Kimkim Trip Reviews

When we first considered using Kimkim to plan our family's trip to Japan, I was honestly a little reluctant.

As someone who typically plans complex travel myself, I wasn't sure if anyone could truly understand what we were looking for. We wanted luxury, but not just luxury. We wanted authenticity. We wanted Michelin-level food experiences alongside tiny local restaurants. We wanted our children (ages 10 and 13) to experience the real Japan, not simply move from tourist attraction to tourist attraction. Most importantly, we wanted a trip that would bring our family closer together.

Then we met Bella.

From our very first conversation, Bella was remarkable.

Over the course of months, we probably sent her hundreds of questions, requests, revisions, restaurant ideas, hotel changes, flight updates, and random thoughts. Not once did she make us feel like a burden. In fact, she embraced the process. Every request was met with enthusiasm, thoughtfulness, and genuine care.

What impressed me most was her willingness to adapt. We changed hotels. We added destinations, removed destinations, swapped experiences, changed flights, debated Disney, baseball games, restaurants, and transportation. Bella never missed a beat.

She helped us create exactly the trip we wanted.

And then the trip began.

What followed exceeded every expectation.

The guides Bella selected were exceptional.

Mr. Hajime in Tokyo was fantastic. Knowledgeable, personable, flexible, and passionate about sharing Japan beyond the guidebook. He understood immediately that we loved local culture and hidden gems. Some of our favorite moments came from spontaneous recommendations and side streets we never would have discovered on our own.

Mr. Hiroyuki in Hakone helped us experience a completely different side of Japan. The pace slowed, the scenery changed, and we were able to enjoy one of the most relaxing parts of our journey.

Ms. Ursula in Kyoto and Osaka was equally outstanding. Warm, insightful, and incredibly knowledgeable, she helped bring centuries of Japanese history and culture to life while also making everything accessible and enjoyable for our children.

The drivers were equally impressive.

Every transfer was seamless. Every pickup was on time. Whether we were moving between hotels, stations, or destinations, the logistics simply disappeared into the background—which is exactly how great travel should feel.

One of the things I appreciated most was that the trip never felt rigid.

We had structure when we needed it and flexibility when we wanted it.

Bella listened when we said we preferred local neighborhoods over crowded tourist zones. We explored areas where locals actually live, shop, and eat. We wandered hidden streets in Tokyo, discovered incredible food, and experienced moments that felt authentic rather than manufactured.

The food was extraordinary.

We enjoyed everything from world-class omakase and Tempura Kondo to local ramen shops, yakiniku, Kobe beef in Kyoto, and countless memorable meals in between. Bella understood that we were food-focused travelers and helped us build a dining experience that balanced celebrated restaurants with places we likely never would have found ourselves.

Hakone was magical.

Our stay at Gen Hakone Gora was one of the highlights of the trip. The onsen experience, the kaiseki dinners, the tranquility, and the incredible hospitality created memories our family will never forget.

And then there was the family aspect.

As I write this, we're sitting in the Delta Lounge preparing to fly home.

The thing we're talking about isn't DisneySea. It isn't the Michelin restaurants. It isn't the luxury hotels.

It's how much time we spent together.

This trip gave us something that becomes increasingly difficult to find in everyday life: uninterrupted family time.

We laughed together, explored together, got lost together, discovered new foods together, and experienced an entirely different culture together.

Our children leave with a genuine appreciation for Japan.

My wife and I leave with memories that will last forever.

And our family leaves closer than when we arrived.

That's the true measure of a great trip.

Japan itself is an extraordinary destination, but Bella and her team transformed it from a vacation into a family experience we'll be talking about for decades.

If you're considering Japan and wondering whether to trust Bella and Kimkim, my advice is simple:

Do it.

Trust the process.

Share what matters to you.

Bella will listen.

And if your experience is anything like ours, you'll come home wondering when you can return.

Bella, thank you for your patience, your professionalism, your attention to detail, and most importantly, your genuine care for our family.

You helped create memories that we will cherish for the rest of our lives.

It was so great to work with Alicia. She was so helpful and very responsive! I recommend doing a lot of your own research too so you can feel confident adjusting your plan if needed. I also recommend training ahead of time if you plan on hiking a lot. The elevation is a bear! 10 days was a great amount of time for our trip but would have loved maybe 2 more days. We rented a 4x4 and explored the golden circle and down to the south.
This was the greatest trip of my 50 years!

My extended family just returned from a 7-day trip to Iceland that was organized by Emanuela Grieco at Arctic Travel Designer (through KimKim). We had a FANTASTIC time. I can't speak highly enough about Emanuela and her incredible work putting together our itinerary. She is awesome!

We were a group of 10 people ranging from ages 13 to 80, so it wasn't easy finding the right mix of things to do and the right pace to do them at. But Emanuela handled it all while answering our endless questions with incredible patience and great insight. Among other things, we had a fantastic food tour in Reykjavik, a wonderful trip through the Golden Circle sights along the south coast, and an incredible trip to Sky Lagoon. We especially loved snowmobiling on a glacier and going on a Zodiac boat tour at Glacier Lagoon.

If you are thinking about traveling to Iceland, get in touch with Emanuela. She is a total gem and will not steer you wrong. (She hooked us up with Siggy at Iceland Everywhere Tours to take our family around via luxury bus for the week. I'd highly recommend him as well. You can find him at www.icelandeverywhere.is.)

Thank you, Emanuela!

Alan S.
Washington, D.C.

We were so grateful to have found Kimkim when we were planning a trip to celebrate our 10-year wedding anniversary! Coraima was very responsive to our messages and helped us modify our itinerary MANY times until it was just what we wanted. We especially enjoyed our guided tours of the Royal Palace and the Prado, though our day trip to Toledo and the paella cooking class were highlights of the trip. All the guides were so knowledgeable and friendly! We also adored our wine tasting day in La Rioja—truly such a gorgeous and enjoyable day. This trip was so special and it was nice to have so many of the details taken care of by Coraima and the Kimkim team. Our hotels in Madrid and Logroño were just right and located perfectly for our daily wanderings. The train from Madrid to Logroño was so convenient, as was the new app to keep track of our itinerary and bookings. The next time we travel, we will definitely use Kimkim again!

Hotel Reviews

Sercotel Calle Mayor (Logroño)

Logroño

This hotel was conveniently located and had great breakfast. The hotel is a bit impersonal and the beds were a little hard, but the rooms were spacious and quiet.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Very centrally located in old town Logroño

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Room Mate Alba

Madrid

The hotel was conveniently located, the staff were all so friendly and helpful, and the beds were SO comfortable!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Conventionally located in El Centro

Staff

They were all amazing and friendly

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Spend a Sunday like a local: Exploring El Rastro Market in Madrid

Madrid

El Rastro is clearly a big part of Madrid’s weekly culture, but we were hoping to find more handmade items rather than the cheaply made items designed for tourists most stalls sold. It was still a pretty enjoyable experience though.

Quality of Experience

Short Prado Museum Visit with Skip-the-Line Ticket

Madrid

Our guide was clearly very knowledgeable about art history and made her tour so engaging! The Prado is huge, so getting a snapshot of some of the most important works and art movements was so helpful—plus you can continue to wander the museum after the tour ends.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Self-Guided Walk around the Historic Center

Madrid

This activity was a nice way to kick off our trip and let us familiarize ourselves with Madrid and go at our own pace. It would have been nice to have more information about the background and history of the places we visited though—we ended up Googling this information because we love history and were so curious. An embedded map of all the locations would have been helpful too, though it was easy enough to navigate with Google Maps.

Quality of Experience

Bianca planned a 10 day itinerary for me. We started in Johannesburg and visited the Apartheid Museum and Soweto. Our guide in Joburg was Tefo and he was excellent. We had lunch in Soweto and got to experience the vibrant cultures of Johannesburg. Tefo was knowledgeable, warm and kind. We then flew to Hoedspruit for a 3 day safari at the Kusudelwani Safari Lodge. This part of the itinerary really exceeded our expectations. Kusudelwani is the perfect combination of safari and relaxing vacation. The staff and the accommodations delighted us and the safari experience was a bonus as we saw 4 of the Big 5. I highly recommend the Panorama Tour while you are there. We finished our itinerary in Cape Town where our guide Mansur showed us all Cape Town had to offer over a 4 day period. Mansur was knowledgeable about the Cape and its history. Our favorites while in Cape Town include The Wine Tours, Table Top Mountain, and our visit to see the African Penguins. We couldn't have planned this trip on our own. We are happy with the trip and felt like we got more than our money's worth.

we traveled from may 24th 2026 to June 6th 2026 to Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda. Melvin team is amazing as we have welcome call 1 month before with us and they are helpful in getting visa and working thru all details. Guides in each country -Norman ( Kenya) , Simba and Kaku ( Tanzania) and Nelson ( Rwanda) are very friendly, professional and caring. trip was amazing memorable and without any hick ups. Thank you whole team ( Caroline, redo and Irene). Thank you thank you for providing amazing experience.

Hotel Reviews

Tiloreza Volcanoes Ecolodge

Musanze

very friendly service, feels like home, they wash your shoes after you come back from trekking, food was amazing, they did bon fire at our request just for us that was very kind .

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Fairview Hotel, Nairobi

Nairobi

they have restaurant 24 hours and they serve hot food anytime. location was very peaceful, convinent, safe and rooms are cleaned and comfortable. Staff was amazing

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Coffee Tour in Ngorongoro

Ngorongoro

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Exceptional Service from Paul at KimKim Travel — A Truly First-Class Experience

As seasoned and discerning travelers, our expectations are high, and Paul at KimKim Travel exceeded them in every way. From the beginning, his communication was outstanding—prompt, consistent, and incredibly thorough. He anticipated needs before we even had to ask, including arranging a flight upgrade and providing detailed information to help us pack and prepare for three very different microclimates: Quito, Mashpi Lodge, and the Galápagos Islands.

Upon arrival to the Quito Airport, everything was seamless. Tony Sotomayor met us at the airport and orchestrated a flawless transition with luggage, customs, security, and access to the VIP Sala Lounge before our adventure began. Traveling with children can be challenging, but Paul thoughtfully arranged a private naturalist guide who met us at the Baltra airport and made the experience both effortless and enriching for our family.

The Galápagos portion aboard the Elite was nothing short of extraordinary. The crew was exceptionally accommodating to families with children and operated on our pace. Special recognition goes to Captain Marcelo for getting us safely to every destination, Roberto for delivering a true luxury experience as cruise director, Chef Angel and Bartender Romulo for keeping us wonderfully fed and refreshed, David for capturing incredible GoPro memories, Andreas for kayaking with our daughter Brynn, and of course our naturalist guide, Matthias the Magnificent, whose passion and expertise ensured we experienced every wildlife encounter the islands had to offer.

This journey was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience—not only because of the incredible destinations and wildlife, but because of the remarkable people who made us feel at home every step of the way. We are forever grateful to Paul and the entire KimKim team for crafting such a seamless and unforgettable adventure.

Warmest regards,
Dr. Timothy, Joy & Brynn Davis

Bear in mind that the airfares were paid and the Kimkim deposit paid before the US and Israel decided to bomb Iran, so the entire trip was will we/won’t we with our flights travelling from Australia through Dubai. Bas, however, accommodated us every inch of the way with our concerns. Luckily threats around our travel dates never eventuated.

I, and an old university friend, flew into Paris CDG and caught trains into Brussels. Three nights in Brussels, starting with a very instructive tour guided by Lieven and culminating in a sampling of the famous Belgian beer. The last day took us via an extensive voyage through the Brussels metro to the overrated Atomium.

Onto Ghent and guided by the excellent Christine, we stayed near the main square in the Ghent River Hotel. A visit to the Castle of the Counts was eventful. Well worth it, as was the included river cruise around the city. One day was taken with a day trip to Bruges, but unfortunately electric overhead wire problems delayed us substantially, and we did make it in time for a canal cruise viewing the highlights of the medieval architecture. A visit to the Historium, a video re-enactment of the time of Rubens was interesting, and followed by a cooling beverage.

We next caught the train to Antwerp where we had two great guides, Jorinde and Nina. Jorinde took us around the historic areas, Nina the food areas. We visited an early printing house, the Plantin-Moretus Museum, which was run for centuries by the Plantin family. Antwerp is a major river port and the river Scheldt is much bigger here than in Ghent. We also visited the MAS museum. Interesting building!

Over to the Netherlands and Rotterdam, one of the biggest ports in Europe, and very heavily bombed during WW2. We did a cruise around the port and it is massive…much bigger than Sydney Harbour. The weather burst here after 7 or 8 days of 30 degrees (86F) and we got quite damp. We also visited the Markthall, a big indoor market, and the Cubic Houses. The next day was a trip to Kinderdijk where there remain a dozen or so working windmills, with their original purpose of pumping water upwards to the river system. Well worth it.

Amsterdam next where we had our first mishap in communications in meeting the tour guide. A quick Whatsapp call rectified the issue but we had a shortened, but quality, trip around the city with Jan. We met 45 minutes overdue, and were restricted by the next appointment. A visit to a canal-side mansion, the Van Loon House, followed. Next day, we had the visits to the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum, two of the world’s great art museums showing the works of Rembrandt (among others) and Vincent Van Gogh. The must-do two-hour canal cruise split the two visits. The hotel was an interesting one in the Halles district, an old tram workshop. There was a food hall covering many cuisines.

Onto a rainy Utrecht where we stayed in a boutique hotel alongside the city canal. One quibble would be whether this hotel was appropriate for 70-plus year-olds lugging heavy luggage up two flights of a spiral staircase with no lift. But with an unbooked tour round the church, the rains came again and I, personally, decided that 465-step towers, both the climbing and the height, were no longer part of my bucket list. My friend ventured up. The next day, we walked to a 100-year-old house, the Rietveld-Schröder house which was built to be adaptable and utilitarian in every way. An interesting walk through the Utrecht neighbourhoods.

The next day, we travelled to Eindhoven, the home of the Philips electrical goods company which dominates the city. All of our activities thenceforth were with friends from the area and we visited the site of the Battle of Arnhem, Operation Market Garden, “A Bridge Too Far” from the later days of WW2. And a more localised Van Gogh museum from his home area of Nuenen.

Even though we’re not really connoisseurs of haute cuisine, we did enjoy most suggestions that Bas made. The hotels ranged from quite modern (Amsterdam and Eindoven) to more boutique. The appointed guides were all very good, and the provision of the Chipkaart, which is required for most public transport in the Netherlands, very handy.

Hotel Reviews

Westcord Hotel Eindhoven

Eindhoven

Probably the most modern and comfortable hotel. Close to the station, shopping and restaurants. We did have a mild hiccup with the booking in that the hotel weren't aware of our booking, but after calling the agents, was resolved very quickly. Excellent breakfast.

Authenticity & Character

It's very modern, probably on the site of an old Philips building.

Location

So close to everything.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Boutique Hotel Museumkwartier

Utrecht

Quaint is the word. no facilities downstairs eg breakfast. No lift, and two storeys of narrow spiral staircase. Good location on the canal though.

Authenticity & Character

it's old-fashioned but the lack of a lift takes marks away.

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel de Hallen

Amsterdam

Was modern and comfortable but the bathroom setup was a bit below par. No privacy and not enough hanging space for extra towels.

Authenticity & Character

REfurbished tram depot.

Location

A little out of the way but ideally positioned within the Hallen district.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel van Walsum

Rotterdam

Close to the shopping strips. Everything else was good.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Near to bars and main shopping strip.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel FranQ

Antwerp

Close to amenities. Wasn't modern but comfortable enough.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Near to transport.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Ghent River Hotel

Ghent

Quality hotel central to the main square.

Authenticity & Character

Location

On the river, but also very close to a major square.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

9Hotel Central

Brussels

Very local to the centre of town and particularly the railway station.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Central to transport.

Staff

Great tips for food.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Rotterdam - harbor boat tour

The Netherlands

We didn't realise the harbour was so massive. Unfortunately the weather did break towards the end, and we got wet.

Quality of Experience

Transport

Amsterdam - Van Gogh Museum

The Netherlands

Another great museum/gallery. We did visit another Van Gogh gallery in Neunen, near his home town. This was not part of the trip, rather with friends in Eindhoven.

Quality of Experience

Amsterdam - Museum van Loon

Amsterdam

The house was nice, particularly the garden. I don't think our trip would have been poorer if we'd skipped this one.

Quality of Experience

Antwerp - Private guided Food Tour (on foot)

The Netherlands

Nina collected us in the town square and introduced us to various food types. The charcuterie (don't know the Flemish word) gave us a good sample of Antwerp delicacies.

Quality of Experience

Food

All of it.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Nina was excellent.

Bruges - Historium

The Netherlands

A little stagey. A video re-enactment of a young man working for Rubens and a model he was asked to collect from, the port.

Quality of Experience

Utrecht - Dom Tower

The Netherlands

I've decided that I'm past the age of being willing to do high towers, both due to my poor fitness and issue with heights. My travelling companion however did all 465 steps and got the photos.

Quality of Experience

Amsterdam - Canal cruise (join in)

The Netherlands

A good, long cruise around the canals.

Quality of Experience

It's essential to do a canal cruise in Amsterdam, indeed in many cities of the Low Countries.

Amsterdam - Private guided historic city walk

The Netherlands

The problem here was the miscommunication re pick up times. We were told to wait opposite the railway station. The guide, Jan, was told to pick us up at our hotel. So we lost 45 minutes of our two hours. Nevertheless, Jan gave us a good walk through the old town.

Quality of Experience

Communication, although we were able to contact the agency quickly.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Jan was good, Just a pity about the lost time.

Antwerp - MAS (Museum Aan de Stroom)

The Netherlands

Interesting view of the various aspects of Antwerp history, including the war. We did skip some floors which were of no particular interest.

Quality of Experience

Antwerp - Private guided walking tour

The Netherlands

Jorinde showed us all over the main part of town, together with the port region.

Quality of Experience

The history and geography.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Ghent - Scenic Boat Tour

The Netherlands

Along the river (Leie), a good view of that part of the city.

Quality of Experience

Ghent - Private guided walking tour

The Netherlands

Excellent walk with Christine. Through the main part of town, with the cathedral (not that I sent in), chocolate merchants and the Castle of the Counts.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

10/10 for Christine.

Brussels - Atomium

The Netherlands

Overrated. Reasonably difficult to get to on the train network.

Quality of Experience

Transport

Brussels - Private guided walking tour

The Netherlands

With Lieven, through the government and museum district, and then into the central part of Brussels. Finishing with a convivial introduction to Belgian beers.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Amsterdam - Rijksmuseum

The Netherlands

One of the great masters of European painting. The Night Watch is currently being restored, iun full view, and the reproduction is on display.

Quality of Experience

Rotterdam - Kinderdijk windmills by water shuttle

The Netherlands

Interesting insight into the use of windmills in raising water levels, rather than in milling grains.

Quality of Experience

Transport

Getting there by water.

Antwerp - Museum Plantin-Moretus

The Netherlands

Very interesting insight into the history of printing in Western Europe. Printers from Antwerp went with Caxton to set up printing in England, then prettyy much the only country in the English-speaking world and able to influence English spelling.

Quality of Experience

Ghent - Day trip to Bruges

Ghent

This was a little less than expected due to problems in the railway system. Trains through Gent-Dompaart were out of action due to problems with the overhead wiring. We had to take other methods to get to Gent-St Pieters and then to Brugge. It was a very warm day as well.

Quality of Experience

Transport

Bad luck with the network.

Explore Ghent with a CityCard

The Netherlands

Excellent value. We jumped a large queue to enter the Cstle of the Counts.

Quality of Experience

Brussels card 48h

The Netherlands

We didn't really get full use of this.

Quality of Experience

Unimpressed with the ways to get to the Atomium.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Lieven was excellent and information, and good value for the post-tour sampling of Belgian beers.

Transport

Our family just returned from the most magical and unforgettable trip to Croatia, and we owe it all to Nikola and the incredible team he set up for us through Kimkim.

Nikola planned the perfect itinerary for my 50th birthday, taking us from Zagreb to Zadar, the breathtaking Plitvice Lakes and Krka National Park, Split, Hvar, and finally Dubrovnik. Every destination was more beautiful than the last. Croatia is now my favorite country, and we genuinely did not want our vacation to end.

From the very beginning, Nikola was exceptional. He was always available to answer questions, whether by email or phone, and his communication throughout the entire process was outstanding. He was patient, kind, knowledgeable, and genuinely invested in making our trip special.

The Kimkim app made everything seamless. Having our daily itineraries at our fingertips and receiving Nikola’s nightly check-ins gave us so much peace of mind. Every tour guide and driver we met was friendly, professional, and incredibly helpful.

What made this experience so special was having a local expert who truly knows and loves their country. Nikola’s recommendations, attention to detail, and personal touch transformed our vacation into a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

I cannot say enough wonderful things about Nikola. We are so grateful for all the care and effort he put into planning this trip. If you’re considering a trip to Croatia—or anywhere Kimkim operates—I wholeheartedly recommend working with him.

Thank you, Nikola, for creating memories our family will cherish forever.

Our trip was great. The itinerary was perfect. And Rachel did a good job helping us customize it for our needs. The only items should be pointed out are two of the links in the app directed us to the wrong place for tours. One was the food tour in Kinsale and the other was the boat tour of the cliffs of Moher.

Hotel Reviews

Dunraven Arms Hotel

Dunraven Arms Hotel had a vibrant atmosphere and was well-situated. Overall, a pleasant place to stay.

Old Bank Townhouse Kinsale

Kinsale

Old Bank Townhouse in Kinsale was in a nice location, and although my in-laws had a nicer room, ours was a bit cramped with an extra single bed. It did impact the overall experience slightly.

Cliff House Hotel

Ardmore

Location

Activity Reviews

Cliffs of Moher Cruise from Doolin ( 50 min)

Doolin

The Cliffs of Moher Cruise from Doolin was an amazing experience. Unlike the typical view from the top, being on the water offered a unique perspective of the cliffs. We were fortunate to have sunny weather which made the sights even more beautiful.

Celtic Nights Music and Dance Show - with dinner optional

Ireland

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Caherconnell Fort & Sheepdog Demonstrations - Private

Ireland

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Kinsale Private Walking Food Tour

Ireland

Awesome guide

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

What a amazing trip that Vicky help put together. She was very helpful with date changes, tour changes, hotel changes and anything else I asked for. In the end she made it happen and the entire trip was a success.

Communication with KimKim was great.

My wife and I are pretty independent travelers. We have done trips to all 50 US States and a few trips abroad by basic research and online bookings. So this year when we decided to travel further and we picked Japan, I thought it would be the same. It really wasn’t. I was having a difficult time knowing where to stay (Tokyo is very large) what things we needed to see, and the best way to travel to multiple cities within our budget. Also we were a little worried about the language barrier and finding our way around. We did not want to do a guided tour, we like working on our own timetable, but were worried about doing this on our own. After looking through several websites, came across KimKim and on a lark filled out some information. Before long, we were contacted by Carinta and through a basic survey on our interests and goals she came up with a really great vacation package. We had a video chat and fine tuned a few things, but were very happy with the plan! So our anticipation grew and we had our vacation all prepped and planned well in advance. A few weeks before our trip we received our Roadbook with all the specific information and links, along with some helpful cultural tips. Another video chat with Carinta to go over the points and answer any questions and we were ready to go!
The accommodations that she picked for us were all wonderful. The train travel between cities was all laid out very well. We only had one ticket issue with an experience (could not get the ticket link to come up) but a quick text and the issue was solved immediately. All of the locations that were suggested that we had no idea about but went to because of the suggestion were all fantastic . And because we weren’t in a group dynamic, we did a few things on a lark that we had a great time doing. She did provide us with an airport pickup and a half day guided tour, so we did have a little help navigating the public transport and finding our way around to start. That was super helpful, and not sure we would have been so bold with our travels ha we not had that initial help. The contact from KimKim on travel days was appreciated, and even though we didn’t have any huge issues or emergencies, the fact that we had a resource there was incredibly comforting. This was honestly a great experience from the start through the trip and I am so happy that we went with this company, and we are already thinking of our next adventure with a little more confidence knowing this company is here.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Androoms Kyoto Shichijo

Kyoto

Great hotel super close to Kyoto Station. Nice neighborhood, very comfortable room.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Ryokan Aura Tachibana

Hakone

Our first stay at a Ryokan and it was incredible. The room was super spacious and comfortable, the private onsen was so relaxing, and the meals there were some of the greatest meals we have ever had.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

the b asakusa

Tokyo

Very nice accommodation, super convenient location, staff was wonderful, nice breakfast buffet, had a great stay here.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Super close to transit, great food and sites nearby.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Hakone Free Pass (3 days)

Hakone

Great experiences, and not having to worry about individual ticketing is super nice.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Experience Kabuki Theater

Tokyo

So intriguing! I have seen Kabuki before, but never at this level and environment. Fascinating experience.

Digital TeamLab Borderless Museum

Tokyo

So much fun we actually did another in Kyoto.

Quality of Experience

Visit Tokyo Skytree

Tokyo

Quality of Experience

Sumo demonstration around a Japanese meal!

Japan

So much fun! And the meal was delicious!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Experience Ryokan

Japan

Nothing we would have individually picked, but what a great time! Incredible vacation experience.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Staff here went above and beyond all the time. Incredible hospitality.

Transport

Airport assistant premium Tokyo HND [8:00 - 20:00]

Tokyo

After 20 hours of plane travel, not sure how we would have found our hotel without this service. Highly recommend!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Traditional Afternoon Tea Ceremony

Kyoto

Very interesting cultural experience.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Goodbye Japan!

Japan

Having a private driver so we didn’t have to haul luggage through public transport was a super comforting way to end our trip.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Local Private Guide Half Day Tokyo

Tokyo

Such a great way to get acquainted with the city. Learned a lot about the history of Tokyo while also getting a lot of tips about navigating such a vast space. Our guide, Charlotte, was tremendous.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

I traveled through Morocco as a solo female traveler, and from the moment I arrived in Casablanca, I knew this trip would be special because of my guide, Mouad.

He greeted me at the airport with flowers and the biggest smile, and for the next 13 days we journeyed together across Morocco—from Casablanca and Rabat to Chefchaouen, Fes, the Sahara Desert, Marrakech, and countless beautiful places in between. What could have been an amazing trip became a truly magical experience because of him.

Mouad went above and beyond every single day. He adjusted the itinerary when needed, introduced me to local experiences that weren’t on the original schedule, helped me find great shopping deals, recommended hidden gems, arranged excursions, and even took countless photos so I could fully enjoy the experience. During parts of the trip that were supposed to be self-guided, he generously spent extra time with me to make sure I got the most out of every destination.

What impressed me most was his passion for his country and his genuine kindness. Everywhere we went, he seemed to know everyone. He greeted people with warmth, happiness, and respect, and in return they welcomed him like family. Through him, I experienced the real Morocco—not just the sights, but the heart and soul of the country.

As a solo female traveler, feeling safe is incredibly important, and Mouad made me feel completely comfortable and secure from beginning to end. That sense of safety allowed me to relax, be present, and fully enjoy every moment of the journey. It made all the difference.

His positivity never faded, his smile never disappeared, and his enthusiasm was contagious. He is professional, knowledgeable, patient, thoughtful, and truly cares about the people he guides.

The entire 13-day trip was unforgettable, and much of that is thanks to Mouad. I arrived in Morocco with a guide waiting for me at the airport, and I left with memories that will last a lifetime—and a friend.

If you have the opportunity to travel with Mouad, consider yourself lucky. I cannot recommend him highly enough.

Hotel Reviews

Atlas Sky Airport

Nouaseur

Perfect location for my early flight in the morning. Comfortable bed and convenient shuttle. Highly recommend.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Elegancia Riad Boutique & SPA

Marrakech

Beautiful rooms, stunning, rooftop, breakfast, luxurious spa in the basement. I loved every second of staying here. Staff was exceptional and location was superb. Thank you!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Dar Rihana Dades

Douar Aït Ouffi

Excellent! One of my favorite hotels of all time!! Staff was incredibly warm and hospitable, I wish I could move in! Thank you for everything!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Sahara Stars Luxury Camp

Merzouga

Excellent experience from the greeting to the dinner and entertainment music at night, absolutely perfect! The rooms in the tents are way more than glamping, they are luxury and comfortable and beautiful. Hope to visit again!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Le palais des cerisiers.

middelt

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Dar Al Andalous - Riad

Fès

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Dar Laman

Chefchaouen

Excellent authentic beautiful hotel with stunning views!!! And delicious food!! Thank you!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Dar Nour Hotel

Tangier

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Riad Kalaa

Rabat

Loved! Beautiful rooms and stunning courtyard! Stay here!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Guided Tour of Tangier

Tangier

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Architectural Elegance: A Journey through the Hassan II Mosque

Morocco

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sand-Boarding in Erg Chebbi

Merzouga

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hammam & Spa Session 6 Pm at your Riad Accommodation .

Morocco

So wonderful! I wish I could do this every day

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Explore Chefchaouen with your local guide

Chefchaouen

Chefchaouen is absolutely beautiful! Mouad showed me all around the city, took countless photos of me in great spots, and accompanied me on a hike to a church for an incredible sunset. Thank you, Mouad, this experience was incredible!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Dades Valley, Ouarzazate, Ait Benhaddou & Marrakech

Morocco

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Camel trek to your luxury camp

Merzouga

A true highlight! To ride a camel in the Sahara desert at the sunset? How lucky I am to have had this experience. I was nervous at first, but the guides made me feel very safe and comfortable. I hope to go back one day!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The Monkey Trail (3M Squared Loop Trail)

Midelt

What an excellent hike! My guide was so knowledgeable and fun and prepared a delicious picnic of authentic Moroccan food and snack snacks for us. It was so wonderful to get out and see nature and also a ton of monkeys. Thank you!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Dinner with a Local Family and Henna Party

Fes

An absolute highlight of my trip! Thank you for welcoming me into your home and meeting your wonderful children. The home-cooked meal is absolutely delicious. Anyone that gets a chance to visit with your family in your home is truly lucky as this is a magical experience.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided Tour of Volubilis

Morocco

Excellent! I had no idea there was so much Roman history in Morocco, I learned so much on this tour. Thank you

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

the Monkey Fingers Canyon loop Hike.

Boumalne Dades

Oh wow, I cannot say enough good things about my hike with my local guide. His name is escaping me at the moment, but he is a truly wonderful, knowledgeable, kind, adventurous, and fun character. Thank you so much for my time with you and for welcoming me into your home. I am truly grateful.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Exploring Marrakech's Wonders: A Private Guided Tour

Marrakesh

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided Tour of Aït Benhaddou

Morocco

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Merzouga to Boumalne Dades via Tinghir & Todra Gorge

Morocco

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Transfer to Merzouga via Erfoud, Saharan Camel Ride

Morocco

So fun! What a highlight to ride on a camel at sunset

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Fes to Midelt via High Atlas Mountains

Morocco

Thank you, Mouad!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Fes: Exploring the Imperial City

Fes

The best day! Thank you so much

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Evening in Casablanca with your driver/guide.

Casablanca

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Half-Day Private Sightseeing Tour in Rabat

Rabat

Excellent! My Tour Guide was so knowledgeable, friendly and passionate about her city and her job. She went above and beyond to show me a good time and I will always remember my time in robot. Thank you!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Volcan
The trip was absolutely amazing. The sites we saw were perfect and what made the two days in Istanbul was our guide, Volcan. We have had many guides over the years but we have never had anyone come close to how superior he was. He was so knowledgeable, personable and explained the history of Turkey so well and we came to love the city. Our excursions were to the
two famous mosques, the Cistern, private boat ride on the the Bosporus, the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Market. We also flew to Cappadocia and saw the underground city which was incredible.

The planning that KimKim did in advance to make our trip so memorable could not have been better. A first class company that I would certainly use again and recommend. It was flawless.

Caroline did an outstanding job planning our trip to France. The entire planning experience was excellent from start to finish. She selected great activities, provided all the information we needed, and helped make our vacation truly memorable.

The vouchers and travel documents she provided made every experience seamless and stress-free. Everything was well organized, and we always knew exactly where to be and what to expect.

Thanks to Caroline’s expertise and attention to detail, we had a wonderful trip and were able to focus on enjoying France rather than worrying about logistics. I would highly recommend Caroline to anyone planning a trip to France. Her knowledge, organization, and service made all the difference.

Hotel Reviews

Warwick Hotel Reine Astrid

Lyon

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Best Western Plus Carlton 4*

Annecy

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Commented cruise on Annecy Lake

Annecy

We missed the first boat because it was not in the location stated on our voucher. We had to catch a later boat and be refunded by kimkim. Our specialist from kimkim was very flexible and helpful and arranged the refund, but leave extra time to find the correct boat. It was not.

Quality of Experience

Lyon: Guided Sightseeing Cruise

Lyon

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Lyon: 2-Hour Pedicab Tour

Lyon

Here’s a polished review you can use: Our pedicab tour was one of the most enjoyable experiences of our trip. What stood out most was the exceptional knowledge of our driver. Early in the tour, he took the time to learn about our interests and quickly adapted the experience to focus on the things we wanted to see and learn about most. His flexibility and willingness to personalize the tour made all the difference. Rather than following a rigid script, he tailored the route and commentary to our interests while still providing a comprehensive overview of the city. We learned so much about the city’s history, culture, and landmarks, and his depth of knowledge was truly impressive. The tour was both educational and entertaining. Riding behind the bike was a fun and unique way to experience the city, allowing us to cover a lot of ground while enjoying the sights. If you’re looking for a personalized and informative way to explore the city, I highly recommend this pedicab tour. The combination of a knowledgeable guide, a customized experience, and a fun ride made it a highlight of our visit.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hard to find pick up spot.

Annecy Traditional Food Tour

Annecy

Quality of Experience

Here’s a review you can post: This food tour was so much more than I expected and ended up being one of the highlights of our trip. The food at all five stops was excellent, but what really made the experience special was our guide’s incredible knowledge. At each stop, the guide provided exceptional insight into the history, culture, and significance of the food and the establishments we visited. It wasn’t just a food tour—it felt like a comprehensive tour of the city itself. Along the way, we learned so much about the city’s history, architecture, and local culture. Our guide was engaging, knowledgeable, and passionate, making every stop interesting and memorable. The combination of outstanding food and a fascinating city tour created an experience that far exceeded our expectations. I highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting the area. It was an unforgettable experience and one of the best things we did on our trip.

Quality of Experience

Here’s a review you can post: This food tour was so much more than I expected and ended up being one of the highlights of our trip. The food at all five stops was excellent, but what really made the experience special was our guide’s incredible knowledge. At each stop, the guide provided exceptional insight into the history, culture, and significance of the food and the establishments we visited. It wasn’t just a food tour—it felt like a comprehensive tour of the city itself. Along the way, we learned so much about the city’s history, architecture, and local culture. Our guide was engaging, knowledgeable, and passionate, making every stop interesting and memorable. The combination of outstanding food and a fascinating city tour created an experience that far exceeded our expectations. I highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting the area. It was an unforgettable experience and one of the best things we did on our trip.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Dean and Katie were great at communicating whenever we had a question and helped to resolve any needs. Favorite places were Westport, Killarney & Dingle. The tour they helped plan was better than my dreams! There such breath-taking countryside and beautiful views almost everywhere you turn. The Ring of Kerry, Slea Head Loop were fantastic drives! Ireland Hike and Bike through Kim Kim was fantastic and would absolutely use them again!

Hotel Reviews

The Imperial Hotel

Cork

Beautiful hotel enjoyed our one night stay

Authenticity & Character

Location

Right in the middle of cork but parking is a little far to bring your luggage if you have a larger bag

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Harbour Hotel

Galway

Very beautiful hotel! Had a nice restaurant with live music as well!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Very close to everything in Galway

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Ashling Hotel Dublin

Dublin

Very classy hotel

Authenticity & Character

Location

Location was a bit of a walk to main part of Dublin but doable. Also not far from bus route.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Tower View

Dingle

Loved their breakfast and staff were great at giving us recommendations for the area

Authenticity & Character

Has a great view of area

Location

Close drive to Dingle and Slea Head Loop

Staff

Very informative and nice

Cleanliness & Comfort

Loved the heated towel rack

Great Southern Killarney

Killarney

Staff went over and beyond to make our stay wonderful!

Authenticity & Character

Beautiful building and outside garden area

Location

Very close to many things in Killarney

Staff

Erin and other staff went above and beyond to make us feel comfortable. They were fantastic!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Wyatt Hotel Westport

Westport

Super convenient location and in the heart of Westport

Authenticity & Character

Location

Very close and walkable to everything

Staff

Staff was accommodating for parking

Cleanliness & Comfort

Would've stayed another night we liked it so much!

Mount Juliet Estate

Thomastown

Was such a beautiful hotel. The grounds were beautiful and would've been beautiful to explore more if we had more time.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Not too far a drive from main city of Kilkenny if you have a car.

Staff

Staff went above to help get us a take away breakfast

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very comfortable and loved the bathtub!

Activity Reviews

Book of Kells and Trinity Campus Tour

Dublin

Enjoyed the Trinity Campus Tour and very informative. Tour guide was great! Book of Kells is now changed to interactive experience since most of books have been taken to be preserved so probably would've skipped that part.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The Irish Pub Crawl

Dublin

This tour was fantastic and the guides kept us lively!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Definitely great at performing and kept us laughing

Transport

Easy walk between pubs

Blasket Island Boat Tour from Dingle

Ireland

Unfortunately went on a bad weather day, but made the best of it. We had a blast seeing the seals and different kinds of birds! Staff were very informative about the islands and the wildlife! Would definitely do again but hope for a sunnier day!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

They were super informative

Transport

Anna found just the right amount of planned activities balanced with the right amount of free time for us. We had lovely hotels, and really enjoyed the Avila cruise up the coast. I only wish we had a few more days to go all the way north. Food was very good, lodging was great, and our emergency changes (thanks to Tom scheduling us to fly out from Sveringen and not Svolvaer. The hotel Christina found for us was very nice, and we had our best meal there, in fact.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Victoria

Stavanger

We unexpectedly found ourselves in town due to a one letter error in airport codes and needed to fly there and stay the night with one day’s notice. The hotel is about a half hour drive from the airport, it’s only weakness. The bistro in the hotel is superb with a great menu of classics expertly prepared. The ambiance is classy but casual., and very comfortable. If you stay here you need to plan a great dinner there too.

Authenticity & Character

Fine old hotel well maintained, the rooms were comfortable, the dining room for breakfast is a lovely room and the breakfast excellent.

Location

We did not stay long enough to judge. For our purpose - getting to the airport by 10:00, it was good, but a 25-30 minute taxi ride.

Staff

I had very little contact, though the desk agent when we checked in was welcoming and helpful.

Cleanliness & Comfort

It was all clean and comfortable.

Scandic Havet

Bodø

We had a 14th floor room with a view to die for! The hotel was down by the waterfront but not much was happening in the area. There were several dining options in easy walking distance. Breakfast buffet was great.

Authenticity & Character

Modern Scandinavian design, it is a nice hotel.

Location

It isn’t a happening area of town but it is convenient to the airport and the seaport. It

Staff

they seemed good; we had little direct interaction.

Cleanliness & Comfort

It was all clean and comfortable.

Havila Cruise

Fosnavåg

If you go to Norway, this trip up the west coast is a must. The accommodations are vvery nice, the food is excellent, and the excursions on shore were interesting by and large.

Authenticity & Character

Comfortable. Cabins

Location

The ship stops in most major ports on the west coast.

Staff

The staff were very approachable and helpful. The only concern was that our bathroom light was out, and though we reported it day 1, nobody came to fix it.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Every place on board was clean.

Grand Hotel Terminus

Bergen

Perfectly located across from the train station in downtown Bergen, the hotel features old world charm with modern amenities. It needs more electric outlets near the bed, however, so bring an extension core.

Authenticity & Character

Old world charm with real furniture and great buffet breakfast.

Location

Near waterfront and across the street from the train station, it is easy to find food, shopping, museums and nice parks.

Staff

All were friendly and helpfil

Cleanliness & Comfort

The bathroom was tiny but efficient

Activity Review

Bergen Walking Tour With a Local Guide

Bergen

Jon was knowledgeable and a good communicator. It was very worth doing.

Quality of Experience

We had a great tour of Norway.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The bus tour excursions from the cruise boat were fair, but the more participatory excursions were a better use of time and money.

Transport

Loved the cruise ship (not too big), and Norway’s rail system is great.

While the Galapagos is a beautiful destination, our experience booked through KimKim Agency was deeply disappointing due to poor coordination, significant communication breakdowns regarding dietary restrictions, and a total lack of preparation for the logistics involved. We provided detailed health and allergy requirements well in advance, yet they were repeatedly ignored.

Here is a breakdown of the issues we encountered:

Severe Dietary & Allergy Negligence
Hotel Ikala: The hotel staff did not know their own ingredients. Despite our severe dairy, egg, and nut allergies, we were given completely wrong information (such as claiming items were safe when they actually contained avellana [hazelnut] and milk). For a hotel of this tier, a severe lack of basic food hygiene is shocking and unsafe. Management needs to address this immediately. Given my family's severe dietary needs and allergy requirements, which were communicated well in advance, finding pests in our meals is a severe food safety and hygiene violation that is entirely unsafe.

Tour Boat Food: The food provided during the first two boat tours was mediocre at best—usually just a few random vegetables thrown into a tomato salsa. We would not recommend the Altamar for accommodating vegan/food allergies nor providing sufficient food. It is not too hard to make beans and rice and plantain patacones. The food on the second day was particularly bad. For a pre-planned itinerary, they should have provided substantial alternatives like beans or lentils. To make matters worse, snacks ran out entirely, leaving us with very few options during the long boat ride back, despite giving ample notice.

Casa o Puntia- Their staff was incredibly attentive and accommodating with our severe dietary requirements. On our first day, they made us delicious, safe avena and lentejas, and on the day we were leaving, they prepared patacones (plantains) and gave us fresh avocado, tomatoes, and basil.

Hygiene & Room Quality Issues
Hotel Ikala: We experienced a severe ant infestation. Ants were not only crawling in our room, but they were literally in our food—specifically in the patacones de papa and a large ant was found right in the salad.

Casa Opuntia (San Cristóbal): Upon check-in, our first room also had several ants. We requested a room change and were moved to a significantly smaller room that lacked a fan and a TV, having only an AC. This second room also had ants and was full of fruit fly-like bugs.

Logistics & Guiding Failures
The Inter-Island Speedboat: We were given absolutely no warning about the notoriously rough and dangerous speedboat ride from Santa Cruz to San Cristóbal. We received zero heads-up about the severe motion sickness it causes. On top of that, our driver was late getting us to the pier, adding unnecessary stress to the ordeal, we were not seated together. The severe crashing and cresting of the waves, felt like we were on a roller coaster and then thrashed to the ground- and we were flung on our seats and then back down. The vomit plastic bags handed out on the boats were not enough- and extremely short notice to prepare for such a tough journey that lasted over 2 hours.

Guide Language: The agency failed to instruct the guides to speak and conduct the tours/explanations in Spanish as preferred.

Guide Engagement:

Our guide Martin on our trip to Bartolomew was just okay and left some of the people in the group behind. The boat company Altamar - could have also made the experience better.

Once we arrived in San Cristóbal, our guide spent most of her time on her phone and lacked any genuine enthusiasm or interest in showing us around. We could have spent time exploring the Loberia but instead she was on the phone. The timings should have been better assessed by the guide, when we got to the Loberia- it was high tide and we could not snorkel/swim in the water. So we requested to go back to the Playa where we climbed to see the vista- but the guide left us and luckily for us the taxi driver came and picked us up after we were done.

I want to give a special shoutout to two of our guides who made the experience unforgettable. Our first guide, Reuben, on the Tortuga tour was truly one of the best—incredibly knowledgeable and engaging. He spoke to us in Spanish, was very patient, funny and was incredibly happy to answer our curious questions. And on our last guided tour, later in the trip, our guide at Española (with Sharksky) was also nice and went above and beyond by snorkeling right alongside everyone, excitedly showing us the school of dolphins as we approached the island, and later on making the entire group feel safe, comfortable, and confident in the water. Amazing guides make all the difference!

Conclusion: When you book through a specialized agency like KimKim, you pay for seamless logistics, vetted properties, and safety coordination—especially regarding life-threatening food allergies. Unfortunately, KimKim failed to pass vital information to their local partners, leaving us to navigate safety risks, bug infestations, and poor service on our own. I expected much better oversight for the price paid.

Hotel Reviews

Casa Opuntia Galapagos Hotel

Puerto Baquerizo Moreno

Upon check-in, our first room also had several ants. We requested a room change and were moved to a significantly smaller room that lacked a fan and a TV, having only an AC. This second room also had ants and was full of fruit fly-like bugs. While the room was very disappointing (and we mentioned this to the front desk), their incredible kitchen staff and outstanding hospitality deserves thanks. Traveling with severe dietary requirements can be incredibly stressful, but the team here went above and beyond to make us feel safe, welcome, and incredibly well-fed. On our very first day, they thoughtfully prepared a delicious meal of avena (oatmeal) and lentejas (lentils). And on the day we were leaving, they made us a fresh patacones (crispy plantains) topped with avocado, tomatoes, and basil.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The ants and fruit fly like bugs in the rooms were not nice to deal with during our entire stay

Ikala Galapagos Hotel

Puerto Ayora

The hotel staff did not know their own ingredients. Despite our severe dairy, egg, and nut allergies, we were given completely wrong information (such as claiming items were safe when they actually contained avellana [hazelnut] and milk). On the one day we asked them for breakfast, we got ants in our patacones de patas and a big ant in our salad leaves that went with the patacones. That level of hygiene is unacceptable. For a hotel of this tier, a total lack of basic pest control and food hygiene is shocking. What makes this worse is that we had communicated severe dietary restrictions and allergy requirements well in advance. Serving food with insects in it is not just unhygienic; it is a serious health and safety hazard. The room was also infested with ants and had moths. They did not change our room the first night and the second night we had to tell them as there were thousands of ants in the room. We could not wait to be out of there.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Wyndham Quito Airport

Quito

A Truly Wonderful Experience Absolutely outstanding experience. The chef went above and beyond to accommodate our vegan dietary needs and carefully prepared special dishes to address my son’s multiple food allergies. A big shout out to Karla- Karla and her team were really the best and went out of their way to help us. The entire staff was wondeful, the hotel was clean and the beds comfortable. We cannot recommend this place highly enough. The entire staff was very friendly and helpful. Muchas Gracias!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Santa Cruz Highlands, Lava Tunels and Charles Darwin Research Station (if times allows)

Isla Santa Cruz

Our guide Reuben was very knowledgeable, super nice and took us around to explain everything. He spoke to us in our preferred language (Spanish) and he answered all our curious questions. He also made sure that our food catered to our allergies.

Quality of Experience

Food

The salad, juice, rice with vegetables were good and met our dietary requirements

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Shared Shuttle Transfer from Quito Airport to Nearby Hotel

Galapagos Islands

The person picking us up was not in the aiport so we had to look around for him and search by car as there were no instructions as to where to go. We did eventually find him and got on the shuttle.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Arrival in San Cristóbal – Interpretation Center & La Lobería (from Pier)

Isla San Cristóbal

The guide was not engaging, and always on her phone. Did not check her timings for the tides and we could not snorkel in the la Loberia when we got there. She was talking on the phone, texting or walking ahead or going away to the side to talk on the phone. It was not pleasant being with her.

Quality of Experience

The sights playa and the view point/nature was nice

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guide Engagement and attentiveness

Transport

Española Island Day Tour (from San Cristóbal)

Isla San Cristóbal

Quality of Experience

The guide was patient and spent time explaining things and showing us the sights.

Food

The chef had prepared food but we did not eat it as we did not want to get sick on the boat

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Edwin and the boat staff were very helpful and fun to go with

Transport

Embarking on the North Seymour Yacht Adventure

Isla Santa Cruz

The guide was going ahead with a small group of people. Some of us were left behind and missed out on the things the guide explained and he did not repeat the same things when we were there.

Quality of Experience

For the price we paid the tour could have been better

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

They ran out of flippers of the correct size

Transport

Discovering Bartolome a full day yacht experience

Isla Santa Cruz

Our guide Martin was okay. He should have included the entire group when he was explaining things as some of the people were left behind. The crew of the Altamar also especially the Chef could have ensured we had beans and rice and adequate food as well (there were no snacks left). The flippers and snorkeling gear should have been tried either the day before or as soon as we got on the boat, instead of a few minutes before we were going to go snorkeling.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Transfer to the Airport for your domestic flight to the Galapagos Islands.

Quito

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Please read Charles, Ashley,and Renee's reviews as
I totally agree.

Hotel Review

Stauntons on the Green

Dublin

Stauntons on the Green in Dublin was a wonderful place to stay. The staff were incredibly friendly and called us by our first names by the time we left, making it a very personal experience. Overall, the stay was great and highly enjoyable.

Activity Reviews

Taylor's Irish Night ( with dinner)

Dublin

Taylor's Irish Night with dinner was a wonderful way to end our trip. The performances included dancers from River Dance and a singer from Celtic Women. The talent was astounding, and the performance of 'Bring Him Home' was particularly special. It was a fantastic evening.

Kilkenny Food Tour

Kilkenny

The Kilkenny Food Tour was a delight! The food was excellent, and although I'm not a beer drinker, the experience in the bar was fun. My son enjoyed the drinks while I appreciated the unique atmosphere. Overall, it was great, and I loved it!

Cliffs of Moher Visitor Center tickets

Ireland

Visiting the Cliffs of Moher was impressive, and I took lots of incredible pictures. However, the site was quite crowded and a bit touristy. Despite this, the natural beauty of the cliffs made the visit worthwhile.

Private tour of Connemara (Sky Road, Kylemore Abbey and a Sheep dog Farm experience)

Ireland

The private tour of Connemara, including the Sky Road, Kylemore Abbey, and a Sheep dog farm experience, was fantastic! I was especially impressed with how the shepherd controlled the sheepdogs using only his voice. It was a very fun and memorable experience.

Corrib Princess River Cruise

Galway

The Corrib Princess River Cruise was my least favorite activity on the trip. Although none of the activities were bad, I did experience a bit of seasickness, which dampened the cruise experience for me. Everything went smoothly otherwise, but this particular activity didn't stand out as much as the others.

My husband and I are overwhelmed with the fantastic trip Noga and her team put together for us. We wanted nothing left to chance on this celebratory trip to Iceland. They did an excellent job curating top-notch experiences, mapping out our self-driving route with appropriate distances for each day, identifying the sights we would most likely want to explore, selecting and booking our lodging, offering endless lists of helpful reading material, restaurants, etc. Pre-planning communication was appropriate, detailed, and open-ended. If we came up with changes or additional ideas, they offered informed feedback and helped work those wishes into our itinerary. While on the trip, they were excellent support as well. I'm 100% convinced that we improved our entire travel experience by engaging kimkim as our travel planners.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Eyja

Reykjavik

Our quick 1-night stay here was a great choice. This hotel is slightly off the central shopping district, but only by a few blocks. We had easy free parking right out front. Our room was small, cute, and lodge-like. We did not have breakfast or any food here, other than the free coffee in the lobby. The large Bonus grocery store is just a block behind this hotel, so that could be helpful if you need to stock up before leaving town. It's easy to head to the airport from here too. A gas station with the fabulous Braou bakery is just down the hill on your way to the highway.

Authenticity & Character

Fun decor

Location

Staff

Check-in was efficient.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hótel Búðir

Búðir

This hotel is in quite a remote area. The scenery from the numerous comfortable lounge areas was fabulous. We appreciated being able to relax in the public spaces with our coffee or cocktails. The dining experience was less impressive. The dining room is stark and faces the parking lot, not offering much in the way of ambiance. The dinner menu was limited to one vegetarian option, a fish of the day, a lamb, and a beef entree. I had the fish - cod, and it was a tasty dish, but not terribly inventive. The beef my husband ordered was actually tough, a bit disappointing, as you are definitely paying for an extraordinary meal. The breakfast buffet was adequate, but nothing special. We had some concerns regarding our room assignment, which Noga and her team helped us resolve. This hotel is in a beautiful setting, and it's a treat to visit here.

Fosshótel Mývatn

Myvatn

OUTSTANDING hotel. We enjoyed our stay here very much. Our room had the most amazing view of the lake, along with an exterior door onto a small deck. Our room was larger than most we experienced on our trip. We had a large window with two chairs, a perfect setup for relaxing with coffee or a cocktail and taking in the scenic views. The breakfast service was on par with another Fosshotel experience, which we found to be quite good. Service was excellent here.

Authenticity & Character

Fosshotel brand has consistency, which is appreciated by travelers.

Location

BEAUTIFUL scenic environment.

Staff

Staff went out of their way to make sure we had everything we needed.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Big room, AC, comfortable seating and bedding.

Við Lónið Guesthouse

Seyðisfjörður

Our quick overnight in this tiny little village was well served by staying at this guesthouse. We had an amazing view of the mountains, and a little lake, and a porch to enjoy. The guesthouse is basic, but it included comfortable seating, a small fridge, and a coffee/tea setup in the room. We were steps away from the cute church, a supermarket, the local pub, and Aldan Hotel for dining. Its historical charm added to the experience of staying there.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Cleanliness & Comfort

Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon

Hnappavellir

Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon was a great choice for our touring in this area. The location worked well for us. The nice bar area, lounge areas, and porch were all enjoyed. Our room was comfortable, though quite a distance from the common areas. No AC; however, fans were available to help circulate the air. We had a very enjoyable dinner at this hotel. The dining room offered lovely views of the surrounding mountains. Breakfast buffet was also quite good.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Room was a bit stuffy, though very clean and fresh.

Hotel Rangá

Hella

Hotel Rangá has a strong reputation. We noted they were hosting people traveling with highly regarded tour companies while we were staying there. We found our room a bit cramped and warm, road-facing, so limited views. The location served us well for our itinerary. They offered a welcome drink on our first evening. We enjoyed breakfast and the beautiful views from the dining room each morning. The skyr and pastries were quite good! They also offered hot items, including a vegan option. Our dinner at Hotel Rangá was enjoyable, but not fantastic. The reindeer entree was quite large, possibly good to share. The mushroom soup and scallop starter were also quite tasty. We appreciated the warmth and helpfulness of the staff here.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The room itself wasn't particularly comfortable. Perhaps an upgrade here would be good.

Alda Hotel Reykjavík

Reykjavík

Our 1-night stay at Alda Hotel met our needs for a central location and a comfortable room. We were grateful for the offer to check in early, just having arrived from our overnight flight. The hotel does not have its own parking, but the garage we were directed to use is conveniently located on the same street. The room had a balcony with a nice view out on the city. Breakfast was quite good as well. The Bonus supermarket is just up the street. We were able to stock up before leaving town on our self-driving tour of Iceland. It's easy to walk to Harpa, the church, and all of the shopping in the area.

Authenticity & Character

Nice chic feel.

Location

Easy to get anywhere!

Staff

Helpful and allowed us to check-in early.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Icelandic Food Walk

Reykjavík

Such a fun experience to do at the beginning of our trip to Iceland. Bonnie introduced us to the food scene in Reykjavik and also extended a warm welcome and entertained us between stops with her bright and cheery disposition on a rather wet afternoon. We found the eateries to be interesting and quite good. Maybe the fermented shark wasn't 'good' lol, but really, this is an excellent experience.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Full of personality!

Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon

Iceland

Looks like a Lord of the Rings setting! We loved exploring this canyon as it’s very distinctive. We understand it was a little visited place until Justin Bieber made a video here a few years ago. It’s totally worth checking out.

Quality of Experience

It’s unique and intriguing.

Cliff Walk from Arnarstapi to Hellnar

Snæfellsnes Peninsula

A spectacular hike from one tiny village to another (about 2 miles each way). We walked along the cliffs with clear views to all kinds of rock formations, and then through lava rocks for a good way which gave a chance to get out of a rather blowy wind. At the end we came upon a small building which happened to be a delightful cafe with both sweet and savory foods and beverages. The chocolate cake there was quite delicious! We found it difficult to leave that scenic spot to do our return trip. It’s a lovely way to spend a couple of hours.

GeoSea Geothermal Sea Baths Experience

Iceland

This sea bath venue is INCREDIBLE! The views, the spa-like environment, and easy access to refreshments were all part of what created my favorite 'pampering' outing of our trip. I'm so thrilled that I asked Noga for recommendations for a hot springs experience that would fit into our itinerary. This one is a definite 'DO'. Our timing was impeccable as there were no crowds and it was a glorious blue sky day... perfect for this experience.

Quality of Experience

Spa-like, fresh, relaxing

Skogafoss Waterfall

Iceland

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon - Zodiac Adventure

Iceland

Ice Lagoon runs an efficient operation at the glacier lagoon. Everything ran on time; they have a system down from check-in to suiting up (yes, you will be in a really fashionable jumpsuit!) and a quick bus ride to the pier to load up. Under clear blue skies, we were blessed with an exhilarating ride on the Zodiac out into the lagoon and among icebergs. We saw a gray seal sunbathing and experienced a glacier calving. It's all otherworldly and a privilege to be in that environment. We found our guide to be completely into sharing this incredible place with us. The operation is family-run with only the two Zodiacs. They do quite a business and offer a tour worthy of your attention.

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach

Iceland

The lagoon area is surprisingly easy to access right off of the main road. Many outfitters operate from this busy parking lot. Food trucks are available and masses of people gather to meet up with their tour operators. The icebergs are close up to the shore and set against the glacier as a backdrop. All in all pretty cool. It’s an easy walk along the side of the lagoon to the ocean and black diamond beach. No need to move a vehicle to a different parking area. The large icebergs that come up on the beach are unexpected and depending on the light, quite striking.

Quality of Experience

Really unusual to see icebergs on the black sand.

Seljalandsfoss & Gljúfrabúi Waterfalls

Iceland

We visited at night (still in daylight) and found the lighting to be a special effect, and of course, the buses of tourists were not there. Put your waterproof gear on if you want to go behind the falls. Both falls were worth a visit. It's easy to walk between the two falls. It's right off the main road, so very convenient to go there.

Thórsmörk Super Jeep Experience

Iceland

Midgard really blew us away with this full day of off-road exploration, where we could never venture on our own. Part of the "wow-factor" and beauty of this day was not knowing what we were in for. I hesitate to dig deep into details, but encourage you to gift yourself with this day and soak it in, however it unfolds. There were people of all ages with us. The lunch included in our tour was vegan, gluten-free, and DELICIOUS. Thorear, our guide, was on his game and gave us his undivided attention and entertained us, too. We hold this experience at the very top of our 12-day trip highlights. Midgard is a family operation with a deep commitment to sustainability and treating the community in which they live and work with the utmost respect.