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.

Dont Hesitate, just DO IT.
Italy | Sep 24 - Oct 3, 2024

Kayla
Kayla C.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Oct 11, 2024
I have to say i was skeptical about using a travel agency since i have not had good experiences in the past. But Kimkim/Travel 12 has changed my mind forever. We booked our honeymoon through KimKim and everything was taken care of which was such a relief of stress during wedding planning. I loved all of the hotels that were picked out for us. The locations were perfect as well as the staff and breakfasts. All of our private drivers were so friendly and even gave us facts about the places we... Read more

I have to say i was skeptical about using a travel agency since i have not had good experiences in the past. But Kimkim/Travel 12 has changed my mind forever. We booked our honeymoon through KimKim and everything was taken care of which was such a relief of stress during wedding planning. I loved all of the hotels that were picked out for us. The locations were perfect as well as the staff and breakfasts. All of our private drivers were so friendly and even gave us facts about the places we were driving past. Every tour guide (which was all very small or private tours) was exceptional. We learned a lot and had so much fun while doing it. The food/restaurant recommendations were amazing. I loved that they booked all of our train tickets, tours, excursions, sent us PDF's of anything we needed. It seriously was the most stress free trip i have ever taken. I loved that there was 24/7 service line if we needed anything.

Irene, she is AMAZING. She picked out the best spots, the best hotels. Listened to what we wanted to do with our trip, and RAN WITH IT. She even was sweet enough to leave us a small surprise in our hotel in Athens. I would love to work with her again.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Olimpia
Venice

The staff are so friendly and the breakfast is amazing. We also have to say that the beds are so comfortable. If we ever go back to Venice we would love to stay here again.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Vasilicos Hotel Santorini
Santorini
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Modigliani
Roma
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Zillers Boutique Hotel
Athens
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Santorini Farm Tour: Food & Wine
Santorini Farm Tour: Food & Wine
Santorini
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Venice Highlights Walking Tour
Venice Highlights Walking Tour
Venice
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Express Colosseum Tour
Express Colosseum Tour
Rome
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Pompeii & Mount Vesuvius Day Trip from Rome
Pompeii & Mount Vesuvius Day Trip from Rome
Rome
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Acropolis Afternoon Tour
Acropolis Afternoon Tour
Athens
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Irene Lappa

Special Trip to Italy
Italy | Sep 21 - Oct 6, 2024

Donna
Donna S.
Jacksonville, FL | Reviewed on Oct 11, 2024
We have never worked with someone to plan a trip in Europe before. This was a special trip as we were celebrating my 70th birthday, so when I saw KimKim and read their reviews, I contacted them. I first worked with someone else, then Fabio. Some excellent suggestions were made and they always promptly answered any questions that I had. They helped me to make choices and made changes when I read something new and I changed my mind. We liked how they took care of the accommodations (with my... Read more

We have never worked with someone to plan a trip in Europe before. This was a special trip as we were celebrating my 70th birthday, so when I saw KimKim and read their reviews, I contacted them. I first worked with someone else, then Fabio. Some excellent suggestions were made and they always promptly answered any questions that I had. They helped me to make choices and made changes when I read something new and I changed my mind. We liked how they took care of the accommodations (with my approval of the hotels), rental car, train ticket, and all the drivers. They never pushed anything...just worked hand and hand with me to come up with an itinerary. Always gracious, and I felt "safe" knowing that Fabio was there to help when/if needed. We had no serious problems, and the hotels were wonderful (especially the one in Tuscany). The cooking class in Sorrento was lovely and so was the food and wine tour in Florence. Unfortunately, at my own mistake....we missed the food tour in Trastevere when I got the night wrong and failed to double check the itinerary.
All the drivers were great, especially the one from Sorrento to Rome. And, Fabio made sure to let our Amalfi Coast driver know that I might be a little nervous with all that I had heard about the drive along the Amalfi Coast. However, I actually had zero problems with that drive, even with the back and forth tight traffic. Believe me, that says a lot about our driver who did an excellent job.
All and all, we had a wonderful time in Italy. It is my favorite country to visit and we hope to go back again to explore other areas of Italy. Appreciated the care of consideration that Fabio showed throughout our trip.

Hotel Reviews
Salvadonica - Borgo del Chianti
San Casciano in Val di pesa

Oh my goodness....loved, loved, loved this place. It was so charming and the grounds were lovely and peaceful. We had a Junior Suite, which meant small bedroom with a separate sitting room. Everything was well appointed, clean and just lovely. We had a spectacular view from all three of our windows on the second floor.. Breakfast and late lunch food was excellent and the service was unbelievable. We never had dinner there. Would definitely go back to this location again, and have already recommended it to friends.

Authenticity & Character
Simply perfect with Tuscany charm and a touch of modern.
Location
It was easily accessible from Florence, and to the towns in the countryside.
Staff
Particularly liked how friendly the staff was, and the warm welcomes to morning breakfast.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean, and functional. However, I would suggest a full length mirror on one wall.
Grand Hotel De La Ville
Sorrento

The hotel was immaculately clean and bright. My favorite area was the outdoor seating area for breakfast. Only went to the rooftop bar once to take in the view, but it was nice. The service thought out the hotel was exceptional and we had a nice view of the sea. Well appointed rooms and an easy walk to places of interest in Sorrento.

Authenticity & Character
Very pretty and nice. But, not sure what the decorating theme was....didn't seem coastal Italian. Kept meaning to ask, but forgot.
Location
Staff
Could not have been friendlier or more helpful.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Florence Food Tour
Florence Food Tour
Florence

Delightful guide as she was knowledgable and so sweet. Bless her heart...too much wine for me so she worried a bit about me on the uneven stone walkways.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Amalfi Coast Road Trip | Private Tour
Amalfi Coast Road Trip | Private Tour
Sorrento

Very happy that we saw a bit of the Amalfi Coast. Our favorite town was Ravello as it was beautiful and not as crowded. We missed seeing the town of Amalfi due to slow traffic and a slow lunch service in Ravello. It was a beautiful view of Ravello, but they completely forgot our order, until we finally asked. So that took away from our tour time.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Pizza & Pasta Masterclass in Sorrento
Pizza & Pasta Masterclass in Sorrento
Sorrento

Delightful. The chef instructor was wonderful, the group was fun, and the view from the cooking school was beautiful.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Trastevere Local Food Tour
Trastevere Local Food Tour
Rome

Sad to say that we missed this because I got my nights mixed up. My mistake! Sure that it would have need wonderful as it was something that we were looking forward to.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Fabio Ilardi
Fabio
Fabio Ilardi
Local specialist in Como, Italy | Replied on Oct 11, 2024
Buongiorno Donna! Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a detailed review! I’m so glad to hear that your Birthday Trip to Italy was a memorable one and that you enjoyed everything from the accommodations to the experiences.
I really appreciate the details and feedback on each activity, especially knowing that you felt supported throughout the whole process. It was our pleasure to help create an itinerary that fit your needs, and I’m glad the drivers, particularly on the Amalfi...
Read more

Buongiorno Donna! Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a detailed review! I’m so glad to hear that your Birthday Trip to Italy was a memorable one and that you enjoyed everything from the accommodations to the experiences.
I really appreciate the details and feedback on each activity, especially knowing that you felt supported throughout the whole process. It was our pleasure to help create an itinerary that fit your needs, and I’m glad the drivers, particularly on the Amalfi Coast, made your journey smooth and enjoyable. I look forward to working with you and Steve again when you’re ready to explore more of beautiful Italy! 🙂 🙂
Warm Regards,
Fabio

Melanie was a great agent for our Italy experience!
Italy | Oct 1 - Oct 10, 2024

Regan
Regan G.
Shelton, CT | Reviewed on Oct 11, 2024

Melanie was so knowledgeable and helpful during all phases of our trip. The tours she selected all turned out wonderful, all our tour guides were welcoming, friendly, and highly knowledgeable in the local history. Highlights included Klaas for the e-bike tour of the aqueducts and our guide Elissabetta for our colosseum tour. Our hike for the path of the gods included a great stop at a shepherds farm for a cliff top meal which was an amazing experience!

Local specialist: Melanie Rapuano
Melanie
Melanie Rapuano
Local specialist in Italy | Replied on Oct 14, 2024

Hi Regan,

thank you so much for your booking and your lovely review. I'm so pleased you had such a lovely holiday and you enjoyed our friendly and professional guides!
I'm sure meeting Antonino at the top of the Path of the Gods was a lovely experience, I didn't want to ruin this surprise by telling you before!

Thanks again Regan and I look forward to your next trip to Italy!

A presto,
Melanie

The Trip of a Lifetime!
Italy | Sep 28 - Oct 7, 2024

James
James C.
San Francisco, CA | Reviewed on Oct 10, 2024
First, I have to thank Martina, Elisa, Alessia, and the rest of the Authenticus Italy team for their guidance and patience in working with us to plan my 50th Birthday trip to Rome, Naples and the Amalfi Coast. It really was the trip of a lifetime. Martina was so attentive to my wants and needs and was so helpful in picking an ideal itinerary of experiences that were special and unique to our preferences. She even included extra-special touches like a special surprise rooftop concert! ... Read more

First, I have to thank Martina, Elisa, Alessia, and the rest of the Authenticus Italy team for their guidance and patience in working with us to plan my 50th Birthday trip to Rome, Naples and the Amalfi Coast. It really was the trip of a lifetime. Martina was so attentive to my wants and needs and was so helpful in picking an ideal itinerary of experiences that were special and unique to our preferences. She even included extra-special touches like a special surprise rooftop concert!

The hotels chosen were all in fantastic areas close to major sites and activitites, and very clean and comfortable and the breakfasts included helped get our days off to a nice start. The car services we had also were nice and made it so much easier to navigate the longer journeys of our trip with ease. The tours we had were all so in-depth and educational and the guides we had were incredibly knowledgable and entertaining. They helped show us things we never would have been able to find or do on our own. The meals and wine tastings and other foodie experiences were also fantastic, giving us a taste of how the locals live. The Vespa food tour of Rome, the tour of Pompeii, wine tasting on Mt. Vesuvius, the hike in the Amalfi mountains, and the Fiat tour to Positano were just a few of the amazing things we experienced. We took so many pics and made so many memories to last a lifetime!

We did have a few miscommunications once we landed in Italy (mostly due to me not getting the correct kind of eSIM for phone service beyond just WiFi/data) but they were handled very swiftly and efficiently with no impact to our itinerary or the enjoyment of any of the activities. I have learned from my mistake and now know what to do in the future!

In the end, I would not hesitate to use Authenticus Italy's services again and have already recommended them to friends and colleagues who are thinking of planning trips to Italy.

Grazie mille!
James and Jake

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Manfredi Suite
Rome

Clean, comfortable and close to major attractions. The breakfast is also nice!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Grand Hotel Santa Lucia Naples
Naples

Beautiful hotel with spacious rooms. It was clean, comfortable and the closeness to the waterfront was nice.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Residence
Amalfi

Gorgeous hotel. Clean, comfortable, and being right on the beach was a huge plus.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Guided Visit to the Colosseum, Palatin Hill and Roman Forum
Guided Visit to the Colosseum, Palatin Hill and Roman Forum
Rome

Laura was a wonderful guide! So knowledgable and helpful in giving us a fantastic experience.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Vespa Tour with Food Tasting
Vespa Tour with Food Tasting
Rome

Pedro and Chris were so nice and helpful. They zipped us around Rome with speed and we got to taste delicious foods and see sites off the beaten path that we would not have been able to access as easily on our own.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Early Access Tour of the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel
Early Access Tour of the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel
Rome

Our guide Sev was a font of knowledge, guiding us through the often overwhelming halls of the Vatican with humor and his endless insight of the art and history.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Premium wine tasting and dinner in Rome
Premium wine tasting and dinner in Rome
Rome

Alessandro at Rimessa Roscioli was fantastic! His knowledge and passion for wine and food was infectious. The restaurant, especially the private wine tasting dining room, was super nice and homey. The wines and foods were also superb.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Guided Walking Tour of Rome
Guided Walking Tour of Rome
Rome

Anna Maria was such a sweet guide. Since we had already done some walking around on our own, we skipped a few of the usual tourist spots and Anna Maria was grateful to get to go "off script" a bit and take us to some places she usually doesn't go to.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Surprise gift activity
Surprise gift activity
Rome

The rooftop opera concert on the Terazza Borromino was such a thoughtful touch! It really was special and even the light sprinkle of rain didn't put a damper on the evening.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Guided Walking Tour of Napoli
Guided Walking Tour of Napoli
Naples

Ivan was a nice guide, taking us around to places we'd never thing to visit on our own or places that would be difficult for first-timers to get to. His knowledge of the history of Naples was so fascinating and impressive.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Wine Tasting on Mount Vesuvius
Wine Tasting on Mount Vesuvius
Italy

This was such a treat! Everyone at the Cantina del Vesuvio was so enthusiastic about us making the most of the experience while serving up delicious wines and food in a stunning setting. A real highlight of the trip!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Fiat 500 Tour
Fiat 500 Tour
Italy

Andrea was great! It was tough for us 3 tall guys to fit in the tiny car but once we rolled the top down we were good to go! The sights along the winding road to Positano were incredible and Andrea took such fantastic pictures of us and the car in some of the most beautiful settings you could imagine.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Limoncello Experience & Tasting
Limoncello Experience & Tasting
Italy

We love LaLa! She was so sweet and helpful in guiding us through the process of making limoncello and the tasting, giving us a glimpse into her family's business, Valenti Positano. Besides the limoncello, we got to sample many more of the tasty treats Valenti makes.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Martina Venturi

Our trip was absolutely amazing and everythin...
Italy | Jun 15 - Jun 22, 2024

Dawn
Dawn K.
Berwick, PA | Reviewed on Oct 10, 2024
Our trip was absolutely amazing and everything went flawlessly! We would 100% use KimKim again! The detailed itinerary made everything so easy! Read more

Our trip was absolutely amazing and everything went flawlessly! We would 100% use KimKim again! The detailed itinerary made everything so easy!

Activity Reviews
Gelato & Pizza Making Class
Gelato & Pizza Making Class
Rome

Marco was the best!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Vatican Guided Tour
Private Vatican Guided Tour
Rome
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Amalfi Coast Boat Tour From Sorrento
Amalfi Coast Boat Tour From Sorrento
Sorrento
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Pompeii Tour with light lunch
Private Pompeii Tour with light lunch
Pompeii
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Express Colosseum Tour
Express Colosseum Tour
Rome
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local transfer in Rome
Rome
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Eirini Sadek
Eirini
Eirini Sadek
Local specialist in Athens | Replied on Oct 11, 2024

Hello Dawn!
Thank you so much for taking the time to write your review!
I am so happy to hear that you had a wonderful time. I hope I will have the pleasure of working with you again in the future!

Until next time, I wish you all the best and safe travels!
Eirini

Great Italian Adventure!
Italy | Sep 25 - Oct 2, 2024

Nidhi
Nidhi S.
Fresh Meadows, NY | Reviewed on Oct 10, 2024
We had a great trip planned by our local specialist, Stephania and Klio. We wanted to see all of the main tourist attractions and not have to worry about lines, group tours, scheduling things ourselves. Everything was specified to our needs. They paid great attention to us traveling with our parents, needing something more slower pace but still being able to see as much as we could. We really enjoyed the diverse locations - Rome, Florence, and Venice! and got to experience parts of the cities... Read more

We had a great trip planned by our local specialist, Stephania and Klio. We wanted to see all of the main tourist attractions and not have to worry about lines, group tours, scheduling things ourselves. Everything was specified to our needs. They paid great attention to us traveling with our parents, needing something more slower pace but still being able to see as much as we could. We really enjoyed the diverse locations - Rome, Florence, and Venice! and got to experience parts of the cities which are also outside of the go-to tourist spots (which we really enjoyed!) Our individual tour guides, Roberto, Laura, and Christine, were also very helpful in providing recommendations for food spots, local recommendations for shopping and seeing things around our neighborhood. We cannot wait for our next trip to Italy.

Local specialist: Klio Gkogkou

HIGHLY RECOMMEND! We had a wonderful time visiting Italy and An...
Italy | Sep 29 - Oct 9, 2024

J
Jill V.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Oct 10, 2024

We had a wonderful time visiting Italy and Andrea was a wonderful resource and planner for us! He was detail oriented and always replied promptly with any questions we had! All our guides and drivers were prompt and courteous and the guides were very knowledgeable and informative. Skipping the large lines for the Vatican and Colliseum was wonderful . It made our first trip to Italy so easy! We would use Kimkim again in a heartbeat!

Local specialist: Andrea Gambino
Andrea
Andrea Gambino
Local specialist in Turin, Italy | Replied on Oct 10, 2024

Thank you so much Jill for sharing this wonderful review. I am so glad you enjoyed your time in Italy!

Our trip to Italy was SOngreat!
Italy | Sep 15 - Oct 6, 2024

L
Lisa B.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Oct 08, 2024

Our trip to Italy was great! Fabio was fabulous! He answered all of our questions before we left and was fast to respond. Once we were in Italy, it was easy to contact him. He had great suggestions and recommendations of places to stay and things to do and see. I rate this trip five stars with Fabio and Kim Kim. Excellent service excellent trip. Excellent ITALY! !

Local specialist: Fabio Ilardi
Fabio
Fabio Ilardi
Local specialist in Como, Italy | Replied on Oct 09, 2024

Buongiorno Lisa,
Thank you so much for your kind words! It was truly a pleasure to help you plan your trip to Italy. I’m delighted to hear that my recommendations and support made your experience enjoyable and stress-free. Italy has so much to offer, and it’s wonderful to know that Cheryl and Roger had an excellent time exploring it. I look forward to assisting you with your next Italian adventure.

Wishing you all the very best! 🙂

Grazie,
Fabio

I had a wonderful time in Italy. It was an am...
Italy | Sep 20 - Oct 3, 2024

Richie
Richie D.
Canada | Reviewed on Oct 08, 2024
I had a wonderful time in Italy. It was an amazing experience since it was my very first time to travel to Italy alone. I felt very safe. The planned tours were exceptional. The guides for these tours were very good, knows exactly what you need to see and explore. Alessia did a wonderful job in making sure my trip to Italy was memorable. The places she planned for me to visit were outstanding. Gabriele on the other hand was also very helpful especially when I cannot locate the scheduled tour... Read more

I had a wonderful time in Italy. It was an amazing experience since it was my very first time to travel to Italy alone. I felt very safe. The planned tours were exceptional. The guides for these tours were very good, knows exactly what you need to see and explore. Alessia did a wonderful job in making sure my trip to Italy was memorable. The places she planned for me to visit were outstanding. Gabriele on the other hand was also very helpful especially when I cannot locate the scheduled tour that I have to attend. He made sure I get to my destination. Overall, the trip to Italy was outstanding and memorable. I will always remember the service I received from Alessia and Gabriele. You both were amazing. :)

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Il Guelfo Bianco
Florence
Authenticity & Character
The decor of the room.
Location
Close to all historical places you wanted to see
Staff
Very helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Navona Colors
Rome
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
very helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
Palazzo delle Grazie
Sorrento
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Very pleasant & helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Piazza Bellini & Apartments
Naples
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Very helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
Comfortable
Activity Reviews
Market Tour & Cooking Class
Market Tour & Cooking Class
Rome
Quality of Experience
Food
The pasta cooking
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The chef was very good, patient and gave you time to learn to cook.
Welcome to Florence!
Welcome to Florence!
Italy
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Chianti Wine Tour
Chianti Wine Tour
Italy

The tour guide was very good. He is able to describe the areas we went to see and help you understand the places and appreciate the beauty of each places.

Quality of Experience
Food
The wine tasting
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Very knowleageable
Transport
the type of vehicle used - very spacious and you feel safe in it
Welcome to Rome!
Welcome to Rome!
Rome

Rome is very busy and crowded. Lots of constructions. I enjoyed very much the cooking class. The chef was very good. Spent some time in the market. I would do the cooking class again if I go back to Rome for a visit.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
A better instructions if you are to take the high speed train from Florence to Rome.
Welcome to Sorrento!
Welcome to Sorrento!
Sorrento

Sorrento is a very quaint place. The places, the people, the shopping and the food were outstanding. The lemon grove was also outstanding. The guide was very good in describing how the limoncello is taking care of .

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The driver from Rome to Sorrento was very courteous.
Transport
The car was very comfortable.
Visit a lemon grove  & taste local  Limoncello
Visit a lemon grove & taste local Limoncello
Italy

The guide was very good. She was able to explain and show how the lemon were grown.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The guide was very knowledgable
Transport
It was a challenge to get to the place. The instructions were not clear.
Day trip to the Amalfi Coast
Day trip to the Amalfi Coast
Sorrento

It was a nice drive to the Amalfi coast. I particularly not like the driver that drove me around the coast. He was a bit presumptious knowing I am travelling alone.

Guides, Drivers and Staff
To make sure the driver knows what his role is, i.e to show and guide
Transport
The car is very good and you feel safe
Street Food Tour around Naples
Street Food Tour around Naples
Naples

The guide was very informative. He was able to show us the different types of food in Naples.

Quality of Experience
Food
Everything that the guide showed us from, fried fish, cheese platter, wine, beer, fried pizza and lastly the limoncello drink
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The guide was very knowledgeable.
Free afternoon in Naples
Free afternoon in Naples
Naples

Lots of historical places to see - National Archeological Museum. Also was able to go to a musical concertn - Napolitanata. This was an amazing and outstanding musical concert. This is one of the highlights of my trip.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Arrivederci, Italy!
Arrivederci, Italy!
Italy

This trip was an amazing experience.

Quality of Experience
All the planned tour and the people you meet.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Easy to communicate
Transport
All the transportations were outstanding.
Guided Walking Tour of Florence
Guided Walking Tour of Florence
Florence
Quality of Experience
Good choice of places to see
Guides, Drivers and Staff
He was able to explain every aspect of the walking tour
Transport
This is a walking tour
Local specialist: Alessia Dubini
Alessia
Alessia Dubini
Local specialist in Milan, Italy | Replied on Oct 21, 2024

Thank you so much for your wonderful review! I'm delighted to hear that you had an amazing experience in Italy and felt safe throughout your journey.

It was a pleasure to help make your trip memorable, and I’m thrilled that the places we planned for you to visit met your expectations. Gabriele and I are both very happy to have been a part of your journey and to assist whenever needed.

Your kind words truly mean a lot to us, and we are so glad we could contribute to your memorable trip to Italy. We hope to welcome you back again!

Grazie mille!

The country of Italy is beautiful, however, w...
Italy | Sep 14 - Sep 30, 2024

M
Mary N.
Canada | Reviewed on Oct 08, 2024
The country of Italy is beautiful, however, we had a few issues. We had one amazing driver in Florence/Tuscany by the name of Alexssandro. He was not only a fabulous driver, historian and friendly face, he went out of his way to help us when there was an issue dropping us off at our next hotel.
We also had two amazing guides on separate days who were outstanding. An
Art Historian who took us to the Ufizzi Gallery; and on a...
Read more

The country of Italy is beautiful, however, we had a few issues. We had one amazing driver in Florence/Tuscany by the name of Alexssandro. He was not only a fabulous driver, historian and friendly face, he went out of his way to help us when there was an issue dropping us off at our next hotel.
We also had two amazing guides on separate days who were outstanding. An
Art Historian who took us to the Ufizzi Gallery; and on a separate day, another guide who took us to Herculaneum/Pompeii. Both of these guides were full of information and answered any questions we had regarding the venues/history. There were a couple of issues with drivers however (not Alexssandro). Pick up points were not always confirmed and confusion ensued as we attempted to navigate new cities in an effort to find our driver(s). A suggestion - perhaps when drivers pick up passengers at train stations or airports, they could be holding signs with the names of their passengers, and always be met inside the stations/airports. Also, accomodations could be vetted better; and the itinerary should include either the name of the company providing the tour/adventure, or some kind of confirmation number. We had several situations where we did not know what company to look for and had to approach different tour guides in an attempt to find the one(s) we were assigned to. On the financial end of it, we were quoted a price which we agreed to pay. Later, we requested additional items to be added to the trip, (at an additional cost), and we agreed to pay the new quoted price. When we attempted to make a payment, the cost had increased by $50.00 with no explanation. When we inquired about the additional cost, we discovered that the price had increased again by an additiona $6.52. A rather poor explanation was given for the price increase. The $6.52 disappeared but the additional $50.00 did not. We are very disappointed by this lack of professionalism. When we are quoted a price and agree to it, that is the price we expect to pay. This sudden switching of prices leaves us with a negative impression of KimKim. If a mistake in the original quoted price is made, that should be absorbed by the company. A professional company would know this and ensure that the error is kept within KimKIm. We may not book another trip with this company due to this error alone.

Local specialist: Anita Matijasevic
Anita
Anita Matijasevic
Local specialist in Madrid & Florence | Replied on Oct 21, 2024
Hi Mary, thank you for your trip review! I am glad to hear that you have enjoyed your time in Italy and were very satisfied with our local Guides and the quality of the tours. I am sorry to hear that on some occasions you had issues in finding drivers and meeting points. We are glad that in these situations you have contacted us through our support chat and we could immediately assist you. As for the extra activities that you added to the itinerary a couple of days before the trip, there... Read more

Hi Mary, thank you for your trip review! I am glad to hear that you have enjoyed your time in Italy and were very satisfied with our local Guides and the quality of the tours.

I am sorry to hear that on some occasions you had issues in finding drivers and meeting points. We are glad that in these situations you have contacted us through our support chat and we could immediately assist you.

As for the extra activities that you added to the itinerary a couple of days before the trip, there has been added a unique service fee that includes our custom itinerary design , 24x7 support throughout your journey, operational and logistical support and our personal advice for what you might need while travel. I am sorry if that has not been communicated from the very beggining.

It was a pleasure to be a small part of your journey and help you organise your vacation! Thank you for choosing the KimKim and Espíritu Travel! 😊

The Most Wonderful Trip
Italy | Sep 27 - Oct 5, 2024

Barbara
Barbara K.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Oct 08, 2024
Our trip to Italy with KimKim was worth every single penny. We were a group of 4 travelers with a wide variety of preferences but Andrea managed to plan the most perfect time for us. Each hotel (and wow, the rooms we got!) was excellent in both service and location. Every driver and guide we had presented themselves with absolute most professionalism and knowledge in their areas. Our guide for Pompeii, Pasqualina, was the absolute star of the trip. Her story telling truly transported us in... Read more

Our trip to Italy with KimKim was worth every single penny. We were a group of 4 travelers with a wide variety of preferences but Andrea managed to plan the most perfect time for us. Each hotel (and wow, the rooms we got!) was excellent in both service and location. Every driver and guide we had presented themselves with absolute most professionalism and knowledge in their areas. Our guide for Pompeii, Pasqualina, was the absolute star of the trip. Her story telling truly transported us in time, ensuring that we had a truly unforgettable experience. As for drives, Enzo also stood out with his friendliness and thoughtful routes throughout the trip. Our days were incredible from start to finish, no time was missed. Andrea exceeded all expectations by not only putting together an incredible itinerary but by also providing us with a roadbook with every details, amazing tips & recommendations, which made the trip truly stress free. We had everything we needed and as a result, had the most incredible trip.

Hotel Review
Hotel La Bussola
Amalfi

This hotel is an actual dream. Waking up every day to the stunning view of Amalfi was truly breathtaking. The rooms were incredible spacious, with super functional storage, very comfortable beds, and surprisingly sound proof windows (important on a main road at night). Staff here was super friendly with a breakfast spread I will miss for weeks to come. Location could not have been more perfect.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Andrea Gambino
Andrea
Andrea Gambino
Local specialist in Turin, Italy | Replied on Oct 08, 2024

Thank you so much for sharing your review. We are very glad you enjoyed your trip.

The whole experience working with Arianna was a pleasure!
Italy | Sep 26 - Oct 6, 2024

C
Camilla H.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Oct 08, 2024
The whole experience working with Arianna at KimKim and the team at Storywalking was extraordinary. Everyone worked hard to listen to our interests in activities and pace of travel and matched these to our itinerary. Our guides were friendly, knowledgeable and fun and the suggested activities for self-guided exploring matched what was scheduled.
I only have two small constructive suggestions:
Information about ZTL parking restrictions for each locality in Sicily needs to be more carefully...
Read more

The whole experience working with Arianna at KimKim and the team at Storywalking was extraordinary. Everyone worked hard to listen to our interests in activities and pace of travel and matched these to our itinerary. Our guides were friendly, knowledgeable and fun and the suggested activities for self-guided exploring matched what was scheduled.
I only have two small constructive suggestions:
Information about ZTL parking restrictions for each locality in Sicily needs to be more carefully explained and highlighted. It is only mentioned briefly in a general document about driving and parking regulations. I suggest highlighting ZTL rules separately so people can make more informed decisions about the restrictions and plan their driving and parking accordingly.
Also, in our itinerary, we had a scheduled pickup of our rental car one morning at the Palermo airport. The airport was crowded and the lines were long. We were frustrated but now understand that it couldn’t be helped. But our plan that day was to drive east to Cefalu, back through Palermo, making the drive longer than necessary. The following day, the suggestion was to drive west to Scopello. Both were self-guided trips and in retrospect we could have simply swapped the two day trips. But in the future, I would suggest switching the suggestions as better guidance for the next traveler.
That said, thank you! It was a trip of a lifetime! We will return!

Hotel Reviews
B&B Khalisah
Palermo
Authenticity & Character
Location
It was historic and charming, walking distance to many wonderful locations. The staff was so friendly and helpful, especially regarding places to eat and visit as well as details concerning ZTL rules. Breakfast was delicious and our accommodations perfect.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Doric Boutique Hotel
Agrigento

We will definitely return! Staff was so friendly! Our accommodations were so luxurious!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Palace Catania | UNA Esperienze
Catania

This was a pleasant hotel in the center of everything. All staff was so helpful and friendly. It is a typical city hotel. Not recommended if you want a historic, authentic experience.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Palermo Street Food Tour
Palermo Street Food Tour
Palermo

This activity was a feast for the senses: the flavors, sounds, colors, aromas were all combined to create an unforgettable experience. Our guide, Salvo, also delivered knowledgeable and often humorous commentary about the history of daily life through food. This is a must-do activity for anyone visiting Palermo.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Salvo was engaging and friendly and often funny.
Transport
Marsala Wine Tasting
Marsala Wine Tasting
Marsala

We arrived in Sicily with the intention to explore Sicilian wines. The tour itself of the facility was interesting but in the end, we didn’t see much. It was a quiet day. But the tasting expanded our knowledge of the wine producer. We will be shopping this wine.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Valley of the Temples Tour
Private Valley of the Temples Tour
Agrigento

Wow! What a history lesson. We left this tour with such an appreciation of the unique ancient history of Sicily, and a greater understanding of how central Sicily was to the various civilizations that invaded/populated it. Our guide was clearly a student of ancient history and archaeology. His enthusiasm was contagious.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
 Guided Tour of Villa Romana del Casale
Guided Tour of Villa Romana del Casale
Italy

This was a marvel. To think that it was so casually discovered and over time how much was unearthed. The mosaics were an artistic achievement and what a miracle that so much of it remains to this day.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Visit Taormina - Private Driver at Disposal
Visit Taormina - Private Driver at Disposal
Catania

The stroll through Taormina was delightful but what made this extra special were the suggestions our driver made to visit Castelmora for lunch, Isola Bella and Naxos. A beautiful day though I wish we had time to spend at the beach

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Mount Etna Tour with Wine Tasting
Private Mount Etna Tour with Wine Tasting
Italy

This activity was a highlight of our trip to Sicily. What an extraordinary lesson in vulcanology, natural habitats, the history of people who live alongside it, micro climates and more. Our guide was a natural teacher. We were glad that he encouraged our enthusiasm to learn more. And the hike was a welcome physical activity that not only put us at the center of several craters but the effort was rewarded with extraordinary views. We were only slightly disappointed later when we realized we didn’t visit the reported extinct lava cave. The wine tasting, with views of the grape vines that were days from being harvested, was a pleasure. We couldn’t resist buying some wine to take home.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Arianna Zampieri
Arianna
Arianna Zampieri
Local specialist in Italy | Replied on Oct 08, 2024

Ciao Camilla,
Thank you so much for your great review!
I’m so glad to hear that your trip was such a success and that I could be part of making it special for you. Your comments are very useful to keep up with our good job and push us to keep on improving.
I will be looking forward to welcome you again in our beautiful Italy.
Until then, all the best from the Storywalking team!

Our 40th Anniversary dream comes true!!
Italy | Sep 27 - Oct 7, 2024

Nina
Nina L.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Oct 07, 2024
Our trip to Italy was FABULOUS!! Melanie did an outstanding job planning our 40th anniversary trip. She was always available and right on top of things. She had wonderful recommendations and worked very hard to make our dream trip come true!!
Our tour guides were very knowledgeable, most especially Claudia at the Vatican, Katie at Pompei and Mina? in Venice. Each tour guide brought the specifics of Italy alive and left us wanting MORE. All of our guides and drives were friendly and...
Read more

Our trip to Italy was FABULOUS!! Melanie did an outstanding job planning our 40th anniversary trip. She was always available and right on top of things. She had wonderful recommendations and worked very hard to make our dream trip come true!!
Our tour guides were very knowledgeable, most especially Claudia at the Vatican, Katie at Pompei and Mina? in Venice. Each tour guide brought the specifics of Italy alive and left us wanting MORE. All of our guides and drives were friendly and accommodating, helping us manage a new experience. We loved sharing stories with them and hearing about how they ended up as guides or drivers
We will be recommending this company to friends and family in hopes that they have the same experience.
Thank you for a trip we will always remember and we WILL be back
Nina and Bob

Hotel Reviews
Ambrosio Relais
Sorrento
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Navona Colors
Rome
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Vatican & Sistine Chapel Tour
Vatican & Sistine Chapel Tour
Rome

Claudia was a wonderful guide, my anticipation of the Vatican experience was lessened just a bit by the crowds. Rather loud and too many. Maybe less people in the groups

Pasta & Tiramisù class
Pasta & Tiramisù class
Rome

Outstanding, it was a wonderful learning experience and lots of fun. Friendly staff and the group number was perfect.

Special Colosseum tour: Colosseum, Arena Floor, Underground, Roman Forum
Special Colosseum tour: Colosseum, Arena Floor, Underground, Roman Forum
Rome

Katie did an outstanding job explaining the past history up to the present, like an enjoyable history class. :) The undergroud tour was amazing!! Thank you Melanie for making that happen.

Ravello, Amalfi & Positano
Ravello, Amalfi & Positano
Sorrento

Could have used more time in each area to enjoy and investigate this beautiful area.

Olive and Wine Tasting in Tuscany Countrtyside
Olive and Wine Tasting in Tuscany Countrtyside
Italy

We very much enjoyed tasting at 3 different wineries. Lunch was delicious and our tour guide Chechi? did a fabulous job keeping us interested and entertained.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Venice Walking and Gondola Tour
Venice Walking and Gondola Tour
Venice

Again, the tour guide was outstanding, very knowledgeable and entertaining.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Melanie Rapuano
Melanie
Melanie Rapuano
Local specialist in Italy | Replied on Oct 30, 2024

Hi Nina,
are you ready to come back yet???

Booking this special anniversary trip was special right from our first message and I am so pleased we managed to make it extra special with the ''impossible to find'' tour of the Colosseum which was important to you both.
I am so pleased you had a lovely holiday and enjoyed everything I planned for you.

Thank you again for trusting me with your trip and I can't wait to book another trip to Italy for you!

Take care,
Melanie

TOP NOTCH EXPERIENCE
Italy | Sep 27 - Oct 6, 2024

Josie
Josie D.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Oct 07, 2024
I highly recommend using KimKim for your next travel experience. Our planner, Lorenza, was exceptional. We spent two nights in Naples and seven nights in Sorrento, with Lorenza selecting a wonderful hotel in Naples that offered an ideal location.
She organized a variety of activities, including a tour of the Pompeii ruins, an outstanding pizza-making class, and an enjoyable winery visit. Additionally, Lorenza arranged a fantastic street food tour and a private boat tour of Capri. Lorenza...
Read more

I highly recommend using KimKim for your next travel experience. Our planner, Lorenza, was exceptional. We spent two nights in Naples and seven nights in Sorrento, with Lorenza selecting a wonderful hotel in Naples that offered an ideal location.
She organized a variety of activities, including a tour of the Pompeii ruins, an outstanding pizza-making class, and an enjoyable winery visit. Additionally, Lorenza arranged a fantastic street food tour and a private boat tour of Capri. Lorenza also managed all transportation, including transfers to and from the airport and between Naples and Sorrento.
Lorenza's communication was always clear and prompt, ensuring a seamless experience. Lorenza often responded to emails within hours(Keep in mind the 6 hour time difference) and when I did need to call her for something she picked up her phone right away. When we requested a change to a four-star hotel with a sea view in Sorrento, she was very accommodating.
Overall, every aspect of our trip was top-notch. Their level of service and attention to detail exceeded my expectations.

Hotel Reviews
Melrose Naples
Naples

The online pictures do not do this place justice. This hotel was so cute and the service was excellent. It is also in the perfect location and a very safe neighborhood.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Corallo
Sorrento

We chose this hotel because a friend had stayed there and we are so glad we upgraded from what we originally booked. This hotel is beautiful and charming. and in a great location. We stayed in the deluxe room and had a fantastic view of the sea. Definitely walk down to the black beach for the day. Town is only a 30 minute walk or you can take the shuttle. The rooms very very clean, staff was A+++ and the view was absolutely amazing! I highly recommend this hotel!

Authenticity & Character
Beautifully decorated
Location
Close to town and lots of restaurants, the best view!
Staff
every single staff person went above and beyond to make sure our experience was top notch. They seemed to genuinely enjoy working at the htoel.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Perfecto!
Activity Reviews
Street Food Tour
Street Food Tour
Italy

Daniella was the best tour guide. Her English was excellent, she made an effort to talk to our entire group, she also made sure we all stayed together, she brought ponchos for us in case in rained, she had wonderful stories and also gave us a lot of historic facts about Naples and the local food and was so cute and cheerful with little jokes. LOVED her! She seemed to really enjoy her job!

Quality of Experience
The excursions were of the highest quality
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Winery visit and wine tasting in Pompeii area including light lunch
Winery visit and wine tasting in Pompeii area including light lunch
Italy

Wow, this was one of the best experiences. A scenic location, quality wines, expert guidance and amazing food! We started out with a tour and then had lunch. I loved how they brought out several small plates. We sat, drank wine, enjoyed the beautiful scenery and they just kept bringing us plate after plate of delicious food. Together, these elements created a memorable and enriching experience that exemplifies what a top-notch winery should offer. I have high standards and this met my expectations 100%

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Pompeii ruin visit with a private guide
Pompeii ruin visit with a private guide
Italy

Visiting the Pompeii ruins was an unforgettable experience that transported me back in time. As I walked through the ancient streets, I was struck by the remarkable preservation of the site, which vividly illustrates daily life during the Roman Empire. On a sad note, our tour guide was not the best. He often walked ahead of the group, didn't speak loud enough and often started talking before our entire group got together. At one point he started arguing with a security person because there were so many people cutting in front of us. We told him it was fine but he then said no it's not fine and they need to do something about it. He was more upset then we were. We didn't even know his name. He did seem to know a lot of the history and was very informative but was not in a good mood.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Pizza Making Class
Pizza Making Class
Italy

The pizza-making class was an absolute delight, filled with laughter and creativity from start to finish. Upon arrival, we were greeted by our enthusiastic instructors, Anna and Giuseppe who exuded passion for both pizza and Italian culture. We made Tiramisu with Anna and pizza with Giuseppe. The actual place was so nicely decorated. We made the Tiramisu, placed it in the fridge to cool and ate it at the end of the night. We each made a pizza, different kinds and shared each one. The best part was savoring our delicious creations together, sharing stories and laughter over each slice. This fun and interactive class not only taught us valuable culinary skills but also created lasting memories and a deeper appreciation for the art of pizza-making. Anna and Giuseppe had the best personalities, we all felt like we were at a friends house for dinner.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Anna and Giuseppe were such gracious hosts!!!!
Transport
Day trip to Capri Island from The Amalfi Coast - small group
Day trip to Capri Island from The Amalfi Coast - small group
Italy

The boat tour of the Isle of Capri was a breathtaking experience that offered stunning views and a sense of adventure from start to finish. We upgraded from a large group to just our group of 6 and I'm glad we did that as it was more personal. Our guide Francesco was great and he shared fascinating insights about Capri’s history and landmarks. The blue grotto was so busy that we decided to skip it but our guide took us to the white cave, the red cave and the love cave. At first I was very sad because the Blue Grotto is on my bucket list but I got to experience the beautiful blue water in the other caves as well. Maybe not as big but I did see it. Along the way, we enjoyed delicious local snacks and sipped on refreshing drinks, soaking in the sun and the beautiful scenery. Francesco made us a lunch reservation at Restaurante La Canzone Del Mare and the view was amazing and the food was delicious. We then took the chair lift up to the top of the mountain, a must do!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Lorenza Cannarsa

An amazing 2 week trip in Italy
Italy | Sep 6 - Sep 19, 2024

V
Vanessa D.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Oct 06, 2024
I could not have planned this trip without Fabio's help. He was so patient and answered every question I had. He tailored our itinerary perfectly and helped me secure the perfect the most amazing hotels and activities for our group. Fabio went above and beyond even while we were on our trip. The day before we left, Fabio let us know that there was a strike happening and that our trains were cancelled but not to worry he booked us a taxi instead and at no additional cost to us. Not having to... Read more

I could not have planned this trip without Fabio's help. He was so patient and answered every question I had. He tailored our itinerary perfectly and helped me secure the perfect the most amazing hotels and activities for our group. Fabio went above and beyond even while we were on our trip. The day before we left, Fabio let us know that there was a strike happening and that our trains were cancelled but not to worry he booked us a taxi instead and at no additional cost to us. Not having to deal with those unforeseen travel changes was a blessing. Fabio also helped me plan 2 separate events outside of my itinerary with a large group of my friends and graciously dealt with many last minute changes and updates.

Sabrina was our tour guide for our colosseum tour and she was absolutely amazing. We asked her so many questions about ancient Rome and the colosseum that we lost track of time and she so nicely stayed for an extra half hour. The tour of the colosseum was one of the most memorable parts of our trip.

Our drivers that took us to Florence and all around Tuscany, Stefano and Jury were wonderful. They were both very engaging and lovely to talk to and encouraged me to practice my Italian with them which I really appreciated. Stefano even walked us around each of the little towns he drove us to in Tuscany and shared some history and places of interest about each.

Another highlight was the truffle hunt. Our guide and his dog, Dora were wonderful company as we learned all out hunting for truffles. Dora found us many truffles.

Hotel Reviews
Otivm Hotel
Rome

I was delightfully surprised by this hotel. It's centrally located next all the main sites in the city center but it's located on a quieter side street. The rooms were very spacious and comfortable and the breakfast on the roof overlooking the city was amazing. The Front desk, and staff were very kind and welcoming.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Walkable to all the most important sites in the city center but down a quieter side street
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Mormoraia
San Gimignano

I highly recommend this hotel and to anyone staying in Tuscany or San Gimignano, the views around the property and from our hotel room were stunning. The rooms are very modern and chic. I shared a room with my mother and my aunt but I would say the rooms and the overall experience would be better suited for couples traveling. Most of the guests were younger, perhaps on their honeymoon or older couples. Breakfast was included and it was amazing every day. At night we ate at the restaurant on the property and that was also very delicious.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Doria Palace Boutique Hotel
Rome

This hotel is in a great location, very walkable to all the sites and right next to a Santa Maria maggiore Basilica. I was in Rome for a wedding and I asked to be closed to the hotel of the wedding party so that I could use the shuttle services. The hotel itself is very tiny /narrow. The elevator was a little scary as it only fits one person and barely any luggage. The rooms were on the smaller side but clean and comfortable. The rooftop bar served breakfast every day and drinks at night. The staff were very friendly and helpful.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Private Colosseum & Roman Forum Tour
Private Colosseum & Roman Forum Tour
Rome

Sabrina was fantastic. She is so knowledgable and engaging, we loved our tour with her. We asked her so many questions that we actually missed going to 2 other scheduled sites during our tour because we were so fascinated by the colosseum. She graciously stayed for another half hour and quickly walked us through the palatine hill. I highly recommend Sabrina to anyone looking for a private tour of the Colosseum.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Truffle Hunting Experience With Lunch and Wine Tasting
Truffle Hunting Experience With Lunch and Wine Tasting
Italy

This was a very unique and wonderful experience. We got a private transfer and tour with a truffle hunter and his wonderful dog, Dora. We were pleasantly surprised that we were able to find so many truffles and it was very to get to dig up our own. Poggia wine tasting and lunch was delicious and they were kind enough to cook up our truffles we found into a dish.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Val D’Orcia and Brunello Wine Tour
Val D’Orcia and Brunello Wine Tour
Italy

I wound up cancelling one of these tours for the day as we were worried about doing too many wine tasting. The one winery we did go to was beautiful and just recently renovated. We were given our own private room for the tasting and they served us lunch which was the best lasagna of my life. The space is huge and we were unfortunately the only ones there.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Tour of the Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel
Private Tour of the Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel
Rome

Unfortunately the Vatican was incredibly packed when we visited and we had to wait a while to actually go in to the sistine chapel, which of course was not the fault of the tour guide. However, at times it seemed like she was exasperated by the crowds, she was having a hard time engaging our large group. Her accent also made it harder to understand her over the audio speaker and all the noise. She did not accomopany us into St. Peter's but it would have been nice to have someone guide us through the basilica. Unfortunately much of the site is under construction and scaffolding, preparing for next years jubliee.

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

Amazing! It was great to explore a new neighborhood and get out of the city center. Maurizio took us a wonderful assortment of shops all showcasing Rome's local cuisine. He also shared some Roman history and walked us through a basilica as a part of the tour.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Fabio Ilardi
Fabio
Fabio Ilardi
Local specialist in Como, Italy | Replied on Oct 07, 2024
Ciao Vanessa, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! I’m so glad to hear that your trip was such a success and that I could be part of making it special for you. It was truly my pleasure to help plan every detail and to ensure everything went smoothly, especially when the unexpected strike disrupted your train plans. Sabrina, Stefano, and Jury will be so pleased to hear your kind words. I’ll be sure to pass along your praise to them. It’s also wonderful to hear that your truffle... Read more

Ciao Vanessa,

Thank you so much for your wonderful review! I’m so glad to hear that your trip was such a success and that I could be part of making it special for you. It was truly my pleasure to help plan every detail and to ensure everything went smoothly, especially when the unexpected strike disrupted your train plans. Sabrina, Stefano, and Jury will be so pleased to hear your kind words. I’ll be sure to pass along your praise to them.

It’s also wonderful to hear that your truffle hunt with Dora was a highlight! Truffle hunting is such a unique experience, and I’m glad you had fun and were successful with Dora’s help.

Thank you again for your kind words. It was a pleasure working with you, and I hope we can help you plan another unforgettable trip in the future! 🙂

Wishing you all the best!

Fabio

Cecelia -- Northern Italy
Italy | Sep 19 - Sep 30, 2024

B
Barbara O.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Oct 06, 2024
Cecelia put together the most amazing trip for 12 days to Northern Italy--Rapallo, Portofino, Chincaterra, Milan, Lake Como, and Venice. She listened to our wants and put together great hotels in the best locations, top-notch guides and drivers. Everything went off without a hitch. This is our third trip with KimKim in past two years.
We are huge KimKim fans.
The trip was 5 star all the way. Cecelia was terrific to work with. Read more

Cecelia put together the most amazing trip for 12 days to Northern Italy--Rapallo, Portofino, Chincaterra, Milan, Lake Como, and Venice. She listened to our wants and put together great hotels in the best locations, top-notch guides and drivers. Everything went off without a hitch.

This is our third trip with KimKim in past two years.
We are huge KimKim fans.

The trip was 5 star all the way. Cecelia was terrific to work with.

Hotel Reviews
Excelsior Palace Hotel Rapallo
Rapallo

Amazing and great location. The food in tyne restaurant was some of the best on our trip. The 5-Star rating. Room size big. View of sea terrific, service 5 star.

Authenticity & Character
Elegant. Room size. Staff
Location
Walking distance to town and view of Mediterranean Sea
Staff
You were always greeted when walking in The restaurant food was done boff the bestcwe had.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Galleria Vik Milano
Milan

This hotel's location is 5 Star. It is ultra contemporary and artsy. The small entry is full of huge ceiling to floor pics of nudes men and women.. Rooms are stark with no key for entry, used furniture, no phone, no ventilation in bathroom causing a sauna-like atmosphere. However, location could not be better. I would not give v this hotel the 5-star rating it has except for the location. Restaurant was beyond expensive-45 Euro for a Ceasars Salad.

Authenticity & Character
Hotel looks like a pop-up hotel. There is nothing about it to make it have a 5-star rating.
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Albergo Terminus
Como

It is rated 4 star but should be 5 star. Location is amazing. The restaurant staff and front desk were amazing. The room was newly renovated, large, and beautiful with huge terrace. It is one of the most intimate hotels were have ever stayed in.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Cà Bonfadini
Venice

The hotel is a beautiful boutique hotel . Our room was so small that we could not even open our luggage. The room was beautifully appointed. Some suggestions for the bathroom--the shiny marble floors are dangerous. The shower floor should have strips on it not to fall. There was no ledge for shampoo, soap, etc.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
The front office staff were not attentive. As a 5-star hotel, service is what makes the hotel get this rating. A good morning would be nice and v welcoming to guests. We felt one in particular was more important than the guests.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Cecilia Ventura
Cecilia
Cecilia Ventura
Local specialist in Rome | Replied on Oct 07, 2024

Ciao Barbara and Pat! 🤗

Thank you so much for your amazing review! I’m absolutely thrilled that you had such a fantastic trip! It was a real joy planning every detail for you, and I’m so glad you loved the hotels, guides, and all the stunning places you visited. Hearing that everything went off without a hitch makes me smile!

It’s been wonderful working with you, especially now that this is your third trip with KimKim in just two years—I'm beyond grateful for your trust!

Sending you a big hug from Rome!✨

Cecilia

Maria did a great job.
Italy | Sep 18 - Sep 27, 2024

Tatiana
Tatiana F.
Hollywood, FL | Reviewed on Oct 06, 2024
Maria did a great job. There were a few misunderstandings due to language barrier between italian and english but it was a great experience overall. All of our guides we loved just maybe a different guide for the colosseum because even though she was informative, there were many times that we couldn't really understand too well cause of her very strong accent. Our private drivers were amazing as well and the conversation between Maria and the Storywalking team was excellent. Also, restaurant... Read more

Maria did a great job. There were a few misunderstandings due to language barrier between italian and english but it was a great experience overall. All of our guides we loved just maybe a different guide for the colosseum because even though she was informative, there were many times that we couldn't really understand too well cause of her very strong accent. Our private drivers were amazing as well and the conversation between Maria and the Storywalking team was excellent. Also, restaurant recommendations would be extremely helpful because it's not easy to find an amazing restaurant even when you search on google.

Hotel Reviews
Donna Laura Palace
Roma

It's a great hotel with good breakfast selection.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Unconventional Hotel Sorrento 3* Sant'Agnello
Sant'Agnello

It was a great experience here. We loved our view and the shuttle service they provide is very helpful as well.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Ca' dei Proverbi Suites
Venice

This was our favorite hotel experience so far! Beautiful, modern and luxurious shower

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Private Colosseum Tour Including Roman Forum
Private Colosseum Tour Including Roman Forum
Rome

It was a great experience, just wish we had a different guide

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Very strong accent, couldn't really understand everything she was saying. She was very kind and accommodating but the language barrier was a bit of a let down
Transport
Rome Street Food Tour
Rome Street Food Tour
Rome

DO IT! So worth it!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Dinner Experience in a Local Home Restaurant
Dinner Experience in a Local Home Restaurant
Rome

We loved it!!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Amalfi Coast Private Boat Tour with Skipper
Amalfi Coast Private Boat Tour with Skipper
Italy
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Venice Walking Tour with St. Marks Basilica Access
Venice Walking Tour with St. Marks Basilica Access
Italy

Omg! We loved this experience and our guide so much!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Vatican, Sistine Chapel & Saint Peter's Basilica
Vatican, Sistine Chapel & Saint Peter's Basilica
Rome
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Maria Grazia Rubino
Maria Grazia
Maria Grazia Rubino
Local specialist in Italy | Replied on Oct 09, 2024

Ciao Tatiana,
Thank you for this review!
We're thrilled that you had a great experience with Storywalking and appreciated the excellent communication with our team throughout your trip.
We're also glad that you had a great experience with our private drivers and that they helped make your journey smooth and enjoyable. We pride ourselves on providing seamless transportation to ensure our travelers' trip is as comfortable as possible.

I wish you all the best,
Maria Grazia

Andrea did a wonderful job tailoring our perf...
Italy | Sep 18 - Sep 28, 2024

Lisa
Lisa V.
Dallas, TX | Reviewed on Oct 05, 2024
Andrea did a wonderful job tailoring our perfect trip. He was readily available during our trip when we had some delays with our flight and always connected us with our drivers for the following days. Our most favorite part was exploring Pompeii with our fabulous guide and having a slower paced day exploring the beautiful city of Taormina. Each stop on the trip was better than the last. We did a pizza making class in which we will be making that recipe for many years to come, got to enjoy the... Read more

Andrea did a wonderful job tailoring our perfect trip. He was readily available during our trip when we had some delays with our flight and always connected us with our drivers for the following days. Our most favorite part was exploring Pompeii with our fabulous guide and having a slower paced day exploring the beautiful city of Taormina. Each stop on the trip was better than the last. We did a pizza making class in which we will be making that recipe for many years to come, got to enjoy the beautiful Amalfi coastline by boat, hiked around Mt Vesuvius and Mt Etna, and meandered around Sicily. We were surprised at how crowded and congested Naples and Capri were and probably the part of the trip we enjoyed the least. Overall, it was an amazing 12 days packed full of everything we hoped to see, eat, and do. Thanks Andrea!

Hotel Reviews
Napoli Tree - Lungomare
Naples

Super cute B&B both a wonderful host.

Location
It was a short walk to everywhere we wanted to be
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Residence
Amalfi

Beautiful location and wonderful staff

Authenticity & Character
Location
Right on the coast
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Casa Adele
Taormina

Nice, comfortable room and excellent staff

Authenticity & Character
Location
Right near the Catania Port
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Palazzo Artemide

We wish we had more than one night in the gorgeous hotel!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Villa Elisio Hotel & Spa
Napoli
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Pizza Making class in Naples with lunch or dinner
Pizza Making class in Naples with lunch or dinner
Naples

Our interpreter did such a great job and our host was very patient in teaching us his craft. This was forever our most favorite pizza on our trip.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Naples guided tour on a bike
Naples guided tour on a bike
Italy

While we are decent bikers, we felt incredibly uncomfortable on this trip. Trying to balance on the wet cobblestones, on narrow roads full of people/vendors/scooters, and jumping in and out of cars, eventually just made us not feel safe. While our guide was knowledgeable and patient, and we saw a few neat things, it wasn’t worth it for us.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Vesuvius entrance ticket
Vesuvius entrance ticket
Naples

We were dropped off right at the entrance and got to take our time hiking up and exploring. We enjoyed the self-paced atmosphere while getting to stop at all of the beautiful overlooks.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Group Pompeii ruin visit
Group Pompeii ruin visit
Italy

This was the highlight of our trip! Our guide was amazing and SO knowledgeable. She made the trip! There is so much that has been uncovered that gives great insight into what life was like back then. We were given ample opportunity to enjoy and learn about everything we saw.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Day trip to Capri Island from The Amalfi Coast - small group
Day trip to Capri Island from The Amalfi Coast - small group
Italy

We thoroughly enjoyed the boat ride and our guide. He was knowledgeable and took us on a fun exploration along the coastline and around Capri. However, we had our vision of what Capri was going to be and it was too crowded for us (cruise ships kept dumping people by the hour) to enjoy. We felt we weren’t as informed about how to spend the best of our few hours on the island and wasted half of that time figuring it out.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Ancient Theater of Taormina entrance ticket
Ancient Theater of Taormina entrance ticket
Italy

Our guide was passionate and super knowledgeable about the history. The views were amazing and we were introduced to the best granita afterwards.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Mount Etna and Alcantara Gorge expedition - Small group
Mount Etna and Alcantara Gorge expedition - Small group
Italy

We thoroughly enjoyed this trip learning what makes Mt Etna special. The walk through the lava tube was fun and the hiking on Etna was a smooth, moderate walk. We were pretty disappointed with the gorge trek. Our thought going into it was that we would be suited up to walk through the gorge. Instead, we were taken to the water, told we had 45 minutes to explore, and meet back at the cars. We weren’t given any appropriate gear to walk in the water, nor a heads up to pack ahead of time.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Syracuse Neapolis Archaeological Park - private guide
Syracuse Neapolis Archaeological Park - private guide
Italy

After seeing Pompeii, these ruins weren’t as impressive but we loved our guide. He took time to explain the history, we discussed OUR cultural similarities/differences, and it was just a good time. He knew a lot of little nuances that we likely wouldn’t have known about just doing the tour on our own.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Andrea Gambino
Andrea
Andrea Gambino
Local specialist in Turin, Italy | Replied on Oct 05, 2024

Lisa, we are happy you enjoyed your time in Italy. Thanks so much for your useful review.

Wonderful week in Southern Italy!
Italy | Sep 26 - Oct 1, 2024

Louise
Louise B.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Oct 05, 2024
We had a great time in Italy and would not have been able to navigate the transportation without the help of KimKim. Our trip consisted of Naples, Sorrento, the Amalfi Coast, Positano, and Capri. KimKim took care of booking taxis, accommodations, and ferries. This was a much lower-stress way to travel and we were able to see and do more thanks to their help! Late September was the perfect time to go to Southern Italy and we had beautiful weather! The hotels were even better than expected.... Read more

We had a great time in Italy and would not have been able to navigate the transportation without the help of KimKim. Our trip consisted of Naples, Sorrento, the Amalfi Coast, Positano, and Capri. KimKim took care of booking taxis, accommodations, and ferries. This was a much lower-stress way to travel and we were able to see and do more thanks to their help! Late September was the perfect time to go to Southern Italy and we had beautiful weather! The hotels were even better than expected. Unfortunately, our travel specialist was not available during our trip and we ran into a couple hiccups with the ferry tickets, but we we able to sort it out. We will definitely be using Kimkim for future travel planning and appreciate their assistance with a wonderful vacation, thank you!

Hotel Reviews
Grand Hotel Santa Lucia Naples
Naples

Beautiful, clean, great location right by the sea with a walking path, restaurants close by, excellent breakfast. Cannot think of anything negative to say, we loved this hotel!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Maison Kalea
Sorrento

This is a smaller hotel just a 10-minute walk away from downtown Sorrento. We loved the location since it was a bit quieter but still close to many shops and restaurants. The staff were very friendly and we enjoyed the homemade breakfast each morning. Highly recommend to other travelers!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Giulia Bonati
Giulia
Giulia Bonati
Local specialist in Padova, Italy | Replied on Oct 22, 2024
Dear Louise,
I'm very happy to read that you liked so much your trip to Italy, especially that you loved the hotels and itinerary, even over your expectations !!
I’m glad also to know that everything else worked out smoothly.
On the other hand, I’m sorry not to have been enough clear about my availability: I was not off, but in fact I did send you our agency mobile number because - once arrived in Italy - our clients have a dedicated and reactive team reachable on the agency mobile phone...
Read more

Dear Louise,
I'm very happy to read that you liked so much your trip to Italy, especially that you loved the hotels and itinerary, even over your expectations !!
I’m glad also to know that everything else worked out smoothly.
On the other hand, I’m sorry not to have been enough clear about my availability: I was not off, but in fact I did send you our agency mobile number because - once arrived in Italy - our clients have a dedicated and reactive team reachable on the agency mobile phone (also by “whatsapp”) for any travel need to be quickly solved.
The same mobile number is written on the final scheduled itinarary that we send to the clients. This is a service that we provide for no extra price, to secure a high quality level to your trip: I'm so sorry that you did not use it.
In any case, I wish you to know that it was a great pleasure for me to work with you 💛 and I’m sure that your next travel with Kimkim will be great too!
CIAO FROM ITALY 🇮🇹
Giulia

The guide in the villa Borghese was great. A...
Italy | Sep 20 - Oct 3, 2024

Jacqueline
Jacqueline V.
Canada | Reviewed on Oct 04, 2024
The guide in the villa Borghese was great.
All the guides were good.
The guide in Pompei spent far too much time on the streets and the generalities of the city .
I had to force him to end all the preambles and proceed with the villa di Misterii which was the main reason for my visit in Pompei. We ended up having to rush and we spent very little time viewing the frescoes. He was already leaving when I just managed to make a quick video, and I had to run after him
because he was gone....
Read more

The guide in the villa Borghese was great.
All the guides were good.
The guide in Pompei spent far too much time on the streets and the generalities of the city .
I had to force him to end all the preambles and proceed with the villa di Misterii which was the main reason for my visit in Pompei. We ended up having to rush and we spent very little time viewing the frescoes. He was already leaving when I just managed to make a quick video, and I had to run after him
because he was gone.
The guide to the Colosseum was only adequate, He spent unnecessary time on Capitoline Hill where there is nothing left to see, and he made us imagine what was there before. He described the orchards that were there to dissipate the smells of latrines and lack of hygiene after the imperial era.
So the result is that there was not enough time go to the Foro Romano which was my main reason to come back to Rome. We walked far too quickly and he did not name the remains of the various temples.
The accommodation in The Amalfi coast was OK, the staff very helpful. But the bathroom was poorly designed from the point of view of comfort and practicality.
In The hotel Mediterraneo , we were very lucky because they upgraded us to a Superior Room. It was a really beautiful and luxurious hotel.
It was a beautifully arranged trip.
We appreciated the quick responses to our questions by Storytelling Girl. And especially when we were in Italy, the problems we encountered on the spot were immediately answered and solved, like with texting. That was so important because we were on our own and helpless when some unforeseen situation arose.
Thank you very much, it was a great trip thanks to you.
Jacqueline von Rumel

Hotel Reviews
Casa Amorino B&B
Minori

Casa Amorino B&B had lovely staff with a beautiful property and garden, which was a pleasure to experience. However, the bathroom was disappointing. The lack of surface space around the sink to place toiletries was frustrating. While the rooms were spacious, they weren't designed well for practical use, lacking sufficient space for putting away clothes and belongings. Despite these issues, the overall experience was decent, due to the kindness of the staff and the beauty of the location.

Bettoja Hotel Mediterraneo
Rome

Superb rooms with beautiful antique furniture, great breakfasts, very clean everywhere.

Activity Reviews
Private Transfer from Naples to Amalfi Coast with Pompeii en route
Private Transfer from Naples to Amalfi Coast with Pompeii en route
Italy
Colosseum & Ancient Rome Tour with Roman Forum
Colosseum & Ancient Rome Tour with Roman Forum
Rome

The guide had a remarkably vast knowledge; he was open to any question and could could answer them all with great details. The only criticism was the unnecessary length of time devoted to visit the Capitoline Hill and not enough time for the Forum Romano, resulting in a more superficial experience for this extraordinary site. Many events occurred there, and giving this site the same time as the Capitoline Hill did not make sense.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Some guides did t too much time on unnecessary aspects. In Tome it was geared to young teenagers, instead of guiding mod historical background.
Transport
Capitoline Museums - Tickets
Capitoline Museums - Tickets
Rome

Fabulous

Self-Guided Visit of Museo Nazionale Romano - Tickets Only
Self-Guided Visit of Museo Nazionale Romano - Tickets Only
Rome
Borghese Gallery tour
Borghese Gallery tour
Rome

Fabulous

Quality of Experience
Local specialist: Maria Grazia Rubino
Maria Grazia
Maria Grazia Rubino
Local specialist in Italy | Replied on Oct 09, 2024

Hi Jacqueline,
Thank you so much for your thoughtful feedback!
It's great to hear that our support helped you feel more comfortable and confident while traveling. Thank you again for trusting us with your trip—we're glad it was a memorable experience, and we look forward to helping you plan your next adventure!

Best,
Maria Grazia