Kimkim Trip Reviews

We loved working with Clothilde! She had a fantastic ability to sense exactly the types of experiences and hotels we were looking for. Her choices of smaller boutique hotels (Ameron in Lucern, Eiger Mountain and Soul Resort in Grindlewald, Zermama in Zermatt, and Grand Hotel Suisse in Montreux) were perfect in terms of location, comfort and ambience. This was a previously scheduled trip that we had to postpone for medical reasons and she tweaked our itinerary to fit in a panoramic train ride, and give us an extra night in Montreux which we loved. Chlothilde always responded to our questions promptly and her wonderful directions for train travel allowed us to move around Switzerland between towns, travel to excursions, and move around on our own with confidence. She is the best! All of our drivers and guides were terrific as well. George at Flying Wheels led a great ebike trek to Lauterbrunnen, and our afternoon with Mike at Gorgornat was tailored to our needs so that my husband managed to complete the hike despite recent back surgery. Our day with Emmanuel in Montreux was exceptional—all great choices! Thank you for a wonderful bucket-list vacation!

Activity Review

Cheese, chocolate and wine tour in Gruyeres!

Switzerland

Our guide Emmanuel was one of the best guides we have ever had the pleasure of meeting. The tour included a tour of a UNESCO site to see artisan cheese made by hand which we could then compare to a factory cheese production site The Cailler chocolate tour was very interactive and interesting . We also visited the Domaine du Daley winery with our host Felix who led a great tour of the winery cellars and provided excellent details of the wine production process during our tasting while seated on a beautiful terrace overlooking Lake Geneva. It was a great day!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Isabel was amazing! Our trip had no bumps, and she was very communicative throughout. She made sure to check on us every day, follow up after activities, and had recommendations outside of what she planned for us. It made the vacation extra relaxing because we didn't have to plan or worry about setting up transportation; we just simply showed up and enjoyed!

After attempting to book a vacation to Morocco ourselves, we realized that we were slightly out of our depth. Finding detailed information was hard, so we ended up contacting multiple travel organizations to get quotes and analyze their suggestions. One individual stood out among the rest - Majid. Majid was the most responsive tour planner we've ever encountered. He was quick to respond, and he always addressed the details or issues we had. We can't say enough good things about our trip - it was magical.

Speaking of being unable to say enough good things, we can't say enough good things about our driver and sometimes tour guide, Moha. He was incredibly detail-oriented, always flexible, and always put us ahead of his own interests. In fact, we can honestly say that his only concern was whether or not we were having a good time. From start to finish, he literally took care of everything. When we wanted to change something on a whim, he made it happen and never gave us any indication that it was not possible. And you never had to ask him for something twice - he always remembers. When we went to Merzouga, he was kind enough to show us the local market, and we even had the opportunity to have lunch with his family! It's those personal touches that make things so special. If you plan a trip to Morocco via Majid, ask for Moha - he's the kind of guide that makes you want to come back on vacation, so long as you get him again as your guide. And if you are lucky enough to get him as your guide, Inshallah, be sure to take his suggestions along the way based on the timing, weather, etc, as my wife and I said throughout the trip, "In Moha We Trust."

Finally, we would be remiss if we didn't mention some of the local guides that we met throughout our experience. This is another nice touch to what Majid plans and Moha organizes: a local guide who lives in the place you are touring. Nabil gave us the perfect introduction to Morocco in Rabat, providing us with a detailed, rich history of the country's capital. Abdou gave us a tour of the Roman City of Volubilis, highlighting its most important architectural features and mosaics (and kindly gave my wife his hat, which she still wears to shade her on a sunny day). Hakim masterfully navigated us through the maze-like medina in Fes on a historical and food tour, ending at a community oven where we had freshly baked Moroccan pizza. Finally, if you are lucky enough to have a stopover in Dades or the surrounding area, be sure to go on a long hike with Mohamed, a local who knows the area like the back of his hand, is impossibly kind, and loves his job.

This was a truly unforgettable experience, and thanks to all those involved!

This is a third trip with Kimkim (first to South America) and Kimkim delivered a great itinerary as usual. All I have to do is tell Kimkim what we'd like to do and they setup everything, suggesting adventures that often prove the highlight of our trip. Hotels were always nice and within walking distance of town centers, both on the Islands and in Quito. We also requested a 4-day island-hopping cruise where we were meters from free roving animals such as giant tortoises, sea lions, iguanas, blue-footed boobies doing a mating dance right on our trail, and other wildlife. In the water we, swam with countless colorful fish, sea lions, sea turtles, marine iguanas, sea snakes, sharks and penguins. We were offered and tried traditional cuisine: fish-head soup and guinea pig. Some of our favorite memories came from swimming in a hidden beach with large waves. At night, sharks would circle our boat, sometimes having a feeding frenzy for all the flying fish attracted to lights. Sea Lions sometimes hopped on the back of our boat. Un unforgettable adventure.

This was our first trip visiting Croatia, my husband and myself did not know what to expect. Nokola provided us with excellent itinerary with transportation, starting from picking us up from Dubrovnik airport to dropping us off at the Zagreb airport. Along the way, we visited the Dalmation Coast-Dubrovnik, Hvar, Split, Zadar, Istria. Each of the hotel we stayed was unique, well appointed and centrally located within walking distance to restaurants, coffee bars, historical sites and beyond. The guides of our private walking tours were very knowledgeable, passionate about sharing the history of their city. These walking tours helped deepen our understanding of each town from its past to the present. We especially enjoyed the truffle hunt with the dogs through a local truffle farm near Motovun. The farm prepared scrambled eggs ( 46 eggs ), using the freshly harvested truffles, along with bread, different spreads, salads...Dessert was chocolate cake with truffles, very delicious, unique and memorable. Miro, the owner of the truffle farm shared so much with our group anything truffle related. I will remember the beautiful sunsets in Split, Zadar and Rovinj ! Overall, we credit Nikola's attention to detail , his caring attitudes and deep knowledge for our exceptional experience.

Hotel Reviews

The Melegran

Rovinj

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Bastion Heritage Hotel—Relais & Châteaux

Zadar

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Splendida Palace

Split

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

The staff was super friendly and helpful.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Adriana Hvar Spa Hotel

Hvar

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel More

Dubrovnik

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Private Walking Tour of Split

Croatia

The Palace of Diocletian's Palace came alive via Ms. Mirna's interesting/ informative stories and facts. The Palace felt like a maze to me with different quarters and 4 gates to enter. We met a finger painting artist who named his paintings " Finger Pain Things ". There was also Klapa singing, a traditional cappella singing style. It was great to experience the Palace with its history as well as its modern day re-adaptation of unique shops and restaurants.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Island of Hvar Tour With Local Guide (Afternoon)

Hvar

Our guide, Grgo, gave us a tour of his hometown through his personal perspective and love for Hvar. There was a storm coming in, he moved the tour schedule up so our tour finished just before the storm, perfect timing ! He took us up to the highest point on the island so we could see the panoramic view all around Hvar. I like to learn how the locals live in places that I travel /visit, that's how we connect to the places and people when we travel, Grgo delivered on that level for me.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Stop in Pula, Visit the Arena

Croatia

What an amazing city to behold and visit. The Roman ruins of the Amphitheater was spectacular to witness in person. Our guide, Ms. Rossana, made the experience more memorable by sharing the relevant information going back to Roman times !

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Truffle Hunting Experience

Croatia

I really enjoyed this unique and memorable experience. The husband/ wife team together with their staff were so welcoming and hospitable. The two dogs worked hard to hunt the black truffles and received gifts of bread, not a very fair deal...The lunch afterwards were delicious and festive. I learned a lot of the truffles, really appreciated the educational aspect as well!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our driver was considerate and we felt well cared for.

Private Walking Tour of Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The guide was friendly, knowledgeable. The tour gave us insights and better appreciation of Dubrovnik from a historic perspective.

Transport

Our driver was friendly and helpful.

I had an outstanding experience with Kim Kim Travel consultant Melanie. From the very beginning she was professional knowledgeable and attentive to every detail of our trip she took the time to understand my preferences and created a travel plan that exceeded my expectations.

Her recommendations for accommodations transportation and activities were excellent and she was always available to answer questions provided assistance. Example we were 10 minutes late to our boat in Capri I called her she said wait a minute then she called the captain and they came back and got us. Second example we were at the Vatican we had a private tour with a gentleman named Rich and he asked how good we were with stairs, my husband said fine I said I don’t know. Without saying a word he tested us out and knew I wasn’t good at stairs without saying a word he took the no. stairs route Rich called Melanie and told her that I was not good at stairs. Melanie immediately canceled the group tour in Pompeii and treated us to a private tour so that I would be safe then we had lunch at a local winery which was wonderful thank you Melanie and thank you Rich and Kim Kim group our honeymoon was stress-free and enjoyable Pat and Jack Drewiega from Clearwater Florida

Hotel Reviews

Aquae Romanae Bed and Breakfast Sorrento

Sorrento

It was absolutely spotless they were helpful the room was really nice and it was centrally located which was wonderful the coffee was wonderful the little store downstairs was great it was great great great

Authenticity & Character

Everything

Location

I already told you.

Staff

Everything

Cleanliness & Comfort

Everything

Hotel Barberini Roma

Rome

The bathroom was strange the location was great,

Authenticity & Character

Location

Close to the fountain

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

No

Activity Reviews

Lemon tour and lunch (or dinner) in Sorrento

Sorrento

We could walk to it from our hotel or B&B and it was very interesting and learning how to make lemon cello will be lots of fun at home.

Quality of Experience

Ravello, Amalfi & Positano

Sorrento

Beautiful experience gorgeous the driver was perfect stopped at a beautiful restaurant loved all of it

Quality of Experience

Melanie, and the driver was excellent

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The Ruins of Pompeii & Winery on the Vesuvius

Italy

Very knowledgeable. Very careful because of my walking. I have her any day of the week

Quality of Experience

Food

I am

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Small group boat excursion to Capri from Sorrento

Italy

The girl was great at explaining things the captain was good because he came back and got us when we were late.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

They were all great.

Vatican & Sistine Chapel Highlights with St. Peter's Basilica

Rome

Rich made it special he was going to be a priest but then met somebody and has three children he was very good and knowledgeable took pictures to show us certain things to look for superb and understanding that I needed to not walk upstairs

Quality of Experience

Rich

Guides, Drivers and Staff

All were helpful and knowledgeable

Transport

We had a fabulous time in Portugal and Spain. We hit the ground running with an all day tour to Sintra and Cascais visiting the Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleria. The place was magical, definitely a must see. Louis was our guide and Fernando was our driver. They worked really well together and shared lots of history and information about the area.
Our second excursion in Lisbon was a wine tour to the Setubal region. Ricardo picked us up at the hotel and we spent the day visiting one of the oldest wineries in the area and a small family run winery, Lobo. It by far was our favorite, the family was amazing and our tasting was incredible. The restaurant we were supposed to eat at had an unexpected fire in the kitchen and Ricardo quickly made new arrangements for us to go to another wine tasting and we had meat and cheese board with a wonderful chocolate mousse from the original restaurant that was picked. We spent the evenings exploring Lisbon, the city dubbed as the city of Seven Hills is not an exaggeration. The Lisboa Pessoa Hotel was in the perfect area and the breakfasts were wonderful every morning. Having a driver from Lisbon to Lagos was very convenient.
From there we traveled to Lagos (Algarve) where we had 3 relaxing days at the beach, exploring Old Town and hiking along the Ponta da Piedade. Again our hotel, Lagos Avenida, was in the perfect spot to enjoy the marina and all the area had to offer. Again having a driver from Lagos to Seville was very convenient.
We had two wonderful experiences in Seville. Our first night in we had a Tapas and Flamenco Experience, where Nico our guide taught us the history of Flamenco. It was great to learn about what they as performers put into the show and how it is all improve and the singer, guitar and dancers learn to work off each other. Fascinating and an extraordinary show. Nico took us to the best ever Tapas Bar afterwards. The next day spent an afternoon visiting the Cathedral and Alcazar with Cristina our guide. She was extremely informative. It was a lot of walking and we enjoyed a wonderful dinner that evening and enjoyed one of many patios at Las Casas de la Juderia. This hotel was unique and a must stay if ever in Seville. Our final night was spent on a rooftop cooking a traditional Paella and viewing the Cathedral in the background. Fernando our chef, was full of passion about his craft and loved teaching others how to cook Paella. It was such a fun experience and the perfect setting. He recommended a very tasty ice cream place for dessert afterwards .
We ended our trip flying back to Lisbon, staying at the Tivoli Oriente Hotel. It was close to the airport, but not what we expected for our last day and evening in Lisbon. Summer gave us suggestions for the day and helped us get to the area we needed to be in for an amazing last night. Alfama area was a fantastic area where we experienced a festival and the best meal of our trip. Perfect find for our last night. This is our second trip planned with KimKim and it did not disappoint.
.

We were to have a private driver and private transfer upon our arrival at Lima to our "airport" hotel. We waited over 1/2 hour for a bus to show up. If we weren't pushed to the front of the bus boarding area by our 'driver', we may not have had seats. Almost a half hour of driving later we arrived at the hotel which was in an apparently abandoned area of the old airport; the hotel itself was behind very tall, locked gates. They could not find our reservation but luckily had available rooms.,,,,not a good start to our vacation.

Our return trip from Aguas Calientes/Machu Picchu to Cusco was to be via train. Instead, halfway back to Cusco, we had to transfer to a van for which we waited about 1/2 hour and rode another few hours without any restroom stop.

Our Cusco to Quito flight was to include only a stopover in Lima. Rather than the flights being booked as one reservation, we were booked on two separate reservations which meant we had to collect our bags from the carousel, recheck our bags and go through all security again.

All of the above could be chalked up to simple mistakes along the way.....we've traveled to 40 plus countries and are well aware not everything goes according to plan.

However, the trip to Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain was awful and dangerous. First, the driver showed up 1/2 hour late.
Approaching the van in the early morning darkness it was clear it was a beat up, poorly maintained van.
After searching for my seatbelt for many minutes, I asked the driver "Sexy Puma" where it was....he said 'oh it is missing, find another seat' which I did. From where I sat I could see the van's poor condition. There were knobs missing from the interior of sliding door. The sliding door could not be opened from the outside without opening the right side rider's door and reaching behind the rider's seat. All windows were filthy, including the windshield which was difficult to see through.... for the driver as well!
Rather than filling up with gas before picking up passengers, we stopped to get gas. Rather than getting out of the van to clean the windshield Sexy Puma sat in the driver's seat while an attendant filled the tank.
All along the radio is blasting from 4:30AM on, yet the heater was not....if it was even turned on....it was about 40-45 degrees fahrenheit. There was little if any suspension left to absorb the very rough ride. Kathie would have been in abject pain if she had come along on this trip.....I'm so glad she didn't.
I took a walk around the van at one of the stops and took pictures of missing body parts but most alarmingly bald and gouged tires! I also have pictures of the windows, windshield, missing parts etc.
Worse, the driver was passing every vehicle we came upon including passing a semi-truck on a blind, double lined S curve. If the semi driver hadn't slammed his brakes and partially pulled of the road, we would have been head on with oncoming traffic!!!
The van and the driver should be taken off the road!!!

Visiting Croatia exceeded our expectations. The kind people, breathtaking landscape, and history make this experience so special.

We loved the Krka Falls. Such a fun town. Our guide for the e-bike tour was wonderful. The bike rental business was great.

Split hotel was unbelievable.

Hvar was unforgettable. Our speedboat guide was a favorite. Daveen I believe. He customer our experience based on our kids and the rough waters. It was lovely and fun. Our hotel was so beautiful and rich with history. The Nora staff treated us like family.

Dubrovnik exceeded expectations. I wish we had more time in old town to explore. We spent our final day at the resort jumping in the sea and, we wish we had more time to stroll outside of the resort. It was truly the trip of a lifetime. Tina made this experience easy, stress free, and perfect for our family. We want to return soon!

Highly recommend! My friend and I planned a multi city trip through Italy in 9 days and Melanie and her team were amazing! She was very accommodating and responded quickly to any questions and requests we had. She set up an amazing trip for us. She and her team were very responsive and had great communication throughout our trip. I would absolutely have her plan my next trip!

We had an amazing two week trip with our 18 year-old son to visit the highlights of Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka/Nara and the Kumano Kodo trail. Our local specialist Winnie did a great job coordinating the complexities of transportation so that everything went smoothly, and her choice of guides, hotels, and activities were excellent. She checked in with us regularly, and I found the kimkim app to be very helpful with regards to communication and itinerary review. I was especially impressed with our local tour guides- all were outstanding/highly recommended (Yumi in Tokyo, Yoshiko in Kyoto/Nara, and Wada from the Wakayama local guide association for our hike of the Kumano Kodo trail). Can't wait to get back to Japan!

Activity Review

Full Day Tokyo City Tour

Tokyo

We had an exceptional guide (Yumi). Since this was our first visit to Japan, we really appreciated her expert knowledge and review of Japan's important history and culture as we visited all of the main historical/cultural sites in Tokyo. She also gave us additional very helpful suggestions for places to see later on our own in Tokyo.

Quality of Experience

the quality of the guide was outstanding

Guides, Drivers and Staff

highly knowledgeable, went above and beyond to explain things and offer additional suggestions for things to see and do

Transport

driver and guide were always punctual and notified/confirmed everything in advance (via whats app, which was easy)

Team is super easy to work with and super responsive!! Everything worked out super well!

Emilie was absolutely amazing!! She helped me create the perfect adventure for our family and everything was beyond my expectations! Also, my husband got sick in the middle of the trip and had to be hospitalized and she was so helpful at trying to help us figure out future accommodations and work work with the circumstances we are dealing with. We are now back home and my husband is safe and we are so grateful for the opportunity to work with Emilie and KimKim.

The 1 day trip to Golden circle was a great experience. It was worth viking experience and guide was Greter. It was only 3 of us and intimate and informational.
The 2 day South coast was very long driving in the van. I don’t think there is any other way to have done it tho.
Overall the suggestions of what to see and do were spot on. Thank you Emanuela for planning a wonderful adult mama/daughter bonding

My three daughters and I thoroughly enjoyed our recent trip to the Netherlands. Mieke from the kimkim travel agency was wonderful to work with; she designed an itinerary that perfectly met our needs, as well as our budget, and was always available to assist us throughout the week.
We visited many areas of interest, savored wonderful local dishes, and especially enjoyed a spa day at the Blooming Hotel in Bergen. We highly recommend Mieke and her team at kimkim for anyone planning travel to the Netherlands.
Sincerely,
Terry
Lori, Stephanie, and Carrie

Hotel Reviews

Hilton Amsterdam Airport Schiphol

Schiphol

So very convenient to the airport, especially with early morning flights!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Blooming Hotel

Bergen

Awesome setting and amenities

Authenticity & Character

Location

Cleanliness & Comfort

Heavens Hotel

Hoorn

Loved the renovations from being a church!

Authenticity & Character

maintaining as much of the church as possible while accomodating guests well.

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Ambassador City Centre Hotel

Haarlem

Convenient location and amazing amenities. Excellent breakfast!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Friendly and accomodating

Cleanliness & Comfort

The rooms could be a little more updated

Activity Reviews

Amsterdam - Private canal cruise to Van Gogh Museum

The Netherlands

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Amsterdam - Anne Frank House

The Netherlands

Quality of Experience

Transport

Amsterdam - Van Gogh Museum

The Netherlands

Quality of Experience

Transport

Hoorn - Private boat tour historic harbor

The Netherlands

This was my favorite! Loved the snacks and drinks on board. We enjoyed a lovely bottle of champagne compliments of our agent Mieke!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Haarlem - Canal cruise

The Netherlands

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Public transport pass Netherlands (OV chip card)

The Netherlands

Explore Hoorn

The Netherlands

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Haarlem - Day trip to Amsterdam by public transport

Haarlem

Quality of Experience

Transport

Bergen - Day trip to Marken, Volendam, Edam, and Zaanse Schans

Bergen

Would have enjoyed more time here but we did see everything we planned!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Bergen - Hiking in the area

Bergen

We used this day for rest and spa. We walked into town for a delicious dinner.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Marrten was wonde3rful! Very patient and knowledgeable!

Transport

We managed to figure out transportation readily!

The entire Kkmkim Team exceeded our expectations . Bella took care of us with planning and scheduling , Both , Ryuji and Yuya, our Japan guides did an excellent job . Each had a unique style and went out of their way to accommodate last minute additions to the schedule . They were a lot of fun to spend some of our vacation with .

Hotel Reviews

Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyobashi / Tokyo Station

Clean and comfortable. Center of tyoko so that was cool

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Onyado Nono Namba Natural Hot Spring

Osaka

Very unique hotel. Clean and comfortable Best breakfast if you like authentic Japanese food

Authenticity & Character

No shoes past the lobby, grass type mats for flooring . Unique and cool

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Cross Hotel Kyoto

Kyoto

Clean and comfortable .

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Shiba Park Hotel

Tokyo

Very nice hotel and excellent service

Authenticity & Character

Location

Close to restaurants and sightseeing

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Kyoto Arrival & Fushimi Culinary Experience（Private Guide & Public Transportation）

Kyoto

The bullet train was a nice way to see some country side and take a rest . The ramen making class was fun and the staff was great . The ramen was excellent as well

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Mt. Fuji Scenic Ropeway & Gotemba Whisky Experience (Private Guide & Vehicle)

Tokyo

Sadly Mt. Fuji was clouded up and the tram was closed for some reason - having said that the drive gave us a different perspective from city hustle and bustle. The udon noodlelunch was and experience as well as tasty .

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Osaka Highlights, Kuromon Market Experience & Dotonbori Cruise (Private Guide& Public Transportation)

Osaka

The market was interesting and a must do . It’s touristy but a must see . The boat tour was simple but entertaining

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Kyoto Highlights before taking a Train to Osaka (Private Guided Day Tour)

Japan

We did a saki brewery tour that was informational and the tasting was helpful for future saki experiences

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tokyo Market & Sushi Experience with Flexible Afternoon Exploration（Morning Guided Tour By Public Transportation and Afternoon Self-Guided）

Tokyo

Tokyo market was a visually exciting and interesting. Sushi class was a lot of fun and delicious

Quality of Experience

Food

Fresh sushi is always great

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Take taxi’s

Tokyo City Highlights & Cocktail Experience（Private Guide & Public Transportation）

Tokyo

It was an activity rich day ! 4 temples, quick stop for a haircut and shave , public transportation, etc .

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Take taxi’s

Our guided trip through Portugal was truly unforgettable. We traveled from Porto to the Douro Valley, Évora, Lagos in the Algarve, and finally Lisbon. Each destination offered something unique, from breathtaking landscapes and historic cities to charming villages and beautiful coastlines.

The hotels were all four- and five-star properties, each with its own character. Every hotel was comfortable, clean, and staffed by friendly, welcoming people. Our favorite was Quinta do Pego in the Douro Valley. The peaceful setting, surrounded by vineyards, and the spectacular views overlooking the Douro River made it an incredibly special place to stay. Our dinner here was exceptional!

One of the highlights of our trip was having lunch each day with our guide, Tiago. Rather than stopping at tourist restaurants, he introduced us to locally owned restaurants that reflected the true flavors of Portugal. Every meal became an opportunity to learn more about Portuguese cuisine, wines, traditions, and history.

One memorable stop was the beautiful hilltop village of Monsaraz in the Alentejo region, overlooking the Guadiana River. Another favorite was a small family-owned restaurant tucked away in the basement of an old building in Guimaraes. These are the kinds of places we never would have found on our own, and they became some of our favorite memories.

Walking through the historic streets of Porto and Lisbon was another highlight. We wandered along centuries-old cobblestone streets, explored magnificent churches, castles, and palaces, and enjoyed spectacular views of rivers, beaches, and the Atlantic Ocean. Everywhere we traveled, we gained a deeper appreciation for Portugal's rich history and culture.

The Portuguese people were incredibly warm, welcoming, and proud of their country. Their kindness made us feel at home throughout our journey.

This trip exceeded our expectations in every way. It was the perfect combination of history, culture, incredible food and wine, stunning scenery, and authentic local experiences. We returned home with wonderful memories and a genuine appreciation for Portugal. We would highly recommend this trip to anyone wanting to experience the true beauty and hospitality of Portugal.

Tiago was an exceptional guide—knowledgeable, patient, and passionate about sharing Portugal’s history, culture, and traditions. His thoughtful planning and genuine love for his country made this trip even more meaningful.

Hotel Review

Quinta do Pego

Tabuaco

Quinta do Pego was, without a doubt, one of the highlights of our trip. With only ten rooms, the hotel has an intimate, peaceful atmosphere that makes it feel like a private retreat in the heart of the Douro Valley. Our room was spacious, beautifully appointed, and exceptionally comfortable. The bed was one of the most comfortable we slept in during our travels, and the bathroom was equally roomy and well designed. Both breakfast and dinner were outstanding, but dinner was especially memorable. Enjoying an exceptional meal while overlooking the breathtaking Douro Valley, the vineyards, and the Douro River made for an unforgettable evening. The views from the dining room are simply spectacular. The large swimming pool was another favorite. Poolside service was effortless—just ring a bell, and within minutes a staff member would arrive to take your order and return promptly with drinks. It was a wonderful touch that made relaxing by the pool even more enjoyable. The combination of outstanding hospitality, exceptional food, luxurious accommodations, and breathtaking scenery made Quinta do Pego one of our favorite hotels in Portugal. We would gladly stay here again and highly recommend it to anyone visiting the Douro Valley.

Authenticity & Character

Outstanding staff, exceptional food, and breathtaking views!

Location

In the heart of Douro Valley this hotel had exceptional views.

Staff

The staff was attentive, friendly, and genuinely committed to providing excellent service. During our stay, there was a brief interruption in the water service. The staff responded immediately, working diligently until the issue was completely resolved. Their professionalism and dedication were truly appreciated..

Cleanliness & Comfort

From the beautifully manicured grounds to the immaculate interior, every detail of the hotel reflected exceptional care and attention.

Activity Review

Óbidos visit

Portugal

Our visit to the medieval town of Óbidos was one of the highlights of our trip. Walking through this beautifully preserved walled town felt like stepping back in time. One of the most memorable experiences was climbing the castle's ancient walls and narrow, rail-less staircases. Although only the bravest members of our group ventured around the walls, the panoramic views of the town and the surrounding countryside were well worth the climb. We enjoyed strolling the charming cobblestone streets, browsing the many unique shops, visiting beautiful churches.. Our favorite was Livraria de São Tiago, a remarkable 12th-century church that has been transformed into a bookstore. It was especially fitting since it shares the same name as our wonderful guide, Tiago! A must do when visiting Óbidos is sampling the town's famous Ginjinha drink. Ginjinha a delicious cherry liqueur they serve in a traditional small chocolate cup. It was a fun and uniquely Portuguese experience. Before leaving, we also admired the impressive 16th-century Aqueduto da Usseira, another reminder of Óbidos' rich history.

Quality of Experience

Our experience was amazing and what made our experience was the friendly and enjoyable people we met along our travels, the beautiful views of Portugal the wine country hills and valleys, the cobblestone streets, ancient buildings, churches and castles. The history and gastronomy of Portugal. And just experiencing the things we don’t have where we live and being able to experience the things that existed centuries ago and today in Portugal. We got to experience a lot of Portugal from Porto to Douro to evora, Algarves and Lisbon and we look forward to returning to Portugal again!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

We were fortunate to have several guides during our trip, and every one of them was exceptional. Our first guide, Manuel, took us on a walking tour of Porto on our first full day in Portugal. He was friendly, engaging, and shared the city's history while showing us many of Porto's most beautiful sights. What we appreciated most was how thoughtful he was. As we walked through the city, he pointed out landmarks that would help us find our way back to our hotel later. Knowing we had a tile-painting class that evening, he also made a point of showing us exactly where it was located during our tour. Those small gestures made us feel comfortable and confident exploring Porto on our own. Every guide we met throughout our journey was knowledgeable, personable, and passionate about sharing Portugal's history and culture. Our main guide, Tiago, traveled with us for nine days, and by the end of the trip, he truly felt like family. His knowledge of Portugal's history, architecture, gastronomy, wine, and local traditions was remarkable, and he shared it in a way that was both fascinating and easy to understand. More than anything, Tiago's warmth, sense of humor, and genuine care for our group made this trip extraordinary. He introduced us to wonderful local restaurants, hidden gems, and experiences we never would have discovered on our own. He made us feel less like tourists and more like friends experiencing his beautiful country alongside him. Tiago is truly one of a kind. His passion for Portugal and his dedication to creating an unforgettable experience made this trip more special than we could have imagined. We left Portugal not only with incredible memories but also feeling that we had gained a lifelong friend.

Transport

Transportation throughout our trip was excellent. We traveled in a spacious, comfortable van that provided plenty of room for the four of us and made even the longer drives enjoyable. We were continually amazed by Tiago's driving skills. He expertly navigated the narrow streets of Portugal's historic towns and cities and somehow managed to park the large van in places we would have thought impossible. When parking wasn't nearby, he would conveniently drop us off at our destination and then pick us up afterward, making every excursion easy and stress-free. His thoughtfulness and attention to detail made us feel like VIPs throughout our journey. We never had to worry about transportation or logistics, allowing us to simply relax and enjoy the beauty of Portugal.

We are flying back now but rest assured we will provide reviews…. Marc was amazing. He “got” us and created the most amazing vacation we’ve ever been on. My only complaint literally, is that you don’t have a way yet for us to use him for all our vacations he’s amazing Kim Kim is amazing. Thank you.

Eirini planned an amazing trip to Greece. I have never used a travel agent before and will always use one again. She made everything so easy, no detail was overlooked--from the hotels, private drivers, to the tour guides and excursions she planned. We started in Athens and stayed in a lovely apartment right near the Acropolis. We had a private guided tour with Elena of the Acropolis and the agora. She really knew the history and the mythology and made it interesting for the entire family. We moved on to naxos and stayed at boutique hotel that was with an easy walking distance of several restaurants and the beach. We had another tour of the village of chilaki, and visited a small farm with a petting zoo that might kids loved. The following day we did a hiking tour of several villages and got to eat more of the local cuisine. Finally we did a full day catamaran tour that included diving off the sailboat and to the Aegean and snorkeling. Finally we visited Santorini with a tour of the island, visiting a monastery a museum about the lost city of Atlantis, and another sailboat excursion. I have already highly recommended Kim Kim and Eirini to several of my friends. I can't wait to visit Greece again. We plan to use Kim Kim again next year when we plan our next trip abroad.

Hotel Reviews

El Verano Suites

Santorini

We stayed out El verano hideaway which was a small private house with a small pool with a breathtaking view.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Cosmos Boutique Hotel

Naxos

Boutique hotel with several villas. Our Villa slept 6. Small kitchenette in nearby supermarket made it easy to feed the kids. Nice pool area with a bar made relaxing easy. Breakfast every morning was great.

Authenticity & Character

Location

With an easy walking distance of the beach and several restaurants and a small grocery store

Staff

The breakfast staff and bartender were very helpful and friendly.

Cleanliness & Comfort

This place was spotless.

Urban Stripes Athens

Athens

Very comfortable apartment with sleeping for six. Within walking distance of the Acropolis in several restaurants and grocery stores.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Several restaurants, grocery stores nearby. Within walking distance of the Acropolis.

Staff

Check-In was very easy and the staff were reachable with WhatsApp

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very clean

Activity Reviews

Athens highlights mythology tour

Athens

We had a private walking tour of the Acropolis and agora. Our guide Elena was very knowledgeable about the history of Athens and the Greek mythology. She kept it interesting for my family with kids ages 6 to 17.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Once upon a time in Naxos tour

Naxos

Quality of Experience

The visit to the farm was my kids favorite part of our trip. They loved George and playing with his animals.

Food

We had a fantastic lunch-- vegetables and cheese on nexo's are so much better than what you can get in America. We also got to try some local honey

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Catamaran day cruise

Naxos

This is one of the highlights of our trip. The kids love the sailboat and jumping off to go swimming. The provided lunch was actually very good.

Quality of Experience

Food

They served us a fisherman's stew it was actually fantastic

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Alex and Thanos were great very patient with my young children and made the day really fun and easy

Hiking Naxos trails

Naxos

Stella was a fantastic tour guide that guided us through several villages on a few hours hiking tour. She was very knowledgeable about the local plant life and history.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Ms. Tang planned my trip from, so from beginning to the end her presence was there checking in with me. All the guides fantastic. I am grateful I chose this company.

Activity Reviews

Hanoi - Sapa – Tram Ton Pass – Love Waterfall - Sapa (Limousine Bus, Private Tour)

Sapa

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hanoi city sightseeing- Hanoi street food tour

Hanoi

Quality of Experience

Food

Transport