Kimkim Trip Reviews

4.8
Based on 16,009 ratings
Read 16,009 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.

Knowledgeable, prepared, kind guides, and amazing experiences!
Galapagos Islands | Jan 3 - Jan 8, 2025

T
Teri B.
Seattle, WA | Reviewed on Jan 15, 2025

We loved our visit to Santa Cruz Island, including all of the guided tours and the hotel stay. The outings were informative, interesting, well-planned, and enjoyable. Thanks for all the help planning our trip! We'll always remember the fun we had.

Local specialist: Pilar Albuja
Pilar
Pilar Albuja
Local specialist in Ecuador Quito | Replied on Jan 15, 2025

Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m thrilled to hear that you loved your visit to Santa Cruz Island and enjoyed the guided tours and hotel stay. It’s wonderful to know the outings were informative, interesting, and well-planned—it sounds like you had an amazing time!

It was a pleasure helping you plan your trip, and I’m so glad it will be a memorable experience for you. If you ever want to plan another adventure, I’d be happy to assist again.

With warm regards,
Pilar

Argentina is a great place to visit. Under M...
Argentina | Dec 25 - Jan 8, 2025

D
David H.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Jan 15, 2025

Argentina is a great place to visit. Under Milei, it is on its way to again being rich and a world leader. Buenos Aires has a really cool combination of post-socialist grunge (graffiti, old buildings) and brand new cafes and restaurants. In general, all of our connections were on-time. We generally avoided large buses and groups, which we preferred for our family group of four. Each of our destinations (El Calafate, Bariloche, Iguazu, BA) were world class. We were happy with the Boutique hotels chosen in terms of location and facilities and breakfast.

Local specialist: Agustina Gross
Agustina
Agustina Gross
Local specialist in Buenos Aires | Replied on Jan 17, 2025

Hi David!
Como estás?
Thank you so much for taking the time to write your review!
I'm extremely happy you enjoyed Argentina, and all the destinations and experiences!
Thank you again for your trust in Kim Kim and our local agency! It was a true pleasure for me to organize this trip for your family with you!
I wish the best and until next time :)

We absolutely loved our trip to New Zealand! ...
New Zealand | Dec 30 - Jan 11, 2025

Paul
Paul D.
Livonia, MI | Reviewed on Jan 15, 2025
We absolutely loved our trip to New Zealand! Michelle was fantastic in helping us understanding some of the amazing places and activities available. We really we were able to do and see much more with her help in organizing and planning from biking, rafting, hiking, flying, fjord's, ballooning, glaciers, star gazing, jet boating and majestic scenery. We loved our visit impart because of Michelle's help and expertise. Read more

We absolutely loved our trip to New Zealand! Michelle was fantastic in helping us understanding some of the amazing places and activities available. We really we were able to do and see much more with her help in organizing and planning from biking, rafting, hiking, flying, fjord's, ballooning, glaciers, star gazing, jet boating and majestic scenery. We loved our visit impart because of Michelle's help and expertise.

Activity Reviews
Jet Boat the Shotover River
Jet Boat the Shotover River
Queenstown (NZ)
Fly Cruise Fly – Queenstown to Milford Sound by scenic flight
Fly Cruise Fly – Queenstown to Milford Sound by scenic flight
Queenstown (NZ)
Te  Pā Tū  - Maori Cultural Experience
Te Pā Tū - Maori Cultural Experience
Rotorua
Mt Cook half day Heli Hike
Mt Cook half day Heli Hike
New Zealand

wow

Ferry to Waiheke Island
Ferry to Waiheke Island
Auckland
Eco Zip - Flying Fox ziplines & Native Walks Experience
Eco Zip - Flying Fox ziplines & Native Walks Experience
New Zealand
Timber Trail day 2
Timber Trail day 2
Ongarue
Timber Trail Day 1
Timber Trail Day 1
Ongarue
 Rafting Kaituna River, grade 5
Rafting Kaituna River, grade 5
Rotorua
The Crater Experience - stargazing Tekapo
The Crater Experience - stargazing Tekapo
Lake Tekapo

amazing experience in seeing our universe.

Local specialist: Michelle Srzich
Michelle
Michelle Srzich
Local specialist in Auckland, New Zealand | Replied on Jan 15, 2025

Thanks for your feedback and I am so thrilled to hear you had such a great time in New Zealand and appreciated my expertise in the planning. We put together your trip without too much notice ( I think within a month of your making an enquiry you were travelling) so I was happy to be able to find and put together all of those active experiences you were looking for.
I thought you would enjoy the Timber Trail especially so am really glad we were able to fit that epic 2 day cycle trip within your itinerary along with all the stunning scenery you experienced.
Happy future travels!

Brazil 2024-2025
Brazil | Dec 20 - Jan 2, 2025

Carrie
Carrie T.
Holland, MI | Reviewed on Jan 14, 2025
Renata was incredibly helpful planning and organizing our trip. She was quick to respond to my many questions.
Keneick was fantastic in the Amazon, Diana was great at the waterfalls and Vinny was a wealth of information in Rio (and an avid soccer fan that our children appreciated.)
Read more

Renata was incredibly helpful planning and organizing our trip. She was quick to respond to my many questions.
Keneick was fantastic in the Amazon, Diana was great at the waterfalls and Vinny was a wealth of information in Rio (and an avid soccer fan that our children appreciated.)

Hotel Reviews
Amazon Turtle Lodge

Perfect oasis in the Amazon.

Authenticity & Character
It has all the basic things you need in the rainforest.
Location
Staff
Very helpful!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Nothing fancy, but perfect for in the Amazon Rainforest.
Windsor Excelsior Hotel
Rio de Janeiro

Their NYE dinner is fantastic! Great location!

Location
Best location!
Staff
Very helpful.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Camille Terra

Two bucket list items in one Peru trip.
Peru | Dec 19 - Dec 31, 2024

Craig
Craig A.
Brookhaven, GA | Reviewed on Jan 14, 2025

Liz put together an amazing trip that got us to the Amazon rainforest and to hike the Inca trail. All the details were perfect and even last minute changes were handled easily.

There were many times that had I had plan this myself I would have chosen the wrong approach from the types of tours to the places to see and what is possible in the area.

Highly recommend Peru and Liz.

Local specialist: Liz Karen L. Jihuallanca
Liz Karen
Liz Karen L. Jihuallanca
Local specialist in Cusco | Replied on Feb 13, 2025

Hi Craig,
I’m really happy to hear you enjoyed your time in Peru! I’ll share your review with the guides and our team—they’ll love reading it.
Looking forward to helping you with future adventures in LATAM!
Take care,
Liz.

Great Philippines Trip
Philippines | Dec 22 - Jan 2, 2025

KLAUS
KLAUS A.
Bon Air, VA | Reviewed on Jan 14, 2025
Sarah did a great job organizing all transportation and our great activities in the Philippines. She identified reliable transport partners and provided a wonderful list of tours and activities that fitted well our desires and expectations. Read more

Sarah did a great job organizing all transportation and our great activities in the Philippines. She identified reliable transport partners and provided a wonderful list of tours and activities that fitted well our desires and expectations.

Activity Reviews
Bohol Country Side Tour
Bohol Country Side Tour
Philippines

The great highlights of the tour was visiting the amazing primate Tarsier in its sanctuary (only found here in Bohol), the beautiful river cruise with local dance and the awesome chocolate hills.

Quality of Experience
Very unique especially the Tarsier, chocolate hills and river cruise
Food
Philippines food is very different
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Very flexible to our desires, high professionalism
Transport
Great private driver
Coron Town Half Day Tour
Coron Town Half Day Tour
Coron

The first part of the tour with the visit to the Mountain Cross was the best. The tour became too long and we enjoyed the hot springs less. Souvenir shop was OK. Overall was long and very challenging traffic around town

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Very flexible and helpful
Transport
Coron Island Super Ultimate Tour: Kayangan Lake, Barracuda Lake, Twin Lagoon, Balinsasayaw Reef
Coron Island Super Ultimate Tour: Kayangan Lake, Barracuda Lake, Twin Lagoon, Balinsasayaw Reef
Coron
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Bohol / Panglao: Island Hopping and Dolphin Watching Tour
Bohol / Panglao: Island Hopping and Dolphin Watching Tour
Philippines

Great boat tour, go to see the dolphins and snorkel with turtle and fish in Balicasag Island and walk around the beautiful Island.

Quality of Experience
Small rating discount because Virgin Island was not in the program and no previous warning that it would not be
Guides, Drivers and Staff
No issues
Transport
Coron: Dugong Watching with Sea Turtle and Coral Garden tour
Coron: Dugong Watching with Sea Turtle and Coral Garden tour
Coron
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Sarah Lindsay
Sarah
Sarah Lindsay
Local specialist in Australia | Replied on Jan 18, 2025

Hi Klaus,

Thank you so much for your kind words! It was an absolute pleasure organising your trip to the Philippines. I’m thrilled to hear that the transportation and activities matched your expectations and that you had a wonderful experience. I hope the memories from your trip will last a lifetime, and I’d love to help you plan another adventure in the future! 🌴✨

Sarah

I enjoyed a very pleasant trip to the Philipp...
Philippines | Dec 26 - Jan 10, 2025

Jason
Jason P.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Jan 14, 2025
I enjoyed a very pleasant trip to the Philippines.
the itinerary was well balanced and all the timings worked well.
Read more

I enjoyed a very pleasant trip to the Philippines.
the itinerary was well balanced and all the timings worked well.

Hotel Reviews
Cebu Seaview Dive Resort
Moalboal

This beach side hotel is well positioned and comfortable. It's primary purpose is to provide for the divers and it does this very well. The staff are all extremely helpful and the resort is very well managed.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Henann Tawala Resort
Tawala

Exceptional hotel, well appointed comfortable rooms. the pool is in the centre courtyard so does not offer any views.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Isla Amara Boutique Resort
El Nido

Great location, super beach, nice pool, charming staff.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Maayo Hotel Cebu

Pleasant hotel in a good location, a little tired but well appointed none the less.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Cebu City and Mactan Island day tour
Cebu City and Mactan Island day tour
Philippines

The tour offers little to see, I felt like I was being driven around a city constantly battling traffic.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Diving in Moalboal - 3 dives
Diving in Moalboal - 3 dives
Moalboal

Excellent organisation and diving.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Bohol Island Day Tour
Bohol Island Day Tour
Philippines

A nice trip however the views in the wet season are underwhelming compared to the summer months when the hills are brown.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
El Nido via ferrata
El Nido via ferrata
El Nido

A short steep climb up a metal structure takes you to the top of a hill with good views of the town.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Cebu Countryside tour
Cebu Countryside tour
Cebu City

This was the worst part of the trip. While I apricate nothing can be done to avoid bad traffic the the attraction at the designation was very disappointing. We saw a local man climb a palm tree and milk the flower. Rode around in a cart driven by an buffalo. Watch a man make a basket. It took two and a half hours to get there, an hour participating in the three activities mentioned and another 2 and a half hours to return.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Canyoneering in Kawasan Falls
Canyoneering in Kawasan Falls
Moalboal

Fantastic guide, super location, lots of fun.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Diving in Moalboal and Pescador Island (3 dives)
Diving in Moalboal and Pescador Island (3 dives)
Moalboal

Well organised and great diving.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Kayaking with fireflies
Kayaking with fireflies
Philippines

A pleasant trip along the river to view fireflies. Very peaceful and enjoyable.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Diving in Balicasag Island (2 dives)
Diving in Balicasag Island (2 dives)
Philippines

Well organised and great diving.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Diving in Pamilacan Island - 3 dives
Diving in Pamilacan Island - 3 dives
Panglao Island

Well organised and great diving.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Island hopping in El Nido - Tour A - group tour
Island hopping in El Nido - Tour A - group tour
El Nido

Good for snorkelling and seeing what the local islands have to offer.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Island hopping in El Nido - Tour D - group tour
Island hopping in El Nido - Tour D - group tour
El Nido

As mentioned in my previous review.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Diving in El Nido
Diving in El Nido
El Nido

Well organised and super diving.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Leo Cuesta
Leo
Leo Cuesta
Local specialist in USA | Replied on Jan 14, 2025

Hi Jason, thanks for your review and I'm glad you enjoyed your trip. Thanks for working with me on your diving vacation and I hope to arrange another adventure for you in the future.

Value, Logistics, and Accomodations
Australia | Dec 24 - Jan 5, 2025

Rina
Rina P.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Jan 14, 2025
I see the value in the services you provide, but given the scale, length, and cost of the trip, I believe more detailed conversations would have been helpful. I specifically requested private and exclusive experiences, but in hindsight, I didn’t fully review the hotel options that were selected. Accommodations in Sydney and Caines was mediocre and the hotel in Melbourne was the worst experience I’ve had. Additionally, with this being our first trip to Australia and not fully understanding... Read more

I see the value in the services you provide, but given the scale, length, and cost of the trip, I believe more detailed conversations would have been helpful. I specifically requested private and exclusive experiences, but in hindsight, I didn’t fully review the hotel options that were selected. Accommodations in Sydney and Caines was mediocre and the hotel in Melbourne was the worst experience I’ve had.

Additionally, with this being our first trip to Australia and not fully understanding the logistics, I felt that five days in Cairns was too much. For example, the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway on Day 8, especially after we had already seen wildlife in the wild, felt like a wasted day. Visiting Little Koala Gardens was another disappointment.

Regarding our time in Melbourne, I felt that Day 10, which was focused on Philip Island, was overly packed. While the penguin viewing at the end of the day was fantastic, the visit to the small sanctuaries could have been skipped—spending an entire day on that experience wasn’t necessary. In fact, if I had two or three more days to play with, I could have spent more time in other areas of interest.

On a positive note, I truly appreciated the app you provided for day-to-day information. It was very helpful, and although the contact information for our local guides was initially missing, I was impressed with how quickly it was added, and I really appreciated the prompt response

Hotel Reviews
Adina Apartment Hotel Melbourne
Melbourne

We chose to stay at Adina based on Jon's recommendation, but I really wish I had paid more attention to the reviews. We spent four nights and five days there as a family, and were excited about staying in the penthouse suite. However, the reality was far from what we expected. Here’s a summary of the major issues I encountered, which are so basic I would expect them even from a three-star hotel. 1. I understand that daily room cleaning isn’t always provided, but despite requesting it multiple times, we never received proper room service. When they did come, they simply changed the bed sheets—nothing else was cleaned. 2. Towels were never provided, even after repeated requests. 3. The overall condition of the room was disappointing—dirty and dated. 4. The biggest issue was the lack of ventilation in the bathroom. There was no exhaust fan, and the bathroom itself was dingy and moldy. 5. The coffee machine didn’t work, and despite asking housekeeping to take a look, they were unable to fix it. 6. The service at the front desk was terrible—my requests often went unanswered or ignored.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Crystalbrook Riley
Cairns

Overall, this hotel was better than mediocre, but I find it hard to understand how a property of this size could consistently run out of towels. During three of the five days we stayed, there were no towels available. The highlight of the hotel was definitely the view — we had a fantastic ocean view and enjoyed watching the fireworks on December 31.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
QT
Sydney

The location of this hotel is excellent, right in the heart of the city and within easy reach of many attractions. However, the rooms are a bit dark and outdated, and the bathrooms lack proper ventilation or an exhaust fan. has context menu

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Sydney Opera House Tour
Sydney Opera House Tour
Sydney
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Fitzroy Island Adventures - Island Transfer & Glass Bottom Boat Tour incl. Lunch
Fitzroy Island Adventures - Island Transfer & Glass Bottom Boat Tour incl. Lunch
Cairns

This was an okay experience, but it felt a bit redundant after doing Reef Magic. The glass-bottom boat wasn’t worth it, and the snorkeling and diving experience was mediocre at best. The biggest issue I had was being dropped off at an island with nowhere to store your things or find a comfortable spot to relax. I wasn’t aware of this beforehand. The meals provided were box lunches, and honestly, they weren’t worth it either.

Quality of Experience
Transport
Arrive Sydney
Arrive Sydney
Sydney

It was great to be picked up at the airport, and the drive to our hotel was smooth and effortless.

AEA Luxury Tours - Panoramic Sydney Sights Morning Tour
AEA Luxury Tours - Panoramic Sydney Sights Morning Tour
Sydney

We took this tour on Christmas Day, and our guide was absolutely amazing. No crowds, easy driving and knowledgeable guide. It truly made for a beautiful experience.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
AEA Luxury Tours - Blue Mountains Deluxe Day
AEA Luxury Tours - Blue Mountains Deluxe Day
Sydney
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Reef Magic outer reef cruise
Reef Magic outer reef cruise
Australia

We booked this well in advance, but Jon didn’t communicate our phone numbers to the local team, which caused a delay in getting our tickets on the day off. We had to wait in long lines and was extremely frustrating. It could all have been avoided. The boat was at full capacity with over 400 people, so it felt chaotic. Since we booked so far ahead, I wish I had more details about the activities, like snorkeling options, so I could have signed up ahead instead of arriving on a crowded boat and scrambling to sign up and not getting our choice timings and options. That said, diving into the Great Barrier Reef was the highlight of the trip—it was an amazing experience. The lunch was also really good, despite the long lines, and I appreciated that they noted my child’s food allergy and took good care of her.

Arrive Cairns
Arrive Cairns
Cairns

We were picked up from the airport and it was only a 10-minute drive to the hotel. However, the car that picked us up was a bit rundown. In hindsight, we could have just taken an Uber directly to the hotel at our convenience and saved the extra cost.

Daintree, Cape Trib & Bloomfield Day Tour
Daintree, Cape Trib & Bloomfield Day Tour
Cairns

This was an amazing experience, especially since we chose to do it privately. We were able to go at our own pace, and our guide, Lawrance, was fantastic. We also really enjoyed the meal and the fruit presentation.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Skyrail Rainforest Cableway + Kuranda Scenic Railway
Skyrail Rainforest Cableway + Kuranda Scenic Railway
Cairns

This day also felt like a waste. The cableway was the only highlight, but the Koala Gardens, souvenir shop, and local market felt like a total tourist trap. After seeing animals in the wild, visiting them in a park just didn’t compare—it was disappointing and didn’t feel authentic at all. Overall, it felt like we wasted our day.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Welcome to Melbourne
Welcome to Melbourne
Melbourne

Per Jon's recommendation we were at Adina, but I really wish I had paid more attention to the reviews. We spent four nights and five days there as a family, and were excited about staying in the penthouse suite. However, the reality was far from what we expected. Here’s a summary of the major issues I encountered, which are so basic I would expect them even from a three-star hotel. 1. I understand that daily room cleaning isn’t always provided, but despite requesting it multiple times, we never received proper room service. When they did come, they simply changed the bed sheets—nothing else was cleaned. 2. Towels were never provided, even after repeated requests. 3. The overall condition of the room was disappointing—dirty and dated. 4. The biggest issue was the lack of ventilation in the bathroom. There was no exhaust fan, and the bathroom itself was dingy and moldy. 5. The coffee machine didn’t work, and despite asking housekeeping to take a look, they were unable to fix it. 6. The service at the front desk was terrible—my requests often went unanswered or ignored.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Kuranda Koala Gardens
Kuranda Koala Gardens
Australia

If you’re visiting in the summer, like we did in December, I highly recommend skipping this activity. Koalas are usually asleep and inactive, and seeing them in captivity at a small park just isn’t worth it.

Phillip Island and Moonlit Sanctuary Tour + Penguins Plus Viewing
Phillip Island and Moonlit Sanctuary Tour + Penguins Plus Viewing
Australia

We were picked up in the afternoon and taken to the Moonlit Sanctuary tour, but it was a big disappointment. The park, with its local animals, felt small and underwhelming, and since it was around 90° that day, all the animals were hibernating. It definitely wasn’t worth the time. I’d suggest instead spending the day at Phillip Island for lunch, followed by the Penguin Parade, which is definitely worth it and the real highlight of the day. If you’re planning ahead like we did, be sure to check the details of your ticket. We were a group of five, and three of our kids were seated in economy while we had plus seats. We had Plus viewing and Economy seating felt like a total waste—plus is definitely the way to go for the best experience. So, make sure to review your seating options in advance.

Local specialist: Jon Andrews

10 out of 10
Japan | Jan 2 - Jan 11, 2025

L
Leanne J.
Canada | Reviewed on Jan 14, 2025

I thought the trip was fantastic! We covered so many interesting places and activities and each location was special. I learned so much about Japanese culture. The hotels were beautiful and the food was awesome. And William and Allan were so informative and helpful. Allan treated my elderly mother like a queen! It was a once in a lifetime experience.

Local specialist: Shona Zhang
Shona
Shona Zhang
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Jan 16, 2025

Hi Leanne,
Thank you for your review and all the understanding and cooperation during the trip.
All the best wishes to you and your family. Hope see your next trip.
Best wihses
Shona

Berat was outstanding! Very professional and ...
Turkey | Dec 24 - Jan 3, 2025

D
Duke D.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Jan 14, 2025
Berat was outstanding! Very professional and timely with her responses. She gave excellent recommendations and provided alternative solutions that we enjoyed. Read more

Berat was outstanding! Very professional and timely with her responses. She gave excellent recommendations and provided alternative solutions that we enjoyed.

Hotel Reviews
Swissotel Buyuk Efes Izmir

Outstanding gym. One of the biggest I've seen!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Doğa Thermal Hotel & Spa
Denizli

The food was a forced buffet. It was not good.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Nisanyan Houses
Selçuk

It was interesting. The breakfast was incredible, and the staff was friendly. The rooms were a bit dated but a worthwhile experience.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Ruin Adalia
Antalya

Location was outstanding. The food was ok, not a great breakfast. The staff was lean and difficult to get assistance. They also charged up for additional water which was unwarranted.

Authenticity & Character
Location
It was really loud at night.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Argos in Cappadocia
Nevsehir

Excellent service. Food was outstanding as was the breakfast. Location was excellent as well.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Pera Palace
Istanbul

A lot of character and the room where nice and clean. Location was excellent and was fantastic.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Berat Ornek
Berat
Berat Ornek
Local specialist in Turkey | Replied on Jan 14, 2025

Dear Duke,

Many thanks for this positive review! We appreciate your valuable feedback and are happy to hear you had a great time in Turkey.

Thanks for choosing us as your travel companions and we look forward to hosting you here again.
Best,
Berat

Our trip appeared to be outside of their scope of expertise
Patagonia | Dec 22 - Jan 6, 2025

T
Tami C.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Jan 14, 2025
If I had to summarize our experience with the travel company contracted through kimkim. I would describe it with one sentence – our trip appeared to be outside of their scope of expertise.
• We did not receive the detailed itinerary until we were already at the airport for the trip preventing us from reviewing and possibly identifying issues.
• The car rental was an open pickup truck. While it met the needs of having 4x4 drive and room for 5 adults, having a vehicle where luggage was...
Read more

If I had to summarize our experience with the travel company contracted through kimkim. I would describe it with one sentence – our trip appeared to be outside of their scope of expertise.
• We did not receive the detailed itinerary until we were already at the airport for the trip preventing us from reviewing and possibly identifying issues.
• The car rental was an open pickup truck. While it met the needs of having 4x4 drive and room for 5 adults, having a vehicle where luggage was extremely problematic. Furthermore, we discussed this with the travel agent at the beginning of the planning and told her we were not interested in having a truck. This was an explicit discussion point. Instead, when we picked up the vehicle, it was a truck with an uncovered truck bed. We had a long drive that day and it was raining outside, we had to drive 30 minutes in the opposite direction into town to find trash bags into which we packed our luggage - every time we changed locations throughout the trip. As a side note, our guidance from the travel agent included repeated warnings that the Chilean border closed at 16:00. The border did not close until much later. This resulted in unnecessary stress on our first day after we landed in Punta Arenas, dealt with the issues with our rental car, traveled into town to purchase bags for our luggage, and then drove to El Calafate.
• The trip plan that we approved on the kimkim website did not mention pick up and drop off being included for the planned activities. There were many instances where what we approved via the kimkim chat was not ultimately what we experienced. I can only conclude this resulted in extra expenses for us.
o For example, on December 24, we had an excursion via boat to view glaciers. The description on the kimkim chat indicated that we would have lunch at the reserve and the departure time. That is what we approved. The day before the excursion we were contacted by another company who was picking us up. They let us know we needed to be ready to go at 8:00. At 8:30 they finally arrived and then we had three other stops to pick up other individuals. We were the last to arrive at the boat dock. As a result, we were provided with less-than-ideal seating on the boat. We also learned that the company that picked us up had included lunch. All of these were unnecessary expenses. We had a vehicle. We did not need to be picked up. We also did not need to have a provided lunch.
o This was also the situation with the rafting excursion we did in El Chaltén. We had a rental car. The rafting company picked us up and dropped us off. Likely that increased our cost.
o This happened again with our excursion to the penguin reserve. The travel agent knew after the penguin reserve we would be driving to Ushuaia. In the kimkim chat on December 6, I indicated that we would like the itinerary updated to reflect that we would arrive at the reserve at 10 and then drive to Ushuaia. We were not informed until two days beforehand that a tour company would pick us up, drive us to the reserve, and then return us to Porvenir. However, it was VERY clear in our kimkim chat that we did not need a ride, nor did we need a ride back to Porvenir. A company was hired to travel via ferry from Punt Arenas in a large van and then drive us to the reserve. We had a car. Again we were paying for an unnecessary expense. Also, we were told that would include lunch and we were not provided with lunch. Ultimately, three of us drove with the tour company and the other two drove our vehicle. Our next destination was Ushuaia. Returning to Porvenir would have resulted in an extra 3 hours of travel for an already long day.
o The final boat activity in Ushuaia also included a pickup and drop off. We did not need that, we had a car.
Upon arrival, In Santiago on our final night in Chile. Our travel companion who was included in our trip itinerary did not have a room reserved for him. After a very long travel day, we contacted the company emergency line and it was resolved. However, it was one more issue in a long line of issues
Chile and Argentina’s Patagonia region is beautiful, and we had a wonderful time, but kimkim’s contracted travel agency did not meet our expectations for the trip.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Estancia Tercera Barranca
Torres Del Paine

The hotel's website contains out of date photos; it's much move overgrown than we expected. The location is fantastic and the staff were amazing. However, the grounds were not maintained, the food was expensive, and the activities were not well described. Be aware that you are at least 45 minutes away from any other (very limited) food options. Since there is not gas station within 90 minutes of travel, you really have to understand how remote this hotel is.

Authenticity & Character
the grounds were not well maintained. It's a working ranch, not a hotel
Location
It's a beautiful location, but nothing else is around it.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
the rooms were comfortable, the showers were nice.
Holiday Inn Santiago - Airport Terminal
Santiago

The staff were responsive and helpful. They understood that guests at this hotel have unique needs related to flight schedules and they responded accordingly.

Authenticity & Character
It's a great airport hotel
Location
Staff
Went above and beyond.
Cleanliness & Comfort
the beds were very comfortable!
Local specialist: Flor Bonis
Flor
Flor Bonis
Local specialist in Córdoba | Replied on Jan 16, 2025
Dear Tami, Thank you for sharing your detailed feedback.
I appreciate the time you took to outline your concerns, and I want to address them carefully to provide clarity regarding your experience.
Regarding the itinerary, the welcome kit information for destinations and the itinerary, was emailed in advance only to you to keep one of the excursions a surprise for the passengers how you requested personally to my email. The updated service schedules are reconfirmed just a couple of days... Read more

Dear Tami,

Thank you for sharing your detailed feedback.
I appreciate the time you took to outline your concerns, and I want to address them carefully to provide clarity regarding your experience.

Regarding the itinerary, the welcome kit information for destinations and the itinerary, was emailed in advance only to you to keep one of the excursions a surprise for the passengers how you requested personally to my email.

The updated service schedules are reconfirmed just a couple of days before arrival to provide the most accurate information, considering logistics and updates from flights and suppliers.

As is common globally, car rental companies confirm only the category of the vehicle. We specified a VAN due to the group size of 5 passengers, or alternatively, two vehicles needed to fit well the number of people and luggage.

Unfortunately, rental companies do not specify the exact vehicle model, which led to the unforeseen issue of luggage being exposed in the truck bed. Nevertheless, our support team on-site worked to find alternatives for this situation.

Regarding transfers for some excursions, while certain services are integrated and cannot be separated, we recognize that some transfers, such as those from ports, could have been excluded, and we will ensure better communication on such matters in the future.

For the itinerary concerning the penguin reserve, I regret that I did not have this specific request, but I did provide complete advice regarding the borders with the information available at the time.
Lastly, the issue with the hotel room in Santiago was a misunderstanding with the hotel, which was resolved promptly.
Your feedback is truly important and valuable to us, and we will take it into account to improve future trip plans.

Thank you again for traveling with us, and I hope there were still moments of joy during your journey.

Warm regards,
Florencia


Emerson planned a fantastic itinerary for our...
Finland | Jan 3 - Jan 10, 2025

Isabelle
Isabelle L.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Jan 14, 2025
Emerson planned a fantastic itinerary for our family - it was the perfect amount of discovery, exploration, adventure, relaxation and fun, he really nailed it with what was offered and made the area special in Finland. We asked for a winter wonderland filled with lots of activity for my 10 and 7 year old girls and he really delivered. He did a beautiful job piecing the trip together with the perfect location and hotel choices. My girls loved all our accommodations (Snow & Ice Hotel, Glass... Read more

Emerson planned a fantastic itinerary for our family - it was the perfect amount of discovery, exploration, adventure, relaxation and fun, he really nailed it with what was offered and made the area special in Finland. We asked for a winter wonderland filled with lots of activity for my 10 and 7 year old girls and he really delivered. He did a beautiful job piecing the trip together with the perfect location and hotel choices. My girls loved all our accommodations (Snow & Ice Hotel, Glass Igloo, , the transfers and transportation services were always on time and in excellent condition and Emerson's expertise of the area shines through with his offerings of excursions that were so unique that we had not even thought of but enjoyed thoroughly! This trip was fantastic, could not have been better, and planning with Emerson was easy, straightforward and delightful - I would not hesitate to recommend him to anyone wanting to experience all the magic that Finland in Winter time has to offer!

Hotel Reviews
Posti Boutique Hotel Rovaniemi
Rovaniemi

A wonderful hotel with helpful, courteous staff. The room was spacious and clean, with all the conveniences one could want, especially with the kitchenette. The complimentary morning breakfasts were very nice and it is conveniently located within 5 minutes walking distance to the train/bus station and across the street from some grocery stories and restaurants.

Authenticity & Character
A more rustic design with an old-timey elevator but with some modern touches like the automatic lights for hallways. The rooms were well designed and very comfortable.
Location
5 minutes away from the train/bus station and a convenient market and shopping plaza was across the street, though it was a bit further from the main downtown area.
Staff
Helpful staff that was kind and able to offer good information to all the questions we had.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean and comfortable - the rooms were warm and well furnished.
Arctic SnowHotel & Glass Igloos
Rovaniemi

The experience of staying in the SnowHotel was unique and amazing. The facilities were very clean and everything was carefully maintained. The sauna was very nice to have, though the shower facilities could have been a bit more private. The sculpted ice hotel was so beautiful to walk around and discover and the warm room with the fireplace was a great place to spend time in to warm up. I do wish there were more private places to spend down-time, for example, somewhere comfortable, private and warm to lay down and take a nap since we are not allowed to enter our ice rooms until pretty late in the evening. The buffet breakfast was a very nice spread and we enjoyed our stay here very much - one night is more than enough time to enjoy and take in all offerings of this accommodation if staying in the ice hotel. The ice restaurant was also well done and the ice bar was very fun to visit as well.

Authenticity & Character
An incredibly unique experience!
Location
Great area and setting
Staff
Very helpful folks
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean spaces, could have some warmer private spaces to feel more comfortable and relaxed
Kurula's Resort
Pyhätunturi

This resort was one of my family's favorite places to stay while moving around Finland. It was a cosy cabin atmosphere where the rooms were spacious, inviting and surprisingly warm given that the only heat provided is from the flooring. Our favorite feature of the rooms was the private sauna in the bathroom. We found that we used the sauna every day, sometimes twice a day to warm up from the cold outside. Also, conveniently, the clothing warmer was a very nice feature of the room so that we could dry our clothing quickly. The food was very well done at the restaurant and we enjoyed the complimentary breakfasts. It was also very convenient to have the winter overalls and boots provided so that we were well equipped for excursions nearby. It is not particularly close to anything walkable so plan accordingly but the site itself is magical. My children had such fun riding the complimentary sleds down the hills and playing in the plentiful snow around the property. The room was clean, spacious and modern with all the conveniences, including a full sized refrigerator, water kettle, coffee maker and stovetop/microwave. The staff is also incredibly

Authenticity & Character
Absolutely charming cosy cabin vibes.
Location
It is not walkable or nearby to a lot of conveniences like stores or restaurants so plan accordingly or work with hotel staff to get around or leave the premise.
Staff
Very helpful, very nice.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The rooms and property was clean and very comfortable, we had very restful sleeps.
Northern Lights Village
Saariselkä

This hotel was spectacular, it runs like a well oiled machine and made for a very comfortable stay. The room was very comfortable, though it may take some time to warm up. The convenience of looking up to see the Northern Lights was by far the most valuable aspect of staying here - not having to be cold outside when the lights come to dance in front of you is perfection. The views are picturesque everywhere you look and walk. There are also a plentiful amount of activities on-site to keep everyone entertained. The meal times are organized and there are good diverse offerings.

Authenticity & Character
The rooms here are so special, the layout is also very nice.
Location
Staff
Very helpful and available staff members
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Flexible Northern Lights Hunting
Flexible Northern Lights Hunting
Rovaniemi

We had Antii as our guide and he was very good! The vehicle is very comfortable and the most valuable aspect of this excursion is that there is no time limit. He will literally hunt around all over the place and at all hours of the night to assure that guests will see the lights. Additionally, he provides beautiful photography of your party with the Northern Lights and that is invaluable! As a mom who is always taking photos of her kids, it's nice to be on a tour with someone else taking photos of you and your family with the unforgettable backdrop of the Northern lights! We enjoyed the hot juice and gingersnap cookies that our guide brought and when our toes were too cold, he was quick to offer toe warmers.

Quality of Experience
Antii, the guide, went through great lengths to chase down the lights so we would see them.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
He was a great driver and photographer!
Transport
Safe, timely and safe driver
Family Husky Safari
Family Husky Safari
Rovaniemi

This operation was very well organized. The huskies were very easy to work with and the environment was immaculate and just magical.

Quality of Experience
Excellent experience, I felt safe and had a magical time - amazing backdrop
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Well educated staff
Transport
Dinner at Ice Restaurant
Dinner at Ice Restaurant
Sinettä

The food was good and it was a very beautiful and unique experience. It is expected to be a cold dining experience but perhaps a bit too long and uncomfortable for younger children.

Quality of Experience
Good food and service
Food
Everything was very tasty
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Friendly, good staff
Transport
Reindeer Safari with Wilderness Lunch
Reindeer Safari with Wilderness Lunch
Finland

This was a beautiful experience, super family friendly and enjoyable throughout. We loved feeding the reindeer, taking a very scenic ride with them and then spending some time with lunch in the tent to warm up.

Quality of Experience
Excellent tour guide! He was entertaining and educational. Great activities with the reindeer :)
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Excellent guide
Transport
Searching For Santa
Searching For Santa
Saariselkä

This was a tour that was so special - I thought it would just be more for younger kids but I think everyone really enjoyed it, my older child and myself as well. The elves really brought the energy and it was amazing how so many different activities were able to be included in the hours of the tour. We enjoyed so much of it and the pacing was very good, from the skipping, cookie making and decorating, reindeer rides, elf camp activities (my kids' favorite was the trivia games), the singing of songs to find Santa and then actually sitting and talking with Santa - it was a very touching experience to watch Santa talk with the kids.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Amethyst Mine Tour with the Pendolino - Snow Train
Amethyst Mine Tour with the Pendolino - Snow Train
Pyhä

Easily one of my kids' favorite activities. It was extremely cold but they still enjoyed the tour. It was fun to experience the short ride on the Pendolino but the real star is the part where the kids could dig. They really could've stayed for much longer doing just the digging part of the excursion. It was thrilling for them to find the amethyst and the guides were so helpful and uplifting in their efforts.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Ice-Climbing Experience
Ice-Climbing Experience
Pyhä

The guides were absolutely phenomenal and really made the experience! Sampo was professional and a great driver. Inessa was a superstar guide, and absolutely magnificent with children, she really made the experience a standout for us. We always felt safe and encouraged, also very proud of our ability to climb the wall with our very capable guides.

Quality of Experience
An amazing experience with expert guides!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Inessa was amazing! She was helpful and so supportive, phenomenal with children! Highly recommend her.
Transport
Aurora Camp by the Lake
Aurora Camp by the Lake
Saariselkä

Although we didn't get to see the lights this evening due to a snow storm, our guide still made it incredibly fun despite the weather. Katie was excellent with children and was so good at sharing such good interesting facts. My kids enjoyed roasting marshmallows with her.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Emerson Siimer
Emerson
Emerson Siimer
Local specialist in Estonia | Replied on Jan 14, 2025

Thank you so much for this lovely review—it’s such a wonderful way to start my birthday morning! 🎉 I’m so happy to hear that your family had an amazing time and that the trip brought the perfect balance of adventure, fun, and winter magic. It was a joy planning it for you, and I’m thrilled everything came together so well. Wishing you many more memorable adventures in the future!

KimKim and Bruno made Rio rock!
Brazil | Jan 2 - Jan 8, 2025

K
Ken G.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Jan 13, 2025
So we just got back from Brazil and I want to let everyone know that KimKim is legit! We've never planned a trip through a website before, or with an agent we'd never met who lived on another continent. It all made my wife and I a bit nervous. We won't be next time. We (me, my wife and our 23-yr old son) wanted to visit Rio and Iguazu Falls, and Bruno planned a great experience. The hotels he arranged for us were lovely - especially the Miramar in Rio (on the beach in Copacabana with a... Read more

So we just got back from Brazil and I want to let everyone know that KimKim is legit! We've never planned a trip through a website before, or with an agent we'd never met who lived on another continent. It all made my wife and I a bit nervous. We won't be next time.

We (me, my wife and our 23-yr old son) wanted to visit Rio and Iguazu Falls, and Bruno planned a great experience. The hotels he arranged for us were lovely - especially the Miramar in Rio (on the beach in Copacabana with a rooftop bar and infinity pool, a great breakfast buffet, and a really great team of people - from the Bell Cap to the roof staff).

We had a private tour guide in both places and they enriched the experience tremendously. We spent two days with Jefferson in Rio, going to the top of Sugarloaf and Corcovado (Christ the Redeemer statue), and a ton of other expected and unexpected spots. He was warm, friendly and full of facts, history and stories. His English was fluent. And another benefit of having a guide is you get to bypass many (not all) lines at the various attractions.

Jorge was our guide at Iguazu, and while the experience of seeing those falls doesn't call for nearly the commentary as the Rio tours, Jorge was friendly and knowledgable as well. On the second day, our son almost got heat exhaustion at the falls and Jorge convinced the policeman to let us cut the line to get my son quickly up to the concession stand (water) and shade. He was really looking out for us. That was cool.

Side note, if you go to Iguazu, you HAVE to do both sides. They each offer their own perspectives and experiences. And riding a boat up into the falls (literally, we drove under falls) is better in Argentina than in Brazil because the Brazilian boats aren't allowed to go to all the falls (the one's in Argentina. I know, it sounds stupid, but that's international relations for you.) One of the most incredible experiences of my life!

Our transfers and tickets were seamless - to and from the airport on each leg, the trip to Iguazu and back (a two hour flight), our tickets for parks, trains or gondolas, dinner reservations. This helps helps when you can't seem to get past please, thank you and where's the bathroom (thank you Google Translate).

Bruno grew up in Rio but lives in Portugal. Even so, he was available when we needed him and was ready to help if our son's condition deteriorated. Happily, it did not.

I don't know about anyone else's experience, but we will definitely be using KimKim again. They connect you with an independent agent who specializes in the area you want to visit. They facilitate the interaction, handle the payments. I'm happy to give them a fee for this. And I'm happy to pay a fee to Bruno, who I know spent considerable time making sure our trip was a success, from idea to the flight home.

Local specialist: Bruno Madeira
Bruno
Bruno Madeira
Local specialist in Brazil(Rio de Janeiro) and Portugal | Replied on Jan 13, 2025

Hello ken
I really appreciate you sharing your experience. I'm very happy to hear that your trip was a success. I'd like to thank you very much for your trust and that of your family.
Whenever you need anything, you can count on us.
A big hug to you and see you next time.

Lovely family trip to Guatemala and Belize
Guatemala | Dec 25 - Jan 5, 2025

L
Laura M.
Portland, OR | Reviewed on Jan 13, 2025

The entire KimKim team worked harad to make our trip a success. Esteban was particularly helpful, rescuing us and our luggage which we forwarded along by the office not realizing that the AirBnB would not let us in before 3pm. Catherina also organized a birthday party for our daughter who turned 18 while we were in Antigua.

Local specialist: Catherina Tittaferrante
Catherina
Catherina Tittaferrante
Local specialist in Antigua Guatemala | Replied on Jan 15, 2025

Such an honor to share our passion with you and your family my dear Laura, we value and treasured every moment, every memory and has been amazing to see your smiles and we celebrate as well your hike to one of the most amazing volcanoes in the world!

Wish you joy and health to continue exploring and making your bond stronger.

Kristy was awesome in planning and confirming.
Peru | Dec 28 - Jan 11, 2025

Craig
Craig Y.
Boston, MA | Reviewed on Jan 13, 2025
Kristy was great. From our first interaction, she was very responsive. Very professional. I made a number of changes in the process and she was very accommodating and never seemed put out or overwhelmed. Even during the trip, we had some minor changes that she assisted us with wonderfully. I highly recommend Kristy. Read more

Kristy was great. From our first interaction, she was very responsive. Very professional. I made a number of changes in the process and she was very accommodating and never seemed put out or overwhelmed. Even during the trip, we had some minor changes that she assisted us with wonderfully. I highly recommend Kristy.

Hotel Review
Pullman Lima Miraflores
Miraflores, Lima

We thought the Pullman was great. Check-in was quick and easy. The lobby is small but more than adequate. The hotel room was very nice. Clean. Quiet at night. Breakfast in the morning was a buffet and was fine. The rooftop bar was fun. All in all, we had a great experience.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Central to restaurants and the coastline trail and parks
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Pisac Ruins and Pisac Market
Pisac Ruins and Pisac Market
Peru

We really enjoyed this tour in this site. It had a very magical mystical field to it. It was not heavily touristy the day we went. It did end up raining, but it was fine. Beautiful historical site.

Quality of Experience
Beautiful historical site
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Valarie was nice but a bit long winded in his story telling. And Lilly has not forgiven the Spanish inquisition.
Transport
Alex was great
Pachamanca Lunch at El Albergue Farm in Ollantaytambo
Pachamanca Lunch at El Albergue Farm in Ollantaytambo
Peru

This is an interesting form, but I think the whole process of preparing the food and reviewing everything was perhaps more than what we needed. We were also tired that day and it was a bit rainy that day, but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend this unless somebody really wanted to go.

Scenic Train Journey to Aguas Calientes from the Sacred Valley
Scenic Train Journey to Aguas Calientes from the Sacred Valley
Peru

The train ride was nice. About an hour and a half. The problem we had, is when we got to the little town, the person who was supposed to be there to meet us to bring us the hotel wasn’t. We had to find the hotel on our own, which was hard because it was also pouring rain at the Time. Train ride was great. The hotel transfer was not.

Discovering the Treasures of Machu Picchu
Discovering the Treasures of Machu Picchu
Aguas Calientes/ Machu Picchu

What a beautiful magical spot not a piece she is. I highly recommend everyone to do this tour.

Cusco Tour
Cusco Tour
Peru

The Cusco tour was just OK for us. We had a bit of a stomach bug, but we had seen larger and better in sites already. In hindsight, I wish we had Skip Cusco and headed north to get closer to the rainbow mountains.

Rainbow Mountain Trek
Rainbow Mountain Trek
Peru

This was a big item on my bucket list so I’m glad I went. But I didn’t really realize how far away it is. It was a solid 3 to 3 1/2 hour car drive. We stopped for both lunch and breakfast on the way there. It was very far away. I didn’t like lunch or breakfast. The restaurant buffet serve was really not that good. The hike up rainbow Mountain was fine. We rented horses. Again, it wasn’t explained well to us, but it’s a one-way ride up only. You walk the rest of the way. Which was fine. It snowed the night before so we actually couldn’t see the rainbow in the rainbow mountains. Again, in hindsight, I wish we had use us as a stopping point head further south towards lake Tacoma.

Local specialist: Kristy Tizon
Kristy
Kristy Tizon
Local specialist in Lima, Peru | Replied on Jan 18, 2025

Thank you so much for your review, Craig! I’m glad to hear you had an amazing time in Peru. I look forward to staying in touch and helping with any future trips in South America. Take care!

Perfect hotels and tour. Highly recommend.
Italy | Jan 3 - Jan 9, 2025

Dale
Dale S.
Flagami, FL | Reviewed on Jan 13, 2025
Everything went effortlessly. All the ride transitions from the airport to the train station to the hotel to the tours were scheduled for us and arrived on time and were great companies. The hotel choices made by the team at kimkim were perfect and in ideal locations. The tour was excellent. There were no issues on the whole trip everything went according to the plan and was better than I could have hoped for. Read more

Everything went effortlessly. All the ride transitions from the airport to the train station to the hotel to the tours were scheduled for us and arrived on time and were great companies. The hotel choices made by the team at kimkim were perfect and in ideal locations. The tour was excellent. There were no issues on the whole trip everything went according to the plan and was better than I could have hoped for.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Palazzo Guadagni
Florence

Great location. Authentic feel. Beautiful rooftop bar. Awesome views from the room. Service was impeccable.

Authenticity & Character
Quaint and charming.
Location
Everything is within a 5-10 minute walk.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Scalinata di Spagna
Rome

Great location at the top of the Spanish steps. Many sites within 10 minutes walk. And other attractions like the Colosseum are a 10 minute taxi ride. Beautiful rooms with your own terrace. Friendly helpful staff.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Walking distance to many historical sites and short drive from the Colosseum.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Day trip in the Tuscan countryside, wine tour, lunch and guided visit to San Gimignano
Day trip in the Tuscan countryside, wine tour, lunch and guided visit to San Gimignano
Italy

I wasn't originally in favor of doing tours but this ended up being one of the highlights of the trip. The tour takes you to several locations and gives you an authentic experience.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Very knowledgeable and professional guides and drivers.
Transport
Local specialist: Elisa Sciabica
Elisa
Elisa Sciabica
Local specialist in Milan | Replied on Jan 13, 2025

Thank you so much, Dale! We are truly delighted to hear that everything went smoothly and that every detail of your trip exceeded expectations. We are grateful to you for choosing us and we look forward to helping you plan more memorable trips in the future!

Quality of service by the guides.
Egypt | Jan 4 - Jan 11, 2025

Johan
Johan O.
France | Reviewed on Jan 13, 2025
Initially there was poor communication regarding additional tours requested by us but they were sorted out via Aya just before we checked in for our flight from Addis Ababa. It lead to Mohamed waiting for us on arrival while we took personally arranged transport to our hotel for the firts night. We have assumed (maybe wrongly) that the first night stay was not included in our trip cost.
I'm a bit unsure regarding the "local specialist" as the Tour Guide who collected us from the Novotel...
Read more

Initially there was poor communication regarding additional tours requested by us but they were sorted out via Aya just before we checked in for our flight from Addis Ababa. It lead to Mohamed waiting for us on arrival while we took personally arranged transport to our hotel for the firts night. We have assumed (maybe wrongly) that the first night stay was not included in our trip cost.
I'm a bit unsure regarding the "local specialist" as the Tour Guide who collected us from the Novotel Cairo Airport hotel and took me took the market on the first day was diappointing as he was not providing any guidance/information regarding landmarks as we drove to the market and/or around the market itself at all.
All our other guides were exellent. As they were all named Mohamed in one form or another I would rather refer to the location. The guide for Luxor was the best of all followed by the one in Cairo and lastly the one in Aswan.

Hotel Reviews
Pyramids Park Resort
Giza

The room itself and service was good. However, the sound proofing of the door to the room was very poor which resulted in noisy nextdoor guests, who were coming and going all night, kept us awake and spoiled our stay. We were tired and could not enjoy our visit to Egypt (Aswan) the following day.

Authenticity & Character
Modern but no special caracter. Could have been in any city.
Location
Very far from the Cairo International Airport. Close to the Giza Pyramids though.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The sound insulation was poor as stated elsewhere in the review.
Obelisk Nile Hotel - Aswan
Aswan

We enjoyed the location on the Nile. Our room was comfortable and felt private.

Authenticity & Character
Felt as if you were part of the life on the Nile and the local urban life when you visit the backstreet shops virtually accross the road.
Location
Location on the Nile and within walking distance from local shops.
Staff
Very friendly and helpful.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Ibrotel Luxor
Luxor

We enjoyed the atmosphere of the location on the Nile.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Location on the Nile and views from the poolside deck while enjoying sundowners.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Tour to Pyramids, National Museum, and The Egyptian Museum
Tour to Pyramids, National Museum, and The Egyptian Museum
Cairo

Our guide was very professional and knowledgible. We learnt a lot regarding Egypt and the pyramids from him.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Tour to High Dam, Philae Temple, and Obelisk
Tour to High Dam, Philae Temple, and Obelisk
Aswan

The guide was too self-important and repeated the same facts endlessly. We nevertheless gained a lot of knowledge regarding the area and venues.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Trip To Abu Simbel By Coach
Trip To Abu Simbel By Coach
Aswan

We did not go on this tour as we were tired from our stay in Cairo and the very early departure to Aswan from Cairo. Was not prepared for a successive day starting at 3:00.

Quality of Experience
Did not go.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Did not go.
Transport
Did not go.
Transfer from Aswan to Luxor Via Kom Ombo and Edfu
Transfer from Aswan to Luxor Via Kom Ombo and Edfu
Egypt

Exellent . The best guide of our trip to Egypt. Extremely knowledgible and professional. Respected the privacy of his guests and did not make frivalous talk about private matters. Learnt a lot from him.

Local specialist: Mohamed Nabil
Mohamed
Mohamed Nabil
Local specialist in Egypt | Replied on Jan 16, 2025
Dear Mr. Johan
Thank you for taking the time to provide us with detailed feedback about your recent experience with Sun Pyramids Tours. We sincerely appreciate your valuable insights, as they help us strive for excellence in our services.
first of all, I would like to inform you that our goal at Sun Pyramids Tours is always to provide a relaxing and enjoyable experience, allowing time for our guests to fully appreciate their surroundings.
We would like to clarify some points. Regarding the...
Read more

Dear Mr. Johan
Thank you for taking the time to provide us with detailed feedback about your recent experience with Sun Pyramids Tours. We sincerely appreciate your valuable insights, as they help us strive for excellence in our services.
first of all, I would like to inform you that our goal at Sun Pyramids Tours is always to provide a relaxing and enjoyable experience, allowing time for our guests to fully appreciate their surroundings.
We would like to clarify some points. Regarding the issue of poor communication about the optional tours you requested, Aya clearly confirmed all the details prior to your flight check-in, including that you could pay for the optional tours either in cash or via a payment link.
Regarding the matter of having our representative wait for you at the airport, you called our representative around 2:30 AM and mentioned that no one had informed you that a representative would be waiting for you. However, as shown in your itinerary, it clearly states that our representative would be waiting for you at the exit gate upon your arrival at Cairo airport to escort you to the Novotel Hotel.
Regarding the point where you assumed (possibly incorrectly) that the first night’s stay was not included in the trip cost, we believe that the chat with our operator shows that you had clearly informed me that you had already booked a night at the Novotel Hotel on your own.
Regarding the point of local market tour leader knowledge. Due to our consistent follow-up with you with me, I made sure that our customer care team reached out after you shared your concerns about the tour leader during the local markets tour with our tour operator. They assured you that the tour leader would be changed for your final day tours in Cairo, despite of the trip in consideration is a shopping tour, so it doesn't require any historical context or explanation. And, even if you visit certain historical locations while touring, the representative's role is to assist you with grabbing pictures or translating.
Furthermore, after you reported to me, that you encountered some issues with your accommodation at Pyramids Park Resort Hotel, this led you to cancel your group tour to Abu Simbel.
Our customer care team shared with you the outcomes after reviewing your concerns.
1-Upon your return to Cairo, a new tour guide will accompany you.
2-Regarding the Abo Simbel Tour point that you cancelled. Please be noted since you cancelled on the day of the tour, there will be no refund according to the cancellation policy. However, as a token of appreciation form the managerial level in our company, we are offering to refund the tour amount which is $120.
Additionally, we proposed to switch your hotel from Pyramids Park Resort Hotel to Jewel Alfustat Hotel was more expensive than your original one, and we are the ones who covered that cost, which was close to the locations you visited on January 11th, and you accepted our offers, and confirmed with us the amount has been deposited on last Saturday.
Ultimately, we value your insights because they will be very helpful to us going forward.
Johan

mohammed

Our amazing family trip to the Philippines - thank you Cami!
Philippines | Dec 22 - Dec 31, 2024

Cynthia
Cynthia J.
Walnut Creek, CA | Reviewed on Jan 13, 2025
Cami did an amazing job of organizing our family trip to the Philippines. Every detail was taken care of, which allowed us to enjoy a stress-free vacation. The trip summary was detailed and included day-to-day instructions, so we knew what to expect. Ana and her husband, John, were gracious hosts in Manila. They picked us up to the airport, took us to our hotel to check in and freshen up, then drove us to view different areas of Manila. Our favorite was walking the streets of Intramuros.... Read more

Cami did an amazing job of organizing our family trip to the Philippines. Every detail was taken care of, which allowed us to enjoy a stress-free vacation. The trip summary was detailed and included day-to-day instructions, so we knew what to expect. Ana and her husband, John, were gracious hosts in Manila. They picked us up to the airport, took us to our hotel to check in and freshen up, then drove us to view different areas of Manila. Our favorite was walking the streets of Intramuros. The next day they drove us to Pagsanjan Falls for a memorable and beautiful canoe ride amongst the forested cliffs and spectacular waterfalls - a unique experience that we will never forget. The Huni Lio Hotel in El Nido was perfect for us! It was situated right on the beach next to many restaurants within walking distance. The sunsets on Lio Beach were one of the most beautiful we've seen! We chose to take the private Tour D to beat the crowds - to our surprise, we were the only ones canoeing in the Small Lagoon for quite a while. Our stay in Discovery Coron was also wonderful with a white sand beach, baby blue water, good food, and another incredible tour of several beautiful beaches and snorkeling spots. Thank you, Cami, for helping us experience a trip of a lifetime!

Local specialist: Cami Sarmiento
Cami
Cami Sarmiento
Local specialist in Las Vegas, NV | Replied on Jan 20, 2025

Thank you for your wonderful review Cynthia! I’m very happy to hear you and your family had an amazing time in the Philippines, and that you enjoyed the destinations, hotels and activities planned for you. I'll make sure to share your kind words with Ana and Jhon.
Thank you for choosing to travel with us. It was a pleasure to organize your trip and I look forward to organizing another unforgettable trip for you in the future!
Cami

Portugal for Christmas Holidays
Portugal | Dec 21 - Dec 28, 2024

Liza
Liza L.
Shaw, DC | Reviewed on Jan 13, 2025
After weeks of planning with Hector, our first trip to Portugal during Christmas was fantastic! Hector was patient, flexible, responsive and very helpful, including Marta and the Espiritu Team too.
Highlights:
-Bessa Hotel Liberdade was top-notch!
Tuk-tuk tour of Lisbon was a fun and unique way to see the city. They had one blanket that was great Marta was very knowledgeable about the different sights we saw on our tour of Cascais and Sintra, from local artists to the history of... Read more

After weeks of planning with Hector, our first trip to Portugal during Christmas was fantastic! Hector was patient, flexible, responsive and very helpful, including Marta and the Espiritu Team too.
Highlights:
-Bessa Hotel Liberdade was top-notch!

Tuk-tuk tour of Lisbon was a fun and unique way to see the city. They had one blanket that was great

Marta was very knowledgeable about the different sights we saw on our tour of Cascais and Sintra, from local artists to the history of different famous buildings. She also brought us to an authentic Portuguese lunch spot where we enjoyed a variety of good foods. She was very flexible and accomodating when we expressed an interest in seeing Pena Palace rather than another place. Pena Palace is worth it for the first time visitor, especially during off-season winter holidays. Lines were manageable. Waiting for the shuttle took the longest, but if you're fit, take the 10min walk up the hill. Excellent views and many interesting details inside the palace itself.

Our driver for Obidos, Fatima and Porto was friendly and very helpful.

Braga and Guimaraes were lovely day trips and our guide was excellent! He reserved a fantastic restaurant for lunch in a historic building and gave us a superb tour of the places.

Enjoyed climbing the Clerigos tower on Christmas and going to a Portuguese mass.

The bike tour in Porto with Biclas and Triclas was also great and the company did a good job helping us get to our train on time while still seeing all of the beautiful viewpoints in Lisbon. Piedro, our guide was excellent in navigating us through the city safely and shared his wealth of knowledge about the city sights. Our first time on E-bikes, it was perfect for the hilly terrain.

Our train back to Lisbon was a little delayed and we didn't realize that there were 2 stops in Lisbon and got off early at Oriente instead of the other one!

Things that could be improved:
- Mercure Hotel Santa Catarina in Porto was not 4 star worthy! Staff were pleasant, buffet breakfast was good, but compared to Bessa Hotel, it really was more 3-star caliber. Our first room had a strong moldy smell and they moved us without hassle, but having that experience in the first place was unpleasant. Floor was linoleum out of the 1970s, with no robes or slippers and no view. The room our kids and grandmother were in had a great city view.

Definitely recommend Portugal for the winter holidays.

Hotel Reviews
Mercure Porto Centro Santa Catarina
PORTO

Very surprised this is considered a 4-star hotel. Staff were pleasant, buffet breakfast was good with panoramic city views, but compared to Bessa Hotel, it really was more 3-star caliber. Our first room had a strong moldy smell and they moved us without hassle, but having that experience in the first place was unpleasant. Floor was an odd linoleum with no robes, slippers or body lotion,no view and room was small with a double bed. Surprisingly, practical dental kits were bathroom amenities. Our children’s triple room had a great city view.

Location
Close to the main shopping districts
Staff
Pleasant and professional. Moved us right away when we called about the moldy smell.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Moldy smell, possibly from the bathroom bidet in our first room.
BessaHotel Liberdade
Lisboa
Authenticity & Character
Location
Walkable to shops and Rossi, but for some reason, carshare had difficulty finding the place
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Get to know Porto by E-bike
Get to know Porto by E-bike
Porto

Piedro, our guide was excellent! Skilled at navigating us safely through the city and sharing his wealth of knowledge about everything Porto. Our first time on E-bikes, it was perfect for the hilly terrain and we covered a lot of ground! Sara was also great helping us get the bikes together and our carshare back to our hotel.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
E-Bikes were in excellent condition, easy to ride and maneuver
Local specialist: Hector Molina
Hector
Hector Molina
Local specialist in Madrid | Replied on Jan 16, 2025

Dear Liza and family,

Thank you very much for such a wonderful review, much appreciated.
We are very glad to hear that we met your expectations and thank you for your trust.
I hope that Portugal will stay in your fond memories for a long time.

Best regards,
Héctor

We had a great time.
New Zealand | Jan 1 - Jan 10, 2025

Heather
Heather A.
Van Buren, AR | Reviewed on Jan 13, 2025
We had a great time. The planning looked like it took a lot of work. The only activity that we did not do was the dinner at Ahi and we were not picked up at the airport. The accommodations were nice. The only issue was the Chalet Queenstown. It was a little loud, hot and the limited breakfast times did not fit our schedule either day that we were there. The pure pod was awesome. If possible we would definitely use this company again. Thank you for your help and hard work. Read more

We had a great time. The planning looked like it took a lot of work. The only activity that we did not do was the dinner at Ahi and we were not picked up at the airport. The accommodations were nice. The only issue was the Chalet Queenstown. It was a little loud, hot and the limited breakfast times did not fit our schedule either day that we were there. The pure pod was awesome. If possible we would definitely use this company again. Thank you for your help and hard work.

Hotel Reviews
The Prince's Gate Hotel
Rotorua

This hotel was unique and we had a great stay. The staff was very nice and the breakfast was good. We got to walk to most of our activities from the hotel.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Vicarage Geraldine
Geraldine

This hotel was unique. I loved it. There were so many thoughtful details. The location was great.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Hermitage Hotel
Mount Cook Village

Nice hotel. The rooms were pretty basic but the views were outstanding. They provided the best breakfast during our trip. We were able to walk to our scheduled activity and to a few hikes.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
PurePod Rakiura Stewart Island (Hananui)
Christchurch

This was a very interesting experience. I loved it. It was a bit of a hike to get to but very much worth it. I would have liked to have had the electrical power to dry my hair but it worked out. I was sad to leave.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Chalet Queenstown
Queenstown

This was a cute place. There were some issues. It was very hot and loud in our room so it was difficult to sleep. The breakfast was only from 8a to 9:30a. We had to be out before 8a both days that we were there. The hostess did make sure that we had some cereal and toast. My husband had to wake her up on the day we were leaving because she had us blocked it with her car. There were so many hotels in that city with views of the lake but our room had a view into the house next door.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Sudima Auckland City
Auckland

It was a basic hotel. It did the job.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Ahi Restaurant - 4 snacks and 4 courses
Ahi Restaurant - 4 snacks and 4 courses
Auckland

We canceled our reservation because after looking at the menu, I was not confident there was going to be anything I would like.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Hobbiton Movie Set Tour
Hobbiton Movie Set Tour
New Zealand

We loved this tour. It was one of the first things we did and it set the trip off well. The drive there was beautiful. The tour was great .

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Te Pā Tū Māori Feast & Performance
Te Pā Tū Māori Feast & Performance
Rotorua

It was nice that the company drove us to the location from a convenient location. It was interactive and interesting. The dinner was good. It rained on us a little bit but it was still good.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Zipline Canopy Tour
Zipline Canopy Tour
Rotorua

This activity was a lot of fun. It was nice that they put so much about conservation into the tour. The staff was wonderful.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Glowworm Paddle Board Tour
Glowworm Paddle Board Tour
Rotorua

This was an amazing experience. Kayaking at night was very cool, the glow worms were beautiful, and the star gazing was amazing. It was a little cold and late but not much can be done about that.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Kayak Tasman Glacier Lake
Kayak Tasman Glacier Lake
New Zealand

It was okay. There wasn't much to it even though it was 5 hours long. Most of the time was walking to the location and getting the boats set up. The guide was very intense. This is one that we probably wouldn't do again.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Fly Cruise Fly – Queenstown to Milford Sound by scenic flight
Fly Cruise Fly – Queenstown to Milford Sound by scenic flight
Queenstown (NZ)

Great experience. The flight was great. We had so many amazing views. The cruise was also great.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Safari of the scenes Glenorchy (LOTR)
Safari of the scenes Glenorchy (LOTR)
Queenstown (NZ)

This was a nice tout. The scenery was great and the guide was friendly.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Michelle Srzich
Michelle
Michelle Srzich
Local specialist in Auckland, New Zealand | Replied on Jan 15, 2025
Hi Heather and thanks for your review and feedback. I am so glad to hear you had a great time in New Zealand and especially the PurePod - aren't they awesome!
I have reviewed your feedback about missing the airport transfer we arranged and will pass this on to the supplier of the service as sometimes it is hard to locate travellers amongst the airport crowds.
I hope your 1 star review of Ahi restaurant does not put other visitors off trying this restaurant since you didn't actually eat...
Read more

Hi Heather and thanks for your review and feedback. I am so glad to hear you had a great time in New Zealand and especially the PurePod - aren't they awesome!
I have reviewed your feedback about missing the airport transfer we arranged and will pass this on to the supplier of the service as sometimes it is hard to locate travellers amongst the airport crowds.
I hope your 1 star review of Ahi restaurant does not put other visitors off trying this restaurant since you didn't actually eat there, we receive great feedback and highly recommend it as a place to enjoy great New Zealand cuisine.
Once again thanks for taking the time to provide feedback and happy future travels!

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