Kimkim Trip Reviews

Amazing experience would definitely recommend. Our driver Ilyace has been amazing and made our long drives fun and interesting. I love the tiziri camp amazing food indeed and the whole experience. The local family has been so hospitable as well and we felt at home. The food tour is a must for sure Said has been amazing to feed us and made sure we enjoyed it. Fatima is amazing as well sharing her knowledge about Fez. We also enjoyed the food indeed Dar Rihana, still craving of the food and the presentation of the food is amazing.

Hotel Reviews

Palais Sebban

Marrakech

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Dar Rihana Dades

Douar Aït Ouffi

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Tiziri Luxury Camp

Merzouga

From start to finish a luxury in the desert indeed. The best sleep we ever had and the food is amazing. The staff are all truly hospitable

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Riad Salam Fes

Fes

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The bed smells like something foul i dont know if its from The rest room or something

Lina Ryad & Spa

Chefchaouen

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Barceló Casablanca

Casablanca

They went over and beyond to make our stay amazing and a birthday surprise for my hubby

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Architectural Elegance: A Journey through the Hassan II Mosque

Morocco

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Quick Tour of Casablanca with your Driver-Guide

Morocco

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hammam & Spa Experience Marrakech

Morocco

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Marrakech Evening Food Tour

Marrakesh

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Half-Day Guided Tour of Marrakech

Marrakesh

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Transfer from Boumalne Dades to Marrakech via the Atlas Mountains

Morocco

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Transfer to Dades Valley via Todra Gorges

Morocco

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sand-Boarding in Erg Chebbi (Free of Charge)

Merzouga

We didn’t get to experience this

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Transfer from Fez to Merzouga Desert

Morocco

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Dine with a Local Family

Morocco

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Half-Day Guided Sightseeing in Fes: Morocco's Spiritual Heart

Fes

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Chefchaoeun to Fez via Volubilis, Moulay Idriss & Meknes

Morocco

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Bea was amazing. She came up with several itineraries- adding/subtracting excursions based on my feedback. She had too pivot on one accommodation because it wasn’t available at time of booking and gave clear information. The services were spot on! All transfers very smooth and we can’t say enough about our driver Alberto who transferred us to Granada and was also our driver to Ronda and El Torcal park. Our excursion to El Torcal was prohibitive due to dense fog- that was a disappointment but Alberto was such a good driver he still brought us to the top and 2 of our family braved the weather for a short hike. Our guide at the Ahlhambra was also Alberto and he was so knowledgeable and engaging. All our drivers were friendly, prompt and communicated status and directions well. Our street tapas tour in Madrid was a highlight- our guide and the group became fast friends quickly. The entire Espíritu team was tremendous including a beautiful table of snacks at our last destination. That was a great final touch and a credit to their personal commitment. We will use KimKim again and refer anyone to Bea- she really created the most memorable trip.

Hotel Reviews

H10 Villa de la Reina

Madrid

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Intelier Casa de Indias Sevilla

Seville

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Palacio de Santa Inés

Granada

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Melia Barajas

Madrid

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Discover Granada’s Iconic Alhambra & Generalife Gardens

Spain

We had to change the date and time of the tour and the support person at KimKim was right on it and made it happen. Our guide Alberto was thorough

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

A Night of Flamenco in a Sacromonte Cave

Granada

Quality of Experience

Boutique Wines Among Ronda’s Hills

Spain

Because it was winter there was no one at the winery which made it special. Our guide was so knowledgeable and gave a good history of the area. Wines were superb!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Alberto is the best!

Tapas & Tradition: A Madrileño Evening

Madrid

Highlight of Madrid- our guide was engaging and fun - the choice varied and all the people in the restaurants were friendly

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Morocco is truly a magical place. The magic we experienced was carefully and thoughtfully planned by Majid and perfectly delivered by our driver/spirit guide/new family member Mouad. From the initial itinerary planning through the all-too-soon drop off at the airport to return home, our every request and interest was catered to. We cannot thank Majid and Mouad enough for sharing their country, culture, history, homes, and most of all themselves with us.
Majid crafted a perfectly tailored experience based on our requests. He did this quickly, affordably, and with great communication. He included every highlight we dreamed our Moroccan trip could include: the narrow ancient streets of the Medina in Fes, the other worldly dunes of the Sahara on camel back, the awe inspiring mosque in Casablanca, the frenetic square in Marrakech, and so much more. The best highlight though was our private driver Mouad. Not only did he work incredibly hard as our driver (getting us to our destinations safely, comfortably, and calmly), but he truly went above and beyond making stops along the way to share hidden gems, teaching us about life in Morocco, looking out for our safety and comfort, and even inviting us to his family home in the desert. He anticipated our needs (snacks!) and comfort making adjustments on the fly. For example, he anticipated that we would be too cold in our luxury desert tent (January nights get very cold in the desert) and was able to secure us accommodations in a sister luxury hotel for the evening. Speaking of which, the Sahara is an absolute must part of a trip to Morocco and we recommend giving yourself a few days in the area to experience as much as you can.
We would absolutely go back to Morocco, and if that opportunity arises, we will absolutely be calling Majid and Mouad again.

Hotel Reviews

Kasbah du Toubkal

lmlil

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Tiziri Luxury Camp

Merzouga

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

La Maison Arabe Hotel

Marrakech

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Riad Ksar Ighnda

Ait Benhaddou

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Riad Maison Bleue And Spa

Fes

Absolutely stunning property

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Riad Nila

Chefchaouen

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hôtel & Spa Le Doge

Casablanca

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Full of character

Activity Reviews

Hammam Spa & Massage in Marrakech 3 PM Session

Marrakesh

Cooking Class La Maison Arabe Marrakech 10 AM session.

Marrakesh

Marrakech Food Tour

Marrakesh

Private Tour of Marrakech, the "Red City"

Marrakesh

Guided Hike in Imlil Valley

Imlil

Guided Tour of Aït Benhaddou

Morocco

Merzouga to Aït Benhaddou via Alnif

Morocco

4WD Dunes Tour & Sandboarding

Merzouga

Merzouga Area Desert advanture

Merzouga

Camel trek to your luxury camp

Merzouga

Fes to Merzouga Sunset Camel Ride via Midelt & Erfoud

Morocco

Fes Food Tour

Fes

Fes: Exploring the Imperial City

Fes

Explore Chefchaouen with your local guide

Chefchaouen

Explore the Blue City

Chefchaouen

Casablanca to Chefchaouen via Rabat

Morocco

Our guide, Atman was sensational and spoke perfect English

Architectural Elegance: A Journey through the Hassan II Mosque

Morocco

Hugely impressive architecture

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We took a large group of 13 people to Australia and New Zealand. Our group consisted of two brothers, our families (each with 4 kids ranging from age 8 to age 16) and our mother (grandma). A group that large created some logistical issues, but kimkim was fantastic in taking care of all of the details in booking our accommodations, transportation, and activities.

In Australia, the highlights were the penguin parade on Philip Island (doing the Penguin Plus seats was a must), and our road trip on the Great Ocean Road. Seeing wildlife in the wild was important to us, and we were able to see koalas, wallabies, kangaroos, and many birds -- all in the wild! We were also very impressed with the sights: Loch Ard Gorge, Bay of Islands, London Bridge, and 12 Apostles were stunning.

In New Zealand, we visited both North and South Islands. In Queenstown, we loved our accommodations at Break Through: the Point. Day trips to Milford Sound and Walter Peak Farm were great. But the absolute best was the Shotover Jet. It is an absolute must-do in Queenstown.

On the North Island, we really liked Hobbiton, Glow Worm caves, and a night time treetop walk in the Red Woods in Rotorua. My family absolutely loved ziplining with Canopy Tours in Rotorua. Our guides there were the best.

Overall great trip and kimkim helped make it all happen!

Rachel did an amazing job planning our trip. Everything went very smoothly. All of our guides were on time and provided us outstanding service. She was able to pivot when we needed to make changes. Leo, our Guide in Rio, was incredible! I highly recommend him to any of your travelers.

Eric our trip specialist was great to work with. We described what we wanted, and he tailored the itinerary to us and made changes happen very quickly and easily. The hotel rooms were fantastic and exactly what I would have picked, he nailed it! We will definitely be using Kimkim again in the future.

Activity Reviews

Blue Lagoon

Iceland

Iconic and really neat to see the lagoon. The facilities aren't great here though, very few chairs to relax or sit on, so you basically need to be in the lagoon or sitting on a hard bench or plastic chair inside when it's cold out.

Quality of Experience

Sky Lagoon

Iceland

Relaxing and located conveniently close. It was clean and a neat experience. Very easy to access.

Quality of Experience

Katla Ice Cave Superjeep tour

Iceland

Small group, wonderful and laid back guide. Our favorite guided activity of the trip!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Langjokull Glacier Snowmobiling

Iceland

Huge group, lots of waiting, pretty lame trip overall. We went in a single line at no more than 10km/hr out to a spot and then back.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The trip was perfectly calibrated for our family of four. Every guide we had in Monteverde, fortuna, and Tamarindo was excellent. Kimkim beautifully facilitated a minor adjustment we needed. We’ll be back!

We had a fabulous trip to the Galapagos Islands! Everything went smoothly (including transfers thanks to Alejandro) and it was an incredible adventure. We loved the Palma Polo Club where we stayed for two nights upon arrival in Ecuador and one the night before going back to the US. It was relaxing, the rooms were huge and lovely, the bed was the biggest I have ever slept in. My husband said the gym was the best he ever experienced in a hotel (it was open air and overlooked the heated pool) and they even managed to arrange a massage therapist to come to the hotel and treat us to in-room AMAZING massages. The restaurant was also very nice with delicious food.

Upon arrival in Baltra on December 30th we were greeted by our guide for the 8 day cruise, Andres. He was fantastic...passionate, knowledgeable, and dedicated. He was so full of interesting information about every place we visited on the cruise I wish I could remember it all. The cruise on the Natural Paradise was awesome. All the other passengers on the tour were wonderful and we became fast friends while experiencing the trip of a lifetime. There were several excursions a day, and I loved the level of activity. We snorkeled, hiked and toured interesting and spectacularly beautiful places. The natural world is thriving in the Galapagos and this was such an inspiration. The wildlife is abundant and appears to be doing really well....they certainly manage the tourism to these islands which helps ensure a healthy ecosystem for the many animals that live there.
The entire crew of the Natural Paradise was skilled, kind and helpful. Their attention to detail including food preparation and presentation, safety concerns, condition of the boat and equipment was top notch. Shoutout to Jorge, Camilo,, Maria, Jose and all the crew . I had prepared for motion sickness (bring your Bonine just in case!) so I never had any issues. I enjoyed a cappuccino each morning as I watched the sunrise from the sundeck. One morning I was treated to a Bryde's whale sighting which was amazing. Our room was huge, the bed was comfortable, even the bathroom was large! Maria was magical...so efficient and fast...we never once saw her go into the room but it was always spotless. Using the hot tub after snorkel trips was so lovely and the afternoon we saw the big pod of dolphins before sunset was unforgettable. Every meal was delicious, with something for everyone. Omelettes made to order in the morning, fish dishes for lunch and dinner in addition to meat options, and lots of fresh fruit, veggies and salads.
We truly had an amazing journey to the Galapagos and wish we could have explored Ecuador for longer. So many more places to visit, including the Cloud Forest, the Amazon and the Andes. I hope we are able to return to this amazing and interesting country again soon. A country with beautiful sights, lovely people, fabulous food and spectacular wildlife and nature! Thanks to everyone who made this journey so special, including Alvaro who planned it for us!

Our guides were amazing! We truly appreciated the care Michelle gave us while in Singapore. I especially appreciated the escort from the airport to the hotel. And the escort back to the airport AND the front desk of the airport. Michelle even helped us with our bag issues at the airport counter. We enjoyed the private tours and Michelle's thorough knowledge of the country was evident,
The hotels were perfectly matched for our taste.
The adventures in Thailand were also well matched for our family. We loved Phuket and Phi Phi. The private guide in Bangkok was excellent. He met all of our needs and also escorted us to and from the airport.
Elena, thank you for planning a fun, adventurous and high end trip.

Hotel Reviews

The Sukhothai Bangkok

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Naka Phuket

Phuket

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Carlton Hotel Singapore

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Green Elephant Sanctuary Park - Morning visit

Phuket

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Half-day Singapore City Tour

Singapore

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

This was our first experience with KimKim and we had such an exceptional experience. The hotels that were selected for us were in perfect locations for the type of touring we wanted to do—within walking distance to attractions, public transit, great neighborhoods and yummy restaurants. We are an active family who like experiencing the more “local” flavor or places, and Bea did a great job of planning and adjusting our trip to fit our personal preferences and personality. There was the right amount of scheduled activities and downtime for personal exploring. We were totally impressed with the warm demeanor of all of our tour guides, who also gave great, local recommendations of places to eat/things to see. It was such a gift for me to not have to plan and hold all of the details so I could be present with my family. We are so grateful for the memories we made and have since recommended KimKim to many friends looking for a memorable travel experience. Thank you!!

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Meninas

Madrid

We loved the charm of this place and the friendly people who greeted us every time we came and went. Again, super helpful folks with great suggestions—who made reservations for us so we could enjoy the 3 Kings parade as soon as we got to town.

Authenticity & Character

The stairwell in this hotel is charming—and the room was just right. We appreciated the daily refresh and the overall cleanliness of the space.

Location

We loved the easy access to city attractions, transportation and eateries. We also liked that the hotel is in a side street so just a little bit away from the hustle!

Staff

Again, so great and helpful. I couldn’t believe they offered to make our reservations for us—which is amazing when you don’t speak the language!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Piazza Bellini & Apartments

Naples

This hotel was right outside the bustling Piazza Bellini—which was full of local life and markets/food. We loved the courtyard, which immediately provided a respite from the busy city, and our flat, which was cozy, clean and very comfortable.

Authenticity & Character

This is a really quaint, bright hotel.

Location

So close to easy pick up spots for tours and nightlife/Naples life etc.

Staff

Their suggestions of where to go and what to see how to easily access these things. We ate amazing food in Naples and the hotel staff helped!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Somehow our room was on a crazy busy piazza but it was also very quiet. So nice to sleep well in a place after busy travel days!

Rome Life Hotel

Rome

This hotel is in a fabulous location with a helpful staff and clean, comfortable accommodations.

Authenticity & Character

This is a more modern place but we loved the breakfast area and sitting spaces, where we were able to play cards and chat during downtime.

Location

We loved the walkable, easy access to the Collosseum, Metro and Monti neighborhood (with great restaurants).

Staff

So kind—especially the bellman who delivered our bags.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Refreshed daily. Love.

Activity Reviews

Hands On: Cook Like a Neapolitan

Naples

The cooking class in Naples was so much fun! Francesca and Silvia, our instructors, were fantastic, and it was a delightful way to engage with the local culinary traditions. We will ask them to share the pasta recipe! The experience was unforgettable and definitely one of our trip's highlights.

Get Inside the Colosseum with Arena Access

Italy

This was just a fabulous experience. Dennis, our tour guide, was excellent—in demeanor and knowledge. Again, my kids really enjoyed his commentary, which says a lot. We visited on a crisp sunny day and enjoyed the whole thing. We didn’t realize we would have an ear piece to hear him and we loved it—there were a lot of people around but it didn’t matter!

Quality of Experience

Dennis. We were so sad we didn’t think to get a picture with him—he was excellent!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

A Food Lover’s Rome: Campo de’ Fiori, Jewish Ghetto & Trastevere

Rome

We loved this whole evening—it was the perfect start to our trip and a great introduction to Rome. Silvia, our guide, was the best—she was kind, funny, and gave great information about the food and history around the neighborhoods where we ate. We had our 16 and 19 year old with us who also loved the entire experience (and Silvia!). This was a trip highlight for all of us—highly recommend!

Quality of Experience

The food was delicious and the commentary just awesome.

Food

So fun to try local, delicious bites and walk through so many cool neighborhoods during the process.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Silvia. We loved Silva. She made our photo book!

This was my first experience with kimkim and overall everything was great!To start, the communication with Yuliana was smooth, complete and efficient.
Both properties were excellent: Naturalista Reserva was very comfortable, the food excellent, and the staff extremely accomodating and friendly.
Taylor at Naturalista, although quite young, was an excellent guide. I think in one day I was able to photograph over 40 bird species!
Sagreve, in San Gerardo de Dota, was truly high end, being luxurious without being pretentious.
My guide Melvin, quite experienced, was responsible for me seeing and photographing Quetzales for the first time!
In additon, his range of knowlege was over the top!
I can't forget the drivers: all 4 were quite friendly, courteous, and above all, on time.
All in all my experience in fantastic!

From start to finish we had an amazing time, our guide Ancel & team were at all times informative , friendly & great fun. We felt very safe in their hands.
Cycling around the back roads of India was at all time safe, interesting rides.

Hotel Reviews

Marari Beach Resort - CGH

Marari

Lovely location & fantastic grounds. Accommodation 5 star. Great food Lots to do. Very large pool plenty of room aroufir sun beds. Beach so close. Choice of restaurants

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Houseboat

What a fantastic experience. Lovely staff who looked after us. Very relaxing overnight stay.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Gateway Varkala - IHCL SeleQtions

Varkala

Lovely hotel within walking distance of the beach & town. Hotel - great food & staff Fantastic pool. Great place to spend a few days.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Uday Samudra Leisure Beach Hotel

Kovalam

Good hotel, all safe friendly. Nice pools.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Cooking class in Cochin

Cochin

Fantastic experience in her Homestay house, lovely family, great food. She made us feel at home . Recommended

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Cochin sightseeing

India

Very informative tour great guide

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Free Day at Marari Beach

Marari

Within the hotel plenty to do

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Free Day!

Marari

Lovely restful day

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Alappuzha: (approx. 35 Km cycling)

Alappuzha

Great ride

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Varkala Sightseeing

Varkala

Quality of Experience

⁸

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Kovalam: (approx. 10 Km Cycling)

Kovalam

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We loved our visit to Santa Cruz Island, including all of the guided tours and the hotel stay. The outings were informative, interesting, well-planned, and enjoyable. Thanks for all the help planning our trip! We'll always remember the fun we had.

Argentina is a great place to visit. Under Milei, it is on its way to again being rich and a world leader. Buenos Aires has a really cool combination of post-socialist grunge (graffiti, old buildings) and brand new cafes and restaurants. In general, all of our connections were on-time. We generally avoided large buses and groups, which we preferred for our family group of four. Each of our destinations (El Calafate, Bariloche, Iguazu, BA) were world class. We were happy with the Boutique hotels chosen in terms of location and facilities and breakfast.

We absolutely loved our trip to New Zealand! Michelle was fantastic in helping us understanding some of the amazing places and activities available. We really we were able to do and see much more with her help in organizing and planning from biking, rafting, hiking, flying, fjord's, ballooning, glaciers, star gazing, jet boating and majestic scenery. We loved our visit impart because of Michelle's help and expertise.

Activity Reviews

Mt Cook half day Heli Hike

New Zealand

wow

The Crater Experience - stargazing Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

amazing experience in seeing our universe.

Rafting Kaituna River, grade 5

Rotorua

Te Pā Tū - Maori Cultural Experience

Rotorua

Timber Trail day 2

Ongarue

Timber Trail Day 1

Ongarue

Eco Zip - Flying Fox ziplines & Native Walks Experience

New Zealand

Ferry to Waiheke Island

Auckland

Fly Cruise Fly – Queenstown to Milford Sound by scenic flight

New Zealand

Jet Boat the Shotover River

Queenstown (NZ)

Renata was incredibly helpful planning and organizing our trip. She was quick to respond to my many questions.
Keneick was fantastic in the Amazon, Diana was great at the waterfalls and Vinny was a wealth of information in Rio (and an avid soccer fan that our children appreciated.)

Liz put together an amazing trip that got us to the Amazon rainforest and to hike the Inca trail. All the details were perfect and even last minute changes were handled easily.

There were many times that had I had plan this myself I would have chosen the wrong approach from the types of tours to the places to see and what is possible in the area.

Highly recommend Peru and Liz.

Sarah did a great job organizing all transportation and our great activities in the Philippines. She identified reliable transport partners and provided a wonderful list of tours and activities that fitted well our desires and expectations.

Activity Reviews

Coron: Dugong Watching with Sea Turtle and Coral Garden tour

Coron

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Coron Island Super Ultimate Tour: Kayangan Lake, Barracuda Lake, Twin Lagoon, Balinsasayaw Reef

Coron

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Coron Town Half Day Tour

Coron

The first part of the tour with the visit to the Mountain Cross was the best. The tour became too long and we enjoyed the hot springs less. Souvenir shop was OK. Overall was long and very challenging traffic around town

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Very flexible and helpful

Transport

Bohol / Panglao: Island Hopping and Dolphin Watching Tour

Philippines

Great boat tour, go to see the dolphins and snorkel with turtle and fish in Balicasag Island and walk around the beautiful Island.

Quality of Experience

Small rating discount because Virgin Island was not in the program and no previous warning that it would not be

Guides, Drivers and Staff

No issues

Transport

Bohol Country Side Tour

Philippines

The great highlights of the tour was visiting the amazing primate Tarsier in its sanctuary (only found here in Bohol), the beautiful river cruise with local dance and the awesome chocolate hills.

Quality of Experience

Very unique especially the Tarsier, chocolate hills and river cruise

Food

Philippines food is very different

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Very flexible to our desires, high professionalism

Transport

Great private driver

I enjoyed a very pleasant trip to the Philippines.
the itinerary was well balanced and all the timings worked well.

Hotel Reviews

Isla Amara Boutique Resort

El Nido

Great location, super beach, nice pool, charming staff.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Henann Tawala Resort

Tawala

Exceptional hotel, well appointed comfortable rooms. the pool is in the centre courtyard so does not offer any views.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Cebu Seaview Dive Resort

Moalboal

This beach side hotel is well positioned and comfortable. It's primary purpose is to provide for the divers and it does this very well. The staff are all extremely helpful and the resort is very well managed.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Maayo Hotel Cebu

Pleasant hotel in a good location, a little tired but well appointed none the less.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Island hopping in El Nido - Tour D - group tour

El Nido

As mentioned in my previous review.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Diving in El Nido

El Nido

Well organised and super diving.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Island hopping in El Nido - Tour A - group tour

El Nido

Good for snorkelling and seeing what the local islands have to offer.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

El Nido via ferrata

El Nido

A short steep climb up a metal structure takes you to the top of a hill with good views of the town.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Bohol Island Day Tour

Philippines

A nice trip however the views in the wet season are underwhelming compared to the summer months when the hills are brown.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Diving in Pamilacan Island (3 dives)

Panglao Island

Well organised and great diving.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Diving in Balicasag Island (2 dives)

Philippines

Well organised and great diving.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Kayaking with fireflies

Philippines

A pleasant trip along the river to view fireflies. Very peaceful and enjoyable.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Diving in Moalboal and Pescador Island (3 dives)

Moalboal

Well organised and great diving.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Canyoneering in Kawasan Falls

Moalboal

Fantastic guide, super location, lots of fun.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Diving in Moalboal - 3 dives

Moalboal

Excellent organisation and diving.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Cebu Countryside tour

Philippines

This was the worst part of the trip. While I apricate nothing can be done to avoid bad traffic the the attraction at the designation was very disappointing. We saw a local man climb a palm tree and milk the flower. Rode around in a cart driven by an buffalo. Watch a man make a basket. It took two and a half hours to get there, an hour participating in the three activities mentioned and another 2 and a half hours to return.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Cebu City and Mactan Island day tour

Philippines

The tour offers little to see, I felt like I was being driven around a city constantly battling traffic.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

I see the value in the services you provide, but given the scale, length, and cost of the trip, I believe more detailed conversations would have been helpful. I specifically requested private and exclusive experiences, but in hindsight, I didn’t fully review the hotel options that were selected. Accommodations in Sydney and Caines was mediocre and the hotel in Melbourne was the worst experience I’ve had.

Additionally, with this being our first trip to Australia and not fully understanding the logistics, I felt that five days in Cairns was too much. For example, the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway on Day 8, especially after we had already seen wildlife in the wild, felt like a wasted day. Visiting Little Koala Gardens was another disappointment.

Regarding our time in Melbourne, I felt that Day 10, which was focused on Philip Island, was overly packed. While the penguin viewing at the end of the day was fantastic, the visit to the small sanctuaries could have been skipped—spending an entire day on that experience wasn’t necessary. In fact, if I had two or three more days to play with, I could have spent more time in other areas of interest.

On a positive note, I truly appreciated the app you provided for day-to-day information. It was very helpful, and although the contact information for our local guides was initially missing, I was impressed with how quickly it was added, and I really appreciated the prompt response

Hotel Reviews

QT

Sydney

The location of this hotel is excellent, right in the heart of the city and within easy reach of many attractions. However, the rooms are a bit dark and outdated, and the bathrooms lack proper ventilation or an exhaust fan. has context menu

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Crystalbrook Riley

Cairns

Overall, this hotel was better than mediocre, but I find it hard to understand how a property of this size could consistently run out of towels. During three of the five days we stayed, there were no towels available. The highlight of the hotel was definitely the view — we had a fantastic ocean view and enjoyed watching the fireworks on December 31.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Adina Apartment Hotel Melbourne on Queen

Melbourne

We chose to stay at Adina based on Jon's recommendation, but I really wish I had paid more attention to the reviews. We spent four nights and five days there as a family, and were excited about staying in the penthouse suite. However, the reality was far from what we expected. Here’s a summary of the major issues I encountered, which are so basic I would expect them even from a three-star hotel. 1. I understand that daily room cleaning isn’t always provided, but despite requesting it multiple times, we never received proper room service. When they did come, they simply changed the bed sheets—nothing else was cleaned. 2. Towels were never provided, even after repeated requests. 3. The overall condition of the room was disappointing—dirty and dated. 4. The biggest issue was the lack of ventilation in the bathroom. There was no exhaust fan, and the bathroom itself was dingy and moldy. 5. The coffee machine didn’t work, and despite asking housekeeping to take a look, they were unable to fix it. 6. The service at the front desk was terrible—my requests often went unanswered or ignored.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Phillip Island and Moonlit Sanctuary Tour + Penguins Plus Viewing

Australia

We were picked up in the afternoon and taken to the Moonlit Sanctuary tour, but it was a big disappointment. The park, with its local animals, felt small and underwhelming, and since it was around 90° that day, all the animals were hibernating. It definitely wasn’t worth the time. I’d suggest instead spending the day at Phillip Island for lunch, followed by the Penguin Parade, which is definitely worth it and the real highlight of the day. If you’re planning ahead like we did, be sure to check the details of your ticket. We were a group of five, and three of our kids were seated in economy while we had plus seats. We had Plus viewing and Economy seating felt like a total waste—plus is definitely the way to go for the best experience. So, make sure to review your seating options in advance.

Kuranda Koala Gardens

Australia

If you’re visiting in the summer, like we did in December, I highly recommend skipping this activity. Koalas are usually asleep and inactive, and seeing them in captivity at a small park just isn’t worth it.

Welcome to Melbourne

Melbourne

Per Jon's recommendation we were at Adina, but I really wish I had paid more attention to the reviews. We spent four nights and five days there as a family, and were excited about staying in the penthouse suite. However, the reality was far from what we expected. Here’s a summary of the major issues I encountered, which are so basic I would expect them even from a three-star hotel. 1. I understand that daily room cleaning isn’t always provided, but despite requesting it multiple times, we never received proper room service. When they did come, they simply changed the bed sheets—nothing else was cleaned. 2. Towels were never provided, even after repeated requests. 3. The overall condition of the room was disappointing—dirty and dated. 4. The biggest issue was the lack of ventilation in the bathroom. There was no exhaust fan, and the bathroom itself was dingy and moldy. 5. The coffee machine didn’t work, and despite asking housekeeping to take a look, they were unable to fix it. 6. The service at the front desk was terrible—my requests often went unanswered or ignored.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Skyrail Rainforest Cableway + Kuranda Scenic Railway

Cairns

This day also felt like a waste. The cableway was the only highlight, but the Koala Gardens, souvenir shop, and local market felt like a total tourist trap. After seeing animals in the wild, visiting them in a park just didn’t compare—it was disappointing and didn’t feel authentic at all. Overall, it felt like we wasted our day.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Fitzroy Island Adventures - Island Transfer & Glass Bottom Boat Tour incl. Lunch

Cairns

This was an okay experience, but it felt a bit redundant after doing Reef Magic. The glass-bottom boat wasn’t worth it, and the snorkeling and diving experience was mediocre at best. The biggest issue I had was being dropped off at an island with nowhere to store your things or find a comfortable spot to relax. I wasn’t aware of this beforehand. The meals provided were box lunches, and honestly, they weren’t worth it either.

Quality of Experience

Transport

Daintree, Cape Trib & Bloomfield Day Tour

Cairns

This was an amazing experience, especially since we chose to do it privately. We were able to go at our own pace, and our guide, Lawrance, was fantastic. We also really enjoyed the meal and the fruit presentation.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Arrive Cairns

Cairns

We were picked up from the airport and it was only a 10-minute drive to the hotel. However, the car that picked us up was a bit rundown. In hindsight, we could have just taken an Uber directly to the hotel at our convenience and saved the extra cost.

Reef Magic outer reef cruise

Australia

We booked this well in advance, but Jon didn’t communicate our phone numbers to the local team, which caused a delay in getting our tickets on the day off. We had to wait in long lines and was extremely frustrating. It could all have been avoided. The boat was at full capacity with over 400 people, so it felt chaotic. Since we booked so far ahead, I wish I had more details about the activities, like snorkeling options, so I could have signed up ahead instead of arriving on a crowded boat and scrambling to sign up and not getting our choice timings and options. That said, diving into the Great Barrier Reef was the highlight of the trip—it was an amazing experience. The lunch was also really good, despite the long lines, and I appreciated that they noted my child’s food allergy and took good care of her.

AEA Luxury Tours - Blue Mountains Deluxe Day

Sydney

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

AEA Luxury Tours - Panoramic Sydney Sights Morning Tour

Sydney

We took this tour on Christmas Day, and our guide was absolutely amazing. No crowds, easy driving and knowledgeable guide. It truly made for a beautiful experience.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Arrive Sydney

Sydney

It was great to be picked up at the airport, and the drive to our hotel was smooth and effortless.

Sydney Opera House Tour

Sydney

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport