Kimkim Trip Reviews

4.8
Based on 22,566 ratings
Read 22,566 verified reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim. You can also read reviews about kimkim on 3rd party sites including Google, TrustPilot and Yelp.

In a word... Magical
Croatia | Sep 7 - Sep 15, 2026

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Steve Lindsey S.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Sep 23, 2026
In a word... Magical. Croatia is simply stunning... the landscape, the seascape, the people, the history and the food create a location that is a bucket-list must. We had never been there, so the thought of doing all the research and putting together a trip was daunting. That's where Sarah and Ivan come in. The developed a perfect itinerary, covered all the details and lined us up with guides, drivers and lodging that never missed. When bad weather caused one outing to be cancelled, a... Read more

In a word... Magical. Croatia is simply stunning... the landscape, the seascape, the people, the history and the food create a location that is a bucket-list must. We had never been there, so the thought of doing all the research and putting together a trip was daunting. That's where Sarah and Ivan come in. The developed a perfect itinerary, covered all the details and lined us up with guides, drivers and lodging that never missed. When bad weather caused one outing to be cancelled, a quick text to them resulted in a new outing within 20 minutes that turned out to be one of the great memories of our trip. Having them tracking with us during the whole time made this a zero-stress trip of a lifetime!

Hotel Review
Irini Luxury Rooms
Split

An intimate setting off of a side alley just steps away form the old city, this was a great stay. The staff were personable and helpful, offering tips about the local area as well as a wonderful breakfast every day. The bed was super-comfortable and the bathroom was spa-like. We loved it

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Sarah Cosic

Robert our walking guide in Montreal was adequate. Fr...
Canada | Sep 9 - Sep 16, 2026

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Olga S.
Minneapolis, MN | Reviewed on Sep 23, 2026
Robert our guide in Montreal was adequate. Friendly and knowledgeable but lacking in historical references. On the other hand our guide in Quebec Terry or Thierry was exceptional. He shared a lot of his historical knowledge and willingly spent more time with us and answered all our questions. Both cities were fantastic! People were friendly and helpful. Great restaurants, shopping. Not enough time for the museums. Art galleries were fun. Cobble stone streets were tough on my knees. Loved the... Read more

Robert our guide in Montreal was adequate. Friendly and knowledgeable but lacking in historical references. On the other hand our guide in Quebec Terry or Thierry was exceptional. He shared a lot of his historical knowledge and willingly spent more time with us and answered all our questions. Both cities were fantastic! People were friendly and helpful. Great restaurants, shopping. Not enough time for the museums. Art galleries were fun. Cobble stone streets were tough on my knees. Loved the Aura illuminati performance at Notre Dame. The train ride between cities was organized and relaxing although we almost missed our train to Quebec which wasn’t far from our lodging and the taxi driver didn’t speak English. But we made it with 3 mins to spare! Ryan did a great job along with Sarita and AI in coordinating the trip. It was all a wonderful vacation! Thanks Kimkin

Hotel Review
Lofts de la Barricade
Québec

Clean nice space. Great location. No front desk and when we arrived it started to rain and we didn’t know how to get in. Luckily other travelers let us in the vestibule out of the rain. We called the number on the entrance door and we confirmed our stay and were given the pass code to enter. No paper towels in the kitchen

Location
Close to old town
Cleanliness & Comfort
No tv instructions or wifi
Activity Reviews
Private Walking Tour of Montreal
Private Walking Tour of Montreal
Montréal

I wish our guide would’ve shared more history about Montreal. He took us to see the metro shops. We rode the clean Montreal subways to get around. A lot of construction going on around St Catherine. I enjoyed riding the double decker bus and it was a beautiful sunny day. Definitely recommend the bus tour.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Loved the subways. Clean and efficient
Private Walking Tour of Quebec City
Private Walking Tour of Quebec City
Québec City

Our guide was exceptional! Very knowledgeable and loved sharing what he knew. He spent more time with our group and he received a nice tip.

Quality of Experience
Local specialist: Ryan Walker
Ryan
Ryan Walker
| Replied on Sep 25, 2026

Thank you so much for the feedback, Olga! I'm thrilled you had such a wonderful trip to Montreal and Quebec City, and that the Aura show, food, and galleries were highlights!

We'll pass along your high praise to Thierry and share your notes on Robert with my team. So glad you made that train with 3 minutes to spare!

It was a pleasure coordinating this vacation for you. I hope to help plan your next adventure soon!

40th Wedding Anniversary in beautiful Italy
Italy | Sep 11 - Sep 21, 2026

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Pamela S.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Sep 23, 2026
My husband and I celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary with a trip to Italy. The trip was arranged through Kimkim with Paraskevas as our travel specialist. It was a wonderful experience with stays in Bologna, Siena and Greve in Chianti. We flew into and out of Rome. Our accommodations along the way were very nice and located will so we could travel on foot to see many local sites. Casa Bertagni in Bologna was a wonderful B&B - very classy place to stay with attention paid to details. The... Read more

My husband and I celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary with a trip to Italy. The trip was arranged through Kimkim with Paraskevas as our travel specialist. It was a wonderful experience with stays in Bologna, Siena and Greve in Chianti. We flew into and out of Rome. Our accommodations along the way were very nice and located will so we could travel on foot to see many local sites. Casa Bertagni in Bologna was a wonderful B&B - very classy place to stay with attention paid to details. The breakfast was wonderful as well. The Residenza d'Epoca Palazzo Borghesi provided a wonderful view of Siena as well as breakfast on our balcony served by very kind staff. Our last 2 days were at Peitra del Cabreo. This was an amazing place to stay at the end of our visit. The location was beautiful, peaceful and had wonderful staff. We had a cooking class with Lucca and then were able to have our class food served to us for dinner. It was an amazing way to end our stay in Italy.
Since my husband and I did not wish to drive, Paraskevas made arrangements for several train rides and limo services. Our itinerary was carefully detailed with locations, times, driver names and train tickets attached when needed. The limo drivers who assisted us were always professional and very helpful. They made every transfer go smoothly.
Our days were busy with local guide tours, food tours and day trips to wineries, beautiful Tuscany towns, and a Parma tour that included Parmigiano, prosciutto and balsamico. Every day had a fun adventure.
We also appreciated having the Traveler Care Team available. It was reassuring to know there was a team to assist us if needed.
It was a wonderful way to celebrate our anniversary! We have wonderful memories and pictures of our trip. Our thanks to Paraskevas and the team to helped to make our trip happen.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Le Clarisse al Pantheon
Rome

Staff were so very helpful. A wonderful breakfast was included. Loved the location near the Pantheon, Trevi fountain and Navona Piazza.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Casa Bertagni

The hotel was so very nice. Great attention to detail, products for guests to use and location was great. Breakfast was wonderful. .

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Residenza d'Epoca Palazzo Borghesi
Siena

I rated a 4 due to no small refrigerator in the room to use. Also bathroom products (soap, lotion etc) were limited and the hair dryer was difficult to use due it being a very cheap model.

Authenticity & Character
Location
the location was great. just a short walk to the Piazza del Campo
Staff
Staff were so very nice and helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
see my earlier comments
Pietra del Cabreo
Greve

Beautiful place to stay and experience. Wonderful way to end a trip.

Authenticity & Character
beautiful views from room windows and restaurant when eating meals. nice walking paths around the hotel.
Location
Staff
staff were so very helpful and nice.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Rooms were awesome, wonderful bathroom products, robes, towels, etc.
Hilton Rome Airport Hotel
Fiumicino

great location due to connection to the Rome airport.

Authenticity & Character
rooms were set up well.
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Restaurant was very busy. long time to get a table. Breakfast very nice.
Activity Reviews
Bologna Unveiled: Private Walking Tour of Culture, Cinema & Culinary Traditions
Bologna Unveiled: Private Walking Tour of Culture, Cinema & Culinary Traditions
Bologna

Our guide from Bespoke Emila was very knowledgeable and made the time go by quickly. I am so sorry but I do not recall name. He was very interesting and made sharing his information fun. We had a very nice lunch together at the end of our tour.

Parma Tour With Parmigiano, Prosciutto & Balsamico
Parma Tour With Parmigiano, Prosciutto & Balsamico
Italy

Very interesting tour. My husband and I enjoyed it. Our guide Thomas was knowledgeable and wanted to be sure we enjoyed the tour. Our farm lunch was awesome.

Tuscany Day Trip from Siena
Tuscany Day Trip from Siena
Siena

We enjoyed driving through the Tuscany countryside. Beautiful views and towns. I would have liked to have spent a little more time in the towns to walk around. The farm lunch was wonderful. So nice to meet the farmer and his wife. An excellent meal was served to us. Directly following the meal, we went to a town and had a wine tasting. It would have been nice to have the wine tasting a bit later as it was too soon after just finishing a meal with wine.

Brunello di Montalcino Wine Tour
Brunello di Montalcino Wine Tour
Siena

A very fun day. Our driver was knowledgeable about the wine region, wine and the wineries we visited. The lunch served at our second was awesome. We enjoyed all of the wineries.

Cooking Class in Chianti
Cooking Class in Chianti
Italy

My husband and I really enjoyed this class. Luca was the chef who led the class. He did a great job explaining the meal preparation and how to's of making pasta. The meal we prepared was later served to us in the restaurant and was delicious.

Evening Food & Wine Tour
Evening Food & Wine Tour
Bologna

A wonderful tasty and fun evening. Valentina was a great guide. She shared many locations in Bologna with interesting information and good food and wine. This is a tour to definitely go on.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Private Siena Walking Tour
Private Siena Walking Tour
Italy

I always enjoying taking a tour when visiting a new city. Our guide, Giulia, made our tour interesting and fun. She shared information about the Palio di Siena as we walked around Siena. We had the opportunity to learn more about Siena but also about this historic race. This made our tour quite a bit of fun and it felt like we had insider information about the race.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Paraskevas Politis
Paraskevas
Paraskevas Politis
Local specialist in Greece | Replied on Sep 24, 2026

Dear Pam and Bob,

Thank you so much for this thoughtful review and for the kind words. It was a true pleasure helping you plan your 40th anniversary trip, and I am so glad it lived up to such a special occasion. Reading that the cooking class with Luca and your final days at Pietra del Cabreo made for such a memorable ending means a great deal to me and the whole team.

Wishing you both safe travels and many more happy years together. Until next time, whether for another trip to Italy or perhaps a first taste of Greece!

All the best,
Paraskevas

A Birthday Trip in Search of Irish Roots
Ireland | Sep 6 - Sep 16, 2026

Alec
Alec C.
Glenmont, NY | Reviewed on Sep 23, 2026
My wife and I both celebrated significant birthdays this year, so we decided to take a trip to Ireland to commemorate the occasion, and to look for some of our Irish roots. We enjoyed a wonderful trip through Eastern and Southern Ireland, arranged by Claire at KimKim. She took careful note of what we wanted to do, the kind of experiences we were interested in, and constructed an itinerary that combined sightseeing and just traveling through our chosen section of Ireland. She also arranged a... Read more

My wife and I both celebrated significant birthdays this year, so we decided to take a trip to Ireland to commemorate the occasion, and to look for some of our Irish roots. We enjoyed a wonderful trip through Eastern and Southern Ireland, arranged by Claire at KimKim. She took careful note of what we wanted to do, the kind of experiences we were interested in, and constructed an itinerary that combined sightseeing and just traveling through our chosen section of Ireland. She also arranged a session for us in Dublin with an amazing genealogist who was enormously helpful. As much as we enjoyed Dublin and Waterford, I think our favorite times were poking around little towns, and finding small pubs and cafes that were not in any guidebooks. Since a big part of the reason we were there was to research family connections, one day we improvised and detoured from a scheduled stop in Cork City, because we only had a few hours available to us, and detoured to the nearby town of Cobh, where my wife's great grandfather had emigrated from in 1878. We felt OK about doing that because Claire had encouraged us to improvise along our trip, and as a result we got a much better sense of the massive disruptions occurring in Irish society as a result of so many people leaving Ireland looking for better futures. We had another unplanned schedule change when our rental car developed a problem with a sensor and we had to get it addressed. The rental car company chosen by Claire and her firm was very responsive, found us a nearby garage to look at our issue, and got us back on the road . That delay cost us a visit to a castle, but car stuff can happen anywhere. In this case the support was there and and it was a minor inconvenience instead of a major headache. All in all, we felt very well taken care of, and we would not hesitate to recommend KimKim to our friends.

Hotel Reviews
Dooley's Hotel
Waterford

Locally owned and run hotel that has clearly had a lot of care and attention. Very good facilities, conveniently located, and attractive dining and imbibing options. It looks as though a significant portion of the hotel's business comes from tour buses overnighting in Waterford. That was the aspect of the hotel that was less appealing to us. In the bar and restaurant we heard more American accents than Irish. The staff we came in contact with were almost all from countries other than Ireland. Make no mistake, they did a fine job, and were very accommodating. We simply prefer more local flavor.

Location
On the main street, near the Viking Triangle.
Staff
Pleasant, readily responded to queations.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Meticulously maintained.
Butler Townhouse Kilkenny

We really enjoyed our stay at the Butler Townhouse in Kilkenny. Our lower level room was spacious and beautifully appointed. We had our own private access to the property's beautiful gardens, which in turn provided a shortcut to Kilkenny Castle. The staff was very friendly and went out of their way to be helpful. The breakfast there was provided in a gracious dining room, was made to order, and a touch we especially liked, was our own two tiered tray of breads and pastries. It was wonderfully indulgent.

Authenticity & Character
Beautifully appointed, gracious throughout.
Location
Just up the street from the castle and very near the center of town.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stauntons on the Green
Dublin

Really lovely, gracious hotel. The room was elegant, and the breakfast area was equally nicely appointed. We were on the second floor (3rd to Americans), and the absence of a lift made getting our luggage upstairs a bit of a challenge, but that was the only thing that was less than ideal.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Right across the street from St. Stephens Green
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Guided edible Seaweed beach walk
Guided edible Seaweed beach walk
Ireland

This was a fun day. When we got to Tramore, where we met Neil, our guide, it was raining, very blustery, and quite chilly. Before our tour was done that rain has stopped, the wind had died down, and the sun was coming out. Neil was a great teacher, very interesting, and clearly passionate about helping guests learn about the ways the Irish traditionally and today, get sustenance from the plants and sea life that show up with the tides. He is a very well educated and read person, with a keen interest in helping retain this traditional knowledge. It was a great tour.

Quality of Experience
Neil is an exceptional teacher who clearly loves his topic and is eager to share his knowledge.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
See above.
West Cork off the beaten path ( Day 1)
West Cork off the beaten path ( Day 1)
Ireland

This was an interesting day. We headed out onto the Mizen Peninsula from our B&B in Union Hall. Instead of going directly toward Mizen Head, on the advice of our host Carol, we went first to Three Castle Head just a few kilometers away but along some of the twistiest and narrow roads we encountered driving. It was occasionally nerve-wracking. Unfortunately the day was extremely foggy so although the nearby cliffs were dramatic, we couldn't see much of them or the sea below. We had a longish (but not really difficult) walk through lush green farm fields (well supplied with sheep droppings, and occasionally the sheep themselves). Initially we thought the fog might burn off and give us some great views, but instead it intensified, and soon we couldn't see more that a few yards ahead of us. We sort of felt our way over fields, up and down hills, over muddy and at times slippery paths, never being able to see the ancient watchtowers of the old fortress. After about 30 minutes though, some stone shapes started to emerge from the gloom, and there they were - three towers still standing (more or less) since the 13th century. For us, the lack of visibility actually heightened the sense of awe and mystery of the place. It was also completely silent, except for the wind and some vague ocean sounds, but no traffic, no hordes of people, no Visitors Centers, or souvenir stands - just a silent monument to another time. It was spellbinding. From there we went over to Mizen Head, hoping that we would get to see the dramatic sea vistas it is noted for. Alas it was not to be that day. The fog persisted and perhaps even intensified, so that when we arrived we not only couldn't see the cliffs said to rival the Cliffs of Moher, we couldn't even see the waves crashing onto the shore. We chose not to pay the entry fee to get access to the bridge and the walk. I guess that spectacle will have to wait for another trip. From there we went over to Crookhaven to get lunch and wound up at O'Sullivan's Bar right on the water in the harbor. It wasn't a fancy place, but just what we like - a place filled with Irish folk where we were the ones with accents. They endeared themselves to me because they had Beamish on tap, my favorite stout, which is not always readily available. We had great pub great lunch and enjoyed the friendly neighborhood vibe. The mood was enhanced even more by the golden retriever who wandered through the pub like he owned it. Maybe he did, because as we left we observed that he a commandeered a picnic table outside and was on top of it sound asleep. It was a memorable sight.

West Cork off the beaten path ( Day 3)
West Cork off the beaten path ( Day 3)
Ireland

Today we visited Gougane Barra, a park about 60 kilometers or a bit more than an hours drive form our B&B in Union Hall. Unfortunately the weather was not with us this day either, because it rained steadily for much of the day. The drive is very rural and very scenic, and we enjoyed it. The park itself is stunningly beautiful. It was lushly green, heavily mossed, and there were little streams and small waterfalls all over. There are many kilometers of walking or hiking trails that we would have loved to explore, but the few people we saw out walking looked half drowned so we opted for the less adventurous but dryer view from inside our car. It was still spectacular and would be a must-do on a clear day. Our advisor Claire had recommended that we wind up our day in Castletownshend for dinner at Mary Ann's Bar. It is all the way back from Gougane Barra and past it to the tiny, tiny village of Castletownshend. At first we wondered about going past Skibbereen with all its restaurants, and on past Union Hall with a number of nice places as well. She was spot on though. It doesn't look like much of anything from the street (it is uphill from the eponymous castle). It didn't look like a lot from the inside either. It's a small pub with a small drinking area and an equally small dining area. It is run by an affable older gentleman who has a keen interest in mid-20th century American politics. He is avid fan of Harry Truman, and once he found out we were from the States he peppered us with questions about the 40s, 50s, and 60s in the U.S, He kept up a running dialogue for most of the time were were in his establishment. Oh, and his kitchen served up a 5-star restaurant quality confit and breast of duck for me, and a classic fish and chips for my wife. The food was amazing! This place is in middle of absolute nowhere, and they turned out just an amazing dinner.

Dublin Private Walking Tour
Dublin Private Walking Tour
Dublin

Brian was a very personable and extremely knowledgeable guide for our walking tour in Dublin. As much of a capital city as it is, it is very walkable in the center and we got a very good sense of how the old city had been constructed, what some of the major areas are today, and he told us about some of the key historical events and personalities that helped shape Dublin. He even recommended some good places for lunch and dinner, which we followed, quite happily I might add. We very much enjoyed our tour with Brian and would gladly recommend his services to others.

An Epic Walking Tour of the Viking Triangle
An Epic Walking Tour of the Viking Triangle
Waterford

Our guide was really engaging and a natural storyteller. In a conversational way he painted a vivid word picture of the history of Waterford and some of the figures who played prominent roles in its early history. It was a short but very enjoyable tour of the Triangle area.

Consultation with a Genealogist at EPIC Museum
Consultation with a Genealogist at EPIC Museum
Dublin

This was one of the highlights of our trip. The EPIC genealogist, Julie, was a thoroughly professional and very skilled researcher. She helped us establish and document the identities of several family members about whom we had no prior information. She was also able to use obituaries, birth records, and census data to confirm identities and relationships. Our tree is now on a much more solid foundation, based on the records she was able to source, and she provided us with a document that contained all of her findings. It was so impressive to watch someone work who very clearly is very good at what she does. It was a privilege to observe her at work.

Quality of Experience
Private Kilkenny Historical Walking Tour
Private Kilkenny Historical Walking Tour
Kilkenny

Our time with Pat was very informative and enjoyable. He is low key in manner and soft spoken, but he was and endless font of information about Kilkenny, its geography and history. We walked through much of the town and by the time were finished, we felt we had a short course history lesson that was better than anything we had ever taken back in school. Pat was a real gentleman, and we thoroughly enjoyed our time with him.

Visit to Kyteler’s Inn: Medieval Pub with a Witchy Past!
Visit to Kyteler’s Inn: Medieval Pub with a Witchy Past!
Kilkenny

We had a very enjoyable meal at Kyteler's Inn. It was a crowded night but somehow we were seated at a corner booth recessed from but right next to the musicians performing trad songs. Dinner was classic pub fare that we enjoyed a lot, and of course there were a few rounds of adult beverages. I was introduced to and enjoyed Kilkenny Draught as well as there own stout which has a distinctive flavor markedly different from the customary Guinness or Murphy's. I liked that too. My wife is more of a Harp person, but we both enjoyed our beverages while listening to a couple of groups of local musicians. It was probably the most festive evening of our trip.

Quality of Experience
Free time in Dublin
Free time in Dublin
Dublin

Dublin is a fun city. We only scratched the surface but we feel we saw quite a lot. Our first activity was the Book of Kels Experience, and as interesting as that was, it was equally fascinating to be in the Old Library, and to walk the grounds of Trinity College. St. Stephen's Green was a wonderful place to walk and just take in the people out enjoying the setting. One memorable incident was encountering a group of people walking 8-10 giant Irish Wolf Hounds. The dogs were just enormous, but well behaved on leash, and they made quite the spectacle. We made sure to visit the Guinness Storehouse. It was the ultimate in touristy things to do but it was also a little like making a pilgrimage. We prefer the smaller towns and villages over the bigger cities, but Dublin was the smallest feeling big city that we have encountered.

Top 3 Dublin Pubs to Listen to Live Traditional music
Top 3 Dublin Pubs to Listen to Live Traditional music
Ireland

We made it to O'Neill's for dinner and music on our first evening. It was where I was introduced to Beamish (I really liked it), and experienced our first trad music performance. Ironically, we had seen the same solo musician on the street performing by the Molly Malone statue earlier in the day. We enjoyed his performance each time.

Local specialist: Claire Monfray
Claire
Claire Monfray
Local specialist in Lyon | Replied on Sep 29, 2026
Hi Alec and Ellen, Thank you so much for this wonderful review! It was a joy to create the framework for this trip for two such great adventurers. I loved building an itinerary that left room for you to improvise, and you made the most of it, from the spontaneous detour to Cobh to the fog at Three Castle Head. Those off-the-beaten-path moments, like foraging for edible seaweed, Mary Ann's Bar and its Truman-loving owner, and the golden retriever at O'Sullivan's, are what make a trip... Read more

Hi Alec and Ellen,

Thank you so much for this wonderful review! It was a joy to create the framework for this trip for two such great adventurers. I loved building an itinerary that left room for you to improvise, and you made the most of it, from the spontaneous detour to Cobh to the fog at Three Castle Head. Those off-the-beaten-path moments, like foraging for edible seaweed, Mary Ann's Bar and its Truman-loving owner, and the golden retriever at O'Sullivan's, are what make a trip memorable. I'm delighted the genealogy session at EPIC gave your family tree such a solid foundation, and glad the rental car hiccup was only a small bump. Happy belated birthdays to you both , and I hope Ireland calls you back for that Mizen Head view or to explore another part of the country!

Warm regards,
Claire

Complex trip to SE Asia made easy by expert travel specialist
Thailand | Nov 1 - Dec 2, 2025

Patrice
Patrice P.
Chicago, IL, USA | Reviewed on Sep 23, 2026
Hoa was an amazing travel specialist. I had to particularly rely upon her expertise for this trip, because it was my first-ever visit to Southeast Asia. I was definitely out of my element. The trip required extensive planning due to the number of cities and countries involved. Logistics were formidable. Nonetheless, Hoa seamlessly brought it all together with professionalism, positivity and patience. I LOVED the itinerary she created for me - the specific locales, the accommodations,... Read more

Hoa was an amazing travel specialist. I had to particularly rely upon her expertise for this trip, because it was my first-ever visit to Southeast Asia. I was definitely out of my element.

The trip required extensive planning due to the number of cities and countries involved. Logistics were formidable.

Nonetheless, Hoa seamlessly brought it all together with professionalism, positivity and patience. I LOVED the itinerary she created for me - the specific locales, the accommodations, the activities. I can’t thank her enough. I would have her plan all my trips if possible.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Muse Bangkok, Autograph Collection

Such a cool spot with an incredible vibe. Was only here for a very short time but made a lasting impression. I wish I had purchased the robe in my room!!!!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Aviary Hotel
Siem Reap

A very cool boutique hotel with lots of charm. Very nice-sized room. Small but great spa. Best massage of my trip was here.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Na Nirand Romantic Boutique Resort

A lovely oasis. You feel serene from the moment you enter. Awesome staff and service. Very good food on-site.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Tubkaak Krabi Boutique Resort
Krabi

What a way to end my trip! Loved, loved it here. Would move in if I could. Beach is amazing. Sunset to die for. Service and food tremendous. After being in Asia for 5 weeks, was nice to have Italian restaurant on site.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Araksa Tea Experience & Adventure at Sri Lanna National Park
Araksa Tea Experience & Adventure at Sri Lanna National Park
Chiang Mai

Beautiful location. Well set up for agro-tourism. Enjoyed learning about the tea process. Had a blast with my guide climbing the sticky waterfalls at Sri Lanna. She was a delight.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Railway Market & Floating Market
Railway Market & Floating Market
Bangkok

Intriguing introduction to Bangkok. Juxtaposition of chaotic and peaceful environments. Something for all of the senses.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Bangkok Symbolic Temples
Bangkok Symbolic Temples
Bangkok

A must-do. So impressive.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Reflection of Siamese Art and Culture
Reflection of Siamese Art and Culture
Bangkok

Loved the venue and activities. Smile every time I wear the bracelets I made here.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Night Street Food Tour After Dark by Tuk Tuk
Night Street Food Tour After Dark by Tuk Tuk
Bangkok

Probably my favorite thing I did in Bangkok. City was particularly vibrant on this evening due to impending water festival. The flower markets were amazing! Guide was particularly gracious in choosing food compatible with my palate. Delicious!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Floating Village by Jeep and Sunset Boat Tour Joining Excursion
Floating Village by Jeep and Sunset Boat Tour Joining Excursion
Siem Reap

A wonderful cultural and educational experience. So lucky to have done it. So peaceful on the water.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local Life Village Participation
Local Life Village Participation
Siem Reap

Something I never could have experienced on my own. Grateful. Again, just a wonderful cultural and educational activity.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Angkor Complex Discovery
Angkor Complex Discovery
Siem Reap

My favorite guide of the trip. So knowledgeable and passionate about this awesome place. I was a sponge soaking up every thing I could. Can’t recommend enough. Lunch was delicious!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Relaxing Time at Oasis Spa
Relaxing Time at Oasis Spa
Thailand

Beautiful spa. Gorgeous, private treatment area. Only issue was slight irritation on face after treatment. I have sensitive skin, but it subsided quickly.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Alms Giving, Doi Suthep and Jungle Temple
Alms Giving, Doi Suthep and Jungle Temple
Chiang Mai

A truly lovely day with diverse, interesting & exciting activities. I enjoyed them all thoroughly. So honored to participate in the alms giving.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Elephant Nature Park Half Day Visit (Joining Excursion)
Elephant Nature Park Half Day Visit (Joining Excursion)
Chiang Mai

Elephants are my favorite animals. So happy to see them being cared for so well here. Great amount of time to walk around and experience them up close. Loved it!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Discover Ao Nang Paradise & Sunset by Private Longtail Boat
Discover Ao Nang Paradise & Sunset by Private Longtail Boat
Krabi

Wow! This private boat experience was deluxe. I was so well cared for! The crew was just amazing and it was the best way to see the other islands. Food & drink superb.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Hoa Tran

Successful first time self-drive visit to Albania & Montenegro
Montenegro | Aug 28 - Sep 11, 2026

Patrice
Patrice P.
Chicago, IL, USA | Reviewed on Sep 23, 2026
Violaine quickly put together a wonderful itinerary for a first time visit to Albania and Montenegro. Her knowledge of the countries, the driving conditions, the available accommodations and unique activities was a huge plus. She patiently priced out several options for us to consider and thoughtfully responded to our feedback. Communication was professional, prompt and detailed. We were well-prepared in advance of our departure. Upon arrival, we were met in-person by Armada who was a... Read more

Violaine quickly put together a wonderful itinerary for a first time visit to Albania and Montenegro. Her knowledge of the countries, the driving conditions, the available accommodations and unique activities was a huge plus. She patiently priced out several options for us to consider and thoughtfully responded to our feedback. Communication was professional, prompt and detailed. We were well-prepared in advance of our departure.

Upon arrival, we were met in-person by Armada who was a great resource throughout our journey. All of our questions were answered in a very timely manner. It was reassuring to know help was always available if need be, including assistance with a parking ticket. When a small and unforeseen issue arose with a local guide, Violaine went out of her way to make things right.

We had an amazing time in no small part due to the detailed preparation, expertise and execution of Violaine and her team. Many thanks.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Panorama Kruje
Krujë

Fantastic view from room. Very good food & drinks at on-site restaurant. Staff went above & beyond to create “certificate” to celebrate my sister’s birthday and by providing complimentary room upgrade.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Rogner
Tirana

Excellent location. Clean, safe. Well-appointed rooms. Good food and drinks at on-site restaurant. Lovely pool area. Fantastic staff. Went out of way to decorate room as surprise birthday treat for my sister.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Plaza
Berat

Well-located. Some facilities closed during brief visit. Very helpful staff. Went out of way to help celebrate my sister’s birthday.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Camp Nivica

A unique experience in the southern mountains. Local staff extremely helpful and attentive. Very good food. Views from rooms outstanding. Special kudos to our hiking guide Mujo who was exceptionally kind and patient when path proved very strenuous for me. Thanks also to Astrid who arranged a gift of local specialities for my sister to celebrate her birthday.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Eco Villas Merak & Winery
Virpazar

Quiet, restful, just enough out of the way. Spacious room with nice terrace. Very good breakfast and dinner.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Ami
Petrovac

Nice location. Close to beach and promenade. Clean, well-appointed rooms. Blackout shades to curb heat very much appreciated. Super helpful staff who translated complex process for paying parking ticket. Certain common areas lacked air conditioning.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Boat trip in Kotor's Bay
Boat trip in Kotor's Bay
Albania

Nice length of time on water. Nice to be able to swim. Beautiful at sunset.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Welcome in Tirana
Welcome in Tirana
Tirana
Boat trip on Skadar Lake - Virpazar
Boat trip on Skadar Lake - Virpazar
Albania

Stunning landscape best seen from on the water.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Hiking in Nivica: exploring Albania’s wild landscapes
Hiking in Nivica: exploring Albania’s wild landscapes
Nivica

A must do for fit guests. Ascent was very taxing for me.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Wine tasting in Alpeta Winery
Wine tasting in Alpeta Winery
Berat

Amazing setting. Gracious and entertaining host. Great food and drinks.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sightseeing tour of Tirana
Sightseeing tour of Tirana
Tirana

A must-do. So much fascinating history.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Violaine Fejoz
Violaine
Violaine Fejoz
Local specialist in Tirana | Replied on Sep 23, 2026
Thank you so much, Patrice, for taking the time to share such a detailed and thoughtful review! I’m really happy to hear that your first self-drive adventure through Albania and Montenegro was such a success and that you felt well prepared and supported throughout the journey. It was a real pleasure working with you to create the itinerary and adjust the different options along the way. I’m especially glad that the combination of accommodations and experiences allowed you to discover so many... Read more

Thank you so much, Patrice, for taking the time to share such a detailed and thoughtful review! I’m really happy to hear that your first self-drive adventure through Albania and Montenegro was such a success and that you felt well prepared and supported throughout the journey.

It was a real pleasure working with you to create the itinerary and adjust the different options along the way. I’m especially glad that the combination of accommodations and experiences allowed you to discover so many different sides of both countries, from Nivica and Berat to Lake Skadar and the Bay of Kotor.

Thank you as well for your lovely words about Armada and the rest of our local team. Knowing that you felt you always had someone available to help when needed is very important to us.

I’m also delighted that the little birthday surprises for your sister made the trip even more special! 😊

Thank you again for your trust and for choosing us to organize this adventure. It was a pleasure accompanying you both, and I hope you came home with many wonderful memories of Albania and Montenegro!

Warm regards,
Violaine

Vista after vista!
Switzerland | Aug 24 - Sep 11, 2026

S
Scott J.
Lexington, KY, USA | Reviewed on Sep 23, 2026
Switzerland has outstanding scenery, did not realize how many lakes are there. Our favorite locations were Lucerne, Lugano, Zermatt and Grindelwald. Our e-bike tour at St. Moritz was great; Alex was a wonderful guide. Read more

Switzerland has outstanding scenery, did not realize how many lakes are there. Our favorite locations were Lucerne, Lugano, Zermatt and Grindelwald. Our e-bike tour at St. Moritz was great; Alex was a wonderful guide.

Hotel Reviews
Eastwest Hotel
Geneva

Location close to Lake Geneva is nice. No elevator access at street/lobby level. We were stuck in a room with a view of neighbors' laundry.

Authenticity & Character
There is no access to the building without steps, and even more steps to access the elevator.
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Mona Montreux Hotel
Montreux

Room was a bit small and cramped, but we enjoyed the balcony. Cannot enter the lobby without pulling luggage up stairs. Getting from the train station to the hotel was arduous with luggage.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Lobby access.
Hotel Alpenhof
Zermatt

Amazing view of the Matterhorn from our room. The rooms, the amenities were all first-rate.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Art Boutique Hotel Monopol
St. Moritz

Location is central, but access is hard. Wish we had known there was a shuttle available from the station. Reception is up a flight of stairs from the entrance, or you have to know to enter through the lower-level restaurant to access the elevator.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Lobby access. Hard to recommend this facility in August, no air conditioning.
LUGANODANTE - We like you
Lugano

Tricky to find, rooms are small. Awkward entrance porch. It is convenient to the incline up to the train station. Close enough to the lakefront to make the walk enjoyable.

Hotel Spinne Grindelwald
Grindelwald

Showing its age, but the location is excellent. A bit of a maze to reach our room, but a beautiful view of the Eiger.

Ameron Luzern Hotel Flora
Luzern

Good location, modern rooms and facility. Need lobby access without steps.

Central Plaza Hotel
Zürich

Good proximity to train station. Room was so small there was no place for luggage. Adjacent construction and road work did not help conditions.

Activity Reviews
Geneva Food Tour
Geneva Food Tour
Geneva

A good experience. The best fondue we had on the whole trip. Truly enjoyed Geneva Old Town.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Wine tasting with Swiss Cheese & Charcuterie in Chexbres Lavaux vineyards domain (30min by train from Montreux)
Wine tasting with Swiss Cheese & Charcuterie in Chexbres Lavaux vineyards domain (30min by train from Montreux)
Switzerland

Enjoyed seeing and learning about the barrels. The "tour" and demonstration were completed in a short time. Maybe not the best experience for a party of two. Other, larger groups seemed to get more attention/activities.

Gornergrat panoramic train (return day-ticket & Priority boarding)
Gornergrat panoramic train (return day-ticket & Priority boarding)
Switzerland

Great experience. Priority boarding is a must.

Private hike & picnic (Summer)
Private hike & picnic (Summer)
St. Moritz

A beautiful bike ride and lunch. Alex is a fascinating person and excellent guide.

Swiss Travel Pass
Swiss Travel Pass
Switzerland
Quality of Experience
Swiss train system is outstanding. Only negative is the process to reserve lunch on the Glacier Express. It should be simple to have a process that acknowledges and confirms a meal reservation/order.
Cruise and Cook - Lugano
Cruise and Cook - Lugano
Lugano

Loved the location, the experience and the people. They did not speak English and we did not speak Italian, but we made it work. The meal was outstanding, one of our best.

Jungfraujoch, Top of Europe (tickets and seat reservation)
Jungfraujoch, Top of Europe (tickets and seat reservation)
Switzerland

The only negative was the weather. Worst day of the trip, there was no visibility at the top. The Discovery tour was excellent in the mountain, walking inside the glacier was awesome.

Night Watchman Walk in Lucerne (private tour)
Night Watchman Walk in Lucerne (private tour)
Lucerne

We enjoyed the presentation and the tour. The stories and history were excellent.

Chillon Castle (Entrance tickets)
Chillon Castle (Entrance tickets)
Switzerland

Beautiful castle and well-organized tour.

Summer Kayak Tour Lake Brienz
Summer Kayak Tour Lake Brienz
Switzerland

Enjoyed kayaking, but the trip time before and after made the day more of a chore than an adventure.

Self-guided day to Mount Rigi, the Queen of Mountains
Self-guided day to Mount Rigi, the Queen of Mountains
Lucerne

We decided to pivot to Mt. Pilatus instead.

Local specialist: Mathilde D.
Mathilde
Mathilde D.
Local specialist in Galway, Ireland | Replied on Oct 21, 2026

Hi Scott,
Thank you for sharing your feedback! We’re delighted that you enjoyed Switzerland’s stunning scenery and that highlights such as Lucerne, Zermatt and the Geneva food tour made your trip memorable. We appreciate your valuable comments, which help us improve our recommendations and better set expectations for future travelers. We hope you return home with wonderful memories of Switzerland!
All the best in your future travels!
Best,
Mathilde

10/10 Amazing Time in Sorrento
Italy | Sep 14 - Sep 21, 2026

Mitchell
Mitchell G.
Atlanta, GA | Reviewed on Sep 23, 2026
We could not have asked for a more romantic, enjoyable, and stress-free travel experience. Hotel Du Tasso was the highlight of our trip, and the most impressive hotel I have ever stayed at from luxury, location, and staff professionalism. Each of our excursions went off without a hitch and travel between locations could not have been easier. This is my second experience with KimKim and I'll certainly be back for a third. Read more

We could not have asked for a more romantic, enjoyable, and stress-free travel experience. Hotel Du Tasso was the highlight of our trip, and the most impressive hotel I have ever stayed at from luxury, location, and staff professionalism. Each of our excursions went off without a hitch and travel between locations could not have been easier. This is my second experience with KimKim and I'll certainly be back for a third.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel du Tasso
Sorrento

Simply stunning views in an incredible location with the most hospitable, friendly, and accommodating staff I have ever encountered.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Rinuccini Relais Hotel
Naples
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Day Trip to Positano & Amalfi by Boat
Day Trip to Positano & Amalfi by Boat
Sorrento
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Welcome to Italy
Welcome to Italy
Italy
Quality of Experience
Evening Cultural Discovery Walk
Evening Cultural Discovery Walk
Sorrento

Excellent however a bit long at nearly 2.5 hours, perhaps would shorten to 1.5 hours.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Depart Italy
Depart Italy
Italy
Quality of Experience
Self-Guided Sorrento Exploration
Self-Guided Sorrento Exploration
Sorrento
Quality of Experience
Winery Visit & Tasting
Winery Visit & Tasting
Sorrento
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Erica Gerakos
Erica
Erica Gerakos
Local specialist in Kimkim HQ | Replied on Sep 23, 2026

Thank you so much for your thoughtful review! I'm thrilled it was as romantic and stress-free as you'd hoped. I love that the Hotel Du Tasso was a highlight for you. A special hotel in a prime location with amazing service makes all the difference. So glad the excursions and transfers all went smoothly too! We will be here when you are ready to book your next trip!

Another great trip with Kimkim
Fiji | Sep 3 - Sep 22, 2026

Tony
Tony F.
Concord, MO | Reviewed on Sep 23, 2026
Liz and Paula are both so accommodating and built amazing trips to our specific requests. We saw everything we wanted and more. All of our guides were helpful, knowledgeable and fun. The hotels and restaurants were world class. This is our 8th or 9th trip with Kimkim and we are already planning our next. Read more

Liz and Paula are both so accommodating and built amazing trips to our specific requests. We saw everything we wanted and more. All of our guides were helpful, knowledgeable and fun. The hotels and restaurants were world class. This is our 8th or 9th trip with Kimkim and we are already planning our next.

Hotel Reviews
The Rees Hotel
Queenstown

Beautiful and centrally located. Excellent service and value

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Sea Dragon Kangaroo Island
Willoughby

Seadragon is an idyllic location that is perfectly located in Kangaroo Island. The staff are friendly and accommodating. World class across the board.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Bay Villas Resort
Port Douglas

The Bay Villas Resort in Port Douglas was disappointing. The property was dated and run down compared to other hotels we stayed at. There was no one on-site after 4 PM, which was inconvenient and not communicated properly. The rooms had issues like worn-off stove numbers, making it hard to use. The hotel is mostly timeshares and lacked the level of service we expected.

PARKROYAL Darling Harbour
Sydney

The PARKROYAL Darling Harbour in Sydney was great. The location was excellent and the service was very good.

Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart
Hobart

The Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart was another excellent hotel. It was nicely located with very good service.

M Social
Auckland

The M Social hotel in Auckland was really good. It was very nicely located and made it really easy to get around from there. We were very happy with the accommodation and the overall experience at this hotel.

Activity Reviews
Skyline Gondola Ride
Skyline Gondola Ride
Queenstown

The Skyline Gondola Ride in Queenstown was fantastic. It was a memorable experience and highly recommended.

Full Day Hobbiton Plus Rotorua (Auckland Return)
Full Day Hobbiton Plus Rotorua (Auckland Return)
New Zealand

The Full Day Hobbiton Plus Rotorua tour from Auckland was really good. It was a great experience and one of the highlights of our New Zealand portion of the trip.

Taste of Waiheke Island
Taste of Waiheke Island
New Zealand

The Taste of Waiheke Island tour was very good. The ferry ride was simple and nice, and the tour itself was enjoyable and well organized.

Navigator Overnight Cruise to Doubtful Sound - Private Cabin
Navigator Overnight Cruise to Doubtful Sound - Private Cabin
Queenstown

The cruise to Doubtful Sound was awesome. The cruise was beautiful. Highly recommend the Doubtful Sound to anyone visiting New Zealand!

Garden Onsen Outdoor Soak - 1 hour
Garden Onsen Outdoor Soak - 1 hour
Queenstown

The Garden Onsen Outdoor Soak was a nice experience. We had an hour soak, but the spa was huge and gorgeous, so we wished we had more time there.

Full Day Outer Reef Mackay Coral Cay (from Port Douglas Hotel)
Full Day Outer Reef Mackay Coral Cay (from Port Douglas Hotel)
Port Douglas

The Full Day Outer Reef Mackay Coral Cay trip from Port Douglas was excellent. Even though our original trip was canceled due to bad weather, the team was very helpful in rescheduling it for us.

Twilight Dinner Cruise - Tall Ship
Twilight Dinner Cruise - Tall Ship
Sydney

The Twilight Dinner Cruise on a Tall Ship in Sydney was a good experience, but there was confusion about the operator and the boat was changed last minute to a smaller one. Also, my dietary restrictions were not communicated, which limited my meal options.

Sydney Opera House Tour
Sydney Opera House Tour
Sydney

The Sydney Opera House Tour was amazing, and seeing a performance there was highly recommended. It was a memorable cultural experience.

Full Day Blue Mountains Deluxe Day
Full Day Blue Mountains Deluxe Day
Sydney

The Full Day Blue Mountains Deluxe Day tour was beautiful with a really good tour guide. It was a great day and a highlight of our Sydney visit.

Kangaroo Island - 2 night experience  at Sea Dragon Lodge - first day
Kangaroo Island - 2 night experience at Sea Dragon Lodge - first day
Kangaroo Island

The experience at Sea Dragon Lodge was very good. However, the experiences offered were pre-planned and not selectable upon arrival, which was a bit disappointing. Some activities we wanted, like sheep herding and morning yoga, were seasonal and not available during our stay. The staff were accommodating and allowed us to do alternative activities.

Local specialist: Paula Adams
Paula
Paula Adams
Local specialist in California and Australia | Replied on Oct 05, 2026

G'day Tony,

Thank you so much for your wonderful review! It has been such a pleasure to step in for Liz and help with the finishing touches of your travels, and I’m thrilled to hear that you enjoyed every aspect of your trip.

Knowing that you were able to see everything you hoped for and more, while enjoying your guides, hotels, and restaurants, truly means so much to us.

If you plan on traveling to the South Pacific again, please don't hesitate to reach out to me. Thank you again for allowing us to be part of your travels!

Cheers,
Paula
[email protected]

Terrific trip planning!
Vietnam | Sep 7 - Sep 15, 2026

maritza
maritza R.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Sep 23, 2026
Hein helped us plan a wonderful adventure through Vietnam. 🇻🇳 she was patient as we added and subtracted events and made changes to the schedule. We were in 4 cities and at each location the drivers and guides showed up and helped with any and everything. We wanna give a really special thanks to one of our guide Kc Cuong. He spend several days with us, telling the history, personal stories, performing magic tricks and lots of jokes. He was very personable, interesting and fun to be... Read more

Hein helped us plan a wonderful adventure through Vietnam. 🇻🇳 she was patient as we added and subtracted events and made changes to the schedule. We were in 4 cities and at each location the drivers and guides showed up and helped with any and everything. We wanna give a really special thanks to one of our guide Kc Cuong. He spend several days with us, telling the history, personal stories, performing magic tricks and lots of jokes. He was very personable, interesting and fun to be around. Anyone would be lucky to have him as a guide. Overall, great trip.

Hotel Reviews
Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi
Hanoi

Amazing piece of history! It’s a throw French themed throw back decor, filled with famous previous famous guest and rich history.

Authenticity & Character
This is authentically the real deal. A historic hotel with bomb shelter and all!
Location
Just at the edge of the old quarter and lake. Easy to walk or grab everywhere.
Staff
Staff are many and attentive
Cleanliness & Comfort
The place is historic and some things are dated. However, it’s clean and nicely kept.
Nham Village Resort

I great resort- particularly if you are looking for relaxation and quiet. Nice rooms with great river views.

Authenticity & Character
Authentic spa resort type facility, with restaurant pool and spa.
Location
It’s off the path, but in walking or grab distance of the old city. They also have a shuttle.
Staff
Very helpful and accommodating.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel is clean and updated
Orchid Premium Cruise

Being on the bay for a night is extraordinary and worth the effort. The boat is small and only holds room for less than 20 people. If you’re looking for socializing, this is probably not the boat. It would be great to rent the whole thing for a retreat or wedding party.

Authenticity & Character
It is authentically a boat, it’s bit dated and not at all modern in design.
Location
The views and location are extraordinary. I had never seen topography like these islands.
Staff
Staff are very nice. However, they are very task oriented, to a fault. We would be in the middle of lunch and told to hurry up so we could select dinner and they could prepare. They had problems just letting us be on the boat enjoying our time. I think most westerners would say they could relax a bit.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The boat is clean and the rooms are nice. They are just not modern in decor.
La Siesta Hoi An Resort & Spa
Hoi An

The hotel is very nice particularly compared other comparable place in Hoi An. It has a bit of a plantation decor and feel.

Authenticity & Character
Nice resort Hawaii kind of feel, with several pools and bikes to ride.
Location
It’s a tad outside of the old city. But you can walk in about 15 min or take a grab. They also have a hotel shuttle, all though hours are limited.
Staff
Staff were very accommodating
Cleanliness & Comfort
We had a problem with our room as it had been raining and the room smelled like humidity. They changed our room and the second was much better.
Activity Reviews
Make Taste 5 Signature Brews  & Coffee Story
Make Taste 5 Signature Brews & Coffee Story
Hanoi

We went to a nice neighborhood into the second floor of a shop that also conducts cooking classes. The space was clean, but nothing spectacular.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Hanoi Highlights & Hidden Gems By Vietnam Army Jeep
Hanoi Highlights & Hidden Gems By Vietnam Army Jeep
Hanoi

Great way to see the city and the nooks and crannies. It might be hot for those that need aircon- but we enjoyed the fresh open air even in the heat.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Hien Do
Hien
Hien Do
Local specialist in Vietnam | Replied on Sep 23, 2026
Dear Maritza, Thank you so much for your 5-star review! I’m over the moon to read your kind words and to know that you and Wendy had such a great time in Vietnam, especially with KC Cuong. I’m sure he’ll be so happy to know that he helped make your trip even more memorable. We really appreciate all the feedback you shared about the different services during your trip. It means a lot to us and helps us keep improving and creating better experiences for our travelers. I’m so glad I could be... Read more

Dear Maritza,

Thank you so much for your 5-star review!

I’m over the moon to read your kind words and to know that you and Wendy had such a great time in Vietnam, especially with KC Cuong. I’m sure he’ll be so happy to know that he helped make your trip even more memorable.

We really appreciate all the feedback you shared about the different services during your trip. It means a lot to us and helps us keep improving and creating better experiences for our travelers.

I’m so glad I could be part of your Vietnam journey. Wishing you many more happy travels ahead, and I hope to see you again someday!

From Vietnam with love,
Hien

As we both reached this year 80, we decided t...
Indonesia | Sep 7 - Sep 22, 2026

S
Suzanne L.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Sep 23, 2026
As we both reached this year 80, we decided that instead of a big party we will travel to a very special place. Indonesia was the best choice we could do - and it was beyond all our expectations. The trip was planned very well by Marc - we could experience unique historical sites like Borobudur or Pure Besakih, being overwhelmed by the majestic nature like Bromo and to meet wonderful people of Indonesia. We even learned a bit about the excellent Indosian cuisine. Marc was always there for... Read more

As we both reached this year 80, we decided that instead of a big party we will travel to a very special place. Indonesia was the best choice we could do - and it was beyond all our expectations. The trip was planned very well by Marc - we could experience unique historical sites like Borobudur or Pure Besakih, being overwhelmed by the majestic nature like Bromo and to meet wonderful people of Indonesia. We even learned a bit about the excellent Indosian cuisine. Marc was always there for us, patienly dealing with all kind of questions which occured close to our departure (volcano erruptions) and also during the trip. Marc is super!!!
We liked very much our guide in Jawa - Coco - who was most attentive, knowlegable, intelligent and pleasant person. We also liked our driver in Bali - Made - who was gentle, atentive, always precise and an excellent driver.
All our hotels, recommended by Marc were beautiful and on a very high level.
In short - our trip was an absolutely amazing experience and we thank you for making it such.

Local specialist: Marc Urban
Marc
Marc Urban
Local specialist in Bali | Replied on Sep 23, 2026

Dear Suzanne and Yoram,

Thank you so much for your wonderful review. It was a real pleasure planning this journey with you, and I’m delighted to see how much you enjoyed the experience.

I’m especially glad you enjoyed the experiences, hotels, and, of course, the people you met along the way. I’ll be very happy to share your kind words with Coco and Made as well.

Thank you again for your trust. It was wonderful having you in Indonesia!

Warm regards,
Marc

A Special 40th Anniversary in Scotland
Scotland | Sep 9 - Sep 16, 2026

Marcia
Marcia E.
Japan | Reviewed on Sep 23, 2026
My husband and I wanted a special trip for our 40th anniversary. That same month, we were going to be in London and I found that on our anniversary weekend, The Highland Games were set for in Pitlochry, Scotland. With that goal in mind, we let Carolyn, and her team, plan our trip. From our personal guide, Donald, in Edinburgh, who made the country’s history, culture and language come alive (he met a Free Church pastor on the way and they immediately switched to Gaelic), to the Highland Games... Read more

My husband and I wanted a special trip for our 40th anniversary. That same month, we were going to be in London and I found that on our anniversary weekend, The Highland Games were set for in Pitlochry, Scotland. With that goal in mind, we let Carolyn, and her team, plan our trip. From our personal guide, Donald, in Edinburgh, who made the country’s history, culture and language come alive (he met a Free Church pastor on the way and they immediately switched to Gaelic), to the Highland Games that we could walk to from our hotel, the Blair Atholl Distillery, and the incomparable Island of Skye; we fell in love with Scotland. Our accommodations were not only of the highest quality, but also very Scottish. There was a bottle of Prosecco waiting in our first hotel from our travel group, and other hotels followed in placing desserts and cards in our room to celebrate our anniversary. All our tickets were in a downloadable packet, but we were also presented a zip-up case, in London, with our itinerary and printed tickets and reservations. I never had to worry if my phone battery couldn’t hold up and deliver my tickets, because I had them in my case. Thank you for being so diligent in making our adventure so effortless.

Local specialist: Carolyn Ransome
Carolyn
Carolyn Ransome
Local specialist in Pembrokeshire, Wales | Replied on Sep 28, 2026
Dear Marcia, Thank you for sharing such a lovely account of your 40th anniversary trip. We’re delighted that we helped make the Highland Games in Pitlochry a special part of your celebration, and that Donald brought Scotland’s history, culture and language to life in Edinburgh. It’s wonderful to hear that you enjoyed the distinctly Scottish accommodations, the Blair Atholl Distillery and the Isle of Skye. We’re also glad the anniversary surprises and printed travel pack helped everything... Read more

Dear Marcia,

Thank you for sharing such a lovely account of your 40th anniversary trip. We’re delighted that we helped make the Highland Games in Pitlochry a special part of your celebration, and that Donald brought Scotland’s history, culture and language to life in Edinburgh.

It’s wonderful to hear that you enjoyed the distinctly Scottish accommodations, the Blair Atholl Distillery and the Isle of Skye. We’re also glad the anniversary surprises and printed travel pack helped everything feel effortless, from the Prosecco waiting at your first hotel to having your tickets and reservations close at hand.

Thank you for choosing Routescape for such a meaningful occasion. We hope you’ll have many happy memories of your time in Scotland.

Warm regards,
Carolyn

Amazing Greece....
Greece | Sep 8 - Sep 19, 2026

Susan
Susan S.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Sep 22, 2026
I loved all of the tours and the tour guides. Evita was our guide on our Acropolis Mythology walk. Evita was so companionable and so knowledgeable. it was a treat to be shown around the Acropolis by her. She also pointed us to a fabulous restaurant for lunch which she offered to take us to. We could not have asked for more in a guide. El was our guide other Off the Beaten Path Villages tour. El was a warm and knowledgeable guide who we enjoyed very much. We loved the little villages and... Read more

I loved all of the tours and the tour guides. Evita was our guide on our Acropolis Mythology walk. Evita was so companionable and so knowledgeable. it was a treat to be shown around the Acropolis by her. She also pointed us to a fabulous restaurant for lunch which she offered to take us to. We could not have asked for more in a guide. El was our guide other Off the Beaten Path Villages tour. El was a warm and knowledgeable guide who we enjoyed very much. We loved the little villages and spots she took us to. Stephanie was our guide to the Sifnos Villages. She was the perfect guide, checking on the pace and telling us about the residents of the villages and island. I did not even notice the lack of history because I was enchanted by her love of the villages and its residents. She gave us a real feel for Sifnos as it is today. I wouldn’t change a thing about her (maybe just update description). One of our favorite experiences happened with her — an elderly gentleman saw us and brought us out water and then invited us into his home. Stephanie’s affection for the elderly residents was evident in everything she said and did. Just when you think the guides could not get better we meet Evie for our Culture Walk with Food Tasting. Evie was knowledgeable about the food and the history of Naxos. The tour and dinner with Evie was a pure delight. That leaves the private farm experience on Naxos. It was so interesting to tour the farm and the cooking class shared with 8 others was so much fun. The class was led by Soto, an outgoing women with a contagious laugh and warmth. The plate breaking and dancing was the perfect finale.

And on the water….. the private sunset caldera cruise was definitely another highlight. Dimitri and Dimitri (captain and first mate) could not have been better hosts. I don’t have words to describe how wonderful they were. And the views and the swimming were amazing. And the meal cooked up by Dimitri was delicious.
The private sailing cruise took us to beautiful places on a lovely boat. Unfortunately it was a windy and overcast day so we didn’t get to enjoy swimming but you can’t control the weather and it was lovely to be sailing on the Aegean. The captain and his first mate were very gracious and his concern for Howard when he felt ill was so so very kind.
All of the drivers were prompt and very kind. The only issue was the ride in Santorini to the ferry. I think you need to build some time in for traffic in Fira and on the road down to the port. And I guess the ride a few blocks to hotel in Sifnos. The hotel had a golf cart to pick up guests.

We had fun exploring on our own as well. Matt and I did part of the caldera hike (from Oia towards Fira). We hiked for two hours which let us have some of those beautiful views. On Sifnos we rented a car and went to the beach at Faros and had an amazing lunch there. On Naxos we rented a car and went to Halki which is a beautiful village.

As far as hotels the staff at all of the hotels could not have been nicer or more helpful. The breakfast at Sweet Home Hotel was amazing and the location was perfect. The room was a little small but I expect that in cities. Our room at the Sole d’Oro was spacious and very comfortable. It was one level. I had the impression it was on the water but I blame myself for not checking on that. The Sifnos House was our favorite accommodation. Our room was so spacious with a separate living area and small kitchen. It was beautifully decorated and sparkling clean. I loved the spa there. I had the best facial of my life there. It was a great location and breakfast was delicious. Opal Paros was a nice hotel although it was smaller than the other rooms on the islands. The Melidron Hotel room was also nice and spacious.

All in all it was a fabulous trip that has us wanting to return.

Local specialist: Siena Mueller
Siena
Siena Mueller
Local specialist in Kimkim HQ | Replied on Oct 11, 2026

I'm so happy to hear you're already wanting to return to Greece! Thank you so much for this valuable feedback. I'm happy to hear you thoroughly enjoyed your locally guided experiences, and all transfers were on time. I will follow up with our team regarding the Santorini traffic to ensure we build in more travel time there.

I thought the responsiveness of both Amandine...
France | Sep 4 - Sep 19, 2026

G
George B.
Longmont, CO, USA | Reviewed on Sep 22, 2026
I thought the responsiveness of both Amandine and Audrey was just terrific.
Audrey went to extra times and substantial effort to reply during her after hours.
Read more

I thought the responsiveness of both Amandine and Audrey was just terrific.
Audrey went to extra times and substantial effort to reply during her after hours.

Hotel Reviews
Hôtel & Spa Les Glycines
Les Eyzies

Rooms were just great. The location was great. However, eating at the petit Leon even though it was fabulous was too far to drive at night. Arrangement should be made for guest if a recommended restaurant is at a distance.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Most of the staff was just terrific. One older gentleman in the restaurant was a bit hard to deal with and unpleasant.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Les Hauts de Loire
Onzain

I would make this a five star if it wasn’t for a few surly members of the staff. But there were some good ones too: a little out of the way. But really a fine hotel. Not overwhelmed by their breakfast. The bistro restaurant next-door was just great. Great staff there. Planning for this hotel should include proper reservations for guests. There’s nothing near it so it’s almost imperative to eat there. We were lucky time or two because even though it was booked, they let us in.

Authenticity & Character
The grounds and the overall facility were spectacular.
Location
Countryside location with lots of wooded areas
Staff
There was one woman that was a little “bitchy“.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Domaine de Rochebois & Spa Nuxe
Vitrac

A little understaffed. Waiters and waitresses in the restaurant were not really trained to be above and beyond. Breakfast was just average. The rooms were just terrific. The terraces outside the room were really nice, but unable to be used because it was too hot. But great rooms. Again you had to eat in the hotel because it wasn’t close to anything. You don’t want to drive in this area at night after drinking wine!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Le Square Louvois 4*
Paris

A little out-of-the-way but in a good Paris location. The rooms could be a little bigger. Breakfast was good. I’d stay there again. Good staff!

Authenticity & Character
Not too fancy, but a nice French traveling hotel
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Yndo Hotel
Bordeaux

Good spot! Staff was just terrific.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
They were all very friendly and eager to help
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Visit Font-de-Gaume cave (Entrance Tickets Included)
Visit Font-de-Gaume cave (Entrance Tickets Included)
France

Very realistic. Terrific experience. Great guide.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
One-Star Michelin Restaurant
One-Star Michelin Restaurant
France
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Dinner at Les Hauts de Loire Gastronomic Restaurant
Dinner at Les Hauts de Loire Gastronomic Restaurant
Blois

Good food. Good staff. Could almost be a five star. Some confusion about whether the wine was included or not. It had to be worked out which caused us some degree of difficulty. Audrey saved the day!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Visit of Milandes Castle (Entrance Tickets Included)
Visit of Milandes Castle (Entrance Tickets Included)
France
Quality of Experience
Restaurant La Grande Cascade Michelin Star
Restaurant La Grande Cascade Michelin Star
Paris

Great food and very professional waiters.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Chaumont-sur-Loire (Entrance Tickets Included)
Chaumont-sur-Loire (Entrance Tickets Included)
France
Quality of Experience
Local specialist: Amandine Fastre

Overall, the trip was great and Hector planne...
Portugal | Sep 13 - Sep 20, 2026

J
Judy M.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Sep 22, 2026
Overall, the trip was great and Hector planned it well. The guides were good, the country was beautiful and we were happy with the itinerary. Below is some feedback to help with future trips:
1. The driver to pick us up at the airport was not on time and not where he was expected to be. After a half-hour of waiting, I called Hector and he responded within 5 minutes, which was good. Hector reached the driver and redirected us to meet him at the Starbucks and the driver arrived there within a...
Read more

Overall, the trip was great and Hector planned it well. The guides were good, the country was beautiful and we were happy with the itinerary. Below is some feedback to help with future trips:
1. The driver to pick us up at the airport was not on time and not where he was expected to be. After a half-hour of waiting, I called Hector and he responded within 5 minutes, which was good. Hector reached the driver and redirected us to meet him at the Starbucks and the driver arrived there within a few minutes. In total, it delayed us about 45 minutes. More importantly, it made us nervous that we may have problems with other drivers or tour guides being late, but fortunately that didn't happen.
2. The food tour was good, but the guide talked way too much about every detail. However, it was fun with the other couples.
3. The other tour guides, particularly Carlotta and Simon, were very good and we enjoyed those tours very much. Alex was good, just a bit intense (he scolded me for taking pictures while he was talking} Otherwise, he did a good job.
4. There was some confusion as to when we were going to be picked up for the Sintra Tour, since it was scheduled for 8:00am and then changed in the app the day before to 9:30. I would suggest that when that happens, you send an email to confirm the time change, in addition to changing it in the app, because I almost didn't look at it again.
4. It messed up our schedule a little, when our Catamaran trip was moved from 10:00 to 3:30, which prevented us from doing the 7 Hanging Valley hike. We did the other hike instead, and it was good.
5. The emergency number provided didn't answer a few times when I called it.
I did appreciate that your staff's email responses were very good and generally quick, and that Hector didn't mind me calling him in the evening when I needed help. We also appreciated that there was flexibility from the driver regarding the time to pick us up to go from the Algarve to Lisbon. We really did enjoy the planning process and the trip and will recommend Kim Kim to friends. We would use your services again. Thank you for everything.

Hotel Reviews
Dorma Almada Porto
Porto
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
PortoBay Marquês
Lisbon
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Costa D'Oiro Ambiance Village
8600-544

The hotel was fine, but it was a longer than preferred walk from our room to the restaurant and reception.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Explore Porto’s Hidden Gems with a Local Guide
Explore Porto’s Hidden Gems with a Local Guide
Porto
Exploring Sintra & Cascais:  Palaces, Cliffs & Coastline
Exploring Sintra & Cascais: Palaces, Cliffs & Coastline
Lisbon
Catamaran Boat to Benagil Cave & Carvoeiro Beach
Catamaran Boat to Benagil Cave & Carvoeiro Beach
Portugal
Portugal - Important Trip Information: Please Review Before Departure
Portugal - Important Trip Information: Please Review Before Departure
Portugal
Foodie Experience in Porto
Foodie Experience in Porto
Porto
Get to Know Lisbon with a Local
Get to Know Lisbon with a Local
Lisbon
Local specialist: Hector Molina
Hector
Hector Molina
Local specialist in Madrid | Replied on Sep 23, 2026
Hi Judy, Thank you so much for your thoughtful review and for sharing such detailed feedback. It was a pleasure helping you plan your trip, and I’m delighted to hear that you enjoyed Portugal, the itinerary, and your experiences along the way. We truly appreciate your feedback, as it helps us continue improving and creating even better experiences for our travelers. I’m glad that you felt well supported throughout your trip and that the flexibility of the team helped when plans needed to... Read more

Hi Judy,

Thank you so much for your thoughtful review and for sharing such detailed feedback. It was a pleasure helping you plan your trip, and I’m delighted to hear that you enjoyed Portugal, the itinerary, and your experiences along the way.

We truly appreciate your feedback, as it helps us continue improving and creating even better experiences for our travelers.

I’m glad that you felt well supported throughout your trip and that the flexibility of the team helped when plans needed to change. I’m also very happy to hear that you enjoyed your experiences with Carlotta and Simon.

Most importantly, that you enjoyed the trip, and thank you for trusting us with your journey. We hope to have the opportunity to plan another adventure for you in the future!

Warm regards,
Hector

The Whole Trip Was Our Favourite!
Norway | Aug 31 - Sep 13, 2026

Jennifer
Jennifer H.
Canada | Reviewed on Sep 22, 2026
We have recently completed the most enjoyable two week vacation in Norway with the gracious assistance of Mathia. He was very attentive to our requests and arranged for hotels and tours that met our wishes completely. Everything was organized and documented exactly as planned, and the hotels, guided tours, and recommendations were superb. We really appreciated Mathia's availability throughout our trip and were comfortable knowing that we could reach out to him if we encountered a... Read more

We have recently completed the most enjoyable two week vacation in Norway with the gracious assistance of Mathia. He was very attentive to our requests and arranged for hotels and tours that met our wishes completely. Everything was organized and documented exactly as planned, and the hotels, guided tours, and recommendations were superb. We really appreciated Mathia's availability throughout our trip and were comfortable knowing that we could reach out to him if we encountered a problem. Somehow he even managed to provide good weather!
Among the highlights for us, apart from the spectacular natural beauty and unique cities, were the outstanding museums we visited. These included the Ringve and Rockheim Music Museums in Trondheim, the Sunnmore Outdoor Museum in Alesund, and the Norwegian Fjord Centre in Geiranger. Additionally, Christell, John, and Wanda were enthusiastic guides who shared their passion for and knowledge of their respective cities.
The combination of trains, boats, waterfalls, museums and cities was most enriching and enjoyable. It's difficult to say what we loved best about the trip!

Hotel Reviews
Amerikalinjen
Oslo

Amerikalinjen, the former headquarters of the Norwegian American Line, is a beautiful old hotel centrally located within walking distance of the train station and the pedestrian downtown. A delicious breakfast was served in the inviting Atlas Brasserie. We were pleasantly surprised to find that our room was ready in time for our early arrival. The staff was accommodating and friendly, and the room was comfortable and clean.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Vangsgaarden Gjestgiveri
Aurland

The small village of Aurland was a wonderful place to stay for a night. We stayed in one of eight delightful little cottages directly overlooking the water. The cottages were simple but clean, bright and inviting. The little deck was a wonderful place to enjoy a glass of wine and the incredible view. The breakfast was fabulous and served in a beautifully decorated traditional home. We enjoyed our walk through the little town and along the water. The hotel was conveniently located within a five minute walk of the ferry.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Radisson Blu Airport Hotel, Oslo Gardemoen
Gardemoen

The location right next to the airport and train station is really convenient. It is what one would expect from a large hotel, where the location, cleanliness and convenience are more important than uniqueness and ambiance. The dining room served very good dinners and a nice buffet breakfast.

Authenticity & Character
Location
The hotel is directly connected to the Oslo airport and the airport train station, making it a great place to stay the night before our departure.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
MS Vesterålen
Tromsø

The accommodation on the MS Vesterålen Hurtigruten ship was a bit of a surprise. The room was smaller than expected and had bunk beds, which was challenging for us as older travelers because one had to climb a ladder. It would be helpful for future travelers to know about this setup in advance or to have an option for a room without a ladder.

Grand Hotel Terminus
Bergen

The highlight of this hotel was the distinctive wood-panelled bar. The lobby area and breakfast rooms were equally reminiscent of classic hotels. The room was spacious, refurnished and comfortable. The location is within walking distance of the old Bryggen district, restaurants, pedestrian streets and the funicular. The hotel is directly across the road from the beautiful old train station.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Brosundet
Ålesund

This is a delightful hotel with a distinctive Norwegian flavour. The room had a comfortable small table and chairs with a sliding glass door that opened onto the canal below, giving us great views of the activities on the water. The highlight of the hotel is its spectacular lobby, with its high ceilings, beautiful stone fireplace, and comfortable seating. The breakfast buffet was beautifully laid out and served in a bright room with lovely Scandinavian décor. As we are senior travellers, we chose to take a taxi to the Geiranger Fjord Cruise terminal rather than walk. However, the distance isn’t far, and many travellers would find it walkable.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Scandic Nidelven
Trondheim

We had a lovely room with a beautiful view over the canal and the flower bridge. There’s something special about being right on the water. The hotel is in a great location, within walking distance of the train station and many of the repurposed old buildings and restaurants in the old town. The buffet breakfast was one of the best we’ve ever had. The variety of food was amazing. We enjoyed a fabulous dinner in the atmospheric, more formal restaurant. Our train left early in the morning, making breakfast a bit rushed. Had we let the front desk know the night before, we could have had a packed breakfast prepared for us. A good tip for other travellers with early departures.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Ms Nordlys
Tromsø

Travelling by boat was an enjoyable experience. However, it was an overnight ferry with not many daylight hours during which to enjoy the view. We were disappointed with the size of the room and particularly with the fact that there were bunk beds. The upper bunk was accessible by a very uncomfortable ladder. We had late access to the cabin and had to vacate it before breakfast first thing in the morning, making it difficult to enjoy the cabin. The dining room was quite pleasant and the service was good. The buffet dinner and breakfast were fine but not special.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Full Day Geiranger Fjord Cruise
Full Day Geiranger Fjord Cruise
Ålesund

My favorite activity was the Full Day Geiranger Fjord Cruise. We were so lucky with the weather, and the experience was incredible and unique. The combination of the stunning geography, the visual experience, and the cultural aspects made it a well-balanced and memorable trip.

Bergen Walking Tour With a Local Guide
Bergen Walking Tour With a Local Guide
Bergen

The Bergen Walking Tour with a Local Guide was excellent. Our guide, Tom, was personable and showed us the key sights while also giving great suggestions for lunch spots.

Relax onboard the Hurtigruten
Relax onboard the Hurtigruten
Hurtigruten

While relaxing onboard the Hurtigruten was generally enjoyable, there was a part of the trip where the ship stopped for a good part of the day without any clear options for excursions or activities. It was a bit of a surprise and felt like downtime without much to do, which could be improved by offering optional excursions or activities during such stops.

Explore Oslo's Hidden Gems with a Local Expert
Explore Oslo's Hidden Gems with a Local Expert
Oslo

Christell was an enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide. We enjoyed the route she chose, which went past the Opera House, the Akershus Fortress, and the National Theatre. We stopped for coffee at a great little coffee shop enjoyed by locals, making us feel a bit less like tourists . One of the best stops was in front of the statue of Grieg in a beautiful little square. Christell amazed us with her beautiful singing voice when she sang for us a segment from Grieg’s Peer Gynt .

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Mathia Pacenti
Mathia
Mathia Pacenti
Local specialist in Vesterålen, Norway | Replied on Sep 23, 2026
Dear Jennifer,
Thank you very much for your incredibly kind and thoughtful review. It was a real pleasure helping you plan your two-week journey through Norway, and I’m so happy to hear that the trip was everything you had hoped for.
It’s wonderful to hear that the museums were among your highlights, and I’m sure Ringve, Rockheim, Sunnmøre Outdoor Museum, and the Norwegian Fjord Centre will stay as special memories from your journey.
I will also be very happy to share your kind words with...
Read more

Dear Jennifer,
Thank you very much for your incredibly kind and thoughtful review. It was a real pleasure helping you plan your two-week journey through Norway, and I’m so happy to hear that the trip was everything you had hoped for.
It’s wonderful to hear that the museums were among your highlights, and I’m sure Ringve, Rockheim, Sunnmøre Outdoor Museum, and the Norwegian Fjord Centre will stay as special memories from your journey.
I will also be very happy to share your kind words with Christel, John, and Wanda. They are all wonderful guides, and it means a lot to know that their enthusiasm and knowledge added something special to your days.
Thank you again for trusting me with your Norwegian adventure and for taking the time to share such beautiful feedback. It was truly a pleasure to assist you, and I hope our paths will cross again one day, perhaps for another journey in Norway.
I wish you and your family all the best. :)
Mathia

Noga and the Kimkim team planned the perfect ...
Iceland | Sep 3 - Sep 17, 2026

J
Jayne S.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Sep 22, 2026
Noga and the Kimkim team planned the perfect Iceland vacation for us. We were two couples with a very vague idea of what we wanted to do, other than spending a few days in Reykjavik, and then renting a car and driving the Ring Road. During our initial call, Noga listened to what we were looking for and then turned our loose ideas into an incredible itinerary. She planned the perfect blend of activities, including visiting an Icelandic horse farm, an off-road buggy adventure, a lava cave... Read more

Noga and the Kimkim team planned the perfect Iceland vacation for us. We were two couples with a very vague idea of what we wanted to do, other than spending a few days in Reykjavik, and then renting a car and driving the Ring Road.

During our initial call, Noga listened to what we were looking for and then turned our loose ideas into an incredible itinerary. She planned the perfect blend of activities, including visiting an Icelandic horse farm, an off-road buggy adventure, a lava cave tour, a glacial hike, and lunch at a tomato farm (yes, you have to do this!). She also gave us plenty of suggestions for free-form activities, including hiking and visiting (many) waterfalls, historic sites, and charming towns.

Everything worked flawlessly, from hotel check-ins to tour arrangements. And throughout the trip, the Kimkim team was responsive through an app whenever we needed them. They helped when we were worried that we might not make it to a tour and they gave us restaurant recommendations along the way.

The Kimkim team’s hotel recommendations were spot-on; the places we stayed blended comfort, style and convenience (along with good food from the hotel restaurants). We’d asked for something midway between basic and luxury and Kimkim delivered.

They also streamlined the car rental process. When we picked up our car it included a wireless hotspot. We hadn’t even thought to ask about this and it turned out to be very useful. The car was the perfect size for us and our luggage (which seemed to expand over the trip as we visited a few sweater stores).

We couldn't have asked for a better-planned trip. We highly recommend Noga and the Kimkim team!

Hotel Reviews
Reykjavik Residence Apartment Hotel
Reykjavík
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Fosshotel Stykkishólmur
Stykkishólmur
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Bryggjan Boutique Hotel
Akureyri
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Fosshótel Mývatn
Myvatn
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Gistihúsið - Lake Hotel Egilsstadir
Egilsstöðum
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon
Hnappavellir
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Vík í Mýrdal
Vík
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Buubble Hotel Ölvisholt
Selfoss
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Eyja
Reykjavik
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Vatnshellir Lava Cave Experience
Vatnshellir Lava Cave Experience
Snæfellsnes Peninsula

The Vatnshellir Lava Cave Experience was good. Although we had been in lava caves before, this one was deeper and we learned a lot. We almost missed it due to running late, but the kimkim helpline was very responsive and helped us confirm the timing. We made it in time and had a great tour.

Myvatn Buggy Adventure Tour
Myvatn Buggy Adventure Tour
Lake Mývatn

The Myvatn Buggy Adventure Tour was okay. We had a good time getting off-road and seeing the landscape, but it wasn't particularly unique to Iceland. It felt like a typical buggy ride experience that you could do anywhere.

Icelandic Food Walk
Icelandic Food Walk
Reykjavík

The Icelandic Food Walk was really good. I enjoyed it a lot. It was a small group of about twelve to fifteen people, which made the experience more personal and enjoyable.

Private Sturlureykir Horses Riding Tour
Private Sturlureykir Horses Riding Tour
Iceland

The Private Sturlureykir Horses Riding Tour was really interesting. We learned a lot about Icelandic horses and their unique fifth gait. The horse farm was fascinating, and the ride itself was enjoyable. The farm even baked special rye bread in steam vents, which we got to taste and learn about. It was located inland in the northwest part of the island, about two hours away by car.

Local specialist: Noga Heyman
Noga
Noga Heyman
Local specialist in Kimkim HQ | Replied on Sep 24, 2026

Thank you so much for your kind review, Jayne! It was so much fun working with your group and I'm thrilled to hear that the trip was as great as you'd hoped. Iceland is a special place and I'm glad you were all able to experience that 😊 Don't hesitate to reach out when you're ready to plan adventure #2 in Iceland!

Working with Doris / traveling to Vietnam
Vietnam | Sep 9 - Sep 21, 2026

E
Erika G.
Dallas, TX | Reviewed on Sep 22, 2026
Due to the catastrophic flooding that occurred in Nepal in August 2026, I had to majorly pivot in my travel plans while I was already away from home and had to come up with substitute plans on the fly and in a short time span... I reached out to Kim Kim and Doris took care of EVERYTHING! She could not have been more accommodating. She listened to all of my needs, concerns, preferences, and limitations, not only in the beginning planning stages, but all throughout the entirety of the trip. She... Read more

Due to the catastrophic flooding that occurred in Nepal in August 2026, I had to majorly pivot in my travel plans while I was already away from home and had to come up with substitute plans on the fly and in a short time span... I reached out to Kim Kim and Doris took care of EVERYTHING! She could not have been more accommodating. She listened to all of my needs, concerns, preferences, and limitations, not only in the beginning planning stages, but all throughout the entirety of the trip. She pulled together, not only my travel vida, but a diverse, educational, cultural, and relaxing Vietnam experience in an extraordinarily abridged amount of time, complete with drivers, English speaking guides, accommodations, bike/boat tours, a ship cruise, domestic flights, cultural/historic experiences, and local family/farming/commerce experiences. She was extremely kind, sensitive to my needs (especially when I needed to make some changes to the itinerary due to being exhausted from a very long trip). The guides were mostly fantastic. The adventures/hotels/outings/education were fun, safe, well run, on-time, and very conducive to me being a foreigner. Doris and the guides were careful to avoid "tourist traps" and focused on offering me an authentic and local experience. I very highly recommend booking travel with KimKim Travel, and working with Doris!! I will never forget this trip : )

Local specialist: Doris Bui

Incredibly curated family trip to Porto by Kimkim
Portugal | Sep 15 - Sep 18, 2026

C
Christina H.
Kansas City, MO | Reviewed on Sep 22, 2026
This was our first time using Kimkim and the experience was seamless and above and beyond what we expected! Adam and Kate were incredibly helpful and responsive as we planned our trip to Porto. They helped us with everything, right down to little details like transportation to and from the train station and airport when we arrived and departed. Which doesn’t seem like that big of a deal, but you are so thankful after a long travel day to have a ride arranged. We stayed at a fantastic hotel on... Read more

This was our first time using Kimkim and the experience was seamless and above and beyond what we expected! Adam and Kate were incredibly helpful and responsive as we planned our trip to Porto. They helped us with everything, right down to little details like transportation to and from the train station and airport when we arrived and departed. Which doesn’t seem like that big of a deal, but you are so thankful after a long travel day to have a ride arranged. We stayed at a fantastic hotel on Kimkim’s recommendation called the Mercure right in the heart of Porto. It was a sanctuary in the middle of a busy city and the breakfast buffet was off the charts! We could easily walk everywhere from the hotel. Our favorite experience arranged by Kimkim was a cooking class with a professional chef named Ana. We started by visiting the local food market to try olive oil, spices, jams and fresh oysters and meet different vendors. We then walked to a very cool boutique hotel where we spent the rest the time in their kitchen cooking an authentic Portuguese meal. This afternoon of cooking together with Ana’s guidance was one of our favorite meals of the trip. Our visit to Porto was one of the best experiences we’ve had in Europe. If you are looking for unique and thoughtful experiences and tours, Kimkim is the sight to use to plan your trips!

Hotel Review
Mercure Porto Centro Aliados
Porto

The Mercure was a special haven in the middle of the city of Porto! The breakfast buffet was incredible. They had a lovely and affordable happy hour as well. The gardens and pool were so peaceful and a wonderful place to retreat after a day of walking nonstop. Our room was well appointed and well cleaned. Everything you could need for a great stay!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Bolhao Market Tour and Hands-On Cooking Class
Bolhao Market Tour and Hands-On Cooking Class
Porto

This was by far our favorite day in Porto. We started at the bustling Mercado farmers market. Ana our chef and guide was so easy to be around and very knowledgeable about the history of the market and the different vendors. She gave us tastings at different stalls including olive oil, fresh oysters, jams and spices. We then walked about 10 minutes to a lovely hidden gem for our cooking class. The kitchen is in a boutique hotel and it felt like being in someone’s home. Just magical! Ana was such a great instructor and she made it feel more like we were helping out with a dinner party than being in a “cooking class”. We had one of the best meals of our trip to Porto that afternoon and we cannot recommend this experience more highly!

Quality of Experience
Food
Absolutely delicious dishes!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Ana was amazing!
Transport
Walking but easy!
Local specialist: Adam Gomez
Adam
Adam Gomez
Local specialist in kimkim HQ | Replied on Oct 06, 2026

Thank you so much, and I'm so glad it all came together! Kate and I really enjoyed working with you. 🙌

You're so right about the transfers, a small detail that makes a big difference after a long travel day. And Ana's cooking class is one of my favorite Porto recommendations — the market stop followed by cooking a proper Portuguese meal is hard to top. 👩‍🍳

I hope to see you on another adventure!

Another Great Trip through KimKim
Greece | Sep 9 - Sep 19, 2026

F
frank s.
Hawthorne, CA | Reviewed on Sep 22, 2026
Irene, Klio, and everyone else at Travel 12 planned a great trip. They flawlessly handled all of the logistics of getting us around Greece and they booked amazing guides for us. The highlights of the trip included the Santorini Highlights with Wine Tour. Our guide Will was perhaps one of the best tour guides I've ever had. He did an excellent job getting us to all of the major sights in Santorini while avoiding the crowds and he kept us entertained during the entire tour. Other highlights... Read more

Irene, Klio, and everyone else at Travel 12 planned a great trip. They flawlessly handled all of the logistics of getting us around Greece and they booked amazing guides for us.

The highlights of the trip included the Santorini Highlights with Wine Tour. Our guide Will was perhaps one of the best tour guides I've ever had. He did an excellent job getting us to all of the major sights in Santorini while avoiding the crowds and he kept us entertained during the entire tour. Other highlights were the Palace of Knossos tour, the reservation at Peskesi restaurant in Heraklion, and the tour of Delphi. I should add that every guide that was booked for us did an amazing job.

This was my third trip with KimKim and, like the previous two, this one was fantastic.

Activity Reviews
Private Delphi Day-trip
Private Delphi Day-trip
Athens
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Premium Morning Catamaran Cruise in the Caldera lagoon
Premium Morning Catamaran Cruise in the Caldera lagoon
Santorini
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
My only complaint is when the tour ended, we had to wait in a parking lot under the hot sun for our transfer back to the hotel. Having a shade structure in the waiting area would make an otherwise very good experience perfect.
Local transfer in Heraklion
Heraklion
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Snorkeling Boat trip in Chania
Snorkeling Boat trip in Chania
Chania
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Santorini Highlights with Wine
Santorini Highlights with Wine
Greece

This was a fantastic tour and Will was an amazing guide. I would recommend Will and this tour to EVERYONE who travels to Santorini.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Acropolis Guided Tour
Private Acropolis Guided Tour
Athens
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Palace of Knossos Private Tour
Palace of Knossos Private Tour
Greece

This was a fantastic tour and definitely one of the highlights. Our driver had to leave to make another transfer, which allowed us to have almost an extra hour touring the site. Our driver was very apologetic about the situation, but I thought it worked out perfectly. Even better, actually. Also, I want to thank our guide for suggesting that we start the tour an hour earlier than originally scheduled. That was a great suggestion.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Delos Guided Tour
Private Delos Guided Tour
Mykonos

Starting later in the afternoon allowed us to tour a practically empty Delos. The timing was perfect!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Cape Sounion Driving tour
Private Cape Sounion Driving tour
Greece
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local Transfer in Athens
Greece
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Irene Lappa

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