Kimkim Trip Reviews

4.8
Based on 19,486 ratings
Read 19,486 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.

Sydney Vacation
Australia | Nov 4 - Nov 9, 2023

A
Agatha C.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Nov 20, 2023
Overall, we had a a great experience using KimKim and interacting with our specialist, Gary. Gary was very responsive and we got answers to our questions right away. The responsiveness was one of the first reasons we liked KimKim and decided to book with them. Gary was able to find an amazing hotel with a great view and location for us. Gary also had wonderful suggestions for things we might like to do or see, and he offered a great guide on good eats. We loved our walking tour of The Rocks... Read more

Overall, we had a a great experience using KimKim and interacting with our specialist, Gary. Gary was very responsive and we got answers to our questions right away. The responsiveness was one of the first reasons we liked KimKim and decided to book with them. Gary was able to find an amazing hotel with a great view and location for us. Gary also had wonderful suggestions for things we might like to do or see, and he offered a great guide on good eats. We loved our walking tour of The Rocks and had a very personable guide. The Blue Mountains tour and our Aboriginal tour of the botanical gardens were both very memorable. The Sydney Opera House was, itself, of course, impressive and iconic, but our tour for the Opera House didn't really compare to The Rocks tour or other tours we took. Our favorite thing that we did in Sydney was the Bridge Climb. We loved our twilight climb! It was raining, cold, and dark when we went, but the climbing suits keep you warm and dry, the tour guides are amazing and energetic, and the views are breathtaking. The only thing that happened on our vacation that I think KimKim could improve on, was two of our tour times were incorrectly written in our itinerary. We ended up missing our tour time for our Rocks tour because the itinerary mistakenly listed its end time as the start time. The Rocks Tour company was easy to work with and fixed this for us right away, but we discovered our other tour for that day was also listed incorrectly in the KimKim itinerary, so we ended up missing the end of the Rocks tour and dashing to the next tour. When we asked Gary about the mix-up, he was very apologetic and checked all of our remaining tour times and schedules to make sure everything was lined up correctly.

Hotel Review
Shangri-La Sydney
The Rocks
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
The Rocks Walking Tours
The Rocks Walking Tours
Sydney

This was the best tour we took in Sydney. Very great guide and just really interesting information about the history of Sydney.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
BridgeClimb Summit - Twilight
BridgeClimb Summit - Twilight
Australia
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Blue Mountains Deluxe Day Tour Experience
Blue Mountains Deluxe Day Tour Experience
Sydney

We had a great tour of the Blue Mountains. The mountains were beautiful and our guide had a great pace for seeing and enjoying the views as well as getting us to the next location. The botanical gardens at the end were very impressive!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sydney Showboat Dinner & Show Package
Sydney Showboat Dinner & Show Package
Sydney

This show was an interesting addition to our trip. It was basically a cabaret show and dinner. The dinner was good and the show had great music and dancing. However, the boat itself was having some issues that needed some maintenance. There was water leaking onto one of the dining tables from the ceiling (this was an inside dining room, so it was not water or mist from the cove). Luckily, no one was seated at that table, but that makes me suspect it was a known problem. The pace of the show was also very slow. The show started and stopped multiple times, which I suspect was to account for large crowds and serving dinner, but we had a rather small crowd for our show time, and the pace was just off, like the entire tour time was 3 hours, but with the dinner and the show, it really could have wrapped up in 2 hours.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Aboriginal Harbour Heritage Tour (Private)
Aboriginal Harbour Heritage Tour (Private)
Sydney

I loved this experience. Our tour was a private tour and it really made it more personal. We were able to ask questions freely and learnt about a whole different history of Sydney and Australia's people. It was really interesting to combine this tour and the Rocks tour on our trip because there was overlap discussing some of the same histories and peoples from different perspectives (The Rocks Tour was mostly from an European perspective and this tour, was obviously, more of an Aboriginal perspective). We also got to learn about some of the different uses of the plants in the garden.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Sydney Opera House Tour
Sydney Opera House Tour
Australia

I really loved touring the Opera House and seeing inside the building. The information from the tour was good and interesting, but I think our tour guide was a bit over it all. She seemed cranky and didn't really answer peoples questions kindly.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Gary Topic

Perfect Arrangement and Fully Responsible
Sweden | Nov 6 - Nov 11, 2023

A
andy w.
Indonesia | Reviewed on Nov 20, 2023
Excellent and perfect arrangement by Vero, she listened carefully to our needs and our desire activities, then handle it professionally within her team. She show us a very respected responsibility when some unexpected would be happen to our next trip and solved the issue as soon as possible. I can't say anything more about her except one, Truly Brilliant person on her kind of activities. Overall, a great experience with Kim Kim especially working with Veronika. Read more

Excellent and perfect arrangement by Vero, she listened carefully to our needs and our desire activities, then handle it professionally within her team. She show us a very respected responsibility when some unexpected would be happen to our next trip and solved the issue as soon as possible. I can't say anything more about her except one, Truly Brilliant person on her kind of activities. Overall, a great experience with Kim Kim especially working with Veronika.

Hotel Review
Radisson Blu Royal Viking Hotel
Stockholm
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Veronika Turskytė
Veronika
Veronika Turskytė
Local specialist in Iceland | Replied on Nov 20, 2023

Hello Andy!

Thank you so much for such kind words!

It was a pleasure working with you and I hope we will have more partnerships in the future! :)

Best of luck,
Veronika / Vero :)

Thoroughly enjoyed the trip. In the future I ...
Australia | Nov 1 - Nov 16, 2023

S
Susan C.
Kalamazoo, MI | Reviewed on Nov 19, 2023
Thoroughly enjoyed the trip. In the future I probably won’t have so much scheduled, would have liked a bit more free time, but we did have lots of fun. Read more

Thoroughly enjoyed the trip. In the future I probably won’t have so much scheduled, would have liked a bit more free time, but we did have lots of fun.

Activity Review
Barossa Valley Wine Tasting Day Trip
Barossa Valley Wine Tasting Day Trip
Adelaide

Loved the wine tour and that’s saying a lot considering we don’t much care for wine. The views of the vineyards were amazing and our guide was very personable, really enjoyed him. Learned a lot. Definitely recommend the tour wether you are a novice or much more.

Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Liz Neal
Liz
Liz Neal
Local specialist in Sydney-Auckland-Los Angeles | Replied on Nov 29, 2023

Thanks Susan for your nice review and for the opportunity to provide this trip for you. I'm glad you had lots of fun. I'll make a note for your next trip with us :) to make sure we leave a bit more free time !!

It was a pleasure working with you.

Liz

Summer trip to Scotland.
Scotland | Jul 8 - Jul 16, 2023

Jay
Jay B.
Dallas, TX | Reviewed on Nov 19, 2023

We had a really enjoyable time. All of our expectations were exceeded, and we would be happy to use the service again. We didn't require a lot of help, but when we had a problem with a reservation, they were able to sort it out quickly and we fealt very well taken care of.

Local specialist: Neil West
Neil
Neil West
Local specialist in Glasgow & Fife | Replied on Nov 20, 2023

Hi Jay,

I really appreciate your thoughtful review & I'm thrilled to hear that you had a great time in Scotland. It's always a pleasure to be part of creating memorable experiences, and I'm glad I could contribute to yours!

Best regards,
Neil

Our trip was amazing! We were taken care of f...
Cambodia | Oct 25 - Oct 31, 2023

E
Eliza C.
Wolf Trap, VA | Reviewed on Nov 19, 2023

Our trip was amazing! We were taken care of from start to finish. Smey was our guide in Siem Reap and he was amazing - he knew everything about every carving and piece of symbolism in every temple and monument. Sopheak was with us in Phenom Penh and she was very helpful and knowledgeable about the city and its history.

Local specialist: Steve Lidgey
Steve
Steve Lidgey
Local specialist in Cambodia | Replied on Nov 20, 2023

Hi Eliza & Cody,
Thanks for travelling with Kimkim/Travel Asia a la carte in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh.
I'm delighted to ready that our guides took excellent care of you, and were also very knowledgeable. Exactly as planned.
It was also great to meet you before the trekking day at Kulen Mountain. Guide Smey had a good workout over the few days...haha.

Our local guide Reya was incredibly helpful a...
Thailand | Nov 5 - Nov 16, 2023

Stephen
Stephen C.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on Nov 19, 2023
Our local guide Reya was incredibly helpful and was awesome in explaining the history of the many sites we visited. She was great and super hardworking. Tina was very responsive and helpful in planning our itinerary. During our trip she was great in answering our questions and helping reconfirm our transportation and events so our trip ran smoothly. Will definitely use them again for the next time we visit Thailand. Read more

Our local guide Reya was incredibly helpful and was awesome in explaining the history of the many sites we visited. She was great and super hardworking. Tina was very responsive and helpful in planning our itinerary. During our trip she was great in answering our questions and helping reconfirm our transportation and events so our trip ran smoothly. Will definitely use them again for the next time we visit Thailand.

Hotel Reviews
OZO Chaweng Samui

The hotel and surrounding area appeared less busy than normal which was great for us. The location was great to walk around Chaweng beach area. Loved that we were right on the beach and able order food and drinks. The sunrise was majestic!

Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Swissotel Bangkok
Bangkok

This place was fantastic! Breakfast buffet was a major highlight

Location
Right next to a subway stop! Also next to a mall with a great food court!
Staff
Incredibly helpful and friendly!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Tina Oo
Tina
Tina Oo
Local specialist in Thailand | Replied on Nov 20, 2023

Hi Stephen,
What a great review to start a day :)
You are very kind. This feedback helps us to go on and really motivates me.
Thank you so much for enjoying the trip.
As always, I'm here!
Best,
Tina

A beautiful memorable romantic trip in Morocco
Morocco | Oct 22 - Oct 30, 2023

Bara
Bara K.
Turkey | Reviewed on Nov 19, 2023
We booked this trip to celebrate our 16th wedding anniversary, and we were not disappointed!
Our personal driver/guide Samir was excellent, he picked us up from Casablanca airport and drove us around 6 cities, he was very polite, decent and helpful, he spoke perfect Arabic, French and English, he told us a lot of stories about Moroccan history, he suggested the best places to eat and shop. He even gifted us a box of traditional Moroccan sweets, his company was very enjoyable and he became...
Read more

We booked this trip to celebrate our 16th wedding anniversary, and we were not disappointed!
Our personal driver/guide Samir was excellent, he picked us up from Casablanca airport and drove us around 6 cities, he was very polite, decent and helpful, he spoke perfect Arabic, French and English, he told us a lot of stories about Moroccan history, he suggested the best places to eat and shop. He even gifted us a box of traditional Moroccan sweets, his company was very enjoyable and he became our friend and we were sad to leave at the end of our trip and definitely looking forward to coming back again.
We loved our hotel Dar Jasmine in Fes, a beautiful Riyadh; the staff were super friendly and helpful, our guide in Fes Maryam was amazing, we enjoyed our tour with her a lot.
The desert get away in Agafya was a real treat and a memorable experience. And we can never forget Marrakesh with its bustling Jami’ Fna and wonderful friendly people.
We definitely recommend this company and would love to work with them again in the future in our next trip to Morocco.

Activity Reviews
Essaouira to Casablanca via Eljadida & Safi Coastal Route
Essaouira to Casablanca via Eljadida & Safi Coastal Route
Morocco

Our drive was Samir was very informative, the route was beautiful, he explained so many things about the different cities we passed through

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Guided Tour of Fez Medina
Guided Tour of Fez Medina
Fes

Our guide Maryam was really amazing, she was very knowledgable, friendly and nice and made sure we visited all the places we wanted even the ones that weren’t on the itinerary

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Abdellah El Asely
Abdellah
Abdellah El Asely
Local specialist in Marrakech | Replied on Nov 20, 2023
Hi Bara, Thank you so much for choosing us to celebrate your 16th wedding anniversary in Morocco! We are thrilled to hear that your experience with us was nothing short of exceptional. We are incredibly proud to have Samir as part of our team, and we're delighted to know that his dedication to providing excellent service made your trip memorable. His knowledge, multilingual abilities, and genuine care for our guests truly shine through, and we will ensure he receives your kind words. It... Read more

Hi Bara,

Thank you so much for choosing us to celebrate your 16th wedding anniversary in Morocco! We are thrilled to hear that your experience with us was nothing short of exceptional.

We are incredibly proud to have Samir as part of our team, and we're delighted to know that his dedication to providing excellent service made your trip memorable. His knowledge, multilingual abilities, and genuine care for our guests truly shine through, and we will ensure he receives your kind words.

It warms our hearts to hear that Dar Jasmine in Fes and its wonderful staff, along with your guide Maryam, contributed to making your stay enjoyable. Creating unforgettable moments in the desert in Agafay and immersing yourselves in the vibrant atmosphere of Marrakesh's Jami’ Fna is what we aim for, and we're thrilled to know you cherished these experiences.

Your recommendation means the world to us! We would be honored to welcome you back for your next adventure in Morocco.

Warm regards,
Abdel

Success in Seeking the northern lights
Norway | Nov 13 - Nov 17, 2023

Gerrald
Gerrald S.
Manhattan, NY | Reviewed on Nov 19, 2023
Fenne and Julia from Kimkim ensured that the entire trip was a memorable one. Making sure to understand the goals and wants of my trip. At times I would get lost and confused and both of them ensured I got to the place n participated in the events.
Although I can't remember the names of everyone a big shoutout goes to everyone who helped make this event amazing
A big thank you Truelson on the Hermes 2 boat and a high 5 to Jonas from chasing lights..
Jonas was exceptionally good at what...
Read more

Fenne and Julia from Kimkim ensured that the entire trip was a memorable one. Making sure to understand the goals and wants of my trip. At times I would get lost and confused and both of them ensured I got to the place n participated in the events.
Although I can't remember the names of everyone a big shoutout goes to everyone who helped make this event amazing
A big thank you Truelson on the Hermes 2 boat and a high 5 to Jonas from chasing lights..
Jonas was exceptionally good at what he did .. things I did were
Meet the husky
Feed and sled with the Reindeer
The cable car..
The artic plunge
The Hermes 2 boat ride and the chasing lights northern lights chase tour
Kim kim made this tour a lifetime experience for which I'm grateful

Hotel Review
Comfort Hotel Xpress Tromsø
Tromso

This hotel is ok.. slightly crammed but comfortable. Not the best of accommodations but has a good price point

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Northern Lights Hunt by Minibus with Photographer & Campfire Dinner
Northern Lights Hunt by Minibus with Photographer & Campfire Dinner
Tromsø

The whole experience was great .. the campfire the chase and viewing of the aurora was spectacular. Jonas and his team made this a great experience

Quality of Experience
Jonas made sure the journey was good.. providing warm clothing was great
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Shoutout to Jonas
Transport
Local specialist: Ethel Laul

A Dream Come True
Morocco | Oct 26 - Nov 12, 2023

Naadia
Naadia M.
Canada | Reviewed on Nov 19, 2023
Our 18 day trip to Morocco was a dream come through with the amazing support of Ali and Said. Samir, our dedicated driver, was not only very knowledgeable, but kept us on time and was very respectful and professional. Our visit to Casablanca, Rabat, Meknes, Volubis, Fez, Merzouga, Skoura, Quazazate, Marrakech and Essaouria were all fascinating, each with its own uniqueness. I had not heard of Original Travels before but their reviews were outstanding, and it has lived up to all my... Read more

Our 18 day trip to Morocco was a dream come through with the amazing support of Ali and Said. Samir, our dedicated driver, was not only very knowledgeable, but kept us on time and was very respectful and professional. Our visit to Casablanca, Rabat, Meknes, Volubis, Fez, Merzouga, Skoura, Quazazate, Marrakech and Essaouria were all fascinating, each with its own uniqueness. I had not heard of Original Travels before but their reviews were outstanding, and it has lived up to all my expectations. A Dream Come Through with the amazing support of Ali, Said, Samir, Hanan, Sharif and Yaseer. Thank you all!

Hotel Reviews
Palais Sebban
Marrakech
Riad Chbanate
Essaouira
Tiziri Luxury Camp
Merzouga
Ksar El Kabbaba
Skoura
Riad Fes Nass Zmane
Fes
Hotel Dar Mounir
Chefchaouen
Mövenpick Hotel Casablanca
Casablanca
Location
Elegancia Riad Boutique & SPA
Marrakech
Local specialist: Ali Moujane
Ali
Ali Moujane
Local specialist in Atlas Mountains | Replied on Nov 19, 2023
Hi Naadia, Thank you immensely for sharing your fantastic experience from your 18-day adventure through Morocco. It brings us immense joy to learn that your trip was a dream come true, largely due to the incredible support provided by our team. We are thrilled to hear that Samir, your dedicated driver, not only showcased immense knowledge but also ensured your trip flowed seamlessly by keeping everything on schedule. His professionalism and respectfulness truly reflect the high standards we... Read more

Hi Naadia,

Thank you immensely for sharing your fantastic experience from your 18-day adventure through Morocco. It brings us immense joy to learn that your trip was a dream come true, largely due to the incredible support provided by our team.

We are thrilled to hear that Samir, your dedicated driver, not only showcased immense knowledge but also ensured your trip flowed seamlessly by keeping everything on schedule. His professionalism and respectfulness truly reflect the high standards we aim for at Original Travels.

Your kind words regarding our company's outstanding reviews and how we've exceeded your expectations mean the world to us. At Original Travels, providing exceptional experiences and ensuring our guests create lifelong memories is at the heart of what we do.

Thank you once again for choosing Original Travels for your Moroccan adventure. It was a privilege to be part of your journey, and we hope to have the pleasure of hosting you on more adventures in the future.

Warm regards,
Ali

Enjoyable Morocco holiday
Morocco | Nov 5 - Nov 18, 2023

M
michael f.
Canada | Reviewed on Nov 19, 2023
Said planned a wondrrful trip for us. Samir was exceptional as a driver and commentator on Morocco. A very enjoyable trip. Read more

Said planned a wondrrful trip for us.

Samir was exceptional as a driver and commentator on Morocco.

A very enjoyable trip.

Hotel Reviews
Riad Chbanate
Essaouira
Tiziri Luxury Camp
Merzouga
Riad Salam Fes
Fes
Lina Ryad & Spa
Chefchaouen
Local specialist: Saïd Nayt Addi
Saïd
Saïd Nayt Addi
Local specialist in Marrakech | Replied on Dec 14, 2023
Hi Michael, Thank you very much for taking the time to share your feedback! I'm thrilled to hear that I helped organize a wonderful trip for you. It's fantastic to know that Samir's exceptional service as a driver and commentator truly enhanced your experience of Morocco. Creating enjoyable and memorable trips is our ultimate goal, and I'm delighted that we were able to contribute positively to your journey. Your kind words serve as great encouragement for us to continue delivering... Read more

Hi Michael,

Thank you very much for taking the time to share your feedback! I'm thrilled to hear that I helped organize a wonderful trip for you. It's fantastic to know that Samir's exceptional service as a driver and commentator truly enhanced your experience of Morocco.

Creating enjoyable and memorable trips is our ultimate goal, and I'm delighted that we were able to contribute positively to your journey. Your kind words serve as great encouragement for us to continue delivering exceptional service to all our travelers.

We genuinely appreciate your trust in us and hope to have the pleasure of assisting you with more amazing adventures in the future.

Warm regards,
Said

We had the most wonderful trip imaginable!
Peru | Oct 26 - Nov 11, 2023

America
America M.
Germany | Reviewed on Nov 19, 2023
We had the most wonderful trip imaginable! I can't thank Johanna for all the details she put together for our trip that made it extra special and just right for us. They answered our questions when we had them, sent clarification when needed and were super responsive! We fully loved the hotels we stayed at once we clarified the types of places we wanted to stay and appreciated the extra activities like a cooking class in Cusco and the wonderful lunches planned. We also truly LOVED our tour... Read more

We had the most wonderful trip imaginable! I can't thank Johanna for all the details she put together for our trip that made it extra special and just right for us. They answered our questions when we had them, sent clarification when needed and were super responsive! We fully loved the hotels we stayed at once we clarified the types of places we wanted to stay and appreciated the extra activities like a cooking class in Cusco and the wonderful lunches planned. We also truly LOVED our tour guide, Flor. She was the absolute best and made every excursion a great experience full of learning and fun! She couldn't be any sweeter and we would 100% book with her specifically again. The drivers were lovely as well and for most part were always on time if not early. The pace of the trip was perfect for us as well. The only feedback and change we'd make was on the Aguas Calientes stay, we'd have liked to stay there 2 nights so we would have had a place to relax and unwind after our massive hiking day of Waynapicchu and Machu Picchu. It was just WAY too long of a day to do all that AND take the 1 hour 40 min train back to Ollyantambo and then another almost 2 hour drive to Cusco. That's the only negative feedback we have was we wish we'd been given that option and suggestion as it was a long day and hard physical day. Thank you again for all your planning and hard work!

Activity Review
Lunch at Mountainview
Lunch at Mountainview
Peru

One of our most favorite meals and days!!! We would go back there in a heartbeat if not just for the food and drinks but the animals that you can pet and hang with that are all on the property and near the restaurant.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Johanna Fabian
Johanna
Johanna Fabian
Local specialist in between Lima and the US | Replied on Nov 28, 2023

Hi America,
I'm so glad to hear you and Derek had a great time in Peru. Thank you for your feedback about the long day in Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu, I will keep this in mind for future travelers.

We hope to welcome you in South America again!

Best,
Johanna

Trip of a Lifetime
Spain | Nov 1 - Nov 11, 2023

Mikaila
Mikaila H.
Medford, OR | Reviewed on Nov 19, 2023
We had the trip of a lifetime traveling Spain and Portugal. We essentially told Irene our vibes as a couple, our interests, and told her to recommend what she thought we would enjoy. She made us a the perfect itinerary for Madrid, Toledo, Segovia, and Sevilla, and Lisbon. Majority of our time was spent in Spain (as requested) and Irene did an amazing job at creating a trip to make me fall in love with the country (castles!!!) and I will recommend every person I know to visit Spain and use her... Read more

We had the trip of a lifetime traveling Spain and Portugal. We essentially told Irene our vibes as a couple, our interests, and told her to recommend what she thought we would enjoy. She made us a the perfect itinerary for Madrid, Toledo, Segovia, and Sevilla, and Lisbon. Majority of our time was spent in Spain (as requested) and Irene did an amazing job at creating a trip to make me fall in love with the country (castles!!!) and I will recommend every person I know to visit Spain and use her as their guide! She remained accessible through the trip via her partner so they were only ever a whatsapp message away and I was always confident if anything were to go wrong they would be able to help. I can’t recommend enough!

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Vincci La Rábida
Sevilla
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
NH Sintra Centro Hotel
Sintra
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Editory Riverside Santa Apolonia Hotel
Lisboa
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Room Mate Alicia
Madrid

Perfect gem of a hotel! Amazing location. Sweet staff (shout out Miguel & Eva!!)

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Last dinner, Goodbye Spain!
Last dinner, Goodbye Spain!
Madrid
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Cycling tour in Seville
Cycling tour in Seville
Seville
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Tour of Lisbon
Private Tour of Lisbon
Lisbon
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Guided tour in Madrid - Los Austrias
Guided tour in Madrid - Los Austrias
Madrid
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Irene Carravilla

Three Cities in Australia
Australia | Oct 25 - Nov 2, 2023

P
PP Y.
Taiwan | Reviewed on Nov 18, 2023
We recently completed the 8-night Sydney, Cairns and Melbourne Australia trip. Liz was very helpful in designing and adjusting the trip for us. Hotels were in good locations, within walking distance to attractions and restaurants and airport transportation arrangement worked smoothly.
Though the weather sometimes was challenging, we enjoyed the Sydney Opera House tour and chances to visit local farms. The Gold Class Kuranda Scenic Railway was a nice treat and the Penguin Parade in...
Read more

We recently completed the 8-night Sydney, Cairns and Melbourne Australia trip. Liz was very helpful in designing and adjusting the trip for us. Hotels were in good locations, within walking distance to attractions and restaurants and airport transportation arrangement worked smoothly.
Though the weather sometimes was challenging, we enjoyed the Sydney Opera House tour and chances to visit local farms. The Gold Class Kuranda Scenic Railway was a nice treat and the Penguin Parade in Melbourne was quite an experience. Thanks KimKim in helping us in this memorable trip.

Hotel Reviews
The Grace Hotel
Sydney

A hotel with much history. Great location. Close to Sydney harbor and many restaurants. Breakfast starts at 6:30am which did not work us with early full day guided tours.

Pan Pacific
Melbourne

Nice location to walk to attractions. Close to Crown Casino. Staffs are very friendly and eager to help. Modern design and clean .

Pacific Hotel Cairns
Cairns

Great location but hotel is not clean as it should be. We found dust covered on coffee pot and hot water pot etc. Hotel was informed. It seems to be a group tour hotel too. There were school students staying while we were there.

Activity Reviews
Depart Australia
Depart Australia
Australia

The ride is okay. With all of the airport pick-up and drop-off in the entire trip, the Sydney pick-up experience, the car and the driver, is amazing. I guess it is a small city. The cars used in Cainrs is so so. But all drivers are courteous.

Melbourne City & Phillip Island Day Trip with Penguin Parade
Melbourne City & Phillip Island Day Trip with Penguin Parade
Melbourne

Funning and knowledgeable tour guide Sara. We enjoyed this tour.

Full-Day Kuranda Rail & Skyrail - Gold Class
Full-Day Kuranda Rail & Skyrail - Gold Class
Australia

Location is wonderful and the Gold Class train ride was a good treat. The bus driver, however, is not as good as all other guide.

Welcome to Cairns
Welcome to Cairns
Cairns
Full Day Blue Mountains Deluxe Day
Full Day Blue Mountains Deluxe Day
Sydney

A long drive to a few lookout points for photo shoots. I wish we have more time to walk around the Three Sisters. Knowledgeable tour guide.

Morning Panoramic Sydney Sights
Morning Panoramic Sydney Sights
Sydney

Tour guide was very knowledgeable. It is a good tour to know the city first before picking places to visit at free time.

Dinner Cruise Sydney Harbour Window Seat (from Darling Harbour)
Dinner Cruise Sydney Harbour Window Seat (from Darling Harbour)
Sydney

Lovely cruise to see the Sydney Harbour. Food is actually good. Window seat is a plus.

Full Day Cape Tribulation, Daintree & Mossman Gorge
Full Day Cape Tribulation, Daintree & Mossman Gorge
Cairns

Daintree River Cruise and rainforest are good highlights. The bus driver and tour guide Denial was great. However, Mossman Gorge does not seem that interesting. This trip involves winding mountain ride. It took a long drive to reach to destination.

Sydney Opera House Tour
Sydney Opera House Tour
Sydney

Great tour to be able to see the performing stage of the Opera House.

Local specialist: Liz Neal
Liz
Liz Neal
Local specialist in Sydney-Auckland-Los Angeles | Replied on Nov 18, 2023

Thank you Patty for your beautiful review. It was a pleasure to work with you ! Please keep Kim Kim in mind when planning your next adventure!

Cheers
Liz

Hien planned a fantastic trip to Halong Bay, ...
Vietnam | Nov 10 - Nov 17, 2023

Mike
Mike D.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Nov 18, 2023
Hien planned a fantastic trip to Halong Bay, Ninh Binh, and Hanoi. Her prompt communication, insightful questions, and seamless coordination made the experience exceptional. All her travel partners were punctual, and she excelled in ensuring everything went smoothly throughout the trip. Every penny was well-spent, and I highly endorse her services. Read more

Hien planned a fantastic trip to Halong Bay, Ninh Binh, and Hanoi. Her prompt communication, insightful questions, and seamless coordination made the experience exceptional. All her travel partners were punctual, and she excelled in ensuring everything went smoothly throughout the trip. Every penny was well-spent, and I highly endorse her services.

Activity Reviews
Hanoi Street food walking tour (S)
Hanoi Street food walking tour (S)
Hanoi

A fantastic night walking tour exploring old Hanoi, with stops at local eateries favored by locals. The delicious food makes it an experience worth savoring.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Join Cooking Class and Market Tour in Hanoi
Join Cooking Class and Market Tour in Hanoi
Hanoi

Enjoyed a delightful experience going to the local market for food shopping and cooking afterward. Our guide and instructor, Apple, infused the session with positive energy, wit, and valuable insights on maximizing the potential of ingredients. Definitely considering trying this at home.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Cap La - Ha Long International Port (Renea cruise)
Cap La - Ha Long International Port (Renea cruise)
Ha Long Bay

Highlighting the positives, the trip featured breathtaking sceneries, delightful cuisine, and an incredibly friendly crew providing excellent service. On the downside, the cruise was limited to two areas, with extended periods at anchor. The tightly scheduled activities felt somewhat obligatory. Additionally, there was no fishing village, only an abandoned area where locals sold pearls and souvenirs.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Hien Do
Hien
Hien Do
Local specialist in Vietnam | Replied on Nov 19, 2023

Dear Mike,
Thanks so much for your review! We’re really glad to know that you enjoyed your holiday inVietnam with your son. Your feedback is highly appreciated, as it enables us to further develop our services. Trust us, you’ve made our day immensely better by sharing your experience.
Thanks again for the review and for being such a great customer. Hope to see you again in the near future !
With my best regards,
Hien

Croatia planned by Robi
Croatia | Oct 1 - Oct 12, 2023

Bonnee
Bonnee R.
Nicetown-Tioga, PA | Reviewed on Nov 18, 2023
Robi Pinčević planned a private trip fro 6 of us. It was wonderful from start to finish. The first part of our trip was from Zagreb to Split and Mario was our wonderful driver and guide. We spent a couple wonderful days of hiking in Plitvice Lake and Krka National Parks. We visited Zadar and Sibenik and stayed in the walled city of Trojir All these places were different and special. From Split, we were mostly on our own and had no problems. We visited Hvar and Korcula Islands. Our tickets... Read more

Robi Pinčević planned a private trip fro 6 of us. It was wonderful from start to finish. The first part of our trip was from Zagreb to Split and Mario was our wonderful driver and guide. We spent a couple wonderful days of hiking in Plitvice Lake and Krka National Parks. We visited Zadar and Sibenik and stayed in the walled city of Trojir All these places were different and special. From Split, we were mostly on our own and had no problems. We visited Hvar and Korcula Islands. Our tickets were sent to us and it was easy moving from one destination to the next. Our Accommodations were A+. from Korcula we were picked up and taken to Ston, which was an exciting place to visit and climb the incredibly long wall. We were dropped off in Dubrovnik, the only place on our trip that was crowded and only late in the day. Robi made the best suggestion to travel in October, when it was just the beginning of low season. It was wonderful to visit all these places and not have to fight any crowds. All of our accomodations and suggestions for meals were top notch. Any glitches, were quickly resolved by a phone call to Robi. Thank you again, Robi and to your team for a well planned and exciting visit to Croatia.

Local specialist: Robert Pinčević
Robert
Robert Pinčević
Local specialist in Croatia | Replied on Nov 18, 2023

Dear Bonnee,

thank you very much for your feedback and kind words. I am very happy to hear you and your friends had a good time in Croatia.
Also glad to hear that we were able to create the best fit and that I was able to help and to contribute to the overall experience.

Thank you for your trust.

Many regards from Croatia!
Best
Robi

The people of Australia are amazing! Very fr...
Australia | Nov 6 - Nov 15, 2023

M
Mary P.
Campbellsville, KY | Reviewed on Nov 18, 2023
The people of Australia are amazing! Very friendly and helpful. The scenery was beautiful and the experiences were awesome.
Our flight had issues and we were already in Australia before our specialist notified us that our flight had issues. In addition, we were booked for a tour in a park in Uluru, but when we were getting on the bus we’re informed that we needed park passes to get in the park. Our specialist booked the tour - but not the passes to get to the tour. It was a frustrating...
Read more

The people of Australia are amazing! Very friendly and helpful. The scenery was beautiful and the experiences were awesome.
Our flight had issues and we were already in Australia before our specialist notified us that our flight had issues. In addition, we were booked for a tour in a park in Uluru, but when we were getting on the bus we’re informed that we needed park passes to get in the park. Our specialist booked the tour - but not the passes to get to the tour. It was a frustrating experience to get these in a very few minutes before the bus left for the tour. Our specialist also had all of our flight arrangements, and did inform us on the Visa needed for Australia. However, she did not tell us anything about any requirements for New Zealand - which she knew we were going thru. We found out about the transist VISA requirements when we went to check in and had to pay the exorbitant fees associated with immediate turnaround of the requirement.

Local specialist: Connie Campos
Connie
Connie Campos
Local specialist in South Florida and New Zealand | Replied on Nov 21, 2023
Hello Mary and your group! I am very sorry you had a bad experience and I feel awful to know you have had some sour situations during your trip. The park pass should have been included, it was an assumption on my part as this is a tour that we book very often. This is my bad and I regret not having double-checked.
I do not have any clients coming back to let me know they did not have it. I should have doubled, triple check and my honest answer, I did not. I am very sorry for the...
Read more

Hello Mary and your group!

I am very sorry you had a bad experience and I feel awful to know you have had some sour situations during your trip. The park pass should have been included, it was an assumption on my part as this is a tour that we book very often. This is my bad and I regret not having double-checked.
I do not have any clients coming back to let me know they did not have it. I should have doubled, triple check and my honest answer, I did not. I am very sorry for the inconvenience.

I did not book your flights, I was not aware of any issues, delays, and or anything related to your flights. I am not sure why New Zealand requested a visa when it was a connection. Passengers with a connection do not require a visa. I need to investigate that and I will get back to you via email.

We strive for perfect vacations and great memories, I sincerely apologize for the situations you experienced.

Connie

We had an amazing time on our trip to Morocco...
Morocco | Oct 26 - Nov 5, 2023

M
Melissa D.
Madison, CT | Reviewed on Nov 18, 2023
We had an amazing time on our trip to Morocco, and highly recommend working with Hakim and the entire kimkim team. It was incredibly easy to plan the trip, and Hakim took great care to understand the types of experiences we were looking for during our trip, and ensured that they were included in our trip. From the time we landed, and throughout the 11 days we were in Morocco, we were in great hands with Mohamed, our driver. We thoroughly enjoyed all of our guides, and each of the places we... Read more

We had an amazing time on our trip to Morocco, and highly recommend working with Hakim and the entire kimkim team. It was incredibly easy to plan the trip, and Hakim took great care to understand the types of experiences we were looking for during our trip, and ensured that they were included in our trip. From the time we landed, and throughout the 11 days we were in Morocco, we were in great hands with Mohamed, our driver. We thoroughly enjoyed all of our guides, and each of the places we stayed.

Hotel Reviews
Riad Madu Desert Camps
Merzouga

The staff at Riad Madu were incredibly friendly -- always had a smile on their face. The views of the Sahara are breathtaking, and the tented camps were comfortable.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Riad Fès - Relais & Châteaux
Fès

Riad Fes was absolutely stunning! From the moment you walk in the door, you immediately feel relaxed with the beautiful aromas in the air. We enjoyed our welcome champagne and cookies, and the rooms are absolutely stunning. The staff is incredibly friendly and helpful, and we enjoyed time on the rooftop bar. Highly, highly recommend Fiad Fes!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Dar Jasmine
Chefchaouen

Absolutely LOVED our stay at Dar Jasmine. The staff was incredibly friendly and helpful. We loved the homemade food available in the restaurant, the the views about Chefchaouen were amazing. Highly recommend Dar Jasmine when you visit Chefchaouen!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Euphoriad
Rabat

Although our stay was short (1 night), we had a great time at Euphoriad in Rabat. The staff was very friendly and welcoming, and the rooms were comfortable.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Hakim ALIBOUCHE
Hakim
Hakim ALIBOUCHE
Local specialist in Agadir | Replied on Dec 06, 2023
Dear Melissa, Thank you for taking the time to share your valuable review with us. I'm thrilled to hear that you had an amazing time on your recent trip to Morocco and that you highly recommend working with the entire Kimkim team. At Kimkim and Orion Trek Voyages (the local company in Morocco), our goal is to make the trip planning process as easy and seamless as possible, and we are delighted to hear that you found it incredibly easy to plan your trip with us. We pride ourselves on... Read more

Dear Melissa,

Thank you for taking the time to share your valuable review with us. I'm thrilled to hear that you had an amazing time on your recent trip to Morocco and that you highly recommend working with the entire Kimkim team.

At Kimkim and Orion Trek Voyages (the local company in Morocco), our goal is to make the trip planning process as easy and seamless as possible, and we are delighted to hear that you found it incredibly easy to plan your trip with us. We pride ourselves on understanding our travelers' preferences and ensuring that their desired experiences are included in their itinerary. It is wonderful to hear that we succeeded in taking great care in understanding the types of experiences you were looking for and making sure they were incorporated into your trip.

I'm also pleased to know that Mohamed, your driver, provided excellent service throughout your 11-day trip to Morocco. Our team is handpicked to ensure that our travelers feel safe, comfortable, and well taken care of, and we are glad that Mohamed lived up to your expectations.

Moreover, I'm thrilled that you thoroughly enjoyed all of your guides and the accommodations during your trip. We strive to work with knowledgeable and experienced guides who can enrich our travelers' experiences and provide valuable insights into the destinations they visit. It is fantastic to hear that your guides contributed to the overall enjoyment of your trip.

Once again, I appreciate your kind words and recommendation. It was a pleasure assisting you with your trip to Morocco, and we all look forward to helping you plan your future adventures.

Warm regards,
Hakim

We hadn't traveled with Kimkim or Original Travels, but after this trip we will.
Morocco | Oct 27 - Nov 9, 2023

John
John L.
Boston, MA | Reviewed on Nov 18, 2023
We hadn't traveled with Kimkim or Original Travels before, but the reviews we read were assuring. And the support we had prior to the trip from Said was great: responsive and reassuring. And then we had our first in-person meeting when we met our guide and drive with whom we would spend many hours each day for two plus weeks, Lahcen, a wonderful driver and guide, and even better person. Whether navigating narrow and crowded streets in the medinas, the traffic-clogged city streets, or the... Read more

We hadn't traveled with Kimkim or Original Travels before, but the reviews we read were assuring. And the support we had prior to the trip from Said was great: responsive and reassuring. And then we had our first in-person meeting when we met our guide and drive with whom we would spend many hours each day for two plus weeks, Lahcen, a wonderful driver and guide, and even better person. Whether navigating narrow and crowded streets in the medinas, the traffic-clogged city streets, or the winding mountain roads, Lahcen was more than up to the task. And he was always there for us, greeting us at the airport as well as the meeting spots in each of the locations, and checking on us to ensure that we arrived safely at our riads.

In addition to Lahcen, we had tremendous guides, Mona in Rabat, Sharif in Fes, Hanan in Marrakesh, Youssef in the Sahara, Redwan in Ourika, Said in Essaouira. Mona was our first guide and gave us a wonderful orientation to Morocco as well as a great tour of Rabat. Youssef gave us two wonderful rides over the Sahara dunes, one on camel and another in a jeep. Hanan took us around Marrakech, including a wonderfully delicious food tour (great donuts!).

We also enjoyed delicious meals with several local families, in particular the Benhrahims in Fes, and Berber families in Er-Rissani and Ourika.

Our accommodations were more than clean and comfortable. In the cities our riads were in the heart of the medinas. In the Sahara we were at the Tiziri Luxury Camp. In the mountains our kasbahs were wonderful oases. At each we found very welcoming, friendly and accommodating staff, tasty meals, and great services.

Our one small regret is that we didn't spend more time at the Kasbah Bab Ourika. That was a serene spot with lots of hiking possibilities, but we were only there about 19 hours, therefore unable to take advantage of these hikes. Our accommodations at this Kasbah were exquisite.

Finally, while we never met Said at Original Travels, he provided wonderful support before and during our trip, including adjusting our itinerary to accomodate a scheduling error we made and to connect us with local guides for some continued touring after the Kimkim tour.

In all, thank you all for a wonderful 2-plus weeks adventure.

Hotel Reviews
Tiziri Luxury Camp
Merzouga

The staff gave us a great Sahara experience, from the camel ride to the dune exploring in a 4x4, to the visits to local Berber villages and families. A shout out to Youssef and Mousafa.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Riad Nyla And Spa Marrakech
Marrakech
Authenticity & Character
Location
Right in the middle of the medina
Staff
Always available to help us and make our stay comfortable
Cleanliness & Comfort
Riad Braya
Fes Medina
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Riad Perle D'Eau
Essaouira
Authenticity & Character
Location
The location was wonderful but the road in front is being renovated making access a little awkward. But that will be fixed.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Kasbah Bab Ourika
Ourika

Wish we had more time here!

Authenticity & Character
What a wonderful oasis
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Kasbah Titrit
Ait Ben Haddou

While difficult to find it was a great overnight.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Wonderful views of the countryside
Staff
Can't say enough about the staff - friendly, accommodating and very responsive
Cleanliness & Comfort
Riad Kalaa 2
Rabat

Our first riad was a wonderful introduction to Morocco

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Guided Tour of Hassan II Mosque
Guided Tour of Hassan II Mosque
Morocco

This was a nice tour. We were able to see the inside of a mosque and hear all about the cultural aspects of Muslim prayer.

Quick Tour of Casablanca with your Driver-Guide
Quick Tour of Casablanca with your Driver-Guide
Morocco

Lachen showed us around Casablanca, dropped us off at a great restaurant (Restaurant Le Fleur, I believe) where we had our first tagine. Delicious. He brought us to the great Mosque where he had to finagle a tour for us since we arrived after the last tour had started a short time before we arrived. He then took us on a drive through Casablanca and let us off at a Medina in the older part of the city. We headed off to Rabat late afternoon.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Lahcen was great in every way. He was always attentive to our needs.
Transport
Great driver. Always connected with our next guide or riad to ensure a positive experience.
Local specialist: Abdellah El Asely
Abdellah
Abdellah El Asely
Local specialist in Marrakech | Replied on Nov 19, 2023
Hi John, Thank you immensely for taking the time to share your travel experience with us. We are delighted to hear that despite the initial changes in your itinerary, your journey with us turned out to be a memorable and enriching adventure. We deeply regret the initial inconveniences caused by the change in your driver, but we're thrilled that Lahcen became a pivotal part of your experience. His dedication and expertise in navigating the intricate streets and diverse terrains of Morocco... Read more

Hi John,

Thank you immensely for taking the time to share your travel experience with us. We are delighted to hear that despite the initial changes in your itinerary, your journey with us turned out to be a memorable and enriching adventure.

We deeply regret the initial inconveniences caused by the change in your driver, but we're thrilled that Lahcen became a pivotal part of your experience. His dedication and expertise in navigating the intricate streets and diverse terrains of Morocco made your trip all the more enjoyable. It warms our hearts to know that Lahcen's guidance and genuine care for your well-being left such a positive impression.

Your commendations for the various guides, Mona, Sharif, Hanan, Youssef, Redwan, and Said, reinforce our commitment to providing exceptional service through knowledgeable and hospitable individuals who offer insightful perspectives on Morocco's rich culture and heritage.

The moments shared with local families and the authenticity of the meals undoubtedly provided a deeper connection to Morocco's traditions and warmth, leaving a lasting impression on your journey.

We are delighted that you found comfort and satisfaction in our accommodations, from the heart of the medinas to the serene spots like Kasbah Bab Ourika. We apologize for the missed opportunity to explore the hiking possibilities fully and hope it's a reason for you to return and experience more of what this stunning location has to offer.

Said and our team at Original Travels strive to ensure a seamless and personalized experience for every traveler. We're thrilled that Said's support throughout the planning and execution of your trip added value and convenience, showcasing our commitment to excellent customer service.

Your kind words resonate deeply with us, and we're honored to have been a part of your incredible 2-plus weeks adventure in Morocco.

Warm regards
Abdel

FIVE STARS!My travel companion, Suzanne Mic...
Vietnam | Oct 23 - Nov 12, 2023

Suzanne
Suzanne M.
East Chatham, NY | Reviewed on Nov 18, 2023
FIVE STARS! My travel companion, Suzanne Michael, and I cannot say enough good things about our experience working with Hien at Realistic Asia. First, Hien and her staff were always immediately responsive (even on weekends despite the 10-12 hours time difference) and helpful as we planned the 20-day trip from Seattle, WA to Vietnam and Laos. Suzanne worked on most of the planning with Hien. Suzanne had received several suggestions from friends who had travelled in Vietnam and Laos. Hien... Read more

FIVE STARS!

My travel companion, Suzanne Michael, and I cannot say enough good things about our experience working with Hien at Realistic Asia. First, Hien and her staff were always immediately responsive (even on weekends despite the 10-12 hours time difference) and helpful as we planned the 20-day trip from Seattle, WA to Vietnam and Laos.

Suzanne worked on most of the planning with Hien. Suzanne had received several suggestions from friends who had travelled in Vietnam and Laos. Hien and her team carefully created an itinerary that included Suzanne's suggested sites and areas to visit. Hien also provided very useful suggestions for visiting other areas, taking into account seasonal weather, the physical requirements (e.g., walking up trails in Sapa), and the logistics of visiting a myriad of places. The trip required knowledgeable trip planners who were familiar with the type of transportation required between sites, length of travel days, and realistically, given our ages (70's), how to visit as many of the sites as possible within our 20-days trip schedule.

Hien arranged all the hotel accommodations, guides, and drivers; and made complex, important logistical suggestions involving domestic/international airlines and long-distance drivers. During our travels – all the logistical arrangements she made worked seamlessly.

The accommodations Hien and her team booked for us in Hanoi, Hue, and Luang Prabang were wonderful. The staff in each hotel were warm, welcoming, and very helpful. Hotels were very well-maintained and perfectly located for the site visits we planned. The guides were excellent - extremely knowledgeable of the historical and geographical sites we visited, and very proud of their culture and history. They shared so much with us, we loved their enthusiasm and learned much from them.

When Suzanne became ill with severe gastroenteritis, dehydration, and nausea, Hien immediately found us alternate accommodations (to supplement our reserved stays at original hotels in Luang Prabang, and Hanoi), and assisted with the flight from Laos to Vietnam. She also arranged a guide and driver to assist us in Hanoi upon arrival from Laos.

Hien was always in touch with us as we endured our difficult illness situation - she made sure that we were accommodated as comfortably as possible. She also ensured that we had a guide and driver to the Hanoi airport on our home journey. The guide was very efficient. Because Suzanne was very weak, the guide made sure that we got through the Hanoi airport check-in as efficiently as possible and arranged for a wheelchair to get her to the boarding gate and to have a wheelchair at subsequent airports in Hanoi, Taipei and Seattle airports.

Since returning to the USA, Hien has maintained contact to check on Suzanne's health, and to work closely with us to provide the myriad documentation required by our travel insurance companies to get reimbursement.

Suzanne and I are deeply grateful to Hien and her team for their knowledge and skill in creating our itinerary, and for their support and follow-up during this very difficult period of illness. We highly recommend her, Realistic Asia and Kim Kim to others interested in traveling to SE Asia, and give Hien, Realistic and Kim Kim five stars.

Best regards, Barb Crook

Suzanne · Nov 17
Barb says it all - Hien was just terrific in planning our trip and in helping us when I fell ill. She and her staff are outstanding travel agents, and extremely thoughtful in working with her clients. I enthusiastically recommend her services and her agency. Hien, many many thanks for all you have done for us. I will always be deeply grateful. Warm wishes, Suzanne

Hotel Review
Mekong Villa By Ock Pop Tok

Beautiful surroundings looking out over the Mekong River. Rooms beautifully appointed with handicrafts of Laotian artists. Food at the hotel restaurant was delicious and the ambience wonderful. HIGHLY recommend! But most importantly, the staff were superb! I became very ill while I was in Laos and the hotel staff helped me and my travel companion in so many ways including helping to interpret at a local clinic, then at the Regional Hospital, and then, staying overnight with me in my ICU room so that I always had someone to interpret for me with the night medical staff. Further, the co-owner of the hotel visited me at the hospital and assisted with logistics and interpretation. The kindness shown and help of Ock Pop Tok staff was awesome.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Hien Do
Hien
Hien Do
Local specialist in Vietnam | Replied on Nov 19, 2023

Dear Suzanne,

Thank you so much for your kind words and thorough feedback!

I am so happy to hear you had a wonderful time during your time in Vietnam and Laos though you had to canceled a half of the trip. I hope you visit us in the future again for your next adventures to Southeast Asia. I will pass on your kind words to the whole team that you met during the trip.
Vietnam would love to have you back :) Maybe we will meet again someday.

Wish you all the best health!

With my best regards,
Hien

A phenomenal way to experience Ecuador
Ecuador | Nov 9 - Nov 16, 2023

Stuart
Stuart S.
Charleston, SC | Reviewed on Nov 18, 2023
Cristobal was our main guide for our time on mainland Ecuador and he was exceptional; friendly, informative, and thorough. We had a series of help on the Galapagos including Paola, Liz, and the proprietor of our incredible Hotel, Jessica. All of them were wonderful as well.
We shot ourselves in the foot a bit by booking such a short trip and trying to mix evening celebrations with early morning excursions, but we left feeling we had made the most of our time in Ecuador.
Isabel was manning...
Read more

Cristobal was our main guide for our time on mainland Ecuador and he was exceptional; friendly, informative, and thorough. We had a series of help on the Galapagos including Paola, Liz, and the proprietor of our incredible Hotel, Jessica. All of them were wonderful as well.
We shot ourselves in the foot a bit by booking such a short trip and trying to mix evening celebrations with early morning excursions, but we left feeling we had made the most of our time in Ecuador.
Isabel was manning the control decks and absolutely nailed it. We had exceptional guides for every step of our journey and she made sure all of our shuttling throughout Ecuador was adequately chaperoned.
Would emphatically recommend Isabel, Cristobal, and the whole team--but would also encourage anyone using KimKim to book a longer trip than you think you'll need to allow for some R&R (we booked 8 days to hit Quito, Baños, and the Galapagos).

Hotel Reviews
Hostal Ilé
Baños de Agua Santa

Beautiful, centrally located. Proprietor makes better Margaritas than I've found in Mexico.

Viajero Quito Hostel
Quito

Nice hostel in the historic district with engaging and friendly staff

Plaza Luna Suites
Puerto Ayora

Jessica's passion and attention to detail are reflected in every aspect of this absolutely stunning space. I wouldn't stay anywhere else in Puerto Ayora

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Isabel Pérez
Isabel
Isabel Pérez
Local specialist in Quito | Replied on Nov 23, 2023

Stuart, thank you so much for your kind words! Hearing about your experience in Ecuador is great. I'm happy to know that our entire team made your journey unforgettable.

Balancing fun with early morning excursions is indeed a challenge, especially on a shorter trip. It's wonderful to hear that you felt you made the most of your time in Ecuador!

If you ever decide to return for a longer stay or to explore more of Ecuador's hidden gems, I would be delighted to help you plan another unforgettable adventure.

Best,
Isabel

Why travelers love kimkim

Custom trips for independent travelers who are too busy to plan
Customize your trip with the help of a local travel specialist

Kimkim has handpicked the world’s top local travel specialists so you will have peace of mind and an unforgettable trip that meets your exact requirements.

Authentic travel experiences

Kimkim’s local specialists ensure that you will have the best experience based on up-to-date local insights. On top of that, the vast majority of your money will go straight to support and grow local economies.

Secure & easy booking

Once you are happy with the trip, you can easily book via kimkim’s secure payment platform.

Local support during your trip

You can always reach your local specialist with a quick message or call in case you hit a snag during your trip, or simply want some great local recommendations.