Kimkim Trip Reviews

we had the most amazing time during our trip to New Zeleand. Monika was of great help! Not only she gave us really good recommendations of places to visit and experiences , but she was also extremely helpful in accommodating changes along the way. Highly recommend this platform and Monika!

Activity Reviews

Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise (Real NZ) on Navigator or Wanderer

New Zealand

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hobbiton Movie Set Tour

New Zealand

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Te Pā Tū - Maori Cultural Experience

Rotorua

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hell's Gate Experience (Geothermal site and Mud Bath and Sulphur Spa)

Rotorua

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Holden and the team at Serendipity created an amazing trip for me in Costa Rica! All the pickup drivers were punctual, friendly and safe. The itinerary fit my interests and needs perfectly and allowed me to have an amazing time.
Holden kept in touch with me throughout my time in CR and made sure everything was running according to plan.
In summary, I had a great trip thanks to the KimKim & Serendipity teams.

Hotel Review

Hotel & Spa Poco a Poco

Monteverde

I already wrote a detailed review of this hotel and its manager Lilian. To reiterate - the hotel was comfortable, clean and had everything I needed. Lily was welcoming, helpful and made me feel at home.

Authenticity & Character

It has an amazing garden with a walking trail.

Location

Beautiful surroundings, close to cafes & restaurants.

Staff

Lily

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Arenal Hanging Bridges Guided Walk

Arenal/La Fortuna

Alex was a very fun and good guide who helped me overcome my fear of heights.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

I gave Angel an almost impossible task, which was to see all the best places in Chile in 30 days. So, he delivered, and then some! To get it all in, we ended up at 32 days, and we covered so many amazing places in this amazing country!

We started our journey in Vina del Mar. This beautiful area is right on the Pacific Ocean, with numerous great choices on where to dine. It was a nice place to recharge after the long flight to Santiago. Our next day was right next door, with a tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Valparaiso. Our guide was Grex, and he led us through this famous city, showing the architecture and street art across this unique colorful town. We tasted local foods, and met many of the famous street artists. Very cool!
Next we did some wine tasting in the Casablanca Valley, and had a cooking class in Santiago with Angel's awesome wife, Jennifer. The food "we" made was wonderful!

Our next leg of our trip was flying to Rapa Nui (Easter Island) for 5 nights. What an incredible place! You just have to see the island to appreciate how special it is. Our guide was Andres, a lifetime resident and island researcher. His knowledge and insight made the tours exciting. We stayed in the in town so we could walk to dinner, and meet the locals, and see the indescribable sunsets. We also scuba dived and saw the local dance show...something I did not expect to enjoy, but really did!

Atacama was next! What a contrast to Rapa Nui! We had another strong tour guide (Marco) who took us to Laguna Cejar (salt lagoon), where we had some amazing pictures of the valley, and floated in the salt waters! The next day we hiked a little known canyon with Andrej. The river was flowing strongly, with lots of small waterfalls. We had to scale the walls in a few spots. It was a blast, and we saw no one the entire hike! We finished one day with a horseback ride during sunset. Our last day we traveled to Puritama Hot Springs, high up in the mountains. It is a series of pools fed by warm spring waters. Really nice!

Next we flew to Balmaceda, got a rental car, and drove to Puerto Rio Tranquilo. This drive was one of our favorites, as the area is a series of gorgeous valleys, mountains, and rivers. It is lightly populated, and 2/3 of the roads are dirt. We stopped a lot. We saw the endangered huemul deer, and 3 condors. The town we stayed in was very small, but had a wonderful restaurant. The highlight here was kayaking to the Marble Caves. The water in these glacial lakes is so clear, and our guide, Victor, was outstanding...we did not even get wet! From here, we drove to Coyhaique, where we took a catamaran to some hot springs on the side of a fjord. Incredible!

We then flew to Puerto Montt, and drove to Huilo Huilo Reserve. Note that these roads were very easy to drive. The few hour drive was beautiful, and the scenery was great. In Huilo Huilo, we stayed in a very unique hotel (it was round, with trees in it and a stream running through it!), with a great restaurant. We hiked a lot here. The rivers were flowing strong, and the numerous waterfalls were amazing. A very relaxing area. We then drove to Puerto Varas next. It is a popular tourist town for both Chilean and international visitors. The lake is the 2nd largest in Chile. From our hotel we could see the amazing volcanos and snow capped mountains. Here we did a challenging and fun hike at the base of a volcano called Desolation Pass. And we ended this leg at the hot springs in Termas del Sol.

We then flew to Punta Arenas. For being so far south, we were surprised by the size of the town, as well as the beautiful architecture downtown. Here, we boarded a catamaran, and headed out to Magdalena Island, where we spent time with penguins! We then took a bus to Puerto Natales, about a 3 hour ride. Here, we had a boat ride to visit Serrano Glacier. Very nice! From here, we drove to Torres del Paine, the iconic view of Patagonia. The hotel was wonderful (Hotel Lago Grey). where we had endless views of the mountains, and sat right on the edge of the glacial lake.

We then flew back to Santiago, where we had a special dinner high up on a rotating restaurant (Giratorio). The next day we drove our rental to Colchagua, where we visited VIK. We had a wonderful 7 course lunch here, which lasted almost 3 hours, with plenty of wine tasting! The next day we visited Vina Santa Cruz, another beautiful winery in this area. Before heading back to Santiago, we visited the lush and beautiful Maipo Valley, where we hiked and rode horses.

Our last day we visited downtown Santiago. This took us to main plaza, as well as walking through the fruit and vegetable markets. We ate and enjoyed the afternoon, and had a final light snack and wine with Jennifer at a hillside with a great view of Santiago. A great way to end a great trip!

A couple of thoughts-
1) We used private tour guides in a number of places. We found them to be very good, and they could focus on us. With so many international visitors, many tours end up repeating things in at least 2, or more, languages. This obviously takes more time.
2) Car rentals were easy, and allows you to stop where you wanted. We found the road infrastructure to be very good.. While roads in some areas were not paved (including Torres Del Paine), they were still maintained.
3) With Angel as our specialist, he could set up just about anything we wanted...and he also set up things we did not know we wanted! He and his staff, especially Gabi, responded to questions and requests immediately. We were very happy with how they set up and guided us through our adventures!

My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our rice terraces hike in the Ifugao and Mountain Provinces. Our guide with Uncharted Philippines, Jody, was knowledgeable about the area and had local connections in the villages. The itinerary had to be flexible so soon after Super Typhoon Uwan, and Jody and Cami, our Kimkim representative, worked together to make a safe ad memorable experience. We highly recommend Ki.kim and Uncharted Philippines for a unique, one of a kind experience.

Sandy did a phenomenal job of planning our trip to Japan. Never having experienced Japan I knew nothing of best places to go for our interest and methods of traveling. The hotels were picked to our specifications, we care about both location and quality. We had expert private guides who took us places and helped us manage where to eat for our special diets. Everything went according to plan and we are currently planning another trip with KimKim.

The experience of contacting kimkim to find the right itinerary was really easy. So many options and so many ways to search the kind of itinerary you want. That helps planning really easy. As soon as we decided on 5 days of northern Marocco , we got connected to our local contact in Marocco, Mohammed. Communication was easy and we were able to create itinerary with details we preferred. The week before the trip , Mohammed connected us with Said, who was managing our trip. Same experience, easy communication , I was always able to contact him. When I wanted to make a little change , Said took care of it right away. Our driver , Sofianne was wonderful, very gentle and kind guy , who is also an amazing driver and very helpful. We felt relaxed and safe the entire time we moved from city to city. Our tour guide in Rabat, Hasannia and Sharif in Fes were very knowledgable . They know everything relevant to the place or city that they were guiding us in. We learned a lot and we enjoyed exploring Rabat and Fes with them. Couldn’t have asked for better guide. Overall, we were very satisfied with how our trip came to be. Would definitely recommend everyone involved

Activity Reviews

A Drive from Chefchaouen to Fes via Volubilis, Moulay Idriss & Meknes

Morocco

It was a long drive , but The drive felt seamless and relaxed and we were really happy to be able to stop in all of those places. Volubilis, was truly and amazing place to see. One of the more complete Roman city ruins. We had a guide, Karim who helped us learning about what we were seeing and that added more to the experience .

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided Tour of Fez Medina

Fes

Sharif was very knowledgable and he knew the layout of the Medina in Fes really well. Not once did he hesitate about where to turn in a city that really feel like you are inside a giant labyrinth. But beyond that, he knows about all historical and current information relevant to Fes and Marocco in general, making the whole experience really pleasant and we were able to learn a lot during our short visit. Couldn ‘t have gotten a better guide.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

A Guided Exploration of Rabat

Rabat

Hasannia was very knowledgable , she knows a lot not just about Rabat but any relevant historical and current information related to Marocco. We learned a lot and she patiently took us around . Had a great time

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

I had an absolutely wonderful trip to Norway! The itinerary was well planned and clearly laid out by my guide, Roy. All of my hotels were in great locations and had good accommodations. The transports for travel between towns and destinations were on-point and led to a stress-free vacation. In Bergen I experienced local history and culture by visiting Fantoft stave church and Bryggen. I got to see amazing views in Flam from my hotel room window and with the Stegastein viewpoint. I toured a viking village (something I hadn't even known existed), and had a viking dinner. I had a great experience in Norway and with KimKim.

This was a GREAT trip! KimKim, Aline, and her team listened and planned based on what we wanted. Nothing was preconceived! We had a little hiccup at our last hotel and they hopped on the phone and took care of it immediately. We highly recommend using the car services they planned for us - we felt very taken care of and very safe. Aline and team checked in on us and made sure we had all the contact information we needed. It was truly a great experience and I highly recommend using KimKim's services.

Lucie, our local specialist, helped us plan an amazing weeklong family trip (2 parents + 2 teenage children) to Germany! She was very detail oriented, attentive and communicative throughout the planning process, and our trip went seamlessly thanks to her! We flew in, took a train midway through the trip, and on the last day traveled via rental car, and Lucie booked and scheduled everything so precisely. We were so grateful for all the work she did to organize things so we could just enjoy our family time!

In Germany, we visited Berlin, Munich and Fussen. In Berlin, highlights were a private walking tour of historic sites with Paul, our guide; a tour of the Berlin Story Museum; and a tour of the Natural History Museum. In Munich, shopping at the Marienplatz Christmas Market; dinner at Hofbrahaus; and a tour of the BMW Museum. Lastly, in Fussen, a tour of Neuschwanstein Castle with stunning views of the Alps.

We would highly recommend visiting these sites in Germany and working with Lucie to anyone!

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Hirsch Füssen

Füssen

-The quadruple room is an absolute perfect fit for a family of four -The hotel is directly across from the walkable, quaint town square as well as a convenient supermarket -It was so sweet to find as a welcome gift a packet of gummy bear candies on every pillow in the room

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Bayerischer Hof

München

-At the center of all the action in Munich -Terrific breakfast buffet -Big, luxurious bathrooms

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Titanic Gendarmenmarkt Berlin

Berlin

-At the center of all the action in Berlin -Terrific bar -Very comfortable beds

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Private Essential Berlin Tour: Landmarks Highlights & History

Berlin

-Paul, our guide, was kind, attentive, patient, and very knowledgeable -We loved that this was a walking tour; it felt more authentic and interactive as a result -Stops at historic sites (e.g., Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie) as well as fun locales like the Rausch Chocolate Shop

Great trip and well organized. Our guides Tillal and Jose Maria were exceptional. Our Drivers Roberto and Sebastian were exceptional too.
Everyone in the team worked very hard to make this experience the most amazing and enjoyable one.

Hotel Review

Sauvé Casa Boutique

Oaxaca

I excellent location and hotel. The staff are very friendly and exceptional. I would suggest adding black tea to the breakfast menu.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Hierve el Agua – Mitla – Teotitlán del Valle - Tule Tree

Oaxaca

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Oaxacan Handicrafts Route

Oaxaca

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Monte Alban (Half Day)

Oaxaca

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Casa Azul - Museum Frida Kahlo

Mexico City

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Tour Mercado San Juan

Mexico City

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Private car with driver (Spanish speaking ) and english speaking guide

Mexico City

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The National Museum of Anthropology - Guided visit

Mexico City

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Teotihuacan site with and English speaking guide

Mexico

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hot air balloon ride over Teotihuacan

Mexico City

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private car with driver (Spanish speaking ) and english speaking guide

Mexico City

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

City walking tour

Mexico City

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Christine was personable patient and reliable. I wish she could plan my whole life! I enjoyed working with her

Doris did such a great job planning our trip. She put us as the most wonderful hotels, paired us with great guides who knew the city well & went above & beyond to make our trip a wonderful experience. We felt so cared for and had awesome communication all the way through. I highly recommend Doris.

Hotel Reviews

Peridot Grand Luxury Boutique Hotel

Hanoi

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Ibis Saigon Airport

It was helpful to be so close to the airport but the place itself is no frills.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Park Hyatt Saigon

Ho Chi Minh City

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Sai Gon city sightseeing

Ho Chi Minh City

Loved our guide so much. He had such a great personality & we learned so much from him

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Review for KimKim 1 December 2025

My wife and I decided to sponsor a family trip to Spain. Our trip would be for a week for the 6 of us. Our planning time with KimKim and agents, Alfonso and Uhaina was very easy. We established our basic budget, hotel preferences, transport needs, and places to visit. The communications were by text and went very well. We opted out of having our local transportation needs met by the trip provider. We were confident that we could use the metro and cabs. Indeed, we found the metro and taxis easy to use. We did request airport transfers, and they were provided, with good drivers and nice cars, meeting us right on time and in the right place.
Unfortunately, I took a hard fall on our second full day and had to spend the night in the emergency room in Barcelona. I was unable to continue with the remainder of the trip, which included several site visits and a three-day trip to Seville. KimKim made all of the necessary adjustments.
We did not get refunds on any flights, events, or hotels that were cancelled. In addition, there was no hospital insurance, a fact that we knew from the beginning.

KimKim helped us make the most of a difficult time, and I would recommend them to a friend.

We had an absolutely wonderful trip to Madrid and the canary islands. Our accommodations were perfect and our excursions were excellent. Of note we very much enjoyed the wine tasting in Las Vegas Madrid and stargazing in Las Palmas.

Our family trip of 16 was absolutely incredible, and we loved every suggested location and hotel. Our guide, Hamid, and our driver were truly the BEST! They went above and beyond to make us feel safe and to ensure that all of our needs were taken care of — including those of my 5-year-old son. THANK YOU for making this trip unforgettable!

Our trip to Brasil was absolutely wonderful. Each city we visited offered something uniquely beautiful (Sao Paulo, Paraty, and Rio)—from vibrant streets and stunning landscapes to rich cultural experiences that left us inspired. We were especially touched by the warm, kind-hearted guides (John- Sao Paulo, Lucas- Rio, and Gusto our driver) and knowledge-driven experts who accompanied us along the way. Their passion, interaction, and care added so much depth to our journey.
Every moment felt memorable, and the seamless planning made the experience even more enjoyable. Thank you for an unforgettable trip. We would happily use KimKim's assistance again for future adventures!

Hotel Review

George V Casa Branca

São Paulo

Thank you for you patience and accomodations, thoroughly enjoyed our stay

Authenticity & Character

Enjoyed the vibe, a great start to the journey we took through different parts of Brasil

Location

All you need is near by!

Staff

Accommodating and attentive to our families needs and very respectful.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Clean, and comfortable especially after a day of travel. Thank you

Activity Reviews

Corcovado & Christ the Redeemer Tour

Rio de Janeiro

This tour was truly mesmerizing from start to finish. Christ the Redeemer was absolutely fascinating—an awe-inspiring sight and a wonder of the world that feels almost unreal when you’re standing beneath it. The entire experience felt like a once-in-a-lifetime moment, something I know I’ll carry with me forever. A wonderful tour that left me breathless in the best way.”

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visit to the Sugar Loaf & Rio City Tour

Rio de Janeiro

This tour through Rio and up to the heights of Sugar Loaf became the shining highlight of my time in Brasil. Every moment felt like stepping into a living tapestry—rich with culture, layered with history, and framed by sweeping views of the bay that seemed to stretch into eternity. Standing above the city, wrapped in its golden light, felt like a once-in-a-lifetime gift. For anyone coming to Brazil, this experience isn’t just a tour—it’s a breathtaking journey you’ll carry with you long after you’ve left

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Lucas and Gusto, thank you for making this adventure so memorable.

Transport

Walking Tour of Paraty

Paraty

Paraty was such a beautiful city. The walking tour gave us great insight into its history and cultural relevance. We loved it—informative, engaging, and wonderfully interactive!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

We loved Rafa, interactive and knowledgeable. Thank you so much

Transport

São Paulo Express

Brazil

Loved the tour—exciting, engaging, and filled with so many fascinating historical highlights. Every stop added something special to the experience.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

John was exceptionally kind and wonderfully interactive throughout our journey. His passion for his country was evident in every story he shared and every place he introduced us to. We especially loved the historical sites he guided us through—each one brought to life with his knowledge and enthusiasm. Thank you for such a wonderful and enriching experience.

Transport

It was a lot of travel to go back 500 years in history to Machu Picchu but I will never forget it.
I especially liked how knowledgeable our tour guide was of the history of Machu Picchu and was easily able to answer all of our detailed question
Booking me in the hotel on the square in Cusco was great as the view of the square ( spent hours people watching) and the Christ Statue glowing at night overlooking the city. Later touring Pukamoqo hill, a place that was already considered a spiritual site by the Inca civilization I was very interested in learning it was donated to the city in 1945 by Palestinian Arabs who migrated to this part of Peru as a refuge after the Second World War.
I loved the ancient Andean sacredness that was prevalent all around the country
Thanks for the opportunity to briefly experience the culture and want to go back for more in depth indigenous food and cooking classes.

I highly recommend KimKim.com (Prestige Asia) for your next trip to Thailand . They made this the easiest (and cheapest) getaway to plan last minute. Airport to hotel transfer, booking, and checkin were all convenient and the cars and rooms exceeded our expectation. Our guides were with us full days and were punctual, prepared, thoughtful, and gracious. In Bangkok, Game, and driver, Dan, were flawless. I loved that they were our guides both days waiting to pick us up in the lobby, stayed engaged all day, anticipated every need (water, food, breaks -etc) and even made Bangkok traffic a bit less nerve wracking. I literally couldn't stump Game no matter what question I asked and her introduction to traditional Thai food and culture reflected her thoughtful listening and getting to know us. The temples she chose for our visit were beautiful; but her timing on each beat the rush and capitalized on the events of the day like the monk's morning chant, afternoon blessings at the reclining Buddha , and changing of guards at the Palace. Her faith and love for her country and its history was reflected at each place and it made our visit so much more spiritual and impactful.
In Chiang Mai, Kan was a force of nature! She picked us up for an evening street food tour and drove us herself. She expertly navigated rush hour traffic while pointing out the things to see on our route. We visited a few temples before the street food market and Kan's timing was perfection. We caught the monks evening chant at one, a beautiful sunset on the temple with the golden domes, and an after dark experience at the last that cast the scene in a whole new and beautiful way. We got to see the place lit up and experience it in a more quiet reflective way. Kan knew many of the monks and watching their interaction was fun. She pointed out the monk school and Buddhist university nearby and helped us understand the process and call to becoming a monk. Kan pointed out the differences between the culture, language, and temples in Bangkok and those in Chiang Mai. She really made it feel like a completely new experience though we spent the previous two days at temples. At the street market Kan knew everyone! She was like a local celebrity with vendors greeting and joking with her. She listened to our taste and needs and found exactly the right things for us to try and even a place to sit down and enjoy it in the busy market where such was limited. We absolutely couldn't have had that experience without her guidance. Her love of the city and ability to make us feel at home in it gave us the courage to venture out on our own and enjoy it the next day.
In Phuket, we had our only small group tour- having done only private tours in Bangkok and Chiang Mai. Even that felt personal and tailored to our needs. We were picked up at our hotel and taken to the pier for our speedboat tour to Ko Phi Phi island. After breakfast and a brief (and hilariously colorful) introduction at the pier, we were assured in boarding our covered speed boat with about 30 other people. I was immediately so grateful not to have been on the larger much slower boat that seemed to herd tourists! Our guide Pineapple was so much fun. She danced and joked and entertained everyone. She and the young man with her were the life of the party. They kept everyone entertained on the ride out to the islands but also made sure we were safe, accounted for after every event, and well fed and hydrated. Our group was fantastic and so much fun. I was happy to spend this time with them. Later our long boat captain was also amazing offering to take photos for us, finding amazing spots away from the crowds, and even assisting me when my sea legs failed.
On every tour, in every hotel, in every car or transport, at every meal, I felt heard and considered by our tour planner Minah. David and Lily were also amazing help on the phone when we landed and I had questions. Most of those questions were really just them reassuring my own uncertainly because I had never been on a tour that was so reliable and so anticipatory of my needs.
I genuinely couldn't be more grateful to KimKim.com for an absolutely flawless, fun, and spiritual trip. I am 100% certain it was so because of them. While I could have likely spent the time to research and book most of it myself I would have most definitely missed the context and connection they brought and most certainly would have been a lot more stressful had I not had their expert help.

Hotel Reviews

Oceanfront Beach Resort

Phuket

This hotel was the gem of our trip. It is absolutely breathtaking. Our room had an amazing ocean view and a layout that made me want to sketch it so I could recreate it at home. The finishes were all pristine and modern. The bed was comfortable and the view could be seen from the couch, the bed, and even the enormous bathtub! Like all hotels in this area it's across a busy street from the beach but access is easy. The pools are beautiful. The restaurant is listed as Italian but had a menu the size of a small novel and served every kind of cuisine unimaginable. There is even a shuttle to town. Loved this hotel.

Authenticity & Character

Modern and sleek with clear Asian influence.

Location

Great view, not truly a beach resort but as close as any in Patong. Beach access is available but it's a very busy slightly scary street to cross.

Staff

Impeccable. Perfection.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Spotless and luxurious

Centara Riverside Hotel Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai

The hotel is beautiful. The view of the river is nice. The staff is extremely accommodating and friendly.

Authenticity & Character

The space is undoubtably beautiful. The lobby is particularly beautiful and the restaurant overlooks the river.

Location

While this may be exactly what some visitors like about the hotel, it was too far from the center of town and less walkable than we would have preferred.

Staff

I have never experienced staff as professional and gracious as I have in Thailand in general and this hotel is no exception. The staff are amazing all around.

Cleanliness & Comfort

The room was spotless.

Rembrandt Hotel and Suites SHA Plus Certified

Bangkok

The staff at this hotel are the stars of this review! I have never, no matter the rating or class of hotel or the city in which it was located, felt so catered to or cared for. There wasn't an encounter with any of them that was 100% above any expectation. I could have had. The front desk, bellman, bar, restaurant, and room service staff were all impeccably dressed, professional, warm, and genuinely thoughtful of their guests. No one missed a single opportunity to make us feel like not just guest but literally celebrity guests. The room itself was comfortable and clean and though it could use some updating to finishes was in the perfect location to explore downtown. We had an amazing view and felt safe at all times. Highly recommend this hotel.

Authenticity & Character

Just enough traditional style

Location

Perfect home base

Staff

I'd give them 100 stars if I could

Cleanliness & Comfort

The room was spotless though some finishes could use updating

Activity Reviews

Explore the Koh Phi Phi By Speedboat

Phuket

Absolutely stunning. The experience was one for the books. Can't recommend enough. Our guide - Pineapple - was a hoot! Our group was small and fun. The tour itself was such a great experience.

Quality of Experience

Loved everything about this day. The longboat excursion is not to be missed. Be sure and add it at the pier. You won't regret if.

Food

The restaurant choice was good and had many options for everyone However, if you chose, you could eat wherever you like in the village on your own. On the way back, we were served pineapple and watermelon and cookies. There was always soda and water available and the guides encouraged everyone to help themselves and drink water.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our boat captain actively avoided as many waves and bumps as possible. His driving experience was obvious to anyone who has ever ridden in or driven a speedboat. The staff at the pier were extremely accommodating, making sure everyone got on the boat carefully and safe safely. Our guides were a blast on the boat, entertaining everyone and making sure everyone had water and food. When we reported or reconvened anywhere they counted and insured everyone was there the entire trip felt safe, safe and fun because the staff was so attentive and clearly well trained in safety.

Transport

The speedboat was most definitely the best option for the island tour and our long boat was so much fun

Elephant Jungle Expedition at Chai Lai Orchid Ecolodge!

Chiang Mai

The jewel of our whole trip. I loved this tour so much. We have seen the space shuttle launch, nearly touched whales jumping near our ship off the coast of Sidney, gazed at the Northern lights, dog sledded in Alaska, and traveled to many many places and this is hands down the coolest thing we have ever done as tourists. The village is rugged and simple but beautiful in both. The people were all warm and kind. The tour itself was so much fun. There was so much to do and see. I was terrified of the bamboo raft but within moments felt secure and found myself lost in the sights around the river. Watching and even petting the elephants as they moved through the forest path beside us was magical. When they chose they left the path and climbed hills to graze on vegetation and then rejoined us. I would have never experienced bathing an elephant otherwise! That even sounds odd to say but splashing water on an elephants back as she lay in the river beside us was the coolest thing ever. She literally made eye contact the whole time. I wasn't sure which one of us was more interested in the other. Even our lunch by the river was so authentic and cool - served to us in a hut in banana leaf with a bamboo spoon with veggies cooked in a bamboo shoot! Feeding the elephants was so much fun. The trek to the waterfalls and even watching braver guest go under it was so much fun. Our guide Sam made everything perfect. Even in such a rugged place he made us feel safe and went out of his way to make sure my clumsiness didn't ruin the day! He was always there with an outstretched hand to make sure I was steady. He even made me a very helpful bamboo walking stick - which was later swiped and eaten by an elephant - and even that was cool! His guidance made this the best day ever. Later watching the baby elephant interact and play with his teenage handler would put any western notion about exploiting animals to rest. It was completely clear in this village the elephants call the shots and the villagers are there to care for them. There were no cages to be seen, no walls or enclosures, no leads or leashes, no rides or saddles. I never even saw a rope on an elephant. They literally went where they pleased. The baby elephant was even leaping and running and mimicking the noises of his minder. The boy would lay in the grass and the baby would run to him and stand over him. The bond was clear and experiencing it was touching. There is so much to see and do on this tour. Experiencing the beauty and simplicity of this place and the people and animals here will deeply impact the way you view much in life. Highly recommend.

Quality of Experience

Perfect in every way. So much to see and do. All of it mildly terrifying on its face but so worth it after just a few moments you forget your comfort zone and are lost in the moment.

Food

How can it get any better than eating food with homemade bamboo spoons that is grown in the village, cooked in bamboo shoots and banana leaves, while sitting on a hand weaved mat in a hut on the river while watching elephants play?!?

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Sam is a superstar., a genuinely warm, kind and caring man who clearly loves his job, people, nature, and life. A true gem. We are so grateful to have spent the day with him.

Transport

At first glance the trucks look a bit rugged but they traversed places my very expensive jeep wouldn't have managed as well. The ride is a bit scary - up some fairly steep hills on dirt roads but the driver managed it all as if it was nothing. Keep your eyes closed and your hand on the rail and you'll be grateful you fid. Oh and the bamboo raft ride was amazing. Again, scared the heck out of me at first, but I'm so glad I put that aside and had the best day ever.

Chiang Mai Temple Local Street Food Tour

Chiang Mai

I couldn't believe how new and different this felt after two full days of temple tours. Our trip was arranged well with one day of very ornate grand temples in Bangkok, followed by a day of historic temple ruins, and then this tour in Chiang Mai. I was worried it was too much; but each felt different and this was no exception. The architecture was unique and just as beautiful. I loved the monk chant and wishing lanterns. Our guide, Kan, made this a truly special day by timing everything just right. We caught the monks chant, then saw sunset in the perfect spot, and then experienced beautiful temples illuminated at night. I would have never been able to have done this without her. Loved it.

Quality of Experience

Perfection. I could have wandered the grounds of any one of these places all day.

Food

The street food tour was a sensory circus! The smells, sounds, lights, people, traffic and sidewalks that seemed intent on causing injury were a lot! I would have never tried this without Kan but I'm SO glad I did. Though we are consummate foodies, after a much too late night of way too many cocktails in Bangkok and a flight we likely weren't the best tour guests but Kan managed to find food we enjoyed. She seemed to know everyone and found the perfect spot to enjoy it peacefully in a place that would have otherwise felt a bit chaotic. Best advice - separate your Bangkok bar crawl tour from your street food tour by a least a day so you can fully enjoy both. Seems obvious in retrospect.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Kan was knowledgeable and fun, welcoming - like seeing it with a friend.

Transport

Punctual, safe, and clean.

Exploring the Ancient Ayutthaya

Thailand

Game (our guide) made this tour deeply meaningful by explaining the history of the site. I would not have understood how moving this place was without the context she provided. On its own beautiful and tranquil. The ruins themselves feel intimate and sacred. Even walking the grounds and path around the water make you feel connected to the very long history of this place and the people.

Quality of Experience

Beautiful and touching.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Game and Dan are the dynamic duo!

Transport

Flawless

Bangkok Spiritual Encounter

Bangkok

Deeply touching experience. Guide Game and Driver Dan made this a truly magical day.

Quality of Experience

Flawless all around

Food

Game's restaurant choice was perfect. She listened to what we liked and ordered our food ahead of time. When we arrived the table was set and, though we would have been delighted for her to join us, she left us alone to enjoy the meal. Later, she even helped us pick out and try durian!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The best part of the day was chatting with and getting to know Game, our guide. Driver Dan was an expert at traffic on roads that would have made me otherwise very nervous.

Transport

Perfect. Punctual. The van was comfortable and felt safe. We were on a private tour with just the two of us and our guide so there was ample space. It was well stocked with water and tissues and nice and cool on a hot day.

We had an excellent experience with Adrian and team from High Point Holidays. Their communication was clear and timely from start to finish, making the entire planning process stress-free. The team offered thoughtful recommendations that perfectly matched our interests, and every detail was handled with care. Thanks to their guidance, our trip was seamless and memorable. Highly recommend to anyone looking for expert travel advice and great service!

Our walking tour through Dublin was a highlight of the trip thanks to our fantastic guide Sandra. Her knowledge, enthusiasm, and warm personality brought the city’s history, culture, and stories vividly to life, and the time flew by as we explored.
She was incredibly knowledgeable about Dublin and Ireland, sharing historical facts, local legends, and personal anecdotes in a way that was easy to follow and always engaging.
The route covered many of Dublin’s key sights as well as a few hidden corners that we would never have found on our own. The guide also gave excellent tips on where to eat, drink, and explore later, which really helped us make the most of our time in the city. This walking tour was an excellent way to get oriented in Dublin, learn about its past and present, and experience the city through the eyes of a local. I highly recommend Sandra and her tour to anyone visiting Dublin who wants an informative, fun, and memorable experience.

We had such a great time with Sorcha on this food tour and are so glad we booked it for our Thanksgiving celebration. The tastings were delicious and the places we visited were the perfect way to experience the local scene.
Our guide Sorcha was friendly, fun, and clearly passionate about her job.
Each stop was well chosen, offering generous portions and a great mix of flavors. The walk between tastings was just right and helped us see different parts of the neighborhood along the way. I highly recommend this food tour and guide to anyone who loves good food and wants a fun way to get to know the city.

Kim Kim is the best “one stop shop “ that provides you with the most wonderful local tour guides that make your travels easy and unforgettable!

Hotel Reviews

Crowne Plaza Dublin Airport

,Santry, Dublin 9

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Connacht Hotel

Galway

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Killarney Heights Hotel

Killarney

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Langtons Hotel Kilkenny

Kilkenny

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

InterContinental Dublin, an IHG Hotel

Dublin

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Galway Evening Food Tour

Galway

We had such a great time with Sorcha on this food tour and are so glad we booked it for our Thanksgiving celebration. The tastings were delicious and the places we visited were the perfect way to experience the local scene. Our guide Sorcha was friendly, fun, and clearly passionate about her job. Each stop was well chosen, offering generous portions and a great mix of flavors. The walk between tastings was just right and helped us see different parts of the neighborhood along the way. I highly recommend this food tour and guide to anyone who loves good food and wants a fun way to get to know the city

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Dublin Private walking tour

Dublin

Our walking tour through Dublin was a highlight of the trip thanks to our fantastic guide Sandra. Her knowledge, enthusiasm, and warm personality brought the city’s history, culture, and stories vividly to life, and the time flew by as we explored. She was incredibly knowledgeable about Dublin and Ireland, sharing historical facts, local legends, and personal anecdotes in a way that was easy to follow and always engaging. The route covered many of Dublin’s key sights as well as a few hidden corners that we would never have found on our own. The guide also gave excellent tips on where to eat, drink, and explore later, which really helped us make the most of our time in the city. This walking tour was an excellent way to get oriented in Dublin, learn about its past and present, and experience the city through the eyes of a local. I highly recommend Sandra and her tour to anyone visiting Dublin who wants an informative, fun, and memorable experience.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The trip was planned and booked with a thoughtful itinerary, unfortunately the attention to detail was not there with this tour. I have used other tour companies that perform similar services without as many issues. We showed up to check into one of our hotels to find out it was never actually booked and we were not informed in advance, we called the emergency number and we wer redirected into a cab to pick us up- to take us to another hotel. The other hotel informed us this reservation was only made a few hours prior to us arriving to check in.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Daniel Vienna - Smart Luxury near City Centre

Vienna

We were reserved to stay at this hotel, but apparently never had a reservation. We arrived to check into the hotel and they asked our information to check in and told us our room was not ready. 2 hours later we came back to check in and they said they could not see any reservation. Front desk staff must’ve been new or in a bad mood as they did not want to store our luggage as well.

Authenticity & Character

Location

We

Staff

Male front desk staff would not store our bags

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel am Mirabellplatz Salzburg

Salzburg

Very centrally located, not more than 15 minutes walking from everywhere, good breakfast and helpful staff

Authenticity & Character

Decorations in rooms

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Marias Platzl

Munich

This hotel was listed as “centrally located” and was more than a 30 minute walk to any of the city sights. The actual hotel was nice with good breakfast options and friendly and helpful staff. The bathroom layout is weird with only one door to be share between the toilet and the shower.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Distance to sights

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

The Klimt Experience: Guided Tour through Belvedere Palace

Vienna

Not recommended, we were not interested in this activity- got “upgraded” to a private tour which we did not ask for

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Ticket counter staff did not know what were talking about

Salzburg: Original Sound of Music Tour

Salzburg

We were not aware it would be that much singing- thought it was more of a sight seeing tour.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport