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active 12 hours ago

Katie Acheson-Gray

I am originally from the UK, but I have been working and travelling across Norway for 5 years now.

After two years of living in Norway's most northern and remote region, I soon realised the importance of respecting local culture and encouraging slow travel.

I'm passionate about outdoor adventures and authentic travel experiences, and I love to share that with others visiting Norway.

How did you get involved in travel?

"I have always enjoyed travelling and experiencing new places and cultures. Soon after coming to Norway, I fell in love with the incredible landscapes and slow-paced lifestyle, and decided to make northern Norway my home at the start of 2020. Since then I have gained several years experience working in the travel industry, working across different hotels, lodges and resorts. "

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"Whilst out cross-country skiing in Finnmark (northern Norway), I came across not one, but ten moose! It's very rare you see moose in big groups, so to see this in the wild felt very special. They ran off as soon as they caught sight of us, but it was certainly a memorable experience!

"

Katie is part of the following groups: Norway Travel Agents
Top itineraries and travel advice
Family itineraries
Road trip itineraries

Recent trip reviews for Katie

Our entire trip was incredible! Katie designe...
Norway | Jan 9 - Jan 16, 2025

K
Kevin J.
Oklahoma City, OK | Reviewed on Jan 20, 2025

Our entire trip was incredible! Katie designed a trip that included a variety of activities, as well as free time for us to explore. She has been so easy to work with, very responsive to every question, full of exactly the information we needed. I have so many great memories from this trip. I would like to return to Norway some day and hope Katie is still doing this work at that time.

Local specialist: Katie Acheson-Gray

Thank you Katie - Great Trip!
Norway | Jan 9 - Jan 16, 2025

Michael
Michael J.
Alhambra, AZ | Reviewed on Jan 20, 2025
Katie was a great travel agent for our family and planned a great trip for us! Katie was very responsive and incredibly helpful. Her local knowledge allowed her to pick great accommodations and activities. Our trip exceeded our expectations in everyway (except that we didn't get to see the northern lights in 8 nights - but Katie nor Kim Kim can control the weather!). I would highly recommend Katie to a plan a trip for those who are comfortable driving and doing outdoor activities. Read more

Katie was a great travel agent for our family and planned a great trip for us! Katie was very responsive and incredibly helpful. Her local knowledge allowed her to pick great accommodations and activities. Our trip exceeded our expectations in everyway (except that we didn't get to see the northern lights in 8 nights - but Katie nor Kim Kim can control the weather!). I would highly recommend Katie to a plan a trip for those who are comfortable driving and doing outdoor activities.

Hotel Reviews
Scandic Grand Tromsø
Tromsø

We enjoyed our stay at the Scandic Grand Tromso and would stay here again. First, the location is great and cannot be beat in Tromso (only matched at best). It is unique in the area (from what I saw) that there is an area for taxis or cars to pull over to so they are not in the road, and it serves as a great loading/unloading zone. The hotel's breakfast was great and had a huge selection of food and coffees, appealing to many different backgrounds. The rooms were comfortable and appointed well. We stayed in a corner room on the upper floor with floor to ceiling glass windows which provided scenic views of Tromso and the surrounding area. I really enjoyed our stay here. We also visited the bar and the bar tender was great - the space is also great for hanging out in. The only reason I give it 4 stars instead of 5 is that they do not have a hot tub.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Malangen Resort
Skutvik, Meistervik

We were upgraded to a junior suite and it was an absolutely incredible room. The furnishings, the lighting, the floor to ceiling windows, and space was all amazing. It all felt quite premium and upscale. The hotel's restaurant served great food, and the included breakfast was well appointed. The activities provided by the resort are extensive and truly great experiences. Our tour guide on the night time snow shoeing (Elisa) was wonderful and gave us an incredible experience. I would recommend staying here!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hamn i Senja
Skaland

We stayed 3 nights in a 2-bedroom apartment here and thoroughly enjoyed our stay. The hotel's staff were all very friendly and helpful, and greatly added to the experience of our trip. The activities they offer are great and we enjoyed the boat tour. The surrounding area has amazing views and this was a great home base to explore the beautiful area from. The 2 bedroom apartment was a great space for a family, however I would not describe the accommodation ass well-appointed or upscale at all. It is a very comfortable and serviceable apartment, but after the previous hotels we stayed at it felt a bit down-market. That said, I would stay here again for the views, location, staff, restaurant, and activities. The main challenge we faced was finding where to check in. There are no signs from the road as to were reception/check in was and it was also very hard to find where to park. They could improve by adding signage.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Thon Hotel Tromsø
Tromsø

This was my least favorite hotel we stayed at on the trip, and in my opinion was not as good as the Scandic Grand we stayed at. The location is slightly worse, there is no loading zone in front of the hotel, the room was smaller, and the staff wasn't as friendly. It is a fine stay however and I wouldn't avoid it - but I would book the Scandic Grand over it.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Wildlife & Fjord Safari by boat
Wildlife & Fjord Safari by boat
Senja

This was a great way to see the beauty of the surrounding area, the various fjords, mountains, and towns. They took us through the archipelago near Hamn and we were able to see wild seals, sea eagles, and other birds. The views were simply stunning, and the guide was amazing. He provided great information about the area and was very friendly and helpful. It was the right length of time and was one of the highlights of our stay.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Snowshoeing Under the Evening Sky
Snowshoeing Under the Evening Sky
Norway

This was an INCREDIBLE experience, we were able to snowshoe through a foot of fresh snow and the snow was continuing to fall. The guide (Elisa) was great, and it turned out that we had a private tour as there were no other guests on the activity. The guide shared knowledge about the plants, animals, tracks we saw, the area, and more and really made the experience even better. The hike itself was really fun and was long enough to feel worth it. My 68 year old father (who is in decent shape) was able to complete it (with several breaks) and as a fit & active 30 year old I felt it was an easy hike overall. The area itself was beautiful and we enjoyed the campfire we made in the snow and roasted some sausages and marshmallows. I would do this again and highly recommend it!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Aurora Dinner Cruise
Aurora Dinner Cruise
Tromsø

We really enjoyed this activity but unfortunately had bad weather. The food was good, and the staff was very fun and friendly. On a good weather night this would be a 5 star activity. On bad weather it was a nice meal on the inside of a ferry boat. The staff was great and had interesting information about the area and Norway.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Katie Acheson-Gray

The person in charge of us is Katie. From th...
Norway | Oct 19 - Oct 24, 2024

Ken
Ken Y.
Japan | Reviewed on Oct 29, 2024
The person in charge of us is Katie. From the veru beginning till the end of the trip, she has been more than kindly, helpful, and personable. She provided detailed information regarding transportation, accommodation and activities. Hence, we did not get confused and lost at all. The guide/driver for our van trip truly was such a professional, who knew what she was doing. The night was cloudy and rainy, but she somehow led us to the places where the Northern Lights suddenly appeared. ... Read more

The person in charge of us is Katie. From the veru beginning till the end of the trip, she has been more than kindly, helpful, and personable. She provided detailed information regarding transportation, accommodation and activities. Hence, we did not get confused and lost at all.

The guide/driver for our van trip truly was such a professional, who knew what she was doing. The night was cloudy and rainy, but she somehow led us to the places where the Northern Lights suddenly appeared. She also was extremely kindly to all of us, taking great pictures of us. And she was a very smooth driver.

Hotel Reviews
Amerikalinjen
Oslo

Very well located, nice and clean

Authenticity & Character
Staff was very kindly and helpful.
Location
Next to the train station and center city
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Bergen Børs Hotel
Bergen

Very well located. Nice and clean. They pillow was too soft for us though.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Scandic Ishavshotel
Tromsø

Good location, convenient. Too crowded.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Aurora Dinner Cruise
Aurora Dinner Cruise
Tromsø

Nice and clean. Food was good even if the fish was a bit too cold in some parts.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Northern Lights Adventure in Tromsø
Northern Lights Adventure in Tromsø
Tromsø

The guide was excellent, she knows how to find Northern Lights. Her driving skill was also great.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Katie Acheson-Gray
Katie
Katie Acheson-Gray
Local specialist in Sørreisa | Replied on Oct 30, 2024

Thank you for the positive feedback Ken! So glad to hear you and Jinah had a great time here in Norway, and amazing you got to see the northern lights too!
Hope we can welcome you back to Norway another time 😊
Best regards,
Katie

This was a wonderful trip!!! The KimKim peopl...
Norway | Sep 4 - Sep 17, 2024

Russell
Russell G.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Sep 18, 2024
This was a wonderful trip!!! The KimKim people were readily available and led us to some fun sites and activities. The guides were comfortable and knowledgeable and were quick to sell the good of Norway. It really pays to do the city guide deal, getting oriented and finding opportunities for more exploration. The stave churches are pretty amazing, but finding them and exploring their localities makes them even more valuable. We heartily endorse KimKim and our main contact, Katie😎👍 Blue... Read more

This was a wonderful trip!!! The KimKim people were readily available and led us to some fun sites and activities. The guides were comfortable and knowledgeable and were quick to sell the good of Norway. It really pays to do the city guide deal, getting oriented and finding opportunities for more exploration. The stave churches are pretty amazing, but finding them and exploring their localities makes them even more valuable. We heartily endorse KimKim and our main contact, Katie😎👍

Blue skies!
R&L Gee
Cambridge, Ma

Hotel Reviews
Bestebakken
Hafslo

Not to be missed! Run by a delightful woman and her husband - all guests eating at one big table and this lady can cook! This is a must see!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Gomobu Mountain Lodge
Valdres

Great location for getting lost on small, fun roads with the requisite Norwegian vistas. We think it’s a popular hiking location. Warm staff and decent food.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Katie Acheson-Gray
Katie
Katie Acheson-Gray
Local specialist in Sørreisa | Replied on Sep 19, 2024

Hi Russell,
So glad to hear you and Linde had a great time here in Norway. It was a pleasure organising this trip for you both, and I will be sure to pass on your positive feedback to our local guides.
Thank you for choosing to book with us - hopefully we can welcome you back another time 😊
Best regards,
Katie