Kimkim Trip Reviews

We had a great experience booking our trip to Japan with Yeny and her team. With two teenagers in the mix we had a wide range of interests to satisfy. Yeny and team were able to provide a balanced schedule.. meeting all our must sees! From riding in a drifter car through Tokyo and winding up at a car meet, to wandering around all the anime, manga, and arcade places you could ever want, to MASTERING the train systems in Japan (thanks to the excellent instructions from Yeny and team), to Sumo wrestling, Cup Noodle museum, hiking up a mountain to feed monkeys in Kyoto, to everything else that was strategically placed into each day…. We so enjoyed our time… and plan to book again.

They even helped us find restaurants that catered to our dietary restrictions.

The only thing that we felt was missing.. was planned transportation to the airport when leaving. Although I am sure others would have enjoyed the flexibility to spend every last minute in Japan.. I wished we would’ve talked through the last day.. check out time.. transportation to the airport, luggage storage.. etc.

I had no interest in being herded around on a group tour on and off buses and being told where and when to eat and shop yet needed guidance as this trip would have taken hundreds of hours to plan properly. Kim Kim was the perfect compromise. The trip was customized for us after an initial conversation and then a two hour zoom with Leny. We had 5 private guides in different areas each one better than the next. We were reminded each day of our next day’s plans with specific instructions if we wanted to take the train. For full day tours the guides picked us up at our hotel. The cooking class with Bob in Takayama was so great and authentic, as was the tea ceremony and the dinner with Maiko who is like a Geisha in training. We also got amazing deals on vintage designer bags in the Namba area of Okasa which is like a combination of Times Square and the San Genaro feast on steroids. We ran the gamut with a visit to Mt Koya to be in touch with our spiritual side. This was a trip of a lifetime and we could have never done it without Leny and her team who were on call and immediately responsive throughout the entire trip when we had questions or needed clarity. Absolute kudos to them. I cannot recommend them highly enough.

Lucy was wonderful, and helped us plan a trip that was perfect for us. She was available during the trip as well for quick answers to questions that came up.

This was truly amazing. Zehra organized the most perfect trip. Everything was seamless, from the airport pickup to flight arrangements. I could have never put together a trip with this many moving parts so flawlessly. Zehra was always quick to respond and incredibly patient, no matter time of day or how spastic/indecisive I was. And a special shout out to our amazing guides: Eda, Uraz, Ghokan & Tolga. Brilliant guides & I feel like I made new friends. Will be using KimKim again!!!!

Everything went as planned. Drivers were courteous and always waiting for us on time. Whitewater rafting was great, our guide, Alejandro was fun. The waterfall rappelling was something I don't think any of thought we would do. It was really cool. All the hikes around Arenal were great. Manuel Antonio is a bit confusing at first, we ended up getting a guide to get into the park. It was worth it though since they knew where the animals are. The night walk was fun too.

Thanks for all the work setting the trip up.
Shane

Hotel Reviews

Hotel La Mariposa

Manuel Antonio

Unbelievable view

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Casa Luna Hotel & Spa

La Fortuna

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Morning Catamaran Adventure with Barbecue

Manuel Antonio

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Manuel Antonio Jungle Night Walk

Manuel Antonio

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Self-Guided Manuel Antonio Beaches

Manuel Antonio

Manuel Antonio park is a bit confusing at first since we hadn't book out entrance fee before hand and had to get a guide to get in.

Quality of Experience

Sky Tram, Ziplines & Sky Walk Adventure

Arenal/La Fortuna

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Arenal Volcano & La Fortuna Waterfall Hike with Lunch

Arenal/La Fortuna

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Río Balsa Whitewater Rafting Adventure (Class II-III)

Arenal/La Fortuna

Quality of Experience

L

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Lost Canyon Waterfalls & Rappelling Adventure

Arenal/La Fortuna

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our trip was amazing!! Monika did such a fabulous job. Every detail was thought through and planned meticulously. She recommended and booked the most fabulous accommodations for us across the North and South islands- our favorites were Delamore Lodge on Waiheke Island, Opito Bay Lodge in Coromandel and Hulbert House in Queenstown! The service was incredible across the board and we are already wanting to go back. Monika took the stress out of planning a trip across the world- she was so great to work with and I can’t recommend her enough! It was the trip of a lifetime!

Hotel Reviews

Olive Rabbit B&B

Turangi

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Hotel Britomart

Auckland

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Headwaters Eco Lodge - Glenorchy

Glenorchy

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hulbert House

Queenstown

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

On The Point

Rotorua

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Opito Point Lodge

Whitianga

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Delamore Lodge

Waiheke Island

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Milford Sound heli/cruise/heli express (helicopter flights plus cruise)

New Zealand

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Wai Ariki Spa "Chiefly Waters" restorative experience

New Zealand

Quality of Experience

Wai-O-Tapu

New Zealand

Quality of Experience

Glowworm Kayak Tour

Rotorua

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Kimkim organized an Amazing trip to Iceland for us. We had lots of input and even had a zoom call with Noga and our own Travel Agent.
From the moment we got on our plane to the moment we landed back home everything was Perfect.
What was most perfect was our Tour Guide Gummi. Kimkim matched us up perfectly. Gummi made a couple of unexpected stops that only added great moments to our trip.
We loved every hotel and the food was very fresh.

Hotel Reviews

The Retreat at Blue Lagoon Iceland

Grindavik

Well we got to see the Northern Lights while we were there. The staff directly alerted us. Made it fun.

Authenticity & Character

Beautiful spa with geothermal baths.

Location

Staff

Friendly

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very comfy robes and slippers and all the incidentals in the room

Hotel Rangá

Hella

Very Uniy

Authenticity & Character

Unique

Location

Great location to view the Northern lights

Staff

Friendly

Cleanliness & Comfort

Food was fresh and unlike other hotel in the way of decor.

The Reykjavík Edition

Reykjavik

Centrally located. Clean and all the employees were very friendly.

Authenticity & Character

It was on the water

Location

Central

Staff

Everyone was friendly

Cleanliness & Comfort

All

Activity Reviews

Private Northern Lights Experience in Super Jeep

Reykjavík

I can only say our guide through Sarah truly tried to find spots in the sky hoping to see a glimpse of the Northern Lights. I for Mother Nature had its own ideas.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The Retreat Spa at Blue Lagoon

Iceland

If you like a spa retreat this is highly recommended. Extremely relaxing.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Lava Tunnel Activity

Iceland

This was a great experience. Our guide through the tunnel made it special

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Sólheimajökull Glacier Walk

Iceland

This glacier walk was one of our favorites. Exhilarating

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Brúarfoss

Golden Circle

This was a favorite. Very Blue clear water

Quality of Experience

Just an amazing place!

This trip was amazing. I was not sure what to expect going through KimKim and the local specialist, Serendipity Adventures, but was thoroughly pleased with everything. Our tour guide during the Turrialba Volcano Hike, Gloriana, was amazing, well informed and an absolute delight to hike along side. Living in the community brought real stories and experience to our hike. She was most accommodating. We had a tour of the National Monument with Manuel and he was extremely knowledgeable as well. He informed us of the history and brought his scope and found a sloth for us to see. I was so excited as I have never seen a sloth up close. Our next adventure was a night tour at Catie Botanical Gardens. I was amazed at the amount of Costa Rican wildlife. Jorge and Gato were exceptional guides. Our accommodations were outstanding and all the support staff were friendly and most spoke English. We moved from Turrialba to San Geraldo de Dota and had amazing views at the Dantica Cloud Forest Lodge... loved the weather. Early in the morning we went birdwatching with Carlos, an extraordinary guide, who grew up in the area. His knowledge about birds was amazing and he knew the Quetzal patterns which allowed us to see our first Quetzal. The horseback riding is a must to the waterfalls. We are avid riders and loved every minute. Our last visit was to Uvita.... the weather was just like Louisiana, hot and humid but we're very used to it. The view from Tiki Villas Rainforest Lodge and Spa was breath taking. We added spa treatments for us 4 and it was incredible. Tired after 7 days of hiking, horseback riding and tours, we were soooo happy the Mangrove & Wildlife tour was in a boat. It was so peaceful and we were able to see all the birds we wanted to. Exceptional as well.

Booking through KimKim and Serendipity was the BEST decision we ever made and will most assuredly be recommending this group to everyone. As a retired military member, I like order and punctuality and that is exactly what we had... no hiccups. The only way to visit going forward. I can't wait to book my next country visit with them.

Hotel Reviews

Tiki Villas Rainforest Lodge & Spa

Uvita

EXCEPTIONAL!! Amazing view, massages in room when purchased and great ambiance.

Authenticity & Character

Fantastic pool and view..... EXCEPTIONAL.

Location

Very close to tours and beaches.

Staff

Friendly and accommodating.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Excellent king size beds and very cool outside shower and bath. MUST STAY AGAIN.

Dantica Cloud Forest Lodge

Copey

Amazing views, wonderful spa bathtub and great restaurant.

Authenticity & Character

Incredible views and walking paths.

Location

Location near our tours which was awesome and a great cafe for birdwatching and a pizza cafe too.

Staff

Fabian and Selena were fantastic.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Great support staff and very clean.

Casa Turire

Turrialba

Great lodging, friendly staff and wonderful location

Authenticity & Character

Lush landscaping

Location

Beautifully tucked away but close to the city.

Staff

Very friendly

Cleanliness & Comfort

Clean and spacious.

Activity Review

Private Hike Turrialba Volcano

Costa Rica

Our guide was Gloriana who lived around the tour area which made the hike even more interesting as she was able to share her childhood experiences along the way. The hike was the perfect amount of exertion and exercise and the view was amazing.

Quality of Experience

Knowledgeable tour guide

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Gloriana was exceptional.

Our one week trip to Dublin and Northern Ireland was amazing! In Dublin, the Jeanie Johnston Famine ship was very interesting and the Celtic Nights show was the perfect first night activity. Newgrange and Giant's Causeway were absolutely incredible and I cannot recommend them enough. Additionally, our stop in Bushmills (both the distillery and the town) was a perfect way to spend a rainy afternoon. It was such a relief to have all of our tickets taken care of and not have to worry about managing booking times. One of the restaurants recommended in our guide for Belfast - Mourne Seafood Bar was AMAZING! The seafood was so fresh, the staff was kind and accommodating, and the atmosphere was great. Adrian was very helpful and open to feedback, and made sure to incorporate our must see's!

This really was an amazing trip for us and I will absolutely use Kim Kim again. Having the whole tripped planned ahead of time with multiple Riads, private tours, private driver - Zaid who was so awesome, really made all the difference.

We flew into Marrakesh and spent a day shopping through the Medina. The next day we made our way to Ait Ben Hadood for a private tour and stayed in another Riad - this one was Dar Rihana Dades which uses radiator heating. It was very cold and service was awful here. You have to pay extra for water and alcohol, which is fine, but no one said anything until after.

We then made our way to Merzouga where we stayed for 2 nights - camel trekking, sandboarding and a private ATV tour on the dunes. However, our guide for this was a young 20-something who seemed annoyed and bored. The glamping site was fine. Bathrooms in the tent. They don't turn on the a/c or heat until after 10:30 so depending on the temperature that could be an issue. It was cold one night for us, but after that it was fine. The team at Merzouga were super friendly and accommodating. The main guide went by "Desert Fox" and we loved him. I think we learned his name was Hakim. So friendly and helpful - made all the difference. We met a bunch of people from all over the world at the bonfire where music was played and it was just really nice and relaxing.

On our way back towards Marrakesh we stopped in Ourzazate for more shopping and exploring. The Riad here had a pool and great views, but location was not desirable at all. Our last day back in Marrakesh we had a Hammam and Spa Session. I would add a longer massage for next time.

A few things to note: never take a first offer when buying anything in Marrakesh. They start WAY high - expect to pay about a third of their starting offer. Marrakesh is fun but there are so many motorbikes that you will probably get bumped a few times. We also had a tour the same day we landed -- I wouldn't do that again as we were exhausted and cut the tour short just to get some sleep from the long flight.

The shower in Merzouga is just a handheld and doesn't have something to hang on so you can't stand under it handsfree. Not a big deal, but just an FYI.

Our driver Ziad was fantastic. Highly recommend. He's super friendly, funny, and really helped us with so many things. Singing in the car during our road trips was an unexpected bonus.

The communication at the beginning was a little off. We didn't know who/when/where we were supposed to be meeting people and how to get in touch with them and I kept having to call to get the information. Having that upfront would have been helpful.

Overall though, one of the best trips I have taken. Highly recommend.

Hotel Reviews

Elegancia Riad Boutique & SPA

Marrakech

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

smallest room of the whole trip

Sahara Sky Luxury Camp

Merzouga

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Riad Chergui

Marrakech

The room opened into the courtyard and everyone else's room so you can hear everything. The didn't have clear information when we first arrived and thought we were there a day yet, so that wasn't great on our first day.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Dar Rihana Dades

Douar Aït Ouffi

It was very cold and the service as awful.

Authenticity & Character

Cute atmosphere.

Location

Once you're there you really can't walk anywhere else.

Staff

Our waiter didn't say anything, didn't explain anything, and didn't seem to understand anything.

Cleanliness & Comfort

When its cold outside, turn the heat on!

Activity Reviews

Hammam & Spa Session 5 Pm at your Riad Accommodation .

Morocco

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Camel trek to your luxury camp

Merzouga

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided Tour of Aït Benhaddou

Morocco

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Quad Bike Ride in Merzouga Sahara Desert.

Merzouga

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

I created a specialized itinerary and Kim Kim agent Angel was able to coordinate beautifully. Japan is a lovely country with so many great sites not to be missed. We hit the highlights of Tokyo, Hakone, Mt. Fuji, Kyoto and Osaka. What I like most was working in partnership with KimKim to have the type of experience we wanted: a little hustle, a little laid back, key historical sites without being overwhelmed with too much, and lots of fun activities.
Pros:
1. Angel is an absolute gem to work with. She was responsive to my needs, listened carefully, alway with kindness, humor and professionalism.
2. The itinerary was affordable, considering we did not want to be on a tour bus with 20 others each day, allowing us independence while able to join in group activities on some days.
3. Each day, Angel would check in with the daily itin and schedule, including all tickets, maps, timing. Loved that.
Cons:
1. With the exception of Tokyo and Hakone, the hotels in Kyoto and Osaka were located far away from anything...more like office park areas, not walkable to anything. As this was my first time to Japan, hotel locations are essential to enjoyment, and this was dissapointing.
2. Due to those 2 hotel locations, we had to use uber or public transport to get anywhere, costing a lot of money and time that I didn't expect. I would suggest KimKim to review hotel locations that are tourist friendly and walkable to restaurants, stores, etc.
3. I was quoted a price for my initial itinerary, complete with hotels. Two weeks before departure, I was reviewing the itin and realized I needed more transportation built in, like train to hotel transfers, pick up/drop off from tours. I requested this and was quoted a huge amount, which was then negotiated down as we discussed the actuality. However, in the last quote, included was the price for my first hotel stay of 3 nights. This was odd and unexpected, I thought this was included in the initial quote, which it appeared to be. Confusing and not good.
Overall experience:
Loved this trip and Angel was a delight to work with.

My trip to Antigua, Guatemala was an experience I will never forget. I had reached out to Alex to help me fulfill a bucket list item--spending Holy Week in Antigua, to see the carpets of flowers and the religious processions. He designed a custom trip for me that included the religious aspects and so much more. During my five-day stay, I took a boat ride on Lake Atitlán, saw the preparations for the processions and the process of carpet-making up close, visited a coffee farm, a family chocolate factory, a macadamia nut farm, and had a textile lesson. I attended Mass on Easter Sunday, including yet another procession. I was booked at the beautiful resort-like hotel, La Porta. All the while, I had a personal guide, Diana, who explained the history and customs of everything I saw. Our driver, Manuel, skillfully drove us everywhere we needed to go. Alex was always available for questions and help. He even met me at the airport when I arrived to introduce himself. All in all, it was a beautiful, meaningful experience. As a solo traveler, I felt safe and cared for. I am so glad I did this. I definitely recommend KimKim for special trips like the one I just enjoyed.

We are so happy we used Kimkim! Not only did it make our travel seamless, we received quick responses if any issues or questions did arise. Starting with getting picked up at the airport - our guide assisted us with checking into our first resort and gave us wonderful tips and directions. We traveled to multiple island while there and all transfers (including tuk tuks, longtail boats, ferries and vans) went without a hitch. 3 of the resorts we stayed at were amazing. Burasari in Phuket and Rawi Warin in Ko Lanta were great! Even saw wild monkeys in Ko Lanta! Our last resort was Koh Jum Beach Villas and we cannot say enough about how fantastic this place is! We had a couple of great island tours. The food tour in Old Town Phuket was beyond fantastic. The guide was amazing and we got to see so much! KimKim and especially Kien really took the stress out of our vacation. We will definitely will use them again!

Hotel Reviews

Koh Jum Beach Villas

Krabi

If I could give this more stars, I would. This place made me feel like I was on White Lotus. We were greeted the moment we stepped off the transport and given a full rundown of the resort and our room. The grounds are AMAZING. The beach was almost deserted and water was clear as could be. Easy to walk out pretty far and so many shells on the beach to look at. The sounds of the cicadas and birds were hypnotizing! We often had the pool to ourselves as well. The food is fabulous and the staff was attentive. This is off the beaten track, but we felt so tranquil here that we didn't get bored. The villas were magical - views of the ocean and the gorgeous flora. Did I mention the wine cellar? They will give you a tour - very well stocked. We would return here in a heartbeat! Great way to end our lovely Thailand trip.

Authenticity & Character

Just wow! The villas fully opened up during the day (staff will open up in the morning and shut things down in the evening) and shuts up for mosquito time. The views from anywhere are amazing. Whether it's a beach view or of the grounds, it is all beautiful!

Location

So serene. It's in the sticks, but a beautiful sandy beach that feels like it belongs only to you. The grounds are amazing! Can't say enough about the beauty here.

Staff

Took care of every need we had and were super friendly. Cleaning staff were like little faeries. Every time we came back from the pool or breakfast, our room was ready. The restaurant and bar staff were friendly and waited on us hand and foot. We even saw them comforting and playing with a baby while the rest of the family dined. From check in to check out - they were on it!

Cleanliness & Comfort

So comfortable. Outdoor shower was great and the mini kitchen well stocked. Spotless everywhere.

Rawi Warin Resort & Spa

Chiang Mai

This was a beautiful resort. Rooms were great. Comfy beds, clean and great mini bar selections. This resort is very hilly, lots of stairs. This wasn't a big issue and you can call at any time for a tuk tuk to give you a ride. Food was excellent. Best part was seeing wild monkeys right outside our room. The grounds are beautiful and on the beach.

Authenticity & Character

Just beautiful. Monkeys and Water Monitor lizards in the koi pond. Lush grounds and beautiful pools.

Location

It is on the beach and you can walk down the beach to other spots if you want.

Staff

Always willing to help with a smile.

Cleanliness & Comfort

The beds were super comfortable. Not a lot of storage space, but everything else made up for it.

Phi Phi Natural Resort

Krabi

This place could use a bit of updating to be amazing. It was a bit worn down and the food was ok. It is a bit off the beaten path so not a lot to do. No poolside service, which would have helped a lot. The resort didn't work well with Kimkim on honoring our excursions (Kimkim promptly refunded us!) and weren't the most attentive. The restaurant staff was great, but the food was not fabulous, nor was it bad. Beds were hard as rocks and the pillows left much to be desired. Pretty scenery however.

Authenticity & Character

The rooms were cute and views excellent. Just a bit worn looking.

Location

Pretty - but not much to do in the area.

Staff

Restaurant staff was great and front desk was OK.

Cleanliness & Comfort

A bit aged.

Burasari Phuket

Patong, Phuket, Thailand

We really enjoyed this resort. Super easy to walk to the beach and to other fun spots in Phuket. The staff was excellent and the food was amazing! The resort and pools are beautiful and feel like a little oasis in the middle of the city. There are two 2 for 1 happy hours - we didn't miss out on those! We enjoyed the hotel spa - went twice. Great place to stay and highly recommend!

Authenticity & Character

Very serene and loved the pools. Lots of vegetation and beautifully lit at night.

Location

So close to the beach and short walk to Bangla Road.

Staff

Always willing to help with any needs and were greeted by all.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very clean and comfortable.

Activity Reviews

Maya Bay Adventure by Private Long-Tail Boat

Ko Phi Phi

This area is so beautiful. There are a few stops here and are all breathtaking. Highly recommend!

Quality of Experience

Just a gorgeous experience.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The guide was sweet and safe. A little language barrier, but he got his points across.

Transport

Longtail boats are cool. :)

Phuket Old Town and Peranakan Food Trail

Phuket

This was so cool! We got to go to a market and see how the local shop. We sampled food as a local would and it was all amazing. Our guide was fabulous and very informative.

Quality of Experience

Felt like a local.

Food

Local food and local people. Fun experience that is so worth it!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guide was great and our transportation was seamless. Our guide was the sweetest and taught us so much.

Transport

Comfortable van and air conditioned! (It was super hot)

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

Phuket

This was so cool! We saw so many pretty islands and the canoe trip was amazing! So beautiful.

Quality of Experience

So beautiful!

Food

Food was good.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guide was informative and sweet. He even gave me a little woven ring!

Transport

Nice boat and guides were great.

Doris planned a 28 day itinerary for our trip to Vietnam & Cambodia. We started in Hanoi & made our way to Mai Chau, Ninh Binh, Halong Bay, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh, Can Tho, Siem Reap Cambodia & ended the trip with a relaxing stay at a beautiful quiet resort on Phu Quoc. The vintage motorcycle tour with Ben & his brother was the highlight in Hanoi. So much fun & we really gained insight into the local life & culture. We loved the beauty of Mai Chau & bicycling through the villages & rice fields. Trung took us to some local “home stays” for some meals which we really enjoyed. Ninh Binh was amazing. We really enjoyed the boat ride & karst waterscape and was interesting to see the women using their feet to paddle the boat!
Lan Ha Bay overnight cruise was wonderful!
Hoi An is a must visit. We really enjoyed the charming ancient town although it was very busy!
A highlight in Ho Chi Min City was the XO Saigon by Night Motorcycle Tour!
Our guide Kim toured us through the Mekong Delta where we visited a floating market.
We only had 3 days in Cambodia but visiting the Angkor Wat Temples & Tonle Sap lake & floating village was well worth it. Spending our last week at the Green Bay Resort on Phu Quoc was a perfect way to relax at the end of our trip.
Doris was very detailed in her planning & everything was taken care of for us. All of the guides & drivers were excellent.
We were happy with all of the excursions and hotels used on our trip. We feel we had a fun, interesting and authentic experience in a Vietnam & Cambodia & highly recommend Doris to plan your next adventure!
The people of Vietnam & Cambodia were very friendly & welcoming & we felt very safe during our whole trip to explore around on our own.

Hotel Reviews

Ibis Saigon Airport

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Green Bay Resort Phu Quoc

Peaceful beautiful resort with comfortable seating in restaurants and beach.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Can Tho Ecolodge

Can Tho

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Myst Dong Khoi

Ho Chi Minh City

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Metta Residence & Spa

Krung Siem Reap Siem Reap

Beautiful oasis close to Siem Reap. Nice pool & good restaurant on site. Amazing staff!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Staff introduced us by name & asked about our day.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Bel Marina Hoi An Resort

Hoian

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Indochine Lan Ha Cruise

Hai Phong

Executive suite was amazing!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Very friendly staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Bath soap or salts would be nice. Food quality could be improved. Less oil used in omelet preparation.

Emeralda Tam Coc Resort

Excellent location, beautiful rooms right on the river but loud music from late night bars could make sleep difficult.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very loud music until around 1 am for 2 of our 3 nite stay from bars across the street.

Mai Chau Ecolodge

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Everything was clean but the soaps used were very strong scented which can be uncomfortable for people with sensitivity to strong scents. Extra pillows would be appreciated.

Peridot Grand Luxury Boutique Hotel

Hanoi

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Phu Quoc - Fly to Ho Chi Minh City (No tour guide)

Vietnam

Airport was very crowded & disorganized

Phu Quoc island free day

Phu Quoc

Can Tho - Transfer to Ho Chi Minh airport - Flight to Phu Quoc

Can Tho

Can Tho - Cai Rang Floating Market - Biking to Explore Local Villages and Orchards

Can Tho

Ho Chi Minh City - Ben Tre - Transfer to Can Tho

Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh City - Ben Tre, Coconut Paradise - Can Tho

Vietnam

Enjoyed the boat ride on the Mekong Delta & the floating market

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sai Gon Sightseeing - XO Saigon by Night - Experience Vietnam on Two Wheels (Group tour)

Ho Chi Minh City

So exciting & a very fun and attentive group of ladies. Felt very safe & was able to see more of Saigon this way. Enjoyed the local home visit. Dinner was fantastic as well. Highly recommend!

Quality of Experience

Food

Enjoyed the dinner in China Town

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Excellent motorcycle drivers

Transport

Comfortable bikes

Siem Reap - Fly to Ho Chi Minh

Siem Reap

Siem Reap: Banteay Srei - Pre Rup - Tonle Sap Lake

Siem Reap

Very interesting to see how the people live along the lake & deal with the rainy & dry season.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Siem Reap: Angkor Thom - Ta Prohm - Angkor Wat

Siem Reap

Enjoyed the sunset tour of Angkor Wat

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hoi An - Da Nang Airport - Fly to Siem Reap

Hoi An

Hoi An Free Day

Hoi An

Hoi An Countryside - Lantern Making - Gardening & Basket Boat Ride (HUT19)

Hoi An

Quality of Experience

Food

Enjoyed the food at lunch but was a bit too oily for our tastes.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visit Hoi An Ancient Town

Hoi An

Enjoyed this beautiful ancient town, all the shops & even had some clothes made overnite.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Lan Ha Bay - Hanoi- Flight to Danang - Hoi An

Vietnam

Ninh Binh - Lan Ha Bay, Overnight on Indochine Lan Ha Cruise

Vietnam

The suite on the boat had a lot of character & nice to have small deck.

Quality of Experience

Food

Quality could improve. Food not hot enough in the buffet. Used a lot of oil making omelets.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Free Day in Ninh Binh

Ninh Binh

Enjoyed walking around the riverbank area and bicycle riding through the cottage area. Lots of coffee shops.

Quality of Experience

Ninh Binh - Bai Dinh Pagoda - Mua Cave

Ninh Binh

Really enjoyed the hike to the top & the cave was really interesting to visit.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Mai Chau - Ninh Binh - Hoa Lu, Ancient Capital - Tam Coc Boat Trip

Vietnam

The ladies operating the paddle boats with their feet are awesome! Beautiful karst landscape!

Quality of Experience

Food

Had a good experience at the Tam Coc restaurants.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hiking in Mai Chau, Explore local villages (Xom Kha, Ban Te and Na Meo)

Mai Chau

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hanoi - Mai Chau, Explore Valley of White Thai People

Vietnam

Enjoyed bicycling through the rice fields & villages. Great hike through the jungle with picnic lunch.

Quality of Experience

Food

The fish in the bamboo was excellent. Enjoyed going to a home stay for dinner.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Half-day Hanoi Sightseeing by Vintage Motorcycle and Half-day Countryside by GAZ69/USA Jeep (VBTFD)

Hanoi

Fun and authentic. Ben showed us what local life is like. Enjoyed seeing the countryside, the markets and met someone very special at the end.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

This trip wouldn't have been possible without all the help from Emerson, he was a rockstar in planning! With his help and expert guidance we managed to pull off 5 countries in 23 days and never felt stressed about any of the moving parts. During the trip we traveled by plane, train, bus, car and ferry, with only one minor delay because of a "wildlife accident". The small guided tours he arranged exceeded our expectations, everyone was so nice, helpful, and knowledgeable. We learned so much more than if we had joined a big group tour or a bus tour. All of the hotels were also top notch, with friendly staff, comfortable beds, and superb breakfast buffets! Any questions we had along the way, we answered right away, and even checked in to make sure things were going smoothly. If you're on the fence about letting someone else make your travel plans (I know I had been) I would highly recommend Emerson and his fellow travel specialist, they know what they are doing, they now the areas you want to visit, and help take the stress out of vacation planning!

Activity Reviews

SnowHotel & Ice Dinner Experience

Rovaniemi

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Korouoma Canyon & Frozen Waterfalls Adventure

Finland

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Group Reindeer Safari and Farm Visit

Rovaniemi

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Helsinki City Walking Tour (3h)

Helsinki

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Tallinn Day Trip

Helsinki

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Aurora Ice Floating

Finland

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Snowmobile Tour to the Border of Three Nordic Countries

Kilpisjärvi

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Ice Fishing Experience

Kilpisjärvi

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Winter Arctic Landscapes Tour

Tromsø

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Mostraumen Fjord Cruise

Bergen

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Copenhagen in a Nutshell Tour

Copenhagen

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Food & Culture Walk

Bergen

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our family vacation to Japan was amazing! Our excellent advisor Shona designed a great itinerary and made sure all of our needs were met. When hiccups occurred, she was quick to figure out a solution and went out of her way to make sure we were satisfied every step of the way. We highly recommend Kimkim, and especially Shona to make your next vacation one to remember.

Activity Reviews

Full Day City Tour with Osaka Castle

Japan

We had a great time with our guide Yuki. He was very friendly and organized and was flexible with us when we wanted to change things during the day. We loved seeing the traditional areas of Kyoto, as opposed to the modern feel of the city centers of Kyoto and Tokyo.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full Day Nara City Tour, Overnight in Osaka

Japan

We had fun seeing the deer, but be ready to be swarmed by aggressive deer who want crackers, and will definitely let you know if you’re taking too long handling them over by nipping your arms and legs. I’d recommend just watching those less informed feeding them. The area is very nice, but the museum is terrific! Definitely make it a point to spend some time seeing the many artifacts/national treasures inside.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full Day Tour of Arashiyama Bamboo Grove & Sagano Scenic Railway

Kyoto

The walk through the bamboo forest was nice, but very crowded. We absolutely loved the grounds surrounding the bamboo forest, as they were very tranquil, and just beautiful with the cherry blossoms in full bloom.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Kimono Tea Ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya

Kyoto

Our family of four, with two sons on their twenties, really enjoyed the tea ceremony. It was fun to dress in traditional clothes and learn about the history and traditions behind it. It’s fun for all ages.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full Day Meiji Shrine,the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace and Harajuku Tour

Tokyo

Our family enjoyed visiting the Meiji shrine, a peaceful oasis in a busy city. The grounds were very pretty and our guide Kaiko was terrific! We loved learning about the history of the shrine from our guide and from visiting the museum.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

All the guides were absolutely perfect. The stand out guide was our guide to Normandy. He did such an excellent job. It was a little disappointing that the Eiffel Tower was closed up top, but you guys gave me a refund which was nice. Especially since it wasn’t your fault.

Activity Reviews

Moulin Rouge Evening Performance with Dinner

Paris

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visit the Royal Versailles with a small group

Paris

He did a great job. Give us great conversation, but we did feel a little rushed. I think his intention was to try to get us to beat all the crowds, but it came across was very rushed. Also, I was a little disappointed that we only visited a few rooms.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Explore Mont Saint-Michel & Sip Normandy Cider

Paris

This was by far our favorite. And our guide did such a wonderful job. He gave us a great conversation.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

He did an absolute fabulous job

Transport

Guided visit of Montmartre

Paris

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided visit of the Louvre museum

Paris

Quality of Experience

lol

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Seine river dinner cruise

Paris

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Self-Guided Visit of the Eiffel Tower with Access to the Summit (Entrance Tickets included)

Paris

Unfortunately, it was closed up top.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We had such a memorable time in Japan. Ben really understood what my family's interests were and chose fantastic locations and experiences for a first trip to Japan. Our guid in Tokyo, Yoko was very knowledgeable and efficient at zigzagging us all over the city.
In Kyoto, Ursula was amazing and was able to sneak in a few extra stops to maximize the sakuras at their peak. She was also helpful in giving us some tips on where to go in Osaka.

Great support in helping us organise such a memorable trip!

Judy from Kim Kim was very helpful and listened to what we wanted as a family. Judy paired us with a private tour guide called JJ from Nara to Oaska, JJ was a great guide and well informed, she even it took one for the team when the deer's were chasing us food.
Thank you, highly recommend Judy from the Kimkim Tour group.

Hotel Reviews

The Bridge Hotel Shinsaibashi

Osaka

Hotel was in a perfect location to food and transport & night life. Rooms were smallish especially when sharing but all in all it was clean and had great amenities. Breakfast was included and enough variety available.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Kyoto U-BELL Hotel

Hotel was in a good location to food and transport. Rooms were reasonable with queen bed especially when sharing but all in all it was clean and had great amenities. Breakfast was included and enough variety available.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Great location to transport & food

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Tokyo Bay Ariake Washington Hotel

Hotel was in a good location to food and transport. Rooms were small especially when sharing but all in all it was clean and had great amenities. Breakfast was included and enough variety available.

Authenticity & Character

Clean and good amenities

Location

Near train stations restaurants

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Osaka Local Foodie Tour in Dotonbori and Shinsekai

Japan

Hide our foodie tour guide is a legend, he was funny, easy going and pleasant to share meals with. He was a great guide and answered questions not related to food as well.

Full Day Nara City Tour, Overnight in Osaka

Japan

Our guide JJ from Nara to Oska was informative and very pleasant to deal with, she was always helpful in answering our questions.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Kimono Tea Ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya

Kyoto

We got to experience wearing a Kimono, the staff were very helpful and informative when dressing you. Our host teaching us the traditions of why they have a tea ceremony was very informative and pleasant.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport