Kimkim Trip Reviews

4.8
Based on 18,411 ratings
Read 18,411 verified reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim. You can also read reviews about kimkim on 3rd party sites including Google, TrustPilot and Yelp.

The RIB boat ride and goat cheese farm tour f...
Norway | Jul 31 - Aug 12, 2024

T
Timolyn E.
Denver, CO | Reviewed on Aug 14, 2024
The RIB boat ride and goat cheese farm tour from Flåm was excellent, though our room at Fretheim hotel was very sub par and unfortunately KimKim was not able to do anything about it. We loved everything about Lofoten Islands and especially the Reine Robeur hotel. We mainly did self guided hikes and ate really really well. Best part of the trip. We also enjoyed Oslo and the Christiana Teatro hotel. I would not recommend the Hidden Gems tour…. Our guide brought along her 2 year old dog so... Read more

The RIB boat ride and goat cheese farm tour from Flåm was excellent, though our room at Fretheim hotel was very sub par and unfortunately KimKim was not able to do anything about it.

We loved everything about Lofoten Islands and especially the Reine Robeur hotel. We mainly did self guided hikes and ate really really well. Best part of the trip.

We also enjoyed Oslo and the Christiana Teatro hotel. I would not recommend the Hidden Gems tour…. Our guide brought along her 2 year old dog so the ‘tour’ was very much about keeping the dog under control the whole time.

Hotel Reviews
Thon Hotel Svolvær
Svolvær
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Reine Rorbuer
Reine
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
HATTVIKA LODGE
Ballstad
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Home Hotel Bryggen
Bergen
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Fretheim Hotel
Flåm
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Christiania Teater
Oslo
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Arctic Horseriding Trip
Arctic Horseriding Trip
Norway

Horses were fun but our group was really big. They spent a lot of time asking about our experience with horses, only to walk them in a line for all but 6 minutes of the tour.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Summer Fjord Safari and Hike
Summer Fjord Safari and Hike
Flåm

Our guide, Rose, was excellent and made the whole experience amazing

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Summer Kayaking Excursion
Summer Kayaking Excursion
Reine

Kayak tour was suppose to be 2-6 people but 10 were on our trip. We spent a ton of time just getting everyone in kayaks and on water. Our guide did not know much about the area we were touring.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Hidden Gems City Walk
Hidden Gems City Walk
Oslo
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Kadri Talvik
Kadri
Kadri Talvik
Local specialist in Norway | Replied on Aug 20, 2024

Hi Timolyn!

Thank you so much for your review and your trust in us! Lofoten Islands are definitely one of the more amazing parts of Norway! :)

I am happy to hear you enjoyed the trip and hope to welcome you again to Norway!

All the best!
Kadri

Fantastic Trip!
Italy | Jul 30 - Aug 8, 2024

P
Paul M.
North Atlanta, GA | Reviewed on Aug 13, 2024
Our trip took us from Bologna, to Florence, to Rome over 10 days. The itinerary and accommodations provided by Lorenza went off with nothing more than two minor issues noted below, which I offer only as constructive advice. And "Thank You" to Andrea for his real-time support in Rome.
In Bologna, accommodations at Hotel Aemilia were excellent--our favorite place on the trip. The only minor issue in this leg of the trip -- not enough time to enjoy Museo Enzo between arriving by train at...
Read more

Our trip took us from Bologna, to Florence, to Rome over 10 days. The itinerary and accommodations provided by Lorenza went off with nothing more than two minor issues noted below, which I offer only as constructive advice. And "Thank You" to Andrea for his real-time support in Rome.
In Bologna, accommodations at Hotel Aemilia were excellent--our favorite place on the trip. The only minor issue in this leg of the trip -- not enough time to enjoy Museo Enzo between arriving by train at Modena Centrale, and catching the shuttle bus to Museo Ferrari (40 minutes total were allowed, including time to walk to/from the Museo and train station. Too short. I missed the shuttle bus and took a taxi from Modena to Maranello so I could enjoy the Enzo museum). We also had a day trip to tour and sample parmigiano/reggiano, prosciutto, and balsamic vinegar in Emilia-Romagna. A real treat to have a private tour guide (there, and in every city we visited)-- we HIGHLY recommend this format. All of our tour guides were super-knowledgeable, fun, patient, etc.
Florence was our favorite place--SO much history. One highlight was our tour of the Chianti region (the only group tour we had, and there were only 11 of us in total, so no issue). Drinking wine and eating great food makes for quick fun together! Would go back to Florence and the Tuscany region without any hesitation. Accommodations there were excellent at Hotel Garibaldi Blu--very quaint, right near the train station but very quiet inside.
Rome was a whirlwind. Accommodations at Hotel Navona Colors were comfortable but a notch down from the other places we stayed. Private tour guide was absolutely, positively worth it! The only concern on this leg was actually in Frankfurt, our one stop on the trip home. We had 1 hr 20 min between our scheduled arrival in Frankfurt, and departure from there to Raleigh/Durham. Rome flight was 20 min late arriving, and then the German border/passport control process was SLOW and CROWDED. We narrowly escaped missing our flight from Frankfurt to Raleigh/Durham, being the last two persons on board. For a transatlantic trip, we like to avoid cutting this so close!

I would recommend KimKim, and Lorenza, without hesitation. THANK YOU for making our first trip to Italy memorable, and we are certain to return there soon. Ciao!

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Navona Colors
Rome

Not as endearing as other places we stayed. Not bad at all, but not a hotel that we'd put on the top of our list. The room itself was fine but the breakfast, and caffe area, were not as good as others.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Garibaldi Blu
Florence

Great location, friendly and informative staff, quiet. Breakfast was excellent. Clean and spacious bathroom.

Authenticity & Character
Neat decor, calm, some funky figures in the public spaces (batman, captain america, etc.)
Location
Close to everything.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Phi Hotel Emilia
Bologna

We stayed here due to business at the Department of Veterinary Sciences, which is within walking distance of the hotel. Breakfast was excellent! The two are located in Ozzano, just East of Bologna, which is a small town. When put into this context, Phi Hotel was fine. Ratings below reflect the context.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Some of the staff at the front desk were courteous--others, not so much.
Cleanliness & Comfort
No problems in this respect. Typical tiny Euro shower!
Activity Reviews
Colosseum & Roman Forum skip the line ticket
Colosseum & Roman Forum skip the line ticket
Rome

It would be crazy not to get a Skip the line ticket!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Accademia Gallery - skip the line entrance
Accademia Gallery - skip the line entrance
Florence

Once you see for yourself the lines to get in without a Skip The Line ticket, you'll know!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Florence private guided walk including Accademia Gallery
Florence private guided walk including Accademia Gallery
Italy

Outstanding. Our private guide was native to Florence and was fantastic.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit to the Museum and Ferrari Factory
Visit to the Museum and Ferrari Factory
Italy

Fabulous, especially the Enzo museum. The two museums are complementary, not duplicative. A must-see for Ferrarista, car nuts and F1 fans.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Rome Private Guided Walk
Rome Private Guided Walk
Rome
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Colosseum and Roman Forum - Private guide
Colosseum and Roman Forum - Private guide
Rome
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Chianti Full Immersive Wine & Olive Oil Experience from Florence (small group)
Chianti Full Immersive Wine & Olive Oil Experience from Florence (small group)
Florence
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Wine and food tour in Florence
Wine and food tour in Florence
Florence
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Food day including Balsamic Vinegar, Parma ham and Parmigiano Reggiano - from Bologna
Food day including Balsamic Vinegar, Parma ham and Parmigiano Reggiano - from Bologna
Italy
Quality of Experience
Food
Everything.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Private, guided tours are the way to go.
Transport
Local specialist: Lorenza Cannarsa

Unforgettable Birding Trip to Colombia
Colombia | Jul 30 - Aug 10, 2024

Thea
Thea B.
Canada | Reviewed on Aug 13, 2024
Booking our trip through Kimkim was incredibly easy. For many years now, I've wanted to go birdwatching in Colombia but knew so little about the country and where to go. Michael put together an amazing itinerary starting in Bogota, ending in Santa Marta, and including Manizales in the "coffee triangle". We saw over 200 species of birds, most of which were lifers, and stayed in some of the most beautiful places I think I've ever seen. Hacienda Venezia was a spectacular historic home on a... Read more

Booking our trip through Kimkim was incredibly easy. For many years now, I've wanted to go birdwatching in Colombia but knew so little about the country and where to go. Michael put together an amazing itinerary starting in Bogota, ending in Santa Marta, and including Manizales in the "coffee triangle". We saw over 200 species of birds, most of which were lifers, and stayed in some of the most beautiful places I think I've ever seen. Hacienda Venezia was a spectacular historic home on a coffee plantation; El Dorado had "glamorous" huts on the top of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, with panoramic views of the entire planet, it felt; and Senda Koguiwa felt like a luxurious tropical resort. Even the HAB hotel, where we stayed in Bogota, was chic, comfortable, and upscale. The guides were incredibly knowledgable and everyone was kind and attentive. There were some live changes to the itinerary, but that's par for the course.

There were just a few issues, all of which could be ironed out with a few adjustments:

1. The breakfast box supplied by Senda Koguiwa was awful: a dry bread roll with tasteless cheese and ham, and nothing else. It was clear to me that they don't usually put these together for guests.

2. The accommodations at El Dorado were beautiful but they were dangerous. The pathways that lead from the huts up to the main restaurant were loose, slippery, and muddy and didn't have any hand railing to help people stabilize themselves. The wooden boards that were used to create steps in the mud were rotting and collapsed when stepped on. Someone literally could break their leg hiking this path. They also haven't strung up any lights along these pathways and so when you walk back from the restaurant at night (it's a good 8-minute walk to the furthest cabins!) you essentially do that in the pitch blackness. We weren't prepared for this: no one told us to bring torches for the journey.

3. Our final guide for the trip (and I won't mention his name here) was extremely knowledgeable but he lacked experience actually GUIDING people, particularly larger groups. He didn't really look after us at all but rather walked ahead, birded, and told whoever was closest to him what they were seeing. He didn't explain anything, didn't make sure the whole group had seen the birds, and didn't wait for the stragglers to catch up. We had some older folks in our group and he never waited to help them up/down slippery slopes or difficult obstacles. He just forged ahead and if someone had dropped off the edge of the mountain, he probably wouldn't have noticed. I learned how to work with him—by sticking closely to his side and asking him relentless questions—but the rest of the group struggled. He also never explained what we were doing or what to expect so we were often ill-prepared for the activities we were doing. I'm able to say these things about him because the other guides we had were so wonderful with the group.

4. Finally, birding is a long and physical activity. It would be nice if all the guides kept a cooler in the back of the van with bottles of cold water, soft drinks, and perhaps some snacks (health bars / fruit or whatever) on trips that are longer than 3 hours. There were many early mornings we left to bird and weren't given any coffee or tea at all, and had to wait until mid-morning breakfast or lunch to eat or drink again. It would take so little to address this and it would have a major impact on the happiness of your future birders.

5. Recommendation for Senda Koguiwa: put up bird feeders! They have such a gorgeous property with so many birds already but with feeders, you'd attract birdwatchers by the thousands!

None of these are criticisms but rather intended as feedback to help Kimkim fine-tune its services for birders. Overall, we had the adventure of a lifetime and it was wonderful to sit back and enjoy the ride!

Local specialist: Michael Gold
Michael
Michael Gold
Local specialist in San Agustín, Huila, Colombia | Replied on Aug 19, 2024
Dear Thea, Thank you so much for taking the time to share your detailed feedback. I'm thrilled to hear that your group had such a memorable birdwatching adventure in Colombia and that the itinerary met your expectations, allowing you to see over 200 bird species in these diverse locations. WOW! It’s great to know that you enjoyed your stays, particularly at Hacienda Venecia, El Dorado, and Senda Koguiwa, and that our guides were knowledgeable and attentive throughout most of your trip. I... Read more

Dear Thea,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your detailed feedback. I'm thrilled to hear that your group had such a memorable birdwatching adventure in Colombia and that the itinerary met your expectations, allowing you to see over 200 bird species in these diverse locations. WOW! It’s great to know that you enjoyed your stays, particularly at Hacienda Venecia, El Dorado, and Senda Koguiwa, and that our guides were knowledgeable and attentive throughout most of your trip.

I truly appreciate your constructive feedback regarding the areas that could use improvement. Your comments are incredibly valuable as they help us enhance the experience for future travelers. We will discuss the points you mentioned with the hotels and guides to ensure these improvements are made!

Thank you again, and we hope to welcome you back soon.

Best regards,
Michael & The Chaska Tours Team

Amazing family vacation to Peru with our teen...
Peru | Aug 4 - Aug 11, 2024

L
Lindi V.
Memphis, TN | Reviewed on Aug 13, 2024
Amazing family vacation to Peru with our teenage children. Peruvian Soul did a great job, all activities and tours were booked, transportation was seamless, and guide Edwar was knowledgeable and friendly. Read more

Amazing family vacation to Peru with our teenage children. Peruvian Soul did a great job, all activities and tours were booked, transportation was seamless, and guide Edwar was knowledgeable and friendly.

Hotel Reviews
Los Portales Cusco
Cusco

Good location. Rooms are small but clean. Excellent staff, responsive to concerns. No air-conditioning, and windows open to enclosure, not fresh air.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Across from Qorikancha, and close walk to main square
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
We had internal rooms with windows that opened to atrium, not fresh air. We were hit and there is no AC or temp control in the rooms.
Hatun Inti Boutique Machupicchu
Machu Picchu

Clean large rooms. Well situated at the bus stop for MP. Simple breakfast. Thin walls.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Rooms on the river are lovely
Staff
Receptionist should have kept our rooms together.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Loud with thin walls.
Sonesta Posadas del Inca Yucay
Urubamba

Beautiful hotel, large rooms. Generous breakfast. Coffee and ice cream shop at the hotel.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Close drive to urubamba and ollantaytambo
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Sandboarding in Chilca Dunes
Sandboarding in Chilca Dunes
Lima

Fun activity for active teenagers. Took longer than anticipated, so should have brought food.

Local specialist: Anne Godoy
Anne
Anne Godoy
Local specialist in Lima | Replied on Aug 16, 2024

Hi Lindi 🎉
Thanks for traveling with us. I am glad you had a great family trip in Peru and congrats on hiking the Inca Trail. Thanks for sharing this valuable inside with us, it helps us always to keep doing better and better.
Best regards from Peru
Anne Godoy

Great trip to Japan.
Japan | Aug 6 - Aug 12, 2024

M
michael d.
Canada | Reviewed on Aug 13, 2024

Excellent experience with Kimkim. A pretty complicated trip, with lots of destinations, transfers, trains and planes and everything was seamless. Communication during the trip through WhatsApp was instantaneous.

Our travel specialist, Leny, was outstanding. She was able to suggest or modify activities on the fly, to suit the weather or teenage preferences. Her personalized recommendations on restaurants and shopping areas (Amerika-sura) were highlights of our trip. I will seek her out for any future trips to SE Asia.

Local specialist: Leny Vergara
Leny
Leny Vergara
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Sep 23, 2024

Hi Michael, thank you for your positive feedback! I’m glad to hear you and your daughter had a wonderful time in Japan. It was a pleasure helping with your trip, and I look forward to the opportunity to design your next adventure to Japan!

Memorial Finland trip
Finland | Jul 26 - Aug 6, 2024

M
Melissa L.
Seattle, WA | Reviewed on Aug 13, 2024
Our trip was catered to our preferences. When we had suggestions or changes they were flexible and adjusted. Our accommodations and breakfasts were great. We were able to experience Finland how we wanted. We got to see four different cities and many different saunas. The agenda was clear and we were able to follow our transportation schedule. I would recommend Kim Kim to others. Read more

Our trip was catered to our preferences. When we had suggestions or changes they were flexible and adjusted. Our accommodations and breakfasts were great. We were able to experience Finland how we wanted. We got to see four different cities and many different saunas. The agenda was clear and we were able to follow our transportation schedule. I would recommend Kim Kim to others.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Fabian
Helsinki

Only stayed one night. Good breakfast.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Walking distance to shops and restaurants.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Boutique Hotel Yöpuu
Jyväskylä

Cute hotel. We only stayed one night. Breakfast was good. They also gave us a welcome drink.

Authenticity & Character
Each room was decorated differently. Ours was based on Finnish fashion designers.
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Lillan Boutique Hotel & Kök
Tampere

Super cute hotel. They were so nice to provide a welcome drink. The breakfast was amazing. The sauna room was a surprise and so amazing.

Authenticity & Character
Location
A little away from things but the city bicycles were very helpful.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Scandic Hamburger Börs
Turku

Newer hotel in a great location. Wonderful breakfast. They have bikes you can borrow.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Easy to walk to many things.
Staff
Super nice.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Clarion Hotel Helsinki
Helsinki

Great breakfast.

Authenticity & Character
The pool and roof top bar were fun:
Location
A little ways from the main area…about a mile.
Staff
Very kind and helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
One of our rooms was very hot. Air conditioning didn’t work. They did provide fans, which helped.
Activity Reviews
Evening Canoeing on Tourujoki
Evening Canoeing on Tourujoki
Jyväskylä

Beautiful lakes to canoe around. If it is windy, it can be challenging to paddle back.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Island Whispers: Archipelago Cruise
Island Whispers: Archipelago Cruise
Turku

A lot of Finns do this as mini trip. Our group isn’t used to sitting so long. We would have liked to get out and explore some of the islands. It was great to see the area. On the way back we booked the spa/sauna. That was a fun experience on the boat. Then we had a fancy 3 course meat. The food may have been a little too fancy for most of our group but it was a fun experience.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Forum Sauna
Forum Sauna
Turku

Authentic sauna experience. Very historical. You get washed, sit in the sauna, foot soak, face mud, and rinse. Sauna momma gives you blueberries and currents along with blueberry juice.

Quality of Experience
Löyly Sauna visit
Löyly Sauna visit
Helsinki

Great to have a variety of saunas and the opportunity to swim in the Baltic (Gulf of Finland).

Quality of Experience
Helsinki Walking Tour
Helsinki Walking Tour
Helsinki

Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and did a great job of giving facts and adding humor. The 4 hours went quickly even though it was warm and a lot of walking.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Harmony in Stone: Temppeliaukion Church
Harmony in Stone: Temppeliaukion Church
Helsinki

We did not do this experience because we didn’t realize that the tickets were only good for the day. We had too many things booked for one day with the walking tour and the trip to the island.

SkySauna: An Elevated Finnish Experience
SkySauna: An Elevated Finnish Experience
Helsinki

Definitely a tourist attraction. So amazing to be in a sauna on a Ferris Wheel. The private hot tub and changing room was also a bonus. What a great way to start our vacation.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Miglé Mikenaite

Wow...
Italy | Jul 26 - Aug 5, 2024

Jessica
Jessica B.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Aug 13, 2024
Wow.. what an amazing trip to Italy all thanks to Luca!! He helped plan an action-packed trip with just the right amount of relaxation. From Florence to Sorrento to Rome, Luca helped curate the perfect itinerary that included tours, a cooking class, and a boat ride to Capri. The private transfers to and from the airports/ train stations eased our minds so much in knowing there was a ride waiting for us. Luca was a DREAM to work with and answered all our silly questions, helped when we were in... Read more

Wow.. what an amazing trip to Italy all thanks to Luca!! He helped plan an action-packed trip with just the right amount of relaxation. From Florence to Sorrento to Rome, Luca helped curate the perfect itinerary that included tours, a cooking class, and a boat ride to Capri. The private transfers to and from the airports/ train stations eased our minds so much in knowing there was a ride waiting for us. Luca was a DREAM to work with and answered all our silly questions, helped when we were in a bind, and gave some amazing recommendations. I wasn’t sure exactly what to expect, but can honestly say it exceeded my expectations and I will 100% use kimkim again.

Hotel Review
Palazzo Starace
Sorrento

The staff was AMAZING- so helpful, gave food recommendations and the best bubbly personalities. Was super clean and the location was everything. So easy to access the downtown and walk to the beach. Couldn’t speak highly enough!

Authenticity & Character
The staff!!! The yummy breakfast!!!
Location
Extremely central… perfect location for all ages
Staff
Some of the kindest people
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean, always smelt nice.
Activity Reviews
Capri and the Sorrentine Peninsula by boat
Capri and the Sorrentine Peninsula by boat
Italy

SO fun!! Get to jump into water, enjoy beverages, and see the island by water. It’s gorgeous and completely exceeded our expectations. The boat ride was a highlight of our trip!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Tuscan Cooking class and S.Lorenzo Market
Tuscan Cooking class and S.Lorenzo Market
Florence

One of our FAVORITE activities. Step-by-step directions for how to make two different pasta dishes and homemade tiramisu. We are already buying the ingredients to re-create this activity for our families at home! Alice was the best teacher ever. Cannot speak highly enough.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Luca D'Arcangelo
Luca
Luca D'Arcangelo
Local specialist in Rome | Replied on Aug 26, 2024
Hi Jessica!
Thank you so much for your kind words and for taking some time to share your experience! 😍
It was my pleasure to help you and your friends planning this amazing trip to Italy, and I'm thrilled and extremely happy to see that you enjoyed it! I was sure you would enjoy the cooking class and have real fun! And what about Capri? It was a true not-to-miss spot and I can't really imagine how much you liked it 😍 Thank you for all your feedback, it is super appreciated and helps us... Read more

Hi Jessica!
Thank you so much for your kind words and for taking some time to share your experience! 😍

It was my pleasure to help you and your friends planning this amazing trip to Italy, and I'm thrilled and extremely happy to see that you enjoyed it! I was sure you would enjoy the cooking class and have real fun! And what about Capri? It was a true not-to-miss spot and I can't really imagine how much you liked it 😍

Thank you for all your feedback, it is super appreciated and helps us understand what to offer our future clients and where to improve! I am super happy you liked the centrally located hotels and could enjoy the best of each city staying there! I hope you have already prepared some of the dishes you learned to do during the cooking class, I would love to taste them! 😉

Thank you again for your trust and for choosing us to help with your trip!
Should you plan another trip, I would love the opportunity to assist you once more and make your new trip unforgettable!!

Sincerely,
Luca

Margoth and her team planned a wonderful trip...
Colombia | Aug 1 - Aug 10, 2024

M
Megan H.
Manhattan, NY | Reviewed on Aug 12, 2024

Margoth and her team planned a wonderful trip for us to the coffee region, Medellin, and Cartagena. Every detail was thoughtfully planned. And, when we were traveling, they were extremely responsive to our needs and helped us make a few changes along the way. I would highly recommend a trip to beautiful Colombia. Be sure to use Margoth and Arcanto travel when you do!!

Local specialist: Margoth Rico
Margoth
Margoth Rico
Local specialist in Bogota | Replied on Aug 12, 2024

Dear Megan,

Thank you very much for taking the time to write this review. It was a pleasure meeting you and Lucas, and we appreciate you including us in your trip! We’re thrilled to hear that you had a wonderful experience and enjoyed your time in Colombia 😊!

Sending you our very best wishes from Colombia, and we hope you stay in touch!

Best regards,
Margoth and The Aracanto Team

Day in Rome
Italy | Aug 10 - Aug 11, 2024

Dan
Dan V.
Clermont, FL | Reviewed on Aug 12, 2024
Everything was perfect. Our hotel in Rome was spectacular and the location was perfect. Valeria and IIaria were the best!! The transportation they arranged worked out perfectly and the tour in Rome was fantastic. Thank you so much for a perfect ending to our Mediterranean Cruise. Read more

Everything was perfect. Our hotel in Rome was spectacular and the location was perfect. Valeria and IIaria were the best!! The transportation they arranged worked out perfectly and the tour in Rome was fantastic. Thank you so much for a perfect ending to our Mediterranean Cruise.

Hotel Review
47 Boutique Hotel
Rome
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
 Private Colosseum, Forum Tour & Palatine hill
Private Colosseum, Forum Tour & Palatine hill
Rome
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Valeria Arcangeli
Valeria
Valeria Arcangeli
Local specialist in Rome | Replied on Aug 13, 2024

Hi Dan,
Thank you for your kind words. I'm so glad to hear that Rome was the perfect ending to your cruise!

Next time, I'm sure your daughter will love spending more days exploring our country. Ilaria and I would be more than happy to assist you with everything.

Looking forward to seeing you again in Italy,
ciao valeria

Spectacular first experience to Rome and Sorrento/Amalfi
Italy | Aug 4 - Aug 11, 2024

Jeff
Jeff W.
Dallas, TX | Reviewed on Aug 12, 2024
Our trip was spectacular. It was incredibly well organized, custom to our preferences, and the entire team was attentive throughout our trip. I couldn't have asked for a better experience with them. Even during the trip when flights were canceled, this team was always available and made necessary transportation changes to keep our trip on track. All of our interactions and tours were an A+. We did everything from rooftop tours, the Vatican, the Colosseum, Wine Country/Small towns outside... Read more

Our trip was spectacular. It was incredibly well organized, custom to our preferences, and the entire team was attentive throughout our trip. I couldn't have asked for a better experience with them. Even during the trip when flights were canceled, this team was always available and made necessary transportation changes to keep our trip on track. All of our interactions and tours were an A+. We did everything from rooftop tours, the Vatican, the Colosseum, Wine Country/Small towns outside of Rome. I would ABSOLUTELY recommend this wonderful company and will use them again!!!!

Hotel Reviews
Maison La Minervetta

Honestly, one of our favorite hotels that we have ever stayed in. This was an incredible mix of the well-appointed high-level hotel with the charmed mix of Bread and Breakfast. A very limited number of total rooms made it feel incredibly personal. Our room and view were unbeatable. We had an unobstructed view of the entire bay. Everyone working remembered you by name and was extremely courteous and happy to see you. Incredible homemade Italian-style breakfast and Happy Hour charcuterie tables were out every day. The pool was RIGHT on the ocean, with arguably the best view in all of Sorrento. We had private steps down to the marina, shops, restaurants, and beach clubs. The style and decor were incredible. It has been featured in numerous travel magazines etc. This is a can't-miss stay. It elevated our entire experience of our spectacular trip!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Capo d'Africa—Colosseo
Rome

Fine. It checked every box for a city hotel. It didn't have anything great, but nothing terrible. Food was below average for this nice of a place. The bathroom was below average. The location to the Colosseum and Forum was exceptional. The room was average. If we were to stay in Rome again, we would stay elsewhere.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Frascati Tour: Enjoy Wine Tasting & Visit "Castelli Romani" area
Frascati Tour: Enjoy Wine Tasting & Visit "Castelli Romani" area
Italy

Incredible. Unexpected, because we knew the least about what this entailed prior to our trip.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Carlo was incredible!
Transport
Seamless!
Private Early Morning Vatican Tour
Private Early Morning Vatican Tour
Rome

Leah was INCREDIBLE! She absolutely made this tour!!!!!!! Livtours

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
This was the best part! Lea/Leah was what made the tour so incredible.
Transport
N/A. none provided.
Local specialist: Jessica Proietti
Jessica
Jessica Proietti
Local specialist in Italy | Replied on Aug 13, 2024

Hi Jeff,
Thank you for taking the time to review us! We understand that challenges can arise during international travel, which is why we offer 24/7 support to ensure you don’t miss a moment of your Italian experience. We hope to see you again soon!
Arrivederci until next time!

Camille and Renata were kind, patient, detail...
Brazil | Aug 4 - Aug 11, 2024

Danielle
Danielle L.
Collierville, TN | Reviewed on Aug 12, 2024

Camille and Renata were kind, patient, detail-oriented, and responsive. Our trip to Brazil was our 3rd trip with KimKim. We can't wait for the next one!

Local specialist: Camille Terra
Camille
Camille Terra
Local specialist in Brazil | Replied on Sep 04, 2024

Hi Danielle,

I am super happy to hear from you and learn that you enjoyed your trip to Brazil. We can't wait to help you plan more awesome adventures if you ever decide to return to our country!

Best,
Camille

Truly the trip of a lifetime!
Italy | Jul 22 - Aug 6, 2024

Elio & Jenn
Elio & Jenn Q.
Canada | Reviewed on Aug 12, 2024
Truly the trip of a lifetime! Elisa was incredible. She listened to what we wanted, took care to plan every detail and was super responsive with any questions both before and during our trip. Planning for 11 people across 3 families is a challenge, but Elisa and the KimKim team made it look easy! Read more

Truly the trip of a lifetime! Elisa was incredible. She listened to what we wanted, took care to plan every detail and was super responsive with any questions both before and during our trip.

Planning for 11 people across 3 families is a challenge, but Elisa and the KimKim team made it look easy!

Activity Reviews
Milano Aperitivo Street Food Tour
Milano Aperitivo Street Food Tour
Milan

Our tour guide genuinely went above and beyond!

Quality of Experience
Rialto Market & Cicchetti Food Tour
Rialto Market & Cicchetti Food Tour
Venice

The food was spectacular and our guide Frederico was amazing! He had great stories, knew so much about the area and treated us to some of the most amazing dishes.

Quality of Experience
Local specialist: Elisa Sciabica

Trustworthy, honest, and efficient agency!
Ecuador | Aug 1 - Aug 9, 2024

enrique jose
enrique jose g.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Aug 12, 2024
We could not be happier with our experience with the Ecuador-based KimKim team. The service provided by Maria Jose, who was our trip coordinator, was outstanding from day one. She made sure to understand our goals and vision for the trip, and was patient enough to work through multiple itinerary versions until we finalized it together. The chose the correct hotels, routes, and activities based on what we spoke about, and the guides/personnel on the ground that they reserved for us were... Read more

We could not be happier with our experience with the Ecuador-based KimKim team. The service provided by Maria Jose, who was our trip coordinator, was outstanding from day one. She made sure to understand our goals and vision for the trip, and was patient enough to work through multiple itinerary versions until we finalized it together. The chose the correct hotels, routes, and activities based on what we spoke about, and the guides/personnel on the ground that they reserved for us were trustworthy, puntual, and very knowledgeable. Every day they checked in on us with a text, to make sure that everything was going accordingly, which is a sign of excellent service. I highly recommend working with Maria Jose/Tamer and the ecuador KimKim team - I will do so for my next trip as well, and will even look into working through KimKim for visits made to other countries. 5/5, thank you!

Hotel Reviews
Hacienda El Porvenir
Machachi

Great team and managers, Mattia was very polite and respective of our needs during our stay. The rooms are very pretty, warm, and comfortable, and the views are breathtaking. I would definitely stay there again, and hope to return soon! Oh, and the restaurant was delicious.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hacienda Abraspungo
Guano

Excellent service, very nice people. Make sure to request the horse riding trip, it was stunning. The rooms were very comfortable, and the restaurant is 5/5. The view of the volcanoes is breathtaking.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Dairy Farm Visit in La Alegria
Dairy Farm Visit in La Alegria
Cotopaxi

Great experience horseback riding, and the operators/owners were very nice. They even had lunch with us.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Tamer Obeid.
Tamer
Tamer Obeid.
Local specialist in Quito, Ecuador | Replied on Aug 19, 2024

Dear Enrique,
Thank you so much for the wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you and your father had such a positive experience working with us. It was our pleasure to tailor-make your trip to meet your expectations, if not exceed them :) We’re glad the hotels, routes, and activities were just right on the spot. We’re also pleased that the daily check-ins left a very positive impression :) Your recommendations mean a lot to us, and we’d be delighted to help you with your next adventure, whether in Ecuador or elsewhere in the region. Thanks again!
Best regards,
Majo & Tamer

The flexibility of Angel and the organisation is outstanding!
Japan | Jul 19 - Aug 9, 2024

Nicoline
Nicoline v.
the Netherlands | Reviewed on Aug 12, 2024
We planned our trip to Japan together with Angel, who has been very flexible along the way. Whenever we wanted to make changes she was able to do so without complaints. Overall contact with Angel has been amazing. It feels like we have been friends for ages.
We selected our own hotels and Angel fitted these hotels into our plan.
We managed to grab some tickets for the Sumo tournament in Nagoya by ourselves and so at the very last moment we could make arrangements to skip a day in Hakone...
Read more

We planned our trip to Japan together with Angel, who has been very flexible along the way. Whenever we wanted to make changes she was able to do so without complaints. Overall contact with Angel has been amazing. It feels like we have been friends for ages.
We selected our own hotels and Angel fitted these hotels into our plan.
We managed to grab some tickets for the Sumo tournament in Nagoya by ourselves and so at the very last moment we could make arrangements to skip a day in Hakone and change it to a day in Nagoya. There are so many things to mention, but the bottom line is that we have had the trip of our lives, and we fell
in love with Japan. Since there is just so much and at the same time so little you can do in 2 weeks, we figured that we might need to go back some day in the future.

Hotel Reviews
Swissotel Al Murooj Dubai
Dubai

The hotelbuilding, it’s location, the staff, the breafast: all very nice! Upon arrival at 2 in the morning, our room was not ready. This was a bit confusing. The staff acted properly but it took a lot of time. At 3 in the morning we could finally go to bed. They do not offer 3 person rooms, so they added a stretcher, which was not so very comfortable as a normal bed. The rooms are small, a bit too small for 3 beds. So please make sure to ask for a big room if you decide to make it a triple.

Authenticity & Character
The hotel is nice, but not very special
Location
Just around the corner of the Dubai Mall and the Burj Kallifa
Staff
The general staff is nice and friendsly
Cleanliness & Comfort
Cleanliness is perfect, comfort is not as expected
Hotel The Lutheran
Osaka

The hotel is situated nearby the subway station and just a heartbeat away from the Osaka Castle. It has friendly staff. Rooms are equipped with 3 equal beds. Service is good. Breakfast is very good with a lot of diversity and fresh fruits.

Authenticity & Character
Just nice
Location
Close to highlights
Staff
Friendly and helpfull
Cleanliness & Comfort
Nice and clean
Dormy Inn Premium Nagasakiekimae Natural Hot Spring
Nagasaki

Fine hotel, close to the railway station. Maybe a bit outdated but the beds are nice and comfortable. There is little room for stalling big suitcases but it is fine. The breakfast is truely amazing with fresh fruits and a lot of different types of good.

Authenticity & Character
Okay
Location
Nearby the station and Shopping Centre
Staff
Very friendly
Cleanliness & Comfort
Nice and clean
THE KNOT HIROSHIMA
Hiroshima

The hotel building itself is amazing. The reception desk is on the top floor with amazing views on the city. Staff is a bit rude and service is poor. Breakfast is served in the restaurant downstairs and offers not much to choose from. But the food is okay. The rooms are nice, with quite some space for 3 big adults. The hotel is very close to the memorial centre, so location is great. You’ll need to grab a Streetcar in order to reach the hotel; taxi’s are too small for 3 adults and 3 big suitcases.

Authenticity & Character
Super nice architecture, with a fine rooftop bar
Location
Very close to the epicentre and memorial park
Staff
Friendliness and service. Make sure to please your guests and be clear about the breakfast times (when last order). If you’re sales to call for a taxi, do not hesitate to arrange it without complaints and make sure to ask for luggage wishes (bus would be preferred when suitcases are big)
Cleanliness & Comfort
Nice and clean
Hotel Keihan Kyoto Ekiminami
kyoto

Very close to the central big railway station, which makes it easy to get around. Very nice interior and friendly staff. The beds are comfortable and equal, so no bedcouch or stretcher. Breakfast was okay, just simple and not very specific.

Authenticity & Character
It’s a good, clean and fine hotel
Location
Very close to the railway station
Staff
Friendly
Cleanliness & Comfort
Nice and clean
Nikko Style Nagoya

Wauw! This hotel is truely perfect. It is situated on a 15 minute walking distance from the Shinkansen railway station. It is on walking distance from the Centre. Personel is super friendly and the room for 3 adults is very well designed. The beds are equal and very comfortable. The room has a seperate toilet and a really cool setup for the bathroom. Breakfast was very good.

Authenticity & Character
Very nice ambient and super well designed
Location
Close to nearly everything
Staff
Super friendly
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean and comfortable
Yumoto Station Hotel MIRAHAKONE
Hakone

This hotel is more like an appartement home. It does not have an elevator, so you have to Carry your luggage up the stairs. The room is equiped with 4 bunk beds and a small couch. The room is small, so navigating with 3 big suitcases was a bit of a challenge, but the facilities are great and clean. It had it all. The Nespresso machine is perfect. Upon arrival we found the entry code in an envelope on the front door. It is very nearby the railway station. The restaurant downstairs serves very nice pizza’s!

Authenticity & Character
Authentic, original, creative and clean.
Location
Very close to the main Street and railway station
Staff
Even though we did not meet the staff, the communication was fine and the service with the entrance code worked.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Nice and clean
Sotetsu Grand Fresa Takadanobaba

We had a 3 person room with 3 large beds. The beds are very comfortable. There was room for our 3 suitcases, but little space for walking. Bathroom and toilet are fine. There is a waterboiler in the room and the accessoires are available in the public hallway near the elevators. Very nice breakfast buffet. Good hotel!

Authenticity & Character
Just very friendly and neat
Location
It’s positioned opposite the train/subway station, which makes it very easy to reach highlights of Tokyo.
Staff
Very friendly
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean
The Bali Bubble
Sanur – Bali

If you are looking for a nice place to stay in Sanur: look no further. The appartment is nice and clean and offers a lot of space. There are two huge bedrooms, both with a nice bathroom that has two showers (semi-inside and outside) The living room and Kitchen are well equiped and if you want they can serve breakfast in the appartement. Just outside out appartement there’s the swimming pool. The swimming pool is located in the inner space of the property, it is clean and big enough for all the guests. Towels for the pool are in the rooms. Staff is super friendly and they offer a bring-away service to a location in Sanur. Super flexible.

Authenticity & Character
Very authentic and super friendly
Location
This is a more quiet area in Sanur, which makes it very comfortable.
Staff
Amazing staff!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean and comfortable
Activity Reviews
Arrival in Dubai
Dubai

We arrived at the airport at 1.30 am in the morning. Upon arrival our guide, Ali, for the next days was waiting for us with a sign with our names on it. His english is very good. He guided us to the taxi and helped us check inn to the hotel. It was 2am when we arrived at the hotel, but they switched rooms and so the room was not ready for us. If there is one thing you’d like to do in the middle of the night after a long flight (9hrs) it is going to bed and get some sleep. In the end - and with help of Ali- it turned out right, but the room was not ready until 3am. Ali was very nice and helped us the next morning with our talk with the hotel manager. Arrival in Dubai turned out to be succesfull after all.

Quality of Experience
Pick up itself was great! Check inn into the hotel a bit confusing at 2am in the morning.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Perfect drive to the hotel, accompanied with Ali who is a very enthousiastic guide
Transport
Perfect taxi bus with lots of space for the luggage.
Abu Dhabi City tour from Dubai
Abu Dhabi City tour from Dubai
Dubai

When in Dubai, visit Abu Dhabi! Absolutely stunning city with so much to offer! Many great architects have established works here, Jean Nouvel’s Louvre, Zaha Hadids bridge and museum, and so some others. But if you have one day, do the Abu Dhabi city tour. You’ll get to see and visit some great highlights and the main event is the visit to the Grand Mosque Sjeik Zayed. This amazing building, made of marble, natural gemstones, 24 karat gold, Murano glass, Swarovski Crystals and flowery mosaics is just stunning! This mosque was openend in 2007, it houses the mausoleum of Sjiek Zayed, who is the founder of the UAE and the first president. The mosque covers 22.000 square meters of ground, and 7000 people can pray inside the main hall and another 33.000 people can pray on the central square. There are 1000 columns and 82 domes. The main hall counts 3 huge chandeliers made of Swarovski Crystals. The biggest has a diameter of 10 meters and is 30m high. Wauw! Take your time to see everything. It’s just amazing.

Quality of Experience
Very interesting tour, that shows the highlights of Abu Dhabi
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide Yahia is amazing! He is very knowledgeable and knows all the inns and outs about the history of the UAE. He has written a book (in Spanish) about it - Luna Catorze. Need to read!
Transport
Perfect transport along the day.
Afternoon Dubai Desert Safari (Join in Coach)
Afternoon Dubai Desert Safari (Join in Coach)
Dubai

Imagine 42 degrees Celsius and no shade in the red sand desert of Dubai… imagine a 4x4 bashing a sand dune, splashing sand… at sunset; making the sand even more red… This is an amazing and great adventure and the driver is nailing it! Wauw! Sometimes it feels like riding the waves of the ocean, and the speed, very nice. At the desert gate we could ride a camel, saw a falcon show and we drove a quad through the sand! Suddenly outside temperatures did not matter anymore. Pretend to be like the nomads. Smoke the waterline, enjoy the dance of the bellydancer and the traditional dancers. All that in combination of a BBQ under a starry sky. One word: MIRACULOUS

Quality of Experience
Exciting experience!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Amazing driver and nice guide
Transport
Very cool ride in the 4x4
Full Day  Lembongan Snorkling Experence(join in)
Full Day Lembongan Snorkling Experence(join in)
Sanur, Bali

If you like the sun and the sea and everything in between, this is a day you should experience! The boat to the island, the mangroves, the trip to the devils tear and the dream beach, snorkling and swimming, it all adds up to a wonderful memory of a wonderful day! Our guide Gidde was great! He knew his way around and he spoke very good English. He told us so many interesting things! He’s a very smart and funny guy. We had a great time. You don’t need to bring your own gear for snorkling , they have it for you and they have a brand new mouth piece and hose for everyone. Our guides had a GoPro to make under water pictures. They dropped all the pictures in a onedrive so we could download them. Very nice. The homebase is very relaxed and they have cold drinks. It’s just a piece of paradise on earth.

Quality of Experience
It’s just a piece of paradise on earth! Don’t miss it!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Gidde our guide was truely amazing! Very nice and interesting stories. And a really nice guy.
Transport
The boat was fast and safe. The trip by car on the island was interesting and it gave us a chance to see a bit of the island along the way
Osaka Cooking Class
Osaka Cooking Class
Osaka

This is such a nice activity! We are food lovers and part of this trip is to get to know more about the Japanese kitchen. This cooking class took us along the journey of creating dashi, sushi and sashimi. We had a wonderful time and enjoyed our ‘own’ dashi, sushi and sashimi. It was a small group, us three and a woman from Hongkong. The location was a bit hard to find, but while we we wandering around to look for the entrance, one of the cooks came to pick us up.

Osaka-Nara Day Trip
Osaka-Nara Day Trip
Osaka

Nara trip from Osaka. And look who’s our guide: Mr. Masato! Yay! Very nice to see him again. Nara is huge yet amazing. The deer, the amount of temples and shrines, the overwhelming nature. We loved it! Despite the heat, we just had a wonderful day! Mr. Masato appointed a small Japanese restaurant to us, which was conveniently tug away in the basement of a building. We would not have found it if it wasn’t for Mr. Masato. The food is amazing there!

Quality of Experience
Truely a location you should visit when in Osaka
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guide Mr. Masato stole our hearts
Transport
Public transportation is perfect to get around.
Full Day Mt. Fuji with Lake Kawaguchiko Cruise and  Oshino Hakkai
Full Day Mt. Fuji with Lake Kawaguchiko Cruise and Oshino Hakkai
Tokyo

We skipped the lake Kawaguchiko Cruise but instead we took the ropeway up the hill for stunning views over lake Kawaguchiko and Mount Fuji. Oshino village is nice and pittoresque, with the natural ponds and the traditional house it looks amazing, but it was very hot and there wasn’t much shade, so we did not stay long.

Quality of Experience
We got some magical views on Mount Fuji
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Mr. Bae was very kind
Transport
Mr. Bae knew his way around in a nice car
Full Day Nagasaki Peace Park and Glover Garden Tour
Full Day Nagasaki Peace Park and Glover Garden Tour
Nagasaki

Nagasaki peace park and museum and Meganebashi bridge was guided by sweet guide Yoshi. Yoshi is very knowledgeable and speaks with experience about the past. She’s very interesting, as is Nagasaki. Ask her to take you to a typical Nagasaki restaurant and she takes you to a Chinese restaurant. The Chinese cuisine is well adopted in Nagasaki and the dishes are huge, yet very tasteful. We loved it! We skipped the Glover Park because of the heat. We headed to the 9th floor in the new city hall for a nice view over the city of Nagasaki. The rooftop hall shows a short film about the city and it’s history with the A-bomb.

Quality of Experience
Yoshi Made our day so special! She’s a really nice guide and she knows her way around, being born in Nagasaki.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Yoshi was indeed very helpful and understanding. Due to the heat we skipped the Glover park and so she took us to a Donki to do some Japanese candy shopping.
Transport
Public transportation just works really good
Full Day Miyajima Island and Memorial Park Tour
Full Day Miyajima Island and Memorial Park Tour
Hiroshima

Hiroshima memorial park and Miyajima Island guided by Remi was impressive and unforgettable. We loved the way Remi told us amazing stories about the Hiroshima history and all it’s facets of the A-bomb. At Miyajima Island we walked around leisurely and had a great time! Remi told us about the fireworks at the docks later in the evening and advised us to go and see the event. So we did at our own pace, it was absolutely beautiful! Quite a lot of people attended the show. Nice!

Quality of Experience
Remi is a wonderful sweet and knowledgeable guide. She’s also very flexible. Nice company!
Transport
Public transportation and a ferry to the island, just really nice ways to get around.
Sightseeing in Arashiyama - Boat Ride and Bamboo Grove
Sightseeing in Arashiyama - Boat Ride and Bamboo Grove
Kyoto

Mr. Masato is a very well educated and knowledgable gentleman who took us to and through the highlights of Kyoto Arashima (boat trip), Togetsukyo bridge and Bamboo grove and Tenyuji Temple gardens. His English is good and his humour is nice. He’s a great guide.

Quality of Experience
Very fun and interesting trip! The boatride was cool, a bit splashy, but very enjoyable. The bamboo grove is just stunning and even though it was so hot outside it was worth the walk.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Mr. Masato is just really amazing
Transport
Public transportation works perfect in Japan!
 Kimono Tea Ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya
Kimono Tea Ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya
Kyoto

This was a self-guided item. We found our way easily through the city towards the location of the tea ceremony. The entourage is memorable. The kimono’s looked amazing and these garments add a special emotion to the ceremony. The ceremony itself is done by someone who speak English very well. The tea tastes fresh but is different from your regular green tea. The gardens look stunning! Do not miss this if you want to take pictures of yourself and your family in typical Japanse outfits!

Quality of Experience
Very Nice way to get to know a bit of the traditional and cultural habits.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The woman who guided is through the tea ceremony was very nice, with a good english narrative.
Transport
Self guided with public transportation and a little help from Google maps
Half Day Classic Dubai City tour
Half Day Classic Dubai City tour
Dubai

The tour would probably be very interesting but since we had to be at the airport 3 hours prior to departure, we skipped this tour.

Drive to Hakone by Private Car
Japan

Mr. Bae is a very kind, gentle driver and guide. His English is not very rich but his efforts and kindness are great! He gave us a wonderfull guided trip from Tokyo to Hakone, passing Mt. Fuji, Lake Kawaguchi and several highlights and amazing views on Mt. Fuji and a visit to Oshino Hakkai village.

Quality of Experience
Beautiful places!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Driver was very sweet and kind. Mr. Bae knew his way around. Unfortunately he did not speak English very well but we managed to communicate nevertheless.
Transport
Nice roomy car
Full Day Tokyo City Tour
Full Day Tokyo City Tour
Tokyo

We had a marvelous day with Yumi! She is an amazing guide with a lot of nice stories and enthousiasm! We had so much fun!

Quality of Experience
It’s very nice to have someone like Yumi guide you around a big unknown city. The knowledge and the stories are very much appreciated.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Yumi (you & me) is very enthousiastic and friendly. We had a great day!
Transport
Transportation in Japan is very well organized and air conditioned
Local specialist: Angel Tang
Angel
Angel Tang
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Aug 14, 2024
Dear Nicoline, Hope you are doing great and thank you for your amazing feedback.We are thrilled to hear that you had such a wonderful trip to Japan and that it is my great pleasur to provide you a flexible and unforgettable experience. It's also good to hear about your experiences at the different hotels, both positive and negative. It's always helpful for other travelers to hear about real experiences at different accommodations. It's clear that you really enjoyed your time in Japan and... Read more

Dear Nicoline,

Hope you are doing great and thank you for your amazing feedback.We are thrilled to hear that you had such a wonderful trip to Japan and that it is my great pleasur to provide you a flexible and unforgettable experience. It's also good to hear about your experiences at the different hotels, both positive and negative. It's always helpful for other travelers to hear about real experiences at different accommodations. It's clear that you really enjoyed your time in Japan and are already thinking about going back in the future. Look forward to assisting you again.

Best regards as always,
Angel

Trip of a Lifetime!
France | Jul 27 - Aug 9, 2024

Anisha
Anisha L.
Mead Valley, CA | Reviewed on Aug 12, 2024
Our trip to France during the Olympics was incredible. There were a lot of logistics to coordinate and KimKim did a great job getting it all lined up and coordinated. Read more

Our trip to France during the Olympics was incredible. There were a lot of logistics to coordinate and KimKim did a great job getting it all lined up and coordinated.

Hotel Reviews
Hôtel Font Mourier
Cogolin

The hotel was beautiful. The decor was chic and fun. The rooms were slightly rustic and there were no views, but the AC worked great, which is all that mattered to us. The hotel is 30 minutes from the town which was very inconvenient for us. We asked our travel agent to book something closer but she didn't. It was very frustrating and ultimately expensive to have to shuttle back and forth from the hotel to the city. Also, the buffet breakfast was delicious!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Terrass Hotel
Paris

Hotel is amazing! Service was outstanding. The views were spectacular. We could see all the way to the Eiffel Tower! The only critique is how far we were from city center, so it took us 30 minutes to and from each day which wasn't convenient. The one issue we had was the location of our two rooms. We booked two rooms for our family of 5 and were separated by a floor. We prefer to be on the same floor as our children but this wasn't a possibility. In the future, it should be requested of the hotel that families are on the same floor at least.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hôtel Jardin de Cluny
Paris

Location is amazing. Hotel is a boutique hotel. We had the entire 6th floor for our two rooms which was really nice. The buffet was good but small. The elevator was very small and it was challenging to get our entire family in it at the same time.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel West End
Nice

The location was great, right across from the beach. I wouldn't consider the hotel a 4-star though. Maybe 3-star. Breakfast buffet was decent but the staff was slow to replenish and clean. The front desk was very accommodating and helpful. We had two rooms and the suite for our 3 kids was amazing with really nice views and a balcony. The queen room was small and had no balcony or views.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Seine Cruise with Commentary
Seine Cruise with Commentary
Paris

The Seine river cruise was a great way to see the city and it was a nice way for us to end our trip. We went at night so the city was lit up and looked beautiful. The lights were all around and we could definitely see why it's called the city of lights. The speaker was very hard to understand. He spoke in three languages so he would explain each site in English, French and Spanish. It seemed like he was rushing through because it was hard to understand and process what he was saying. Also, I thought we were on a champagne river cruise but there were no refreshments provided.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Best of Louvre & Orsay Museums
Best of Louvre & Orsay Museums
Paris

The museums are massive so it's hard to do it all in one day but our guide did a great job of navigating us through and helping us to hit the highlights. She was extremely knowledgeable of a lot of the history and key items in each museum. She had great tips to help us see the Mona Lisa up close. She also shared lots of interesting facts. My only negative was that the tour was supposed to be 5 hours but we finished 3 hours so I felt like we rushed a bit. I would have liked to see more of the Louvre.

Quality of Experience
The tour was great and we hit the highlights but I would have liked to have spent more time in the Louvre or at least until the end of the scheduled tour.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Rafaelle was very knowledgeable about many things and it made for an incredible experience.
1 Hour Photo Shoot
1 Hour Photo Shoot
Paris

The setting was wonderful and our photographer was very personable. She was open to locations and configurations for the pictures and pointed out spots that would shoot well. I was very surprised and disappointed that she didn't edit the photos. She gave us the card right after our hour was up and then emailed us afterwards with a copy. I've never had professional photos where the photographer didn't touch them up even a little. I would have liked to know this up front because there were a lot of pictures where people were walking right next to us and it looks sloppy. I would not have purchased this if I had known.

Quality of Experience
Locations were great. There were so many places in a small area in which we were able to get nice photos.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Monaco, Eze and La Turbie Tour Private Tour
Monaco, Eze and La Turbie Tour Private Tour
France

This was such a fun tour! We didn't know Monaco was so close to Nice so I'm glad our travel agent recommended it. It was very convenient. Our driver/guide was very knowledgeable about the area and filled in a lot of interesting facts about the area as we drove. We got to see Monaco from every vantage point - from the port, the casino/city center, and from the rock at the top of the city. I would have liked more time to shop and walk around in the city center if I knew more of what the day looked like. The trip to Eze was unique but we didn't spend much time. If we had more time I would have loved to stop and have a drink in one of their little restaurants. The stop at the fragrance factory in Eze was very random. We bought some things but I would have rather spent that 45 minutes in Monaco.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Magical Day in Disneyland® Paris
Magical Day in Disneyland® Paris
France

I'm disappointed with how late we got our tickets. We weren't able to make reservations at for restaurants ahead of time.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Saint Germain des Près Food Tour
Saint Germain des Près Food Tour
Paris

This food tour was incredible. It was not in St. Germain though, it was in the Latin Quarter. Our guide told us he has a separate tour for St. Germain and this wasn't it.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Eiffel Tower Summit Ticket
Eiffel Tower Summit Ticket
Paris

This tour was a disaster. We showed up 30 minutes prior as instructed by the tour company. We stood near the front of the line because we were there early, only to be pulled out by the tour company so we could be moved into a tour group. Then we had to get back in the line and wait with our tour guide to go through security. The tour guide didn't have tickets so then we had to wait in another line to get tickets. Once we finally got up to the first level, the tour guide told us boring, mundane stories that were very disappointing. We would have been better off doing it on our own.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
3 hours Private Cruise On The French Riviera
3 hours Private Cruise On The French Riviera
Nice

This private cruise was hands down our favorite part of the trip. Seeing the French Rivera from the water was the best way to see the area. I only wish we had more time! Our captain was incredible. We enjoyed his stories and the interesting facts he shared. The area we snorkeled in was beautiful and clear. The boat was stunning and definitely nicer than we expected. This day will be remembered forever.

Quality of Experience
The quality of the boat was impeccable.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our captain was fun and relaxed. He made the trip very enjoyable.
Transport
We had to arrange our own transportation to the port.
Montmartre & Sacré-Coeur walking tour
Montmartre & Sacré-Coeur walking tour
Paris

The tour guide was very likeable but we found the tour underwhelming.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guide as good. Topic wasn't as engaging as we hoped.
Transport
This tour was close to our hotel so it made it easier to arrive on time.
Family Bicycle Tour of Paris
Family Bicycle Tour of Paris
Paris

The tour was a great way to experience the city and get a feel for the different neighborhoods. Our tour guide, Simon, was great and very relaxed. He did a great job adapting to our needs and accommodating us.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Again, the tour started 30 minutes away from our hotel so it was challenging to get there in time.
Medieval Paris - St Chapelle, Notre Dame & Conciergerie
Medieval Paris - St Chapelle, Notre Dame & Conciergerie
Paris

Our tour guide was very nice and it was great to have the headsets to hear her in all the different locations we want to. But she was very disconnected to our group. She had us stand in the sun to talk to us about different facts. She would talk on and on and didn't do a good job of "reading the room". We had 5 kids on the tour and she didn't do a good job of engaging them even though there were several opportunities to do so.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Our hotel was 30 minutes away so it wasn't convenient to get here the morning after we arrived in Paris.
Local specialist: Lise Troulier

Charming Vietnam!
Vietnam | Jul 26 - Aug 5, 2024

Jennifer
Jennifer B.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Aug 12, 2024
Overall, we had a really good experience in Vietnam. My daughter absolutely loved the Vespa ride! (As did I) And the places we stopped to eat or drink were great. We enjoyed exploring the Cu Chi tunnels and area. The day on the Mekong river was also a highlight for us. My daughter and I are not huge museum people, so I probably should have opted for something else in my itinerary in the planning phase.
From a food perspective, after having been in two other countries prior to Vietnam that...
Read more

Overall, we had a really good experience in Vietnam. My daughter absolutely loved the Vespa ride! (As did I) And the places we stopped to eat or drink were great. We enjoyed exploring the Cu Chi tunnels and area. The day on the Mekong river was also a highlight for us. My daughter and I are not huge museum people, so I probably should have opted for something else in my itinerary in the planning phase.
From a food perspective, after having been in two other countries prior to Vietnam that had little Western influence, we were happy to have a little more of that in Vietnam. but we still got to taste the local flavors of Vietnam. Our guide, Mr. Leighton, was very helpful and informative, even though he was under the weather with some congestion/cough over our two days there. He was a trooper.
Hopefully we’ll come back to Vietnam and get to experience other parts of the country and its culture!

Local specialist: Kelly Lu
Kelly
Kelly Lu
Local specialist in Bangkok | Replied on Aug 14, 2024

Dear Jennifer,

Hope you have a great day.It sounds like you and your daughter had an amazing time in Vietnam. The Vespa ride and exploring the Cu Chi tunnels and Mekong river sound are also my favourite experiences. It's great that you were able to enjoy both local flavors and a bit of Western influence in the food. thank you your kindness to Mr. Leighton. Hopefully you'll have the chance to come back and explore more of Vietnam in the future.

Wish you and your family happy all the time.

Best regards from Asia,
Kelly

Amazing just doesn't come close to the experi...
Portugal | Aug 2 - Aug 7, 2024

Jeffrey
Jeffrey T.
Flagami, FL | Reviewed on Aug 11, 2024
Amazing just doesn't come close to the experience we just had on our Portugal trip!
Helena, was pivotal in making this a reality with memories we will cherish for a lifetime. From the beginning she planned our holiday with the professionalism I've not seen with any travel group. Kim Kim can be proud to have her on your team.
Every detail, communication, and trip updates were handled promptly with a flair we admired most about her. She was almost part of the family. We only wish she could...
Read more

Amazing just doesn't come close to the experience we just had on our Portugal trip!
Helena, was pivotal in making this a reality with memories we will cherish for a lifetime. From the beginning she planned our holiday with the professionalism I've not seen with any travel group. Kim Kim can be proud to have her on your team.
Every detail, communication, and trip updates were handled promptly with a flair we admired most about her. She was almost part of the family. We only wish she could have traveled with us. Sue and I would not hesitate to recommend Her expertise and the Kim Kim Group as a whole to anyone.
Some Special Reflections on our Guides!
Porto - Luis Ferreria is one of the most knowledgeable historians I've ever met. He shared his experiences with each venue we attended. From the history of Porto, the Olive Oil and Wine tasting, Port Wine tour and tasting; Luis added color to each one. Even sent us some pictures he took along the way. What a Day!
Duro Valley- Nelson. WOW, nothing but raves about this very talented guide and now a friend. He went way out of his way to make this day very special. His knowledge of this region and those who live and work there was very special. Our lunch and wine tasing experience with Rafael Rangel one if the wine co. owners was very special. He opened his home and his family to our group. We will not soon forget this afternoon and day tour.
Lisbon, Fatima, & Nazare with Rui Queiroz was very special as well. The Shrine and Cathedral at Fatima was breathtaking. The rest of the day was filled with awesome visits to Nazare and the beauty of its beaches. Lunch was great. Rui knew the best places. Lobster rolls and fresh fish.
Sintra- Paulo Pires. Another extortionary guide experience. His knowledge was also over the top. The little extras like coffee and pastry was a nice touch. Lunch with the locals was really fun. Views of the furthest western point in Portugal and the lighthouse was a great ending to a super day.
There were just to many wonderful moments with these professionals to name them all.
From transfers, Hotels, Tour guides all were perfect without a hitch. Not possible without the super planning by Helna and her Kim Kim team.
Thanks to everyone for making this trip one we will never forget.

Hotel Reviews
Memoria Lisboa FLH Hotels
Lisboa

Lots of steps but very authentic

Authenticity & Character
Fits the city culture
Location
Central to our tours
Staff
Friendly courteous
Cleanliness & Comfort
Perfect all areas
Memoria Porto FLH Hotels
Porto

Clean, comfortable, friendly staff.

Authenticity & Character
Old City charm
Location
Central to our tours
Staff
Courteous, friendly
Cleanliness & Comfort
Perfect
Activity Reviews
Private Day Excursion: Sintra, Cascais & Estoril
Private Day Excursion: Sintra, Cascais & Estoril
Portugal

See individual write up

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Get to Know Lisbon with a Local
Get to Know Lisbon with a Local
Lisbon

See individual Write up

Quality of Experience
See individual Write up
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Day Excursion to Douro Valley:  Wine Tasting & River Cruise
Day Excursion to Douro Valley: Wine Tasting & River Cruise
Porto
Quality of Experience
See individual write up
Guides, Drivers and Staff
See individual write up
Transport
See individual Write up
Vintage Car Tour of Porto
Vintage Car Tour of Porto
Porto

Really special a great way to see the city rather than the regular hop on hop off venue

Quality of Experience
See the commentary above
Guides, Drivers and Staff
See commentary above
Transport
Timely and clean
Local specialist: Helena Fernández
Helena
Helena Fernández
Local specialist in Madrid, Spain | Replied on Sep 13, 2024

Hi Jeffrey,

Thank you so much for your lovely review! I'm delighted to hear that everything went smoothly and that you had such a fantastic time with our guides.
It was a true pleasure planning your trip, and I’m so glad it became a memorable experience for you.

Warmest wishes for your future travels!
Helena

Our two weeks in Italy
Italy | Jul 27 - Aug 10, 2024

E
Erika N.
Columbia, MD | Reviewed on Aug 11, 2024
It was wonderful to have a driver waiting for us after we go off the train in Italy. We traveled from Rome, to Venice, to Florence, to Naples and back to Rome all via train. The trips that were set up were great and the hotels picked were awesome as well. We spent 2 great weeks in Italy doing and seeing the the most awesome sights! Read more

It was wonderful to have a driver waiting for us after we go off the train in Italy. We traveled from Rome, to Venice, to Florence, to Naples and back to Rome all via train. The trips that were set up were great and the hotels picked were awesome as well. We spent 2 great weeks in Italy doing and seeing the the most awesome sights!

Activity Reviews
Amalfi Coast Boat Tour From Sorrento
Amalfi Coast Boat Tour From Sorrento
Sorrento

This was a great experience as well. Just the right amount of time in Positano and Amalfi (1.5 hrs in each) and the swimming was a must as well and so fun.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Capri Island & Grottos Boat Tour from Sorrento
Capri Island & Grottos Boat Tour from Sorrento
Sorrento

This was great but a long day. Four hours in Capri is a lot as it is a very crowded location. I am glad however, we had the opportunity to see it and shop and eat there. Loved the time we were able to swim in the different locations.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Gelato & Pizza Making Class
Gelato & Pizza Making Class
Rome

This was so fun and a must! Our twins are 13 (boy/girl) and we enjoyed it as much as they did!

Quality of Experience
Private Vatican Guided Tour
Private Vatican Guided Tour
Rome

Our guide was an archeologist and she was awesome. So knowledgeable. A guide is a must in my opinion through the vatican and the basilica.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Express Colosseum Tour
Express Colosseum Tour
Rome

This was a great tour and our guide was very informative. I would have like for her to continue with us into the forum area as well, but she just tour the colosseum with us. The colosseum tour in my opinion needs a guide to explain all of the history you are seeing.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
very informative
Local specialist: Eirini Sadek
Eirini
Eirini Sadek
Local specialist in Athens | Replied on Aug 20, 2024

Hello Erika!
Thank you so much for this kind review!
I am so happy to hear that you had a wonderful time.
I hope I will have the pleasure of working with you again in the future

Until next time, I wish you all the best and safe travels!
Eirini

The trip was great but we had some negative e...
Mexico | Aug 1 - Aug 8, 2024

A
Antonia R.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on Aug 11, 2024
The trip was great but we had some negative experiences. We were taken to a business called Obsidian de Corazon near the Teotiuachan site by our guide Tlallal where my father was scammed out of $181.43 for tequila that the seller said would pass customs and that the official site for Mexico's airport customs rules stated as such, but when we went through customs they took the bottles. We also got scammed for $87.29 at a Centro Historico restaurant called Rocco Restaurante. After we didn't... Read more

The trip was great but we had some negative experiences. We were taken to a business called Obsidian de Corazon near the Teotiuachan site by our guide Tlallal where my father was scammed out of $181.43 for tequila that the seller said would pass customs and that the official site for Mexico's airport customs rules stated as such, but when we went through customs they took the bottles. We also got scammed for $87.29 at a Centro Historico restaurant called Rocco Restaurante. After we didn't order what they wanted, they took an hour to give us our food which was cold. We didn't finish it fearing food poisoning and just opted to pay the bill but upon checking out card history we noticed they charged us twice.

Hotel Review
Casa de la Luz
Mexico City

The staff and hotel was great. It was so quiet and restful despite being in the very busy and bustling Centro Historico of Mexico City.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Charlotte Melun

10 Days in Iceland - Golden Circle - Motorhome
Iceland | Aug 1 - Aug 10, 2024

Stephan
Stephan S.
Canada | Reviewed on Aug 11, 2024
We chose to use KimKim's services to simplify all the bookings and planning of our 10-day motorhome trip. We did the complete tour of the country, the Golden Circle. Guðmundur Óli (Gummi) was very efficient in preparing the perfect itinerary for these 10 days. He showed us the most beautiful and interesting places in this magnificent country of fire and ice. All the reservations for the campsites were respected. Note that some campsites do not accept reservations but it was easy for us... Read more

We chose to use KimKim's services to simplify all the bookings and planning of our 10-day motorhome trip. We did the complete tour of the country, the Golden Circle.

Guðmundur Óli (Gummi) was very efficient in preparing the perfect itinerary for these 10 days. He showed us the most beautiful and interesting places in this magnificent country of fire and ice.

All the reservations for the campsites were respected. Note that some campsites do not accept reservations but it was easy for us to find a site with electricity each evening.

The only downside of this trip was that of the motorhome rental company, Europcar. We had poor service and they delivered us an uncleaned vehicle. Fortunately, the manager, who heard about this problem, compensated us for the inconvenience.

Throughout the trip, Gummi was a great support to us and was always available. I highly recommend the services of KimKim and Gummi.

Activity Review
The Secret Lagoon
The Secret Lagoon
Iceland

Great place. Not as beautiful as we expected but relaxing. Clean place.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Got there in our motorhome.
Local specialist: Guðmundur Pálmason
G
Guðmundur Pálmason
Local specialist in Iceland | Replied on Aug 11, 2024

Hi Stephan
Thank you for the kind review.
Oh boy did the motorhome rental company test our nerves. I know it doesn't change anything for you, but rest assured we will not be doing business with them again.
I am happy they reached some kind of agreement with you in the end though, but they are not up to the level of professional standards we want to uphold.
I am glad that everything else went ok and I hope we'll see you in Iceland soon again :)

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