Kimkim Trip Reviews for Norway

Our trip to Northern Norway and the Finnish town of Kilpisjarvi was a dream come true. Our tour guides, Gareth and Amanda from Adventure by Design were awesome. I loved that We were treated like family and they were so patient with my kids. Traveling with a young family is always s challenge and Gareth and Amanda definitely made it easier. We got to see some amazing Northern Lights, reindeers, beautiful frozen lakes. It was a wonderful trip which was very well planned in a short time.

We booked our 7 days trip through Kim Kim. Our agent - Ms Ingrid was very helpful. This was our first time we visited Norway, our ultimate aim was to chase the Northern Light and indeed we were lucky enough to see lot and lot of them! Thanks to the guide - Ms Trine. Also never forget our experience with Reindeer and Sami Culture and the reindeer soup provided was awesome!
We had a good time in Tromsø as the city was beautiful with snow. The hotel in Tromsø was fantastic and the breakfast was the best of all!
Lucky that our 2 days stop-over in Bergen had a three hours guided cultural tour with a local - he really know the in and out of the city. The stop over was too long for us as we had not much things to do. The hotel location was just beside the train station but the hotel room was not that cosy.
The train to Flåm and Fjord cruise were a great experience as well. We like the cool weather and beautiful surrounding in Flåm.
We had a short stay in Oslo, just walked around the city and visited the World War II site.

For me, the most memorable part of our sensational trip was the train ride to Myrdal & then down to Flam. We have seen many things, but the scenery and its dramatic changes on the way up and back down. We loved the golden trees of Autumn. For George, it was the trip through the fjords.
Every part of our trip exceeded our expectations in every way. The Thon Opera Hotel was great and so well located. Stig was an excellent guide and great guy, in Aurland, the innkeeper had no rooms & said we could stay in our own cottage right on the fjord which was great-there is that word again! Bergen was charming & we had a full day of sunshine with our guide. He was OK but had not gotten the certification training and just wasn’t as knowledgeable as Stig. He did a good job, but Stig was extraordinary.

Thank you Linda and the Kimkim team for a wonderful, well planned holiday!

Wow! A magical trip to Norway! We started our journey in Oslo and ended in Tromsø. We opted to go with KimKim because the logistics we had in mind were more complicated than what we wanted to deal with... Definitely a very good decision on our part. I sent Andre a list of what we had in mind and he came through like a champ. Our desire was not to have to rent a car but travel using buses, trains, ferries and planes. Andre put it all together and made reservations for us a much as possible. A summary and detailed itinerary was provided just prior to the trip.
We stayed in Oslo (our own reservations), Aurland, Voss, Bergen and Tromsø. We visited museums, cruised fiords, took Flam scenic tour, rode cable cars and funicular up mountains for tremendous views, took a great walking tour of Bergen with David (knowledgeable fun guy), hunted Northern lights with Opel (very entertaining and knowledgeable) and an outstanding 5 hour Tromsø boat cruise with professional and fun Captain and mates (shoot, forgot their names) that including a bit of eagle and seal sightings, fishing and a delicious soup prepared while we were google eyeing the beauty of the waterways.
Our hotels were very comfortable and clean. The dinners at our inn in Aurland were so good and the service was outstanding. The hotel breakfasts in Bergen and Tromsø provided a huge variety of excellent foods. And the service at both hotels were good. The hotel in Voss was good but the breakfasts lacked appeal.
Each city, town and village we visited had its own unique characteristics and we found it all very interesting and beautiful.
We did have one boat cruise cancellation but opted for the later trip. Andre was extremely helpful in rearranging our day and reservations. Also we requested a change in hotel upon our return to Oslo as we wanted to be near the airport given an early morning flight back to the states. Andre made the change and all went amazingly well. Thanks KimKim staff (Andre and Ingrid) for your outstanding communications and excellent planning expertise. Although we normally like to make our own travel arrangements I would not hesitate to request KimKim's services again. We've already spread the word on their 'job well done'!

My wife and I had the most amazing time travelling around Norway, this was very easily the best trip we've ever taken. We got to see some amazing sights, untouched beauty, and explore Norway in a way that its meant to be. Through our entire journey, we took trains, busses and ferries which gave us the opportunity to see some of the most stunning landscapes imaginable.

Fridur did such a good job of putting all this together, she was very responsive and always full of suggestions on what we could do. We started off in Oslo and then travelled to Bergen via Geilo, Flam, and Balestrand - which had to be the most memorable place in our trip. Our hotel room had the most amazing view of the Fjord and snowcapped mountains which made it something I'll never forget. We had a great time with Balestrand Fjord Adventure when we went out sightseeing on the rib boat. I recommend them to anyone looking to see the fjords in a more fun way. When we got to Bergen we had a very nice walking tour of the city centre with David Pavels. He was funny, informative, and had so many interesting stories about life in Bergen and Norway. Sadly he doesn't have a TripAdvisor page or I would have written him a review.

Overall, Kimkim did a fantastic job of putting our Norwegian holiday together and if all their trip experts are as good as Fridur, we'd be more than happy to use their services once again on our next adventure.

My son and I were planning for a trip to Norway in early October, without knowing that it was the period in-between Summer and Winter when the standard Norway Nutshell tours were not available. Then we came across Kim Kim Travel and decided to give it a try.

The decision won us a wonderful trip. Our specialist Andre was instant with his responses. He was thoughtful in planning for our itinerary, and patient in answering my endless questions and requests. He even provided maps indicating where, when and how to go for our cruises, trains, taxis, etc. This provided the assurance I needed, and a promising start.

All arrangements on our 6-day Fjord trip from Oslo to Bergen went as smooth as silk. We enjoyed in particular the waterfront cabin at the Vangsgaarden Gjestgiveri Hotel in Aurland, and the delightful room at the Midtnes Hotel in Balestrand, both of which provided panoramic view of the Sognefjord. It was not a trip which would make one bubble with excitement; it was one which was so scenic and tranquil that it felt like being in paradise. And all these due in no small part to Andre!

All the hotels were great. All but 2 transportation arrangements went off without a flaw. Overall, we are very pleased with our visit to Norway. I am thankful that Ingrid helped me to arrange everything!

In Oslo, we liked the Thon Europa more than the Thon Spectrum. The Europa had a better breakfast buffet, was an easier walk from the train station & the neighborhood seems a bit better. Next door to the Europa is the Brunello Ristorante. You should recommend this to others! This was some of the best Italian food we have ever had.

The Hurtigruten lobby is on a small side street and was not obvious. If possible, maybe provide a bit more detailed map. Since it's so late, there are not people around to ask for help. We did find it, but we had our concerns for a few minutes!

The bus & ferry to Geiranger was very enjoyable. The ferry back showed us some gorgeous scenery. We very much enjoyed that day.

The time with John Grahl-Madsen was not time well spent. He just didn't seem engaged. On other trips, in other countries, we have had guides who have made a significantly better impression. During planning, I had expressed an interest in going up the funicular. He pointed it out & said we could do that on our own. Our itinerary didn't allow time for that.

The ferry from Bergen to Aurland was a great way to move locations and see more of the scenery.

Aurland: you are already aware of the issue with the taxi company. I'm not sure what options there are, but I would suggest finding other options for sightseeing & transport to Flam. I'm very glad that the taxi did eventually show up that morning so we were able to see the Borgund Stave Church. That was very special. The Fisherman's Cabin at Vangsgaarden was charming with a view that was magnificent. It was a little surprising that we had to make our own beds, strip them at check-out, sweep the floor, take out the garbage, & do a light cleaning of the bathroom.

Flam to Oslo by train: Our itinerary was that we made this trip on September 24. No one looked at our tickets Flam to Myrdal. Myrdal to Oslo we learned that our tickets were for September 23. The conductor found 3 unsold seats for us and allowed us to stay on the train.

Oslo: We had a tour with Stig Frislid Torset. He was better than John, but again we have had better. Our travel companion had been told by a friend of Norwegian descent to try a specific type of pastry. Stig found a shop that sold it for her. We requested that we see the Vigeland Sculpture Park. He commented that was not normally what he did, but if that's what we wanted ... we said we did. He did have interesting commentary about some of the sculptures. Afterwards, he showed us some of the "hidden gems" that he normally focuses on, which included Grass Roots Square. Grass Roots Square is very special & we were very glad that we saw it.

I would recommend Kimkim to others. Thanks for your help in creating a memorable trip for us.

Ingrid was our guide for our visit to Oslo and Bergen . Luckily my cousin and I travelled together for the most part , or we would have been quite lost .

Initially I arrived earlier than she , and somehow got to the bus for the hotel for the night , the Gardemon Airport Hotel , which was suggested by our Svalbard leader . The hotel was very nice , the food fabulous , and a wonderful walk nearby .

We next flew to Tromso and Longyearbyen for our artic adventure , which was unbelievably wonderful , except I did not see the whales that others were able to see .

We returned to Oslo and both of us were a bit nervous about the location of the hotel which in reality , could not have been easier - The Thon Opera , at Ingrid's suggestion . The restaurant was not great - expensive then closed for repairs .

Then we went to Myrdal to get the Flam train . It turned out to be easier than expected , and the ferry to Balestrand was lovely . It was nice to have the tickets paid for in advance . The hotel in Balestrand was GREAT - thank you Ingrid - then another ferry to Bergen . In the rain . I wish I had known to expect so much rain . . .

Bergen started off negatively . In the rain . Ingrid had sent maps , but they were useless . First of all , they faded in the rain , and secondly , without directions or street names . It took almost 2 hours to find the hotel , which was not great . Dark and unattractive , dining area right at the front door . We were surprised to find that a ' superior room ' was reserved for us , but it had only one bed ! We had to down grade to a room with twin beds , no view . Also dark . The hotel was not a great choice , the staff less than cordial . We would have been better off some place like the Hotel Bergen near the old wharf . We had a GREAT meal at Lyskevet ?? The inadequate directions and maps were the most frustrating part of our visit .

We returned to Oslo Thon for the night , and a dinner at a restaurant that was not great - a new one , started with an A - Atla ???

So we survived but had many frustrations .

My wife and I are so pleased we decided to hire Kimkim to plan our first trip to Norway. We had a limited time (6-7 days) and felt they did a wonderful job giving us the best itinerary for our interests/time constraints. The accommodations they selected were convenient and comfortable, the detailed itineraries they provided were extremely helpful (including maps, wayfinding info, etc.), and the guides they hired were professional and informative. If we had planned things ourselves we probably wouldn't have experienced the most special part of our trip, staying in Aurland for a few nights and taking a cruise of the Aurlandsfjord & Nærøyfjord.
Thank you for taking logistics off our plate, allowing us to enjoy your beautiful country free of stress or worry!

Andre was quick to respond and always accommodating. The hotels he chose were excellent, as were his suggestions for our day trips. We totally appreciated not having huge drives to make. His planning was superb!!! We can’t thank him enough for such an amazing experience!!!!!

Balestrand was wonderful, probably the highlight of our trip, especially the Fjord boat trip there and from. The hotel was also quite special

Flam was also wonderful as well, as was the train ride.

Given the objectives (truly scenic, awe-inspiring nature), I felt like we could have been guided differently.

The others were fine and reasonable for the price paid, but I have some feedback for the rest of the trip

1. Initially we had a day in Bergen set aside, which I changed and I was glad we did because Bergen while more enjoyable than your typical European city wasn't why we were in Norway

2. Tromso we knew was a risk given the low probability of seeing the Northern Lights, but I wish we had given a more thorough pros/cons discussion of going. We didn't see the lights, it was raining (none of which can be predicted), but I feel like we wasted a day a few thousand dollars on that decision. I would have rather spent another day in a city like Balestrand or Flam

Besides that, the packing guidance was less helpful as we were told to pack thermal underwear, jackets and clothing that took up a lot of room in the suitcase, and we ended up not needing because the Tromso bus was warm (where you spend the majority of the time on the tour) and they have thermal jackets, so I wish we were guided to pack differently.

The water bottle was unnecessary as well, more of a nice to have.

3. I wish there was more detail about the transportation (e.g., length of trip, where to sit on the train, boat, etc)

4. I wish we had more choices about the hotels. Balestrand and Flam hotels were very nice, but the Bergen hotel was not great and the Tromso hotel was terrible and dirty

5. I wish I had more flexibility to change the room bookings. I ended up needing an extra room, and it proved impossible to do through KimKim

We had a very very positive experience each step of the way, from planning the trip with Emily (who listened very carefully to what we wanted, found the kinds of places we wanted to stay at, and developed an excellent itinerary that allowed us to see and experience truly beautiful places) , to the places we stayed, all that we saw, our hiking and kayaking experiences, and especially with our guide, Thomas Riis. He was an exceptional guide, outstanding in every way. Thomas was friendly, flexible, patient, extremely helpful, and very very knowledgeable. He radiated a very positive energy all the way through our time with him. We would wholeheartedly endorse him and would gladly have him as our guide again.

There was one mixup on the travel arrangements but Kim Kim, and specifically Emily, responded quickly and efficiently.

We took an 11 day road trip through Norway that was a fantastic experience. We wanted to be on our own for the most part, but appreciated having the hotels and activities suggested for us. From there, Fridur helped us to customize something that worked for us. Fridur was also VERY helpful mid-trip proactively helping us to manage detours caused by unexpected weather.

We also very much enjoyed our time with David, our guide in Bergen. It was more like a friend of friend showing you his city than a stuffy tour. That was perfect for us.

Larry

Rose and I could not be more impressed with the attention to detail that we received from our Kim Kim contact - Julia . Her attention to detail could not have been better

The Trip Julia put together for us was the perfect way to start discovering Norway.

Excellent accommodation in the perfect position to see all the local sites along with the right adventures that suited our style of traveling. This allowed us the time and space to really enjoy the sheer beauty of Norway.

We will certainly be traveling with Kim Kim in future

Rod and Rose

Overall, we ended up having a fantastic trip. our 2 private guides (Curtis from viking Biking in Oslo and Romain in Bergen) were both excellent and very informative. The Fjord cruise and Flåm railway were also highlights. On the flip side, we had some challenges along the way that could have been avoided with careful planning. For example, it took awhile for the hotel to find our reservation at the Thon hotel in Oslo because it was booked under Axel Garber, our guide. I also had to email Axel to find out where to go for our bike trip since it didn’t say in our detailed itinerary. In Flåm, we missed the ferry to Balestrand because our train was late. Had we known to look for the ferry to Bergen (which stopped in Balestrand) we would not have missed it as that ferry was held for a large tour group. That night, we had to stay in Flåm but also had a room booked in Balestrand which we were unable to cancel. Apparently, the kayaking tour we had booked in Balestrand was booked by the tour company in error so it was canceled. Finally, we had an issue checking out of our hotel in Bergen because the CC on file was from a name that we didn’t know and the hotel did not have authorization to charge the card. After quite awhile, Julia called back and straightened out the situation.

Ingrid was lovely to chat with when planning our trip. Her responses were always very prompt. However, we were planning a trip for Bergen for mid-late September. Our group would have greatly appreciated and benefited from having her insider perspective shared ahead of time. For example, many of the attractions on the Bergen card (which she sold us as part of the package) were closed or on very limited hours due to the fact that it was “late” in the season. Additionally, we feel Ingrid should have shared the fact that our ferry back from Flam was 5 hours long and part it after the sun went down. Our group was left with dead phones and nothing to do for about 2 hours. She did a great job purchasing the tickets but then didn’t always give clear instructions for which port or which platform to go to- creating some confusion for us.

We absolutely LOVED our tour guide Jon who lead our hike in Bergen. His energy and friendly attitude were perfect for our steep incline hike.

Overall, we felt the service provided by KimKim was very friendly but maybe not worth the price because we didn’t receive any extra information or guidance from the team (other than navigating and purchasing tickets for transportation). The companies they used for both the ferries were very welcoming!

We had an excellent experience with Kimkim in planning our trip. We gave Vilde the general outline of where we wanted to begin and end and she planned it all, hotels and excursions. We drove over 650 miles during our stay and thoroughly enjoyed the drive and landscapes. We loved the Dragsvik Fjordhotel , Bergens Bors hotel, the Fjord Cruise and walking tour of Bergen. Our guide, ( forgotten his name) during our walking tour was great. We were a bit more vigorous than his typical clients, so we finished his usual tour in 2hrs rather than 3. No problem we still enjoyed it!! We realized that we prefer a la carte dining rather than the dinner buffets offered in two of the hotels we stayed, for the tour bus crowd. During our trip we needed to adjust our travel and Andre easily took care of cancelling and rebooking our hotel. The Viking Village was a major tourist destination, not our type of thing but the drive there was beautiful! we will most definitely use Kimkim again on our next visit to Norway, when we plan to venture further north!!

My two sons (19 & 21) and I wanted to visit Norway but due to my work schedule I left everything to the last minute. I found Kim Kim per chance on the Internet and decided based on their excellent reviews for Norway to give them a try. I completed the questionnaire and Fridur quickly contacted me. She was extremely helpful, knowledgeable and patient in helping us to plan our Itinerary. She focused on basing it on our own special requests - active with multiple hiking days in Bergen and Balestrand plus white water rafting near Geilo. We even squeezed in visits and morning tours of both Bergen and Oslo. The local guides, Fartein in Bergen and Stig in Oslo, were informative and fun to discuss the history of their cities and country. I had never been on a personal local guided tour before and they have convinced me that this is the way to go. We saw so much and learned a great deal in our three hours together.
Fridur sent details on how to travel to the airports and tips on saving money by purchasing the day passes, etc. She responded to all of my 1,000 questions. I also must comment that I had braced myself for sticker shock but was pleasantly surprised that Fridur kept the cost down in our price range while booking us into comfortable 4 star hotels that were well located.
There is so much to see in beautiful Norway, I hope that we are able to return soon. I definitely would love to work with Fridur again.

Ingrid was great, the whole process made easy.
All hotel bookings and transport bookings ran smoothly.
Always available and ready to help
Will definitely refer and use KimKim again
Highly recommended