Kimkim Trip Reviews

4.8
Based on 15,927 ratings
Read 15,927 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.

Great experience!
Norway | Aug 30 - Sep 7, 2022

Jordan
Jordan U.
Stony Point, NY | Reviewed on Sep 15, 2022
This was not only my first time using kimkim but my first time using a travel agency in general. It was an incredible experience! It was exactly what we wanted and could not have been better Read more

This was not only my first time using kimkim but my first time using a travel agency in general. It was an incredible experience! It was exactly what we wanted and could not have been better

Hotel Review
Kviknes Hotel
Balestrand

Such a beautiful hotel and one of the best places to eat in Norway!

Authenticity & Character
The restaurant
Location
The views!!
Staff
Everyone was friendly
Cleanliness & Comfort
It was hot
Local specialist: Julia Plaschke
Julia
Julia Plaschke
Local specialist in Kristiansand | Replied on Sep 20, 2022

HI Jordan! So fun to see all the pictures from your experiences in Norway! I am happy to hear that you had an amazing time! Now coming for the winter and Northern Lights should be one of the next adventures!
I wish you all the best
Julia

Overall, our trip to Spain was amazing!
Spain | Sep 9 - Sep 14, 2022

Jen
Jen F.
Pilot Mountain, NC | Reviewed on Sep 15, 2022
Overall, our trip to Spain was amazing! There were only a couple issues that we had. When we first got there the private transfer from the airport, Miguel, didn’t speak any English. He wasn’t able to drop us off right at our hotel in Madrid. We were just getting there, trying to get our bearings, jet lagged and carrying all our luggage. We walked around for at least 20-30 mins pulling our luggage up steeps hills to find the hotel. There were 2 Petit palace hotels and no one, even the... Read more

Overall, our trip to Spain was amazing! There were only a couple issues that we had. When we first got there the private transfer from the airport, Miguel, didn’t speak any English. He wasn’t able to drop us off right at our hotel in Madrid. We were just getting there, trying to get our bearings, jet lagged and carrying all our luggage. We walked around for at least 20-30 mins pulling our luggage up steeps hills to find the hotel. There were 2 Petit palace hotels and no one, even the cops on the street , spoke English so it was very frustrating. The same guy picked us up to take us back to the airport, and even though we were more acclimated to the area and I had him drop us the meeting location, we still spent 15 minutes looking for him. My recommendation would be if we are paying for a private transfer, have them be bilingual! I had the emergency numbers written down for Beatrice but neither of us could figure out how to make the phone call from our phone. We tried putting in 00 before the call, 1-00, etc. once we found someone that spoke English we were good.
Besides that everything else was amazing! Miguel our guide to Sagrada familia was perfect! He was even hobbling around on crutches because of a soccer injury but we walked around for 5 hours! Very knowledgeable and kept things interesting!
We also loved our cycling guide, Claudio! He was very accommodating for me and my back issues and knew exactly where to take us so me and my husband could climb as much as we wanted!
I would recommend Kimkim again!

Hotel Review
Petit Palace Museum
Barcelona

Room was great, breakfast was amazing and service was also great!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Close to everything
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Beatriz De Pablo Rocha
Beatriz
Beatriz De Pablo Rocha
Local specialist in Madrid | Replied on Sep 21, 2022

Hi Jen! Thank you so much for taking the time to write this review and for your honest feedback. In the travel documents we always set our contact numbers already with the prefix +34 so you just have to click on the number to start the call. The hotel where you were staying was in a pedestrian area that probably, due to the maintenance works in the area, has made access more difficult than usual. I greatly appreciate your feedback on this transfer and on the rest of the activities and tours and I'm so glad you enjoyed our country! Sending you my best regards, Bea.

Great job. We had a blast Julia did a super j...
Norway | Sep 1 - Sep 14, 2022

Jay
Jay S.
Melville, NY | Reviewed on Sep 15, 2022

Great job. We had a blast Julia did a super job arranging everything and was extremely accommodating

Local specialist: Julia Plaschke
Julia
Julia Plaschke
Local specialist in Kristiansand | Replied on Sep 20, 2022

Hi Jay, thanks for the review! I am glad you finally got to travel after you had to wait for so long!
All the best
Julia

5 star vacation
Croatia | Aug 25 - Sep 3, 2022

Jamie
Jamie G.
Irvine, CA | Reviewed on Sep 15, 2022
Anna-Maria planned the most amazing vacation for my family. We had 10 beautiful days in Croatia. She managed to provide a 4 island magical adventure. Planned everything from hotel stays, every transportation (even porters on and off islands) Michelin dinner reservations, to activities that were so adventurous for my family. She was beyond instrumental in planning here in California to when we were on the islands. We were able communicate with her when ever we had any needs. I can’t speak... Read more

Anna-Maria planned the most amazing vacation for my family. We had 10 beautiful days in Croatia. She managed to provide a 4 island magical adventure. Planned everything from hotel stays, every transportation (even porters on and off islands) Michelin dinner reservations, to activities that were so adventurous for my family. She was beyond instrumental in planning here in California to when we were on the islands. We were able communicate with her when ever we had any needs. I can’t speak more highly of her and her expertise on planning this awesome vacation ❤️
Bravo!!!

Hotel Reviews
Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik

Great room! Excellent service. Close to everything

Authenticity & Character
Location
Look
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Adriana Hvar Spa Hotel
Hvar

Great breakfast

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
It was small, and bed was not comfortable
Hotel Korsal
Korčula

Staff was excellent!!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Heritage Hotel Fermai
Split
Authenticity & Character
Location
Walls were paper thin
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Cetina river rafting
Cetina river rafting
Croatia
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Afternoon zipline over the Cetina canyon
Afternoon zipline over the Cetina canyon
Croatia
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sunset sailing around the Pakleni Islands
Sunset sailing around the Pakleni Islands
Hvar

Over booked.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Hvar Island Tour and Olive Oil Tasting
Hvar Island Tour and Olive Oil Tasting
Hvar

Our guide was fantastic!!! She was friendly, had lots of historical information about Hvar to provide for my family!!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Blue and Green Caves: Full-Day Private Speedboat Tour from Hvar
Blue and Green Caves: Full-Day Private Speedboat Tour from Hvar
Hvar

Great day spent with my family! 100% one of our favorite days. Lots of exploring!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Tastes of Korčula Island
Tastes of Korčula Island
Korčula

We unfortunately missed this trip.

Guides, Drivers and Staff
Korčula Buggy Safari
Korčula Buggy Safari
Korčula

Such a fun adventure! Our guide was so nice and welcoming to our family.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Walking Tour of Dubrovnik
Private Walking Tour of Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik

Our guide has great historical information to provide about dubrovnik

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Montenegro Day trip from Dubrovnik
Montenegro Day trip from Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik

Our driver was so nice. He was very experienced driver. I wish we had a bigger car for the 4 of us. That want his fault.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Elafiti Islands by Private Speedboat: Kayaking, Swimming, & Villages
Elafiti Islands by Private Speedboat: Kayaking, Swimming, & Villages
Dubrovnik

Our skipper was so fun! He really made boat day fun for my boys!!!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Anna-Maria Frid
Anna-Maria
Anna-Maria Frid
Local specialist in Zagreb | Replied on Sep 15, 2022

Dear Jamie,
thank you very much for your kind words and detailed review.

I have to admit that it has been a real pleasure working together with you in setting up this trip and, finally, I am very happy to hear that everything went according to your expectations.

I hope we will get the chance of welcoming you in Croatia once again!

Kind regards,
Anna-Maria

Our Colombia trip was amazing!
Colombia | Aug 26 - Sep 7, 2022

M
Marissa M.
Portland, OR | Reviewed on Sep 14, 2022
Our Colombia trip was amazing! Wendy and her team went above and beyond to provide unique experiences for us from mountain biking to a natural mud volcano in Cartagena to running with locals in Bogota on Sundays when they close major streets. We visited locals houses within each city to really experience Colombian culture and food. The local guides allowed us to really get to know each city we visited. With limited public transportation in Colombia, the ease of the private car was super nice... Read more

Our Colombia trip was amazing! Wendy and her team went above and beyond to provide unique experiences for us from mountain biking to a natural mud volcano in Cartagena to running with locals in Bogota on Sundays when they close major streets. We visited locals houses within each city to really experience Colombian culture and food. The local guides allowed us to really get to know each city we visited. With limited public transportation in Colombia, the ease of the private car was super nice and convenient.

Hotel Review
Hotel Boutique Sazagua
Pereira

This was a super relaxing place to stay. The staff was super nice and patient when we were trying to speak broken spanish to them. The spa was a great deal too!

Authenticity & Character
Location
You can't walk from this hotel to get food/drink
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Mountain Bike Experience in Turbaco
Mountain Bike Experience in Turbaco
Cartagena

This was such a unique experience. Mountain biking to a natural mud volcano where we got into the mud and exfoliated our skin.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Wendy Romero
Wendy
Wendy Romero
Local specialist in Santa Marta | Replied on Sep 20, 2022

Hi Marissa,
I appreciate your feedback.
Thank you for all those good comments. I am happy you had an amazing trip here in Colombia!
We hope to see you soon here!
Best,
Wendy

Morroco Summer Trip
Morocco | Aug 13 - Aug 21, 2022

B
Bowie N.
Port Chester, NY | Reviewed on Sep 14, 2022
Abdellah was great. Said was fantastic - helping us doing all the last minute dinner reservations and changing itinerary to add visit to Cave of Hercules or staying longer in Rabat. The desert and Chefchaouen definitely were the highlight of our trip! Read more

Abdellah was great. Said was fantastic - helping us doing all the last minute dinner reservations and changing itinerary to add visit to Cave of Hercules or staying longer in Rabat.

The desert and Chefchaouen definitely were the highlight of our trip!

Hotel Reviews
Desert Luxury Camp Erg Chebbi
Merzouga

It was amazing, love the camel ride, sand boarding, great service and have air conditioning!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Lina Ryad & Spa
Chefchaouen

Beautiful city, hotel and location. Great services and private session for pool! Highly recommended

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
La Maison Arabe Hotel
Marrakech
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Riad Salam Fes
Fes

Beautiful hotel but a bit dated (bathroom smell) ...... but staff and services were great

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
It's clean but probably need some pipe cleaning /renovation
Hotel Xaluca Dades
Boumalne
Authenticity & Character
Cleanliness & Comfort
Riad Kalaa
Rabat
Activity Reviews
Half-Day Guided Tour of Marrakech
Half-Day Guided Tour of Marrakech
Marrakesh

Ok experience, expect the private guide to provide a bit more info/ color on sites. Also visited too many shops that were not necessary.

Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transfer from Dades to Merzouga via Todra Gorges & Erfoud
Transfer from Dades to Merzouga via Todra Gorges & Erfoud
Morocco

Love love the desert experience!

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

The private guide was great

 Fes to Chefchaouen via Meknes & Volubilis
Fes to Chefchaouen via Meknes & Volubilis
Morocco

Beautiful blue city, wish we have time to stay longer

Quality of Experience
Local specialist: Abdellah El Asely
Abdellah
Abdellah El Asely
Local specialist in Marrakech | Replied on Sep 15, 2022

Hi Bowie,

Thank you so much for devoting some time to write such a great review.

We are so thrilled to hear that you had a unique and lifetime experience with our company and you enjoyed your trip to the fullest. At Original Travels, we always endeavor to cater to our guests' satisfaction and make their journey with us a memorable one. I will pass on your positive feedback to the staff to push them to keep providing the amazing work and high quality services.

Looking forward to seeing you again in our gorgeous country.

Best,
Abdel

From the moment I started planning this trip ...
Ecuador | Aug 12 - Aug 21, 2022

B
Brad H.
Attleboro, MA | Reviewed on Sep 14, 2022
From the moment I started planning this trip and all the way through to completion, my experience was 5 stars. I travelled with 11 family members to Ecuador (ages ranging from 19 to 86). We E-Biked the streets of Quito, attended cooking classes, travelled and explored the Galapagos on private boats and white watered rafted in the Amazon. We also made chocolate from scratch and ate jungle shrimp (big gnarly slugs). Mathias worked with me at the inception and helped us tailor a trip that... Read more

From the moment I started planning this trip and all the way through to completion, my experience was 5 stars. I travelled with 11 family members to Ecuador (ages ranging from 19 to 86). We E-Biked the streets of Quito, attended cooking classes, travelled and explored the Galapagos on private boats and white watered rafted in the Amazon. We also made chocolate from scratch and ate jungle shrimp (big gnarly slugs).

Mathias worked with me at the inception and helped us tailor a trip that was both action packed and educational. Every detailed was planned and flawlessly executed. We had great accommodations, meals (which I had included) and awesome guides.

My family has gone on trips the last few years (Iceland, Canary Islands, Croatia, etc.) and are not the easiest to please, but everyone commented that this was our best trip yet. Bravo to Matias for the coordination and to all the guides especially Milton.

Hotel Reviews
La Casona de La Ronda
Quito

Perfect spot right in the action. Too bad we didn't have more time to spend here.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Plaza Luna Suites
Puerto Ayora

Very clean and new hotel. Right in the middle of all the action. Great location.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Owner was very nice and helpful.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Kuyana Amazon Lodge
Archidona

Great place. If you want to hear the jungle, this is the place. You are in it.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Urban Bike Tour in Quito
Urban Bike Tour in Quito
Quito

Staff was great. Really helpful and fun to be with. E-bike were a blast and we loved every part of this trip.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Rafting Río Jatunyacu
Rafting Río Jatunyacu
Ecuador

A blast. I have rafted many rivers and higher class rivers, but this was by far one of the most fun. Action the whole way!

Quality of Experience
Food
Lunch...tacos excellent!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Mathias Onisseit
Mathias
Mathias Onisseit
Local specialist in Quito, Ecuador | Replied on Nov 09, 2022

Brad,

I want to thank you again for trusting us with the organization of your big family’s trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands!

I’m glad to hear that we could make this a wonderful experience for everyone despite the different capabilities and interests. It’s great to hear that this was the best trip yet, but I hope there are many more and even better trips to come!

I wish you and your family always safe and amazing travels,

Mathias & the Authentic Ecuador team

This was an amazing trip-very authentic experiences.
Portugal | Sep 2 - Sep 13, 2022

N
Nancy M.
Glenview, IL | Reviewed on Sep 14, 2022
This was an amazing trip, Exceptionally well-planned, with all the details accounted for. For the most part, the guides were extremely knowledgeable and a great source of information. The pre-trip material gave many suggestions on things to do on free days and kimkin was extremely responsive when we had questions about logistics, meeting drivers, etc. The places kimkin picked for us to stay were not in the touristy mainstream, which is just what we wanted, so our experience felt very... Read more

This was an amazing trip, Exceptionally well-planned, with all the details accounted for. For the most part, the guides were extremely knowledgeable and a great source of information. The pre-trip material gave many suggestions on things to do on free days and kimkin was extremely responsive when we had questions about logistics, meeting drivers, etc. The places kimkin picked for us to stay were not in the touristy mainstream, which is just what we wanted, so our experience felt very authentic.

The only thing I would say that was a let-down was that there was absolutely no transparency as to pricing, and my sense is that as a result, the mark-up may have been more than the quoted 5%.—I suppose that extra markup is what you pay for local knowledge and a bit of laziness on our part to plan the trip. But all in all, we were very satisfied.

Hotel Review
Loule Jardim Hotel
Loule

What a charming location. Small room, but the staff was very friendly and located on a tiny community square a ten minute walk to the center.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Very small room
Cleanliness & Comfort
Bigger room
Activity Review
Privately Guided Visit of Évora
Privately Guided Visit of Évora
Portugal

This guide was exceptional, great story teller, knowledgeable about history, local folklore and culture.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Great guide
Local specialist: Beatriz De Pablo Rocha
Beatriz
Beatriz De Pablo Rocha
Local specialist in Madrid | Replied on Sep 19, 2022

Hi Nancy! Thank you so much for your kind words and for taking the time to write this review. I'm so happy you got to enjoy and discover a different Portugal during your trip. Best regards, Bea.

An enjoyable trip of a beautiful country.
Iceland | Aug 25 - Sep 6, 2022

Gary
Gary B.
| Reviewed on Sep 14, 2022
Rinolda knows her home country well. We enjoyed the driving route that she created for us, and the hotels she selected on our behalf were nice. Restaurant recommendations she made were helpful. I would have preferred separate bookings for each couple traveling together, rather than the lead traveler having all bookings in his name. When creating a travel itinerary, I would recommend that she include the tour providers name, phone number, and time and location for meeting with the... Read more

Rinolda knows her home country well. We enjoyed the driving route that she created for us, and the hotels she selected on our behalf were nice. Restaurant recommendations she made were helpful.

I would have preferred separate bookings for each couple traveling together, rather than the lead traveler having all bookings in his name.

When creating a travel itinerary, I would recommend that she include the tour providers name, phone number, and time and location for meeting with the guide. In addition, advance notification of trip cancellations would be helpful.

Our rental car was not equipped with a GPS. A portable GPS was provided at an alternate Eurocar rental site, but the GPS was out-dated. It was challenging to navigate due to the lack of road signs, and a GPS with newer technology would have been beneficial.

The hiking guide and fishing guide were outstanding. They both knew their profession extremely well and were a pleasure to be with.

Hotel Reviews
Hótel Laxá
Myvatn
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Laugarbakki
Laugarbakki
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Isafjordur Torg
Ísafjörður
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Fosshotel Westfjords
Patreksfjörður
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hótel Fransiskus Stykkishólmi
Stykkishólmur
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
The young man at the front desk was especially kind and helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
Lambastadir Guesthouse
Selfoss
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Skuggi Hotel Reykjavík by Keahotels
Reykjavík
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Geysir Geothermal Area
Geysir Geothermal Area
Golden Circle
Quality of Experience
Mývatn Nature Baths
Mývatn Nature Baths
Lake Mývatn
Quality of Experience
Viti Crater
Viti Crater
Lake Mývatn
Quality of Experience
Kaldbakur Mountain hike
Kaldbakur Mountain hike
Iceland

Our guide was great and highly professional. He was a wealth of information about the country and culture of Iceland.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Saxholar Crater
Saxholar Crater
Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Quality of Experience
Djupalonsandur Black Sand Beach
Djupalonsandur Black Sand Beach
Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Quality of Experience
Gullfoss Waterfall
Gullfoss Waterfall
Iceland
Quality of Experience
Fly Fishing in Golden Circle
Golden Circle

Ari was great and fun to be with. We caught plenty of fish and he handled them carefully and safely released all to the water.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Rinolda J
Rinolda
Rinolda J
Local specialist in Iceland | Replied on Sep 17, 2022

Hi Gary,

Thank you for your feedback, I will definitely try to improve in the future. And I am happy to hear you had a great time!

Best regards,
Rinolda

Honeymoon Bliss in France
France | Sep 2 - Sep 8, 2022

S
Samantha A.
Berkley, MI | Reviewed on Sep 14, 2022
We had an incredible honeymoon, due largely to the expert planning and guidance of Valentine. I am an avid traveler and enjoy putting together adventurous itineraries. However, for this once-in-a-lifetime international endeavor, we're very happy we elicited the assistance of KimKim and local expert Valentine. We appreciated the attention to detail, prompt responses, and personalized experience. Over 7 total days, we spent 2 in Paris, took a train to Reims and spent 1 night, transferred back... Read more

We had an incredible honeymoon, due largely to the expert planning and guidance of Valentine. I am an avid traveler and enjoy putting together adventurous itineraries. However, for this once-in-a-lifetime international endeavor, we're very happy we elicited the assistance of KimKim and local expert Valentine. We appreciated the attention to detail, prompt responses, and personalized experience. Over 7 total days, we spent 2 in Paris, took a train to Reims and spent 1 night, transferred back to CDG to hop down to Nice, and spent 2 days touring Cannes and Monaco. We stayed a bit off the beaten path on the Cote d'Azur in Theoule-sur-Mer which was absolutely beautiful, but you had to pay a hefty price to Uber back down to town. It was peaceful, the infinity pool was nearly private, and the hotel was home to a Michelin star restaurant - so it was wonderful for our honeymoon! Our favorite excursions were the bicycle tour in France, the Champagne tour, tasting, lunch, experience in Reims, and guided history tours of Cannes, Antibes, St Paul de Vance, and Monaco. 2 recommendations: First, we booked our own hotel in the 16th in Paris with Hilton points (free!) with a rooftop view of the Eiffel Tower. The general location was perfect for walking to everything. Second, we asked to leave one afternoon completely free of excursions to relax and enjoy each other's time. This turned out to be some of our best memories. Valentine did an exceptional job of listening to our wishes for the other hotel must-haves (balcony and view) and that really helped make the trip and experience feel very special. Of course, not everything always goes according to plan. Valentine provided us with both daytime and off-hours numbers, and we did utilize the off-hours number when our driver forgot to meet us at the train station. We got hold of someone right away and the issue was resolved promptly. Valentine also checked in with me later that day to make sure we were completely satisfied and enjoying our time. Overall, my new husband and I would definitely recommend KimKim and Valentine (local tour expert for France!) if you want help planning a special international vacation. Merci beaucoup Valentine!

Hotel Reviews
La Caserne Chanzy Hotel & Spa, Autograph Collection
Reims
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hôtel Tiara Yaktsa 5* - Relais & Chateaux
Théoule-sur-Mer
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Skip the line visit of the Louvre with audioguide (tickets only)
Skip the line visit of the Louvre with audioguide (tickets only)
Paris
Quality of Experience
Hidden Paris Bicycle Tour
Hidden Paris Bicycle Tour
Paris

Aaron from Ireland was our guide and he was outstanding!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Half day guided tour of the Palace of Versailles with priority access in a small group (1 to 15 people)
Half day guided tour of the Palace of Versailles with priority access in a small group (1 to 15 people)
Paris
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Short day Family Growers & Lunch
Short day Family Growers & Lunch
Reims

Perrine was an absolute gem and incredibly knowledgeable. She's amazing and made the experience wonderful! Also, lunch was surprisingly comprehensive and delicious! Basically one of the best days ever.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Free time in Reims
Free time in Reims
Reims
Half-Day Excursion to Cannes, Antibes & St Paul de Vence
Half-Day Excursion to Cannes, Antibes & St Paul de Vence
France
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Journey into the Heart of the French Riviera: Eze, Monaco & Monte Carlo
Journey into the Heart of the French Riviera: Eze, Monaco & Monte Carlo
France
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Valentine (Do not use) Julien
Valentine (Do not use)
Valentine (Do not use) Julien
Local specialist in France | Replied on Oct 15, 2022

Bonjour Samantha,
Thank you so much for your lovely feedback. It was a real pleasure to organize your once a life time honeymoon trip! Hope you came back home with a lot of memories.
I wish you a healthy and lovely end of the year. See you soon in France,
Best,
Valentine

Use your time in Ireland wisely
Ireland | Aug 31 - Sep 10, 2022

Ray
Ray M.
Phoenix, AZ | Reviewed on Sep 14, 2022
We feel the last two days of our trip were not productive. We could have gone to Belfast or seen more areas with our time When we returned the car, we thought the charges were prepaid by kim kim. We were surprised to find out that these charges were not included in the package However, when we had an issue at one bed and breakfast, Dean showed up and handed the problem correctly. Ite issue had a great outcome Many of the pages in the itinerary were out of order and some pictures... Read more

We feel the last two days of our trip were not productive. We could have gone to Belfast or seen more areas with our time

When we returned the car, we thought the charges were prepaid by kim kim. We were surprised to find out that these charges were not included in the package

However, when we had an issue at one bed and breakfast, Dean showed up and handed the problem correctly. Ite issue had a great outcome

Many of the pages in the itinerary were out of order and some pictures did not go with the descriptions.

We loved Ireland and felt this was a great way to see the country. Wish we knew more when planning the trip so we could have made better usage of the time we had allocated

Hotel Review
The Grafton Hotel
Dublin 2

Great place to start or end your trip. perfectly situated in the heart of Dublin for theater, pub hopping, shopping, or sightseeing Rooms are small and no bathtubs. Get a high floor due to street noise We thought this hotel had one of the best breakfast offerings Get the coffee in the lobby rather than at breakfast

Authenticity & Character
This is a convenient hotel not meant to be it’s it’s not authentic irish but very convenient
Location
Wonderful location with close by parking
Staff
Very helpful and always on duty
Cleanliness & Comfort
Clean hotel and great pillows
Local specialist: Dean Garrison
Dean
Dean Garrison
Local specialist in Ireland | Replied on Oct 12, 2022

Hi Ray

Thank you for the feedback on your trip it will certainly help us on future trips going forward.

I am glad to hear that you enjoyed certain aspect of your trip.

I do apologise about a couple of accommodations you had issues with and our management team have been in contact with them to address those issues.

We hope to welcome you back to Ireland in the future.

Kind Regards

Dean

A really enjoyable and memorable Tour du Mont Blanc
France | Aug 31 - Sep 7, 2022

Pia
Pia L.
Berkeley, CA | Reviewed on Sep 14, 2022
The Tour de Mont Blanc trip we just returned from was really enjoyable.
Julien, who helped us plan the trip was great. Unfortunately he was not available when we replanned the tour after Covid. Julie who took over was initially not on top of the details, like who paid for airport pickups, what hotels we preferred and hiking pole loans. After some emailing back and forth we reached some agreements.
After we arrived in Chamonix Julie and Allibert Trekking responded immediately when we needed...
Read more

The Tour de Mont Blanc trip we just returned from was really enjoyable.
Julien, who helped us plan the trip was great. Unfortunately he was not available when we replanned the tour after Covid. Julie who took over was initially not on top of the details, like who paid for airport pickups, what hotels we preferred and hiking pole loans. After some emailing back and forth we reached some agreements.
After we arrived in Chamonix Julie and Allibert Trekking responded immediately when we needed assistance. There was a mix up with a hotel reservation. They immediately found another better hotel and sent a Taxi for the transport. One of the hotels was an old **( it was clean and functional)
Some of the hotels were better than we expected. So overall we were satisfied. The MonRoadBook app. was great. We also got lots of written information from them.

Local specialist: Julien Hunerfurst

Vietnam Trip
Vietnam | Sep 8 - Sep 12, 2022

Karla
Karla G.
Luxembourg | Reviewed on Sep 14, 2022
Best for people who are looking for customized services, but dont want to search through endless booking portals.
(But of course you pay for that. I had the feeling that most the trips could´ve been arranged by yourself through tripadvisor, but that might be just my case, as I booked only 10 days ahead and its impressive what they put together in that small amount of time.) You still will have plenty of time to do some exploring yourself, which was great. Regarding the Vietnam: the pictures...
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Best for people who are looking for customized services, but dont want to search through endless booking portals.
(But of course you pay for that. I had the feeling that most the trips could´ve been arranged by yourself through tripadvisor, but that might be just my case, as I booked only 10 days ahead and its impressive what they put together in that small amount of time.) You still will have plenty of time to do some exploring yourself, which was great. Regarding the Vietnam: the pictures and offers may vary from the reality as it includes many extern partners, but I had a great time.

Hotel Reviews
Hanoi Boutique Hotel
Hanoi

Loved the overall vibe. Had some minor hiccups (light was damaged in the first room). Bathroom leaked in the second room.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Very friendly!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Halong Le Journey
Authenticity & Character
Activity Reviews
Hanoi Street food walking tour
Hanoi Street food walking tour
Hanoi

Linh and her partner were amazing. You see places you would probably not find as a toruist!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Day Trip to Hoa Lu & Tam Coc - Joint in tour
Day Trip to Hoa Lu & Tam Coc - Joint in tour
Hanoi

I am not sure that our trip lastes 10.5 hours. But because of the rain we couldnt go on a hike or biking either. But Ninh Binh is certainly beautiful and worth a visit! The boat trip was nice, even if it meant sitting in the rain for 1.5 hr. Hoa Lu was also impressive. Only for stars for me, as I would not recommend the included restaurant. Kinda cold food and very touristy. Would recommend looking around for lunch.

Hanoi Sightseeing - Join in tour
Hanoi Sightseeing - Join in tour
Hanoi
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Boarding cruise in Ha Long Bay
Boarding cruise in Ha Long Bay
Ha Long Bay

You will be fine, if you know beforehand that it is very touristy! You will have quite the schedule.

Quality of Experience
Food
Really amazing food.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Dont sit in the back seats. Its not made for people with long legs.
Disembarking the cruise
Disembarking the cruise
Ha Long Bay

There was no Tai Chi as promised. Also be prepared to check out the room at 10 am (kind of a shame, if you ask me.) Would have loved to stay a little longer to simply relax.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Same bus issue.
Local specialist: Long Dao
Long
Long Dao
Local specialist in Vietnam | Replied on Sep 20, 2022

Dear Karla,
Thank you so much for leaving us such a detailed review. We are so happy to hear that you have enjoyed your trip. We work hard on delivering excellent service and memorable experiences for our travelers. Thank you so much for choosing us for this trip to Vietnam! I hope to see you on the next vacation to south-east Asia in the future
Long

Custom Podocarpus National Park Trip
Ecuador | Aug 27 - Sep 1, 2022

M
Michael S.
New York, NY | Reviewed on Sep 14, 2022
Linda was able to create a custom trip for us to visit Loja and the Podocarpus National Park. She was great at working with us to shape an itinerary with complex transfers and a handful of special considerations. Everything went great! The guides were fantastic (especially Milton in Quito), the hotels were nice, the park was beautiful, and the transfers smooth. The Loja coffee tasting set up by our guide Kevin was a surprise highlight and HIGHLY recommended if you're in or near... Read more

Linda was able to create a custom trip for us to visit Loja and the Podocarpus National Park. She was great at working with us to shape an itinerary with complex transfers and a handful of special considerations.

Everything went great! The guides were fantastic (especially Milton in Quito), the hotels were nice, the park was beautiful, and the transfers smooth. The Loja coffee tasting set up by our guide Kevin was a surprise highlight and HIGHLY recommended if you're in or near Loja--Ecuadorean coffee is a much better gift for folks back home than t-shirts :).

Hotel Review
Casa Bolívar Hotel Museo
Loja

Very interesting hotel in a renovated historical home, extremely well located in Loja, comfortably appointed and in good shape despite the very old building. It's not really a museum, but there are a lot of very old decorative features and some antique items from people who lived there before it was renovated into a hotel. Breakfast was decent, if a bit slow, and the room was good but a bit off in some ways--the bed could have been more comfortable, there were a lot of automatic lights that easily triggered during the night, and our juliet balcony inner doors didn't entirely close (not unexpected in a building this old and the exterior door closed just fine). It does feel like the hotel is still maybe finding their legs. The operation is a bit new and it looks like not every room is being used yet. The restaurant had good foot traffic but still has very few reviews. I expect they'll work out the kinks a bit, we'd consider giving it another try in a year or so if we're back in Loja given the interesting building, excellent location, friendly staff, historic room interiors, and tasty breakfast.

Authenticity & Character
Very much the highlight! A fascinating old building, crazy room interiors (antique furniture, finishes, even wallpaper), tons of character. Maybe the most unique and most "historic"-feeling boutique hotel we've ever stayed in.
Location
Right in the center of Loja, near plenty of restaurants, safe neighborhood.
Staff
Friendly staff, always at least one English speaker.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Was clean!
Local specialist: Linda Schulz
Linda
Linda Schulz
Local specialist in Quito | Replied on Sep 14, 2022

Hi Mike,
I am so happy to hear that you and Clare have enjoyed your time in Quito and Southern Ecuador - and that you had the chance to taste the delicious coffee from Loja!
I will forward your compliments to your guides Milton and Kevin.
I hope that you’ve had a great time on Galapagos as well, and a safe flight back home. Hopefully, you can come back to mainland Ecuador one day to explore the other parts of the country!
All the best for you and Clare,
Linda

2022 Iceland Trip
Iceland | Aug 25 - Sep 6, 2022

M
Michael C.
Eagle, ID | Reviewed on Sep 13, 2022
Rinolda did an excellent job working with the four of us--two couples with similar, but also different interests in what we wanted to see in Iceland. Beth and I thought that Rinolda did a great job communicating with us, turning around updated itineraries and, importantly, establishing a reasonable schedule of travel, sights and layovers. All accommodations were high caliber, and connections with flights, transfers, hotels/guesthouses, rental car went off without a hitch. Quick handling of... Read more

Rinolda did an excellent job working with the four of us--two couples with similar, but also different interests in what we wanted to see in Iceland. Beth and I thought that Rinolda did a great job communicating with us, turning around updated itineraries and, importantly, establishing a reasonable schedule of travel, sights and layovers. All accommodations were high caliber, and connections with flights, transfers, hotels/guesthouses, rental car went off without a hitch. Quick handling of refunds for excursion cancelled due to weather conditions and walking tour.

We would use KimKim again when planning a similar trip.

Hotel Review
Lambastadir Guesthouse
Selfoss

This was a very nice guesthouse. The family worked hard to make it a good experience. Clean, quiet, lots of information/brochures available re: local activities. Close to town, but not too close.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Kaldbakur Mountain hike
Kaldbakur Mountain hike
Iceland

Oli was a great guide. On the drive out and back (and during the hike) he shared a lot of information and answered many questions that we had been accumulating about Iceland culture. He also was knowledgeable about the local natural history (plants, animals and geology). The trip was well planned and safe. We would recommend this hike to any reasonably fit people who want to get off the roads and see some backcountry with incredible views.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Fly Fishing in Golden Circle
Golden Circle

Ari was a great guide, who worked energetically to assist us with our fly fishing trip. He arrived on time, got us on the water and fishing quickly. He was a pleasure to fish with. It also happened to be a beautiful day with perfect weather.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Rinolda J

American Dad looks great!
Greece | Aug 6 - Aug 15, 2022

E
Eugene S.
West Whittier-Los Nietos, CA | Reviewed on Sep 13, 2022

I am a Dad and husband given the responsibility to plan our once a generation trip and I felt huge pressure. It was very easy to contact Nadia and to brief her what we wanted to do. Within a few email exchanges she had an amazing trip planned. My family was so impressed with everything on this trip, from the Mercedes’ shuttles to and from our hotels and daily excursions, amazing hotels, and awesome (educational) tours. I am so grateful for your assistance in this trip and will do so again any chance I get.

Local specialist: Nadia Pithara

Beatriz was awesome! She planned a wonderful ...
Spain | Aug 13 - Aug 27, 2022

E
Elizabeth D.
Nashville, TN | Reviewed on Sep 13, 2022
Beatriz was awesome! She planned a wonderful trip in both Spain and Portugal and booked us the absolute best private tour guides for the cities that we visited. Really appreciated her working with us on the itinerary and our constantly changing timelines. We had a wonderful time we don’t forget! Read more

Beatriz was awesome! She planned a wonderful trip in both Spain and Portugal and booked us the absolute best private tour guides for the cities that we visited. Really appreciated her working with us on the itinerary and our constantly changing timelines. We had a wonderful time we don’t forget!

Hotel Reviews
7 Islas Hotel
Madrid
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Loved the location and the space! Also the air conditioning in August.
Hotel Palacio de Santa Inés
Granada
Authenticity & Character
Cute and historical.
Location
Great location in historical Granada to walk to the Alhambra.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Air conditioner provided - key in August.
Local specialist: Beatriz De Pablo Rocha
Beatriz
Beatriz De Pablo Rocha
Local specialist in Madrid | Replied on Sep 19, 2022

Hi Lizz! Thank you so much for taking the time to write this review and for your kind words! It was truly a pleasure to help you accommodate your trip to your needs and you made it absolutely easy each time, so thank you again for letting us help you organize this amazing trip around Spain and Portugal. Hope you created lovely memories for a lifetime! Best regards to both, Bea.

Amazing Trip
Ecuador | Aug 20 - Aug 29, 2022

L
Leona F.
Manhattan, NY | Reviewed on Sep 13, 2022
Our tour of Ecuador with Sebastian couldn't have been better. From pickup at the airport to each destination, and finally back to the airport, he was with us every step of the way with local knowledge, humor, easy fluent English, and a great attitude. While some of the roads in Ecuador can be a little concerning, he’s patient and responsible driving put our minds at ease as we traveled easily and safely. He consistently went the extra mile, finding us opportunities for a bit of extra... Read more

Our tour of Ecuador with Sebastian couldn't have been better. From pickup at the airport to each destination, and finally back to the airport, he was with us every step of the way with local knowledge, humor, easy fluent English, and a great attitude. While some of the roads in Ecuador can be a little concerning, he’s patient and responsible driving put our minds at ease as we traveled easily and safely. He consistently went the extra mile, finding us opportunities for a bit of extra adventure when available, recommending great restaurants all along the way. I can't recommend Sebastian highly enough. If you're considering a tour in Ecuador, do it with Sebastian. Also our expert trip planner, Mathias, was very helpful during the planning phase but also was diligent on checking up on us during the trip. He responded in a timely manner and seemed very knowledgeable about Ecuador. Highly recommend this company for planning your trips.

Hotel Reviews
Hacienda Pinsaqui
Otavalo

Great spacious room with fireplace. Team there was friendly, welcoming, and very helpful. Would highly recommend.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Casa Divina Eco Lodge
Mindo

Excellent and unique experience. Very clean and spacious. The staff took great care of us and Martha’s meals were excellent! Great observation deck!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Mathias Onisseit
Mathias
Mathias Onisseit
Local specialist in Quito, Ecuador | Replied on Nov 09, 2022

Hi Leona,

thank you very much for your great review, we are delighted to hear that you and Brad had an awesome time in each of the different places you went to (Andean mountains, cloud forest, rain forest), and that you enjoyed the company of your tour guide Sebastian!

I wish you many safe and unforgettable trips in the future,

Mathias

Adventure in Norway
Norway | Aug 18 - Sep 7, 2022

S
Sue C.
Atlanta, GA | Reviewed on Sep 13, 2022
As in all trips there were a few bumps along the way. Our first hiccup was the lodging at Svolvaer. Apparently there was a mix up in the confirmation and billing process and we were required to pay for the room. We got in touch with KimKim and Julia responded promptly and efficiently and the problem was resolved. We would rate the accommodation (Scandic Svolvaer) as over priced and mediocre. The room was so small that my husband could almost touch opposite walls in both directions with... Read more

As in all trips there were a few bumps along the way. Our first hiccup was the lodging at Svolvaer. Apparently there was a mix up in the confirmation and billing process and we were required to pay for the room. We got in touch with KimKim and Julia responded promptly and efficiently and the problem was resolved. We would rate the accommodation (Scandic Svolvaer) as over priced and mediocre. The room was so small that my husband could almost touch opposite walls in both directions with arms outstretched. Certainly would not recommend it to anyone.

In Geringer we were scheduled for a RIB boat. We had the tickets but unfortunately our itinerary didn't indicate which company it was with. Karolina had indicated to us that the tours are all day and you just show up for one any hour starting at 10. Once we found the correct company we were told that our slot was 10 only. Thankfully they had an opening at 4:00 and we were able to go.

In Faerland we were scheduled for a mountain hike. Our "guide" was a 19 year old who knew very little about the area and said almost nothing the entire hike. He seemed more interested in getting it over so he could home and play video games. We are in very good shape but felt that he had no clue that people 3 1/2 times his age might want to stop once in a while just to enjoy the scenery and rest. The highlight of the hike was when his cousin appeared at the summit and we had a chance to talk with him. He was foraging for mushrooms and told us a lot about the forest in the area and what to look for.

In Aurland our lodging (Vangsgaarden Gjestgiveri) was disappointing.
Our room was large and clean but was on a busy corner with a lot of traffic and had very thin shades that did not block out the glaring streetlight. We asked for another room but were told that they were all like that. We were confirmed for three days in Aurland which was a huge mistake. We departed the second day and booked a room at Fossli Hotel which was absolutely wonderful! It was not busy, served excellent food and the service and staff were very welcoming. The room was recently remodeled and was immaculate and comfortable. All of the windows and and balcony door in our room had blackout shades. It was a lovely stay with a beautiful view and great history. When we looking we were given some options in Eidfjord by Meree and we appreciated that. However once we got to Eidfjord and saw the cruise ships we were relieved that we found Fossli Hotel rather than one in a very touristy town.

The Naerøyfjord boat tour was ok. After our road trip viewing some of the most beautiful scenery of fjords and mountains and small farms dotting the countryside it was a let down. Too many tourists and certainly not the most beautiful scenery in Norway.

Looking at the plan now, we would have avoided Flam...cruise ships and wandering tourists everywhere. The train ride to the top was ok. We did the bike ride down however and that was great!
Three days in Aurland was a mistake as well.
Bergen was ok but also very touristy.

In reviewing our trip we feel that we did most of the work. We planned the route, secured our rental cars, booked all of our flights and found most of the lodging. In our initial conversation with Karolina we emphasized that we don't like "touristy" places and we are always searching for unique lodging when we travel. She gave us a few good suggestions but attention to detail and understanding our kind of travel was lacking. Many of the details were not tended to and our last few messages with questions and requests were not answered.

We have traveled extensively and are always looking for out of the way spots, unique lodging and a chance to get to know the culture and people of each country that we visit. "Canned" travel on cruise ships, "nutshell itineraries" and whirlwind travel to see everything is not what we want.
We had a great trip despite the bumps but will most likely opt to plan our own adventures in the future.

Hotel Reviews
Scandic Svolvær
Svolvær

Overpriced and the rooms are miniscule.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
LOFOTEN LINKS LODGES
Gimsøya

Wonderful little cabin! Clean, comfortable and good location.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel 1904
Ålesund

Beautiful hotel in a good location. Friendly and helpful staff. Highly recommend

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Svinøya Rorbuer
Svolvær

Lovely little cabin!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Røisheim Hotel
Lom

One of our favorite accommodations ever! Wish we had stayed longer!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Everything!
Local specialist: User Not Found
U
User Not Found
Local specialist in Vestbygda | Replied on Sep 22, 2022
Hi Sue and Jim, Thank you for your feedback! Sorry to hear there were a few bumps on the trip. We have a team of people working to make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible but unfortunately there are things out of our control. I will address the matter of the planning of the trip as that is the part I am directly responsible for. When I received your list of request, I tried to match your must see items with what we have available. If you want to see UNESCO fjords, you can not avoid... Read more

Hi Sue and Jim,

Thank you for your feedback! Sorry to hear there were a few bumps on the trip. We have a team of people working to make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible but unfortunately there are things out of our control. I will address the matter of the planning of the trip as that is the part I am directly responsible for. When I received your list of request, I tried to match your must see items with what we have available. If you want to see UNESCO fjords, you can not avoid toursity places like Geiranger and Flåm unfortunately. I am glad you liked my suggestions, but as you said above, you planned most of your route. You sent me a word document with places, timelines and even restaurants that you wanted to visit so I did my best to add to it and arrange it so you'd have the perfect trip as how I understood your desires. I'm sorry your expectations were not met.

All the best,
Karolina

The Best travel experience with Antonia
Croatia | Sep 1 - Sep 10, 2022

Jayhe
Jayhe W.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Sep 13, 2022
My mom and I took two weeks to travel around Slovenia and Croatia, but because we were new to the countries and could not drive, hiring a travel agent was the perfect way around these hurdles.

Antonia was an absolute gem! She listened to our every need and respected even the minutest details in our list of likes/dislikes.
The trip went smoothly thanks to her detailed preparation and attention. The schedule she provided was a great representation of what we had discussed prior to the...
Read more

My mom and I took two weeks to travel around Slovenia and Croatia, but because we were new to the countries and could not drive, hiring a travel agent was the perfect way around these hurdles.

Antonia was an absolute gem! She listened to our every need and respected even the minutest details in our list of likes/dislikes.
The trip went smoothly thanks to her detailed preparation and attention. The schedule she provided was a great representation of what we had discussed prior to the trip.

During the trip, Antonia was always quick to respond to any question. Moreover, her communication in English was excellent and very clear.
We could not get better restaurant recommendations and the guides she hired were all fantastic.

We had such a memorable time with good food and amazing people, which made our journey that much more special.
We would definitely like to use Antonia again and to see Croatia more!

Hotel Review
Hotel Soča
Bovec
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Antonia Šutić Ljuština
Antonia
Antonia Šutić Ljuština
Local specialist in Zagreb, Croatia | Replied on Sep 16, 2022

Hi Jayhe & Hanna, thank you so much for a wonderful review! I am happy you had a great time on your trip, and looking forward to your return to our country!
Best,
Antonia

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.