Kimkim Trip Reviews for Turkey

Our trip to Turkey was the first time we used KimKim and we were not disappointed by this experience.
Our contact was Berat and she was very helpful both during planning stage of our trip, as well as during the time we were traveling in Turkey, when she was always on top of communicating details of all our transfers and changes in itinerary. All logistics was taken care of and everything went very smoothly.
In Istanbul our guide Erdem was very friendly and knowledgeable, he was very attentive to our interests and was able to navigate through crowded places in the most efficient way. Despite the crowds in some most touristy sites he made it possible for us to visit all of them. He gave us many good suggestions for our last "free" day in Istanbul and recommended some wonderful restaurants to eat which we will never found on our own.
Irfan, our guide in Cappadocia, was also knowledgeable and gave us a lot of information. We realized that our planned itinerary included less hikes than we hoped to have in Cappadocia, so we asked to add visit and hike in Ihlara valley to our itinerary. This was done after coordination with Berat and that experience was one of the best in our trip.

Hotel Reviews

Recital Hotel

Istanbul

Recital hotel is conveniently located in the center of the historical part of Istanbul. Room was somewhat dated, but had very nice view from the balcony. There is also a rooftop terrace with nice view but no service there. There were big groups staying in the hotel and it was rather noisy in the evening. Good breakfast. Friendly staff.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Kale Konak Hotel

We really liked this small hotel. It has the best location in Uchishar and a lot of character. Wonderful breakfast and very friendly and helpful staff. Room was rather small, but there are many nice seating areas available in the hotel.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Eminönü Heritage Tour: Explore the Historical Bazaars and Ottoman Architectural Sites of Istanbul

İstanbul

It was interesting to see this busy place.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Discover Byzantine + Ottoman Istanbul

İstanbul

It was great to explore these amazing sites with our guide Erdem. He made it possible to see all the major places despite the crowds, he gave us a lot of historical facts and stories.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Explore the historical + modern hub: Pera, Karaköy and Beyond

İstanbul

Unfortunately several places we were supposed to visit were closed for different reasons. The views from Galata tour were worth standing in line.

Quality of Experience

as several places were closed for some unknown reason it would be nice to have some other activities planed for this day

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

it was interesting to experience tram and funicular rides

Crossing between Continents: Explore Kadıköy and Moda

İstanbul

It was beautiful day and crossing on a ferry boat was enjoyable.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide Erdem showed us small neighborhood streets where locals live and told us a lot about every day life in Turkey. He brought us to a nice open air cafe overlooking Bosphorus for turkish coffee.

Transport

Hot Air Balloon Tour at Sunrise

Cappadocia

This is an amazing experience. It was one of the reasons we wanted to go to Cappadoccia and it did not disappointed.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visiting Göreme Open Air Museum (UNESCO World Heritage)

Cappadocia

It is very crowded but our guide Irfun was able to navigate us around crowds, gave us a lot of hiostorical information but also time to explore.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sightseeing Around Uçhisar and Discovering the Cappadocian Valleys

Cappadocia

Kaymaklı Underground City

Cappadocia

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Soğanlı Valley

Turkey

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

we. had wonderful driver for 3 days.

Berat did an excellent job, listening to my values and crafting an itinerary and experience that was perfectly suited to my tastes-- even taking the time to go through several iterations before we finalized an itinerary. She took the time to meet me for tea while in Istanbul-- a lovely personal touch and memory to cherish.

The guide she selected for me, Hatice, was an absolute delight and now, a new friend. I have traveled extensively, and have often said, that if I can get everything I would get from a guide from a book-- then I don't need the guide. I want a personal viewpoint, personal engagement, and a relationship. Hatice offered that. She too was very intentional of observing me and assessing my values as the trip unfolded, fine tuning, rearranging and adjusting the timing and stops to optimize my experience according to my values. She would often offer-- "given the things you seem to like... I don't think you would enjoy this, but you would like this." I loved that she would often give me an overview of a sight, and then give me time to wander alone and take my photos... making it clear several times, that it is my trip and the timing and choices are mine. I love that she had a sense of humor. We shared many laughs. As a gay man, traveling alone, I also require someone who is open-minded, curious and progressively minded, particularly in a culture not know to be gay-friendly. I had expressed that concern early on in the planning stages, and Berat chose Hatice.

In recent years, as I've traveled alone to more non-Western destinations, including within the developing world, i have found that i don't want to read or know to much about where i'm going beforehand, and I definitely don't want to see photos. I want to be surprised each day-- "Oh! This is what we are doing! Look at that! I had no idea." Giving me a chance for a different kind of amazement every day. Turkey offered me that kind of wonder and amazement in spades.

Berat did an excellent job of creating an itinerary with a diversity of experiences-- there was never too much of the same thing, before we did something wildly different.

Hotel Reviews

Sirkeci Mansion Hotel

Istanbul

The hotel was perfectly located for me... in the center of the old city, within walking distance of everything. The concierge was very helpful. The room was simple and clean. Quiet. Very small but adequate bathroom. No view. Nothing fancy. My only complaint would be that the breakfast buffet offerings, the hot dishes were never kept hot... luke warm at best, even straight out of the kitchen. An easy fix, it would seem.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Antalya

Antalya

The hotel, while very nice, and I was put into an enormous suite, which felt uncomfortably large... just felt odd and not to my taste. It is a large, all-inclusive resort kind of hotel that's seemed tailored to what I perceive as Eastern European and Russian sensibilities. I prefer a more personal boutique hotel. I swim daily when at home-- lap swimming... the hotel did have a spectacular pool that was a godsend at that point of the trip. But weird rules about opening hours... and one had to go down two floors beneath the pool to the health club to get a towel to use the pool-- then go back up two floors. Why no towels at the pool? A rather anemic "nightclub" by the pool where no one was there. A grotesquely large, too brightly lit dining hall really-- not even a buffet. Just seemed to cater to a different kind of traveller. I was only there overnight.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Cappari Aqua Princess

Antalya

Perfect location, lovely sea view room... but no elevator. It was a good seven flights from the street to my room on the top floor. When I checked in, the manager asked if i would like to be on the top floor-- "It's the best room." "Well, you're the one who will have to carry my duffle bag up all those stairs!" As it was the top floor, it felt a little like an attic space that had a pitched roof. Some of the groins of the roof are very low, and I hit my head several times going to the toilet in the middle of the night. Very small bath. But kind staff and a sweet kind of charm about the place. The scale of the hotel, much more to my liking, and I loved swimming in the Mediterranean right outside my door.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Doğa Thermal Hotel & Spa

Denizli

Not unlike the Ramada in Anatolia, but with more design sense and style. An all-inclusive resort type of hotel, not to my taste. Hatice explained there were no other options. The buffet dining experience was obnoxious. I felt like I did when traveling in the former Soviet Union-- they were simply not set-up to accommodate individual travellers. I did enjoy the hot mineral pool! But my experience of the place was disappointing.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Novotel Konya

Konya

A stopover hotel. Stylish, smart, not overwhelming, but a business hotel-- no place to walk about for local culture. A commercial district. But absolutely fine for what it was , a stopover. Felt a bit like staying at a nice airport hotel.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Gül Konaklari Sinasos (Rose Mansions Sinasos)

Nevsehir

I will dream of this hotel forever. Perfection, top to bottom-- (well, near perfect-- I would've loved a fridge in the room There was cabinet for one but none there.) Staff was warm, kind, helpful, personable, even playful. The place is beyond charming. I could not get enough of the garden. Sat out there every chance I could. Would have preferred a hot dish for breakfast, but in that garden, I almost didn't care. Yet when i made that comment to Hatice, the next morning the very kind waiter, Recep, brought me a sizzling skillet of Turkish eggs! That's how to do it. HIGHLY recommend it! And a perfect way to close my trip. I hated to leave. The only hotel on the trip that felt like the experience of the hotel was part of the journey.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Esrefoglu: A Unique Wooden Mosque from the 13th Century

Konya

This was a surprise highlight of my trip. The mosque, although small and off the beaten path, provided a serene and intimate experience that was deeply moving. I relished the opportunity to meditate within its quiet confines.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visit Eflatunpınar: A hidden gem from the 13th century BC

Konya

This was an unexpected joy. The Hittite monument, although remote and without the usual trappings of a tourist spot, offered a unique experience of discovery and intimacy. Engaging in conversation with local families added to the charm of this ancient site.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Göreme-Uçhisar Hike

Cappadocia

This hike was an absolute delight. It was just me and my guide, which allowed for a personal and enriching experience. The conversations we shared were as memorable as the hike itself.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Whirling Dervish Ceremony at Saruhan Caravansarai

Turkey

A deeply contemplative and serene experience. The ceremony was a perfect way to wind down after a long day, and I appreciated having the opportunity to be present and reflective during the ceremony.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Where do I begin to tell you about our amazing 10 days in Turkey?! My husband and I didn’t want to go on a « one size fits all » vacation. After a great deal of reading, I had pretty much decided where I wanted to go and what I wanted to do. Can’t thank Berat enough for making it all happen for us. She listened carefully to what we wanted and then filled in the spaces with her expertise.
All three of our guides, Ibrahim, Hatice and Volkan were excellent . They were knowledgeable, had a good sense of humor and went above and beyond to help us with all of our needs and wants. Safety was never a concern and we enjoyed moments on our own to explore with confidence. Local people were always friendly and eager to help.
Our drivers spoiled us from the moment we were picked up. The spacious vehicles allowed us to stretch out our legs and enjoy the views along the way with fresh water and candies.
What was the best part of our trip?! It was ALL wonderful.
The ambiance and personnel at the Hürrem Sultan Hammam were exceptional. Have never been so wonderfully pampered. Was pleasantly surprised that my husband enjoyed the experience also.
Cappadocia was a fairyland. The predawn hot air balloon ride was magical and so serene. And what fun to stay in a cave hotel!
We were warmly welcomed into the private home
of Udo Hirsch, the owner of a small winery in Gelveri.
After narrating our tour of the cellars where we saw the grapes naturally fermenting in centuries old clay containers, we returned to his family table. We tasted several of his red and white wines accompanied by homemade goat cheese and olives and fresh bread. Unforgettable!
In Safranbolu we stayed two nights in a truly impressive centuries old mansion. Our breakfast was spread out for royalty as we sat beside the indoor pool listening to the water flow softly from the beautiful fountain.
The visit to the Bozdag Film Studio was a special treat after having watched several of the television series that were filmed there. Sets were impressive and it was exciting to meet Günkut, one of the alps that I remember from the Ertugrul series. My husband particularly enjoyed watching the live show that was performed at the end of the afternoon. Horsemanship, costuming and acting were all amazing.
We thoroughly enjoyed the food in Turkey everywhere we went. On our last day Berat joined us for a food tour. Was so nice to meet the lovely young woman who helped us plan our trip of a lifetime. Just when we thought we would explode from eating so much, she asked the waiter for a pumpkin dessert. Oh, my goodness! What a delicious way to end our trip!
My husband and I are retired educators. Worked for 40 yrs and raised 3 wonderful sons. I have traveled abroad and lived in different countries, but my husband has not. I wanted this to be a positive, adventurous and awesome experience for him.
And it was!
Thank you, Berat, all of your well chosen colleagues and KimKim for sharing your beautiful country, culture, history and people with us.
Could not have been a more amazing trip.

Hotel Review

Havuzlu Asmazlar Mansion

Safranbolu

So nice to be out of the big city and into a small town. The Havuzlu Asmazlar Mansion was beautiful and full of history.

Authenticity & Character

Can’t help but feel the history and want to learn more. The wood stairway, the bed, the design on the wood ceiling, the sofas on two sides of the room, the windows and cupboards - all so inspiring. The pool room was lovely. Perfect place to relax, read and have a royal breakfast.

Location

Short walking distance to a cute outdoor restaurant. Good food and a cute little cat to keep you company!

Staff

Staff staff was helpful and eager to please. Prepared a wonderful breakfast. Make sure you allow time to relax and enjoy it!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Bathroom was on the small size but not a problem as the bedroom was very large and I simply stored my extras in the lovely cupboard just outside the bathroom. It’s impossible to keep old wood spotlessly clean, but beyond that, yes, the room was clean. Nice to open windows during the night.

Activity Reviews

Kaymaklı Underground City

Cappadocia

Was a fascinating experience to wander through the caves and to imagine that people actually lived here. If your husband played college football and has broad shoulders and bad knees, you might want to rethink this one though!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Turkish Bath and Spa at Hürrem Sultan Hammam

İstanbul

This was amazingly wonderful! The ambiance was heavenly, high domed ceilings, warm marble slabs, beautiful aromas. The attendant made me feel comfortable immediately with the whole experience. Didn’t take long to get past all shapes and sizes of nakedness. I simply relaxed and enjoyed the pampering. It’s definitely worth splurging to get the whole experience including clay body mask, bubble cleanse, body massage. The fruit drink was a refreshing new taste. And the olives and fruit were perfect. Can’t imagine a better experience than this historical Hammam of Hürrem Sultan.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visit to Bozdag Film Studios

İstanbul

The Bozdag television series is the whole reason that I became interested in Turkey. Was fascinated by the history of the Ottoman Empire and wanted to visit all of the historical sites. I was elated to find out that the film studio had opened to the public. Was even happier to learn that some of the actors were there on the weekends. I was not disappointed. Got to take photos with Günkut Alp from Ertugrul! So magical ! The live show in the afternoon was great! Do NOT miss it! I’m back home now and watching the final season of OSMAN. So much fun to see some of the scenes that were filmed on the sets that I had just visited.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Discover the town of Gelveri: A walk among the Ottoman-Greek heritage of Cappadocia

Cappadocia

We felt quite special being invited into the private home of Udo Hirsch. His passion for making wine was evident from the moment we began our tour. Was incredible to visit the cellars where his wine fermented naturally in containers that were centuries old. Then we were warmly welcomed to his table to taste several of his red and white selections. Friends and family were present. We were made to feel like family as we sipped wine and enjoyed homemade goat cheese, olives and fruit and bread.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Avanos: Discovering the Ceramic Tradition and Light hiking in the Love Valley

Cappadocia

Was interesting to see the artisans at work, making and painting the ceramics . Their work was beautiful but well beyond our budget. Gave us an appreciation for the amazing quality of their work though.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Discover Safranbolu, a unique Ottoman town on UNESCO World Heritage List

Safranbolu

I chose to go to Safranbolu to stay in one of the centuries old houses. The Havuzlu Asmazlar Mansion was a lovely place. Our corner room at the top of the beautiful wooden stairway was very spacious. Bathroom was small, but I simply stored extra items in the little cupboard just outside the bathroom door. The cushioned sofas that filled the room were the perfect place to relax in the evening. The bed was large and comfortable. A short walk around the corner took us to a cute little outdoor restaurant. Food was good and we loved the companionship of one of the local kittens. Breakfast in the morning was a feast. It was served in the room containing a dipping pool. Soothing to listen to the softly flowing water from the fountains.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hot Air Balloon Tour at Sunrise

Cappadocia

Another can’t miss experience! Our pilot was amazing and there were only 16 of us in a basket that fit 20. Simply magical and serene to float above the spectacular scenery. Crew made us feel completely safe from take off to landing. Woke up early the following morning to watch more than one hundred balloons floating by our hotel. The Kelebek Special Cave Hotel was a magical place to stay. I won’t even try to describe it . Please see our photos.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Pilot was funny and crew very capable.

Transport

My husband and I are active, independent travelers and really appreciated customized Berat's itinerary planning for our trip to Turkey. We'd never used KimKim -- or gone to Turkey before -- but had an excellent experience! Berat's hotel choices were great -- we stayed three nights at the Bank Hotel in Istanbul which we really enjoyed (we'd just gotten off a small cabin on a sailboat so the quiet room with the big bed and bathroom were appreciated!) We were paired with a fabulous private guide, Volkan, whose passion, knowledge and enthusiasm about the history of the area was really exciting. We walked all over Istanbul for two days with Volkan and had an amazing time. It's a busy, crowded city and our guide's ability to navigate the crowds, neighborhoods and city sites allowed us to cover the city more efficiently and reduce the stress of doing this all on our own. We travelled on foot, by boat (on the Bosphorus) and by local mass transit and cab. From Istanbul we headed to Canakkale to view some WWI sites and memorials then on to Pergamon, Troy and Sirince (near Ephesus). With Volkan we saw SO many interesting ancient ruins and museums. He providing excellent guiding and briefings, but also gave us time on our own to enjoy and soak up the culture and history. We spent one night in Behramkale at a lovely small hotel with a gorgeous sunset view and then two nights in the village of Sirince. Berat was extremely professional and responsive during the entire process and answered all our questions. It was amazing, all the way around.

Hotel Reviews

The Bank Hotel

Istanbul

Great location and very quiet. Nice bar and upscale restaurant upstairs. They'll do laundry -- but it's spendy (we were desperate!) Excellent breakfast, comfy bed -- perfect, all the way around.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Close to Galata Bridge.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

They left us chocolates!

Bengodi Boutique Hotel

Very few people were staying here so we pretty much had the place to ourselves. Beautiful area. We had a wine tasting and ate dinner there that night - great food. Also the small adjacent museum is worth a look.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Assos Sunset Boutique Hotel

Çanakkale

Very cute, friendly hotel. I would not recommend for anyone with mobility issues as there were a lot of stone steps! Beautiful terrace with sunset views. We had a simple pasta dinner and a bottle of wine - very enjoyable. Watched the distant lightening as the sky grew dark.

Authenticity & Character

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very good - but there were dead batteries in the TV and the power outlet by the sink did not work. A few minor things. Otherwise very comfortable overall.

Nisanyan Houses

Selçuk

I'm so glad Berat booked us here. It's at the far end of the village on a rather rough road but worth it. Enjoyed dining there two nights -- beautiful terrace and nice breakfast, too. I wouldn't recommend for folks with mobility issues as the road is a bit rough and uphill. Fun to walk through the shops and lanes below the hotel.

Authenticity & Character

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Discover Byzantine + Ottoman Istanbul

İstanbul

Our guide gave us an amazing history lesson when he met us at our hotel the first day -- a review of Ottoman and pre-Ottoman Empire history that we really appreciated as it put everything in perspective. We did the mosques and the Topkapi Palace on a Sunday and the city was really busy and crowded. Having a guide made a difference! Istanbul is amazing.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Urban Hiking Tour: Strolling around Old City Walls, Fener + Balat

İstanbul

We walked all over! Having Volkan (our guide) with just me and Connelly made this a really fun -- and efficient day. We especially enjoyed a local farmer's market. Spices cost less there than at the bigger Spice market. Our trip on the Bosphorus was fun, too. Another way to see the city -- by water.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Transfer to Çanakkale: Explore the WWI Sites of Gallipoli -

Turkey

I was really curious about this strategic area of the world -- and the battles fought there during WWI. The memorials and views are great and our guide did a great job of providing background and context.

We used Kim-Kim in the past and will continue to do so because they take care of every detail so we don't have to. The professionalism of the company, organizers and local partners shows through in how they communicate, cleanliness of vehicles, promptness of drivers and tour guides and quality of activities based on our input keeps us coming back. We appreciated the historical knowledge of our guide, Ibrahim, in Istanbul. He made sure we were able to see and do what we requested with flexibility and space to explore. Hatice in Cappadocia was also knowledgeable and she synched well to our level of fun. We whole heartedly recommend Ibrahim and Hatice.

Hotel Reviews

Kale Konak Hotel

The hotel staff was so helpful and friendly. The hotel itself is beautiful and a true Cappadocia experience. Breakfast was yummy!

Authenticity & Character

The hillside setting, cave hallways and furnishings.

Location

I thought we would be able to see the balloons better.

Staff

Available when we needed something, always accommodating and took their job seriously.

Cleanliness & Comfort

It is difficult to keep everything clean in a dusty, open air setting and yet they were all over it. Most impressive.

Recital Hotel

Istanbul

We would stay there again but Istanbul is a city that never sleeps so it was a bit noisy at night.

Authenticity & Character

I wouldn't say it had or didn't have character. It was just nicely put together with everything you needed.

Location

Short walk to Hagia Sofia and the Blue Mosque. Fabulous view of the Bosporus from the rooftop terrace.

Staff

Mike at Reception was very informative and immediately took care of our internet and phone challenge.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Everything throughout the hotel was clean. I would have given 5 stars if the rooftop terrace was an active, working part of the hotel instead of an after thought place to sit. There was a bar but drinks were delivered from the lobby instead of using this space.

Park Inn by Radisson Istanbul Airport

Istanbul

We used this hotel because it is "close" to the airport and we had an early flight the next morning. Everything was clean and the staff was friendly. We really appreciated that there was a full service restaurant on the premise.

Authenticity & Character

Lots of room amenities. This is a great business traveler hotel. You most likely would not stay there to see the sites.

Location

No hotels are really close to the airport however this one is only 15 minutes away.

Staff

Very friendly and helpful. They took care of booking our early morning taxi pickup.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Kaymaklı Underground City

Cappadocia

MUST experience this unique site.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hot Air Balloon Tour at Sunrise

Cappadocia

We have been up in balloons before yet never experienced the large basket style. It was fun to go up with Americans, Spaniards and a group from Poland.

Quality of Experience

There was never a question of what to expect and where you needed to be.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The professionalism of Royal Balloon company was without flaw. A well oiled machine at every step. Pilots Kemis and Omar where fun and capable. Loved that they took us low into the valley and landed right on the trailer at the end.

Transport

The coordination from pick up to drop off was representative of a company that has done this a million times.

Discover Byzantine + Ottoman Istanbul

İstanbul

Going with a local guide - especially Ibrahim that has lived in Istanbul all his life - made the site's history come alive. He showed us places a tourist on their own might not know about. And we were able to navigate the crowds with ease.

Quality of Experience

It was interesting to see the European and Asian side differences.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

It was fun to experience a taxi, boat and metro.

Transport

We were walking so it wasn't an issue.

Public Boat Tour on the Bosphorus

İstanbul

Istanbul is soo big that the boat ride helps you see things that would otherwise take too much time to see via land. It is a nice respite from all the walking. Grab a bite to eat from one of the many nice restaurants under the bridge. The food is good and you start to get a feel for how busy the waterway actually is.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

It was helpful to have our guide, Ibrahim, tell us what we were seeing as it was difficult to hear information from the loud speaker on the boat.

Transport

I liked that the boat went up one side of the strait then down the other.

Crossing between Continents: Explore Kadıköy and Moda

İstanbul

The crossing gave us the opportunity to get away from the tourist attractions and see how locals live.

Quality of Experience

The lunch stop was different - a buffet of sorts where you could make various selections.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Speaking absolutely no Turkish, having our guide, Ibrahim, interpret and advise was indispensable.

Transport

We rode the metro under the Bosphorus!

Çamlıca Tower

İstanbul

I wanted to go here to ensure seeing the city in its entirety (not possible). It wasn't spellbinding like I thought it would be. The structure itself is more of the attraction.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

I liked that we used public transportation instead of a hired driver. It was much more fun to be with locals.

Transport

If you enjoy aggressive driving, you will love the taxi ride to/from the tower. That experience was actually the most fun as we took many back streets to avoid traffic jams.

Visiting Göreme Open Air Museum (UNESCO World Heritage)

Cappadocia

It has taken abuse over the years from people defacing the structures. Still, the history is worth knowing. I'm glad it is now being preserved.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Hatice was able to maneuver us around the crowds, give the history and knew the best places for us to take photos.

Transport

Our driver, Borak, was with us the entire three days. Prompt, courteous, safe driver and always had water on hand.

Avanos: Discovering the Ceramic Tradition and Light hiking in the Love Valley

Cappadocia

Their work is extremely nice and, while the designs/shapes are basically the same whatever place you wish to buy, it is very apparent their work is superior. I only gave it 4 stars because I didn't know there would be such an emphasis on making a purchase. Same for the carpet place we visited. When you are young you want to buy items. When you are old like me, you are trying to get rid of your stuff - not add to it.

Quality of Experience

My husband and I enjoyed the complimentary glass of wine.

Cooking Class in Cappadocia

Cappadocia

What a hoot! Loved Ina. In true Turkish tradition, we made lots of food and then she had prepared even more food to share. Seriously, we were stuffed!!

Quality of Experience

Always fun to have an in-home experience. This was her kitchen.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Hatice had to interpret everything. It was fun having her join in with the cooking and share some of her childhood eating stories as well.

Transport

We picked up Ina's daughter in town so she could give Borak directions through the neighborhood. Better than a GPS!

We had a great time seeing Cappadocia and Istanbul. Our guides Hatice and Volkan were great and very knowledgeable. It was nice to end the trip relaxing on the beach in Bodrum.

Hotel Review

Kelebek Special Cave Hotel

Nevsehir

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Hot Air Balloon Tour at Sunrise

Cappadocia

The hot air balloon sunrise is a must see in Cappadocia.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed our 4 and a half day trip to Istanbul. Taking it all in would have been impossible without the valuable suggestions from the local KimKim travel specialists at Trail Travel. Communication with them was easy and comforting. The most vital part of the trip was securing the services of the same wonderful guide each day - Betul Basak. She made sure we saw the highlights of the old city and gave us a taste of the city literally with a fabulous food tour. She was easy going, easy to understand, knowledgeable with a degree in Art History but mostly we found her delightful. We walked a lot but that is common in a big city and Istanbul is huge! We also learned to use the excellent public transportation system. We had wonderful meals arranged and reserved by our kimkim travel specialist Berat. A very satisfying trip! We will use kimkim again.

Exceptional service here! My daughter and I were making a last minute trip to Turkey. Berat Ornek is a rockstar! Berat was able to accommodate our plans and made a very memorable trip a reality. She kept in constant touch thru the trip to ensure quality. We even got a chance to meet her in Cappadocia - she is lovely and the meal at her brother’s hotel was a highlight! Our tour guide Ozan Tokcan is one of a kind. He goes above and beyond at every step and became a friend and travel companion. We visited Istanbul, cappadocia and Izmir/Pamukkale - a special trip made special by Berat and Ozan!

Activity Reviews

Hot Air Balloon Tour at Sunrise

Cappadocia

A truly magical experience in a magical place

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visiting Göreme Open Air Museum (UNESCO World Heritage)

Cappadocia

A treasure well preserved! Highly recommend with a quality guide like Ozan Tokcan who brought history to life!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Kaymaklı Underground City

Cappadocia

Such a unique spot! The history and ingenuity of the people past is amazing to see!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sunset Wine + Romance in Cappadocian Valleys

Cappadocia

We were graced by the top 3 subsets of my life. Surreal!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our guides were both very knowledgeable, friendly, and flexible. They definitely added to the experience! The personal anecdotes and experiences of the guides enhanced our visit and helped gain a deeper understanding of the culture and history of Turkey. Would absolutely book again!

Our trip to Turkey was fabulous. Berat did a wonderful job of ensuring all the details were taken care of prior to our arrival and set us up for a great time. Our guides Ibrahim and Hatice were excellent and made sure we had a great experience. They were very knowledgeable about the history and used their wealth of experience to help us navigate all of the amazing attractions to avoid any unnecessary stress. I would highly recommend this trip to anyone who wants a deep cultural experience in Turkey.

Overall a very good trip and experience. The highlight was clearly the ballon trip at Cappadocia. But the flights planning did not go well and the hotel at Instambul was bellow our fair expectations.

The guides and the people at the hotels took good care of us. Berat was very careful and responsive, specially when had a problem with the connections on our flights.

Hotel Reviews

Gül Konaklari Sinasos (Rose Mansions Sinasos)

Nevsehir

Nice hotel and good service. Value for money.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Recital Hotel

Istanbul

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Public Boat Tour on the Bosphorus

İstanbul

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Quad Bike Tour at Sunset

Cappadocia

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Discover Byzantine + Ottoman Istanbul

İstanbul

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Eminönü Heritage Tour: Explore the Historical Bazaars and Ottoman Architectural Sites of Istanbul

İstanbul

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visiting Göreme Open Air Museum (UNESCO World Heritage)

Cappadocia

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sightseeing Around Uçhisar and Discovering the Cappadocian Valleys

Cappadocia

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Whirling Dervish Ceremony at Saruhan Caravansarai

Turkey

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hot Air Balloon Tour at Sunrise

Cappadocia

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Kaymaklı Underground City

Cappadocia

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Avanos: Discovering the Ceramic Tradition and Light hiking in the Love Valley

Cappadocia

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

I recently returned from a trip to Turkey using KimKim for the second time (Norway was the first).

Once again, they did not disappoint.

They connected me with Berat, my local contact and she was nothing short of amazing. She put together the perfect trip for my families interests and we had an absolutly amazing time. It was a trip containing both educational and historical moments, as well as outdoor adventure including ballooning, white water rafting, sea kayaking and biking. Berat was in constant contact with us, almost daily, confirming activites and transfers, as well as checking in to make sure we were happy and content. She was/is truly a gem and if you have the opportunity to have her plan/manage your trip, you won't be disappointed.

Hotel Reviews

Akra Antalya Hotel

Antalya

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Divan Çukurhan Hotel

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Doğa Thermal Hotel & Spa

Denizli

The Doğa Thermal Hotel & Spa was a bit of a letdown. The air conditioning was not functioning well, which was uncomfortable given the heat. However, the staff was friendly and tried their best to accommodate us.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Bank Hotel

Istanbul

The Bank Hotel was awesome. We had a two-bedroom apartment which was perfect for our family. The location was great, and the service was outstanding.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Kale Konak Hotel

The cave hotel was a unique experience. It was comfortable and well-appointed. The staff was friendly and accommodating.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Suna Sun Hotel

Antalya

Hotel was wonderful. The rooms were comfortable, and the staff was helpful and friendly. The location was excellent.

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Horseback Safari in Beautiful Cappadocian Valleys

Cappadocia

The horseback ride was a great adventure. It was well organized, and the horses were well cared for. It was a fun and unique way to explore the beautiful Cappadocian Valleys.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Rafting Adventure at Koprulu Canyon

Antalya

The whitewater rafting exceeded my expectations. It was a thrilling adventure, and the guides were friendly and experienced. The rafting company was very professional. This was one of the top activities of our trip.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sea Kayaking at Kekova

Kas

Sea kayaking was a wonderful experience. We loved getting up close to the ruins and the water was crystal clear. It was a great day out on the water.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hot Air Balloon Tour at Sunrise

Cappadocia

The hot air balloon ride was the highlight of our trip. It was an incredible experience, one that will stay with us forever. The views were surreal, and the entire experience was well organized.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

My husband and I had an amazing two-week trip to Turkey. We like to plan our travel but were so happy that we made the decision to have Berat plan our trip. We gave her a rough itinerary, along with our interest and she took it from there. Recommending additions, and taking care of all of our in-country travel, hotels, transportation, and arrangements with the BEST tour guides. We can't say enough about how knowledgeable our tour guides were, our friendly drivers, and the attentiveness of Berat at every step of our trip.

Hotel Reviews

Gül Konaklari Sinasos (Rose Mansions Sinasos)

Nevsehir

The Gul Konaklari in Sinasos is a special property to stay at while in the Cappadocia region of Turkey. It is a beautiful former Greek Mansion that is quiet and beautiful. The staff is attentive and as friendly as they come. We enjoyed both the sumptuous breakfasts, as well as the delicious dinners. What we also appreciated about the hotel is its location, away from the touristy section of the region. The town of Sinasos is a lovely location.

Authenticity & Character

Location

It's quiet and in a lovely town to explore.

Staff

So attentive, genuinely kind, and always a big smile.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Nisanyan Houses

Selçuk

A lovely small hotel on the hillside overlooking the town. An easy walk into the town to explore the market. Great views, attentive staff, and excellent meals. They were kind enough to offer to make us breakfasts to do when we had to depart at 4 am!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Discover Byzantine + Ottoman Istanbul

İstanbul

Quality of Experience

A very depth tour of the heritage of the region and it's relict buildings.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our tour guide Damla was terrific

Transport

Overall, my family of four had a great trip to Turkey - we visited Cappadocia, Ephesus, Sirince, Pamukkale in 6 days. The trip was well-organized, with very good guides and drivers and solid communication / timing throughout. Irfan, our guide in Cappadocia was extremely knowledgeable and Ozan, in Ephesus and Pamukkale, was very energetic and engaging with our kids. Both guides were very flexible and able to tailor the days to our particular tastes.

There were a few details we didn't love - we have shared that feedback with Berat directly.

Our guide Rudy was awesome! His knowledge about history, art, culture, landscape and great places to eat was invaluable. He was fun and interesting too! Also, he was adept at tweaking the itinerary on the fly to ensure to maximize time spent at locations with the least amount of driving times. Beret was responsive to our requests and kept us updated on logistics. Amazing trip start to finish!

Hotel Reviews

Museum Hotel

Nevşehir

Super location. Interesting to stay inside a cave, but all the comforts available. Great food and atmosphere in a beautiful atmosphere.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Ciragan Palace Kempinski Hotel

Istanbul

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Kempinski Hotel Bodrum Barbaros Bay

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Our room was outdated and dark, no character at all and the shower was darn right dangerous to get in and out of.

Activity Reviews

Sunset Wine + Romance in Cappadocian Valleys

Cappadocia

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Rudy was the best guide we could have asked for - fun and knowledgeable. His logistical sense made it an easy trip to see all of the important sites.

Transport

Hot Air Balloon Tour at Sunrise

Cappadocia

It’s an early morning start for an incredible adventure. Be advised, there is down time waiting for groups to assemble at a breakfast area. It wasn’t so warm and inviting at 4am, but once the balloon pilot and crew take over it’s an amazing experience that was top-notch!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Istanbul Archaeological Museum Tour

İstanbul

One of the best curated museums. Fascinating, a definite must!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Boat Tour at Bodrum

Bodrum

The boat tour and swimming opportunities were wonderful, but what it special was the Captain and crew that were warm and friendly. The lunch was simple, but fantastic - one of our favorite meals of the trip.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sightseeing Around Uçhisar and Discovering the Cappadocian Valleys

Cappadocia

Cool areas and interesting history. The valleys with the chimney fairies are must-see places. Special places!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Boat Tour on the Bosphorus

İstanbul

We took our guide with us which made the sunset trip even better - learning about the areas by water and the development of the port area was interesting.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The trip to Turkey where we enjoyed Istanbul and Cappadocia was very good. Our guide in Instanbul Burak was the best who was so knowledgable about the culture that made our trip the memorable. The balloon ride in Cappadocia was really memorable for us. Our group of 18 family members each enjoyed the trip to the maximum. Thanks for organizing the trip and getting things in place

This was our first trip to Turkey, it will not be our last, we have had it on our plans for many years and when we finally managed the trip it has been beyond our expectations.

From early on we had a fluid contact with Berat, who understood clearly what we were looking to gain from our visit. The trip went 100% according to plan and at every stage of the trip the logistics of flights, guides and transport were superb.

Our local guides Onder and Alp were extremely knowledgeable and attentive to our questions. We enjoyed greatly our experiences with them.

We look forward to planning with KimKim our future trips.

Hotel Reviews

Hagia Sofia Mansions Istanbul, Curio Collection by Hilton

Fatih Istanbul

Location is perfect and service was very attentive.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Argos in Cappadocia

Nevsehir

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Accessability to the rooms and common areas is difficult for people of limited mobility.

Akra Antalya Hotel

Antalya

Major US style resort hotel. The best breakfast I have ever had.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Changa Hotel

Antalya

Great people and very helpful, it is a rustic stay.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Doğa Thermal Hotel & Spa

Denizli

Good location and an excellent Spa. Buffet style food plentiful but only average.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Pera Palace

Istanbul

A true gem and peaceful in the middle of a buzzing Istanbul. 19th Century splendor at its best.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Discover Byzantine + Ottoman Istanbul

İstanbul

Food Tour in Istanbul

İstanbul

This tour could be improved.

Public Boat Tour on the Bosphorus

İstanbul

We were unlucky with the rain, which may have influenced our review.

Eminönü Heritage Tour: Explore the Historical Bazaars and Ottoman Architectural Sites of Istanbul

İstanbul

Everything you expect it to be.

Hot Air Balloon Tour at Sunrise

Cappadocia

Outstanding and must be experienced.

Visiting Göreme Open Air Museum (UNESCO World Heritage)

Cappadocia

Avanos: Discovering the Ceramic Tradition and Light hiking in the Love Valley

Cappadocia

The hike was great, the ceramics was a commercial spot.

Kaymaklı Underground City

Cappadocia

Fantastic - hard to believe what you are experiencing and seeing. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and enhanced our visit to this amazing site.

Sightseeing Around Uçhisar and Discovering the Cappadocian Valleys

Cappadocia

Sunset Wine + Romance in Cappadocian Valleys

Cappadocia

Was just what we needed and was extraordinary. A perfect end to our visit to Capaddocia.

Explore the Old Town and Antalya's Archaeological Heritage

Antalya

The museum and the guide Alp was outstanding.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Explore Phaselis: Port city of the Lycian League

Turkey

The Eternal Flame of Chimera

Turkey

Quality of Experience

Cape Gelidonya Hike

Turkey

For the keen and experienced hikers. Views and experience are excellent of the Lycian Way. Our guide was enthusiastic and led the way with plenty of stops and hydration during the 9-hour hike.

Pamukkale and Hierapolis

Pamukkale

A true thermal experience from the Roman times.

Turkey Trip:
ISTANBUL: has some beautiful sites of such historical relevance. We appreciated the tours by Hatice, who was very friendly and knowledgeable. The hotel selected by Berat was substandard, DINGY, and in desperate need of refreshing and updating. The Staff were great.
The food tour was lacking; the market was pretty but touristy and monotonous - are there no "real" markets for locals that would be far more intriguing?
CAPPADOCIA: was amazing. We were pleased with our hotel although it lacked some additional things like a soap dish and only one towel each. The only coffee in room and at bkft was Nescafe Instant - yuck!
ANTALYA: stop over for a night was a nice stay in a modern hotel. Then off at 6AM for a flight to get to Kas.
KAS: delightful town. The HOTEL THAT WAS SELECTED FOR US WAS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE. We complained to Berat who thought it would be alright to suggest one of our two couples could move to a larger room. After much emphatic dialogue on our part, she came up with another hotel that we visited before approving. It was fantastic.
WE BELIEVE THAT BEFORE ANY TOUR COORDINATOR SUGGESTS ACCOMMODATION, THAT THEY CHECK THEM OUT FIRST-HAND/IN-PERSON. OUR LOCAL GUIDE HAD NEVER VISITED EITHER OF OUR HOTELS.
All-in-all it was a wonderful trip, but some quality aspects left us disappointed.

We had a great trip to Turkey in May. Berat did an excellent job with our itinerary and was very flexible when we had to change our dates. She was a pleasure to work with. Berat very organized and each step of our trip was planned perfectly. She was able to combine all the sights we wanted to see including Istanbul, Capodoccia, Ephesus, and the Mediterranean coast into a 10 day trip for 4 family members. Fortunately, the weather cooperated and allowed us to do everything in our itinerary. The guides and drivers were very good as were the accommodations that Berat recommended. I wholeheartedly recommend Berat as a trip planner when considering traveling to Turkey.

Sometimes, when you are most lucky, a trip becomes an indelible, lifetime memory. We chose Türkiye as our destination because of the amazing history and beautiful, varied geography of the region. Berat was our KimKim travel planner, and she organized an experience for us that we could have never arranged on our own. The itinerary she designed allotted the time we had to the cities/places we wanted to see in the perfect segments. The accommodations she chose for us were unparalleled for location, views, and service. The transportation was unfailingly top notch and professional. Berat recommended the perfect tours and she arranged a special request visit for us to a local business that is an area of particular interest and it was a highlight of our trip. (I am amazed at how she did this!) We did the balloon experience in Cappadocia (a bucket list item), and she chose, from the many options, a truly expert operation. This incredible memory will never dim!
The hospitality of the Turkish people is legendary. And the true magic of our trip was the assistance of the local guides. Hattie in Cappadocia, Erdem in Istanbul, and Alp in Antalya- all were amazing. Having the insight and the assistance of guides intimately familiar with everywhere and everything you will encounter enriches every precious moment. These special guides can take you exactly to the sites and experiences that will make your trip unforgettable.
Thank you to each individual who helped make our trip the amazing, seamless experience it was!