Kimkim Trip Reviews for Italy

4.8
Based on 888 ratings
Read 888 verified reviews by travelers who booked their trip to Italy on kimkim. You can also read reviews about kimkim on 3rd party sites including Google, TrustPilot and Yelp.

Spring trip to Milan and Lake Como
Italy | May 16 - May 22, 2024

D
Dagmar V.
North Atlanta, GA | Reviewed on May 27, 2024
Good morning Arianna,
This is Alfredo Vichot writing to you about the fabulous trip that you tailored for us. It was a wonderful experience on all counts. Hotels, selections of villas and drivers were outstanding. The guides were superb. All three gave us a lot of information. Even the free time we had matched perfectly to discover more of Milan and Lake Como.
Valeria picked us on time and talked not only about the Lugano region and sites we visited, but added history and anecdotes...
Read more

Good morning Arianna,
This is Alfredo Vichot writing to you about the fabulous trip that you tailored for us. It was a wonderful experience on all counts. Hotels, selections of villas and drivers were outstanding. The guides were superb. All three gave us a lot of information. Even the free time we had matched perfectly to discover more of Milan and Lake Como.
Valeria picked us on time and talked not only about the Lugano region and sites we visited, but added history and anecdotes which made her a jewel when you put all her knowledge together.
Both Katerina and Barbara gave us an excellent tour touching on certain points of interest and also history. Both spoke with intensity and emotion in their voices proud of their heritage and Italy.
The drivers were courteous and on time. Tino was very good in handling curves and avoiding possible accidents on our way to Monte Bre. I must mention Stefano, who was our driver from Milan to Como and back. He was engaging, pleasant and time flew by fast.
The Hotels were perfect. The Palace Hotel was centrally located--walking distance to the ferry boats piers, Plaza Cavour, restaurants and the Duomo. The staff was friendly and helpful. The breakfast room was outstanding, as well as, the breakfast selections.
The Lancaster hotel was located in a very nice neighborhood. It was clean and the staff was always willing to help. The young man at the front desk in the am, who speaks Spanish, was exceptional. He managed to get us a taxi when an unsuspected taxi strike was declared the morning we were supposed to see The Last Supper. Thanks to him we were able to get there on time. Kudos to him.
The Lancaster hotel was also 20 minutes away through a pleasant walk to the Duomo, going through the Arco, Parco Sempione and the Castello Sforziano. There were excellent restaurants a few blocks away on Corso Sempione. We would definitely will stay again at the Lancaster.
Finally, we would like to thank you for making our vacation an unforgettable experience. We are planning a trip to Puglia in a not so distant future and we hope to enjoy that trip with the same intensity that we enjoyed this adventure.
Grazie mille!

Hotel Reviews
Palace Hotel Lake Como
Como
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Lancaster Hotel
Milan
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Villas of the Lake Boat Tour with departure from Como - ONLY TICKETS
Villas of the Lake Boat Tour with departure from Como - ONLY TICKETS
Italy
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Lugano and Monte Bre' Day - Trip from Lake Como
Lugano and Monte Bre' Day - Trip from Lake Como
Lake Como
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Express Milan Duomo Tour with Terrace Access
Express Milan Duomo Tour with Terrace Access
Milan
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Milan Last Supper Tour with City Highlights
Milan Last Supper Tour with City Highlights
Milan
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Arianna Zampieri
Arianna
Arianna Zampieri
Local specialist in Italy | Replied on May 28, 2024

Dear Dagmar and Alfredo,
I am so happy to hear how much you enjoyed your trip to Italy with Storywalking!
It was a pleasure assisting you and we're delighted to hear that both your stays in Milan and Lake Como have exceeded your expectations! It also gives us great joy to know that our local guides and collaborators have provided you with excellent services and have contributed in the creation of beautiful memories. We take pride in choosing partners who love what they do.
We look forward to welcoming you back to Italy in the future, arrivederci!

The hotels were spot on: great locations, ex...
Italy | May 18 - May 25, 2024

R
Rachelle L.
San Francisco, CA | Reviewed on May 26, 2024

The hotels were spot on: great locations, excellent service, and not places I would have likely found on my own.
The itinerary exceeded our expectations. Giulia was responsive while setting it all up and the agency was responsive the few times I needed help during the trip. Thank you.

Local specialist: Giulia Bonati
Giulia
Giulia Bonati
Local specialist in Padova, Italy | Replied on Jun 04, 2024

Dear Rachelle,
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! I'm so glad to hear that you loved the hotels and that the itinerary exceeded your expectations! Your kind words are very important to us as we strive to provide the best experiences for our clients!
Thank you again for choosing us to help with your travel plans, and I am looking forward to assisting you on your next trip to Italy!
CIAO!!!
Giulia

This was the first time using KimKim and gene...
Italy | May 5 - May 19, 2024

larry
larry s.
Atlanta, GA | Reviewed on May 26, 2024
This was the first time using KimKim and generally, the experience was very good. The initial questionnaire was very thorough and the planner (Ina) obviously used the answers to customize our trip including specific hotels and private tours that met our requirements. I don't think we could have put together an equivalent vacation ourselves, which made the higher price we spent that much more worthwhile. The 30+ page schedule they put together included suggested restaurants, most train tickets... Read more

This was the first time using KimKim and generally, the experience was very good. The initial questionnaire was very thorough and the planner (Ina) obviously used the answers to customize our trip including specific hotels and private tours that met our requirements. I don't think we could have put together an equivalent vacation ourselves, which made the higher price we spent that much more worthwhile. The 30+ page schedule they put together included suggested restaurants, most train tickets and most suggested private day excursions. However, there were several items missing from the schedule that we felt were an oversight. Several days were free and gave a link to suggested walking tours - but when it came time to see the link it was empty. We were also missing a couple of train tickets. Luckily, their 24/7 support is excellent and provided the information when requested. But it added a level of pressure during our trip that was unnecessary. Would we use KimKim again - absolutely. It was a great vacation.

Local specialist: Paraskevas Politis

Amazing and Perfectly Planned
Italy | May 13 - May 22, 2024

Leslie
Leslie L.
Dallas, TX | Reviewed on May 25, 2024
We just returned from a 9 night adventure in Italy and Greece and I couldn't wait to write a review to dote on our travel specialist, Irene. The only information we gave her was we like food and wine and a budget and WOW did she come through. Every accommodation felt perfect for us, the drivers were all on time and professional and the tours were top notch. I never one time had to even think about how we would get somewhere or where to be. IF we would have had any issues I had confidence we... Read more

We just returned from a 9 night adventure in Italy and Greece and I couldn't wait to write a review to dote on our travel specialist, Irene. The only information we gave her was we like food and wine and a budget and WOW did she come through. Every accommodation felt perfect for us, the drivers were all on time and professional and the tours were top notch. I never one time had to even think about how we would get somewhere or where to be. IF we would have had any issues I had confidence we could have easily resolved them but we never had anything come up. Irene was so thorough she even made sure we planned / booked the tours we were booking on our own in time so we got the right tours to best accommodate the schedule. I truthfully was blown away at how great this was planned and will use this company (and hopefully Irene specifically) for adventures in the future. Very happy!

Hotel Reviews
Casa Isolani Piazza Maggiore Bologna
Bologna

We had the top floor and it had amazing sweeping views! Everything was clean and the hotel reception was accommodating and helpful. The only few tiny drawbacks- it wasn't easy to find (but luckily the hotel was expecting us and saw my husband looking lost in the courtyard, ha!) The windows all open for a nice breeze but there were some small red bugs so we didn't leave them open much. But it was very central, it was a neat building and the view was amazing.

Authenticity & Character
Super old staircase, really great room
Location
Right in the center of so much!
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Modigliani
Roma

We had a beautiful room with the cutest balcony ! We loved this room and it was very spacious to spread out.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Athens Cypria Hotel
Athens

This hotel was so kind to have a nice bottle of Greek wine and Baklava for us to celebrate with! We loved the view of the Parthenon from the roof top restaurant and as a bonus- hotel guests get a discount! The room was comfortable and the breakfast was really nice!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Kasimatis by La Perla
Santorini

We had the best time at this hotel!! We had a suite on the bottom side of the hiking path so it was much more private, the view was so amazing that we canceled our afternoon driver to just enjoy the room and view! The pool was too cold to get in but it was nice to sit by it. We had a hot tub on our balcony and enjoyed that too (a little cold for the chilly evenings but refreshing after hiking) the location was IDEAL. It was far enough from Fira and Oia to not deal with the crowds but close enough to walk there when wanted. The breakfast each morning was amazing. I miss it already!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Perfect location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Parma Tour With Parmigiano, Prosciutto & Balsamico
Parma Tour With Parmigiano, Prosciutto & Balsamico
Italy

This tour was absolutely fantastic. We started with a visit to a Parmigiano Reggiano cheese factory, followed by a Parma ham factory tour, and then headed to Modena for a balsamic vinegar tasting. Our guide, Georgia, was exceptional—she answered all our questions and never made us feel rushed. George, our driver, though his English was not as fluent, was very engaging and informative during our drive. We learned so much and enjoyed tasting the cheese. It was a really fun and informative day.

Guides, Drivers and Staff
Trastevere Afternoon Food Tour & Wine Experience
Trastevere Afternoon Food Tour & Wine Experience
Rome

This was probably my favorite part of Rome. The food and wine walking tour of Trastevere was fantastic. The area felt up-and-coming and hip, which was a nice change from the crowded tourist spots. We got to explore the neighborhood while tasting delicious food and wine. It was a really enjoyable and relaxing experience.

Quality of Experience
Food
Premium Sunset Catamaran Cruise in the Caldera lagoon
Premium Sunset Catamaran Cruise in the Caldera lagoon
Santorini

The catamaran cruise in Santorini was absolutely amazing. They went above and beyond to make my birthday special by surprising me with an entire cake and singing to me. The thoughtful touches were incredibly impressive. The cruise itself was beautiful, and we even got to take the cake home. It was a memorable and delightful experience.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Irene Lappa

First Trip to Italy
Italy | May 11 - May 20, 2024

J
John M.
Kearny, NJ | Reviewed on May 25, 2024
We were traveling to Italy for the first time. We knew the locations where we wanted to go but did not know the best way to get to each city, where to stay and activities to consider. We decided to use KimKim to reduce the stress of booking the trip on our own and it was a great decision. Martina helped us plan out the trip and gave us options and advice as we finalized our plans. During the trip, we had two issues come up, a canceled train and a hotel having incorrect payment... Read more

We were traveling to Italy for the first time. We knew the locations where we wanted to go but did not know the best way to get to each city, where to stay and activities to consider. We decided to use KimKim to reduce the stress of booking the trip on our own and it was a great decision. Martina helped us plan out the trip and gave us options and advice as we finalized our plans. During the trip, we had two issues come up, a canceled train and a hotel having incorrect payment information. In both cases, we called Martina and she quickly helped solve the issues. She was also able to help us book a last minute tour in Rome. Just as we had hoped, Martina helped make this a low stress trip so we could enjoy the experience. We would highly recommend KimKim and Martina.

Local specialist: Martina Venturi

Amazing Mother/Daughter Trip
Italy | May 14 - May 23, 2024

J
Jill B.
Flagami, FL | Reviewed on May 25, 2024
Amazing experience! Planning our mother/daughter trip to Italy was a breeze with Andrea. And the trip itself? Wonderful! Andrea did such a superb job of choosing experiences, lodging, and the general flow/schedule of things. We had just the right amount of time in each location (Venice, Florence, and Sorrento). And he scheduled things so that we had activities, travel, and time at our leisure in a way that made for a great pace. Multiple times during our trip we commented to each other that... Read more

Amazing experience! Planning our mother/daughter trip to Italy was a breeze with Andrea. And the trip itself? Wonderful! Andrea did such a superb job of choosing experiences, lodging, and the general flow/schedule of things. We had just the right amount of time in each location (Venice, Florence, and Sorrento). And he scheduled things so that we had activities, travel, and time at our leisure in a way that made for a great pace. Multiple times during our trip we commented to each other that Andrea really hit the mark! Accommodation locations were perfect, activities were great quality, and details were taken care of that we would not have even realized were needed.

Hotel Reviews
Ca' Pozzo Inn
Venice

Great location; easy walk to bus stops and train station. Pleasant staff, tidy room, and good breakfast. Would definitely stay here again.

Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Corte dei Sogni Boutique Hotel & spa

Great locations and amazingly comfortable beds. Set up if the bathroom was a bit odd (more style over function).

Authenticity & Character
Location
Easy walk from train station and close to bus stops, shops, and restaurants.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Sorrento Maison Lurò
Sorrento

Perfect B and B other than very loud traffic if windows open. The host of this BnB, Luigi, was the absolute nicest person and couldn't be better in his role. Cleanliness of the room was amazing. Massive, nice bathroom. Cute patio to eat breakfast on. Tasty breakfast delivered daily. A bit of a hike to the main area of town (15 minutes), but definitely manageable. There were soundproof doors for the patio so when closed there was no issue, but if open the traffic on the street was really really loud. All in all I would probably stay here again as the noise and long walk were only minor inconveniences.

Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Chianti Full Immersive Wine & Olive Oil Experience from Florence (small group)
Chianti Full Immersive Wine & Olive Oil Experience from Florence (small group)
Florence

Amazing. Simply amazing. Getting out of the city and into the Tuscan countryside was a highlight of our time in the area. Van was comfortable, our guide, Christina, was great, and the vineyard tours and tastings were wonderful. Highly recommend.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Hidden Venice and cicchetti experience
Hidden Venice and cicchetti experience
Italy

Highly recommend this activity! Our guide gave a nice overview of Venice history and culture and then brought us to multiple locations where we learned interesting history, then stopped for wine and cicchetti. We learned so much inside info from our guide that made the rest of our time in Venice better. She helped us to know how to navigate the city, where to go to get a more authentic Venice experience, and provided us with tips and pointers we utilized that vastly improved our time in the city. The tour was private, for just us, and that allowed for a nice pace and personalized experience.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Accademia Gallery - skip the line entrance
Accademia Gallery - skip the line entrance
Florence

Was an efficient way for us to be able to take in this site. Recommended.

Quality of Experience
Winery visit and wine tasting in Pompeii area including light lunch
Winery visit and wine tasting in Pompeii area including light lunch
Italy

Greeted with a glass if wine the second we stepped on to the property! Nice unique location with beautiful view of Vesuvius. Lunch and tastings were delicious.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Day trip to Capri Island from Sorrento - small group
Day trip to Capri Island from Sorrento - small group
Italy

Highlight experience for us. Staff were simply amazing. So glad we didn't opt for a simple ferry ride to Capri, as time best part of the trip was the views and stops along the way. Swimming in the Mediterranean Sea!! Several on the boat did get seasick so I strongly recommend some meds if you are prone to that. We had a few hours to explore Capri, but like I said that was the least enjoyable part of the trip. I cannot say enough good about this operation and their staff. Would do this again in a heartbeat even with the seasickness!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Andrea Gambino
Andrea
Andrea Gambino
Local specialist in Turin, Italy | Replied on May 25, 2024

Thank you very much for this amazing and very thorough review.
It is important to us receiving comments on the itinerary we design and it is always a chance for improving.

Happy to assist you any time you will travel in the future.

From the initial planning to the actual holid...
Italy | Apr 20 - May 18, 2024

Michael
Michael W.
Australia | Reviewed on May 22, 2024

From the initial planning to the actual holiday I cannot fault the effort put into our trip. Alec was a pleasure to deal with and organized our trip extremely well offering recommendations and advise throughout. Everything went to plan without one hitch. Hotel chosen were excellent, transportation great and excursions fantastic.

Local specialist: Alec Bean
Alec
Alec Bean
Local specialist in Athens | Replied on May 22, 2024

Hi Michael, thank you very much for your kind words it was my pleasure to arrange this once in a lifetime trip for you and Anne. I am very happy to hear that you both had such a great time in Italy and Greece and that you created wonderful memories together.

Thanks again
Alec

Perfect honeymoon
Italy | May 11 - May 20, 2024

Charlotte
Charlotte B.
Atlanta, GA | Reviewed on May 21, 2024
Perfect honeymoon planned by Kimkim. The planning process was smooth and they took all of our wants and needs into consideration. We had an unplanned trip to Florence due to a rental car problem and they were able to give us a plan and restaurant recommendations for this new city within 30 minutes. Can’t wait for our next trip with kimkim. Read more

Perfect honeymoon planned by Kimkim. The planning process was smooth and they took all of our wants and needs into consideration. We had an unplanned trip to Florence due to a rental car problem and they were able to give us a plan and restaurant recommendations for this new city within 30 minutes. Can’t wait for our next trip with kimkim.

Hotel Reviews
Abruzzi Hotel Rome
Rome

Good location in the heart of Rome. It felt like we could get anywhere within 10-15 minutes walking.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Palazzo delle Grazie
Sorrento

The staff was so helpful and friendly! Rooms had a coast feel with beautiful tiles. The locations is great but, because it’s on a busier alley, there are always street lights on and noise from pedestrians. Still would highly recommend.

Authenticity & Character
Location
15 minute walk to the water or any restaurant.
Staff
Most accommodating staff of our trip. We had a 5:15 am check out and they made us a to go box for breakfast with assorted pastries.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Villa Sabolini Tuscany
Colle di Val d'Elsa

Beautiful villa in Tuscany. Such a relaxing ambiance with rolling hills surrounding. The pool was a nice amenity. Breakfast was amazing! Would definitely recommend having your own vehicle.

Authenticity & Character
Beautiful rooms with amazing views.
Location
Within an hour of anything you want to do in Tuscany.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Local transfer in Rome
Rome
Colosseum & Roman Forum Tour
Colosseum & Roman Forum Tour
Rome

Educational and fun tour! Our guide was able to get us through long lines which would have eaten up some of the tour.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
We walked from the hotel but it was an easy walk.
Car Rental Pick-up
Italy

First car had a mechanical issue but was able to contact the company next day and arrange for vehicle exchange in Florence.

Tuscany E-Bike Tour
Tuscany E-Bike Tour
Italy

Very fun and gratifying trip around the small villages of Tuscany outside of Chianti. Very educational and scenic with a little bit of exercise. The e-bikes made this 3 hour 16 mile tour easy!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Chianti Winery Tour & Tasting with Lunch
Chianti Winery Tour & Tasting with Lunch
Italy

Cool winery that was established in the 1400s. I felt like the wine tasting was very informative and I left feeling like I knew much more about wine than before. The associated restaurant was also great.

Quality of Experience
lol
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Car Rental Drop-off
Italy

The car drop off was in the middle of Florence. It was a little unclear that there are two different locations within the city. One was the office and one was the drop off point.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Useful Information
Italy
Quality of Experience
Private Pompeii Tour & Mount Vesuvius visit with lunch and wine tasting
Private Pompeii Tour & Mount Vesuvius visit with lunch and wine tasting
Pompeii

Amazing day filled with education, great wine, and great food. Pompeii was so fascinating with so much history within the soil. The winery had the most breathtaking view of our whole trip. The wine was organic and the food was great. Climbing Mount Vesuvius was a little tough but worth it.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Amalfi Coast Boat Tour From Sorrento
Amalfi Coast Boat Tour From Sorrento
Sorrento

We loved that this wasn’t a large group tour on a boat. We were with only six other people. Unfortunately, the weather was not great for this boat day, but we had breaks in the rain and we’re still able to see all the sites and even swim.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Capri Island & Grottos Boat Tour from Sorrento
Capri Island & Grottos Boat Tour from Sorrento
Sorrento

Beautiful and relaxing trip around the island of Capri with four hours to explore the island. We had fun on the chairlift up to the top of the island. Highly recommend walking down the hill to the port from the city center rather than taking the bus as the walk was short and peaceful and took us through some picturesque villas. The boat tour took us around and in all the caves and sights of the coast. The blue grotto was expensive ($18 per person plus a suggested $10/ person tip) but in our opinion something that you should experience once.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Tasos Mylonas

We had a wonderful time during our trip. The ...
Italy | May 10 - May 18, 2024

J
Jeff G.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on May 20, 2024
We had a wonderful time during our trip. The boutique hotels (and attached restaurants) were excellent. We particularly enjoyed our guides in Assisi (Ms. Cinzia) and Rome (Ms. Simona). Weather was perfect all week, except for one rainy afternoon in Gubbio. Italians were all very friendly during our trip. We enjoyed the food and wine during our trip. Your representatives were on-time and helpful. We were disappointed in Arezzo as it was Sunday, as the shops were closed, and churches had... Read more

We had a wonderful time during our trip. The boutique hotels (and attached restaurants) were excellent. We particularly enjoyed our guides in Assisi (Ms. Cinzia) and Rome (Ms. Simona). Weather was perfect all week, except for one rainy afternoon in Gubbio. Italians were all very friendly during our trip. We enjoyed the food and wine during our trip. Your representatives were on-time and helpful.

We were disappointed in Arezzo as it was Sunday, as the shops were closed, and churches had morning mass. We did not make it to Cortona.

GPS was amazing, could not have driven the routes without it, although a few times, it directed us in one way city centers! It was also a little confusing on where to drop the car off at the Rome train station.

In retrospect, we should have stayed in Rome one additional day as there is so much to see.

Thank you again.

Activity Review
 Private Colosseum, Forum Tour & Palatine hill
Private Colosseum, Forum Tour & Palatine hill
Rome

Excellent Guide.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Caterina Belvedere
Caterina
Caterina Belvedere
Local specialist in Arsoli (Rome) | Replied on May 30, 2024
Dear Jeff and Sue, I'm thrilled to hear that you had a fantastic time during your trip. Your appreciation for the hotels, restaurants, and guides in Assisi and Rome brings me so much joy. It's a shame about the rainy afternoon in Gubbio and not being able to visit Cortona, but that gives you something to look forward to next time. I'm glad you enjoyed the food and wine, and that our representatives were helpful and punctual throughout the trip, and that the GPS was helpful despite a few... Read more

Dear Jeff and Sue,

I'm thrilled to hear that you had a fantastic time during your trip. Your appreciation for the hotels, restaurants, and guides in Assisi and Rome brings me so much joy.

It's a shame about the rainy afternoon in Gubbio and not being able to visit Cortona, but that gives you something to look forward to next time.

I'm glad you enjoyed the food and wine, and that our representatives were helpful and punctual throughout the trip, and that the GPS was helpful despite a few small hiccups. It's a valuable tool for navigating the roads.

Rome is a city full of endless wonders, and I completely understand the desire to explore it even more. I apologize for the inconvenience of the drop-off car.

Thank you for letting me be a part of your adventure. Your happiness and satisfaction mean everything to me.

Wishing you all the best,

Grazie mille

Caterina

This is the 2nd trip that we've used KimKim a...
Italy | May 4 - May 17, 2024

R
Rena D.
Minnetonka, MN | Reviewed on May 19, 2024
This is the 2nd trip that we've used KimKim and we had a great experience both times. Our travel agent Melanie was great; responsive, professional, perfect English and very upbeat and fun to work with. When she didn't have first hand experience of a location, she spoke with her colleagues and provided us with suggestions. The reason for a 4 start vs 5 star is more related to the virtual nature of planning a trip online vs in person. There are just some inherent challenges of not working... Read more

This is the 2nd trip that we've used KimKim and we had a great experience both times. Our travel agent Melanie was great; responsive, professional, perfect English and very upbeat and fun to work with. When she didn't have first hand experience of a location, she spoke with her colleagues and provided us with suggestions. The reason for a 4 start vs 5 star is more related to the virtual nature of planning a trip online vs in person. There are just some inherent challenges of not working live with someone, but that is not reflective of KimKim as a service or Melanie. As a busy, full time working person, it is a great solution and I plan to use for a 3rd time.

Local specialist: Melanie Rapuano
Melanie
Melanie Rapuano
Local specialist in Italy | Replied on May 21, 2024

Hi Rena,

thank you so much for your review and for your kind words!
I try my best to make travelers feel as though they are sat right in front of me, but I know exactly what you mean, a personal touch goes a long way.

I am really pleased I helped you both make some memories here in Italy and I look forward to your next trip to Italy!

Ciao e a presto!
Melanie

Northern Italy is Awesome
Italy | May 2 - May 10, 2024

Patrick
Patrick B.
Sacramento, CA | Reviewed on May 18, 2024
I don't have all the notes, but all of our travels inside Italy were great. The drivers were friendly, the cars were clean, and they all had great advice. Venice was my favorite for food, Verona was my favorite for wine and just walking around (and seeing a Serie A match!), and Florence was great for experiencing a larger city. It was good to have WhatsApp, as we were easily able to communicate with Melanie, drivers, and lots of restaurants. Read more

I don't have all the notes, but all of our travels inside Italy were great. The drivers were friendly, the cars were clean, and they all had great advice. Venice was my favorite for food, Verona was my favorite for wine and just walking around (and seeing a Serie A match!), and Florence was great for experiencing a larger city.

It was good to have WhatsApp, as we were easily able to communicate with Melanie, drivers, and lots of restaurants.

Activity Reviews
Walking tour to discover the best of Venice with "Cicchetti " experience
Walking tour to discover the best of Venice with "Cicchetti " experience
Venice

We got so much detailed history about Venice on this trip, it was fascinating.

Quality of Experience
The food and history.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide was so authentic and personable. We talked about a very wide variety of topics and we never felt like we were being lectured to from a script.
Local Cooking Class in Florence
Local Cooking Class in Florence
Florence

I absolutely loved this experience. I was nervous going in, but it's amazing what you can do with the right ingredients and just a little guidance. I was amazed at the quality of food we were able to make in just a short amount of time. I would absolutely recommend this to anybody visiting Florence!

Quality of Experience
The food ended up being delicious and I wasn't sure I could do it. Getting to drink wine while we finished the meal was also great.
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our chef was funny, knowledgable, and incredibly helpful.
Amarone Wine Tour
Amarone Wine Tour
Verona

I'm a big fan of wine tasting tours and we got very lucky to have a really fun group of couples along for the ride. Our guide was entertaining and knowledgeable and kept the tour moving without rushing us.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Melanie Rapuano
Melanie
Melanie Rapuano
Local specialist in Italy | Replied on May 20, 2024

Hi Pat and Kat,
thank you so much for your review and I'm so pleased you had a lovely time! Wow didn't realize you made it to a football match too (definitely an added bonus).

Thanks again for booking with me :)

I look forward to your next Italian trip!

A presto,
Melanie

Worth Every Penny!
Italy | Mar 31 - Apr 14, 2024

A
Ashley S.
Chandler, AZ | Reviewed on May 18, 2024
Worth Every Penny! We had never used a service like this before and weren't quite sure how it would all come together, but it was incredible! Every step from the planning stages with Irene our main contact to the drivers, hotels and tour guides throughout our trip, was seamless and perfectly thought out. We loved the variety in the places we explored and the experiences we had. For my type A personality one of the most amazing pieces was having all of the transportation organized, tickets in... Read more

Worth Every Penny! We had never used a service like this before and weren't quite sure how it would all come together, but it was incredible! Every step from the planning stages with Irene our main contact to the drivers, hotels and tour guides throughout our trip, was seamless and perfectly thought out. We loved the variety in the places we explored and the experiences we had. For my type A personality one of the most amazing pieces was having all of the transportation organized, tickets in hand and every driver where they were supposed to be right when they were supposed to be there - it truly allowed me, and my husband, to just enjoy the experience.

We traveled through some of the northern coast, then to Rome and Florence with our final days of our incredible 15 day trip on the Amalfi Coast. The entire team that supported us throughout the journey were great. Some weather issues resulted in adjusted plans, and the support team was in constant communication with changes or adjustments and provided great recommendations on other options. All of our tour guides were incredibly knowledgeable, insightful, and FUN!

We would absolutely recommend using KimKim - our experience with them was wonderful!

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Palazzo Vannoni
Levanto

We LOVED Levanto and this hotel was in the perfect spot in town Very walkable to the train station. The team at the hotel was lovely and helped with restaurants and reservations and were very kind and helpful with recommendations on how to explore the area in the time that we had free.

Authenticity & Character
Beautiful frescoed ceilings and large spacious room.
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Orto De' Medici
Florence

This hotel was beautiful!!! The garden space was so peaceful while the location is in a busy area but still felt quiet and secluded. Beautiful views from our spacious room. The staff was very nice and the laundry service was quick and efficient.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Trevi Beau Boutique Hotel Rome
Rome

This hotel was quite the experience! You are literally steps away from the Trevi Fountain and the entrance is in the corner of a restaurant patio --- so very unique! This was probably in the smallest room and the busiest location of all of our spots that we stayed but while you were in the hotel room, it was very quiet and you had everything you needed with beautiful charm in the room. The shower was confusing to figure out how to work at first, but overall it was a pleasant stay.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Grand Hotel De La Ville
Sorrento

This place was AMAZING! The rooftop pool/bar area was beautiful, even though the bar service was only open until 6 p.m. The views were fabulous from our terrace. It was also in a more bustly area and an easy walk. This one felt the least "Italian" of all of our spots, but the staff was lovely and the first floor garden area with happy hour was a nice feature to get some relaxation after a long day exploring. It was a quick walk to the central area and Sorrento overall was a good central spot to explore the Amalfit.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Chianti Wine & Olive Oil Tour from Florence
Chianti Wine & Olive Oil Tour from Florence
Florence

We lucked out with having no one else registered for our tour at the same time so we had our guide and the tours all to ourselves...and it was fabulous! Our driver was wonderful and we had a great time sharing stories and learning about the region. Would highly recommend!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Cinque Terre Welcome Tour
Cinque Terre Welcome Tour
Italy

Our guide was so great! She was thoughtful and had great history and knowledge of the area and was so kind in answering all of our questions and sharing her love of the area as well.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
The train was so easy to hop on and off, and taking it for the first time with the guide was helpful and she gave us some tips on what/how to navigate easily.
Private Pompeii Tour
Private Pompeii Tour
Pompeii

We had a wonderful tour guide but it was a quick 30,000 view of Pompeii. There was just not enough time to see it all --- which was fine for us. He gave a great overview and we definitely left feeling like we saw enough to get the idea without spending hours upon hours walking around. Our guide was insightful and interesting.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Colosseum & Roman Forum Tour
Colosseum & Roman Forum Tour
Rome

We ended up having this as a private tour as well, because the other registered people never showed so it was a bonus! Because it was just the three of us, we were able to navigate through the crowds pretty easy and we had special access to areas where we would not have had if we went alone without a guide. Our guide had so much interesting information and detail and these special glasses that helpful you see what it was like back in its full glory, which was VERY COOL.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Pizza and Gelato Making Class in Florence
Pizza and Gelato Making Class in Florence
Florence

We had such a great time at this experience! The chef and team were funny and engaging, for people of all ages, and the food turned out SO GREAT!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Rome Food Tour
Rome Food Tour
Rome

OH MY GOODNESS this was one of our FAVORITE tours and tour guides --- she was SO FUN! Full of really interesting information and excitement for the community and the food was awesome. She introduced us to things we would have never tried or experienced on our own and we had a blast with her!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Private Amalfi Coast Driving Tour
Private Amalfi Coast Driving Tour
Italy

We LOVED our driver!!! He was so genuine and interesting and took us to some out of the buzz places and locations for views that we never would have found on our own. He was right where he said he would be when we stopped to explore and really made us feel welcome and comfortable. We enjoyed our time with him!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Afternoon Florence Highlights Walking Tour (Semi-private)
Afternoon Florence Highlights Walking Tour (Semi-private)
Florence

So glad we did a small group, which ended up being only 6 total people. There were a LOT of tours with very large groups and our guide and our small group were able to navigate through the sites and streets quickly and easily. Our guide was really interesting and had so much intricate knowledge of the history and art it was incredible! We loved it!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Amalfi Coast Boat Tour From Sorrento
Amalfi Coast Boat Tour From Sorrento
Sorrento

This was the ABSOLUTE perfect way to end our trip! Because of a weather issue earlier in, we were actually able to expand this to a full day and OH BOY it was worth it! Our boat driver/tour guide was AWESOME --- he had really interesting information to share about all of the sites and was fun and engaging, while also giving us time to simply enjoy the beautiful scenery and our last day.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Irene Lappa

A Trip Plan “Masterpiece”
Italy | May 5 - May 16, 2024

Troy
Troy J.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on May 17, 2024
Caterina created a “Masterpiece” of an Italy trip plan for us. Recognizing that everyone has different interests and ways to travel, my wife and I commented several times throughout our vacation that we were amazed how well Caterina understood our interests and likes/dislikes of tour types, hotels, etc. Each hotel that we stayed at had the perfect amenities, room design and location for each stage of our trip. The details of the Trip Plan from length of stay at each location and the... Read more

Caterina created a “Masterpiece” of an Italy trip plan for us. Recognizing that everyone has different interests and ways to travel, my wife and I commented several times throughout our vacation that we were amazed how well Caterina understood our interests and likes/dislikes of tour types, hotels, etc. Each hotel that we stayed at had the perfect amenities, room design and location for each stage of our trip.

The details of the Trip Plan from length of stay at each location and the type/timing of our tours could not have hit the mark any better. The size of the tours (small groups or private) seemed as if she knew what would fit us better than even we would have done if we booked ourselves.

The local concierges and assistants that KimKim stitched together made intra-city and inter-city transport logistics run so smoothly it removed all stress in a usually stressful activity.

All the tour guides were top notch, especially our Rome guides for the Colosseum (Dennis) and Golf Cart (Valentina). Our private guide for Pompeii (sorry I lost her name) was a former Pompeii archaeologist and now a professor of archaeology was incredible. The winery tour and dinner was an experience of a lifetime!

Also, KimKim’s website platform is a breeze to plan and communicate with Travel Specialists. The format for tracking text communications and reviewing trip plan details was a valuable resource for us.

As stated at the start of the review, and in the spirit of all the amazing art we saw during our trip, Caterina created a Masterpiece of an Italy Trip Plan that fit us perfectly.

Thanks so much for an amazing experience,
Troy & Beth Jandrasitz

Hotel Reviews
47 Boutique Hotel
Rome

Great location, nice room. We enjoyed the roof top bar/restaurant for a drink and views.

Authenticity & Character
Location
It was centrally located for us to walk to key areas including Colosseum, Vatican City, and Trestavere. We like walking so while it wasn’t next to any of these areas, its location allowed for doable walks.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Villa Maria Pia
praiano

Nice hotel. They provided a balcony upgrade at no charge. Dock is nice, but stairs can be tricky to negotiate. The stairs going to street level are equally tricky. Breakfast area was very nice. Room was nice, if slightly small. The tub/shower access was a bit tricky as well - we were ok with it but some individuals with slight mobility issues would have a challenge.

Authenticity & Character
Can’t think of many hotels with a dock like theirs. Ceramic decor was beautiful.
Location
Bus stop right by hotel is a big plus.
Staff
Helpful with local transport. When my wife and I decided to have a picnic dinner on our balcony, the restaurant worked provided a wine bottle opener and glasses
Cleanliness & Comfort
Air handler mini split was difficult to get room temp correct. Awareness of the unit’s fan was slightly bothersome, but not a showstopper either.
Palazzo Castri 1874
Florence

Nice room and view of courtyard. Bed was comfortable. The overnight Front desk reception worker (Raniero) went out of his way yo assist me when a need some minor medical assistance - he was great!

Authenticity & Character
Nice room and bathroom. Very upscale feel to it. Breakfast was very good.
Location
Decent location (could have been a bit closer to town center), but the main issue was significant road construction currently occurring.
Staff
See comment on front desk worker (Raniero) above
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Splendid Venice - Starhotel
Venice

Concierge was helpful in changing our room when it was confirmed that the room A/C thermostat was not operating. A front desk worker first appeared to question our need to change rooms, but the concierge stopped it immediately and said we needed a room change, it was resolved with an impressive room upgrade.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Just seemed perfectly located for us.
Staff
See comment above
Cleanliness & Comfort
5 stars of the first room’s thermostat was operational
Activity Reviews
Small group tour of Colosseum with Arena access, Palatine Hill and Roman Forum
Small group tour of Colosseum with Arena access, Palatine Hill and Roman Forum
Rome

Dennis (tour guide) was very knowledgeable and entertaining. Timing of the tour = just right; size of group = just right

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
No transportion needed to get to Colosseum. It is a walking tour
Small group tour of Rome highlights by Golf Cart (6 people - 3 hours)
Small group tour of Rome highlights by Golf Cart (6 people - 3 hours)
Rome

Valentina was great. She took us off the beaten path for a portion of the tour which was nice. Golf cart was comfortable. We are both very mobile but this tour would seem perfect for individuals with mobility issues. One thing that would have been nice is if we could have toured closer to bottom of Spanish Steps, The cart took us past the top of the steps, but that is not the classic view.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Golf cart was comfortable
Admission tickets - Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel - skip the line
Admission tickets - Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel - skip the line
Rome

We felt the museum and Sistine Chapel is overcrowded with people and the artwork just jammed onto any wall space. Flow seemed disorganized. The skip the line tickets worked fine and it is critical to get these to avoid long wait. Even the skip the line was a bit disorganized.

Quality of Experience
Not sure how to reduce crowds. Better signage of tour flow in the museum would help
Guides, Drivers and Staff
N/A
Transport
N/A
Train Rome/Naples with transfers and 2h guided tour in Pompeii
Train Rome/Naples with transfers and 2h guided tour in Pompeii
Italy

Transfer to train was a breeze. Pick up in Naples as well. Pompeii tour was unexpectedly incredible due to an amazing tour guide.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Small group tour of Capri by boat ( max 12-14 pp)
Small group tour of Capri by boat ( max 12-14 pp)
Italy

Tour around Capri was beautiful. Time spent on island was just right.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Expertise of boater was impressive with ability to back into various coves for close views.
Florence and Accademia City Tour
Florence and Accademia City Tour
Italy

Amazing tour of art at the Accademia. We found this museum much better organized that Vatican Museum.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Tour guide was extremely knowledgeable about Renaissance Art and Architecture. General questions about more “touristy” things did not seem to interest her - when asked about locations of operating wine windows she said there weren’t any. Later we found out there was and actually enjoyed that unique experience.
Transport
N/A
Admission tickets - Uffizi Gallery - skip the line
Admission tickets - Uffizi Gallery - skip the line
Florence

Amazing museum!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
N/A
Transport
N/A
Best of Siena and San Gimignano tour from Florence with dinner
Best of Siena and San Gimignano tour from Florence with dinner
Italy

Winery tour made the trip. The winery property was beautiful and the dinner was a great experience. This tour was the best highlight of many highlights of the vacation

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Entrance fees to doge's palace and Saint Mark's basilica
Entrance fees to doge's palace and Saint Mark's basilica
Venice

The tickets for self guided tour was perfect timing for us as we were beginning to hit our limit on museums. So perfect timing to enjoy this an an abbreviated short tour time.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
N/A
Transport
N/A
"Bacari" local street food tour
"Bacari" local street food tour
Italy

Beatrice made this tour fun and interesting. She has excellent knowledge of Venice.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
N/A
Venice Gondola Ride
Venice Gondola Ride
Venice

A must do. The gondolier however had no interaction with us at all.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
ACTV 1 day Transport VENEZIA DAILY PASS
ACTV 1 day Transport VENEZIA DAILY PASS
Venice

Nice tour of the Grand Canal - worth the 45 mins to see the city from the Grand Canal

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
N/A
Transport
Can be crowded as people use this to transport themselves to hotels, etc.
Local specialist: Caterina Belvedere
Caterina
Caterina Belvedere
Local specialist in Arsoli (Rome) | Replied on May 30, 2024
Dear Troy & Beth, "Grazie mille" for your kind words! I'm delighted to hear that your trip to Italy was flawless and that you savored every moment. It was a pleasure working with you, and I want to express my gratitude for the trust you placed in me and for sharing all your desires and interests during the planning process. This allowed me to provide you with the best assistance possible. Your appreciation for the accommodations, guided tours, concierge, and all our partners means a great... Read more

Dear Troy & Beth,

"Grazie mille" for your kind words! I'm delighted to hear that your trip to Italy was flawless and that you savored every moment. It was a pleasure working with you, and I want to express my gratitude for the trust you placed in me and for sharing all your desires and interests during the planning process. This allowed me to provide you with the best assistance possible. Your appreciation for the accommodations, guided tours, concierge, and all our partners means a great deal to me. I'm thrilled that every detail contributed to making your journey stress-free and enjoyable.

Knowing that you had such memorable experiences brings me joy. I'm sure you've gathered a treasure trove of memories that will last a lifetime! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to be part of your adventure in Italy!

Best wishes,

Caterina

Amazing trip with history and wonderful memories.
Italy | May 1 - May 14, 2024

Martin
Martin K.
Maple Grove, MN | Reviewed on May 16, 2024
Our driver for our stay in Florence was Daniel and he was extremely helpful and professional. Our first guide was Mike in Florence and it was a walking tour. He was extremely knowledgeable and personable, and spoke very fluent English. There was a misunderstanding about how long the tour was and we didn't get to see the original David, but our Kimkim representative Melanie was able to get us booked for the next day. Unfortunately the audio was so poor that we couldn't understand what was... Read more

Our driver for our stay in Florence was Daniel and he was extremely helpful and professional. Our first guide was Mike in Florence and it was a walking tour. He was extremely knowledgeable and personable, and spoke very fluent English. There was a misunderstanding about how long the tour was and we didn't get to see the original David, but our Kimkim representative Melanie was able to get us booked for the next day. Unfortunately the audio was so poor that we couldn't understand what was being said. Charlotta was our group guide for the Chianti wine and olive tour and and she was amazing and spoke very good English, and this was a highlight of our stay in Tuscany. In Rome our guide to Vatican and Sistine chapel was Rich and he's lived in Italy for 26 years and has advanced degrees in theology and art history, his insights and knowledge about the art made the tour so interesting. We had a small group of 6 with Samona at the Colosseum and the Forum and she was very very knowledgeable and wonderful. She spoke very good English and was very good at timing the tour and found us places to sit down to take a break. We had private driver Marco and a private tour of Tivoli gardens with Katharina and we wouldn't have understood or appreciated the site without her information. Another highlight of our trip was the enogasgronomic/food tour in Sorento with Tamara, she was so connected with all of the places that we visited and she showed us amazing places that we wouldn't have known about. Out final tour was of Pompeii and Vesuvius with Theresa aka mother Theresa. It was a small group and she was so fun funny and knowledgeable.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Orto De' Medici
Florence

It's an elegant boutique hotel in a great location. Very clean and comfortable and the staff are friendly and helpful. The breakfast buffet was very expansive with many great food choices. The room was the largest of the 3 hotels that we stayed in and it was clean, quiet and comfortable. Within easy walking distance to many restaurants and a historic piazza that includes Michaelangelos' David.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
So welcoming, friendly and helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Barocco
Rome

A lovely small hotel in a great location within walking distance to many restaurants and historic sights including the Spanish steps, the Colosseum, the Vatican and the sistine chapel and much more. The breakfast was excellent and Stefan made sure that you were well taken care of. The room and the hotel was clean and quiet.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Florida 3* Sorrento
Sorrento

The staff were very helpful and welcoming but walking to Piazza Tasso and the many restaurants was at least a 20 minute walk, sometimes with no sidewalk. The room was adequate with a nice small balcony. Our room was on the first floor that was next to a walkway and another hotels parking area where cars and motorcycles were coming and going starting early in the morning. The breakfast buffet was very good and had many food choices. The bar and pool area was a nice place to relax in.

Location
There is only one restaurant within a few minutes walk. We had the hotel call us a cab once and we were charged 20 euro for a little over a mile ride to Piazza Tasso.
Staff
The daytime staff was very helpful but the early morning and evening staff were less than welcoming
Cleanliness & Comfort
It's proximity to the parking area for the hotel next door was a disappointment and it didn't have the same feel of the other 2 boutique hotel's that we stayed in
Activity Reviews
Day trip San Gimignano and Winery Visit
Day trip San Gimignano and Winery Visit
Florence

Quaint small town and a nice wine tasting

Guides, Drivers and Staff
Daniel was our private driver and he was very fun to spend time
Chianti Wine & Olive Oil Tour
Chianti Wine & Olive Oil Tour
Italy

Wonderful ride in a very comfortable small tour bus to the Chianti wine region and the beautiful Tuscan countryside. This was a highlight of our trip to Italy.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Florence Walking Tour
Florence Walking Tour
Florence
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Colosseo and Roman forums adventure
Colosseo and Roman forums adventure
Rome
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our tour guide was perfect
Tivoli Day trip and Castelli Romani
Tivoli Day trip and Castelli Romani
Italy

Having a private tour with Katerina gave us so much information and we thoroughly enjoyed our time with her

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
The Ruins of Pompeii & Winery on the Vesuvius
The Ruins of Pompeii & Winery on the Vesuvius
Italy

Theresa aka mother Theresa was so funny and knowledgeable

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Guisepe was so engaging to talk with and very enjoyable to spend time with
Dinner at family Home Restaurant
Dinner at family Home Restaurant
Rome

This was changed to a cooking class that was with the owner and head chef Paulo at Trattoria Amici. We made tiramisu and pasta that we ate at the outside restaurant.

Quality of Experience
Food
Enogastronomic experience -  taste the real life of South with a good glass of Limoncello
Enogastronomic experience - taste the real life of South with a good glass of Limoncello
Sorrento

Tamara was a wonderful guide for this tour

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Vatican & Sistine Chapel Tour
Vatican & Sistine Chapel Tour
Rome
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Melanie Rapuano
Melanie
Melanie Rapuano
Local specialist in Italy | Replied on May 17, 2024

Hi Martin and Barbara,

thank you once again for booking your trip to Italy with me. It was a pleasure from start to finish and thank you for being so understanding when we had some last minute changes!

I'm so pleased I helped make some lovely memories to take home.

I look forward to helping with your next trip to Italy!

All the best,
Melanie

The itinerary allowed me to visit three regio...
Italy | May 3 - May 5, 2024

D
Donna V.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on May 16, 2024

The itinerary allowed me to visit three regions Rome Venice and Florence all fantastic. Overall the hotels were very nice with the exception’s of Venice where hotel access was past a fish vendor and our final day in Rome where the lodging was well below average.

Local specialist: Elena Del Vecchio

Trip of a lifetime!
Italy | May 4 - May 14, 2024

Nina
Nina C.
West Hollywood, CA | Reviewed on May 16, 2024
This was an absolute trip of a lifetime. I will be recommending Kim Kim to all of my friends! Marta was amazing to plan with and every single excursion was flawlessly executed. Marta & her team were extremely accessible during our trip, which was so helpful when we had questions. Marta's help in planning allowed us to have a stress-free trip! The accommodations were fantastic as well, we loved every hotel. Highlights included the farm tour in Tuscany and lunch on the saffron farm, the... Read more

This was an absolute trip of a lifetime. I will be recommending Kim Kim to all of my friends! Marta was amazing to plan with and every single excursion was flawlessly executed. Marta & her team were extremely accessible during our trip, which was so helpful when we had questions. Marta's help in planning allowed us to have a stress-free trip! The accommodations were fantastic as well, we loved every hotel.

Highlights included the farm tour in Tuscany and lunch on the saffron farm, the suggested visit to Orvieto which was the most magical town, and the Capri boat day!! I'll be dreaming about this trip forever. Cannot wait to plan our next adventure with Kim Kim!

Local specialist: Marta Toso
Marta
Marta Toso
Local specialist in Venice, Italy | Replied on May 17, 2024

Cara Nina,
thank you for your review, it is wonderful to read your words!
I am happy to have helped create these beautiful memories in your life. Planning the trip with you was a nice and pleasant experience.
I wish you many exciting trips like this one!
All the best,
Marta

Northern Italy: Venice, Milan, Florence, Cinque Terra
Italy | May 1 - May 13, 2024

Anita
Anita T.
East Brainerd, TN | Reviewed on May 14, 2024
We had a wonderful trip with great trip planning supported by KimKim team. We visited Venice, Milan, Florence and Cinque Terra, we stayed in Levanto. We visited all the village by train. The local guides did an excellent job as well. Read more

We had a wonderful trip with great trip planning supported by KimKim team. We visited Venice, Milan, Florence and Cinque Terra, we stayed in Levanto. We visited all the village by train.

The local guides did an excellent job as well.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Casa Verardo Residenza d'Epoca
Venice

Great location, staff was amazing!

Hotel Il Guelfo Bianco
Florence

Great location! Staff was excellent!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Park Hotel Argento
Levanto

Great staff! Spa staff was excellent, picturesque setting. If you arrive by train, call the hotel for the shuttle service

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Milano Castello
Milan

Modern design with great bathroom space, lovely garden for drinks, central location

Activity Reviews
Guided Walking Tour of Venice
Guided Walking Tour of Venice
Venice

The guide was excellent. She was a native and provided great insights into the City's history as well as local culture. She went above and beyond to help us secure tickets to tour St Mark's Basilica.

Walking food tour of Milano
Walking food tour of Milano
Milan

A great way to experience a more "local" experience. The guide provided informative historical information while we walked and the food experience was very good.

Boat tour excursion around the Lake
Boat tour excursion around the Lake
Italy

Excellent.

Tuscan Traditional Cooking Class
Tuscan Traditional Cooking Class
Italy

This was a great hand's on experience followed by a delicious meal that the class prepared.

Local specialist: Vincenzo Granato

The spaces in between
Italy | May 2 - May 10, 2024

Kat
Kat B.
Rosemont, CA | Reviewed on May 13, 2024
We did three cities in Italy in just over a week with at least one structured guided tour in each stop. All of our tours were informative and interesting to us. I think our Venice tour surprised me the most. I enjoyed Venice but after walking around and sampling foods with our guide, I really appreciated how much of a low-key place Venice really is and our guide Gianni was accommodating and so easy to interact with. As our specialist, Melanie, did a fantastic job keeping in touch as... Read more

We did three cities in Italy in just over a week with at least one structured guided tour in each stop. All of our tours were informative and interesting to us. I think our Venice tour surprised me the most. I enjoyed Venice but after walking around and sampling foods with our guide, I really appreciated how much of a low-key place Venice really is and our guide Gianni was accommodating and so easy to interact with.

As our specialist, Melanie, did a fantastic job keeping in touch as needed and also helping to make adjustments on the fly as plans can and will change. During our planning I hadn't thought too hard on what I call the spaces in between - getting to and from public transportation to our hotel and where to meet our guides. Melanie had all of that taken care of it made a world of difference in how relaxed I could be to enjoy the sites, sounds, and experiences without worrying about logistics and our next steps. We were able to BE in Italy and not just whirl winding from one thing to the next. I would absolutely do something like this again and if we make it to Italy again, hopefully Melanie can sort us out then too.

Hotel Review
Hotel Olimpia
Venice

The staff were lovely. We felt so welcomed. We had a mini-suite which was awesome for keeping luggage out of our way and a space we could move without feeling too cramped in smaller rooms (which is understandable in such an old city with limited expansion options). I LOVED the exterior shutters as a great insulator against noise and light as we came to terms with jet lag. The hotel's location was great for us. It's on a quiet canal, just off some busier streets and areas so we didn't feel like we were in the thick of things, but everything was accessible.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The cleanliness was great. The shower is a little small if you're bigger or taller, but not unreasonable.
Activity Reviews
Walking tour to discover the best of Venice with "Cicchetti " experience
Walking tour to discover the best of Venice with "Cicchetti " experience
Venice

Our guide asked us what we had seen already, which I appreciated. He was able to make some adjustments on the fly and get us out the busier, touristy areas to see more of the quiet side streets and canals, but still lots of historical information and a chance to sample some local fare. It felt more of a behind the scenes tour and a more intimate sharing of Venice.

Quality of Experience
Our tour was a conversation, not just a lecture.
Amarone Wine Tour
Amarone Wine Tour
Verona

Our driver/guide was so welcoming and kind. He did a great job of herding all 8 of us to two different wineries and letting us get to know each other. He was upfront with what he knew and what he didn't and was happy to try and get the information if possible. I felt appreciated.

Quality of Experience
I just felt appreciated and not just a tourist.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Conversation, not just lectures.
Transport
It was actually nice to drive outside the city for a bit and the van was comfortable and clean.
Local specialist: Melanie Rapuano
Melanie
Melanie Rapuano
Local specialist in Italy | Replied on May 14, 2024

Hi Kat and Pat,

a big huge thank you for booking with me and for trusting me to make this not just a holiday but a trip to experience Italy! I still remember you saying I'd love to see Venice but not all the tourists, so I'm really pleased you enjoyed Venice and discovered a more ''secret'' side which is exactly what you wanted!

It really has been lovely planning this trip and working together to make it just right, I can't believe it's over already!!!

I look forward to planning your next trip to Italy.
A presto,

Melanie

The Most Amazing Trip across Italy!
Italy | Apr 26 - May 12, 2024

Barbara
Barbara S.
Shaw, DC | Reviewed on May 13, 2024
Just returned from the Most Amazing Trip across Italy! Sonia, John and I want to Thank You for putting such an Amazing trip together for us! Your communication and responsiveness are Outstanding! We are totally exhausted but are both smiling from the inside out! Barbara, our boots on the ground concierge, was fabulous! Each hotel was perfectly located and each had something special to offer! The drivers were punctual and courteous. And the tours, and their guides were Amazing! Our... Read more

Just returned from the Most Amazing Trip across Italy!

Sonia, John and I want to Thank You for putting such an Amazing trip together for us! Your communication and responsiveness are Outstanding! We are totally exhausted but are both smiling from the inside out! Barbara, our boots on the ground concierge, was fabulous! Each hotel was perfectly located and each had something special to offer! The drivers were punctual and courteous. And the tours, and their guides were Amazing! Our guide in Radda in Chianti, Francesco, was awesome! He rolled with the punches and made our day! It was great that he was also our traveling companions driver for their wine tour the following day. Also, it was great having the same driver for almost all events in Sorrento! Luigi helped make our entire visit to the area very special! We want you to know that the day we spent at the lemon farm/pizza making place was so worth it! The family run business, the people and the cheese! Bellissimo!
And, although I really had no desire to visit Rome, John did, and so it was…. For this I am grateful! What a spectacular place! Our city guide, Marina, was lovely! She has a true passion for her city! And our colosseum guide, Dennis, was equally as passionate for the history he shared with us! He actually made the gruesomeness of the history kind of fun! If thats possible 🙃… We highly recommend them both!

Glad to be home, but so happy to have shared a little bit of your beautiful country! Thank you for all of your time and effort! And especially your patience! We wish you well and will definitely recommend your services without hesitation!

Best and Warm Regards,
Barbara and John Salisbury
Salem, NY, USA

Local specialist: Sonia Vanzin
Sonia
Sonia Vanzin
Local specialist in Venice | Replied on May 14, 2024

Dear Barbara and John, a huge thank you for travelling with us. Planning your trip and being an active part of creating good memories was a pleasure. I wish you all the best and hope to welcome you back to Italy again very soon!

Second trip with Kimkim, another great experience!
Italy | Apr 27 - May 3, 2024

Drew
Drew M.
Spartanburg, SC | Reviewed on May 11, 2024
This is our second trip with Kimkim and after a wonderful trip to Ireland last summer, they did not disappoint this time around as we headed to Italy, it was wonderful once again!
The planning ahead of the trip was very detailed and took a couple of meetings, but our specialist listened very closely to what we had in mind and put together a wonderful itinerary.
In terms of execution of our plan, the travel team was extremely thorough and conscientious and engaged, easy to contact and their...
Read more

This is our second trip with Kimkim and after a wonderful trip to Ireland last summer, they did not disappoint this time around as we headed to Italy, it was wonderful once again!
The planning ahead of the trip was very detailed and took a couple of meetings, but our specialist listened very closely to what we had in mind and put together a wonderful itinerary.
In terms of execution of our plan, the travel team was extremely thorough and conscientious and engaged, easy to contact and their attention to detail was so impressive.
During our trip, we had to change plans because of weather, but our travel team as well as our local guide were on top of it and very flexible. We were able to adjust our plans to the weather with some wonderful alternative activities.
Another great experience with Kimkim and their local specialists and we plan to use them again !

Local specialist: Eirini Sadek