Kimkim Trip Reviews

Amazing trip of Ireland using Ireland Walk Hike and Bike and Linda Woods as our guide. From the detailed planning by Maria Hayes organizing our days to Linda being our brilliant guide our experience was fantastic!

Our trip to France was better than possibly imaginable. We fell in love with the French culture and way of life, the way things are not rushed, and how everything is meant to be enjoyed. The food was amazing. The history was rich. The people were so nice. The times spent were priceless. Special thanks to Lise and her team, as they were always attentive, quick to respond, and planned everything perfectly.

Hotel Review

Boutique Hotel Cezanne

Aix-en-Provence

Absolutely beautiful with high quality accommodation and amenities.

Authenticity & Character

High quality local product amenities

Location

Central to Aux and easy to walk

Staff

24/7 staff available

Cleanliness & Comfort

The best place we stayed in France!

Activity Reviews

Nighttime Seine River Cruise with Dining Experience

Paris

This river cruise was amazing. The food was so good, the drinks did not stop coming, and the views were gorgeous. We had a live singer and she was brilliant.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Le Louvre Private Tour

Paris

Our guide was so knowledgeable and kind. She really took what we wanted to see into consideration and was amazing to have.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Paris Macaron Baking Class

Paris

Fred was amazing. So fun and easy to work with. I would recommend him to anyone! @fredandbreakfast

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Easy to reach by metro

We really enjoyed our trip! The kimkim team had everything lined up for us with no hiccups to the schedule. We enjoyed talking to all our guides ( Charlie, David, Junior, Julio just to name some). All the guides/drivers were really knowledgeable and provided amazing conversations and service. It was quite an adventure for our family and we will always remember the beautiful landscape, wildlife and people of Costa Rica.

Hotel Reviews

La Fortuna Downtown Boutique Hotel

La Fortuna San Carlos

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Arco Iris Lodge

Santa Elena

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Karahé Beach Hotel

Manuel Antonio

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Coffee Experience and Nighttime Nature Walk

Monteverde

Junior was awesome. He was incredibly knowledgeable about coffee and proper brewing methods. Lots of history and conversation about coffee and chocolate. The tastings were amazing. The night walk through the jungle was really cool. We were surrounded by so much wildlife. My son finally got to see scorpions and tarantulas in the wild. Even a pit viper made an appearance. Highly recommend Junior and his coffee and jungle experience.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Arenal Volcano Hike & Paradise Hot Springs & Meal

Arenal/La Fortuna

David was very knowledgeable and really passionate about the wildlife and landscape. He was great/patient with our kids, fielding a million questions. Really nice guy and provided a lot of information about the volcano and history of the area.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Treetopia Hanging Bridges

Monteverde

I regret I can’t remember our guides name but she was extremely knowledgeable and excited to show us the wildlife of her country. Great with our kids, who loved seeing the Orange kneed tarantula and millipedes. The cloud forest is beautiful and we learned a lot on this short hike. The bridges are waaay up there.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our trip to Iceland was amazing, what a beautiful country! I was happy to have our whole trip planned from start to finish by Adam. I found it overwhelming trying to plan a trip in a foreign country and KimKim made it easy. I was comforted by having the phone number for urgent questions, which we used once and our issue was resolved right away.

We loved all of the sights and activities that Adam planned for us. He really thought of every detail, even allowing for time to see any sights we may miss due to weather.

Thank you Adam and thank you KimKim! I would definitely recommend using KimKim, and specifically Adam, to anyone planning a trip to Iceland.

We certainly loved the trip. Things were well planned and I particularly appreciate the planned shuttle service as part of the way to get to events and airports. The reason is that is my biggest fear to not be able to get to the airport or events on time, and when we went on a trip to Italy last year, there was a taxi strike. We booked things tight and needed reliable travel. When it is handled by others, it is tremendous.
I loved the catamaran tour and meal, the Naxos Sun Tour with George, Yanni and Maria, and the accommodations in each place. I can be happy with many different accommodations, but other people on the trip wanted them to be very nice and they were. The meals were amazing and so were the views. We had a shuttle driver in Athens who was excellent and enjoyable. I think his name was Nick? The others on the trip will mention him.
I appreciated seeing several different sites. Naxos was probably my favorite this time because I had not seen it before and it was chill.
Being able to get ahold of Angela and having a good itinerary helped a few times. I always felt safe and taken care of by Angela and each location we were staying.

Hotel Review

Apricot & Sea Luxury Villas

Naxos

It you want a comfortable, off-the-beaten-path, suite with an amazing view, great accommodations, a lot of room, pool access and beaches nearby, this is the place for you. It is also very affordable. We recommend renting a car to get around Naxos, and were very happy with SeaJets Ferry Service to get between islands. This is about 15 minutes from Naxos (city). There are some very nice beaches, restaurants and little supermarkets nearby. The manager was very helpful with connecting with a rental car service and some of the local attractions. We had not decided to rent a car until we got to the island an figured out that taxis take time to get and are not the fastest and cheapest way to see many things on the island. Our rooms were spacious. The air-conditioning, stove and refrigerators were very nice to have. We chose not to spend all out time at the pool, but instead went to the beach. The area is pretty quiet with not much traffic like Santorini. The beaches were not packed and neither were the streets. There is so much to do on Naxos that is couple or small group friendly that it is hard not to pick it over Athens or Santorini unless you really want the night life from clubs which are better there. We were ten to thirty minutes away from interesting history and got to see the life in a rural area of Greece with all of the fun of restaurants, bakeries, and sites to see. Yes, see Athens and Santorini for their history and the views, but go to Naxos and stay here for the cost, comfort, relaxation and the sites of Naxos. Our goal was not to spend every minute at the Villa. Some people do and you could do that. It was not set up with lots of comfortable chairs and couches for lying around and binging on TV. It was set up as a place to get in the pool, spend time on the patio, sleep, shower, and have quick access to the beach and other sites of Naxos. We will definitely go again.

Authenticity & Character

Beautiful sunsets, spacious rooms, a great patio, and pool access.

Location

It was close to many things. Off the beaten path, but restaurants and sites to see.

Staff

The hotel manager helped us solve some little problems that were from our own creation.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Everything was very clean and it was done each day. The beds are firmer that we are used to, but we loved the showers, the deck furniture, and the kitchen were nice.

Activity Reviews

Reservation at Oia Gefsis (no meal included - only a reserved table)

Greece

Great food and beautiful view of the sunset. Oia and this restaurant have some of the highest quality places to go on Santorini or in Greece.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Athens Highlights Mythology Tour

Greece

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Local tastings 2024

Greece

We had fun making the meal and our chef was both fun and personable. The wine was very good, but the experience was definitely a do again.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Round Transfers to Akrotiri Archaeological Site

Santorini

Our transfers went well to this site. It is a very important site in regard to world history. I wish they would add some special signage and have some displays, but there is still work being done there from time to time.

Jane, Flora and a few others on this team listened well to our requests, were solution-minded when last minute group tour changes outside of their control were required and patiently answered our questions mid-trip. They made the overall tour planning a very positive experience.

Hotel Reviews

Wheatlands Lodge Guesthouse (Adults Only)

Windermere,

This Lodge has a beautiful yard and garden, open for the guests to enjoy. It was in walking distance to restaurants and activities in the town of Windermere. Mike and Lynne were gracious hosts and served wonderful breakfasts. We had a very comfortable room with a panoramic view of the backyard and gardens.

Authenticity & Character

Clean and welcoming. Lovely older house but well maintained and up-to-date inside.

Location

In town and off of the main street so it was very quiet.

Staff

Personal interaction with the guests. Lynne and Mike remembered our preferences.

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Resident Victoria

London

This hotel was really close to Buckingham Palace which made it easy to visit many different places. The staff was super friendly and helpful. Jason and Bianca were especially personable and helpful and had a wonderful attitude every time we saw them. It is an intimate and very quiet hotel off the beaten path. It made for a great home-base for several nights while we explored London.

Authenticity & Character

It is an intimate and very quiet hotel off the beaten path.

Location

Close to many activities and sites. Easy to catch buses and cabs as needed.

Staff

Jason and Bianca were especially personable and helpful and had a wonderful attitude every time we saw them.

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Grand, York

North Yorkshire

Truly a grand place to stay. The staff were very professional and welcoming. They made it very easy to check in .

Authenticity & Character

It was really a pleasant building and a very clean and spacious room. The bed was very comfortable.

Location

Two blocks from the train station and easy walking distance to the walled city.

Staff

Warmly greeted us and very helpful in getting us settled in. They went out of their way to help celebrate a 70th birthday with a wonderful tray of chocolates.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Angel's Share Hotel

New Town, Edinburgh

West facing windows and no air flow or air conditioning during a particularly hot spell. A few issues with the plumbing that did not get fully addressed. Street noise and uncomfortable bed were a point of concern.

Location

Close walking distance to castle, museums and even food choices.

Staff

Staff were really friendly and helpful.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

SCENERY AND SPIRES IN ONE DAY From London

London

Too much bus travel and too little time at the sights. Disclaimer: we had to drive from London to get to these locations, when originally, we were supposed to be located in Oxford itself. The locations themselves were interesting and well worth seeing..

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Driver was skilled and the guide was knowledgeable,

Transport

Too cramped and the bus was completely full.

England in One Day - Stonehenge, Bath, Stratford & The Cotswolds

London

Too much bus time, too little destination time. There was definitely too little time in Bath, although the tour guide made a point of walking with just the two of us up to the Circus and the Crescent, with little time to spare! The tour guide was very well-informed. We only had time to go to Shakespeare's school at Stratford upon Avon and didn't get to spend any time seeing the sights of the town itself.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Driver was very competent. Guide was very informed and we appreciated the effort he made to walk us up to the Circus and the Royal Crescent.

Transport

Just too much driving time in a cramped bus.

Afternoon Tea at the Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh

A really great way to rest after walking up to the castle on a hot day. Presentation of the tea was so lovely as well as everything tasted great.

Quality of Experience

No waiting line. That day, at least for us, there was flexibility in the time (we arrived a little early).

Guides, Drivers and Staff

History Lovers Old Town Walking Tour

Edinburgh

Covered so much ground with a very funny and knowledgeable guide. Saw things we wouldn't have known to look for by going on this tour. We would highly recommend this tour as a great groundwork for seeing Edinburgh.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Yorktour Evening Express: Small Group Early Evening Walking Tour

York

Lovely tour of York. Shared history in an interesting way. Loved the background info about all the different conquerors and influences on York.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Holy Island, Alnwick Castle & Northumbria

Edinburgh

Great tour guide! Paul from Scotland via Spain had a wealth of knowledge and he was not afraid to share it. Small bus instead of a full-size bus and a nice group of tourists. Alnwick Castle woodwork was breathtaking as well as the gardens. Holy Island was fascinating but we just didn't have enough time there. There definitely wasn't enough time to walk to the castle itself.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The morning of the trip we were notified by KimKim that the Holy Island part was cancelled (maybe because of the tide) but our guide adjusted the trip so we were able to make it to both castles.

Transport

It was unseasonably warm and there was no air conditioning or even a fan. Guide/driver tried to adjust but equipment wasn't working.

What a great trip. The itinerary that Dean helped me create was a perfect way to visit Colombia. In less than 2 weeks I enjoyed a wonderful introduction to an under appreciated country. Between the gorgeous natural scenery and stunning street art Colombia is an outdoor visual feast.

The tours were excellent with a good mix our outdoor activity and culture. Every guide and driver was a pleasure to meet. All were professional, punctual and knowledgeable. Their passion for Colombia was infectious. I especially enjoyed my time with Lina and Martin in Medellin. Almost immediately I knew I was traveling with friends.

Finally, I’m happy I organized this through kimkim. As soon as I landed in Bogota to start my trip I was greeted by Wendy who graciously escorted me to the hotel, briefly showed me the neighborhood and offered suggestions where to eat. Every step of the way Dean and Wendy communicated travel arrangements (usually boarding passes for in country flights) or just to check in.

Hotel Review

EK Hotel

An excellent hotel with a boutique character. The room was spacious and the bed comfortable. I slept well. Excellent location with many restaurant options.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Bogota's vibrant street art.

Colombia

If you like street art you will love Colombia! Having a guide like Daniel tell you the back story of some of these wonderful pieces of street art adds so much.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Very professional.

Transport

Exclusive Cocora Valley, Salento & Filandia Experience

Colombia

An amazing landscape.

Quality of Experience

Are you kidding? Look at the pictures. This place is special.

Food

A very good choice of restaurant. Very festive atmosphere in the pretty town of Silento.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Very professional. Filip was a great guide. He was attentive to my hiking pace while also providing information. I really enjoyed that he did not over talk as some guides may do allowing us both to enjoy some moments of serene silence to soak in this amazing place.

Transport

We avoided the inevitable traffic snarls and crowds. A great job!

The City of The Eternal Spring & Street Food In La Comuna 13

Medellín

Unfortunately the area around Botero park is not that nice, but really it is no different than other cities. Fortunately, it was but a small distraction from the rest of the tour. The Botero statues are worth seeing and Comuna 13 is special. What the people of this community have done for s an inspiration. I loved being there.

Quality of Experience

Food

Lina took me to berracas de la 13. The service and food was great.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

My first day with Lina and Martin. Within an hour or so I felt like I was traveling with friends. Lina was very knowledgeable in the history of Medellin - the good, bad and infamous. But it was her infectious optimism about the people of Medellin that made this day really special.

Transport

Martin!

Colorful Colombia: Hike to Guatapé Rock, Guatapé & Peñol-Guatape Reservoir

Colombia

Another great outdoor tour. A great combination of boat ride to see the surroundings from the water, a climb up El Penol for a Birds Eye view, and a stroll through a colorful small town.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

My second day with Lina and Martin. I was with friends.

Transport

Martin!

Full day Coffee Workshop - "From the plant to the cup"

Colombia

One of my favorite days in Colombia. I have a new appreciation for the skill, dedication and hard work that goes into my morning coffee. Learning this at Cafe de la Cima was a great experience. They were fantastic hosts and produce great coffee. I’m glad they ship to the US!

Quality of Experience

Food

A great home cooked meal. The arepa with cheese! So delicious!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

I really enjoyed sharing a fantastic lunch with Lina and Martin. Lina introduced me to the famous Colombian cheese bread. I want more. She was right. My life would not be same after the cheese bread. :)

Transport

Martin!

Hiking in the Tayrona National Park

Colombia

I expected this to be spectacular and it was. If I were a poet I might be able to do justice with words.

Quality of Experience

The location was worth putting up with the heat and humidity which I normally try to avoid.

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Very professional and knowledgeable.

Transport

Walking Tour

Cartagena

I really enjoyed walking through the Getsemani neighborhood. Lively and colorful!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Isaac was great guide. Very professional. His enthusiasm was infectious and welcome on a hot and humid morning.

Transport

Palenque: The first “free town” for Africans in the Americas

Cartagena

Very interesting tour of a landmark of freedom in the Americas. Glad I visited and I really appreciate the work the people of this community are doing to keep this unique culture alive.

Quality of Experience

Food

One of the best fried fish meals I’ve had. I’m salivating just thinking about it.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

I thank Kimkim for the most incredible experience of Morocco. We will surely use Kimkim again for our next trip. Our time in Morocco was magnificent. Special thanks to Samir, our driver. We highly recommend him. We were a group of 4 woman and felt safe from the first moment at the airport to the end of our trip. By the end of our trip he felt like family to us. We are so grateful for this wonderful experience.

Hotel Reviews

Riad Mokhtar Tanger

Tangier

The riad was beautiful. The staff was so friendly. Would recommend again to anyone!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Dar Jasmine

Chefchaouen

What a beautiful riad. It sits on top of a mountain overlooking the old city. The views were spectacular. The decor was incredible.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Riad El Yacout

Fès

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Riad Chbanate

Essaouira

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Odyssee Center

Casablanca

This was a great place to start my trip, comfortable and convenient after a long journey. I didn't spend much time here, but I appreciated the service and accommodations.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Palais Sebban

Marrakech

This was an experience in itself. The cooking class here was incredible and highly recommended. The hotel was beautiful and exceeded my expectations.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Inara Desert Camp

Marrakech

The night in the tent was a unique experience. Initially, it was a bit hot inside, but once the AC was on, it was comfortable. The area was beautiful, with a great restaurant and pool.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Drive from Tangier to Chefchaouen via Hercules Caves, Tetouan & the Rif Mountains

Morocco

Tangier was recommended to us midway through planning our trip. There was so much to see and experience there. The Medina was bustling with great energy and we interacted with wonderful people.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Half-Day Guided Tour of Marrakech

Marrakesh

This was one of the most extraordinary experiences on the trip. The hot air balloon ride was breathtaking and worth every penny.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We had a memorable trip to Morocco. The country is beautiful, the people are very friendly.
Hakim had the entire trip well organized and we did not have any problem during our stay.
Mohamed our driver was excellent. Great driver and guide and most of all he became a friend to our family.
All our guides were very knowledgeable and friendly Hafid in Fes and Hamyn in Marrakesh were excellent.
The cooking class was great. We felt like part of the family.
We enjoyed also our time in the dessert, our camel guides were not only friendly but great photographers. And the Berber people at the camp very friendly and we enjoyed the show.

Thank you all for giving us a great experience of what Morocco really is: the friendly and hospitable people.

We traveled in April from North to South. I was trying to miss crowds, have fewest rain days, and coordinate with our Indonesia trip in May. We had a heat snap when we reached Hue that lasted three days. It was 102; the average in April is typically 85. I enjoyed our entire trip. 30 days allowed us to have many experiences and not be rushed.

We booked our trip prior to Covid and had to reschedule a number of times. This contributed to the problems we had booking this trip and getting confirmation. It was frustrating to not have final information until days before we departed.

We loved all our guides: Quynh, My, Viet, Quy, and Hoang. Each of them was outstanding in contacting the next guide and passing on information about the kinds of activities we enjoyed. They were great at tailoring our travel experience. We would have loved to have spent one more day in Hanoi with Quynh, he was a wealth of knowledge. We loved the home visit with Dao. Viet kept us busy with great experiences in art, food, and local culture. Quy provided us with great directions and information so we could navigate Nha Trang and Da Lat on our own. And Hoang was amazingly knowledgeable about the Nam Cat Tien National Park, which we really appreciated.

Notes I made that I would suggest my friends change if they book a trip, (I've already given the information to 6 people): In the future, I would not buy any pre-arranged lunch or dinner. Every hotel offers breakfast. You can always ask your guide for local favorites or recommendations at lunch stops. I prefer ordering off the menu or having the guide order for me with some guidelines like, I don’t need a 7 course meal for lunch.

I would be move forceful in getting all the information earlier. We didn't have time to research our hotels as the information provided by the travel company, Sens Asia, was so late in getting to us.

I would not take another night train the rest of my life. Almost 8 hours to train from Hanoi to Sa Pa, 5.5 hrs to drive. Train, one toilet for about 40 people in a train car and no one seems to be able to pee in the toilet. Noisy, a number of stops, uncomfortable, plastic, non-breathing bed. Totally not doing this ever again.

Ha Noi
Mk Premier Boutique Hotel Luxury https://www.mkpremier.vn
Loved staying in old part of Hanoi, walking around the lake, having egg coffee, being close to the old town. We met Dao, a retired teacher, very interesting visit.

Mai Chau
Mai Chau Ecolodge http://maichau.ecolodge.asia/
Loved the remoteness, and the hiking.

Thanh Hoa
Pu Luong Retreat (Hotel)
http://puluongretreat.com/
Liked the village we walked to and biked to.

Ninh Binh
Hidden Charm Hotel & Resort http://hiddencharmresort.com
Nice hotel, good Indian restaurant nearby, close to lake boats.

Ha Long Bay
Bhaya Cruise Deluxe https://www.bhayacruises.com
Nice boat trip. I liked all the excursions, the kayaking, and the caves and hiking.

Sa Pa
Aliana Boutique www.airaboutiquesapa.com
Loved Sa Pa. The hotel was quiet and out of the hub but a close walk to the town center. The village walks with My were interesting and the scenery was beautiful. Sens Asia had a number of issues arranging the transportation. Using the local taxi's might have been a better solution.

Sa Pa
Topas Ecolodge. http://topasecolodge.com
Wish we would have stayed two nights. One night is definitely not enough. Very beautiful, quiet, and unique.

Hue Eldora Hotel http://www.eldorahotel.com
Loved all the activities in Hue. Great hotel, staff. Bamboo paper making, incense making, weaving, etc. loved our guide, Viet. Recommend getting a room on one of the upper floors for the quiet and the view.

Hoi An Aira Boutique http://www.airaboutiquehoian.com/
Nice but too far from the old city. I wish we would have stayed closer to the old city. Walking along the river at night in the old city was beautiful. . Hotel was okay but I would have rather stayed on the river front.

Quy Nhon Anya Hotel & Spa https://anyahotel.com/
Nice hotel, nice staff. We liked the biking and sightseeing.

Phu Yen Rosa Alba Resort https://rosaalbaresort.com/
Over the top accommodations. I would have loved to stay here two nights at a minimum. Great boardwalk to walk along in the evening. Staff was exceptional, food was amazing.

Nha Trang Ibis Styles https://www.accorhotels.com/gb/hotel-9578-ibis-sty
Loved the boardwalk and town. The hotel location was great. The hotel itself was the 2nd poorest accommodations on the trip and the staff was uninspiring. A shame to go from Rosa Alba to Ibis. Ibis is a hotel you stay at when you are 20 and can’t afford anything else. I wouldn't stay at this hotel.

Da Lat Ttc Hotel http://ngoclan.ttchotels.com
I didn’t expect worse accommodations but this was it. The hotel is very noisy, that is an understatement. It is conveniently located but you won’t get any sleep. The breakfast was awful. We switched to the Du Parc, a wonderful hotel. Absolutely quiet. Good staff. We should have stayed here two nights and not at Da Lat Ttc.

Dong Nai Forest Floor Lodge www.forestfloorlodges.com
Loved this experience. I recommend this if you don’t mind the tent accommodations, being in the forest, and having a few less options for food. Hoang did a great job showing us around the park.

Ho Chi Minh Silverland Yen Hotel
Okay, I wouldn’t stay here again. Breakfast was okay, not great. Accommodations were just okay. The location is good, close to a large market, close to the lake, close to the ocean. Loved the city and the sightseeing we did. The old post office, Temple of Enlightenment, Landmark 81 (the tower), boardwalk. The hotel, find something better.

Thanks to everyone who helped make our trip memorable. I would change a few things, mostly hotel accommodations, but the sightseeing, activities, experiences were fantastic.

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to the Children's Eternal Rainforest Preserve! Even from the moment we pulled into the parking lot and our guide was pointing out white faced monkeys, we enjoyed walking around and seeing nature. He showed us birds and many other creatures, including 2 tarantulas, frogs and other insects. As we walked back to our cars we saw a Kinkajou. I know seeing wildlife is hit or miss, and while I was hoping to see more animals, I enjoyed the hike a lot. I also enjoyed learning about the history behind the area, and the students that came together to preserve it. This is a must do activity if you are in Monteverde!

Activity Review

Children's Eternal Rainforest Night Walk

Monteverde

We enjoyed having a guide on the trail with us- he was able to identify animals and insects that we would have missed otherwise.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our agent Sarah organized this wonderful family trip for us and we are so thankful to her.
From the moment we arrived, Sarah had everything organized and enabled us to have a stress free and relaxing vacation in beautiful Croatia. We visited Dubvrovnik, Korcula, Hvar and Split and had the prefect blend of active, informative and entertaining tours and activities. Not easy with two 18 year old teenagers!
Our first time using Kimkim but definitely not our last! We couldn't have been happier and have a lifetime of memories

We can’t even begin to express what a wonderful Spain trip Luis planned for us! Each and every tour was led by a warm and friendly guide who welcomed us into their region and culture. The food was AMAZING and everything was arranged and punctual. It really made our first time in Europe easy. Luis checked in throughout our trip and made sure everything was going smoothly! He even send a box of goodies to our hotel on our last evening. This was a 12/10 experience for our family! Thank you so much Hidden in Spain!!

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Don Paco

Llanes

Great hotel with a wonderful location. Breakfast was delicious and staff was warm and welcoming! A great place to stay in Llanes!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel del Oso

Camaleño Cantabria

This was by far one of the best hotels we have ever stayed in! The location is quiet and beautiful. The staff, food and rooms were all amazing and the 3 St. Bernard’s outside made it feel like home! If you are in the Picos de Europa area this hotel is a MUST!

Authenticity & Character

Location

lol

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Arrizul Congress

San Sebastian

Gorgeous hotel in a nice location. It would have been nice if breakfast were included.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Petit Palace Arana

Bilbao

This is a really unique hotel with amazing views of Bilbao. The breakfast was delicious and the staff were kind. The one hard part was that there was no place to park your car to unload your luggage so we had to park a long ways away and drag our luggage across a very busy plaza.

Authenticity & Character

Location

No place to park and unload your luggage.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

H10 Urquinaona Plaza

Barcelona

Beautiful hotel right in the middle of bustling Barcelona. It has a very lovely rooftop plunge pool and lounging area where you could relax and order food and drinks.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Bike tour: the coast of Asturias

Llanes

We had so much fun biking along the Asturias coast. The beaches and views were amazing and our guides did a great job adapting to all of our needs! It was a wonderful experience that we would highly recommend to anyone looking for a great workout with amazing scenery!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Canyoning

Cosgaya

This was a once in a lifetime adventure! Our whole family had so much fun and felt so taken care of and safe!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guggenheim tickets (and guide)

Bilbao

The Guggenheim in Bilbao is a gorgeous museum full of unique art.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

From San Sebastián to Bilbao (or viceversa) along the Basque Coast

Spain

The drive from Bilbao to San Sebastián with Jamie was wonderful. He took us to some amazing spots that were not filled with tourists. The conversation with him was delightful and he shared so much Basque history. We ended the day with a delicious seafood lunch.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Rioja Premium Wine Tour

Spain

Our trip to Rioja wind country was gorgeous. Our guide, Diego, was a joy to talk with and made sure we had a wonderful time sampling all the amazing g wines of the region.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Pintxos Tour

Spain

Our Pintxos tour in San Sebastián had some of the most amazing food we ate on our whole trip! Veronica was a wealth of information about the food, customs and history of the Basque people. We had such a fun night of food and laughter! We would have never known how to get the best Pintxos in town without this tour!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hiking the Camino de Santiago Trail

San Sebastián

We had a wonderful hike along the Camino de Santiago trail with Ane. It was a gorgeous 7.4 km hike and the lunch at the end was delicious!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Gourmet Tapas walking tour & Flamenco show

Barcelona

The Flamenco Dancing and music was beautiful and must see if you are in Barcelona. We really enjoyed the tapas in a private room at the restarting at the end of the evening!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The tour of the Old Town was difficult to hear at times.

Transport

Full Day City Tour & Gaudi (incl skip the line Tickets for Sagrada Familia & Parc Güell) - GROUP

Barcelona

This was a whirlwind tour of Barcelona. Many sites packed into 8 hours. Our guide was lively and told many interesting stories. I would have loved some more time in Park Guell. It is such an amazing place!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

This was the trip of a lifetime. There were 6 adults and a 4 year old. I told Eleli when we were planning it out I wanted to see the important parts of Greece of the places we were going to as well as free time to explore on our own and to throw in some beaches. She hit it out of the ballpark!

We arrived in Athens around lunch time to the Pan Hotel which is in the heart of Athens, walking distance from Plaka as well as Stygmata Square. The Hotel staff was super friendly and helpful. Across the street is the best Organic Ice Cream shop. We might have had ice cream 3 or 4 times. That evening we went on a wine tour to 3 bars and a food truck type restaurant. The tour guide was Panos and he was from Athens and even told the 20 somethings of the group where to head out later.

The next day was a tour of the Acropolis and Athens Mythology Tour. The day was a rainy one and it was still an excellent tour. ( Eleni had transporation to everything. We never had to worry about getting somewhere or getting back to the hotel. All of that was taken care of.) The guide, was extremely knowledgable and wasn't detered by the rain. Many good photographs on this tour.

The next day we cought a bus to Delphi to tour a museum and see Temple to Apollo and other archaelogical sites. The views on the drive were breathtaking of the sea and the little town near Delphi. We ate at a restaurant and were treated especially well with great photographs of the view as well as the excellent food. The driver picked the restaurant (after we persuaded him to) and it was fantastic.

Day 4 we toured the monistaries in Meteora. This was one of my favorite parts of the trip. The views were breathtaking, and the tour of how the monistaries came to be on the top of these cliffs and rock formations was very informatitive. I have to mention the bus driver, named Stiros. He was hilarious and fancied himself a photographer. He would find out of the way places for us to take photographs with teh beautiful scenery behind us. After we headed back to Athens and the Pan Hotel.

Day 5 we went on a high speed ferry to Mykonos. Our hotel, the Vencia, was right above the "Old Town" that everyone photographs. The rooms were beautiful and the Infinity Pool was where we spent that afteroon. From the pool, you could see the Old Town and the water. The wait staff at the hotel were the best of all the hotels we stayed at. They were so helpful and respectful the entire time we were there. That afternoon, we went to visit Delos, another Archaelogical site which is the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis. The tour guide for this voyage was a archeologist and had a different spin from the others we could hear on their tours. She was so knowledgeable and enjoyable to listen to.

Day 6 We had a free beach day and spent the day on Agios Sostis. Sitting in the sun, with an umbrella on a beach chair, drinking Pina Coladas, was the perfect relaxing day we needed.

Day 7 We spent in Naxos. We stayed at the Melidron hotel which is walking distance from the Agios Prokopios Beach. The first day, in the evening we toured a castle which is in the heart of Old Town. She took us first to the Portara, a gigantic door that you first see when you arrive on the island. We took many photographs here. We walked and toured the castle and stopped for some Kitro samples. This liqour is only sold on Naxos, is what we were told.

Day 8 We booked a Naxion Cooking experience, which is my second favorite thing we booked. We first went to Eggares and toured an olive press and learned many things about how they create olive oil. We were warned to eat a light breakfast as there were many samples here. Did you know there is chocolate olive oil? There is olive oil cake and olive oil bread. Wow. Then we immediately headed to Galini to Mrs. Voula and were taken back to make a traditional Greek meal. Her and her daughter made the time we had here so fun and informative. We learned how to make homemade meatballs, tzatiki, and stuffed vegetables. All of the vegetables, herbs, cheese and jellies we were served were all made by Mrs Voula, her husband, daughter or grown by her son. Excellent food. Excellent tour.

Day 9 was another beach day with no tours. Another day of beach chairs, embrellas and pina coladas.

Day 10 was a flight from Naxos to Athens to prepare for home.

We enjoyed the hotel and boat ride in Marseille. It was nice for everything to be walking distance. We also loved staying in Moustiers St Marie and the activities near there. Le Jas du Colombier was perfect to walk to town and hang out by the pool. The canyineering with Armand from the Verdoniers was epic. Our kids loved that so much. The kayaking with Christophe of Aquattitude was also a favorite. The horseback riding was a bit of a long and hot day for beginners. Same with biking, it was really hot and a bit challenging for the kids. We appreciated seeing the region from all these vantage points. It is really important for you to share any necessary info to be prepared ahead of time, since we are not in direct contact with the guide.

Hotel Reviews

Maison Saint Louis Vieux Port

Marseille

Great location in the middle of the city. Clean and comfortable. Convenient to everything.

Authenticity & Character

Architecture

Location

Walkable

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Le Jas du Colombier

Moustiers-Sainte-Marie

We had a huge house to ourselves. Very well equipped to cook and wash clothes. We loved the salt water pool at the end of a long hot day. The views are amazing and we enjoyed eating meals outside. It is really more of a house rental, not a hotel. This should be more clear for setting expectations.

Authenticity & Character

A but cluttered with their personal items but we really enjoyed our stay.

Location

Walkable to village center

Staff

Jeanine is very welcoming.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Comfortable beds

Activity Reviews

Half-Day morning Cruise to Calanques National Park - small group

Marseille

Fun ride and swim, but captain was not not sharing a lot of info.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

More friendly and sharing info

Transport

We walked there

A day in Moustiers-Sainte-Marie

Moustiers-Sainte-Marie

Tons to see and do. Truly a gorgeous village. The hike to the church at the top earns you ice cream.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Canyoneering in the Verdon Gorges

France

A big hit with our entire family.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Armand was so friendly and able to adapt to each persons ability.

Transport

Horse riding in the Gorges, full-day

Moustiers-Sainte-Marie

A bit too long and not as scenic as expected. We were supposed to bring our own lunch, would have been better if provided because travelers don’t typically have packs for lunches.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Half-day Canoë kayak Excursion in the lower Verdon canyon

France

Gorgeous view of the canyon and great explanations.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Christophe from Aquattitude was phenomenal.

Transport

Mountain-biking around the lake

France

A bit long and challenging for our kids. We enjoyed the picnic at the lake and biking through the region.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our trip from start to finish was positively amazing! Maria Grazia and team did a superb job of balancing our interests in hiking, with cultural interests in cooking/sight-seeing and traveling the countryside. The few guides we had were very knowledgeable, friendly and engaging--always on time and ready to listen to what we were most interested in learning. Our drivers couldn't have been more friendly (and always so prompt!). Our accommodations were spot on, within the historic centers of the locations we stayed, and easy walking distance to just about everything. We had one guide in particular (Lorenzo) at the Valley of the Temples) who was SUPER fantastic and a perfect guide for one of the most important historical sites in Sicily (in Agrigento). His flair for language, history and animated story-telling made our tour so incredibly special.

Hotel Reviews

B&B Khalisah

Palermo

Location seemed a little sketchy when we arrived late at night, but the historic ambiance is amazing; the owners are very friendly, accommodations and View were spectacular, but most of all the morning breakfast of homemade pastries and cakes is positively to die for!

Authenticity & Character

Location

The area seems a little sketchy (poor area of the historic district), but this can be overcome by the hospitality of the staff.

Staff

B&B Sant'Alfonso

Agrigento

Wonderful location in the heart of Agrigento, but very glad we did not have a car as there is no easy access to this hotel. The staff were amazing, and arranged for us to have all our laundry taken to a local launderer (and returned beautifully, cleaned, folded and pressed...almost too lovely to disturb!). The proprietor goes to the pasticerria each morning to pick up fresh pastries which are a positive delight!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Easy access to everything in Agrigento, except the Valley of the Temples (which required an easy taxi ride).

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Algilà Ortigia Charme Hotel

Syracuse

Fabulous location on the sea! Fabulous breakfasts, great staff and wonderful recommendations by staff for dinner/lunch and activities!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Location is central within Ortigia and easy walking distance to all important sites!

Staff

Staff were amazing, wonderfully warm and super helpful.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Palace Catania | UNA Esperienze

Catania

This hotel is wonderfully central, easy access to everything, as well as lovely amenities. Breakfast is wonderful, staff is helpful/friendly!

Authenticity & Character

Location.

Location

Easy to access all relevant historical and cultural sites, easy to get to restaurants, etc.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Villa Ducale

Taormina

Spectacular views from atop the hillside, my only criticism is of the pool. If you are looking to "lounge" by the pool after a hot day of walking/sight seeing or boating, etc., there are no places to sit, only a pool by which to take a dip. Food here is fantastic, and because of its' location, the staff provide a free shuttle service to the main part of town, so its location (while way atop the hill) doesn't pose any difficulties for those that may be challenged walking up and down the 700+ stairs to get to town!

Authenticity & Character

Loved that this is a villa converted to a hotel, lends an amazing amount of charm/character to the experience.

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Palazzo Rosaria Boutique Hotel

VALLETTA

wonderfully located in the central historic district; friendly staff and fabulous accommodations.

Authenticity & Character

Not a particularly "authentic" hotel as it is fairly modern, but nonetheless a wonderful location.

Location

Staff

Very helpful/friendly staff that even got up early to make us breakfast for a 5 am departure!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Palermo Private Walking Tour

Palermo

Very informative, friendly guide (substitute for the guide we were supposed to have had). Gauged our interest in various historical/cultural aspects of Palermo and adjusted accordingly. Loved the "stories" she wove in about the love affairs/politics/etc behind the historical points of interest.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Valley of the Temples Tour

Palermo

This was one of the highlights of our trip to Sicily! This is a fantastic, soul-touching site that is vast and worth exploring every inch. Our guide, Lorenzo was highly animated, telling story after story and making the history of the site come alive. TIP: Visit the site early in the morning before either the heat or the hordes of crowds, definitely worth an early rise to see this amazing historical landmark.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Etna Trekking & Tasting with Masterclass Wines Doc Etna

Italy

The trekking was just a little disappointing in length, though our guide was quite good/knowledgeable! We had hoped for more trekking/less driving. The lunch is definitely the highlight of the trip, as Barbara made a spectacular meal for us, sharing the bounty of her garden, freshly made pasta and pairing local wines with each course. This was such a memorable part of our trip and something we will remember forever. She shared her recipes with me, and as an avid cook, I cannot wait to try them!

Quality of Experience

The lunch was the highlight!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Fresh Pasta Making Class in Taormina

Taormina

This was a very special class, as we were the only "participants", so enjoyed a hands-on pasta making class with three different types of pastas and sauces, enjoying the meal with the chef after making the dishes.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Not applicable for this activity.

Transport

Not applicable, as we walked.

Nicholas and Dion were the best guide and tracker at Sabi Sands.
Harry was the best guide at Xakanaxa Delta.
People were extremely friendly at all safaris as well as Cape Town and Victoria Falls. Each safari provided unique experience that we will cherish forever. Great time.

Hotel Reviews

Victoria Falls Safari Lodge

Victoria Falls

Beautiful location for the lodge. Great rooms and excellent cleanliness. Happy (The guide) was helpful in showing us falls from all different aspects. Shopping was great.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Little away from town at the same time close driving distance to town

Staff

Knowledgeable

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very good service

The Commodore Hotel

Cape Town

Very friendly people. Everything is on time and great service.

Authenticity & Character

Very friendly people

Location

Walking distance from mall and water

Staff

Always ready to help. Also, paid attention to our dietary needs.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Clean rooms as hallways. Breakfast area was greatly organized.

Elephant Plains Game Lodge

Bushbuckridge

The whole staff from Kelly (Camp Manager) to our guide (Nicholas) and Tracker (Dion) were great people. Chef took take care of us due to our vegetarian diet needs. Nicholas and Dion were great to take us closest to animals as possible.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Chobe Game Lodge

Serondela

Overall great experience. Not too happy with the guide. She seemed little less aggressive to find animals for us to see.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Great location

Staff

Great food.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Excellent

Camp Xakanaxa

Maun

It was like living in a true jungle. Everyone from Ipeleng (Camp Manager) to Harry (The Guide) were very helpful. They provided great communication and safety walk to make us feel totally at home.

Authenticity & Character

True experience of nature.

Location

Can't expect better location than pure jungle experience.

Staff

Unbelievable. Everyone is great, specially our guide Harry

Cleanliness & Comfort

Extremely clean. Not a single issue.

Activity Reviews

Private City & Table Mountain Tour - Half Day

Cape Town

Mario (The Guide) is the best. Very knowledgable.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full Day Cape Peninsula Tour (including lunch)

South Africa

Mario was very accommodating to our needs. He took us to shopping places after Peninsula Tour. Lunch was great and catered to our dietary needs.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Staff and drivers are always either on time or ahead of time as well as ready to help.

Transport

Afternoon Game Drive

Sabi Sands Game Reserve

Great beginning of our Safari tour.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Morning and Afternoon Game Drives

Sabi Sands Game Reserve

Nicholas and Dion are top of their game. They knew exactly what our wishes were and how to fulfill them. This team of duo is great at informing us as well as finding animals based on our wishes. Great time.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Days on Safari

South Africa

Another day in paradise. Nicholas and Dion exposed us to breathe taking moment of roaring lions, within 6 inches of Elephant. What a game drive!!!!! We never imagined such a close exciting, thrilling encounter with the help of Dion and Nicholas.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tour of the falls

Victoria Falls

Happy (The guide) is very knowledgeable. Nice tour of the falls. Gave us totally new perspective after visiting the falls

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sunset cruise

Victoria Falls

Nice relaxing evening. Great view. Enjoyed.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Victoria Falls to Chobe

Botswana

Everything was on time and no issue with transportation.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Chobe Safari

Botswana

The guide was not as enthusiastic and aggressive as Sabi Sands and Okavango Delta. We believe she could have done lot more to make it significantly more exciting for us.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Chobe Safari Day

Botswana

Lodge was outstanding. Only disappointment was guid and Game Drive.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guide was disappointment.

Transport

Chobe National Park to Okavango Delta

Botswana

One of the best experience in charter plane. Travel was flawless.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Okavango Delta Safari

Okavango Delta

One of the best experience. Our guide Harry was extremely knowledgeable. He knew exactly how to track animals. He listened to our wishes very clearly and tried his best to execute them. He has no fear of taking us close to animals while keeping our safety in mind. One of the best highlight of our tour.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We had the most wonderful time in Italy! We owe a huge thank you to our trip planner, problem fixer and behind the scenes guide Fabio. He took all the stressful pieces of our trip, such a booking trains, scheduling private transfers, finding wonderful tours, etc and planned it all out for us meticulously. While in Italy, he kept in contact with us checking in, asking for feedback, and was always available anytime of the day to troubleshoot. Fabio also found wonderful food and dinner reservations for us, both before the trip and during. If we were unable to communicate with a restaurant or running behind due to events like the Tour de Italy bike race, he communicated with tour guides and helped cancel or change restaurant reservations. While in Rome, I suffered from sun poisoning, he was quick to find a physician that would come to me for assistance and when there was a language barrier with the agency, he immediately called and helped translate. During the trip, he took feedback from us and when he got to know our group more, he made suggestions to our future drivers and tour hosts to accommodate our preferences, such a wine tastings and food suggestions. Lastly, my husband and I had asked Fabio last minute before leaving for Italy, if he might coordinate a photographer for some belated wedding pictures, as we did not have a our wedding due to Covid-19. Fabio was able to find an amazing photographer for us last minute and made the whole day very special for us in and around Lake Como. We had a trip of a lifetime in Italy, our travels were seamless in and between the different cities and this was all due to and thanks to Fabio. I would hands down use him again if we were to go back and would also highly recommend him to anyone else going to Italy anytime soon!

Our trip that Angela helped coordinate was wonderful from promptly being picked up at various locations, great hotel & villa stays, amazing & appropriate tours that suited our family to the ready availability of Angela if we had any concerns and questions.
Our tour guide Eleni for the Mythology Acropolis tour kept us intrigued with her storytelling and our kitron tour with Sophia is an experience that all of us including the children will never forget.

Hotel Review

Azure Villa Santorini

Santorini

Amazing comfortable home with the best sunset views!!!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Athens Highlights Mythology Tour

Greece

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Following Ariadne’s path in Naxos (Wine, Spirits & Olive Oil Tasting)

Greece

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Exploring the Myth of Santorini

Greece

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Turning to KimKim to help plan this trip was the best decision we could have made. Anna did a great job listening and understanding what we wanted to get out of our trip and created and edited a great itinerary. When traveling, things are bound to go wrong, but any issues that arose were quickly taken care of and resolved. This eased any stress of being in a new country for the first time.