Kimkim Trip Reviews

Our travel planner Lise was amazing. She was easy to work with, made great suggestions and accommodated our unique needs. We had private transfers to and from the airport and train station and that was really a life saver. Our drivers were in communication with us and easy to find even during busy rush hour traffic. Our first tour in the Loire Valley was with Nicholas. He took us to Chenonceau, Chambord and a small privately owned Chateau for lunch. Nicholas was very knowledgeable about the history of both castles as well as the "drama" behind the lives of the kings and queens who lived there. He made it very interesting for us and gave us plenty of time to explore the beautiful gardens on our own.
Our next tour was supposed to be of Castle Bois and The House of Magic. We were disappointed to learn that the House of Magic was closed the day we went and had been closed for several weeks. That was one of the things my son was most excited about seeing. However, our guide for the day, Cecilia was able to shift quickly. We instead went to a local family winery for a wine tasting and then she took us to the last home of Leonardo da Vinci where we were able to see his inventions displayed throughout his garden. We then headed to Paris and had a nighttime summit tour of the Eiffel Tour. Our guide was Lekshme and she was very enthusiastic and knowledgeable. The next day we did a private walking tour of Medieval Paris with Victor. He picked us up at our hotel, showed us how easy it was to ride the Metro (which we did consistently after that point and even saw Lekshme on the metro--she said hello and gave us directions) and gave us a great tour. Notre Dame, Sainte Chappelle and so much more including modern churches, a stroll through St. Germain showing us jazz clubs, bookstores, parks etc. Victor is very good at his job and very knowledgeable about history. From there we had a walking food tour through St. Germain des Pres with Philipe. It was amazing being able to taste the best cheese, wine, bread, chocolate, croissant, macarons and coffee that Paris has to offer. Philipe was a great guide, very smart and engaging with all of us. The next day was our bike tour of Versailles. We met at the train station and took the 12 minute train ride to Versaille where we were outfitted with bicycles. Clara guided us to the Palace of Versailles and gave us a wonderful tour including the Hall of Mirrors. After the tour we rode our bikes through Versailles to the market where we had lunch and time to explore on our own. We then met back up with our group and biked the Palace gardens and Marie Antoinette's hamlet. It rained in the afternoon, but it was SO beautiful. This was probably my favorite day in France. The next day we had a private tour at the Louvre. Marie Claire was our guide and while we had limited time, she really showed us a lot including the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo and the beautiful Rubens paintings. She is SO knowledgeable and just a very pleasant person. The tour was a nice stroll after a busy day biking in Versailles. We also saw both Victor and Philipe at the Louvre and they both made it a point to say Bonjour! Our final day in Paris was a free day which I specifically asked Lise to schedule for us. And while it was lovely to have time to explore on our own, I missed having the knowledge of our guides showing us the hidden treasures of the city. Our final evening, Lise arranged a Sienne River dinner cruise. It was raining lightly, which made the lights of the city even more beautiful and we had a lovely meal. Unfortunately both myself and my son did experience food poisoning from that dinner which hit us on our 10 hour flight home the next day. The meal itself was very good and I'm sure it was just a fluke. Overall, we loved our trip to France, saw and learned so much, and met the most lovely guides the country has to offer. I will definitely be using Kim Kim to help plan our next international adventure.

Hotel Reviews

Au Charme Rabelaisien

Amboise

This is a very charming, small hotel in Amboise. It was clean and lovely. We were on the very top floor and the elevator didn't go all the way up, so there was a lot of climbing for us. But the views from our room made up for it.

Authenticity & Character

Very charming and lovely.

Location

Quick walk to Centre Ville, shops and restaurants.

Staff

Everyone was so friendly and helpful.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very clean and the staff was helpful with all of our needs.

Hôtel du Rond-point des Champs-Élysées - Esprit de France

Paris

Great location close to the Champs Elysees. The staff was really great, helping us with urgency anything that we needed.

Authenticity & Character

I loved the decoration of the hotel, especially the cheetah print carpeting. Very French!

Location

Close to everything, but tucked away too.

Staff

Every staff member we encountered went above and beyond.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very clean and comfortable.

Activity Reviews

Chambord, Chenonceau & Lunch at the Château - Full Day

France

The tour of Chambord and Chenonceau was fantastic. The guides were not only interesting as individuals, but they were also extremely knowledgeable about the places we were touring. The communication was seamless, with reminders and confirmations being sent a day before the scheduled transfer. The convenience of the transportation was greatly appreciated, especially when traveling with my two children.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Combo visit of Blois Castle and the House of Magic

France

The tour was scheduled to include a visit to Blois Castle and the House of Magic. We were looking forward to the House of Magic tour, particularly for my 13-year-old son. However, upon arrival, we found out that it was closed and wouldn't be open for several more weeks. Our guide was able to pivot last minute and took us on a wine tasting and to Leonardo da Vinci's house, which were enjoyable, but the unexpected change was a bit disappointing.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Saint Germain des Près Food Tour

Paris

All the guides we had in Paris were fantastic. They were very knowledgeable and made the tours a learning experience for all of us. The food tour was particularly interesting as our guide was passionate about food and taught us about different cheese processes. It was fun and educational.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Nighttime Seine River Cruise with Dining Experience

Paris

The Seine River dinner cruise on our last night in Paris was a high-end experience with a fancy meal. However, both my son and I got severe food poisoning from the meal. We were violently ill for about five hours during our 10-hour flight back home, not sure if this was related to the dinnner or not.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Ana was great, really enjoy to coordinate with locally for transportation.

Hotel Reviews

Bluewater Maribago

Lapu-lapu City

Great breakfast, great service, and location!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Bohol Beach Club

Bohol

This resort has everything travelers need to have a good time: ample selection of food and drinks at the restaurant; great customer service; scuba diving services; swimming pool to cool off from the heat; environmentally-friendly glass pitchers to refill for daily water; and an unbelievable view of the water. The hotel staff were always friendly and it's extremely safe (gated with security at all times).

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Bayleaf Intramuros

Metro Manila

The hotel staff was great! Manila being a huge city, and after traveling to Cebu and Paglao Islands, it was hard to get used to the traffic noise. Otherwise, the breakfast and staff were on point.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Paniqui Memorial Park

Manila

This was extra special to visit my ancestors' gravesites and I'm glad KimKim accommodated the transportation.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Cebu City and Mactan Island day tour

Philippines

The tour guide is very knowledgeable about the local history and easy to converse with.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Kayaking with fireflies

Philippines

First time kayaking with fireflies and it was a great experience!

Quality of Experience

Food

The food was great, but I ate alone with a dog staring at me. It would've been nice if the tour guide had joined the dinner instead of them eating next door on their own. In previous tours with KimKim, all the guides were part of the meals.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Bohol Island Day Tour

Philippines

The tour guide is very knowledgeable about the local history.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our trip for a last minute put together was fabulous. We loved each place we visited. The hotels were gorgeous. The scenery was perfect.
Our guide for the waterfall scenic drive (Michael) has the perfect amount of energy. We absolutely loved him and learned so much about the area. He for sure made that experience a great one.
Everyone from the Kim Kim team was so helpful and promptly answered questions or helped when needed. Excellent service.

Working with Kimkim was great! They helped me plan my trip to Norway quickly, and I'm really appreciative of them helping figuring out the logistics of traveling within the country, as well as giving me some good ideas of what to do in each location. Made planning the trip easy.

Majid was excellent at responding to our many questions and requests. There were many details involved in our trip and from the minute we met our terrific driver Hamid we realized they were all covered! The reason for 4 stars instead of 5 is we would have appreciated more time in modern areas, maybe only 1 Riad, and a more comfortable car for the many kilometers we travelled.

Hotel Review

Widiane Suite And Spa

Bine El Ouidane

Beautiful and luxurious, good prix fixe dinner. Wish we could have spent more time there!

Authenticity & Character

Moroccan staff.

Location

Beautiful lake.

Staff

Polite, considerate, patient with directions.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Beautiful room with balcony and view. More comfortable and better amenities than riads.

Activity Reviews

Walking tour of Marrakech

Marrakesh

Local guide Hamid was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about Marrakech and Moroccan history. He spoke to us for a very long time before we started walking and it was difficult to retain all the information he shared. We walked through more of the large souk than we cared to. The merchandise was repeated over and over and the roaring speeding motorcycles were dangerously close most of the time. We decided not to do the food tour in the market square because we were very tired and toured out. Hamid was understanding about the change in plans and quickly brought us to a nearby restaurant. However, it didn’t serve alcohol and we would have liked wine and vodka.

Quality of Experience

Food

I liked the food but most places had the same menus.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Hamid the driver was organized and upbeat. Local guides were nice but not as much fun.

Transport

Tight fit over many kilometers. We requested a more comfortable van but it wasn’t part of the program and unavailable.

Essaouira Day trip: Exploring Essaouira

Morocco

Interesting walk and nice restaurant.

Explore the Roman Ruins of Volubilis

Fes

Beautiful interesting ruins, good local guide.

Explore Ouzoud Waterfalls hike for 2 hours

Marrakesh

Nice local guide who tried his best but a man in our party wasn’t feeling well and we tried taking the easier route down. Unfortunately it was very commercial. More of a giant souvenir stand than a natural wonder. We cut the walk short. Lunch was the same menu as everywhere.

Fes: Exploring the Imperial City

Fes

Knowledgeable guide. It as fine for the imperial city but we would have enjoyed seeing more modern parts of Fes.

Dinner with a local Family in Fes

Fes

Very nice family and it was interesting to see a home in the old city but food was the same as every other meal.

Day trip from Fes To Chefchaouen

Morocco

Loved the town but round trip in a day in uncomfortable car was tough.

Explore the Blue City

Chefchaouen

Very nice people. Unoriginal food and very commercial, again. We did find some streets without shops and appreciated seeing the homes.

Our vacation in Jordan was simply perfect. Magical in a way. Every place we visited was interesting, intriguing and beautiful. Jordan is a wonderful country. All our hotels were perfect.
A special thanks goes to Nader (or Nick for us!) our driver. He was very generous, kind, full of knowledge and he made our journey even more interesting. Thank you Samir for organising a great trip. We will come back. Enrica & family

The trip was amazing. Matt help set us up with great tour guides, they definitely helped make the trip much more enjoyable with their knowledge of the history in Gautemala. Highly recommend Wily from old town outfitters was great! I would say we traveled with comfort and we should have opted for luxury since we did spend 8 days there. Some hotel locations were a bit suspicious . I recommend the hike to Pacaya, the tours to lake atitlan and Tikal. I personally wouldn’t recommend the bike tour unless you are an avid biker! The kayaking portion is a bit tough but manageable with a partner. In all it was a great experience.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Casa Blanca Inn

Guatemala City

Poor maintenance and plumbing. The workers weren’t very welcoming.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Isla Verde

Santa Cruz la Laguna

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Jungle Lodge Tikal

Peten

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel San Jorge

Antigua

Great staff and front desk. Just no fan ventilation

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Valley Ride - Bicycle Tour of Antigua's Villages, Farms, and Ruins

Antigua

It was fun but it’s definitely something where you need to be an avid bike rider. You’re going through Main Streets and a lot of uphills to reach destinations

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Day Hike to Pacaya Volcano

Guatemala

Great hike, very beautiful hikes

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Boat Tour of Lake Atitlán Villages

Guatemala

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Kayaking & Hiking Lake Atitlán

Guatemala

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Explore Tikal National Park

San Ignacio

I absolutely loved this experience. We went early morning at 7 to avid heavy tourism. The animals tend to get frightened by crowds of people

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The planning for our 21-day visit to Morocco was made quite efficient and stress-free due to the terrific assistance of Hamza. We were able to get suggestions, ask questions and tailor the experience to meet our particular desires. During our stay, the local support from Said certainly made us feel comfortable knowing we could count on assistance at all times. Both Hamza and Said were very prompt in responding and extremely polite. They answered all of our inquiries and were instrumental in assuring that we had a delightful time in the beautiful country.

A definite highlight of our trip was getting acquainted with our Driver, Soufiane. Not only was he an very safe driver but also helped us learn about the cities and countryside we visited. He was dependable, prompt, exceptionally polite and friendly. We appreciated that he could easily converse with us in English. It was such an honor to get to meet Soufiane's family and enjoy a delicious Moroccan meal that his mother prepared.

We didn't want to leave Morocco!!
Karen

Hotel Reviews

Mövenpick Hotel Casablanca

Casablanca

We stayed at Movenpick Hotel 2 nights upon arriving and leaving for the airport. The first visit, we had no hot water. The breakfast was very good. It seems a bit far from the airport and we might have benefitted from lodging closer to our flights.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Riad Mokhtar Tanger

Tangier

Authenticity & Character

Beautiful

Location

Convenient location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Dar Mounir

Chefchaouen

Lots of stairs to climb to get to bedrooms!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Riad Ghita

Fes

Comfortable and Clean. Good location.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Palais Sebban

Marrakech

Lovely setting and accomodations.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Guided tour of Hassan II Mosque

Morocco

Beautiful Mosque!! Tour was very informative

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Chefchaoeun to Fez via Volubilis, Moulay Idriss & Meknes

Morocco

Very hot the day we toured. Remember to take water. Certainly worth the time to visit.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The tour guide that met us for this visit was certainly knowledgeable but we found him difficult to relate to.

Transport

Half-Day Guided Sightseeing in Fes

Fes

Excellent guide!! The Medina is a vast maze! We would have been lost without a guide and would not have enjoyed the visit nearly as much. I am so glad we didn't try to tour it by ourselves.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Dine with a local family

Morocco

Our Driver shared with us a visit to his home where we met his mom, dad, cousin, and brother. They were all so gracious and welcoming. Mom prepared an amazing meal with three courses of Moroccan delights. This experience was an honor and highlight of our trip.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Transfer from Fes to Marrakech

Morocco

Long but pleasant drive

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tina did an exceptional job planning our trip to Slovenia, Croatia and Montenegro. Every hotel she picked exceeded our expectations. She was very helpful with a luggage issue and always responded timely with any questions we had. Would highly recommend Kimkim and Tina!

We had a great action packed trip. We had limited time (7.5 days) but squeezed in everything we wanted. We loved Marrakesh and our night in the Sahara desert the most. Our driver Ayoub was amazing.

It was a wonderful trip with a well thought out plan for each of the days. We especially liked the guided tours with Yasuko in Kyoto, Nara and Arashiyama, Masako in Hiroshima and Yoko in Takayama. WE loved each of the shrines, temples, natural wonders and gardens that we saw. We loved the food at every place. Except for Hiroshima where the room was really tiny and we had to upgrade on our own, all the other hotels and rooms were lovely. We especially liked the hotels with Onsen and the Gasso house and Ryokan stays which were traditional and unique. One advice is to include some learning and workshops in the trip. We asked for it and our guide helped us find a Japanese sweet making workshop which was so much fun! We really enjoyed ourselves. Thank you Kimkim for this beautiful trip.

Activity Reviews

Transfer from the airport to your hotel with a private vehicle

Tokyo

Driver was very late.

Full Day Tea Ceremony, Senso-ji, Tsukiji Outer Market and Tokyo Tower Tour (Join-in)

Tokyo

The tea ceremony was excellent but the guide for the whole trip was not engaging and did not give us much information about the places we saw.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

engaging more information

Transport

Transfer to Mt. Fuji and overnight in Hakone

Tokyo

Wonderful driver and guide. Brilliant weather.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full Day Takayama City Tour

Takayama

Full-day tour to Shirakawa-go with an English-speaking guide and public bus

Takayama

Here a new guide was given who took money from us for his lunch which was later returned when we told kimkim. He also took extra money for a shuttle up the hill which was also returned later. Not a good experience.

One Day Miyajima Island and Hiroshima Tour with an English-speaking guide and public transportation

Hiroshima

Excellent guide.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full Day Kyoto City Tour with Kinkaku-ji Temple and Fushimi Inari Taisha (Join-in)

Kyoto

Th tour was excellent. The guide was knowledgable and shared a lot of information. Also guided us into every site herself.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full Day Nara Kofuku-ji, Todai-ji, and Isuien Garden Tour

Kyoto

Excellent guide

Half Day Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and Tenryuji Tour (Private Guide+Public Transport)

Kyoto

Excellent guide

Transfer from your hotel to the airport with a private vehicle

Tokyo

We had a lovely trip. I do have a couple of reservations, which I'll talk about below.

First, I should say that Vaseem was very responsive and helpful. We probably contacted him more than he would wish while we were traveling! We did find one of the hotel rooms quite cramped, and we don't think 15 square meters should be called "spacious" for a couple, especially with a huge bed taking up most of it. But my main reservation is about the Kimkim model in which buyers get no breakdown of costs. This makes it very hard to tell whether we are getting reasonable value for the money, and to weigh and choose different elements. We chose to reduce the level of hotels, but in retrospect might have dropped some of the private pickups instead. These were very uneven in service. On the plus side, all the drivers were on time. But we expected help with luggage (being rather old), and while some were great about this, one young fellow in Lyon led us on a long bag drag without offering help, just peeking around occasionally to see if we were trailing along behind. We passed a line of taxis we would have loved to jump into instead.

We greatly enjoyed the Beaujolais wine tour with Eddie and Roman history tour with David. For each of the tours we were given inaccurate information about the meeting place and time, which led to some unnecessary worry and inconvenience. We liked most of the hotels, except for getting luggage up and down spiral staircases. The most charming was in Montpellier (luckily the kind concierge gave us a room in the portion of the hotel with an elevator, so there was only a little bit of spiral staircase). Our hostess in Avignon was extremely helpful with advice about sights and restaurants.

Anyway, thank you to Vaseem and the tour guides. To Kimkim management, please be more transparent about costs. I know we're not the only travelers who want this.

My husband and I had a fabulous trip to Ireland and Scotland thanks to my specialists for each country, Claire and Justine. They discussed our wish list with us to create a perfect excursion. We are foodies and wanted to see all the places that make each country special and they delivered a perfect itinerary. We wanted to stay in unique venues that included great food and convenient locations and that's exactly what we got. We also wanted to be independent, yet get see all the sites so we traveled by rental car, train and tour buses depending on what would be best for each location. We definitely feel we got to know each country and all their wonderful food, history and beautiful landscapes. I never could have put together a plan on my own as amazing as this trip. Both specialist were there to help with any questions and information along the way, so we always had support throughout the journey. THANK YOU Claire and Justine!

Great guides, drivers and tours:
Elizabeth---Lake Como/Bellagio
Roberto--Amalfi coast
Nancy--Pompei
Suzanna/Faustra--Roma
Valentina--driver/Tuscany

Great overall experience--if anyone not mentioned, apologies as all arranged guidance was exceptional.

Hotel Reviews

NH Collection Milano President

Milan

in heart of Milano near Duomo and piazza. Very modern, clean, accommodating, Great breakfast. Staff helpful.

Authenticity & Character

its a modern building. Rooms were great, nothing wrong. Americans don't understand Europe shower in bathroom...made a water mess....LOL

Location

near restaurants and duomo piazza

Staff

accommodating and very good english

Cleanliness & Comfort

room, bath, lobby, restaurant bar

Albergo Posta Marcucci

Bagno Vignoni

Great character in hotel---very comfortable....loved the hot bath pools

Authenticity & Character

old charm feel to hotel lobby and bar. nice rooms, great view

Location

in Tuscany---with real hot bath pools

Staff

we did not feel welcome in the hotel restaurant at dinner. Waiter and (manager?) made us feel a bit not at ease. As if they did not care if we were there. We were late due to travel (drive called ahead and advised hotel). Breakfast staff was much more friendly and accommodating

Cleanliness & Comfort

spa and outdoor water baths/pool

Tree Charme Parliament Boutique Hotel & Bistrot

Rome

great location ... Like much of Roma--tight streets and access. Small reception area and restaurant. Close to eating options. Appeared to be a safe area. Hotel is in a 500 year old building that has been re-purposed---great rooms and good security. Great shower---American comfort.

Authenticity & Character

see above comment

Location

see above comment

Staff

front desk very accommodating for our group

Cleanliness & Comfort

room and bath very clean

Hotel Conca Park 4* Sorrento

Sorrento

wow!! from entrance via tunnels filled w/ art to modern lobby to great hotel room views of Sorrento. Excellent location and accommodation. Opera and jazz singer in bar area the first night--amazing only issue--3Euro per pool towel. really??

Authenticity & Character

its a modern hotel in an old historic city---another great bath and shower

Location

Walk to heart of Sorrento and activities

Staff

we were welcomed!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Palazzo Salgar

Naples

we were only there one night---last of our tour. Nice modern hotel---small but comfortable room. Nice breakfast. A difficult shower---another wet floor LOL Would have preferred a hotel near waterfront area. We walked there and there were a number of options, but assume cost would be higher.

Authenticity & Character

its modern, little character. appeared to be a business trip hotel

Location

appeared not to be a desirable area of Napoli (??) not much to do around hotel---needed taxi to get to activity and restaurants

Staff

lobby staff very accommodating when we interacted

Cleanliness & Comfort

very clean throughout.. lobby, restaurant, room

Activity Reviews

Lake Como and Bellagio – Full Day Trip from Milan with Cruise

Italy

great guide w Elizabeth. Beautiful boat ride...Bellagio fantastic. Guide took us to her favorite restaurant for lunch---amazing!

Quality of Experience

Beautiful area of Italy---Bellagio is a jewel

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Great assistance, patient, informative, appreciative

Transport

its a local train from Milan--be prepared for a slow trip to Como

Winery tour in Chianti Area

Italy

nice tour of a large volume winery

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Valentia--great english, engaging personality--helped us find a great restaurant for lunch

Transport

the guide--Valentina

Vineyard Walk and Tasting in an Umbrian Vineyard

Italy

small, family winery. intimate. the owner was our guide ! Very welcoming--great lunch and hospitality!

Quality of Experience

enjoyed the small, intimate atmosphere

Guides, Drivers and Staff

a family member of the winery ownership was our personal guide at the winery!

Transport

got us there on time

Private Evening Rome Walking Tour

Rome

Our guide--Faustra (sp??) was extremely knowledgeable and personable. Very good english. Gave us a great tour and insight of Roma within the limited 2-hour tour. We saw places we wanted to see.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Explore Rome in a Day

Rome

we saw what we needed to see in Roma. Fantastic guide...loved having headphones (provided) so we could hear the guide throughout the tour in very crowded areas. Our guide took us to a favorite restaurant and we had a great meal w/ her.

Quality of Experience

the guide

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

the transport from one area to another was prompt

Naples to the Amalfi Coast or Amalfi Coast to Naples - Pompeii en Route

Italy

Pompeii is a must see stop. Nancy was our guide--very informative

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full Day Tour: Positano, Amalfi & Ravello

Italy

Beautiful area--sadly the weather was not good so the clouds and rain kept much of the beauty hidden

Quality of Experience

Roberto was a great driver/guide

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Roberto was great--engaging and friendly

Transport

due to weather, Roberto scheduled a visit to an olive oil factory--totally on his own and to help our day be filled

Limoncello Tour & Tasting

Amalfi Coast

WOW!!---great experience. Hands on demonstration. Included our group members in the process. Conducted personally by the chef and restaurant owner! Engaging, funny and a fantastic lunch.

Quality of Experience

everything! People, food, view, kindness

Food

WOW!! one of best meals on our entire tour week

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Truly felt like they enjoyed our group being at their establishment

Transport

Roberto

Naples Pizza Making Class

Naples

fun and engaging

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

the pizza guide/instructor was very good

Exclusive Capri Boat Tour from Sorrento

Italy

unfortunately weather cancelled this tour

Quality of Experience

My husband and I are writing to express my heartfelt appreciation for the outstanding service provided by your travel agent during the recent planning and execution of our trip.

From the moment we engaged with your agency, it was evident that your team operates at a level of expertise that is truly commendable. However, it was my interaction with Hakim that left an indelible mark on my travel experience.

Hakim demonstrated an exceptional degree of attention to detail throughout the entire process. Every aspect of my itinerary was meticulously crafted, leaving no room for oversight or uncertainty. His thorough understanding of our preferences and requirements translated into a tailored journey that exceeded my expectations.

What truly sets Hakim apart is his ability to anticipate potential challenges and provide effective solutions proactively. This level of foresight is a testament to their extensive knowledge and expertise in the travel industry. It was evident that Hakim invested a significant amount of time and effort into ensuring that every leg of my journey was seamless.

Moreover, Hakim exhibited exemplary communication skills. His messages were not only clear and concise but also conveyed a genuine interest in our travel experience. It was evident that Hakim was not merely facilitating a transaction, but rather, building a relationship based on trust and mutual understanding.

In today's fast-paced world, finding professionals who balance professionalism with a personable touch can be rare. Hakim exemplifies this balance effortlessly. Their warm and approachable demeanor made me feel valued as a client, and we knew that we were in good hands.

In conclusion, our experience with Hakim and your agency has been nothing short of exceptional. Hakim not only met our expectations but surpassed them, leaving us with memories that we will cherish for a lifetime. We wholeheartedly recommend your services to anyone seeking a travel agency that combines expertise with a personal touch.

Thank you once again for providing such an outstanding service.

We had the greatest pleasure of embarking on a once-in-a-lifetime journey through Switzerland and Italy with Kimkim Travel, and it wouldn't have been the extraordinary adventure it was without the exceptional guidance of our tour guide, Fabio. From the moment we touched down in Zurich to the very last day in Taormina, Fabio's expertise and passion for what he does shone brightly.

Fabio's expert assistance in planning our IT from the get-go and all throughout the entire trip, his attention to detail, as well as his in-depth knowledge of the regions we visited were nothing short of remarkable. His insights into the history, culture, and popular sites to visit made the planning process easy and and added a layer of richness to every place we explored. From the picturesque cities of Zurich and Lucerne to the breathtaking landscapes of Interlaken, Zermatt, and the majestic Mt. Pilatus & Mt Gornegrat, Fabio made sure we not only saw these wonders but truly experienced them. When we needed help at a very short notice to secure a booking for paragliding in Zermatt, Fabio delivered outstandingly! He phoned the hotel in Zermatt and looked for the paragliding company. His careful planning and coordination ensured it went off without a hitch, giving us an adrenaline rush like no other. His attention to detail and safety gave us the confidence to enjoy every second of it. The paragliding experience was one of the unforgettable highlights in our trip - -and Fabio helped make it possible!!

Crossing over to Italy, we marveled at Milan's fashion and culture, the serene & enchanting beauty of Bellagio & Varenna in Como, and the stunning journey aboard the Bernina Express to the magical St. Moritz. Fabio's choice of stops, restaurants, and experiences reflected a deep understanding of what travelers like us truly appreciate.
One commendable thing that Fabio did for us was planning the trip to Lake Como. There were transpo-related changes due to an event that was happening at that time in Lake Como. Fabio informed us straight away and organized alternative ways to get to to Bellagio and Varenna, and even purchased for us the train and ferry tickets in advance, and recommended the restaurant along the way, & the sites that we should visit. Our van driver and tour guide - Paolo - was excellent.
Fabio made sure that nothing would get in the way of our plans to visit the enchanting Lake Como - and he really delivered!

The culmination of our journey was the enchanting island of Sicily. Fabio's expertise in Sicilian culture and history turned our time in Palermo, Taormina, and Catania into an authentic Sicilian experience. His recommendations for local delicacies and hidden gems enriched our adventure even further.

Throughout the trip, Fabio's professionalism, warmth, and enthusiasm made us feel like more than just tourists; we felt like friends exploring the world together.
His commitment to ensuring our journey was not just memorable but extraordinary was evident in every aspect of our trip - - from the train tickets, hotel & airport transfers to the hotels and restaurants.

All in all - Fabio's dedication, knowledge, flexibility and charismatic personality made this holiday in Switzerland and Italy an unforgettable and fabulous experience. We can't thank him enough for the cherished memories that we have built and bottled up in these incredible destinations.

On another note, we would like to give our feedback as well on a few things that can be done differently next time.
1. All the hotels that we stayed in were excellent. However, the choice of hotels in Zurich in Milan can be improved, in terms of quality and location. The hotel in Zurich did not have A/C, so it was not very comfortable at night due to the warm temperature. The hotel in Milan was not really centrally located so it was not that easy to go to the Milan center. We would always prefer a location close to the main public transpo.
2. In terms of planning the train schedules - it would be better next time if the gap between the time - especially for connecting train trips - should be sufficient enough to avoid undue stress. For example - the train schedule from Zermatt to Milan was too tight in terms of the lead time in between each transfer. Specifically the time gap between the train from Brig to Milan was just 7 minutes!! And the platforms were quite far from each other. We had to literally run - with all our heavy luggage - from Platform 4 to Platform 11 (if I remember correctly). That was very stressful & exhausting.
It would be better to plan the train trips in such way that there is enough time in between to get to the next platform without rushing too much, and to give allowance to delays (e.g: if the 1st train is delayed, then it will affect the subsequent trips).

Those are just the 2 things that we thought we would mention to further improve the planning process in the future.

In sum - if you're planning a trip with Kimkim Travel, make sure you request Fabio as your guide - he truly goes above and beyond to make your adventure extraordinary. Grazie mille, Fabio! Ti apprezziamo molto :)!

As first time users of Kim Kim, we had a lovely experience working with our local specialist, Tina, on our Croatia itinerary. She was very responsive and accommodating to our queries and requests before and during our trip. My husband and I particularly liked the interface on Kim Kim that allowed us to like, dislike and comment on each aspect of the suggested itinerary.

Our guides during the trip were all warm, friendly and knowledgeable. Overall, it was a fuss-free and convenient way to plan a vacation. We had a wonderful time in Croatia and would definitely use Kim Kim again for future holiday destinations.

We had an amazing trip!
Already from the planning point of view Kripa (our agent with KimKim) made sure we had all the right information and answered all our questions within 24 hours. She made a well shaped trip that fitted our wishes.

Our guide Sonam was the best; she took well Care of us, had everything under control, and made sure we had the best rooms and views on our entire journey. It did not feel like walking with a guide, But more with a friend.

Our porter Andjuk was a Young and very nice boy, who followed us most days. Always in a great mood and helping us out. We played a lot of UNO at night - and had a great time.

Berat did an excellent job, listening to my values and crafting an itinerary and experience that was perfectly suited to my tastes-- even taking the time to go through several iterations before we finalized an itinerary. She took the time to meet me for tea while in Istanbul-- a lovely personal touch and memory to cherish.

The guide she selected for me, Hatice, was an absolute delight and now, a new friend. I have traveled extensively, and have often said, that if I can get everything I would get from a guide from a book-- then I don't need the guide. I want a personal viewpoint, personal engagement, and a relationship. Hatice offered that. She too was very intentional of observing me and assessing my values as the trip unfolded, fine tuning, rearranging and adjusting the timing and stops to optimize my experience according to my values. She would often offer-- "given the things you seem to like... I don't think you would enjoy this, but you would like this." I loved that she would often give me an overview of a sight, and then give me time to wander alone and take my photos... making it clear several times, that it is my trip and the timing and choices are mine. I love that she had a sense of humor. We shared many laughs. As a gay man, traveling alone, I also require someone who is open-minded, curious and progressively minded, particularly in a culture not know to be gay-friendly. I had expressed that concern early on in the planning stages, and Berat chose Hatice.

In recent years, as I've traveled alone to more non-Western destinations, including within the developing world, i have found that i don't want to read or know to much about where i'm going beforehand, and I definitely don't want to see photos. I want to be surprised each day-- "Oh! This is what we are doing! Look at that! I had no idea." Giving me a chance for a different kind of amazement every day. Turkey offered me that kind of wonder and amazement in spades.

Berat did an excellent job of creating an itinerary with a diversity of experiences-- there was never too much of the same thing, before we did something wildly different.

Hotel Reviews

Sirkeci Mansion Hotel

Istanbul

The hotel was perfectly located for me... in the center of the old city, within walking distance of everything. The concierge was very helpful. The room was simple and clean. Quiet. Very small but adequate bathroom. No view. Nothing fancy. My only complaint would be that the breakfast buffet offerings, the hot dishes were never kept hot... luke warm at best, even straight out of the kitchen. An easy fix, it would seem.

Authenticity & Character

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Cleanliness & Comfort

Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Antalya

Antalya

The hotel, while very nice, and I was put into an enormous suite, which felt uncomfortably large... just felt odd and not to my taste. It is a large, all-inclusive resort kind of hotel that's seemed tailored to what I perceive as Eastern European and Russian sensibilities. I prefer a more personal boutique hotel. I swim daily when at home-- lap swimming... the hotel did have a spectacular pool that was a godsend at that point of the trip. But weird rules about opening hours... and one had to go down two floors beneath the pool to the health club to get a towel to use the pool-- then go back up two floors. Why no towels at the pool? A rather anemic "nightclub" by the pool where no one was there. A grotesquely large, too brightly lit dining hall really-- not even a buffet. Just seemed to cater to a different kind of traveller. I was only there overnight.

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Cappari Aqua Princess

Antalya

Perfect location, lovely sea view room... but no elevator. It was a good seven flights from the street to my room on the top floor. When I checked in, the manager asked if i would like to be on the top floor-- "It's the best room." "Well, you're the one who will have to carry my duffle bag up all those stairs!" As it was the top floor, it felt a little like an attic space that had a pitched roof. Some of the groins of the roof are very low, and I hit my head several times going to the toilet in the middle of the night. Very small bath. But kind staff and a sweet kind of charm about the place. The scale of the hotel, much more to my liking, and I loved swimming in the Mediterranean right outside my door.

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Doğa Thermal Hotel & Spa

Denizli

Not unlike the Ramada in Anatolia, but with more design sense and style. An all-inclusive resort type of hotel, not to my taste. Hatice explained there were no other options. The buffet dining experience was obnoxious. I felt like I did when traveling in the former Soviet Union-- they were simply not set-up to accommodate individual travellers. I did enjoy the hot mineral pool! But my experience of the place was disappointing.

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Novotel Konya

Konya

A stopover hotel. Stylish, smart, not overwhelming, but a business hotel-- no place to walk about for local culture. A commercial district. But absolutely fine for what it was , a stopover. Felt a bit like staying at a nice airport hotel.

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Gül Konaklari Sinasos (Rose Mansions Sinasos)

Nevsehir

I will dream of this hotel forever. Perfection, top to bottom-- (well, near perfect-- I would've loved a fridge in the room There was cabinet for one but none there.) Staff was warm, kind, helpful, personable, even playful. The place is beyond charming. I could not get enough of the garden. Sat out there every chance I could. Would have preferred a hot dish for breakfast, but in that garden, I almost didn't care. Yet when i made that comment to Hatice, the next morning the very kind waiter, Recep, brought me a sizzling skillet of Turkish eggs! That's how to do it. HIGHLY recommend it! And a perfect way to close my trip. I hated to leave. The only hotel on the trip that felt like the experience of the hotel was part of the journey.

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Activity Reviews

Esrefoglu: A Unique Wooden Mosque from the 13th Century

Konya

This was a surprise highlight of my trip. The mosque, although small and off the beaten path, provided a serene and intimate experience that was deeply moving. I relished the opportunity to meditate within its quiet confines.

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Visit Eflatunpınar: A hidden gem from the 13th century BC

Konya

This was an unexpected joy. The Hittite monument, although remote and without the usual trappings of a tourist spot, offered a unique experience of discovery and intimacy. Engaging in conversation with local families added to the charm of this ancient site.

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Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Göreme-Uçhisar Hike

Cappadocia

This hike was an absolute delight. It was just me and my guide, which allowed for a personal and enriching experience. The conversations we shared were as memorable as the hike itself.

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Whirling Dervish Ceremony at Saruhan Caravansarai

Turkey

A deeply contemplative and serene experience. The ceremony was a perfect way to wind down after a long day, and I appreciated having the opportunity to be present and reflective during the ceremony.

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Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Each of the four guides were excellent. Good English, factual information, history, and attentive to my needs and wants.
The top locations in order of my enjoyment were: Manaus, Belem, Sao Paulo, Santarem, Alter.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Soneca Plaza

São Paulo

I really enjoyed my stay at the Hotel Soneca Plaza in São Paulo. It was located right in the heart of the old town, which made it a perfect spot for a tourist like me who loves to walk around and explore. The hotel itself was quite modest, as per my preference. There wasn't much of a reception area, but the front desk staff was efficient and helpful. The food was decent with good fruit juices, and good breads and rolls. They also offered breakfast, which added to the convenience.

Authenticity & Character

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Hotel Le Massilia

Belém

My stay at Hotel Le Massilia in Belém was satisfactory. It was located about a mile from the heart of things, which I didn't mind as I enjoy walking. There were plenty of places to find food and water nearby. The hotel had a pool which I used every day because of the hot and humid weather. Overall, while it was good, it was not as centrally located as I would have preferred.

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Sandis Mirante Hotel

Santarém

The Sandis Mirante Hotel in Santarém was fine. It was located in a smaller town, on a hill and provided easy access to various areas. I enjoyed the fact that I could walk down to the waterfront area using the steps or take a longer, more gradual route. The hotel was modest with a small front desk and no real lobby, which suited my needs perfectly. There were also plenty of eating places within walking distance.

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Hotel Saint Paul

Manaus - AM

My stay at the Hotel Saint Paul in Manaus was excellent. The hotel was probably the nicest of all the ones I stayed in. It was located very close to the heart of Manaus, near the Opera House area. The hotel was more upscale with a lobby area, couches, a TV, a nice pool, exercise equipment and a business center. Its location made it easy to walk to different restaurants and attractions.

Authenticity & Character

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Hotel Belo Alter

Santarém

My experience at the Hotel Belo Alter in Alter do Chão was not as positive. The place was a 45-minute drive from Santarém and there wasn't much to see or do there. The hotel itself seemed to be trying to be a luxury resort, but it fell short. The room was nice enough, but there was a lot of deferred maintenance and the beach area was not very appealing due to low water levels. The location wasn't ideal either, being a 30-minute walk from the town.

Authenticity & Character

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Activity Reviews

São Paulo Express

Brazil

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Design, Art and Modernity in Sao Paulo

Brazil

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

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São Paulo Explorer

São Paulo

Quality of Experience

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Arrival in Belém and transfer to our accommodation

Belém

Quality of Experience

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City Tour in Belém

Belém

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Full-Day Tour Discover the Traditional Rainforest Communities

Belém

Quality of Experience

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City Tour of Santarém & Meeting of the Waters

Santarém

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Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Visit to the Jamaraquá Community

Alter do Chão

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Full-Day City Tour of Manaus

Manaus

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Full-Day Boat Tour: Visit Meeting of the Waters, Indian Village & Rubber Museum

Manaus

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Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport