Kimkim Trip Reviews

Our trip to Italy was great! Fabio was fabulous! He answered all of our questions before we left and was fast to respond. Once we were in Italy, it was easy to contact him. He had great suggestions and recommendations of places to stay and things to do and see. I rate this trip five stars with Fabio and Kim Kim. Excellent service excellent trip. Excellent ITALY! !

Helena did an amazing job setting us up with a great trip to Portugal. In addition, when we decided we wanted to make a change to our itinerary while we were on our trip, Helene handled the cancellations and new hotel reservations leaving us free to enjoy our trip hassle free. The only problem we seemed to have was Sue, a member of our party, for reasons unknown, was not getting email responses from Helene. And we had one unforeseen expense upgrading our car from a manual to an automatic transmission.
This is our 3rd trip using KimKim and we plan to use you again on our next trip and will continue to recommend you highly to friends and family.

Our guide, Edwin Cusi Huaman, was superb! One of our best ever. Kristy's response when she heard I was sick was *far*beyond expectations.

For learning purposes: 1) when our flight to Cusco was rebooked, we initially weren't told. We rebooked ourselves, then cancelled. And then we weren't told we were now on an earlier flight. Fortunately we arrived at the Lima Airport with time to spare. 2) our booking at the El Mapi hotel in Agua Calientes was changed and neither the desk at the hotel nor us were aware. Fortunately Kristy responded VERY promptly and we actually had a reservation, but for about 10 minutes we were in doubt.

The hotel selections, drivers, and Edwin were all excellent. And the staff at the Antigua Casona San Blas was really, really responsive and helpful. Lima food tour was also fun.

I had a wonderful time in Italy. It was an amazing experience since it was my very first time to travel to Italy alone. I felt very safe. The planned tours were exceptional. The guides for these tours were very good, knows exactly what you need to see and explore. Alessia did a wonderful job in making sure my trip to Italy was memorable. The places she planned for me to visit were outstanding. Gabriele on the other hand was also very helpful especially when I cannot locate the scheduled tour that I have to attend. He made sure I get to my destination. Overall, the trip to Italy was outstanding and memorable. I will always remember the service I received from Alessia and Gabriele. You both were amazing. :)

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Piazza Bellini & Apartments

Naples

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Very helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

Comfortable

Palazzo delle Grazie

Sorrento

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Very pleasant & helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Navona Colors

Rome

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

very helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Il Guelfo Bianco

Florence

Authenticity & Character

The decor of the room.

Location

Close to all historical places you wanted to see

Staff

Very helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Arrivederci, Italy!

Italy

This trip was an amazing experience.

Quality of Experience

All the planned tour and the people you meet.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Easy to communicate

Transport

All the transportations were outstanding.

Free afternoon in Naples

Naples

Lots of historical places to see - National Archeological Museum. Also was able to go to a musical concertn - Napolitanata. This was an amazing and outstanding musical concert. This is one of the highlights of my trip.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Street Food Tour around Naples

Naples

The guide was very informative. He was able to show us the different types of food in Naples.

Quality of Experience

Food

Everything that the guide showed us from, fried fish, cheese platter, wine, beer, fried pizza and lastly the limoncello drink

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The guide was very knowledgeable.

Day trip to the Amalfi Coast

Sorrento

It was a nice drive to the Amalfi coast. I particularly not like the driver that drove me around the coast. He was a bit presumptious knowing I am travelling alone.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

To make sure the driver knows what his role is, i.e to show and guide

Transport

The car is very good and you feel safe

Visit a traditional lemon grove & taste local Limoncello

Italy

The guide was very good. She was able to explain and show how the lemon were grown.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The guide was very knowledgable

Transport

It was a challenge to get to the place. The instructions were not clear.

Welcome to Sorrento!

Sorrento

Sorrento is a very quaint place. The places, the people, the shopping and the food were outstanding. The lemon grove was also outstanding. The guide was very good in describing how the limoncello is taking care of .

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The driver from Rome to Sorrento was very courteous.

Transport

The car was very comfortable.

Market Tour & Cooking Class

Rome

Quality of Experience

Food

The pasta cooking

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The chef was very good, patient and gave you time to learn to cook.

Welcome to Rome!

Rome

Rome is very busy and crowded. Lots of constructions. I enjoyed very much the cooking class. The chef was very good. Spent some time in the market. I would do the cooking class again if I go back to Rome for a visit.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

A better instructions if you are to take the high speed train from Florence to Rome.

Guided Walking Tour of Florence

Florence

Quality of Experience

Good choice of places to see

Guides, Drivers and Staff

He was able to explain every aspect of the walking tour

Transport

This is a walking tour

Chianti Wine Tour

Italy

The tour guide was very good. He is able to describe the areas we went to see and help you understand the places and appreciate the beauty of each places.

Quality of Experience

Food

The wine tasting

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Very knowleageable

Transport

the type of vehicle used - very spacious and you feel safe in it

Welcome to Florence!

Italy

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The country of Italy is beautiful, however, we had a few issues. We had one amazing driver in Florence/Tuscany by the name of Alexssandro. He was not only a fabulous driver, historian and friendly face, he went out of his way to help us when there was an issue dropping us off at our next hotel.
We also had two amazing guides on separate days who were outstanding. An
Art Historian who took us to the Ufizzi Gallery; and on a separate day, another guide who took us to Herculaneum/Pompeii. Both of these guides were full of information and answered any questions we had regarding the venues/history. There were a couple of issues with drivers however (not Alexssandro). Pick up points were not always confirmed and confusion ensued as we attempted to navigate new cities in an effort to find our driver(s). A suggestion - perhaps when drivers pick up passengers at train stations or airports, they could be holding signs with the names of their passengers, and always be met inside the stations/airports. Also, accomodations could be vetted better; and the itinerary should include either the name of the company providing the tour/adventure, or some kind of confirmation number. We had several situations where we did not know what company to look for and had to approach different tour guides in an attempt to find the one(s) we were assigned to. On the financial end of it, we were quoted a price which we agreed to pay. Later, we requested additional items to be added to the trip, (at an additional cost), and we agreed to pay the new quoted price. When we attempted to make a payment, the cost had increased by $50.00 with no explanation. When we inquired about the additional cost, we discovered that the price had increased again by an additiona $6.52. A rather poor explanation was given for the price increase. The $6.52 disappeared but the additional $50.00 did not. We are very disappointed by this lack of professionalism. When we are quoted a price and agree to it, that is the price we expect to pay. This sudden switching of prices leaves us with a negative impression of KimKim. If a mistake in the original quoted price is made, that should be absorbed by the company. A professional company would know this and ensure that the error is kept within KimKIm. We may not book another trip with this company due to this error alone.

Our trip to Italy with KimKim was worth every single penny. We were a group of 4 travelers with a wide variety of preferences but Andrea managed to plan the most perfect time for us. Each hotel (and wow, the rooms we got!) was excellent in both service and location. Every driver and guide we had presented themselves with absolute most professionalism and knowledge in their areas. Our guide for Pompeii, Pasqualina, was the absolute star of the trip. Her story telling truly transported us in time, ensuring that we had a truly unforgettable experience. As for drives, Enzo also stood out with his friendliness and thoughtful routes throughout the trip. Our days were incredible from start to finish, no time was missed. Andrea exceeded all expectations by not only putting together an incredible itinerary but by also providing us with a roadbook with every details, amazing tips & recommendations, which made the trip truly stress free. We had everything we needed and as a result, had the most incredible trip.

Ilyace, Said,Ali were easy to wok with and very accommodating.

Hotel Reviews

Barceló Casablanca

Casablanca

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Le Medina Essaouira Thalassa Sea & Spa MGallery

Essaouira

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Palais Sebban

Marrakech

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Dar Rihana Dades

Douar Aït Ouffi

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Tiziri Luxury Camp

Merzouga

Very unique, by far my personal favourite. Maybe not for everyone but I found it fantastic.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Friendly

Cleanliness & Comfort

Riad Fes Nass Zmane

Fes

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Dar Jasmine

Chefchaouen

Very nice, impeccable service, great Morocco cuisine. Only downside is the stairs.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Quick Tour of Casablanca with your Driver-Guide

Morocco

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Essaouira to Casablanca via Eljadida & Safi Coastal Route

Morocco

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided Tour of Essaouira

Essaouira

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Transfer from Marrakech to Enchanting Essaouira

Morocco

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Delight in Your Free Day.

Morocco

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Half-Day Guided Tour of Marrakech

Marrakesh

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride in Marrakech

Marrakesh

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Transfer from Boumalne Dades to Marrakech via the Atlas Mountains

Morocco

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hike through Berber Villages

Morocco

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Transfer to Dades Valley via Todra Gorges

Morocco

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sand-Boarding in Erg Chebbi (Free of Charge)

Merzouga

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Morocco Last Nomads Experience: Tea, Tales & Desert Adventures

Merzouga

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Transfer from Fez to Merzouga Desert

Morocco

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Dine with a Local Family

Morocco

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided Tour of Fez Medina

Fes

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Chefchaoeun to Fez via Volubilis, Moulay Idriss & Meknes

Morocco

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Arrive at Tangier Med Harbor , Transfer to Chefchaouen

Morocco

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Ilyace was so very friendly and helpful the whole way. His driving was terrific even in the busy busy centres. Each guide he connected us with was very informative and friendly as well

Hotel Reviews

Barceló Casablanca

Casablanca

Nice staff, great bed!

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Le Medina Essaouira Thalassa Sea & Spa MGallery

Essaouira

Nice hotel, great location!

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Palais Sebban

Marrakech

This place was fun! We got confused finding our room a few times but that added to the charm

Authenticity & Character

The intricate design and the open courtyard made it feel very opulent

Location

Medina access was key for us

Staff

They were helpful and friendly

Cleanliness & Comfort

Dar Rihana Dades

Douar Aït Ouffi

We loved our stay here! Dinner in was something to write home about! Several courses and each one a whole new taste experience

Authenticity & Character

Oh gosh the doors! And the tile in the bathroom! Very pretty

Location

A quiet little town with all the trees out back

Staff

Was sad to leave them, they felt like our friends very quickly

Cleanliness & Comfort

It was an awesome bed, and we had a nice terrace to sit outside

Tiziri Luxury Camp

Merzouga

This was an experience everyone should do! From the camel ride to our tent/cabin to the campfire singing, the sand boarding and the people. It was phenomenal

Authenticity & Character

I liked that it was just a few cabins so not too many people at once

Location

We wanted to go to the desert and we were taken there!

Staff

They were all so friendly and helpful and really took care of us. We loved to learn about the Berber history from Yusef and hear his pride when telling it all

Cleanliness & Comfort

Beds were cozy, the fan kept us cool and everything was so clean

Riad Fes Nass Zmane

Fes

The beautiful designs and lovely rooms were awesome. Truly made us feel like we were on an exotic holiday

Authenticity & Character

We had never seen a place like it before

Location

Walking distance to the Medina was key

Staff

Super friendly and helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

Air conditioning was what we looked for. And we had plenty of space

Dar Jasmine

Chefchaouen

Dar Jasmine’s unique location made it give the feel of an ultimate holiday spot. Food was incredible and service equally so.

Authenticity & Character

The little terraces, the pool and dining area all allow you to take in the view of the magical blue city

Location

The view was wonderful and proximity to everything excellent

Staff

Service was exceptional

Cleanliness & Comfort

Place was clean, beds were cozy

Activity Reviews

Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride in Marrakech

Marrakesh

This is definitely something worth doing! You just can’t get this experience every day. I didn’t give 5 stars because our pilot didn’t take us nearly as high as I was expecting and hoping so it was a little underwhelming

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Morocco Last Nomads Experience: Tea, Tales & Desert Adventures

Merzouga

We went for a quad ride which was a hoot!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Yusef drove us through the desert and showed us so much we never would have known or seen

Private Transfer from Fez to Merzouga Desert

Morocco

Well we rode the camels into the desert and it was fun having our guide sing!

Quality of Experience

Food

We loved tasting Moroccan food each day

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Anywhere Ilyace drove us he did a great job, and riding camels is just something you don’t do every day

Guided Tour of Fez Medina

Fes

Visiting such an old Medina was a real eye opener. Very interesting

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our trip was spectacular. Our guide Joao worked with us to tailor the trip to our specifications, gave great tips on things to see at each destination and gave additional suggestions for things we didn't consider. He was prompt, friendly and had a great sense of humor. He was flexible when we asked to make minor changes to our itinerary as the trip progressed. Would highly recommend him for your travels to Portugal.

My apologies for the delay in posting this feedback. This was the first time we used a tour company, and we are so glad we chose kimkim! Liz Karen was absolutely amazing. She was always available on the phone whether we were in Peru or Ecuador. She and Lizbeth Torres were always available to answer any questions. Lisbeth was fantastic as well. I believe she took care of all the operations and logistics for us. The trip was flawless - the taxis would come on time, the guides were all very friendly and extremely knowledgeable, and were flexible to accommodate changes in plans. My wife, my two daughters, and I had one of the best vacations ever!!

Overall the planning process was very easy with the team I worked with. Very communicative along with the help line when I was on the trip was very easy to access.

As for the trip itself - I felt like there were things planned & told to us that were more kid friendly then they actually were. We were traveling with our 1.5 year old and we had multiple 6+ hour train rides which not only would have took most of the travel day but was really inconvenient for our family.
A few things we changed:
We ended up changing the trip ourselves and skipping one of the 6 hour train rides back to the main city and getting a flight from a different city that allowed us to only have 2 hours of travel instead of 7. And we got to see another city for a day/night.
We were booked on a hop on & off bus tour and it was us and a ton of older adults who were not happy to have a child along. We ended up getting off the bus half way through and doing our own thing.

I recommend if you have a young child you really ask the questions and do your research about travel times because they weren’t very accommodating.

Hotel Review

Scandic Byporten

Oslo

Staff and breakfast were great. Room was just verryyyyy small.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Right next to train station

Staff

Very nice easy check in!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Fjord Safari by RIB

Flåm

My favorite thing we did on this trip! They were kid friendly and the tour guide was amazing!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The guide (Anton) made the experience really great! He did an amazing job

Transport

Easy to find

Panoramic City Highlights by Bus

Oslo

The guide was okay - a bit stern. Was able to see some of the city

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

A little hard to find start point

The whole experience working with Arianna at KimKim and the team at Storywalking was extraordinary. Everyone worked hard to listen to our interests in activities and pace of travel and matched these to our itinerary. Our guides were friendly, knowledgeable and fun and the suggested activities for self-guided exploring matched what was scheduled.
I only have two small constructive suggestions:
Information about ZTL parking restrictions for each locality in Sicily needs to be more carefully explained and highlighted. It is only mentioned briefly in a general document about driving and parking regulations. I suggest highlighting ZTL rules separately so people can make more informed decisions about the restrictions and plan their driving and parking accordingly.
Also, in our itinerary, we had a scheduled pickup of our rental car one morning at the Palermo airport. The airport was crowded and the lines were long. We were frustrated but now understand that it couldn’t be helped. But our plan that day was to drive east to Cefalu, back through Palermo, making the drive longer than necessary. The following day, the suggestion was to drive west to Scopello. Both were self-guided trips and in retrospect we could have simply swapped the two day trips. But in the future, I would suggest switching the suggestions as better guidance for the next traveler.
That said, thank you! It was a trip of a lifetime! We will return!

Hotel Reviews

Palace Catania | UNA Esperienze

Catania

This was a pleasant hotel in the center of everything. All staff was so helpful and friendly. It is a typical city hotel. Not recommended if you want a historic, authentic experience.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Doric Boutique Hotel

Agrigento

We will definitely return! Staff was so friendly! Our accommodations were so luxurious!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

B&B Khalisah

Palermo

Authenticity & Character

Location

It was historic and charming, walking distance to many wonderful locations. The staff was so friendly and helpful, especially regarding places to eat and visit as well as details concerning ZTL rules. Breakfast was delicious and our accommodations perfect.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Private Mount Etna Tour with Wine Tasting

Italy

This activity was a highlight of our trip to Sicily. What an extraordinary lesson in vulcanology, natural habitats, the history of people who live alongside it, micro climates and more. Our guide was a natural teacher. We were glad that he encouraged our enthusiasm to learn more. And the hike was a welcome physical activity that not only put us at the center of several craters but the effort was rewarded with extraordinary views. We were only slightly disappointed later when we realized we didn’t visit the reported extinct lava cave. The wine tasting, with views of the grape vines that were days from being harvested, was a pleasure. We couldn’t resist buying some wine to take home.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Day Trip to Taormina with Driver

Catania

The stroll through Taormina was delightful but what made this extra special were the suggestions our driver made to visit Castelmora for lunch, Isola Bella and Naxos. A beautiful day though I wish we had time to spend at the beach

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided Tour of Villa Romana del Casale

Italy

This was a marvel. To think that it was so casually discovered and over time how much was unearthed. The mosaics were an artistic achievement and what a miracle that so much of it remains to this day.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Private Valley of the Temples Tour

Italy

Wow! What a history lesson. We left this tour with such an appreciation of the unique ancient history of Sicily, and a greater understanding of how central Sicily was to the various civilizations that invaded/populated it. Our guide was clearly a student of ancient history and archaeology. His enthusiasm was contagious.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Marsala Wine Tasting

Marsala

We arrived in Sicily with the intention to explore Sicilian wines. The tour itself of the facility was interesting but in the end, we didn’t see much. It was a quiet day. But the tasting expanded our knowledge of the wine producer. We will be shopping this wine.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Palermo Street Food Tour

Palermo

This activity was a feast for the senses: the flavors, sounds, colors, aromas were all combined to create an unforgettable experience. Our guide, Salvo, also delivered knowledgeable and often humorous commentary about the history of daily life through food. This is a must-do activity for anyone visiting Palermo.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Salvo was engaging and friendly and often funny.

Transport

Everyone that helped us throughout the tour were very helpful, knowledgeable, and proactive. They all knew we had limited time at each site, so they arranged their respective itineraries accordingly to ensure we saw as much as possible. All guides and drivers were very professional and experienced. They all paid attention to detail and ensured our comfort throughout the long drives to each site. My daughter and I really enjoyed our time during this tour.

Activity Reviews

Kuala Lumpur: Petronas Twin Towers

Malaysia

I wish the guide should have taken us to an area where we could see the two towers from a distance so we can take photos and appreciate the architecture. We were immediately taken inside so we could get in line and wait for our turn.

Kuala Lumpur: Batu Caves & City Tour

Kuala Lumpur

I wish the guide would of explained to us more about the history and significance of the temple. Our time was limited to the general area at the bottom of the steps. I didn't realize that there was more to the site than just the steps and caves. We did not see the surrounding area. We ended up learning more about this site through our driver than the actual guide.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guide should have explained the significance and history of the site a bit more in detail

Transport

Bruno and team served us very well and made our vacation in Croatia memorable. Kudos to our local guides, especially Dora and Mia, who were gracious and patient! Highly recommend this local travel service…brilliant concept!

Connie and Sherry were great! We had an amazing time in New Zealand and our trip couldn’t have been any better. We loved all of the recommendations, accommodations, and tours and we would love to return to NZ again and of course work with Connie and Sherry.

We had an amazing time in Turkey. From start to finish our 10 days were well planned, with fantastic guides, and comfortable and safe drivers. We even had the opportunity to meet with our local travel planner, Berat. We made changes once we were in country that Berat handled seamlessly, easily taking care of each. We were also given fast recommendations when we had a need for medication due to an illness. Berat listened to our desires and needs, and planned accordingly.
Some suggestions:
- Make sure your personal email and phone number are included on all airline reservations that are made for you that you will need to check in for during your travels.
- Perhaps the guides could send a brief summary of each site visited, providing the history and culture in a written format.
We will be using KimKim again!

Our trip to Italy was FABULOUS!! Melanie did an outstanding job planning our 40th anniversary trip. She was always available and right on top of things. She had wonderful recommendations and worked very hard to make our dream trip come true!!
Our tour guides were very knowledgeable, most especially Claudia at the Vatican, Katie at Pompei and Mina? in Venice. Each tour guide brought the specifics of Italy alive and left us wanting MORE. All of our guides and drives were friendly and accommodating, helping us manage a new experience. We loved sharing stories with them and hearing about how they ended up as guides or drivers
We will be recommending this company to friends and family in hopes that they have the same experience.
Thank you for a trip we will always remember and we WILL be back
Nina and Bob

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Navona Colors

Rome

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Ambrosio Relais

Sorrento

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Venice Walking and Gondola Tour

Venice

Again, the tour guide was outstanding, very knowledgeable and entertaining.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Olive and Wine Tasting in Tuscany Countryside

Italy

We very much enjoyed tasting at 3 different wineries. Lunch was delicious and our tour guide Chechi? did a fabulous job keeping us interested and entertained.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Ravello, Amalfi & Positano

Sorrento

Could have used more time in each area to enjoy and investigate this beautiful area.

Special Colosseum tour: Colosseum, Arena Floor, Underground, Roman Forum

Rome

Katie did an outstanding job explaining the past history up to the present, like an enjoyable history class. :) The undergroud tour was amazing!! Thank you Melanie for making that happen.

Pasta & Tiramisù class

Rome

Outstanding, it was a wonderful learning experience and lots of fun. Friendly staff and the group number was perfect.

Vatican & Sistine Chapel Tour

Rome

Claudia was a wonderful guide, my anticipation of the Vatican experience was lessened just a bit by the crowds. Rather loud and too many. Maybe less people in the groups

Ayoub Benalla, our driver was so great. He was professional, helpful, kind and considerate at all times. He was concerned about everyone's desires and needs. He made the trip very special.

Jazmine, Sharif, Hanan, were three guides in Tangier, Fes and Marrakesh that each added so very much to our experiences. Sharif is so well educated and informed. But also kind and sweet to us.

Hanan though was our delight. She has a gentle aura while being incredibly informed and kind.

Yusef in Merzhuga was one of the most articulate people I've even met.

All of the Riad's were good with the exception of Chefchaon, which while run by lovely people was a dark unpleasant place to stay. There wasn't even a glass a single glass in the room to have a drink of water, much less a bottle of water. The Riad in Tangiers was delightful, the Riad in Fes was quite lovely, in a traditional old home. The Riad in Marrakesh was another lovely, comfortable well appointed place. The Hotel is Skoura was of course palatial. It was so elegant, a little bit of paradise. The gardens, the swimming pool, all of the rooms were divine. Breakfast under the ancient olive tree was a once in a lifetime experience.

The camp in the Merzhuga desert was very well run. The tents were lovely and the whole experience was excellent.

The one thing that I didn't like about this trip is that I wished it wasn't so shopping centric. I didn't really want to stop at all of the herbalist, and oil and soap making facilities. There should only have been one of those on the whole trip. But it came up over and over and I felt an uncomfortable pressure to buy things I didn't want to buy. There were at least three of those stops scheduled.

Ayoub was our prize on this trip. We will never forget this Amerzigh kind person.

Hotel Reviews

Riad Le Pèlerin

Marrakech

A lovely well appointed Riad.

Authenticity & Character

The decor is terrific and the rooftop terrace charming too.

Location

Staff

Couldn't have been kinder.

Cleanliness & Comfort

perfect

Ksar El Kabbaba

Skoura

Dazzling. One of the nicest hotels I've ever stayed in. A complete joy.

Authenticity & Character

Look at the photographs and that will tell you everything you want to know.

Location

Staff

They were concerned for our every comfort and kind and helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

The place was impeccably run.

Tiziri Luxury Camp

Merzouga

Well organized and comfortable.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Riad Ghita

Fes

Quite pretty. And very well located. An authentic old home in Fes.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Dar Mounir

Chefchaouen

While the staff was kind, the place is not a pleasure to stay in. The rooms aren't comfortable. And there were no amenities available. Not even a water glass in the room.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Riad Mokhtar Tanger

Tangier

This was one of my favorite places on this whole trip. Such a great setting. And the rooms were wonderful as was the courtyard and roof terrace.

Authenticity & Character

A completely charming place

Location

Perfect for us.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Great breakfasts too.

Activity Reviews

Private Transfer from Skoura to Marrakech: Crossing the High Atlas

Morocco

The High Atlas Mountains and the terrain was so beautiful. Thrilling to ride hours through this amazing landscape.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Transfer from Fez to Merzouga Desert

Morocco

The dunes are exceptionally beautiful. The sky at night is extraordinary.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Yusef is exceptionally smart. The wait staff were great.

Transport

Dine with a Local Family

Morocco

It's a complicated experience to go into a private home. Especially people who are so hardworking and who live modestly. I'd say don't do this.

Food

The food was great, but the experience was awkward.

Transport

Guided Tour of Fez Medina

Fes

Seeing the ceramics and mosaic cooperative was a great experience. Moroccans are so hard working and so very skilled. It was great to see that.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Chefchaoeun to Fez via Volubilis, Moulay Idriss & Meknes

Morocco

Not interesting to me enough. I've been all over the Mediterranean. I didn't need to see more Roman ruins.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Half-Day Guided Tour of Marrakech

Marrakesh

Hanan was a remarkable guide in a great city.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The best.

Transport

Ayoub Benalla made everything better for us.

We were knocked out by the variety, depth and professionalism we experienced during our travel adventures. This was one of the best travel experiences we've ever had. We could never have dreamed up the countless escapades we got to be a part of and were so appreciative of the accessibility and ease of it all!

We explored museums, castle ruins, and ancient villages and dined in cozy pubs in the middle of vibrant world-class cities. We had some of the finest guided tours I've ever been on (the Edinburgh literary tour and Cotswold Tour in Bath were standouts). But we were most impresssed by our KimKim travel specialists, Pauline and Sarah (and earlier on Neil), who not only put together this unforgettable travel experience for us but who were available to us at every turn.

In fact, they managed to transform a potential disappointment (due to an unexpected train incident) into one of the most exciting days of our long vacation by rescheduling a much-anticipated river cruise for us. We were able to sneak in a spontaneous visit to the Greenwich Museum and see a show at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre because of the way they thoughtfully configured our day. (We even had a chance to visit with some of the actors at the Swann afterward)! Pauline was as warm and attentive as she was thoughtfully professional as she worked to troubleshoot the inevitable unexpecteds that travel brings.

Our accommodations, while varied, were universally safe, clean and served delicious breakfasts. We were especially fond of our accommodations at the Grosvenor Arms in Bath, where we found the company of our host Richard genial and engaging. The Crown Inn at Penrith was our coziest night of sleep and the hardworking staff was personable, warm and gracious. We loved our travel itinerary in the Lakes District and the fascinating visit to beautiful ruins of Lowther Castle.

There is an endless array of memories to meditate on over the coming winter. One thing is certain: we will be trusting our next travel adventure with Kim Kim!

Hotel Reviews

ibis Styles London Gloucester Road

London

Our stay at the hotel was a bit of a mixed bag. While it was an understandable price point for a central location like Kensington, the hotel felt a bit too commercial for my liking. They had a quirky subway theme, which included 'mind the gap' decor, but it was a bit much after a day of train travels. Our room was small, and we barely had space to move around. One of the lifts was broken, and although there was another working one, it was a bit of a hassle. Having to deal with many stairs wasn't ideal either, especially when mobility could be a potential issue for some.

Angel's Share Hotel

New Town, Edinburgh

Angel's Share Hotel in Edinburgh had a cosmopolitan and edgy feel, which was a fresh change of pace. The aesthetic was distinctly modern, and while it wasn't as warm as some other places, the service was accommodating, with our room ready upon arrival. The overall ambiance was enjoyable although it felt a bit less intimate.

Crown Inn Pooley Bridge

Penrith

Crown Inn Pooley Bridge was incredibly quiet and cozy, giving us our best night's sleep during the trip. It's a dog-friendly location, which is wonderful for pet lovers, but perhaps not ideal for those with allergies. I appreciated the peaceful setting and the overall comfort of our stay.

Grosvenor Villa

Bath

Grosvenor Villa was really lovely. It had a charming atmosphere with the host being very personable. The setup was cozy with a piano and fireplace, making it a great communal space. My husband, being a musician, enjoyed playing the piano there. It was a delightful stay, and the breakfast was excellent, featuring delicious food. The hospitality stood out, and the ambiance added to the relaxing experience.

Activity Reviews

Edinburgh Castle Tickets

Edinburgh

Our visit to Edinburgh Castle was a bit disappointing as we missed our guided tour slot due to unforeseen circumstances. Although we managed to do the audio tour, it felt like a lost opportunity. The site was extremely busy, probably due to a bank holiday, which added to the regret.

Literary tour of Bath

Bath

The Literary tour of Bath was fantastic, particularly the Jane Austen experience. It was well-written, comprehensive, and beautifully presented. The guides were top-notch, enhancing the entire visit with their depth of knowledge.

The Bath Gin Company Distillery Tour & Tasting Experience

Bath

The Bath Gin Company Distillery Tour & Tasting Experience was nothing short of amazing. Our guide was remarkable, and it was fascinating to go behind the scenes and witness the inner workings. The quality of their product speaks for itself, and I'm hopeful for their great success. A must-visit for gin enthusiasts!

Johnnie Walker Tasting Experience - Whisky Explorers

Edinburgh

The Johnnie Walker Tasting Experience was a pleasant surprise for us as casual drinkers. We had an excellent guide, and despite it being her first launch, she did a commendable job. I'd recommend this to whisky lovers and those who are curious alike.

Lowther Castle

United Kingdom

One of our favorite experiences was visiting Lowther Castle. The ruins are off the beaten path, and it was a great recommendation from our guides that truly added a unique touch to our trip. I thoroughly enjoyed the Castle's ambience and would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a memorable historical site.

Working with the KimKim agency was great -especially for independent minded travelers. All of the tour details for our trip to Great Britain We worked out in great detail before we left the US. This included a great hotel in London, close to all of the major attractions and transportation Plus prearranged tickets to all the special things that we want to see such as Westminster Abbey, Windsor Castle, and Christchurch in Oxford, plus many others.