Kimkim Trip Reviews

What a great trip, Katie was beyond helpful from where to go, lunch spots, plus what is special in each of our locations. Overall, KimKim and Katie made our family trip to Norway one that we will remember forever.

Eleonora and Lorenzo were amazing and very good communicators. I’m still not sure the value of Kim Kim other than connecting us with these anmazing Italy based travel agents. We didn’t like that we went to Italy and had to pay in US dollars,, this I’m sure was not the fault of Eleonora or Lorenzo. They planned our trip just as we requested and the guides they connected us with were top notch. I wish I could say something about Kim Kim but my thoughts are they have a good platform and pick amazing local talent to use it.

Hotel Reviews

Sogno di Giulietta e Romeo

Venezia

Sorry this was definitely the only bad accommodations of this trip and perhaps one of the worst rooms I’ve had. We were in what was called “The Love” room, if you’re staying at this hotel be sure NOT to get it. Our window that had a lovely view of a canal taped to it looked out to plumbing pipes and an elevator shaft. While some of the staff were lovely some were on the other extreme and bordered rude. We may have given a better review if the breakfast was good and the bed comfortable.

Authenticity & Character

We peeked in some other rooms and they looked charming

Location

Very will located to see the sites

Staff

Some very good and some rude. Often hard to find staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Sorry but we found the linens on the not good bed we’re even bad.

Salvadonica - Borgo del Chianti

San Casciano in Val di pesa

This hotel definitely had a wow factor! Our room was delightful, staff were top notch and I can’t say enough about the food. We loved it here and would definitely return or recommend to our friends.

Authenticity & Character

Words can’t describe this delightful resort, it must be experienced

Location

It was what we were looking for g for, a quiet stay in the Chianti region

Staff

Extremely professional

Cleanliness & Comfort

Attach to detail to make for a memorable stay

Hotel Navona Colors

Rome

We loved this hotel, our room was small but very clean, breakfast was outstanding, staff friendly and the location was fantastic!

Authenticity & Character

Location

We felt safe, loved the street it was located on and it was easy to find our way around to the attractions we wanted to see

Staff

They were kind, inviting, knowledgeable and made you feel they wanted you to enjoy your your visit to Rome

Cleanliness & Comfort

Bed was comfortable and our room was very quiet

Hotel Il Guelfo Bianco

Florence

I would have given them a five had the breakfast been better. The hotel had loads of character and was very well located to all the sites and great restaurants. I loved that you could get away from the crowds here. I would stay again or recommend to friends.

Authenticity & Character

Loved how they preserved the old charm Of Florence

Location

Very well located to all the attractions of Venice.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Rialto Market and "Cicchetti" food tour

Venice

This was the truly best thing about Venice. Experiencing Venice through a locals eyes should not be missed.

Quality of Experience

Everything was very interesting

Food

Yum yum yum

Galleria dell'Accademia private guided tour

Florence

Our guide was insanely knowledgeable about local history, art, shopping and food. Thank you for making this a wonderful experience

Quality of Experience

The guide and her knowledge

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Wine tasting and light lunch at a historical winery in Florence

Florence

After all the other great tours we went on it made this one look bad. The staff told us little about the wines or food and they didn’t seem to care if we were there or not. The establishment was very interesting but a little to commercial for our tastes

Quality of Experience

Wines was good and was the food, this was not an experience it was like going out for lunch

Food

It was good

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Definitely didn’t make you feel like they wanted you there

Food and cultural tour of Siena

Italy

Yet another Wow moment, hands down my husband’s favourite tours in Italy. Our guide knew so much history of Sienna and was very passionate about it. She knew her way around the side streets. This tour is well worth the money

Quality of Experience

The guide!

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Their lovely personalities and ability to make you feel comfortable

Transport

Walking food tour of Rome with dinner included

Rome

This small group tour was outstanding. The guide made the tour. She was extremely knowledgeable and patient about not only the food but the local area. Highly recommend this tour. Sadly much of the food was friend but still enjoyable.

Quality of Experience

Food

We’re not fried food people, we did enjoy trying the local foods and not all was fried. Do t let this scare you off, this was one of our favourite tours on this visit

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Everything went perfectly! It was great planning with amazing tours. We learned so many interesting things on the history-type tours, and then ate great foods on the food-type tours. I think the group highlights were the beaches in Naxos, the food tours, and the Catamaran Tour. We got great food recommendations from the hotel staff and KimKim, and all communications were quick and easy! If we needed something updated, it was done quickly and communicated well. I will definitely use KimKim again! It was incredible to have private transfers (made life to much easier) and checking in for our flights for island hopping was so easy.

Hotel Reviews

Mosaic Urban Rooms

Chania Town

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

I think because we went from Philippos and they were giving us food recommendations and booking us great places to eat, I just had higher expectations for this place to be able to help us do that as well. They did not want to lol but maybe that is more normal?

Cleanliness & Comfort

Sunshine Hotel

Santorini

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

The staff were soo nice! But maybe too nice? I was upset that they forgot our discount at the restaurant and they apologized to me multiple times for days later. But it was sweet I guess.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Our AC was acting a bit weird and the bathroom had a bad smell. We did have someone check on it, and then the AC was working again but the smell was not fixed.

Avra Hotel

Rafina, Attica

Authenticity & Character

Location

A little far from the airport, but I did not explore the area.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Princess of Naxos

Naxos

Authenticity & Character

Location

I am torn between a 4 star or 5 star, because I loved the location to the beach, but I wish it was easier to cross the main road to get to the beach. It was a bit dangerous. However, with it being like that, we had a great pool and the other beach hotels did not have pools as nice.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Philippos Hotel Athens

Athens

The staff were incredible with a great breakfast. Our AC was not working well but since we were only there for a couple days, it was okay. I think we realized that it was our error though.

Authenticity & Character

Location

So close to the Acropolis and loved the sister hotel having the rooftop too.

Staff

Gave GREAT food recommendations and booked reservations for us, no questions asked. They made it feel like a 5 star experience.

Cleanliness & Comfort

The rooms we had were very small. I would say for 1 person it would be perfect, but a little tight for 2 people. But I know that is European, so it's not that bad.

Activity Reviews

Old Town Food Walk

Naxos

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sunset Caldera Catamaran Cruise

Santorini

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Vineyard Visit with Wine, Olive Oil, Honey Tastings

Chania

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Day Trip to Elafonisi Beach

Chania

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guide was great, the dive was scary.

Transport

Ancient Athens Acropolis & Mythology Walk

Athens

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Self-Guided Food Walk

Athens

Shona, our KimKim travel specialist, provided excellent assistance in planning our vacation to Japan. She was very responsive and worked tirelessly on our behalf. We were especially impressed with the quality of private guides that she connected us with during our trip. We appreciate that using KimKim allows us to balance planned tours and activities that we would have never found on our own with time for self touring. In this manner we were able to plan a personalized trip, selecting an itinerary that met our interests and at our price point. KimKim may be more expensive that full self planning, but the quality of planning, care and intrinsic knowledge provided by the local KimKim agent is more that worth the money. We had a small issue arise and the KimKim team was on it immediately.
In particular, we enjoyed a sushi class and private guides who wear willing to be flexible and tailor our tour days to better meet our needs. On one particular day we only hired a "driver" - that driver, Kendo, ended up being so much more - he spoke English very well and acted more of a guide than a driver. We visited Mt. Fuji, toured Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara and Osaka. Our itinerary included a whiskey distillery, day tours to natural and historic sites, a food tour, a tea ceremony and a sushi class. We also really shopped the vintage stores in Osaka and the fish market in Tokyo. Our guides took us to lunches at local restaurants we, again, would never have found on our own. This allowed us to try local food specialties at very low prices compared to restaurants in touristy areas. We did enjoy the whiskey tour and tasting however, the tour was in Japanese with only minor English translations available - we still enjoyed the tour but I would consider skipping it if you don't have a full English language tour.
Shona selected hotels that were in perfect locactions and that included breakfast in the rate. Our Osaka hotel had a wonderful sky spa. In all I would highly recommend Shona and the KimKim team if you are traveling to Japan.

Hotel Reviews

Richmond Hotel premier KYOTO SHIJO

The Richmond Hotel Premier Kyoto Shijo was a very good accommodation. Its location was ideal, allowing easy access to many attractions, including a large market within a 20-minute walk, which suited our love for walking. There was also a chic supermarket in the basement where we could grab delicious snacks or dinner, which was convenient and tasty. Breakfast was also satisfying. While it ranked third among the three hotels we stayed at, it was a wonderful place to stay, just that the others were exceptionally better.

HOTEL GROOVE SHINJUKU, A PARKROYAL Hotel

Tokyo

Great location and the best breakfast of all the hotels on the trip. Located in Shinjuku center, easy walking to shopping, restaurants, and a whole manner of tourist sites. About a 8-10 minute walk to the subway. Welcome drink and very helpful staff. We had to leave before the breakfast on the last day and the hotel provided a wonderful boxed breakfast. Very clean!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Great in room amenities.

Candeo Hotels Osaka Shinsaibashi

Osaka

Great location, wonderful breakfast. Loved the SkySpa! PJs were awesome.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Full Day Mt. Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi Tour with Whisky Tasting

Tokyo

The Full Day Mt. Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi Tour with Whisky Tasting had its pros and cons. Initially, I was disappointed as the tour got delayed to an 11:30 start. The whisky tasting was intriguing, but the tour was primarily in Japanese with limited translation, diminishing the experience for non-Japanese speakers like myself. We did, however, enjoy touring the distillery, tasting the whisky, and even received some credit at the gift shop to make up for the setbacks. The highlight was having a clear day to see Mt. Fuji, which was splendid. Overall, it was enjoyable, but I would suggest ensuring an English translation for international tourists to maximize the experience.

Osaka Cooking Class

Osaka

The Osaka Cooking Class was a completely unique experience compared to the tea ceremony. It was a private, three-hour sushi-making class, conducted by two wonderful women in a rented apartment in Osaka. We learned to make miso soup and various types of sushi, and enjoyed eating our creations at the end. It felt intimate, engaging, and gave us a newfound appreciation for the art of sushi making. Having the instructors guide us through each step in their little apartment was truly delightful.

Kimono Tea Ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya

Kyoto

The Kimono Tea Ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya was one of the highlights of our trip. My daughter and I loved the experience of dressing in kimonos, and the entire process was beautifully organized by the ladies who assisted us. Even my husband found it enjoyable. The ceremony itself was a fantastic blend of culture, fun, and history, conducted in a traditional home setting, which made it even more special. We appreciated learning about the history and the cultural context while enjoying tea in a traditional setting.

The rooms and guided tours that our Kimkim advisor picked were very good. We wish our consultant had advised us of whether the resorts where we stayed had concierge services. It turned out, some of the resorts did not have concierge services. The organization of the travel documents into essentially one long pdf was difficult to manage on the road, often with no cellular service. This was a problem in another trip we took that was on the Kimkim platform. While staying on the west coast of Vancouver Island, the stock paragraph about Tofino was not helpful. A paragraph about Ucluelet would have been better. All of the above not withstanding, our advisor planned a wonderful trip and we had a great time.

Hotel Reviews

Crystal Lodge

Whistler

Reception staff was not at all forthcoming about activities advertised in the hotel. It turns out that the tourist information bureau had that but you had to drag that out of the hotel staff. They need a concierge.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Tigh-na-mara

Parksville

Nice location with a cool beach. The food was really good with more vegetarian and non-fried healthful options.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Naturally Pacific Resort

Campbell River

Authenticity & Character

This is primarily a golf resort. We don’t play golf but the food was great.

Location

Staff

They could have suggested activities appropriate to us that were not golf that we could have done on site.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Black Rock Oceanfront Resort

Ucluelet, BC

This hotel has a great view of the Pacific. It is not in Tofino, it is in Ucluelet! The hours of the restaurants were not good. Too many fried foods.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Stanley Park Discovery on Bike

Vancouver

It was a wonderful experience with a great guide. We thought there would be the option for electric bikes and that was not so. It turned out ok, though,

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Self-Guided Visit to Capilano Suspension Bridge Park

Vancouver

Whale Watching Tour

Canada

Bear Watching Boat Tour

Canada

What a fantastic week in the Netherlands! We spent a few days in Amsterdam, then Otterlo/De Hoge Veluwe National Park, and then finished up in Rotterdam. Nadine was wonderful to deal with and her recommendations were spot on! Our driver, Maarten, was also spectacular. Some highlights includ: a canal ride through Amsterdamataying at The Pulitzer (Amsterdam) a bike trip from Leiden to the beach, the Sculpture Garden at the Kroller-Muller museum in the National Park, and staying in a house boat in Rotterdam. We can't wait to come back and explore more of the Netherlands, and will definitely reach out to Nadine and team to do so.

Hotel Reviews

Wikkelboats Rijnhaven

Rotterdam

This was a highlight of the trip! While we did have some guests that were there to party in the boat next to us, we still enjoyed the stay here immensely. The house boat was clean and comfortable. And althought tiny, it had everything we needed! We cooked breakfast each morning we were there, and cooked dinner there one night as well. Would definitely stay again.

Authenticity & Character

Location

in a fun part of the city.

Staff

not much staff actually, but they were responsiveness when we needed them.

Cleanliness & Comfort

super clean and surprisingly comfortable.

De Wever Lodge

Otterlo

Lovely lodge within walking distance to the park. Would definitely stay again!

Authenticity & Character

beautiful and relaxing. So comfortable.

Location

Staff

So pleasant and helpful!

Cleanliness & Comfort

really loved it here. Some other guests complained about the noise level in the rooms on the first floor, but it did not bother us.

Hotel Pulitzer Amsterdam

Amsterdam

Delightful! This is a really a lovely place to stay, right on a canal in Amsterdam. The food was all very gfood as well.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Rotterdam - Deltaworks & Neeltje Jans day trip

Rotterdam

We are so glad we did this. It is a bit out of the way, but if you are interested in learning more about how the Netherlands keeps from flooding (the country is below sea level) then it is a must see. It is an engineering wonder. We learned a lot.

Rotterdam - Excursion to Kinderdijk & Dordrecht by private boat

Rotterdam

fun and so interesting!

Hoge Veluwe National Park by bicycle + Kröller Müller Museum

The Netherlands

Beautiful park, sculpture garden and museum.

Amsterdam - Day trip to Leiden

Amsterdam

A highlight of the trip! Leiden is beautiful. Adn the bike trip we did from there to the beach was spectacular.

Amsterdam - Rijksmuseum

The Netherlands

Not to be missed.

Amsterdam - Private canal cruise to Rijksmuseum

The Netherlands

Do this!!!

Amsterdam - A'DAM lookout

The Netherlands

This was the only part of the trip we didn't love. It was ok , and if you needed to be in that part of town then it could be interesting. But we could have passed.

Amsterdam - Private guided historic city walk

The Netherlands

Rob was great - very pleasant and informative.

Public Transport Pass Amsterdam

The Netherlands

This was super easy to navigate (but don't forget to check out!)

Marina, our guide in Venice, was the stand out. Claudia and Rachel did a good site seeing trip. All of our guides were very knowledgeable. Wish I could remember more names, but the tours were very good. The hotels and staffs were very friendly and helpful. Great trip!! Thank you and thanks to everyone who helped put our ideas into reality

Kimkim planned and booked our two-week trip to Costa Rica. Gustavo, our local specialist, listened to our thoughts and priorities to suggest the best places to stay at our three destinations. We changed our minds several times about places during the process, and he quickly adjusted our plans based on our feedback. All our accommodations and car rental were perfect for our needs. When we arrived in Costa Rica, our car was ready for us, and throughout our trip, we did not have issues with any of our accommodations. We appreciated Gustavo's suggestions on activities we could do in each location. We had an amazing vacation with days filled with excitement and beauty. We plan to contact Kimkim when planning for our next international vacation.

WOW!! Éric provided an excellent, well thought out itinerary. My whole family was thoroughly impressed. The detail was excellent right down to great dining recommendations. Excellent excellent excellent job. Thank you.

My trip was so amazing!
We worked with such amazing and knowledgeable guides who loved to show us their home country. Would book with Kimkim again.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel / Airbnb / Apartment / House - Booked by traveller.

Information to be requested to the passenger.

We stayed at our friends house. It was great

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Casa Andina Standard Miraflores Centro

Lima

Santuario Machupicchu

Aguas Calientes

It was great. Good food and clsoe to the bus station

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Andean Wings Sacred Valley

Cusco

It was super cool and had great grounds

Authenticity & Character

Location

a little out of the way but really cool and quiet

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

San Agustin Posada del Monasterio

Arequipa

Really cool building, but it was kind of loud at night

Authenticity & Character

Location

a little loud at night, but close to the city center

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Pozo del Cielo

Arequipa - Caylloma - Chivay

It was a super unique hotel that was really comfy and cool

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Muru Homely Hotel

Cusco

It was super nice and was huge. It was like an apartment. It was super quiet and had a full kitchen.

Authenticity & Character

It was very modern and wasn't as Peruvian as some of the others

Location

walkable to the city center but quiet

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hacienda Puno

Puno

It had an on-site restaurant and had family room accommodations. It had a water filtered filling station, and that was nice to use, so we didn't have to buy bottled water. I would highly recommend it, and the beds were comfy. centrally located near the Plaza de Armas

Authenticity & Character

pretty good but not the most character

Location

close to the main square

Staff

spoke good English and seemed to be accommodating for French-speaking tourists

Cleanliness & Comfort

very clean and comfy

Activity Review

Magic Waters in Lima ✨💧🌈

Lima

It was super cool, especially the projector fountain.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We used KimKim to plan a trip to New Zealand and definitely would recommend using their services. While we had some ideas for things we wanted to do during the trip, Monika did a great job setting up the detailed itinerary and maximizing our time. Since this was the first time to the country, I was having a hard time figuring out how long driving distances were and when we should drive vs. fly and which tour operator to use. Monika booked several tours for us that ended up to be very good- our Milford Sound tour had to be re scheduled due to weather but the operator was very flexible for us and instead of flying we were able to take a van and still got to see Milford Sound. I felt like we got to do everything we wanted and the trip was within the budget range we had set out to meet. Other reviewers complained that you don't see a line item for how much the KimKim service costs but I didn't mind. The total cost we paid for our trip seemed reasonable to me and I thought it was definitely worthwhile to use a travel agent for a trip to a country where we had never been before and that required a lot of driving/traveling time to get from site to site.

KimKim, and Irene especially, planned an amazing trip for my daughter and I . Traveling to Italy with just the two of us felt a bit daunting, and trying to create an experience that would both hit the highlights and allow us to just immerse in a new place was so overwhelming to me. On the advice of a friend, I reached out to KimKim and within 24 hours we had a perfect itinerary, and every detail was taken care of. We had beautiful boutique hotels, expert and timely transportation from every airport/train station/hotel when we transferred cities, tours that were intimate and perfectly timed. The whole experience was flawless. They were so accessible on WhatsApp throughout the whole trip, and when I thought we may miss a train due to traffic, they were immediately responsive and assured me that they would help us navigate if we needed to find a later train.

I will use KimKim again and literally recommend them, it seems, at least daily as I share our experience. Already have my wheels turning for next year.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Modigliani

Roma

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Continental

Sorrento

Beautiful rooms, beautiful pool, wonderful staff. Do not miss the rooftop restaurant.

Authenticity & Character

The staff felt like family even just during our short stay.

Location

Close to Marina Grande and shopping.

Staff

They were just charming and wonderful. We felt cared for like family.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Casa Howard Firenze

Florence

A beautiful boutique hotel with impeccable service.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Close to Piazza Santa Maria Novella, with a wine window on the way.

Staff

They even came in early one day to make sure we had breakfast and snacks for a day trip... incredible.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Express Colosseum Tour

Rome

Great tour guide, perfect amount of time.

Trastevere Afternoon Food Tour & Wine Experience

Rome

Loved every minute. A perfect collection of food and drink.. we were with another fun family and our guide was great. Don't miss it.

Pasta-Making Class in Sorrento

Sorrento

Felt like one of the most authentic Italian experiences we had...We had a great time, made great food. It was long, so prob best for families with older kids, but their pizza experience seemed amazing as well (we worked alongside that crew!).

Amalfi Coast Boat Tour From Sorrento

Sorrento

Cannot say enough...it was magic.

Tuscany Day Trip with Siena, San Gimignano & Pisa

Florence

We loved this! Perfect (short) trip to Pisa, thoroughly loved our trip to the Corbucci vineyard with impeccable food and wine, San Gimignano was so quaint and perfect, and Siena... we got a great glimpse. It was a long day but we loved each minute.

Pizza and Gelato Making Class in Florence

Florence

Perfect way to spend an afternoon out of the heat! Was fun and light and we enjoyed every minute.

Morning Florence Highlights Walking Tour

Florence

Great high level, efficient orientation to Florence. Left us wanting more!

Given our short amount of time in Sydney, the trip was wonderful. The Shangri-la hotel was lovely with a fabulous view of Sydney harbor. We were able to relax in our room before heading upstairs to the restaurant. Since my husband is disabled, sightseeing from the room was such a blessing.
Our city tour provided a glimpse of the parks, museums, and neighborhoods as well as friendly chatter about the city.
The harbor tour was sort of meh. No commentary, just chugging along in the dark
I would skip that
All the support staff and drivers were efficient and helpful.
Altogether, a nice couple of days

I travelled to Morocco with my wife and 11 year old son. On our trip to Morocco, we travelled from Casablanca to Rabat, Chefchaouen, Volubilis, Meknes, Fes and returned to Casablanca for our flight home. We had a 5 day itinerary that was well planned by the travel agency. The travel agency organized the private driver, hotels and the private guides. Overall, it was an interesting cultural experience (coming from US) to see an Islamic country and places that have been around for much longer than the USA.

For me the top 5 sights: the variety of Riads we stayed in to understand what is actually inside a traditional islamic home, the Challah (old fortress with Roman and Islamic ruins), Volubilis, Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail in Meknes (restored version of a Islamic Palace which was commonly seen in the palace ruins in southern Spain), and Fes Medina, which really gave engrained what life is/was like in the Moroccan Medinas.

A few positives:
- We stay in Riads for most nights. This was a very unique opportunity to see what it is like inside the "wealthy" homes. Both Riad Kalaa (Rabat) and Riad Lina (Chefchaouen) were nice.
- The breakfast at Riad Kalaa was by far the best.
- There was a reservable pool in Riad Lina that was magical.
- We wanted to buy local handicrafts and the local guides provided to us were knowledgeable about the best place to go (i.e. not the tourist locations). For example, in Chefchaouen, Bilal took us to a consignment store to find a Berber rug. In Fes, Cherif took us to a back back back alley in the Fes souks to get high quality Argan oil.
- Our driver, Reda, was very professional, which included 1) (most important) he was polite and respectful, 2) timely / almost always early), 3) knew where he was going and how long it would take, 4) was a safe driver following rules of the road. Reda was also able to schedule some things last minute, like a dinner and a traditional Moroccan show in Fes. This was a nice surprise for us.

A few negatives:
- Our itinerary was tight and the travel between locations were 3-5 hours each. Using a car was the only way to travel between the cities. On one hand, we could have extended stay in each location to break up the driving, but there isn't much to do in each location, so I think we would have gotten restless. Simply a tradeoff and probably I would do it this way again if I were to repeat.
- Riad Salam in Fes was by far the prettiest (16 years of restoration), but also the least comfortable. During our trip (we travelled in Spain prior to the trip to Morocco), we stay in 7 hotels; Riad Salam, was by far the the least comfortable. The mattress was extremely firm, the towels were lower quality than Amazon Basics. The A/C was not functioning correctly. And the breakfast was the worst out of the three Riads - they prioritized quantity over quality. I would not recommend staying there.
- The Hassan II mosque in Casablanca is about the only thing to do in in the city. Certainly interesting for a non-muslim to go into a practicing mosque. However, the guided tour was not very good (note that they were provided by the site rather than someone picked by tour agency).

Final Note: My rating for the local specialist covers all the people we worked with. Ali was only involved in planning. We had a operations person assigned (Said), but we never needed to talk with him. Reda was our only point of contact through out the trip.

Kimkim and our specialist, Tammy, assisted with arranging our 2-week trip to the Queensland area of Australia. It was a grandma and 12-year-old granddaughter trip and couldn’t have been better! Everything was wonderful: the accommodations, the itinerary pacing, the activities and tours, the transportation were all top notch. As a first time visitor to the country, I would never have been able to plan such a wonderful trip., especially including activities that were meaningful for both of us. The assistance we received was professional, responsive, and invaluable. Highly recommend this service.

Hotel Reviews

Mandalay Luxury Beachfront Apartments

Port Douglas

We were here for 5 nights, visiting the Great Barrier Reef and tours of the Daintree. It was an amazing time and nice to be in an apartment with the many amenities provided - washer/dryer, full and well stocked kitchen, a short walk to 4 Mile Beach, a bit longer walk to downtown Port Douglas, a private patio, 2 pools, housekeeping service. This would be a great place for a large family reunion. The only difficulty was the stair flights up to our 3rd floor place with heavy luggage, no elevators. Also , we arrived in the evening and there was no one on duty. We were left our key cards and very detailed directions to our room (and an upgrade), which was fine, just not what I expected. Staff during the day were very helpful and housekeeping was very friendly and helpful. I hope to go back!

Authenticity & Character

Location

The proximity to the beach couldn’t be better.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Having a washer and dryer was great. Pool and grounds were well tended and gorgeous.

Tangalooma Island Resort

Moreton Island

This is a sprawling complex, probably the only place to stay on this section of the island. Rooms are a little worn but the location is stunning. They did a nice job with limited, kid-friendly food. The activities available there are plentiful and all our guides were wonderful. The dolphin feeding is very well run and such a unique experience. We loved our stay there - didn’t want to leave.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hyatt Regency Brisbane

Brisbane

Great location, excellent service, clean rooms, comfy beds, beautiful views, great breakfast, stunning pool. Loved it all!

Authenticity & Character

One of our drivers told us it was the location the Beatles stayed in when they came to Australia in the 60’s. It’s certainly been renovated/rebuilt since then and is a modern building with all the conveniencesone would ever need.

Location

Views of the river, gorgeous bridges, and the Ferris wheel. Easy walking to all kinds of fun stuff. I the heart of the shopping district.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Welcome to Brisbane

Brisbane

The Tangalooma and Moreton Island trip was a real treat, especially the unique activities like dolphin feeding and sand tobogganing. It was strenuous due to climbing sandhills, but so much fun and worth the effort. I highly recommend not missing out on this adventurous and delightful experience.

Full Day Daintree Rainforest Tour

Port Douglas

The Full Day Daintree Rainforest Tour was a truly immersive experience. The lush greenery and unique ecosystem were fascinating, and it was perfect for my granddaughter and me. While maybe less suitable for very small children, it's an activity that older kids and adults would definitely enjoy. I loved the tour, and the drive was worth it.

Full Day Skyrail and Kuranda Rail - Late Start 11:00am - 6:30pm

Port Douglas

The Full Day Skyrail and Kuranda Rail trip was stunning, but I was disappointed to find out the train ride part wasn't included in our reservation. Thankfully, we managed to book it on-site, and it was worth it. The views were breathtaking, and it's an experience you wouldn't want to miss. Despite the hiccup in the booking, everything else was well-organized, and I'd recommend doing both the Skyrail and the train.

Wonderful 1 month in France

Hotels were great, almost all guide were excellent, train connections all great except when the rails were covered with a landslide after a huge rainstorm. Nathalie called to let us know she was making alternate plans for us before we even knew there was a problem. Speaking better than normal French certainly helped, but everyone was very welcoming and gracious. Some minor things for the future: if you are leaving the hotel super early, don't include breakfast in the room charge, when staying in 2 different hotels in Paris the driver went to the first one instead when taking us to the train, the guide in the Camargue spoke almost no English which frustrated my wife (we didn't know it was French Mother's Day so the regular guide was not available). Some unforgettable experiences like the huge hail storm while with our private guide in the Louvre and while driving through the towns and mountains around Carcassonne we picked up a monk walking alone by the road who then gave us a private tour of the abbey.

We had an absolutely wonderful time while we were in Peru. The accommodations that we had were excellent. We enjoyed all of them in the various places that we stayed. The food was incredible and we had so much fun trying the different cuisines. Our guides and drivers were too notch. Susie in Lima was so much fun to be around and we loved the information that she shared with us. Edwin who was our guide to the Colca Canyon was so knowledgeable and excited to show us the condors as well as teach us about the plants in this area. Leo in the Sacred Valley was very enjoyable to explore with and learn more about Moray and the slat flats at Maras. Then our guide Henry on the Inca Trail was so fun and helpful along the way. Everyone was so friendly and helpful and punctual throughout the whole trip. We had the experience of a lifetime.

Our experience with KimKim was fantastic. From planning to guidance while traveling, we felt very supported. Leny was very helpful and made some last minute changes to accommodate us without hesitation. The local guides and hotels were great. The peace of mind that came with having Leny help plan and keep us on track enabled me to relax and enjoy my vacation! If you are on the fence about using KimKim, I would highly recommend.

Activity Review

Best of Shibuya Food Tour

Tokyo

My daughter and I loved this experience! Clara was such a great guide. We were able to experience a wide variety of foods from wonderful locations that would have been impossible for us to explore on our own in one evening! Her knowledge of the food and area was excellent and she shared so much that added to the experience. Would highly recommend!

Quality of Experience

Clara was fantastic!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

She was so friendly and knowledgeable!

Kate did an awesome job tailoring our trip around Scotland with a wonderful balance of scheduled activities, suggested daily itineraries that still left us lots of flexibility to be spontaneous and explore. The accommodations were a range from 5 star resort to lovely B&B and all places I would have never found or booked myself. We made adjustments to meet budget requirements without sacrificing amenities.

Hotel Reviews

Moness Resort & Spa

Aberfeldy

Slightly away from downtown, lovely grounds, Rooms are a bit dated.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Ullinish House

Isle of Skye

Loved this was private and off the beaten path from the main busy tourist areas

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Isle of Mull Hotel and Spa

Isle of Mull

Beautiful views, nice restaurant, good amenities

Authenticity & Character

Location

very convenient to ferry

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Dungallan Country House

Oban

Lovely B&B a quick walk up the hill from downtown Oban. Historic charm but still very comfortable

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

put together to go lunches last minute for us and breakfast was wonderful

Cleanliness & Comfort

Cameron house

Gorgeous grounds and property. Multiple restaurant options, Great location. First class amenities

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Loch Ness and Caledonian Canal Cruise

Inverness

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Inverness Walking Tour

Scotland

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Edinburgh Old Town Tour

Edinburgh

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our family of four (kids aged 14 and 12) had a great time on our trip to France, which Kimkim planned. We enjoyed each activity they had planned for us. We had multiple private tours scheduled, and each guide was exceptional. All respected all of our wants and needs to the utmost degree. All of the transfers worked very smoothly as well. The travel specialists listened to all of our requests and delivered.
Only two minor gripes, which downgrade my review to 4 stars instead of 5. The travel specialists changed multiple times during the planning, and it would have been nice to have this be more consistent, as I feel the trip could have been a little more personalized if rapport had been built with one specialist. The other small detail was that our trip documents were not released to us until very close to the trip, so some of the details were unknown until that time, which led to a small amount of anxiety.
That being said, neither of these things impacted how we enjoyed the logistics and events that were laid out for us. We did have a fantastic trip!

Hotel Reviews

Le Meridien Nice

Nice

Authenticity & Character

Location

If I could give this more than 5 stars, I would.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Negrecoste Hotel and Spa

Aix en Provence

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Hôtel Le Tourville Paris

Paris

Our family of four stayed in the family suite (1 king and two twin beds) on the top (sixth) floor for five nights. We truly enjoyed our stay. The suite fit us very well. As expected in Paris, it was a little small, but we made do. The closet and bathroom were nice and large. This is a boutique hotel, and as such, it does not offer some of the amenities that larger hotels typically provide, such as a pool or spa. That being said, the staff were charming and helpful, and the breakfast options were plentiful.

Authenticity & Character

They have a French writing theme, which is unique

Location

It is very close to a Metro stop and easily within walking distance of the Eiffel Tower and the Seine.

Staff

Always available and attentive.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Room was cleaned daily and no signs of any distress in the rest of the hotel.

Activity Reviews

Monaco, Eze and La Turbie Tour Private Tour

France

Tour in the Alpilles, Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, and Les Baux de Provence with Wine Tastings

France

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Greg, from A la Francaise, was an amazing guide.

Villages and Markets of the Luberon

France

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Greg was a fantastic guide from A la francaise.

Eiffel Tower Summit Ticket

Paris

Louvre Late Opening Private tour

Paris

Montmartre & Sacré-Coeur walking tour

Paris

Sweet Side Food Tour of Paris

Paris

Family Bicycle Tour of Paris

Paris

Our family left the Le Peloton Cafe in Le Marais for a private tour. Cedric was our guide, and he provided us with very informative insights. We covered a fair territory on the bike for a total of 5-6 miles.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Seine Cruise with Commentary

Paris

This was the kids favorite part of our time in France.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff