Kimkim Trip Reviews

Working with Penny from KimKim was a pleasure from start to finish. She was so easy to work with and I could tell she loves her job. She created a dream trip with everything we asked for to make my husband’s 50th birthday feel special. Every hotel and excursion was spot on, and the private transfers made everything seamless and worry free.
We decided to travel in the shoulder season over Easter and Greek Orthodox Easter and Penny made sure the places we visited were open and ready for visitors. We normally plan our own trips but since we wanted to visit various islands and we were traveling in the shoulder season, I wanted to make sure we didn’t encounter any issues. Plus, who wants to stress over a two week celebratory trip? I can tell you we never stressed on this trip!
We stayed in Athens, Chania and Heraklion in Crete, Imerovigli in Santorini, and Chora, the port in Naxos. Crete and Santorini were our favorite islands. All of the islands had their own beauty and the Greek people were always so friendly and welcoming. Greece is very clean and crime free, at least where we were! Our hotels were amazing, our favorites being the SanSal next to the old town in Chania and Cresanto Luxury Suites. Both were very close and walkable to restaurants and shopping. The guest relations/ concierge were wonderfully helpful and fun to talk to. The rooms were spacious. SanSal had the best sea view and Cresanto had the best shower with instant hot water the whole trip. There was a bit of construction happening at Cresanto while we were there but the room was soundproof and it didn’t bother us. They are expanding. we had our own plunge pool but the weather was still chilly so we didn’t take advantage. I will say it is not very private as the walkway is right in front of the pool so even though it is private from the suites on either side, anyone walking past can see right in.
Our favorite experiences on the trip were a Cretan cooking class in the White Mountains booked by Penny, and experiencing Santorini over Greek Orthodox Easter, specifically the Pyrgos Fire Celebration on Good Friday. I’m only calling out a couple things but we did have an excursion almost daily, most coordinated through Penny at KimKim and they were all great. The cooking class stood out because it took place in a sweet couple’s home who were so hospitable, we had a wonderful small group, a cozy fire (chilly, rainy day) and got to feed the neighbor’s sheep. Mr. George, the husband even shared his personal barrel of wine with us which was wonderful and he had put it in the barrel when he was 15. Great stories and family history. Fun and informative tour guide who interpreted for us as Mr. George didn’t speak English and his wife (very sweet and head chef) only spoke a small amount but was hilarious. We ate what we made and everyone had a wonderful time.
The Pyrgos village lights up on Good Friday with giant candles over every possible surface. It made the most beautiful and memorable sight, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus. It’s an entire procession through the hilltop village along with burning crosses. Wall to wall people as Greeks come from all over to celebrate. This was a once in a lifetime experience and something only done on Santorini. If you find yourself in Santorini over this timeframe I encourage you to attend this must see event.
Penny, thank you for putting so much thought into our trip and for always being available to answer questions. Oh also, we did very much enjoy the couples massage you arranged for us in Athens! Thank you for everything!
I highly recommend KimKim for planning your next trip! I’ve already recommended them to everyone I’ve talked to about our fabulous trip and I hope we take another trip where we are able to use them soon!

Hotel Reviews

Cresanto Luxury Suites

Santorini

Very close and walkable to restaurants and shopping in nearby Imerovigli. Angela was wonderfully helpful and fun to talk to. The suite was spacious and unique with the sky light. Cresanto had the best shower with instant hot water the whole trip. There was a bit of construction happening at Cresanto while we were there but the room was soundproof and it didn’t bother us. They are expanding. we had our own plunge pool but the weather was still chilly so we didn’t take advantage. I will say the personal pool is not very private as the walkway is right in front of it so even though it is private from the suites on either side, anyone walking past can see right in.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Angela

Cleanliness & Comfort

SanSal Boutique Hotel

Chania

My husband and I loved this hotel. It was walkable to everything and had great sea views. We also loved the spacious room. Very clean and the concierge/ guest relations team were wonderful.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Close to old town

Staff

Everyone we encountered at the front desk was terrific as was the restaurant/ bar staff.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Private Villages of Naxos Tour

Naxos

Our favorite stop was the pottery shop! Marble village was also cool. Oh and the olive oil press where we were able to do a tasting of olives and olive oil.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Santorini Cultural Highlights Guided Tour with Wine Tasting

Santorini

This was a private tour and we loved our tour guide. She was very knowledgeable and easy going. It was a lovely day to wander around Santorini.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The 7 Villages Of Apokoronas Small-group Tour

Greece

We enjoyed wandering up the mountainside and visiting different village. From tea, to cheese, to lunch, it was a relaxing day. We also loved wandering around the orange orchard and grabbed a great view of the white capped mountains from an unexpected spot.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The Real Cretan Cooking Small-Group Experience

Chania

Our favorite of the trip! Don’t miss out. The cooking class stood out because it took place in a sweet couple’s home who were so hospitable, we had a wonderful small group, a cozy fire (chilly, rainy day) and got to feed the neighbor’s sheep. Mr. George, the husband even shared his personal barrel of wine with us which was wonderful and he had put it in the barrel when he was 15. Great stories and family history. Fun and informative tour guide who interpreted for us as Mr. George didn’t speak English and his wife (very sweet and head chef) only spoke a small amount but was hilarious. We ate what we made and everyone had a wonderful time.

Quality of Experience

Wonderful and informative tour guide, and the sweetest family.

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The Acropolis & Acropolis Museum Private Guided Tour

Athens

The guide was extremely knowledgeable! Poor weather but it made for fewer crowds which was a bonus especially while exploring the grounds.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

It was more than a trip it was an experience. The sights,sounds and food were amazing. Spain was a bucket list destination and was a blessing. There are not enough words to express how grateful I am for the experience and for Giorgia and KimKim who did an amazing job for our group

Hotel Review

Hotel & Spa Plaza Mercado

Valencia

The rooms are comfortable and the staff was courteous and very accommodating. Excellent

Authenticity & Character

Location

The shops were within walking distance of hotel

Staff

So accommodating and polite

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very accommodating and polite

Activity Reviews

An Evening of Flamenco

Madrid

The culture of Madrid flamenco was amazing

Quality of Experience

The culture of the dance and seeing it live was amazing

Transport

Went by cab during rush hour so give yourself time

Cook Paella like a Valenciano

Valencia

This was amazing. From shopping in the market to cooking. Truly an amazing experience. Highly recommend i

Quality of Experience

The staff at this class is so warm and friendly that we were sad to say goodbye

Food

The paella that we made was awesome as were the appetizers they were so kind to provide

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Professional, polite and engaging

Transport

Not applicable as we went by cab

Mediterranean Sailing Experience & Live Spanish Guitar Music

Barcelona

It was beautiful. I’ve been on similar excursions in other areas I traveled but this was the best. Intimate and beautiful

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The captain of the boat was engaging and friendly

Transport

We took cans there so not applicable

Barcelona in Bites: Tapas as Local

Barcelona

This was so amazing. Learning the history of specific tapas and culture was great. The tapas were amazing

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The guide was awesome

Transport

We walked to meet the guide

Wonderful itenerary to get a taste of all the cities we visited in our very first trip to Italy. Hotels were excellent with only one small issue in Rome, but Anita got that taken care of. Our tour guides were all extraordinary and we liked them all. For 70+ year olds perhaps no more 7 hour tours with a lot of walking. Three to four hours seemed to be the best. I think our favorite cities were Florence, Sorrento, and Palermo. Our wine tastings and pairings were superb! And our cooking class in Palermo with Chef Marco was a special delight.
All in all an incredible once in a lifetime experience. Grazie mille, Alan y John

Thanks to Trang we had a wonderful trip throughout Vietnam. She was immediately responsive and open to our thoughts during both the planning stage and our actual travels throughout the country. She was checking in with us almost daily to see how we liked our hotel, day’s activities and/or local guide. When we needed her assistance at one hotel, she took care of it immediately. She also made sure all hotels and local guides were aware of my dietary restriction. Overall her planning allowed us to experience a wide range of sights and experiences. We used a number of local guides and drivers throughout the trip. The guides English skills were generally very good and enhanced our experience.

Hotel Reviews

Pistachio Hotel Sapa

Very nice hotel with stunning views. Room was very nice with balcony overlooking mountains. Breakfast was very good. Staff was also.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

La Sinfonía Majesty Hotel and Spa

Lovely small hotel. We stayed here before and after our trip to Sapa. Great location and front desk staff was wonderful. Rooms were very nice overall. Breakfast was wonderful. Nice small rooftop bar with good view.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Chay Lap Farmstay

Phong Nha

The area is beautiful but the hotel is rather run down at this point. When we were brought to our first room it was so tiny we had no where to open our suitcases other than in the bathroom. There was no storage and the room was run down. We asked to move but had to get our travel agent involved. After that we did move that night to a better room where we could at least move around in our room. We moved again the next night to what they consider their deluxe rooms because the prior room was reserved. While the room was a good size and charming in its on way, we had a large hole in the floor in the gap between the bathroom door and the room where you could look right outside! We stuffed a towel in the hole to keep bugs and critters out. We did enjoy the free bikes and kayaks.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

TTC Imperial Hotel

Hue

Very nice hotel. We had a lovely room. Breakfast buffet was good. The gym room needs significant improvement. Staff was good but not as friendly or helpful as other hotels we stayed at. We arrived early but we could not check in for hours. There was also a mix up on what room we were in at check in after we went to the wrong room.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Rivertown Hoi An Resort & Spa

We loved this hotel. We enjoyed the location, pool area, food and staff. Our room was fine too.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Everything was very clean. Room was a nice size and comfortable. We enjoyed the balcony also.

Can Tho Ecolodge

Can Tho

We wish we could have stayed here more than one night. The room was beautiful, the pool area was lovely and the restaurant was very good. It is a nice place to rest for a day or two.

Authenticity & Character

Beautiful grounds and room

Location

Near sights

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Amazing room. Wanted to stay another night to enjoy it and the grounds.

Silverland Yen Hotel

Ho Chi Minh City

The hotel was in a great location and the lobby and common areas were very nice. The staff was amazing. The morning breakfast was also wonderful. The pool area is tiny but a very pretty and a really nice spot to relax for a bit after a hot day. Our only negative was that the room was very basic, a bit tight, and the furniture was worn. Otherwise it was a very nice stay.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Close to main sights.

Staff

Front desk staff.

Cleanliness & Comfort

The hotel was very clean but the room was not comfortable per se. it was fine.

Activity Reviews

Half-day Cu Chi Tunnels afternoon tour

Ho Chi Minh City

Very interesting and educational experience.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

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

Sapa

Pretty but very touristy

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hanoi - Ninh Binh: Hoa Lu, Ancient Capital & Tam Coc Boat Trip - Hanoi

Vietnam

This day trip did not make a lot of sense for us. We had just left the Phong Nga cave area and arrived in Hanoi the day before after a long drive. This was a 2 hour drive back towards the area we just left. We had already done other boat rides and seen amazing caves. The visit to the UNESCO site is significant from an historical point of view but it is just ruins.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sapa – Explore local villages (Lao Chai - Ta Van - Cat Cat village)

Sapa

Our local guide understood that we did not want to spend our time here in a car or bus. So he arranged for us to do a beautiful hike through the villages after he gauged our fitness levels. We hiked 11 miles and managed to see quieter and more authentic areas than the very touristy town of Sapa. It was one of our favorite days.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We walked from hotel and a driver met us at end.

Hanoi - Halong Bay, Overnight on Cruise

Vietnam

We loved this experience and it was the perfect way to end our trip. The boat was beautiful. We loved the woodwork, common areas, food, and the staff. We were surprised when we were upgraded to the presidential suite which was gorgeous. Yes Halong bay is way too crowded but when the boat manages to move through quieter parts of the bay it is stunning.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

All was planned very well. We had a wonderful time in the Galapagos. They even planned a nice 50th Birthday dinner at a fancy restaurant including the cake in Santa Cruz, Galapagos. They accommodated when I had to cancel at the last minute an excursion due to my wife getting sick, and they were able to reschedule for the following day without to much hassle for me. Hotels were very nice as well as the private driver. They had somebody with us from the time we landed in Quito to the time we left Baltra back to Quito. I appreciate this attention to customer service. I would definitely travel with them again.

Majid (our coordinator), Red (our guide), and Ishaam (our driver) all did a fantastic job.

PRE-TRIP
Majid worked with us to set up a custom itinerary and was knowledgeable, prompt, and available for all questions and concerns before and during our trip. We opted for a trip with luxury stays in highly rated hotels and riads. One of the most helpful pieces of information he provided was regarding acceptable tips for guides, drivers, etc.. Our group referenced his recommendations throughout the trip.

FOOD
Breakfast was included in the price, and Majid made dinner reservations for us whenever we requested it. Red took us to all of our lunch spots. We paid for both lunch and dinner. A note for vegetarians and vegans: While there are veg options for Moroccan food (salads, bread, veg tagine and couscous), it can get pretty repetitive after a while. So just be prepared to break your Moroccan meals up with other cuisines if you have access to them!

TRAVEL
Over the course of 9 days, we went to Chefchaouen, Fes, Merzouga desert, the Atlas mountains, and Marrakesh. As a group of 12 with 4 kids, it was so helpful to have a guide as energetic and positive as Red accompanying us throughout our travels. We were on the road a lot, and were in very good hands with Ishaam, who expertly and safely navigated through different types of terrain.

Because of our packed itinerary and time on the road, we didn't have too much time to shop. I would have loved to have had a bit more time to get more souvenirs and gifts.

OVERALL
Everyone we met was so warm and welcoming, and it was extremely helpful to have Red with us to navigate the language and culture. The guides we met along the way in Chefchaouen, Fes, and Morocco were very knowledgeable as well.

The best parts: I loved being in Fes and learning more about the intellectual and cultural capital of Morocco. Having 2 days in the desert right in the middle of the trip was a great call as well. After hours on the road and in bustling cities and towns, the calm and quiet of the desert was exactly what we needed to feel rejuvenated.

Highly recommend using KimKim and working with this team. A big thank you to Red, Ishaam, and Majid, for such a wonderful trip!

Driver, Mohammed, excellent. Riad in Fes nice, but riad in Marrakech had black mold and room odor. Riad in Ait Benadu was excellent. All guides were good and their tours very informative. The hike in the High Atlas was one of the highlights of our trip, as was the Sahara Desert camel trek and tent campsite. We had an excellent time. Our only areas we felt could be improved were drive times (unavoidable) and the constant solicitation by souk owners and individuals, but we realize that is a way of life in Morocco.

Hotel Reviews

Riad Chergui

Marrakech

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Riad Ksar Ighnda

Ait Benhaddou

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Riad Madu Desert Camps

Merzouga

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Riad El Yacout

Fès

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Full-Day Hike in Imlil Village, Return to Marrakech

Morocco

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided Tour in Marrakech

Marrakesh

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Aït Benhaddou to Marrakech via Tizi n'Tichka Pass & the High Atlas Mountains

Morocco

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Fes to Merzouga Sunset Camel Ride and Overnight in the Desert via Ifrane, Azrou, Midelt & Erfoud

Morocco

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Day Trip to Meknes & the Roman Ruins of Volubilis

Fes

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided Tour in Fes

Fes

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our family had an awesome time in Costa Rica. The Kim Kim Team and Serendipity Team made this a trip that we will never forget. We are looking forward to doing this trip all over again next year

We just returned on a 10 day trip to Turkiye.
Corbeico did a fantastic job or planning, booking and the executing the trip. We worked with Buse to plan our entire trip and tailored it to what we wanted to do. She was very patient in terms of answering my questions and making useful suggestions. We made our own hotel bookings because we wanted better quality hotels. Each pickup and drop off was perfectly on time. Their people were always at the airport to pick us up on time. We never had to wait around. Their vans were clean and the drivers were punctual. Our Istanbul guide Ismail showed us around for 3 days. We had a great day of seeing the main Sultanahment area sites- Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Bascilica Cistern, Topkapi palaceband Harem were the highlights. Ismail then took us to Dolmabacche Palace (a bit over the top), the grand Sulemaniye mosque, Egyptian Spice market, Ortakoy and a Bosphorus cruise. In between we went to Cappadocia and the returned for a day to the Asian side of Istanbul. Ismail was again our guide and took us around to Camlica hill, Uskadur, Kuzguncuk and Kadikoy. Ismail always took us to good local restaurants as we wanted to try Istanbul street food rather than eat at fancy restaurants.
We spent 3 days in Cappadocia as well. Our guide Didem was superb. The places that we enjoyed the most were the Goreme open air museum and the Zelve open air museum. The geology and cave houses, some with churches and painted frescoes. The geology in Cappadocia is truly like nothing else we have seen. An ancient volcano deposited ash over a vast area and erosion and weathering over millions of years has created a unique geology of towers, conical shapes etc. The Derinkuyu underground city was one of the highlights. It is hard to imagine how this elaborate underground city could house 30,000 people, their livestock, grain, water and have elaborate ventilation systems. Didem also took us to local restaurants to eat simple, authentic Turkish food as we requested. Some of the stops to see overpriced Pottery and semi precious jewelry was something we could have avoided. The pottery and precious stones were lovely but the prices were absurdly high. The two castles Uchisar and Ortahisar were quite imposing. The clean air, fresh air in Cappadocia was a welcome change from the hustle and bustle of Istanbul. Due to weather conditions our Balloon trip got canceled on the day we booked it as well as on the reserve day. That would have enhanced the experience in Cappadocia

All in all a very successful trip that exceeded our expectations

Activity Reviews

Chic Asian Side Tour with Beylerbeyi Palace

İstanbul

The trip across the Bosphorus on Bridge 1 was a treat. We went to Camlica hill on the Asian side from where we could see the entire city, both the European and Asian side as well as the Bosphorus strait. We then went to the Uskudar and Kuzgunchuk (spelling?) area which were quite chic and had great houses overlooking the Bosphorus. The Beylerbeyi castle though quite modern was superb. The furniture, rooms, Bohemian chandeliers and Turkish rugs were exquisite. We then went to Kadikoy to wander around and eat at a couple of local restaurants- lahmacun (a thin pizza like bread with a meat topping), Adani kebabs and of course Turkish tea and Turkish coffee

Quality of Experience

Food

Super Turkish street food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Ismail was a great guide

Transport

The van was very comfortable and the driver was skilled

South Cappadocia Tour

Cappadocia

Though the balloon ride was cancelled due to bad weather we had a good day. Cappadocia geology is terrific. The Zelve open air museum with the fairy chimneys was very interesting. The cave houses were quite amazing and being able to clamber through them was a treat.

Quality of Experience

The geology and houses carved into the rock was great. The Open air museum was well preserved and presented

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Didem our guide was superb. Very knowledgeable. She took us to good local places to eat great bebans, have the Aryan butter milk and of course Turkish tea and Turkish coffee

Transport

The van and driver were great

Mustafapasa Village Tour

Cappadocia

To be fair this was not the best part of Cappadocia and we could have shortened our trip by a day. But it was nice to be in the open air and see the magical geology of Cappadocia

Quality of Experience

Food

The local food was amazing. We had Gozleme

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Didem was superb and took us to good places to eat local food and have Turkish tea and Coffee

Transport

Comfortable van and good driver

North Cappadocia Tour

Cappadocia

The Goreme Open air museum is superb. A World Heritage Site! The geology, cave houses and churches were great considering their age!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Didem was a superb guide. Very knowledgeable about the area. She also knew the best places to eat

Transport

Very comfortable van and a great driver

Old City Tour with Hagia Sophia and Topkapı Palace

İstanbul

The best day of the trip. The Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and Topkapi palace are the best sights in Istanbul. The architecture and history is fabulous

Quality of Experience

Food

The street food and local food was amazing. We did not go to any fancy restaurants

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Ismail was a great guide. Very knowledgeable

Two Continents tour with Dolmabahce Palace

İstanbul

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Ismail was a wonderful guide. Very patient. Took us to good local restaurants. Hiss knowledge of history was very good and accurate (I had read up quite a bit on the Byzantine and Ottoman empires before the trip)

From the moment we were connected with Elena from Serendipity Adventures in Costa Rica to plan our family vacation we knew we were in great hands. Elena and the team helped build us an itinerary which included all the adventures our family had in mind for our trip. She helped choose the perfect accommodations in each location which exceeded our family’s expectations. When our trip started we were picked up by Mariano who was patient, kind and professional. He also gave us great tips for our tours we had booked the next day with him. All of the tours started on time and all the transportation was comfortable and the guides who led the tours were knowledgeable and professional. We had a great driver who took us to Monteverde (Alex). He was very friendly and funny. He was great at giving us a lot of history and information about CR. He made the 3 hour trek seem short! He also took us to the Airport for our last day and he was extremely conscious of the time and made sure we ran on time. He is just a joy to learn from. Our favorite part of the trip was our tour of the national park in Manuel Antonio. The guide who led the tour was amazing and he had quite the eye to capture all the animals we encountered. Everyone communicated where to go, how to get picked up. It made the whole trip worry free. I was also able to communicate with Serendipity on WhatsApp if needed. We also enjoyed the catamaran and snorkeling! The lunch was delicious. Costa Rica is a beautiful country and having experienced travel agents help you make the whole experience worry free. Thank you to Elena, Mariano, Alex, faro travel and everyone else who made sure our family had the best experience. We will be back!

Activity Reviews

Private Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Hike

Costa Rica

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Treetopia: Tram, Zip Lines & Hanging Bridges

Monteverde

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Safari Float on the Peñas Blancas River

Arenal/La Fortuna

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Arenal Volcano Hike & La Fortuna Waterfall

Arenal/La Fortuna

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We had an amazing trip, made even more special by our wonderful guides.

Pratikshya, our expert guide in Kathmandu, has an impressive knowledge of the city’s history and culture. She helped us truly understand the traditions behind each place we visited. She was very accommodating, took great care of us, and communicated clearly in English throughout the trip.

Hem, our local guide in Pokhara, was incredibly familiar with the trail—he seemed to know every turn by heart. He was kind, reliable, and made the hike feel both safe and enjoyable. He also communicated well in English, which made everything easier.

Hemanta, our guide in Chitwan, who is from the Tharu community, gave us a deeper appreciation of the area. His connection to the place was evident, as he shared insights into village life, as well as the local wildlife and natural surroundings.

All the transfers were well taken care of, and everything—from our accommodations to each transaction—went smoothly. Special thanks to Amanda and her team for ensuring everything was seamless and stress-free.

Overall, we felt very well taken care of and learned so much from each of them. Highly recommended!

Hotel Reviews

Green Mansion Resort

Chitwan

Our best stay of the trip. The property offers excellent amenities and truly top-notch service, with especially warm and attentive staff in the dining area. The gardens and surroundings are beautifully maintained, and our room with a front porch was a lovely touch. The buffet meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) had a wide selection and were consistently good.

Authenticity & Character

nature-integrated design with a luxurious feel

Location

Beautiful and serene setting surrounded by lush gardens, located near the Elephant Breeding Center, just a short walk away from the Tharu Village.

Staff

Exceptionally warm, attentive, and professional service

Cleanliness & Comfort

Immaculately maintained rooms with excellent comfort and amenities

Mum's Garden Resort

Pokhara

A very comfortable and well-kept lodge. The rooms were cozy with nice balconies, and the amenities were great. We especially appreciated the restful sleep after long hiking days, as well as their fast laundry service. Breakfast was generous and satisfying, perfect to start the day.

Authenticity & Character

Charming lodge feel with a cozy, local touch

Location

Quiet and conveniently located; a bit of a walk to restaurants, but very peaceful

Staff

Efficient, helpful, and accommodating; fast laundry service

Cleanliness & Comfort

well-maintained, cozy rooms with great amenities

Shechen Guest House

Kathmandu

A unique and peaceful stay within the monastery grounds, allowing us to be immersed in the presence and daily life of the monks. The garden is beautiful and adds to the serene atmosphere. While the rooms could benefit from updating—especially the restroom, which felt a bit old—the warm hospitality and genuine service of the staff made up for it.

Authenticity & Character

within monastery grounds, immersive experience

Location

near the Boudhanath Stupa (walking distance), also near the airport (short drive)

Staff

The food servers were warm and kind. The cleaning ladies were also kind and helpful.

Cleanliness & Comfort

could be cleaner; the restroom looks old, and the amenities need updating

Activity Reviews

In Chitwan - Jungle and Village

Chitwan National Park

The canoe ride was a peaceful and scenic way to start the day, with sightings of birds and crocodiles in their natural habitat. The jungle walk was the highlight—we were able to see a rhino up close, which was an incredible experience. The jeep safari was also enjoyable, though we didn’t spot the Royal Bengal tiger.

Quality of Experience

Exciting and memorable wildlife experience. What stood out? Seeing a rhino up close during the jungle walk.

Food

Buffet-style meals with good variety.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Very knowledgeable and attentive. Deep familiarity with the area and wildlife.

Transport

Well-organized safari and activity transfers.

Arrival in Chitwan National Park

Chitwan National Park

We were warmly welcomed upon arrival, and the Tharu village tour was a great introduction to the local community and culture. The visit to the elephant breeding center was also a nice addition. One area for improvement would be more punctual hotel transfers, as we experienced some waiting time at the bus park.

Quality of Experience

Great introduction to the local culture.

Food

Satisfying and decent variety.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Warm and welcoming overall.

Transport

Well-arranged overall, but the timing of pickup can be better.

Hike Naudanda to Sarangkot Cable Car

Pokhara

A major highlight of the trip. We were lucky to have clear views of Annapurna I, Annapurna South, and Machapuchare. Ending the hike with a cable car ride down from Sarangkot was a great and relaxing finish.

Quality of Experience

Scenic and rewarding hiking experience. Clear views of the Annapurna mountain range.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The guide was knowledgeable along the trail, had good familiarity with the route, and provided steady guidance.

Transport

on-time pick up

In Pokhara - Peace Pagoda, Waterfall and Caves

Pokhara

A well-rounded introduction to Pokhara—from the lake experience to caves and scenic spots. Despite our delayed flight, our guide ensured we still covered everything. A nice highlight was the stop at a local workshop where we saw how cashmere is made. One suggestion would be to better prepare guests for the steep hike up to the Peace Pagoda.

Quality of Experience

Well-rounded and enjoyable despite schedule changes. What stood out? Variety of experiences in one day—from nature to local crafts.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Flexible and very accommodating. They adjusted the itinerary so we could still see everything.

Transport

Good time management despite the delayed flight.

Explore Swoyambunath The Monkey Temple, Kathmandu Durbar Square and Pashupatinath

Kathmandu

Kathmandu Durbar Square can feel overwhelming due to its size and richness in detail, but having a knowledgeable guide made it much more enjoyable and easy to appreciate. Visiting Pashupatinath gave us a deeper understanding of Hindu cremation practices—while not the most visually aesthetic, it was a meaningful and eye-opening cultural experience.

Quality of Experience

Deep and eye-opening cultural experience.

Food

We visited the Himalayan Java Coffee near Swoyambunath. It was a nice place to have coffee and food.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Expert guidance made everything easier to appreciate.

Transport

Easy movement between multiple major sites.

Early Morning Mt Everest Scenic Flight

Kathmandu

One of the best decisions we made. Seeing the Himalayan giants up close was unforgettable. The flight crew guided us throughout, pointing out each mountain, and we were also given a pamphlet with labeled peaks, which made the experience more informative and engaging.

Quality of Experience

Seeing Mt. Everest and nearby peaks up close, with guidance from the flight crew

Guides, Drivers and Staff

We were picked up on time.

Transport

well-organized, from the booking to the hotel-airport-hotel transfer, everything was coordinated

Explore Kathmandu: Patan and Boudhanath

Kathmandu

A great cultural immersion experience. Patan, known as the “City of Art,” gave us a deeper appreciation of Nepal’s history, craftsmanship, and way of life. Boudhanath Stupa is a must-visit—it’s the largest stupa and a vibrant spiritual hub, surrounded by restaurants, shops, and cafés, making the visit both meaningful and enjoyable.

Quality of Experience

Rich cultural immersion and meaningful exploration.

Food

We are still acquainting ourselves with the food since most are unfamiliar to us.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Knowledgeable and very accommodating. Clear explanations by Partikshya (she speaks English well) and genuine care throughout the tour.

Transport

well-arranged, efficient transfers between sites

Our Spring Japan trip was organized by Sandy, and it was amazing! I've always heard that Japan is a country worth visiting and it's true! What a place :) Sandy answered many questions from our group before we traveled and during our visit. Our guides made sure that our excursions ran smoothly. Yuki went above and beyond in explaining history and special features of the sites we visited. His love for Japan made our trip very enjoyable. The trip exceeded expectations.

Hotel Reviews

The Royal Park Canvas Osaka Kitahama

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Kyoto Tokyu Hotel

Kyoto

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Asakusa View Hotel Annex Rokku

Tokyo

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Full Day Miyama Village Tour From Kyoto

Japan

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Kimono Tea Ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya

Kyoto

Everyone worked hard to see that we enjoyed the tea ceremony.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Had trouble finding the location. The Staff at the location was Amazing.

Transport

Full Day Mt. Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi Tour with Onsen experience

Tokyo

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Asakusa Sumo Club: Sumo Show Admission with Chankonabe in Tokyo

Tokyo

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Chase Cherry Blossom with Meiji Jingu in Tokyo

Tokyo

Beautiful Gardens!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Learn the Secrets Behind Sushi in a Cooking Class

Osaka

The teaching chefs were incredible.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our family trip to Barcelona, Valencia and Madrid was amazing and memorable. The hotels accommodation were fabulous, clean and the staff were welcoming and helpful. We treated with respect and kindness. Our tour guide on our first night was warm, welcoming, informative and super helpful. Our tapas crawl was just fantastic, the history of the restaurant and food was amazing and so informative about the region. Our train experience from one city to the next was different full of culture and the sites were spectacular. Giorgio our travel agent made certain that our group experience the best of every region and the accommodation were one of my best experiences thus far. Thank you Giorgia 👍 I would absolutely recommend Kimkim.

Hotel Reviews

H10 Puerta de Alcalá

Madrid

I would have loved to have extend our stay to an extra day to absorb and see more of the sites but beautiful city

Authenticity & Character

staff

Location

Proximity

Staff

Amazing staff were informative attentive and extremely supportive and supportive

Cleanliness & Comfort

Clean

Hotel & Spa Plaza Mercado

Valencia

This hotel was stunning the room staff proximity to different shops restaurants and culture.

Authenticity & Character

Staff .

Location

Close proximity to shops, restaurants cultural sites.

Staff

Every one from front desk to the cleaning crew and restaurant members

Cleanliness & Comfort

Room

H10 Racó del Pi

Barcelona

The hotel accommodation and staff were so accommodating, friendly and welcoming. Would definitely recommend this hotel.

Authenticity & Character

Staff

Location

Proximity , food, shopping

Staff

Absolutely welcoming informative

Cleanliness & Comfort

Everything was on point

Activity Reviews

An Evening of Flamenco

Madrid

Overall experience was breathtaking.

Quality of Experience

Performance and culture surrounding the music and origins of the dance

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Available access to cabs and buses

Cook Paella like a Valenciano

Valencia

It was interactive enlightening informative and so much fun.

Quality of Experience

Staff the food. Great experience

Food

Preparing and enjoying the fruits of our labor.😂

Guides, Drivers and Staff

There hospitality

Transport

Viewing the sites

Mediterranean Sailing Experience & Live Spanish Guitar Music

Barcelona

Amazing the staff was warming and welcoming

Quality of Experience

Staff

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Staff views

Transport

Barcelona in Bites: Tapas as Local

Barcelona

The tour guide was informative, friendly and knowledgeable. Enjoyed his presentation and discussion

Quality of Experience

Food and tour guide

Food

Tapas

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Hospitality

Transport

Easy access to transportation

Trip was great but the hotels left a little to be desired. The first hotel in Amsterdam (Mai(), gave us a room where we could not even stand up straight without hitting the rafters of the roof. We changed the room but the replacement was tiny with nowhere for us to put our luggage. When i asked for a luggage rack I was told there were none in the hotel. I later spoke to their maintenance man who was able to get us two racks, but the room was so small that there was little room for their use. There was no closet and no bureau for us to use. As for the James hotel, it was quite nice but there was no breakfast service. In its stead, we were give coupons for 120 Euro to use in their self service area which had hard boiled eggs, bread, boxed cereal, coffee etc. This was certainly not a breakfast. We only used about 45 euro; the remaining money went to waste. We did however use the area's tables for our dinner which we brought in from local restaurants. In addition, this was the hotel where we were supposed to drop off the transportation cards to be mailed back to you. Unfortunately, the hotel policy would not allow us to do this. We had to find alternative postal resources to return the cards. As for the Maek hotel. Upon registering, we noticed a filthy mattress with either chocolate or blood stains. This was brought to the attention of the front desk and we were given another room (which did not have enough pillows). We asked for more pillows but never received them. Also, one day we did not have enough towels and when we notified the front desk, we were told we had to go back down to the lobby to get them ourselves. This happened after we had already gone down to the front desk because our electronic keys did not work (a recurring experience). In addition, there was insufficient personnel at the front desk. When we arrived, there was nobody manning the front desk and we were forced to wait an inordinate amount of time before we could check in. This was a common occurrence. Indeed, when we tried to check out at the end of our stay, there was nobody at the front desk; we just left our room keys with a handwritten note that we were checking out.

Hotel Reviews

Maek Hotel Antwerpen Centraal - Handwritten Collection

Antwerp

See previous comments

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

More staff needed. More attention to detail needed by staff members.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Housekeeping needs improvement

The James Hotel Rotterdam

Rotterdam

See previous comments

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Friendly and helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

BREAKFAST

Hotel Mai Amsterdam

Amsterdam

See previous comments

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Activity Reviews

Explore Ghent with city card

Belgium

We did not go to Ghent. Enjoyed a quiet day in Antwerp watching the local people interact with eachother. Spent time stad park which was very enjoyable.

Bruges - Hans Memling Collection at Sint-Janshospitaal

Belgium

Expected more relating to health care when hospital was active

Quality of Experience

Bruges - Private guided walking tour

Belgium

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Antwerp - Day trip to Bruges

Antwerp

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Antwerp - Private guided Food Tour (on foot)

Belgium

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Antwerp - MAS (Museum Aan de Stroom)

Belgium

Quality of Experience

Antwerp - Red Star Line Museum

Belgium

Quality of Experience

Brussels - Comics Art Museum

Belgium

Quality of Experience

Brussels - Waffle-making workshop

Belgium

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Brussels - Private guided walking tour

Belgium

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Antwerp - Day trip to Brussels by train

Belgium

Quality of Experience

Transport

Antwerp - Chocolate Nation

Belgium

Good for kids. Not very informative for adults.

Quality of Experience

Antwerp - Private guided walking tour

Belgium

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Delft - Delft Blue High Tea

Belgium

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Staff not attentive

Delft - Delft blue pottery

The Netherlands

Quality of Experience

Delft - Vermeer Center

The Netherlands

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Rotterdam - Stroll in the park & local food

Belgium

Quality of Experience

Rotterdam - Boijmans van Beuningen (Depot)

Belgium

Quality of Experience

Rotterdam - Kinderdijk windmills by public boat (waterbus)

Belgium

Quality of Experience

Transport

Leiden - Hortus Botanicus

The Netherlands

Quality of Experience

Leiden - Lakenhal Museum

The Netherlands

Quality of Experience

Leiden - Private Guided city walk

Belgium

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Rotterdam - Day trip to Leiden

Rotterdam

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Rotterdam - harbor boat tour

Belgium

Boring.

Quality of Experience

Amsterdam - Grand Dutch Food & History Tour in a small group

The Netherlands

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Amsterdam - Anne Frank House

The Netherlands

Quality of Experience

Haarlem - Windmill de Adriaan

The Netherlands

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Haarlem - Self-guided cycling route to the Keukenhof & through the tulip fields

The Netherlands

Quality of Experience

Transport

Didn't need electric bikes.

Amsterdam - Day trip to Haarlem by train

Amsterdam

Quality of Experience

Transport

Amsterdam - Rijksmuseum

The Netherlands

Quality of Experience

Amsterdam - Canal cruise (join in)

The Netherlands

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Amsterdam - Van Gogh Museum

The Netherlands

Amsterdam - Private guided historic city walk

Belgium

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Public transport pass Netherlands (OV chip card)

The Netherlands

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Private guides were great

Transport

easy to use

We have done lots of traveling and have always planned every detail of our trips, hotels, transportation, tours/attractions, etc, etc. This is the first time that we decided to use a Travel/Tour Service. I googled searched for the top travel services and KimKim was one of the recommended services. Everyone that assisted us with planning the Mexico City Tour have been top-notch, Ana, Luz, and Pablo our daily tour guide made this trip so memorable. Thank you

Hotel Review

Zócalo Central

Mexico City

The Hotel was in a beautiful area, lots of things to see and lots of restaurants. The Hotel staff were excellent, the Hotel is beautiful, and the rooftop restaurant/breakfast buffet was amazing. The Coffee and light snack Cafe in the lobby was also amazing.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Thank you!

Mexico

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Lucha Libre Experience & Mezcal Tasting

Mexico City

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visit the Museum of Anthropology and Chapultepec Castle

Mexico City

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Welcome to Mexico City

Mexico City

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Casa Azul + Anahuacalli

Mexico City

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

It was a relief having Anthony from KimKim helping us plan the trip. I became very overwhelmed with the planning aspect once we had decided against a cruise. From arranging transport from island to island, to strategically planning hotels, etc, it was so helpful having them take the reins and plan the trip. It was a huge weight off my shoulders.

We really appreciated the dedication of our guides to nature and the animals of the Galapagos. They were all very knowledgeable and you could feel the respect they had for the natural world. Julio, Darwin, Charlie and Enrique were fantastic. Darwin was perhaps the most animated and just as excited as we were about the animals we saw. The planned meals were very good. The transportation went off without a hitch. We loved both hotels and the service at both (La Isla and Iguana crossing). Joseph at La Isla went above and beyond also. Overall everything was great.

Great experience, seamless planning, unique experiences. Fantastic personalized support. Such a positive experience. Cant wait for our next trip!

Hotel Review

Hotel Elysées Céramic

Paris

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

French Cooking Class & Market Visit

Paris

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

This was our first international trip and it was wonderful! Clemens, Andrea, and Kamila organized everything beautifully. We appreciated the use of the app and the team was always available for questions and recommendations.
The planned tours had personable, knowledgeable guides who made you feel like a friend. We especially loved our Vespa tour with Federico, Your Buddy on the Coast! We will definitely work with KimKim for our next trip!

We had a wonderful 14 day trip to Japan organized by Eleanor. It was our first trip to Japan, and we saw and did everything we wanted to and more. We have never used a service or tour group for our travels before this trip.

The itinerary created by Eleanor was completely manageable and ran smoothly- no problems at all. It was mostly self guided (our choice) but with selected guided sections that were very enjoyable and worthwhile. She kept in touch periodically along the way just to make sure things were going as planned.

There were many cities and adventures we wouldn’t have chosen without Eleanor’s recommendations (such as 2 short day hikes along the Nakasendo Trail and Kiso valley, tea ceremony in Kyoto, onsens and sentos at all hotels). The guides and drivers recommended by Eleanor were all excellent. Japan was absolutely memorable and fantastic on all levels. We look forward to going back. I highly recommend Eleanor and kimkim if you are planning a trip to Japan.

We loved our trip to Portugal. Pedro did a great job of listening to our needs and planning an amazing Portugal experience for the four of us. Our drivers were exceptional. Carlos and Ricardo were especially informative, fun and flexible during our day long rides.
The boutique hotels were special. We feel in love with the Hotel Britania in Lisbon. This was a perfect place to begin our journey. We also loved the hotels in Lagos (beautiful view of ocean) and the Miragem in Cascais(lovely pool and spa). The breakfasts were delicious and the staffs at these hotels were friendly and helpful. The only hotel that disappointed us was the hotel in Porto, the Eurostar. This was not Pedro's fault as he had given us options and we chose to be on the river. This hotel was sterile feeling and not particularly welcoming.
The itinerary was perfect and we loved all places we visited. The tour guides, Silvia in Lisbon and Sarah in Porto, were excellent. Our day in the Douro Valley was magical and we are all still talking about the amazing food we had at our lunch at the winery.
We are home with amazing memories that will stay with us and loving the country and people of Portugal.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Cascais Miragem

Cascais

We thought this was a wonderful hotel. All the comforts: great location, welcoming and friendly staff.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Lagos Bay

Lagos

Wonderful staff. Very accommodating and friendly. Great location. Beautiful view. Delicious breakfasts.

Authenticity & Character

Very deceiving from entry. Once inside it is great. Nice, comfortable rooms with great views and lovely patios. So glad we stayed here.

Location

Right in the center of historical town. Walkable to everything.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Eurostars Porto Douro

Porto

While this hotel is right on the river, it feels very corporate and sterile in comparison to the other lovely hotels we stayed in while in Portugal.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Need to drive most places. Too far from town center.

Staff

Not welcoming at all in comparison to all the other places we stayed. Check in was rushed. Even charged extra for a bottle of water after the first day. Deck nice but glasses and plated from other guests left without being cleared away.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Everything! This was our choice since we wanted to be on the river and we made a mistake in asking to stay here.

Hotel Britania Art Deco

Lisbon

This hotel is a real gem. The location was beautiful. The staff friendly and welcoming. The breakfasts delicious. We loved history and the art deco furnishings. One of the nicest boutique hotels we have ever stayed in.

Authenticity & Character

see above

Location

Staff

see above

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Lisbon's Historic Odyssey on a Private Walking Tour with Ginjinha & Pastel de Nata

Lisbon

The private walking tour in Lisbon was fantastic. Sylvia, our guide, was very knowledgeable and provided us with so much information that was almost overwhelming—but in a good way. We almost rehired her for another tour because we wanted more. The tour was very well done, and trying Pastel de Nata was a highlight.

Indulge in Elegance on a Guided Winery Tour Infused with Tastings and a Delicious Lunch

Portugal

Our day in the Douro Valley was absolutely magical. The winery we visited was the best wine tour we've ever been on, and the lunch there was incredible, probably one of the best meals of our trip. We had choices for our entrees, and all of them were accompanied by different wines. The scenery was beautiful, and our driver, Ricardo, made the experience even more enjoyable with his personal stories and history. It was a perfect day.