Kimkim Trip Reviews

4.8
Based on 16,095 ratings
Read 16,095 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.

Expert Planning for Stress Free Vacation!
France | Apr 6 - Apr 12, 2022

Adrian
Adrian D.
Castaic, CA | Reviewed on May 05, 2022
Everything from planning to the actual travel days were stress free. We were able to completely relax and follow the small group excursions that were conducted with excellent driver/guides. The planned days and routes gave us enough excursion and relaxation time throughout our trip. I highly recommend kimkim for your personally curated vacation! Read more

Everything from planning to the actual travel days were stress free. We were able to completely relax and follow the small group excursions that were conducted with excellent driver/guides.

The planned days and routes gave us enough excursion and relaxation time throughout our trip.

I highly recommend kimkim for your personally curated vacation!

Hotel Review
La Villa Nice Promenade
Nice

Location was close to the beach bit not to the shopping areas closer to old town. Rooms were nice and was very charming. Staff was excellent.

Authenticity & Character
Decor
Location
We wished it was closer to old town.
Staff
Very friendly and helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
Cozy rooms.
Activity Review
Uncover the Gastronomic Treasures of Nice
Uncover the Gastronomic Treasures of Nice
Nice
Local specialist: Valentine (Do not use) Julien
Valentine (Do not use)
Valentine (Do not use) Julien
Local specialist in France | Replied on May 10, 2022

Bonjour Adrian,
Thank you so much for your review! I am glad that you enjoyed your short getaway on the French Riviera:) Your comments and reviews are indispensable for us to maintain and consistently improve the quality of our trips and services. For the future, I will definitely choose Hotels closer to the Old Town.
Have a lovely Summer, see you soom in France!
Regards,
Valentine

Colombia ladies' trip
Colombia | Apr 25 - May 2, 2022

S
Sonia D.
Canada | Reviewed on May 05, 2022
Went with some girlfriends to visit another friend in Columbia. I was unsure about an online travel agency but KimKim and Michael had very good service. Our 2 main guides and all the transfers were also good. We had some changes with another person being added after to our original plan. We also had to change the last hotel on our itinerary on the fly but I realize this was our fault as we told Michael that our friend was in Santa Marta while she was really was in Minca. So we changed on... Read more

Went with some girlfriends to visit another friend in Columbia. I was unsure about an online travel agency but KimKim and Michael had very good service. Our 2 main guides and all the transfers were also good.

We had some changes with another person being added after to our original plan. We also had to change the last hotel on our itinerary on the fly but I realize this was our fault as we told Michael that our friend was in Santa Marta while she was really was in Minca. So we changed on the fly to spend an extra night in Tayrona instead of Santa Marta and have a relaxing day, but of course it was too late for a refund on our last hotel.

I don't think we were quite prepared for the "night bug" situation in the Colombian jungle (i.e. you must go to bed early and turn off all the lights if you don't like giant insects!) and if I knew I would have gone for hotels with both A/C (better sealed rooms) and mosquito netting. Strangely by coincidence, our hotel in Minca was down the road from our friend ... but the "night bug" situation was rather terrifying even with the mosquito netting (although I don't think there are any fancier hotels in Minca). I think our original hotel in Tayrona had AC + netting but we had to change once we added another person to our trip. Our plans were not done far in advance so I would advise any people with similar insect fears to get the nicest hotels possible with A/C + mosquito nets. If you have no compelling reason to stay in Minca I would stay in Santa Marta and do the day trips to Minca instead, and enjoy the bug free nights and hot water in Santa Marta :)

Tayrona National Park was beautiful but we weren't prepared for the exertion of hiking 14 km total in searing heat. We really enjoyed the bird-watching and coffee farm in Minca.

In Santa Marta, I could have skipped the city tour and spent the day at one of the nicer beaches outside the city ... we still managed a half day at the beach which was lovely.

Based on the experience I would definitely use KimKim again.

Hotel Reviews
Casa de Isabella, a Kali Hotel
Santa Marta

Very close to tourist / restaurant area downtown. Has a nice little lounge and tiny pool area. Breakfast is okay although not amazing. Rooms are fine, good hot water.

Tips for future travelers

It's noisy downtown so bring earplugs.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Sweet Harmony by Xarm Hotels
Minca, Magdalena

We mainly stayed here because our friend lives in Minca very close to this hotel. However, we were terrified of the bugs at night and went to bed early with the lights off to keep them away. Room was very stuffy with the doors closed. No hot water or lukewarm water depending on which room. Some room's had no frosted glass on bathroom and was totally visible to hotel guys who were digging a trench in the morning (so she couldn't take a shower in the morning).

CASA BAMBÚ
Los Naranjos

Only 8 huts so you may get the pool to yourself. Good food although portions too large. Very nice staff. When we went - end of April - loads of beetles come out and are attracted to light once it got dark. Makes sitting outside impossible after about 7:30 pm (unless you have no bug phobia). Light in room may also attract beetles so we all went to bed early and stayed in bed in the dark, looking at our phones. Would give hotel 5-stars if there was mosquito netting in room and a screened area outside where we could hang out without being attacked by beetles.

Activity Reviews
Hike Tayrona National Park
Hike Tayrona National Park
Tayrona National Park

Very difficult on a hot, humid day. We didn't realize it involved such a long hike to get to a swimmable beach. Beach did not have much shade. Would be more enjoyable on a cooler day. Long wait for entrance tickets (although tour guide did that and we got to wait in van).

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Birdwatching in Minca
Birdwatching in Minca
Minca

Nice quiet area, our guide found lots of birds including Toucans. They give you binoculars if you don't have any.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Michael Gold
Michael
Michael Gold
Local specialist in San Agustín, Huila, Colombia | Replied on May 06, 2022

Dear Sonia,

thank you very much for your detailed travel report. Your comments help us a lot to provide our guests with more information during the trips. Also, thank you for your feedback on the hotels - it's a pity that the insects didn't stop bothering you. Nevertheless, it sounds like you enjoyed your time in Colombia - also glad you were able to visit your friend :)

A good coming home to you.
Thank you very much,
Michael and the Chaska Tours Team

Kimkim planned a very special trip itinerary ...
Italy | Apr 5 - Apr 14, 2022

Beatrix
Beatrix P.
Loveland, CO | Reviewed on May 05, 2022
Kimkim planned a very special trip itinerary for us to Italy complete with lodging, tours, transfers, transportation (excluding air), insider tips, etc. It was all made very easy! Very organized and thoughtful. Read more

Kimkim planned a very special trip itinerary for us to Italy complete with lodging, tours, transfers, transportation (excluding air), insider tips, etc. It was all made very easy! Very organized and thoughtful.

Hotel Review
Casa Howard Firenze
Florence

This place was so incredible! Like a boutique hotel meets bed and breakfast. No detail was missed. Beautifully decorated, comfortable and charming! Excellent service.

Tips for future travelers

Stay! You can’t go wrong. Cute neighborhood full of great shops and restaurants.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Private Sunset & Aperitivo Gondola Ride
Private Sunset & Aperitivo Gondola Ride
Venice

The most romantic, authentic way to see the beautiful water canals of Venice! The Prosecco Champagne during the gondola ride was the perfect touch.

Quality of Experience
We loved the gondola staff that sung through the canals.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Friendly. Answered all of our questions about everything we were passing
Transport
Local specialist: Andrijana Kovacevic

This was our first trip to India. We are exp...
India | Mar 22 - Apr 18, 2022

Patricia
Patricia H.
Redmond, WA | Reviewed on May 05, 2022
This was our first trip to India. We are experienced travelers, but generally have local contacts that help us arrange a trip. For India, we had no idea where to start. We wanted a trip to see plants, orchids, and birds, along with natural settings, but also wanted a few cultural and historical places too.
After much back and forth, we had a trip planned, all tickets bought. Then covid hit. Two years passed and yet we still wanted this trip. This spring we took the leap and am...
Read more

This was our first trip to India. We are experienced travelers, but generally have local contacts that help us arrange a trip. For India, we had no idea where to start. We wanted a trip to see plants, orchids, and birds, along with natural settings, but also wanted a few cultural and historical places too.
After much back and forth, we had a trip planned, all tickets bought. Then covid hit. Two years passed and yet we still wanted this trip. This spring we took the leap and am certainly glad we went. We were everywhere welcome and asked bring more foreign tourists. Imagine being at Taj Mahal and being one of a handful of people of northern European descent. Indians are touring their own country now.. and the Taj with all the colorful saris not tourists in kaki was lovely to see.
There did turn out to be a lot of driving, but that was required to get to the various places we wanted to go. we had various guides, and for all but one ( our "guide" at the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary- I would have to give him a negative rating for many reasons) we had good to excellent experiences.
The accommodations arranged were sometimes over the top for we budget travelers but as we did not know the cost it and it was already paid for , we just enjoyed it.
Over all it was nice to just not have to arrange for anything. When we finished with a cultural site or were done with a hike, our car and driver were there, no walking to the car. We seldom carried our bags. Our biggest decisions were what to have for dinner. we have never traveled like this before and I will say it was nice.
We wrote a review of each day on the trip summary for specifics.

Local specialist: Rajendra Singh
Rajendra
Rajendra Singh
Local specialist in India | Replied on Jul 17, 2022

Hi Patricia and Jeff. Thanks for taking out time to write this detailed feedback and the day-wise points that you shared with me, it was so nice to read your feedback, it gives me pleasure to read and know that the job was well done and it can be made even better. Not everyone gets to design trips for experienced travelers like you, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I look forward to seeing you in a not so distant future. Happy traveling and stay safe !!!

Best Trip of my Life!!
Peru | Mar 18 - Mar 27, 2022

Sayla
Sayla M.
Blackfoot, ID | Reviewed on May 05, 2022
I was so impressed with the trip that Anne organized for us. We had various things that we wanted to do, and she was able to accommodate all of those things! The places we stayed were beautiful and comfortable and truly added to the experience of visiting the marvelous country of Peru. We also hit a couple of snags during our trip, and Anne was able to help us think of the best solutions to work around our dilemmas.
The only thing that I would have appreciated was more information on...
Read more

I was so impressed with the trip that Anne organized for us. We had various things that we wanted to do, and she was able to accommodate all of those things! The places we stayed were beautiful and comfortable and truly added to the experience of visiting the marvelous country of Peru. We also hit a couple of snags during our trip, and Anne was able to help us think of the best solutions to work around our dilemmas.
The only thing that I would have appreciated was more information on travel/passport requirements before paying for the trip. They gave us the info we needed after we paid, and only then did we realize that my husbands passport would have to be renewed before we could go on our trip. This resulted in about a delay while we waited for my husbands passport, which although it wasn't the end of the world, was a bit disappointing.
Regardless, I could not have been happier with the service received through kimkim with the help of Anne. If you are wondering if they are a good choice, the answer is yes! Thank you so much for such an amazing experience!!

Hotel Review
Pamuri Andes Lodge
Huancavelica

I loved staying here! It felt like camping but with a bed and warm water!! They have beautiful facilities and my only regretting with staying here, is that we didn't stay here longer!

Tips for future travelers

I would recommend that you bring someone who speaks Spanish with you, as its in a part of Peru that doesn't see many foreign tourists. Also be aware that if you fly into Jauja (the closest airport) you may need to be slightly flexible with your trip plans. Our flight was cancelled and then our new flight was delayed. So be aware of that if you choose to come here!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Mateo was wonderful! He was very friendly and helpful during our stay. He also spoke English which was a big plus!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Second day at Hacienda Concepción: Sandoval Lake & Canopy Walkway
Second day at Hacienda Concepción: Sandoval Lake & Canopy Walkway
Tambopata

There is nothing that can compare to the beauty of experiencing the jungle firsthand. Touring the lake and going on the canopy walkway was absolutely incredible and I would do it again and again if I could!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Anne Godoy
Anne
Anne Godoy
Local specialist in Lima | Replied on May 19, 2022

Hello Sayla!

Thanks for taking the time and leave such a detailed review. We really appreciate all the feedback, and I have talked about sharing more information in advance, please make sure we have been doing that and we'll continue doing that.

It was really nice meeting you, I hope all your family enjoyed your time here!

Best,
Anne

All of what we seen it was a trip of a life t...
Norway | Apr 6 - Apr 19, 2022

M
Marvin F.
Norway | Reviewed on May 05, 2022
All of what we seen it was a trip of a life time thank you Read more

All of what we seen it was a trip of a life time thank you

Hotel Review
Thon Hotel Opera
Oslo
Authenticity & Character
Location
All
Cleanliness & Comfort
All
Activity Review
Explore Oslo's hidden gems with a local expert
Explore Oslo's hidden gems with a local expert
Oslo
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Sll
Transport
Sll
Local specialist: Tricia Cantlon
Tricia
Tricia Cantlon
Local specialist in Oslo | Replied on May 19, 2022

It was an honor to plan a Viking adventure for you. Thank you so much for visiting Norway!!

Amazing experience
France | Apr 8 - Apr 16, 2022

R
Rob W.
Rapid City, SD | Reviewed on May 05, 2022

This trip was amazingly easy to arrange, reasonably priced, and unforgettable. We got to see everything on our wish list. The hotels were great. Transportation was arranged. We couldn’t have asked for more. Our KimKim contact knew her stuff and really came through for us! We are very happy.

Local specialist: Valentine (Do not use) Julien
Valentine (Do not use)
Valentine (Do not use) Julien
Local specialist in France | Replied on May 10, 2022

Hello Rob,
Thank you so much for taking the time to post a review about your father-daughter trip to beautiful France. We were happy to make you discover Paris, authentic Normandy and Loire Valley Chateaux.
All the best and à bientôt in France!
Valentine

Family Trip to Medellin/Tayrona/Cartagena
Colombia | Mar 9 - Mar 19, 2022

J
Jessica J.
Phoenix, AZ | Reviewed on May 05, 2022
Our family of 5 had an awesome trip to Colombia with the help of Felipe and the arrangements we made through kimkim. Felipe made the planning process easy by suggesting an itinerary and being very responsive to changes I requested before we finalized. Alba, our guide in Medellin, made us feel like family from the moment we arrived. Diva was also terrific for our time in Santa Marta and Tayrona. Staying in historic Cartagena was fun for the kids, and Eduardo was a very informative guide. The... Read more

Our family of 5 had an awesome trip to Colombia with the help of Felipe and the arrangements we made through kimkim. Felipe made the planning process easy by suggesting an itinerary and being very responsive to changes I requested before we finalized. Alba, our guide in Medellin, made us feel like family from the moment we arrived. Diva was also terrific for our time in Santa Marta and Tayrona. Staying in historic Cartagena was fun for the kids, and Eduardo was a very informative guide. The drivers were great and it was so nice to have all the domestic travel arrangements taken care of for us. We also appreciated the restaurant reservations, and all the help we got with needs that arose during the trip. We would all love to go back to Colombia, and if we do we will definitely book through Felipe and Margoth again.

Hotel Review
Sites
Medellin

Perfect family hotel in a great location.

Local specialist: Felipe Rico
Felipe
Felipe Rico
Local specialist in Bogota | Replied on May 05, 2022

Hi Jessica,
Thank you for taking the time to write this review, and thank you once again for traveling with your family to Colombia! It was a pleasure to be a part of your trip, and we hope you come back to Colombia soon! Sending you and your family our Best Wishes y hasta muy pronto! Best Regards, Felipe

Randall knows the country very well and the b...
Costa Rica | Apr 10 - Apr 21, 2022

J
Joanna S.
Switzerland | Reviewed on May 04, 2022

Randall knows the country very well and the best things for tourists to visit. He takes into account budget and other constraints! He organiséd a fabulous trip for me and my daughter! Unforgettable ❤️

Local specialist: Randall Jiménez
Randall
Randall Jiménez
Local specialist in San José, Costa Rica | Replied on May 04, 2022

Thank you again Joanna for your kind comments. I enjoyed organizing the trip for you and Natasha and we hope to have the chance to assist you again in the future.

All the best and Pura Vida!

Randall

12-Day Honeymoon in Scotland - April 2022
Scotland | Apr 18 - Apr 29, 2022

A
Allie H.
Austin, TX | Reviewed on May 04, 2022
We had a fantastic 12-day trip touring Scotland. William and Stephen at High Point Holidays were very helpful throughout the process. Early on in planning, they worked through several iterations of our itinerary making sure if fit our needs. When it came to the trip itself, we had some travel challenges, including a cancelled flight that delayed our trip by a full day, and a positive COVID test making us unable to travel back on the date intended at the end of the trip. William and Stephen... Read more

We had a fantastic 12-day trip touring Scotland. William and Stephen at High Point Holidays were very helpful throughout the process. Early on in planning, they worked through several iterations of our itinerary making sure if fit our needs. When it came to the trip itself, we had some travel challenges, including a cancelled flight that delayed our trip by a full day, and a positive COVID test making us unable to travel back on the date intended at the end of the trip. William and Stephen worked extra time to rebook transfers, hotels, tours, etc., to help us adjust to these challenges. Their support was so valuable, especially in this time when travel is riskier than in the past.

The trip itself was spectacular. We were mostly in the highlands. Some of our favorite parts:
-The PhD level tour of Bannockburn with Dr. Cook. This gave us a fantastic historical foundation at the outset of our trip. We had four hours with Dr. Cook to explore the battlefield and ask a wide array of historical and cultural questions about Scotland
-The West Highland Way. We loved doing the West Highland walks - we felt this was a great way to get immersed in the nature of the highlands. All details of the walk and the logistics of securing lunch, etc., were made very clear to us making it easy and fun for us to do.
-Kinloch Lodge on Isle of Skye. This was our splurge hotel of the trip, and it was well worth it. The food was fantastic, the service was unbeatable. This was a part of our trip we will never forget.

We felt like the selection of all the hotels was on point, and the details of the trip were put together well. We always had enough time to get from place to place, and there was a wealth of information and detail shared with us to navigate the trip as we toured.

Thank you William and Stephen - we appreciate you!

Hotel Reviews
Bridge of Orchy Hotel
Bridge of Orchy

This was our first hotel, and it was one of our favorites, second only to the Kinloch Lodge in Skye, which is much much more expensive. The hotel has an old inn and some modern buildings that also have rooms. The rooms were very modern, clean, welcoming. The food at the restaurant was some of the best we had on our trip. Very easy access to the West Highland way trail - it is right along the path.

Authenticity & Character
The food at the restaurant, the proximity to the trail, the wonderful views
Location
Right next to the trail
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Room was very clean, efficient use of space, bright
Nevis Bank Inn
Fort William

This hotel was clean and the staff was friendly, but there was nothing special about it. It felt very bland, and in a town like Fort William, it seems like there would be a better option for a similar price. The restaurant was not very good, and there was little character. However, as mentioned, it was comfortable and clean.

Authenticity & Character
Location
It was a bit of a walk to the center of town, positioned on one of the main roads.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The bed was comfortable
Kinloch Lodge
Isle of Skye

The hotel is pricy, but it is totally worth it. This was one of the highlights of our trip. The hotel itself was gorgeous, with wonderful views and very comfortable drawing rooms where you could read, play chess, have a drink, generally relax. There were some small walks you could do from the property which we enjoyed as well. Our room had a fantastic view, and the bed was very comfortable. The service was impeccable. We had dinners at the restaurant, which is also pricey, but well worth it for the food and overall experience. As we spend more days on Skye after our stay at Kinloch, we heard of locals that would come to this restaurant for special occasions (birthdays, anniversaries, etc). There are not many customers staying at the hotel, which gives is a relatively private feel, but you still have the energy of other guests around you and with whom you can socialize.

Tips for future travelers

Book the hotel restaurant ahead of time - there aren't many other options nearby, and it is well worth it. We typically like to explore local restaurants, but Skye doesn't have a ton of options so go with the on-site option this time.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Some of the best service I've ever experienced
Cleanliness & Comfort
Cairngorm Hotel
Aviemore

The staff was very friendly, and there was a bustling restaurant and bar downstairs that had a great energy. The food was pretty good, nothing exceptional, but decent. The room itself was the same - pretty good, nothing exceptional. The view out our window was of a roof with some trash on it so not ideal. However, it does seem like this hotel is likely one of the better options in Aviemore, and we enjoyed our stay.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Tailrace Inn
Kinlochleven

The Inn has a wonderful tavern below, which we enjoyed after a long day's walk on the West Highland Way. The staff were very friendly, and the vibe at this place was really great. Four stars because the bed was not so comfortable, so we didn't sleep that well here. However, overall we enjoyed the experience here. It is definitely a more rustic Inn, which did not bother us. There is another hotel in town called Macdonald Hotel which had a restaurant with a great view that I may have preferred to stay at, but my husband doesn't agree so there you go :)

Tips for future travelers

If you're cool with eating pub food, this one is as good as any other. If you'd like dinner with a view, reserve Macdonald Hotel ahead of time. Can't speak to the food, as it was booked when we tried to go there, but the view of the Loch is exceptional.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Six Brunton Place Bed and Breakfast
Edinburgh

Wonderful room, very beautiful and comfortable. And very helpful staff. Central location in Edinburgh, walkable to the main sites. My husband unfortunately learned he was positive for COVID during our stay at this hotel, and the woman working at the hotel was very understanding and helped us figure out how to get dinner/breakfast and let us check out an hour late as we figured out our self-isolation plan.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Cuillin Hills Hotel
Portree

The view from this hotel alone makes it worth a stay. The restaurant was also very good - we ate in the restaurant one night, and ordered room service the other. Both were very good. The restaurant has fantastic views of the Cuillin Hills. The room itself was pretty cookie-cutter, but very comfortable.

Tips for future travelers

Recommend at least one night at the hotel restaurant to enjoy the view.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Kings House Way Inn
Glencoe

Great hotel - really fun to finish the day on the West Highland way and end up at this isolated hotel seemingly in the middle of nowhere in the Glencoe Valley. Great views. The restaurant was just okay.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
18 holes at a Championship Course in the Spey Valley
18 holes at a Championship Course in the Spey Valley
Aviemore

My husband really enjoyed his round of golf. There was almost no one on the course, and the scenery was beautiful.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Phd level guided tour of Bannockburn
Phd level guided tour of Bannockburn
Stirling

Dr. Cook led us around Sterling and Bannockburn for four hours telling us the history of the Battle as well as answering any and all questions about Scottish history and culture. He was extremely knowledgeable. As a bonus, the walk was beautiful, we really got to explore those two towns.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Hiking Day! Bridge of Orchy/Inveroran to Glen Coe
Hiking Day! Bridge of Orchy/Inveroran to Glen Coe
Scotland

We thoroughly enjoyed the two days we did the West Highland way. Clear walking notes, and such a great way to immerse in the beauty of Scotland.

Quality of Experience
Transport
Bag transfer was seamless
Salmon and Sea Trout fishing on the Snizort River with a Ghillie (fishing expert)
Salmon and Sea Trout fishing on the Snizort River with a Ghillie (fishing expert)
Scotland

Danny was very knowledgeable and a great teacher. I have almost zero fly fishing experience, and my husband very little, and he did a great job teaching us the foundations. We didn't catch any fish, but what can you do. Location was great, right next to the Old Man of Storr

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Cairngorms National Park Wildlife Tour with a Specialist
Cairngorms National Park Wildlife Tour with a Specialist
Scotland

Safari Steve was a hoot. We didn't really know what to expect with this tour, but we knew we wanted to get out and explore the park. Steve took us to some beautiful, off the beaten path spots that would have been difficult to find on our own. He helped us see and learn about the birds and other wildlife in the area as well. We saw a pair of Osprey in their nests, some red grouse, and many other things. The Walkers shortbread and coffee was a nice touch!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Isle of Skye Whisky immersion at Torabhaig
Isle of Skye Whisky immersion at Torabhaig
Scotland

We enjoyed learning about the process of distilling. The tour was good, and the whiskey was good. It did not absolutely blow us away. I think we would have liked to go to the older distillery on the island more (Talisker), but it is also not as conveniently located. Overall we enjoyed the tour and it fit into our itinerary well.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Invigorating full body massage in Skye
Invigorating full body massage in Skye
Scotland

Very relaxing and welcome after several days of long hikes. The massage therapist was very friendly and did a good job. She was a bit too chatty at the beginning, but quieted down after a bit. It generally felt very good, but there were a few times when she would use a roller directly on the spine which didn't feel great. However, overall, we thoroughly enjoyed the experience and it added to our relaxation at Kinloch Lodge.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Skyeskyns Tannery visit
Skyeskyns Tannery visit
Scotland

It was fascinating learning about the tannery trade, and it also helped us get context for sheep farming in Scotland and the UK. The tour itself was really great. We did end up buying some awesome sheep skin slippers. There was less merchandise from the actual tannery than we were expecting. The location of the tannery was beautiful and worth the trip to see on its own. We also appreciated the eco-friendly practices that the tannery uses.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: William Armstrong

Amazing trip to Croatia
Croatia | Apr 16 - Apr 24, 2022

M
Minh H.
Canada | Reviewed on May 04, 2022
Croatia trip was amazing. Almost all of the accommodations were upgraded during our trip. All breakfast was paid for. The car was arranged and didn't have any issue with picking up and returning. Croatians are very friendly and helpful. Anna-Maria had made our trip worry-free. If we had any questions, she was available immediately to respond. We felt safe, secured and comfortable the entire trip. We will be back again. Thank you Anna-Maria. Read more

Croatia trip was amazing. Almost all of the accommodations were upgraded during our trip. All breakfast was paid for. The car was arranged and didn't have any issue with picking up and returning. Croatians are very friendly and helpful. Anna-Maria had made our trip worry-free. If we had any questions, she was available immediately to respond. We felt safe, secured and comfortable the entire trip. We will be back again. Thank you Anna-Maria.

Hotel Review
Plitvice Holiday Resort
Grabovac

Old hotel. The shower was very small and the radiator was leaking. The bed was not comfortable. I would avoid this hotel.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Blue and Green Caves: Full-Day Speedboat Tour from Hvar
Blue and Green Caves: Full-Day Speedboat Tour from Hvar
Hvar
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Anna-Maria Frid
Anna-Maria
Anna-Maria Frid
Local specialist in Zagreb | Replied on May 04, 2022

Dear Minh,
thank you very much for your review as well as the individual reviews of the hotel and the activity. It's good to receive also feedback like this as it helps us when selecting the venues for all future travellers. I'm happy that you overall liked the trip and I hope to be able to welcome you to Croatia once again!

Part 1 - Ireland
Ireland | Apr 10 - May 3, 2022

L
Larry B.
Cameron Park, CA | Reviewed on May 04, 2022

The trip that Owen and his team set up was amazing. The places we stayed, the things we saw, the food we ate was all well selected and incredible. Days traveled weren’t to long and we had time to explore the sites, towns and anything we spotted along the way.

Local specialist: Owen Davies

Quality experience and well guided
Nepal | Apr 12 - Apr 19, 2022

A
Adrien R.
Haiti | Reviewed on May 04, 2022

Our experience was wonderful and a lot more qualitative than what we expected. Thanks to the great guidance of Naresh and Kunga we always had the best accomodations and often a private room for us two with bathroom attached. This even in the highest point.
Naresh, the guide, was always adapting to our pace, finding the right balance between giving us additional information and explanation, and respecting our privacy. They were always available if we needed anything.
We made it to the top thanks to them!

Local specialist: Amanda Delecca
Amanda
Amanda Delecca
Local specialist in Kathmandu and USA | Replied on May 05, 2022

Hi Adrien, thanks for your review, I know Naresh and the whole team are so happy to be out on the trails again. It was lovely to meet you both, we look forward to having you here again!

Best,
Amanda

Galapagos Adventure Packed Trip by Linda
Ecuador | Apr 23 - May 2, 2022

Arianna
Arianna W.
Abington, PA | Reviewed on May 03, 2022
I want to thank Linda and the whole local team for their help in organizing a family trip to Ecuador! We planned this trip as a wedding celebration instead of the traditional reception, to share our love of travel with those closest to us- our families! We had the most spectacular adventure-packed trip, and truly were able to see all the highlights of the Galapagos Islands in our week visiting. We particularly loved that we were able to customize our trip to be as active as we are. Every day... Read more

I want to thank Linda and the whole local team for their help in organizing a family trip to Ecuador! We planned this trip as a wedding celebration instead of the traditional reception, to share our love of travel with those closest to us- our families! We had the most spectacular adventure-packed trip, and truly were able to see all the highlights of the Galapagos Islands in our week visiting. We particularly loved that we were able to customize our trip to be as active as we are. Every day was a new adventure, our families had such a great time, and we will never forget all the beautiful wildlife we were so fortunate to experience together.

We were taken care of every step of the way, with every transfer, guide and excursion meticulously thought out. Linda and the team even assisted with making dinner reservations for our large group for a few nights. Lisa, our local coordinator in Puerto Ayora, helped us with any last minute changes that we would otherwise have to figure out for ourselves. My husband and I are looking forward to coming back soon to continue to explore all that these islands have to offer. Thank you for the most wonderful memorable trip!

Local specialist: Linda Schulz
Linda
Linda Schulz
Local specialist in Quito | Replied on May 04, 2022

Dear Arianna and Greg,
it was such a pleasure to welcome you and your families here in Ecuador! I hope that everyone brought back home lifelong memories and an even bigger passion for traveling after this trip.
I'd be very happy to welcome you back on Galapagos and on mainland Ecuador, so that you can discover the places that you haven't yet seen here!
All the best for you and your families,
Linda

Iceland in April
Iceland | Apr 19 - Apr 24, 2022

Sally
Sally B.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on May 03, 2022

We had a wonderful holiday.
Emanuela worked with us to plan a trip that was perfect for our needs, wants and time constraints. She was always responsive and regularly in touch before and during the trip. Logistically, the bookings she made for our trips all worked exactly as intended. We were particularly delighted with the company she chose for our two expeditions, the minibus and the guides were truly excellent.
In Reykjavik, Sky Lagoon was an absolute highlight and my favourite restaurant was Fiskfelagid although we sampled many and had lots of excellent food!

Local specialist: Emanuela Grieco

A truly wonderful vacation in Greece!
Greece | Apr 24 - Apr 30, 2022

D
Deborah N.
Canada | Reviewed on May 03, 2022
My family and I decided to take a last minute trip to Greece. We worked with Angela who was absolutely amazing and planned the perfect trip for us that gave us everything we wanted to get out of the vacation. Angela worked very closely with us to completely curate the perfect vacation. We toured with very knowledgeable guides that enriched our experience and appreciation of the many ancient villages, sites and ruins that Greece had to offer. We spent a day hiking a beautiful gorge and were... Read more

My family and I decided to take a last minute trip to Greece. We worked with Angela who was absolutely amazing and planned the perfect trip for us that gave us everything we wanted to get out of the vacation. Angela worked very closely with us to completely curate the perfect vacation. We toured with very knowledgeable guides that enriched our experience and appreciation of the many ancient villages, sites and ruins that Greece had to offer. We spent a day hiking a beautiful gorge and were rewarded with an amazing seafood lunch at the seaside and some time on a prisitne beach on the Libyan sea, That was followed the next day with a hunt for truffles on the mountain side with a wonderful truffle hunter, his daughter and two adoable Lagotto Romagnolos, a truffle hunting dog breed from Italy that we never knew existed. We later took our treasures to a taverna and cooked a delicious truffle pasta, toured a cave and even made some pottery.

Every detail of our trip was taken care of making it a true vacation, and one that has left us with many wonderful memories and breathtaking pictures. I would strongly recommend Angela and kimkim for anyone looking to have a memorable experience.

Local specialist: Angela (Aggeliki) Giannioti
Angela (Aggeliki)
Angela (Aggeliki) Giannioti
Local specialist in Greece | Replied on May 03, 2022

Geia sou Deborah,

Thank you for your kind words and your review.

It was my true pleasure to help you plan your family trip to Greece and I'm truly extremely happy that you had a great time here.

I hope I will have the chance to tailor a future trip to Greece for you and show you some other amazing hidden gems and some other great highlights. 🙂

Take care and safe travels!

My very best,
Angela

Amazing experience!
Colombia | Apr 11 - Apr 21, 2022

Lauren
Lauren G.
Canada | Reviewed on May 03, 2022
We had a wonderful trip to Colombia, and working with KimKim/Chaska Tours made the planning very easy. Michael listened to all my requests, and his expertise ensured we had some really interesting experiences that I would never have known to look for when planning the trip myself. I still feel like I played a part in the planning of the trip, but I didn't have to worry about making sure everything was booked as it was all done for us. KimKim also has a wealth of resources which helped with... Read more

We had a wonderful trip to Colombia, and working with KimKim/Chaska Tours made the planning very easy. Michael listened to all my requests, and his expertise ensured we had some really interesting experiences that I would never have known to look for when planning the trip myself. I still feel like I played a part in the planning of the trip, but I didn't have to worry about making sure everything was booked as it was all done for us. KimKim also has a wealth of resources which helped with the planning process. Overall, I feel we got a really good feel for Colombia, and learned a lot about the country and it's history from our amazing guides.

Hotel Review
Villa Maria Tayrona, a Kali Hotels
Los Naranjos

Really enjoyed our stay here. Very comfortable, and a cool experience. Our hut was isolated off in the trees, so it felt very secluded and peaceful, and we really loved the hammock. The food and drink options were good. Overall, one of our favourite hotels of the trip because it was different and a unique experience.

Tips for future travelers

I would give yourself a day to enjoy the beautiful surroundings and the pool/spa/beach.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Tour of Guatapé
Tour of Guatapé
Medellín

Really beautiful area to visit, and Guatape is a neat little town to walk around. Would definitely recommend this excursion if you're visiting Medellin.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Michael Gold
Michael
Michael Gold
Local specialist in San Agustín, Huila, Colombia | Replied on May 04, 2022

Hello :)
Thank you very much for the kind words and your trip report. We are glad that you could enjoy the magical Colombia and had a great time! Glad you liked the hotels and tours so much.
We thank you for your trust and hope to see you again soon in Colombia.
Thanks a lot and
All the best,
Michael

'Last minute' solo trip of high expectations to GALÁPAGOS 🇸🇱
Galapagos Islands | Feb 21 - Mar 2, 2022

Katarzyna
Katarzyna W.
Qatar | Reviewed on May 03, 2022
* It was a 'last minute' solo trip of high expectations - they have been meet in 99% .
1% missing for skipping few breakfasts ahead of several-hours long activities - overlooking timings of my breakfast VS my departure - accommodation places could have prepared take away breakfast.
* Quality level of the activities will depend on a random assignment of the available guide. I have had a luck to meet wonderful knowledgable Señor Wilson Rojas at San Cristóbal Island, who provided me with... Read more

* It was a 'last minute' solo trip of high expectations - they have been meet in 99% .
1% missing for skipping few breakfasts ahead of several-hours long activities - overlooking timings of my breakfast VS my departure - accommodation places could have prepared take away breakfast.

* Quality level of the activities will depend on a random assignment of the available guide. I have had a luck to meet wonderful knowledgable Señor Wilson Rojas at San Cristóbal Island, who provided me with the knowledge for the whole trip in one go.

* Planning the trip conversation is very American-tourist oriented; you are flooded with overly merry and abundant in adjectives vocabulary, as if you haven't chosen the place yet and you need to be convinced (feels like advertising to sell) - unnecessary; you need to fish out from all the redundant content what actually is the essence that the place has to offer - bullet points KIKKIM Guys, no need to sell me, what I have chosen to buy already, lol.

* Reliable, fluid logistics, well-in-place communication and organisation (even though remote), all details, including most of petty expenses have been secured. Overall great experience with KIMKIM; and guides preparing my plan - Lucia and Dani - gracias!

Hotel Review
Hotel Deja Vu Galapagos
Pto. Ayora

Overpriced for the value ($140 per night is outrageous); * Choice of young travellers (16+); very noisy, as adolescences are fun (not rest) oriented * Room comfort is low (old furnitures, bed sheets, no aesthetics) * Insufficient internet - almost not working when hotel has 50% of residents in place * Far from the main street

Authenticity & Character
Furniture, bed sheets, overall aesthetics and integrity of the place - all seemed of random choice
Location
Nothing... building is built already :) ...bit far from the main street, unpleasant too come back to at night
Staff
Standard, polite, informative staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Not much comfort, noisy, practically no internet
Activity Review
Kicker Rock: A Snorkeling Adventure
Kicker Rock: A Snorkeling Adventure
Isla San Cristóbal

Very interesting deep water spot, lots of wildlife to observe, long satisfying activity, rest on serene scenic island in vicinity. Enjoyable boat facilities.

Quality of Experience
Uninhabited island visited after the snorkelling, where you can observe marine iguanas.
Food
Excellent diversity available for customers on any type of diet.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Standard
Transport
Great full-day-trip-equipped boat, unfortunately gasoline polluted water in a bathroom, they had it covered with extra water supply.
Local specialist: Lucia Cazar
Lucia
Lucia Cazar
Local specialist in Ecuador | Replied on May 04, 2022

Hola Katarzyna

Thank you so much for your kind words, Katarzyna. We really appreciate you taking the time out to share your experience with us, I am glad you enjoyed The Galapagos Islands. We count ourselves lucky for travelers like you. Thank you so much for sharing those beautiful pictures with us! Also thank you for the feedback we will be working to improve those details! We look forward to welcoming you to Ecuador again!

Kind regards,

Lucía.

An absolutely amazing experience! Morocco Immersion Tours is more than a tour group, they treat you like family.
Morocco | Apr 14 - Apr 23, 2022

Jeanette
Jeanette W.
Lynbrook, NY | Reviewed on May 02, 2022
When you book with Morocco Immersion Tours, you not only get the expertise of a highly professional tour company, but the warmth and genuine affection of what seems like old friends. From the moment we started contact with Sharon, she listened and tweaked the itinerary to make it exactly what me and my family (two teens) were looking for. Once the itinerary was finalized, we couldn’t wait to start our adventure!
And then we met Sallam, who was our driver and companion between destinations,...
Read more

When you book with Morocco Immersion Tours, you not only get the expertise of a highly professional tour company, but the warmth and genuine affection of what seems like old friends. From the moment we started contact with Sharon, she listened and tweaked the itinerary to make it exactly what me and my family (two teens) were looking for. Once the itinerary was finalized, we couldn’t wait to start our adventure!
And then we met Sallam, who was our driver and companion between destinations, and he ended up becoming like part of our family. From the moment he met us at the airport, his warm smile assured us that we were in good hands. He shared with us his background and Berber culture, and as we drove along the most scenic landscapes, he played for us the most beautiful Berber music. I loved the music so much that I actually downloaded it to my phone and listen to it at home.
We visited the beautiful blue city of Chefchaoen, walked through the bustling medinas of Fes and Marrakech, but I think the highlight of our trip was the Sahara Desert!! My family will never forget riding camels over the dunes at sunset, sleeping in a luxury desert camp, sand boarding at sunrise, and driving ATV vehicles over the orange sand dunes once more. Memories that will last a lifetime!
I truly want to thank everyone at Morocco Immersion Tours - Sharon, Sallam, Amnay, and everyone else who helped us make this the trip of a lifetime. I honestly feel that traveling helps make friendships across continents, and I will always love you guys. This is by far the best tour company that we have ever used, and I highly recommend them to all future travelers to Morocco!

Hotel Review
Riad Hicham
Chefchaouen

Perfect location - clean rooms, super-friendly staff, unique rooms with beautiful decor, authentic decor throughout the whole place, delicious food

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Sharon Louthian
Sharon
Sharon Louthian
Local specialist in US and Morocco | Replied on May 06, 2022

Hi Jeanette,

Thank you so much for the incredible review and for sharing all of your amazing pictures!!! We are so glad that you all had an amazing time in Morocco and it was our pleasure to work with you. We definitely feel like you all our part of the family now, so we hope that you keep in touch!!

Thanks again!
Sharon, Sallam, Amnay, and the rest of the Morocco Immersion family

Talented Tailormade Andalusia Team
Spain | Mar 23 - Apr 3, 2022

B
Beth W.
Scottsdale, AZ | Reviewed on May 02, 2022
To the KimKim Team and James at Tailormade: I have lost my survey email somehow but I cannot pass up the opportunity to tell you what a fantastic job James and Susanna did at the Tailormade Andalusia Team! The customized itinerary was amazing, the accommodations perfect, the attention to detail unsurpassed, and the personal interaction and touches so perfect (and appreciated!). The drivers and tour guides were fun, interesting, well informed, and compensated for our lack of Spanish... Read more

To the KimKim Team and James at Tailormade:

I have lost my survey email somehow but I cannot pass up the opportunity to tell you what a fantastic job James and Susanna did at the Tailormade Andalusia Team!

The customized itinerary was amazing, the accommodations perfect, the attention to detail unsurpassed, and the personal interaction and touches so perfect (and appreciated!). The drivers and tour guides were fun, interesting, well informed, and compensated for our lack of Spanish language with their English skills! With your assistance we discovered the friendly, historic, proud culture of Spain. Everyone made us feel like royalty!

What a great way to explore Spain! Thank you to everyone for making our trip so special. We would not hesitate to call you all again!

Hotel Review
URSO Hotel & Spa
Madrid

We were treated like royalty here! Thanks especially to Lili at the front desk who went above and beyond to help us with everything; including finding lost luggage! Wonderful place to stay!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: James Monro
James
James Monro
Local specialist in Sevilla, Spain | Replied on May 06, 2022

Hi there Beth & Ed,
Thanks very much for your kind words! It was a pleasure to have you travelling with us and I'm so pleased that you enjoyed it, and feel you got a lot out of your visit to Madrid and particularly Andalucia! I hope you took with you some very special memories.
Un abrazo from us all,
James & the Tailormade Andalucia team

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.