Kimkim Trip Reviews

4.8
Based on 11,493 ratings
Read 11,493 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.

26 days in Vietnam and Cambodia
Vietnam | Feb 17 - Mar 12, 2024

Diane
Diane B.
Canada | Reviewed on Mar 15, 2024
Our trip to Vietnam and Cambodia was an incredibly memorable experience. Hien, our travel specialist at Realistic Asia, was key to the success and enjoyment of our holiday. Hien helped us to plan a well organized and logical 26 day itinerary according to our travel preferences. She always responded promptly to any questions or requests, and anticipated our needs in a timely manner (e.g. providing e-visa links and reviewing our documentation). The recommended tours provided insights into... Read more

Our trip to Vietnam and Cambodia was an incredibly memorable experience. Hien, our travel specialist at Realistic Asia, was key to the success and enjoyment of our holiday. Hien helped us to plan a well organized and logical 26 day itinerary according to our travel preferences. She always responded promptly to any questions or requests, and anticipated our needs in a timely manner (e.g. providing e-visa links and reviewing our documentation). The recommended tours provided insights into Vietnamese and Cambodian history, culture, food, and way of life. We spent several days exploring northern Vietnam with our guide Junjun and driver Hie in northern Vietnam. Hie kept his van spotless and drove with our safety in mind. Junjun is a wonderfully kind soul who shared his knowledge and the beauty of Northern Vietnam’s landscape and people. Our favourite day was spent walking through the Thai villages and trails, and past the villagers planting rice in the fields. Such an experience we will never forget. Our guide in Siem Reap, Vesarey, was equally incredible. He offered his extensive knowledge on the history and significance of the temples of Angkor Wat, and tirelessly answered our never ending questions about life in Cambodia. We particularly enjoyed the mountain bike tour of Angkor Wat. Our driver Souvann was always prompt and courteous, and ensured we were topped up with cold water on those hot days.
But perhaps of the things we loved most about our experience was the warmth and kindness of both the Vietnamese and Cambodian people. This should not be underestimated. We would certainly consider a return in the future to explore new areas and we would absolutely request Hien!

Hotel Reviews
Stellar of the Seas
quảng ninh
Authenticity & Character
Location
Lan Ha Bay is less busy than Halong Bay
Staff
So hard working to meet your every need. Loved the people.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Spotless
Blue Diamond Luxury Hotel
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Tam Coc Lion Kings Hotel & Resort
Authenticity & Character
Location
About 2 km from the Tam Coc town centre where most restaurants are located. Need to taxi. The walk back at night is fairly dark. Bikes are available as well.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Great bathroom. Room was a bit small for 3 nights.
Angkor Aurora
Authenticity & Character
Location
Easy walk to many local restaurants.
Staff
So respectful and polite. Such warm hearted people!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very nice pool. Room was super quiet and spacious. Beds were very comfy. Super clean!
Silkotel Hoi An
Hoi An

Great buffet breakfast. Two pools!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Easy and short walk to the old town and pedestrian area. Bikes available too.
Staff
Staff were very helpful and kind. Loved Quyen. Always smiling!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very comfortable room. Super clean. Quiet.
Rosaleen Boutique Hotel
Hue
Authenticity & Character
Location
Right in the heart of it! Lots of restaurants and entertainment here.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The room was quiet even though there was music playing from a nearby bar.
TK123 Hanoi Hotel
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The room was quite spacious and very clean. The bed was on the firm side.
Pu Luong Eco Garden

Loved the location in the jungle with spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. A beautiful retreat. Wonderful staff.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Secluded and beautiful scenery.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Hien Do
Hien
Hien Do
Local specialist in Vietnam | Replied on Mar 16, 2024

Dear Diane & Bob,

I am thrilled to read that you enjoyed your time in Vietnam and Cambodia and that I was able to be part of your memorable vacation!
Your feedback is highly appreciated, as it enables us to further develop our services and organize memorable trips for our future clients. I will pass on your kind words to the whole team that you met during the trip.
Thank you again for choosing our company and we hope to see you again!

From Vietnam with love ,
Hien

Well planned customized trip
Ecuador | Mar 4 - Mar 13, 2024

V
Victoria M.
Encinitas, CA | Reviewed on Mar 15, 2024
.Alejandra and Tamar planned an excellent adventure for us. We loved all the lodgings, giving us a taste of the local culture and not just another American style hotel . The hacienda , farm station and Amazon lodge . were wonderful. Sebastian was our guide and driver and we couldn't ask for anyone better. He was extremely knowledgeable in all areas and never got tired from my husband's endless questions. He went above and beyond the call of duty altering our plan as needed when my husband... Read more

.Alejandra and Tamar planned an excellent adventure for us. We loved all the lodgings, giving us a taste of the local culture and not just another American style hotel . The hacienda , farm station and Amazon lodge . were wonderful. Sebastian was our guide and driver and we couldn't ask for anyone better. He was extremely knowledgeable in all areas and never got tired from my husband's endless questions. He went above and beyond the call of duty altering our plan as needed when my husband had a foot problem and couldn't walk due to a foot injury. He and Alejandra stayed with us at the hospital until we insisted they go home after a very long day. It turned.out to be a not so serious condition and we were able to continue on our original plan. It was most comforting to know we had help when needed. Miguel at the Amazon lodge was terrific as well accomodationg our needs and still providing a wonderful Amaxon experience when plans had to change. Both these guides made us feel that nothing was too much to ask. Thankyou Kimkim for referring us to the excellent planners and exceptional guides. Thus is our 3rd Kimkim trip. Using Kimkim takes all the stress out of travel.

Activity Reviews
Rainforest Adventure (Huasquila Lodge)
Rainforest Adventure (Huasquila Lodge)
Archidona
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Otavalo Market - Cuicocha Lagoon
Otavalo Market - Cuicocha Lagoon
Ecuador

We were at the market on a Wednesday which had handicrafts. I understand Saturdays have produce etc which would bring in the local people which is always interesting for us.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Otavalo - Cotopaxi National Park
Otavalo - Cotopaxi National Park
Ecuador

Weather was foggy but there is ni control of that. It cleared when we walked the lagoon and we could see the volcano.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Transfer to Baños via Quilotoa Lagoon
Transfer to Baños via Quilotoa Lagoon
Ecuador

Beautiful spot

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Baños -  Archidona (Huasquila Lodge)
Baños - Archidona (Huasquila Lodge)
Ecuador
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Tamer Obeid
Tamer
Tamer Obeid
Local specialist in Quito, Ecuador | Replied on Mar 16, 2024
Dear Victoria,
It was quite a pleasure working with you on this trip, and it makes us incredibly happy to know we were a small part of your lovey experience and that you and Don have enjoyed the charm of Ecuador. Alejandra and I couldn't be more thankful for your positive feedback and kind words, I will also make sure to convey your much-appreciated comments to Sebastian and Miguel :)
Your review means a lot to us here at Kimkim, and it encourages us to master our services more and more. It...
Read more

Dear Victoria,
It was quite a pleasure working with you on this trip, and it makes us incredibly happy to know we were a small part of your lovey experience and that you and Don have enjoyed the charm of Ecuador. Alejandra and I couldn't be more thankful for your positive feedback and kind words, I will also make sure to convey your much-appreciated comments to Sebastian and Miguel :)
Your review means a lot to us here at Kimkim, and it encourages us to master our services more and more. It is also of great value to our future travelers, and thus we are really grateful.
We will always be here for you and Don to plan yet more adventures for you to enjoy.
Many thanks, Victoria.
Yours,
Tamer

Fabulous trip to Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos
Vietnam | Feb 22 - Mar 11, 2024

Karen
Karen S.
Minnetonka Mills, MN | Reviewed on Mar 15, 2024
We just returned from our trip to Vietnam, Cambodia and Loas and had a fabulous time! For the trip planning, we worked with Trang to develop the core itinerary, such as the cities that we'd be visiting and the popular sites in each and then we adjusted and added activities to fit our preferences. Trang was very responsive to our requests and typically responded to our inquiries within the day which we appreciated. Having a private tour with only four people was so nice. We never had to... Read more

We just returned from our trip to Vietnam, Cambodia and Loas and had a fabulous time! For the trip planning, we worked with Trang to develop the core itinerary, such as the cities that we'd be visiting and the popular sites in each and then we adjusted and added activities to fit our preferences. Trang was very responsive to our requests and typically responded to our inquiries within the day which we appreciated. Having a private tour with only four people was so nice. We never had to wait for people or stand in long lines (which we appreciated since it was very hot) and it was easy as a group of five to get in and out of the sights. We had a local guide in every city who met us at the airport along with a driver. Everyone of our guides (Long, Dao, Sen, Bao and Loan) were very personable, and knowledgeable about all of the sites, the history of the area as well as introduced us to the culture and provided us with the local perspective. When our stay was done, the guide and driver dropped us at the airport or train station to head to our next destination. We felt that each guide was personally interested in making our visit fun and memorable. With the exception of a couple of unscheduled afternoons and evenings (which allowed us to explore the city on our own), Trang and KimKim made all of our arrangements, we just had to show up and be ready for the day's experiences.

Having Trang and the KimKim connection was a real 'bonus' when one person in our group had an issue with their VISA and the airline would not let them board the plan until it was resolved. With one call to Trang, she contacted the Vietnam Immigration Office and provided us with a letter that allowed the person to board the plane to Vietnam and a corrected VISA was waiting for them when we landed. It was stressful; however, Trang resolved the issue quickly. We were grateful to be able to call Trang, an experienced travel guide who lived in the same country to advocate on our behalf.

We would recommend KimKim to anyone for a fabulous time and just wants to show up and leave the trip planning and details to someone else. Thank you Trang and KimKim for the great time in Indochina,

Karen, Craig, Terri and Rod from Minnesota

Local specialist: Trang Thien
Trang
Trang Thien
Local specialist in Hanoi, Vietnam | Replied on Mar 18, 2024

Hi Karen,

Thank you much for your review and I'm very happy when you enjoyed the trip with us. I hope to see you again on your next trip to Vietnam and South-East Asia :)

Wish you and everyone in group all the best in life!

Best regards
Trang

Vickie put an enormously epic trip together f...
New Zealand | Feb 15 - Mar 14, 2024

L
Lea K.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Mar 15, 2024

Vickie put an enormously epic trip together for us with nary a flaw. From the first minute to the last everything was timed exactly right and the events and accommodations were perfect. She was available to us on a moment’s notice and always went the extra yard to provide yet another thoughtful gesture. You can hear the smile in her voice with every message. She showed us why NZ is a special country and she did magic to provide reasons (excuses) to return. She will go down in history with our memories of the holiday. Thank you!!

Local specialist: Vickie Parrack
Vickie
Vickie Parrack
Local specialist in Wanaka | Replied on Mar 16, 2024

Thank you so much for such a wonderful review and all the lovely messages you sent me whilst you were traveling. I am so happy that you loved New Zealand and all the wonderful experiences. If you ever need anything in the future please let me know :).

All the best to you and Charlie!

Vickie

Hien helped us plan an epic SE Asia adventure...
Vietnam | Feb 26 - Mar 13, 2024

Stacy
Stacy C.
Minneapolis, MN | Reviewed on Mar 15, 2024

Hien helped us plan an epic SE Asia adventure. Throughout the planning process she had helpful suggestions and recommendations for unique tours based on our interests. All of the hotels recommended were excellent. The communication throughout our trip was prompt and she alerted us right away with any changes. This was the first time using a service like Kim Kim to plan our trip and having everything taken care of truly helped us enjoy our vacation to the fullest without having to worry about logistics. Thank you again Hien for everything!

Local specialist: Hien Do
Hien
Hien Do
Local specialist in Vietnam | Replied on Mar 16, 2024

Dear Stacy,

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us! We’re over the moon to hear that you’re happy about your holiday!

Your feedback is highly appreciated, as it enables us to further develop our services and organize memorable trips for our future clients.

Thank you again for choosing our company and we hope to see you again!
From Vietnam with love,
Hien

Gill Review
Costa Rica | Feb 26 - Mar 7, 2024

A
Andrew G.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Mar 15, 2024
We were disappointed that we did not receive the final details until after we arrived in Costa Rica, we were unable to print them out which made life more difficult than it need have been Read more

We were disappointed that we did not receive the final details until after we arrived in Costa Rica, we were unable to print them out which made life more difficult than it need have been

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Balmoral
San José

Very disappointed, other than the location it was tired, our room had a window too high to see out of. Very dark and gloomy

Authenticity & Character
None
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Manatus Hotel
Tortuguero

Lovely location, very comfortable room, good food and the trips with memorable. We had to rely on the hotel for drinking water and think this may have been the initial cause of tummy issues.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Arenal Manoa & Hot Springs
Fortuna

Lovely location and pools.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel & Spa Poco a Poco
Monteverde Costa Rica

Good location, the room did not have a balcony and was close to the road

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Manuel Antonio

Great location and views to the beach with a balcony The bedding and linen was tired and everything was minimalistic with no soap or shampoo provided.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
A Journey into the History and Culture of Tortuguero Village
A Journey into the History and Culture of Tortuguero Village
Tortuguero
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Transport to Tortuguero with Canal Tour En-Route
Transport to Tortuguero with Canal Tour En-Route
Costa Rica

Good journey, we enjoyed the view of the banana plantation. Lots of information and background to Costa Rica

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Motor Boat Tour Along the Tortuguero Canals
Motor Boat Tour Along the Tortuguero Canals
Tortuguero

Great guide and lovely views of wild life

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Arenal Volcano Hike & EcoTermales Hot Springs
Arenal Volcano Hike & EcoTermales Hot Springs
Arenal/La Fortuna

Disappointing, unable to get close to the volcano, very busy path. Guide was informative and knowledgeable. The Spa was very busy.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Coffee Experience and Nighttime Nature Walk
Coffee Experience and Nighttime Nature Walk
Monteverde

Very interesting and informative. The walk was very atmospheric.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Hanging Bridges
Hanging Bridges
Monteverde

Self guided interesting walk and views.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sloth Sanctuary
Sloth Sanctuary
Monteverde

Really enjoyed it

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve Guided Hike
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve Guided Hike
Monteverde

The private guide was excellent the walk was enjoyable, lots of wildlife and information

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Nature Hike
Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Nature Hike
Manuel Antonio

Very busy rather disappointing, it was sold as a walk needing walking boots, it was more of an amble.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Phil Tardieu

Southeast Asia Adventure
Thailand | Feb 25 - Mar 13, 2024

S
Suzanne S.
Hagerstown, MD | Reviewed on Mar 15, 2024
Our visit through Southeast Asia was incredible, from the people we met,to the food we ate and the sites we saw, every experience was wonderful. I highly recommend visiting this beautiful part of our world! Read more

Our visit through Southeast Asia was incredible, from the people we met,to the food we ate and the sites we saw, every experience was wonderful. I highly recommend visiting this beautiful part of our world!

Hotel Reviews
La Sinfonía del Rey Hotel & Spa
Hanoi

The location in the old quarter, just across the road from the lake and the promenade, is really great. The only place to get a drink at the hotel is at the sky terrace, which was unusable during our visit due to rain. We asked if we could order a glass of wine in the lobby, which they accommodated, but it seems they could better utilize their lobby seating and wet bar, especially during inclement weather. Breakfast buffet was very good.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The room was very small, with no drawers in which to unpack any clothing, nor space to leave an open suitcase. We had to remove our suitcases from the closet and open them on the bed each time we needed a change of clothing. Our room was directly under the dining room, so we began to hear movement and activity above us as early as 6:30 am each morning.
Anjali by Syphon
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Orchid Classic Cruise
Hai Phong

The ship was wonderful and our stateroom was spacious, clean, comfortable and quiet. All the meals were delicious.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The spa room was quite spartan, and there was no place to disrobe except right in front of the masseuse.
Allegro Hoian
Authenticity & Character
Location
Easy walk into the center of the old town.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
La Siesta Premium Sai Gon
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Sukhothai Bangkok

Probably one of the most beautiful hotels we've ever stayed in in the world. They were also very kind to upgrade our room. The pool and terrace were wonderful and a welcome respite in the center of the city during very hot weather.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Tamarind Village
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Room was quite small; no drawers or space to leave suitcases open, so we had to open our suitcases each time we needed a change of clothing and then re-store our luggage to get it out of the way. The whole hotel, while pretty in the setting among trees, seemed tired and could use an update of fixtures, paint, bathroom tiles, etc.
The Surin Phuket
Phuket
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Hanoi exploration
Hanoi exploration
Hanoi

Our guide, Bach, was very informative and had answers for all of our many questions. This is a great overview for anyone who has never been to Hanoi.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Welcome to Hanoi!
Welcome to Hanoi!
Hanoi

We were met at the airport and then introduced to our guide and driver. Upon arrival at our hotel, we also met the kimkim rep who had helped us put together our trip. We had no set agenda for the day, but our guide stuck around and walked us through the old quarter of Hanoi to show us where things where and familiarize us with the area. It was a pleasant way to begin our trip.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Hoi An Free Day
Hoi An Free Day
Hoi An

We loved exploring Hoi An on our own. It's very walkable and easy to navigate. We bought the city pass to visit temples and museums, explored the Central Market and had the best banh mi for lunch!

Quality of Experience
Food
The banh mi from Madam Khanh!
Cu Chi Tunnels Half day
Cu Chi Tunnels Half day
Ho Chi Minh City

This was one of our most memorable days. The tour was amazing and our guide was incredibly informative. Anyone visiting Saigon should add this to their list. The ambience and setting of the restaurant we visited for lunch was very nice. However, the food was all pre-cooked and the pre-set menu was basic. We ordered a couple beers and learned at the end of the meal that they only accept cash. Since it was our last day in Vietnam, we were low on cash. We worked it out, but would have liked to have known about the cash-only policy beforehand.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Angkor Complex
Angkor Complex
Siem Reap

Another amazing day. Once again, our guide was very knowledgable and informative.

Food
The restaurant we were taken to was just okay. And we were bombarded upon exiting by many children asking us to buy their trinkets. It was unexpected and uncomfortable.
Chiang Mai Off the Beaten Track by tuk tuk - joining activity (chauffer driven)
Chiang Mai Off the Beaten Track by tuk tuk - joining activity (chauffer driven)
Chiang Mai

This was a super fun day. Our guides/drivers were pleasant and fun, and the variety of sites and activities was great.

Quality of Experience
Food
Loved that a home-cooked meal that we could eat outside near the elephants was prepared for us.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Wat Umong & monk blessing
Wat Umong & monk blessing
Chiang Mai

This was one of our favorite temple visits, in a beautiful, peaceful setting. Loved that it was so different from other temples we'd seen.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Orchid cruise 2 Day 1 Night Program - Day 1
Orchid cruise 2 Day 1 Night Program - Day 1
Ha Long Bay

Beautiful experience and excellent staff. The rooms are very comfortable and the food at all meals was delicious!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Ha Long - Hanoi by private car - Fly to Danang - Hoi An
Vietnam

This was a long day. The drive from Ha Long to the Hanoi airport is unavoidably long, but we also stopped for a "rest" stop at a massive commercial location. It was full of tour busses and crowds of people and definitely not a place we would visit on our own.

Visit the tumultuous capital of the South
Visit the tumultuous capital of the South
Ho Chi Minh City

Despite the incredible heat, our guide Harry gave us a great walking tour of the capital sites. He provided a very good overview of the political and cultural history.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Plenty of water in the car!
Night Street Food Tour After Dark by Tuk Tuk
Night Street Food Tour After Dark by Tuk Tuk
Bangkok

This was a fun night. Our guide was very knowledgeable and engaging. The only disappointment was the rooftop bar. While it had a nice view of the capital sites, lit up at night, we had to walk through the lobby of a hostel, which had a horrible smell, to the back of the building and up six flight of stairs. The rooftop area was pretty rudimentary, with iron patio furniture and a limited drink menu. Service was spotty.

Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide, while easy to understand and very personable, explained that he wouldn't be with us for the next two days during our stay in Bangkok because he had to renew his tourist guide license. As a result, we had three different guides on three different days. He also promised to send us photos he took of us while on the night time food tour and check-in to see how things were going with the "substitute" guides, but we never heard from him again.
Back to The Glorious Days of The Ayutthaya Kingdom (tour with cultural expert)
Back to The Glorious Days of The Ayutthaya Kingdom (tour with cultural expert)
Bangkok

Our guide was wonderful. He decided to "rearrange" the order of temple visits, and include an air conditioned museum visit, to work around the intense heat, and it was all good. He really made all the difference in our day.

Quality of Experience
Food
Rather than channel us to a tourist location with pre-set menus, Tony took us to one of his favorite spots, and helped us select dishes that we were curious about plus a few he wanted us to try. It was one of the best lunches we had on the trip because it was not pre-cooked.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Bangkok symbolic temples
Bangkok symbolic temples
Bangkok

We were glad to have seen this, but it was so incredibly hot. We would have welcomed the option to start earlier in the morning.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide was kind and personable but difficult to understand and she didn't provide much backstory to the sites we were seeing. She very kindly, however, offered to come into the airport with us to get us checked in.
Transport
John Gray's sea canoe - Hong by Starlight joining tour
John Gray's sea canoe - Hong by Starlight joining tour
Phuket

By far, one of the best days of our trip. This crew knows what they're doing and took great care of us all day. The food on board was delicious, the kayaking guides were amazing, and the whole day was a beautiful experience.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Day 2: Halong Bay - Hanoi by private car - Orchid cruise
Day 2: Halong Bay - Hanoi by private car - Orchid cruise
Ha Long Bay

See previous review

Local specialist: Sunny Le
Sunny
Sunny Le
Local specialist in Hanoi, Vietnam | Replied on Mar 18, 2024

Hi Suzanne,

Thank you so much for your feedback, especially for the hotel part. Although we have done inspections of those hotels already, some issues can only be addressed if we stay there, and your feedback is really helpful for us.

I'm glad that overall, you still enjoyed the trip and would consider us for your next trip to Southeast Asia.

Sincerely,
Sunny

Our driver Edwardo was really good with traff...
Chile | Mar 11 - Mar 14, 2024

Larry
Larry H.
Brooks, CA | Reviewed on Mar 15, 2024
Our driver Edwardo was really good with traffic and on time always.
Our English speaking guide Ignacio was pleasant and knowledgeable.
However for experienced world travelers like us Santiago was just a big city with traffic congestion and smog.
The all day process up to the reservoir and back was a total waste of our day. Unless you have never been to high mountain lakes with snow topped mountains surrounding this is certainly not worth the time and rough road.
Thank you for...
Read more

Our driver Edwardo was really good with traffic and on time always.
Our English speaking guide Ignacio was pleasant and knowledgeable.

However for experienced world travelers like us Santiago was just a big city with traffic congestion and smog.
The all day process up to the reservoir and back was a total waste of our day. Unless you have never been to high mountain lakes with snow topped mountains surrounding this is certainly not worth the time and rough road.
Thank you for services
Larry and Sue

Activity Reviews
Santiago  Walking City Tour
Santiago Walking City Tour
Santiago

If you have already traveled Europe you find this just okay.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Edwardo the driver was great in traffic to get us around faster than others.
Transport
Very nice private minivan.
Concha & Toro Wine tasting Tour
Concha & Toro Wine tasting Tour
Chile

We live in California wine country and this is right up there with our best, and certainly much older history.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Tour to Cajón del Maipo: excursion to Embalse El Yeso from Santiago
Tour to Cajón del Maipo: excursion to Embalse El Yeso from Santiago
Chile

Too long and rough roads for any one who has seen high mountain lakes with clear waters.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Wine Tasting, Valparaiso and Viña del Mar- Private Tour
Wine Tasting, Valparaiso and Viña del Mar- Private Tour
Chile

We took this tour to end the day at our cruise ship to leave Chile. It was perfect for that reason alone. This was the best part of the 4 day trip to Santiago region. Beautiful coastal area. Vina Del Mar reminded us of southern France and the French Riviera.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Angel Gutierrez
Angel
Angel Gutierrez
Local specialist in Santiago & Quito | Replied on Mar 15, 2024

Hi Larry!
Thank you so much for your feedback!
I am happy you liked Eduardo and Ignacio's services!
Thanks for letting me know about your experience especially in "Embalse el Yeso" This is very helpful so we can keep improving our services, I hope you will enjoy your cruise :)
Thanks for trusting us with your trip to Santiago & Surroundings.

Best Wishes,
Angel.

It was a memorable trip to Lapland along with...
Finland | Mar 2 - Mar 8, 2024

Manjiri
Manjiri T.
India | Reviewed on Mar 15, 2024
It was a memorable trip to Lapland along with Kimkim. We visited Santaclaus village atRovaniemi. We had a great Aurora sighting at night. Thanks to Beyond Arctict agent for giving us 200km ride from Rovaniemi. We could see Corona & dancing lights. It was amazing. At Pyha we enjoyed glass Igloo stay. Reindeer safari, Husky ride, fatbike tour, snowmobile safari were amazing. Thanks to Moonika for the guidance and arranging the the adventurous tour. Read more

It was a memorable trip to Lapland along with Kimkim. We visited Santaclaus village atRovaniemi. We had a great Aurora sighting at night. Thanks to Beyond Arctict agent for giving us 200km ride from Rovaniemi. We could see Corona & dancing lights. It was amazing. At Pyha we enjoyed glass Igloo stay. Reindeer safari, Husky ride, fatbike tour, snowmobile safari were amazing. Thanks to Moonika for the guidance and arranging the the adventurous tour.

Activity Reviews
Northern Lights Tour
Northern Lights Tour
Rovaniemi
Reindeer Safari in the Nature of Lapland
Reindeer Safari in the Nature of Lapland
Rovaniemi
Northern Lights Hunting on Snowshoes
Northern Lights Hunting on Snowshoes
Finland
Classic Fatbike Tour
Classic Fatbike Tour
Pyhä
Korouoma Canyon & Frozen Waterfalls Adventure
Korouoma Canyon & Frozen Waterfalls Adventure
Finland
Snowmobile Safari
Snowmobile Safari
Pyhä
Husky Safari (5km)
Husky Safari (5km)
Finland
Local specialist: Moonika Apart
Moonika
Moonika Apart
Local specialist in Estonia | Replied on Mar 15, 2024

Thank you for a lovely review Manjiri! I'm glad to hear you had a good trip with us and also saw some beautiful Auroras which I know where your main reason for this trip. Glad to hear you enjoyed the rest of the activities as well. Thank you for booking your trip with us and I hope to have you as our guests again in the future.

All the best,
Moonika

Five Stars
Italy | Feb 28 - Mar 4, 2024

M
Michelle G.
the Philippines | Reviewed on Mar 15, 2024
Elena did a wonderful job from car rentals, food tour, Pompei visit, restaurant recommendations, things to see in each respective place and booking the hotels in Naples and Sorrento. My husband and I really appreciate the arrangements, scheduling of the whole trip. Upon arrival at Rome airport, we headed to Hertz to get the rental car. We visited Tivoli (Villa D 'Este and Hadrian's Villa) before heading to our Naples hotel Napoli Tree B&B. They suggested parking down the street but note... Read more

Elena did a wonderful job from car rentals, food tour, Pompei visit, restaurant recommendations, things to see in each respective place and booking the hotels in Naples and Sorrento. My husband and I really appreciate the arrangements, scheduling of the whole trip.

Upon arrival at Rome airport, we headed to Hertz to get the rental car. We visited Tivoli (Villa D 'Este and Hadrian's Villa) before heading to our Naples hotel Napoli Tree B&B. They suggested parking down the street but note that the parking entrance is really narrow. I contacted Elena and she replied right away regarding where to park. The elevator up to the B&B requires 10 cents to use (they have a bowl of 10 centavos in the reception). The building has a lot of B&B's. The location of the B&B is nice , because the room has a seaview, near the boardwalk and walking distance (36 minute walk) to the food tour meeting place Piazza del Gesu Nuovo. It would have been better to have a hotel nearer the oldb historical area though. But during the walk to the old historical center, we walked through Galleria Umberto (1887 shopping building), Plebiscito Square and more.

Our food Tour guide is Giovanna (Compania Guide) was on time, informative and very cheerful. She walked us through coffee/hot chocolate, buffalo mozarella, wallet pizzas (yum), pastries like baba rum cake which we love, gelato, and walked through Naples' Nativity Street where she showed us the different 'Presepe'. We didn't have limoncello though. She gave us suggested places to go after our food tour which is up to the Funicolare di Montesanto to see the view the Castel dell Ovo and Napoli Sotteranea (underground tour). She even gave us list of restaurants in Naples and Sorrento, Amalfi, Positano and Ravello because we mentioned heading there after Naples.

The visit to Pompei was fulfillment of my bucket list. We arrived quite early at the parking at Camping Spartacus and thankfully our guide, Enza started earlier than planned. Exploring Pompeii with Enza our guide where she touched the highlight of the vast ancient city was like stepping back in time. She was informative, knowledgeable and the whole experience was well worth it. During our visit,the weather at first, was cold, then it rained a little then became hot. We had lunch at La Delizie (really good pizzas and caprese salad, croquettes) then had baba Napoletano at a nearby pastry shop across the street.

Driving to our Sorrento hotel, we were told that there is a valet to park our our to a parking structure. We didn't need the car to go to Amalfi, Positano and Ravello because we took the bus which is near the train station (10 minute walk from hotel). Driving in the Amalfi coast is very hard due to narrow winding roads. We got a little carsick from the drive so it is a good idea to take motion sickness medicine in the bus ride. The boats are still not operating /going there (Amalfi Coast) due to high waves. There is a ferry to Capri Island though. Our hotel La Piazzetta Guesthouse is new and location is very nice. The only drawback is that on Saturday night the restaurant below had loud music till very late. Christina of La Piazzetta Guesthouse was very accommodating and welcoming. Since the season will only start in April, a lot of hotels and restaurants are still close. We were the first guest of La Piazetta this early March 2024.

Our fist bus stop is to Positano. we went down the beach and looked up at the houses in the cliffside, bought some souvenirs along the way and Assumption church. Next bus stop, we went to Amalfi, went to visit the St. Andrew cathedral. We had lunch at Pizzeria Donna Stella and had a limoncello gelato along the way back to the bus stop. We took the bus to Ravello using the same bus ticket but different bus, which is good for 24 hours. Upon arrival in Ravello, we visited Villa Rufolo then did some souvenir shopping then headed back to catch the bus back to Amalfi. Upon arrival in Amalfi, we took the bus that heads back to Positano and Sorrento. The next day we had a leisurely day at Sorrento.

Over all, this tailor made, Italian experience was five stars.

Local specialist: Elena Del Vecchio

Nippon calling
Japan | Mar 1 - Mar 12, 2024

Kolla
Kolla S.
India | Reviewed on Mar 15, 2024
Fei ,our travel coordinater was just amazing,she helped me plan the trip soo well and efficiently ,making all my wishes and all the experiences i wanted come true.
Jennifer- our guide for the 1st 6 days was soo friendly ,guided us well and became a good friend for all of us
Mr Ho-our guide for the last five days in Kyoto and Osaka,is a perfect guide and went out of his way to show us places and capture great pictures of us all.
The only negative I can tell of our 12 days trip is the...
Read more

Fei ,our travel coordinater was just amazing,she helped me plan the trip soo well and efficiently ,making all my wishes and all the experiences i wanted come true.
Jennifer- our guide for the 1st 6 days was soo friendly ,guided us well and became a good friend for all of us
Mr Ho-our guide for the last five days in Kyoto and Osaka,is a perfect guide and went out of his way to show us places and capture great pictures of us all.
The only negative I can tell of our 12 days trip is the Kimono photoshoot ,I wanted a professional photographer and wanted to make it a memorable shoot.We were not happy with the quality of the kimonos provided and there was no photoshoot at all.Mr Ho was kind enough to take us out and clicked some good pictures.Barring this one experience,rest of the trip was amazingly coordinated by Fei and the two guides.Thanks kim kim for organizing one more great trip to me.Regards,
Kolla

Hotel Reviews
Hakone Kowakien TEN-YU
Hakone

Amazing hotel,awsome locale and the best of them all are the two onsens,one with an infinite pool overlooking hills and another with a waterfall.Five stars

Authenticity & Character
Location
Picturesque
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Laforet Ito Onsen Yunoniwa
atami

Traditional Ryokan

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
MIMARU SUITES KYOTO SHIJO
Tokyo
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
MIMARU OSAKA SHINSAIBASHI EAST
Osaka
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
 Tokyo Skytree and Shibuya  Scramble  Crossing
Tokyo Skytree and Shibuya Scramble Crossing
Tokyo
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
We used public transportation-trains to reach skytree
Full Day Tokyo City Tour with East Gardens of the Imperial Palace
Full Day Tokyo City Tour with East Gardens of the Imperial Palace
Tokyo
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day Mt. Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi Tour with Whisky Tasting
Full Day Mt. Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi Tour with Whisky Tasting
Tokyo
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Fei He
Fei
Fei He
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Mar 21, 2024
Hi Kolla, Hope you are doing fantastic.Thank you for your wonderful feedback and for choosing Kimkim for your trip planning! We're thrilled to hear that Jennifer and Mr. Ho made your experience memorable and enjoyable. It's fantastic to know that they went above and beyond to ensure you had a great time and captured beautiful moments. We apologize for the inconvenience with the Kimono photoshoot and understand the importance of making such moments special. Your feedback regarding this... Read more

Hi Kolla,

Hope you are doing fantastic.Thank you for your wonderful feedback and for choosing Kimkim for your trip planning!

We're thrilled to hear that Jennifer and Mr. Ho made your experience memorable and enjoyable. It's fantastic to know that they went above and beyond to ensure you had a great time and captured beautiful moments.

We apologize for the inconvenience with the Kimono photoshoot and understand the importance of making such moments special. Your feedback regarding this experience will be taken into consideration for future improvements.

We appreciate your kind words and look forward to assisting you with more amazing trips in the future.

Best regards,
Fei

Amazing 80th Birthday Trip for Mom -- thanks to Rinolda!
Iceland | Mar 8 - Mar 13, 2024

Justine
Justine A.
Laurel, VA | Reviewed on Mar 14, 2024
Oh my goodness we just returned from the most amazing Iceland trip, thanks to Rinolda!! About a year ago we started working with Rinolda to plan my mom's 80th birthday trip, and she was so very accommodating with all of our requests and millions of questions! She took great care to plan the best (and unique!) itinerary for us. My mom was really trying to maximize the chances of seeing the Northern Lights (staying in more remote, darker areas), while also wanting to see popular touristy... Read more

Oh my goodness we just returned from the most amazing Iceland trip, thanks to Rinolda!!

About a year ago we started working with Rinolda to plan my mom's 80th birthday trip, and she was so very accommodating with all of our requests and millions of questions! She took great care to plan the best (and unique!) itinerary for us. My mom was really trying to maximize the chances of seeing the Northern Lights (staying in more remote, darker areas), while also wanting to see popular touristy things too. And we wanted a mix of active and less active things to do. Rinolda listened to all our requests, tweaking the itinerary several times, until we had it just right.

She booked various Northern Lights tours for us (via Jeep, bus, and boat), as well as a Golden Circle tour, snowmobiling tour, the Blue Lagoon, and even dog sledding. She was very clever with her solutions to our requests, and had a "can do" attitude. She never said "We can't do that" but instead, "Let me figure something out and I'll get back to you." :)

One of the best things about working with Rinolda was that she was very accessible and responsive throughout our trip. We never felt like we couldn't get help if we needed it. And when unexpected things happened (like one of our tours inexplicably getting cancelled the day before, not due to weather), she was all over it, finding us a replacement and taking care of things behind the scenes.

Right before the trip, we also realized that it was looking like the best weather for Northern Lights viewing might very well be the very first night of our trip when we had nothing planned -- so we asked her if she could find us a tour at the last minute and she did! (And yes, it turned out to be the best NL viewing!!!)

There was also a lot of seismic activity going on right before our trip -- with the Blue Lagoon evacuating and closing temporarily -- and Rinolda was very involved with keeping us posted on volcano updates and finding possible other geothermal bath alternatives for us. We were able to go to the Blue Lagoon after all and it was wonderful.

Another day while we were already in-country, we realized that one of the days coming up was kind of open (while we were going to be waiting around for a tour pick-up at 2pm). We asked Rinolda if there was anything we could do that day instead of sitting around at the remote hotel... Well Rinolda took charge and contacted one of her friends who lives in the area and is also a guide, and that friend (TAMARA -- the best!) picked up my mom and I and took us to see some local horses, and to an adorable tomato farm for lunch!!! It was such a perfect solution and we were so, so grateful that Rinolda CARED to help us -- and that Tamara was so wonderful too!! Tam was such great company, and now we can't imagine our trip NOT having included her. <3

Other great recommendations: the Super Jeep Northern Lights tour (you get picked up in an actual Super Jeep and can go off-roading/to more remote places than the bus tours can); also DANIEL from our Golden Circle tour was so knowledgable and friendly and entertaining -- highly recommend; Hotel Gullfoss (Gullfoss) and Hotel Skuggi (Reykjavik) were great accommodations; the snowmobiling tour with NICO/NICK out on a glacier out near Gullfoss was a total blast (and yes, my 80 year old mom did it!); KAREN, the driver on our return trip from the Golden Circle was amazing/funny; and then dogsledding was possibly our absolute favorite (THELMA with Viking Women drove us there and CLARA was our delightful musher) -- imagine being pulled on a sled across a frozen lake by huskies, while it's snowing... it was magical!

All in all a fantastic trip - and we saw the Northern Lights every night except the last night! Not bad!

Thank you, Rinolda, for ALL your help, your knowledge of the country, and your care and concern for your clients. This was a perfect "bucket list" trip for my mom that we will never forget. :)

Hotel Reviews
Skuggi Hotel Reykjavík by Keahotels
Reykjavík
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Gullfoss
Tungufell
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Blue Lagoon
Iceland
Northern Lights Hunt Super Jeep Tour
Northern Lights Hunt Super Jeep Tour
Iceland

Loved the Jeep 4x4 access (vs a bigger bus that can't go off-roading to more remote places for better viewing) and the smaller group feel

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Golden Circle first-class experience with a geothermal bakery in a semi-private group
Golden Circle first-class experience with a geothermal bakery in a semi-private group
Iceland

Highlights: Thingvellir National Park, geysir, and Gullfoss waterfall

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
DANIEL!!
Transport
Snowmobile and Ice Cave Tour in Iceland
Golden Circle

Even my 80 year old mom could do this! Incredible! Nico/Nick was a fabulous guide!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Nico/Nick!
Transport
Cool bus to get out to the glacier!
Dog Sledding
Dog Sledding
Iceland

This was such a fun, unique activity! Highly recommend!!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Clara the musher was awesome!
Transport
Reykjavik Northern Lights Cruise
Reykjavik Northern Lights Cruise
Iceland

We were not able to see the lights this night but the concept was pretty cool (being out on a boat on the water to see them). Separately, the boat was also very crowded. Also, a lot of times the lights will show up later at night, around midnight, but the boat didn't wait and just returned to the harbor at 11pm (even though apps were showing a break in the clouds coming at midnight). Many people on the boat had to get back to their tour buses. We probably would have preferred a smaller boat or more private option, in retrospect. The captain was really funny though, and it's not his fault that the lights didn't show while we were out there!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Rinolda J
Rinolda
Rinolda J
Local specialist in Iceland | Replied on Mar 23, 2024

Thanks a lot for your beautiful words!

We had a wonderful first trip to Thailand
Thailand | Mar 2 - Mar 13, 2024

Alice
Alice B.
Flagami, FL | Reviewed on Mar 14, 2024
We had a wonderful first trip to Thailand thanks to kimkim. Tina, our local specialist, was extremely responsive whenever a question or issue came up, and even changed our itinerary on the fly (for the very next day) when we decided we wanted a shift in experiences. And we loved our drivers and tour guides, especially Pear and Dam from Udomporn Tours in Chiang Mai. Accommodations were all excellent (The Quarter Ladphrao in Bangkok, U Inchantree in Kanchanaburi, and Buri Sriping Resort in... Read more

We had a wonderful first trip to Thailand thanks to kimkim. Tina, our local specialist, was extremely responsive whenever a question or issue came up, and even changed our itinerary on the fly (for the very next day) when we decided we wanted a shift in experiences. And we loved our drivers and tour guides, especially Pear and Dam from Udomporn Tours in Chiang Mai.

Accommodations were all excellent (The Quarter Ladphrao in Bangkok, U Inchantree in Kanchanaburi, and Buri Sriping Resort in Chiang Mai), except for The Cottage Suvarnabhumi for our Bangkok airport stay - do not recommend.

Make sure to ask for the exact meeting points in the airport (e.g. at which door your driver will be waiting) and confirm pickup times the day before with your driver, we had some mixups but they always worked out.

Hotel Reviews
The Cottage Suvarnabhumi
Bangkok

Compared to our other hotels, this one seemed very unclean and dingy.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Quarter Ladprao by UHG
Bangkok
Authenticity & Character
Location
This hotel seemed far from the things we were doing in Bangkok (temples, markets) but it is close to Union & Central malls and has some walkable local bars nearby. Also the 7-11, Otteri (laundromat) and Just Massage right outside the door are great.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
U Inchantree Kanchanaburi
Kanchanaburi

Absolutely beautiful views, right on the River Kwae.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Buri Sriping Riverside Resort & Spa
Chiang Mai
Authenticity & Character
Location
Felt a little out of the way from attractions, and there is no sidewalk on a fairly busy street so I would not consider it walkable. But it's fairly cheap to take Grab cars around, and while we didn't have time to enjoy it, it is on a river.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Tina Oo
Tina
Tina Oo
Local specialist in Thailand | Replied on Mar 15, 2024

Hello Alice,
I want to extend my sincere gratitude for taking the time to share your feedback. Your kind words mean a lot to me, and I'm delighted to hear that you enjoyed the trip.
Looking forward to the possibility of seeing you again!
Best regards,
Tina

Overall, this trip was a trip of a lifetime!!...
Morocco | Mar 2 - Mar 9, 2024

D
David S.
Atlanta, GA | Reviewed on Mar 14, 2024
Overall, this trip was a trip of a lifetime!! From start to finish, the planning, care and detail was superb and allowed for the magical experience we had! The driver Reda was helpful, professional and full of great history on the country, cities and culture of the towns we visited. His warm approach, friendly demeanor and promptness really made the trip seamless all around! Over the course of the week, we became friends with Reda and consider him family. The local guides for each city... Read more

Overall, this trip was a trip of a lifetime!! From start to finish, the planning, care and detail was superb and allowed for the magical experience we had!

The driver Reda was helpful, professional and full of great history on the country, cities and culture of the towns we visited. His warm approach, friendly demeanor and promptness really made the trip seamless all around! Over the course of the week, we became friends with Reda and consider him family.

The local guides for each city and Medina were very knowledgeable, friendly and helpful too. We couldn’t have seen the city or had the same positive experiences without them. Thank you!

Hotel Reviews
Tiziri Luxury Camp
Merzouga
Authenticity & Character
Great fire side music
Location
Perfect view of desert here
Staff
Friendly
Cleanliness & Comfort
Beautifully designed and cleaned camp
Riad Salam Fes
Fes

Beautiful guest suite, spectacular service, amazing Hammam experience

Authenticity & Character
Ayube was such a friendly staff person
Location
Perfectly located in the Medina
Staff
The staff was five star!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean and safe
Dar Rihana Dades
Douar Aït Ouffi

Great dinner and comfortable guest room

Authenticity & Character
Charming concierge
Location
A little removed from the desert but okay
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Hamza EL Asely
Hamza
Hamza EL Asely
Local specialist in Beni Mellal | Replied on Mar 15, 2024
Dear David, Thank you so much for your glowing review! We are thrilled to hear that your trip was truly a journey of a lifetime and that every aspect, from planning to execution, met and exceeded your expectations. We couldn't be happier to hear about your positive experience with Reda, your driver. He's truly a gem, and we're delighted that his professionalism, expertise, and friendly nature made your journey all the more enjoyable. Finding not just a driver, but a friend in him is... Read more

Dear David,

Thank you so much for your glowing review! We are thrilled to hear that your trip was truly a journey of a lifetime and that every aspect, from planning to execution, met and exceeded your expectations.

We couldn't be happier to hear about your positive experience with Reda, your driver. He's truly a gem, and we're delighted that his professionalism, expertise, and friendly nature made your journey all the more enjoyable. Finding not just a driver, but a friend in him is exactly the kind of connection we strive to foster with our guests.

Once again, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for choosing us to be a part of your unforgettable adventure. We're already looking forward to the opportunity of welcoming you back for more incredible journeys in the future!

All the best,
Hamza
Original Travels Co

A well planned Spanish adventure
Spain | Feb 17 - Mar 9, 2024

R
Rita D.
Canada | Reviewed on Mar 14, 2024
Dalia listened well to our interests in exploring Spain and created a marvellous itinerary that we thoroughly enjoyed. She tracked our activities in real time and helped us when we needed it. We appreciated the Old Towns of Madrid, Seville, Antequera, Granada and Barcelona and being privately guided by well versed local historians. Our off the beaten track activities of a bicycle adventure on the Via Verde de la Sierra, hike in El Torcal, another hike in the El Saltillo and walkabout in... Read more

Dalia listened well to our interests in exploring Spain and created a marvellous itinerary that we thoroughly enjoyed. She tracked our activities in real time and helped us when we needed it. We appreciated the Old Towns of Madrid, Seville, Antequera, Granada and Barcelona and being privately guided by well versed local historians. Our off the beaten track activities of a bicycle adventure on the Via Verde de la Sierra, hike in El Torcal, another hike in the El Saltillo and walkabout in beautiful white washed village of Canillas de Aceituno gave us an opportunity to appreciate the natural beauty of Spain. Another highly recommended experience was our cooking class in Madrid; now we know how to create the most delicious Paella and Sangria. Our trip experience exceeded our expectations.

Activity Reviews
Madrid Guided Tour
Madrid Guided Tour
Madrid
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Spanish Cooking Class in Madrid with Market Visit
Spanish Cooking Class in Madrid with Market Visit
Madrid

Eduardo was the consumate chef instructor. Kitchen was spotless and well equipped. Thoroughly enjoyed the market visit and create our own delicious lunch.

Quality of Experience
Food
We created it!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Sevilla & Tapas & Flamenco Small Group Evening Tour
Sevilla & Tapas & Flamenco Small Group Evening Tour
Seville

Teresa was terrific. As a local she was very well informed about the best Tapas bars and the best Flamenco experience.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Sevilla Guided Tour
Sevilla Guided Tour
Seville

Really visiting the bull fight museum.

Quality of Experience
Antequera & El Torcal Day Trip
Antequera & El Torcal Day Trip
Málaga

Antequera was a fascinating. We appreciated the legacy of the Romans, Moors and the Christians. The exploration the Dolmens was amazing. The El Torcal hike was stunning given the unique rock formations

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Alhambra Private Guided Tour
Alhambra Private Guided Tour
Spain

An incredible experience not to be missed.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Enrique was the perfect tour guide; local, excellent English and deep historical knowledge. A true professional.
Barcelona at Sunset: Tapas & Wine Tour
Barcelona at Sunset: Tapas & Wine Tour
Barcelona

It was fun to be part of a small group for this tour in the historical section. The selection of Tapas bars, the foods and beverages was first rate. Great introduction to Barcelona.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Modernist Barcelona: Gaudi's Highlights
Modernist Barcelona: Gaudi's Highlights
Barcelona

Gaudi's unique architecture was a thrill to see first hand. Our guide was knowledgeable and given the hordes of folks at the Sagrada Familia we were glad that we could skip the lines.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Good taxis drivers and clean vehicles.
Historic Barcelona: Gothic Quarter, El Born & Picasso Museum
Historic Barcelona: Gothic Quarter, El Born & Picasso Museum
Barcelona

Repetitive given the first night Tapas tour in the Old Town. Would have enjoyed the Picasso museum more with an audio guide to move through the exhibits at our own pace.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Taxis, drivers, clean vehicles.
Local specialist: Dalia Bouzerar
Dalia
Dalia Bouzerar
Local specialist in Spain | Replied on Mar 15, 2024

Thank you Rita and Peter for travelling with us! It was an absolute delight planning this trip for the two of you. Should you ever want to come back to Spain to explore other locations or even Portugal, it would be my absolute pleasure to help you plan that!

My warmest regards to the two of you and thank you again for your valuable feedback on your tours.
Hasta Pronto!

Dalia

Fantastic few days in Pondicherry.
India | Mar 7 - Mar 12, 2024

A
Alastair A.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Mar 14, 2024

Logan our driver was great and our guide in Pondicherry was very knowledgeable. This was a fantastic trip with lovely hotels. We didn't need a representative to meet us at the airport hotel. We could have sorted this out ourselves and actually it made us think that there might have been a problem.

Local specialist: Jay Kajaria

highly recommend Moonika & kimkim
Finland | Feb 25 - Mar 3, 2024

Daniel
Daniel R.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Mar 14, 2024
We enjoyed working with Moonika / kimkim to plan our trip to Finland, and all worked out fantastic. Highlights include backcountry skiing with our guide, Olli, in Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park ... and staying at the Artic Skylight Lodge. They really listened to us, and set an itinerary that matched the adventure and experiences we sought. Moonika made it so easy for us, thoughtfully including the details of transportation and extras like dogsled outing. Read more

We enjoyed working with Moonika / kimkim to plan our trip to Finland, and all worked out fantastic. Highlights include backcountry skiing with our guide, Olli, in Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park ... and staying at the Artic Skylight Lodge. They really listened to us, and set an itinerary that matched the adventure and experiences we sought. Moonika made it so easy for us, thoughtfully including the details of transportation and extras like dogsled outing.

Hotel Reviews
Arctic Skylight Lodge
Äkäslompolo

This place is very cool! New and very well designed, the individual cabins with glass bedroom provide comfort, privacy and an exceptional feeling of indoor / outdoor integration. The restaurant satisfies gourmet tastes and the sauna revives one after skiing in Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park. Don't miss the polar plunge as part of the sauna experience.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Carefully set within a northerly sloping forest that near (skiable to) Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park adn Karilan Navettagalleria
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Lapland Hotels Saaga
Ylläsjärvi

Our two-night stay at Lapland Hotels Saaga was pleasant. The hotel had a cozy ski lodge vibe and was located right by the Alpine Ski Area, making it convenient for our activities. The food was delicious, and we enjoyed the après-ski atmosphere. While it wasn't exactly the secluded experience we were looking for, it served its purpose well, especially for acclimating to the timezone and getting a feel for Finland

Location
Right next to the ski area
Activity Reviews
Sauna Experience at Arctic Skylight Lodge
Sauna Experience at Arctic Skylight Lodge
Finland

Modern, private, well designed electric sauna with large window views, wonderful showers, a jacuzzi out on the deck, and short walk to the river.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Ski  Trek (Day 1)
Ski Trek (Day 1)
Pallas-Ounastunturi National Park

We really enjoyed our 4 days skiing with Olli / Fell Trek. We had the backcountry experience we were seeking within Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park. So much fun, and a good workout for 5 or 6 hours each day. Olli was knowledgeable and oriented our way through forests, up and down hills and fells (tunturi). We slept adjacent to the park: one night in a house, one in a rustic cabin and another in a lodge. The food was delicious, and very much satisfied our veggie preferences.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Husky Safari
Husky Safari
Finland

The husky safari was a memorable experience. The Safartica team organized everything excellently, and the dog sledding was so much fun. The owners were friendly and passionate about what they do, which made the experience even more special. The conditions of the dogs were top-notch, and it was clear that they were well cared for. Overall, a great adventure that we thoroughly enjoyed.

Quality of Experience
Local specialist: Moonika Apart
Moonika
Moonika Apart
Local specialist in Estonia | Replied on Mar 15, 2024

Thank you for your lovely review Dan! I'm glad to hear you had a good time and enjoyed your trip to Lapland. Thank you for sharing some photos of your trip as well.
All the best,
Moonika

Wonderful experience
Italy | Feb 28 - Mar 10, 2024

K
Khaled J.
Kuwait | Reviewed on Mar 14, 2024

It was a pleasure dealing with Vincenzo in planning our honeymoon. He was very professional and planned the perfect trip for us. We would definitely recommend using his services for anyone who wants to visit Italy.

Local specialist: Vincenzo Granato
Vincenzo
Vincenzo Granato
Local specialist in Milan | Replied on Mar 15, 2024

Thank you so much, Khaled, for your kind words! It has been a pleasure to have you in Italy, and I hope to have you back soon with us for a second amazing trip to Italy.
Warm regards from me and all my Authenticus Italy team!

We had a wonderful time in France. Vaseem, Lu...
France | Mar 4 - Mar 13, 2024

Emily
Emily T.
Deer Valley, AZ | Reviewed on Mar 14, 2024
We had a wonderful time in France. Vaseem, Lucie, and Audrey took good care of us and helped us navigate our first trip abroad as a family of four. The highlight of our trip was Paris. We loved the guided museum tours and especially loved our Pastry Tour of Le Marais with Rachelle! Read more

We had a wonderful time in France. Vaseem, Lucie, and Audrey took good care of us and helped us navigate our first trip abroad as a family of four. The highlight of our trip was Paris. We loved the guided museum tours and especially loved our Pastry Tour of Le Marais with Rachelle!

Hotel Reviews
Hotel de l'Amphithéâtre

It was very quiet and the staff were all friendly. A bit dated but charming.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Disney Sequoia Lodge

The lobby and restaurants with breakfast buffet were great. The rooms are very dated and the beds a bit uncomfortable.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Ten minute walk to the parks.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Visit of the Eiffel Tower with access to the summit
Visit of the Eiffel Tower with access to the summit
Paris

The views from the top are incredible!

French macaron bakery class for families
French macaron bakery class for families
Paris

The location of the class was very cool, we had no idea we would be in Les Galeries Lafayette. It was nice and quiet in the baking room but not totally sure it was worth our time if I’m being honest. Not super interactive for our 5 and 7 year old.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Louvre Treasure Hunt
Louvre Treasure Hunt
Paris

The Louvre is overwhelming but we were thankful to have Claire as a guide. She had a fun game for the kids to hunt for specific parts of paintings which kept them engaged. We were not prepared and the kids were thirsty and hungry and water was not easily accessible in the museum. With that aside it was a great time!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guided visit, wine and olive oil tasting at Chateau Romanin
Guided visit, wine and olive oil tasting at Chateau Romanin
France

Lovely winery, knowledgeable staff and stunning scenery!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Self-guided exploration of Aigues-Mortes and Safari in Camargue
Self-guided exploration of Aigues-Mortes and Safari in Camargue
France

While the driver was so sweet and friendly, this tour just missed the mark for us. The advertised photos are a bit misleading. There are no wild horses in France as our guide informed us, we drove around to fenced in horses, a very cool salt marsh, some flamingos, and a fenced in bull pen. There was no tasting of local products, we were late due to an issue with weather, but I don’t believe it would have been included either way.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Day in Disneyland Paris
Day in Disneyland Paris
France
Half day visit to the Royal Versailles with transfers
Half day visit to the Royal Versailles with transfers
Paris
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Pastry Tour of Le Marais
Pastry Tour of Le Marais
Paris

This was a hit with all four of us, Rachelle was kind, knowledgeable, and a not bit gimmicky. We had a wonderful time with her and didn’t want it to end! Also, the pastries were delicious!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Vaseem Akaram

Family Trip to Rome and Amalfi Coast
Italy | Mar 6 - Mar 12, 2024

S
Susan C.
Harrison, NJ | Reviewed on Mar 13, 2024
Rita planned an amazing, customized family trip to Italy for our family. Our trip started and ended with a very smooth pick up and drop off at the airport. Our favorite hotel of the trip was the Palazza Galla hotel with its modern rooms, beautiful roof top bar with amazing views, delicious breakfast buffet and superb service. The food tour we took with Marica was fun and she were able to give our celiac daughter options at every stop but one on the tour. Giovanna was able to cover so much... Read more

Rita planned an amazing, customized family trip to Italy for our family. Our trip started and ended with a very smooth pick up and drop off at the airport. Our favorite hotel of the trip was the Palazza Galla hotel with its modern rooms, beautiful roof top bar with amazing views, delicious breakfast buffet and superb service. The food tour we took with Marica was fun and she were able to give our celiac daughter options at every stop but one on the tour. Giovanna was able to cover so much history at the Colosseum, Palatine Hill and Roman Forum we would have been lost without a private guide. Our driver Giuseppe who picked us up from Salerno train station and stayed with us for the day until we arrived in Sorrento was amazing. He called local restaurants along the way to find us a perfect one that had gluten free pizza for our one daughter. He was full of information as we drove up the coast pointing out things we would have missed. In Ravello we had a private hike planned but it was a beautiful day and we wanted to explore Ravello, so our guide Gennsro, an expert hiking guide, gave us different options on how we could spend the day and we chose to explore more and hike less. He took us to the beautiful gardens at the Villa Cimbrone, and along a hike below the gardens explaining the lemon trees. After we went to Amalfi and explored the back streets there, then a stop in Positano to walk down to the beach and have a drink at Bar Paradise at sunset, it was a wonderful day. In Sorrento we stayed at La Piazzetta Guest, which had spacious room and the most amazing front desk staff, Caterina went above and beyond when our trip to Capri had to be canceled last minute because of the crazy weather in March. We asked Caterina about doing a wine tasting and in a half hour she had 2 options for us to choose from including transportation. We chose to go to Il Cantuccio’s brand new wine cellar for an amazing wine tasting with the most delicious food. The next day our private tour of Pompei with Gennaro was so interesting and educational. Pompei is huge and having a private guide as informed as Gennaro who could take us to all the highlights in the time we had to spend there was invaluable. The last hotel we stayed in was the Otvim, the rooms were a bit dark and the double room was small. It had a nice rooftop but the elevator was slow and when you took the stairs you ended up outside down the street from the lobby. Our favorite guide for the whole trip was Mia who guided us through the crowed Vatican pointing out all the amazing art while explaining the history of Vatican City. She knew some shortcuts to save time and explained what we would see in the Sistine Chapel before we entered so we were prepared for what we saw since there is no talking once you are inside the Chapel. Rita and her team were accommodating and flexible for our needs, we are so appreciative of her working with us on so many details. Rita and her team were extremely responsive in a timely mater to any issues that came up when we were on our trip, even on the weekends.

Local specialist: Rita Pagano
Rita
Rita Pagano
Local specialist in Madrid | Replied on Mar 14, 2024

Hi Susan, thank you so so much for this detailed review!!! I will share your kind words with our local guides, they will be delighted to hear your feedback. It's been a pleasure working with you and your family and I hope you created lifetime memories in Italy! I wish you all the best🥰 Rita