Kimkim Trip Reviews

Vaseem was great. We particularly loved Sandrine (Louvre treasure hunt) and Regis (Normandy DDay beaches). Making macarons in Montmartre was lots of fun. Timed tickets were a good idea, but, given the time, I would have booked them myself. Eiffel Tower visit was chaotic, but I wouldn't attribute that to Vaseem. The Seine cruise wasn't worth the time and money spent.
Problematically, Kimkim doesn't break down the costs of each item, which doesn't allow users to decide if they want to spend money on each activity. But I can't fault Vaseem for anything. He was more than patient and accommodating.

We could not recommend Iceland and working with kimkim highly enough. The country is shockingly gorgeous and fun/energizing to visit. There is so much one can do and we were so grateful to have Eric, our specialist, arrange our trip. Eric was fantastic to work with. He made a perfect itinerary, helping us see the highlights and find off the beaten path gems. In addition to the must see spots that most people visiting the country seem to go to in the South, which Eric had on our itinerary, our favorite places that Eric recommended as good options were the Reykjadalur Valley hike to the hot river and the Hjorleifshofdi Cape & Cave hike - they were both just mind blowing and wonderful. If you are looking for good hikes with not a lot of people to see the wonders of nature, do these!

The hotel accommodations were excellent - very comfortable and in gorgeous places. And Eric recommended great eating options. Outside of Reykjavik, you definitely want to call ahead to restaurants to make reservations, which thankfully Eric warned us about.

Lastly, Eric was so responsive to our desires for the trip in planning and being available during it with additional recommendations when we reached out. We will definitely use kimkim again for future trips and highly recommend them.

Our Norway adventure was absolutely amazing! We could not have enjoyed the experience without the knowledgeable planning and excellent support from the KimKim team.

This was my family’s first time working with a travel agent and it was definitely worth it. Our trip went very smoothly, allowing everybody to relax and enjoy more. Olman, our travel agent, was very patient with us in the planning process and booked accommodations and excursions that the whole family ended up enjoying. We probably would not have booked so many excursions or explored the country as much if we didn’t work with a travel agent who knows the country well and was able to give us the best experience.

First, I want to thank Eleni for all of her help. She clearly knows what she is doing. She and her team were readily available and accommodating. We had many memorable experiences, but we loved relaxing on the beach in Naxos, had the most amazing sunset experience at the Temple of Poseidon, and very much enjoyed walking/hiking around on the historically significant island of Delos.

The accommodation at NLH-Monastiraki in Athens was perfect. It was beautiful, clean, and we felt very safe. It was in a great location within walking distance to what you want to experience if you only have a day or two planned in Athens. We enjoyed walking around the Plaka district and the old streets in Athens and of course sightseeing at the Acropolis and the many other historically significant sites. We enjoyed all of our chosen restaurants in Athens, we highly recommend Oggi, which is a gelato and dessert cafe. Our tour guide for the Acropolis was also fun, nice, and knowledgable.

In the town of Chora on the island of Naxos we stayed at Antony Suites, which was essentially steps from the beach. This accommodation was amazing. The people who manage and maintain the property were so kind and very welcoming. The suite that we stayed in was exactly what we needed. It was clean and modern--I cannot imagine anyone not feeling comfortable there. On Naxos, Eleni had recommended that we rent a car so that we could drive around the island; we are so glad we did. We drove in to the mountains, which are very close, and visited a few villages and again enjoyed a great meal. We visited the Temple of Demeter, which was in a secluded location with few tourists. We loved swimming at Agia Anna Beach, where we snorkled and saw some really cool fish. We took a day trip to Delos and Mykonos, which was suggested by Eleni--again, an excellent recommendation.

The drivers for all of our private transfers were kind and knowledgable and the vans were very clean and nice.

Hotel Review

Antony Suites

Naxos

Antony Suites and Residences was absolutely amazing. The people who manage and maintain the property are very kind and welcoming and the suite that we stayed in was comfortable and clean.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Private Cape Sounio Sunset tour

Greece

The sunset experience at the Temple of Poseidon was one of the most amazing and memorable experiences of the trip.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Boat Trip to Mykonos & Delos

Naxos

Quality of Experience

Transport

I was immediately impressed with Angela’s ability to create an itinerary that incorporated all of my hoped for locations. She was also very willing to work with me regarding our own Bonvoy/Marriott points which hotels and locations would be beneficial – we ended up not using any points for hotels and went with Angela’s booking. I was also appreciative of Angela’s in country knowledge. When I make decisions on the internet from a distance with out understanding map topography or neighborhood – I have found my choices lacking. Angela listened to my request and found accommodation that met most of our needs. We requested - two beds for teen boys (where possible), breakfast included, AC and WiFi, walkable neighborhoods (husband walks 3 mi every morning), AND at last minute – I made the request that properties were chemical and fragrance free – husband has chemical allergies… Angela called each property to confirm – we ended up having to change one Athens property as new construction is a problem. She was our A team.
I was also pleased that she was able to get us to Meteroa/Kalabaka. She accomplished this with a private driver which was more flexible than a train or tour for us. I did not understand HOW MUCH DRIVING it would be. I had even google mapped it prior and that did not prepare us for that much time in the “car” on days 3-4. We are still glad it was a part of our trip – with more knowledge I may have added a day/night in that region – Flown north and had a driver work us back towards Athens….Link it to the Mycenae day as well? This maybe would have required us to rent car and drive. There may have been away to look at that part of the itinerary differently – had I understood driving distances/times better and offered Angela another day to fill in that region.
I was also very thankful that Angela booked and managed our Ferry travel – websites make this sound easy, I was thankful to have a local expert helping there – with reservations, check in, ongoing communication re delays etc
ATHENS
Arriving at the airport to a driver and a van was a new experience - not having to think about transportation and delivering info about the hotel location was for me surprisingly beneficial – it started the trip in a relaxed state. The Electra Metropolis was an excellent hotel for our first nights in Greece. overall location, quality and am views from rooftop breakfast--this made our first morning in Athens magical.
Electra Metropolis – excellent location, very happy with rooms/accommodation. We had an executive rm and a standard ( 2 adults and 2 teen boys..15,18) – the seating in the executive roomwas a nice addition as we settled in to trip and time change. The rooftop pool and restaurant were truly special -tho the pool was crowded in the afternoon.
Our first tour of the city was with Kristina – she was informative and knowledgeable. We appreciated her insights into the history of Athens and is relation to mythology. Her stories and historic information gave us context for the architecture and established a foundation for the rest of our trip. Temple of Zues, Dionysis Theatre, Acropolis, Agora – Kristina was also helpful with information on how to tour the Stadium on our own later in the day. AND she recommended Django gelato - this was a winner.
Our driver for the overnight outing to Delphi/Kalabaka, Nikkos – was a gem. He genuinely engaged with us and the kids. He suggested local dishes and took us to restaurants he enjoyed. He was always accommodating of our interests and needs and was assertive enough to lead us well. There was also a lot of driving over those 2 days. Nikkos was a native of Chania and provided us a list of locations and restaurants (which we were happy to have and use) for out last few days scheduled on Crete, a true gentleman – he also provided us with umbrellas on 2 different occasions – we were un prepared for rain. The restaurants we went to that he rec: (and enjoyed both very much) Palazzo, Chania and Mylos tou Kerata in Plantanias

Delphi/Oracle of Apollo: Effie was our guide – she provided in-depth information regarding the process of the oracle/prophecies the history of the site and anecdotal information. She connected the stories with personal information – sharing about how growing up her own grandfather poured wine on the ground regularly to include/appease the gods. We started our tour in the museum to provide context for what we were to see – we were caught in a significant rainstorm during our walk around the grounds. She was accommodating of our interest to continue or cut things short.
Teatro Hotel Odysseon - this was a quaint accommodation right on the edge of town – had a pool /we did not use and served a marvelous local breakfast. We were able to walk into town and grab a bite at a creperie for a late night arrival snack/dinner – we had had a late lunch with Nikkos so that was plenty – there were restaurants available if we had wanted. The location, the service were excellent – the physical facilities were just what it needed to be for our needs and the price. We were happy with this choice of accommodation.
Our Hiking Tour of Meteora – Perfection – Hiking Guide Chris from Meteora Thrones Travel Center. This was the ideal way to see this area for my family. Picked up by bus and taken to Valaam Monastery for a self-guided tour. This one monastery offered us a great example and understanding of the workings and the context of the monasteries in the region. Chris, our 19-year-old local, who had already served his military and had a number of jobs and travels – taught us and identified local flora -wild oregano, tansy, chamomile, st john’s wort. He shared stories of hiking the rocks and caves (and photos) as a youth and was very open to our questions and sharing stories – we had another couple on the trek – an English couple 65+ who regularly hiked – it was a nice mix of travel tales and personal experiences. Chris also had a great understanding of the history of the region (wars/occupations) that he freely shared.
Meteora Monestary – it is highly possible that I didn’t read everything clearly enough – I did not understand that to enter the monastery a woman NEEDS a skirt – I just thought covering legs – as I brought pants. So the 3e purchase of a “wrap,skirt” was a surprise.
Return to ATHENS –
Gatsby hotel This boutique hotel was nice – a modern boutique hotel - lights and HVAC controlled by a computer panel (part of which didn’t work in our room – which sometimes makes you think you just didn’t undersatd how to use it – but we found that one our panels did not work) We were greeted after check in in our rooms with a lovely snack – accommodating allergies – GF room had a beautiful fruit platter and the boys were offered sliders. We the in the hotel first night - it was a great dining experience – dinner and breakfast the next morning. When we returned from our day out on the peleponnes the desk staff was wonderful – offering recommendation for dinner close by and introduning us to the general manager- a nice conversations – he found us a restaurant (we loved) near by and made arrangements for an early breakfast delivery – we were leaving early for a ferry. – GM name Galanis Ioannis, Gatsby. This was a good 2nd accommodation in Athens – excellent service.
Anastasis Svarnas: guide for Corinth, Nafplion, Mycenae and Epidaurus. This was our favorite guide and glad he came third. I enjoyed other guides – but might not have been as satisfied if we had had Anastasis before them. He brought the sites alive and had my kids asking questions – we loved the lunch restaurant in Nafplion (don’t know name – best gyros of the trip). I have forwarded his contact info to 2 other families that were already headed to Greece. He shared some of his scholarly pursuits with us and some of his own history and family stories.

Ferry to Santorini – a fine experience – not sure what I was expecting – glad Angela booked us into business class and kept us informed – walking on the boat with our luggage and stowing it then heading up was a bit chaotic - once we did it - we were better served for other ferries along the way.
Our ferry was cancelled (or we were bumped?) and our departure was much earlier - Nikkos (driver) suggested that we were lucky to then be confirmed on the early boat – so I am also grateful to angela for managing this

Santorini
White Pearl Villas – we liked the villa and the location right at the start of the pedestrian zone of Oia. We had a 2 level multiple balcony with a plunge pool. This gave us room to spread out and still be together. The staff was very accommodating great service. Our plunge pool was under cover - and maybe not as aesthetically glorious as some of the others - we were happy for the shade and did enjoy the indoor/outdoor space. And breakfast at the Luno café near by was nice in the morning.
Dinner at Gefsis – incredible meal and sunset view – my 18 year old’s first legal cocktail. And a beautiful 1st sunset welcome to the island
We hiked the caldera – to Fira day 2 we chose to go 1 way and in the late afternoon – it was hot but less crowded.
Sunset Cruise and dinner with Santorini yachting club - I liked the route – starting at the south end and dropping us at Oia in the evening I think there were 16 people on boat – the crew was great – opportunity to swim and food was lovely. Another gorgeous sunset. Also an opportunity to see the island from the water.
Ferry to crete –
We were on a late ferry to crete and needed to check out at 11 -- the villas had a general pool we were welcome to use we had a late breakfast and did some shopping – and hit the pool – with 2 other couples there-- there was no shade left – I think I would have scheduled a tour and had the driver drop us at ferry to fill this day
Blue Dome – the exterior, grounds, beach and pool and location of this property were all ideal. The ocean front 2 bedroom and large balcony were amazing – the furnishing and the showers were just below what should have been offered at a property like this. Even if using shower curtains at a vacation property – there are arched shower curtain bars and a few minor things that would have made this an amazing property. It seemed a shame that it fell short by so little. Many things we liked. We also learned that the pool was not necessary with the level of beach and beach access – that is for my own records.
Samaria Gorge: Guide Nikko – we really enjoyed the hike the guide. There are things you can’t know until you go - no where did the description suggest we bring snacks – we had water and swimsuits but some packed food would have been good – I guess I assumed there would be vendors at the rest stops or that the guide had packed something – because it was not suggested anywhere to bring food. We left the hotel in the van at 8 am only a snack level breakfast, and started hiking at 9;30 or 10 and were on the go for 4 -5 hours yes we had a late lunch in the village at bottom of gorge – but this was at about 2 or 3 pm. Nikko took very good care of us via flora and fauna and history and personal stories and he provided hiking poles (for us , very helpful) I also didn’t understand the size of the town we would be coming to or the size/scale of the “”boat” . I was glad to have a guide he got us to a lovely restaurant and made sure we got our ferry tickets and showed us the beach area – he also kept in touch re ferry there was a delay here too. Overall a positive day – just wish we had known about the food.

Kayak Fit for Crete Manu and Miltos – maybe Fiona was with us too?
The wind and some local restrictions changed our route this day – Guides can’t be responsible for the wind. One of our kids – had a very sore back from the kayaks (open ocean sit atops doubles) and working against the wind at the end of our tour was not ideal but the only way to get back to the beach. We enjoyed the guides and the other guests on this outing. The guides were solicitous of our comfort level for the paddle – with a variety of people and a variety of expectations it was hard to go against the group (hold them back) swimming and snorkeling was beautiful – we did not get to Elafonissi beach – too far with the wind issues – which I understand – but that was part of the goal of this particular outing. They were curious how we “found them” I said it was all Angela – they gave us a great rec for late lunch in the hills near by The Old School House 73001 Πελεκάνος +30 2823 083001.
Dinners: recs by Nikkos Driver – Palazzo, chania Ta Chalkina, Chania mylos tou kerata, Platanias The old school house – western Crete Manu
Loved all of these restaurants

Sofitel at the airport – Was just right ate dinner on site we were able to re pack and prepare for journey home – hotel packed an early bfast and had it at our door at 3:30 am we were set for a 5:45 flight nice to be that close – no driving in am

happy to cut or provide more details

Hotel Reviews

Blue Dome Hotel

Chania

ferry to fill this day Blue Dome – the exterior, grounds, beach and pool and location of this property were all ideal. The ocean front 2 bedroom and large balcony were amazing – the furnishing and the showers were just below what should have been offered at a property like this. Even if using shower curtains at a vacation property – there are arched shower curtain bars and a few minor things that would have made this an amazing property. It seemed a shame that it fell short by so little. Many things we liked. Great beach town location with amenities from shops to restaurants walkable - also close enough to explore Chania

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

a few updates would have set this property apart -

White Pearl Villas

Santorini

White Pearl Villas – we liked the villa and the location right at the start of the pedestrian zone of Oia. We had a 2 level multiple balcony with a plunge pool. This gave us room to spread out and still be together. The staff was very accommodating great service. Our plunge pool was under cover - and maybe not as aesthetically glorious as some of the others - we were happy for the shade and did enjoy the indoor/outdoor space. And breakfast at the Luno café near by was nice in the morning. Staff was very helpful in accommodating out time last day before ferry - they were open to getting us a driver - (we already had one) and setting us up at the pool until we were ready to go later in the afternoon

Authenticity & Character

perfect for santorini

Location

right at Oia pedestrian zone start and glorious views over caldera

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Gatsby

Athens

Gatsby hotel: This boutique hotel was nice – a modern boutique hotel - We were greeted after check in in our rooms with a lovely snack – accommodating allergies – GF room had a beautiful fruit platter and the boys were offered sliders. We ate in the hotel first night - it was a great dining experience –both dinner and breakfast the next morning. When we returned from our day out on the Peloponnese the desk staff was wonderful – offering recommendation for dinner close by and introducing us to the general manager- a nice conversations – he found us a restaurant (we loved DOPIOS) near by and made arrangements for an early breakfast delivery – we were leaving early for a ferry. – GM name Galanis Ioannis, Gatsby. This was a good 2nd accommodation in Athens – excellent service. Beautiful decor & aesthetic. In room lights and HVAC controlled by a computer panel (part of which didn’t work in our room – which sometimes makes you think you just didn’t understand how to use it – but we found that one our panels did not work) Beautiful

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

GM name Galanis Ioannis, good conversation - he helped us find dinner near by

Cleanliness & Comfort

Theatro Hotel Odysseon

Kalabaka

Teatro Hotel Odysseon - this was a quaint accommodation right on the edge of town – had a pool /we did not use and served a marvelous local breakfast. We were able to walk into town and grab a bite at a creperie for a late night arrival snack/dinner – we had had a late lunch with Nikkos(driver) so that was plenty – there were restaurants available if we had wanted. The location, the service were excellent – the physical facilities were just what it needed to be for our needs and the price. We were happy with this choice of accommodation.

Authenticity & Character

fun themed rooms but not over the top

Location

on eddge of town - still walkable, but some separation and space

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Electra Metropolis

Athens

Electra Metropolis –The Electra Metropolis was an excellent hotel for our first nights in Greece. overall location, quality and am views from rooftop breakfast--this made our first morning in Athens magical. excellent location, very happy with rooms/accommodation. We had an executive rm and a standard ( 2 adults and 2 teen boys..15,18) – the seating in the executive room was a nice addition as we settled in to trip and time change. The rooftop pool and restaurant were truly special -tho the pool was crowded in the afternoon.

Authenticity & Character

Just a nice urban hotel - loved rooftop restaurant for breakfast and pool

Location

views of acropolis, walkable to major sights

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Sofitel Athens Airport

Athens

Sofitel at the airport – Was just right ate dinner on site we were able to re pack and prepare for journey home – hotel packed an early bfast and had it at our door at 3:30 am we were set for a 5:45 flight nice to be that close – no driving in am walk to gate

Authenticity & Character

Location

YES at the airport walk to gate

Staff

set up breakfast and wake up call we didn't even ask they offered

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Kayak Kedrodassos: Exotic Shores

Greece

Kayak Fit for Crete Manu and Miltos – maybe Fiona was with us too? The wind and some local restrictions changed our route this day – Guides can’t be responsible for the wind. One of our kids – had a very sore back from the kayaks (open ocean sit atops doubles) and working against the wind at the end of our tour was not ideal but the only way to get back to the beach. We enjoyed the guides and the other guests on this outing. The guides were solicitous of our comfort level for the paddle – with a variety of people and a variety of expectations it was hard to go against the group (hold them back) swimming and snorkeling was beautiful – we did not get to Elafonissi beach – too far with the wind issues – which I understand – but that was part of the goal of this particular outing. They were curious how we “found them” I said it was all Angela – they gave us a great rec for late lunch in the hills near by The Old School House 73001 Πελεκάνος +30 2823 083001. This was a Special Tour group - if on island would rec any of their excursions

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

windy changed our route and made return trip tough

HS Catamaran Sunset Cruise MD

Santorini

Sunset Cruise and dinner with Santorini yachting club - I liked the route – starting at the south end and dropping us at Oia in the evening I think there were 16 people on boat – the crew was great – opportunity to swim and food was lovely. Another gorgeous sunset. Also an opportunity to see the island from the water.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

all three crew members were great happy fun kind

Transport

Samaria Gorge: A Luxury Adventure in Chania Southwest P16 (Her & West)

Greece

Samaria Gorge: Guide Nikko – we really enjoyed the hike the guide. There are things you can’t know until you go - no where did the description suggest we bring snacks – we had water and swimsuits but some packed food would have been good – I guess I assumed there would be vendors at the rest stops or that the guide had packed something – because it was not suggested anywhere to bring food. We left the hotel in the van at 8 am only a snack level breakfast, and started hiking at 9;30 or 10 and were on the go for 4 -5 hours yes we had a late lunch in the village at bottom of gorge – but this was at about 2 or 3 pm. Nikko took very good care of us via flora and fauna and history and personal stories and he provided hiking poles (for us , very helpful) I also didn’t understand the size of the town we would be coming to or the size/scale of the “”boat” . I was glad to have a guide he got us to a lovely restaurant and made sure we got our ferry tickets and showed us the beach area – he also kept in touch re ferry there was a delay here too. Overall a positive day – just wish we had known about the food.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The ferry out was a neat opportunity to see how one might take a ferry from town to town back packing or a different way to enjoy the islands than we did

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

Greece

Amazing first sunset on Santorini - beautiful location excellent meal really glad this was preplanned

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Full Day Argolis with licensed Guide (Epidaurus – Mycenae – Nafplion)

Athens

Anastasis Svarnas: guide for Corinth, Nafplion, Mycenae and Epidaurus. This was our favorite guide and glad he came third. I enjoyed other guides – but might not have been as satisfied if we had had Anastasis before them. He brought the sites alive and had my kids asking questions – we loved the lunch restaurant in Nafplion (don’t know name – best gyros of the trip). I have forwarded his contact info to 2 other families that were already headed to Greece. He shared some of his scholarly pursuits with us and some of his own history and family stories. Blown away by the educational info on this day - Corinth and letters from Paul to the Corinthians - made that connection Mycenae and Agamemnon (possibly) Epidaurus and how people "travelled" and vacationed a the time health and wellness and all that entailed

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

best guide, I'm sorry I don't always write down driver name - all drivers were smooth and safe

Transport

Discover the imposing Meteora Rocks by hiking

Greece

Our Hiking Tour of Meteora – Perfection – Hiking Guide Chris from Meteora Thrones Travel Center. This was the ideal way to see this area for my family. Picked up by bus and taken to Valaam Monastery for a self-guided tour. This one monastery offered us a great example and understanding of the workings and the context of the monasteries in the region. Chris, our 19-year-old local, who had already served his military and had a number of jobs and travels – taught us and identified local flora -wild oregano, tansy, chamomile, st john’s wort. He shared stories of hiking the rocks and caves (and photos) as a youth and was very open to our questions and sharing stories – we had another couple on the trek – an English couple 65+ who regularly hiked – it was a nice mix of travel tales and personal experiences. Chris also had a great understanding of the history of the region (wars/occupations) that he freely shared.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Chris - fabulous guide

Transport

glad to have been a part of the bus tour at start and end

2 day Athens Escape to Delphi and Meteora (Delphi day)

Greece

Our driver for the overnight outing to Delphi/Kalabaka, Nikkos – was a gem. He genuinely engaged with us and the kids. He suggested local dishes and took us to restaurants he enjoyed. He was always accommodating of our interests and needs and was assertive enough to lead us well. There was also a lot of driving over those 2 days. Nikkos was a native of Chania and provided us a list of locations and restaurants (which we were happy to have and use) for out last few days scheduled on Crete, a true gentleman – he also provided us with umbrellas on 2 different occasions – we were un prepared for rain. The restaurants we went to that he rec: (and enjoyed both very much) Palazzo, Chania and Mylos tou Kerata in Plantanias

Quality of Experience

a lot of driving

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Nikkos, Effie and Chris - all super

Transport

see notes on Nikkos

Athens Highlights Mythology Tour

Greece

Our first tour of the city was with Kristina – she was informative and knowledgeable. We appreciated her insights into the history of Athens and is relation to mythology. Her stories and historic information gave us context for the architecture and established a foundation for the rest of our trip. Temple of Zeus, Dionysus Theatre, Acropolis, Agora – Kristina was also helpful with information on how to tour the Stadium on our own later in the day. AND she recommended Django gelato - this was a winner.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

I usually like to plan my own trips, but this time I just didn't have the extra time on hand to do the research. David helped us plan exactly the type of trip we were looking for in South France. I couldn't have done it better!

The Emanuel Antonio Nation Park Tour led by Roy (Estelle Tours) was fantastic. Roy was personable, knowledgeable and enthusiastic.

The whole trip was wonderful.

Overall, we were incredibly impressed by KimKim. We were quite uncertain about using a travel service as we're active adults accustomed to booking all of our own travel arrangements domestic or foreign. That said, working with Louis on our trip to Morocco was remarkably easy and efficient. He listened well to our wants and needs, and designed an itinerary that really allowed us to move throughout the country and enjoy not only the cities but the varied landscapes Morocco has to offer. We hiked to the peak of Mount Toubkal and even somehow spent a night in the Sahara while finding time to enjoy Marrakech too. Louis was instrumental in helping to make this happen during our planning stage. And, while we were traveling in Morocco, our driver, Said, was an incredible guide, ambassador and friend to us. He not only taught us so much about Moroccan culture but was generous enough to invite us into his mother's home to observe and celebrate the rituals in the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha. We can't say enough positive things about our experience. That said, our one piece of feedback is that if you're choosing to do the two day trek to summit Mount Toubkal (4167 meters) be sure to pack clothing for the cold temperatures you'll encounter during your ascent to the peak. Our local guides, Idriss, saved us by helping us rent ski jackets, hats, and gloves to ensure we were properly clothed for the experience. We do wish this was better communicated. That said, it's moments like these - the unforeseen - that also allow the kindness of strangers to come forward. We loved our time in Morocco and using KimKim.

Marta was excellent. Every thing she planned worked perfectly and we had a wonderful experience!

We just got back from 8 days of the most well planned trips we’ve ever taken. Pedro and then Joao planned an incredible, budget friendly trip that did not seem budget in any way. We had private transportation everywhere. Our hotels were great. Our day trips incredible. Any little problems that arises Joao was quick to resolve to our satisfaction.
When we first planned this trip, Joao and Pedro listened to what we wanted and needed as a big group and delivered in every way. When I saw the 32 page itinerary, I thought I’d they can execute on half of this plan, I would be very impressed. They delivered in all points.
Our tour guide, Ricardo, really made this trip even more memorable. He was knowledgeable, patient with our loud large group, and made sure everything was perfect for us through out the entire trip. We wish we could export Ricardo to any future trips!
Highlights were: the walking tour in Lisbon, Fado dinner, Pena castle at Sintra, Obidos and Nazare, and the caves in Faro.
I can’t say enough about Across Portugal and would use them again in an instant.
Extremely happy!

Hotel Reviews

Vila Galé Lagos

Lagos

Authenticity & Character

Not much character. Seemed cold modern design

Location

Close to the beach and 15 min outside of town

Staff

Front desk rude.

Cleanliness & Comfort

At times had an off-putting smell, no irons which was not disclosed to us.

HF Fénix Lisboa

Lisbon

Authenticity & Character

Location

City center. Easy to walk to restaurants and shopping

Staff

Some staff at the front desk were not very nice but restaurant staff was great

Cleanliness & Comfort

Cleanliness was great, AC was not very effective

Activity Reviews

Exclusive Panoramic Boat Tour to the Ponta da Piedade Caves

Portugal

I wasn’t made aware that the boats we would use were very small and we would be separated in different boats. But it turned out fine and the experience was great. The caves are beautiful and not to be missed

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Explore Óbidos, Nazaré and Alcobaça

Lisbon

We decided to skip Alcobaca and spend more time in Obidos and Nazare. Obidos was like walking into a different time. The medieval town has kept its charm from days gone by. E could have spent all day there. We then headed to Nazare for lunch at a restaurant on the beach which was absolutely delicious. We the. Drove up to the top of the cliff for views of beautiful Nazare.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Ricardo and Armando. Best in the business.

Transport

Private Driver Tour to Sintra with Tickets to Pena Palace & Cascais

Lisbon

At first we weren’t sure if this trip would happen because they were afraid the bus couldn’t make it up to sintra with its small streets but Joao and Ricardo worked their magic and arranged for tuk tuks to drive us up to the castle. The tuk tuks made the experience even better. The castle and its grounds were beautiful. The city of sintra also beautiful with quaint restaurants and shops. We then headed to casais for lunch and shopping. Ricardo picked a beautiful spot for us to leisurely enjoy a beautiful meal

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Ricardo and Armando did it again. Another perfect day.

Transport

Immerse Yourself in the Portuguese Culture by Experiencing a Fado Dinner

Lisbon

Intimate experience in a small restaurant that fit just our group of 25 and 2 other couples. Beautiful singing and food. A uniquely Portuguese experience. Not to be missed

Quality of Experience

Food

Everything well prepared and delicious

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Ricardo and Armando again perfect!

Transport

Private Historic Odyssey Walking Tour of Lisbon

Lisbon

Ricardo made sure we got the most out of Lisbon. We walked to some Lisbon highlights. He brought us to a beautiful spot for lunch and then took us to historical site by the water where we tried pastel de nada, the best we had while we were there.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Ricardo and Armando-amazing!

Transport

New bus with AC, wifi, and Bluetooth connections

My experience with all of the staff, Gaia, Meree, Fenne, and Julia was fabulous. They were very responsive to our needs in setting up the trip we wanted, and in helping us as we travelled. The Lofoten Islands are special. Because of KimKim we were able to experience the beauty of the geography and the people. We were able to feel the history, and participate in life today on several of the islands. My personal goal was to go by boat to an isolated area where my Grandmother was born. Though not being used today as a summer home, it was there. I would not have been able to do this without the help of KimKim staff.
Thank You!

Hotel Reviews

Bensvik Brygge

Værøy

Truly a favorite place for us. Great owners, they became like family. We cannot say enough about the comfort, view, and overall ambiance.

Authenticity & Character

The building and view are very authentic . The inside of the apartment has been renovated so we had a modern kitchen and bathroom.

Location

On the water and easy walking to restaurants and Coop.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Narnia Lodge Lofoten

Gimsøy

This was a home not a hotel. We did like staying in a sparsely populated community but this home was very unsatisfactory. The stairway to the bedrooms was extremely steep, and only ourselves, without belongings, could maneuver up. There were plenty of beds but one did need to walk through one bedroom to reach another one. The only bathroom was downstairs. The shower was not used by us, simply uninviting with a mop against the side and a wet rug hanging on the shower curtain pole. The washer was running with towels inside, which we ended up hanging up to dry. We did have clean towels put out for us. Clean sheets were available but we did need to make our own beds.

Anker Brygge

Svolvær

Simply a lovely place with the ambiance of a fishing village. Great staff and terrific breakfast buffets.

Specialty accomodation Skrovahuset Lofoten

Skrova

This was a home not a hotel. We were informed breakfast would be included but it was not. We arrived late on a Saturday night with a summer festival happening. It was great. The only store, Coop was closed until Monday morning so no shopping. Fortunately, the one restaurant opened at 11am for waffles and 12-9 for meals ...we didn't starve. The stairway to the bedrooms was very steep so we left our bags downstairs which was convenient since the bathroom was there. The view was lovely and we had a wonderful time but not recommended for individuals not able to manage the steps.

Veversmauet Apartments

Bergen

Once we found the apartment and our way around Bergen it was great for walking to everything.

Hotell Bondeheimen

Oslo

Certainly met our needs: easy to the train station the next morning after a wonderful breakfast buffet.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Scandic Oslo Airport

Gardermoen

Met our needs for the very brief time we were in between flights.

Flåm Marina

Flåm

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Eliassen Rorbuer

Moskenes

Activity Review

Private RIB boat tour

Svolvær

Gunnar was fabulous in researching the location we wanted to visit, gearing us up for safety, and leading the trip. We were given so much information about the fjord area, historical living along the shores, White Tailed Sea Eagles, and the Trollfjord. He made our experience much more than we anticipated. Through him we were able to achieve the main goal of our trip, to find the home where my Grandmother was born.

Quality of Experience

There was not a single negative

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Gunnar is an extremely nice person with a load of knowledge on the environment, history, and people.

Transport

Great fun!

My husband and I were taking a trip alone after 20 years of work and having kids and put Mathias and Kim Kim in charge of our first journey to Norway, and we absolutely could not have been more pleased with the outcome. We informed Kim Kim of our interest in adventure in combination with nice places to stay to keep both my husband and myself happy, and it couldn’t have been a more beautiful journey. We started off in Oslo, and were directed of exactly where to visit and enjoy, while during our time there, and then, at each destination, we were either on a boat, on a train or in a car or a plane, and it was always a great adventure and completely and totally planned out and completely and totally paid for and taken care of. Our itinerary included Flam, Bergen, Bodo and the Lofton Islands - all spectacular and overwhelmingly gorgeous. We have been on many travel trips and actually had private guides with us, but Mathias, although not physically with us, was with us every single step of the way Via phone contact. He was a thoughtful, respectful of our wishes and kind guide of whom considered all of our desires, and took those to the limit. My husband wants me to include that we had many “special requests” for Mathias and put him to work and he was most gracious about every single one of them. 😃We truly could not be happier, and only wish that Matthias could be our guide on our next adventure, wherever that is in the world. We will 100% most definitely use Kim Kim in the future and already recommended Kim Kim too many friends and we have only been back one week.

Our family vacation to Split, Hvar, and Dubrovnik in Croatia was amazing! Our guide Sarah organized fantastic activities for our family of 5 (2 parents and 3 teenagers). She was lovely to work with and she was incredibly responsive any time we had a question. She even helped us find a shopping mall in Split when my kids' luggage was delayed. Every guide and driver was super friendly, helpful, and extremely professional. All 3 of our airbnbs were well located and beautiful.

We especially enjoyed the food walking tour with Vicki in Split, our day hiking in Plitvice Lakes National Park, ocean kayaking in Hvar with our guide Reno, our walking tour in Dubrovnik with our guide Anna, and a farm to table experience where we enjoyed Peka in the most beautiful setting. Our favorite adventure of the vacation was our boat tour from Hvar to the blue and green caves, multiple gorgeous beaches, and lunch at the family owned restaurant Stoncica on the beach with the most delicious grilled fish (caught that day) and vegetables (grown on the family farm connected to the restaurant).

Activity Reviews

Private Day Trip to Cavtat & Family Farm Day for Traditional Lunch or Dinner

Croatia

The meal at the farm itself was delcious and the setting was beautiful. The tour was fine, but it didn't include a visit to the artist's home or the museum as advertised and we were a little disappointed about that.

Quality of Experience

Including the art aspects of the tours as advertised. Also the communication between the driver, guide, and farmer/restauranteur could be improved.

Food

The meal itself was delicious and we really enjoyed it.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The driver was not very good. He didn't speak any English at all. He appeared to be in a rush to return home. The guide was good but the tour didn't include the things that were advertised that we were most interested in.

Transport

Tour Dubrovnik's Old Town

Croatia

This was extremely interesting and our guide was very knowledgeable.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Green & Blue Caves of Vis Island

Hvar

This was the best day of our whole vacation. Our boat captain Josko was the absolute best! We swam, saw the blue and green caves, visited stunning beaches, and had a delicious meal.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our captain was the greatest! He was very knowledgeable about the area and extremely capable on the water.

Transport

Pakleni Islands Kayak Tour

Croatia

This was super fun, and the beaches we visited were beautiful.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide Reno was very friendly and patient. He helped us have a great day!

Plitvice Lakes National Park

Split

This was an amazing day! Beautiful scenery and wonderful hikes.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our driver Karlo went out of his way to stop at the airport on the way home and helped us get my kids' delayed luggage.

Transport

Split Walking Food Tour

Split

Our guide Vicki was very friendly and knowledgeable. She brought us to a series of great restaurants.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Really thought Mark originally from Australia on the Loch Ness tour was stupendous. Best tour guide ever. Never a dull moment. He was very well informed and kept the long trip exciting.

Hotel Reviews

The Roseate

Edinburgh

Great service and the restaurant food was top-notch. My only complaint was our room was on the fourth floor with no lift. The staff was very helpful to carry up our bags. I would not suggest this for people who do not do stairs They did have a few rooms on the first floor, but still steps to the entrance.

Authenticity & Character

An old mansion. All decor and furniture were authentic from the period.

Location

Great location for quiet from the main city. Small walk to a few restaurants and amenities.

Staff

They gave immediate attention and went above and beyond.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Everything was cleaned daily

The Grand, York

North Yorkshire

Excellent staff and excellent restaurant.

Authenticity & Character

Perfect mix of old decor and new modern rooms

Location

Near bus station so we walked

Staff

Friendly and helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

We stayed in the new building, and it literally was brand new feeling

Activity Reviews

Afternoon Tea at the Savoy Hotel

London

Elegant and delicious

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Everyone was willing to help. Drivers were prompt and knowledgeable

Transport

Knowledge and willingness to chat about places to see

Private transfer to your destination

United Kingdom

Mark was great! Lots of knowledge and great to chat with.

Yorktour Evening Express: Small Group Early Evening Walking Tour

York

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Julia's itinerary was perfect - exactly what we hoped for!

Hotel Reviews

Kviknes Hotel

Balestrand

Beautiful from the outside but the rooms were in a separate, concrete bldg (not the wooden 19th century bldg). Rooms were super small with 2 small twin beds. Felt cramped. Very few amenities (no shampoo, conditioner, lotion).

Authenticity & Character

Rooms

Location

Right in center of town

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

29|2 Aurland

Aurland

A gem of a hotel - gorgeous setting, beautiful, comfortable rooms - excellent 5-star dining.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Bergen Børs Hotel

Bergen

Hotel was nice - big room, great location. Breakfast buffet was super generous and the food was excellent.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Near bus station, ferries, restaurants - excellent location

Staff

Great service!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Experience Aurland with a Local Guide

Aurland

AnnKaren was so welcoming - we learned all about her process for making goat cheese and she fed us a delicious lunch!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Finnafjord Safari by RIB

Balestrand

So fun! Lars was a great guide - the boat was comfortable and he made sure we all wore giant coveralls to keep us warm! Beautiful scenery.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Fjord Cruise & Seafood Dining Experience

Bergen

The boat ride was incredible, esp coming home and seeing the sunset. The staff at the restaurant was incredible, everyone so friendly and they all came out to see us off when the ferry departed.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

So happy we found KimKim and Karenina as our tour specialist. We started with a broad vision and with Karenina's expertise she prepared an amazing 16 day detailed trip plan! We experienced 6 days in Barcelona, 3 days in the Costa Brava Region (the town of Begur), 3 days in Valencia, and 3 days in Madrid. There was a perfect mix of tours, and on our own time. We were able to reach out to Karenina and her team as needed with questions and/or changes. We could not have been happier with the KimKim team. All of the tour guides were exceptional in their knowledge and very friendly. The local foods were amazing, the people very welcoming, and the architecture stunning. Navigating the cities was very easy, great public transportation. We rented a car for the trip to Costa Brava and then on to Valencia, driving was very low stress. A car is a must to really experience the Costa Brava Region. We were very satisfied with all of the hotel accommodations. We took a trains from Valencia to Madrid and Madrid to Barcelona- a great way to see the country.
Key Highlights: Barcelona- La Sagrada Familia, Olympic Venues, Day trip to Montserrat and tour/tasting at Llopart Vineyard and Park Guell. Costa Brava Region- Day self-driving trips to Girona, Figueres, La Garrotxa, Besalu. Valencia- The Prince Phillip Science Museum and the open-air oceanographic park is a must. We also biked the old river basin which has been converted into 18 different parks. Madrid- Great local markets, and museums.

Hotel Reviews

Petit Palace Puerta del Sol

Madrid

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Alta House Begur

Begur, Girona

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

One Shot Palacio Reina Victoria 04 Hotel

Valencia

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Andante Hotel

Barcelona

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Highlights of Old Madrid Walk

Madrid

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tuk Tuk City Tour - Valencia Historic Center

Valencia

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Day Trip to Montserrat & Penedès Region Wine Tasting

Barcelona

Quality of Experience

We would have liked more time at Montserrat

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tapas Walk in Barcelona

Barcelona

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Visit of Barcelona & La Sagrada Familia

Barcelona

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We had a fantastic trip to Iceland, tailored to the specific needs of our six person family, which included 4 active 20-something men and their parents. Our guide Gummi even helped plan our small wedding on a beautiful black pebble beach. He found us a wonderful house on the sea, near the wedding site, and helped plan several activities afterward, including a glacier hike, iceberg lagoon cruise, and many other interesting and unique activities. There’s no way we could have such a great trip without his expertise and advice. And when the inevitable minor hiccups arose, he was always quick to respond and set things right. Five stars all the way around!!!

We had a fantastic two week trip to Souther Italy which we arranged with Maria Grazia. She was very knowledgeable and adjusted our trip for us several times to ensure we got to see everything we were interested in. Out trip started in Sicily in Catania, moved to Palermo via Train, then a small flight hop to Sorento and Amafi Coast and then another train ending in Rome.

Our hotels were are very nice and the staff was excellent. They were perfectly located in each area and allowed us to walk to everything we wanted to see. They were also very convenient to local restaurants and all had fabulous breakfasts provided!

The Kim Kim team arranged transportation for everything. Not having to deal with driving made our trip much more relaxing. All the drivers were very good and provided us interesting information about the areas. I usually drive everywhere we go, but was surprised how nice this made the trip. Not worry about how to get to places and dealing with parking and the other issues.

As far as activities we did my favorite were the Story Walking tours in the towns and the private walking tour of the Path of Gods. We also had a great boat trip off Sorrento coast, Positano and Amalfi boat tour with Ieranto bay.

I should also mention that we had a local contact Jessica who provided us her personal number and was immediately responsive to any questions we had. She confirmed our drivers and helped with one issue we had. Best service I have ever had on a trip!

Thank you Maria and Jessica for a wonderful trip!

Hotel Reviews

History Suite

Rome

Location was very interesting, had to prearrange meet time so we could get keys and get in. Owner was great though. The location is fantastic, basically in the middle of all the places you will want to visit. Room was very nice and we enjoyed our stay!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Owner and breakfast staff were very friendly

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Rivoli Sorrento

Sorrento

Was a very nice hotel, room was small but comfortable. Easy walk to everything. Nice breakfast.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Had an issue with hot water, staff wasn't very helpful. Otherwise they were very nice.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Principe di Lampedusa

Palermo

Great location. Easy walk to many attractions. Staff was very friendly and breakfast was great. Very comfortable room.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Duomo Suites and Spa

Catania

Beautiful hotel in the perfect location for getting around town. Staff was very friendly and helpful. Breakfast was fantastic. And the view from the top was great. Would definitely stay here again.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Walking distance to everything

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Private Bomarzo & Orvieto Day Trip from Rome

Italy

Orvieto is a beautiful little town with fantastic views, if you have the time it is worth the trip. And the Bomarzo stop was very nice as well. A very peaceful walk.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our driver on this trip was exceptional, very friendly! Some great recommendations for future vacations.

Transport

Private Evening Rome Walking Tour

Rome

Nice tour. We had done a lot of sightseeing on our own before the tour so they customized it a bit for us. Guide was very knowledgeable and took us to see some things we had missed.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Colosseum Tour with Underground, Arena & Gladiator Gate with Roman Forum

Rome

The colosseum is an amazing structure. Getting to go under and get a real view into what it was like there was amazing. Without the underground tour you miss so much. We really enjoyed.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Walking tour Path of Gods

Italy

Don't miss this tour, it was beautiful! Just a fantastic walk along the coast. Our guide was great!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sorrento coast, Positano and Amalfi boat tour with Ieranto bay

Italy

Loved this boat tour, we had a great crews and made some nice stops. Positano was our favorite little town.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Palermo Private Walking Tour

Palermo

Our guide was very knowledgeable and customized the tour a bit for us since we had already wondered around quite a bit.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Marilu was a great tour guide

Transport

Walking tour, but we covered a lot of area

Private Valley of the Temples Agrigento Tour

Palermo

Our guide was great and very knowledgeable! Valley was beautiful.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Loved our guide

Transport

E-bike tour of Etna along Magma Trail

Catania

I don't think this tour was run well. It start out with us getting pickup up and then stopping to get gas before we went to another location to pickup his friend that was going to drive the truck back. We wasted a lot of time before we even headed to the mountain. This should have been done before picking us up. The ride itself was beautiful though unfortunately we would up having heavy rain and thunderstorms. We tried to group through but the guide was not prepared for the weather and kept telling us we should have been more prepared. We are travelers and can't pack tons of gear, he should have provided weather gear for us. Because of the weather and lack of gear we had to cut the trip short. We sat in a restaurant dripping wet and waited for an hour for someone to bring the truck to pick us up. A waitress felt so bad for us she brought us some towels and gave a blow dryer to try to warm up a little. He should have known he had to cut it short since he kept telling us we weren't prepared for the weather and planned ahead so we didn't have to sit shaking wet. I think this would have been a good trip if it had been planned better. Even with the weather if he had just had some rain gear for us it would have been fun.

Quality of Experience

Mountain was beautiful, ride would have been great. Would definitely find a similar tour.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Didn't plan well, blamed us for not be prepared. Unprofessional.

Transport

Crammed into a truck with gear, stopping for gas, picking up friends. No pleasant.

We had a wonderful trip to Paris, Avignon and Nice, thanks to Lucie. She was very responsive to our ideas and requests as we planned the trip and she was available if we had questions during the trip. She helped us schedule all the activities we wanted, including dinner at the Eiffel Tower, a sunset cruise on the Seine, and our favorite, a group cooking class in Avignon. We loved all the hotels, but we especially loved the hotel in Nice, which was just across the street from the Mediterranean Sea.