Kimkim Trip Reviews

4.8
Based on 16,462 ratings
Read 16,462 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.

An amazing trip to Portugal!.
Portugal | Jun 1 - Jun 9, 2025

Pam
Pam B.
North Plainfield, NJ | Reviewed on Jun 10, 2025
The trip included all the stops we were hoping for. Every guide Bernardo, Nuno and Joao was fantastic. The drivers were fabulous as well. As we expressed specific interests the guides adapted where they could to allow us those additional experiences and also giving recommendations for our free day and other things to try
Overall a fabulous trip and everyone was beyond expectations
Read more

The trip included all the stops we were hoping for. Every guide Bernardo, Nuno and Joao was fantastic. The drivers were fabulous as well. As we expressed specific interests the guides adapted where they could to allow us those additional experiences and also giving recommendations for our free day and other things to try
Overall a fabulous trip and everyone was beyond expectations

Hotel Review
Montebelo Mosteiro de Alcobaça Historic Hotel
Alcobaça

Staying at the Montebelo Mosteiro de Alcobaça Historic Hotel was such a unique experience. Everyone loved the charm of the old monastery, and it definitely stood out as a highlight. It exceeded our expectations in every way. The other accommodations were also more than adequate, clean, and friendly, meeting the diverse needs and financial abilities of our group perfectly.

Activity Reviews
Discover Lisbon’s Historic Center – 8-Hour Guided Walking Tour
Discover Lisbon’s Historic Center – 8-Hour Guided Walking Tour
Lisbon

Attempting an eight-hour guided walking tour in Lisbon's Historic Center can sound daunting, but our guide made it incredibly engaging. He was flexible with the group's needs, allowing for breaks and personal exploration, like when one of our members wanted to venture up a tower. It truly felt tailored to us, enriching our experience immensely.

Seamless Discovery - The Ultimate Douro Valley Experience with Private Driver Service
Seamless Discovery - The Ultimate Douro Valley Experience with Private Driver Service
Portugal

Our trip through the Douro Valley with a private driver was an unforgettable experience. The vineyard lunch was beyond spectacular, and even though we fell behind schedule, the accommodating staff and our gracious driver ensured it was stress-free. Missing the wine tasting would have been a shame, but everything worked out beautifully.

Local specialist: João Branco
João
João Branco
Local specialist in Lisbon | Replied on Jun 11, 2025

Hi Pam,

Thank you so much for your kind message. I’m thrilled to hear that the trip included all the stops you were hoping for and that Bernardo, Nuno, and João made such a great impression. We’re also glad to know the drivers and guides contributed positively to your experience.

Most of all, I’m so happy to hear it was a fabulous trip overall and that everything exceeded your expectations.

Wishing you many more wonderful travels ahead and we’d love to welcome you back to Portugal anytime.

Your friend in Portugal - João

Family Trip to Paris, Provence and Friench Riviera
France | May 29 - Jun 8, 2025

Vinodhshankar
Vinodhshankar B.
India | Reviewed on Jun 10, 2025
Had a wonderful trip to France. Sebastian, was highly responsive and flexible to our needs and requests. Thank you Sebastian. Top highlights of our tour: (1) Private Bour tour at Marseille visiting Frioul archipelago
(2) Cycling through Cezanne's route at Aix-En-Provence
(3) Visiting 6+ villages (Luberon and Riviera) experiencing so many aspects of French cuisine and culture
(4) Visit to Eze, Monaco and Montecarlo
(5) Paris Cycling and Guided tour to Montmarte
Read more

Had a wonderful trip to France. Sebastian, was highly responsive and flexible to our needs and requests. Thank you Sebastian.

Top highlights of our tour:

(1) Private Bour tour at Marseille visiting Frioul archipelago
(2) Cycling through Cezanne's route at Aix-En-Provence
(3) Visiting 6+ villages (Luberon and Riviera) experiencing so many aspects of French cuisine and culture
(4) Visit to Eze, Monaco and Montecarlo
(5) Paris Cycling and Guided tour to Montmarte

Activity Reviews
Electric Bike tour of Paris' Hidden Gems - Small-group
Electric Bike tour of Paris' Hidden Gems - Small-group
Paris

Great trip. Pierre was an awesome guide. Enjoyed so many aspects of Paris.

Quality of Experience
Learning about history
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Gourmet & Historic walking tour of Marseille
Gourmet & Historic walking tour of Marseille
Marseille

OK tour learning about Marseille history

Quality of Experience
Visit to soap factory was not there.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Nice person
Guided Family Tour of Montmartre
Guided Family Tour of Montmartre
Paris

Great trip. Julien was an awesome guide.

Quality of Experience
Avoided crowds
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Skip-the-line: louvre museum greatest masterpieces private guided tour
Skip-the-line: louvre museum greatest masterpieces private guided tour
Paris

This was not a private tour. It was a group tour. We were delayed by 10-15 mins due to a bus route issue. Tried calling agency but they did not pick up the call. The lady at the agency was very rude. She refused to accommodate us in any way. Refused to give guides number. Also said ticket may not work but thankfully it worked. This was a big disappointment.

Quality of Experience
Grace period when delays happen
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Private gourmet pastries & chocolate tour in Saint Germain
Private gourmet pastries & chocolate tour in Saint Germain
Paris

Final tour was different from St Germain due to food allergy related. Nice tour but details in the tour were not as interesting. Guide was very passionate and very nice.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Passionate guide. Very flexible. Stayed back over time to see of us in our cab.
Private Boat Cruise in the Calanques National Park
Private Boat Cruise in the Calanques National Park
Marseille

Top highlights. Amazing experience. Clemence was the best guide of our trip

Quality of Experience
Archipelago, swimming in the ocean, spotting fish, speed boating
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Clemence is queen of the season. One of the best in the business.
Transport
Paris: Illuminations Seine River Cruise
Paris: Illuminations Seine River Cruise
Paris

Wonderful experience

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
May be a boat with some AC :)
E-Bike Tour Along Cezanne's Route
E-Bike Tour Along Cezanne's Route
Aix-en-Provence

One of the best highlights of trip. Amazing guide and amazing experience.

Quality of Experience
Cezanne's route is magical
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
One of the cycles - electric motor did not work
Luberon Markets and Villages small-group guided tour
Luberon Markets and Villages small-group guided tour
Aix-en-Provence

Great experience visiting 3 villages

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
HD - Monaco, Monte Carlo & Eze private guided tour
HD - Monaco, Monte Carlo & Eze private guided tour
France

Another top highlight of our trip

Quality of Experience
Coast view, Perfume factory, Monaco walk
Guides, Drivers and Staff
High energy, positive vibe and very social. Guide was flexible to start 30 mins later.
Transport
I think vehicle did not have AC at the rear. But guide did everything he could to make us comfortable.
Cultural tour of Antibes | Grasse & Gourdon | Saint-Paul de Vence
Cultural tour of Antibes | Grasse & Gourdon | Saint-Paul de Vence
France

Gourdon and St Paul Du Vence are awesome.

Quality of Experience
Gourdon and St Paul Du Vence
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Very flexible guide. Accommodated request for a 30 min delayed start.
Transport
Very comfortable van
Local specialist: Sebastian Prino
Sebastian
Sebastian Prino
Local specialist in Marseille | Replied on Jun 11, 2025
Hi Vinodh, Thank you so much for your kind words — it truly means a lot! I'm so glad to hear you had a wonderful trip and that you enjoyed such a rich variety of experiences across France. 🙏 Your highlights list made me smile — from the boat tour around the Frioul islands to cycling Cezanne’s route and discovering the charm of our villages, it sounds like you embraced every moment! It was a real pleasure helping to craft this journey with you. If you ever feel like exploring more of France... Read more

Hi Vinodh,

Thank you so much for your kind words — it truly means a lot! I'm so glad to hear you had a wonderful trip and that you enjoyed such a rich variety of experiences across France. 🙏

Your highlights list made me smile — from the boat tour around the Frioul islands to cycling Cezanne’s route and discovering the charm of our villages, it sounds like you embraced every moment!

It was a real pleasure helping to craft this journey with you. If you ever feel like exploring more of France (or coming back for seconds!), I’d be thrilled to help again.

Wishing you all the best and safe travels until next time!

Warm regards,
Sebastian

Different guides, different perspectives
Turkey | May 25 - Jun 8, 2025

Susan
Susan G.
Denver, CO | Reviewed on Jun 10, 2025
The two weeks I just spent in Turkey was immersive in the country’s rich history and culture as well as its modern day life. Berat provided an excellent itinerary that exposed me to some of the best Turkey has to offer. She booked us into boutique hotels, many of which had a rich history of its own, and the service and locations of each one was exceptional . At several, we were the only American guests, which was refreshing. As for our guides, my friend and I were lucky enough to... Read more

The two weeks I just spent in Turkey was immersive in the country’s rich history and culture as well as its modern day life. Berat provided an excellent itinerary that exposed me to some of the best Turkey has to offer. She booked us into boutique hotels, many of which had a rich history of its own, and the service and locations of each one was exceptional . At several, we were the only American guests, which was refreshing. As for our guides, my friend and I were lucky enough to have 3 diverse yet terrific guides. In Istanbul and Cappadocia we were beyond lucky to have Volkan Akoluk as our guide. He shared his passion for and knowledge of his country’s history and culture in a way that was more like telling us a story than merely reciting facts. He never rushed us through any site and was very astute to when we needed a break or a cup of coffee or tea or ice cream. It was more like walking with a good friend and not a tour guide. Alp was more stoic and reserved but always had his hand out to help maneuver a climb up or big step down when climbing to see the ancient fires and walking among the ruins of Myra.. He did at times tell us more history than one can absorb in a day or two. Ozan, on the other hand, was so excited about each day and each site we visited that it was hard not to be excited as well. He was like a kid seeing the sites for the first time, be it Ephesus or the blue pools in travertine of Heliapolis, and his enthusiasm was contagious making the heat, crowds and humidity bearable. He too shows such passion for his host country. Seeing Turkey through the eyes of 3 different guides with 3 distinct personalties and approaches, and the people we met through them, made this trip overall one of my best travel experiences.

Hotel Review
Gül Konaklari Sinasos (Rose Mansions Sinasos)
Nevsehir

This was a lovely hotel located in a small village, a bit remote from the hubbub of Cappedocia. It had lovely grounds and the rooms were clean, spacious. However, my one complaint is that having arrived in the dark there was no light on in the room nor was I escorted into my room nor advised there was a platform once you step into the room. Thus, I fell into the room while trying to find a light switch. Having just had hip replacement surgery several months prior, this could have ended badly. Luckily, only my ego got bruised.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Explore the Basilica Cistern
Explore the Basilica Cistern
İstanbul

Incredibly fascinating the engineering involved to create this water system. Beautiful art installed as well which creates a juxtaposition between history and modern times.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Berat Ornek
Berat
Berat Ornek
Local specialist in Turkey | Replied on Jun 10, 2025

Dear Susan,

Thanks so much for this great review!
It was a joy to host you and we are glad to hear you had a nice time in Turkey.
We appreciate your detailed comments on our great guides, we try our very best to offer a diverse group of excellent guides for a rich perspective in Turkey!
Kind regards,
Berat

An Unforgettable Family Adventure in Morocco ...
Morocco | May 24 - Jun 2, 2025

gerson
gerson p.
Dallas, TX | Reviewed on Jun 10, 2025
An Unforgettable Family Adventure in Morocco with Original Travels We spent 12 unforgettable days exploring Morocco as a family of four (two adults and two kids), and we couldn’t have asked for a better experience, thanks to Original Travels. From start to finish, our driver Samir Gemmaoui was with us throughout the journey—and he truly made the trip special. To be honest, we initially hesitated about hiring a travel company. We had considered renting a car and driving ourselves, but... Read more

An Unforgettable Family Adventure in Morocco with Original Travels

We spent 12 unforgettable days exploring Morocco as a family of four (two adults and two kids), and we couldn’t have asked for a better experience, thanks to Original Travels. From start to finish, our driver Samir Gemmaoui was with us throughout the journey—and he truly made the trip special.

To be honest, we initially hesitated about hiring a travel company. We had considered renting a car and driving ourselves, but looking back, we’re so glad we decided to go with Original Travels. Having Samir with us was absolutely invaluable. His knowledge of the country, the roads, and the local language made everything easier, smoother, and far more enriching. We were able to relax and enjoy the experience without worrying about logistics.

Samir guided us through several amazing cities, including a magical trip to the Sahara Desert. Riding camels through the dunes was a highlight, especially for the kids. One of the most memorable moments was being invited to dine with a local family—hands down the best meal of the trip, and such a warm, authentic experience.

Our favorite city overall was Fez. We loved exploring the markets and getting immersed in the local culture. Yes, there was a fair amount of driving involved because we wanted to see so much of the country, but Samir made it feel easy. He was flexible, attentive, and always made sure we were comfortable, adjusting the schedule as needed.

We highly recommend Original Travels to anyone planning a trip to Morocco. Their service and hospitality turned our vacation into a truly amazing experience that we’ll never forget.

Local specialist: Abdellah El Asely
Abdellah
Abdellah El Asely
Local specialist in Marrakech | Replied on Jun 10, 2025
Hi Gerson, Thank you so much for your heartfelt review! We’re absolutely glad to hear that your 12-day family adventure through Morocco was such a memorable and enriching experience. It means a lot to know that Samir played such a key role in making your journey smooth, comfortable, and full of authentic moments, especially the camel ride in the Sahara and the dinner with the local family! Fez is one of our favorite cities too, rich in culture, history, and flavor, and we’re happy it left a... Read more

Hi Gerson,

Thank you so much for your heartfelt review! We’re absolutely glad to hear that your 12-day family adventure through Morocco was such a memorable and enriching experience. It means a lot to know that Samir played such a key role in making your journey smooth, comfortable, and full of authentic moments, especially the camel ride in the Sahara and the dinner with the local family!

Fez is one of our favorite cities too, rich in culture, history, and flavor, and we’re happy it left a strong impression on you and the kids. Thank you again for recommending Original Travels. We hope to welcome you back someday for more adventures!

Best Wishes,
Abdel

Bruno was most accommodating
Croatia | May 27 - Jun 3, 2025

C
Camille V.
Seattle, WA | Reviewed on Jun 10, 2025
Stress free travel to a magical country! Bruno was most accommodating and Although we were not as responsive as he would have liked in planning, he was always gracious . The guides were top notch; with private tours in all 4 cities. All connections were A+. Our Hotels were mixed. The Dubovnik and Split stays were 4 star as expected with delicious breakfasts. Our hotel in Hvar was a spluge 5 starPalace Elizabeth, pure heavenn! The planned hotel in Kortula was closed at the last... Read more

Stress free travel to a magical country! Bruno was most accommodating and Although we were not as responsive as he would have liked in planning, he was always gracious . The guides were top notch; with private tours in all 4 cities. All connections were A+. Our Hotels were mixed. The Dubovnik and Split stays were 4 star as expected with delicious breakfasts. Our hotel in Hvar was a spluge 5 starPalace Elizabeth, pure heavenn! The planned hotel in Kortula was closed at the last minute and the replacement offered had sad odd dark rooms with no amenities and slim breakfast . The town is a gem, so we were glad we made it. Will recommend Bruno and KimKim to our friends.

Local specialist: Bruno Martinović
Bruno
Bruno Martinović
Local specialist in Zagreb | Replied on Jun 10, 2025

Hi Camilie

I'm glad to hear that you had a great time in Croatia.

Thank you very much for your feedback! I am happy to hear that I was able to fulfill your wishes and that you had a great time in Croatia .
Hope you took some lifelong memories from Croatia, and it was a pleasure to work with you on the trip.

Hope to stay in touch!

Many regards.

Bruno

We had a great honeymoon in Costa Rica. Holde...
Costa Rica | May 26 - Jun 1, 2025

C
Caleb B.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Jun 10, 2025
We had a great honeymoon in Costa Rica. Holden did a great job accommodating our requests and planning a trip that allowed us to see multiple locations during the week. Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin was a beautiful resort with plenty of activities, amazing food, and very friendly staff. Our snorkeling excursion with Yellowfin tours was great. We had a small boat to ourselves and got to see amazing marine life at multiple locations. Our guide was very knowledgeable and helpful and made it a great... Read more

We had a great honeymoon in Costa Rica. Holden did a great job accommodating our requests and planning a trip that allowed us to see multiple locations during the week. Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin was a beautiful resort with plenty of activities, amazing food, and very friendly staff. Our snorkeling excursion with Yellowfin tours was great. We had a small boat to ourselves and got to see amazing marine life at multiple locations. Our guide was very knowledgeable and helpful and made it a great experience. Overall an amazing trip that was very well planned out. Serendipity Adventures was a pleasure to work with and were happy to work with us and accommodate any questions/concerns we had.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Hacienda Guachipelín
Liberia

It was a very nice resort up in the mountains of Costa Rica. The food at the restaurants there was amazing. All of the staff were very friendly and helpful. There are plenty of activities to do at the resort. We would definitely come back again.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Bahia del Sol Hotel
Guanacaste

The hotel was very nice. Rooms were clean, new and modern. The food was good, but there is only one restaurant for lunch, and only two for dinner (one is a tapas bar with mostly just snacks and drinks). It is a nice smaller hotel. It was not busy when we were there, but if it was busy, the pool and lounge area could definitely begin to feel crowded quickly. It had amazing views of the sunset over the pacific.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Amazing sunset views
Staff
Rolando was a great waiter, very friendly, remembered allergies we had over the course of the week.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Guanacaste Snorkel Adventure
Guanacaste Snorkel Adventure
Costa Rica
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Introduction to Rincón de la Vieja
Introduction to Rincón de la Vieja
Rincón de la Vieja
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
One Day Nature Pass and Hot Springs at Hacienda Guachipelín
One Day Nature Pass and Hot Springs at Hacienda Guachipelín
Costa Rica
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Zip & Swing Through the Canyon
Zip & Swing Through the Canyon
Costa Rica
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Holden Ketchum
Holden
Holden Ketchum
Local specialist in Cartago, Costa Rica | Replied on Jun 10, 2025

Thank you for the review Caleb, I'm glad to hear that you had a memorable honeymoon with amazing Costa Rican adventures. I hope you will talk about us for years to come.

Thank you
Holden Ketchum
Serendipity Adventures

Amazing trip to Scotland!
Scotland | May 26 - Jun 6, 2025

Ann
Ann B.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Jun 09, 2025
I told my guides what we were most interested in doing and seeing, so having them send an initial plan that I could customize was great. Our accommodations were fantastic and met all of our needs above and beyond. My husband has been a reluctant traveler and he is already discussing going back. I believe the well planned details helped to make it not stressful. Additionally, having a one on one video call with Jane prior to our departure allowed for questions and additional information. Read more

I told my guides what we were most interested in doing and seeing, so having them send an initial plan that I could customize was great. Our accommodations were fantastic and met all of our needs above and beyond. My husband has been a reluctant traveler and he is already discussing going back. I believe the well planned details helped to make it not stressful. Additionally, having a one on one video call with Jane prior to our departure allowed for questions and additional information.

Hotel Reviews
Courtyard By Marriott Edinburgh
EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND

Great location to the tram and within walking distance to key points of interest. Quiet retreat at night. Very good breakfast. Staff was pleasant and helpful. Room was clean and offered everything we needed for our stay.

Cairngorm Hotel
Aviemore

We enjoyed the rustic character of this hotel. Located perfectly to the train station and walkable to restaurants/shopping. Breakfast was very good, staff was courteous. Buffet had a nice variety for starting our day.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Palace Hotel & Spa - Best Western Inverness
Inverness

This hotel came along in our itinerary right when we needed the extra pampering Our room was spacious and comfortable. The welcome gifts were unexpected and extra special. The tea cakes at check in were a delicious treat and introduced us to this Scottish treat.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Walkable to key points. Easy to navigate to Ness Island
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Bracken Hide
Portree

This was our favorite accommodation of the entire trip. The cabins were so cozy and the remote area added to the unique experience The sauna and plunge pool were a great way to end a long day of hikes.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Beautiful grounds and views. The restaurant on site and full bar lounge offered amazing food and drinks. Some of the best of our trip.
Staff
Our bartender was so helpful in choosing a local whisky to try. The gentleman who seated us for dinner and breakfast was wonderful. He offered tips of things to see during our visit.
LOCH LOMOND HOTEL
Balloch

Wonderful family room with plenty of room for us. The staff that checked us in were so welcoming and helpful. The breakfast each morning was delicious and our service was great.

Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club
Kirknewton

Such a fun experience to stay in a castle like accommodation. We enjoyed the golf, spa, onsite bars and restaurants. It was located so close to the airport yet you felt remote in a beautiful country setting.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Edinburgh Castle Tickets
Edinburgh Castle Tickets
Edinburgh
Hill Trips Cairngorm Reindeer Herd
Hill Trips Cairngorm Reindeer Herd
Scotland

Very fun and unique experience. Beautiful area and lovely views. Walk to and from the reindeer was more uphill than I expected but the guides were great in not making you feel rushed.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Jane Davey
Jane
Jane Davey
Local specialist in United Kingdom | Replied on Jun 11, 2025

HI Ann

I am loving the photos here! Thank you for working with us to provide a wonderful and memorable travel experience. We are delighted that you had a great time and have shared your reviews of the lodgings and experiences with us.

It has been a pleasure working with you and we would love for you to travel with us again.

Wishing you happiness and a lifetime of memories.

All the best, Jane, Marine-Héloise & The Team

Magical Time in Costa Rica
Costa Rica | May 24 - May 31, 2025

Michelle
Michelle R.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Jun 09, 2025
This was my first time to use a travel agency as I usually enjoy putting together a trip and think that I can get the best deal. This was a trip for me, my husband and our 19-year-old daughter. I was so impressed with the details of the questions of what we were looking for with our vacation and even more impressed with how quickly Holden responded and put together a fabulous itinerary. It was such a blessing to have all the reservations and details put together and all questions I asked... Read more

This was my first time to use a travel agency as I usually enjoy putting together a trip and think that I can get the best deal. This was a trip for me, my husband and our 19-year-old daughter. I was so impressed with the details of the questions of what we were looking for with our vacation and even more impressed with how quickly Holden responded and put together a fabulous itinerary. It was such a blessing to have all the reservations and details put together and all questions I asked Holden were quickly answered. I think that I am now sold on using a travel agency and Kimkim is my number 1 choice!

Activity Reviews
Private Organic Cooking Class
Private Organic Cooking Class
Arenal/La Fortuna

I would say this event on our Costa Rica trip stood out as one of the best adventures. We loved meeting with Huber and his family. The extent of knowledge Huber had of the vegetation, the wildlife and the growing patterns of the produce was impressive. We loved going through and tasting the different leaves and bark and guessing what each one was. It was also really fun to actually pick the produce that we would be using later for the cooking portion of the class. The cooking process was truly authentic being in Huber's family kitchen. It was such an amazing experience! The three of us (me, my husband and our 19yo daughter) prepped the food and I helped Huber's mom (Haidy?) with cooking the arroz con pollo and while husband and daughter put together the salad with fresh pickings from the yard. We also learned how to make fresh tortillas (I've already bought the ingredients back here at home!) and made those straight on the cooktop. I got to learn to make my favorite Central American side of fried Plantains and am so excited with that knowledge. The family was more than generous with sharing their knowledge, time and space with us. These kind of authentic experiences are what I enjoy best about visiting other cultures. Highly recommended!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Kayak & Snorkel Tour in Tamarindo Bay
Kayak & Snorkel Tour in Tamarindo Bay
Tamarindo

I've been snorkeling before, but this was such a great experience. Jeffery was our guide and Nico, el jefe, picked us up and helped along the way. We felt accomplished taking the kayaks to the island. Then Jeffery spent the time walking us along the island teaching us about the wildlife. I find Costa Ricans just love their planet and everything that provides for them! We snorkeled in shallow water and while the sea life wasn't as bright or colorful as some places, I've been, it was still magnificent to see. When we got back we enjoyed a treat of fresh pineapple and mamon verde. I loved being introduced to a new food while on a snorkeling adventure! Jefferey and Nico were fabulous guides and we hope to run into them again on our next visit to Costa Rica!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Arenal Hanging Bridges Walk
Private Arenal Hanging Bridges Walk
Arenal/La Fortuna

We very much enjoyed our private excursion with Mariano! We live in Arizona and love to hike and were enthralled with the chance to hike in a very different atmosphere with very different plants and critters. My head was on swivel as I was searching high in the trees for monkeys and sloths and low on the ground for frogs and snakes. Our group consisted of me, my husband and our 19yo daughter. The trails were great to follow and the end of May was a great time because there weren't too many others on the path. Now I'm scared of walking on things where I can see the ground, but the hanging bridges were fine as long as I didn't look down! What a great experience! Now our guide, Mariano, was so very knowledgeable and just as excited as us with each find. If there is a way to ask for a guide on this adventure, Mariano is your guy!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Holden Ketchum
Holden
Holden Ketchum
Local specialist in Cartago, Costa Rica | Replied on Jun 10, 2025

Thank you Michelle for taking the time to write a thoughtful review. I'm so glad that you enjoyed the activities that we chose for you. This is one of the best cooking classes and it sounds like you made great memories with authentic Costa Rican experiences. I'm sure the family was happy to spend time with you in the kitchen!

Thank you
Holden Ketchum
Serendipity Adventures

Hakim - a great planner @ KimKim; Mohamed a fabulous driver and commentator.
Morocco | May 21 - May 31, 2025

Y
Yvonne C.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Jun 09, 2025
Hakim Alibouche at KimKim made the planning seamless and easy, even with last minute changes and requests. I highly recommend using KimKim instead of trying to patch up things separately through other travel sites. There is a real advantage in having someone liaise with local travel companies, riads and tour guides. Saves time and is much less stressful!! We were lucky with Mohamed as our driver. Always upbeat, cheerful and on time and ready with good local advice of things to do and... Read more

Hakim Alibouche at KimKim made the planning seamless and easy, even with last minute changes and requests. I highly recommend using KimKim instead of trying to patch up things separately through other travel sites. There is a real advantage in having someone liaise with local travel companies, riads and tour guides. Saves time and is much less stressful!! We were lucky with Mohamed as our driver. Always upbeat, cheerful and on time and ready with good local advice of things to do and see. A real pleasure to spend all that car time with Mohamed and find out more about his homeland. We had some great conversations and laughs. Mohamed made this a really special trip. Cant thank him enough for taking care of us. Our guides in Casablanca, Meknes, Fes and Marrakesh were all well informed, committed and passionate about their cities, their history and distinctive culture and craftspersons. A great learning tour and introduction to Morocco. Would love to go back and explore other areas - so much to see and experience.

Hotel Reviews
Riad Braya
Fes Medina

A lovely quiet riad not too far from the car dropoff point. Had the best viennoiseries for breakfast - really fresh and fluffy! Comfortable room and great bathroom. Enjoyed the rooftop and the lounging chair and table outside our room. Beautiful courtyard, airy and light. A great experience.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Not too far from car drop off point and also a short straight walk to a public square.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Imperial Glory Lodges
merzouga

True glamping in the desert. Did not expect a real shower, bathtub and toilet. All with running hot and cold water. Very comfortable. Impressed with the food - catering out in the desert cant be easy and to provide such a variety of dishes for breakfast and dinner is a real feat. Food was delicious and fresh. Nice area after dinner to listen to music and look up at the desert sky. Would recommend at least two nights there. During the second day, we were booked for quad biking in the dunes and we were given the courtesy of a day room at the Nasser Palace (same ownership?), which had a lovely refreshing pool to dip and sit in till the afternoon expedition. This was a real treat. To just relax by a pool and have lunch to avoid the heat.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Riad Ksar Ighnda
Ait Benhaddou

Did not expect such a lovely riad in the middle of nowhere! It was a welcome break from the long car drive to Marrakesh from Merzouga. Great hotel. Fabulous and extensive dinner buffet - to cater for all tastes. Huge variety of entrees and desserts. Staff very courteous. Rooms roomy and well appointed. Very quiet and peaceful.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel & Spa Dar Sara
Marrakech

Conveniently located, not far from the car drop off point. We had a lovely top floor room with a private outdoor balcony/rooftop space. Very comfortable and clean and cool. Thank goodness for AC!!! (it hit 40 degrees plus while were were there!) Staff were friendly and helpful. Easy to find and go to and from. Nice to sit on the ground floor in the courtyard and just chill out. Quiet and relaxing.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Guided Tour in Fes
Guided Tour in Fes
Fes

Enjoyed our tour immensely with local guide. The medina is such a labaryinth - you really need a local to take you through. Such a special medina. All those different sections, spices, butchers, herbalists, tanneries! Not to mention the madrassas, mosques and other historic places.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Fes to Merzouga Sunset Camel Ride and Overnight in the Desert via Ifrane, Azrou, Midelt & Erfoud
Fes to Merzouga Sunset Camel Ride and Overnight in the Desert via Ifrane, Azrou, Midelt & Erfoud
Morocco

Highly recommend at least two nights in the desert. So special. Nothing like it. Had beautiful weather day of arrival and a leisurely camel walk into the sunset. The second day we experienced a sand storm - so really appreciate the landscape and the way it can change so suddenly.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guided 4x4 Desert Adventures in Erg Chebbi
Guided 4x4 Desert Adventures in Erg Chebbi
Morocco

With this tour you really appreciate the landscape and the difficulty of travelling over it. It's a bit awkward or strange to visit a Berber village - yes, a little touristy, but you do get an appreciation of the hardships of living in this harsh environment, and understand why some have chosen to live in a village instead of continuing life as a nomad.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
1-Hour Quad Excursion in the Sahara Desert
1-Hour Quad Excursion in the Sahara Desert
Merzouga

Son and hubby loved the experience of zooming up and down the dunes on the quad bikes. They are heavy and quite stable. I'm a total wuss. So relieved when the tour guide took over for me. Got to appreciate the vastness of the desert. Goes on till through to the horizon. Quite amazing.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Morning Guided Tour in Casablanca
Morning Guided Tour in Casablanca
Morocco

This was our first introduction to Morocco. A lot to learn and absorb - especially when one doesnt have any background in Moroccan history. The Hassan II Mosque is a must see. The scale and the workmanship is outstanding. Intricate and stunningly beautiful. And one of the very few mosques in the world where non-Moslems may visit. There is a museum in the medina on the history of Casablanca - worth stopping and spending more time here.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Hammam & Massage Treatment
Hammam & Massage Treatment
Casablanca

Great massage. Feel super clean and refreshed afterwards.

Guided Tour of Volubilis
Guided Tour of Volubilis
Morocco

Fascinating roman ruins. Our guide was a little rushed. But you can wander and go at your own pace. It is a big site. Who knew that the largest Roman ruins in North Africa are here! Some well preserved mosaic floors. You're in the sun, with no shade. So wear a hat!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Food Tour & Local Gastronomy
Food Tour & Local Gastronomy
Morocco

Really enjoyed our local guide Hanyn. This was a "must do" tour - got to eat some real local foods and was able to recreate our steps and go back the next day to some of our favorite stalls. Loved the fresh mesmen pancakes, yoghurt drink and traditional harira soup. Lots to eat and taste. Be adventurous - snails, stews and stuffed pitas. Go with an appetite. Guide was very attentive to allergies. Lots of fun and an opportunity to try some real local food. Not just for tourists!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guided tour of Meknes
Guided tour of Meknes
Meknes

Lovely former royal city. Enjoyed our walk around and exploration of the medina. Our tour was on a Friday - so many shops closed - keep in mind that on Fridays one may have to adjust one's schedule to take into account noon prayers, etc. Our guide was really interesting and knowledgeable. Nice smaller city to roam around. Not so crowded!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guided Tour in Marrakech
Guided Tour in Marrakech
Marrakesh

A great introduction to Marrakesh and its medina. Hanyn was very informative and gave us a lot of history and cultural perspective. There's lots to see - only a question of how much stamina one has to see it all! All the palaces and madrassas were so beautiful - easy to get overwhelmed by the tilework and painted ceilings. Quite spectacular.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Cooking Workshop & Local Food
Cooking Workshop & Local Food
Morocco

First class facility and equipment. Teachers and commentary were excellent. All instructions were very clear and concise. Well thought out and presented class. Easy to follow - even for non-cooks. And of course the test is in the eating! Ha ha, you get to eat what you cook - lots of food. Beautifully arranged and a smooth operation. I cant wait to try cooking with a tagine at home!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Traditional Hammam & Massage
Traditional Hammam & Massage
Morocco

A truly luxurious experience in a lovely hammam and spa. A real exfoliation scrub - you feel so much cleaner afterwards. A great way to end our trip in Morocco. This is a 5 star treatment. The staff are wonderful and you really feel pampered and taken care of. Even my hubby and son enjoyed it!!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Hakim ALIBOUCHE
Hakim
Hakim ALIBOUCHE
Local specialist in Agadir | Replied on Jun 11, 2025
Dear Yvonne, Thank you so much for your kind words! It was truly a pleasure working with you and helping plan your trip. Taking care of those last-minute changes was no trouble at all, just part of the job! I'm glad you had a seamless experience with us at KimKim. Mohamed and our local guides are indeed gems, and I'm thrilled they made your journey through Morocco so enjoyable and enriching. I'm also happy that you liked all the accommodations we carefully selected for you. The same as... Read more

Dear Yvonne,

Thank you so much for your kind words!

It was truly a pleasure working with you and helping plan your trip. Taking care of those last-minute changes was no trouble at all, just part of the job!

I'm glad you had a seamless experience with us at KimKim. Mohamed and our local guides are indeed gems, and I'm thrilled they made your journey through Morocco so enjoyable and enriching.

I'm also happy that you liked all the accommodations we carefully selected for you. The same as for the activities!

We look forward to helping you explore more of Morocco whenever you're ready to come back!

Best,
Hakim

Argentina - Bottom to Top
Argentina | May 27 - Jun 5, 2025

Chris
Chris L.
Denver, CO | Reviewed on Jun 09, 2025
Agustina help us to plan our visit to Argentina. She answered every question and was able to accommodate all the changes we asked for. The first stop in El Calafate was full of adventure seeing multiple glaciers and ice bergs. Every detail was handled for us from local flights ( Buenos Aires to El Calafate) to our hotel (Hosteria Blanca Patagonia). Even the transfers from the airport always had someone waiting with a clear sign containing our name so we were never worried that we were... Read more

Agustina help us to plan our visit to Argentina. She answered every question and was able to accommodate all the changes we asked for.

The first stop in El Calafate was full of adventure seeing multiple glaciers and ice bergs. Every detail was handled for us from local flights ( Buenos Aires to El Calafate) to our hotel (Hosteria Blanca Patagonia). Even the transfers from the airport always had someone waiting with a clear sign containing our name so we were never worried that we were forgotten.

We then went north to Iguazu Falls. We enjoyed the same personal service. Aguas Grandes were always on time, they always knew our plan for the day (and even the next day) and always made us feel special. La Reserva Virgin Lodge was amazing! Tucked into the jungle it was quiet, serene and the staff were all friendly.

Ending our journey in Buenos Aires at the Casa Su Palermo. A modern, sophisticated and well located hotel.

I can't compliment enough all of our tour operators, guides, drivers, and hotel staff. Everything went off without a hitch.

Thank you KimKim team for a once in a lifetime trip!

Activity Reviews
Trekking on Perito Moreno glacier
Trekking on Perito Moreno glacier
El Calafate

What a fun "ice hike"! Walking around the glacier and eventually on the glacier was fantastic. The guides were all very knowledgable and eager to share. The glass of whisky with glacial ice at the end was a nice touch!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Half day tour to the Iguazú Falls (Brazilian side)
Half day tour to the Iguazú Falls (Brazilian side)
Argentina

It's impossible to describe the beauty of the falls. Pictures can not capture even part of the experience. Every angle you see something new and different. Truly amazing!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Bike and kayak in Andresito
Bike and kayak in Andresito
Puerto Iguazú

Unfortunately we had a lot of rain the day before the bike tour and the roads were too muddy to navigate. Our guide still took us on a nice ride near the hotel and pointed out lots of fun facts about the trees and the jungle. The Kayak trip up the river was "ok". Don't get me wrong, standing in Argentina, being able to see Paraguay and Brazil and then kayak for a couple of hours on a beautiful day is hard to beat. But, at the end of the day, it wasn't terrible adventurous or exciting.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full day to the Argentinian side of the falls
Full day to the Argentinian side of the falls
Argentina

Words can not describe the sheer beauty! Every trail leads to a more unique and breathtaking view.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Gran Aventura Navigation tour
Gran Aventura Navigation tour
Puerto Iguazú

The boat ride up the river and into the Devil's Throat is a must do. After seeing the falls from above and from the sides, riding right up to the base is amazing. So much fun!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Juan Ignacio Pissareff
Juan Ignacio
Juan Ignacio Pissareff
Local specialist in Buenos Aires | Replied on Jun 10, 2025

Hola Chris & Aidan,

Thank you so much for your kind words, It's been a pleasure for us and all the Mater Sustentable team working with you and get the best experience visiting our home country.
We really enjoyed organizing your trip, and we look forward to welcoming you back for more unforgettable experiences in the future!

All the best,

Juan Ignacio.

Amazing experience!
Italy | May 28 - Jun 8, 2025

R
Ruth E.
Springfield Gardens, NY | Reviewed on Jun 09, 2025
This is my second time using KimKim. My first trip was to Thailand. Both experiences were great. Andrea was a pleasure to work with. He fast with response and any changes needed to the itinerary.
All of our guides and drivers were great and on time. We had no issues with traveling to the different cities and different hotels. Overall I was happy with our travel agent Andrea and utilizing KimKim.
Read more

This is my second time using KimKim. My first trip was to Thailand. Both experiences were great. Andrea was a pleasure to work with. He fast with response and any changes needed to the itinerary.
All of our guides and drivers were great and on time. We had no issues with traveling to the different cities and different hotels. Overall I was happy with our travel agent Andrea and utilizing KimKim.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel The Square Milano Duomo
Milan

The hotel was really nice, clean, close to everything, room was spacious, aesthetically pleasing and has an amazing rooftop.

Authenticity & Character
Aesthetically pleasing and with an amazing rooftop.
Location
It was close to shopping and duomo
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very comfortable and clean
Hotel Mozart Rome
Roma

Cute hotel close to everything, Clean and nice rooftop. The food in the restaurant was good. Family suite should however have an option of a two full size beds instead of a queens with a pull out sofa.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Croce di Malta Firenze
Florence

We had a family room with a loft. We had twin beds downstairs with a full bathroom. Loft upstairs with a queens size bed had bathroom with a small shower. It was four adults we should have had the option of a queen size bed on the bottom floor.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Great location close to everything
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel La Bussola
Amalfi

Cute hotel, aesthetically pleasing,clean and has a beautiful rooftop. The beds however were hard

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Andrea Gambino
Andrea
Andrea Gambino
Local specialist in Turin, Italy | Replied on Jun 11, 2025

Thank you very much for your nice words. It was a pleasure working with you and we are always happy to assist you for future trips.

We are still basking in the afterglow of an a...
Italy | May 14 - May 28, 2025

Kris
Kris B.
Minneapolis, MN | Reviewed on Jun 09, 2025
We are still basking in the afterglow of an amazing 2 week trip to Italy that found us in Venice, Florence, Sorrento and Rome as home bases. With 4 travelers and lots of moving parts, I was concerned that something was bound to go wrong, especially as it related to transport and finding our guides. Happily (and honestly unexpectedly), the trip was 100% seamless thanks to our travel specialist, Melanie. From the moment we interacted, I knew I was in good hands because she became a partner... Read more

We are still basking in the afterglow of an amazing 2 week trip to Italy that found us in Venice, Florence, Sorrento and Rome as home bases. With 4 travelers and lots of moving parts, I was concerned that something was bound to go wrong, especially as it related to transport and finding our guides. Happily (and honestly unexpectedly), the trip was 100% seamless thanks to our travel specialist, Melanie. From the moment we interacted, I knew I was in good hands because she became a partner who genuinely cared about what we wanted to do, offered excellent suggestions, and remained sensitive to cost considerations. We chatted frequently online and at one point, at a time when I was concerned about the travel logistics, Melanie actually called on a weekend to reassure me and to talk me through what to expect. I felt like I was dealing with a friend which put me at ease during the planning process. She was always prompt in her responses and always made me feel like she was my guardian angel for this trip.

Highlights of our trip included stays at the Hotel Kraft in Florence, a lovely boutique hotel with a grand view of the city and landscape, and the Grand Hotel Presidente Sorrento that offered spectacular views of the town, Mount Vesuvius and the Tyrrhenian Sea. We were surprised and delighted by every single one of our private tours that were led by friendly, highly knowledgeable guides. These guides all treated us to "front of the line" access and provided an "insider" perspective that made the tours particularly enjoyable. Favorites included:

The "Best of Venice with Cicchetti Experience" -- Giovanni, our guide, led us on a walking tour to see such sights as the Rialto Bridge and local markets as well as the less-seen neighborhoods of Venice. Our tour included a leisurely stop for cicchetti and drinks in a local square and lunch at one of his favorite off-the-beaten-path restaurants where we were free to order what we wanted;

The Deep Wine Chianti & San Gimignano tour in Tuscany -- wow, just wow! San Gimignano is a gem of a place... we wished we'd had more time to spend in the village with Hilaria, our amazing guide. The wine tastings were exceptional, particularly at the Terre di Sovernaja, a family owned winery led by Frederico. In addition to tasting various wines and olive oils, we enjoyed lunch made by Nonna in the family home;

Cooking class at La Lemonaia -- like the aforementioned, this was an experience that was more than we anticipated. Our experience started with an informativel tour of the lemon grove located just a short walk from Sorrento's city center. At the end of our tour, we had a sit-down tasting of limoncello, lemon marmalade, lemon sorbet and other accompaniments. After being gifted with a bottle of limoncello and marmalades to take home, we had our own private cooking class with Chef Rosaria in the lemon grove's outdoor covered kitchen. What a great evening, eating the pasta and tiramisu we prepared in our own private outdoor space, surrounded by lemon trees!

This was a trip to celebrate our daughter's college graduation and we could not have planned it any better. A special thank you to KimKim and especially to Melanie for a trip we will never forget!

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Ruzzini Palace
Venice

We loved the location of Hotel Ruzzini Palace; staff were exceptional and very friendly. The hotel has a cozy bar offering great cocktails -- the perfect place to enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail and unwind at the end of each day. Great breakfast with plenty of selections.

Authenticity & Character
Beautiful sitting area. Charming hotel.
Location
A less busy square that is close to restaurants and shopping. Short walk to everything.
Staff
Attentive, welcoming, helpful, aim-to -please.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Grand Hotel President Sorrento
Sorrento

We loved this hotel because the views were unmatched! From our seaside room, we could see Napoli, Mount Vesuvius, the Sorrentine Peninsula and the Bay of Sorrento. That itself was an experience we will never forget. The rooms were spacious as were the bathrooms (ample vanity top). Loved that the beds were situated in the center of the room to take advantage of the unbelievable view. Plenty of storage space and plenty of space to move around within the room. (Note that we would not want a room that was NOT seaside as those overlook the parking lot and have no view.) Although the hotel feels a bit dated stylistically, it is clean and again, the views -- day and night -- more than make up for it. The Bar and Restaurant areas are large with floor to ceiling windows as well as outdoor seating. The pool and garden areas are beautiful. We enjoyed soaking in the Sorrento sun while enjoying the view. The only downside to the hotel is that it is not easily accessible to town. The hotel does run an hourly shuttle service that often does not have enough seating for those who wish to use it during peak hours...in those cases, the shuttle runs a loop to ensure that all guests are accommodated. We always took a cab back from town rather than waiting for the shuttle. We would definitely return to this hotel!

Authenticity & Character
Charming, unpretentious, beautiful views
Location
Really depends on what you are looking for. Spectacular for the view and tranquility. Not convenient to town, but nothing a shuttle or taxi can't solve.
Staff
Great service, from concierge to housekeeping, to bartenders and wait staff.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Kraft Hotel Florence
Florence

Very spacious rooms; ours had a terrace. Kind, friendly staff. The Kraft hotel has breathtaking 360 degree view of Florence and its surrounding areas from the top floor terrace that feels like a garden. Such a great place to enjoy a meal and/or drinks. The espresso martinis were exceptional! Located near the US Embassy, we appreciated that this was a quieter neighborhood...an approximate 15 minute (easy) walk to the Duomo area.

Authenticity & Character
The view felt like we were looking at a postcard of Florence!
Location
Quiet neighborhood but you did need to walk to get to main activities. Not a big deal for us.
Staff
Friendly and attentive
Cleanliness & Comfort
Relais Le Clarisse Rome
Rome

This was an interesting hotel that felt more like an Airbnb. This was our least favorite hotel, but I suspect this was based on our own personal taste and preferences. We had 2 rooms -- ours had the large terrace which was nice, but the room felt cramped with minimal storage space (hard with 2 suitcases and carryons) and a bathroom with no counter space at all. The breakfast area was undergoing construction so all breakfasts were delivered to the rooms. Ours was delivered 20 minutes late -- ordinarily not a big deal except that we were being picked up for a tour. The main desk closes at 8pm which means that the front doors are locked as well. Also, there were no stairs to the 2nd floor; only a small elevator that accommodates no more than one person/one suitcase or 2 people. There was a staircase next to our room but it was locked. From a potential fire perspective, this made me nervous.

Authenticity & Character
Not our style but it you are looking for a private garden setting that feels less like a hotel and more like you are renting a room, it's perfect.
Location
Great location from standpoint that it is near lots of restaurants, but it is a bit off the beaten track with respect to major sights.
Staff
Very kind front desk staff.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Felt dingy, but for some, that is probably some of the charm.
Activity Reviews
Walking tour to discover the best of Venice with "Cicchetti " experience
Walking tour to discover the best of Venice with "Cicchetti " experience
Venice

Love this! Giovanni was a great guide who led us on a walking tour of the popular sights and quiet neighborhoods. We especially liked walking through the market. He was so knowledgeable and friendly. Pace of the tour was not rushed; it was low key and very personalized. We enjoyed cichetti sandwiches and my husband's first Aperol spritz in a quieter neighborhood square...enjoyed the accordion player which was a bonus! Giovanni then took us to an authentic Venetian restaurant...both he and the owner offered up lots of meal suggestions before we were free to order as we liked. Ended our tour with tasty gelato!

Quality of Experience
We were able to see different sides to Venice, from the popular to the less touristy areas. Enjoyed great food.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Giovanni was top notch!
Transport
The Accademia Gallery tour - skip the line
The Accademia Gallery tour - skip the line
Florence

Mario Messineo was our tour guide. He met us at the hotel and from there, we proceeded to the Accademia. There seemed to be some confusion about our tickets as he did not have them with him when he picked us up; we had to stop to get them. No big deal. We were able to skip-the-line. The tour was good though it was at times difficult to hear Mario given his soft spokenness and the noise of others. Headphones might have been helpful.

Quality of Experience
Headphones so that we could hear our guide better.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
This tour didn't seem quite as organized, but still ok.
Deep wine Chianti and San Gimignano
Deep wine Chianti and San Gimignano
Florence

This was one of the highlights of our trip. We started with a tour of San Gimignano. Hilaria was our guide and she was so informative about the village. She worked to tailor our time around what we wanted, so we began with a stop for coffee, toured the village and came across one of her friends, a musician who played a hammered dolcima...magical! Wish we'd had more time here. We then ventured to Terra Di Sovernaja, a family owned winery led by so Federico Montagnani. We tasted 3 whites and 3 reds as well as 7 different olive oils from the winery. As proof that we enjoyed this tour, we ordered several cases of wine and olive oil to enjoy at home. This experience was made complete with a traditional Italian meal created by his mom, Nonna Silvama! Our final stop was to Il Colombaio where we enjoyed wine tastings with a focus on chianti Classico...again ordering several cases to enjoy at home. This was a stress-free trip with a private driver safely transporting us throughout the day.

Quality of Experience
Everything was 5 star!
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Ravello, Amalfi & Positano
Ravello, Amalfi & Positano
Sorrento

Personally, we felt a visit to each of these towns was too much for one day. At our request, we spent about an hour at a ceramics factory to purchase items to ship, so that admittedly cut into our time, but even so, we didn't have enough time to really experience and appreciate each of these towns. The time spent in each of these 3 villages was no sufficient for anything more than shopping and/or eating. If we were doing this again, we would opt for 2 days.

Quality of Experience
Just not enough time
Cooking class in Sorrento
Cooking class in Sorrento
Sorrento

Such a fun experience! We started with a tour of the lemon grove -- didn't previously realize how much there was to know about growing lemons! Enjoyed a leisurely "lemon tasting" that included limoncello, lemon sorbet, lemon marmalade and assorted appetizers. This lemon tasting was an unexpected surprise. From there, we enjoyed a private cooking class with Rosaria. There was a lovely outdoor kitchen with our own private dining area. We made ravioli and gnocchi, eggplant parmesan and tiramisu for dessert. While the menu was "standard" and nothing out of the ordinary, per se, the overall experience exceeded our expectations. A special thanks to Chef Rosaria and to Francesca, our lemon grove guide. We left with small gifts, including a bottle of limoncello, assorted marmalades, and cooking aprons.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
So fun to cook with Rosaria...she was delightful! Francesca also was a terrific lemon grove guide.
Transport
We had one way transportation to the Lemon Grove. Would have been impossible to walk back as originally suggested. We ended up taking a cab.
Colosseo and Roman forums adventure
Colosseo and Roman forums adventure
Rome

We enjoyed the golf cart tour, although it broke down 5 times in the middle of busy traffic! Not our driver's fault, but it was a little scary. Great way to see all the sights, stopping just a few times for pictures.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Cart broke down several times.
Vatican & Sistine Chapel Tour
Vatican & Sistine Chapel Tour
Rome

We toured the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, and Basilica with Barbara, our private guide whose knowledge of all things Vatican and enthusiasm for same was astounding! Although ours was a private tour, Barbara used headphones with us so that we could clearly hear her among the crowds.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Barbara shows a passion for the specialness of Vatican City, its artifacts, and its deep history.
Transport
Local specialist: Melanie Rapuano
Melanie
Melanie Rapuano
Local specialist in Italy | Replied on Jun 11, 2025
Hi Kris, where do I start thanking you for such a lovely review! And oh my the photos, like something out of a magazine, you all looked stunning and love the photos! From day 1 I just knew I wanted to plan your trip to Italy. You had been before so together we found ways to experience Italy again without missing anything out for your daughter whilst still enjoying Italy yourself! It really did feel I was planning for a friend. You certainly did see and do a lot in such a short time and by... Read more

Hi Kris,

where do I start thanking you for such a lovely review! And oh my the photos, like something out of a magazine, you all looked stunning and love the photos!

From day 1 I just knew I wanted to plan your trip to Italy. You had been before so together we found ways to experience Italy again without missing anything out for your daughter whilst still enjoying Italy yourself! It really did feel I was planning for a friend.

You certainly did see and do a lot in such a short time and by the smiles it looks as though it was definitely a trip to remember.

All our guides and drivers spoke very highly about you all and it was a pleasure for us and for them to have you as guests.
I'm so pleased it all went above your expectations.

I look forward to booking your next trip to Italy Kris and enjoy the wine when it gets to you!

Take care and stay in touch!

Melanie

A Wonderful Trip.......with some surprises along the way!!
Switzerland | May 26 - Jun 4, 2025

W
Winnie H.
Canada | Reviewed on Jun 09, 2025
We just finished a wonderful 10-day trip in Switzerland……spending time in the Interlaken area, taking the Golden Pass to Montreux, then moving on to Luzern and Zurich. The weather had been erratic but cooperative most of the time, so no complaints!
In general, all three in the group really would like to commend and thank Clo and her team for planning and executing pretty well with the rundown of the entire itinerary.
However, with some of the planned activities and hotel/transfer services,...
Read more

We just finished a wonderful 10-day trip in Switzerland……spending time in the Interlaken area, taking the Golden Pass to Montreux, then moving on to Luzern and Zurich. The weather had been erratic but cooperative most of the time, so no complaints!
In general, all three in the group really would like to commend and thank Clo and her team for planning and executing pretty well with the rundown of the entire itinerary.
However, with some of the planned activities and hotel/transfer services, there certainly are surprises......Some pleasant, but a few less so!

Hotels
• The Ameron Hotel in Luzern is great..... Comfortable, clean and efficient. Staff is very professional, knowledgeable and helpful.
• The NiMo in Luzern comes as a pleasant surprise. Although you informed us that the hotel has no air-coned rooms, it turned out that our rooms do have aircons, and there are also fans. Rooms are clean and spacious. The breakfast/reception area is also quite charming and well run. A very good find, thanks Clo!
• Hotel Lotschberg in Interlaken is ok in general in terms of room size/setup and reception staff support. But the housekeeping we encountered was terrible. Bathroom sinks and counters, and water glasses were not well cleaned, and so were toilet bowls. Body wash was not refilled, despite that we had requested it consecutively for two days. It certainly was not a very pleasant stay as I would have thought standard hygiene and amenities provision should be pretty basic with any 3-star hotel.

Activities
• The panoramic train ride is magnificent......And thank you so much for securing the Prestige seats. They are great!!
• On the day of the Bern tour, because I never was given a detailed rundown of the day's itinerary, we were surprised to learn that the whole group had been enrolled in a 2-hour cookie making class while visiting the Kambly place. Obviously the two men wouldn't want to join. I did go along for about half an hour and then quit. Honestly, should I have known ahead that this was included as part of the visit, I would have requested that the class be removed because it certainly wouldn't fit the profile of our group, and both the costs and time that had been put in for the class were wasted. There was NO tasting session at the Kambly place, and there was NO tasting session at the Emmental dairy. We did pass through stunning landscapes on the way, but we weren’t given any explanation by the guide about them (assuming that is the UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch which was mentioned in the itinerary you provided!). We passed through a lot of farmhouses, but I don’t think we stopped at any of them to take a look or for pictures. All in all, the day passed along quite flat partly because the guide Henry didn’t provide much explanations (except when in Bern), and we were just driven from one place to another while missing the “meaning” of the sceneries in between.
• The Farm Walk and Cheese Tasting tour in Luzern was totally not what we had expected. Again, because I wasn't informed of the "details", we were all expecting some easy walk in a farm near Luzern, and then cheese tasting in the farm itself. It turned out that the guide Dave (who substituted Eve) brought us onto some kind of high grounds/farm/forest areas at Sonnenberg for walks and then picnicking with wines and cheeses brought in his backpack. Honestly, we were all skeptical about this approach of the tour when we heard Dave’s explanation at the start of the tour, because I did mention to you at the planning stage that “prolonged” walking in the mountains/forest is definitely not Philip’s preferred activity. However, despite that Philip was struggling a bit with the walking part, we all ended up enjoying it VERY much. The fields are so green, the calves are cute, and grazing cows with cowbells are quite a delight!! A very refreshing experience for us city people!! But still, I think I would appreciate if you can give me some kind of a headsup at the planning stage about the "off the beaten path" nature of this tour so that we can be more mentally and physically prepared.

Car Transfers
• All the car transfers from our arrival in Zurich airport up till our check in into the hotel in Luzern were handled by Marquis who was professional and attentive.
• Actually, when he did our various transfers in Montreux, he literally acted more like a guide to us - alking around town with us to different points of interests with great explanations. He was knowledgeable and professional, certainly very attentive to our preferences and needs (particularly because of Philip’s walking “limitations”). The walking tour that day was a pleasant surprise, and we had great commendations for Marquis.
• Marquis could not handle our transfer from Luzern to Zurich in person, so he had texted me ahead of time that he had assigned the transfer to Musa who was ok, but I was surprised that he did not help us with our luggage when we arrived at the NiMo Hotel in Zurich. He parked his car across the road from the hotel (I guess because of traffic rules), left the luggage of the street. So the three of us had to move five pieces of luggage across the road and into the hotel ourselvesl. My question: is this the usual practice?
• It was a total letdown with our transfer from the NiMo Hotel to Zurich Airport on the last day. I didn't get any news from Marquis about who the driver would be. Then at around 8:30am that morning I got a WhatsApp message from a guy called Mustafa saying that he was assigned the job and would arrive 10:30am as planned. Then at around 10:10am, a taxi guy arrived at the hotel reception claiming to pick up guests for airport, his look definitely not the same as Mustafa in the WhatsApp message. I was confused, and communicating with the taxi guy was near impossible because his English was minimal. Finally, this taxi guy made a few calls and with the translation help of the NiMo reception, I was made to understand that he was there in place of Mustafa. So we took his car to the airport and told him that we needed to find the terminal for Air Canda. We were left with our luggage at an airport entrance where there was NO Air Canada signage. I was anxious and so I tried to show him our flight itinerary to make sure he understood that we were looking for AC departure. He literally snatched the paper itinerary from my hand to look, papercut one of my fingers, kept waving us towards the airport entrance......Then just went up his car and drove away!!! That was downright rude and irresponsible! We literally felt just being dumped in front of the airport. Of course, we could definitely find our way in the airport to the right terminal and the right counter. But honestly, I would expect a more polite and helpful attitude/behavior from an average taxi driver......let alone the fact that we had actually paid for a private car transfer service. So, that was a pretty low note to end such a special trip!!

Anyway, I know this is a pretty long and detailed review, but please do understand that the comments I made are not meant as complaints. I just think that the KimKim team would like to know how your service providers are doing in playing out their different roles.
Overall, we all had a wonderful trip, and the fun we had is not going to get dampened because of the unpleasantness in just a few instances. But we certainly would remember those pleasant surprises that we picked up along the way.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Lötschberg
Interlaken

Location is great. Staff support ok. Housekeeping below standard.

Authenticity & Character
Old building but relatively well kept.
Location
Convenient distance to various places.
Staff
Staffing at reception should be extended beyond 7pm.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Basic cleanliness and amenities provision need to be improved.
Ameron Luzern Hotel Flora
Luzern

Concierge staff is very knowledgeable and helpful.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Walkable distance to main station.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
BOUTIQUE HOTEL NI-MO
Zurich

Rooms are airconed and spacious.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Walkable to Old Town area.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Bern - Swiss Capital & Countryside!
Bern - Swiss Capital & Countryside!
Switzerland

The actual experience fell short of what was detailed in the itinerary. - There was a scenic drive of Swiss countryside, but we were not told or explained by the driver guide that we were actually going through this so-called UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch - There was a visit to the Kambly place, but we were surprised to find out that the group of 3 was enrolled in a 2-hour cooking class. We were NEVER told ahead of time.......that certainly wouldn't fit the profile of the group. And there was NO sampling session at Kambly. - There was NO sampling session at Emmentaler either. - We passes through a lot of farmhouses but there was no stop at any of them. We did stop for pictures at the top of some kind of farmland (with a Switzerland Grand Tour signage).

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The driver guide Henry was polite, but he acted more like a driver than a guide (except in the guided walk in Bern).
Transport
Lucerne Walking tour and Cheese Tasting
Lucerne Walking tour and Cheese Tasting
Lucerne

We didn't expect a farm walk, even less so, a walk on the high grounds/farm/forest at Sonnenberg. We also didn't expect doing cheese tasting on a bench with cheese and wine brought along in the backpack by the guide Dave. But it turned out we enjoyed the tour VERY much. The green fields, the grazing cows, the cheese and wine, and also Dave's stories were all a great delight!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Beatus Caves, Panoramic Bridge, Nature Park Blue Lake and Lake Thun Cruise!
Beatus Caves, Panoramic Bridge, Nature Park Blue Lake and Lake Thun Cruise!
Switzerland

Places we visited are special and memorable........particularly the Beatus Caves and the boat ride on Lake Thun. Interesting though that the guide Mike usually just left us at the entrance or at a certain drop point, and we were just given maps to walk around on our own. Is that the standard practice of being a driver/guide?

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Maybe the guide should be more "involved" in pointing out and explaining points of interests instead of leasing us just with maps to explore on our own.
Transport
Zurich Old Town, Cruise and Lindt Home of Chocolate
Zurich Old Town, Cruise and Lindt Home of Chocolate
Switzerland
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Clothilde DIEMUNSCH
Clothilde
Clothilde DIEMUNSCH
Local specialist in lacenas, France | Replied on Jun 12, 2025
Hello Winnie;
Thank you for sharing your feedback about your recent trip to Switzerland. It was a pleasure to assist you on the organization!
I’m again truly sorry to hear that the experience didn’t fully meet your expectations.
Your comments are very important to me, and I appreciate you taking the time to point out areas where we can improve. I’m always striving to create memorable and seamless travel experiences, so your insights will help us do better.
Your satisfaction matters deeply,...
Read more

Hello Winnie;
Thank you for sharing your feedback about your recent trip to Switzerland. It was a pleasure to assist you on the organization!
I’m again truly sorry to hear that the experience didn’t fully meet your expectations.
Your comments are very important to me, and I appreciate you taking the time to point out areas where we can improve. I’m always striving to create memorable and seamless travel experiences, so your insights will help us do better.
Your satisfaction matters deeply, and I have at heart that travelers have an amazing time: which is why we proceeded to a financial compensation for the Zurich episod and while we are well aware it will not repare the wrong that was caused, we hope it will convince you to give us another chance for another trip to Switzerland or France for an incredible time!
We also made sure that all our partners are aware of what they can improve and we will pay careful attention to all of that.
Thank you so much for putting your trust in us,
Warmest regards,
Clo

Wonderful and worry-free Basque region experience!
Spain | May 24 - Jun 1, 2025

Phil
Phil R.
Pelham, AL | Reviewed on Jun 09, 2025
Our family had a wonderful and worry-free experience in the Basque region of Spain thanks to Alfonso’s detailed planning. During the trip Alfonso and his assistant Uhaina provided continuous communication, reminders and immediate responses to any questions. The hotel selections were extraordinary in comfort and location.
Our walking tour guide in San Sebastian, Juan, excelled in explaining the cultural and culinary history of the city. We especially enjoyed the variety in the pintxos...
Read more

Our family had a wonderful and worry-free experience in the Basque region of Spain thanks to Alfonso’s detailed planning. During the trip Alfonso and his assistant Uhaina provided continuous communication, reminders and immediate responses to any questions. The hotel selections were extraordinary in comfort and location.
Our walking tour guide in San Sebastian, Juan, excelled in explaining the cultural and culinary history of the city. We especially enjoyed the variety in the pintxos walking tour that highlighted traditional and modern tastings. In Bilbao our Guggenheim Museum guide, Susana, pointed out the uniqueness of the art, sculptures and the building itself in an entertaining and fun fashion. Our cooking class experience at Gastronomica Bilbao was not only instructive, but also delicious and we’ve already recreated the Basque cheesecake recipe! In Madrid, we were most impressed by the depth of knowledge shared by our guide, Jose, at the Prado Museum and Royal Palace.
This is our fifth vacation experience with KimKim and we value them as our planning partner.

Local specialist: Alfonso Nuñez
Alfonso
Alfonso Nuñez
Local specialist in San Sebastian - Spain | Replied on Jun 09, 2025

Dear family.
This is a beautiful review for other travelers looking for a similar trip with us.
It was a great pleasure working with all of you.
See you again!

Brynn’s Italy - Cinque Terre, Amalfi, Florence & Rome
Italy | May 25 - Jun 7, 2025

M
Marnie G.
Atlanta, GA | Reviewed on Jun 09, 2025
Melanie from Kimkim made planning our niece’s 16th birthday trip a breeze. From start to finish Melanie was quick to respond and flexible with our many change requests. Once on the ground in Italy, Giovanna kept in touch daily to make sure we knew the plan for transfers and excursions. When we ran into a surprise, which only happened once or twice, Giovanna and the team resolved the issue quickly. We had great private guides (Stefano in Cinque Terre, Rafaela in Pompeii, and Paolo at the... Read more

Melanie from Kimkim made planning our niece’s 16th birthday trip a breeze. From start to finish Melanie was quick to respond and flexible with our many change requests. Once on the ground in Italy, Giovanna kept in touch daily to make sure we knew the plan for transfers and excursions. When we ran into a surprise, which only happened once or twice, Giovanna and the team resolved the issue quickly. We had great private guides (Stefano in Cinque Terre, Rafaela in Pompeii, and Paolo at the Colosseum in Rome were stand outs). The group tours were a bit of a let down after the private guide experience. Our transfer drivers were all early and efficient. Overall our KimKim experience was as fabulous and we will use them again!

Hotel Reviews
Relais Le Clarisse Rome
Rome

Great location, comfortable rooms, and very friendly staff. The breakfast was hearty and a great way to start our busy days.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Great restaurants and sights nearby.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Nazionale
Levanto

Easy walk from the train station and near the beach. The restaurant across the street was one of the best we tried in Italy. Loved that the hotel offered free beach towels and bike usage.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Alfieri9 Boutique Hotel
Florence

A little out of the way but walkable to all the sights. Hotel check in is across the street at another property which was a little confusing but we figured it out.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Montestella
Salerno

Location is good for exploring Salerno but the property is aging. Our room had water damage on the walls and a shower that leaked. Breakfast was good. Lots of street noise at times from our room. Staff was efficient but aloof compared to staff at other properties.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Pesto making class
Pesto making class
Cinque Terre

This experience was a little weak. We enjoyed that it was a private experience but it was quick. We were just told the ingredients, instructed how to make it and then ate it. Enjoyed the local wine.

Quality of Experience
Food
Average pesto in a paper bowl.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Loved Stefano
Colosseo and Roman forums adventure
Colosseo and Roman forums adventure
Rome

Incredible sights made all the more spectacular by our wonderful private guide Paolo. He made the place come to life and delivered his tour with passion and care. Wonderful experience!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Vatican & Sistine Chapel Tour
Vatican & Sistine Chapel Tour
Rome

The group tour of the Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel was very impersonal. The guide did not connect and the entire experience seemed rote and without feeling. The guide company was not real clear about what we were doing and were slow to get things started. Overall this was a painful experience.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Private driver was great. Group guide was subpar
Transport
The Accademia Gallery tour - skip the line
The Accademia Gallery tour - skip the line
Florence

Loved the private guide who got us in quickly. He was a little had to understand but it was helpful to have his insights

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Lemon tour and cooking class
Lemon tour and cooking class
Italy

This was one of our favorite experiences in Italy. Incredible staff, amazing views, delicious food. This was amazing.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
On time and personable.
Explore Pompeii Walking Tour
Explore Pompeii Walking Tour
Italy

Rafaela was incredibly knowledgeable and fun to be with. Pompeii is incredible and she made it even better. There was a mixup on the times of our tour so she was rushed and we didn’t get a full 2 hours but we made the most of it.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Melanie Rapuano
Melanie
Melanie Rapuano
Local specialist in Italy | Replied on Jun 15, 2025
Hi Marnie,
thank you so much for your review and for letting us know how your trip went. Sounds like you all had a lovely holiday and Brynn had a lovely birthday trip to remember.
Although I was in the backgroud the convierge always kept me up to date with your trip and I'm pleased Giovanna helped resolve a couple of issues you had during your stay.
Due to the holiday here in Italy we had to change the lemon tour and cooking class venue and it definitely sounds like we picked the perfect... Read more

Hi Marnie,
thank you so much for your review and for letting us know how your trip went. Sounds like you all had a lovely holiday and Brynn had a lovely birthday trip to remember.
Although I was in the backgroud the convierge always kept me up to date with your trip and I'm pleased Giovanna helped resolve a couple of issues you had during your stay.

Due to the holiday here in Italy we had to change the lemon tour and cooking class venue and it definitely sounds like we picked the perfect place for the perfect experience! So pleased you enjoyed it!

Sorry to hear about the hotel in Salerno, we will look into this, had we known at the time we would have done our best to change rooms for you.

I'm also sorry you didn't enjoy the Vatican tour, as you can imagine the Vatican has been taken over even more since the Pope's passing and with it being the Jubilee year too, not an excuse for the guide of course but I'm guessing it was also very busy; we will take this up with our supplier to make sure we do not use him again. Thank you.

I look forward to helping you plan your next trip to Italy and thanks again for trusting me and the team with your holiday.

Alla prossima!
Melanie

Amsterdam is an amazing place to visit
The Netherlands | May 28 - Jun 8, 2025

H
Harvey Z.
Pittsfield, MA | Reviewed on Jun 09, 2025
The guides were terrific. Itinerary was well planned. The only disappointment was the hotel in Amsterdam. Hotel 717 was beautiful with excellent staff and lovely breakfast. However, it was a 4th floor walk up with no lift and we were on the 4th floor with very steep stairs. They were unable to change our room. We managed. Read more

The guides were terrific. Itinerary was well planned. The only disappointment was the hotel in Amsterdam. Hotel 717 was beautiful with excellent staff and lovely breakfast. However, it was a 4th floor walk up with no lift and we were on the 4th floor with very steep stairs. They were unable to change our room. We managed.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel 717
Amsterdam

Beautiful historic hotel but no lift!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Walked to everything
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel de Tuilerieën
Bruges

Unable to stand in the shower because of slippery marble floor. Wore flip-flops to shower! Great breakfast. Staff was often not helpful. Refused to give us a second luggage rack.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Walked to everything
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Public Transport Pass Amsterdam
Public Transport Pass Amsterdam
The Netherlands

Didn’t use it. Walked to everything

Amsterdam - Private guided walking tour on Jewish History
Amsterdam - Private guided walking tour on Jewish History
Amsterdam

Guide was very knowledgeable and pleasant.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Amsterdam - Jewish Museum & Portuguese Synagogue
Amsterdam - Jewish Museum & Portuguese Synagogue
Amsterdam
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Amsterdam - Private canal cruise to Rijksmuseum
Amsterdam - Private canal cruise to Rijksmuseum
The Netherlands
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Amsterdam - Anne Frank House
Amsterdam - Anne Frank House
The Netherlands

Special

Quality of Experience
Amsterdam - Rijksmuseum
Amsterdam - Rijksmuseum
The Netherlands
Quality of Experience
Amsterdam - Van Gogh Museum
Amsterdam - Van Gogh Museum
The Netherlands

Not to be missed!

Quality of Experience
Amsterdam - Daytrip to Marken, Volendam, Edam and Zaanse Schans
Amsterdam - Daytrip to Marken, Volendam, Edam and Zaanse Schans
Amsterdam
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Bruges - Private guided walking tour
Bruges - Private guided walking tour
The Netherlands

Very, very informative and made us really appreciate Bruges. Roland’s was exceptional.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Nadine Hikisch
Nadine
Nadine Hikisch
Local specialist in Huissen | Replied on Jun 10, 2025

Hi Harvey and Jan,
Thank you for taking the time to review your trip and for your valuable feedback. I am glad to hear that you had a wonderful time in the Netherlands and Belgium, and appreciated my part in planning it.
Wishing you all the best,
Nadine

Our fabulous 5 weeks in Spain & Portugal
Portugal | May 1 - Jun 3, 2025

Maggie
Maggie B.
Australia | Reviewed on Jun 09, 2025
We were not long into planning our 5 week independent trip in Spain and Portugal when we became overwhelmed with all of the options for sights to see, tours to take, accommodation to book and modes of travel. We quickly realised that we needed some local expert assistance, and we contacted KimKim travel through their on-line portal. It was the best decision we could possibly have made!! We provided KimKim with information about ourselves and our interests and the experiences we might... Read more

We were not long into planning our 5 week independent trip in Spain and Portugal when we became overwhelmed with all of the options for sights to see, tours to take, accommodation to book and modes of travel. We quickly realised that we needed some local expert assistance, and we contacted KimKim travel through their on-line portal. It was the best decision we could possibly have made!!

We provided KimKim with information about ourselves and our interests and the experiences we might like, with a rough outline of the places we wanted to go to. KimKim assigned us to Raquel Aceituno who is a Travel Specialist with Espiritu Travel in Spain. Right from the start, Raquel ‘got us’! She interpreted our needs perfectly and she came back with an itinerary that required very little tweaking to get it to just what we wanted! She added suggestions that only a person with local knowledge would know about. She recommended accommodations that were in terrific locations. For example, the Hotel Casa Morisca in Granada has remarkable views of The Alhambra and the surrounding hills and is with doubt one of the best we have stayed in. Raquel organised enriching walking tours for us and we particularly enjoyed the walking/foodie tours!! The walking tours satisfied our need for local and historical information and the foodie ones that also included tapas or pinxtos tastings left our tummy’s full and sated. All of the tour guides were extremely knowledgeable with great senses of humour and we enjoyed being in their company. The private transfer with Jesus from Granada to Seville was Raquel’s suggestion and we loved visiting Ronda en route. The driver, Jesus, gave us a lot of tips for driving in Spain along the way! Another outstanding guide was Paulo Pires who picked us up from our hotel in Lisbon and we visited Belem then Pena Palace in Sintra. We enjoyed a delicious lunch of Bacalhau à Brás at his family restaurant. Paulo was great company, and shared a lot of information with us and we followed some of his tips for the rest of our time in Portugal.

Communicating on-line was easier than we thought it would be, and taking into account the time difference between Australia and Spain, we found that Raquel replied to all of our queries in a very timely manner. Raquel quite clearly has a very good understanding of people and loves her job and it showed in the itinerary she prepared for us and the way she communicated with us. We also loved having the Trip Plan app whilst travelling and we felt confident that any urgent issues would be dealt with almost immediately.

Without a doubt, connecting with Raquel significantly enhanced our travel experience, providing us with memorable and enjoyable activities throughout our journey.

Thank you so much Raquel for your attention to detail, hard work and wisdom!

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Cortezo
Madrid

The hotel is in a good central location yet is very quiet at night. The buffet breakfast was ample and varied. The desk staff were very pleasant and helpful.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Altis Prime Hotel de Apartamentos
Lisbon
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Abba Comillas Golf Apartments
Comillas
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Sercotel Coliseo
Bilbao
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Casa Morisca
Granada

This was our favourite hotel of our 5 week trip. We loved the view from our room of the Alhambra and the large bathroom. The lady who made me "dos huevos fritos" for breakfast each day is a really lovely person!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Casa Bonay
Barcelona
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Inglaterra
Seville
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Mondego
Coimbra
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Feel Porto Stylish Flats
Porto
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Pousada de Viana do Castelo
Viana do Castelo
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
NH Collection León Plaza Mayor
León
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Aparthotel Los Girasoles
Zaragoza
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Train Seville to Córdoba,  Guided Visit of Córdoba, Train Córdoba to Seville
Train Seville to Córdoba, Guided Visit of Córdoba, Train Córdoba to Seville
Seville

We really enjoyed this full day excursion and it was easy to navigate the train travel from Seville to Cordoba. Our tour guide, shared her enthusiasm for Cordoba and her extensive knowledge of Moorish occupation in Spain. Visiting the Mezquita was one of our trip highlights.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Lisbon Fado Dinner Experience
Lisbon Fado Dinner Experience
Portugal

This was great night with delicious food and wine! We could not eat all of the food! The waiters were pleasant. The walk up the hill was challenging but the effort was worth it.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Tapas Culinary Experience
Tapas Culinary Experience
Madrid

We thoroughly enjoyed this tapas tour! The guide introduced us to some tapa that we might not otherwise have chosen and the company of other people was fun! The food was plentiful as was the drinks. It was a great night.

Quality of Experience
Food
All of it!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guided Visit of  Alhambra & Generalife Gardens
Guided Visit of Alhambra & Generalife Gardens
Portugal

Our tour guide was terrific and her passion for The Alhambra shows. The gardens and the building are beautiful and we loved out visit.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Boat Excursion Inside Benagil Caves
Boat Excursion Inside Benagil Caves
Portugal

It was lovely to be out on the ocean on the catamaran. Even though the weather was cold & windy we had a great time and we got quite close to the coastline at times. The staff were very pleasant and the simple but fresh lunch was tasty and satisfying.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Private Day Excursion: Sintra, Cascais & Estoril
Private Day Excursion: Sintra, Cascais & Estoril
Portugal

This was our best tour of our trip. Paulo is one fabulous tour guide and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves in his company. (I mean who doesn't connect with a man who loves spreadsheets!) His knowledge about Portugal is immense and he answered all of our questions. We had a great lunch at his family restaurant where we were greeted like family and had the best meal of our trip - the famous Bacalhau à Brás. It was a thoroughly and enjoyable day!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Highlights of Old Madrid Walk
Highlights of Old Madrid Walk
Madrid

It was pouring with rain when we did this walking tour with Megan but she was completely unphased by that and we walked on regardless. It was a great introduction to Spain & Madrid and we really enjoyed it.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Tapas & Flamenco
Tapas & Flamenco
Granada

Our guide combined a walk of hilly Granada with local history, tapa tasting and flamenco. We liked going into the local bars and trying tapa but I could not eat some of it due to my dietary requirements. We got to the Flamenco quite late and were placed at the back of the room and we did not have a very good view of the dancers' feet. We did not realise that we were to eat after the Flamenco at 10.00 pm. We were too tired by then so said farewell to the guide and went to bed.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Private Transfer {{start_location}} to {{end_location}} via Ronda &  the White Villages
Private Transfer {{start_location}} to {{end_location}} via Ronda & the White Villages
Portugal

Jesus is a real gentleman and a lovely man! He is warm and kind and funny and we had a great day with him. He gave us some very useful driving tips .

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Guided Visit of Seville
Private Guided Visit of Seville
Seville

We loved our guided tour of Seville and seeing the Alcazar was a real treat.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guided Tuk-Tuk Tour
Guided Tuk-Tuk Tour
Portugal

We are so glad we took this tuk tuk tour rather than try to walk it ourselves. We saw so much more that we would have if we had walked and the hills are exhausting. Our guide was knowledgeable and very friendly.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Lisbon Roots, Food & Cultural Walk
Lisbon Roots, Food & Cultural Walk
Portugal

This was a really enjoyable tour. We not only enjoyed some great food and good wine, but we also explored the labyrinth of streets in the Alfama District; something we would not have had the courage to do on our own for fear of getting lost!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guided Visit of Historic Coimbra
Guided Visit of Historic Coimbra
Coimbra

We loved this guided tour and the walk up the hill was made easy with the information stops. It was great that our tour guide is local and is actually a student at the University so we learnt a lot about the customs of the University and about Coimbra itself.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guided Visit of Porto by Tuk Tuk
Guided Visit of Porto by Tuk Tuk
Porto

After some initial mix up with the location of the driver, the tour of Porto was really good and we even stopped for a shot of coffee on the route!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Guided Visit of Barcelona & Sagrada Familia
Guided Visit of Barcelona & Sagrada Familia
Barcelona

Our final guided tour of our 5 week journey in Spain & Portugal did not disappoint. Our driver was enthusiastic and engaged and the narration of our sights was entertaining. The itinerary was well planned and visiting the amazing Sagrada Familia was a tour highlight!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
The Best of Pintxos Gastronomy Experience
The Best of Pintxos Gastronomy Experience
Bilbao

This was another fabulous experience and the tour guide was young and vibrant and full of enthusiasm for the pintxos of Bilbao. We went to some interesting places tucked away in local Plazas that we would otherwise have missed. The food was plentiful and delicious and the wines were fabulous and also plentiful. I really appreciated the effort that was made to cater for my food allergies.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Raquel Aceituno
Raquel
Raquel Aceituno
Local specialist in Madrid | Replied on Jun 09, 2025

Hola Maggie! Thank you for taking the time to provide detailed feedback on your road trip arpound Spain and Portugal! I am glad to hear that you had a wonderful time discoveringboth countries. I will pass your kind words to our beloved team, drivers and guides as they will be more than happy to know that they have contributed to your experience. All the best, Raquel

First time in Scotland
Scotland | May 27 - May 30, 2025

J
Jamey B.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Jun 09, 2025
We would definitely recommend kimkim to anyone looking for a customized experience. We were able to provide input and feedback during the planning/booking process so that we were able to check a lot of our boxes in Scotland in less time than if we were on our own, or piecing together separate tours. Special thanks to our guides and drivers along the way...Natalie, John, and Marcin. Read more

We would definitely recommend kimkim to anyone looking for a customized experience. We were able to provide input and feedback during the planning/booking process so that we were able to check a lot of our boxes in Scotland in less time than if we were on our own, or piecing together separate tours. Special thanks to our guides and drivers along the way...Natalie, John, and Marcin.

Hotel Reviews
Royston Guest House Inverness
Inverness
Authenticity & Character
Location
Not as close to Inverness city center as we would have liked
Staff
Ross was a wonderful host and makes a mean breakfast
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Ranald
OBAN
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Loch Ness and Caledonian Canal Cruise
Loch Ness and Caledonian Canal Cruise
Inverness
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Isle of Skye Tour including the  Eilean Donan Castle, Portree and other attractions
Isle of Skye Tour including the Eilean Donan Castle, Portree and other attractions
Inverness

Great tour with a lot of ground and sites covered. It's a long day with a lot of riding but the sights and scenery make it all worthwhile.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Natalie was great!
Transport
Passenger van was comfortable
Local specialist: Kateryna Garkavenko

Norway's natural splendor
Norway | May 3 - May 10, 2025

L
Lance G.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Jun 08, 2025
From the very first glimpse, Norway's natural splendor and majestic landscapes, we were captivated. We were particularly awestruck by the thunderous waterfalls, plummeting hundreds of feet from snow-capped mountains into the icy fjords—a humbling display of nature's power. The grandeur of these sights will forever be etched in our memories.
The transportation arrangements were seamless, allowing us to fully immerse ourselves in the ever-changing scenery. The train journey offered...
Read more

From the very first glimpse, Norway's natural splendor and majestic landscapes, we were captivated. We were particularly awestruck by the thunderous waterfalls, plummeting hundreds of feet from snow-capped mountains into the icy fjords—a humbling display of nature's power. The grandeur of these sights will forever be etched in our memories.
The transportation arrangements were seamless, allowing us to fully immerse ourselves in the ever-changing scenery. The train journey offered unparalleled views, winding through some of the most beautiful landscapes on the planet. Equally memorable was the opportunity to bike along the Rallarvegen, a truly exhilarating way to experience the wild beauty of the region up close.
We were especially touched by the profound sense of place, feeling as though we stood in a valley carved by ancient forces, a testament to the myths and legends that permeate the Norwegian landscape. It was a journey that stimulated not only the senses but also the imagination.
While my own adventure concluded with a rather ungraceful dismount from my bike (a minor anecdote that only adds to the charm of the memory!), it did nothing to diminish the profound wonder and appreciation for this incredible trip.
We highly recommend this trip to anyone seeking an immersive encounter with some of the world's most spectacular natural beauty and rich cultural heritage.

Local specialist: Alex Mottler

Easiest Vacation Planning We Have Ever Had
Vietnam | May 12 - May 24, 2025

Amanda and Alex
Amanda and Alex S.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Jun 08, 2025
The booking experience on Kim Kim was overall easy, and made a big international trip like this for a foreigner very stress free. After going through different sample trips we were linked with Realistic Asia in Vietnam and Hien our main point of contact. After telling Hien what we were thinking she gave us a sample trip and made some recommendations which were great. We wanted to make some changes to day trips and hotels, which she was extremely responsive and attentive to which we... Read more

The booking experience on Kim Kim was overall easy, and made a big international trip like this for a foreigner very stress free. After going through different sample trips we were linked with Realistic Asia in Vietnam and Hien our main point of contact. After telling Hien what we were thinking she gave us a sample trip and made some recommendations which were great. We wanted to make some changes to day trips and hotels, which she was extremely responsive and attentive to which we appreciated. Throughout the trip Hien was never far from her phone which made the experience that much more comfortable. Everywhere we went we had a driver and english speaking guide, which made navigating every step in our itinerary very easy. The entire experience with Realistic Asia was turnkey

I want to give a shout out to some excellent guides we had throughout the trip: Huấn in Hoi Ann, Thiện in Hue, and Cuong in Hanoi.All went above and beyond during the tours and giving us tips along the way and we highly recommend using them.

Hotel Reviews
Moire Hoi An, Vignette Collection

This hotel is directly across from old town, and a very easy walk away from all major attractions. The pool is overlooking the river and a great spot to spend during the hottest parts off the day. The room was nice and great staff.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Silk Path Grand Hue

Everything about this hotel is great but it is a dated look and feel. I think the rooms need to be renovated at some point to keep up with other five star accommodations.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Grand Pioneers Cruise (Formerly Essence Grand Cruise)

This ship has great food service, and rooms. It is a practically brand new luxury yacht which is beautiful and comfortable. When the ship goes to its overnight docking location its not very far from land, and its in a cove with many other boats. I think we would have enjoyed more movement so we were able to see more of Ha Long Bay. The excursion we did ( kayaking) was boring and every boat in the area seemed like they were doing the same thing.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Overnight Anchoring Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi
Hanoi

Amazing Historical Hotel with great staff. We enjoyed our stay here. The vibe is definitely professional business and wealthy tourists but we still had a nice time.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
VIP Fast Track Service
VIP Fast Track Service
Vietnam

A must do for coming into Saigon, made the trip so much easier.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Hien Do
Hien
Hien Do
Local specialist in Vietnam | Replied on Jun 13, 2025

Dear Amanda & Alex,

Thanks so much for your wonderful review! We’re really glad to know that you enjoyed your holiday Vietnam.

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.

With my best regards from Realistic Asia <3
Hien

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.