Kimkim Trip Reviews

KimKim & Oshinobi Travel (Reina, Hiroshi & Emi) helped plan and execute an unbelievable trip to Japan in April 2025 in which 4 of us visited Tokyo, Nikko, Hakone, Kyoto, Osaka and Koyasan. Leaving things a bit late (end of February), KimKim was the only travel agent able to put together the itinerary we wanted, finding us hotels, activities and guides that were all top notch. The travel logistics (trains, cars, subways, etc.), coordination and level of service during our trip were second to none, with excellent responsiveness on WhatsApp or by phone during all hours of the day. The suggested activities were all excellent choices as well, and we would not have wanted to miss any of them. Thanks very much for an awesome trip!

Hotel Reviews

Fufu Hakone

Hakone

Authenticity & Character

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

THE HOTEL HIGASHIYAMA by Kyoto Tokyu Hotel

Kyoto

Executive Rooms are roomy and worth the money. Standard rooms very cramped.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Tsukiji Fish Market Walking Tour

Tokyo

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

If you’re thinking of planning a trip and want it to be smooth, personalized and unforgettable, use KimKim. I can’t say enough good things about our experience. From start to finish, everything was organized with such care and attention to detail.

Coraima was our main contact and she was incredible, responsive, thoughtful, and genuinely cared about making our trip special. Summer also helped ensure everything flowed seamlessly. They were both so easy to communicate with, and it really felt like they were just as excited about our trip as we were.

Some standout highlights:
• The wine tasting experience was a dream—two whites, two reds, and a port, paired with the most gorgeous charcuterie board. Such a perfect relaxing afternoon.
• Our Douro River/ocean sailing trip was out of this world. We couldn’t stop smiling—it was so romantic. The tour company went above & beyond with their amazing drinks they served along with a side snack.
• We had an amazing time in Barcelona,
Malaga, Madrid, Porto & Lisbon with every single tour guide KimKim arranged for us was top-notch: knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate about what they do.

Everything was tailored to us. I’ll absolutely use KimKim again.

I wanted to express my heartfelt gratitude and thankfulness to Long for planning, coordinating, advice and support to make my trip truly amazing! His attention to detail, constant communication with myself and the drivers, hotels and tour operators was remarkable and made my trip smooth, seamless and stress free so I could just relax and enjoy every moment. I will absolutely be seeking Long’s guidance in planning my next trip to Asia! Thank you Long! 💜

Hotel Reviews

Coco River Resort & Spa

Quang Nam

The Coco River Resort & Spa in Hoi An was wonderful. The hotel's landscaping and setup were stunning. The rooms were very nice, and it was an enjoyable stay.

Royal Crown Hotel & Spa

The Royal Crown Hotel & Spa in Siem Reap, Cambodia, was a great place to stay. I truly loved this hotel, and it stood out as one of my favorites on the trip.

Activity Reviews

Hoi An Sightseeing & Food Tour - Joint in tour

Hoi An

The Hoi An City Sightseeing & Food Tour was just fantastic. The tour was a great way to explore the city while indulging in delicious food and I highly recommend it to anyone visiting Hoi An.

Private Jeep Tour Saigon by Night: Foodie & City tour

Ho Chi Minh City

The Private Jeep Tour Saigon by Night: Foodie & City tour was great. Riding around in a military jeep while sampling different foods was a unique way to experience the city.

Cu Chi Tunnels Half Day Tour - Joint in tour

Ho Chi Minh City

The Cu Chi Tunnels Half Day Tour was really neat. It offered a glimpse into Vietnam's war history, and if you're interested in that aspect, it's a must-do.

Our trip was amazing. Tomaz and Zala planned the perfect trip. We had an amazing guide for our walking tour - I can’t remember her name. Camillo was our guide for the Wine Valley Tour and he was spectacular. Mom doesn’t drink wine and said this was her favorite tour. I really recommend this too. We also drank and ate our way through multiple coffee houses and honestly I think the Mozart Cafe was the best. I can’t wait to come back to Vienna and explore some more!

Hotel Review

K+ K Hotel Maria Theresia

Wien

Actually did not stay here.

Activity Reviews

City Danube River Cruise

Vienna

Amazing cruise down the Danube. Very relaxing and beautiful.

Quality of Experience

Great cruise

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Very attentive staff

Transport

Guided Tour of the Historic Center of Vienna

Vienna

We had the best guide. Not the best weather, but we made the best of it and had a great time.

Quality of Experience

Excellent guide

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Loved our guide

Transport

Opera tour

Vienna

The tour of the opera house was so informative and engaging. I really wanted to see an opera here.

Quality of Experience

Excellent tour

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guide was informative and engaging

Transport

Wachau Valley with wine tasting - group tour

Vienna

Probably the best tour, hands down. Loved it.

Quality of Experience

Best tour ever

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Camillo the guide was amazing

Transport

Very comfortable van

Our planner, Kateryna was definitely knowledgeable and trustworthy. She knew the best spots to go, and helped with the hotels. My husband and I were extremely impressed with the destinations, especially the spa in Bath.

Hotel Reviews

Amano Covent Garden

London

In the middle of the theatre district, not far away from the bus system. We had a few issues with our room, but they were remedied immediately. Lovely breakfast and the rooftop bar is not to be missed!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Malmaison Oxford

Oxford

Not one to be missed! Set in and old prison, down the street from a covered market. This hotel offers home comforts while being modernized. The staff are amazing,

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Highcliff Marriott Hotel

Bournemouth

Up the hill from the beach and from the main pier, it gives views that are simply amazing. The staff were friendly and helpful while checking in.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Henrietta House, a member of Radisson Individuals

Bath

Everything being within walking distance makes this hotel the best to stay at.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Denbies Vineyard Hotel

London, Surrey

The land is magnificent. If possible, get a tour of the wines and the land, you won't be disappointed. The rooms have no A/C, but for April it was perfect because it didn't get too hot outside.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Discover London in a Private Black Cab

London

Our guide knew the ins and outs of London and where to go for history. If you want to see London, and take amazing photos, a black cab tour will be your best bet!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tower of London Beefeater Welcome & Crown Jewels

London

Super busy when we went, so we didn't get to see the crown jewels, but we did see all the other pieces of the tower. It was a wonderful experience listening to the Beefeater.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

This was an excellent trip and I've been recommending Kimkim to everyone! It was a busy program, but there was nothing I would have preferred to omit. It was all fascinating and VERY well organized. To go through the various elements:
Our driver Abdelkarim was an outstanding driver and a delightful personality. We enjoyed his company and willingness to help throughout the trip. However, he really could do with some more English lessons! Communication was not his strong point, so on this we would give him a lower grade.
We really liked the hotel in Chefchaouen, Dar Jasmine, especially the outstanding view from the balcony of our room. And the delicious breakfast. It was a shock having to climb 100 steep stone steps after a 3-hour flight and queuing 90 minutes for passport control, followed by a 3-hour drive with multiple stops at police security checks, but the hotel was lovely.
Hazim, our guide in Chefchaouen, was fine and an entertaining character.
We had a long day driving from Chefchaouen to Fes but the stop at the tomb of Rabbi Amram ben Diwan was interesting and the Roman ruins of Volubilis exceeded our expectations. Our guide there, Achmed, was excellent.
In Fes we stayed at Riad La Maison Bleue, which was beautiful, although the least comfortable of the places we stayed at. If I were returning to Fes, I would probably look for somewhere else to stay, despite the luxurious surroundings.
Our guide in Fes, Hassan, was very good and he showed us a tremendous amount in the short time we stayed there. Unfortunately our day in Fes was a Friday, so many of the shops were closed. I would have liked longer in Fes, but that was just the way it worked out with our own timing restrictions.
There was a stop in Rabat on the way from Fes to Marrakesh - interesting to see the tombs and Hassan Tower.
On arrival in Marrakesh we barely had time to freshen up before the scheduled Food Tour. I had wondered if that might be too much for us, but it was such an amazing experience and great fun that I'm really glad we did it. It was one of the highlights of the program. Our guide in Marrakesh, Ishmael, was also excellent.
We liked our hotel there, Les Jardins de la Medina. The restaurant was very good and the gardens were attractive, though I was sorry there wasn't a better view of the Atlas Mountains from the roof.
Our day trip to Essaouira was one of the highlights of our stay in Morocco and we enjoyed everything about the day, apart from our guide, Isaid, who spent most of the time on his phone.
On our last day in Marrakesh, the cooking class at La Maison Arabe was outstanding and I would highly recommend it to future visitors. Incredibly well organized and presented and we enjoyed a delicious lunch at the end of it.
That afternoon, we attempted to visit the hotel La Mamounia for tea. Visitors should be warned that the hotel has a very strict dress code and anyone wearing sneakers, or any footwear resembling sneakers, will not be allowed into the hotel or grounds. We discovered that the hard way!
Another point worth making is that it's really difficult to get the small change you need in order to keep tipping everyone. Don't bother to try the banks or the exchange offices. We finally got some change and smaller denomination notes with the help of our guide in Fes.
All in all, a very enjoyable visit to a friendly and hospitable country.

We would like to thank Vicky for all her attention and help before, during, and after our adventure in Australia and New Zealand.

Vicky paid particular attention to our interests, which were adventure and nature, and planned attractions and destinations according to our interests.

She created an itinerary that was planned hour by hour, minute by minute, to maximize our time.

The destinations, attractions, guides, and transportation arrangements exceeded our expectations, as did the accommodations, which were very comfortable, welcoming, and well-located.

We would like to highlight the flexibility with which she accommodated our wishes and handled changes before and during our adventure.

Thanks to Vicky, our family vacation in Australia and New Zealand was a success.

Activity Reviews

Private Penguins, Koalas and Wildlife (Phillip Island) from Melbourne

Melbourne

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hot Air Balloon Ride Melbourne

Melbourne

Have dome balloon many times before, but doing it oer Melbourne with such a good team of pilots was jsut amazing!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Wildlife Habitat - YOUR Wildlife Habitat Tour (Private)

Port Douglas

Our Guide Jazmin was the best. Patient, knowledgeable and lovely.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

ABC Snorkel Charters Port Douglas Snorkelling max 12 passengers

Australia

Snorkling the Great Barrier Reef, another dream come true.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Serendipty and our in country soecialist Holden did a great job tayloring a highly varied itinery on very short notice to make sure we got a great sense of the country with desired activities. Of particular note was Alex, who transported us on a couple of 3 hour drives while using his broad knowledge of local culture, geography, and history along with his outstanding communication skills to ensure those drives were a valuable part of our tour. We also valued our time with Andy a skilled natualist who lead us through the cloud forest.

The trip exceeded our expectations! The planning with Tiago was effortless; we expressed our interests and he planned the perfect trip, totally and timely responding to every inquiry. Our driver, William to/from the airport was prompt and courteous, as were our tour guides, “Hugo 1” and “Hugo 2” as we nicknamed them. They were knowledgeable and responsive to our interests, as was Olivia, who coordinated the trip while on the island. They even switched the itinerary to accommodate the weather. Highlights of the trip included the beautiful green mountainside scenery, contrasting the blue waters and flowers beginning to bloom everywhere! We especially enjoyed our bike ride and trip to Furnas where we saw the hot springs and bathed in the garden waters. Finally the restaurants were excellent choices, catering to the local food. We could not have had a better time! Thank you to Kimkim and Tiago.

Guides in Amsterdam, Paris, Brussels, and Loire Valley were excellent. The arrangements were first class. Train station in Amsterdam was a little confusing. and all the up escalators from the station to DeGaulle airport were out of service. Hotels were centrally located, and the one in Amboise was very accommodating with its new elevator.
Amandine did a great job of arranging everything

Hotel Reviews

Art'otel Amsterdam, Powered by Radisson Hotels

Amsterdam City Center

Dark corridors, nice bar and restaurant/

Authenticity & Character

Location

Right across from main train station

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel le Dixseptième

Brussels

Nice sitting area. spacious

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel le Walt - Tour Eiffel

Paris

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Le Clos d'Amboise

Amboise

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Seine River Gourmet Dinner Cruise with Wine Pairing

Paris

very relaxing private tour

I found the KimKim team gave me the perfect combination of guidance and freedom while planning our trip to Spain. Hector gave us great suggestions, responded in a timely manner and was also able to pivot and rearrange cities and tours when we decided to fly out of Madrid instead of Seville. He responded to us immediately ( after hours) when we couldn’t find our tapas tour group. Pick up and drop offs were seamless. Over all we had a wonderful trip and felt very secure knowing Hector and KimKim were there for us if we needed them.

Hotel Reviews

ICON BCN by Petit Palace

Barcelona

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

NH Collection Palacio de Tepa

Madrid

The rooms were spacious, clean and beautiful. We were here during the power outage when the grid in all of Spain went down. The gentleman who was running the restaurant ( Javio - spelling?) went above and beyond to not only to serve us a meal ( sandwich and salad because they did not need to be cooked) but found some board games at the front desk and let us play by candlelight until the power came back on.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

H10 Casa de la Plata

Sevilla

The quarters were a bit cramped- not a lot of room for luggage

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Tapas Walk in Barcelona

Barcelona

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Private Visit of Barcelona & La Sagrada Familia

Barcelona

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Flamenco Experience

Spain

Quality of Experience

Tien Win and Nam were the most amazing guides we ever had! We felt their warmth and pride for their country. We enjoyed every second of our trip and discovered the beauty of Vietnam thru the Kimkim perfect operation .
Minh has been the main player of this trip as I will never been able to pull it off on my own . Thank you Minh for your expertise and promptness in setting up our trip . It was perfect and I will use your services again for our next trip to Japan!

Our Portugal Trip was well planned and coordinated by the Kim Kim Travel Team. The pre-planning and guidance provided byJoão and his team prior our trip was excellent. From the time we arrived in Lisbon till our departure from Porto, the Kim Kim Team was there to guide us through all stages of our travel itinerary. The Kim Kim Team from João, Pepe, Rafa, Ivo and Roberto et al were fantastic. They were on time, very knowledgeable and accommodated changes to our travel plans as we made our way by road from Lisbon to Porto. We felt very safe and comfortable on our road trips. We had a great time in Lisbon, Sintra, Alcobaca, Coimbra, Aviero, Duoro Valley and Porto. Our Duoro Valley River Cruise was very relaxed as we enjoyed the unusually warm spring weather.
The Kim Kim Team made our travels very relaxed and were there to meet any last minute requests. The team was on time and maintained our schedule efficiently. There was a very personal touch included as well when we had a home dinner arranged in Porto. Many thanks to Ivo and his team (and Ivo's parents). Holidays are not just about seeing new places and gaining new experiences but it is also about making new friends. We achieved all of this and much more on our Portugal Travels with Kim Kim. Well Done to the Kim Kim Team.

Hotel Review

Heritage Avenida Liberdade

Lisboa

Hotel was centrally located, quaint and our room was comfortable. Amenities were good and staff were very friendly. We were able to take our morning walks along the Avenida Liberdade and enjoy the vibes of Lisbon.

Authenticity & Character

Rooms were comfortable retaining much of of its original character.

Location

Centrally located and Avenida Liberdade provided great views.

Staff

Very helpful and forever smiling.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Rooms were clean and hotel service was efficient.

Activity Reviews

Immerse Yourself in the Portuguese Culture by Experiencing a Fado Dinner

Portugal

The Fado Dinner and Music was excellent. The location of the restaurant and the cozy environment added to the musical experience. The staff at the restaurant were efficient and friendly. The acoustics was also good and we were able to enjoy the music without too much background disturbance.

Quality of Experience

Fantastic musical experience. The musicians were very professional.

Food

The authentic cuisine and wines was very enjoyable.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Driver was on time and friendly. Staff at the restaurant were friendly despite not locating our initial reservations.

Transport

Our car and driver was very prompt and delivered us at the Fado Reasturant on time.

Join Locals for Dinner & Uncover Porto's Hidden Coastal Gems

Porto

Our Home Dinner in a family environment was a fantastic experience. We were made to feel at home and become part of the family. We learned a little more about family life and values in Portugal. Home cooked meals are anytime more enjoyable than dining in restaurants. Sharing our experiences with Ivo and his parents was one of the highlights of our Portuguese experience.

From Start to finish Cory created a wonderful itinerary for our girls trip. Her choice of hotels were impeccable and so well situated. She was always responsive and helpful when we’d run into little bumbs. Based on her suggestions we truly had a memorable trip and loved every minute of it .

I was impressed all around. Lucie with Kimkim organized a fantastic itinerary. She was available for all our questions, she even participated in a WhatsApp Group with everyone on the trip and provided the itinerary highlights every day while we were in France. The local tour guides Lucie selected were fantastic. When something didn't go exactly as planned, the local tour guides and Lucie immediately resolved the situation.
We really appreciated Thomas and Julie in Reims, they were both very knowledgeable about the region, champagnes, grapes, and production.
Our local guides in Bayeux who brought us to Mont St Michelle and the Normandy Beaches knew so much WWII and American history. They brought the history to life for each of us.
We had many guides in Paris and they were each wonderful. I enjoyed the walking tours of Montmartre and Saint Germain, it is the best way to see Paris!

Hotel Reviews

Le 9Hotel Opera

Paris

Classy rooms and great location. Easy to navigate to the Metro, plenty of local restaurants and bars to enjoy near the hotel.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Continental

Reims

Best breakfast, nice rooms, great location.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Le Castel & Au Loup

Bayeux

We were in the Au Loup apartments. We loved that each was unique and offered gathering spaces. Breakfast was served at Le Castel, it was a nice 5 minute walk. Some of the drivers got confused about which address they were picking us up at.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Visit of Moet & Chandon Cellars - Signature Tour

France

We arrived late due to a timing miscommunication. Our drivers quickly resolved it and we ended up with a 3rd Champagne House with a small farmer/producer. We got an abbreviated tour of Moet & Chandon which was still amazing - their cellars are not to be missed! We ran out of time to truly enjoy the tasting experience.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tour of D-Day Sites

France

Our tour guides were amazing and shared so much information. They made the experience meaningful and memorable.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

An Immersive Champagne Experience: Cellar Visit, Tasting Class, and Gourmet Lunch

France

We LOVED this experience! We all had so much fun with the tour and activities and the tastings. The spaces were delightful to discover.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Day Trip to Mont-Saint-Michel

France

Beautiful. Amazing history. Loved the stories the guides told. Lunch was a bit chaotic. It was hard to know what to do.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Seine river cruise

Paris

This was such a cool experience! Alex our captain was knowledgeable and fun. Loved being on a pontoon while enjoying the sights of Paris.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Alex made sure we had enough beer and wine for everyone!

Transport

Just returned from the trip of a lifetime to New Zealand—and I have to give a huge shoutout to our tour specialist, Monika. From start to finish, she absolutely nailed it. Every stop on the itinerary felt like a highlight: from the glowworm caves to the TranzAlpine train ride, from progressive food tastings in Christchurch to stargazing in Tekapo and a visit to Hobbiton. I would have to say, however, that our absolute favorite do-not-miss activity was our overnight cruise on Doubtful Sound!!! From eating freshly caught lobster and fishing/kayaking on board, to the delicious meals and peaceful waters of the Sound, it's truly not to miss.

Monika clearly knows the country inside and out—she chose the perfect mix of iconic sights and off-the-beaten-path gems, and her hotel picks were consistently top-notch (comfortable, well-located, and boutique style). While all of the hotels were great, we especially loved The Hermitage (Mt. Cook) and On the Point (Rotorua), where we had a 4 bedroom villa for our group that was absolutely perfect.

She struck the perfect balance between adventure and relaxation, cultural insight and natural wonder. We also thought the order in which we toured (started on South Island, finished on North Island) was perfect. While the driving was intimidating at first, our two drivers got used to it fairly quickly. BTW, one activity we did on our own in Rotorua was a visit to Wai Ariki Spa, which I HIGHLY recommend.

If you're thinking of visiting New Zealand, I can't recommend Monika enough. She crafted a thoughtful, personalized, and truly unforgettable experience for our group of eight friends.

Dean did an outstanding job developing our Ireland itinerary and finding great places to stay (with excellent breakfasts!). I loved having the various options laid out for each section of our trip. No glitches except the weather- which we were well prepared for and was quite normal for the Irish springtime. When my husband needed a doctor visit Dean’s team quickly gave us options for urgent care near our hotel and that worked very well.

Hotel Reviews

Ashling Hotel Dublin

Dublin

Great hotel, comfortable and very happy with breakfast included. Right by tram line, railway station, and hop on- hop off bus stop.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The River Lee Hotel

Cork

Excellent location, excellent breakfast, and quiet and comfortable room.

Authenticity & Character

Elegant and modern

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Great Southern Killarney

Killarney

Best hotel on our trip. Very elegant, with a spacious room . We loved the separate tub and shower and having two bathroom sinks. Lovely view of the springtime garden and terrific breakfast. Plus it’s in a great location and the National Park is stunning. The hotel restaurant was also great.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Galmont Hotel & Spa

Galway

Apparently the spa is great, but we didn’t use those amenities. Our room was a tiring trek from the lobby, using two elevators, and difficult to drag our luggage on carpets. We asked to switch rooms because the first one had opaque windows that when opened looked out on a garbage area. The breakfast was good and the location was good.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Vaughans Lodge Lahinch

This hotel was good, with a comfortable bed. The tub was so narrow it was hard to get out of it. The restaurant was closed one night. We had a bit of trouble getting the heat turned down. Nice staff.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Cliffs of Moher Cruise

Ireland

Nice one hour boat tour along the Cliffs of Mohr.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Crowded tour

We booked the trip to Japan in April 2025 during cherry blossom season with Kimkim. Olivia did a great job helping us with the planing before and during the trip. She responses promptly whenever we had questions or issues to resolve.

Hotels in Tokyo, Hakone and Kyoto were nice and centrally located. Hotel in Osaka were below our expectation. I wish we could stay longer in the Hakone ryokan hotel as it was raining from the time we arrived in the afternoon until the next morning (not even one day) so we did not have time to view and enjoy the beautiful surrounding as well as to spend more time in the onsen.

It was a bit short of time to check in the hotel in Kyoto and then go for the tea ceremony right after that. Thanks Olivia quickly provided us with the driver so we could get there in time for the event. Much appreciated!

The guides were kind and friendly, however, I wish they could tell us more stories during the travelling to and at the historic sites like other guides we were with in the past. We had some minor communication issues with the drivers as well at the airport and in Kyoto. We heard that it is more difficult for Japanese to learn English than people from other nations.

Overall we had a great time . Thanks Kimkim and Olivia for helping us with our memorable family trip to Japan!

Activity Review

Tokyo Night Foodie Tour in Shinjuku

Tokyo

Excellent food tour, enjoyed the food and the city tour!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

All of the sites, hotels and tours that we did were great. Our driver was very skillful dealing with the Bali traffic. We would not recommend driving a car or motor bike in Bali especially in the more urban areas. Our guide was very knowledgeable and attentive. We could tell that he knows English well but his thick accent made it difficult for us to always follow his conversation. Overall a great well planed trip and a good value.

Activity Reviews

Visit Komodo Island

Indonesia

The visit to Komodo Island was a bit disappointing because I expected to see the Komodo Dragons in their natural habitat, but instead, it felt staged. It was part of an all-day trip, and while seeing the dragons was exciting, I wish it had been more authentic and in-depth.

Snorkeling in Kanawa Island

Indonesia

The snorkeling at Manta Point was not as impressive as I had hoped. The location just didn't live up to my expectations for a great snorkeling spot, but the surrounding islands were beautiful and cruising around them was quite enjoyable.

Sunrise Hiking at Mt. Batur

Indonesia

The sunrise hike up Mt. Batur was definitely a highlight of our trip. The climb was challenging, but the view from the top was worth every step.

Our trip to Morocco was terrific...we loved the diversity of venues, cities, and activities. Our driver/guide, Reda, was highly professional, informed, courteous, and caring. He went out of his way to ensure the highest quality trip possible.

Specific highlights include:

The quality of hotels was excellent and provided a genuine sense of the Moroccan culture.

Reda was incredibly sensitive to our comfort and drove with care and attention to our needs.

Local tour guides were competent and informative.

Overall, we found the people of Morocco to be culturally sensitive, historically informed, and curious about our own experiences.

Our vegan diet was accommodated quite well, and we were pleasantly surprised by the vegan options available throughout the country.

Hotel Reviews

Barceló Casablanca

Casablanca

This hotel was adequate. It was perfectly located for our needs given nearby access to two vegan restaurants and on hte walking route we had designed. The furniture is dated and in need of repair but it was fine. We did have a problem with no reservation on record for our first night but it all worked out.

Authenticity & Character

Unlike other hotels we stayed in, this seemed more corporate.

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

It seems that comfortable furniture is at a premium in Morocco.

Dar Jasmine

Chefchaouen

I would recommend that Original Travel be clearer up front about the 150-step hike to the hotel. Reda did ask, but only when we were en route to the property. I understand that alternate arrangements would have been made if needed (fortunately, it wasn't) but that's something clients might want to consider well in advance of the drive. Once there, though, the property was lovely and the meals there exceptional. We did request a room change since the one assigned to us was essentially windowless.

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Riad Braya

FesfE

We loved all the riads since they offered authentic Moroccan tourist experiences.

Tiziri Luxury Camp

Merzouga

A perfect two nights in the desert! The size (just 8 tents) was great...the food was wonderful...and the service was exceptional.

Ksar El Kabbaba

Skoura

The perfect resort experience at the perfect time in the trip.

Location

Skoura was a quiet hamlet but quite peaceful

Staff

Very attentive to our vegan needs. Exceptional dinners and breakfasts!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Again....lack of comfortable seating in our room seems to be a norm in Moroccan hotels. The two chairs on the patio were unusable. But there was great seating around the pool.

Palais Sebban

Marrakech

We stayed at Elegancia... it was lovely as were the staff. The vegan breakfast prepared by their chef exceeded all others and they actually found almond and soy milks for us!

Riad Mimouna

Essaouira

Same comment about the uncomfortable seating in the room....otherwise great view of the ocean. At breakfast, they prepared dishes that we requested.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Chefchaoeun to Fez via Volubilis, Moulay Idriss & Meknes

Morocco

We never stopped at Moulay Idriss. Not sure we missed anything. The quick visit to Meknes was interesting,

Transfer from Fes to Merzouga via Erfoud & Camel Ride

Morocco

No camels for us... isn't the 'vegan' thing to do. The dates we bought in Erfoud are delicious!

Half-Day Guided Tour of Marrakech

Marrakesh

It was fantastic to have a female guide to get her perspective as a women in Morocco.

Architectural Elegance: A Journey through the Hassan II Mosque

Morocco

As expected...

Quick Tour of Casablanca with your Driver-guide

Morocco

Saw all the key sights....walked for a full afternoon as well. Half a day is adequate for Casablanca

Casablanca to Chefchaouen via Rabat

Morocco

Would loved to have spent more time in Rabat. Chefchaouen looks better from afar than within.

Guided Tour of Fez Medina

Fes

Good guide who seemed to know everyone and was very informed historically.

Desert Adventures around Merzouga

Merzouga

Our local guide never showed up and the last minute replacement wasn't very well prepared. But, it turned out ok... We enjoyed our dune buggy ride

Guided Tour of Essaouira

Essaouira

The least useful of the guides...mostly silent on our walk. He answered all questions but otherwise had little to say.

Guided Tour of Skoura Oasis and Lunch with a Local Family

Morocco

It wasn't really a lunch with a local family as billed. Our lunch was at a kasbah owned by a family but catering to tourists. The meal turned out fine after a mistaken beginning. We really loved the guided walk through the oasis.

Guided Tour of Majorelle Garden

Marrakesh

Not guided...self-guided