Kimkim Trip Reviews

4.8
Based on 16,009 ratings
Read 16,009 verified reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim. You can also read reviews about kimkim on 3rd party sites including Google, TrustPilot and Yelp.

Mini Family Reunion in Norway
Norway | Mar 15 - Mar 24, 2023

H
Heather K.
Loma Linda, CA | Reviewed on Mar 29, 2023
Meree was incredibly patient and a wealth of information. We were trying to meet long-lost family AND keep up with my daughter's surprisingly fluid (their itinerary kept changing) school mission trip. Meree was able to make suggestions according to what we thought we wanted and what we ended up needing and we wouldn't hesitate to recommend her. Read more

Meree was incredibly patient and a wealth of information. We were trying to meet long-lost family AND keep up with my daughter's surprisingly fluid (their itinerary kept changing) school mission trip. Meree was able to make suggestions according to what we thought we wanted and what we ended up needing and we wouldn't hesitate to recommend her.

Activity Review
Return to Oslo, Explore
Return to Oslo, Explore
Oslo

We returned to Oslo from Stockholm towards the evening just before shops closed and there wasn't much to do other than go to our hotel and get ready for our return flight. We booked our flight to Stockholm and back and chose a later flight on purpose so not a reflection on Meree or the Kimkim team at all.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
We reserved our own flights to Norway and then within Norway and to Sweden. We booked the flexible/refundable tickets which came in handy as we ended up rescheduling once. They are a bit pricey but worth it if you at all think you might need to make adjustments along the way. Also learned that the less expensive tickets increase in price substantially about 2 weeks out from the date you want to fly.
Local specialist: Merée Ruzits

Fantastic trip with low-stress planning, flexible itinerary, and an excellent driver
Morocco | Mar 11 - Mar 19, 2023

M
Mara K.
Owings Mills, MD | Reviewed on Mar 29, 2023
My friend and I recently returned from a 9 day trip to Morocco and we had a spectacular time! We had very limited time to plan the trip so we decided to use an online travel agent to help us. The kimkim platform is excellent - very easy to use and Hamza helped us put together a custom itinerary based on one of their recommended routes. Having them take care of the accommodations, overall itinerary, and finding us a driver removed so much stress from the planning process. If we were to... Read more

My friend and I recently returned from a 9 day trip to Morocco and we had a spectacular time! We had very limited time to plan the trip so we decided to use an online travel agent to help us. The kimkim platform is excellent - very easy to use and Hamza helped us put together a custom itinerary based on one of their recommended routes.

Having them take care of the accommodations, overall itinerary, and finding us a driver removed so much stress from the planning process. If we were to return to Morocco, we would definitely feel comfortable doing our own planning, but for the time we had available and what we needed, it was great. We were able to request days without a tour guide so we could explore on our own, and they were receptive to specific requests about types of activities we were interested in. The one thing I'll say is that because kimkim is working with a local tour company, certain days didn't follow the original itinerary exactly. We were pretty easy-going about where we went but if you prefer to know exactly what's happening and when, make sure to communicate this and do a final itinerary overview before your trip.

One of the best parts of our trip was our driver, Said, who ended up feeling more like a friend. He did an amazing job, was fun to hang out with, and was proactive in giving us advice on feeling safe as two women travelers. I'd recommend him to anyone interested in visiting Morocco and we'll certainly be calling him if we return. Other highlights: the night in Merzouga and 4x4-ing through the desert, the gorgeous scenery between Merzouga and Ouarzazate, the Berber Museum, and just about everything in Marrakech. Make a few restaurant reservations in advance to take advantage of Marrakech's amazing food scene and if you have any interest in contemporary art, be sure to spend a day exploring the galleries and museum in Gueliz.

Local specialist: Hamza EL Asely
Hamza
Hamza EL Asely
Local specialist in Marrakech | Replied on Mar 30, 2023
Dear Tara, Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us and for choosing kimkim and Original Travels for your trip to Morocco. We are thrilled to hear that you had a spectacular time and that our platform was easy to use. We appreciate your feedback regarding the itinerary, and we will make sure to emphasize the importance of communication and final itinerary review in the future. We are also happy to hear that your driver, Said, was such a great addition to your trip and... Read more

Dear Tara,

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us and for choosing kimkim and Original Travels for your trip to Morocco. We are thrilled to hear that you had a spectacular time and that our platform was easy to use.

We appreciate your feedback regarding the itinerary, and we will make sure to emphasize the importance of communication and final itinerary review in the future. We are also happy to hear that your driver, Said, was such a great addition to your trip and that he made you feel safe as two women travelers.

Thank you for your recommendation of the Berber Museum, Marrakech's amazing food scene, and the contemporary art in Gueliz. We are glad that you were able to enjoy these highlights and that you had a great experience overall.

We look forward to the possibility of working with you again in the future :)

Best regards,
Hamza
Original Travels

It was so easy and lovely working with Rachel...
Brazil | Mar 13 - Mar 22, 2023

Mackensie
Mackensie U.
Borough Park, NY | Reviewed on Mar 29, 2023
It was so easy and lovely working with Rachel especially when we had a missed connection late at night and having to rearrange travel plans. Our favorite day in Rio was because of Vincent the tour guide operator where we walked around together in Santa Teresa & Faevla. The hotels Rachel picked for us in Rio & Amazon were also amazing (and Santa Teresa Gallery hotel had such good food at their restaurant). I would definitely come back and use Rachel again and recommend to friends. Read more

It was so easy and lovely working with Rachel especially when we had a missed connection late at night and having to rearrange travel plans. Our favorite day in Rio was because of Vincent the tour guide operator where we walked around together in Santa Teresa & Faevla. The hotels Rachel picked for us in Rio & Amazon were also amazing (and Santa Teresa Gallery hotel had such good food at their restaurant). I would definitely come back and use Rachel again and recommend to friends.

Hotel Reviews
Santa Teresa Hotel RJ - MGallery
Rio de Janeiro
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The pool scene and the food quality at the restaurant were so good and made our stay so enjoyable
Villa Amazônia
Manaus
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge
Manaus
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Rachel Vita
Rachel
Rachel Vita
Local specialist in São Paulo | Replied on Aug 02, 2023

Thank you for the lovely review! We're thrilled you had a great experience planning your trip with us and enjoyed your time in Rio and the Amazon. We appreciate your recommendation and look forward to welcoming you back for more unforgettable adventures in the future!

Five stars!
Colombia | Mar 12 - Mar 23, 2023

Julia
Julia K.
Livonia, MI | Reviewed on Mar 29, 2023
I had a wonderful trip to Colombia, and I am so happy that I worked with KimKim to plan this experience. I had three wonderful city guides in Bogota, Santa Marta, and Medellin. I also had a number of hiking guides for various outdoor excursions in Bogota and on the trek to Ciudad Perdida. Each guide was extremely well-informed and did a great job sharing the history and culture of the place along with time for me to just enjoy and take it all in. The trip was a great balance between... Read more

I had a wonderful trip to Colombia, and I am so happy that I worked with KimKim to plan this experience. I had three wonderful city guides in Bogota, Santa Marta, and Medellin. I also had a number of hiking guides for various outdoor excursions in Bogota and on the trek to Ciudad Perdida. Each guide was extremely well-informed and did a great job sharing the history and culture of the place along with time for me to just enjoy and take it all in. The trip was a great balance between activities and free time: I was so happy to have a series of scheduled activities, but I was also glad to have plenty of time to myself to make my own plans or to explore the cities I was in. I wholeheartedly recommend booking through KimKim and working with Wendy and her team in Colombia!

Hotel Reviews
EK Hotel
Best Western Plus Santa Marta Hotel
Santa Marta, Magdalena
Quinta Ladera
Medellin
Authenticity & Character
Location
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Wendy Romero
Wendy
Wendy Romero
Local specialist in Santa Marta | Replied on Apr 06, 2023

Hi Julia,
We are so glad you had a fantastic trip here in Colombia and that you come and celebrate your birthday with us! You made a mix of activities and we are really proud of the long hike that was done in Lost City.
We will wait for you here again for more adventures and to discover more places.
Best,
Wendy

Beautiful northern Argentina.
Argentina | Mar 15 - Mar 26, 2023

Connie
Connie h.
St Louis, MO | Reviewed on Mar 29, 2023
My husband and I just returned from a two week tour of northern Argentina. Our private tour was arranged by Ana and she put together a perfect trip. We spent time in Buenos Aires, Iguazu Falls and Salta. We loved all of these areas. She arranged our domestic flights and I received our boarding passes very timely (I'm a little fanatical about details). Our guides in each area were very friendly and took such care to make sure we did and saw the things we wanted and at our pace. This was... Read more

My husband and I just returned from a two week tour of northern Argentina. Our private tour was arranged by Ana and she put together a perfect trip. We spent time in Buenos Aires, Iguazu Falls and Salta. We loved all of these areas. She arranged our domestic flights and I received our boarding passes very timely (I'm a little fanatical about details). Our guides in each area were very friendly and took such care to make sure we did and saw the things we wanted and at our pace. This was important as we are not spring chickens. Flo was our guide in Buenos Aires for our city tour. She was knowledgeable, friendly and professional. Our guide in Iguazu Falls was Matias who is a fantastic guy. We spent two great days with him and they are two days we will never forget. When he picked us up at the airport, he immediately asked if we had our proof of covid vaccination as this is required to enter Brazil to see the Falls from that side. I didn't have mine but was able to immediately reach our son who messaged it to me. I highly recommend seeing the Falls from both sides as the views are so very different. I appreciate Ana including this as I hadn't looked into it and we loved the experience. Matias also suggested a local place to have lunch in Puerto Iguazu that was one of the best meals we had the whole trip. Our guide in the Salta Area was Jorge, We spent three day with Jorge and had a blast. There is so much to see in this area that appears to be off the beaten path. Everything from rainforest to desert. We visited small villages, traveled through mountains with views that take your breath away. Jorge was our driver as well as our guide and did a great job of both. I tend to be a bit of a nervous passenger as I usually am the driver as I love to drive as did Jorge. I was totally relaxed with him as the driver on the harrowing roads used in this area. Our activities in Buenos Aires included a city tour, an asado dinner, a dinner with a tango show and a day at a gaucho ranch where we rode horses. All these were great additions to our trip. The hotels chosen for us by Ana were perfect. You can book your custom tour with Ana and KimKim with full confidence of having a wonderful vacation.

Hotel Reviews
CasaSur Palermo Hotel
Buenos Aires

This hotel is in trendy Palermo with tons of restaurants. We felt totally safe walking throughout the area. The staff are friendly and the rooms are extremely clean.

Authenticity & Character
Very clean, good breakfast and very helpful staff.
Location
Great neighborhood.
Staff
Helped us in many ways.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Comfortable bed, very clean and fast elevators.
Loi Suites Iguazú Hotel
Puerto Iguazú

Great resort type hotel. Beautiful views. Only reason I didn't give 5 stars is that the buildings are connected by suspended walkways. I have never been a graceful person and had some trouble keeping my balance on the walkways if anyone else was on them at the same time.

Authenticity & Character
Top rating for a beautiful hotel.
Location
Beautiful location but secluded so it doesn't leave you many options for eating unless you take a taxi into town.
Staff
The wait staff in the restaurant weren't very attentive.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean.
Legado Mitico Salta Hotel Boutique
Salta

I can't say enough about how much we enjoyed this hotel. It is unique, beautiful and has a great location. The breakfast has a lot of options including eggs cooked to your liking. The staff are really friendly and helpful. The rooms are beautiful, comfortable and extremely clean.

Authenticity & Character
This is an old building that has been renovated into a beautiful hotel. You are greeted with your own wine, cheese, and olives reception. Has a library and outdoor area to relax and enjoy some downtime. Our room had it's own secluded patio.
Location
Great location. .
Staff
All the staff were great.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean and roomy.
Activity Reviews
Asado Dinner at El Fogón
Asado Dinner at El Fogón
Buenos Aires

This is a really unique experience. What was suppose to be a seven course dinner ended up an eight course dinner. It is just fun. The staff interact with the customers all during the meal. The food is cooked to perfection.

Quality of Experience
We felt very welcomed and were treated so well. The food is excellent!
Food
All of the courses were great. Just remember to take it slow as the best is last.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Staff was very friendly and fun.
Transport
We arranged our own transportation to the dinner and used Uber.
Buenos Aires Barrios Tour
Buenos Aires Barrios Tour
Buenos Aires

Beautiful part of Buenos Aires.

Quality of Experience
Very colorful.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide, Flo was informative and fun. Our driver did a great job driving in very heavy traffic.
Transport
Comfortable vehicle and good driver.
Gala Tango Dinner & Show
Gala Tango Dinner & Show
Buenos Aires

The food was good but for us the dancing went on too long. Ignore the previous if you are a late night person.

Quality of Experience
Food
Good but not memorable.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Staff was professional but not as friendly as other places we ate.
Transport
Used Uber.
Day trip to San Isidrio & Tigre with Lunch at Vivanco Restaurant
Day trip to San Isidrio & Tigre with Lunch at Vivanco Restaurant
Buenos Aires

For my husband and me, this was a really good experience. The boat ride was very interesting and enjoyable. Seeing life along the river was fun and enlightening. Seeing the El Tigre area was a nice addition to our experience.

Quality of Experience
Our guide did a great job of making sure all of his group kept informed although we did spread out on the boat.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide was a very fun person, the driver was good.
Transport
Really enjoyed the boat ride.
Estancia Gaucho Day
Estancia Gaucho Day
Buenos Aires

The guide had so much information she shared with us on our way to the Gaucho ranch. Enjoyed the horse ride. The food here was excellent. We didn't participate, but really enjoyed watching others learn the dance.

Quality of Experience
Was a fun day.
Food
Really good food.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The guide was very informative and the staff did a terrific job.
Transport
Comfortable van and a nice drive.
Brazil Falls & Birds Park
Brazil Falls & Birds Park
Argentina

Iguazu Falls are spectacular from the Brazil side. You get the full panoramic view. The bird park provides a lot of information regarding the native species and was definitely worth the time spent there.

Quality of Experience
Just a totally awesome view of Iguazu Falls.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide and driver were both extremely friendly and professional.
Transport
Very comfortable vehicle.
Visiting the Argentine Waterfalls of Iguazu
Visiting the Argentine Waterfalls of Iguazu
Argentina

What a fun day we had with our guide. The Falls are so close. We took the train first thing in the morning and avoided the crowd for this first viewing of the Falls from the Argentina side. Then took the two upper paths. These are long walks but very much worth the effort. It was a hot day so really enjoyed the mists. Lots of nature to enjoy on the path walks. My husband and guide then took the third (lower) path and there they saw the monkeys.

Quality of Experience
Great day of walking and seeing the falls.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guide and driver could not have been better.
Transport
Comfortable vehicle.
Tour of the City - Discovering Salta's Hidden Treasures
Tour of the City - Discovering Salta's Hidden Treasures
Salta

Was a fun way to get to know the city of Salta.

Quality of Experience
Saw local crafts, museum and wine tasting.
Food
Had some really good coffee, lunches and dinners.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Jorge was both our driver and our guide. Great at both.
Transport
Enjoyed riding in the pickup truck through the mountains.
Scenic Drive to Cafayate
Scenic Drive to Cafayate
Salta

Beautiful drive through the mountains. The echo chamber was fun. My husband enjoyed the wine tasting and the wine museum was interesting.

Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visiting Quebrada de Humahuaca
Visiting Quebrada de Humahuaca
Salta

Another great day of driving through the mountains with beautiful views. The small villages are definitely where you want to purchase locally made items. They are displayed on tables around the village square. The hills of seven colors is gorgeous.

Purmamarca & Salinas Grandes
Purmamarca & Salinas Grandes
Argentina

We did not get to see this.

Local specialist: Ana Gutierrez
Ana
Ana Gutierrez
Local specialist in Buenos Aires | Replied on Mar 29, 2023

Dear Connie!
Thanks for taking the time to write such a lovely review. As I mentioned, I enjoyed so much working with you and putting together this trip for you and James. You're wonderful travelers! 😊
All our guides loved you too!
Best regards all the way from Buenos Aires!
Ana

This trip was perfect.
Costa Rica | Jan 19 - Jan 25, 2023

Shannon
Shannon M.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on Mar 29, 2023
This trip was perfect. Costa Rica was absolutely breathtaking. Read more

This trip was perfect. Costa Rica was absolutely breathtaking.

Hotel Review
Nayara Hotel Spa and Gardens
Fortuna

This hotel was amazing. It was the best day we’ve ever had on a travel.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Olman Romero
Olman
Olman Romero
Local specialist in San Jose, Costa Rica | Replied on Mar 29, 2023

Hello Shannon,

Thanks for your nice review!
I am so happy to know you enjoyed your stay at Nayara Gardens, it is a unique hotel.

Thanks again for trusting in our services.

Pura Vida!
Olman

Loved Our Argentina Escapade
Argentina | Feb 12 - Feb 26, 2023

David
David N.
Fuquay-Varina, NC | Reviewed on Mar 29, 2023
We just returned from a 15-day trip to Argentina that we planned through kimkim. We loved the door-to-door coverage knowing that all arrangements for transfers, lodging, domestic flights, and most excursions were handled. In addition, we had a team of guides and drivers, almost all of whom spoke English, to help us really find the best of this unique South American Country. Our trip started in Buenos Aires, went to Salta, Cafayate, Mendoza, and then El Calafate in Patagonia. The 474 Buenos... Read more

We just returned from a 15-day trip to Argentina that we planned through kimkim. We loved the door-to-door coverage knowing that all arrangements for transfers, lodging, domestic flights, and most excursions were handled. In addition, we had a team of guides and drivers, almost all of whom spoke English, to help us really find the best of this unique South American Country.

Our trip started in Buenos Aires, went to Salta, Cafayate, Mendoza, and then El Calafate in Patagonia. The 474 Buenos Aires Hotel was in a great location, a short stroll from the Obelisco and bustling Avenue Corrientes. A private sightseeing tour took us to the Recoleta Cemetery and the colorful La Boca neighborhood, among other sites. We really enjoyed the spectacular Gala Tango Show (which was a recommended option). The food and wine were stellar and this started our Argentina experience in good fashion.

We then traveled to the beautiful city of Salta, whose scenic square features the impressive Cathedral, built in 1865. Our hotel, Balcon de la Plaza, was beautiful and two blocks from the square. The square is loaded with shops and restaurants and is a perfect spot to take in the evening fun while dining at a cafe. We had an evening tour of Salta with the highlight being a visit to San Benando Hill, which gives a panoramic view of the city below.

A full-day tour the next day took us to the Heights and stops included San Antonio de los Cobres, a village on the Puna plateau, which featured a tasty restaurant (loved the empanadas), an ancient church, and a bustling craft marketplace. We also stopped at Alto El Morado, 13,681 feet in altitude, the highest spot in our journey, and the salt plains of Salinas Grandes.

The next day was travel to Cafayate, with spectacular scenery and a stop at luxury winery Colome. Special thanks to our guide Andres, who was outstanding during our swing into the high-elevation wine country. To get to Colome we had to drive through (not over) two rivers. The winery experience, which includes the James Turrell Museum, was spectacular.

Our lodging in Cafayate was the Patios De Cafayate, our favorite stay of the trip. This elegant hotel is in the style of a French country estate, with beautiful grounds, a pool, courtyards, and a fine dining restaurant. Just about perfect -- and even more so since the El Esteco winery is right next door. El Esteco is a world-class winery not to be missed. The Cafayate wine museum in town is also a wonderful attraction. Other wineries visited included Nanni, located downtown, and the impressive Piatelli.

We then ventured to Mendoza, the wine capital of the country. We stayed in the Bohemia Hotel. We found this to be sub-par but with an ideal location two blocks from Avenue Arístides, which had eateries and shops galore. Our first sip of wine in Mendoza was at a lovely outdoor table under the trees at Repulica Aristides. We also found a nice vegetarian restaurant just steps from the hotel.

We visited a total of six wineries in Mendoza, three through the kimkim arranged Wine & Flavors of Maipu tour and the others through another tour we found online. The famed Traipiche was everything you could hope for in a winery visit. Sin Fin, Vistandes, and Familia Checchin were also memorable.

The final leg of our trip took us the the breezy region of Patagonia and El Calafate. We again stayed at a fine hotel in the Esplendor by Wyndham El Calafate. The hotel had all the full-service amenities including a nice restaurant and pool. The culinary highlight of our trip was dinner at Rancho Aparte. This was an optional recommendation and turned into an unforgettable event. The restaurant is the home of Chef Gabo, who prepares meals for small groups, in our case seven people. Guests are seated around a common table and the conversation flows as the amazing dishes come out paired with the rare and unique wines of Patagonia. El Calafate is an appealing small town with plenty of great restaurants and shops with outdoor gear. The Glaciarium is another great stop.

The excitement continued as we visited the Perito Moreno Glacier at Los Glaciares National Park. We hiked the catwalks opposite the glacier, giving amazing views of this glacier -- one of the few in the world that isn't shrinking. Titanic formations of blue and white ice make it a photographer's dream. We then took a boat tour to get even closer to the glacier (an optional but inexpensive add-on). This gave us another perspective of the glacier and brought us up close to hear the cracking sounds as icebergs calved and fell to the water. Memorable in every way.

Our final activity (aside from return travel) was a Patagonia Ranch Day at Nibepo Alke, where we were able to watch gauchos in action (shearing lambs) and enjoy a tasty asado of lamb and Malbec. We hiked to a lake and enjoyed the impressive views of the Andes.

We packed a lot into our two weeks and kimkim helped make it happen.

Hotel Reviews
474 Buenos Aires Hotel
Buenos Aires

Outstanding location on San Martin right around the corner from the main street of Corrientes and a short distance from the Obelisco. It is also close to Florida street, which is lined with restaurants. We also discovered a great restaurant just steps away from the hotel, La Pipeta. 474 also had the best breakfast of the places we stayed on our two-week trip. It offers wide breakfast choices, plenty of space to spread out, and also an outdoor dining area. This is a nice, modern hotel that is unassuming on the outside but has nice rooms and good staff.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Patios De Cafayate
Cafayate

This was our favorite hotel on our trip to Argentina. With a French estate style, the hotel offers beautiful rooms and bedding, a fine-dining restaurant, evening wine for guests, beautiful grounds and pool, and picturesque courtyards. It has a relaxing upscale feel in a beautifully natural and landscaped setting. Add to this that it is next door to the superb El Esteco winery and you have everything you need for a wonderful stay in Cafayate.

Authenticity & Character
Historic charm and modern luxury feel.
Location
Beautiful spot a short distance from city center.
Staff
Attentive and professional.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Beautiful rooms and grounds.
Bohemia Hotel Boutique
Mendoza

On the positive side, the location is smashing, just two blocks from Avenue Aristides Villanueva. This street has bars, restaurants, and shops that can keep you entertained for weeks. There is a nice vegetarian restaurant a few steps away from the hotel. It's easy to enjoy a nice night on the town without a taxi. The hotel is also close to parks and other attractions. Don't be fooled by the photo of the sparkling pool. The pool hasn't been in operation for more than a year (based on reviews I've read). It was not operating when we were there. There is a nice lobby area and tables for breakfast. The selection of food was not good and a pitcher held curdled milk. The room is old and funky with a rickety door and old-style lock. Inside, the room has no amenities beyond a bed and television. The wiring for one of my lights was suspect. The bathroom was adequate, although the shower area is dark and unappealing. In short, the hotel made us want to spend most of our time at wineries or in town.

Authenticity & Character
It gets some points for quirkiness and a nice lobby. It's old, but that doesn't necessarily mean it has character.
Location
Perfect spot, next to a bustling street filled with restaurants, bars, and shops.
Staff
The staff was friendly and helpful.
Cleanliness & Comfort
It was clean, but the room, bedding, and breakfast were all less than satisfactory.
Esplendor by Wyndham El Calafate
El Calafate, Santa Cruz

This is an excellent hotel, with a nice bar and restaurant, indoor swimming pool, spacious lobby, and a location just a few blocks from downtown El Calafate. There is a great breakfast buffet, just right to get you prepared for your excursion to the Perito Moreno glacier. The bar is a welcome attraction upon your return. The rooms are well-appointed and modern, something you would expect at a Hilton or Marriott. The hotel is on the hill, which provides a nice view of the area. Walking up and down the hill was a bit of a challenge since Patagonia, at least when we were there, has constantly blowing winds and a chill in the air. Nevertheless, this is a great hotel.

Authenticity & Character
This is a stylish hotel that would fit in any US or European city.
Location
Great for walking into town.
Staff
This is a mixed bag. Most of the staff were helpful, but one desk clerk seemed to have anger issues. My Spanish is limited. I tried asking him how much a taxi to a restaurant would cost and he became agitated or insulted. Whenever I had a request from the front desk, I tried to avoid him as he was glaring at me.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Clean, fresh, modern. What's not to like?
Local specialist: J K
J
J K
Local specialist in Peru | Replied on Mar 29, 2023

Hi David,
It has been great to receive your review and I am so glad you had a wonderful time with us in Argentina. It was always nice to work with you in building the trip to encompass many great destinations. You manged to see some much in your time with us and for sure we look forward to welcoming you back to discover more great destinations in Latin America.
Stay Well.
Regards,
Jason.

Our trip was well planned and executed.Irish...
Japan | Mar 13 - Mar 27, 2023

Jitendra
Jitendra P.
Cambria Heights, NY | Reviewed on Mar 29, 2023
Our trip was well planned and executed.
Irish was very responsive.
Read more

Our trip was well planned and executed.
Irish was very responsive.

Hotel Review
Hotel Forza Kanazawa
Ishikawa

Very good service and staff

Authenticity & Character
Location
Centrally located ,close to transportation and shopping
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Irish S.
Irish
Irish S.
Local specialist in Tokyo | Replied on Jun 15, 2023

Thank you so much Jitendra for the positive feedback! We are so grateful that you took your time to share your amazing experience with us in Japan lastspring! We had a wonderful time working and planning with you and we appreciate your patience and understanding throughout the trip.
Take care!

Touring Colombia stress free!
Colombia | Mar 17 - Mar 26, 2023

Francois
Francois C.
Manhattan, NY | Reviewed on Mar 29, 2023
Not knowing much about this vibrant country we really needed some guidance and KimKim with the assistance of Wendy really helped us. We arrived and left the country stress-free! All arrangements were exactly as per the trip plan.
Highlights:
Street Food tour in Cartagena under the guidance of Willy Gutierrez
Sends Koguiwa Hotel next to Tayrona Park
Tours in and around Bogota under the excellent guidance of Daniel Espejo
Thanks KimKim and Wendy for helping in making our visit memorable!
Read more

Not knowing much about this vibrant country we really needed some guidance and KimKim with the assistance of Wendy really helped us. We arrived and left the country stress-free! All arrangements were exactly as per the trip plan.
Highlights:
Street Food tour in Cartagena under the guidance of Willy Gutierrez
Sends Koguiwa Hotel next to Tayrona Park
Tours in and around Bogota under the excellent guidance of Daniel Espejo
Thanks KimKim and Wendy for helping in making our visit memorable!

Activity Reviews
Magical Sunset and Dinner from a Cartagena Island
Magical Sunset and Dinner from a Cartagena Island
Cartagena

Not really a sunset cruise as we left at 7pm when it was already dark. Food not very tasty. Very friendly reception and views from the boat was nice. Gave an idea of the layout of Cartagena.

Quality of Experience
Actually leaving at sunset. Better food!
Food
Not tasty at all
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Friendly and very helpful
Transport
On-time, clean, safe
Wander Cartagena’s Storied Streets & Discover the Art of Getsemaní
Wander Cartagena’s Storied Streets & Discover the Art of Getsemaní
Cartagena

This tour covered the most important parts of Cartagena and is definitely worthwhile.

Quality of Experience
Covers the most important sights of Cartagena
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Everybody was very friendly and helpful
Transport
Clean, safe
Cartagena’s Street Food: The Soul of a City in Every Bite
Cartagena’s Street Food: The Soul of a City in Every Bite
Cartagena

We had an excellent guide who made the experience extra special. Stopped at about 6 street vendors including a visit to an emerald shop.

Quality of Experience
Variety of street-food under excellent guidance
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Professional, knowledgeable, friendly and well-spoken guide
Barú & the Rosario Islands
Barú & the Rosario Islands
Colombia

Interesting excursion although not what we really expected. Being a national park, we expected serene beauty but the area is actually very build-up. There were also a lot of boats arriving from Cartagena making the beaches and snorkeling very crowded. We did go during a national holiday weekend, so maybe that made the crowds even worse?

Quality of Experience
Crowded, build-up not very pristine.
Food
Tasteless and poor presentation
Guides, Drivers and Staff
As always friendly
Transport
Clean, safe
Hiking in the Tayrona National Park
Hiking in the Tayrona National Park
Colombia

This is a beautiful park with beautiful vegetation and beaches. Beware that there is only one trail that everybody takes. It was very crowded and at times we came to a complete standstill. After about an hour the crowd spread a bit. Then it was more pleasant.

Quality of Experience
I would suggest timed-entrance to alleviate the congestion.
Food
Tasty meal on the beach
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Friendly
Transport
Clean, safe
Discover La Candelaria & The Monserrate Hill
Discover La Candelaria & The Monserrate Hill
Colombia

This tour covers the most important sights and museums of Bogota. Highly recommended.

Quality of Experience
Well-timed visit to views and museums.
Food
Excellent down town restaurant with delicious local food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Excellent, well spoken and knowledgeable guide
Transport
Clean, safe
The Salt Cathedral & Zipaquirá
The Salt Cathedral & Zipaquirá
Colombia

A very interesting visit to a unique site. Worth visiting.

Quality of Experience
Uniqueness of this site
Food
Visited a restaurant in an unattractive area. I think a restaurant in Zipaquira downtown would have been a better idea. The food was ok.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Knowledgeable and well spoken.
Transport
Clean, safe
Guatavita Lake
Guatavita Lake
Bogotá

Definitely with the visit. Interesting history and beautiful nature.

Quality of Experience
Views, historical importance, nature
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Knowledgeable, friendly
Transport
Clean, safe
Local specialist: Wendy Romero
Wendy
Wendy Romero
Local specialist in Santa Marta | Replied on Apr 06, 2023

Hi Francois,
Thank you for coming to Colombia and knowing our culture. We were happy you visit us and enjoy the country. It was a pleasure to see you at Gold Museum and have a talk.
Daniel sends you regards and we hope you come again and visit us!
Best,
Wendy

Axel, who stepped in for Oleksandra, was also...
Patagonia | Mar 9 - Mar 22, 2023

Beverly
Beverly L.
Birmingham, MI | Reviewed on Mar 29, 2023
Axel, who stepped in for Oleksandra, was also amazing! Their attention to details and their excellent communication were very much appreciated. Read more

Axel, who stepped in for Oleksandra, was also amazing! Their attention to details and their excellent communication were very much appreciated.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Director Vitacura
Santiago, Vitacura, Región Metropolitana
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Altiplanico Puerto Natales
Natales
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Calafate Parque Hotel
El Calafate
Authenticity & Character
Location
Loved the location. Easy walk to El Calfate!
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Rendez-Vous Hotel Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires

From the moment I walked in, I didn’t care for it. I didn’t like the dreariness of the lobby. The location was not good either. I never saw the room because we opted to find another hotel before check-in. This was not at all on par with our other hotels.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Full day Torres del Paine with Milodon Cave
Full day Torres del Paine with Milodon Cave
Puerto Natales

Beautiful although cloudy weather precluded seeing the beauty of the area. We only saw lakes!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Arrival in Santiago
Arrival in Santiago
Santiago

I loved Santiago. I booked a private tour and Angelika was a great guide! I also did a hop on hop off which I thoroughly enjoyed.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Perito Moreno Full-Day Tour
Perito Moreno Full-Day Tour
El Calafate

Gorgeous scenery!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Boat hovered by glaciers to give us ample time for photos.
Dinner & Tango Show
Dinner & Tango Show
Buenos Aires

This was a great experience. The show was excellent and we had great seats.

Quality of Experience
Food
I was looking forward to the steak but it was very tough.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Driver was very friendly and pick up and drop off was timely. Staff at tango show was quite attentive.
Transport
Trekking in El Chalten from El Calafate
Trekking in El Chalten from El Calafate
El Calafate

This would have been a lot better if our tour guide had provided us with (1) an option for the day and (2) if she had provided a map of our trail. According to the tour description we were to choose from 4 options for the day. Didn’t happened - the option was selected for us. Secondly, the tour guid got off at option one and we were left with only the bus driver who dropped us off at a hostel, procured our lunch then provided no direction as to where to go from there. We ended up not even seeing the sight we were supposed to see. Also, the guide spent 3/4 of the time speaking Spanish and very little time with English even though many if not most of the people in our tour were English-speaking. The only saving grace was that it was a beautiful day for a hike and the scenery was amazing!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Oleksandra Stefanyuk
Oleksandra
Oleksandra Stefanyuk
Local specialist in Buenos Aires | Replied on Mar 31, 2023

Hi Beverly,

Thank you very much for your feedback!

We both (Axel and I) are glad that you had a great time! Hope to see you again in Chile and Argentina, visiting places that you did not visit during this opportunity! :)

Thank you!
Oleksandra and Axel

Mexico discovered thanks to Jorge and the amazing guides
Mexico | Mar 19 - Mar 24, 2023

Martin
Martin S.
Canada | Reviewed on Mar 29, 2023
Jorge was great to work with and he did a wonderful job in understanding what we were looking for and planning accordingly. The trip was amazing. Each guide we had was incredibly knowledgeable, friendly and fun and showed us places we would never have discovered on our own. We had a wonderful outing in Teotitlán, hiking, bird watching and visiting a weaving family and having a wonderful lunch with them. We visited the paradisiacal Apoala with its blue lagoon and waterfalls , horse riding to... Read more

Jorge was great to work with and he did a wonderful job in understanding what we were looking for and planning accordingly. The trip was amazing. Each guide we had was incredibly knowledgeable, friendly and fun and showed us places we would never have discovered on our own. We had a wonderful outing in Teotitlán, hiking, bird watching and visiting a weaving family and having a wonderful lunch with them. We visited the paradisiacal Apoala with its blue lagoon and waterfalls , horse riding to the Dinosaur tracks was stunning and discovering Puebla City and Cholula and learning about the history, culture and beautiful churches was fascinating . It was a full five days filled with interactions, visits and sites we will never forget.

Hotel Reviews
La Catrina de Alcalá

Very clean, friendly staff and quiet.

Authenticity & Character
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Casa Cantarranas
Tehuacan
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Casa Pepe Puebla
Puebla

Great room and amazing bathroom. Clean, friendly and perfect location.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
A tour through Teotitlán del Valle and its handicrafts in Oaxaca
A tour through Teotitlán del Valle and its handicrafts in Oaxaca
Oaxaca

Margaux was an amazing guide and person. So much know and able to point out bursa to us we would never have seen. We did a wonderful hike and had lunch with a weaving family learning about weaving. We also visited a candle making workshop and the village of Teotitlán . It was the perfect day.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Margaux was so knowledgeable, flexible, relaxed and fun
Transport
Hike and swim in Santiago Apoala
Hike and swim in Santiago Apoala
Oaxaca

Such a beautiful paradise

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide was great. A joy to be with and very flexible, interesting and knowledgeable
Transport
In the Footsteps of Dinosaurs in San Juan Raya
In the Footsteps of Dinosaurs in San Juan Raya
Mexico

Quite a long horse ride down to the area with the dinosaur tracks . Fascinating to hear all about the history and geology. The guides were wonderful and very knowledgeable

Quality of Experience
Scenery, history,
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Walking tour of the historic center of Puebla
Walking tour of the historic center of Puebla
Puebla

We were fascinated to visit Puebla and discover what a great city it is. The cathedral, the library , multiple churches, candy street and pottery. All amazing. Maria was lovely and very knowledgeable

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Discover the Magical town of Cholula
Discover the Magical town of Cholula
Mexico

It was wonderful discovering the churches here, especially the one coated in ceramics and fascinating to learn about the pyramids underneath the main church

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The guide was full of energy and knowledge and great fun. The driver was fantastic.
Transport
Very comfortable and friendly driver - Miguel
Local specialist: Jorge Reyna

South Africa and Zimbabwe
South Africa | Mar 15 - Mar 28, 2023

David
David B.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Mar 29, 2023
4-5 days in Cape Town(V&A hotel is a great location )is perfect, table mountain and Robben island were great experiences. 2 days Franschhoek was perfect and Avonrood accommodation excellent.Ryan was a brilliant guide for both above . Thabamati luxury tented lodge was just brilliant (food, safari’s,service all excellent) and 4 nights was just enough. To finish at Victoria falls and sunset cruise was a fantastic finish to our brilliant holiday. Read more

4-5 days in Cape Town(V&A hotel is a great location )is perfect, table mountain and Robben island were great experiences. 2 days Franschhoek was perfect and Avonrood accommodation excellent.Ryan was a brilliant guide for both above . Thabamati luxury tented lodge was just brilliant (food, safari’s,service all excellent) and 4 nights was just enough. To finish at Victoria falls and sunset cruise was a fantastic finish to our brilliant holiday.

Hotel Reviews
The Victoria & Alfred Hotel
Cape Town

Great location.Clean room. Service could be a bit better at breakfast.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Location
Staff
Help at front of hotel for taxi’s etc
Cleanliness & Comfort
Avondrood Luxury Guest House
Franschhoek, Western Cape

Friendly, very comfortable accommodation in great location. Very high standard. Great breakfast.

Authenticity & Character
Great character, lovely furnishings
Location
Staff
Very friendly and helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
Thabamati Luxury Tented Camp
Kruger National Park

Overall fantastic experience, luxury accommodation, excellent setting,service, safari’s, staff friendliness .The experience surpassed our expectations.

Authenticity & Character
Excellent quality of accommodation. Really friendly feel to the camp. The staff are all great
Location
Timbavati game reserve offers a lot of spotting from start to finish.
Staff
All helpful with everything
Cleanliness & Comfort
Extremely high standard in communal and private areas
Ilala Lodge
Victoria Falls

Great location, saw wild animals in the lovely garden areas. You can hear the sound of the falls which we liked

Authenticity & Character
Dining , pool and bar areas very well laid out
Location
Staff
Reception staff really helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Full Day Cape Peninsula Tour (including lunch)
Full Day Cape Peninsula Tour (including lunch)
South Africa

Great day tour. Great sights. Our lunch was average on this trip , I think because they rushed leading up to load shedding.

Quality of Experience
Seeing great sights and scenery
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Ryan provides just the right amount of information and is relaxed and friendly
Transport
Table Mountain Hike and Cable Car
Table Mountain Hike and Cable Car
Cape Town

Great hike, great guide who was really friendly and knowledgeable

Quality of Experience
Good sense of achievement in completing the hike
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Knowledgeable, friendly
Transport
Afternoon Game Drive
Afternoon Game Drive
South Africa

Brilliant

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Cape Town City and Scheduled Robben Island Tour
Private Cape Town City and Scheduled Robben Island Tour
Cape Town

Robben island is a must do item. Really interesting. City tour informative and pleasant to see the different areas.

Quality of Experience
Informative and interesting
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day Winelands Tour (including lunch)
Full Day Winelands Tour (including lunch)
South Africa

We really enjoyed the day especially the cheese and wine pairing and the final stop location, setting and scenery was spectacular(Stark Conde). We felt 2 wine tastings would have been better than 3 , also a slightly later start would be good to allow a bit more free time in Franschhoek

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Location choices arranged by Ryan
Transport
Days on Safari
Days on Safari
South Africa

Brilliant

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Timbavati Private Game Reserve Safari Day
Timbavati Private Game Reserve Safari Day
Timbavati Game Reserve

Brilliant

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Boma Dinner
Boma Dinner
Victoria Falls

Slow start but got better and better. Food was nice also

Quality of Experience
Drumming, singing
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Didn’t always have transportation cool enough
Tour of the falls and sunset cruise
Tour of the falls and sunset cruise
Victoria Falls

Excellent tour of the falls, great experience

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Lize Enderstein
Lize
Lize Enderstein
Local specialist in Cape Town, South Africa | Replied on Mar 29, 2023

Hi David,
Thank you so much for your detailed feedback on the hotels, tours and safari lodge.
Wonderful to read that you had a brilliant holiday.
Hope to see you return someday to Southern Africa.
Best Regards, Lize

Magical Morocco
Morocco | Mar 18 - Mar 25, 2023

Seema
Seema M.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on Mar 29, 2023
Our trip to Morocco was fantastic. I've always enjoyed researching destinations, finding the perfect hotels, and booking tours, but this was a girls' trip to celebrate 50th birthdays, and we wanted to make it special. I did some of the research, and Abdel and Said took care of the rest. Everything Kim Kim had planned was great. Working with Abdel was simple, and the website facilitates communication for everyone. We chose to stay in riads instead of hotels. Each one was unique, but they... Read more

Our trip to Morocco was fantastic. I've always enjoyed researching destinations, finding the perfect hotels, and booking tours, but this was a girls' trip to celebrate 50th birthdays, and we wanted to make it special. I did some of the research, and Abdel and Said took care of the rest. Everything Kim Kim had planned was great. Working with Abdel was simple, and the website facilitates communication for everyone.

We chose to stay in riads instead of hotels. Each one was unique, but they all provided excellent service, friendly staff, and delicious breakfast. The only thing that could be improved are the tour guides. We felt some pushed us to go to specific stores to shop, and one ended with a demand for a tip (which we had planned to give).

Tarik, our driver, was awesome! He was friendly and caring, and he looked after our group well. We made some changes along the way, and he was accommodating. I will most certainly use Original Travels and Kim Kim again!!

Local specialist: Abdellah El Asely
Abdellah
Abdellah El Asely
Local specialist in Marrakech | Replied on Mar 29, 2023
Hey Seema, Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with us. We're thrilled to hear that your trip to Morocco was fantastic and that you enjoyed celebrating your 50th birthdays with your friends! It's great to know that you found working with me, Said, and the whole team simple and effective and that the Kimkim website helped facilitate communication and planning for your trip. It's also wonderful to hear that Tarik, your driver, was a valuable part of your trip,... Read more

Hey Seema,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with us. We're thrilled to hear that your trip to Morocco was fantastic and that you enjoyed celebrating your 50th birthdays with your friends!

It's great to know that you found working with me, Said, and the whole team simple and effective and that the Kimkim website helped facilitate communication and planning for your trip. It's also wonderful to hear that Tarik, your driver, was a valuable part of your trip, providing a friendly, caring, and accommodating experience throughout your journey.

We appreciate your valuable feedback regarding the guides. We will ensure that our local guides focus more on providing cultural tours rather than emphasizing shopping, and we will address the issue of guides asking for tips. Your input will help us improve our services and create a better experience for future travelers.

Once again, thank you for choosing our services, and we look forward to helping you plan your next adventure.

Warm regards,
Abdel,
Original Travels

AMAZING 60th Birthday Trip to Portugal
Portugal | Mar 19 - Mar 27, 2023

Nancy
Nancy H.
Utica, NY | Reviewed on Mar 28, 2023
Our trip to Portugal was OUTSTANDING. I have always loved researching destinations, finding the perfect hotels and booking tours, but this trip was to celebrate my husband's 60th birthday and I wanted it to be really special. I planned some of the trip and Raquel planned the rest. Everything Kim Kim planned was perfect. Working with Raquel was easy -- I changed my mind SEVEN times and each time she adjusted our itinerary without complaint. We had three private tours; Celia in Porto was... Read more

Our trip to Portugal was OUTSTANDING. I have always loved researching destinations, finding the perfect hotels and booking tours, but this trip was to celebrate my husband's 60th birthday and I wanted it to be really special. I planned some of the trip and Raquel planned the rest. Everything Kim Kim planned was perfect. Working with Raquel was easy -- I changed my mind SEVEN times and each time she adjusted our itinerary without complaint. We had three private tours; Celia in Porto was fabulous -- so much so that when the tour ended, we invited her to have a drink and spend time with us. The hotel in Coimbra was one beautiful and gorgeous and exactly our style and aesthetic. Our guide Jose in Lisbon was terrific. Paolo took us to Sintra for day trip and we met his wife, and had a wonderful experience. All the guides were highly vetted, super knowledgeable and really personable. The app makes communicating with Raquel easy and all information is at your fingertips. I will definitely use Kim Kim again!!

Hotel Reviews
Sapientia Boutique Hotel
Coimbra

Beautiful hotel with a fab roof top deck, a gorgeous lobby, restaurant and great staff. Outdoor courtyard was a real treat!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Vincci Baixa
Lisbon

Nice hotel, very well situated, breakfast was great, nice staff, room was nice but tight. Bathrooms are fully mirrored and after a week of wine and cheese, that view wasn't ideal. :)))

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Privately Guided Visit of Porto
Privately Guided Visit of Porto
Porto

Celia was amazing, smart, fun, a tiny energizer bunny with a great personality!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Dinner With Locals at a Local Home
Dinner With Locals at a Local Home
Lisbon

One of our favorite nights of the whole trip! Magarida and her family welcomed us into their home and we stayed for 4 hours of wine, conversation, a great homecooked meal and laughs. A real treat!

Quality of Experience
Food
Half Day Excursion to Sintra
Half Day Excursion to Sintra
Lisbon

What made this excursion phenomenal was Paolo - his knowledge of history and traditions was unbelievable. Thank you for a great day and a great meal!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Raquel Aceituno
Raquel
Raquel Aceituno
Local specialist in Madrid | Replied on Mar 29, 2023

Hi Nancy, thanks so much for taking the time to write this wonderful review. I am glad to know that you and Eric had a great time in Portugal and that everything we planned met your expectations. I will pass your words on to our local guides, they will be happy to know that they have contributed to your special trip. It was a pleasure creating this experience with you and hopefully, we get in touch again for future adventures :) All the best, Raquel

Give yourselves time to relax!
New Zealand | Mar 3 - Mar 17, 2023

David
David L.
Tempe, AZ | Reviewed on Mar 28, 2023
We really enjoyed our 17-day trip to New Zealand. If we have one regret it is that we packed our itinerary so full that we rarely got time to relax and just enjoy being there. While we were there (I'm told it's typical of the late summer period) there were road works on almost every route we travelled, so published driving times were always optimistic, which added to the pressure. Though we enjoyed many wonderful experiences, it would be hard to beat the cruise on Medford Sound. We almost... Read more

We really enjoyed our 17-day trip to New Zealand. If we have one regret it is that we packed our itinerary so full that we rarely got time to relax and just enjoy being there. While we were there (I'm told it's typical of the late summer period) there were road works on almost every route we travelled, so published driving times were always optimistic, which added to the pressure. Though we enjoyed many wonderful experiences, it would be hard to beat the cruise on Medford Sound. We almost missed this altogether, as our itinerary included flights to and from there from Queenstown which we cancelled at the last minute due to weather conditions. Our wonderful travel specialist, Lydia, managed to reschedule the itinerary for that day and the next so that we could drive there to enjoy the cruise the following day. The heavy rain that prevented our flights turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as it resulted in the walls of Medford Sound being covered in waterfalls during our visit which made for a special day. Our favorite meal, was a lunchtime barbeque at the Walter Peak Farm accessed by a steamship cruise on Lake Wakatipu. Our favorite hotel room, the Te Waonui Forest Retreat in Franz Josef. All our guides were friendly and knowledgable, and all the arrangments went without a hitch. Now we're back home, we just need to take a break to breathe...

Hotel Reviews
Te Waonui Forest Retreat
Franz Josef Westland

The highlight of this hotel for us was the location of the room. The hotel is set amongst dense vegetation, and the ground-floor rooms are below the level of the forest canopy. You feel like you are almost in the jungle. In contrast, the restaurant is on the 2nd floor, so the view from the large floor-to-ceiling windows is of the surrounding mountains over the top of the forest canopy. The staff were very friendly and attentive. The overall impression was very relaxed and unrushed. The hotel grounds and public spaces were decorated with carvings in native wood, which added to the ambience.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Forest setting
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Montreal
Christchurch

We enjoyed this hotel very much. We spent a total of 3 nights there in two stays. The mini-suite rooms were large and well laid out with a comfortable seating area. The staff were very friendly and helpful and the service felt personal and unrushed. The breakfast was wonderful - we particularly enjoyed the french toast! The one-way road system in Christchurch challenged us in finding the entry to the car park, but once mastered was fine. The hotel is close to downtown, and a short walk from the hop-on hop-off tram service. It is also very close to the beautiful botantical gardens which we very much enjoyed.

Authenticity & Character
Location
close to downtown but very quiet
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
CHCH Touring - Private Transfer Accommodation to Christchurch Train Station
Christchurch

Our driver was waiting for us as we emerged into the arrival area and welcomed us to New Zealand. The drive to our hotel in a private car was on quiet side streets through an attractive part of town and the friendly driver helped us with some ideas for our first day's activities.

Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Lydia Ford

An absolutely breathtaking adventure of a lifetime.
Iceland | Mar 20 - Mar 27, 2023

Joseph
Joseph B.
Dahlonega, GA | Reviewed on Mar 28, 2023
One of the most amazing trips I’ve ever taken, all thanks to our fantastic specialist Guðmundur. He is top-notch, and I can not wait to book with him again when I return with my sister next year. We could not only see all the tourist highlights, but he also gave us many options to make our memories. Our hotels were spectacular, and we never had an issue with any bookings he made. He was always available to us to answer questions and offer assistance whenever we needed it, especially during... Read more

One of the most amazing trips I’ve ever taken, all thanks to our fantastic specialist Guðmundur. He is top-notch, and I can not wait to book with him again when I return with my sister next year. We could not only see all the tourist highlights, but he also gave us many options to make our memories. Our hotels were spectacular, and we never had an issue with any bookings he made. He was always available to us to answer questions and offer assistance whenever we needed it, especially during our very small emergency.
One of my favorite tours was the ice caves and our tour guide, Palé. He spoke several languages and could communicate in both English and Spanish so everyone could listen; he got to know us all individually and helped us interact with each other.
Having to depart Iceland was immensely heartbreaking because there are many things to love, mainly the warmth of its people.💔🥲

Hotel Review
Apótek Hotel by Keahotels
Reykjavík

Apótek hotel is an excellent location for touring the city, a short distance from a parking garage, with spectacular accommodations, and breakfast buffet, and dinner.

Authenticity & Character
The design of the hotel was modern with very helpful and friendly front desk staff.
Location
It's close to all the main attractions
Staff
Very professional and helpful.
Cleanliness & Comfort
I was extremely comfortable and our rooms were spacious.
Activity Review
Hverir / Námafjall Geothermal Area
Hverir / Námafjall Geothermal Area
Iceland

Wonderful hidden secret with cordial staff. I'm so glad we got to experience this area.

Quality of Experience
It was very relaxing.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Tony the bartender gave me excellent recommendations for my return trip.
Transport
Local specialist: Guðmundur Pálmason
G
Guðmundur Pálmason
Local specialist in Iceland | Replied on Mar 29, 2023

Haha yes you got the full Icelandic experience. Now that your car has been stuck in the snow I believe you're entitled to and Icelandic citizenship haha.
It was amazing meeting you both! We all miss you and we can't wait to see you again!

Rugged Adventure from Atacama Desert to Uyuni and Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve!
Bolivia | Mar 13 - Mar 25, 2023

Jana
Jana W.
Kissimmee, FL | Reviewed on Mar 28, 2023

My trip from Chile to Bolivia, particularly Atacama Desert, Uyuni, and Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve was fantastic! I had great guides throughout the trip, particularly during my private guided tour in Bolivia with Oswald. Also, especial thanks to Camila from La Paz on Foot who planned a very nice trip for me and ensured that I had a safe and fun adventure. She was great at resolving any issues that came up during the trip.

Local specialist: Camila Rojas

Gummie made sure we had everything we needed,...
Iceland | Mar 20 - Mar 27, 2023

Alicia
Alicia B.
Houston, TX | Reviewed on Mar 28, 2023
Gummie made sure we had everything we needed, and took very good care of us. Also thank you Silvia and Pauli. Pauli was the best tour guide at the Blue Ice Cave. Read more

Gummie made sure we had everything we needed, and took very good care of us. Also thank you Silvia and Pauli. Pauli was the best tour guide at the Blue Ice Cave.

Hotel Review
Fosshotel Stykkishólmur
Stykkishólmur

This hotel had the cleanest rooms, friendly staff. Receptionist called our rooms to come outside to see the northern lights, which made your trip complete. The food was good as well. The lamb was excellent

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Guðmundur Pálmason
G
Guðmundur Pálmason
Local specialist in Iceland | Replied on Mar 31, 2023

I can't wait to see you both back in Iceland! It was so wonderful running into you and meeting up!

Great balance of my planning and expertise
Spain | Mar 6 - Mar 18, 2023

K
Kate W.
Canada | Reviewed on Mar 28, 2023
I was very overwhelmed when I first started to plan our family trip to Spain. Turning to KimKim helped me to organize what I wanted to do and create the details I wanted with the assistance I needed. I enjoyed the flexibility of getting help only where I needed it and still having a hand in much of the planning, but with expertise behind me. Yuri was able to make recommendations and ensure that I was on the right track for what my family needed.
Many of the excursions we did that he booked...
Read more

I was very overwhelmed when I first started to plan our family trip to Spain. Turning to KimKim helped me to organize what I wanted to do and create the details I wanted with the assistance I needed. I enjoyed the flexibility of getting help only where I needed it and still having a hand in much of the planning, but with expertise behind me. Yuri was able to make recommendations and ensure that I was on the right track for what my family needed.
Many of the excursions we did that he booked were great, and we had some truly amazing guides who taught us so much more than we would have gotten from our trip had we only toured on our own.

Activity Reviews
Private Gothic Quarter Walk
Private Gothic Quarter Walk
Barcelona

We did this tour on our first full day in Spain and it was a perfect start to our trip. Our tour guide was Tati and she was amazing. She told us so many great stories about the legends of Barcelona and their traditions. She was great with my kids and had fun activities for them and great visuals for them to better understand the history. We were smiling and laughing the whole time, while learning so much about the gothic area and Catalan as a whole. Tati set the standards high for the rest of our trip and we kept referring back to her and how great she was.

Quality of Experience
Understanding the history of Barcelona and Catalan traditions.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Tati was absolutely amazing and made this tour amazing.
Private Flamenco, City & Tapas Experience
Private Flamenco, City & Tapas Experience
Seville

Our guide

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist:

Our entire trip was amazing. We loved every s...
Argentina | Mar 17 - Mar 26, 2023

Nicole
Nicole R.
Atlanta, GA | Reviewed on Mar 28, 2023
Our entire trip was amazing. We loved every single activity and had a great experience overall. Emilce was very helpful throughout the whole planning process, especially when we had to delay our trip due to COVID. We plan to book all future international trips through KimKim. There is not a single experience on out trip that we did not enjoy or wouldn't do again. My only minor complaint is that I wish our itinerary was more detailed and included contact information for our drivers/guides or... Read more

Our entire trip was amazing. We loved every single activity and had a great experience overall. Emilce was very helpful throughout the whole planning process, especially when we had to delay our trip due to COVID. We plan to book all future international trips through KimKim. There is not a single experience on out trip that we did not enjoy or wouldn't do again. My only minor complaint is that I wish our itinerary was more detailed and included contact information for our drivers/guides or at least the company name we would be looking out for (pick ups were sometimes confusing when multiple different tour buses were waiting outside the hotels in the morning).

Hotel Reviews
O2 Hotel Iguazú
Puerto Iguazú

Beautiful rooftop, beautiful and comfortable rooms.

Authenticity & Character
great ambiance
Location
walking distance from may restaurants/shops, gorgeous rooftop views of 3 countries
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Savoy Hotel
Buenos Aires

Beautiful hotel, but they ran out of King beds so we had to be put in a double room, which was frustrating when we booked months in advance. They were able to upgrade us to a room with a balcony for this reason.

Authenticity & Character
gorgeous lobby and dining area
Location
Staff
very helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
Cumbres Nevadas Hotel
El Chalten
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
communication with the front desk was poor, they told us the cab would pick us up at 7am and we would have breakfast at 6:30am, and then the following morning told us the cab was there at 6:30 and left because we weren't ready. This communication error could happen anywhere, but I specifically confirmed these times the afternoon before and then the woman proceeded to tell me that we did not talk about a 7am pick up the following morning.
Cleanliness & Comfort
uncomfortable bed, room seemed not the cleanest
Terrazas del Calafate
El Calafate

gorgeous views

Authenticity & Character
Location
easy to cab into town
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Brazilian Falls - Half day
Brazilian Falls - Half day
Puerto Iguazú
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Parque Das Aves
Parque Das Aves
Puerto Iguazú
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Argentine Experience
Argentine Experience
Puerto Iguazú

Amazing food

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Argentinean Falls - Full day
Argentinean Falls - Full day
Puerto Iguazú
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Great Adventure - Boat trip
Great Adventure - Boat trip
Puerto Iguazú
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Tango Show and Dinner at Café De Los Angelitos
Tango Show and Dinner at Café De Los Angelitos
Buenos Aires
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
this driver drove very fast and was scary to ride with
San Antonio de Areco & Estancia el Ombu
San Antonio de Areco & Estancia el Ombu
Buenos Aires
Quality of Experience
Food
everything was incredible
Guides, Drivers and Staff
myriam was an amazing guide
Transport
Full day tour to Parque Nacional Los Glaciares and Minitrekking
Full day tour to Parque Nacional Los Glaciares and Minitrekking
El Calafate
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Nativo Experience
Nativo Experience
El Calafate
Quality of Experience
Food
lamb stew bread bowl was incredible
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Neighborhoods Tour
Neighborhoods Tour
Buenos Aires

we wish it had some free time to shop around la boca

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
myriam was great
Transport
Local specialist: Emilce Alonso
Emilce
Emilce Alonso
Local specialist in Córdoba | Replied on Apr 03, 2023
Hi Nicole,
I loved seeing your photos! 😁 Thanks for sharing them!
Thank you for sharing your feedback about your amazing trip! I'm so glad to hear that you enjoyed every activity and had a great overall experience. It's great to hear that we were helpful and that you plan to book all future international trips through KimKim.
I appreciate your feedback about the itinerary and the wish for more detailed information about the drivers/guides or company names to look out for. This is valuable... Read more

Hi Nicole,
I loved seeing your photos! 😁 Thanks for sharing them!
Thank you for sharing your feedback about your amazing trip! I'm so glad to hear that you enjoyed every activity and had a great overall experience. It's great to hear that we were helpful and that you plan to book all future international trips through KimKim.

I appreciate your feedback about the itinerary and the wish for more detailed information about the drivers/guides or company names to look out for. This is valuable information that can help improve future trips and I will make sure to pass it along to the appropriate parties.

Thank you again for sharing your feedback and I'm happy to hear that you had such a wonderful trip. I hope you have many more enjoyable travels in the future!
Best!
Emi

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