangerfjord & Waterfalls Day Trip

Bergen

We would have appreciated less driving and more walking while at each site. We spent most of the day in the car, which seemed like too much given all the prior travel we had just done. It turned out to be okay because it was raining most of the day and being in the car was probably better than being outside, but still too much car time. Our guide Arne was really top notch though and very engaging, particularly with our kid, which helped keep her engaged in the trip. The gondola ride was cool and the food at the top was quite good. Maybe would have been better if the weather were nicer and we could have hiked around at the top, but mostly felt like we were being shuttled from spot to spot.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Fløibanen Funicular Ticket

Bergen

This was a great activity, especially with kids. Lots of awesome playgrounds at the top and hiking trails. Really cool spot.

From the planning stages to the final day of our journey, Tiago has been an exceptional travel agent whose expertise and dedication made our trip to Portugal truly fabulous. His attentiveness to our needs, meticulous attention to detail, and deep knowledge of Portugal ensured that every aspect of our vacation was perfectly organized.

Tiago's recommendations for activities and accommodations were spot-on, aligning perfectly with our interests and expectations. He provided us with a comprehensive roadbook that became our go-to guide throughout the trip, filled with valuable insights and tips that enhanced our travel experience. His choice of locales, from the bustling streets of Lisbon to the serene landscapes of São Miguel in the Azores, and the vibrant cultural tapestry of Porto, allowed us to experience a vibrant range of what Portugal has to offer.

We are particularly grateful for the personalized touches he added to our itinerary, ensuring that each member of our family had memorable moments tailored to their interests. Whether it was suggesting activities in Porto that delighted the connoisseurs among us, exploring historical sites in Lisbon, or enjoying the natural beauty of São Miguel, Tiago’s thoughtfulness shone through.

His responsiveness, patience and availability to address our queries and adjust our plans as needed were remarkable. We felt supported every step of the way, which was especially comforting being far from home.
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Special thanks are also due for the seamless airport transfers; a heartfelt shoutout to Antonio and Afonso in Lisbon, Henrique in Porto, and Filipe and Hugo for their dependable airport services. Their professionalism and efficiency made all our transitions smooth and stress-free.

Joel, our incredible driver from Lisbon to Porto, deserves extra praise. Not only did he expertly navigate us through the beautiful cities of Óbidos, Nazaré, and Fátima, but his patience and flexibility made each journey enjoyable and stress-free. Whether accommodating additional stop requests or managing schedule changes, Joel's professionalism and friendliness were unmatched. His deep local knowledge and eagerness to share made every mile traveled with him a journey in its own right.

In the Azores, our guide Hugo stood out with his profound knowledge and warm hospitality. His passion for São Miguel and its history brought the island's stories to life in a way that enriched our experience immeasurably. Always ready with a smile and an interesting anecdote, Hugo made sure that every aspect of our visit was engaging, informative, and immensely fun. His dedication to ensuring we had the best experience possible was truly beyond our expectations.
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We cannot express enough gratitude for the unforgettable experience Tiago curated for us. His professionalism, passion for travel, and genuine care for his clients' satisfaction are what make him truly outstanding in his field. We wholeheartedly recommend Tiago to anyone looking to explore Portugal; with him at the helm, you are in the best of hands. Thank you so much Tiago. We look forward to working with you soon, and most importantly meeting you again in the near future. Keep in touch

Hotel Reviews

The Lince Azores Great Hotel

Ponta Delgada

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Rooms got too hot at night-no one addressed after brining it up to the staff

NH Collection Porto Batalha

Porto

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Lisboa Plaza

Lisbon

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Activity Reviews

São Miguel: Furnas Valley Tour

São Miguel Island

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Western São Miguel Guided Tour

São Miguel Island

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Central São Miguel Guided Tour

Portugal

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Whale-Watching in the Azores

Portugal

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The Good, The Bad and The Just Right
The Good
The initial leg: Air France-Our home airport to Paris. We will definately do a 3 day layover in Paris. If an airport tells you something about a city, Paris will be..well Paris. Incredible people watching and shops, whatnot. Another level.
The beaches of the Silver Coast are amazing. Can't say enough good things. Comporta is the Hamptons on the come up. We visited so many places.. Nazare, Peniche, and Ericeria are all special. Sintra and Cascais are as advertised. Sintra has some incredible castles.

The food and the culture of the towns really stand out. I thought KimKim (Tiernan) provided us with a top notch A level service. Our experience was wonderful. We booked too many tours, so we revised the schedule on the fly. At least a 10 day trip is a must. The travel will cost you a day or day and a half of time including the jet lag effects.

The Bad & The Learnings
Layover in Boston, because of the flight cancellations and overnight layover. Learning: Avoid connecting in a U.S. City on the departure. Look to fly direct to Paris, London or Amsterdam..then catch your connecting flight to your final destination.
*Avoid the hotels near Martin Moniz square if you have a young family. It is very touristy so it draws a certain element. Great for people watching over a vinho verde with the wife while the kid sleep, but not a must see.

The "Just Right"
The travel experience: Lodging by City/Town: I thought all the lodging we stayed in were excellent. Each had their different vibes, charm and appeal. We are a family of 3 with a young daughter. I thought the prep work done to have experiences specifically for her worked out well.

This was our favorite tour: In Lisboa Tuk-Tuk: Tomas-(Our driver/guide) (College student, mid to late 20s, he did a great job)

We highly recommend KimKim (Tiernan) for your vacation planning needs. Be specific, it will help you shape your experience. Lots of communication upfront before you travel, helps you hone in the experience you want. Oh, get an automatic vehicle for Lisboa. Unless you drive in San Francisco often..the Hills of Lisboa driving a stickshift, you need to be very experienced. The restaurants are wonderful. The food is amazing in PT. Next time..we will go north to Porto, Braga and the like..along with the two places we love the most in the country..so far :) : Ericeria & Cascais.

After spending a week in the Amazon jungle with friends & family on a service project, I wanted to spend another week in Ecuador, but had some hesitations as a solo traveler. Tamer understood my concerns and gave me assurances that allowed me to relax and move forward with the trip. He put together a nicely balanced itinerary that covered a few days in Quito followed by whale watching in Puerto Lopez. Tamer researched the conditions in Puerto Lopez to ensure that portion of the trip would be safe and worthwhile. Everything went smoothly including plenty of whale sightings! For the Quito activities, Tamer arranged for an excellent private guide, Sebastian, who was accommodating, extremely knowledgeable, and courteous.

Tamer was in touch every morning and evening for a quick chat and reminders. It was nice to know he had my back and was available should anything come up. He was great with details, made timely responses to my many questions, and handled with grace & efficiency some late-in-the-game changes to my plans.

Absolutely wonderful trip thanks to kimkim’s assistance. Krista was wonderful, very accommodating and patiently answered hundreds of questions for weeks. She assisted with w everything from driving directions to detailed hotel preferences to restaurant suggestions and touristy highlights. We printed her daily itinerary, confirmation numbers, reservations and driving directions as back up in case we couldn’t get online. It was so helpful we ended up using it daily as reference.

Everything went very smoothly without any problems. We received assistance during a minor emergency in the middle of the night.

Thank you Krista and Kimkim. Will definitely use again and highly recommended.

Vy did a great job creating an itinerary for my family. She transitioned her responsibility to Monika, who seamlessly picked up managing my trip. Monika was responsive within minutes to any question I asked of her during our trip, and made changes whenever we needed adjustments. All guides and drivers were superb! We felt well cared for, safe, and comfortable with the entire team. Would use KimKim again and strongly recommend to anyone considering a repair e for a memorable and stress-free vacation.

Our experience working with Sharon at Morocco Immersion Tours was perfect. We first laid out the plan for where we were coming from to start the tour and where we were going when the tour ended. We reviewed options based on various numbers of days in the country and what made the most sense. Sharon shared opportunities for all of the choices and helped us to come up with an awesome 7-day trip. We actually changed the plan from flying in from Spain to taking a ferry. Sharon made the accommodation with no problem. Omar, our tour director, was also very accommodating and knowledgeable and we thoroughly enjoyed traveling with him.
The local guides Said, Mohammed and Sellam were incredibly well-versed on history and culture of their respective cities and held our interest for the entirety of their city tours.
They and Omar made this a thoroughly enjoyable experience for us. Their pride in their country and their desire to assure a great experience was palpable and we will not forget our wonderful adventure through Morocco.

This was my second time using kimkim to plan a trip and I have to say, it has been a great experience each time. This trip just for my husband and me and we had a just shy of a week to see some of Morocco before having to meet up with our daughter in Malaga, Spain. Hamza put together a trip that allowed us to see a lot but didn't feel hectic. Our driver, Reda, was wonderful. He spoke English very well, was fun to chat with and always very kind and polite when answering our many questions about the country and culture. I wish we had had more time. A particular highlight was Chefchaoen, the blue city, which was so beautiful and charming. The riad we stayed at was beautiful and well located and the hammam there was a great experience as well. I also enjoyed our guide in Fes very much as he is a scholar and had a lot to share about the relationship between Morocco and the Jewish population, which was fascinating and heartwarming. The only thing that was a disappointment was that we had planned a surf outing at the end and it was not the right season for a real surfer to catch waves. We ended up going for a swim and that was lovely. Next time we'll check on surf seasons before trying to integrate this activity into a trip.

Hotel Reviews

Riad Ghita

Fes

Riad Ghita is beautiful with rich tilework in the rooms and in the sitting area. We took dinner on the terrace our first night which was delicious and fun. Our room felt very lush and authentic. The location was good in that it was at the edge of the medina so it's didn't feel so overwhelming as it might if one was deep in the medina.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Lina Ryad & Spa

Chefchaouen

Lina Ryad was beautiful, clean, had comfortable beds, great service and good food. We also loved the hammam.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Ride the Wave: An Epic Surfing Journey in Tangier

Tangier

This one was a miss for us because we booked this since my husband is a surfer. Unfortunately, this time of year (July) is not the season for decent waves so this one didn't work out for us. It also sounds like there are better places to surf in Morocco. We ended up going for a lovely swim at the beach there so all was not lost. If you are a "real" surfer, do your research in advance!

Family adventure:Arenal/La Fortuna, Golf of Papagayo. This was relatively last minute trip with one adult (me) & 2 kids. It was a week filled with zip lining , nature walks, snorkeling and good ol ‘beach time. First time for all 3 of us in Costa Rica and I think we all are a little bit in love. Wilman picked us up from our hotel in San Jose in his nice clean car & drove us to Arenal. Wow what a beautiful place. Hotel room is on the foot of the volcano with our private hot spring. Mistico Park hike: so many hanging bridges through pristine jungle: it’s hot, loud and beaming with life: toucans, sloths, all kids of insects. Mundo Aventura zip lining was combination of adrenaline rush and amazement of zipping thought forest canopy. Staff were all so nice to my 9 and 14 yo sons. Night hike at wild frog sanctuary did not disappoint either, but we were really tired at this point:so many tiny frogs, huge spiders, sloth, and snakes. Next day we were picked up by Alex who drive us to Golf of Papagayo with a stop at Danaus eco park and butterfly garden. We saw crocodiles and more rainforest frogs. We arrived late in evening at our beachfront hotel just in time for quick swim before sunset: sun sets at 6: then pitch dark night.(which was amazing to us, boom, lights out) Next day Snorkeling with Pacific coast dive center was probably the top highlight in an action packed week. This was really unforgettable. Last day we enjoyed the beach and pool at Bahia del Sol, which was perfect. Transfer to Liberia airport was with Genaro who took different route:main road was flooded (rainy season). Big thank you, he knows how to navigate those muddy hills. When we could, we tried to eat at Sodas: family run restaurants serving Costa Rican dishes. I can’t really describe how beautiful Costa Rica is without mentioning the immense kindness and warmth of all the people we met during our trip. I feel very grateful I was able to experience this with my two kids. Thanks so much🙏I sincerely hope to be back and see more

We had a wonderful trip and planning it was super easy! We had 4 different drafts before we settled on one we loved. Dat was great about communicating the changes and answering questions as we planned. He even made sure the visas we got for both countries were correct.

Transfers: All pickups and drops off went smoothly! It was so nine knowing those logistics were taken care of. It was great to have the domestic airline tickets booked as well. We simply had to show up at the right time and be transported to the next spot.

Highlights
Hanoi: Tam Coc River tour was amazing! I would suggest people bring a hat or umbrella as it was super hot!
Bahn Mi 25 - best sandwich we have had! We went two times!
Dal Vostro Hotel - this was the best hotel we stayed at and the best breakfast we had on the whole trip. The rooms were great and the staff was so incredibly helpful and kind!

Sapa: trekking is a must! I do wish we would have realized how muddy it got on parts of the trail. I would have brought shoes that I did not care about ruining. Thankfully we were able to get them washed for $2 in town! This was such a beautiful place and the people we met along the way were lovely. We had an amazing lunch at red Dzao house and got a foot massage after trekking for $6. We did not do the part of the itinerary about spending time in the Dzay village. Once we arrived there, we got in the car and left. It was disappointing. Hotel was great - not as friendly as the one in Hanoi.

Ha Long Bay - AMAZING! Doris cruises were so wonderful! The rooms are huge and the lunch they served upon arriving was outstanding. We got to kayak and swim. I was stunned by the scenery and the small cruise made the experience personal.

Ho Chi Minh - we learned so much while we were here. The War Museum and Cu Chi Tunnels - while hard, were well worth the time. Johnathan our tour guide was great! Dinner at Propaganda was a highlight! The hotel was ok. It was right across from a nightclub, so the first night was really loud. The breakfast was ok - nothing special.
Mekong Delta was awesome! Again, we learned so much! Watching the coconut candy get made was fun. We brought some home to share. The set lunch was not good at all. It was a lot of food that didn't taste that great.

Phnom Penh - The Killing Fields and S-21 were really heavy places to visit, but also necessary. Our guide was helpful. It was really special to meet 4 of the survivors of S-21. We had an amazing dinner at Eleven - one & at The Titanic. Our hotel was great! Getting a tuk tuk was easy and able to walk to restaurants!

Siem Reap - We LOVED our guide - Narong! He was so funny, helpful and taught us a lot! He is also a sharp dresser! He and the driver took such good care of us with cold water and cold wipes, especially after a hot day at Angor Wat. The hotel was lovely - and the massages are heavenly! We had a wonderful dinner at Haven and at Mesa. Lunch was supposed to be included on the Angor Wat day - but our guide said it wasn't. The lunch place was good!

Overall it was an amazing trip! Here are a few things we felt could be improved upon:
1. The lunches on the group tours (private tours was great) were disappointing. It just wasn't good food.
2. There were 2 things on our itinerary we did not do - one in Sapa and one in Tam Coc - disappointing.
3. Be clear about what meals are included.
4. It was hard to communicate with Dat once we were in country. There were times we reached out via whatsapp and had to follow up because we didn't hear back from him. There was also an urgent matter he had to attend to which is fine, but it would have been nice to have a back up number.
5. I might chose a different hotel in Ho Chi Minh City - because of the nightclub.

Our family trip to Scotland was a complex undertaking, as we were a large group of 20 people of varying ages. I can well imagine that many hours were spent on our behalf to make the trip so wonderful. Everything went smoothly and I can not think of a single negative issue . Our driver, Ricky, and guide Keith took care of so many details behind the scenes, and delivered an exceptional experience.. The hotels and restaurants chosen were all beyond our expectations. We did so very many things that were enjoyed by all. The Reindeer Herd excursion was one of my favorites. The scenery on the hill was spectacular. We also very much enjoyed the Family Highland Games at Rothiemurchus Estate, even in the pouring rain we managed to have great fun together. We had two very unique and special requests that went off without a hitch. The first was a professional photoshoot in front of Cawdor Castle. Karen Thorburn went above and beyond to provide us all with wonderful professional portraits. And also, we were grateful for the special effort made by our guide Keith, to visit the house in which my husband was born, and for us all to snap a photo at the door. Thank you for all you did to manage this trip for us. You will be highly recommended.

We had an absolutely amazing trip to Morocco. Thanks for arranging a fantastic itinerary Majid. Our driver, Moha was one of the BEST driver and guide we have had through many trips my husband I have taken over the world. H not only was he friendly, informative, and safe driver, he made us feel at home and gave us a lot of insight to Moroccan culture.
We had very prompt and great guides in all the places we visited with our favorite in Fez and Volubulis.
The stay in the beautiful resort town of Bin el Ouidane was very memorable and highly recommended. The resort was beautiful with charming suite/ views and people. Our dinner meal prepared vegetarian had the best Tagine in Morocco and other dishes were also very good.
Riad Larroussa in FEZ with green room was stunning. The staff there was absolutely fantastic and very gracious. We even enjoyed the Hamam and massages there.
Same for Riad Lina at Chefchaouen- the women staff there were so nice and attentive- they also accommodated and made great vegetarian meal. we had a great time there.
The Villa Mandarine in Rabat was a charming quiet resort away from the Medina with lovely art work and beautifully decorated rooms.
Casablanca Sofitel staff was also very friendly and gracious and we had a wonderful view of the mosque and city from our room on the 15 th floor.
Majid and Moha thank you again for making our Morocco trip one of the most memorable, fun and relaxing trip ever.
We will highly recommend and hopefully ( Insha Allah) get to work with you and Moha again in our future trip to Morocco.