Kimkim Trip Reviews

We thoroughly enjoyed our New Zealand trip. The country and her people are wonderful. The Spire Hotel in Queenstown was spectacular. Room size was generous, amenities top notch and the staff 5 star. The hotel was centrally located to all activites and walking. One of our drivers, Jennifer, was acceptional. She was a good drive and planned stops for picture taking.
Our stay in Napier was wonderful. The Mangapapa hotel was beautifully appointed with large outdoor areas and plantation like feeling.
Our stay in Auckland was topped off by our dinner at Ahi. It was the most exquisite menu and dining we experienced.
Thank you Monika for so many unique adventures while we were in New Zealand
Diane

Hotel Review

Spire Hotel

Queenstown

Beautifully appointed. The most helpful and courteous staff. Wonderfully located to all activities. Thank you Spirel

Authenticity & Character

Location

Close to the pier, shopping and sightseeing

Staff

Staff is amazing. Always thinking ahead of us and courteous.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Spectacularly appointed. Generous size rooms. Beds so comfy.

Activity Reviews

Ahi Restaurant - 4 snacks and 4 courses

Auckland

Extraordinary. Fabulous meal

Mt Cook day tour from Queenstown (Small group - return)

Queenstown

Beautiful scenery all the way.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Jennifer was superb.

Transport

The van had a bit of a bouncy ride.

Outstanding travel planning around the Netherlands and Belgium. Services included selection of hotels, tour guides, drivers/train tickets, and destination activities! Very flexible with helpful insights into timing of local events and location selection.

Mieke was a huge help both in planning and during the trip - helping to communicate with personnel re: any potential changes in plans. We had some firm ideas for our family vacation that were unique but very much appreciated and valued Mieke’s additional travel advice and recommendations. Our preference for smaller boutique B&Bs was accommodated with excellent suggestions that were convenient to sites.

Highly recommend KimKim and Mieke’s “Beat the Dutch Travel” support for Dutch experiences.

The trip was a great experience, the cities and places were amazing. Burcu made a great job with recommendations, building my trip and the support during the trip. We faced a couple of unexpected situations and she helped me to fix them. I took several tours and they were great experiences and tour guides were really knowledgeable.

Hotel Reviews

LaVista Boutique Hotel & Spa - Boutique Class

Kusadasi

LaVista Boutique Hotel & Spa had an amazing view of the beach, and the sunsets and sunrises were particularly beautiful. The hotel was clean, and the rooms were spacious and met my standards. I appreciated the to-go breakfast they prepared for my early check-out.

Erboy Hotel Istanbul Sirkeci

İstanbul

Erboy Hotel Istanbul Sirkeci provided a wonderful stay. The breakfast served was really good, and they started serving early enough that I could enjoy it before my tours started. The location was convenient for exploring the city, too.

Activity Reviews

Full Day Ephesus Tour

Turkey

The Full Day Ephesus Tour was not quite what I expected, especially the Artemis Temple which was just a pillar. The site was crowded due to a national holiday with lots of domestic tourists. However, the guide was good, and overall it was an educational experience despite the crowds.

Bosphorus Cruise - Turkish Night with Dinner & Belly Dance Shows

İstanbul

The Bosphorus Cruise with Turkish Night and Dinner was a great experience. The dancers were really entertaining, and I was surprised by how many there were. However, the dinner service could use some improvement. There was only one waiter for our section, and he was quite overwhelmed, leading to a mix-up with my order. Despite that, the overall experience was enjoyable.

We had an amazing visit to Chile -- from four days in the Atacama desert to a week in Santiago (with some wonderful side trips) to a wedding outside the city. Our time in Atacama was active with an Astronomical Tour, a visit to the Valley of the Moon, and the lagoons to see flamingos, vicunas, llamas, and sheep. The guides were extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and warm. The experiences felt very individual and special -- the food and drinks were delicious and added to the really great experience. Each of our guides was wonderful, with special recognition to Vicente -- his passion and enthusiasm for his work and our surroundings made our experiences unforgettable. Ivonne (spelling?) or Ivi, who gave us the astronomical tour was super enthusiastic and made sure that everyone had the best experience. Thanks so much for the photos! The hotel was great -- very comfortable and close to Caracoles street (the Emporium has the best empanadas!!).

Our stay in Santiago was truly special. The Bidasoa Hotel is a little distant from downtown, but the meals were delicious and we could walk to the Ralli Museum. Our tour of Santiago gave us so much history and a chance to walk around. Just fantastic! Our excursions to the Cajon de Maipo and horseback riding in the Andes were very special. Thanks so much to Julio, Fernando, and Alberto. They were great! We are so happy that we worked with KimKim -- your responsiveness, creativity, and flexibility (switching activities because of the weather to make a better experience), made us feel cared for and important. We really appreciate the top level of care and attention you give to create the BEST experiences! I can't imagine anything better!

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Eco Boutique Bidasoa

Santiago

Bidasoa is absolutely beautiful and a wonderful stay. I would highly recommend it to anyone.

Authenticity & Character

Really wonderful environment and glad that it's eco-friendly.

Location

I loved the location, and ubers were plentiful, but it's a bit away from the action of the city. But I liked that!

Staff

The staff were wonderful -- the front desk (Helida) recommended a great cafe nearby; others helped me find and schedule time at the nail salon. Everyone was extremely friendly and helpful!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Everything was spotless and the room was very comfortable. We felt super special!

Hotel NOI Casa Atacama

San Pedro de Atacama

Authenticity & Character

Location

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Horseback Riding in the Andes Mountains

Santiago

I was so happy we did this to get into the mountains, but it's not for everyone. It was beautiful and although I was getting carsick, experiencing the curves was something I won't forget! The horses were great and steady, but it was a little nerve-wracking to move through the mountains with no paths that we could see. Our guide was perfectly confident, so I just didn't look down and followed him. The views were incredible!

Quality of Experience

The beauty and quiet of the area.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Alberto was wonderful.

Transport

Alberto was great driving, but the curves....

Santiago City Tour

Chile

We enjoyed this activity despite the day being overcast. It was also a Monday, so many cultural places were closed. However, we appreciated going through the city and getting a sense of the neighborhoods.

Quality of Experience

only because of the weather and the Monday

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Julio was wonderful and passionate about Chilean history and was flexible about taking us around

Transport

Full Day Excursion to Cajon de Maipo

Santiago

This was a great chance to see where residents of Santiago go for a break! Many of my friends talked about going as a family or when they were children. We had a wonderful day!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Felipe was a wonderful guide and great to talk with!

Transport

High Plateau Lagoons, Tradicional Agriculture and Socaire Weavers

Chile

Absolutely lovely! The first time that altitude was an issue, but it was well-worth the visit! Happy to learn about the traditional weaving and contribute to the beautiful work of the community.

Quality of Experience

Food

The food was wonderful throughout our activities and the guides took great care to make our tables very special and beautiful!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Atacama Salt Flat, Chaxa Lagoon and Tocanao Gardens

Chile

Quality of Experience

I loved the walk-through of the orchards and the explanation of the irrigation system.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Cejar Lagoon, Ojos del Salara, Tebenquiche Lagoon

Chile

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Valley of the Moon, Ayllus and Atacameña Tasting

Chile

This was an absolutely wonderful day. Vicente, our guide picked us up very early -- totally worth it! We saw the sunrise with a delicious breakfast and a big "welcome" to the sun. We heard the roosters, dogs and the town wake up below us before we went to the Valley of the Moon to experience the most beautiful, dramatic landscape. Vicente was really wonderful -- explaining everything -- and we knew we were with someone who loved his job and ensuring that visitors understand how special the Atacama Desert is! We went for the tasting and were able to walk around the garden and eat pomegranate from the tree. We felt the hospitality and completely comfortable!

Quality of Experience

Food

We loved the explanation and the tasting -- different and delicious!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Vicente is special!!

Transport

"Fire and Stars" Astronomical Tour

Chile

This was a highlight and a key reason for our trip. Ivi was super enthusiastic and knowledgeable. I would give this the highest recommendation. The snacks and drink were wonderful. And the photos we received were very special. Whoever thought of that, chef's kiss!! The information brought us into the Inca and Indigenous thinking, which was great our entire time in Atacama.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Alvaro was very helpful in planning our trip and connecting us with in-country people who managed our itinerary and made sure we got to each stop. Transportation was seamless and someone was always waiting for us with our name on a sign so we could quickly negotiate airports and hotel stops. We also had knowledgeable and English-speaking guides at key points of interest. Our favorites were the tours of El Cajas National Park near Quito, Ecuador and Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain in Peru. Highly recommend

Activity Reviews

Day Trip to Rainbow Mountain - Vinicunca

Peru

Exhilarating trip to Rainbow Mountain. Highly recommend taking the optional motorcycle trip up the mountain

Quality of Experience

Food

The stop for breakfast and lunch was great. Well equipped for travelers and great food.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hiking El Cajas National Park (self drive)

Ecuador

Amazing trip and our guide was fantastic

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Jane and her team had everything laid out extremely well. I was anxious about travelling "on our own", but the way the trip was planned and presented set my fears aside. There was nothing more they could have done for us as they listened to what we wanted and ensure we got what we asked for.

That being said, I know I need to be more flexible when I travel to account for things like 1) phone not working (it was necessary to have a cell phone), 2) transit worker strikes, 3) illness changing plans. Even then, I felt confident in knowing that if I reached out for help, Jane and her team were there to provide what I needed.

Hotel Reviews

Hôtel Harvey 3*

Paris

This is a clean and comfortable hotel, but the room was the smallest I've ever been in. It had everything we needed; it was just small. The bed was comfortable, as was the room. The view was OK. The location was great in that it was close to the city Metro and suburb trains, a few blocks from many great restaurants and bakeries and shops and fairly close to the Arc. The breakfast was the same every day, so that got to be a bit stale at the end of our stay. The staff are so friendly and will help with anything you ask. The elevator is a bit small, but the way it empties to the dark, circular staircase was a bit treacherous for my eyes. A better understanding of the train system would have helped us save some money and some lost time as we went in the wrong direction a couple of times. During our final walk-through conversation, it was a good thing we took notes as those notes were very helpful in finding meeting points of tours. Also, if you want to go to the top of the Arc, understand that the only safe way to get there is via a tunnel from the Champs-eLysees side.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

ibis Styles London Gloucester Road

London

This is a quaint hotel in a great part of London that is near the Metro and yet has a neighborhood feel. Close to many diverse restaurants. I felt safe and the rooms are clean. The only drawback is that there is the same (but well apportioned) breakfast served every day.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Discover Normandy Beaches and taste some cider from Paris

Paris

The meeting location was a bit obscure, but we did scope it out the day before so we knew where we had to go and how long it took to get there. It was a bit confusing at registration because there was more than 1 tour meeting there. But we did get on the correct bus. The tour itself was great. It was a long day, but interesting and there was enough time at each stop to take it all in. The lunch at the little restaurant was really good!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Arc de Triomphe timed entry tickets

Paris

There were no directions on the tour ticket on how to get to the Arc. We walked to the circle around the Arc. We walked around the circle. We did not see any way to cross the street to get to the Arc itself. We ended up crossing the street in front of traffic because we saw others doing it. Even on the way out we did the same thing, as others were doing; but knowing it couldn't be right as it was dangerous! (Later on we found there is a tunnel on the Champs Elysees side that goes to the entrance.) The Arc itself was easy to get into, the ticket agents were helpful and the views were spectacular.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Montmartre Small-Group Tour

Paris

Eden was a great guide. She had extensive knowledge of the area, gave us what we wanted and not any more than what we asked for (not information overload). She spoke great English; very understandable. She accommodated us to our needs.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We had to get ourselves to the meeting point and it is a walking tour, so no real transport.

Private transfer in Paris

Paris

The driver was prompt, courteous, patient and helpful. The car was very nice too.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private transfer to your destination

England

This was to the train station. The driver was prompt and helpful, however, his English was not the best and when we were dropped off we had no idea where to go at the station. He pointed to the right direction which was helpful.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Traffic was bad but there was enough time anyway.

Group Tour to Windsor, Bath and Stonehenge

London

Generally, the trip felt rushed. The guide was great in setting expectations and was friendly and funny, but the first stop was the castle. We had enough time to get to the castle, see it (not the doll house), saw the start of the changing of the guard, saw the chapel during it, went to the gate for the end of the change, so that we could leave as soon as the changing was over. When we were allowed out, we RAN to the bathroom, got a bite to eat on the bus and were still late to the bus (by 5 minutes). Then we went to Stonehenge. Again, we took the shuttle out to the stones, walked around the circle, had no time to ponder or take it all in, got back on the shuttle and on to the bus. At Bath we only had time to see the bath house. Even then we felt rushed through because we had to get back on the bus. There was no time to take in the town, get anything to eat or drink. While the sights were great, I think I would have enjoyed just two of them for longer periods of time, or extend the tour time by 1 hour to enjoy the sights more.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The bus was comfortable and had usb ports.

Tickets to Westminster Abbey

London

The Abbey was cool but I felt very rushed. Didn't even know we should get headphones until we were in for a bit. Then we got them and didn't know how to use them. After the main part of the church there are other parts that if I weren't curious we would have missed totally. They could use more people guiding tourists.

Quality of Experience

Tower of London, Changing of the Guard, River Cruise, St. Paul's Cathedral & Optional London Eye

London

This tour was long, but totally doable. There were enough breaks and time to chill. The sights were very interesting and the guide was understandable.

Quality of Experience

Covers many highlights of London

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Super happy with the organisation, planning and support during the trip.

Tetiana was wonderful!! And the trip was even better! Tetiana was phenomenal in custom planning our trip and was SO responsive in getting back to us quickly and arranging every detail. Every hotel, guide and driver was awesome and every experience perfect for the trip of a lifetime!!! I adamantly recommend Tetiana and KimKim!!!

Hotel Reviews

Tullie Inn

Balloch

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

House Of Juniper

Broadford

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

PALM COURT HOTEL

ABERDEEN

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Bruntsfield

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Skye’s Castles & Clifftops: A Day of Highland Majesty

Scotland

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Aberdeenshire Castle & Historic Building Private Tour

Aberdeen

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Transfer from Edinburgh Airport to Edinburgh

Edinburgh

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guilia was very helpful in planning the trip to meet our needs. She was always responsive despite the time difference, She worked with our budget and gave us great restaurant tips, and made it easy for us to enjoy our vacation. She also advised us well on the balance between seeing sites and having time to explore the cities. She picked great hotels in excellent locations for us and picked amazing tour guides. We highly recommend Giulia if anyone is planning a trip to Italy.

This was our first trip to Costa Rica and KimKim created an amazing package that gave us a true, great taste of the country. My family and I (group of 6) visited Arenal, Monteverde and Manual Antonio. Each of these places gave a unique vibe and we enjoyed all of them. We experienced the torrential rains in Monteverde, which gave us a true experience of life in the cloud forest. We even experienced a 4.8 magnitude earthquake in Manuel Antonio, which reminded us that Costa Rica is part of the ring of fire.

The food was great all and all! The excursions were memorable, in particular the zip line over the cloud forest. We ended up seeing about 20 sloths and the elusive Quetzal (a male and a female), all thanks to the trained eyes of our guides.

This is our second time engaging KimKim and we are truly satisfied with the package and services. Special acknowledgments and thanks to Kat, Kate and Adam. They made our first visit to Costa Rica a great experience. Pura Vida!

Hotel Reviews

Hotel La Mariposa

Manuel Antonio

Amazing views. Best pool. Great restaurant. La Mariposa is a great hotel to end our trip.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Cloud Forest Lodge

Monteverde

The location of the Cloud Forest Lodge atop the cloud forest is simply spectacular. The view is breathtaking and staff were extremely personable.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Dennis, Jose, Fernando, and Benjamin were so personable and each made our stay very memorable.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Lomas del Volcán

Fortuna

Lomas provided the closest to a tree bungalow feel. Location at the base of Arenal Volcano is excellent.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Nocturnal Rainforest Walk

Arenal/La Fortuna

The nocturnal walk is a must to see some of the Costa Rica animals in their natural habitat. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and had a great eye in spotting the animals. We thoroughly enjoyed the walk.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We had a wonderful trip in late March to Marrakesh, the High Atlas and the desert. We loved it. Sharon and her team were terrific. It was a pleasure building the itinerary with her -- and I especially appreciated the Zoom call -- it made the whole planning process so much easier and enjoyable. We will definitely, absolutely use kimkim again when we plan our next visit to northern Morocco!!

Hotel Reviews

Dar Hnini

Oulad Yahia Lagraire

This hotel is a little gem nestled in a beautiful oasis valley. The service and food were excellent. Highly recommended!!!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Eden Boutique Hotel

Boumalne Dades

Excellent hotel. Absolutely top rate service, decor and experience. I cannot rate it highly enough!!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Day with the Locals in the Valley of Roses

Morocco

This day with locals was wonderful -- a highly of our trip. Sitting down and getting to know a local family in their home was amazing. I highly recommend this activity.

This was my first time using KimKim and first trip to Japan.

Shona is truly amazing! I’m truly grateful for all her help! She was very thoughtful in everything she arranged. She helped ensure I got to do everything I wanted to, in the multiple cities I visited, while staying within budget. The activities, tours and guides were fantastic!

Shona was always there during my trip as well, to ensure an authentic and memorable experience! I met so many great people, made so many memories, and took so many great photos.

Thank you, again!

When I think about this trip, the first thing that comes to mind is the incredible level of planning required for a 12-day trip in China for my wife and I. Planning our trip through KimKim was an incredibly smooth and stress-free experience. The initial setup was simple, and we were quickly connected with our local China specialist, Heidi, who was an absolute pleasure to work with. She was responsive, accommodating, and consistently offered thoughtful solutions that made our itinerary even better. Heidi made me feel like I was her only client, while also going above and beyond to create an unforgettable experience for my wife and I. I was unfamiliar with how accessibility works in China, but Heidi handled every single detail flawlessly. From coordinating transportation between hotels in different cities, to selecting ideal locations to visit, arranging private tours, and ensuring smooth drop-off/pickup at airports and train stations -- nothing was overlooked. We literally felt like royalty the second we got off that plane as Heidi thought of everything. One of the standout aspects of the trip was the thoughtfully designed itinerary. Each day included planned activities, but there was also flexibility built in for leisure time.

What made this trip so special wasn’t just the destination, but was how personal and thoughtfully curated every moment felt. Traveling in a new country can sometimes feel overwhelming, but with KimKim everything was handled so professionally that we could simply relax and enjoy the experience. That level of organization made traveling around the country very easy.

At every step we felt safe, comfortable, and well looked after by the excellent bi-lingual tour guides. The tour guides made this journey extraordinary, especially Emma (Beijing), Kathy (Xi’an), Ethan (Zhangjiajie), and Autumn (Shanghai). Thanks to them, we enjoyed our China adventure and now have very fond memories that will last a lifetime. The tour guides would come and get us from our hotels and bring us back to our hotels. They would check in with us daily to make sure we knew where we were going and had any questions. They were all knowledgeable, warm, and clearly excited to share her culture and stories with us as well as learning about our culture (especially learning about our county’s slang). Their enthusiasm made the experience feel much more personal and engaging. Their warmth and good humor even outshined their obvious depth of knowledge and skill of communication. Every guide made us feel like we traveling with a family member. They selected fantastic restaurants throughout each city where we could enjoy authentic local food without worrying about our dietary needs. Every recommendation was spot-on. They were so much fun to spend time with!

And I would be remiss not to mention the hotels KimKim selected, which elevated the trip even further. Everywhere we stayed, we felt less like guests at a hotel and more like we were being welcomed into someone’s home. Also, all of our drivers were excellent as well—professional, safe, and reliable.

As this was our 2nd trip with KimKim, all the arrangements made by them have always been 100 reliable, including accommodation, transportation and activities. Overall, this trip exceeded every expectation. The itinerary was the perfect blend of city action, historical insight, and natural wonder. Overall, KimKim, especially Heidi, made our China trip feel personalized, well-supported, and wonderfully memorable. Highly recommended them for anyone seeking a well-organized, locally informed travel experience.

Activity Reviews

Half Day City Tour with the Yu Garden

Shanghai

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Zhangjiajie Park Tour - Grand Canyon with glass bridge

Zhangjiajie

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full day Tour with Golden Whip Creek&Ten Mile Gallery & Baofeng Lake

Zhangjiajie

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Day Trip to Suzhou and Tongli Water Town City Tour

Shanghai

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Day Trip to Zhujiajiao Water Town with Boat Ride

Shanghai

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Marvel at the Picturesque Landscape in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Zhangjiajie

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Explore Xi'an City: Ancient City Wall and Drum Tower

Xi'an

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Chinese dumpling dinner

Xi'an

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The Tang Dynasty Show (1hour)

Xi'an

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

See the Terracotta Army

Xi'an

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Explore the Temple of Heaven

Beijing

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full day with Great Wall and Changling Tomb in Beijing

Beijing

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visit the Picturesque Summer Palace

Beijing

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Peking Duck Experience

Beijing

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

A Glimpse into China's Imperial Past: the Fobidden City

Beijing

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

My daughter and I had a wonderful trip to The Netherlands to see the famous tulips, something I've always wanted to do. Bas was wonderful to work with to coordinate all the logistics for this trip and ensured we got to do everything we wanted to do and see. All the reservations, tickets & activities were easy to navigate and the detailed instructions in the app for each day extremely helpful. Our private driver, Robert, was so kind and helpful. The entire trip was a dream and I'm thrilled with our first time using Kimkim for our travel needs.

Thank you, Rita, for the trip you set up for my Granddaughter Maddie, Grandson Nate, and me. Everything worked as it should. All the accommodations were great, especially Matera. You had very nice drivers for us and wonderful guides here and there. Roberta at Pompeii was so informative and that was a great experience for Nate and me. Maddie and I enjoyed the experience cooking with Madia done through Loliv.com and Claudio, and the golf cart experience at Alberobella. i have already recommended both to friends who are traveling to Puglia in May and in October. The October couple has used KimKim in the past -- in fact, they were the couple who recommended the agency to me years ago. It was great fun to explore --an amazing experience to be with Nate driving the Amafi coast (!) -- so wonderful to be in Puglia with Italians, rather than tourists from all over the world. And I learned that I can, indeed, get myself through airports, trains and cities by myself when I have to . Altogether a satisfying trip for me, one I hope the grandkids will remember fondly, and one that has taught me that I will be able to travel without my late husband. Thank you for all your input, planning and execution!

Hotel Reviews

Hilton Rome Airport Hotel

Fiumicino

It was a Hilton Garden Inn. Good for the night before travel. shuttle every 15 minutes to the airport. Not much airport traffic noise

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Dimora Storica Muratore

Lecce

Fascinating to be here. Location was right next to the old city and had a peaceful garden surrounding the villa. Hostess was wonderful, especially when she saved a little breakfast for my sleepy granddaughter!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Boston Hotel

Bari

Well located business-type hotel right next to the old part of Bari. Comfortable.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Aquatio Cave Luxury Hotel and Spa

Matera

Wow! great place with fabulous ambiance! Loved seeing the construction of a modern hotel in old caves right in the middle of old Matera.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Miramare Sorrento

Sorrento

Very pleasant place away from the crowds but within walking distance of all the shops, restaurants and activity

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Unico Relais

Napoli

Very nice once inside. the street entrance was not well labeled and took some scrutiny

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Guided Experience in Alberobello: Trulli, Countryside & Picnic

Italy

Great fun to move around with the golf cart. The guide was on a Segway, and had grown up in the town. He had wonderful stories and experiences to share. Have the transportation made is possible to see just about the whole area in the 3 hours, as well as stops for a little shopping and lunch. Lunch was at a local's home, with a cooking demonstration and stories about the couple who lived there shared by the guide. We were also able to see the inside of a house that had been brought up to date and was currently a residence on the Unesco side of the town, as well as a house recreating what the former residents had for living space.

Quality of Experience

Food

Transport

Discover Authentic Apulian Cooking with a Local

Italy

Restaurant had exceptional character, and a wonderful, charismatic owner who taught us to make some Puglian dishes. Very patient with me -- I had a hard time mirroring her quick hands making orecchiette. The story of her place and strategy in having a vegan restaurant was so interesting. Having someone there to translate made a huge difference to what turned out to be a very genuine experience. Loved it!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Great conversation on the way

Explore Pompeii with an Archaeologist

Italy

Excellent Guide named Roberta. Very informative, very impressive to see the engineering of the place, so much more that I expected.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Discover Naples: Guided Walk & the Veiled Christ

Naples

Excellent guide, great fun to walk around Naples

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Beatriz at Espiritu Travel put together a wonderful trip and itinerary for our trip to Tangier and Andalucia in Spain. The selection of hotels was amazing and exactly what we were expecting. The hotels were always in the city center close to touristic attractions and dining. Our guide and drivers were friendly and helpful, our guide Delfina at the Alhambra was very sweet, knowledgeable and accommodating as we couldn't find a taxi in the pouring rain and arrived late. The Caminito del Rey hike through the gorge was the highlight of our trip.
Our only complaints were the noise outside our hotel in Tangier, our room was on the first floor overlooking the Petite Socco and the noise level kept us up during the night. This is a busy section of the Medina in Tangier and would have preferred a room away from the street. However, the room was authentic and very pretty. These was also a little confusion regarding our rental car access to the historic district of Grenada, we would have appreciated more details regarding getting through the check points. Overall the itinerary and activities were well planned and thought-out, thank you to Beatriz and her team for putting together a great trip, we would consider using KimKim and their specialists for our future travels. Thank you.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Palacete de Alamos

Málaga

Beautiful and spacious room very close to the touristic center of Malaga. The breakfasts were amazing and the staff was friendly and accommodating.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Very close to the touristic center of Malaga.

Staff

very friendly and accommodating staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very clean

Parador de Cádiz

Cádiz

Beautiful and spacious hotel, our room was facing the water with a beautiful view. Unfortunately we were only there for one night.

Authenticity & Character

The hotel appeared to be recently renovated.

Location

Waterfront view

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

A Night of Flamenco in a Sacromonte Cave

Granada

A thrilling experience, we loved being introduced to Flamenco dancing in an authentic Sacromonte location.

Quality of Experience

Discover Granada’s Iconic Alhambra & Generalife Gardens

Spain

The Alhambra is an amazing place and a not to be missed site in Granada, unfortunately it was raining the day we were there so it made the visit less than ideal

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Above the Gorge: Walk the Caminito del Rey

Spain

Tapeo Like a Local: A Tapas Walk Through Málaga

Málaga

Our guide Milady was friendly and knowledgeable, she ran a great tapas tour through Madrid

Quality of Experience

We enjoyed the selection of tapas and wines at each of our stops.

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The Portugal trip was everything that we'd hoped for. Each excursion/tour was special: the Porto wine/food walking tour was great fun, and our guide was very knowledgeable. Fatima was spiritual and beautiful. The castles, the parks, the serene mountain cities, the winery tours, the caves viewed from the catamaran, the all-day Monchique mountainside tour, the train to Lisbon. I was especially impressed with our guide, JP, on the all-day Monchique tour. He was fun, highly familiar with the flora and fauna of each area, and offered us stunning views and grand experiences.
All of our drivers were on time and helpful. Anita and KimKim were available as needed and very helpful. We complained a bit that the kayak-to-the-caves excursion became unavailable, but that was actually a gift in disguise. We actually preferred our beautiful catamaran/cave experience with 13 passengers and 6 crew members and observed the kayakers paddling hard and furious against the winds and waves. We uttered grateful words at how things turned out and loved the catamaran vs kayak experience.
The photos and comments that I posted daily on Facebook resulted in several of my traveling friends contacting me to know which travel company we worked with. I was happy to name KimKim and expound on the excellence of their work.
Thank you for everything; our trip was memorable.

Activity Reviews

Golden Coast Catamaran Boat with SUP

Portugal

This was so much fun. We enjoyed a catamaran with just 13 guests and 6 crew members. The vista was beautiful, the food and drinks were excellent (I even tried the sardines). And the staff was extremely accommodating and fun.

Quality of Experience

Food

Sardines? Not so much.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Douro Valley Highlights: Wine, Olive Oil & River Cruise

Porto

Relaxing river cruise with winetasting Breath-taking heights and winding roads Beautiful wineries and food Highly recommended

Quality of Experience

Food

The fish lunch was very special.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

All were friendly, entertaining, thorough in their presentations

Transport

Great driver on those winding mountain roads.

Private Guided Visit of Porto

Porto

Highly Recommended Great Guide Fascinating information Well organized SMALL GROUP - this was a huge benefit. We saw large groups parading down the streets behind a guide with an high-flying flag. No thank you. In small group tours, one gets to meet and enjoy others in the group. In small groups you can hear the guide and ask questions as they arise. It was all very enjoyable.

Quality of Experience

Experiencing the unique eateries and wineries that we never would have found on our own.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

From the beginning, when I was planning this trip to Portugal, Anita and her team at kimkim travel were there to make sure I had a fabulous vacation and most importantly that I would be safe as a solo traveler. I had told Anita that I had taught
ancient civilizations, so I was very interested in the history, but also the culture of the people. She put together an itinerary that was perfect for me. From the moment I arrived, I was treated with kindness and helpfulness from every tour guide and driver that got me safely from the airport to my hotel in Lisbon, from there to Evora, then to Albufeira, Porto and back to Lisbon. I had so many tour guides that it’s difficult to remember all of their names, but my trip to Fatima with Pedro was extra special. I was the only person on the tour that day, so I learned all about Pedro and his family on the drive. He stayed right by my side the entire day to offer his arm while we maneuvered over cobblestones, steep hills and uneven staircases without railings to Fatima, the monastery at Batalla, Nazare, and Obidos. He even cried alongside me when we discovered my deceased husband‘s name written on a piece of the Berlin wall in the square at Fatima. It was truly a moment I will never forget. Pedro continued to message me every day while I was in Portugal, to make sure I was safe and enjoying my tours. I can’t thank all of the wonderful people who took care of me during this remarkable trip. It was my first time in Portugal, but it won’t be my last, because I loved the people here.

Hotel Review

Évora Olive Hotel

Évora

The staff was kind and helpful in helping me plan routes to walking excursions that I did on my own. The hotel was beautiful, comfortable, and served amazing food.

Authenticity & Character

Location

After being in busy, Lisbon, it was so nice to be in a quiet location that was close enough to walk the historical district.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Hotel Olivera had comfortable rooms, a bar and restaurant and beautiful photographs on the walls process of gathering olives.

Activity Reviews

Discover Portugal’s Birthplace: Guimarães & Braga

Porto

It was wonderful to go back in history to the places where Portugal started. We explored, beautiful cathedrals, castles, and other import important historical sites.

Quality of Experience

Food

The foods of Portugal and the pastries are of a wide variety!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our tour guide was very knowledgeable about this area and happy to answer. Any questions we had.

Transport

Explore Porto’s Hidden Gems with a Local Guide

Porto

Raquel, was a perfect tour guide for me and I had her all to myself. She took me to so many hidden secrets that I never would’ve found on my own. She knew that I loved history and culture, so she took me to places he knew that would be of interest to me.

Quality of Experience

My tour guide was the best! She gave me her arm to assist me on steps and steep hills! I was amazed how she knew her way through all of the tiny back streets in Portos old town.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Raquel was a gem! I thoroughly enjoyed my afternoon spent with her

Day Excursion to Wild West Coast of the Algarve

Portugal

This was a fabulous tour with a great guide who loved this area, because he enjoyed surfing here. He knew a lot of people and even introduced me to a man in his 80s who used to run the lighthouse at the most southwestern point in Europe.

Quality of Experience

I loved this trip because we had a variety of being inside, seeing historical churches, and a lot of time outdoors, appreciating the coastline.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

He was very knowledgeable about this area!

Transport

Full Day Historical Algarve

Portugal

It was wonderful to visit all of these small towns that were so important to the fishing industry and tourism industry in the Algarve.

Quality of Experience

We had a great group of people who enjoyed our time together!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

It always amazes me, how all of these tour guide remember all of the facts and dates for these locations. I learned so much.

Transport

Albufeira BBQ Boat Trip

Portugal

The title of this adventure is a little misleading, because there was no barbecue, but it was still a phenomenal journey. I met some wonderful people on the catamaran ride to the Bengali caves.

Quality of Experience

The catamaran was beautiful and we were served for platters and other hors d’oeuvres during the tour.

Food

Even though I didn’t get to taste any of the wine and some of the food because I was sick on the second half, the foods that I had on the journey, there were delightful!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The ride on the catamaran was phenomenal, but the four person dinghy was terrifying to get into and out of.

Algarve Rural Safari: Off-Road Jeep Adventure

Portugal

Being a jeep owner myself, I loved this small group trip into the heart of the Algarve. Upward driver stopped at at least a dozen times to pick leads from plants along the way and help us learn how to identify them.

Quality of Experience

Our work tour guide was fun, but an expert in the agriculture of the area.

Food

The stop at the Randy distillery was very interesting and we ate any phenomenal restaurant overlooking the valley!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

If you have problems with your back, ask to sit in the front of the jeep!

Exploring the Cork Tradition of the Alentejo

Portugal

Once again, I had a wonderful female tour guide to myself. We took a deep ride through the acres of olive trees, vineyards and finally ended in the beautiful court forest where we even saw some albino deer.

Quality of Experience

Being able to have the tour guide to myself, I was able to ask lots of questions in but answers from a very knowledgeable tour guide who was an expert in wine making!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

I loved our drive in the open Air Jeep to see all of the trees and products produced on this 800 Hector Farm

Transport

I loved the open Air Jeep

Évora Through the Ages: Guided Walk

Portugal

I had my personal guide to myself all day. She knew that I had taught ancient civilizations, so she was ready to answer my questions and even learned a few things from me, I think! She had lived in Evora, her whole life, so she knew the people and the places we visited extremely well.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

My tour guide was a gem! I loved it, listening to her stories, especially about the chapel of the bones,

Transport

It was a walking tour, but my guide took plenty of breaks to accommodate for my bad knees!

Explore the Knights Templar: Almourol Castle & Tomar

Lisbon

Having taught about knights and castles, this tour was like a living textbook. I couldn’t believe I was seeing things that I had taught about for so many years.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Discover Sintra: Quinta da Regaleira & Coastal Views

Lisbon

Going to Sintra was like walking into a fairy tale, and our guide was so knowledgeable about the area, because he was born and raised here. I met three wonderful young ladies from Belgium and one from Australia that assisted me on the steep hills and stairways. We had a lot of fun together!

Quality of Experience

It is one of the most beautiful castles I’ve ever seen!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our tour guide and driver was from Centra and DAVID specs not only about the castle but other locations in the area.

Transport

Lisbon Roots: A Food & Cultural Walk

Portugal

This was my first tour and an awesome way to be able to meet a few people and get appetizer-sized tastes of great Portugal foods and wines. It helped me make decisions about what to order for the rest of the trip.

Quality of Experience

Delicious foods, a guide who was knowledgeable about Lisbon, and wonderful tourist from other countries to share the experience with.

Food

All of the foods were hot and tasty, and it was wonderful to be able to try five different wines from the area.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

I walked to this destination with great directions from the hotel staff.

We had a wonderful time on this trip. It was well planned and we felt supported by our travel agent Claire when we had questions. Our best memories are those of the Irish people. They were friendly and caring. The sheep farm, falconry, bike tour, cliffs, jaunting car, abbey, castle rock were all spot-on for our preferences.

Both guides we had were excellent: Mr. Peter and Ms. Young. Very energetic and knowledgeable. We did pretty much everything a tourist would want to do, seeing Mt Fuji was probably the coolest experience.