Kimkim Trip Reviews

4.8
Based on 17,219 ratings
Read 17,219 verified reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim. You can also read reviews about kimkim on 3rd party sites including Google, TrustPilot and Yelp.

Our trip specialists Lizbeth, Ximena, and Isa...
Mexico | Aug 26 - Sep 2, 2023

Claudia
Claudia G.
Phoenix, AZ | Reviewed on Sep 05, 2023
Our trip specialists Lizbeth, Ximena, and Isabelle were all amazing - quick to respond and always had the information I needed. I especially liked that they sent the name, contact info, and type of car for each pick up. Would definitely recommend them! Read more

Our trip specialists Lizbeth, Ximena, and Isabelle were all amazing - quick to respond and always had the information I needed. I especially liked that they sent the name, contact info, and type of car for each pick up. Would definitely recommend them!

Hotel Review
Zócalo Central
Mexico City
Authenticity & Character
Location
Right in front of the zocalo and amazing top floor views! Also, the included breakfast is delicious and the cafe meals / drinks are included. The staff is wonderful and super helpful. Can’t ask for more.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Isabelle Bauer
Isabelle
Isabelle Bauer
Local specialist in Tulum | Replied on Sep 05, 2023

Hola Claudia!

Muchas gracias por tu reseña! I am happy to hear that my colleagues Lizy & Xime did (again) an amazing job :)

It was a pleasure organizing your trip for you and your family and we all hope to welcome you again soon :)

Saludos desde México,
Isa and Rutopía Team

A second amazing trip with KimKim in Jordan
Jordan | Aug 31 - Sep 4, 2023

Nicholas
Nicholas P.
Dallas, TX | Reviewed on Sep 05, 2023

This is our second amazing trip with KimKim. We had a spectacular five days in Jordan exploring Petra, Wadi Rum, and the Dead Sea. In particular, we really enjoyed hiking in Wadi Rum with Ahed, our Bedouin host. Ayuob was a great driver and guide as well teaching us about the culture and history of Jordan along the way. Big thanks to Mariam for planning such a memorable trip for us!

Local specialist: Mariam Alnajdawi
Mariam
Mariam Alnajdawi
Local specialist in Petra- Jordan | Replied on Sep 05, 2023

I am really happy to see such a wonderful review, great to see that you had a wonderful time in Jordan and I wish we can host you again here. 🌸

First organized trip of such and it exceeded my expectations
Greece | Aug 27 - Sep 3, 2023

Teresa
Teresa S.
Livingston, NJ | Reviewed on Sep 05, 2023
Thanos was easy to work with and amazing from start to finish. We had calls to discuss our interests and budgets and he tried to accommodate what we wanted. The places and accommodations he booked for us were all very good and the arranged transportation transfers from point to point really taken a lot of stress and time out of the system which makes it easier to enjoy the experience. Read more

Thanos was easy to work with and amazing from start to finish. We had calls to discuss our interests and budgets and he tried to accommodate what we wanted. The places and accommodations he booked for us were all very good and the arranged transportation transfers from point to point really taken a lot of stress and time out of the system which makes it easier to enjoy the experience.

Hotel Reviews
Acropolis Stay
Athens

By far the location is a plus as it is near to the tourist attractions and all the restaurants.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Adriani Hotel
Naxos Town

Great place ran by a family, we especially love their breakfast, everything is made fresh by themselves.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Blue Dolphins Apartments & Suites
Firostefani, Santorini

The view from the hotel is amazing. Love our private balcony and the breakfast served on the balcony.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Near to town
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Naxos Day Cruise
Naxos Day Cruise
Naxos
Quality of Experience
J
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
All Time Classic Santorini
All Time Classic Santorini
Santorini
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Acropolis Guided Tour
Acropolis Guided Tour
Athens

Tina is knowledgeable and amazing. She took the time to answer all our questions and not rush us. She is warm and friendly!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Thanos Nikopoulos

rita was amazing to work with. She completel...
Iceland | Aug 28 - Sep 4, 2023

D
Dana S.
Foley, AL | Reviewed on Sep 05, 2023
Rita was amazing to work with. She completely geared our trip to our interests and didn't overwhelm with hours of driving everyday. We were able to see some of the things which were a little bit off the beaten path, so were not overwhelmed with excessive tourists. The accommodations she arranged worked perfectly for our family of 4 (2 of whom are grown children so needed their own space). One day, weather didn't cooperate for our initial plan, and KimKim Team arranged for alternate... Read more

Rita was amazing to work with. She completely geared our trip to our interests and didn't overwhelm with hours of driving everyday. We were able to see some of the things which were a little bit off the beaten path, so were not overwhelmed with excessive tourists. The accommodations she arranged worked perfectly for our family of 4 (2 of whom are grown children so needed their own space). One day, weather didn't cooperate for our initial plan, and KimKim Team arranged for alternate suggestions and accommodations, taking the stress of our shoulders. We would use KimKim Team again.

Activity Review
Husafell Canyon Baths
Iceland

We absolutely loved this place! It felt like a completely private, hidden retreat!

Quality of Experience
Local specialist: Rita Tallarom
Rita
Rita Tallarom
Local specialist in Akureyri | Replied on Sep 06, 2023

Hi Dana,

Many thanks for your kind words. It was a pleasure to work with you and I'm really glad you had such a wonderful time with your family.
Wishing you fantastic future travels!
Rita

Great trip and Excellent Support
Portugal | Aug 17 - Aug 26, 2023

R
Renee E.
Roswell, GA | Reviewed on Sep 05, 2023
In Porto, we were greeted at the airport by Ricardo. He drove for us all three days - which was nice. At each point he made sure to personally connect us with the next step. He even escorted us to the actual train platform when we left! Our first morning, Sara provided a historical walking food tour - ending at Taxca - where we were introduced to the bifana sandwich. We continued tasting bifanas throughout Portugal - Taxca was the best! Our hotel was riverfront and central for... Read more

In Porto, we were greeted at the airport by Ricardo. He drove for us all three days - which was nice. At each point he made sure to personally connect us with the next step. He even escorted us to the actual train platform when we left! Our first morning, Sara provided a historical walking food tour - ending at Taxca - where we were introduced to the bifana sandwich. We continued tasting bifanas throughout Portugal - Taxca was the best! Our hotel was riverfront and central for walking the city.
We toured the Quinta Da Pacheca vineyard, tasted wines and port, and had a beautiful lunch. Definitely a highlight and place I would like to visit again!
By the end of day 3, we had travelled by plane, train, automobile and boat!
When questions arose, Pedro and his team responded within minutes. I felt fully prepared and supported by the Kim Kim team.
Porto was definitely my favorite city! Loved hearing the live music throughout the city.
Other highlights from Portugal included Sintra, The Chapel of Bones, Lagos, boat ride through the grotto and Sangres for sunset.
Enjoyed the history and hotel in Lisbon. It definitely had more of a big city feel. Their practice of polishing the cobblestone sidewalks definitely made walking a bit harder and slippery. My favorite experience in Lisbon was Fado at Mesa de Frades Restaurant listening to Pedro de Castro play his Portuguese guitar! Amazing!
Wish I had more than our 10 days to spend in your beautiful country. Thank you Pedro for such a well planned visit!

Hotel Reviews
Pestana Vintage Porto
Porto

Great location - borders river and open plaza. Friendly English speaking staff. Wonderful breakfast with fresh fruits, juices, cured meats, local sheep cheese and breads.

Authenticity & Character
Original walls were visible in room
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Évora Olive Hotel
Évora
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
H10 Duque de Loule
Lisboa

Very warm and charming. Love the window seats overlooking the city streets.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Seamless Discovery - The Ultimate Douro Valley Experience with Private Driver Service
Seamless Discovery - The Ultimate Douro Valley Experience with Private Driver Service
Portugal

Thank you Ricardo for another wonderful day (and water!)

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Car was clean and comfortable.
Exploring Porto's Rich History on an Exclusive Gastronomic Tour Through Time
Exploring Porto's Rich History on an Exclusive Gastronomic Tour Through Time
Porto

Thank you Sara for sharing your city and its history. You provided a great introduction to Porto!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Sara was friendly and knowledgeable.
Transport
Roads in good condition - just steep! Be prepared for lots of stairs.
Local specialist: Pedro Luis
Pedro
Pedro Luis
Local specialist in Lisbon | Replied on Sep 05, 2023

Dear Renee,
Thank you so much for such a detailed and wonderful review.
I am so happy to hear that you managed to meet Pedro de Castro and that the fado was of the highlights of your trip.
Feel free to reach out to me in the future.
Your friend in Portugal,
Pedro

Tirana and south of Albania
Albania | Aug 24 - Sep 3, 2023

G
george g.
Saint Clair Shores, MI | Reviewed on Sep 04, 2023
We had an amazing trip to south of Albania! As we got so used to from the Kimkim team (and we are getting spoiled after the years), from the first contact with Ed to the final goodbye at the Tirana airport from "Nik" (Kreshnik), our guide and driver, all went great. The trip was as we envisioned in our request: explore as much as possible the "real" Albania, stay away from tourist traps and crowds and get to see how "real" people live. Nik was a treasure trove of history, culture, politics... Read more

We had an amazing trip to south of Albania! As we got so used to from the Kimkim team (and we are getting spoiled after the years), from the first contact with Ed to the final goodbye at the Tirana airport from "Nik" (Kreshnik), our guide and driver, all went great. The trip was as we envisioned in our request: explore as much as possible the "real" Albania, stay away from tourist traps and crowds and get to see how "real" people live. Nik was a treasure trove of history, culture, politics and everything else. He knows his country like back of his hand and he seems to know everyone (and everyone seems to know him....) so he/we were treated like locals. The only downside: we ran out of time (but that was out problem).

Hotel Reviews
Guesthouse Chri Chri
Përmet

Remote, relatively inaccessible location but terrific experience with the host family.

Authenticity & Character
private house converted into a guest facility; a true "mom and pop place"
Location
remote location, high in the mountains, accessible only by ATV via a poor road
Staff
very friendly, accessible and accommodating
Cleanliness & Comfort
everything was spick and span
Hotel Boka
Tirana

Very nice hotel in a nice location in downtown Tirana, close to the local market, many restaurants and shops. Friendly staff and very nice breakfast. The only issue was the air conditioning seemed to be turned off at night which was nit fun in the hot weather...

Authenticity & Character
small, boutique hotel with friendly staff
Location
as above
Staff
pleasant, approachable, accommodating
Cleanliness & Comfort
everything seemed to be clean...
Local specialist: Ed Reeves
Ed
Ed Reeves
Local specialist in Tirana, Albania | Replied on Sep 06, 2023

Thanks so much for the kind words! Hope you can make it back one day and Nik can show you the north and Kosovo - he spent a lot of time in Prizren when working on the infamous Pristina-Tirana highway so has a lot of friends in Kosovo too! I know he had a great time showing you around, so thanks for choosing us!

Loved it all: Florence, Sorrento, Rome.
Italy | Jul 11 - Jul 22, 2023

D
David D.
Wauwatosa, WI | Reviewed on Sep 04, 2023
Loved it all: Florence, Sorrento, Rome. The guides were excellent. The children's tour guides did a fantastic job engaging the boys (7 and 5). The drivers were incredibly patient, courteous, and flexible. Francesco saved the day by getting us to a wine tasting when the originally planned event fell through at the last second. Accommodations were top notch. An all around great experience. Read more

Loved it all: Florence, Sorrento, Rome. The guides were excellent. The children's tour guides did a fantastic job engaging the boys (7 and 5). The drivers were incredibly patient, courteous, and flexible. Francesco saved the day by getting us to a wine tasting when the originally planned event fell through at the last second. Accommodations were top notch. An all around great experience.

Hotel Reviews
Martis Palace Hotel Rome
Rome
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Lorelei Londres
Sorrento

Loved this place. Restaurant has a Michelin Star! Wish the private balconies were a little more "private" but the oversized jacuzzi was awesome.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Plaza Hotel Lucchesi
Florence

Rooftop pool makes this hotel probably the best option in the center of florence.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Tour of the Vineyard and Lunch with Wine Tasting in Furore
Tour of the Vineyard and Lunch with Wine Tasting in Furore
Italy

The wine was some of the best we had in Italy. The vines are 200+ years old and producing absolutely stunning quality wine. paired with the local lunch, this was one of our favorite experiences, set above Positano with a view unparalleled.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Jessica Proietti
Jessica
Jessica Proietti
Local specialist in Italy | Replied on Sep 05, 2023

Hi David,
I truly appreciate your thoughtful review. It brings us great joy to hear that you had a wonderful experience with our local suppliers and thoroughly enjoyed your stay at our hotels. We always meet in person our partners and do inspections at the hotels in order to ensure a memorable Italian journey. Arrivederci, and once again, thank you for your feedback!

The trip we wanted
Scotland | Aug 19 - Aug 28, 2023

C
Cat H.
San Leandro, CA | Reviewed on Sep 04, 2023
Stephen prepared a great trip for us, taking all of our feedback and crazy ideas. Everything was laid out, easy to understand, follow and share. Got a few pro-tips for the cities we were visiting which helped a lot. Read more

Stephen prepared a great trip for us, taking all of our feedback and crazy ideas. Everything was laid out, easy to understand, follow and share. Got a few pro-tips for the cities we were visiting which helped a lot.

Activity Reviews
Cliff of Moher tour from Dublin
Cliff of Moher tour from Dublin
Dublin

The tour to the Cliffs of Moher was a great experience. Our driver was fantastic and the views were stunning. Initially, we were unsure if it would take too much time away from exploring Dublin, but it was well worth it. The only drawback was the large tour group, which we weren't expecting, but everyone was fun and we enjoyed the company.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Free time in Dublin
Free time in Dublin
Dublin

We really appreciated the downtime in our schedule. Our group made the most of it and explored attractions that weren't initially on our itinerary. It provided us with the flexibility we desired and allowed us to experience the city at our own pace.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Irish Dancing - The Irish House Party (Dinner & Show)
Irish Dancing - The Irish House Party (Dinner & Show)
Dublin

The Irish House Party - one of the highlights of our trip. Initially, we were hesitant to attend due to its location and our fatigue. However, it turned out to be a blast! Although the food before the show was average, the music and dancing were amazing. We left feeling very happy and glad that we went there.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Day tour to the Giants Causeway
Day tour to the Giants Causeway
Belfast

The tour to the Giants Causeway was absolutely incredible. Our driver was wonderful and the scenery was breathtaking. It was a fantastic way to spend our day and we couldn't have been happier with the experience.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Glasgow Beer Tour
Glasgow Beer Tour
Glasgow

The beer tour was a fun experience for our group. The guides were accommodating and understanding about the non-drinkers in our group, offering them alternatives and still making the tour informative for them as well. The whole experience was enjoyable and well put together.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Excursion from Edinburgh - Highlands, Whisky & Castles - V2
Private Excursion from Edinburgh - Highlands, Whisky & Castles - V2
Edinburgh

The tour was wonderful and the driver was a character with a big personality. There was a minor miscommunication where he thought we were golfers but it turned into a funny moment. The whiskey tour was particularly enjoyable, and the guides made it fun and informative for everyone, even the non-drinkers in our group.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Afternoon Tea at the Edinburgh Castle
Afternoon Tea at the Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh

We loved this. A highlight. Helped us stay awake after arriving.

Local specialist: Stephen Molloy
Stephen
Stephen Molloy
Local specialist in Dorset and Lyon | Replied on Nov 23, 2023

Greetings Cat to you and the 6 other intrepid travelers ,

Thank you for choosing us, and for being such keen sports as you traversed Ireland, Northern Ireland and Scotland. I am happy you loved the roadbook that had the pro tips for each city!

I also want to say that I thoroughly enjoyed your crews attitude before during and after the trip! You are a real pleasure to work with as well and I wish I had a bunch of friends like yours to go travelling with.

Thank you again, take care and stay in touch - Go Notre Dame, right?

Stephen Molloy & the whole team at HIGH POINT HOLIDAYS

Wonderful ten days in Morocco last December!
Morocco | Dec 23 - Jan 1, 2023

Cla
Cla C.
Borough Park, NY | Reviewed on Sep 04, 2023
Wonderful ten days in Morocco last December! My husband and I typically plan and book our trips on our own, but this time we wanted to visit many places and needed a driver to takes us from place to place. After reading many reviews, we contacted Kimkim and they didn't disappoint: they were very responsive and immediately put us in touch with a local agency, Original Travels. Mohamed has been very helpful putting the itinerary together based on our interests and specific requests,... Read more

Wonderful ten days in Morocco last December!

My husband and I typically plan and book our trips on our own, but this time we wanted to visit many places and needed a driver to takes us from place to place.

After reading many reviews, we contacted Kimkim and they didn't disappoint: they were very responsive and immediately put us in touch with a local agency, Original Travels.

Mohamed has been very helpful putting the itinerary together based on our interests and specific requests, understanding that we weren't looking for a fully organized trip and wanted to discover Morocco on our own.
He suggested charming riads and cultural/fun activities to do.
We kept making changes and Mohamed was very fast (and patient!) on sending us the updates.

Once in Morocco, Said made sure everything was going as planned and we were enjoying our trip. He went above and beyond our expectations and also arranged a wonderful New Year's Eve dinner!

Our driver, Soufyan, was excellent: very professional, safe, fun, and very attentive to all our needs!
It was reassuring to see him every morning, picking us up at our hotel, always on time!
Along the road he took us to traditional restaurants and recommended typical dishes to try.
He definitely made this trip stress free and so memorable, especially when he invited us to his house to meet his family and cooked for us... such a wonderful experience!!
We enjoyed the hours in the car with him. Learning about the Moroccan culture, music and his family.

One of the highlights of our trip was the desert: spectacular camel ride at sunset to the Tiziry Luxury Camp.
Ahmed and the Berber staff were so welcoming and fun!

We had such a good experience with KimKim that now we are organizing our trip to India.

Hotel Review
Tiziri Luxury Camp
Merzouga
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Transfer from Fes to Merzouga via Erfoud & Camel Ride
Transfer from Fes to Merzouga via Erfoud & Camel Ride
Morocco
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Mohamed El Asely
Mohamed
Mohamed El Asely
Local specialist in Atlas Mountains | Replied on Sep 05, 2023
Hi Cla, Thank you so much for taking the time to share your wonderful experience of your ten-day journey through Morocco. We're thrilled to hear that your adventure was filled with memorable moments, and it was our pleasure to be a part of your travel planning. It's wonderful to hear that your Moroccan journey was so enriching that you're now planning a trip to India through Kimkim. We can't wait to assist you in crafting another unforgettable adventure. Once again, thank you for choosing... Read more

Hi Cla,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your wonderful experience of your ten-day journey through Morocco. We're thrilled to hear that your adventure was filled with memorable moments, and it was our pleasure to be a part of your travel planning.

It's wonderful to hear that your Moroccan journey was so enriching that you're now planning a trip to India through Kimkim. We can't wait to assist you in crafting another unforgettable adventure.

Once again, thank you for choosing Kimkim and sharing your glowing review. We look forward to helping you create more extraordinary memories on your future travels.

Warm regards,
Mohamed

Kim Kim makes Dream Trips seamless so you can enjoy without stress
Greece | Aug 6 - Aug 16, 2023

Lindsay
Lindsay C.
Twin Falls, ID | Reviewed on Sep 04, 2023
I don’t have words for how phenomenal this trip was.
I was beyond impressed by the communication by our travel specialists. The hotel choices? The airport and travel transports? Could not have been better communicated, kind and more professional. The guides personable, funny and endearing. If you are wondering if Kim Kim is a good bet?
The answer is DO IT.
I am recommending to family and friends and will use them over and over again for trip planning. They took the stress out of the...
Read more

I don’t have words for how phenomenal this trip was.
I was beyond impressed by the communication by our travel specialists. The hotel choices? The airport and travel transports? Could not have been better communicated, kind and more professional. The guides personable, funny and endearing. If you are wondering if Kim Kim is a good bet?
The answer is DO IT.
I am recommending to family and friends and will use them over and over again for trip planning. They took the stress out of the detailed planning of drivers and transportation and gave incredible local knowledge and recommendations that made our trip 1000% better than it could have been. Incredibly impressed and grateful for their help, planning and kindnesses such as having a bottle of wine sitting in the refrigerator in our villa on my birthday!
Thank you to Irene and her team.
I will come back to Kim Kim over and over again.

Hotel Review
Doupiani House Meteora
Kalampaka

Kind. Very Sweet front desk girl with great recommendations… and an incredible complimentary breakfast. Very unique and personal hotel with incredible views!!!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Santorini Highlights with Wine
Santorini Highlights with Wine
Greece

Harry our guide was adorable and Takis our driver an incredible driver. We had a time confusion and they were very calm and flexible. Beautiful views and a fun experience!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Give Harry and Takis our love!
Transport
Local dinner in Meteora
Local dinner in Meteora
Meteora

Monica the granddaughter of the Family run business was sweet and welcoming and an incredible hostess. We all loved her! The food was the BEST MEAL of our entire trip. Would 100% recommend!

Quality of Experience
Food
Local incredible cuisine
Private Acropolis Guided Tour
Private Acropolis Guided Tour
Athens

Doria our guide was kind, sweet, so knowledgeable and we truly appreciated her time and extra efforts.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Irene Lappa

Will Certainly Use Again
Ireland | Aug 25 - Sep 3, 2023

Greg
Greg T.
Gilbert, AZ | Reviewed on Sep 04, 2023
Both the kimkim expereince and dealing with Ireland Walk Hike and Bike were outstanding. Not having any knowledge of Ireland, the team at Ireland Walk Hike and Bike were outstanding. They took the stress out of planning an itinerary, booking accomodations and the rental car, and providing restaurant and place of interest suggestions. Most importantly, they took note as to what was important to us (natural sights) and what was not (castles, churches and likely crowded places). Our... Read more

Both the kimkim expereince and dealing with Ireland Walk Hike and Bike were outstanding.

Not having any knowledge of Ireland, the team at Ireland Walk Hike and Bike were outstanding. They took the stress out of planning an itinerary, booking accomodations and the rental car, and providing restaurant and place of interest suggestions. Most importantly, they took note as to what was important to us (natural sights) and what was not (castles, churches and likely crowded places).

Our highlights in order of experiencing: Dingle Sea Safari, Cliffs of Moher hike, Kayaking Lough Corrib, climbing Tully Mountain, Killary Sheep Farm demonstration, and bodysurfing in Keel Bay.

Local specialist: Dean Garrison
Dean
Dean Garrison
Local specialist in Ireland | Replied on Sep 05, 2023

Hi Greg

Thank you for your kind words. We are overjoyed to hear you had a great time in Ireland.

Also thank you for taking time out of your trip to visit us at our office. It is always great to put a name to face.

We hope to have the opportunity to welcome back to Ireland in the future.

All the best

Dean

Everything was great. Will be back.
Iceland | Aug 21 - Aug 31, 2023

B
Botir S.
Cortlandt Manor, NY | Reviewed on Sep 04, 2023

Everything was great. Will be back.

Local specialist: Rinolda J
Rinolda
Rinolda J
Local specialist in Iceland | Replied on Sep 18, 2023

I am very happy to hear that!

Exceptional service here! My daughter and I w...
Turkey | Aug 24 - Sep 3, 2023

Kumar
Kumar R.
Pleasanton, CA | Reviewed on Sep 04, 2023
Exceptional service here! My daughter and I were making a last minute trip to Turkey. Berat Ornek is a rockstar! Berat was able to accommodate our plans and made a very memorable trip a reality. She kept in constant touch thru the trip to ensure quality. We even got a chance to meet her in Cappadocia - she is lovely and the meal at her brother’s hotel was a highlight! Our tour guide Ozan Tokcan is one of a kind. He goes above and beyond at every step and became a friend and travel companion.... Read more

Exceptional service here! My daughter and I were making a last minute trip to Turkey. Berat Ornek is a rockstar! Berat was able to accommodate our plans and made a very memorable trip a reality. She kept in constant touch thru the trip to ensure quality. We even got a chance to meet her in Cappadocia - she is lovely and the meal at her brother’s hotel was a highlight! Our tour guide Ozan Tokcan is one of a kind. He goes above and beyond at every step and became a friend and travel companion. We visited Istanbul, cappadocia and Izmir/Pamukkale - a special trip made special by Berat and Ozan!

Activity Reviews
Sunset Wine + Romance in Cappadocian Valleys
Sunset Wine + Romance in Cappadocian Valleys
Cappadocia

We were graced by the top 3 subsets of my life. Surreal!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Kaymaklı Underground City
Kaymaklı Underground City
Cappadocia

Such a unique spot! The history and ingenuity of the people past is amazing to see!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visiting Göreme Open Air Museum (UNESCO World Heritage)
Visiting Göreme Open Air Museum (UNESCO World Heritage)
Cappadocia

A treasure well preserved! Highly recommend with a quality guide like Ozan Tokcan who brought history to life!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Hot Air Balloon Tour at Sunrise
Hot Air Balloon Tour at Sunrise
Cappadocia

A truly magical experience in a magical place

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Berat Ornek
Berat
Berat Ornek
Local specialist in Turkey | Replied on Sep 04, 2023

Dear Kumar,
Thank you for this wonderful review!

We are very happy to hear you had a positive experience in our beautiful country. Thank you very much for choosing us and for taking the time to write this review - much appreciated. We look forward to welcoming you again in the near future. It was also a great joy to meet you in person!

All best regards on behalf of Trail Travel team,
Berat

Trip of a lifetime through Portugal
Portugal | Aug 17 - Aug 26, 2023

Sharman
Sharman U.
Marietta, GA | Reviewed on Sep 04, 2023
We had an amazing trip through Portugal thanks to Pedro! Our expectations were exceeded in every way, from the drivers and tours to the hotel selections it was all top notch and professional. Pedro checked in each day and sent a reminder of what to expect the next day so we were always prepared. In Porto we had Ricardo as a driver all 3 days. He went out of his way to ensure we made it to correct train platform on last day. Sarah our walking tour guide was charming and fun with lots of... Read more

We had an amazing trip through Portugal thanks to Pedro! Our expectations were exceeded in every way, from the drivers and tours to the hotel selections it was all top notch and professional. Pedro checked in each day and sent a reminder of what to expect the next day so we were always prepared. In Porto we had Ricardo as a driver all 3 days. He went out of his way to ensure we made it to correct train platform on last day. Sarah our walking tour guide was charming and fun with lots of history and stories. Porto was the favorite stop of our trip. In Lisbon we had Miguel as a driver and Rita our tour guide was so passionate about the city’s culture and history it made 3 hours of walking in the heat fly by! But by far our favorite event was the Fado dinner where we sat at the front table and had guitarist sitting with us. Amazing unforgettable performances! We finished in Lagos for a beach trip and enjoyed our more relaxed time. The tour of the grottoes was beautiful and we had great guides in Stefan and Bruno. The hotel here was our least favorite as it was packed with a lot of families and had an all inclusive plan making the breakfast a little more hectic. We were also a little removed from the city but very close to the beach which we did enjoy for half a day. Overall we cannot complain as everything from beginning to end went smoothly and created beautiful memories for us. we left Portugal wanting to return again as soon as possible! We will look to Pedro again when we return. We will also plan to use kimkim for other travel because it really made everything so easy. Thank you!!

Hotel Reviews
Pestana Vintage Porto
Porto

The Pestano in Porto was amazing and right on the river. The breakfast was our favorite of all the places we stayed. The room we had was wonderful with plenty of room for us to spread out. We loved being right on the river where all the action was.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
H10 Duque de Loule
Lisboa

H10 in Lisbon was also very nice. It was in a great location. Although it was a much smaller room it had everything we needed and we enjoyed the rooftop bar.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Immerse Yourself in the Portuguese Culture by Experiencing a Fado Dinner
Immerse Yourself in the Portuguese Culture by Experiencing a Fado Dinner
Lisbon

This was highlight of our trip!! We ended up with the main guitarist sitting at our table and talking to us. Very hospitable and the performances were unbelievable!! We had no idea what the words meant but we were mesmerized all night.

Quality of Experience
Food
Private Historic Odyssey Walking Tour of Lisbon
Private Historic Odyssey Walking Tour of Lisbon
Lisbon

Rita was a fabulous tour guide. We learned so much about Lisbon’s history while walking the city. She also knew nice shortcuts to help us minimize walking uphill all day!

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

We loved our tour of the Pacheca winery with Pedro. The port was amazing and our lunch was delicious! We ended up ordering a case of wine to send home as he was a very good salesman! 😃

Exploring Porto's Rich History on an Exclusive Gastronomic Tour Through Time
Exploring Porto's Rich History on an Exclusive Gastronomic Tour Through Time
Porto

Sarah our guide was wonderful. She had lots of great stories and history and the tastings were just the right amount.. She took us to our favorite restaurant and introduced us to Bifana which became my favorite sandwich ever!! We went back for our last dinner in Porto to have it again!

Quality of Experience
Local specialist: Pedro Luis
Pedro
Pedro Luis
Local specialist in Lisbon | Replied on Sep 04, 2023

Dear Sharman,
Thank you so much for your review, it is always very helpful to receive detailed feedback on your experience.
I am super happy to welcome you to Portugal once again in the future.
Your friend in Portugal - Pedro

Morocco luxury experience
Morocco | Aug 4 - Aug 9, 2023

Samantha
Samantha S.
Trinidad & Tobago | Reviewed on Sep 04, 2023
Our time in Morocco was nothing short of unforgettable. Our driver Moha made sure we were comfortable at all times in the 45 degree weather.
We loved the fact that it was a mixture of culture and relaxation. One of the most unforgettable experience was the mini hike to the little village and lunch in the family home.
The energy and vibe of Jemaa El Fnaa square was truly incomparable. The snake charmers couple with the music and food along with the henna artists and the bustling of people...
Read more

Our time in Morocco was nothing short of unforgettable. Our driver Moha made sure we were comfortable at all times in the 45 degree weather.
We loved the fact that it was a mixture of culture and relaxation. One of the most unforgettable experience was the mini hike to the little village and lunch in the family home.
The energy and vibe of Jemaa El Fnaa square was truly incomparable. The snake charmers couple with the music and food along with the henna artists and the bustling of people around makes for the most exciting atmosphere.
Essaouira was the perfect way to wind down on the vacation and just enjoy the slow pace of this beautiful seaside town.
Morocco definitely left a place in our hearts.

Local specialist: Majid Mrabti
Majid
Majid Mrabti
Local specialist in Morocco & France | Replied on Sep 07, 2023
Hello Samantha,
Thank you so much for sharing your incredible experience with us! We're thrilled to hear that your adventure in Morocco was nothing short of unforgettable. It's lovely to know that our service through Kimkim exceeded your expectations and significantly made your trip memorable.
We're especially pleased to hear such high praise for your driver, Moha. We take great pride in working with experienced and professional local guides who enhance the travel experience. We'll be sure to...
Read more

Hello Samantha,
Thank you so much for sharing your incredible experience with us! We're thrilled to hear that your adventure in Morocco was nothing short of unforgettable. It's lovely to know that our service through Kimkim exceeded your expectations and significantly made your trip memorable.
We're especially pleased to hear such high praise for your driver, Moha. We take great pride in working with experienced and professional local guides who enhance the travel experience. We'll be sure to pass along your kind words to Moha, as he'll be delighted to hear how much of an impact he made on your trip.
Once again, we sincerely appreciate your trust in us to plan your trip to Morocco. If you ever decide to explore another destination, please don't hesitate to reach out. We'd be more than happy to assist you in planning another incredible journey.
Best,
Majid

Family trip to the Azores
the Azores | Aug 20 - Sep 3, 2023

Miriam
Miriam G.
Canada | Reviewed on Sep 04, 2023
Marta was an excellent travel agent. She helped us a lot with planning our family trip to the Azores. She was also helpful with information during our tripbas well.
Our Kayaking tour in Sao Miguel was excellent. The 2 guides were awesome.
In Terceira we did an ebiking tour. The guide was very patient with my teens.
In Flores our favorite tour was canyoning. The guide was so very helpful with my daughter who was quite scared at times.
Read more

Marta was an excellent travel agent. She helped us a lot with planning our family trip to the Azores. She was also helpful with information during our tripbas well.
Our Kayaking tour in Sao Miguel was excellent. The 2 guides were awesome.
In Terceira we did an ebiking tour. The guide was very patient with my teens.
In Flores our favorite tour was canyoning. The guide was so very helpful with my daughter who was quite scared at times.

Hotel Reviews
INATEL Flores
Santa Cruz das Flores

We stayed in a nice little house. Was great to have our own place with a kitchen and washing machine. Just would have loved some AC since it was so hot there.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Marina Atlântico
Ponta Delgada, São Miguel
Authenticity & Character
Location
Right downtown.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Atlantida Mar Hotel
Praia da Vitoria

Nice views. Great pool and jacuzzi.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Senhora da Rosa Tradition & Nature Hotel
Ponta Delgada

Beautiful resort! Good restaurants. Be sure to make a reservation for the rooftop restaurant!

Authenticity & Character
Location
A bit far from Ponta Delgada
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Half Day Canyoning & Half Day Hiking
Half Day Canyoning & Half Day Hiking
Flores Island

Super challenging day but really great overall. I think canyoning alone or the hiking alone would have been enough. Was a lot for us to do in just one day.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Super patient with my kids. Made the afternoon hike a bit shorter for us because we were so tired.
Transport
Buggy Adventure in Terceira
Buggy Adventure in Terceira
Terceira Island

I was hoping we would drive around and stop a few times to hear about the places we were seeing and also get a chance to take photos of the gorgeous views. We only stopped once to go to the washroom at the halfway point. No explanations of anything we saw. Guide didn't even learn our names.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Discover Corvo Island – Full day
Discover Corvo Island – Full day
Flores Island

Boat ride over was quite choppy. Got a bit sea sick but did see dolphins. We thought we would be getting a tour of corvo Island but we were kind of just dropped off and left to fend for ourselves for the day. We were told not to bother bringing swim stuff but it was so hot and no shade, it would have been great to swim. Also didn't know we would be dropped off by taxi at a giant crater to hike for a couple of hours. Didn't come prepared with proper hiking shoes. Boat ride home was much easier and saw beautiful waterfalls and caves and lots of dolphins. Boat driver was amazing.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Boat driver Marcus very nice
Transport
Taxi on corvo initially charged us 40 euros but we got it back from boat driver after he said it was already included
Terceira Electric Bike Tour
Terceira Electric Bike Tour
Terceira Island

Lots of fun. Beautiful views. A bit scary coming down the mountain bit we did it!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Gastronomy Experience in Terceira
Gastronomy Experience in Terceira
São Miguel Island

Guide was very nice and knowledgeable. Enjoyed visiting the coffee plantation and talking to the farmer. I thought we would visit more places within the city to sample food, but it was mainly dinner and then a small walking tour.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Half Day Kayak Tour – Vila Franca Islet
Half Day Kayak Tour – Vila Franca Islet
São Miguel Island

Super fun. Guides were fantastic

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sete Ciudades Jeep Adventure
Sete Ciudades Jeep Adventure
São Miguel Island

Guide super nice. Weather unfortunately didn't cooperate so we couldn't see much.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Marta Trzeciakowska
Marta
Marta Trzeciakowska
Local specialist in Madrid, Spain | Replied on Sep 04, 2023

Hi Miriam, thank you so much for taking the time to write a thorough review! The Azores are a booming destination where tourism is still growing and adapting to bigger amounts of visitors which makes it a changing environment for us each year. We do wish to keep our best guides in time so we can offer only the best experiences and hope you can refer to us when traveling through Portugal, Spain, Morocco, or Italy in the future! Wish you and your lovely family all the best - Marta

France is a wonderful Family destination!
France | Aug 22 - Aug 29, 2023

Deena
Deena B.
Beverly Cove, MA | Reviewed on Sep 04, 2023
We really enjoyed the trip overall and all our guides and transportation were incredible and made everything special. The only disappointed lies with the lodging options. Our first Hotel was an Astotel (The Palm). We didn't like the location at all and the afternoon snacks were nothing worth having honestly (pre-packaged candies essentially). The only benefit was that it was very clean and close to Montmarte. However, the immediate vicinity was seriously lacking as a place to be in Paris.... Read more

We really enjoyed the trip overall and all our guides and transportation were incredible and made everything special. The only disappointed lies with the lodging options. Our first Hotel was an Astotel (The Palm). We didn't like the location at all and the afternoon snacks were nothing worth having honestly (pre-packaged candies essentially). The only benefit was that it was very clean and close to Montmarte. However, the immediate vicinity was seriously lacking as a place to be in Paris. I'm surprised it was recommended to us. Also at both hotels people talked of views etc, (especially at the Palm with Eiffel tower views) both times our views of trash/back alleys. We did like the area of the 2nd hotel much better but as a 4 star hotel the service wasn't any different from the Palm (3 star) except, they had a spa which was nice but again the service wasn't that great from what I was expecting. Also our air conditioning broke the last night which was annoying, nothing could be done about it in the middle of the night and we left the next morning. I am wondering if we didn't get the nicer views since we didn't book direct with the hotel? Besides making the hotel reservations where we required family rooms (4 people), I don't see the benefit of booking hotels with KimKim. The transportation, car rental, train tickets and private experiences, absolutely. The hotel in Burgundy (which I found) was absolutely incredible, views, hospitality and food was truly unforgettable.
Every guide we interacted with for our private tours were incredible and lovely to be with. We loved David from the Louvre and Kim from the wine tour in Burgundy. However, the limited information we received for each experience was strange to me. For example, our wine tour, when you look on the tour operators website they detail so much yet the kimkim voucher had no details essentially, so we did not really know what we were getting. I feel like the are leaving details out so you can't find out the price but people would be much more reassured if you knew more details. The private bike tour was really great but the bike even for our little one was really hard for her to use with the extremely large hand breaks. The guide was amazing and tried to adjust best he could. My girls loved it (8 yo and 6yo). She made it through regardless with a little blister (the guide had a first aid kit) and she is so strong to overcome it but most younger kids would have a hard time with a bike like that. Our girls are great at biking so a tandem bike was not something we wanted to do at all. The details on how the bikes were presented would have helped to make sense of everything. Basically, the information we got was, meet your guide here and nothing else. We met him at a fountain, walked to a parking garage, where they had maybe 40 bikes +, boxes of helmets etc. If I had known that I wouldn't have been measuring our bikes at home to ensure we had the right sizes.

Local specialist: Amandine Dumas
Amandine
Amandine Dumas
Local specialist in Villefranche sur Saône | Replied on Sep 18, 2023
Bonjour Deena,
Thank you for your feedback.
It really help us to improve our services.
Paris is the most expensive city in France and hotel rooms are particularly small (depending on the type of hotels and rooms, of course). However, 4* hotels offer better quality and comfort.
It's true that we recommend this chain for their easy access during the day (specially for family : snack bar and toilets everywhere in Paris), their location and their good value for money for a 3* accomodation in...
Read more

Bonjour Deena,
Thank you for your feedback.
It really help us to improve our services.

Paris is the most expensive city in France and hotel rooms are particularly small (depending on the type of hotels and rooms, of course). However, 4* hotels offer better quality and comfort.
It's true that we recommend this chain for their easy access during the day (specially for family : snack bar and toilets everywhere in Paris), their location and their good value for money for a 3* accomodation in the heart of Paris.
I'm sorry about the air-conditioning during your last night, we were not aware of it during your stay.

We're an incoming agency with an emergency telephone available 24/7, so I'm sorry I wasn't aware of the inconvenience of your stays in Paris, which could perhaps have been resolved during the trip.
We also try to include all the information you need for your excursions/trip in your vouchers, Daily schedule, and in your global itinerary. I take note that you didn't find this complete enough, for your part.
In spite of everything, I hope you will keep wonderful memories and that your vacation in France will be a memorable one!
Amandine

A wonderful Trip!
Peru | Aug 13 - Aug 19, 2023

Cris
Cris K.
Medford, MA | Reviewed on Sep 04, 2023
We had a great time! The guides and drivers we had in all of the places we went (Paracas/Ica, Cusco, Machu Picchu, Lima) were all great people, and we got to a few of them more personally. Everything went pretty much according to plan, and there was only one planned activity that we were unable to do (wine-tasting). Our guide in Cusco and Machu Picchu (Emilia) and driver in Lima (Jean Carlos) were especially friendly and helpful! We were also fortunate to have great weather the whole trip.... Read more

We had a great time! The guides and drivers we had in all of the places we went (Paracas/Ica, Cusco, Machu Picchu, Lima) were all great people, and we got to a few of them more personally. Everything went pretty much according to plan, and there was only one planned activity that we were unable to do (wine-tasting). Our guide in Cusco and Machu Picchu (Emilia) and driver in Lima (Jean Carlos) were especially friendly and helpful! We were also fortunate to have great weather the whole trip.
Thank you, Kim-Kim! We will remember this trip for a long time!

Hotel Reviews
Iberostar Selection Miraflores
Lima

Nice hotel! Centrally located in Miraflores within walking distance of the shopping district and waterfront. Nice view from the room. The swimming pool on the rooftop was very nice and relaxing to be in! The room was clean, spacious and comfortable.

Authenticity & Character
Very nice, rooftop pool is great!
Location
Centrally located
Staff
Friendly and courteous
Cleanliness & Comfort
Clean, spacious and comfortable
El Albergue Ollantaytambo Boutique Hotel
Cusco

Unfortunately, this hotel did not meet our expectations. We arrived late in the day and were tired. The room was sizable and clean, but the beds were too small and the mattresses too hard. They were uncomfortable to sleep in. Their hotel restaurant was okay, but felt a bit small and tight. It didn’t really have any charm. The one redeeming feature is that it is located in the Ollantaytambo train station, so it was very easy for us to catch out train the next morning to Machu Picchu and to arrange to have the hotel keep some of our things until we returned from there.

Authenticity & Character
Restaurant was rather boring
Location
Close to the train station
Staff
They were friendly and courteous
Cleanliness & Comfort
Uncomfortable beds - too small and too hard
Antigua Casona San Blas
Cusco

Wonderful hotel! The staff were friendly and helpful, and the atmosphere and decor of the hotel were fantastic! The restaurant breakfasts were great, and the hotel room was clean and comfortable. We would definitely stay there again and would happily recommend this hotel to anyone visiting Cusco!

Authenticity & Character
Charming decor, nice atmosphere.
Location
Very central, close to restaurants and Plaza De Armas.
Staff
Very friendly and helpful.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very comfortable
Activity Reviews
Historic Center & Larco Museum
Historic Center & Larco Museum
Peru

It was interesting! We saw many things and the bus guide was helpful. The bus was a bit hot and we should have brought more water with us.

Quality of Experience
Interesting, informative
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Friendly and helpful
Transport
A little hot on the bus
Fly from Cusco to Lima
Fly from Cusco to Lima
Peru

A good flight. No problems at all.

Quality of Experience
Comfortable
Transport
Comfortable
Cusco Tour
Cusco Tour
Peru

It was great! Emilia was a great guide and really helped us to understand what we were seeing.

Quality of Experience
Overall, a great experience!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Friendly and helpful
Transport
Comfortable
Train from Urubamba, then Explore Machu Picchu
Train from Urubamba, then Explore Machu Picchu
Peru

Excellent weather, a great guide, fascinating ruins. It was a great experience. Even the train trip there and back was a lot of fun!

Quality of Experience
Just a great trip to these amazing ruins!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Very friendly and helpful
Transport
Comfortable
Fly to Cusco, and Sacred Valley Expedition: Exploring Chinchero and Ollantaytambo
Fly to Cusco, and Sacred Valley Expedition: Exploring Chinchero and Ollantaytambo
Peru

Great experiences - visiting a community textile factory in Chinchero, great lunch and scenic trip to Ollantaytambo, visited Inca ruins in Ollantaytambo. The only problem was that the beds in the hotel room were not comfortable.

Quality of Experience
Food
Tasty (especially the buffet in Urubamba).
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Friendly and courteous
Transport
Comfortable
Tour and Tasting at the Tacama Winery
Tour and Tasting at the Tacama Winery
Peru

The estate is beautiful, and the meal we had there was great! The tour was interesting, the guide knowledgeable and spoke English well, but we had been hoping to visit a winery and because of poor planning, we weren’t able to visit the winery but instead a Pisco distillery. It was okay, but not the same as if we had visited the winery.

Quality of Experience
We wanted to visit a WINERY, not distillery
Food
Tasty
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Friendly and courteous
Transport
comfortable
Bus transfer from Lima to Paracas & Classic Nazca Lines from Pisco Airport
Bus transfer from Lima to Paracas & Classic Nazca Lines from Pisco Airport
Peru

It was great! The trip down on the bus was a bit long , but we were able to rest and sleep a bit. We were met by the guide/driver (Luis) and he was very helpful. We were hungry and he kindly took us to a nearby restaurant to eat something. He also arranged for us to look around Paracas, which was nice. The flight to Nazca and the lines was fine, but viewing the lines was sometimes challenging to see, and I got motion sick during part of the flight. We were happy to get the experience of going there and seeing the lines!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Very friendly, helpful
Transport
Very comfortable
Arrival to Lima: Free Day to Explore
Arrival to Lima: Free Day to Explore
Lima

Arrived very late at night (early morning) due to a flight delay. Bug we were met by the driver and taken to our hotel quickly.

Quality of Experience
Late night arrival
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Friendly, helpful
Transport
Comfortable
Local specialist: Kristy Tizon
Kristy
Kristy Tizon
Local specialist in Lima, Peru | Replied on Sep 06, 2023

Hi Cris,

Thank you so much for your detailed review! I am so glad you had a wonderful time. Thank you for providing this feedback. We hope to welcome you again to South America soon!

Take care,
Kristy

Rounding up a 4.5* experience :)
Norway | Aug 15 - Sep 3, 2023

Shauna
Shauna T.
Nebraska City, NE | Reviewed on Sep 04, 2023
Anna did a great job planning a 17 day trip for our first time in Norway. She was responsive and easy to communicate with, and was on top of (most) everything. Overall we give her 4.5*’s and are very happy, but will list a few of the things we wish had been different just to help others with their trip planning. We loved the Flor and Fjaere gardens and dinner, and the fjord-side floating sauna, and the unique accommodations at Aurland and Fjaerland. Anna kindly called and changed our rental... Read more

Anna did a great job planning a 17 day trip for our first time in Norway. She was responsive and easy to communicate with, and was on top of (most) everything. Overall we give her 4.5*’s and are very happy, but will list a few of the things we wish had been different just to help others with their trip planning. We loved the Flor and Fjaere gardens and dinner, and the fjord-side floating sauna, and the unique accommodations at Aurland and Fjaerland. Anna kindly called and changed our rental car pickup time for us when we determined we’d need to leave earlier due to ferry schedules, and helped us change hotel nights a couple of times when our plans changed and upgrade hotel rooms once requested. 90% of the stops, hotels and activities were spot on. We could have used a bit more guidance on the rental car situation in Stavanger with our early start needed on a Monday morning due to ferry times (should have rented from downtown instead of the airport at the least or asked if they could deliver the car, which our hotel concierge checked on once we arrived, due to needing to leave early and rental agency being closed on Sunday). Also, our train from Dombas to Trondheim had been replaced by a bus – not at the last minute it appears – and this journey then took 3 hours longer than expected, which it would have been good to know about in advance so we could adjust our dinner reservation. Scheduling a kayak excursion on the morning of a departure isn’t recommended… we were already checked out and would have been wet and salty with no way to take a shower before getting on the road. Given that we wanted to hike, it would have been nice to have Anna mention some of the more famous and/or better hikes (like Trolltunga and Aurlandsdalen) so that we could stay at a place more convenient and/or schedule those hikes (we had a 5am wakeup call for Trolltunga, AND the reserved parking was gone by the time we checked this, plus The Rosendal hotel is tired and the meal there was the worst of our trip, and our day in Aurland had a much milder hike/bike tour scheduled that was too easy for us, though meeting our guide Anders was great). We would have changed the stay in Alesund to Geiranger so that we could do a proper hike and get away from the hordes of cruise ship crowds both in Alesund and Geiranger. The train ride from Andalsnes to Dombas is one the prettiest we’ve ever been on; we would come back to explore this area and hike there. Norway gets a 5+ and KimKim/Anna a 4.5 – very happy with our trip. Thank you!

Hotel Reviews
The Thief
Oslo

Great location, great room service for the night we stayed in, surprised there was no luggage assistance for this level of hotel.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Britannia
Trondheim
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Brosundet
Ålesund
Authenticity & Character
loved the fireplace - cozy!
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Fjærland Fjordstove Hotell & Restaurant
Fjærland

This is historic and charming hotel with a lovely 'story' behind keeping this small town alive, but you have to know that the comfort suffers a bit. The highlights here are the staff (especially Inna and the chef), the food and, of course, the spectacular location with a gorgeous sun room to relax looking out onto the fjord. Fjaerland Guiding, just two docks down on the fjord, has a spectacular floating sauna experience that we loved, and a darling local young woman who hiked with us one (rainy) day. The breakfast was fantastic. The rooms are small and cramped with leaky shower/tub, and the beds/mattresses need to be upgraded. Glad we came, but wouldn't need to come back.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
29|2 Aurland
Aurland

Love this family-owned and run sustainable property. Just know you're getting a place with character which isn't always convenient or the most comfortable... low ceilings, small, leaning stairway, small room and bathroom. But.. everything else about the property makes it worth staying at.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Bergen Børs Hotel
Bergen

we had a nice room here and it's a very good central location, but there's no parking, even to unload your bags, and as i was sick, my husband left the car for 10 minutes to take the bags up before going to the parking garage, and got a ticket. Hotel staff should make more of an effort to facilitate this process for guests.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Rosendal Fjordhotel
Rosendal

This is a tired hotel and the restaurant meal was really mediocre (actually the steak was inedible, but the sauteed veggies were yummy). They did make us a nice packed lunch and had it ready for our very early hiking start.

Authenticity & Character
needs an upgrade
Location
depends what you're looking for... it's a pretty spot at the end of a fjord, but there's not much other than a hike here, and it was not convenient for the Trolltunga hike.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
it was clean but very basic
Eilert Smith Hotel
Stavanger

Really really fantastic staff, so solicitous and helpful with recommendations and arrangements.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Guided Hike to Neshaugen with a Glacier View
Guided Hike to Neshaugen with a Glacier View
Fjærland

Our guide, (Sigrid?) was adorable and did a good job. We got some rain off/on and only a few minutes of seeing the view with the clouds moving in/out at the top, but it was still gorgeous. The down however was extremely treacherous, very steep and slippery, and wouldn't be recommended for most on a wet day.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guided Waterfall Hike
Guided Waterfall Hike
Norway

it was rainy the day we were scheduled for this, so we didn't do the bike ride and didn't do much hiking at all. BUT, our guide Anders was really really great and we learned a lot and would hike with him again in better circumstances.

Full Day Geiranger Fjord Cruise
Full Day Geiranger Fjord Cruise
Ålesund

The only thing that could have made this better would have been to stay in Geiranger instead of Alesund so we could aovid the cruise crowds and go do a longer hike in this stunning area. Geiranger is a must-see in Norway

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Floating Sauna
Floating Sauna
Norway

One of our favorite things - sauna/jump in freezing fjord... repeat several times. Love!

Quality of Experience
Fjord Cruise & Pulpit Rock Hike
Fjord Cruise & Pulpit Rock Hike
Stavanger

Sooooo crowded... but so worth it.. given that it was our first spectacular iconic Norwegian 'top of the mountain' view. Knowing what we know now, we'd find an alternate, harder to get to/harder to hike, hike, so there wouldn't be so many people. but glad we did it at the time.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Flor & Fjære Garden Cruise
Flor & Fjære Garden Cruise
Stavanger

One of our favorite activities in Norway!!!! so gorgeous and extensive and exotic and well done, and the meal was really good; tour and service were outstanding. Best fish soup we had (and that's a high mark) on our entire trip. Highly recommend.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Anna Grindevoll Strønstad
Anna
Anna Grindevoll Strønstad
Local specialist in Norway | Replied on Sep 06, 2023

Hi Shauna and Mark!
I really appreciate you taking the time to write a review and thank you so much for all the kind words! I am so happy you had a good time and made some great new memories. Sorry not all of the individual parts were not spot-on for you, but glad it for the most part was to your liking!
Best wishes,
Anna

Pedro was awesome!
Portugal | Aug 23 - Sep 3, 2023

S
Samantha S.
East Northport, NY | Reviewed on Sep 04, 2023

Pedro was incredible to work with. He planned the most fabulous trip for our family. Every driver and tour guide we had was also superb! I wouldn’t have changed a thing about this trip!
I highly recommend Pedro!

Local specialist: Pedro Luis
Pedro
Pedro Luis
Local specialist in Lisbon | Replied on Sep 04, 2023

Hey Samantha,
I appreciate your kind words on my service and your overall experience in Portugal.
I will make sure to share your comments with all the drivers and tours guides.
A big THANK YOU to you and Eric.
Your friend in Portugal - Pedro

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