Kimkim Trip Reviews

I created my itinerary with Liz Karen for Cusco and surrounding areas. The trip turned out better than I imagined. We felt like VIPs and loved it. Communication with Liz Karen was easy and consistent when I was in the US and in Peru.
We had a private shuttle for the 8 of us. We felt extremely safe and they were excellent drivers on some very extremely difficult dirt roads.
Our first and last guide was Manuel Cevallos. He was amazing. He knew his facts and history. He was interesting and kind and really followed our lead on what was important to us.
One guide we had was Luis Eschaz Taipe. He took us mountain biking and to our white water rafting excursions. He also stayed with us at the hotels. He was fun and attentive. He played the guitar and sang for us. He used an excellent camera and took pictures of us on the excursions.
Our guide through Machu Pichu was Extreme Turbulencia. They took good care of us, but we would have preferred Manuel in MP. I don’t want to say anything negative because they were so kind, but the English was difficult and the presentation style did not hold our attention.
Our base hotel Casa San Blas was excellent. I would 100% recommend and stay there again. The staff was so kind kind and helpful. Breakfast was excellent every morning. Extremely clean and the location was excellent.
Our biggest surprise and treat was staying in the Sacred Valley at El Mangal. The food was amazing (two of us with celiac and it was still delicious). A tour of the fruit and cacao farm and making our own drinks from the beans was so interesting and fun. They made us feel so special. We planted a tree and named it “Walter” after our Grandfather. They had a beautiful pool and accommodations were nice.
Using KimKim was extremely expensive, but we did the trip “right” and I have no regrets. We felt extremely safe and well cared for.

Hotel Reviews

El Mangal

Maranura

The best place to stay. You are staying on a farm with a native Peruvian family. They take care of you like you are family. The tour and cocoa activities were so fun. They made our stay special. The food was amazing. The chef cooked excellent dishes that were gf. Two of us have celiac and our dishes were fabulous.

Authenticity & Character

Amazing experience in visiting the farm and eating farm to table.

Location

It’s a hard drive to get to, but worth the experience.

Staff

So so kind.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Nice big rooms.

Inti Punku MachuPicchu Hotel & Suites

Machu Picchu, Aguas Calientes

Nice hotel with big rooms. Very convenient.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

They were very kind to let us hangout in the lobby and restaurant as we waited for family and shuttle.

El Albergue Ollantaytambo Boutique Hotel

Cusco

Great location for catching the train. The dining room served good food. I’d stay again.

Authenticity & Character

Loved the flower gardens around the rooms.

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Casa San Blas Boutique

Cusco

Perfect hotel. Clean. Kind and helpful staff. Excellent location Delicious breakfast So kind. I’d return and recommend 100%.

Authenticity & Character

Charming and comfortable. We spent a lot of time on the balcony enjoying the stars. The included filtered water was very appreciated.

Location

Central location. We felt extremely safe and let our kids go out to the shops nearby.

Staff

Marcos, JD, and our morning breakfast chef - she was so cute but can’t recall her name / we’re amazingly kind and helpful.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Perfect.

Activity Reviews

Private Mystic Experience & Culture Immersion at San Pedro Local Market

Cusco

This was a private, beautiful barbecue, that we did at a small hotel that sits above the city. It was fabulous. Lizbeth took us there and then we walked home.

Food

The food was amazing. It was an outdoor barbecue and they met are gluten-free needs.

Inca Jungle - Adventure Tour 2/3

Santa Teresa

Staying at El Mangal was another highlight of the trip. Amazing experience with being on this plantation/farm/orchard. Stay here!

Quality of Experience

El Mangal is the place to stay. For culture and food and clean lodging. The biking was really fun, but be very comfortable on a bike before you go. The Whitewater water rafting was really great. It is short. You get off and jump from a rock and hike to a waterfall. They are experienced guides. The driving for the Inca Trail is amazing scenery, extremely scary, but the drivers know the road and kept us safe.

Food

El Mangal was amazing cuisine, and the restaurant we stopped at between biking and water rafting was delicious too. The owner of the restaurant wasn’t the nicest guy, but the food was good.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Luis Echaiz Taipe is a great adventure tour guide. He was very fun and extremely kind and made sure we were all comfortable.

Transport

The roads to the Inca Trail are extremely uneven, scary, bumpy, windy with lots of switchbacks. Have your motion, sickness, medicine at hand.

Private tour to Sacsayhuaman, Cochahuasi & Pisac

Cusco

Manuel Cevallos has great knowledge about this area too. It was a beautiful day. He brought a personal friend that was a Sharma (?). He did a prayer ceremony and made an offering to the mountains and glaciers. It was a great personal experience and then he did a prayer for each of us with the offering. It was amazing to hear his story of how he became.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Shared Short Inca Trail trek 2/2: Machu Picchu

Peru

Bucket list complete! Once you walk through an area you can’t turn around. It’s one direction so don’t rush. Take your time in each area. It was interesting how every tour guide said different things about the same item or use at MP. It was nice to listen as you walked.

Quality of Experience

Just being there with my family. Finally achieving this goal.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Shared Short Inca Trail Trek 1/2

Peru

To enter through the sun gate and see Machu Picchu right there was absolutely amazing and something I had waited my whole life to see. It seemed surreal. This was a fantastic experience. The views were amazing, and the challenge was self fulfilling. Don’t miss this 1 day experience. I have two bad knees, used walking sticks and took my time. My 14 year old daughter, who never exercises, ran most of it. The hike is uneven trails and tons of steps. It was hard, but doable at your own pace. One day hiking was plenty.

Quality of Experience

Take your time. Set your own pace and do it!

Food

The regular lunch was fine. The gf lunch was a hard big piece of bread with no deli meat or cheese. It was fun of fruit and snacks so it came out okay.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Angel from Extreme Turbulence was a great hiker and kept tabs on everyone. We also had another younger guide that brought up the back of the group that was kind. They provided duffle bags which met us at our hotel, otherwise we might have had to hike with our 3 day bag, which wasn’t going to happen.

Transport

Private Llama trek, Ancestral Weaving & Salt Flats of Maras

Peru

We did not go to the Salt flats. We did the weaving and llama trek. Tour guide Manuel Cevallos was exceptional. It was evident that Manuel had an exceptional reputation there, we were immediately welcomed as his friend. They were kind to us and served us very well in learning about weaving, llamas and alpacas. Roaming the store and looking at all the items in the store was very fun too, and we probably spent too much time in the store, and money.

Quality of Experience

So fun.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Driver was great. Not easy roads:). Manuel knew his information and his presentation style is excellent.

Transport

Comfortable van.

Shared Cooking Classes Ivanna Lescano (18:00 - 19:30) w/assistance

Cusco

What a great experience. Chef Christine had so much energy and made the class amazing. Two of us have celiac and 4 people didn’t like seafood and I asked for something we could make at home in Idaho. She did it, she gave us a gf dish that my 14 year old could follow the recipe and create again at home. If time allowed we all would have done another class. She also had so much information to share regarding cuisine in Peru.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

LizBeth from KimKim came and got us from our hotel and we walked together. That was nice.

Krista and Fenne helped us prepare a plan that suits my family. The booking arrangements were flawless despite several changes. Many thanks!

Interaction with Julia during the trip was really fast and helpful. It gave us comfort in a new place especially when language is barrier. I really appreciate it.

Our stay at Balestrand was memorable. It is a peaceful and extremely beautiful place with sea view, mountain view with still unmelted ice and a small village. The trip to Geiranger by ferry and back by bus was also very memorable. This trip captured the fjords as well as the beautiful road with mountain view. Truly amazing views.

We had an amazing trip in Croatia thanks to the careful planning and excellent communication from Robi. He took the time to customize our itinerary based on our wishes and made suggestions based on his experience. Each night during our trip, Robi would check in with us (we were driving ourselves) to see how the day went and also provide tips and Google pins for our activities the following day. He is an excellent guide and a genuinely nice person. I would 10/10 recommend him to anyone traveling through Croatia!

Luis was incredible!! I highly recommend him and KimKim. Our trip was extremely well planned. We hit all the major sites and had great tours and hotels. I would definitely work with him again on a future trip!!

Hotel Reviews

H10 Madison Hotel

Barcelona

The H10 Madison in Barcelona was nice and clean. We appreciated the breakfast being included and the location was convenient.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Exe Sevilla Macarena

Seville

The Exe Sevilla Macarena in Seville was a decent place to stay. The location was a bit out of the center of things, but it was clean and comfortable.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Private city tour

Madrid

The private city tour was well-organized and very informative. We got to see all the main spots in the city without feeling rushed.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Day tour to Córdoba

Seville

The day tour to Córdoba was a great experience. The private group setting allowed us to explore at our own pace and everything was well laid out and straightforward.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tapas & Flamenco night

Seville

Both the city tour and the tapas & flamenco night were fantastic. The private group setting made it feel personal and the tapas tours were especially enjoyable as we got to taste a wide variety of local food.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Cooking class

Barcelona

The cooking class was a highlight of our trip. It was super fun and engaging for our two young kids. We learned a lot and it was a great way to experience the local culture.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

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

Barcelona

The tour was well-organized and very professional. The small group setting made it an intimate and enjoyable experience and we got to see all the main spots in the city without feeling rushed.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The whole process of planning the trip was great. Our planner Brooke took the time to understand our interests and needs and was always open to make changes and adjustments based on our requests. She was very knowledgeable on the areas we travelled to that gave us confidence that what we were choosing was right for us. We travelled to Melbourne, Hobart-Tasmania, Ayers Rock-Uluri, Cairns-Port Douglas, and Sydney. Every single city was unique and amazing. It was definitely an unforgettable experience.

Hotel Reviews

Clarion Suites Gateway

Melbourne

The hotel was comfortable and clean. We didn't spend much time in the hotel as we were out exploring most of the time. This hotel was perfect for our needs.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Salamanca Inn

Hobart TAS

Similar to the Clarion Suites, this hotel was clean, comfortable, and in a safe location. It was very convenient for our short stay in Hobart.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Bay Villas Resort

Port Douglas

The resort was great. The accommodations were comfortable and the location was convenient. We appreciated the proximity to the grocery store and the ability to cook our own breakfast

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Outback Hotel & Lodge

Yulara

This was a decent hotel for the one night we stayed. We didn't have any major complaints.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Woolstore 1888 by Ovolo

Pyrmont

We enjoyed our stay at this hotel. It was clean, comfortable and in a good location.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary Night Visit

Hobart

This was one of the most beautiful experiences. Amazing overall.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Phillip Island Wildlife Day Trip & Penguin Parade

Melbourne

This was another highlight. We got to see the penguins and explore the sanctuary.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full Day Outer Barrier Reef Cruise + Intro Dive (from Hotel)

Port Douglas

We were a little disappointed with this tour. The dive was overrated and the crew was not very welcoming. We also did not have the opportunity to take photos underwater.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Morning City Tour

Melbourne

This was a great way to start our trip. We got to see a lot of the city and learn about its history.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Depart Australia

Australia

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our driver taking us to the airport was so kind. He allowed us to stop at a golf course so our son can get a hat. So kind

Sydney Opera House Tour

Sydney

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full Day Blue Mountains Deluxe Day

Sydney

Although the blue mountains are beautiful the trip was designed for older people. It was a little boring for our 15 year old. He liked it all but it needs a little something to make it more fun for teens.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sunset Dinner Cruise - Window Seat - Vivid Sydney

Sydney

Vivid Sydney was amazing

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full Day Classic Kuranda - Gold Class

Australia

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Welcome to Port Douglas

Port Douglas

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Uluru Sunrise with Breakfast

Uluru

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

A Night at Field of Light

Uluru

This activity was great. We were supposed to get a souvenir at the end but that did not happen. The lights are getting old so they do not shine as bright. The food and service were good.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full-Day Great Ocean Road Trip

Melbourne

Our tour guide Sarah was fantastic. She was so passionate about what she does that made this day for us unforgettable.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

From the beginning of our planning all the way until the very end of our trip, Irene and the whole kimkim team, including Travel12 in Greece, were absolutely wonderful. Irene took care and was very responsive during the planning process to make sure our trip was exactly what we wanted... and it was! She thought of everything and covered every little detail to ensure our holiday was safe and stress free. My daughter and I packed a lot into our 2 week trip in Italy and Greece. Irene made sure we saw and did everything we could without being overwhelmed or exhausted. Our itinerary was the perfect balance of planned/scheduled tours and time to explore on our own. I appreciated how the team would check in with us from time to time. The couple of times I had questions, they responded within minutes and made certain my question was answered fully. We had an especially incredible day in Naples - exploring Pompeii and Vesuvius - thanks to our very fun driver, Mauro, and the absolute best guide to walk through Pompeii, Fabio!

Liz Karen is responsive and trustworthy. Everything on my itinerary happened without issue and I was eternally grateful. I have limited Spanish and was traveling solo so using a booking agent to schedule rides and flights, plus excursions and rooms was most helpful. I can't recommend Andean Travel Experience enough. They followed through on everything they promised.

We traveled to Panama in June as a family with our teenage daughter and had an amazing experience. We spent 2-3 days in the Panama City, and especially loved staying in Casco Viejo (Old Town), where we could sit on the square, wander and view the old city and history, and enjoy great coffee including Gesha coffee. Our favorite 2-3 days was Valle de Anton, a quaint town, beautiful scenery, and walking to waterfalls; also great bakery and batida (smoothies). Our third stop was staying 2-3 days the Pearl Islands, where we enjoyed the warm Pacific and very mellow beach days in a quiet setting. All of the this was set up via Kimkim. They made it so easy, and everyone we worked with was personable and professional. We especially loved our in country driver, Julio, and our guide for the days in Panama City, Victoria. On our last day, we visited an indigenous community via dug out canoe, and all of us, including Julio and Victoria swam in the waterfall pools in the National Park. I am so impressed with Panama and its mix of cosmopolitan city, relaxed and laid back environment. safe and easy travel, and friendly and easy to interact with people. Zulmy helped us to design our trip, and she and I went back and forth on ideas to come up with our final itinerary. We were traveling in the rainy season, and she had great tips for us so that we could work best with the weather and also have great sites and not spend all our time in transit. She was even open to helping us book a hotel which I found and wanted to stay at in Casco Viejo. This is our 2nd trip with Kimkim, the first was 3 weeks in Scotland. We will be back. It's a great model and everything was custom, easy, and personal.

Hotel Reviews

The Golden Frog Inn

El Valle de Antón

Golden Frog is an oasis in El Valle de Anton. It was even better than we hoped. There is a view from every room looking out over incredibly peaceful hills and tropical landscape. The pool and grounds are excellent and lovely to spend time in. We swam every day. They also have a lovely terrace patio restaurant and a smaller indoor coffee and bar area where you take your breakfast or have dinner. We were lucky enough to have an outside dinner on a Saturday night where there was a 3 person band playing in the midst of dinner, and it was so perfect, lively, and enjoyable. The staff go above and beyond and you are very well supported. We found it walking distance to the town and we loved the countryside walk into town. There is so much to do in the area! This is such an oasis and peaceful setting. We were sad to leave.

Authenticity & Character

You are nestled in the tropical hills

Location

Gorgeous scenery, country like setting, easy walk to town

Staff

Very well supported, everyone excellent

Cleanliness & Comfort

The rooms were excellent, views to die for, the bathroom, showers, and A/C were all great!

Central Hotel Panama

Panama City

This was the perfect landing spot and place to make our home base in Panama City. We chose it for its location in Casco Viejo on a square and with a pool and multiple restaurants. As we arrived, we realized that it was even better than we expected. The rooms and the lobby are gorgeous. All of the restaurants are excellent, and we ate at little tables on the town square the first night. Every evening has 2-3 forms of live music depending on where you are in the hotel. The rooftop pool has the most gorgeous evening view of the Panama City skyline and it was lovely to have a pool. I even used their gym 3-4 times during our stay, and it was well appointed, spacious, and perfect for a quick exercise. The desk staff helped us and went above and beyond many times. For example, they helped my husband get a pair of linen pants hemmed at a local tailor, as he needed some better tropical clothes. Well appointed, excellent professional staff, you will not be disappointed.

Authenticity & Character

Location

You will love Casco Viejo. Picturesque from moment you leave hotel.

Staff

All went above and beyond. There is a lot of support at this hotel.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Lovely lobby. A/C works great. Well appointed rooms.

Activity Reviews

Encounter with an indigenous community, Embera

Panama City

Really meaningful and special day. We went up the river in a dug out canoe, visited a waterfall, and then visited an Embera community. We were all part of a big community in this experience, which was neat, as it did not feel like being distanced from the community who was hosting us. Victoria our local guide and Julio our local driver were also well known by the main Embera people who hosted us and so we felt very welcome. It was beautiful and neat to be in the National Park setting via boat. We loved the lunch at the community and enjoyed seeing the traditions and crafts.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

City Tour - Casco Viejo & Panama Canal

Panama City

This was fascinating and well worth the trip. I was pleasantly surprised how interesting this was. Our local guide also did a great job of making sure we knew how to navigate the entry and viewing areas. Its worth the visit.

Discovering Panama City: Free Day

Panama City

We loved walking around Panama City. We went to the Biomuseo which I highly recommend. There are also so many other things to see and do. Take some free time.

The guide who led us through Athens/flavors of Agira was one of my favorites, very knowledgeable, great sense of humor. Can’t remember her name but she had a phd and worked on archaeology sites.

It was great having Eleni with us for some of our excursions; definitely would enlist her services for future trips. We all loved her energy and passion.

The family owned vinegar business was also a great trip; food was great , service was great and the location was awesome.

The voyage to the Greek islands was also fantastic. I highly recommend groups upgrade to VIP level on the boat.

The dinner at the fish market by Poseidon temple was underwhelming.

Hotel Review

Acropolis Hill Hotel

Athens

Great location and loved the rooftop balcony. Our bathroom was a bit tight but room was fine.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Custom Agora & Flavors Tour for Linda & Friends

Athens

Our guide made this excursion one of my favorites.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Everything went like clock work. Transporters were on time and friendly. The guides were knowledgeable and enthusiastic. We saw a nice variety of the islands with time to explore on our own as well. The accommodations were lovely and strategically located so most everything was within walking distance.

Thanos was great and encouraging. Could not be more pleased.

Hotel Review

Amelot Art Suites

Santorini

This hotel was a little hard to find even for our driver but the staff was so helpful to come up and help us with our luggage and get us settled that we loved it. The room was lovely and view from the balcony couldn’t be beat plus the added view from our personal outdoor hot tub was wonderful. Breakfast was served to your room each morning as you selected from a menu the night before. Highly recommend!

Authenticity & Character

Location

The location was perfect for shopping and restaurants. The area was fun to explore.

Staff

The staff were so helpful and friendly making sure we had restaurant recommendations and directions.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Everything was beautifully decorated and clean.

Activity Reviews

Food & Wine bike tour

Santorini

We rode wood E bikes with the nicest guide and toured a section of Santorini that was close to the beaches. It was mainly up hill going out which the e-bikes helped and down hill returning. We visited a village, hiked, had lunch, walked on the black beach, toured the tomato paste manufacturing museum and biked. If we come back we would like to explore this area more fully.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide was very knowledgeable and personable. You couldn’t help but love him.

Transport

Naxos Day Cruise

Naxos

They were very nice and it was fun to be out on a catamaran for the day with a large group. They had nice snacks and drinks after each stop to swim.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Naxian Cooking Lessons

Naxos

We so enjoyed the family that taught the cooking class and it was hands on which both my husband and I enjoyed. We were able visit their farm where they grow everything for their restaurant while our dishes cooked. Afterwards we returned to enjoy a fabulous lunch.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide was the best! He was very knowledgeable and personable which makes the experience so much better.

Transport

Very patient!

Christos and his team did an amazing job of planning a great trip to see the highlights in Greece for our family. We especially loved the personal tour guides, which helped keep our kids engaged in educational tours. Zakia in particular was exceptional on the Acropolis and Agora tour in Greece. The lodging choices were outstanding as well. The only thing we would have changed is having a driver meet us at Paros to take us to a beach that was away from the busy port area and more relaxing.

Thanks for making the planning and execution so seamless for our family. We will be back to Kim Kim and their great local travel experts.

Hotel Reviews

Avra Hotel

Rafina, Attica

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Kastro Suites Santorini

Santorini

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Lagos Mare

Naxos

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Fedriades Hotel

Delphi

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Four Streets Athens

Athens

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Private Acropolis & Agora Mythology Tour

Athens

Zakia was an amazing guide and kept the kids engaged. A super educational experience that was fun at the same times.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Trang was fantastic to deal with from the start she was informative and extremely knowledgeable
From being picked up from my Hanoi hotel to start my northern adventure .My driver Tu and guide Hoang treated me as a new friend.The trip to Sapa ,Bac ha,Mu Canchai,Nghialo,Mai Chau ,Pu Luong,Ninh Binh,Haiphong finishing with a night on a La Casta Regal cruise on lan ha bay went smoothly.Hoangs ability to answer all my questions and to inspire me to trek on a daily basis.At the end of each trek our ever reliable driver Tu would be waiting for us.
I particularly loved the homestays.The welcome from the whole family and sharing our evening meal together was a wonderful experience. So many highlights Bac Ha horse races and market,Mu Can Chai birthday celebrations and walking in Ninh Binh to name a few.
Trang also contacted me while on the trip to make sure I was enjoying myself
That’s service for you
I can’t thank Trang,Hoang,Tu and Kimkim for my making my trip so special

First time working with kimkim and I loved it! Yuliana was my local specialist in Costa Rica who worked on all the details of my itinerary until I was happy with it. Answered all of my questions and concerns immediately. She booked the hotels, transportation and excursions and supplied me with confirmation numbers and all the specific details I needed so I didn’t worry about anything during the trip. The drivers were punctual, helpful and friendly, with A/C and clean vehicles. Hotels were great and we had the best time on all the activities/excursions. Definitely recommend.

Hotel Review

Arenal Manoa & Hot Springs

Fortuna

Our family of four really enjoyed our stay here. Clean and spacious room with strong A/C and amazing view of the volcano. 2 main pools were really nice, although not as numerous as other nearby hotels, as only one pool was hot spring. Breakfast is amazing, we also ate lunch/dinner poolside and in the restaurant which has breathtaking views. Depending on your room location, you need to be prepared to walk a bit or call for shuttle service around the property.

Authenticity & Character

Beautiful property, rooms are spread out

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Comfortable mattresses!

Activity Review

Night Excursion at the Wildlife Refuge in Monteverde

Monteverde

We did this tour in the rain but it still turned out great! We didn’t have flashlights so the guide provided us with some. A bit scary walking into the forest in the dark but we had our trusty guide who led the way and found us some amazing wildlife.

Quality of Experience

Saw things we never thought we’d see!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Drivers arrived on time.

Transport

We decided in February to plan a family trip to the Galápagos Islands in June. I was overwhelmed by the prospect of researching such a trip, and turned to KimKim for help. Alvaro reached out to me in less than 24 hours with a jam-packed itinerary that was very insightful. He notes from the questionnaire that we were traveling with 2 teenagers, and intuitively booked us 2 rooms at all our hotels to ensure some space and privacy. He met with us via zoom to go over the itinerary, and we tweaked it accordingly. We had a wonderful trip! Alvaro was VERY quick to respond with an informative answer to any message I sent during our travels. The local guides that we encountered were a wealth of information, and took great care of us. Toward the end of our trip, my husband had a 24 hour stomach illness, and electrolytes and over-the-counter remedies were delivered to the hotel for him, initiated and arranged by the local guides. I will happily use KimKim again, and refer them to all my friends.

Hotel Review

EB Hotel by Eurobuilding Quito

Quito

Very comfortable, and the staff was incredibly accommodating. Breakfast had a wide variety of offerings.

Activity Review

Wildlife Encounter at Los Tuneles (Cabo Rosa)

Galapagos Islands

Without question, this was a highlight of our entire Galapagos trip. Every type of marine life and bird we hoped to see, we found up close. Our guide, Darwin, took photos and videos of everything and everyone, and graciously transferred them to everyone’s phone. We swam with so many sea turtles, sharks, rays, penguins. We found an octopus, a sea horse, and learned about the blue-footed boobies and penguins. It was a truly memorable day!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Gummi was great at following up on every detail, even the smallest.
It is impossible to say that there is one place more memorable than another, the whole trip and all the places we have been to, were amazingly beautiful, emotionally satisfying and memorable. From the wows of children's waterfall, to the Lava Cave or the gayzir and Glacier all very planned with such care.
We have also liked the different experience of the lagoons. From quite and not so touristy to singing and full of tourists.
The restaurants recommended, especially those with special recommendations from Gummi , were amazing.
Thanks so much for your efforts to make this trip one of the best in our lives. 😊❤️👍

Hotel Reviews

Fosshotel Núpar

Kálfafell

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The breakfast was superb. The staff very helpful

Gistihúsið - Lake Hotel Egilsstadir

Egilsstöðum

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Hjardarbol

Ölfus

The breakfast wasn't good at all, the dining room smelled badly, we couldn't even finish the coffee.

Authenticity & Character

Location

The directions on Google maps showed to the first sign of the hotel, and then we had to look for directions on the road.

Staff

No interaction at all

Cleanliness & Comfort

The bathroom door didn't close and open with ease, my son and I had to do that together whenever one of us had to use the bathroom.

Activity Reviews

Sky Lagoon - Experience the seven-step Sky Ritual

Iceland

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Lava Tunnel Tour

Iceland

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon Boat Tour

Iceland

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Skógarböðin - Forest Lagoon

Iceland

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Glaumbær Farm and Turf Houses

Iceland

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Puffin Tour Grundarfjörður

Iceland

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Krauma Spa

Iceland

Into the Glacier

Iceland

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Whales of Iceland

Reykjavík

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

FlyOver Iceland

Reykjavík

Overall amazing trip planned by Randall. Would highly recommend. All the transports were almost flawless. My son even lost his suitcase at a restop and chris from kimkim found it and got it delivered to us.

First andlast night in san jose, hotel was great. We took a tour of san jose on our own which was nice.

Only major issue was Tortuguero. Hotel was horrible (no AC (sweltering hot temps) room full of bugs/lizards, stray dogs everywhere (including every meal) and kids hated the food). It was a cabin, not a hotel. Nobody slept for two nights due to heat and bugs. Worst part was that turtle nesting season not until July, so there was nothing to see.. was a horrible experience. We went kayaking on our own there which was fun.

Arenal was fantastic, the hiking tour to volcano was just average. The rio celeste tour was amazing. Wished we had gone tubing/rafting, many other families had done that.

Trasnfer to monteverde was interesting. A boat ride to a muddy area and we all dragged our luggage through puddles and mud to get to a bus. Monteverde was beautiful, hotel poco a poco was amazing. Zipline and night tour fun. We did a coffee/chocolate tour on our own which was great.

Manuel antonio was also beautiful. The hotel costa verde was fine. We paid for middle of the range hotels, so couldnt ask for anything amazing. The guided tour if national park was fun, but we had done so many hiking/walking tours that kids were a bit restless by the time we got to that tour.

I started working with Irene in November planning a trip to Greece with our 12 year old granddaughter! She is a fountain of knowledge! She provided us with a plan which I would never have been able to do by myself.
About 2 weeks before our trip I notified her that I have been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. I would be limited to shorter walks. Without asking she started searching for a scooter and transportation to haul it. She advised against certain venues for safety issues. Every driver was more than helpful! Irene arranged for cooking lessons with a Chef who delighted us for 3 hours. Our tour guides were outstanding.
I asked Irene if there was a chance that we could meet her in Athens and she even made that happen. We have always traveled with a tour company on buses. The experience of KimKim exceeded all expectations. The bar has been raised and we highly recommend this company!! Thanks to the team who provided us with a vacation that will never be forgotten.
Travel dates were June 15 to 19, 2023.

Hotel Reviews

Avra Hotel

Rafina, Attica

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Wish we had more time there. Less than 10 hours. Breakfast location was marvelous.

Ippoliti Hotel

Nafplio

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

matresses could be better

Athens Cypria Hotel

Athens

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

mattresses weren't comfortable

Activity Reviews

Private Cape Sounio Sunset tour

Greece

Restaurant was closed. Driver adapted to another restautrant

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Cooking Class in Nafplio

Nafplio

ONE of the highlights

Quality of Experience

Food

Included all of us in prep.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Epidaurus Guided Tour

Greece

Unexpected

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Nemea Farm, Wine & Mythology Tour

Greece

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Acropolis Hill & Museum Tour

Athens

Quality of Experience

Tour guide was outstanding.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Very helpful

Transport

Exceptionally clean. Very helpful with scooter.

Exceptional tours with expert tour guides and an exceptional tour BUS DRIVER who got us in and out of places where a bus should not fit - incredible driver (if you have been to Athens, you know how impotant this is )!! We took in history culture and the natural beauty of Greece. Oh did I mention the food and the wine? The team and the hosts at the sites truly out did themselves with the quality and amout of food and beverages. Eleni's team really made great excursions for our group of 25. Visiting the Peleponesse, the Corinth Canal and so many other sites made very excellent memories for us. Our final day visiting Lake Voullemani to swin, sun and relax really was a fitting end to such an amazing visit. I would absolutely recommend Eleni and the Kimkim team to anyone visiting Greece and we will use them again if we make another trip.

We recently had the privilege of working with Ashley who planned out a flawless honeymoon experience in Vietnam. Her expertise and attention to detail ensured that our journey as newlyweds was nothing short of magical. Throughout our honeymoon, we were immersed in unique and intimate experiences, including organized private tours and excursions that allowed us to explore the hidden gems of Vietnam. One of the highlights of our trip was venturing into the picturesque countryside of Sapa. Ashley had organized a trekking excursion that allowed us to witness the breathtaking terraced rice fields and interact with the local ethnic communities. It was an incredible experience that truly connected us with the authentic beauty and warmth of Vietnam.

Communication with Ashley was also exceptional throughout the entire planning process and during our trip. She was always prompt in responding to our inquiries and provided valuable recommendations for activities, restaurants, and even helping us out with any unexpected issues that arose like bad wifi connections! It was evident that they genuinely cared about our happiness and satisfaction, going above and beyond to ensure our honeymoon exceeded our expectations.

If you're considering a trip to Vietnam, we wholeheartedly recommend partnering with Ashley to create a truly extraordinary and immersive experience. Thank you for making our honeymoon in Vietnam an unforgettable one!

Lise did a good job in putting together a memorable trip to France and we would use her services again. The reason for a 4 instead f a 5 was her lack of timely responsiveness. The tours, drivers, and guides she used were great. There were only 2 problem with these. One driver had the wrong time but was able to get someone else to fill in so it we were only delayed. As we needed to get to the airport the next day, We asked Lise to confirm the driver to the airport to make sure we wouldn't have any problems and then they didn't show up at all. s We were forced to call a taxi which Lise reimbursed. Other than that, all went splendidly.