Kimkim Trip Reviews

4.8
Based on 16,028 ratings
Read 16,028 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.

kimkim paired us with expert guides for a great trip to Costa Rica
Costa Rica | Dec 11 - Dec 23, 2023

Shay
Shay J.
Bellingham, WA | Reviewed on Dec 26, 2023
I had a great experience using kimkim for a trip to Croatia in early 2023. So when it was time to plan a family adventure to Costa Rica, kimkim was at the top of my list for assistance in selecting locations and planning activities and hotels. Our travel company, Serendipity Adventures, gave us a fabulous itinerary specific to our family's needs and desires, giving us a good mix of different activities and plenty of downtime. Our local specialist, Bryan, and his team immediately responded to... Read more

I had a great experience using kimkim for a trip to Croatia in early 2023. So when it was time to plan a family adventure to Costa Rica, kimkim was at the top of my list for assistance in selecting locations and planning activities and hotels. Our travel company, Serendipity Adventures, gave us a fabulous itinerary specific to our family's needs and desires, giving us a good mix of different activities and plenty of downtime. Our local specialist, Bryan, and his team immediately responded to the Kimkim message board and WhatsApp. They kept us up to date on any changes or itinerary issues. It was helpful to have a local contact when there were language barriers (such as returning our rental car), and just knowing somebody would help communicate if needed provided a lot of peace of mind.

The best part of our trip was the guided tours. We were matched with expert guides in every town, and through this experience, we could see so much more wildlife than we would have seen on our own. Additionally, the guides gave us a comprehensive overview of the country, the region, and the culture. Every guide we had was excellent, but the ones who stood out were Mariano in La Fortuna (he took us on the waterfall and volcano hike), Andres in Monteverde, and Andres "Socio" in Manuel Antonio, who guided us through the Manuel Antonio park.

Costa Rica was an easy place to travel and an enjoyable experience. We would definitely use kimkim and Serendipity Adventures if we go again!

Hotel Reviews
Buena Vista Chic Hotel
Alajuela

We stayed at this hotel twice--once on our arrival from SJO, and again the night before we departed. The first room we stayed in was way too small and a bit run down, but the second night we stayed we asked for an upgrade and the room was very nice. If the hotel were based on the second night alone, it would be five stars. The hotel is a bit out of the way so not near many restaurants if you don't have a car, but the onsite restaurant is good. The hotel was very peaceful and the grounds are beautiful.

Authenticity & Character
They were very committed to Costa Rican ecotourism and sustainability. The grounds were beautiful.
Location
It was out of the chaos of town, but still close enough to the airport to make transportation convenient. The views were amazing.
Staff
The staff and service were excellent. The restaurant in particular had great staff.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The hotel was very clean but the beds were a bit uncomfortable.
Arenal Manoa & Hot Springs
Fortuna

The hotel was a large, beautiful property in a great location in La Fortuna. The property was well maintained and had plenty of places to explore for walks, swims, or soaks in the hot spring pools. Our room was large enough for a family of four, and the huge patio made it feel even bigger. The onsite pizza restaurant and the daily breakfast buffet were excellent. My only complaint about the hotel was the beds--they were zero stars awful. I've never slept on a less comfortable mattress. Even with the bad bedding, the hotel was amazing but if they could get better beds it would be sublime.

Authenticity & Character
Beautiful and immaculate grounds, authentic architecture. A lovely place to see plants and animals of Costa Rica!
Location
Convenient to all the activities in La Fortuna/Arenal without being in the middle of town.
Staff
Great service and very accommodating.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The hotel was super clean but the mattresses and bedding were abysmal. I've slept better on a camping pad and cot.
El Establo Mountain Hotel
Monteverde

The hotel was on a sprawling property that felt like an escape but was still within walking distance of different shops and restaurants in Santa Elena. The room we were given was perfect for a family of four--it had three beds, a loft, and a balcony, so it felt spacious and comfortable, which was much-needed after being in the same room as everybody for the past week. The hotel had a lovely pool, a good breakfast, and peacocks! We also had a bonus cat in our hotel room--there's a resident cat who makes the rounds, and she appeared a few times and gave us a few laughs.

Authenticity & Character
A little dated but a beautiful mountain hotel.
Location
Close to everything but quiet and peaceful.
Staff
The check in staff person was awesome! She provided so much information, was friendly, and top-notch.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The hotel was very clean and the beds were comfortable. I loved all of the places we could sit around the property to get out of the room and read/relax.
Hotel Costa Verde
Manuel Antonio

The hotel was an unusual and quirky place but overall a good experience. The grounds are impressive--you have multiple swimming pools, several airplanes, and oversized accommodations, which is excellent for a family of four. However, the hotel was a bit dated, and the room smelled musty. I imagine it is a tough climate to manage between the heat and moisture. The daily breakfast was great and it was so fun to see monkeys every morning. I can't believe all the monkeys at this hotel!

Authenticity & Character
This place was so unusual--it felt like being "lost in the jungle" between the abandoned airplanes, the wine-bottle lights, etc.
Location
Close to everything but still remote.
Staff
The front desk person on our arrival was a lot of fun. She made us feel welcome and had a quirky personality to match the hotel!
Cleanliness & Comfort
The hotel room was a bit musty and the beds could have been more comfortable. It's a tall order to manage the heat and humidity, so they did the best they could but it was definitely the least clean feeling of the hotels we stayed in.
Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel & Spa
Playa Ballena

The hotel was on a beautiful grounds away from Uvita with a clear ocean view. The swimming pool is the centerpiece of the hotel and is large and deep. It was refreshing after spending the days in the heat during our activities. The hotel room was a bit small for four people, but the room was clean, and the balcony made for a bit of extra space. The hotel staff were very professional. The waiter in the restaurant went above and beyond to make our stay comfortable. He was so kind. Overall, it was a lovely place, but it felt a bit dated, and some things were in need of repair.

Authenticity & Character
It had beautiful tropical foliage and so many birds. The property looked a little bit out of place with its bright white stucco and blue roof, but it had a cohesive aesthetic.
Location
It was a bit far from town but at least the road was fast to get in for activities. The setting is beautiful, however, and we saw so many unique birds!
Staff
They did little things to make our room special (fruit basket), and the staff at the restaurant was excellent.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Room was a bit small for four people, but it was very clean. The beds were comfortable.
Local specialist: Bryan Leon
Bryan
Bryan Leon
Local specialist in Cartago, Costa Rica | Replied on Dec 26, 2023

Hola Shay!

Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear about your great experience with both kimkim and Serendipity Adventures during your family adventure to Costa Rica. It warms our hearts to know that the itinerary tailored to your family's needs, and our expert guides enhanced your trip.

It was a pleasure assisting you, and we hope to welcome you on another adventure soon!

Happy New Year in Advance! Pura Vida🦥
Bryan

We had a great time with no issues at any eve...
Italy | Dec 17 - Dec 25, 2023

Lisa
Lisa M.
Florence-Graham, CA | Reviewed on Dec 26, 2023
We had a great time with no issues at any event! The only hiccup was when we first arrived and the driver was a couple of minutes late and not behind pole three. The Concept hotel had a lovely woman who checked us in and another lovely woman who made breakfast. It was an easy walk to the Spanish steps from there and when we returned for the last night felt like returning home! There was only one outlet in the room which made charging our devices challenging.
Our walking tour of Roma was...
Read more

We had a great time with no issues at any event! The only hiccup was when we first arrived and the driver was a couple of minutes late and not behind pole three. The Concept hotel had a lovely woman who checked us in and another lovely woman who made breakfast. It was an easy walk to the Spanish steps from there and when we returned for the last night felt like returning home! There was only one outlet in the room which made charging our devices challenging.
Our walking tour of Roma was great as it was just us so we could see what we wanted, linger for photos, and got into the collesium.
The hotel in Venice was also in a great location! The breakfast there was typical best western, meh. I am not in Italy to drink lousy coffee! We enjoyed the boat tour- the second island had little to offer on a cold cloudy day, but Murano and Burano were awesome.
The gondola ride was as expected- on a quiet night actually felt kind of creepy…
The Joy Hotel in Florence was close to the train station, and easy walk to everything, although the neighborhood itself felt sketchy. Joy hotel hands down had the best breakfast!! We truly enjoyed the street food tour. Would do that again !
To top off a wonderful trip, we were able to see the Christmas Eve Mass at the Vatican our last night.

Hotel Reviews
Rome Concept Terrace Hotel
Rome

Great experience checking in and lovely cappuccino and breakfast! Was glad I had a power adapter with multiple ports as only one outlet in the room. They could put a bigger sign in the window as we walked right past the door to the hotel more than once- after we actually knew where it was! Easy walking distance to Spanish Steps.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
C-Hotels Joy

Best breakfast ! Location close to train station.

Local specialist: Cecilia Ventura
Cecilia
Cecilia Ventura
Local specialist in Rome | Replied on Jan 15, 2024

Thank you, Lisa!!
I am really happy you liked your Italian trip! ✨✨
This is the best part of my job!

Thank you!

Cecilia

5-day/4-night adventure in Western Belize/Eastern Guatemala
Guatemala | Dec 20 - Dec 24, 2023

J
Janis V.
Port Washington, NY | Reviewed on Dec 25, 2023
We just came back from a 5-day/4-night adventure trip to Guatemala (Flores, Tikal, Yaxha) and Belize (activities in and around San Ignacio) organized by Catherina. We traveled as a family of 5 (including 3 kids with ages 7 to 14). The whole process of planning and then the trip itself went very smoothly . Our driver/guide in Belize was Rene and in Guatemala - our guide was Henry. Everyone was truly professional, very knowledgable and friendly the entire time - clearly professionals who... Read more

We just came back from a 5-day/4-night adventure trip to Guatemala (Flores, Tikal, Yaxha) and Belize (activities in and around San Ignacio) organized by Catherina. We traveled as a family of 5 (including 3 kids with ages 7 to 14). The whole process of planning and then the trip itself went very smoothly . Our driver/guide in Belize was Rene and in Guatemala - our guide was Henry. Everyone was truly professional, very knowledgable and friendly the entire time - clearly professionals who know and love what they are doing. That allowed us (especially the parents) to just relax and enjoy the adventure trip and not worry about anything. A pleasant surprise was how easy it was to find food for our two kids with food allergies (egg, dairy, nuts), even in really rural places. It helped that we lucked out with the weather - a (really) rainy season was coming to the end - most days were overcast/cooler (70s) but no rain, which allowed us to cover a lot of ground on foot. Highly recommend this travel service, trip and time of the year for visit.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Casona del Lago
Santa Elena

Fantastic location / lake views, charming outside decor, kind hotel staff and amazingly fresh/delicious food. Gave it 4 stars only because the rooms themselves seem a bit dated / one level down from the outside decor and everything mentioned earlier perspective. Overall, a great place to stay for a couple of nights.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
San Ignacio Resort Hotel
San Ignacio

Oasis in the middle of town! Once you enter, another world presents itself - tranquil, luxury and rich in wildlife. All that only 5 minutes walking distance from the center of the town / market. We (a family of five) stayed in room 132 which had a beautiful balcony with a river view. Hotel offers on-site activities that are fun for the whole family. We went on an iguana your during the day and night critter tour in the evening - both were a ton of fun and very informative.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Catherina Tittaferrante

Colombia’s Top 5 Bird-Watching Destinations
Colombia | Dec 3 - Dec 8, 2023

Joseph
Joseph S.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Dec 25, 2023

Dear Michael!
I returned overflowed with impression from my trip in Colombia. Organization was perfect, my guide Lorenzo was very professional and tried to do everything for my sucсessfull shots of birds. All drivers were very polite, nice and helpful. I dream about new trip in Colombia next year. The Mountain House hotel was truly a paradise and heavenly place for observing beautiful birds
One suggestion for driving to El Dorado Reserve: it very cold in mountain and travelers should have warm clothes.

Local specialist: Michael Gold
Michael
Michael Gold
Local specialist in San Agustín, Huila, Colombia | Replied on Dec 26, 2023
Hi Joseph,
I'm absolutely thrilled to hear that your birdwatching trip to Colombia left you with such a positive impression! It warms my heart to know that everything went smoothly, and Lorenzo did a fantastic job ensuring your birding was a success. It's great to hear that the drivers were polite and helpful. Your dream of returning to Colombia next year sounds fantastic, and I'd be more than happy to help plan another amazing adventure for you. I appreciate your suggestion about El Dorado...
Read more

Hi Joseph,
I'm absolutely thrilled to hear that your birdwatching trip to Colombia left you with such a positive impression! It warms my heart to know that everything went smoothly, and Lorenzo did a fantastic job ensuring your birding was a success. It's great to hear that the drivers were polite and helpful. Your dream of returning to Colombia next year sounds fantastic, and I'd be more than happy to help plan another amazing adventure for you. I appreciate your suggestion about El Dorado Reserve. Noted on the advice about warm clothes for the mountain - I'll make sure to include that in future recommendations. If you ever need assistance again or decide to plan another trip, don't hesitate to reach out. Safe travels, and looking forward to your next Colombian adventure!
Best,
Michael

Our personally curated trip to Morocco was no...
Morocco | Dec 17 - Dec 22, 2023

Lejla
Lejla P.
Utica, NY | Reviewed on Dec 25, 2023
Our personally curated trip to Morocco was nothing short of perfect. Our guide/driver Tarik was knowledgeable, charismatic and fun. We really felt taken care of from the beginning of our trip until the end. Tarik made sure we had the best possible experience and ensured we saw the most of Morocco in the short time we were there. We felt like we were with family. We enjoyed exploring and traveling through the beautiful country of Morocco and hope to come back someday. Everything was perfect... Read more

Our personally curated trip to Morocco was nothing short of perfect. Our guide/driver Tarik was knowledgeable, charismatic and fun. We really felt taken care of from the beginning of our trip until the end. Tarik made sure we had the best possible experience and ensured we saw the most of Morocco in the short time we were there. We felt like we were with family. We enjoyed exploring and traveling through the beautiful country of Morocco and hope to come back someday. Everything was perfect from accommodations to transportation and everything in between. The team really went above and beyond and changed our views on traveling going forward. We will be definitely looking to KimKim for our next trip! Thank you so much! We are so appreciative of the experience we had and everything you do!

Hotel Reviews
Riad Fes Nass Zmane
Fes

Gorgeous! Super hospitable staff. We arrived super late in the night and they went out of their way to prepare us dinner and accommodate us for a restful night of sleep. Would recommend this riad- not just for the beautiful interior but for the kind and generous people.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Dar Jasmine
Chefchaouen

One of the most magical places you will stay in! It’s beautifully located on top of the hill overlooking Chefchaouen, it’s a feast for the eyes! The staff was super accommodating and friendly. 5 stars ⭐️

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Inara Desert Camp
Marrakech

This was such a lovely and beautiful experience. We enjoyed it so much. The staff was super friendly and hospitable. We couldn’t have asked for a better experience in the desert. We loved every part of it. Highly recommended!!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Ali Moujane
Ali
Ali Moujane
Local specialist in Atlas Mountains | Replied on Dec 27, 2023
Hi Lejla, Thank you so much for your heartfelt words! I'm thrilled to hear that you found the experience knowledgeable, charismatic, and fun. Ensuring your comfort and enjoyment was our priority from the beginning to the end of our journey. Morocco indeed holds an abundance of beauty and culture, and I'm elated you were able to explore and immerse yourselves in its wonders. Your desire to return someday is the greatest compliment, and I eagerly await the opportunity to show you even... Read more

Hi Lejla,

Thank you so much for your heartfelt words!

I'm thrilled to hear that you found the experience knowledgeable, charismatic, and fun. Ensuring your comfort and enjoyment was our priority from the beginning to the end of our journey.

Morocco indeed holds an abundance of beauty and culture, and I'm elated you were able to explore and immerse yourselves in its wonders. Your desire to return someday is the greatest compliment, and I eagerly await the opportunity to show you even more of this enchanting country.

I'm delighted that every aspect, from accommodations to transportation, exceeded your expectations. Your kind words about our team's efforts to go above and beyond truly inspire us to continue delivering exceptional experiences.

Thank you immensely for choosing KimKim and Original Travels for your Moroccan adventure. Your appreciation means everything to us, and we can't wait to welcome you back for another memorable journey!

Warm regards,
Ali

Mar finished all the bookings for us and then...
Norway | Dec 9 - Dec 17, 2023

Nikesh
Nikesh P.
the Netherlands | Reviewed on Dec 25, 2023
Mar finished all the bookings for us and then Fenne took care of all our bookings and was in touch with us throughout the trip. The bookings / planning everything was perfect for us on this trip.. we hit a big bump on our first day when our flight was cancelled and the whole plan looked falling apart, but Fenne and team helped us a lot in making sure to liaise with the vendors and moving our bookings without any hassle. It just took off all our stress. And while we were in Tromso they will... Read more

Mar finished all the bookings for us and then Fenne took care of all our bookings and was in touch with us throughout the trip. The bookings / planning everything was perfect for us on this trip.. we hit a big bump on our first day when our flight was cancelled and the whole plan looked falling apart, but Fenne and team helped us a lot in making sure to liaise with the vendors and moving our bookings without any hassle. It just took off all our stress. And while we were in Tromso they will in touch with us all the time.

Highly recommend booking through KimKim team. Their itinerary’s are just perfect to see any place u plan to visit.

Local specialist: Mar Quiñones
Mar
Mar Quiñones
Local specialist in Kristiansand | Replied on Jan 02, 2024

Dear Nikesh,
Thank you so much for your feedback and your kind words for the whole team!
We are thrilled to hear you had a great time here in Norway!
It was a pleasure working with you; thanks for trusting us!
My very best,
Mar

My recent trip to Nepal was everything I coul...
Nepal | Dec 13 - Dec 22, 2023

Cayden
Cayden S.
India | Reviewed on Dec 24, 2023
My recent trip to Nepal was everything I could have asked for. My friend and I were in Nepal to see wildlife and Sangita knew exactly what to plan for us to see what we wanted. We ended up visiting two national parks and seeing TWO tigers. The transportation was also super easy and well planned and Sangita was even able to rearrange last minute when my friend missed his flight so he didn't miss anything. Overall it was a fantastic experience using kimkim and I will be using it to plan most of... Read more

My recent trip to Nepal was everything I could have asked for. My friend and I were in Nepal to see wildlife and Sangita knew exactly what to plan for us to see what we wanted. We ended up visiting two national parks and seeing TWO tigers. The transportation was also super easy and well planned and Sangita was even able to rearrange last minute when my friend missed his flight so he didn't miss anything. Overall it was a fantastic experience using kimkim and I will be using it to plan most of if not all my future trips.

Hotel Review
Rhino Lodge Bardia
Bardia

Rhino lodge has friendly staff, excellent service, and amazing guides that helped make our time in Bardia unforgettable!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Super friendly and flexible based on our needs and desires.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Full Day Jungle Activities
Full Day Jungle Activities
Bardia National Park

We spent all day in the park from early morning to late evening in search of tigers. We found tracks and other signs they were in the area and out guide knew exactly what area to search. Eventually we came across a huge tiger in the middle of the road in a thrilling encounter!

Quality of Experience
Our guide was excellent and tailored our safaris to our desires and ultimately delivered. The jeep was awesome and comfortable as well!
Food
The lodge food was delicious and we were asked when we wanted to be served to it was convenient too!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
One hour Everest Mountain Flight
One hour Everest Mountain Flight
Kathmandu

This flight is spectacular. While it doesn't get as close to the mountains as we thought it would, it still delivers views of mount everest and other Himalayas that you can't get anywhere else. Definitely recommend.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Welcome to Nepal. Evening Welcome Dinner
Welcome to Nepal. Evening Welcome Dinner
Kathmandu

While we didn't get to do this as a welcome dinner and more of a goodbye dinner it was still awesome nonetheless. It was really fun to meet Sangita who we couldn't have done this trip without and she was delightful. The food was also delicious as well.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day Jungle Activities in Chitwan
Full Day Jungle Activities in Chitwan
Chitwan National Park

We did boat, walking, and jeep safaris all in one day since we only had a single day in Chitwan. Needless to say it was packed and we really had a great experience. We saw rhino, deer, peacock, two species of crocodile and ANOTHER tiger!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Sangita Bajracharya
Sangita
Sangita Bajracharya
Local specialist in Kathmandu | Replied on Dec 29, 2023

Dear Cayden,

Thank you for the wonderful review. It is great to know you had amazing travel experience with us. Both of you are so lucky indeed to get to see Tiger as well in both Bardia and Chitwan.

Cannot wait to welcome you back in Nepal .

Regards
Sangita

Magical Honeymoon 3 years in the Making
Italy | Oct 2 - Oct 12, 2023

Leslie
Leslie L.
Seattle, WA | Reviewed on Dec 24, 2023
After being married during the pandemic, I was not eager to plan a honeymoon trip after re-planning our wedding 3 times. This led to us procrastinating this trip until I worked with Fabio. From beginning to end, Fabio was incredible and I say this as a very Type A planner who would typically take on all the research and planning on my own. He was in tune to our requests, budget, and feedback and promptly put together itineraries that checked every box. This led to a trip that was... Read more

After being married during the pandemic, I was not eager to plan a honeymoon trip after re-planning our wedding 3 times. This led to us procrastinating this trip until I worked with Fabio. From beginning to end, Fabio was incredible and I say this as a very Type A planner who would typically take on all the research and planning on my own. He was in tune to our requests, budget, and feedback and promptly put together itineraries that checked every box. This led to a trip that was perfectly curated to us and beyond my expectations. Thank you Fabio!

In Venice, I loved the Ca'Nigra Lagoon Resort. It was quaint and perfectly located for our excursions. We were fond of Venice but Florence quickly stole the show. I highly recommend the day trip to Sienna that Fabio booked for us. Our private driver, Michele, was so knowledgeable and made conversation easy. He was also the best photographer for all the scenic stops along our drive. The Florence Cooking Class and Lunch at a farmhouse with the local market tour was a blast! If you're thinking a taking any cooking class while in Italy, this is the one. We probably laughed more than we cooked.

As history nerds, the tours in Rome were some of our favorites but surprisingly second to the Rome Food Tour. Our stay at Hotel Centrale was fantastic. The concierge gave us recommendations for restaurants and hidden gems in the city, which was greatly appreciated. Our last leg of the trip in Naples included a private tour of Pompeii and our guide was yet again a perfect fit for us and catered the tour to our interests.

Overall, there was not a single part of our itinerary that we would have changed. The experience was everything we dreamed about and I would trust my trip planning to kimkim again in a heartbeat.

Hotel Reviews
Ca' Nigra Lagoon Resort
Venice

The rooms are stunning, the terrace was the perfect place to relax in the evening, and the location was perfect for all our excursions. We appreciated being able to quickly catch a water taxi while also feeling like we had a quiet corner of Venice to ourselves.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Firenze Capitale
Florence

Cute place that was away from the noise of the touristy center, but still walkable to everything you could want to see.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Centrale
Rome
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hart Boutique Hotel
Naples
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Tuscany Day Trip to Siena & San Gimignano  | Lunch & Wine Tasting Included
Tuscany Day Trip to Siena & San Gimignano | Lunch & Wine Tasting Included
Florence
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Michele was an incredible driver! We loved getting to spend our day with him. He took time to stop for my scenic photo request and also made a great photographer. Furthermore, he made suggestions at each stop, easy conversation for the longer portions of the driver, and overall was knowledgeable about each location.
Transport
Florence Cooking Class and Lunch at a Farmhouse in Tuscany with Local Market Tour
Florence Cooking Class and Lunch at a Farmhouse in Tuscany with Local Market Tour
Florence

This class is all fun with a bonus of great food!

Quality of Experience
Food
Everything made was incredible!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Bruno should have a comedy show! We laughed more than we cooked.
Transport
Rome Food Tour
Rome Food Tour
Rome

This tour was foodie heaven! Make sure you show up hungry and ready to eat a variety of dishes.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
The walk from place to place was nice as our guide made sure to point out other hidden gems and we walked through backstreets like a true local.
Full-day Private Tour of Pompeii, Mt. Vesuvius and a Local Winery
Full-day Private Tour of Pompeii, Mt. Vesuvius and a Local Winery
Naples
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Fabio Ilardi
Fabio
Fabio Ilardi
Local specialist in Como, Italy | Replied on Dec 27, 2023
Buongiorno Leslie! Thank you so much for taking the time to share your incredible experience. It was an absolute pleasure to be a part of planning your post-wedding trip, especially considering the challenges of the pandemic and the multiple adjustments to your wedding plans. I'm thrilled to hear that the travel plans we arranged together not only met your expectations but exceeded them. Venice, Florence, and Rome hold their own special magic, and I'm delighted to know that the Ca'Nigra... Read more

Buongiorno Leslie!

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your incredible experience. It was an absolute pleasure to be a part of planning your post-wedding trip, especially considering the challenges of the pandemic and the multiple adjustments to your wedding plans.

I'm thrilled to hear that the travel plans we arranged together not only met your expectations but exceeded them. Venice, Florence, and Rome hold their own special magic, and I'm delighted to know that the Ca'Nigra Lagoon Resort in Venice, the day trip to Siena with Michele, the Food Tour in Rome, and the Florence Cooking Class were among the highlights.

I am looking forward to working with you on your next Italian adventure! Wishing you all the best and a wonderful Holiday Season!

Arrivedercii!! 🙂
Fabio

Fantastic trip arranged by kimkim and Ibrahim...
Egypt | Dec 9 - Dec 19, 2023

M
M M.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Dec 24, 2023
Fantastic trip arranged by kimkim and Ibrahim and through them the Egyptian promotion company.
Good hotel choices in Cairo and Aswan and a pretty good cruise liner from Aswan to Luxor. Every day we had knowledgeable guides, private AC vans with a driver at our disposal. Hisham at Cairo and Zakariah at Aswan/Luxor were knowledgeable enthusiastic guides. Mahmoud (Cairo) & Zin (Aswan) met us at the airport at arrival and departure and made it a smooth experience . The optional trips to visit a...
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Fantastic trip arranged by kimkim and Ibrahim and through them the Egyptian promotion company.
Good hotel choices in Cairo and Aswan and a pretty good cruise liner from Aswan to Luxor. Every day we had knowledgeable guides, private AC vans with a driver at our disposal. Hisham at Cairo and Zakariah at Aswan/Luxor were knowledgeable enthusiastic guides. Mahmoud (Cairo) & Zin (Aswan) met us at the airport at arrival and departure and made it a smooth experience . The optional trips to visit a Nubian village and the hot air balloon was unforgettable . Mohammed our driver in Cairo was super helpful and kind.
Ibrahim’s itinerary and hotel/ flight bookings were 5 star.
2 small points, which I hope will be taken as constructive feedback
1. Communication from Ibrahim could have been a bit more prompt and saved us some worry
2. On the return to Cairo from Luxor we only had 12 hours to spend in Cairo. Perhaps a hotel closer to the airport could have been chosen saving us a 1.5 hr trip each way from airport to hotel and back.

Local specialist: Ibrahim Elaref

Our adventurous honeymoon in Colombia
Colombia | Dec 4 - Dec 16, 2023

Ana
Ana C.
Spain | Reviewed on Dec 24, 2023
My husband and I started planning our honeymoon with very little time and we had a lot of expectations for this trip. Luckily we found Michael, the perfect person to help us meet all of those expectations. The itinerary was throughly thought of, with a lot of activities and perfect accommodations. Exactly what we wanted.
We traveled for 13 days, from the Amazon, to Tayrona and then Cartagena. Every place was special but we have to highlight the Amazon, where we had the best experience of our...
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My husband and I started planning our honeymoon with very little time and we had a lot of expectations for this trip. Luckily we found Michael, the perfect person to help us meet all of those expectations. The itinerary was throughly thought of, with a lot of activities and perfect accommodations. Exactly what we wanted.
We traveled for 13 days, from the Amazon, to Tayrona and then Cartagena. Every place was special but we have to highlight the Amazon, where we had the best experience of our life’s. Our local guide, Gary Botero, had a lot of knowledge about both the fauna and flora. Was always available to answer our questions and to make sure we were having a good experience everywhere we visited. All thanks to him, we got to see a lot of animals and understand a lot more about the indigenous culture. I would recommend Gary to everyone who wants to have an authentic experience in the jungle and among the indigenous communities. I can not stress enough how his professionalism, good vibes and love for the Amazon had a positive impact on the way our trip went.
We also loved our experience in Cartagena, especially the market visit and the Islas Rosario. Our local guide, Rafael Maldonado, gave us great recommendations, was very fun and available. Here we stayed at Bantu hotel, our favourite accommodation of the all trip. This hotel was strongly recommended by Michael and with reason.
It is also important to mentioned that Michael and his team checked on us, on time to time, reminding us of all the little procedures we had to do, giving us recommendations and even giving us some treats.
Overall our honeymoon was a experience we will never forget, all thanks to the great work of Michael and his team. Our trip was stress free and incredibly fun. We get to be adventurous, to relax and to experience Colombia rich culture, not worrying with a thing.

Hotel Reviews
HAB Hotel
Bogotá

A hotel with a very cool vibe in Bogotá. The food was delicious and the staff was very nice.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Reserva Natural Tanimboca
Leticia - Amazonas

We stayed at a tree house surrounded by the jungle, with no electricity and hot water. This was an amazing experience. We get the chance to do a night walk and see tarantulas, frogs and other insects. The sound of animals during this walk was itself an amazing experience. The room was clean, the food was good and the staff were nice.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The room was very clean and the bed was comfortable. We didn’t get a lot of mosquitoes inside the house, which was a nice surprise. I only think a lantern could have been given to us.
Maloka Napü
Puerto Narino
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
I am giving five stars only because of Francisca, the lady responsible for the kitchen. She was really nice and available, answered our questions and made an effort to get to know us, which I found really sweet of her. She alone made the place feel welcoming. The other members of the staff were not exactly nice, but were professional.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The bed was comfortable but the bathroom didn’t really work well. The room needs some maintenance.
Reserva Natural Marasha
Puerto Alegría

Loved our stay in Marasha. The night safari is on my top experiences of all time. Here we got to see a lot of animals and flora, to relax and to eat great Peruvian food. The staff was outstandingly nice, they even fried the fish I fished in the river so I could taste it. The day we spent here was our favourite experience on the all trip.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
The place were I found the nicest people all over our trip.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Senda Koguiwa
Santa Marta
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Bantu By Faranda Boutique
Cartagena de Indias
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Bogotá Walking Tour
Bogotá Walking Tour
Bogotá
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Amazonas Expedition - Day 1
Amazonas Expedition - Day 1
Colombia
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Amazonas Expedition - Day 2
Amazonas Expedition - Day 2
Colombia
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Hike Tayrona National Park
Hike Tayrona National Park
Tayrona National Park

Overall we liked very much this day. However, this is becoming a touristic place and, perhaps because of that, the restaurants are quite extensive for the quality they offer. Our guide strongly recommended a place that turn out to be quite disappointing. We had to pay hours in advance, the staff was not nice, and the quality of the food was not that high (the ceviche was a salad, not a ceviche). The price clearly didn’t match the quality. A service including a picnic lunch would be a great alternative.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Tayronaka Natural Reserve
Tayronaka Natural Reserve
Colombia
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
San Alberto Coffee Tasting
San Alberto Coffee Tasting
Cartagena
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Rosario Islands Day Trip
Rosario Islands Day Trip
Cartagena
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Amazonas Expedition - Day 5
Amazonas Expedition - Day 5
Colombia
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Amazonas Expedtion - Day 3
Amazonas Expedtion - Day 3
Colombia
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
The boat to go swimming in the Amazon river should have stairs, to help one get out of the water.
Amazonas Expedition - Day 4
Amazonas Expedition - Day 4
Colombia

This was the top day of our trip.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Market Visit & Cooking Class
Market Visit & Cooking Class
Cartagena
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Boquilla Mangrove Tour
Boquilla Mangrove Tour
Cartagena
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Salsa Experience
Salsa Experience
Cartagena
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Michael Gold
Michael
Michael Gold
Local specialist in San Agustín, Huila, Colombia | Replied on Dec 26, 2023

Hi Ana,
Wow, your review made our day! We're thrilled to have been part of your honeymoon magic. Crafting that itinerary for you was a blast, and we're stoked to hear we hit the mark on all your expectations. Your stress-free, fun-filled journey was what we aimed for, and it warms our hearts to know we nailed it. Thanks a bunch for letting us tag along on this unforgettable trip with you. Wishing you endless happiness together and hoping our paths cross again in Colombia!
Cheers,
Michael and the Chaska Tours Team

Amazing journey to Belize and Guatemala
Guatemala | Dec 15 - Dec 23, 2023

Yifan
Yifan L.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Dec 24, 2023
I had an exceptional experience with Columbus Guatemala Travel. Prior to this journey, my knowledge of Guatemala was quite limited, and Belize was completely off my radar. This is precisely why I love to travel: to explore new destinations, immerse myself in diverse cultures, and embrace novel experiences. The itinerary crafted by Columbus Guatemala Travel perfectly encapsulated the spirit of both Belize and Guatemala, offering me fresh insights into these fascinating countries. Their... Read more

I had an exceptional experience with Columbus Guatemala Travel. Prior to this journey, my knowledge of Guatemala was quite limited, and Belize was completely off my radar. This is precisely why I love to travel: to explore new destinations, immerse myself in diverse cultures, and embrace novel experiences. The itinerary crafted by Columbus Guatemala Travel perfectly encapsulated the spirit of both Belize and Guatemala, offering me fresh insights into these fascinating countries. Their responsiveness impressed me, especially their use of a WhatsApp group to keep my travel information up-to-date and adapt to any changes swiftly. Meeting the team in Antigua was a delight; they were warm and welcoming. I wholeheartedly recommend embarking on a new adventure with Columbus Guatemala Travel.

Local specialist: Catherina Tittaferrante
Catherina
Catherina Tittaferrante
Local specialist in Antigua Guatemala | Replied on Jan 20, 2024
My lovely Yifan, Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience, it was truly exceptional to meet you and your enthusiasm for exploring new destinations and cultures, it shines through in your words and your art capturing feelings, moments, time, life with your lens. We believe in crafting memorable travels to print the essence of the destinations, providing local insights and novel experiences while impacting positively respecting and conserving the authenticity from our cultures... Read more

My lovely Yifan,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience, it was truly exceptional to meet you and your enthusiasm for exploring new destinations and cultures, it shines through in your words and your art capturing feelings, moments, time, life with your lens.

We believe in crafting memorable travels to print the essence of the destinations, providing local insights and novel experiences while impacting positively respecting and conserving the authenticity from our cultures and improving the reality of our communities.

We would love to continue in this journey, please keep always in mind that you have from now on friends in here.

See you in the next adventure!

fun array of activities and great lodgings
Costa Rica | Dec 9 - Dec 23, 2023

Andrea
Andrea M.
Lanesboro, MN | Reviewed on Dec 24, 2023
My husband and I had a wonderful diverse trip planned out by the team. Highly recommend guides for the nature walks since they are trained to see what we would have missed. The four different areas and stays were all well selected. We enjoyed the crazy river tubing and ziplines in Monteverde especially. Thanks for all the instant replies to my questions.
Andrea
Read more

My husband and I had a wonderful diverse trip planned out by the team. Highly recommend guides for the nature walks since they are trained to see what we would have missed. The four different areas and stays were all well selected. We enjoyed the crazy river tubing and ziplines in Monteverde especially. Thanks for all the instant replies to my questions.
Andrea

Hotel Reviews
Ficus Sunset Suites
Monteverde

Nice big rooms with lots of windows which we loved Easy walking to restaurants etc

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
always were greeted with a friendly smile
Cleanliness & Comfort
Sueño Río Celeste
Upala

Very friendly and attending hosts. Awesome breakfast and wonderful place to watch birds, sloths etc. right from their deck overlooking the forest.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The bungalows are a bit dated, nice decor though and clean, fridge is outside for some reason.
The Coast Beachfront Hotel
Tamarindo, Guanacaste Province

great location right on the beach with easy walks to restaurants and bars. Very nice staff and clean place. Our room faced the ocean on 2nd floor and was very roomy with a kitchenette making our stay even better. The continental breakfast was set in front of the door at allotted time.

Authenticity & Character
all amenities are sufficient
Location
awesome beach access
Staff
always friendly and helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Hacienda Guachipelín
Liberia

Great place to stay for all kinds of activities

Authenticity & Character
nightly music, good service, choices of eateries
Location
near national park and many waterfalls
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Charlotte Törnqvist
Charlotte
Charlotte Törnqvist
Local specialist in Turrialba, Costa Rica | Replied on Jan 02, 2024

Hello Andrea, and thank you so much for your positive review. I am glad you loved all locations and experiences so much!! Hopefully you'll come back in the future so that we can help you plan a trip to explore other areas of Costa Rica.

Pura Vida,
Charlotte

Highly recommend Silvia, Luke warm on KimKim transparency and platform
Sweden | Dec 14 - Dec 23, 2023

Rebecca and Russell
Rebecca and Russell F.
Princeton, NJ | Reviewed on Dec 24, 2023
Silvia was incredible. She pulled together a fantastic itinerary for us to see Sweden (Stockholm and north of the Artic Circle to Kiruna and Abisko) then to Iceland. The tours and accommodations were spot on. We had a number of quick questions on the trip and she always responded quickly, often real time. It was just nice knowing someone with detailed knowledge of the areas we travelled was available throughout the trip.

Because Silvia was amazing, I think I would use KimKim again but...
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Silvia was incredible. She pulled together a fantastic itinerary for us to see Sweden (Stockholm and north of the Artic Circle to Kiruna and Abisko) then to Iceland. The tours and accommodations were spot on. We had a number of quick questions on the trip and she always responded quickly, often real time. It was just nice knowing someone with detailed knowledge of the areas we travelled was available throughout the trip.

Because Silvia was amazing, I think I would use KimKim again but they are not transparent with fees, don’t have a platform where a detailed day-by-day itinerary can be created without a workaround, and it took the behind the scenes team weeks to book tickets once we had a plan and booked airline tickets which made us nervous some things would no longer be available that had other dependencies. We had to get more into the details and needed to follow-up on some things than expected.

Local specialist: Silvía Ástvaldsdóttir
Silvía
Silvía Ástvaldsdóttir
Local specialist in Sweden | Replied on Dec 31, 2023
Dear Rebecca & Russell, I'm deeply touched by your kind words about your trip to Sweden and Iceland. It was a pleasure crafting your itinerary and being there for you along the way! Your feedback about kimkim's fee transparency and itinerary platform is truly appreciated. I apologize for any inconvenience and will ensure your insights are used to refine our services. Your patience during this process was remarkable & I learned so much from working with you :) Thank you for choosing me and... Read more

Dear Rebecca & Russell,

I'm deeply touched by your kind words about your trip to Sweden and Iceland. It was a pleasure crafting your itinerary and being there for you along the way!

Your feedback about kimkim's fee transparency and itinerary platform is truly appreciated. I apologize for any inconvenience and will ensure your insights are used to refine our services. Your patience during this process was remarkable & I learned so much from working with you :)

Thank you for choosing me and kimkim for your Nordic adventure! It was a joy to see your adventurous spirit in action. If you ever decide to explore more of the Nordics, you know where to find me 😍

Warmest regards,
Silvia

Way beyond my expectations -- a magical trip to Thailand. Thank you, Tina!
Thailand | Dec 16 - Dec 23, 2023

Sean
Sean M.
Atlanta, GA | Reviewed on Dec 24, 2023
I explained that I was most interested in nature and cuisine. Tina came back with amazing suggestions which evolved only slightly before finalizing the itinerary. The hotels were outstanding, and most important the activities were amazing. Absolutely beyond my expectations.
Excursion 1: John Gray's Sea Canoe - Hong by Starlight. There were 20 tourists, and 10 staff to help us kayak in these amazing islands with internal lagoons. There are only a few hours per day when you...
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I explained that I was most interested in nature and cuisine. Tina came back with amazing suggestions which evolved only slightly before finalizing the itinerary. The hotels were outstanding, and most important the activities were amazing. Absolutely beyond my expectations.
Excursion 1: John Gray's Sea Canoe - Hong by Starlight. There were 20 tourists, and 10 staff to help us kayak in these amazing islands with internal lagoons. There are only a few hours per day when you can kayak through caves into the lagoons. The boating around the islands was amazing. Also, I had my best meals of the entire trip. The boat has a full kitchen and great chefs.
Excursion 2: Elephant Jungle Sanctuary in Phuket. We spent 1/2 day taking care of these beautiful rescue elephants. We fed them, and bathed with them, and scrubbed them -- anyone who wanted to (including me) was covered with mud in union with the elephants. I made a new best friend through sharing this experience. We met there, and then again during my last day in Phuket.
Excursion 3: Pileh Lagoon & Bamboo Island. While the elephant experience was my favorite excursion, this was the most dramatically beautiful. A small selection of photos can be found on instagram,
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C1G6YKbuX3U/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D

The views of the islands was amazing. But most incredible was the snorkeling. I followed a massive purple moray eel for 30 minutes in amazement.

Excursion 4: Muay Thai in Phuket (Thai boxing). When this was proposed, I responded "why??" My guide Tina as well as a friend from Thailand told me I should check it out. It was amazing! Like everything on the trip, it was VIP all the way. Special box seats with the best views. There were five matches: including a pair of teenagers, a pair of woman to start. They blew our minds, and the best was at the end with two Thai masters. Yes, some parts were a bit uncomfortable when someone got hurt, but the artistry was fantastic.

99% of the trip was flawless. When I needed a ride, a driver was there! The two times when there were minor issues I contacted Tina and all was resolved.

Hotel Reviews
Phi Phi CoCo Beach Resort
Krabi

I love this hotel. You stay in elegant elevated huts. The breakfasts are outstanding, with the best fresh fruit. Parts of Phi Phi can be a bit congested. Here you are completely sheltered from any noise. I have the feeling that every hotel has outstanding personal service. This was the best.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Patong Paragon Resort & Spa

I stayed here at the start of the trip, and at the end. The rooms are spacious and luxurious -- I was so happy to see that bathtub after a long trip! Location can't be beat in this area: by the beach, but far enough away from the big crowds. Breakfasts are great, except I suggest you avoid the coffee. I was unlucky with this hotel. The A/C wasn't working, and they didn't respond to my request for a repair until Tina (my kimkim contact) called them. It turned out to be a simple reboot. On my return to the hotel they acknowledged their failure, and gave me an upgrade -- a massive suite! I preferred my previous room that overlooked the pool. To all: do not accept a room overlooking the busy road! It gets noisy!!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
John Gray's Sea Canoe - Hong by Starlight
John Gray's Sea Canoe - Hong by Starlight
Phuket

There were 20 tourists, and 10 staff to help us kayak in these amazing islands with internal lagoons. There are only a few hours per day when you can kayak through caves into the lagoons. The boating around the islands was amazing. Also, I had my best meals of the entire trip. The boat has a full kitchen and great chefs.

Quality of Experience
Food
So many delicious Thai dishes!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
A visit to Elephant Jungle Sanctuary in Phuket
A visit to Elephant Jungle Sanctuary in Phuket
Phuket

We spent 1/2 day taking care of these beautiful rescue elephants. We fed them, and bathed with them, and scrubbed them -- anyone who wanted to (including me) was covered with mud in union with the elephants. I made a new best friend through sharing this experience. We met there, and then again during my last day in Phuket. The staff seem so committed to the elephants. And each elephant has their special Thai human to take care of them throughout the year. Just amazing.

Quality of Experience
Food
We had a pad thai cooking class at the end! They asked for four volunteers, and I jumped in. My best pad thai of the trip (not the dish I prepared, of course)
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sunrise Glory visit to Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon & Bamboo Island
Sunrise Glory visit to Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon & Bamboo Island
Ko Phi Phi

While the elephant experience was my favorite excursion, this was the most dramatically beautiful. A small selection of photos can be found on instagram, https://www.instagram.com/reel/C1G6YKbuX3U/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D The views of the islands was amazing. But most incredible was the snorkeling. I followed a massive purple moray eel for 30 minutes in amazement. The staff were incredible! Helpful, and *fun*!! They playfulness was fantastic along with being awestruck with the natural beauty.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Tina Oo
Tina
Tina Oo
Local specialist in Thailand | Replied on Dec 25, 2023

Hi Sean,
You are one of our amazing clients who enjoy the trip fully. Thank you so much for such kind feedback and this makes me happy. Thanks for traveling with us and we hope to see you again!
Best,
Tina

Book it yourself directly
Costa Rica | Dec 16 - Dec 23, 2023

Sam
Sam J.
Boone, NC | Reviewed on Dec 24, 2023
Our guide showed up and the first thing he told us was that he wasn’t feeling well. The second day he told us he needed to visit a pharmacy. Half of my family caught whatever he had and ended up sick for the 2nd half of the trip. He mostly drive us from point A to B over several days. At the end I asked Serendipity what an appropriate tip was for our guide (and other than infecting us he was very nice so we wanted to tip him). He was with us for four days. They suggested a range of... Read more

Our guide showed up and the first thing he told us was that he wasn’t feeling well. The second day he told us he needed to visit a pharmacy. Half of my family caught whatever he had and ended up sick for the 2nd half of the trip. He mostly drive us from point A to B over several days. At the end I asked Serendipity what an appropriate tip was for our guide (and other than infecting us he was very nice so we wanted to tip him). He was with us for four days. They suggested a range of 20-40-% of the entire seven day trip cost. I would avoid using this service.

Activity Reviews
Arriving and Meeting your Helicopter Crew
Arriving and Meeting your Helicopter Crew
Liberia International Airport (LIR)

They cancelled even though it was clear and sunny.

Quality of Experience
Private Canyoning Adventure
Private Canyoning Adventure
Arenal/La Fortuna
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Private Surfing Lesson
Private Surfing Lesson
Costa Rica
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Charlotte Törnqvist
Charlotte
Charlotte Törnqvist
Local specialist in Turrialba, Costa Rica | Replied on Jan 02, 2024
Hello Sam and family, I am glad to see you enjoyed your adventures (giving them 5 stars), and that you found the guide nice, but at the same time I am sorry to hear you are not entirely satisfied with our services. As a matter of fact, we were sad the vacation did not start as planned due to the cancelled helicopter transfer upon arrival, that was replaced with an airplane flight. Unfortunately, even though the weather may not look too bad to the bare eye, we have to rely on the expertise... Read more

Hello Sam and family,

I am glad to see you enjoyed your adventures (giving them 5 stars), and that you found the guide nice, but at the same time I am sorry to hear you are not entirely satisfied with our services.

As a matter of fact, we were sad the vacation did not start as planned due to the cancelled helicopter transfer upon arrival, that was replaced with an airplane flight. Unfortunately, even though the weather may not look too bad to the bare eye, we have to rely on the expertise of the helicopter pilots to decide if the conditions are good enough, since they have access to all atmospheric data. We refunded the difference in cost to your credit card.

Regarding the tipping, that is a big misunderstanding and I sincerely apologize you were misinformed in our service chat. I regret any frustration or confusion the erroneous information caused, knowing the typical percentage/ amount of tips for a full trip is much less than the percentage you mention. My coworker Nancy tried to explain that to you over the phone when you were still in country and the question raised, but I now understand it was not cleared satisfactorily. Therefore, we are now in the process of creating a more detailed document covering the topic of service tipping, to share with future clients.

I thank you for taking the time to writing a review. Constructive feedback is invaluable to us, as we always strive to improve our services.

Hopefully you will treasure positive memories rappelling waterfalls and riding the waves of Costa Rica, and decide to return one day, in case we would love to get a second chance to serve you.

Kind Regards,
Charlotte

South Africa honeymoon
South Africa | Dec 12 - Dec 22, 2023

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Wll O.
Singapore | Reviewed on Dec 23, 2023

Hi Esther and team, thank u so much for such a well coordinated travel itinerary. Hand on heart wouldn’t have asked for a better travel planner. We enjoyed our honeymoon very much and South Africa will always leave special place in our heart. Will definitely recommend my friends to you. Thank u ☺️

Local specialist: Esther Ruempol
Esther
Esther Ruempol
Local specialist in Johannesburg, South Africa | Replied on Dec 23, 2023

Thank you so much, it was such a privilege to plan this special trip together with you and we are thrilled that you enjoyed your South African Honeymoon!

Thank you, Hakim! We really enjoyed our adventure in Morocco! ...
Morocco | Dec 3 - Dec 16, 2023

T
Trudy L.
Hillsboro, OR | Reviewed on Dec 23, 2023
We really enjoyed our adventure in Morocco! Hakim, who coordinated our 2-week tour, was a joy to work with! He was so patient, kind, and professional! We also loved our driver Mohammed, which really made our 2-week travels with him a highlight in and of itself! He really looked out for us and listened to our needs. Our group is pretty active and driving from one place to another for hours (3- to 6- hours, depending on our destinations from one point to the next--we covered A LOT of ground)... Read more

We really enjoyed our adventure in Morocco! Hakim, who coordinated our 2-week tour, was a joy to work with! He was so patient, kind, and professional! We also loved our driver Mohammed, which really made our 2-week travels with him a highlight in and of itself! He really looked out for us and listened to our needs. Our group is pretty active and driving from one place to another for hours (3- to 6- hours, depending on our destinations from one point to the next--we covered A LOT of ground) was hard for us to sit in the van all that time. Mohammed accommodated for our needs to break up the trip with some stops for walking, multiple bathroom breaks, etc.) Also, when we got a tad tired of heavy lunches en route to our destinations, he happily complied with our request for us to pick up picnic food and items at local supermarkets, so that we can have lunch picnic stops! We LOVED that!

On the whole we we pleased with the majority of the local tour guides in the cities, villages we visited. The tour guide we had in Fez, our group found, was our least favorite as he wasn't good at listening to our needs and schedule as the others.
Our highlights were:
-Chefchaouen, the Blue City, as it's very scenic and easy to get around. Our lodging at Dar Jasmine there was lovely! (Note: the location is not for the cumbered walker because to get to the lobby entrance and rooms, you have to climb 165 steps!)
- Our local souk to learn about the ingredients for making Tagine and our cooking class in Fez hosted was a huge highlight for us all!
- Miknes, as Rashid was a very knowledgeable guide there. A spacious city/town that was a welcome respite from the hubbub of Fez
- The Sahara Desert...loved the sunset camel ride and the luxury tent accommodations and food were wonderful
- In Marrakech, sampling food and winding streets, stalls & historic buildings in the Medina with our food tour guide Hanyn was fantastic!

Activity Review
Guided Tour in Fes
Guided Tour in Fes
Fes

Of all the tour guides we had for our 2-week Moroccan tour, our group found the local guide in Fes to be disappointing. He informed us that he's been giving Fes tours for over 20 years, and that was apparent, as he seemed to be on auto-pilot, and wasn't sensitive to our group's schedule and interests. We felt like we were rushing through areas that were of particular interest to us, but not so much to him. His jokes/humor rubbed the female members of the group the wrong way,

Quality of Experience
We loved working with Hakim, who coordinated our tour, and also our driver Mohamed!
Transport
Local specialist: Hakim ALIBOUCHE
Hakim
Hakim ALIBOUCHE
Local specialist in Agadir | Replied on Dec 25, 2023
Dear Trudy, Thank you so much for leaving a wonderful review on your recent trip to Morocco. It warms my heart to read about your wonderful experience during your 2-week adventure in my country. I am thrilled to hear that Mohammed played a pivotal role in making your journey even more memorable. Mohammed truly embodies the spirit of our commitment to exceptional service, and I will make sure to pass on your kind words to him. It is heartening to know that our coordination and... Read more

Dear Trudy,

Thank you so much for leaving a wonderful review on your recent trip to Morocco.

It warms my heart to read about your wonderful experience during your 2-week adventure in my country. I am thrilled to hear that Mohammed played a pivotal role in making your journey even more memorable.

Mohammed truly embodies the spirit of our commitment to exceptional service, and I will make sure to pass on your kind words to him. It is heartening to know that our coordination and professionalism contributed to the success of your trip. We understand that long drives can be challenging, and I'm pleased that Mohammed's thoughtful approach to breaks and flexibility in catering to your preferences made the journey more enjoyable.

Your detailed account of the highlights and favorite moments paints a vivid picture of the rich experiences you had. The Blue City, Chefchaouen, sounds enchanting, and I'm delighted to hear that Dar Jasmine provided a lovely stay. The cooking class in Fez and the Sahara Desert adventure, complete with a sunset camel ride and luxurious tent accommodations, seem to have left lasting impressions.

I appreciate your honest feedback regarding the local guides, and I assure you that we will take steps to ensure better alignment with our travelers' expectations in the future.

Your enthusiasm for the food tour in Marrakech and the insights gained during the visit to Meknes are truly gratifying. It's our goal to provide authentic and immersive experiences, and I'm thrilled that these moments resonated with you.

Once again, thank you for choosing us to be part of your Moroccan adventure. It was a pleasure serving you, and we look forward to welcoming you back for more unforgettable journeys.

Best,
Hakim

Overall, great trip: good planning from Rene, great executio by Mariana
Mexico | Nov 24 - Dec 16, 2023

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Wouter K.
Singapore | Reviewed on Dec 23, 2023
Overall, great trip: good planning from Rene, exactly the things I wanted, and then great execution by Marianne supporting me every day. WOuld only change 4 things
- Hotel in Palenque: bad experience. Bad food poisoning from hotel restaurant, noone in pace speaks any englis, beds uncomfortable, ...
- R Barrios waterfalls: skip. Waterfals are ok but can do in 1 hour, but tour drops you there for 3 hours with only 1 small bar to sit after that even wants to charge you for wifi
- Ek Balam...
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Overall, great trip: good planning from Rene, exactly the things I wanted, and then great execution by Marianne supporting me every day. WOuld only change 4 things
- Hotel in Palenque: bad experience. Bad food poisoning from hotel restaurant, noone in pace speaks any englis, beds uncomfortable, ...
- R Barrios waterfalls: skip. Waterfals are ok but can do in 1 hour, but tour drops you there for 3 hours with only 1 small bar to sit after that even wants to charge you for wifi
- Ek Balam Cenote: cenote is very good, but the included lunch is terrible. Better book without the lunch
-

Hotel Review
Hotel La Aldea del Halach Huinic
Palenque

Got very bad food poisoning from hotel retaurant Also, none, not even front desk, speaks any english

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Chef's Table Experiencie
Chef's Table Experiencie
Mexico City
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Tour of historic Mexico City with street food tasting
Tour of historic Mexico City with street food tasting
Mexico City
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Hierve el Agua Hiking and Mezcal Distillery
Hierve el Agua Hiking and Mezcal Distillery
Oaxaca

They should warn you beore that the hike is quite hard and you need to be in good shape.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Excursion to the Sumidero Canyon & Chiapa de Corzo
Excursion to the Sumidero Canyon & Chiapa de Corzo
San Cristobal de las Casas
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Explore the mysterious area of Ek Balam
Explore the mysterious area of Ek Balam
Ek Balam

Its nice, but its a small site

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Group Experience: Tacos, Chelas & Mezcal in Narvarte
Group Experience: Tacos, Chelas & Mezcal in Narvarte
Mexico City
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Be amazed by the pre-hispanic beauty of the chinampas in Xochimilco
Be amazed by the pre-hispanic beauty of the chinampas in Xochimilco
Mexico City
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Gastronomic Indigenous Roots
Gastronomic Indigenous Roots
Oaxaca
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Archaeological Tour in Monte Albán
Archaeological Tour in Monte Albán
Oaxaca
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
The beautiful waterfalls of Misol-ha & Agua Azul - Night in Palenque.
The beautiful waterfalls of Misol-ha & Agua Azul - Night in Palenque.
Mexico
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Discover the Palenque Archeological Site
Discover the Palenque Archeological Site
Palenque
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Very confusing, different drivers, very little instructions what to do at end of trip
Visit the Roberto Barrios Waterfalls
Visit the Roberto Barrios Waterfalls
Palenque

Waterfalls are ok but can do in less than 1 hour. But the trip is 3 hours and only place to stay is at some small bar that has no menu, and even tries to charge you for wifi

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Van broke down so now took 2 hours to get back to town
Visit Calakmul in the Biosphere Reserve
Visit Calakmul in the Biosphere Reserve
Mexico

Highlight of the trip. We should have left even earlier so we could have spent more time there

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Uxmal, a city with Puuc style
Uxmal, a city with Puuc style
Mexico
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Kabah Archaeological Sites
Kabah Archaeological Sites
Uxmal

Good to combine with Uxmal, woudn't do it on its own

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Explore the Celestun Biosphere Reserve
Explore the Celestun Biosphere Reserve
Mérida

Boat ride is nice but really short (45 mins), should be longer After hat they just drop you at a restaurant next to a beach

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
unfcomfortable small car
Explore Chichén Itzá: A Wonder of the Mayan World
Explore Chichén Itzá: A Wonder of the Mayan World
Chichén Itzá

Cmpared to Calakmul, Palenque & Uxmal I found CHichen Itza a little disappointing and ess impressive than the others

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Discover the beautiful Cenote X'canché, and let yourself be captivated.
Discover the beautiful Cenote X'canché, and let yourself be captivated.
Ek Balam

Cenote was great The included lunch however was the worst meal of the whole trip

Quality of Experience
Coba and the sacred Mayan roads
Coba and the sacred Mayan roads
Cobá

Samller site but nice as its in jungle

Guides, Drivers and Staff
One guider to just buy you tickets, and then anther real guide....little over the top
Traditional Mayan Meal
Traditional Mayan Meal
Mexico

Meal was ok but nothing special The eco centre is not much. Couple of cages

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit the archaeological site of Tulum
Visit the archaeological site of Tulum
Mexico
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Tour the famous and picturesque neighborhood of Coyoacán.
Tour the famous and picturesque neighborhood of Coyoacán.
Mexico City
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit Mitla Archeological Site
Visit Mitla Archeological Site
Oaxaca

Wasnt impressed by Mitla

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
El Chiflón and Lagos de Montebello
El Chiflón and Lagos de Montebello
San Cristobal de las Casas

Chiflon was great. But we had really bad weather for the lakes so coudnt see anything. Also, guide was bad: complained non stop, didnt stop talking abut god nows what for 12 hours, ....

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Look for spider monkeys in Punta Laguna
Look for spider monkeys in Punta Laguna
Mexico
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Biking in Teotihuacán "The City of the Gods" & Overnight in Puebla
Biking in Teotihuacán "The City of the Gods" & Overnight in Puebla
Mexico
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Between markets and corn in the magical town of Cholula
Between markets and corn in the magical town of Cholula
Mexico
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Free Afternoon in Puebla
Free Afternoon in Puebla
Mexico
Quality of Experience
Oaxacan Markets: A Culinary Journey through Colors and Flavors
Oaxacan Markets: A Culinary Journey through Colors and Flavors
Oaxaca

Only food, and food kind of repetitive. Should have more variety. But good guide

Quality of Experience
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Transport
Local specialist: Rene Rodarte

Our trip to Jordan and Egypt, organized by ki...
Egypt | Nov 26 - Dec 14, 2023

Jayshree
Jayshree D.
Berkeley, CA | Reviewed on Dec 23, 2023
Our trip to Jordan and Egypt, organized by kimkim, was excellent. All accommodations were great, with special mentions for Harir Palace Amman Hotel and Kempinski Nile Hotel in Cairo. Our driver in Jordan, Rashid, was punctual and safe, and the guides in Jerash and Cairo were knowledgeable and friendly. The desert tour in Wadi Rum was a unique experience, and our guide there made it even more enjoyable. Visiting the pyramids and museums in Cairo was a highlight, particularly the Egyptian... Read more

Our trip to Jordan and Egypt, organized by kimkim, was excellent. All accommodations were great, with special mentions for Harir Palace Amman Hotel and Kempinski Nile Hotel in Cairo. Our driver in Jordan, Rashid, was punctual and safe, and the guides in Jerash and Cairo were knowledgeable and friendly. The desert tour in Wadi Rum was a unique experience, and our guide there made it even more enjoyable.

Visiting the pyramids and museums in Cairo was a highlight, particularly the Egyptian Civilization Museum. Our guide, Khaled, made the visits even more enjoyable. The sightseeing in Aswan was also amazing, with a visit to the Nubian village by boat being a standout experience. Our guide, Abraham, added a lot of value to our experiences in Aswan.

The Movenpick Sunray Nile Cruise was luxurious and the food was fabulous, with the staff going out of their way to accommodate my vegetarian diet!

Hotel Reviews
Rum Oasis Luxury Camp
Wadi Rum

The Rum Oasis Luxury Camp in Wadi Rum was very nice. It was an interesting experience to have such luxurious accommodation in the middle of a desert.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Harir Palace Amman Hotel
Amman

The Harir Palace Hotel in Amman was adequate for our needs. The food was great and the staff were friendly.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Dead Sea Spa Hotel
Sweimeh

The Dead Sea Spa Hotel was great. The facilities were good and the location was convenient for diving into the sea.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Kempinski Nile Hotel
Cairo

The Kempinski Nile Hotel in Cairo was amazing. We enjoyed the food at their various restaurants and the sleeping accommodations were really great. The location was safe and convenient for walking around at night.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Petra - Wadi Rum Desert Tour
Petra - Wadi Rum Desert Tour
Wadi Rum

The Petra to Wadi Rum desert tour was a lot of fun. Our driver was friendly and the journey was interesting and safe.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Old Egyptian Museum & Citadel Of Salah El Din & Old Cairo Mosques
Old Egyptian Museum & Citadel Of Salah El Din & Old Cairo Mosques
Cairo

We visited the Egyptian Museum and the Citadel of Salah El Din, which were both impressive. Khaled, our guide, made the visits even more enjoyable.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC)
National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC)
Cairo

The Egyptian Civilization Museum was a highlight of the trip. The exhibits were arranged in a way that showed the progression of Egypt over thousands of years.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Welcome in Jordan ( Queen Alia airport )- Amman
Welcome in Jordan ( Queen Alia airport )- Amman
Amman

The welcome in Jordan was a smooth process with someone guiding us through the airport. Everything was well-organized, which gave us a great first impression of Jordan.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Amman - Madaba - Nebo -Kerak -  Petra
Amman - Madaba - Nebo -Kerak - Petra
Amman

The journey from Amman to Madaba and Nebo was filled with fascinating historical sights and beautiful landscapes. Our driver, Rashid, was punctual and safe.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Pyramids, Sphinx, Sakkara, Memphis and camel ride
Pyramids, Sphinx, Sakkara, Memphis and camel ride
Cairo

Our guide, Khaled, was fantastic. He took us to the Giza Pyramids and Sakkara in a way that was both informative and fun.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Aswan sightseeing - Overnight at hotel
Aswan sightseeing - Overnight at hotel
Aswan

Aswan offered an amazing sightseeing experience. We visited the Nubian village by boat and saw local people and birds along the Nile. Our guide, Abraham, added a lot of value to the experience.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit Abu Simbel temple & board the Nile cruise
Visit Abu Simbel temple & board the Nile cruise
Egypt

The visit to Abu Simbel temple was very interesting. Boarding the Nile cruise was a unique experience, and the Movenpick boat was quite luxurious.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Lareine El Dakhly
Lareine
Lareine El Dakhly
Local specialist in Cairo | Replied on Jan 09, 2024

Thanks for taking the time to write such a detailed and positive review Jayshree. Your feedback is important to us. Our main goal is to make your trip enjoyable & memorable and I'm glad we managed to achieve that :)

Incredible Galapagos Experience!
Galapagos Islands | Nov 22 - Nov 30, 2023

Leila
Leila I.
Australia | Reviewed on Dec 22, 2023
Tamer Obeid (from Responsible Travel) was so helpful in organising a wonderful tailored Galapagos experience, and he ensured the trip went smoothly along the way, including assisting with last minute requests like getting us a scuba dive at Kicker Rock (which was a major highlight). The local guides and drivers organised by Tamer were all professional, knowledgeable and great company, and the hotels were very comfortable and well-located. We didn't really have to think about anything as it... Read more

Tamer Obeid (from Responsible Travel) was so helpful in organising a wonderful tailored Galapagos experience, and he ensured the trip went smoothly along the way, including assisting with last minute requests like getting us a scuba dive at Kicker Rock (which was a major highlight). The local guides and drivers organised by Tamer were all professional, knowledgeable and great company, and the hotels were very comfortable and well-located. We didn't really have to think about anything as it was all perfectly organised and and we could just focus on enjoying the amazing wildlife, spectacular landscapes, and unique culture of these amazing islands. An unforgettable trip, thanks Tamer!

Local specialist: Tamer Obeid.
Tamer
Tamer Obeid.
Local specialist in Quito, Ecuador | Replied on Dec 23, 2023

Dear Leila,
I am extremely happy to learn how much you enjoyed your Galapagos trip with us. It is quite a privilege to be a small part of this wonderful experience and we are so appreciative of your valuable feedback and kind words. I will make sure to convey your positive comments to the hotels and our guides.
The Galapagos Islands are such a unique destination, and your review will be a testimony our future travelers here at Kimkim will be guided with, and thus I thank you again.
I hope to plan a future diving adventure for you and Liam!
Yours,
Tamer

Why travelers love kimkim

Custom trips for independent travelers who are too busy to plan
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Authentic travel experiences

Kimkim’s local specialists ensure that you will have the best experience based on up-to-date local insights. On top of that, the vast majority of your money will go straight to support and grow local economies.

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Local support during your trip

You can always reach your local specialist with a quick message or call in case you hit a snag during your trip, or simply want some great local recommendations.