Kimkim Trip Reviews

We had a wonderful time and everything went well except noted below. We enjoyed all our guides. Our guides to Mostar (Fran and driver) were most excellent, our whole family enjoyed them. Petra and the driver in Dubrovnik were also very excellent. All of our lodging was excellent. Our villa in Split did not have hot water for showers every morning and the hot tub was not warm most of the time so this was very annoying. We also asked for blankets after first day and never received it. Otherwise the villa was perfect for our family and we enjoyed the space very much. Thye last day our ride did not show but calling Tina at 5 am she promptly jumped on this and worked with our hotel to get a ride which we were able to get to airport in enough time. Tina did an excellent job, very professional and thorough.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel More

Dubrovnik

Hotel More in Dubrovnik was just fantastic. The breakfast was amazing, probably the best of all the places we stayed. The hotel is right on the oceanfront, which made for a beautiful and relaxing end to our vacation. The rooms were nice and comfortable, and the overall experience was exceptional.

Hotel Korsal

Korčula

The Hotel Korsal in Korčula was really nice. The breakfast was fantastic, and the staff was very helpful and friendly. The hotel’s location was convenient, and we didn’t mind walking around. The overall experience there was very pleasant, and I’d give it a high rating.

Exclusive Vila Holiday

Stobreč

The villa in Split was amazing in terms of size and location. It easily accommodated our whole group. However, there were a few issues. We didn’t have hot water on some mornings, so we had to take cold showers. The hot tub wasn’t warm for about three days, which was disappointing since we couldn’t use it. Also, the beds only had thin sheets, and despite asking for heavier blankets, they never arrived. There were some minor issues with the doors as well. Despite these hiccups, the outdoor area was fantastic, and it was perfect for our family gathering.

Art Hotel Kalelarga

Zadar

I stayed at the Art Hotel Kalelarga in Zadar for three nights. The experience was really pleasant. The hotel is right in the middle of town, making it super convenient to get around and explore everything. The breakfast was pretty good, though it was the same every day. Personally, I don’t mind that, but I know some people might want more variety. Overall, it was a great stay and very comfortable.

Activity Reviews

Korčula Island Sunset Kayak

Croatia

This was very enjoyable being on the water and the information we received from our guide.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Dubrovnik Panorama, Cavtat and Dubrovnik Old town tour

Dubrovnik

Petra and Dennis were amazing and we enjoyed their information.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Day Trip to Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Croatia

This was filled with so much interesting facts about the area the whole family thoroughly enjoyed the information and our experience.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Split Walking Tour with a visit to Diocletian Palace

Split

Very enjoyable experience and knowledgeable.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Full-Day Excursion to Plitvice Lakes National Park

Zadar

Very enjoyable tour and sites.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Zadar Guided Walking Tour & Sunset by the Sea

Zadar

Our tour guide was excellent and very knowledgeable.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We had the most amazing trip to Indonesia.

Priscilla put together a perfect itinerary that incorporated our wishes of balancing historical, adventure, cultural and scenic aspects.

My husband and I took the trip with our 11-year-old grandson. We hopped between 4 Islands and had 5 inter-Indonesian flights in 11 days. We wanted to see as much as we could but knew two weeks would be our limit if travelling with a younger person.

We experienced the Borobudur & Prambanan Temple in Yogyakarta, Java with a private guide.

Balikpapan was another wonderful stop. Our primary goal of the trip was to see the Orangutans. Our itinerary made the most of our time in Borneo. We saw the Orangutans, Sunbears, climbed the Canopy Suspension Bridge, trekked the rain forest, took a boat down the Sungai Hitam/Black River, and saw Proboscis monkeys, a couple of Pythons, and thoroughly enjoyed the tranquil and beauty of the various mangroves and palms. We were so fortunate to have had one of the caregivers of Samboja Lestari as our guide.

We then flew to Bali and enjoyed the beautiful cities of Ubud & Seminyak. We had a relaxing massage at our hotel and then kicked it up a notch to explore the area with our most amazing guide (Budi). Budi is a wonderfully kind, respectful, knowledgeable man who paid extra special attention to our grandson. I am sure he is the perfect father to his sons, and we LOVED him and LOVED having him as our guide!
We saw the Tegallang Rice Terrace, Sacred Monkey Forest, Ubud Palace, Bathed the Elephants, took a Farm to Table cooking class and visited the Uluwatu Temple where we were able to watch a traditional Balinese (Kecak Dance).

Our last stop before making our way back to Jakarta and home was spending some time in Labuan Bajo, Flores. We wanted to see the prehistoric looking, large lizards - Komodo Dragons. Priscilla arranged for a hotel pick up, boat group tour, to see, the incredible views of Padar Island, Pink Beach, and Taka Makassar Island. We were fortunate enough to have seen two Komodo Dragons and thoroughly enjoyed our two stops that allowed us the opportunity to enjoy snorkeling.

Priscilla looked after every little detail of our trip. She tapped into our needs and executed them perfectly. She coordinated the tours, guides, transfers, and flights within the country, and the whole journey was seamless. We had an on-ground support person (Janice,) through WhatsApp, which worked out flawlessly for communication if needed.it was our first-time using Kim.Kim but will definitely not be our last. Our experience was FANTASTIC!

Hotel Reviews

The Grove Suites

Jakarta

This hotel was quite dated. The lobby was beautiful, breakfast was good, staff was friendly and helpful. I think the rooms could use an update and I didn't feel the room cleaning was up to my standards.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Sudamala Resort, Komodo, Labuan Bajo

Labuan Bajo

Beautiful ocean view. Very friendly staff.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Kanvaz Village Resort Seminyak

Bali

A beautiful, clean hotel, very nicely located. The breakfast were wonderful and the pool was really nice to relax and enjoy some down time. Lovely staff.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Kalyana Ubud

Ubud

Very pretty grounds, amazing spa treatments, friendly and helpful staff and very convenient restaurant. Clean and lovely.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Samboja Lodge

Balikpapan

Very friendly staff. A perfect location to see the orangutans. Nothing fancy but it suited our needs completely.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta - MGallery Collection

Yogyakarta

Built in the 1918's, once a mansion now a gorgeous hotel. The decor is stunning. Staff is wonderful and the breakfast is scrumptious.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Anara Airport Hotel

Jakarta

A hotel right in the airport. Perfect, beautiful and a wonderful breakfast.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Visit Taka Makassar

Indonesia

Beautiful!! The depths of the water were incredible with all the different colors.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visit Komodo Island

Indonesia

Very cool that we were able to two Komodo Dragons.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visit Pink Beach

Indonesia

I have never seen red coral before that turns a beach pink.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visit Padar Island

Indonesia

The view from the top was probably the most spectacular view I have ever seen. A little bit of a hike but definitely worth it.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Watch Kecak Dance Performance

Indonesia

Very interesting watching this. All acapella chanting. Definitely worth seeing.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visit Uluwatu Temple

Indonesia

Very pretty views. The temple is quite far away but pretty spectacular.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Farm to Table Cooking Class

Indonesia

This was one of our favorite experiences. They instructor was fun and funny and we learned a lot and had a wonderful feast. Loved this!!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Bathe the Elephants

Ubud, Bali

Our grandson loves this. The elephants are very well looked after and seem very happy.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visit Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary

Indonesia

Loved this. The monkeys were cheeky and super active. Very fun!!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visit Tegallalang Rice Terrace

Indonesia

Beautiful views and really interesting.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Afternoon Visit to Orangutan Island and Sunbear Sanctuary

Balikpapan

Never seen Sunbears. The are much smaller than what we thought.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Canopy Bridge and Trekking

Balikpapan

Great view from the Canopy Bridge and we really enjoyed the trekking. Not that difficult but a lot to see.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visit Sungai Hitam

Balikpapan

We really enjoyed the tranquil small boat ride down the Sungai Hitam. We were so fortunate to see a family of Proboscis monkeys and a couple of Pythons.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Transfer from Yogyakarta (YIA) to Balikpapan (BPN) via Orangutan Island and Sunbear Sanctuary

Indonesia

We stayed at the Samjoba Lodge which was walking distance to Orangutan Island. So much care is taken to look after the Orangutans and try to rehabilitate them. The Sunbears are much smaller than we thought. A beautiful experience!!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visit Borobudur Temple

Indonesia

This temple is amazing and a must see. The size is incredible and knowing that it is the largest Buddhist Temple in the world is fascinating.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK) Arrival Airport Assistance

Jakarta International Airport (CGK)

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visit Ubud Palace

Indonesia

Nice to see this modest Palace in the heart of the city. Worth a stop.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visit Prambanan Temple

Indonesia

We were a little late in the day to see this up close but even from a distance it looked incredible.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We had a wonderful 2 weeks in Canada. Lived Banff and Jasper. The scenery was spectacular! I would say the only downside to the trip was the amount of time from place to place. That’s on us ,we wanted to see as much as possible. All in all it was a wonderful experience.

Our trip to Japan included many items and logistics which were managed by Kate. Overall, my family, who were first time visitors to Japan, were excited and felt like they got to see the major sites in each city. For me, a return traveler to Japan, it felt like a series of generic tours to the major tourist attractions which could have been hired individually through other services (Viator, etc). Personally, I was hoping for more unique experiences but I did appreciate that fact that KimKim was a 'one stop shop' for the logistics (cars, tickets, etc).

In terms of tour guides, our first guide, Peter Wong (Yoon) in Tokyo, was not a proficient English speaker. It turned out that our driver (who was excellent!!!) was a better English speaker than Peter. Hence, we did not receive very much information about the tours and the sites we were visiting. We spent most of the time googling the background information at each location. Peter is Malaysian (not Japanese) so a number of local questions we asked had him googling as well. When we first started, Peter did not have the agenda we were sent from KimKim so we had a bit of a disconnect on expectations for each day. He finally took a screen shot of the pages I received to align the agendas between what he had and what we were expecting. For the most part, everything logistically went well but we had one or two instances were the tickets were not accepted or procured. In the end, it worked out.

During our time in Tokyo, I booked the fish market auction separate than KimKim since the auction was not able to be organized by KimKim in the schedule (according to Kate). This event was a highlight of the trip. We hired a guide for this morning through the hotel and had a amazing experience since she was very knowledgable about Japanese history/architecture/politics/etc. In addition, as we were interacting with others, we would ask her questions and she would ask the host and then report back to us the responses. Our KimKim hosts (Peter and Naoki) did not behave like this and would just google to respond or listen to the Japanese response and then not revert back to us. We learned more from this lady about Tokyo in 4 hours than we did from Peter for the 5 days we had him scheduled.

As a side note, the KimKim agenda indicated we would be touring from 9am to ~5-6 pm each day (8 hours). This schedule was only true for some of the days. I highly recommend to KimKim to inform tour participants on expectations start and stop times to allow for meals and meal times. Since dinners were not included in the tour agenda, I worked off-line to book a variety of dinners and/or spa appointments in each city only to be told that we would not be back to the hotel in time or that we might need to skip something to fit the dinner schedule. In addition, on many days, lunch was not until 2 pm or later which also would have been good to know since we were having breakfast at 7-8 am and dinner at ~7 pm. If I had known this up front, it would have saved a lot of re-planning between myself and the tour guides and we could have brought snacks on the tours.

In Kyoto and Osaka, we had Naoki as a tour guide. Naoki was more engaging than Peter at a personal level and he had a better command of the English language. Unfortunately, Naoki is also more of a 'host' than a 'guide' and his college major was hospitality. For some of the places we visited, Naoki indicated he had not been to them prior to taking us to the see them so he was learning about them just as we were. When we visited the Palace in Osaka, he did not pre-book tickets (in fact, he told me he could not) so we spent time standing in line in the rain while others went through the 'fast track' to the entrance. I finally looked on-line and realized I could have booked them while standing in line to save time. These are all items that I would have thought they would have checked prior to our arrival.

For both guides, there were points when there were Japanese explanations of things we were seeing or touring instructions (no photos, etc) from the hosts at the sites and neither guide translated the information to us. We spent a lot of time trying to understand what was going on and what was next.

When we arrived in Okinawa, our driver was not at the airport arrivals. I called the number for Kate to check on the driver and no one picked up. There were two other numbers on the itinerary so I called the second number and got a voice mail which was responded to about an hour later. Finally, the person at the third number picked up the phone and asked why I was calling her (indicating we were bothering her.....not in a helpful way). I explained what was going on and she said Kate needed to help me so she transferred me to Kate who was sitting at the desk next to her. This was very frustrating that it took 3 international calls to locate someone and that Kate was at her desk while I was calling other travel agents in her system who were not aware they were on my agenda as a help desk person.

In total contrast, Wendy, our host in Taipei, was outstanding. She was well prepared and well educated. She explained each day in detail and worked with us to understand what we were seeing and why it was important (context). She was also very good at engaging my son. If there were any suggestions or updates to the agenda, she had us sign professional 'change orders' which we appreciated. Wendy was the type of tour guide that we anticipated for the entire trip. In addition, Wendy took a number of photos of us which was very helpful as we toured each location. We cant say enough about how much we learned from Wendy and enjoyed her tour. We wished we had her for the entire time.

We had a great trip! It was specific to us which is kind of difficult because I’m very outgoing & adventurous & my mom is the opposite. They listened to us & made the itinerary perfect. I really appreciated their constant communication with us as well as the way they answered our questions so quickly.

I am thrilled I found KimKim and was lucky enough to work with Chris. My overall experience was excellent and I have recommended KimKim to several friends since using it.

Chris was our main point of contact. He was incredibly accommodating and helpful during the planning process. I have never used a travel agent before and this was a really good first experience. I made several changes early on in accommodations and Chris made sure to listen to concerns and try to find a solution. We did have two hiccups on the trip. Our hotel reservations were not for the correct on the last day (which the hotel helped us fix by finding accommodations at a sister hotel but we did loose half a day trying to figure out the arrangement) and one of the tours was not what we had signed up for and had a different focus than what we intended (but the tour guide was very helpful and rearranged so we were able to see some of the sites we had planned on seeing). However, those are just two of many moving parts and we were really happy with how smoothly the trip went.

All of the transports were excellent and on time. The hotels were perfect for our family. The Heredion Hotel apartment was spacious and had a lovely balcony. The only draw back was that it smelled like cigarette smoke and they would only give us one key so when our group split up we had to wait for the other party to come back before we could enter. Having two keys would be recommended. A highlight was the rooftop - where we had drinks and looked out on the Acropolis. On Naxos we stayed a the Galaxy - which we enjoyed. The Galaxy was a little smaller than we were expecting and one room had an issue with ants -but the location was ideal, the staff was incredibly warm and helpful and we would absolutely stay there again.

Our tour guide Georgina was a gem! It was the highlight for our children and she was so thoughtful and intelligent. She spent a wonderful afternoon talking about mythology with our kids and while we covered enormous ground, she never rushed us. On Naxos we took a cooking class with Katrina and her mother Maria and we loved the time we spent in their home. It was fun and interesting - and super delish. We have even made some of the recipes here at home. Out tour guide on Naxos was a certified guide and she was also very knowledgeable of the Island and the mythology.

The initial planning gets 5 stars, our guides and transports get 5 stars, our hotels were excellent and Chris, our trip planner was amazing. We look forward to using KimKim again.

Hotel Reviews

Galaxy Hotel Naxos

Naxos

The rooms were a little smaller than we had anticipated (three of our children shared a room that was pretty tight). However, everything else about this hotel was excellent. Wonderful location, beautiful pool, very plentiful breakfast. The rooms were clean and the showers were modern. The best part of the stay was the staff. They were very helpful. On our last day as we headed out to the beach they let us know that the tour guide had not booked that night. There was a mix up and we didn't have rooms for the last night. However, they quickly tried to resolve the issue and found a room at a nearby hotel for half of our party and the other half was able to stay in their room. We really appreciated their help and the guidance they gave us about seeing different beaches on the island.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Herodion Hotel

Athens

Staff was very welcoming. We rented the family apartment and it was spacious with a wonderful balcony. The kitchen was fully stocked and the bathrooms were beautiful. Our favorite is the roof top bar - such an amazing view. A few little things for improvement: There was only one key and when we asked for two they were unable to give us another one. That meant that when our group split up we had to coordinate access to the apartment. Also the lights in the hall and stairway were out the time we were there and it was very dark. The apartment also smelled of cigarette smoke. Finally - we ordered vegetarian to go lunches. We confirmed that they were vegetarian. They were not vegetarian.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Traditional Cooking at a Naxian Village Farm

Naxos

We had a great driver who gave us lots of background information on the countryside. Our cooking class with Katrina and Maria was wonderful. Not too rushed, but we did quite a bit. We all really enjoyed the food and our instructors made the class interesting to all of us (adults and kids). It felt like visiting with old friends when we sat around and ate lunch. Highly recommend this class to anyone!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Greek God for a Day - Family Friendly

Naxos

This ended up being a really nice tour. However, the tour we thought we were getting (which focused more on mythology) was not the one the tour guide thought she was giving. The tour that was planned was a little more for younger children and less focused on the mythology of the island - which we were really interested in. That being said, once we realized the disconnect, our guide was super accommodating and made arrangements to visit at least one temple (the one we really wanted to see). She was luckily a licensed guide and she was very knowledgeable. We were so luck to have had her. We visited a farm/petting zoo. We probably could have shortened that part - but the kids had fun and the Owner was hilarious. He had such a welcoming manner and he and his pet sheep were very entertaining. Our lunch was delicious - perhaps one of the best of the trip.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Acropolis and Mythology Tour

Athens

Georgina was the best! Out of an entire week in Greece - this was one of our favorite activities. Georgina was very knowledgeable, adapted to our questions and interests, and had a wonderful way of sharing information. We covered so much of the old part of the city and learned so much.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Fenne and Ethel did a wonderful job of planning our trip around what we had requested. The hotels we stayed in were wonderful, with two of them being absolutely amazing. The train, boat and bus tickets came with good instructions and were well planned. We thoroughly enjoyed Norway. The people we met were friendly and easy to talk to. We learned so much from these conversations. All in all, it was a perfect vacation and we'll be happy to use KimKim again to plan a trip.

My travel specialist, Margaux, put together a wonderful trip for me in Switzerland. I was amazed at how quickly she came up with a plan, after I filled out the questionnaire. I wanted to see more of the country after going to The Eras Tour in Zurich. I traveled, mainly by train, from Zurich to Montreux, Zermatt, and then on to Geneva, from where I flew home. Montreux is so beautiful! The Jazz Festival was happening while I was there, so I got to see some free live music and enjoy the general festivities. I really enjoyed visiting Chateau de Chillon. What an interesting place! Another highlight of my trip was taking the scenic train to see the Matterhorn. It was a cloudy day, so I was feeling less than hopeful about getting good views, but on the trip up, the clouds parted and we had amazing views of the mountains the entire day. It was breathtaking! The itinerary and vouchers that Margaux prepared for me made my solo trip much easier, because I had a plan for each day and the information I needed to make getting from place to place easier.

Trip of a lifetime! E-bike tour with Mislav in Konavale with lunch was a highlight. Mislav made it fun & memorable! Boat tour of eliphite islands with Ivan also a high point. Ivan was impressive with his knowledge of the area and fun to be with. We enjoyed our drive through the peljasic peninsula with Baldo and visit to Antisevic winery. Korcula and Lumbarda were the perfect finish with slower pace and plenty of time to relax , explore on our own and wade in the sea. Dubrovnik, Mostar, and Kotor were quite crowded and more touristy than expected, but interesting all the same. The history of Croatia is rich, the people are friendly and fun, the scenery magical. Sarah was there to answer every question and accommodate every step of the way!

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Porto

Dubrovnik

Just spent one night prior to departure. They made us breakfast ‘to go’ packages for our early morning departure. Very clean and friendly.

Authenticity & Character

lol

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Korsal

Korčula

Perfect in every way! Location, service, rooms…5 stars!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Prijeko Palace

Dubrovnik

Rooms were beautiful, good location. Service was less than expected - depending on who was working front desk that day you might be greeted with a smile or a scowl. Breakfast was really great and servers were friendly. Restaurant reservations messed up but a valiant effort made to correct by scheduling us at another restaurant.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

The girl at the front desk was awful but it seems perhaps she was not feeling well.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Dubrovnik to Korcula, stopping to visit Ston + the Peljesac Peninsula for wine tasting

Croatia

Driver Baldo so fun and friendly. Wine tasting at Antisevic beautiful and delicious. Our hostess was entertaining and warm. Highly recommend!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Boating Excursion to the Elaphiti Islands

Dubrovnik

Ivan was great! Friendly and knowlegabke about the area, ready with every convenience. It was a perfect day!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

E-bike tour in Dubrovnik with lunch

Dubrovnik

Konavle valley with lunch - highly recommend as must go. Ask for Mislav! Aka ‘Super Slav’!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We had a great trip to a magical place.

Hotel Reviews

Rødseter Gjestegård

Mundal, Sogndal

Staying at Rødseter Gjestegård was a unique experience. The guesthouse is located in a very picturesque valley, and it feels quite secluded, which was peaceful. However, we arrived around 6:30 PM and found that there were no food options available as we were the only guests. We had to drive to a nearby hotel to get dinner, which was a bit of a scramble. It would have been helpful to know in advance to bring our own food or eat before arriving. The guesthouse itself was charming, and the staff were very nice, but future travelers should be prepared for the lack of nearby dining options.

Stalheim Hotel

Voss

Stalheim Hotel was the pinnacle of our hotel stays. The setting is incredibly beautiful, with breathtaking views and excellent service. The food was great, and the overall atmosphere of the hotel was very luxurious. We even discovered that our room, number 324, was featured in Conde Nast magazine for having one of the best hotel room views in the world! This was definitely one of the highlights of our accommodation experiences on this trip.

Activity Reviews

Short Blue Ice Hike

Norway

The glacier walk was absolutely the highlight of our trip. The scenery was stunning, and the experience of walking on the glacier was both exhilarating and awe-inspiring. Everything about this activity was top-notch, from the guides to the equipment provided. It was an unforgettable adventure that I would highly recommend to anyone visiting the area.

Half-Day Kayaking Trip

Norway

Despite the weather being cold and rainy (around 5 degrees Celsius), the half-day kayaking trip was a memorable experience. Our guide was really friendly and ensured we had all the necessary waterproof clothing to keep us warm and dry. Even with the less-than-ideal weather, we had a great time paddling through the serene waters. The guide's enthusiasm and preparedness made the trip enjoyable despite the rain.

Overall we enjoyed our trip very much. The location of the lodgings were all very good and the Farm Stay in Aurland was outstanding. The activities were for the most part good, adequately described and what my granddaughter enjoyed.

What needs improvement:
1. I had to open an internet browser on my phone to get to the itinerary multiple times every day. The links to tickets sent me to a pdf that I could not open. When I was in Portugal through KimKim I had an easy to use app that allowed me to access everything.
2. The details about transitions could have been better. For example information about how to get to our farmstay from Aurland. And clearer instructions about where to find scheduled buses and shuttles, trains etc.
3. I didn't like that I couldn't change train and bus tickets. Flexibility is key when I travel and I was told that I couldn't change a train ticket or a bus ticket several times, so just lost money on that booking and had to rebook myself. For example we were late arriving, the airline delayed our luggage by two days so I had to change our train ticket to Geillo and pay for it. Then once there we we had to get a taxi because we missed our connection. Lots of extra expense because of the inflexibility. This happened several times.
4. We didn't know the Farmstead in Aurland prepared gourmet meals at night as part of the booking. While this was a nice surprise, we would have missed one of the dinners due to a late booking for the Rib Boat tour. Luckily the Farmstay agreed to delay our dinner until we returned. Also luckily they had bikes we could ride back and forth to Aurland-which KimKim did not mention.
5. Had to get a taxi to and from the horseback riding and figure that out ourselves.
6. We enjoyed the rib boat ride, the horseback riding, and the whitewater rafting. The zip lining was a disappointment and didn't seem very safe, and the mountain biking was likewise less than safe. My daughter who is a good bike rider fell and injured her knee and hand.

1. Nikola did a remarkable job. He knows his business.
2. Lodgings were all to your satisfaction or better.
3. The rental car was small, but we got by.
4. The tours and recommendations were outstanding. The guides were well-informed and knew the right places to visit. They set the pace for us, and their English was as good as ours.
5. Nikola's recommended routes took us to a great location with scenery we had never seen before. The mountains, lookouts, and passes were super scenic.
6. The whole experience was one of the best we have had.
7. Teenage grandsons had great fun on the river rafting trip.
8 Nikola led us to restaurants with enjoyable food, especially unique Slovenian food and beer.

Hotel Reviews

Boutique Hotel Portorose

Portorož

An older hotel that is up-to-date in the respects you want.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Need to walk or take a bus to Piran, but a block from swimming places on the Adriatic Sea.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Soča

Bovec

This is a top-notch hotel.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

The staff was courteous and friendly, on top of everything.

Cleanliness & Comfort

extremely so.

Veldes B&B

Bled

Very new building with all the comforts of home.

Authenticity & Character

Good breakfast

Location

Need to drive to places in Bled

Staff

The host ( I think she was the owner) was extremely helpful and fiendly.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Spotless

Hotel Plesnik

Solčava

Great location in the valley, with wonderful views.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

No A/C, during very hot days,

Tromostovje Apartments

Ljubljana

Clean and comfortable.

Authenticity & Character

Location

best location in the city

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Postojna Cave Tour

Slovenia

A unique visit of the cave. It was a well-planned tour.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The train ride was special, lots of walking too.

Rafting Experience on Soča River

Slovenia

The top of our grandson's trip.

Discover Bled Town and Enjoy Pletna Boat Ride

Bled

Wonderful guide, very friendly and fun.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

on foot, lots of walking.

Private Walking Tour of Ljubljana

Slovenia

Perfect guide.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

on foot

We loved our trip (despite being sick on 7/11 and missing Fjaerland). We particularly enjoyed the ferry and train trips! Great service and everything runs on time. Very impressive.
We loved Bergen (so much to see and do) and had fun in Balestrand and Flam. The hotels and breakfasts were very good. We found it interesting that you can not adjust the heat in each room…it’s done by management for each floor.
Thank you for your planning and answering our questions before the trip. Great service.
We hope to travel with you again. Win & Cinda Johnson

To plan our Norway trip we worked mostly with Maria (and some with Fenne), both of whom were very helpful in figuring out the best itinerary for us. We had a few things we wanted to do and they helped plan the rest of the trip around them. We had an amazing time in Norway. Most of our outdoor activities had fantastic weather. We also greatly appreciated our private airport transfers. The highlights of the trip were Bergen, Trolltunga hike, kayaking, fjord sauna, e-bikes, and seeing endless waterfalls.

Bergen:

We started in Bergen at the Clarion Collection Hotel Havnekontoret. The hotel was nice, and in a great location to the city center. The staff were very friendly and helpful. Our room (and bathroom) was quite small, however, which made it tricky with larger suitcases. At the end of our trip we stayed here for one night and had a larger, upgraded room which would have been nicer to begin the trip with. The breakfast each morning was great, with a vast abundance of choices and options.

Since we needed to kill time before checking in, the cable car in Bergen was suggested. We enjoyed that since it was a clear sunny day. However, we did not know that there was a bus from the city center, so we ended up paying for an expensive taxi. We found the bus ride to the center back though.

Our city walking tour the next day was very informative about the history of the city. Our guide Kristina was excellent, whose suggestions on local eateries were great. The funicular up the mountainside to see other city views was fun, and there we were able to do a short trail walk around a pond, and say hello to the local wildlife.

We had a very unique dinner at Cornelius Seafood Restaurant. The food was great, and adventurous for us, which was fun. Our we loved our waitress, and the stories the owner told us all during our time there. The restaurant was very cool and we are glad it was suggested.

The trip to Rosendal on the Hardangerfjord Express was nice. We did a small hike to Hattebergfossen which we enjoyed very much. Then we had some lunch and it was time to return on the ferry. It was a nice day trip.

Odda:

Our drive to Odda (via rental) was fantastic. Once we figured out the light rail in Bergen and found where to pick it up, we were able to use it to get to the airport and get our rental car. And it was much cheaper than doing a taxi. It was a hassle, but in the end worth it for the scenery while driving, and the ability to stop at any point. The weather and the views on the day of our drive were AMAZING. We had to take a car ferry with was so easy. We didn’t need to worry about tickets or paying, it was just billed as a toll to the rental car company and it was only 60-70 NOK. On the car ferry we met a local who suggested we “go left” after the ferry instead of right (which is what the GPS wanted us to do). Going right was all tunnels, he said, while going left was all fjords (but longer). Since we had a lot of time it was worth it!

The Trolltunga hotel was much nicer than we both expected. We expected it to be pretty rustic, but the room was VERY nice (I honestly liked it more than our previous hotel). We got a great view, and the breakfast also had lots of options (but not quite as many as at Clarion in Bergen). It was great. Since we were doing the hike to Trolltunga the next day, we both bought meal vouchers, which allowed us to make some sandwiches while at breakfast, and get a bottle of water, apple, and chocolate. I don’t find that the cost of the lunch voucher was worth it. We didn’t need a bottle of water, and we already had plenty of snacks. The ability to make a sandwich was nice, but there were not many options other than ham and cheese. We probably could have just made a couple sandwiches at breakfast even if we didn’t have the lunch voucher.

Our hike to trolltunga was GREAT. It was a challenging hike mostly in the sense of time and distance. The up-hill portions were not impossible. We saw lots of people under 15, and even lots of dogs. We had a small private group with a guide, Hanna. She was new but she was great. She kept a quick pace but allowed for many stops for rest, snacks, and water. We loved her. We had a great time doing this hike as it was on our bucket list for this trip. It did not disappoint. The views were out of this world.

Flåm:

From Odda we drove to Flåm, which also provided us with spectacular views and wild tunnels (including the world’s longest land tunnel!). Our hotel in Aurland (Hotel Aurlandfjord) was very nice, and the room was very nice too. Breakfast was great, with lots of options. It was nice staying outside of Flåm, but it was a bit of a hassle getting to and from the city. There are only a handful of busses going back and forth, so you don’t have a lot of options if you have things scheduled for specific times in Flam. Figuring out the busses was tricky. You definitely have to get to the bus stop early, and they can also be late. Sometimes the busses are big, sometimes they were small and we barely were able to get on with the other people waiting or already on there. We didn’t have any issues, but we saw people that did.

Kayaking in Flåm was a lot of fun, and the weather was great. After kayaking we did the private fjord sauna, which was AWESOME. This was GREAT. We are so glad we did it and so glad we booked a private one. This was a great way to unwind after a recent long hike.

E-bikes in Flåm was also a GREAT idea. It was our first time on them and we had so much fun conquering hills. We were able to see things we definitely would not have without the e-bikes. We explored a waterfall, (Brekkefossen), and rode along Flåmsdalsvegan taking pictures of waterfalls and mountains.

From Flåm we took the 5+ hour ferry back to Bergen, which was nice, but it was cloudy a bit dark most of the way so we didn’t get the weather we were hoping for.

Hotel Reviews

Home Hotel Havnekontoret

Bergen

The hotel was nice, and in a great location to the city center. The staff were very friendly and helpful. Our room (and bathroom) was quite small, however, which made it tricky with larger suitcases. At the end of our trip we stayed here for one night and had a larger, upgraded room which would have been nicer to begin the trip with. The breakfast each morning was great, with a vast abundance of choices and options.

Authenticity & Character

Location

right next to the Bryggen houses in the city center; easy to walk everywhere

Staff

Very polite and courteous, willing to assist with any needs or questions

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Aurlandsfjord

Aurland

Hotel Aurlandfjord was very nice, and the room was very nice too with a great view. Breakfast was great, with lots of hot and cold options. Dinners were set menus and generally very delicious, with very polite wait staff. It was nice staying outside of Flåm, but it was a bit of a hassle getting to and from the city. There are only a handful of busses going back and forth, so you don’t have a lot of options if you have things scheduled for specific times in Flåm. However, it was nice staying in a less tourist-congested area. There only a service elevator for luggage (not people). Our room had a small balcony, and no TV, which we enjoyed.

Authenticity & Character

Nestled in a smaller, quieter town than its neighboring Flåm, this hotel felt more immersed in the local culture, while still sitting just above the fjord with great views over the houses below.

Location

The town felt more authentic than the more touristy Flåm, but it mean needing transportation back and forth for activities.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The whole hotel (lobby, restaurant, room/bathroom) was spotless.

Trolltunga Hotel

Odda

The Trolltunga hotel was much nicer than we both expected. We expected it to be pretty rustic, but the room was VERY nice (I honestly liked it more than our previous hotel). We got a great view, and the breakfast also has lots of hot and cold options. It was great. Since we were doing the hike to Trolltunga the next day, we both bought lunch vouchers, which allowed us to make some sandwiches while at breakfast, and get a bottle of water, apple, and chocolate.

Authenticity & Character

The furniture and decor was definitely appropriate for its location. It felt like just an extension of the surrounding nature while still having the comforts of a luxury hotel.

Location

quiet, great views, and just a short drive or bus ride to the Trolltunga starting point

Staff

Very friendly and accommodating to guests and patrons.

Cleanliness & Comfort

very clean, well kept hotel and rooms. Everything was spotless.

Activity Reviews

Ulriken Cable Car

Bergen

Great views when the weather is great, and plenty to explore at the top, including a zip line. If you have time to kill (before checking in to your hotel, for example) there is also a restaurant at the top which provides great views to the city below.

Quality of Experience

The weather!

Full-Day Summer Hike to Trolltunga

Norway

Absolutely incredible. It was a challenging hike mostly in the sense of time and distance. The up-hill portions were not impossible. We saw lots of people under 15, and even lots of dogs. We had a small private group with a guide, Hanna. She was new but she was great. She kept a quick pace but allowed for many stops for rest, snacks, and water. We loved her. We had a great time doing this hike as it was on our bucket list for this trip. It did not disappoint. The views were out of this world. There is paid parking at the Trolltunga starting point but it fills up FAST.

Quality of Experience

The challenge of a longer hike and having a small group and guide was fun. The views along the way and at the tongue were amazing. And the weather was absolutely perfect.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

our guide Hanna was so great, we loved her!

Transport

Summer Kayaking Excursion

Flåm

This was a lot of fun. There are tandem kayaks with foot pedals for steering, which are way easier to maneuver the kayak. We saw waterfalls, goats, and heard stories and history of the area. Our guide Victor was great.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Rental Bike Excursion

Norway

E-bikes in Flåm was also a GREAT idea. It was our first time on them and we had so much fun conquering hills. We were able to see things we definitely would not have without the e-bikes. We explored a waterfall, (Brekkefossen), and rode along Flåmsdalsvegan taking pictures of waterfalls and mountains.

Quality of Experience

the e-bikes are definitely a must for the hills!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Only takes 5 minutes to get a bike and head out. Super easy.

Private Floating Sauna Experience

Norway

we did the private fjord sauna, which was AWESOME. This was GREAT. We are so glad we did it and so glad we booked a private one. This was a great way to unwind after a recent long hike.

Quality of Experience

The sauna was very luxurious inside and out.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The whole process using Kim Kim and Cami was amazing. The minute we arrived and picked up everything went smoothly. We enjoyed all the hotels, tours and islands we visited! A perfect plan, day of rest and then a tour day. We will definitely use Kim Kim again in the future.

Dear kimkim team, In a word, our trip was AMAZING! The accommodations were all lovely, guides were all so helpful, drivers were prompt , professional and informative. The gift basket and wine tour cheese tray, as well as other extra touches, were so appreciated. Pedro was flexible, responsive and in touch with us every day to make sure our trip was going well. It will be hard to travel any other way in the future! Thanks to the entire kimkim team! Kim and Sara

Hotel Reviews

NH Collection Porto Batalha

Porto

This hotel was in a great location. It was very clean, and the staff was helpful. All this made our stay enjoyable but the absolute best part was the fantastic breakfast!!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Sapientia Boutique Hotel

Coimbra

Sapiencia Boutique Hotel was a great place to stay during our visit to Coimbra. The location was perfect and our room was spacious and clean. The outside areas (Patio and roof top) were awesome places to relax with a glass of wine.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

The staff was polite and helpful when asked. On check in there were several staff at the desk but no one came to help with our bags. Some of the staff, particularly at breakfast, were not always available and did not feel very friendly.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Britania Art Deco

Lisbon

We had a lovely stay at the hotel Britania! It was our first stop after arriving in Lisbon and the perfect place to get over jet lag. The room was so comfortable and the staff friendly and helpful. Sue Ellen, Larissa, and Omar went above and beyond to make our visit special. The breakfast staff was also very attentive and hospitable. Thanks to the whole staff for making our visit to Lisbon so memorable. Kim and Sara

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The beds and pillows were the best!

Activity Reviews

Private Transfer

Portugal

On time pick up and drop off! Good driver!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Indulge in Elegance on a Guided Winery Tour Infused with Tastings and a Delicious Lunch

Portugal

We enjoyed Lunch.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Seamless Discovery - The Ultimate Douro Valley Experience with Private Driver Service

Portugal

Hugo was punctual and informative as he drove us to the Douro Valley. We enjoyed the lunch and the tour. Sara was a fun and knowledgeable guide and we enjoyed the tasting as well. The boat trip was a nice way to end the day.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

To Eat Suggestion: Brasão - Coliseu

Porto

We enjoyed this lively popular restaurant. Our waiter was so friendly and helpful. We went with the popular sandwich francesinha ( it seems the majority of guests did too). We needed one to be vegetarian and it was not very good. The regular sandwich was good but beware of rich rich gravy. Our favorite part of the meal was the Porto Tónico!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The Flavors of Port Wine - Sip & Discover

Porto

We had a great time sipping and discovering!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Porto's Historic Odyssey on a Private Walking Tour

Porto

Bernard was a very knowledgeable guide and gave us a good tour of the city.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Bernard was very passionate about the city and its architecture, The train station lecture was a bit too long with unnecessary details..

To Eat Suggestion: Terra Nova

Porto

Terra Nova was a nice and convenient place to grab dinner. It is right on the water but also in most touristy area.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Unveil the Fairytale Villa of Sintra with a Private Driver Service

Portugal

We enjoyed our day with driver André visiting Sinatra followed by a stop to see the furthest western point in Europe , “Cabo Da Roca”, and a drive through Casias. André gave us so much information on the area along the way, was very flexible, and punctual.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Lisbon's Historic Odyssey on a Private Walking Tour & Tastings

Lisbon

Anna did a great job showing us around and giving us all the history. The wine tasting was a nice way to end the tour, mostly because it gave us a chance to sit down and ask Anna more questions.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Although there were some large gaps in communication during planning and reservation making, Thomas put together a great itinerary for us. We had an amazing trek through two parks in the Dolomites.

KimKim is one of the best companies in which you can book your tours for any country. They offer a great variety of tours for each country. We used Kimkim for different countries like Australia and Cambodia, but we decided to try for Colombia and it was great. Our tour organizer was Micheal, who arranged the tour perfectly well and made us really happy of his excellent service. All the guides in the cities in Colombia were very informative, kind and friendly. The hotels chosen by Micheal were all really good. The food options are great if you are a non-vegetarian, but it is very hard to find vegetarian food in Colombia.

So, KimKim, you guys did a best job. Please do keep it up. Thank you!

Duncan did a fantastic job laying out our vacation! Gave him some hints of what we wanted & didn't want to see and accomplish and a taste of places that would be fun to stay to help him understand our family goals. Nicely done! We spent most of our time in the country areas, which we couldn't have been happier -- got us out of most of the tourist areas. Our itinerary had interest places marked to stop which was really nice. The first place we stayed, Hótel Varmaland, the restaurant's food was amazing! Our daughter had the Ribeye and said it was the best steak she has ever had. Our son got the lamb - out of this world -- nothing like the lamb in the States; we ate a lot of lamb during the trip. We had the pork chops -- some of the best we have had - food all came from local farms and it showed -- just fantastic! Iceland is an amazing place and highly recommend a visit -- Duncan made the trip very easy with way-points to stop and things to explore. Highly recommend the ice cave & glacial tours too.

My family and I had an amazing experience in Spain thanks to KimKim service, led by Alfonso and his colleagues that arranged everything during our 10 day tour through northern Spain. My colleague initially recommended KimKim given she had a very positive experience. While I was initially a little reluctant given it’s mostly an online only set-up experience, I was very pleased with the overall experience from start to finish.

Alfonso and his team set us up for amazing experience which started in Madrid (2 nights), wine region Rioja (2 nights), San Sebastián (3 nights) and finally Barcelona (2 nights). Starting in Madrid, we met with Gerardo, a local expert on Madrid and Spanish history. We walked through Madrid with Gerardo over two days. He was excellent guide and showed us amazing sites; experienced Tapas at local markets; went to a few museums and experienced the royal palace. Of particular interest was our site visit to the Prado museum. Gerardo was spectacular guide throughout the museum and knew exactly where to go and the history of each of the major art exhibits.

We then transitioned to wine region and two absolutely amazing experiences at two local vineyards. The first day, we were able to walk to a local vineyard (Luis Canas)from our hotel (Hotel Vuira) and the second day, we were blessed to have Alfonso meet us and we rode E bikes throughout the wine region on an absolutely gorgeous day and ended the day with an outstanding wine tour and lunch visit to Murua vineyard.

Upon arriving in to San Sebastián we adored the town and really enjoyed walking around experiencing tapas places on our own. As an American, most can attest, our education curriculum rarely spends time on Spanish history. Most of our emphasis is on WW1 and 2 and the countries most involved, therefore our curriculum rarely covers Spain. If you’re a western educated traveller, do yourself a favor prioritize Spain on your next trip. The history is fascinating and of particular interest is the Basque region, its people and its culture. You may not find a more amazing gastronomy experience and culture anywhere in the world! The food and people are amazing! For our second day there, Alfonso met us at our hotel and we enjoyed another full day of great history and experience. On our last day in the region we completed a day trip to Balboa for a cooking class (which was amassing!) and a excellent visit, with an expert guide (Susanne) at the Guggenheim Museum. Do not skip this part of your Basque region visit! I’d also comment that when driving through the area, it offered amazing scenery, Swiss like mountain beauty.

We ended the trip in Barcelona with a great walking tour and an amazing sailboat experience in the Barcelona. Bay to observe the sun go down. Amazing way to end our trip.

Bottom line, there is no way we could have planned this on our own, or derive such a sequence of experiences through some travel book or website. The KimKim’s ability to liaise and build a travel experience with local travel experts was hands down the best way to go. I’m particularly pleased with Alfonso and his teams ability to connect with local experts in each region that created a lasting, educational and rich cultural experience for my family. Our kids learned a lot and what was most inspiring is Alfonso’s disposition and approach to life as a guide, father, expert on Spanish history and culture. He and his team left nothing to chance and took great care for each and every detail.

When we return to Spain again we will, without question, work directly through KimKim and Alfonso’s travel company!