Kimkim Trip Reviews

Flor was extremely available and accommodating. She listened to what the 4 of us expressed we wanted and really put together a wonderful itinerary. She responded to our questions immediately and was readily available to speak with us if necessary. Our problem was not realizing that the last 6 days were essentially 1 all day travel alternating with1 day at a fantastic location. We didn’t realize just how long the travel times between areas would be. My only suggestion is including that in the proposed itinerary. But everywhere we went, as well as the accommodations, were perfect. The guides at Remota and Mallin Colorado were amazing. Thank you for such a wonderful trip

We had such an amazing time in Egypt. Egypt has so much history and the people were great.
We were so lucky to have our own private driver - Ahmed - you were amazing!
And all of our guides were extremely friendly and helpful. Mohad, Sayad, Ezzart and Mohamed. They made the culture come alive and made us feel like family. Thank you for a wonderful anniversary trip!

Enjoyed our trip to Colombia.

Highly recommend Wendy. Excellent contact and follow up before and throughout the trip. The itinerary was great to see the sites and absorb the culture of Colombia.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Salento Real Eje Cafetero

Salento

Rooms were hot but thankful they gave us a portable fan. Breakfast was basic though personable staff cooked to order. TV didn’t work but the staff tried.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Easy walking to the Main Street. Quiet location.

Staff

Staff did not speak English but our guide helped.

Cleanliness & Comfort

York Luxury Suites Medellín

El Poblado, Medellin

Excellent staff and many spoke English which was helpful. All were friendly and personable. Great sunset from balcony off the fitness room. Modern hotel with kitchen facilities.

Authenticity & Character

Location

A ways from everything

Staff

Friendly and very helpful that many spoke English. Reception staff was excellent.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Best Western Plus Santa Marta Hotel

Santa Marta, Magdalena

Older hotel. Rooms were comfortable. Breakfast was satisfactory. Rooms were clean but towels a bit worn.

Authenticity & Character

Location

I think everywhere in Santa Marta seemed a bit sketchy.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Ermita, Cartagena, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel

El Cabrero, Cartagena

Comfortable hotel but on a busy road and hectic sidewalk to walk into the historic town. Floor in our room was filthy. We took our shoes off at the door and I could feel dirt under my feet. I took toilet paper and water and mopped the floor to try to get the floors clean enough. There was water under the sink and the hairdryer pouch was wet. I put tissue under the pipe to try to determine if major leak and it seemed condensation. It wasn't major so didn't call the staff. The next day the cleaning staff removed the tissue and put a towel there. Beds were comfortable. The rest of the hotel was kept very clean. Breakfast was good. Loved the fresh fruit.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Please mop the floors in the rooms between guests.

GHL COLLECTION HOTEL 93

BOGOTÁ

Excellent breakfast. Food and serving staff were outstanding. Nice to have pancakes and eggs made to order. Presentation was amazing. Nice to have flavoured water in the lobby in the afternoons. The beds were comfortable. The only complaint I have is the bathroom sink is of very poor design. The angled sink was not practical. The tap was not a simple turn on and off and it sprayed everywhere including on us every time it was turned on.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Good location to walk to restaurants and shopping mall if so desired.

Staff

Staff at Breakfast were 10 stars!!!!!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Paloquemao Farmers Market | Colonial Downtown & Monserrate

Colombia

Amazing to tour the flower displays. Great to sample the fruits and drinks to get a flavour for Colombia. Interesting to see the Gold Museum. Enjoyed the drive past the murals but would have been nice to walking tour of them instead. Good to go up Monserrate mountain.

Quality of Experience

Food

Lunch was amazing.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Andrea was an excellent guide. She had great knowledge, enthusiasm and tailored the tour to do this the day after it was scheduled due to the impact of the fires where we wouldn't have been able to do a lot of it. The driver was great too. Nice to have water provided.

Transport

Good vehicle. Nice to sit in front seat so I could take pictures out the window.

The Salt Cathedral & Zipaquirá

Colombia

The Salt Cathedral is a must do when you go to Bogata. Spectacular to see and experience.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Andrea explained things very well and knew where to get the best pictures of us. She is very personable and respectful of other tourists.

Transport

Coffee Farm Experience

Colombia

We enjoyed our visit to the coffee farm and hearing the family's story of struggles and survival and seeing how they have developed and do their business. They were very engaging. Also enjoyed meeting their family.

Quality of Experience

Food

We didn't have lunch at the farm due to appointment by the farm owner but had a good meal in a restaurant with a beautiful property.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Personable guide who was a good interpreter with the farm owners and took some good pictures of us picking the coffee beans.

Transport

Part of the overall experience was travelling in the back of the jeep to get to and from the farm.

Salento, Filandia, & the Valley of Wax Palms

Colombia

Enjoyed the Valley of Wax Palms and doing the hike to the lookouts. A bit commercialized but you can avoid the tacky touristy things they have added and focus on the trails and the views. Nice viewpoint above Salento to see the valley. We did not go to Filandia due to our guide not having it in their itinerary.

Quality of Experience

Food

Excellent restaurant and food.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Both the guide and driver were personable. Nice to have water provided.

Transport

Comfortable vehicle.

The City of Eternal Spring and Its Story of Transformation

Medellín

Interesting tour of the city and history of the transformation. Juan Carlos Vanegas was an excellent guide and very knowledgeable. The only disappointment was that the guides and drivers provided water in the other places we had visited on the tour and we expected the same. But it wasn’t provided . We had landed by plane and started the tour immediately so had no water with us. We noticed the guide stopping a few times a picking up water for himself and he should have advised us to do the same.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

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

Colombia

Enjoyed it all despite it being a rainy day. Guide adjusted the order of the sightseeing due to the weather. Glad we were able to climb the rock - it stopped raining for us and the fog lifted briefly at the top so we could get a bit of the view.

Quality of Experience

Food

Lunch was incredible.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Bunkuany: The Heart of the Wold

Colombia

The description of the tour did not say it would be 12 km hike over uneven and challenging terrain. Even the guide was shocked when he read the description. The guide was excellent and very helpful. We were proud of ourselves for doing the trek. We are in good shape but others would find it difficult. Even the drive to get to the start of the hike was quite the twisty and bumpy experience. We only did this as it we needed an option to replace Tayrona Park since it was closed.

Quality of Experience

Food

Beautiful setting for the meal. Nice to have snacks during the hike.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Excellent guide and highly skilled driver.

Transport

Discover the Magical City of Cartagena & Getsemaní

Cartagena

Loved the city. Beautiful colours and interesting streets. No food provided on the tour so didn’t rate it.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Good guide and driver.

Transport

My wife and I had an amazing time in Costa Rica. Our local specialist, Jean Carlo, was so attentive and had great suggestions. He made planning this trip so much easier than any other vacation we have ever been on. Can't recommend Kim Kim and Jean Carlo enough! The Arenal Amor Hotel was the nicest resort we have ever stayed at and we wish we never had to leave. Our other resorts, Monteverde Lodge & Gardens and Arenas Del Mar Beachfront Resort were also beautiful with amazing service. While traveling just the two of us, we appreciated the group shuttles from one destination to the next as it alleviated the stress of renting a car and navigating. Our favorite activity was the Combo tour in La Fortuna of Hanging Bridges, Volcano Walk and La Fortuna Waterfall as everything was so cool and our guide was very knowledgeable.

Hotel Reviews

Amor Arenal

La Fortuna, San Carlos

This is the best resort we have ever stayed at. Highly recommend as it is well worth the cost to have your own bungalow and to stay at this beautiful resort.

Authenticity & Character

Location

In the heart of the jungle with unobstructed volcano views.

Staff

Everyone we encountered was top notch.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Monteverde Lodge & Gardens

Monteverde

Beautiful grounds and wonderful staff.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Arenas del Mar Resort

Manuel Antonio

Easily the best beach resort in this location. Direct access to a "private" beach that is stunning. Worth the cost.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Bathroom occasionally had a sewage smell and the restaurant was a bit warm at night but everything else was great.

Activity Reviews

Hanging Bridges, La Fortuna Waterfall & Arenal Volcano Hike

Arenal/La Fortuna

Our favorite activity of the trip. Hanging bridges and the waterfall were amazing. Our guide was so knowledgeable.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Night Walk

Monteverde

Did not see as much wildlife as we hoped (a bunch of spiders and frogs) but still had a great time and saw some pretty birds such as a Tucan.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Zip Line (Canopy) Monteverde

Monteverde

Had a great time, just my wife and I with two guides who did a great job making us feel safe. Pretty views.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our Medellin experience began with superb planning by Alvaro at Kimkim Travel. We decided a short tour would be best for us and it was set up exactly as needed and tweaked when we changed something which is the beauty of Kimkim! Maria, our tour guide, met us at the airport and was lovely, informative, helpful, friendly and spoke excellent English. We then had our quiet and courteous driver, Raul, take us to our clean and comfortable hotel in a location that has everything. The hotel band was fun and entertaining. Breakfast each morning that made us feel like a King and Queen! The first tour day was 4 hours learning about the city and its history. We did the metro and cable car to Comuna 13 and the people’s story from Maria who lived through and in it. She became our friend that day. Leaving the city the 2nd tour day to Guatapé was a long and exciting day to The Rock where Maria and I climbed to the top - 702 steps. People cheered on our arrival at ground level and the memories are forever depicted in our views and photos at the top. The next day was SW of the city to the finest coffee plantation where the son in the family business showed us and explained the entire process of making a cup of coffee. Cima in Fredonia, was 2 hours away from our start but the drive with Raul again, made it relaxing. Maria interpreted since the family spoke no English. They made a delicious meal and finally coffee tasting. We dined at suggested restaurants at night that Maria advised were best. The 3rd day was a drive to La Miel - a nature conservation area of river and waterfall where we had a 90 minute hike on a natural trail of water running through rocks while we were educated on the area and flora and fauna by Lena - interpreted through Maria. Lena was wonderful too and at the end we cleaned up and changed for an excellent cooking class and meal at Martha’s - a woman who grows everything she prepares. The flowers, birds, hilled surroundings, made such a memorable day. We rate 12 out of 10 for each special day of the tour and return home with new friends and recommend Kimkim as the travel agents who plan specifically for their client’s needs!! Mary and Rudy Ralian of Wisconsin. Gracias Amigos!!!!

What an amazing trip! Went with my wife for our 20 year anniversary to Norway. I didn’t know much about the country so enlisted the help of kimkim. They created an excellent itinerary and the hotel selection was top notch.

I felt at ease knowing key activities to do and where to go with the detailed descriptions they provided.

The best part for sure was the Igloo stay near Tromso and all the activities such as snowmobiling ( + ice fishing) and dog sledding. We were blessed with seeing the northern lights 3 of the 3 nights. During the trip, an issue came up and kimkim resolved it immediately so it was yet another thing not to worry about.

Thank you for your help!!

Hotel Reviews

Hotell Bondeheimen

Oslo

First room given was a bit small, but contacted kimkim and they upgraded us for the rest of the stay.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Scandic Torget

Bergen

Perfect location! Great breakfast for

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Scandic Ishavshotel

Tromsø

Amazing location!! Great view of the attic ocean and steps away from all buses to all tours

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Oslofjord Sightseeing Cruise

Oslo

This is a cozy trip. On our itinerary, we shared the boat with about 10 other parties so it wasn't crowded at all. The boat includes a cafeteria and they give you blankets to stay warm.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Oslo Pass

Oslo

Took advantage of the Oslo pass to visit the Munch museum, Fram, ride the public bus, and got a discount at a restaurant in Akker Brugge.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Mostraumen Cruise

Bergen

We did the Oslo cruise and the Bergen cruise. The one in Bergen was more impressive in terms of the views as you get up close and "personal" with the Fjords. It was also snowing for part of the cruise, so it felt really nice to see the views as the snow was falling. If you only had to do one, I would pick the one in Bergen.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Food and culture guided walk

Bergen

We got lucky for this one and got basically a private tour. Started right next to the ferry where we got a sample of local fish... it was SOOO good. The guide then took us to a local restaurant (old baths), a local brewery, a local coffee shop. It was so nice to walk through the "hidden" paths of Bergen. Bergen overall is a BEAUTIFUL city. Got to see the smallest street and the smallest house in the city. I wish I could be there right now.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Glass Igloo

Tromsø

What an amazing experience.. If I could give it more stars, I would give it more. The food prepared for breakfast/lunch/dinner was delicious. The privacy was amazing and the day activities were super fun. This definitely made the whole trip, the best trip of our life.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided snowshoeing

Tromsø

You get an arctic suit to keep you warm. The whole experience is about 2 - 2.5 hrs. There's a stop in the middle to get some hot chocolate and do some sledding. The walk is pretty easy along a mostly flat terrain. We saw a lot of Moose trails, but no Moose sighting on this one.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Dog sledding

Tromsø

I did NOT expect to drive a dog sled on my own ... and WOW!! My wife rode in the sled while I was standing in the back. The dogs were super excited to get going and once we got going, it was like taking the dogs through a magical winter wonderland. The dogs were so fast that made this a super exciting ride. Halfway through, the dogs take a break while we warmed up with hot chocolate and snacks. This is a MUST do.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Ride is about 30 mins from hotel to dog sled, but it goes by super quick.

Return to Oslo, Explore

Oslo

We want to stay for more time!!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Doris planned a great trip for me and my son. We booked at the last minute and worked with Doris to plan a trip that included our main interests. She always responded promptly and made any changes we requested. When a last minute problem came up at the airport with my son's visa to Vietnam, she dropped everything and helped us get things worked out without any interruption to the trip. We walked through the Hill Tribe country near Sapa in awe of its beauty. Went to a jaw dropping (for Americans) traditional market in Bac Ha. We saw cultural sites in Hanoi that helped to gain a bit of understanding of the Vietnam culture. All the hotels and home stay she booked were excellent. The hotel in Hanoi was in a prominent location within easy walking distance from food and entertainment. It would have taken weeks to plan a trip like this on our own but working with Doris really made it easy.
Doris even met us at the hotel when we arrived to be sure things worked out and continued to check on us during the trip. I would recommend her to anyone wanting to travel to Vietnam.

Hotel Reviews

Local Homestay in Ta Van Village

Sapa

Our stay at the Local Homestay in Ta Van Village was a unique and memorable experience. The host prepared a delicious dinner for us and ate with us, offering an authentic cultural exchange. The view from the homestay was breathtaking, and interacting with the locals added to the charm of the visit. It was a beautiful and enriching stay that I would recommend to others.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cong Fu Hotel

Sapa Relax Hotel & Spa

Lao Cai

Hong Ngoc Dynastie Hotel & Spa

Hanoi

I stayed at Hanoi La Siesta Trendy Hotel & Spa in Hanoi, which was centrally located. The hotel was excellent, but it would have been helpful to receive clearer directions on navigating the busy traffic in Hanoi. Once we settled in, we found the location perfect for exploring the city. The hotel staff were helpful, and we enjoyed some evening activities we found online. Overall, a comfortable and convenient stay.

Location

Staff

Activity Reviews

Bac Ha Ethnic Market- Hanoi

Vietnam

Visiting the Bac Ha Ethnic Market was an extraordinary experience. The market was unlike any other I had seen, filled with vibrant colors and a rich display of culture and tradition. The textiles and handicrafts were exceptional, and the opportunity to engage with the local people was a highlight of the trip. I wouldn't trade this experience for anything.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Sapa - Hiking to visit local villages (Y Linh Ho, Lao Chai, Ta Van)- Explore weaving craft of Black H'mong people

Sapa

The trekking experience to local villages in Sapa was perfect for me. Despite being a bit strenuous, the local guides were helpful, and the scenic views were worth the effort. Interacting with the villagers and purchasing textiles from them added to the authenticity of the experience. It was a fantastic introduction to the hill tribe areas of Vietnam.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Ha Noi- HaLong Bay day cruise - Ha Noi

Vietnam

The Halong Bay day cruise was a delightful experience. The stunning landscapes and limestone karsts were mesmerizing. The boat cruise allowed us to explore the beauty of Halong Bay and enjoy the serene surroundings. It was a relaxing and scenic day that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Erin organised our tour to Patagonia and Puerto Varas in January this year.
She was very helpful with extensive local knowledge.
I made so many changes and asked so many questions that I must have made her crazy but she was very patient and coordinated things really well.
Everything went very smoothly during the tour. All of the guides and transfers went well.
The accommodation was very good.
I would definitely recommend and Erin and KimKim travel to organise your tour of South America.

We had the privilege of having 2 different guides for different days, Shu and Dennis were both incredibly friendly, knowledgable, and accomodating. Guides provided facts and knowledge about the various planned stops on our trip as well as general local info about Japan. Behind the scenes Sandy was a great coordinator and helpful every step along the way. The level of service from KimKim is great. We hit an issue due to a technology failure, but the team fixed everything quickly and were very professional.

This was an amazing Costa Rican adventure. Thank you Kim Kim and Seredipendity! Everyone was friendly and kind and on time, if not early for all our activities. And the lodging suited our style and budget.

Back in 2019, when Olman first started working on our trip, he initially told us that we'd be able to get our deposit back because of Covid 19 closing down travel. But, unlike other trips we had booked for this time, KimKim wouldn't allow us to get a refund, so he had to retract this. We couldn't travel within a year, so we lost our travel insurance too. I would have given 5 star on booking had it not been for this, in addition to close to an hour wait at La Paz Gardens because reception could not verify we had paid for entry. The manager said he tried KimKim emergency number, but there is discrepency on accuracy of this from travel agent. But, other than that, all drivers and tours happened as outlined. Olman listened to my request for high end accommodations, and we were not disappointed. The Hotel Belmar Orchid room was astounding. It has several flights of stairs but valets carried luggage. It was our favorite place to stay. Every hotel had English speaking staff and very friendly. Makenda by the Sea is hillside, and just warn future bookers that if you can't walk steep stairs or walkways, you must ask for a golf cart driver (which is readily available) and the private beach is only available by resort transportation and not a very safe place to swim. It is also skewed to young honeymooners, which is just an ambience observation. The resort really has no walkable paths to Manuel Antonio or Quepos, so dependent on taxis. As beautiful of a resort it is, it felt a bit confining. Minor issues in the scheme of things. We had no problem with any of our tour guides, but the venues were teaming with visitors because of high season and it did detract from the beauty at times. All the guides love Costa Rica and want to share their homeland with others. Our airport drivers were on time and polite. My husband spoke a little Spanish which was invaluable especially on the ride back to San Jose. Just a shout out for the airport hotel I chose to stay at: Fairfield by Marriott airport hotel. I would recommend it to your future Kim Kim travelers. Rooms appear newer, shuttle bus timely every 30 min to airport, and hotel buffet breakfast better than most chains. Across the street are 3 restaurants, which receptionist recommended Peruvian restaurant Aji Limon. Low key and owner speaks English. Very decent considering location! Takes credit cards, and American dollars. Although the traffic was at times terrible and tours were crowded, it was to be expected at high season. At no point did we feel unwelcomed. The road situation made us so grateful for private drivers. Thanks to Olman for his patience, answers to all my questions, and politeness. His itinerary was a great introduction to Costa Rica.

Ruth was terrific to work with. Ruth worked with me patiently, though a number of options as to number of days for the trip; cities to visit; areas and activities to pursue. Every itinerary, including the final version aligned with our interests and priorities. Upon completing our 16 day trip, it is evident Ruth knows the areas we visited and created a unique experience I could not have accomplished on my own. Her local knowledge of Australia was invaluable.

Hotel Reviews

Vibe Hotel

Melbourne

Well appointed room in a great central location with a beautiful view. Great breakfasts as well!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Look for a higher room with a river view .

Staff

Responsive . Expecially the waitstaff - especially Lucy . Friendly front desk staff.

Cleanliness & Comfort

MACq 01 Hotel

Hobart

Probably the best hotel we have ever stayed in. The spacious rooms, views of Hobart Harbor, the super friendly and helpful staff , sumptuous breakfasts, and overall vibe made this our favorite hotel on our trip.

Authenticity & Character

We loved how so much Hobart and Tasmanian history is infused into the hotel and our stay experience.

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Stewarts Bay Lodge

Port Arthur

A Washer / dryer are in the cabins which was very helpful . A Good restaurant is open “on campus” for breakfast and evening dinner . This is helpful as there are limited dining options in port Arthur . The cabins have a full kitchen so dinning in is also an option. Check the hours and days the restaurant is open as they can be variable. There is a beautiful walking path along the waterfront at the lodge that continues to the Port Arthur Historical Site .

Authenticity & Character

Location

Close to the Port Arthur Historical Site and the meeting point for the Wilderness cruise

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hyatt Regency Sydney

Sydney

We upgraded our Room to a Harbor view . That was well worth the cost of the upgrade , from a bland any big city office building view to one overlooking the beautiful and bustling Darling Harbor . The roof top bar is a must with a stunning view of Darling Harbor with great cocktail and small bite food options. Loved the vibe . The breakfasts were excellent , combining a huge selection of options from various buffet stations with a choice to have made to order omelettes and Eggs Benedict . Bonus mimosas or Champaign included. The rooms were clean and bed very comfortable.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Location made it easy to access most areas of downtown Sydney with less that a 20 min walk or Uber ride

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

We requested for our room to receive housecleaning after erroneously indicating we did not need it , but they did not clean or refresh our room for another 24 hours and on,y then after a second request . Once they did refresh the room it was perfectly clean . The bed was very comfortable .

Freycinet Lodge

Coles Bay

Our upgraded room was amazing , with a private view of the granite mountains ( the Hazards) and an outside secluded bath . A nice perk is that everything in the mini bar and fridge was included in the room rate - no extra charges. The location was also unique , inside the National Park , affording easy access to hiking to overlooks with stunning views and access to a number of white sand beaches with pristine waters , with very few fellow beach goers. Excellent breakfasts. We liked the bistro for dinner - it seemed a better value and the food was great. The property has a beautiful expansive deck overlooking Cole’s Bay . An added plus - the lodge as free laundry facilities.

Authenticity & Character

Location

The only Hotel / Lodge located in the National Park . Stunning sunsets every night over Cole’s Bay

Staff

Especially Steffi she was so friendly and accommodating

Cleanliness & Comfort

Rooms were spotless and thoroughly refreshed during our stay

Activity Reviews

Best of Melbourne by Bike

Melbourne

A wonderful way to see the city and get an initial overview / lay of the land. Dave ( a retired solicitor) our guide was excellent. We felt safe and learned so much about Melbourne. Also what areas to revisit . We loved the lunch stop at Brunnelli’s. The tour ended just in time before the heat of the day was too much.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Evening Progressive Degustation Walk

Melbourne

The food and wine / beer were extensive, varied and excellent . I rarely post food on social media but I felt compelled to do so in this instance . Our guide Deanna was top notch and a lot of fun too ! Though not an inexpensive tour , it was well worth the cost. A great value .

Quality of Experience

Food

The restaurants and our wonderful food and tour guide Deanna

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We walked so this Q is N/A

Full Day Phillip Island + Penguin Plus with Dinner

Melbourne

A must do . On of the highlights of the trip. The Penguin plus ( upgrade) viewing platform also a must . It is special experience to witness in less than a hour, the 1, 000 plus little blue penguins exiting the surf in unison and marching up the beach dunes to their burrows .

Quality of Experience

It is all about the Penguins

Food

As noted we did not have enough time (30 min) at the stop to order and finish our food before the departure from town . The food did not come for 20 minutes . Though the food was good , We were stuffing it in our mouths and it was not enjoyable . I would skip the food option and go for a quick fish and chips , sushi or pizza or deli.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Long day but the driver (AL) was top notch , funny and went above and beyond . He even stopped to demonstrate boomerang throwing , letting us all give it a try .

Transport

Full Day Reverse Great Ocean Road Experience

Australia

We loved the twelve apostles and shipwreck cove . Just a gorgeous coastline and beautiful place .

Quality of Experience

Twelve Apostles, shipwreck cove

Guides, Drivers and Staff

He was ok

Transport

Night Tour of the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary & Tasmanian Devils

Hobart

One of the best wildlife tours we have ever experienced . What makes this unique is that this is a rescue shelter so the wildlife is here either as their only resort due to injury or human abandonment or in a state of rehabilitation to be returned to their natural habitat. The early evening is a wonderful time to tour as for many of the animals this is their natural feeding time. This is also a semi private tour that has limited participants , otherwise closed to the public. One gets close to the kangaroos, wombats, ichybnas( our favorite) , 110 year old cockatoo (Fred) , and of course Tasmanian devils. Bono-Lou our tour guide was fantastic.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Bono-Lou our guide was wonderful . She is clearly passionate about the animals and loves her work.

Transport

N/A no transport involved , we drove

Afternoon Grand Hobart Walk

Hobart

Perfect way to start our Hobart Stay . The center city is compact and walkable with a lot of history. Dave our tour guide was wonderful . He is a history buff and highlighted aspects of Hobart’s history not necessarily generally known. As an example he took us into a Real tennis club ( fascinating to visit ) as he learned of our interest in the Aussie Open . It is clear Dave loves to show off Hobart .

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Dave is wonderful

Transport

N/A as we walked

Depart Australia

Australia

Smooth pick up and drop off . We requested a route without tunnels and the driver Miguel was very accommodating. We also request a pick up 30 min later than scheduled and they accommodated.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Miguel was wonderful

Transport

Full Day Bruny Island Traveller Tour (Shared Tour)

Hobart

Fun tour , we loved all the stops along the way . Yummy artisan food and drink ( cheese , beer, honey, chocolate) . The lunch stop was also excellent . It is a long day but is broken up by several interesting stops as well as a ferry ride each way that helps break it up. The tour guide was terrific. It is a relatively early start so I would build in time for an early breakfast before arriving if one is like me ; a big breakfast person .

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hobart City Kayak Tour

Hobart

A great way to get some exercise, see the City of Hobart from the water and have a fish and chips snack right from the kayak! .Our tour guide, Kane was wonderful. We felt safe , even while navigating the busy waters of the port.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Kane our guide was great !

Transport

N/A as we walked to the beach

Half Day Sydney Harbour Bridge Ride (Shared Tour)

Sydney

The best way to get an overview of Sydney . The sandwich lunch was excellent and was included. In addition to the description , we also rode along by the Barangoo Reserve, Sydney Observatory, Darling Harbor , Chinatown , Hyde Park, the Botanical Gardens, along Woolloomooloo bay and Sydney Opera House . Our Tour Guide Ruben was great .

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Ruben Rocks!

Transport

N/A as we walked to the bike tour start

3 Hour Wilderness Cruise

Australia

Fantastic way to see the stunning and rugged Tassie coast. We felt like we were at the end of the earth . Wildlife abounds . We saw albatross up close - what a magnificent bird. Cliffs , caves, an iconic lighthouse and wildlife. What’s not to love !

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The guides were righ out of central casting

Transport

Bus ride to and from the dock was comfortable

Sydney Harbour Long Dinner Cruise

Sydney

What a treat ! A wonderful meal and way to tour the harbor from the water .

Quality of Experience

Food

Though there was only one stop vs two as the second place is closed on Sundays , we liked it as this made the dinner stop at Doyle’s longer and more relaxing with a spectacular view of the Sydney skyline in the bacgriud as the sun set . The tour portion of the boat ride continued after dinner for another two hours.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Jamie was very helpful

Transport

My only suggestion would be to show the pickup spot on a map . We were not quite sure we were at the right spot and frantically walked the entire length of opera Quay as the boat was not there yet and arrived right at the pickup time , not a minute earlier . Understand as they may only be allowed to bump and run , but as a result a map in addition to the description would have helped .

Climb the Harbor Bridge

Sydney

A must do . First class treatment all the way . Pete our tour leader was a veteran guide and the best , right out of casting central . My wife is not always comfortable with heights and she did it and loved it.

Quality of Experience

The whole thing

Guides, Drivers and Staff

You can’t beat Pete our guide

Transport

N/A

Sydney Opera House Tour

Sydney

A great way to get an overview of the opera house ,and its design and construction while also visiting stunning performance venues within the opera house complex. After the tour I wanted to attend a performance, just to get an actual experience of venue in action. It is a first class tour conducted by a very knowledgeable docent.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Excellent docent

Transport

N/A

We had the most incredible trip to Guatemala! This tiny country has so much to offer and we only experienced a fraction of it.

Eduardo was amazing, he listened and arranged everything we wanted and more. I said “Acatenango Atitlan Antigua Chichicastenango and Semuc Champey”! Then in a fun tongue in cheek way said, “it would be nice to see a Quetzel!”

Guess what????
He delivered every request including the rare bird! It’s hard to pick a favorite as all were awesome but we all agreed that volcano Fuego erupting and seeing a Quetzel will be the most memorable parts of trip.

Our driver David was wonderful… knowledgeable attentive and we felt safe being driven around the narrow busy hilly roads.

Our guide Rudy was fantastic! He is young but so mature and responsible. He was kind, thoughtful, paid much attention to detail and his sense of humor was very much appreciated.

We have to say that a big part of this trip was not the destination itself but the journey and people we shared it with. Eduardo, David and Rudy and all the beautiful friendly people of Guatemala will be as much a part of our memories as the volcanoes and birds.

Will be recommending this trip to family members and friends!

Mathilde was super responsive to every request. We had to make changes in our planned tours, and she made sure what we needed happened. Paris is dreamy and fun! Mathilde made it easy to show that side to our teenagers!

Hotel Review

Hôtel Lorette—Astotel

Paris

We had two rooms and one was def better than the other. The smaller had a shower curtain instead of door, which makes for a less enjoyable experience. Otherwise location is perfect!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

French Dessert Cooking Class

Paris

Chef Dominique is easy going and funny! This was the best part of our trip! The desserts were simple but delicious! Will show off to our friends our new baking skills!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

My local guides were amazing and very knowledgeable... My family had a very comfortable trip, very well curated by my consultant Doris.

She took care of everything leaving nothing for us to worry about. I had to make a lot of changes to my plan due to unforseen things and doris embraced everything with a smile.

I will highly recommend their service if you want a no hassle trip. Enjoy...

Certain things are priceless. Life constantly throws challenges at you, so it is important to have a tour company as flexible and well-connected as social tours. They were able to change plans for us at a moment's notice. When sickness ravaged us, things were moved around seamlessly. We never had to worry a single time about missing anything or enduring the hassle of reorganizing / rescheduling. More importantly, Social Tours has taught us about responsible tourism. Eco-friendliness, sustainability, community-driven and their people-first values made them stand out from all other travel agencies we ever worked with.

About the tour itself: the walking tours led by Bippin (e.g. Hinduism and Buddhism) as well as the hike with our trekking guide Parbati will always live in our memories as the highlights of Nepal. I have never seen two philosophies and belief systems living so harmoniously side-by-side. Eating freshly grown food while staying with the mountain locals was also a once in a lifetime experience.

I asked Nick to book us a 10 night trip to Malaysia and he did not disappoint. Requested 4 star accommodation and for Nick to arrange a tour in each location ! WOW ! We had an unforgettable journey through Malaysia's vibrant tapestry of culture, cuisine, and natural beauty. We began in the bustling metropolis of Kuala Lumpur, where the iconic Petronas Twin Towers and diverse street food scene await. Great tour of Batu Caves and the city ! Tour guide was very knowledgeable and we had a great time. Then, ventured to the historical streets of Penang, where rich heritage blends seamlessly with mouthwatering local delicacies. Day Trip around Penang, where we visited a nutmeg farm. Ended our adventure in the idyllic paradise of Langkawi, at an amazing beach resort for some downtime ! Great Tour of the Mangroves and the Kilim Geoforest Park. Definitely recommend booking a trip with Nick and the Kim Kim team ! Our trip was seamless from the first pick up at KL Airport, to our last transfer to Langkawi Island. 4 nights KL, 3 Penang and 3 Langkawi - definitely the right time in each location ! Thanks Nick ! Do you have any ideas for our next Trip !

Hotel Reviews

Verdant Hill Hotel

Great location for street food markets and walking around the city. Could use a little update on the interior of the building ! Some paint, also the pool deck area was broken.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Close to the Street Market - Amazing food!

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Royale Chulan Georgetown

George Town

Great hotel in a great location of Georgetown ! Breakfast was amazing every morning ! Staff were very friendly and helpful, especially the doorman.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Pelangi Beach Resort

WOW ! WOW ! Great Resort, great location, great staff! We were uppgraded to a Seaview Room - AMAZING !! Great size room, very comfortable and clean and connecting room to our kids !

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Kuala Lumpur City Tour & Batu Caves

Kuala Lumpur

Lawrence was a great tour guide! He went out of his way to ensure that we were able to go to Batu Caves. Picked us up an hour earlier than scheduled so we could get to the Cave. It was the day before their big Festival Thaipusum. Was amazing being able to see some of the devotees chanting, and carrying their offerings all dressed in yellow! Then having Marsala Tea for the first time! After Batu Caves Lawrence took us on a city tour and visit to a temple. Loved it ! Would definitely recommend this tour for when you first arrive in KL, it helped get our bearings and see what we wanted to explore further.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Penang (Island Exploration)

Penang

Ricky was a lovely tour guide who drove us around Penang Island. Was great to see the whole island and we especially enjoyed the nutmeg farm and learning about how they use all the nutmeg! Especially liked the nutmeg drink ! Stopped at numerous temples and decided we would spend more time in Georgetown.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Bus was a little bit outdated and was a bumpy ride

Mangrove Boat Cruise

Langkawi Island

We really enjoyed this tour ! Wasn't sure what to expect but was lots of fun ! We loved the Boat and the driver was amazing ! We saw Otters in the water, Eagles and the Monkeys! Lovely swim at one of the beaches and a nice lunch on the floating deck.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We were picked up at 8.45 and didnt get to the tour until 10.15pm - Was a bit of a drive and collected other people from other hotels and they were not ready on time

Camellia did a nice job planning and executing our trip. Here are a few comments about the itinerary and overall experience of our time in Vietnam.

The eight day trip gave us a great sense of the northern regions of Vietnam. Four destinations in eight days was a bit more ambitious than we might have liked. Since we spent so much time in the van en route to Mai Chau, Ninh Binh, Ha Long Bay, and back to Hanoi, perhaps three destinations rather than four would have been a bit better. The hotels were all nice with pleasant service.

Our guide Hiep was a lot of fun and shared interesting information about the country. Our driver, Mr. Hong, was also very good and helpful. I would say that Hiep tended to be a bit more reactive than proactive in terms of telling us about the culture and history of the country. That said, we enjoyed our time with him.

We found that a couple of the activities didn't quite map to the description. The "food tour" in Hanoi as described didn't happen. We sat down to eat at one location for Bun Cha, then walked around the neighborhood without stopping to taste or learn about different kinds of foods. By the end, we had a chance to have Bahn Mi, but were tired and by that point and just returned to the hotel after coffee (and didn't learn anything about egg coffee, as an example of something that was described in the write up, but never happened). By comparison, a food tour we did through Kim Kim in the Netherlands included about seven different spots to try seven different dishes and learn about them. Also, the bike rides were more challenging than expected so Carla didn't have a good experience. I have more experience cycling so they were fun for me.

The food was all good and we particularly enjoyed the opportunity to make spring rolls in a home in Hanoi. We appreciate Camellia's and Hiep's efforts to explain Carla's food allergies at all of the meals to keep her safe.

Overall, we enjoyed our time in Vietnam and are grateful for the different experiences that were organized for us.

We used Active India to organize our trip to Kerala. The trip was wonderful. Ravi did a great job planning the trip to cover all the highlights of the area. Our driver, Pramod, was excellent. His expertise of the country and driving skills made the trip stress free. He coordinated all the guides at each location and made sure we met them at the appointed place and was always waiting for us when we were done. The car was roomy, comfortable and always clean. The accommodations' were top notch. Each destination had something special and unique to offer. In addition, Pramod offered additional suggestions of things to do in our "spare" time. We would highly recommend Active India.

Bill and I had an absolutely wonderful time on our trip to CR. Your choices of places to stay, tours and adventures were well thought out and exactly what we had hoped for. We did many tours and experiences. Don’t remember all the guides but Daniel at Turrialba volcano was knowledgeable and a pleasure! Steven for bird watching amazing. And our catamaran trip and visit to the Corcovado NP with Bahía tours and Adventires was a highlight. We can’t say enough about Serendipity’shelp and as a resource when we needed it! Thank you so much. Cr is a beautiful country with amazingly friendly people everywhere we went! So kind and helpful! We loved all of it!
We will definitely plan other trips with your company! Your professionalism and attention to individual requests, and ease in communication made the trip so enjoyable!
Thank you so very much! Pura Vida!
Anna and william

Hotel Reviews

Casa Turire

Turrialba

Wonderful accommodation in a beautiful setting

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Studio Hotel

San José

Clean friendly staff accompdationg

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Very helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Ficus

Monteverde Costa Rica

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Espadilla Gardens Hotel

Manuel Antonio

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Casa Luna Hotel & Spa

La Fortuna

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Casitas Tenorio

Upala, Alajuela

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Vista Ballena

Uvita

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel de Montaña Suria

San Gerardo de Dota

Probably one of our favorites!

Authenticity & Character

Location

The setting was absolutely gorgeous!

Staff

Can’t say enough about how wonderful the staff was!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Hike Turrialba Volcano

Turrialba

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Daniel

Night Hike in the Forest

Costa Rica

One of our favorites. The guide and the property were AMAZING

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Birdwatching Tour at CATIE Botanical Garden

Turrialba

Private Guided Nature Walk at Ecological Park & Butterfly Garden Danaus

Arenal/La Fortuna

Catamaran Adventure from Manuel Antonio

Costa Rica

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Marino Ballena Park Combination Tour

Costa Rica

Coopedota Coffee Tour

San Gerardo de Dota

Quetzal Tour

San Gerardo de Dota

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visit to the Monteverde Orchid Gardens

Monteverde