Book custom-made trips to create lifelong memories

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active 8 hours ago

My favorite definition is-
Travel (travel-ǝl)-noun- The only thing you buy that makes you richer.

I have had the privilege of traveling to numerous countries. Traveling close to the earth has provided me a window into different walks of life. I crave interacting with locals and experiencing all a region offers. I always take the time to stroll through remote villages or big cities to get a feel for what the environment offers. I love to explore historical castles, reach the peak of the tallest mountains, and let the ocean lap against my feet.

What places and activities do you specialize in?

"France offers a diverse topography and rich history; it's full of culture, culinary delights, and adventure. France is all things to all people. I can help you create an itinerary so you, your family, or your group can see the beautiful scenery everywhere, from amazing cityscapes to wineries, coastlines, and mountain ranges. You will also have the opportunity to visit all the top destinations in Paris that travelers come back to see time and time again. "

How did you get involved in travel?

"I became hooked on travel at a very young age. Road trips around the USA were my first taste of exploration, and that was the gateway to wanting to see more of the world. I moved to New Zealand and drove on every road on the South Island. From there, Europe's topography drew me in, and it's history, culture, and architecture provided ways to connect with the location and people. I didn't realize that feeling in my heart would become necessary and even addictive throughout my life. "

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"I will never forget the first time I visited Paris. It was so important to me to see the city lights at night and the city's vast expanse during the day. The city kept pulling us in directions we couldn't resist going. By the end of the first day, we had walked 17 miles exploring all we could, and there was still so much more to see. It's the city that just keeps giving. Packing hint- bring 2 pairs of walking shoes so you can alternate them to give your feet a rest day after day. "

Liz's favorite itineraries and travel advice

Favorite experiences

Tour the D-Day Sites of Normandy

Normandy is well-known for its important war sites from WWII. Spend an emotional day touring some of the most important areas, discovering the powerful legacy of D-Day on Normandy's landscape, as well as its effect on the world. A local specialist will lead you across Normandy's coast, and as an...

Visit Mont-Saint-Michel

Spend the day exploring Mont-Saint-Michel. The iconic abbey sits on an island in the middle of a huge bay, where Europe's biggest tides create a natural moat. Mont-Saint-Michel has roots from 708 CE, when the Archangel St. Michel ordered Aubert, the bishop of Avranches, to build a sanctuary on...

Climb the Arc de Triomphe in Paris

Enjoy an unforgettable panoramic view from the top of the Arc de Triomphe. This intricately sculpted arc sits at the center of the Étoile (star) roundabout in unison with a magnificent view of the 12 Parisian avenues radiating out of the city's center. At 164 feet tall (50 m), the view is bound...

Loire Valley: Châteaus de Chambord & Chenonceau

Visit two of the Loire Valley's most popular chateaus, starting with Chambord, whose French-Renaissance construction dates back to the early 16th century. Thanks to its stately facade and sprawling grounds, this extravagant chateau is one of France's most famous and recognizable. Take the grand...

Hike to Lac Blanc in the French Alps

Enjoy a full day trekking in beautiful Chamonix, hiking to the one-and-only Lac Blanc (Lake Blanc) set at 7760 feet (over 2300 m). This route is set in the Chamonix Valley, offering panoramic views of Mont Blanc, the most famous peak in the French Alps. You can start in the village of Les Praz,...

Treasures of Provence: Arles, Les Baux, Saint Rémy, & Alpilles

Enjoy a full tour of Provence, discovering its treasures, culture, and heritage. Start with a walking tour in Arles, a city known for its Roman heritage and art. You'll visit its famous Roman amphitheater and other preserved ancient sites. You'll also see the places depicted by Van Gogh in his...

Recent trip reviews for Liz

Walking tours in Paris- well worth it!
France | Mar 15 - Mar 19, 2025

Alisa N.

Canada | Reviewed on Mar 24, 2025

We are big fans of walking tours. In Paris, we did a French Revolution tour, Sebastian was great and interactive. I have a better understanding of timelines and how it shaped modern Paris. The Wine and Cheese tasting was intimate and delicious. We learned the French way of wine tasting and tried red and white in different regions. Also, watched Parisians come in and choose wines for their evening. The Notre Dame and Sainte Chappelle tour was rich in history, architecture and interesting stories. We would have missed 90% what was there without an educated guide. The same goes for the tour of Palais Garnier, deep in beautiful and layered architecture, stories and history.
Liz planned our activities so that we didn’t waste time in our few days there. It was an active, relaxing romp around Paris.

Hotel Review

Hôtel Lorette - Astotel

Paris

Great staff, lobby and breakfast. Rooms are clean and beds were firm and comfortable. We slept great facing the courtyard. Metro and restaurants were good near the hotel too.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Very friendly and helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Wine & Cheese Tasting Experience

Paris

We enjoyed visiting this new area of Paris. It’s an intimate gathering where you can ask questions and experience wines from different regions of France. Very memorable and fun

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Private French Revolution Walking Tour For All Ages

Paris

Sebastian was a great guide! We finished with a good upstanding of the timeline, where it started and who was there (don’t want to give away the surprises). It’s an easy walk and he was good with engaging the 15 year old in our group. Good for history buffs and always good to have a chance to talk with locals.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Local specialist: Liz Chreist

Read all France reviews

Four nights in Paris with great local atmosphere
France | Mar 15 - Mar 19, 2025

Andrew M.

Canada | Reviewed on Mar 23, 2025

Despite a bit of an uphill climb in the early stages of planning and booking, once we were booked the KimKim team really take care of all the details. Their proactive follow-ups and engagement with the local services and guides were excellent and everything went off incredibly smoothly. A special thanks to Liz, our coordinator, her suggestions on the activities in Paris were 5-star amazing and perfectly laid out for the duration of our stay. She set the stage perfectly for what we could accomplish and get the most out of a short 4 night stay. We all walked away from the trip having felt we learned so much about Paris, the French Revolution, and history of the city, now we look forward to going back again to explore further. The hotel location was excellent, and really had us in the heart of what we were looking to experience in the form of an authentic Paris neighbourhood with families and young couples. There were lots of authentic dining options close buy, and the most amazing collection of local bakeries, cheese shops, and wine shops all within 5 min of the hotel. Great work KimKim and Thank You Liz!!

Activity Reviews

Eiffel Tower Guided Tour with Summit Access via Elevator

Paris

Entertaining guide, and critical to have if you want to get to the top of the tower. We were fortunate that our timing was righ around sunset and we left the tower just as the 5 min light show started with a beautiful pink sky background. Amazing way to start out time in Paris.

Private French Revolution Walking Tour For All Ages

Paris

Fantastic guide and fascinating journey through the history of France's monarchies with their impact on Paris. The tour really revealed the nature of how the French Revolution impacted the western world and many of the things we take for granted today. It was also an amazing foundation to understand Paris and many of her sights. Highly recommend as a day 1 activity for any trip to Paris.

Palace of Versailles Day Trip

Paris

Excellent guide and we would not have been able to understand the true history and context of Versailles without his expert knowledge walking us through the history and meaning of each component of the Palace. Of particular interest were the paintings and frescos throughout the royal apartments. Our guide took the time to point out the meaning of all of the different pieces of art, and how they played a role within the royal court. Overall Versailles is beyond imagination in its scale and impact.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Car service from the hotel to the guide was seamless and perfectly coordinated in a very comfortable 'black' car.

Local specialist: Liz Chreist

Excellence every step of the way!
France | Mar 8 - Mar 15, 2025

Erin J.

Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Mar 18, 2025

Our trip to Paris and Bayeux was exceptional. From the very second of the planning process, Liz listened to our desires and did a fantastic job creating an itinerary that was full of culture and history. The KimKim team was exceptional in answering all of our questions while we were traveling. It definitely provided a sense of security and comfort knowing that we weren’t alone and were being taken care of in a foreign country where we didn’t speak the language. All of our guides were... Read more

The KimKim team was exceptional in answering all of our questions while we were traveling. It definitely provided a sense of security and comfort knowing that we weren’t alone and were being taken care of in a foreign country where we didn’t speak the language.

All of our guides were extremely knowledgeable and kept our interest peeked throughout the tours, and the private tours were worth every cent. My son and I loved getting to know our guides, and building relationships with them!

We will most definitely use KimKim on our European travels in the future!

Hotel Reviews

Citadines Apart'hotel Saint-Germain-des-Prés Paris

Paris

Spacious and in a good location

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Churchill Hotel Bayeux Centre

Bayeux

Authenticity & Character

Full of charm with a pleasant ambiance.

Location

Such a quaint street!

Staff

Staff was very kind and helpful through our stay.

Cleanliness & Comfort

ibis Paris CDG Airport

Tremblay en France

It was okay for the 10 hours that we were there, but it was very small and cramped overall. The beds were so small you couldn’t move or you’d fall off of them. The shower door didn’t go to the floor, so there was water was all over the bathroom floor.

Authenticity & Character

Very stark

Location

Connected to the airport!

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

A Gourmet Cruise Experience on the Seine

Paris

The overall experience was fun, but be prepared to eat like a Parisian! As picky eaters, weren’t prepared for the food.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Omaha & Utah Beach War History Day Trip

Bayeux

Being able to see where my grandfather was on D Day and hear the stories of what he experienced on that horrific day was extremely emotional. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and very informative.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Versailles Bike & Palace Day Trip

France

This was such a great day!! Our guides, Tebo, made this the best experience! It was so fun to go to the market and immerse ourselves into the day in the life of a local! And being on the bikes was such an added bonus and a great way to tour the grounds! Definitely recommend this one!!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private French Revolution Walking Tour For All Ages

Paris

This was the least favorite thing that we did. The tour guide didn’t go in chronological order, and it was very difficult to follow. More of a lecture format, so it was a bit boring.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Mont-Saint-Michel Day Trip

Bayeux

Having a private guide for the day was EVERYTHING….. Manan was amazing!!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Manan was such a fun girl. We talked for 9 hours straight!

Transport

Felt safe the entire time, and it was great to get to know our guides during this time.

American Airborne Divisions War History Day Trip

Bayeux

Great day with such amazing stories of individual heroism. We had a very small group, so we split up the morning by taking a break at a local cafe (pic below). The guide spoke with the owner who had WW2 artifacts in the back of her shop, and she allowed us to go visit. It was such an intimate and impactful bonus to our day.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Local specialist: Liz Chreist