Aleksandra Sheb

We enjoyed this trip very much and are very appreciative of the support we received from KIMKIM. We worked with Aleksandra for several months finding a way to include all the cities and areas we wanted to visit.
In terms of cities I think Dublin was our favorite. We liked the Mercantile Hotel - a great location, nice room, amazing breakfast and a very good bar and restaurant. We enjoyed the stores and pubs in the neighborhood a lot. The Hop On Hop Off bus stop was very close to our hotel and we used this system to make our way around Dublin.
We're so glad Aleksandra recommended the tour of 14 Henrietta Street. It was a little tricky to find but we had a very nice guide and appreciated his words about the history of the building.
The day tour of the Cliffs of Moher was disappointing. The bus was very cramped and Bill especially was uncomfortable because of no leg room at the seats. Galway was a big disappointment it was very crowded with tourists and we saw no charm in the city.
Kilmainham Jail was fascinating. The guide provided an excellent exposure to the many different eras of the jail including why people were jailed and executed there. Experiencing the small cells and limited access to the outside was chilling.
The Guiness Experience Tour was a struggle. It was packed with people - mostly young people who's purpose was to enjoy the free beer.
We were so glad to visit Trinity College and the Book of Kells. It was a graduation day for medical students so the plaza was filled with family members bearing numerous floral bouquets. It's too bad the books are being removed from the "Long Room" and it will be closed to the public for several years.
Edinburgh was our next stop and our lodging issue was extremely frustrating but NOT the fault of Aleksandra. We thought the apartment building had a lift but it did not. Only a very large spiral staircase and there was no way we could have handled that climb daily. Aleksandra was quick to respond and found us another hotel very close to the areas that we were scheduled to tour. My only suggestion about Edinburgh is that people who are considering Edinburgh need to understand how steep the streets are and how difficult it is go get around. Our food tour was excellent. The castle tour was very strenuous. The Real Mary King's Close was difficult due to uneven flooring and small doorways but the guide was very accomodating to the senior citizens. Holyhood House was very interesting to see - we enjoyed that opportunity very much.
Our hotel in Bayeux was very nice close - to the train station and the downtown area. We were a bit challenged by all the football fans who had filled the bars close to us to watch Arsenal but we enjoyed the fun, Our all day tour of the Normandy beaches was a real highlight of our trip. We booked this tour ourselves but I would suggest that KIMKIM include this gentleman for Normandy tours in the future. His name is Bertrand Saudrais and his email is [email protected].
Our hotel location in the West End was great. The changing of the guard was very crowded and took quite a long time but we wanted to see it. The Royal Mews was very interesting and our lunch at Buckingham Arms Pub was a great recommendation from Aleksandra.
Unfortunately our trip to the Victoria and Albert museum was cancelled. Bill had a cold and we both thought we needed a day off.
The river trip to Hampton Court didn't work out. It was raining heavily and the wind gusts were difficult. The boat did not have enough room for everyone and we ended up on the front deck chairs. After an hour we got off the boat and found a local pub where we enjoyed a great lunch and a very friendly group of people.
The next day our Hidden Pubs of London tour was a wonderful history of London pubs over the centuries. Drinking beer wasn't the focus but the guide Lynden was excellent. - very informed and very cognizant of all the people on the tour.
Our day long tour of Stone Henge, Bath and Windsor Castle began at 7:00 AM anded at 6:30 PM - a long day. However, the coach we had was very comfortable we covered many miles hearing from our guide and talking with our fellow tour people. All of the stops were just as we had hoped but it would have been nice to have more time in Windsor Castle - guess we'll have to go back.
On Saturday it was raining again as we waited in line at Parliament. Once we got inside we really enjoyed the different rooms for the various political groups. Very interesting.
Our last day we toured the British Museum that was very close to our hotel. Seeing the ancient artifacts from around the world was such a pleasure..
Overall, we were once again very pleased with KIMKIM. Aleksandra worked very hard to fulfill our wishes in the way that made the most sense. What we learned is that we may have over booked this trip with tours - we should have included at least one more day of rest.
As we talk to our friends about our travels we always mention the KIMKIM name so I hope you'll get some new customers.

Everything flowed as planned. Aleksandra,did a wonderful job. I thought it was amazing.

Hotel Reviews

Pembroke Townhouse Dublin

Dublin

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Ballea Castle

Cork

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Maldron Hotel Sandy Road Galway

Galway

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Dublin Private Walking Tour

Dublin

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Blackrock Castle Tour

Ireland

No guide for scheduled tour

Wicklow & Powerscourt Half-Day Tour

Dublin

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Sean was very knowledgeable & helpful

Transport

Aleksandra did a fantastic job designing our 3-week travel through Central Scottish Highlands and its adjacent islands! Scotland is gorgeous and its landscapes and views are magical with “four seasons in a day” weather pattern. We are already planning to go back to North Scottish Highlands with Aleksandra’s help in 2028.

We are quite particular about what we want to do (avoiding touristy towns and places as much as possible), hiking opportunities, distillery experiences, accommodations that have beautiful and dramatic views in quiet and/or isolated locations. Aleksandra nailed them all for us!!! We couldn’t be happier in each location! The pace was perfect! In the first draft of itinerary, I asked her “why are we staying at Loch Lomond for 4 nights?” Well, she knew we needed 4 nights/5 days to explore the beautiful loch and the surrounding area for hiking!

Throughout the 3-week journey, she was just a phone call and text away assisting us when we needed. She was always available for us like a magic! What a comfort it was to have her watching over our back!

Thank you, Aleksandra for giving us the fabulous memory of Scotland!!!

Hotel Reviews

Atholl Arms Hotel

Dunkeld, Perthshire

A wonderful hotel with great decor at a great location with riverfront bar, etc. in quaint village of Dunkeld. We enjoyed our stay very much.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Bynack

Aviemore

This is a spacious 2-bedroom cabin with a large kitchen. It was a comfortable place to stay.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

There was no one to interact with.....

Cleanliness & Comfort

Plockton Inn Hotel

Ross-shire

A quaint hotel in the quaint village of Plockton. The room was very comfortable and the staff was very friendly and helpful with my food allergy.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Atlantic Drift - Isle of Skye - Amazing Sea views

Glendale

We loved this cottage so much that we cut a few things from our schedule to stay at the cottage, walk around the neighborhood, chat with wonderful host and hostess. This cottage was our fondest place to stay!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Pods at Port nan Gael

Pennyghael

The small pod is cleverly designed and very functional with a great view.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

No 17 The Promenade

Oban

Absolutely beautiful hotel with amazing decor. Our room was very spacious looking over the Oban Bay. We could really relax in the room looking at the beautiful view.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Loch Lomond Waterfront Luxury Lodges

Balmaha

This is a great cottage on the quiet side of Loch Lomond. The cottage was well designed and functional.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Six Brunton Place Bed and Breakfast

Edinburgh

This is an intimate and quiet place with an amazing host.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

The Cairn Distillery Tour & Lunch

Aviemore

What a modern and stylish distillery with beautiful views everywhere! We really enjoyed the tour incorporating audio and visual, highly stylish tasting room, followed by a fabulous lunch spread!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Talisker Distillery

Scotland

Horseback Riding in Highlands

Scotland

Our riding guide was such a character and we were definitely entertained!

Ben Nevis Distillery Tour

Scotland

Torabhaig Distillery Tour

Scotland

Collection Tour and Tasting at Glengoyne Distillery

Scotland

Holyrood Distillery Tour

Edinburgh

We loved our trip to Scotland and Ireland! Aleksandra did a wonderful job of planning the tour. She was also responsive to us, as we needed changes to the plans as we went along.

My most favorable experiences were the beautiful b&b’s, the bike tour on the Aran Islands, the tea and scones (everywhere), and the diversity of the food options and abundance of live music in the restaurants throughout the trip.

We found that one event per day was enough for us, and we enjoyed walking around the city streets and driving on the country roads.

One piece of advice I have for any traveler is to be clear with your tour planner what time you would like to start the day each day, when you need down time, and what transport you expect you will need and when.

Thank you, Alessandra and KimKim!

Hotel Reviews

Number 59

Dublin

We liked this hotel, as it had a sauna, a cold plunge, and massages (the latter for a fee). The lounge was pleasant to sit in; it had a bar and looked out on the back garden. We could walk downtown. Excellent restaurants nearby. The hosts were helpful too, as I left a book light and paperback in the room when we departed, and they gave them to our friends to return it to us.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Lancaster Lodge Hotel

Cork

Modern hotel, near English Market

Authenticity & Character

Basic accommodations but clean with lounge and large breakfast area

Location

Staff

They allowed us to store our luggage and use a charger outlet after checkout

Cleanliness & Comfort

Corrib House Guest Accommodation

Galway

Right on the Corrib River, and walkable to downtown. Bathrooms are small & in particular shower is tiny! Staff is kind and food is excellent.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Small bathrooms

N°11 Boutique Restaurant and Rooms Hotel

Edinburgh

This hotel has delicious food and kind and helpful staff. The rooms are large and well appointed.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Private Transfer from Edinburgh to Edinburgh Airport

Edinburgh

Early, but on time!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Galway Bay Fishing

Ireland

Kevin was a great guide. We fished in the bay and caught 8 pollock (threw them back). You can keep them and eat the fish later if you like!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Food and Culture Walking Tour with Tastings

Ireland

I liked this tour but we would have liked to know we were going to be eating dinner ahead of time, and it was difficult to find the tour guide at the start. We visited three bars with food and also had Murphy’s ice cream of the street. The tour guide was kind and helpful.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Aran Islands Bike Tour with Tea and Scones from Galway

Galway

I really liked this tour. Nice to have options for people who don’t want to or can’t bike. They offered a horse and carriage and e-bike options.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Holyrood Distillery Tour

Edinburgh

Great tour guide! Nice to sit in the bar after and enjoy the tastes of different gibs and whiskey.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Aleksandra was amazing! She listened to what I wanted and tailored our trip to my specifications. She was readily available before the trip and most certainly during our trip. I cannot say enough about her and KimKim. This is my 2nd trip with your company and I could not be happier.