Kimkim Trip Reviews

Our trip was everything we could have imagined and more. Our guide in Bangkok, Peak was wonderful. He gave us tips and tricks for how to negotiate prices with street vendors. He was very informative and taught us a lot about Bangkok. He became like one of our family in the few days we were with him. JJ our next guide in northern Thailand was wonderful as well. She gave us suggestions on things to do. She suggested a change to our original itinerary to see a sunset rather than a sunrise and we were very delighted in the change. She also showed us many more unexpected sights. She walked us down the food vendor street in Pai, telling us what all the food was. I felt we were on a foodie tour that I didn’t even sign up for. So great! Both our guides I would definitely use again and highly recommend. Lacey our tour specialist who put the trip together was great as well. She worked with me for months putting the perfect trip together for me, my husband and 2 young adult daughters. She was so patient with me asking many questions and changing the itinerary several times up until we left for our trip. It was my daughters birthday the day we arrived in Bangkok and I asked Lacey to arrange a surprise for her in the hotel upon arrival. The surprise was so much more than I expected from a small gift, to a cake, flowers and her bed decorated with the words Happy Birthday. She felt so special. The itinerary was as flawless from the moment we arrived like going to the fast track right off the plane and not having to wait in customs. We were treated like royalty the entire trip. So organized and put together well. All the hotels were also top notch. They were all so different. My only complaint would be our excursion experience in Khanom. Our first excursion was snorkeling and visiting pig island with lunch. The guide gave very little info or direction. When he gave us the mask and snorkel the mask came apart from the snorkel and sunk to the bottom of the ocean which I felt was because he did not attach the snorkel correctly for us. At the end of the excursion I was charged 1000 bht to replace the mask. For lunch he asked us if we had food allergies. I told him we were vegetarian. He seemed to understand but our lunch was seafood soup and chicken entrees. The next days excursion we ended up canceling due to the fact it was the same guide and our experience that day was not great. We decided to stay at the hotel and take advantage of the spa which was a good choice. My overall experience with KimKim was excellent. They did all the planning and arranging everything which was so nice. I will definitely be using them again and highly recommend. Next trip Slovenia/Croatia.

Thank you Lacey & KimKim

Hotel Reviews

Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas

Phuket

From the time you enter the grounds you are in paradise. Love everything about this hotel. One favorite was feeding the fish at breakfast. The hotel provides bread to feed the fish. The activities scheduled each day as also nice. Breakfast buffet had something for everyone

Authenticity & Character

Having a pool for each bungalow is what sets this hotel apart

Location

Close to restraunts and shops but far enough away you are very secluded

Staff

The front desk staff seemed to anticipate what we needed before we even asked. Very helpful in getting taxi’s and suggestions

Cleanliness & Comfort

Loved that they give you new beach towels to use everyday. Nice touch putting a glass and bottle water beside your bed each day

Aava Resort And Spa

Restaurant on the beach was beautiful. And the staff was very caring and attentive. The hotel has an orange cat named Ginger that lives there and is very friendly. The spa was very relaxing and a good was to spend an afternoon

Authenticity & Character

I liked the bungalow style rooms. Felt like you had your own place with nobody around

Location

Location was a bit far from anything. Only a couple restaurants to choose from

Staff

Restaurant staff was the best all around.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Reverie Siam Resort

Mae Hong Son

This hotel was tranquillity. You feel like you’re in a garden. So laid back and beautiful

Authenticity & Character

Very original and antique boutique hotel

Location

Felt like we were in our own world

Staff

The breakfast staff girls were so friendly. On our 2nd day of breakfast they remembered each of our coffee and drink orders

Cleanliness & Comfort

All comfy. Only negative would be the bathroom gets very hot in the middle of the day. Air conditioner cannot keep us with heat in the bathrooms

Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel

Bangkok

A favorite hotel we stayed at. Close to everything, breakfast buffet was exceptional and the staff went above and beyond. If I could give it 10 stars I would

Authenticity & Character

The ambiance

Location

Walking distance to several malls, walking distance to rail station

Staff

The staff that left the goodies through the day in our hotel for my daughters birthday. Each time we came back to the room a new surprise was waiting from a gift to a cake to flowers to happy birthday spelled out in the bed. Above expectations

Cleanliness & Comfort

Plenty of towels was provided without asking. The shampoo and conditioner was great smelling

Rachamankha Boutique Hotel

Chiang Mai

The grounds were beautiful! Like an oasis. The entire experience here was top notch

Authenticity & Character

The originality of the design made this hotel absolutely beautiful

Location

Walking distance to many shops, street venders and restaurants

Staff

The bartender and restaurant staff was great. Best lychee martini ever

Cleanliness & Comfort

Loved that they had little bottles of big spray complementary. Also liked the fact they came by each night asking if we needed any more towels or toiletries

Activity Reviews

John Gray's sea canoe - Hong by Starlight - Joining excursion

Phuket

This excursion was excellent. There was a guide for each 2 people. Very one on one and personal experience. Food was excellent. Fun fun trip. Would highly recommend as one of the most do excursions

Quality of Experience

Setting the flowers in the water at sunset and seeing the glowing plantkin in the water at night

Food

All of it. A lot of variety

Guides, Drivers and Staff

All the guides and staff were fun. Very well organized tour

Transport

Nice and smooth relaxing boat

Finding pink dolphins on a local boat & Khanom sightseeing

Khanom

Did not do this activity due to same guide and your company as previous day

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Snorkeling Tour - Madsum and Tan Island

Khanom

Our experience was not the best. Guide was not very informative and spoke little English. Was charged extra for mask that fell into the ocean. Food was suppose to be for vegetarians but wasn’t even though we reminded them. No instructions when we got caught in storm. Just told we had to hunker down and wait it out. No ladder to climb back into the boat. Had to be pulled up by boat driver and guide. Guide and driver smoked on the boat. No guidance to times we needed to meet back on the boat

Quality of Experience

Better guide

Food

Stick to what is requested-vegatarian

Guides, Drivers and Staff

More direction and instructions. No smoking

Transport

Phi Phi – Bamboo Island by speedboat joining tour

Phuket

Beautiful scenery, great fun guides, snorkeling not as good as I’ve seen other places I have traveled. Well organized.

Quality of Experience

Guides were fun. When snorkeling they got in the ware with us showed us things

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Fast boat but very choppy water

ATV & Jungle trekking (join-in)

Chiang Mai

We started with the trekking first. It was fun but very hot and not an easy trek. Not for those that are not in shape. We then switched from the ATV because we thought it might be too hot to the rafting. That was great fun and quite an adrenaline rush

Quality of Experience

The rafting. The guides made it so fun

Food

They knew we were vegetarian and we didn’t even need to remind them

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The rafting guides

Transport

Love Chiang Mai cooking experience (Afternoon session)

Chiang Mai

Fun great experience. From shopping at the market to cooking. She let us pick several different things to cook so we weren’t all cooking the same thing.

Quality of Experience

Host was funny and fun. Let us experiment

Food

Likes the mango sticky rice the best of course

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Fun

Transport

Elephant Jungle Sanctuary (Morning session)

Chiang Mai

Fun experience. I liked that they have a photographer and they didn’t charge extra for the photos. Very well organized activity and friendly staff.

Quality of Experience

Well organized. Food was good. Participation with everyone was good

Food

The variety

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hit and bumpy

Pai - Sunrise at Yuan Lai View Point - Lod cave - Ja Bo - Kiew Lom

Pai

The Jabo Village was wonderful and a highlight of our time in Thailand. The local family showed us some bamboo crafts, let us try in the tribe clothing and we even got to visit the ho e of the oldest village lady. The Lod Cave was the ok. Water was too low so we had to walk the cave instead of bamboo rafts

Quality of Experience

By far the Jabo village experience with a local village family is a must

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The villagers welcomed us into there home like we were one of them

Transport

Bangkok - Flight to Chiang Mai - Transfer to Pai

Thailand

Good flight. No issues

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Bangkok Symbolic Temples

Bangkok

Beautiful temples.

Quality of Experience

Our guide explained a lot of history

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The knowledge of the history of Buddhism, temples and Thai culture

Transport

Railway Market & Floating Market

Bangkok

Great way to experience the culture. Loved seeing how the locals live.

Quality of Experience

Experiencing the culture of Thailand

Food

Trying the floating market food and Peak’s recommendations

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Peak our guide taught us much about the Thai people and culture. He was able to answer all questions we had.

Transport

Prompt and comfortable van

I am a very private person, and I’ve never posted a review online before. However, I just returned from a tour of Morocco with my 2 friends that was so fabulous, I felt compelled to write this review.

After checking out a number of large group tours of Morocco, my friends and I were disappointed that the dates Moroccan tours were scheduled did not coordinate well with our work schedules and that the itinerary for their trips did not include everything we wanted to see and do. We decided that the best way to see Morocco was to book a customized tour for the three of us. We ended up booking a tour through the company, Kimkim . Kimkim handled the paperwork for the payments for the trip. Kimkim connected us to a wonderful local tour company called Morocco ImmersionTours & Adventures.. Morocco Immersion Tours & Adventures planned, coordinated and implemented all the details of our trip.

Morocco ImmersionTours & Adventures is a family run tour company based in Morocco that greatly deserves the glowing reviews on the internet praising their superb customer service. I was instantly impressed with Sharon who helped us plan out all aspects of our trip. Not only was she knowledgeable about the country, but she was extremely generous with her time (via email and zoom) as we tried to pinpoint the exact details of our trip. With her assistance, we were able to book accommodations that were perfect for us —-in terms of comfort, budget, and atmosphere. Before we booked the accommodations, she sent us websites with pictures and descriptions of beautiful Moroccan riads which were so much better than the typical cooky cutter tourist hotels offered on other group tours. It was great that Sharon (an American who married a Moroccan) instantly understood our expectations in terms of “quality”of hotels etc… and also understood our misgivings as three American women on our first trip to a Muslim country. With Sharon’s expert assistance, we planned our itinerary and the timing for our trip. She calmed any misgivings with accurate information about Morocco, and gave us many helpful hints on what to pack . In Sharon’s words, “the only thing we have to worry about is what to pack. Everything else will be taken care of by Morocco Immersion Tours & Adventures.” She was right. As the date of our trip came closer, I was confident about our plans, respected Sharon’s expertise and began to think of her as a friend who had my best interests at heart. Once we paid for the trip, we received a detailed description of our itinerary, a tipping guide, and a detailed explanation how to meet our driver/ tour director.

Hicham was our driver/tour director. He met us promptly at the airport, spoke easily understood English and drove a comfortable van which was impeccably clean. He was clearly experienced with dealing with American tourists, and went out of his way to make us comfortable. I’m happy to report that he always found us a traditional American toilet to use during our travels. We never had to use the hole in the ground (traditional bathrooms) that are in many places in Morocco. Throughout the trip, our safety was paramount as he maneuvered us through a variety of cities/villages. At all times, I felt safe and secure with him as our driver.

As our tour director, we instantly felt “at home” with his friendly manner, wonderful sense of humor and genuine smile. He was happy to answer any questions about Morocco but he was also interested in learning about life in the United States. It was a wonderful cultural exchange.
In the cities, Morocco ImmersionTours & Adventures hired city guides that were informative, spoke English clearly and navigated us through the confusing maze-like streets in Fes and Marrakesh.

Hicham was willing to adapt the itinerary anytime we wanted. In our case, we had to change room assignments due to a medical illness, and the Morocco ImmersionTours & Adventures team was able to change things instantly without any fuss. During a medical emergency, Hicham and the city tour guide helped us get the medical help needed. HIcham was indispensable as he translated doctor’s instructions for us, took us to the pharmacy for medications and made sure our friend got good care under his watchful eye. I was overwhelmed by the generosity and the kindness of the Moroccan people throughout our trip. While I hope to avoid medical problems in the future, it was a blessing that it happened in Morocco, and far less stressful for us having Hicham there to guide us through it.

We chose to avoid eating at the food stalls in the markets and to only drink bottled water as a health precaution. Hicham helped us find authentic delicious Moroccan food at clean local places at unbelievable prices. During the tour, we had home-made couscous at his family home. You can’t get any more authentic than that! My only warning about the food is that the portions are ENORMOUS and it is so good, you may be tempted to eat it all. The fresh fruit was out of this world! Unfortunately, there are some dishes that I didn’t have a chance to try during our short visit to Morocco, so I’m already planning another visit.

The tour was a perfect blend of activities with time for shopping for Moroccan handicrafts, visiting important historical sites, and experiencing the culture (food, music, art, riding a camel).
There are many great places in Morocco to purchase beautiful handicrafts in leather, pottery, jewelry etc… Hicham warned us that in the stalls, you can’t be sure that it’s genuinely Moroccan because there are many cheap Chinese copies. He suggested going to the cooperatives where we could be certain of the quality. However, at no time were we pressured to purchase anything. He made it clear that it was not necessary to purchase anything. The only awkward thing about Morocco is that it is mainly a cash country and there aren’t many places you can use credit cards. But Hicham was very good at finding ATM’s and banks on the way to our excursions whenever we needed/requested it. So if you love to shop —-no worries!

We had the opportunity to play authentic musical instruments, attempt to make a pot, assist in making a traditional meal, ride a camel, and try a bicycle - like contraption used in ancient irrigation. Besides these hands-on experiences, we talked with experts about the art of tile-making and got a lecture on leather making at the tannery. It’s amazing how many things we were able to see/do in such a short time. Luckily for us, Hicham was an expert with the camera, so I have many great pictures to remind me of my fabulous time in Morocco.
I would say the worst part of the trip was leaving Morocco. Hicham made us feel like part of the family, and there was so much more to see and do in Morocco. We will definitely plan another trip with Hicham and Moroccan Immersions. I highly recommend Morocco ImmersionTours & Adventures if you are considering a trip to Morocco/ Middle East. You won’t be disappointed!

Activity Review

Fes to Merzouga via Ifraine and Azrou - Camel Trek to Desert Camp

Morocco

There are no words to describe the feeling of awe when viewing the unique beauty of the Sahara Desert. Even though I had seen the Sahara desert in many movies, the movies could not capture the vastness of the landscape. It was my first camel ride and I was a bit uneasy wondering how I would get on and off the animal. I imagined that I would end up falling in the sand. The person who handled the camels did a magnificent job controlling the camel and it was much easier than I thought. On the 2nd day I went on the sunrise ride. It was an interesting sensation to be riding this powerful animal in complete darkness, and very peaceful when we watched the sun rise. Truly a once in the lifetime experience!

Quality of Experience

Seeing a landscape so vast and peaceful

Guides, Drivers and Staff

He had a good rapport with the animals and was always willing to take pictures for us.

Transport

Hicham was the best driver ever!

Everybody was kind and considerate.
Our guide for one day was Wilbur. He was great and my wife and I were comfortable with our interactions.
Our guide for 3 days was Jose. He was beyond great. His wealth of knowledge was amazing and we really enjoyed our time spent with him.
All the people at every resort we stayed at was excellent. I have never enjoyed a vacation more then this one.

Hotel Reviews

Senda Monteverde Hotel

Monteverde

Senda Monteverde Boutique Hotel was lovely. The staff was attentive and went above and beyond to help when I lost my cell phone during our stay.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Presidente

San José

Our stay at Hotel Presidente San Jose City Center was pleasant. We enjoyed exploring the city, visiting museums, and picking up mementos to take home.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Aguila de Osa Rainforest & Marine Adventure Lodge

Drake Bay

Our stay at Aguila de Osa Inn was great. The staff was very accommodating and concerned when my wife came down with food poisoning. The resort was remote but beautiful.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Arenal Manoa & Hot Springs

Fortuna

We loved our stay at Arenal Manoa & Hot Springs. The hot springs were relaxing, the food was excellent, and the staff was friendly and helpful.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Poas Volcano Lodge

Vara Blanca

Our stay at Poas Volcano Lodge was peaceful and quiet. The staff was incredibly kind and accommodating.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Private Chocolate & Night Hike Experience

Monteverde

The Chocolate & Night Hike Experience was enjoyable. We had a great time exploring and learning about chocolate.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Caño Island Snorkeling Excursion

Corcovado National Park

I had fun snorkeling at Caño Island. The excursion was enjoyable, and I saw beautiful marine life.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Canopy Zip Lining Tour, bridges, and Fauna Exihibitions at Selvatura

Monteverde

Our visit to La Fortuna Waterfall, Hanging Bridges, and Arenal Volcano was incredible. The Hanging Bridges tour was one of the top experiences, and the wildlife we saw was amazing.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tour to Poas Volcano

Costa Rica

I had an amazing time during the Poas Volcano tour. The guide, Wilbur, was really good, and the experience was fantastic.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

All four locations we stayed at were very nice. The properties in Lake Garda and Verona were excellent. We probably could have skipped the Valtelina wine tour as it was not very impressive and the wine was not worth the drive. That's my only criticism of the entire trip.

Hotel Reviews

Ca' di Dio Hotel

Venezia

Nice hotel but a little bit of a walk to shopping and restaurants.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Very nice staff and very helpful.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very clean and modern hotel

Hotel Accademia

Verona

Great location and friendly staff.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Very close to downtown so everything was in walking distance.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Really large room and very comfortable.

Villa Cortine Palace Hotel

Sirmione

Beautiful hotel and stunning grounds to walk around.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Villa Flori

Como

Beautiful view and clean hotel. It was easy enough to get a taxi into town but returning was a challenge.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Private Venice in a Day Tour

Venice

Valpolicella Wine Tour from Sirmione

Italy

Beautiful location and great wine.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full-Day Boat Experience - Explore Lake Como

Italy

One of the highlights of the trip. Boat driver was very nice and took good care of us.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Valtellina Wine Tour | Private

Lake Como

This part of the trip was a little disappointing. Long drive and the wine and scenery was not impressive.

Iceland is an incredible country to visit! It has so many things to offer...and it is so varied...and how to see everything? Duncan, who organized our trip and KimKim who provided him the necessary backup did an absolutely amazing job! To see so many sights and to do so many activities in a short period of time and enjoy every step of the way is an impossible feat but Duncan and KimKim did it. Thank you. It will be a life time memory for my wife and me and the other couple who went with us.
To mention a few of the standout places would be Westman Island and the ferry trip across. (The Puffins were enroute but the island was so scenic.) Next, the Iceberg Lagoon would be a standout. The Zodiac took to see a glacier calving and we were able to see a seal resting on an iceberg. (Quiet amazing!) The Ice Cave is one of nature's rare sights but to be able to walk within an ice cave is a life time thrill. The guides were most safe and the photos unbelievable. Got my wife a new diamond for her ring on Black Diamond Beach (a sparkling clear miniature iceberg!) Strokkur Geyser is a wonderful " Old Faithful" going 100 feet into the air about every 5-10 minutes. Other sights to see and walk on would be glaciers, dormant volcanos, tectonic plates of North America and the Eurasian plate are feet within each other, and the list could go on and on.
The hotels were very nice and the typically associated restaurants were likewise very good and had a local flavor. The staffs were all pleasant and helpful. The "Star" system KimKim used was very much on target.
This was a very complicated trip but Duncan pulled it together. To illustrate, we were there 11 days and drove 1,533 miles. This included many activities and they were all on time and well priced. To us we felt the pricing of the entire trip to be very good for all that we did.
A few areas that would have improved our experience might be a map of the country all on one or two pages to give an overview. Our Wi-Fi did not work and we used Internet service each night to determine the exact routes to go the next day. (KimKim did get us reimbursed for the lack of the Wi-Fi system.)
Over all we were very pleased and highly recommend Duncan and KimKim to any world travelers who want to get the feel of an extraordinary country. The pricing was fair and Duncan followed up with us throughout the entire trip. A 10 out of 10! Can't beat it!
Bill and Jerrie Raines

Our cycling trip through the Dalmatian Coast of Croatia was incredible, thanks to Robi. I can't say enough about how thoughtful and well-planned it was. From the very start of planning, and up until we said goodbye to Croatia, Robi was friendly, professional, responsive, and attentive, making sure we had everything we needed and all our questions answered. He made the planning process easy and painless, making sure our group was comfortable with all his suggestions and recommendations before anything was set or booked.

While in Croatia, he was always a step ahead to make sure all the details, logistics and coordination were taken care of so that we didn't have to worry about a thing on our trip. He helped us design a very customized self-guided cycling tour according to our ability level, and was patient and accommodating as we made changes and modified to our plans. He was super knowledgable about the region and gave us great tips to make our experience there even more special.
We loved all of the accommodations he booked for us (he helped customize according to our budget), and every logistical detail was smooth without any hiccups or surprises. He checked on us throughout our trip and was available the entire time to answer any questions we had.

I also want to give a huge shout out to his colleague, Goran, who was our amazing driver and support crew along the routes. He was super fun and so accommodating, and we just had a blast with him. He took care to make sure we were enjoying ourselves and felt comfortable with our bikes and routes each day.
Goran and Robi really made our trip epic and unforgettable and I'm so glad we were able to find with them through KimKim and create such a memorable vacation. Thank you so much, Robi!

We had a great trip to Ecuador coordinated by Mathias. It was easy to plan, he was great with our questions, and the experience that was delivered was amazing! Our guide Alirio was top notch. He traveled and did all of the activities with us for the entire trip. We had other guide specialists join us for specific activities. Everyone we worked with was super friendly and very knowledge about the area and the activities. We had 100% trust in our guides! Hotels we not only clean and comfortable, they also offered an authentic experience. I will not hesitate to book another trip through KimKim!

Hotel Reviews

Huasquila Amazon Lodge

Cotundo

We loved our stay at the Huasquila Amazon Lodge.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

La Floresta

Baños

La Floresta was a great place to stay in Baños. The city itself was cute, and the hotel was comfortable and met our needs.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Cuello de Luna Mountain Lodge

El Chasqui - Pastocalle

Cuello de Luna Mountain Lodge was a fantastic place to stay. The lodge was comfortable, and the location was perfect for our Cotopaxi hike.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Vieja Cuba

Quito

We had a great stay at Vieja Cuba. The hotel was comfortable and met all our needs.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Homestay Tena

Tena

We ended up not doing the Homestay Tena and did the Indigenous Amazon Lodge instead which was great!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Pailón del Diablo Waterfall & Canyon Exploration in the Amazon

Ecuador

The Pailón del Diablo Waterfall and Canyon Exploration in the Amazon was my favorite activity. The Indigenous Lodge was fantastic, and the canyoning was really cool.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Biking Llanganates

Baños

The Biking Llanganates experience was great. Our equipment was in excellent condition, and our guide was knowledgeable and made the activity enjoyable.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hiking Cotopaxi & Transfer to Baños

Ecuador

Hiking Cotopaxi was another incredible experience. The altitude and gradient were challenging, but being from Colorado, we were somewhat prepared for it. Our guide was fantastic and made the hike enjoyable.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Cooking Class

Quito

The cooking class was not exactly what I expected. However, the food was delicious, and the people were very nice.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hiking Quilotoa Lake & Transfer to Cotopaxi National Park

Ecuador

Hiking Quilotoa Lake was an amazing and rewarding experience. The weather conditions were challenging, but that made it even more memorable. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and made the hike enjoyable.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Urban Bike Tour

Quito

I had a great time during the Urban Bike Tour. Our guide was knowledgeable and provided us with a fantastic experience.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Rafting Río Jatunyacu

Ecuador

We enjoyed the rafting experience, and our rafting guides were great. They were knowledgeable and made us feel safe throughout the activity.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

When looking at how to visit Iceland and all of the different options, it was overwhelming. Kimkim and Adam made everything simple and saved us so much time and stress. The detailed notes on each days' activities helped make everything run smoothly. The two optionals activities Adam helped us book, the ice caves and Zodiac boat tour were two of the highlights.

Chris was incredibly attentive and insightful when it came to planning the perfect trip for us! He listened to what we wanted, made as many modifications as we asked for (there were many), and he didn't stop until everything was exactly how we wanted it. He also made a last-minute change for us on the timing of one of our hikes and it made a huge difference once we had arrived in Guatemala. We had a minor issue at the airport when we arrived, but eventually found our driver and the rest of the trip was absolutely seamless. The boat ride to San Juan and hike with Pablo was incredible. The views were breathtaking, and he and his sidekick were so much fun; we really enjoyed getting to know them. Our guide for the rest of the trip Diana, was just amazing. We feel like she's family now. Highlights in Antigua included a walking tour of the city and hiking the active volcano Pacaya where we roasted marshmallows on the steam coming from the vents on the side of the volcano. Overall, it was a five-star trip with five-star guides, and I would highly recommend Chris and his team to anyone looking to travel to Guatemala. Thank you for the most amazing trip to your beautiful country, we will never forget it!!

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Casa Santo Domingo

Antigua

This hotel is enormous and just WOW!! It is built into the ruins of a convent that was destroyed in the 1700s. The amount of history and art throughout the hotel is absolutely incredible. There is no AC, but there was a minisplit in our room that provided some circulation of cooler air. The rooms were clean and the bed was very comfortable. There are museums and a church and there is just so much to see in the hotel itself. The food and service was five-star! I would highly recommend this hotel to anyone looking for a unique, historical, and five-star hotel experience.

Authenticity & Character

We've never stayed anywhere with this amount of history and art.

Location

Walking distance to many things in town, lots of restaurants and stores

Staff

Service and staff was impeccable

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very clean and comfortable

Hotel Casa Palopo

Panajachel

The views from this hotel were absolutely incredible, although a little rough getting there. The roads are very bumpy and you have to take an additional ATV to get from the lobby up to where the suites are, and then additional walking and stairs to get to the room. It is not wheelchair accessible. The service and food were amazing and the room was extremely clean. There is no AC so it did get a little warm at night, but they did provide us with a fan. Note that if you want access to the infinity pool, you have to book a specific suite, which we did and it was SO worth it. I highly recommend this hotel to anyone looking for a five-star experience with access to the infinity pool with the most incredible views of the lake and volcanos.

Authenticity & Character

Location

The views from the top

Staff

They were so accommodating and service was impeccable

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very clean and bed was comfortable

Activity Reviews

Pacaya Volcano Hike & Spa Day

Antigua

The Pacaya volcano hike was such an incredible experience. The hike is moderate and was a bit challenging with a knee issue but we made it! Roasting marshmallows on the side of the volcano where you can feel the heat coming out of the vents is an experience we won't soon forget. Our guide was wonderful and patient with my slow pace. Diana our main guide who stayed with us the whole trip prepared an amazing lunch near the top. Overall, it was a must-do experience for us and it did not disappoint. The spa day was not exactly what we expected and honestly would probably have skipped it had we known. The sauna was very small and extremely hot; after hiking all day, we did not need to be any hotter than we already were. The hot and cold pools was the most enjoyable part and was very relaxing. The massages were not that great and the rooms were very hot, which made it uncomfortable.

Quality of Experience

The hike was 5 stars, the spa is probably 3 stars.

Food

Diana prepared such a delicious lunch on the side of the volcano!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hobbitenango/Altamira Visits

Antigua

Altamira was really beautiful and easily accessible with a steep walk. The benches and viewing platform is relatively new so it is really nice. We unfortunately went on a foggy day and couldn't see the volcano much in the background, but would still recommend doing it. Hobbitenango is not what we expected. It was very difficult to get to and even once we parked, it required a lot of incline walking on our already tired knees/legs. There also wasn't much to do there except to take a picture on the floating hand. It's ok for a short trip to walk around and take pictures, but if we had it to do over again, we'd probably have skipped it.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Iximché Ruins & Transfer to Antigua

Guatemala

Our guide was of Mayan descent and it was very interesting to learn about their culture and what they do to keep the Mayan culture alive. He was very knowledgeable about the site and spoke very good English. We learned so much about the Mayan people, their history and their traditions. I would definitely recommend this tour to anyone who enjoys learning about the history and culture of places that they travel to, not just touristy things.

Quality of Experience

The guide was really great

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Antigua Historic Walking Tour

Antigua

Our guide took us up and down the streets of Antigua for an incredible tour of the highlights of the city. She grew up in Antigua and had lots of interesting facts and history to share. We really enjoyed learning about the city and the sites.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Rostro Maya / Indian nose Hike

Guatemala

This was so much more than just a hike!! We got to enjoy the incredible views on the boat across the lake, had an enjoyable hike, then a walking tour of San Juan and got to do some shopping before departing on the boat ride back to our hotel. Our guides were wonderful and we really enjoyed our time learning more about them, their culture and Guatemala. They also did a great job helping us take pictures along the way. I'd highly recommend this hike (especially with Pablo)!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Pablo, the other guide, the drivers, everyone was wonderful!

Transport

Bruno was very helpful in planning the trip; including hotels, guides, rental car and all of the many details. His insights and local knowledge were extraordinary. Best of all is that he contacted us almost every day to make certain that all was going well and to help with any problems. All the hotels were excellent; all the guided city tours were excellent. We had a small auto accident and he was "on it" immediately and was helpful beyond description. We simply loved dealing with Bruno and would recommend him and KimKim to all our friends and acquaintences. He is simply THE BEST.

Donald Hamburg (New York City; June, 2023)

As we planned our trip, Clement was helpful and enthusiastic and had very good recommendations for day tours with A la Francaise!, which were excellent. Clement worked hard to meet all our needs and make necessary changes throughout the process. He was accommodating and professional. However, those "people behind the scenes," his colleagues who were in charge of making transportation arrangements or hotel bookings, did not always get it right. We had issues with almost every pickup/drop-off and the emergency numbers we had, especially on the weekend, got us no response from anyone. Luckily, when in Paris, Tony's Car and Limo Service, rose to the occasion and helped us out.

It seems there were some major communication issues within the company and that caused some challenges for us. The day tours Clement arranged were all excellent and our guides were so friendly and knowledgeable.

Kimkim needs to pay careful attention to details, review each itinerary with a fine tooth comb and listen to customer requests. In some instances, two or three requests were made to fix something and it was not addressed. Even while on our trip, we experienced several stressful situations due to lack of coordination on Kimkim's part, causing us to "work" on our own to solve several problems. Overall, our trip to France was amazing, but we will not be using Kimkim for future travels.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel CitizenM CDG Airport

Roissy

A theatrical experience! Beautiful accommodations, though a bit overwhelming with all the technology. Staff was incredibly helpful throughout the process. Great location to get to the airport.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Quality Hotel Bordeaux Centre 3*

Bordeaux

Beautiful hotel, very nice rooms. Helpful staff and great lounge area.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Bellevue 3*

Amboise

Lovely rooms, easy to walk around town. Lovely staff that were helpful and accommodating. Charming town!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Handsome Hotel Paris

Paris

Beautiful hotel, but very tiny rooms. Lovely people who were incredibly helpful. Be prepared to fit only one person and bag in the elevator at a time. Absolutely incredible staff that went out of their way to help. make recommendations and go above and beyond.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Discover the wine in St-Emilion

France

One of our favorite days! Emilie, our tour guide, was so enthusiastic and knowledgeable. We were so impressed by her and she really made this an amazing experience. St-Emilion is absolutely charming and a fascinating area. This was exceptional.

Quality of Experience

The town is stunning and the wineries were excellent.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Emilie was outstanding! So charming, helpful and had so much knowledge to share with us.

Transport

Private transfer from the railway station to the city center of Reims (hotel)

France

Driver was a no show so we had to get our own taxi. Many attempts to contact someone from Kimkim failed. We could not get through or received no responses.

Quality of Experience

Make sure reservations are confirmed and that the driver shows up!

Transport

Private transfer in Paris

Paris

Tony's Limo Company was helpful and professional. Michael was professional and helpful in getting us to the hotel at the airport on our last day, June 5th. However, on May 31st, the driver was late to get us to the train station due to some communication issues and we had on 8 minutes to get to our train with our luggage. Definitely stressful. Tony was great about communication with us and ensured that we had no problem on our return to Paris before our departures. We were very grateful for his assistance!!!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Beach and Wine full day tour from Bordeaux

France

This full day tour is great on paper, however, we felt very rushed and did not feel we fully enjoyed each part of the experience. There was a great deal of traffic as we left town, so, perhaps, an earlier departure time might help. The oyster/shrimp tasting was delicious, but we, again, felt hurried to be on our way. Lunch was at the office instead of an outdoor area as we were short on time. The wineries were great, but the stop along the estuary, while lovely, seemed a bit unnecessary. Less "activities" could have made for a more relaxed day where we could fully enjoy and appreciate these special places.

Quality of Experience

More time to enjoy each place/activity. Too rushed and hectic.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Suzanna was lovely, friendly and enthusiastic. However, she was easily distracted, causing her, at times, to share only a limited amount of information. She had no microphone so everyone could hear her, and had some difficulty managing the GPS causing us to get a little lost.

Transport

Ensuring that the GPS is usable by each guide to help with travel time.

Villandry, Azay-le-Rideau and Vouvray wine tour

Amboise

Gorgeous day! Again, we had the pleasure of being with Sophie who was enthusiastic. knowledgeable and a pleasure to be with. The Vouvray wine tour, in particular, was a fabulous experience and we loved it.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Chambord, Chenonceau & Lunch at a chateau - Full Day

France

Amazing tour with Sophie!! Absolutely perfect day and the lunch at the chateau was so special and delicious. Chambord and Chenonceau were breathtaking. A beautiful day not to be missed.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private transfer in town

France

Driver was prompt and helpful. No problem.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Driver was polite and friendly and helpful.

Transport

The Orsay Museum, timed tickets and audioguide

Paris

Magnificent museum that was truly remarkable. Not to be missed.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Versailles Palace Half Day Trip

France

WOW! This was a spectacular tour with a very knowledgeable guide. Fantastic!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Cruise on the Seine

Paris

Totally worth it.. stunning views, breathtaking cruise.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Eiffel Tower Tickets

Paris

Not to be missed!! Amazing and magical experience.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Timed tickets to Le Louvre

Paris

Magnificent, absolutely magnificent.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hop-on, Hop-off Bus through Paris

Paris

Fantastic tour of the city!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

This was an OUTSTANDING experience. Our local guide and driver, Sharif, was so spectacular. He understood us and our interests, taking care to customize our activities to us and also taking us to cool, local, authentic places. The value he added to our trip is unquantifiable. He knows everyone and this made for consistently special and easy experiences all throughout our journey. He also stayed in touch regularly to ensure our satisfaction & comfort. Words cannot express how much we appreciate Shsrif and how he ensured the excellence of our experiences.

Big thanks also to Samir, who was very patient and regularly checked in on us. He tailored a great itinerary for us, even with my constantly changing plans (over the course of many months!).

Kimkim remains my go to means for connecting with local travel experts.

Mathia and team had planned our Norway trip very well. The team was very detailed and planned all our activites for Norway. We had so much fun and Norway was lovely. I will definitely recommend Mathia and team if you are planning a trip to Norway. Special mention to John who took us around Bergen .We saw a lot of places and local gems which we wouldnt have known had we done it alone. Highly recommended

Soukayna our driver made our trip an amazing experience. Adapting to all our request. Creating wonderful moments for us to remember!

Overall this was a well planned trip!! What really stands out for me is how Joao was constantly in touch daily by text to keep us informed of the following days activities and helping us make last minute changes due to unforeseen weather issues!!

Constantina (Athens - very good
Theodora - excellent !! ( In Chiana ) can't say enough of knowledge and passion for what. she does
Constantina ( Gorge .... really enjoyed )
? nname - Herculian /palace - very nice- too fast dialogue annd scripted
Sanntorinni. -Alex enjoyed / great knnowledge ///// driver was not --playing on phonne the entire time he was driving way too fast

The Santorini Sunset boat was ok - obviously the water was very nice annd views but the vann driver ( return only) was dangerous with his speeds and driving , rediculoous with the loudness of music / even after being asked to turn down

Irene did an AMAZING job planning our honeymoon in Greece. We had so much fun experiencing Greece with the numerous 10/10 tours Irene set us up with. Irene did a spectacular job creating a honeymoon for in the go people who wanted to see as much of Greece as possible, but also wanted a little relaxation. We were so impressed! Irene had private drivers ready for us before every transfer, and everyone she chose was timely and efficient. All of our tours were fun but our favorite was the Wine Tour in Santorini with our tour guide Harry! We would recommend kimkim, especially Irene, for your travel to Greece!

Hotel Reviews

Avra Hotel

Rafina, Attica

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Afroditi Venus Beach Hotel & Spa Santorini

Santorini

We had an amazing time at the Afroditi Venus Beach Hotel & Spa during our honeymoon! They left us a note and a bottle of wine for our honeymoon, and it was so good! Honestly the whole time we stayed in Santorini we only ate somewhere that wasn’t the hotel one time, the hotel food was so good and so accessible! The beaches were so beautiful and well maintained, and all the workers were so kind!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Adonis Hotel

Mykonos

They were so kind and easy to work with even when we arrived earlier than planned! They let us keep our bags in the baggage room and gave us a ton of recommendations for things to explore in Mykonos before our room was ready. Once we were able to check in we were surprised to hear they upgraded our room! It was so good to stay there!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Athens Cypria Hotel

Athens

Authenticity & Character

Location

Cypria hotel is right in the middle of the plaza district, and a close walk to so many hotspots in Athens!

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Santorini Sea Kayak tour

Santorini

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Santorini Highlights with Wine

Greece

We had so much fun on our wine tour with Harry!! Harry did an amazing job showing us Santorini, and the wine part was so fun too!! Harry was very professional but also really fun and showed us so many things around the island. The tour was a good mix of fun and learning!!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Delos & Rhenia Day Cruise

Mykonos

Our day cruise in Greece was so much fun! The staff cooked us a great lunch, and they also created a really fun and relaxing environment while on the cruise. We will always remember this cruise!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Athens Food Tour

Athens

Our food tour was a very intimate group of people (4) and our tour guide. She was so fun and knowledgeable about all the foods and about Greece! She was able to give us so much information as we walked around the neighborhoods of Athens.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Acropolis & Athens Mythology Tour

Athens

Our tour guide was so knowledgeable and so fun to be around and learn from!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Planning this family retirement trip with three generations along with Joao was very user friendly. From gastronomic and boat tours in Porto, kayaking and wine tasting in the Douro valley, hiking with Nuno in Serra da Estrella, time on the Algarve on a private boat excursion to the beautiful arches of Lagos, and then Lisbon
And surrounding areas (Sintra and Obidos) was smooth and seem less. We loved having a private drivers who were courteous and helpful ( shout out to Miguel and Luis!). There were some last minute changes due to timing and one one strike that affected our plans to see Pena Palace, but Joao was on it proactively with fun alternatives. Our ages range from 11-64 and this was a great trip of active outdoor activities as well as some more relaxing sightseeing.
We highly recommend the services and planning of Joao at Across Portugal!

Hotel Reviews

H10 Duque de Loule

Lisboa

This is a beautiful boutique hotel. The breakfast was fantastic, and would recommend, including that in any stay. And the staff were friendly and responsive.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Centrally located and within 20 to 30 minutes walking of everything we wanted to see in the city. Close to restaurants as well.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

We had three rooms on three different floors in each of us were near a lot of noise. One room was in front of the elevator near the bar with a lot of traffic. One was next to an equipment room with a lot of machine noise. In addition the Wi-Fi went out for 36 hours, which normally wouldn’t be a problem on vacation, but it prevented my husband from doing work.

Pousada da Serra da Estrela - Historic Hotel

Covilha

This is a beautiful historic hotel in the mountains. It was beautifully appointed with fantastic grounds and proximity to hiking in Serra da Estrella.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

They were very friendly, and responsive.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Visit: Óbidos

Óbidos

If you have children, do this! The most fun part of this trip was walking the entire city wall. The local town was cute as well.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Unveil the Fairytale Villa of Sintra with a Private Driver Service

Portugal

Our driver, Luis, was great! We never saw Pena Palace as there was a government strike. Fortunately, our driver, noted that there was something wrong with the fact that the lines were short at the gate, where he dropped us off, and took the time to find out that there was in fact a strike, and we would not be able to get in. Joao, from Across Portugal, helped us with a last-minute change of plans to go elsewhere in the area. Also, our driver made excellent recommendations for a local lunch establishment on the way back to Lisbon.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Helpful with suggestions. Including a lovely local lunch establishment on the way back.

Transport

Private Chef at Home

Algarve

Ee stayed at a lovely Beach House in the algarve for five nights, and had a private chef on our last night. He arrived with two staff and everything including cutlery and dishes for a lovely meal experience. He catered to food preferences and presented us with a wide variety of local appetizers and main course.

Quality of Experience

Food

The multiple appetizers on the menu were fantastic! As was the desert. We enjoyed the main course, but above mentioned courses were superlative.

Private Driver Tour to Óbidos

Lisbon

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Miguel was great!

Transport

Discovering Lisbon by Tuk-Tuk

Lisbon

Fun, family activity, and a cute way to see historic Lisbon.

Quality of Experience

Our family of seven had two guides, both of which were excellent. They were very knowledgeable about the history of Lisbon, but create enough space to answer our questions and have organic conversation during the tour.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our drivers were great, even providing blankets when the weather got cool up on the hills.

Visit: Lagos

Portugal

We did a boat tour which was the highlight of this trip. Other than that, there is shopping and eating so not a ton of kids activities.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Exclusive Panoramic Boat Tour to the Ponta da Piedade Caves

Portugal

Very interesting and unique rock formations. We loved having a private boat with the seven of us. Our captain and guide were very informative and easy to understand.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private your!!

Hike & Bite with Peaks, Paths, and a Delicious Picnic in Serra da Estrela

Serra da Estrela Nature Park

Beautiful experience and our guide Nuno was fantastic. The hike, as well as his knowledge of history, geology, and botany really contributed so much to our experience. He also was very accommodating with some last-minute changes because of weather to ensure our safety. His provision of a light snack on the hike, as well as our picnic afterward with local winds, cheeses, and even jelly that his grandmother made was very special. He also provided us with several recommendations of activities that enhance our experience in this area.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Kayaking in the Douro River

Douro Valley

I would rate this experience as a five in terms of the fantastic scenery and seeing the valley this way. We did not realize this was going to take three hours and that it was unguided and that’s why I give this a three rating.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

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

Portugal

Quality of Experience

The ride and Miguel from Anthea were fantastic!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Loved Miguel’s flexibility and professionalism.

Transport

Two-Hour Private Cruise in the Picturesque city of Porto

Porto

We did a short boat ride and then a three hour kayaking trip. The beautiful Douro Valley was fantastic to see this way. Our only reservation is that we were dropped off from the boat and sent on our way alone without any offer of additional water or expectation that the kayak trip would be three hours long. In addition, weather was coming in and we were caught in the rain and lightning, thankfully, as we were finishing up, but there was no provision for pick up in case of this kind of weather. In addition, we had no guide. While we loved seeing the Douro Valley this way, I think expectations should be set about the actual kayaking trip if someone chooses it.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our driver, Miguel from Anthea was as usual fantastic. We had no guide on the actual kayak trip, and on the boat there was a poorly recorded audio guide.

Transport

Exploring Porto's Rich History on an Exclusive Gastronomic Tour Through Time

Porto

This is the one experience in two weeks in Portugal that I would not recommend. We had a group of seven in the guide, walked very quickly in the front and spoke softly. We have done many food tours internationally, and got a lot more history and perspective on local culture, than were provided on this tour.. in addition, the restaurants we visited, were not the best representation of Portuguese gastronomy!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visit: Porto

Porto

Puerto is a lovely city and we like the proximity to the Duro Valley, costa, nova, and the lovely town of Aveiro. We felt the 2 1/2 days we spent there were adequate in terms of timing.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

We loved Miguel from Anthea; he was very professional and courteous, as well as accommodating to our group of seven

Transport

Great ride for seven with lots of leg room in all three rows.

Stephen helped us plan a romantic 12-day trip to Scotland to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary. I have wanted to go to Scotland forever, but there are so many things to do and see that I was very overwhelmed with the planning. Stephen and I went back and forth a few times to get the details just right, but in the end, we wouldn't have changed a thing. Stand out experiences from the trip were our walking tour of Edinburg with Gareth as our guide--wear good walking shoes. The wildlife safari in the Cairngorms National Forest with Steve--make a plan for breakfast because the tour starts before most places are serving; Steve provided tea, coffee and snacks. Our trip to the Fairy Pools on Skye was wonderful--I've never seen clearer water and the views are spectacular, but wear supportive shoes or hiking boots and if you're at all unsteady consider hiking poles. The three-island tour of Mull, Staffa, and Iona leaving from Oban harbor was also wonderful--pack a picnic and plan to eat it on Staffa. The views are amazing! There's a coffee shop near the ferry terminal where you can buy pre-made sandwiches. We went to 5 castles -- Edinburgh, Glamis, Urquhart, Dunvegan, and Stirling. All had their pros and cons but we loved them all. Urquhart on the banks of Loch Ness was my favorite; my husband's favorite was Stirling Castle. We also toured Culloden and Bannockburn battlefields. I was more interested in Culloden, but my husband enjoyed the story of Bannockburn -- the thing at Bannockburn is that you need to travel to various locations to get a sense of the battle, and not all the locations are marked. Our guide Murray did a good job explaining everything, but there's not much to look at. We didn't go into the educational center at the actual memorial--but I'd investigate it if you're interested in learning about this piece of Scottish history or maybe read an article or book. For me, I think this would have helped ground me in an understanding before visiting the battlefield sites. On our last day in Edinburg we had high tea at the Signet Library. They are one of the few places that offer a gluten free tea and it was an exceptional experience. As someone who needs to eat GF, you can often feel like you are compromising -- not here. One of the finest dining experiences of my life in a beautiful setting. Dinner at the Heathmont Hotel in Inverness was also exceptional. Also, I will say that I was worried about being able to accommodate my food allergies outside the major cities. I'm happy to report that while it was hard to find GF food outside of health food stores, the restaurants were able to accommodate me everywhere we went.

Hotel Reviews

Eden Locke

Edinburgh

This was a great location in the in New Town. An easy walk to shopping, restaurants and attractions. The staff was exceptionally friendly and I would have appreciated having the kitchenette if we'd stayed longer in Edinburgh. This was also one of the most spacious rooms we stayed in.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Stirling Highland Hotel

Stirling

This was my least favorite of all the hotels we stayed it. The buildings were formerly a school and the guest rooms in particular feel very institutional. The hotel was fully booked the night we stayed and the staff seemed very overwhelmed. That said, it has a great location that's an easy walk to Stirling Castle.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Perle Oban Hotel & Spa

Oban

Loved this hotel -- it was one of the most beautiful we stayed in. Very modern decor. Our room had an amazing view of the harbor and was very well located. The hotel restaurant, Baab was also exceptional.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Beautifully decorated rooms, lovely view of the harbor, clean modern bathrooms

Heathmount Hotel

Inverness

Beautiful, historic hotel in a quiet setting.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Angel's Share Hotel

New Town, Edinburgh

Nice hotel, great staff.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

They were great about storing our luggage, helping us order taxis and giving us tips on places to eat.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Comfortable bed, small but modern bathroom

Activity Reviews

Afternoon Tea at The Signet Library

Edinburgh

I am gluten intolerant, but I really wanted a high tea experience on our trip. When you eat gluten free, you just assume that your experience is going to be a compromise vs. that of anyone you're with. That was not the case here. Our table was tucked away in a little alcove, which gave a very private feeling. We were invited to select a personal pot of tea from an extensive list -- wine and champagne are available for an extra fee. This was followed by a several courses including a 3 tier platter of savory bites and a second one of sweets. Everything was 1-2 bites of meticulously prepared food.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The staff we discreet and attentive. The tea was well-paced -- we never felt rushed.

Edinburgh Castle Tickets

Edinburgh

Visit to Urquhart Castle

Scotland

Right on the banks of Loch Ness, this was my favorite of the 5 castles we visited. The setting was especially lovely.

Quality of Experience

Culloden Battlefield private tour

Inverness

Our guide, Rhona, was very knowledgable about the battle and the history. She spent time setting the context and the background of the political situation and really helped us envision the full picture. We asked tons of questions and Rhona was very patient with us.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Cairngorms National Park Wildlife Tour with a Specialist

Scotland

I don't consider myself much of a nature person -- not a hiker or a camper and definitely not a bird watcher. That said, this was an amazing experience -- one of my favorites of the trip. Steve our guide was exceptional -- he took us to 4 different habitats in the Cairngorms and taught us all along the way. This is a 5-hour tour, but I could have spent 5 more hours learning from Steve.

Quality of Experience

The scenery is just amazing and Steve allows you to see a lot in a relatively short amount of time.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Steve was so knowledgeable about the local flora and fauna and a very nice person to spend time with.

Transport

Steve has a lovely Range Rover. Very comfortable.

Gardens & Grounds Admission tickets & Tour at Glamis castle

Scotland

Glamis is a beautiful castle -- exactly what you expect a castle to look like! There are only a few rooms to see and you get to learn a bit of history about the castle and the family. I enjoyed it, but it was not one of my favorite experiences in the end.

Private Walking Tour of Edinburgh with a Top Local Guide

Edinburgh

Gareth met us at our hotel and took us on a wonderful walk around Edinburg's new and old town, teaching us about the history and showing us the sites. It was a great way to orient ourselves to the city.

Quality of Experience

Gareth, our guide, was both personable and knowledgable

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Belize trip 2023

Our guide, Rene’, was very nice, helpful, & knowledgeable. I believe Francis was our guide for ATM cave. He was the same in every way as Rene’. I didn’t care for the ATM cave but my youngest son really enjoyed it. While I wouldn’t have chosen either place we stayed I was pleasantly surprised by both. Table rock was beautiful & the staff & food were amazing. Only thing I would add would be ac. Brisa Oceana was also great & in the perfect place that gave us access to everything the area had to offer