Kimkim Trip Reviews

Rita put together the trip of a lifetime! This was our first trip to Italy (won’t be our last). My family and I thank you!

Activity Reviews

A True Taste of Tuscany: Olive Oil & Wine Tasting

Italy

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tuscany at Sunset: A Wine & Dinner in Chianti Vineyard

Italy

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Pasta Cooking Workshop & Wine Tasting in a Countryside Estate

Italy

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Dear Rachel/KimKim Team,
I hope you are well. I am writing regarding our recent London trip arranged through your company. While we appreciated some aspects of the planning, there were several arrangements that did not meet our expectations and significantly affected our experience.
Before I get started I want to mention that our liaison Rachel went on vacation just as we were beginning our trip, so that we had to ask for help from whoever was covering for her. The person we worked with did their best to help with the problems as they arose.
Key concerns and misalignments:
Accommodation: We were placed at the Tower Hotel near the Tower of London. As seasoned visitors to London, we do not view this placement as valuable or appropriate for us, since we were not seeking a Tower of London–focused experience and have substantial familiarity with the city.
I have already raised this issue with Rachel but got a response that most people just love the Tower hotel. This kind of response is not helpful and I find it dismissive.
Also, we were placed in a room that did not have an accessible bathroom, which meant we had to move to a handicap room. That’s fine but the room was not particularly nice or comfortable. All in all, we did not enjoy the Tower hotel, and in particular their breakfast was absolutely appalling.
Tour/activities: We had explicitly stated that we were not interested in group tourist activities. Nevertheless, we were signed up for two large sightseeing bus experiences. When I discussed the overview with Rachel, I did not understand that we were going to be placed on a large tour bus or I would never have agreed to that arrangement. Once I realized what we were in for, I requested to cancel day two.

Mobility and transportation:
We explicitly informed KimKim that both of us are over 70 and that public transportation in London, as well as extensive stair-climbing, would not be suitable. Despite this, we were advised to use public transport and participate in activities involving multiple stairs, including two large sightseeing buses. This was uncomfortable and impractical and did not align with our accessibility needs. Once again, when I brought this issue up with Rachel I felt dismissed and not heard. I was very clear with Rachel during our conversations that we have, and my partner who is 80 has, mobility issues. I think a more experienced person might have picked up on this aspect of our experience. On the contrary, the response I got from Rachel clearly indicated that somehow, we should have just sucked it up and gone down into the tube, even though we both struggle with stairs and long walks. Here is the response I got from Rachel.
“Tower Hotel is positioned right beside Tower Bridge and the Tower of London, offering one of the most iconic and scenic settings in the city. It also has excellent public transport connections (Underground, DLR, and river services), allowing easy access across London.
As London is a large city, even centrally located hotels often require some use of transport depending on the day’s activities, and taxis are frequently used for convenience rather than necessity”
Clearly written by a person who doesn’t get accessibility concerns, and the kinds of issues older people can face doing something that seems simple to a younger person
When we arrived at the train station at Matlock on May 28th, the transportation hired by the company didn’t show up for over an hour. Calling the company eventually resulted in someone showing up, but the following days the company failed to turn up and we had to find local transport, including our transport to Chatsworth. The new company required us to pay in cash which ended up costing us 60£ for three trips.
Btw, for some reason we were not booked with first class train tickets. I have to say I find it a bit outrageous that we paid 14,000 for the tour services, and they we had to fight to get decent transportation and first-class train tickets and that we were booked on cheap group tours. What were we paying for? I am struggling to understand the value offered at this point.
When we arrived at the train station at Moreton on Marsh, we discovered that there was no assistance to get to the hotel. I ended up having to drag my partner’s suitcase the two or so very bumpy blocks to the hotel in the extreme heat that was happening at that time. We ended up having to book a taxi for 15£ to avoid having to drag our luggage. Not to mention that there was a huge over the track ramp we needed to cross to get to the train and there was no assistance at the train station. Luckily we met kind people along the way who gave us a hand or I would once again have had to drag all of our stuff over the ramp.
Cost transparency: We have repeatedly requested a detailed, itemized breakdown of all charges (accommodation, transportation, activities/tickets, service fees, and any markups) and the net amounts paid to third-party suppliers. To date, we have not received a clear breakdown, making it impossible to verify charges and value.
Summing up, I am requesting the following:
A detailed, itemized cost breakdown for our trip, including:
o Accommodation for each place and what was included
o Transportation: transfers, and private transport
o Activities/tickets: names, dates, per-person costs
o Service fees, markups, and any other charges
o The total charged to us by your company and the net amounts paid to third-party suppliers

This was a very important trip for us. We often travel to Europe, but we are getting too old to do complicated booking and arrangements. We thought that the KimKim service would do the heavy lifting for us, and they did step in to help solve problems, however the problems were usually caused by our liason not listening to us or just not putting a lot of thought into what would be good options for us. To be honest, the person we were working with seemed distracted and not easy to contact prior to our trip and of course she was unavailable to us during 90% of the trip!

Hotel Reviews

Hotel du Vin & Bistro

Tunbridge Wells

This is a super nice hotel with large rooms. The bathroom was also great. The restaurant has really amazing food.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Just a short walk to the high street

Staff

The staff at this hotel were so incredibly nice

Cleanliness & Comfort

The White Hart Royal Hotel

Gloucestershire

This hotel is nice and our room was very interesting but they don't seem to have enough staff

Authenticity & Character

Location

Right on the high street so you can walk to many different restaurants and to the town market

Staff

The staff seemed really overworked and few and far between

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Peacock at Rowsley

Matlock

Very comfortable and nice hotel with a great staff.

Authenticity & Character

Location

The hotel wasn't near anything but that didn't really matter to us.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Tower Hotel

London

This was a very basic hotel. We had an accessible room which was ok however for some reason accessible rooms don't get coffee makers? So strange. The room looked out on a roof with some large machines or fans stuck on them. The coffee at breakfast was literally the most terrible tasting coffee I have ever had in my life. The concierge at the hotel was very good however. There was also a laundry place nearby which really came in handy. The worst thing about the hotel was the location, it was miles from everything that we wanted to do in London. We racked up huge bills taking taxis and Ubers to get places because we couldn't navigate the public transportation because of accessibility and time constraints.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The accessible room was very basic and not particularly comfortable and their was zero view, which was why KimKim put us in there

Activity Reviews

Taxi Transfers in and around Matlock (2)

Matlock

The company that was engaged was very shady and didn't show up as planned. I highly recommend that you find a new company and never use this one again. We ended up finding some local drivers and paying them ourselves.

Return Taxi Transfer from Matlock to Chatsworth House

Matlock

The company that was engaged was very shady and didn't show up as planned. I highly recommend that you find a new company and never use this one again. We ended up finding some local drivers and paying them ourselves.

Taxi Transfers in and around Matlock

Matlock

The company that was engaged was very shady and didn't show up as planned. I highly recommend that you find a new company and never use this one again. We ended up finding some local drivers and paying them ourselves.

Canterbury, Dover Cliffs & Castle and Leeds Castle is included

London

The tour guide on this trip was beyond nice but the trip was very hard for us because the bus was not comfortable and we basically rushed around too many places with no stop for lunch. Going to Dover was just too much. We had barely no time to enjoy Canterbury cathedral. Leeds castle was nice but once again being rushed around with a group of people is something I was hoping to avoid on this trip.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

I spent my whole time in the bus with my knees crushed up against the seat in front of me. Getting in and out of the bus was a real challenge because of the narrow steps

Kate at KimKim planned a two week self guided/train tour of the UK. We provided our interests and Kate planned our itinerary. Kate nailed it the first time. The hotels were outstanding. Our private guides were awesome, especially Jacob in Oxford, Allen in Edinburgh, John in Inverness, and Delianne in London!
Kate was comminicating with us throughout the tour and answered a few minor questions we had as we moved through the stops. We couldn't have asked for more! Onto the next trip!!

Activity Reviews

Discover London in a Private Black Cab

London

The private black cab tour in London with Chris was phenomenal. He curated a tour that complemented our existing itinerary and took us to unique spots we wouldn't have discovered on our own. His flexibility and knowledge made this a standout experience during our time in London.

Isle of Skye Tour including the Eilean Donan Castle, Portree and other attractions

Inverness

The day trip to the Isle of Skye was quite an experience, even though the weather was miserable with big raindrops and howling wind. Our tour guide was fantastic and made the trip enjoyable despite the weather, embracing the natural harshness of the Isle's climate. The scenery and sites were amazing, and it made for a memorable adventure.

Private Viking Walk of York

England

The Private Viking Walk of York with Neil was a bit overwhelming. While Neil was a nice guy and took us to interesting spots, he overwhelmed us with too much detailed information. His lengthy speeches and the tour running over time left us a bit exhausted. A more concise approach would have been appreciated.

Our trip was amazing! And the Kim Kim team were a pleasure to deal with! Always respsonive and ready to help! They made our trip easy and stress free and also tailored our trip to our liking! Would highly recommend.

Valentine was awesome! She definitely exceeded our expectations for our girls trip! Switzerland was absolutely beautiful! We had so many highlights with our trip— paragliding, E-bike tour, Park hotel!

Hotel Review

Park Hotel Vitznau

Vitznau

This was one of our favorite hotels!! The service was outstanding and the spa and grounds were so beautiful! We will definitely be back!

Authenticity & Character

Right on the water, every room is unique

Location

Not far from Stoos

Staff

Helpful, outstanding, exceptional

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Lake Como - Private boat tour - 2 hours

Switzerland

Awesome way to see Lake Como! Our guide Fabio was very knowledgeable and showed us beautiful homes!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Free time in Lake Como

Switzerland

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

Lucerne

It was beautiful! Good for sightseeing

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Paragliding in Interlaken

Switzerland

Awesome views and instructors that made you feel comfortable and confident! Once I landed I wanted to do it again! Thrilling experience!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hot Tub boat for rent (from December to March)

Switzerland

This was a unique experience! Perfect for relaxing after a long day of activities. The lake water was chilly, but refreshing. We were able to quickly warm up with the hot tub! The Bluetooth audio was an added bonus!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

E-bike tour Lauterbrunnen & Valley of 72 Waterfalls

Switzerland

This tour was a highlight on our trip! It was a perfect mix of adventure and sightseeing! Our tour guide Marceau was very attentive and knowledgeable!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our trip to New Zealand was absolutely amazing, and Monika played a huge role in making it everything we hoped it would be. She worked closely with us to design a schedule that fit exactly what we wanted, and her local expertise helped make the trip feel smooth, thoughtful, and stress-free.

When weather created a need for some changes while we were already in country, Monika was incredibly helpful and responsive. She communicated clearly, helped adjust plans, and made things happen so we could continue enjoying the trip.

My husband, teen daughter, and I had a wonderful time and saw so many incredible things. This trip was especially meaningful because it was our 20th anniversary, and I had dreamed of visiting New Zealand for 30 years. The trip did not disappoint. We had some amazing experiences that we will remember forever.

We especially loved Queenstown and the helicopter tour where we landed on a glacier. We had a blast on the Shotover River boat trip, toured Lord of the Rings filming sites, spent Christmas Eve gazing at the stars from a hot springs pool during a night sky tour, and took a boat tour to see dolphins, penguins, and seals. The natural beauty of the South Island is breathtaking.

We also had the amazing experience of seeing a kiwi hatch at the hatchery, which looked like a scene from Jurassic Park. Hobbiton was a wonderful visit as well, especially for anyone who loves the movies. These are only a few highlights from an unforgettable trip.

We all agreed that we will use a travel agent for future international trips because this experience showed us how valuable it is to have someone knowledgeable, responsive, and supportive helping along the way. We would absolutely work with Monika again.

Our trip was all around amazing. We ended up in Oslo for two warm days and enjoyed our tour with Stieg. The Thon hotel was a great location. Note:/fisheriet Bjorvika restaurant is wonderful and in a cool neighborhood. Train to Flam, then Aurland. There was a hiccup in the taxi but ferry or bus is a good alternative. The fisherman’s cabin in Aurland was really special..on the water literally and simple but amazing views. We highly recommend the sauna and dipping on the pier. Breakfast was particularly nice in an old historic house with a nice spread. The Fiord Cruise was amazing as was the Stegstein viewpoint. Ferry to Balestrand and the hotel Kniknes was outstanding. Loved walking around the town (a great local restaurant Pearl of the Harbor , run by a Ukrainian with a Norwegian flavor). Note the hotel has no elevator and a lot of stairs to climb to our room. We were fine but some may not be. The cider tour and tasting was fantastic….and impressive history. Bergen was great ..as was the tour with John…a lot of local knowledge. The Hotel Terminus …very nice room, and location. Personally we felt that there were too many groups and events and not catered to individuals as much. . Loved Bergen , roaming around, food, and the funicular. We went early up the Funicular and highly recommend the walk down. Then the Hurtigruten….the fiords were spectacular…so glad we did it. And Trondheim. we LOVED the hotel Britannia….really top notch spot in every way. The Breakfast buffet was the most impressive I have ever seen and the service impeccable. Walking tour with Wanda was perfect. She is very knowledgeable and very entertaining with her stories. We also love the Bakklandet neighborhood and restaurants. Trondheim was really a lovely little city….turned out to be one of favorites!

Hotel Reviews

Grand Hotel Terminus

Bergen

The Grand Hotel Terminus in Bergen has a fantastic location, and the rooms are beautiful, but it was not quite our style. The hotel was very crowded with groups, and there was a wedding on Sunday that seemed to take over the place. There wasn't a lobby area to relax in, which was a bit inconvenient. Despite these issues, the room was great, and Bergen itself is lovely.

Vangsgaarden Gjestgiveri

Aurland

Vangsgaarden Gjestgiveri in Aurland was absolutely magical. It's located right on the water, and we stayed in the fisherman's cabins, which were fairly basic but offered such an amazing experience with a deck overlooking the fjord. The setting was reminiscent of being in the Alps. The breakfast spread was also lovely. If you prefer super fancy, this might not be your cup of tea, but we loved it.

Kviknes Hotel

Balestrand

We really enjoyed staying at the Kviknes Hotel in Balestrand. It's an old, charming hotel with beautiful views by the sea. However, it doesn't have an elevator, which might be a concern for those who have trouble with stairs. There's a lovely restaurant nearby at the harbor run by a Ukrainian chef, which was a pleasant surprise. The food was great, with a fusion of local and Ukrainian flavors.

Activity Reviews

Cider & Fruit wine tasting with 5 snacks

Balestrand

The Cider & Fruit Wine Tasting with snacks in Balestrand was a delightful experience! We loved the variety of local produce and snacks on offer. It was a perfect way to spend the afternoon and learn about the local cider-making traditions. Definitely worth doing if you're in the area.

Floating Fjord Sauna

Norway

The Floating Fjord Sauna in Aurland was a unique and enjoyable experience. We love dipping in cold water, and the combination of sauna and fjord was perfect for us. The staff advised us to shower with warm water before the dip, which made the experience even better. We spent around an hour alternating between the sauna and cold dips, and it felt invigorating. A highly recommended activity!

I wanted to thank Christine (planning), Hera (Seoul), and Luke (Busan), you made my family’s first trip to Korea an AMAZING experience! You are all so knowledgeable and helpful from pick up from the airport from the first day, I felt we were in great hands. Our local guides, added great touches to our experience and provided solid additions and suggestions to enhance our experience. I will definitely highly recommend to my friends and family your services.

What a magical trip - all thanks to Adam, his team (Lea, etc) and KIM KIM! They were amazing to work with! They kept in constant communication prior, during and after the trip. We chatted by phone regarding the itinerary prior to departure. We had 2 late adds - and they coordinated adding them to our itinerary. Then my stepdaughter missed her flight and Adam/team helped secure her a late night ride to the hotel. The hotels (Nayara and Hotel Aguas Claras) were amazing! We will never forget them. The activities Kim Kim picked were spot on. Zip Lining, Horseback riding, hot springs, hikes, etc. They also arrange all the transportation.
We plan to use Kim Kim for our next trip!

Hotel Reviews

Nayara Tented Camp

Fortuna

I've traveled the world - stayed in many nice places, but Nayara has them all beat. The turn down procedure, the grounds, the pools the amazing spa experience. Most of all the people. All the restaurants were wonderful. We will return

Authenticity & Character

One of the most amazing unique places in the world.

Location

Perfect location for accessing other activities - but you feel secluded as well.

Staff

Kind, genuinely friendly, accomodating

Cleanliness & Comfort

Absolutely clean!!!! and comfortable. We didn't want to leave!!!

Hotel Aguas Claras

Puerto Viejo

The people, the grounds, the pools, the food everything was stellar! The rooms were amazing. Clean, big, and unique. We will return here!

Authenticity & Character

The room was so beautiful. Huge outdoor kitchen/coffee/sittinbg area.

Location

Staff

NIcest people in the world. Friendly and accomodating

Cleanliness & Comfort

Super clean!!!

Activity Reviews

Sky Tram, Ziplines & Sky Walk Adventure

Arenal/La Fortuna

Very well run and we felt very safe! Fun. Once in a lifetime experience

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Friendly and safe!

Transport

Tabacón Hot Springs Experience with Meal

Arenal/La Fortuna

We opted not to do this excursion and relax and enjoy our location/hotel

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Horseback Riding on the Beach

Costa Rica

Our guide was amazing. Very informative and friendly. He made the ride more enjoyable.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Cahuita National Park Snorkel & Rainforest Hike

Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

Snorkeling was cancelled due to rough waves

Gummi did a great job. We thoroughly enjoyed his knowledge & passion for Iceland !
We are grateful that our last hotel in Iceland kept Toni's purse for us. It made our trip much more relaxed knowing they had her purse for us.

Hotel Review

Hotel Odinsve

Reykjavik

They kept Toni's purse for us. This made our trip much more relaxing.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Icelandic Food Walk

Reykjavík

Very interesting.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Faxaflói Bay Whale Watching Excursion

Reykjavík

We saw 2 whales.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Explore Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon by Amphibian Boat

Iceland

Fantastic experience.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Glacier Ice Cave Experience as part of a Private Tour

Iceland

Good tire changing experience.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Geothermal Bakery Experience

Golden Circle

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Laugarás Lagoon - Lerki

Iceland

Excellent activity.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Víðgelmir Lava Cave Experience

Iceland

Fun walking in an ice cave.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Both raffles makati and shangri la Boracay were very nice. The service was excellent!

Hotel Reviews

Shangri-La Boracay

Aklan

Property is stunning!

Authenticity & Character

Rooms dressed in tropical Filipino attire

Location

Beautiful sunsets

Staff

Concierge went above and beyond to help us! Very pleased!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Raffles Makati

Makati

Rooms are well appointed! Service was exceptional! Laundry service was very dependable.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Top Restaurants and Shopping nearby

Staff

Very professional

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Private Van with Driver (Day 2)

Manila

Our family felt very comfortable with our driver! He was respectful and caring. Drove us to Cavite to visit a family home and waited for us while we visited.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Yacht Sailing in Boracay

Boracay

Crew was very kind and helpful!

Quality of Experience

Food

Presentation was beautiful

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Joshua was very kind!

Transport

Private Van with Driver

Manila

Vehicle was very nice and our driver was the BEST! I felt I was in safe hands all the time!

Quality of Experience

Always on time !

Quality of Experience

Always on time !

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Genuine and friendly

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Genuine and friendly

Transport

New, comfortable clean van !

Transport

New, comfortable clean van !

Giulia did a masterful job turning our wishes into an amazing itinerary. Best of all, she made it all work seamlessly with some great guides! Maria and Luca in Rome, Alexandra in Florence, Alessandra in Como, Giovanni in Venice, Stephan behind the wheel to San Gimignano were just wonderful. Pleasant, informed, entertaining and enthusiastic!

Great trip to be remembered! Thanks Kim Kim!

Brown Family

Amazing trip! Bella and her team were all wonderful and so easy to work with. All the local specialist were great to be around and made the trip enjoyable. Would definitely visit again with Bella and her team. Fulfilled a destination on the bucket list and made fantastic memories for our 20th wedding anniversary.❤️❤️❤️

I just came back from a wonderful trip to Japan, I was extremely impressed with the service and friendliness of the tour guides.
They were always punctual, arriving on time to pick us up and they treated us exceptionally well.
There's one tour guide I'll always remember for his professionalism: Davin from Hungry Tours Osaka. The day we spent with him was a truly enriching experience.
I loved the visit where We could appreciate Mount Fuji and We have a wonderful lunch ,plus the very beutiful and very peaceful temple.
A hotel I'll always remember is the Riokan Aura Tachibana, it was such a lovely experience having to wear a robe to breakfast and dinner , the food was espectacular, the flavor, the presentation and the amazing service were all outstanding.
The first hotel in Tokio was located in a very good area, but the restaurant wasn't good.
What I remember is that it was a wonderful trip and that's why my friend and I are going in another trip with your company.

It was fine. Leny booked the things we asked her to and, for the most part, they were executed on as planned (there was only one issue, where the driver was 30 minutes late and we were notified 10 minutes before the tour was supposed to start and no one ever explained what happened).
The recommended tours and activities were pretty good, they didn't feel particularly geared for children (like the ramen cooking class started with a 20 minute lecture on ramen, which isn't really what kids want) even though we had specifically requested them for kids.
I would have liked more direction on what we should be doing, there was very little of that, just booking what we asked, maybe that's all they are supposed to do but it would have been nice to have some guidance. For example, I showed the itinerary to a friend who pointed out we didn't have Fushimi Inari in our plans for Kyoto but KimKim never mentioned this at all.
Overall, it was executed fine, communication with the local specialist was good and easy in the app, but for the very high price (they mark up all the tours extravagantly AND charge you a fee which is a percentage of the marked-up tours), I think I was looking for something more.

Angela did an amazing job planning our trip! She paid attention to every detail, provided thoughtful recommendations, and kept everything organized from start to finish. Her communication was excellent, and she made the entire planning process stress-free. I highly recommend her! 😊

Our family trip to the land of our ancestors in Scotland was a tremendous success, thanks in large part to our local specialist, Jane Davey, and her associate, Marine-Héloïse, who helped create a truly one-of-a-kind experience. The trip took a great deal collaboration and planning beforehand, but with their expertise we were able to put together the perfect trip for our family. Jane and Marine also connected us with Graeme Clive of Kilted Piper Tours who guided us for five days of our journey, including the Isle of Skye which was one of the real highlights of the trip. We enjoyed visiting many historic castles and their gardens, as well as the tasting experiences of visiting several scotch whiskey distilleries. Overall, we learned a great deal about the history of Scotland and our ancestors (including visiting some of the film locations of the television series Outlander which we were great fans of). We highly recommend working with Jane and Marine if a tour of Scotland is in your future!

Hamza of Original Travels was an amazing guide. He was punctual, friendly and always pointed out new experiences for us to stop and try and shared insider traveler information, like amazing restaurant suggestions. He was receptive to our needs and questions about the area and was a great mediator for working out our needs and plans, like moving our camel ride to an earlier time in Agafay. Having a local guide made the trip much more memorable and fun! It is the best way to get introduced to all of the best spots in Morocco. It was my second time with Hamza and we would love to return and use him as our guide again. He is simply the best!!

Additionally, the accommodations selected by Kim Kim were perfectly located and appointed. I would also like to mention how much we enjoyed the help and kindess of Muhammed at Palais Sabban- he was the best at transporting our bags and answering to our needs while on the property. This riad is a crowning gem and we loved everything about it.

Our tour guide in Essaouria, Hussan, was an extrememly knowledgeable historian and we appreciated all of the details of the area's history and sights that he took time to share with us.

I wish I could remember the name of our camel guide, he was so much fun and was the best photographer!

Again, many thanks to Kim Kim and Said for putting together an amazing itinerary for us. Our local guide Hamza made the trip so memorable and fun, it would not have been the same experience without him. We look forward to returning to Morocco!

Hotel Reviews

Palais Sebban

Marrakech

This was my second time staying at this riad and I loved it even more this time. It is in a perfect location, and a peaceful oasis from the hullabaloo of the city. It is so beautiful and each detail displays the depth of gorgeous Moroccan architecture and detail. We loved the peaceful rooftop with the pool and bar and many comfortable places to sit and relax. Muhammed was our baggage help/doorman, and he made the experience enjoyable for us with his attentiveness and kind conversations.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Le Medina Essaouira Thalassa Sea & Spa MGallery

Essaouira

A wonderfully appointed oasis of a hotel. The location was unbeatable, with the beach and beach restaurant and the sounds of the ocean just steps from the building. Very good breakfast!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Yes We Camp

Marrakech

This was such a special and unique experience. The grounds and rooms were nicely appointed and it was such a curated and special place. The food and the service were spectacular.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Ease of access from Marrakesh for a desert experience. Having been to Merzouga, it could never compete with the Sahara, but it provided and unique and fun desert adventure that was easy to get to within our time frame.

Staff

Attentive and kind, every one of them!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Free Afternoon in Marrakech

Marrakesh

We loved wandering and exploring on our own, especially within the souks and the medina at night was fabulously alive!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided Tour of Essaouira

Essaouira

Hussan was a fabulous guide. His historical knowledge of the area shined throughout his tour and we learned so much from him. This was a very worthwhile and greatly enjoyable activity. We loved that it was a small, private tour.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sunset Camel Ride in Agafay

Morocco

Although it could not compare to the experience I had in the Sahara desert, it was a great experience for it's proximity to Marrakesh. Our camel guide was so kind and the best photographer! The tour company was kind enough to move our time up by an hour so that we would not miss the dinner and performance of the camp.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Transfer from Marrakech Airport to Agafay

Morocco

Hamza was prompt and waiting for us when we arrived. We love Hamza!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

My parents and I recently returned from a two-week journey through Norway organized by Mathia, and I can say without hesitation that it was truly the trip of a lifetime.

From our very first conversation, Mathia was exceptional to work with. He was consistently responsive, patient, knowledgeable, and incredibly thorough throughout the entire planning process. No question ever seemed too small, and his communication was outstanding from start to finish. Planning an international trip with multiple destinations, hotels, transportation arrangements, and activities can feel overwhelming, but Mathia made the process remarkably smooth and stress-free.

Because I was traveling with my parents, it was especially important that the itinerary strike the right balance between activity, comfort, sightseeing, and driving time. Mathia did an excellent job creating a journey that accommodated different interests and energy levels while still allowing us to experience an incredible amount of Norway. Every stop felt purposeful, and the pacing never felt rushed.

What impressed me most was how thoughtfully the itinerary was designed. The trip struck a perfect balance between iconic destinations and lesser-known experiences, allowing us to experience Norway’s extraordinary natural beauty while avoiding the feeling of being shuffled from one attraction to the next. The route flowed seamlessly from Oslo to Aurland, Bergen, Ålesund, Valldal, Åndalsnes, and back to Oslo, with each destination offering something unique and memorable.

The accommodations were excellent throughout the journey, and many of Mathia’s recommendations became highlights of the trip. We experienced spectacular fjords, mountain scenery, charming villages, scenic drives, unforgettable hikes, wonderful restaurants, and countless moments that will stay with us for years to come. Some of our favorite memories came from places and experiences we likely never would have discovered on our own.

Another aspect we greatly appreciated was the support provided while we were traveling. Mathia happened to be on holiday for a portion of our trip, but he ensured we had contact information for other members of the KimKim team who were available to assist if needed. The transition was seamless, and the team checked in with us during the trip to make sure everything was going smoothly. That level of preparation and care gave us confidence that support was always available, even while Mathia was away.

If I were to offer one piece of constructive feedback for future travelers, it would simply be to provide a bit more guidance regarding transportation limitations in some of the smaller destinations outside the larger cities such as Oslo, Bergen, and Ålesund. This is certainly not a criticism, but rather something that may help future visitors better prepare their expectations.

For example, during our stay in Aurland before picking up our rental car in Ålesund, we discovered that local transportation options were extremely limited and often needed to be arranged well in advance. Demand was high, availability was scarce, and pricing could be surprisingly expensive. We looked into transportation to a nearby hiking trailhead and found that a round-trip transfer would have cost nearly $400 USD, which was far more than we anticipated. Ultimately, we adjusted our plans and found an alternate hike within walking distance of the hotel, but having a bit more advance awareness of transportation constraints in these smaller communities would have been helpful when planning activities. This is less a reflection on the itinerary itself and more a reality of traveling in some of Norway’s more remote and beautiful regions.

That minor observation aside, our overall experience was exceptional. Norway exceeded every expectation we had. The country’s natural beauty is extraordinary, but what transformed this from a great vacation into a truly unforgettable experience was the thoughtful planning and guidance we received from Mathia. His recommendations, organization, responsiveness, and attention to detail helped create memories that my parents and I will cherish for the rest of our lives.

I would enthusiastically recommend Mathia to anyone considering a trip to Norway. We are incredibly grateful for his assistance, professionalism, and dedication, and we would not hesitate to work with him again in the future.

Everything worked out well and we got to custom our experience to what we wanted to spend time more on.

I would say that the planning for Phuket was the least successful because traffic from the landing day was not taken into account which changed the first day Itenerary. The island hopping was also not anticipated to fill the whole day. If we knew, would have been fine skipping this. The tour guide did amazing with all the changes though!

Bangkok tour guide lady was exceptional! She was very accommodating and took all of our wants and really catered to how we want to spend time on.