Kimkim Trip Reviews

We just got back from our honeymoon in Italy and had an amazing time! Catarina, Anna, and Roberta from the travel agency were amazing to work with! Catarina helped with the up front planning and found us some amazing experiences across the country we never would have found on our own. Anna took care of all of the logistics and made sure we knew about any last minute changes; it was so nice to have the tickets for everything all in one spot. Roberta met us at the airport and helped us while we were in Italy with the names of people we were meeting and answered any last minute questions that came up. This team made the trip seamless and we couldn’t have planned it better, we are so thankful!

Activity Reviews

Private bike tour in Tuscany Countryside

Italy

Absolute amazing!!! This was our favorite day with the bike ride and then the amazing lunch and winery tour!

Private cooking class in Pienza

Italy

This was a blast and we’d do it again in a heartbeat!!

George understood exactly what to plan for our family type holidays.
From adventure and a bit of history, a touch of Balinese culture, some relaxation and to fit that all into 9 days.
Well done.
The local Bali operator, GoKo was also very organised and everything ran smoothly.
Two points I would like to mention where things could have ran better was communication.
1) GoKo was so pro-active, they created a WhatsApp group for us. My assumption was that it included our guide, so I never bothered referring to the confirmation email with the guide’s contact details. Our guide’s details could have been shared on the group to avoid such an oversight from the travellers.
2) Going to Nusa Penida, there was no pickup either. Apparently he was told we arrive on the next ferry, but if we knew, we could have walked to Naomi Sea Adventures and got going earlier. A day trip is already very time constrained. Fortunately we did see many mantas.

One last request is if you have access via Bali tourism to immigration department. Please tell them how dismayed we were to stand in line for two hours to get through passport control. Only two officials stamping passports for all who do not have ePassports is not enough. We got through around 22:00, the line was still as long. Poor tourists who got through after midnight. That is not how to treat your biggest foreign currency revenue stream.
Thanks for a wonderful trip.

Great job by Andrea. Excellent advice and guidance; terrific guides; attentive service and responsiveness during our trip.

We had a wonderful trip, much of it made possible made possible by Adam, who curated a great week for us. I confess to having been skeptical about whether having a planned trip -- as opposed to doing it ourselves -- was worth it. I have for decades planned vacations and travel. Done the research, found the hotels and restaurants, and made decisions about where to go and when. I enjoyed that challenge. But, it takes a lot of time and effort.

We had planned a cruise from Iceland and our calendar freed up a little and we thought it would be fun to see a little bit of Iceland on our own. The problem was I didn't have the time available to plan . . . . so the research I did was to find a great company that could do the planning for us. That brought us to KimKim -- and Adam. We could not have been more pleased by the entire experience. We told Adam what we liked and the time we had and a complete itinerary appeared not long thereafter.

Adam far exceeded my abilities to have planned this by myself, and I have done it for years and am good at it. Driving maps, places to stop, tours along the way day after day, great hotels, super restaurant recommendations -- he had it all for us. Having everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, on our iPhone was a benefit that was enormously helpful for daily travels. Adam found places I probably would have skipped (Westman Islands and Heimaey, for example) and tours that I probably would have bypassed and that was one of the huge benefits of his services. He knew what was worth it to see and do and what was less exciting.

Most amazingly -- our daily plans: the route, the places to see, the tours, the sights along the way were planned so we were never rushed and saw everything as planned with little waiting or "gaps" in the day. Perfectly planned.

Adam provided excellent service throughout. About a week before we left for Iceland, we learned that we would need to cut our cruise short and hop off the boat halfway through the trip. We e-mailed Adam and he made all the arrangements for us to do that and planned a days worth if sightseeing for us in the area before we hopped on a plane to Reykjavik. He was always promptly responsive to texts and e-mails along the way as well.

We had a great trip. Thanks, Adam.

What an incredible trip!

If you ever have the opportunity to travel with KimKim and work with Marc, don’t hesitate—just do it. In an ever-modernizing world, this was the kind of authentic adventure that stays with you forever.

Marc Urban was our trip planner and made so much of this trip possible. My partner had more questions and worries prior to our departure than any two people could address, but Marc persevered. He planned and revised and answered questions and researched options and generally went above and beyond the call travel arranging to make it our dream experience and for that we are grateful.

Our journey began in Jakarta, where we stayed at the extraordinary House of Tugu. From the moment we arrived, we knew we were somewhere special. The team are true masters at creating a memorable guest experience. It is part boutique hotel, part living museum, and everywhere you look there is something beautiful to discover. We enjoyed a couples massage with traditional scrubs and oils, followed by dinner, and it was absolutely magical.

From there, we traveled to Bukit Lawang, determined to see the orangutans. We stayed at Ecolodge Bukit Lawang, which was wonderfully rustic and perfectly immersed in nature. Our guides, Lucy and Sugay, were brilliant. Lucy was an endless source of knowledge about Sumatra, its history, its people, and its agriculture.174c9fd1-20d8-4f7a-b701-b6bb00d6c7ed.JPG

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The trip also provided one unforgettable surprise: I was taking a shower with the balcony door open when a macaque decided to help itself to our luggage! I came out to find it enthusiastically going through our bags like someone shopping at Filene’s Basement. 😂 It finally accepted a banana as payment to leave. It remains one of my favorite travel stories.

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Unfortunately, I became ill and couldn’t complete the jungle trek to see the orangutans, although my partner was able to continue. Even so, I saw many other monkeys and still had an incredible experience. We toured terraced rice fields in a motorcycle-powered sidecar, watched dark sugar being made from the sap of sugar palms, drank from fresh coconuts, and watched sunrises turn the sky the colors of fire. The lodge restaurant served simple, delicious food, and I highly recommend the becak tour and palm-sugar demonstration.

Our next stop was Plataran Borobudur Resort & Spa in Yogyakarta. What a beautiful contrast—from a rustic ecolodge to a luxurious private villa complete with our own pool. The staff were exceptionally gracious and attentive, the food was outstanding, and the expansive grounds were filled with beautiful surprises, including rehabilitated local animals and a koi pond.

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The views were breathtaking. In one direction, we could see Borobudur; in another, an enormous jungle-covered ridge rose dramatically into the sky. Our guides were consistently prompt, warm, and knowledgeable, taking us effortlessly from temples to towns to palaces. We even enjoyed a private gamelan lesson!

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Visiting Borobudur, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was unforgettable, and Prambanan, the magnificent Hindu temple complex, was equally breathtaking.

Next, we headed to Munduk, which completely changed our perception of Bali. Forget the beaches—this was cool mountain air, lush cloud forests, waterfalls, and remarkable round cabins built on stilts high above a steep valley. Some were even reached by funicular.

Our guide expertly navigated the narrow, winding mountain roads that we would never have attempted ourselves. We hiked through beautiful countryside, explored waterfalls and mountain lakes, and paddled a canoe across a peaceful lake to a hidden temple. We also visited Rumah Desa, where I learned about village life and local cooking and even had the opportunity to plow a rice field with an ox! My partner was unfortunately sick during this portion of the trip, but it became one of my favorite cultural experiences.

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From there, we continued to Kappa Senses Ubud, another exceptional property. It is a beautifully subdued and elegant resort, with peaceful facilities, wonderful restaurants, and private bungalows with their own lap pools.

The Sacred Water Temple purification ceremony was one of the highlights of our journey. We also visited the Monkey Forest, which, although popular with tourists, was absolutely beautiful and so much fun.

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Rather than rushing to see every temple, we chose to slow down and immerse ourselves in the local culture. I created my own batik artwork and made a silver ring—two experiences and keepsakes I will always treasure.

Then came one of the greatest highlights of the adventure: our liveaboard from Labuan Bajo.

Our new ocean home, the Floresta, was a beautiful, traditional two-masted Indonesian sailing ship. The crew quickly became our friends and could not have been more gracious. Special recognition goes to our onboard concierge, Fansi, and to the charming young woman who prepared all our abundant meals and snacks. Every day, we were treated to multi-course meals featuring delicious local specialties made with fresh ingredients.

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We visited Komodo National Park, where we saw and photographed several incredible Komodo dragons roaming freely in their natural habitat. We snorkeled along lush underwater cliffs filled with coral and marine life and walked along Pink Beach, where tiny fragments of deep-red coral give the sand its famous rosy color.

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One evening, we witnessed something truly unforgettable: tens of thousands of bats emerging from their island caves at sunset and filling the sky as they began their nightly hunt. It was spectacular.

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We ended our voyage at Seraya Island, where we enjoyed extraordinary snorkeling and some of the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets imaginable. If you visit, don’t miss the walk up to the Sunset Bar—the view is worth every step.

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Finally, we returned to Jakarta and once again stayed at House of Tugu. Coming back felt like returning home. We were welcomed with tea and a leaf inscribed with the words “Welcome Home,” a simple gesture that perfectly captured the warmth and hospitality we experienced throughout Indonesia.

As wonderful as the destinations were, what made this journey truly unforgettable were the people. Every driver, guide, crew member, and hotel team welcomed us with genuine kindness and pride in their country.

We returned home with incredible memories, new friendships, and a much deeper appreciation for Indonesia’s culture, beauty, and hospitality. We were genuinely sad to leave, but enormously grateful to every person who helped make this adventure so extraordinary.

Thank you to KimKim, Marc, and everyone who made this journey possible. It truly was the adventure of a lifetime.

Great job getting things together so quickly and addressing our concerns.

Hotel Reviews

Hotell Bondeheimen

Oslo

Small rooms but decent facility.

Authenticity & Character

Location

close to center of Oslo and other features

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Fretheim Hotel

Flåm

Love this hotel and view. This was my second time staying there. Food service good too.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Comfort Hotel Bergen

Bergen

Felt a little like we were staying in a dorm room again. Furnishing and room were a bit worn and tired.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Very helpful with questions and needs.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Bathroom was decent but room a bit worn.

Activity Reviews

Luggage Transfer Service

Norway

Easy and convenient

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Past & Present City Walk

Bergen

Guide very knowledgeable and good. It was disrupted by memorial events for the king, however, so the tour was cut short a little bit.

Shared Fjord Sauna Experience - Flåm

Flåm

Love the boat ride. But there were many changes in where to stand in line. There was a lot of confusion.

Amazing vacation. The planning with our local agent Mathia was perfect. He listenes to our needs and planned the best holiday. We especially loved our time in the tiny town of Aurland relaxing in a café with a bottle of wine and the most incredible view.

Hotel Reviews

Wangen Apartments by Flåmsbrygga

Aurland

What a wonderful little hotel. The most amazing location sitting right on the edge of the fjord and next to two great restaurants. The room was simple and clean and simply perfect for the location.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Scandic Byporten

Oslo

Scandic Byporten in Oslo was good for a quick stop. We stayed there just to shower and have breakfast after arriving early in the morning before continuing our travel. The location was excellent, right next to the train station, so we didn't have to walk outdoors. The included breakfast was a nice touch.

Hotel Norge by Scandic

Bergen

Hotel Norge by Scandic in Bergen was a very nice, beautiful, and modern place. The breakfast was fantastic, one of the best we had on the trip. It was a great place to stay and added to the enjoyment of our time in Bergen.

Solstrand Hotel & Bad

Os

Solstrand Hotel & Bad was amazing and one of the nicest places we've ever been. The hotel used to be the residence of Norway's first prime minister and has a beautiful historic main building with a newer section where we stayed. The location on the water with views of the mountains and national park was stunning. The spa, pool, hot tub, and fjord swimming access were fantastic. We had full board with incredible meals every day, and the staff were very attentive to our dietary preferences. We also enjoyed biking and walking around the beautiful surroundings. It was a perfect way to end our trip.

Activity Reviews

Fjordsafari Extended

Norway

The Fjordsafari Extended was possibly one of the best things I've ever done in my entire life. It was a two hour and fifteen minutes extended riverboat tour, and we got lucky with beautiful weather. The experience was amazing, and being on the water with such stunning views was unforgettable. The weather could have made a big difference, but luckily it was perfect for us.

Waterfall Hike & Stegastein Viewpoint

Norway

The Waterfall Hike and Stegastein Viewpoint was very nice and worthwhile. It wasn't as spectacular as the Fjordsafari, but we enjoyed it a lot. The hike was made easier because after the hike, they drove us up to the viewpoint, which saved us from a long uphill walk. The group was about twelve people with two guides.

Bergen Walking Tour With a Local Guide

Bergen

The Bergen Walking Tour with a Local Guide was good but not great. Our guide seemed a bit resistant to new things and rushed us through the tour, finishing early and missing opportunities to explore some interesting sites like the oldest church and a fort. We ended up visiting those places on our own after the tour. The guide was nice and informative but could have been more engaging and thorough.

Claire was extremely professional, personable and prompt in helping us plan our travels in Ireland. We had both unexpected adventures and moments of familiar relaxation. Claire was very timely and thoughtful in her responses providing wise redirects where needed and helping us get oriented each and every day with the specific transport modes we were using (extremely helpful). Our accomodations mostly excelled expectations (save for a poor view from the Hardiman in Galway ...though it is minor note since we were away each day). We had an unexpected upgrade in Cork at Reidence by Marriott which we were incredibly grateful for.

Claire is an exceptional travel specialist and created a lovely and memorable experience for us that was exactly within our budget. We would be happy to work with her again and would absolutely recommend Kim Kim to friends based on our experience.

Hotel Reviews

Maldron Hotel Pearse Street

Dublin

They were professional and had an excellent breakfast. The room was spacious and clean and quiet.

Authenticity & Character

It was modern but still cozy

Location

In the core city but not too insanely busy

Staff

They were professional but very helpful with our questions

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Hardiman Hotel

Galway

We absolutely love the stately old gal that is the Hardiman. The furnishings were elegant but not in an intimidating way. There was kind accomodations at the front desk in allowing us to drop our luggage early. Loved loved loved the baby grand piano. Was surprised that the main restaurant was not open for dinner but we loved our delicious breakfasts there. The shower was a little tight for elbow room and our particular view was a little grim but we still felt the staff and service was great.

Authenticity & Character

It is a true Victorian Hotel and much has been done to keep it in good shape.

Location

Love the park across the street and the shops and train station so close by.

Staff

They were very accommodating in storing our luggage and waiting on us at breakfast. Our bartender was very personable at O'Neill's.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Residence Inn by Marriott Cork

CORK

We arrived and were unexpectedly upgraded to a King Studio which felt very indulgent. Absolutely loved the free laundry and the very communal common spaces to share with others. Our first connection was with Elisabeth who was ver patient and gracious.

Authenticity & Character

Loved the shared spaces and the safety measures with card based elevators and more. Loved the free laundry!! Huzzah!

Location

Centrally located but not too crazy busy where we were. very walkable to restaurants, tour buses and more.

Staff

Elisabeth was so kind and gracious in attending to our travel needs and many questions about the space. She was warm but professional .

Cleanliness & Comfort

The linens, bath and kitchenette were sparkling!

Granville Hotel

This was one of our absolute favorites. It had a balcony with a stellar view of the city. The restaurant was top drawer and the staff were incredibly attentive. Our room managed to be both grand and cozy (how does that happen)?! We had a lovely cup of coffee and a complimentary chocolate as we sat on the balcont. It felt very continental!

Authenticity & Character

Very handsome historic hotel. The rooms are beautifully appointed and have floor to ceiling windows. The light was amazing. The bath was in excellent working with hot water immediately available. Loved saops and a hair dryer.

Location

Loved that its right on the water but also so centrally located to the rest of the city.

Staff

They were very European in an old world way. We could tell they took pride in their work and had very high standards in meeting their clients needs.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Loved the linenes and the cozy throw as well as the coffee/tea service provided.

Ashling Hotel Dublin

Dublin

This felt a little more urban chic and possibly not as warm as the Granville. Very nicely appointed but very little room to get past the desk chair at the base of the bed. The extra twin size bed in the room might be a good space to move the desk to. The breakfast was great. The staff was very brigt and sunny at breakfast.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Right on the train line so a little challengng getting across with luggage during rush hour.

Staff

Activity Reviews

Private transfer

Dublin

We loved that we had private transport. Our arrival (first) driver had no sign. My phone was not connected to wi-fi while we were waiting to get through customs so we were a little bit stressed in identifying which driver was ours. Though he was a great driver and very kind. He helped us with our bags. We were sorry not to have had change to give him a tip on departure. Our driver on departure was hard to find in the midst of a line of cabs all in a row but he found us and we were a-ok! He helped with the bags and got us to the airport on time despite traffic. Was a little early picking us up so that was great.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Small Group Tour: Galway to Connemara, Sheep Dog Show and Kylemore Abbey Full Day Tour

Galway

Loved our guide Michael and were so thrilled with his knowledge about sites and sense of humor. He drove very carefully and got us to each location without any issues. An excellent communicator in letting us know what time we should be back and got us back to the city right on time. We were knocked out by the Kylemore Abbey grounds though we somehow missed the guided tours on site timewise. Loved the sheepdog show and hearing details of what this is like for the owner to pursue on a professional basis. So thrilled this ended up being a full day rather than a half day for us.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Pearse Lyons Distillery: Dublin's Unique Church-Converted Spirit Haven

Dublin

Loved the history and information. Appreciated we had an actual guide taking us through the tasting. We were absolutely surprised by the quality of their product and hope to find it stateside.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Trinity Trails & Book of Kells Guided Tour

Dublin

It's an amazing tour though as a guide I was a little puzzled by the characterization of the schools origin story as being openly antipapist without covering some of the adjascent history that if you were catholc during that time period you were in fact disallowed an education by the penal laws. Later when they were allowed to enter the school they were characterized as denied on the basis of their ignorance. I mentioned the fact that the fact that they still spoke Gaelic today and how perilous it was for them to have kept their language alive in Hedge Schools. I believe our guide (who was lovely) had to stay on their proscribed script. I think they might revisit their script in relation to the trut of the penal laws,

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Blarney Castle and Kinsale - 1/2 day tour (Morning)

Cork

We absolutely loved this whole day. They trip to Cobh and the Charles military Fort were a happy surprise. The whole experience felt very immersive in the way of being in the middle of peoples day to day lives. LOVED the grounds at Blarney. Our driver and Guide Tommy was warmly humorous and sharp as a tack. Loved the big windows on the bus. Really an excellent company.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Tommy was a tip top driver and guide. Transparent, engaging and a clear communicator.

Transport

House of Waterford

Ireland

So amazing to be invited into ths space to see the craftsmen at work. The environment meant it was a little challenging to hear our guide clearly. But there were other ways to garner information just by being there. Loved the history and details on the process.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

A Literary Pub Tour of Dublin

Ireland

Just a five star experience with some f the best actors in Ireland doing wha they do best in telling stories and lore about some of the greatest writers in the world. We had Frank and Finn (Phin). They unspooled a number of scenes effortlessly in the middle of the standard city hullabaloo. Most people had no idea the were actually learning something noteworthy!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

An Epic Walking Tour of the Viking Triangle

Waterford

Jamie was an excellent guide. We were not told at the desk that it was free to go to other musems that day (ie: first Wednesday) or what other museums we might visit if we felt inclined, but Jamie let us know as we walked along. An excellent primer on Irelands oldest city.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Welcome to Galway Walking Tour

Galway

Paul did a great job but time of day and meet up place was a challenge as there was an overload of tings happeing in the park including on street vendor fair and hare krishnas singing wit amplification. Which made me think our guide might benefit from a little portable microphone. He had great information to share and really knew the city well. Loved some of his personal recommendations and insights based on his experience.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Free time in Dublin

Dublin

We loved Davy Byrnes Pub and were so impressed with the French Gueuleton restaurant in Temple Bar neighborhood. It was exceptional food and atmosphere. We'd be repeat offenders if we lived in the city.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Pro: Noga found us the perfect place to watch the eclipse. It was not on her list of hotels so I know she did extra work to find this place. Our requests and questions were quickly responded to by Noga, Summer, & Chinh. At this point I would have rated this a 5 star travel company.
Con: We were on the last part of the trip which was in the city of Balboa. The hotel that was booked did not have AC. We had insisted that all our hotels have AC. This was important due to health issues. The hotel claimed their AC was working and insisted we wait until the room cooled down. We waited 2 hours and the temp on the thermometer didn’t budge. The AC May have been running but did not have the power to cool down the room at all! We were told there were no other rooms with any different AC by the hotel staff. We talked with Kimkim. We were offered a 50% off on the 2nd night, full price on 1st night. I.e. 25% off on the 2 nights. This was inadequate. We should get a full refund. I said if that hotel couldn’t accommodate us we needed a different hotel. We were informed that was our choice but if Kimkim found another place we would have to pay another Kimkim booking fee! The hotel itself claimed the AC was working therefore no refund. It was a he said, she said situation and Kimkim chose to take the side of the hotel. Essentially calling us liars. We went to another hotel out of pocket. The Kimkim 25% refund helped with that inadequately. Final rating 1 star.
Another note: Shop for travel insurance first before considering the Kimkim travel insurance.

Our guide Mathia took the trip of our fondest dreams and imagination and made it a reality! We didn’t give him a whole lot of time to put it together, the trip was a bit of a last minute thing, but boy, did he pull it off! We got everything we wanted and more! Mathia was a pleasure to work with all the way through from the planning to the lift off for the return trip home. We wanted a full adventure in Norway and see as much of her natural splendor as possible and we believe we did, all thanks to Mathia and kimkim. Some of the highlights are: climbing up to Sugar Top Hill in Alesund, we loved that city, so scenic and so quaint! We decided we could live there! Our walking tour guide John Grahl-Madsen took us on a delightful walk through his home town of Bergen, he was so nice and accommodating. We absolutely loved our e-bike tour and hike through the Valley of the waterfalls in Husedalen and Ullenvang. I think that was my favorite! Our private tour guide Emilie Guyot was fantastic! She was very personable and knowledgeable and took care of us perfectly! We capped off the trip with a hike to Priekestolen in Stavanger. The are no words to describe the magnificence of that place! A very singular experience. All of our accommodations were spot on, just what we wanted. We were very comfortable in each of them. Again, this incredible and adventurous trip would not have been possible without Mathia and Christina, our kimkim guides. They were absolutely fantastic and always there when we needed them. We can’t wait to do it again and we would wholeheartedly recommend using kimkim to all of our friends and family who are looking for a great, very smooth and stressless travel experience .
David and Elizabeth Smith

Working with Ben was easy. He is very knowledgeable and professional. I appreciated his advice and expertise so much. We communicated well during the planning stages and crafted an unforgettable trip to Japan.

Rajat worked very closely with me in planning this trip to India. I was thankful for his dedication and patience. I appreciate the organisation and friendliness that was offered to my family.

Hotel Reviews

Haveli Hauz Khas

Delhi

I was thankful that they took us in at such an early hour. The accommodations were clean and the staff friendly.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Coral Tree Homestay

Agra

Fantastic! The owners are very friendly and can speak English and German. The hotel is cosy with a lovely outdoor area to sit and visit in the evening. Everything was very comfortable.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Nirwana Hometel

Jaipur

It was difficult to communicate with the staff as their English was quite poor. Every single day they forgot to bring fresh towels for the third person in the room. My room was facing the street, so it was quite loud with music playing until fairly late. The breakfast room was disorganised, a table had not been reserved for a group of five.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Gokulam Park

Kanayannur

A comfortable place to stay with a friendly staff.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Tall Trees Resorts

Munnar

A beautiful area with a nice view. The pool and game areas were welcome. The staff was friendly and their ginger coffee was delicious.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

I had a little trouble with the hot water.

Abad Green Forest

Kumily

A lovely hotel with friendly, helpful staff. Unfortunately, due to religious reasons we could not get a beer with our dinner. The spa ladies were really nice, but spoke very little English. I found it odd that although there was a sign stating that people must wear proper swimming attire that a family was in the pool wearing street clothes and none of the staff approached them. It was fun to watch the monkeys.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Lakes And Lagoons Houseboat Cruise

Alappuzha

A wonderful and peaceful trip. It was really fun to sit and watch the backwaters that I would have otherwise not seen. We were able to get off of the boat and explore. The food was delicious, especially the fresh fish. Everything was extremely comfortable.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Visit to Agra Fort and 'Baby Taj'

Agra

Although very nice, after seeing the real Taj, it was not very exciting. I had trouble with rating it.

Evening Kathakali Dance Performance

Kochi

I am very pleased to have seen this and recommend it to all. The actors include the crowd, making a great interactive activity.

Evening Kalaripayattu Martial Arts Performance

Thekkady

Extremely impressive. Everyone enjoyed it.

Visit Qutub Minar & Hauz Khas Village

Delhi

Visit to Taj Mahal at Sunrise

Agra

This was really interesting and enjoyable because of the knowledge of my tour guide. I would not have appreciated it without his presence.

Hike to Amber Fort & Palace and Local Sightseeing

Jaipur

The fort was nice, but I expected more. A lot of imagination is needed to envision what it looked like at the time.

Jhalana Leopard Safari Park

Jaipur

It was really fun! We actually saw some leopards and enjoyed the jeep ride.

Visit Hathi Gaon

Jaipur

I loved the elephants! I would have liked to have ridden them to the fort. It was such a good feeling to hug an elephant.

Half Day Jaipur Shopping Experience with Local Guide (Custom)

Jaipur

We enjoyed shopping. The block printing was of huge interest.

Kochi Sightseeing

Kochi

We loved the town. We found it much cleaner than in the north which made it more comfortable for us. Our guide did not seem interested in his job. He explained quite a bit about the plants, but at one point told us to go shopping because he wanted to eat lunch. We disagreed and he took us to a restaurant.

Market Visit, Cooking Class, and Dinner with Local Family

Jaipur

One of the highlights of our trip.

Tribal Art Performance

Thekkady

I really liked this, but not everyone in my family enjoyed it.

Visit to Mehtab Bagh at Sunset

Agra

It was interesting to see and watch a religious ceremony taking place next to river. The weather wasn't great, so there was not beauty in the sunset.

Jeep Safari to GAVI

Thekkady

We had a wonderful safari. Our guide was excellent in the jungle and we were able to trek through rivers and see waterfalls and birds. The boat trip was nice. The jeep itself drove rather quickly and we were all a bit carsick. The jeep driver did slow down to point out some animals: elephant family, cobra, monkeys, birds, buffalo

Visit Spice Plantation

Thekkady

We really enjoyed this and learned a lot. A memorable experience. I wish there had been more spices to see.

Visit Akshardham Temple

Delhi

I really enjoyed this temple. We watched the water show at sunset. I would not have rated this as highly without the show.

Serenity on the Backwaters: A Traditional Kerala Houseboat Cruise

Alappuzha

I recommend it to all groups.

Guided Nature Walk

Thekkady

This was not fun. I love to walk in nature, but I was not prepared for the leeches! They were disgusting! The guide did not care that we were having trouble with them. We all ended up with them on our stomachs, backs and necks. Horrible. Any interesting animals that we saw were not appreciated as they should have been.

Enroute Kochi to Munnar, visit Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary

Munnar

A fun experience that broke up our long trip.

Letchmi Hills Ridge Trek

Munnar

We really enjoyed this. It was a lovely view and we saw animals along the way. We also ate local food that was really tasty. The walking was easy and air was fresh. A lovely day.

Our local specialist, Ivan, was extremely helpful, responsive and polite. Our guides and drivers were fun, professional and full of knowledge. We had several interesting day trips from our host cities of Dubrovnik, Zadar and Split. Overall the trip was fantastic!

KC - Terrific Hanoi guide
COUC- great natural tour of Pu Loung
Tony Boa- great bicycle and boat tour Hoi An
Jin- knowledgeable market and cooking class tour Hoi An
Nostalgia Cruise- lovely boat and crew Ha Long Bay
Hein- tour planner excellent

In general, the communication during planning and booking was less thorough than other KimKim trips we've done in the past to other destinations. Details were sometimes confusing, requiring a back-and-forth, and the initial itemized booking confirmations were missing details we had to ask for. That said, the plans themselves were wonderful, and we had a great trip! Our guides were thorough and patient with moving at the speed of our kids. The accommodations were great (even though we did not get our original first choice of jungle lodgings). There was a last-minute change and some confusion regarding our guide at Machu Picchu. It worked out fine, but there was no proactive phone communication from our specialist or guide, so we were confused for a little while during a moment of transfer with long lines.

Again, though, it was an excellent trip. Highlights: river rafting, La Casona de Yucay, Tambopata National Reserve.

Hotel Reviews

La Casona de Yucay

Cusco

An amazing spot in the Sacred Valley. Idyllic pool and very comfortable room for traveling with kids.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Antigua Casona San Blas

Cusco

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

From Bean to Bar Chocolate Experience

Cusco

Vilcanota River Rafting

Sacred Valley

With the exception of the 2nd boat excursion, everything was seamless! All drivers and tour guides were very good, and knowledgeable in their areas! Our driver, Francesco Scervino, however, was absolutely outstanding!! He went over and beyond, and always made sure we were comfortable, answered questions, and even helped connect us with a relative in a small town in Italy!! All tours were perfect! Thank you! We thoroughly enjoyed Italy!!

Iceland was incredible! Noga helped us plan a multigenerational trip for the whole family.
Everything was seamless once we arrived and the app allowed kept us on track and organized throughout our journey.

Activity Review

Skaftafell Glacier Hike

Iceland

This was a great adventure and Maria was awesome. Our only negative comment is that this tour company has you walk about 30 minutes to the start whereas other companies drive you right to the base.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Take you to the base

My wife and I had an incredible honeymoon through Thailand and Vietnam, making stops across Phuket, Bangkok, and Nha Trang. We owe a huge part of that experience to our specialist Bella. From the very beginning, Bella was incredibly friendly, attentive, and genuinely invested in helping us create a special & personalized trip.

Bella did an amazing job putting together an itinerary that balanced adventure, cultural exploration, and relaxation across many food tours, wildlife and oceanic exploration, even a ring-side Muay Thai experience at Bangkok's famous Rajadamnern stadium.

One of Bella’s biggest strengths was her communication. She was consistently prompt, responsive, and incredibly helpful whenever we had a question or wanted to make an adjustment. Even with a trip spanning two countries and multiple destinations, we always felt like we had someone in our corner who could help us navigate anything that came up. My wife also has a severe nut allergy which Bella made sure all of our guides, vendors, and experiences, were more than prepared for. That peace of mind was invaluable, especially for such an important trip.

We also want to give a huge shoutout to the local guides and drivers who helped make the experience so memorable! In Phuket, Nui took us through a great food tour, Mr. Uncle and his team showed us an incredible time through James Bond Island, Mr. Man was an excellent driver, and the team at the Elephant Sanctuary were incredibly sweet! In Bangkok, Chaloo gave us an incredible tour of many beautiful temples, Chef Nam was an incredibly teacher during our cooking class, and Amp was a fantastic TukTuk Food Tour guide! Mr. Chin was also a great driver, being communicative and prompt each and everyday. In Nha Trang, Van was the perfect host, even stepping in when his driver got sick! He and his partner Mr. Tony added to our itinerary by showing us spa and food spots loved by the locals to make sure we had an authentic experience. Everyone we interacted with was friendly, professional, knowledgeable, and welcoming. Our guides did a fantastic job bringing the history and culture of Thailand and Vietnam to life, while our drivers made getting around each destination feel easy and stress-free. Their warmth and hospitality really added to the experience.

We couldn't recommend Bella and the KimKim team more highly. If you're considering using KimKim for a trip to Thailand, Vietnam, or anywhere else in Southeast Asia, we would absolutely recommend working with Bella. She is an exceptional travel specialist, and we are so grateful that she helped make our honeymoon everything we hoped it would be — and more!

Hotel Reviews

Hotel will be booked by the client

We stayed at the Alma Resort Cam Ranh in Vietnam, which I would recommend especially for families. It felt like a family resort with lots of activities and many kids around. While it was great, if we were to visit again, we might choose a more adult-only place with fewer children. Overall, it was a good experience but more suited for families with younger kids.

Hotel will be booked by the clients

In Thailand, we stayed at the Anantara Mai Khao Villas, and it was absolutely incredible. We had a private pool villa, which I would highly recommend for couples. The experience was amazing, and I couldn't recommend it enough.

Hotel will be booked by the clients direct

We stayed at the Kimpton Maa-Lai in Bangkok, which was a very nice hotel. I booked it through the Chase travel portal and got great benefits like breakfast and a $100 property credit, which made the stay even better. I would recommend this hotel, especially for those with a Chase Sapphire Reserve card.

Activity Reviews

John Gray's - Hong by Starlight

Phuket

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Elephant Jungle Sanctuary in Phuket - Morning Half Day

Phuket

This was an incredibly fun and interactive experience! The staff did a great job of helping us connect with the elephants in a safe and ethical way! We were also taught how to make and fed a DELICIOUS Pad Thai that we are still talking about!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Bangkok Highlights Exploration including Jim Thompson

Thailand

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Nha Trang City Tour

Nha Trang

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Vin Wonders of the day!

Nha Trang

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Nha Trang - Ocean Walking Tour - Small group tour

Nha Trang

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Authentic Thai Cooking Class in a Traditional House!

Thailand

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Phuket Night Food Tour!

Phuket

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Ma Doo Bua Cafe visit by private transfers

Phuket

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Muay Thai in Bangkok

Thailand

One of the most fun experiences of the trip!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tuk Tuk Food Tour in Bangkok!

Thailand

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Three Monkey Restaurant with private transfers

Phuket

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We had the ABSOLUTELY MIST AMAZING time in our week in August in Iceland. I know it would have not turned out this great if it was not for KimKim abd having worked with Gummi. From the start, we had excellent communication and follow thru with Gummi. The itenerary planned worked out really well. All our accomodations were perfect. The plan easy to follow. We could have never planned this trip this well ourselves. To anyone planning an Iceland trip...I would highly suggest using Kim Kim and Gunni.

Hotel Reviews

Fosshotel Baron

Reykjavík

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Dís Cottages

Grundarfjordur

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Eldhestar

Ölfus, Hveragerði

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Katla by Keahotels

Vík

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon Kayaking Excursion

Iceland

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Glacier Ice Cave Experience

Iceland

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Silfra Snorkeling Adventure

Golden Circle

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Scenic Meadow Horseback Ride

Iceland

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our family vacation to Thailand was beyond what we expected. The planning and detail to each excursion was exactly on point.

Bella was very easy and patient to work with. Always had great ideas for our family. Our experience to the Mae Khlong Railroad Market, Damnoen Floating Market, in Bangkok to the elephant sanctuary and Foodie tour in Chiang Mai, were amazing. Our guides, Lilly and Lena extremely knowledgeable and made our vacation that much more memorable.

Thank you, Kim Kim!

Hotel Review

Silom Serene Hotel

Bangkok

Accommodation were pleasant. Great breakfast.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Perfect location, easy access to many good restaurants and shops

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very clean

Activity Review

Bangkok Highlights Exploration with evening Chinatown visit

Thailand

Quality of Experience

Beautiful temples a must see

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Lilly and Lena were amazing guides

Transport

Transportation was always on time and drivers were very friendly