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Kimkim

Travel12 operates trips on behalf of kimkim in Greece and Italy. It is a travel company that represents an innovative approach to travel planning and execution.

We offer authentic, coherent, tailor-made experiences in Greece and Italy, showcasing the unique natural, historical, and cultural heritage of the countries, and bringing travelers in touch with the locals' everyday life.

We design end-to-end experiences to meet traveler needs and preferences, and deliver them in a way that makes them unique and memorable: personalized, well-balanced, meaningful and truly enjoyable!

To ensure the best possible quality of services, everyone involved in serving our travelers has the appropriate knowledge, experience, training and attitude.

We pay attention to the detail to ensure your experience is flawless. We are committed to high quality and to continuous improvement. We care about sustainability and offer all our services with respect to natural and cultural heritage.

Kimkim is part of the following groups: Greece Travel Agents, Italy Travel Agents

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Recent Trip Reviews for Kimkim

Excellent experience in Greece - would definitely recommend kimkim!
Greece | Oct 20 - Nov 2, 2024

A
Agnes H.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Nov 04, 2024
We used kimkim to help us organize a 2-week trip for 4 (2 couples) to Greece, and we had a fabulous time! Irene was the specialist we worked with and she put together a full plan in a very short time that included hotels, tour guides, entry tickets to museums and sites, ferry tickets, private ground transportation and driver, and experiences such as sailing, a cooking class, wine tasting, and more. We were primarily in Athens, Delphi, Galaxidi, Nafplio, and the island of Hydra, but saw many... Read more

We used kimkim to help us organize a 2-week trip for 4 (2 couples) to Greece, and we had a fabulous time! Irene was the specialist we worked with and she put together a full plan in a very short time that included hotels, tour guides, entry tickets to museums and sites, ferry tickets, private ground transportation and driver, and experiences such as sailing, a cooking class, wine tasting, and more. We were primarily in Athens, Delphi, Galaxidi, Nafplio, and the island of Hydra, but saw many historical sites and other points of interest along the way, such as Mycenae, Epidavros, the temple of Poseidon, and the Corinth Canal.

Everything went smoothly at every step in the planning and during the trip. We were interviewed early on to establish a price range for the trip and Irene stayed within the agreed-upon range delivering on everything we requested. Communication was very good as we worked out the plans, with daily communication by email as well as phone. Once the trip was underway, kimkim provided both a WeChat group and a support number where we could quickly reach them in the event of any issues.

One of us is gluten intolerant and Irene took care to ensure that every hotel we stayed at provided gluten-free alternatives for breakfasts, the chef for the private cooking class adjusted the menu accordingly, and that the restaurants she reserved for us (which were excellent) had gluten-free options.

It cost a bit more to have someone make the plans for us, but we felt the quality of the service and the trip were well worth the additional cost, not to mention the ease of having someone who knows the country help line up all of the plans and make sure they worked together seamlessly.

We will definitely use them again!

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Miramare
Galaxidi

We stayed at this hotel for 2 nights and loved it. It is a small hotel in Galaxidi, a block from the harbor and restaurants. The staff are friendly and they serve a wonderful breakfast in the courtyard of the hotel.

Authenticity & Character
Charming, great staff, wonderful breakfast in the courtyard.
Location
Central location a block from the harbor and restaurants.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Herodion Hotel
Acropolis, Athens

Very nice hotel in a great location at the foot of the Acropolis on a quiet street. There is a rooftop restaurant and bar with a great view of the Parthenon. The Acropolis museum is a block away as is the Plaka neighborhood. Would definitely recommend it and stay there again. Delicious and extensive breakfast buffet.

Authenticity & Character
Nicely updated. In addition to the rooftop view of the Parthenon, it has a beautiful bar and restaurant area in an atrium on the ground floor.
Location
At the foot of the Acropolis with an amazing view of the Parthenon from the rooftop restaurant and bar. One block to the Acropolis museum and the Plaka neighborhood. On a quiet street, so not a lot of noise.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hydroussa Hotel Hydra
Hydra

Beautiful old (but updated) hotel in a central but quiet location. Friendly and helpful staff. Extensive breakfast buffet with indoor and outdoor eating areas. The queen bed was 2 single beds pushed together.

Authenticity & Character
Beautiful old hotel, nicely updated.
Location
Centrally located and short walk to the port and restaurant area but also away from the noise of the nightlife so it was quiet at night.
Staff
Staff was very pleasant and went out of their way to offer help.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean and comfortable.
Leto Nuevo Hotel
Nafplio

Very nice, clean, and updated hotel in the old town. The old town is on a hill and the hotel is up the hill, so there are many steps to climb to get to it when on foot, but there is an area where cars are allowed a block away which makes it easier to move luggage to/from a car or taxi. Furthermore, as it is on the hill it is much quieter than other hotels in the area would be. The steps lead down to the historical area and waterfront, where there are many good restaurants. The hotel provides a very nice breakfast buffet. It also offers same-day laundry service at a reasonable price, which is very helpful.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Very good location for exploring Nafplio, but steep staircases to get into the central area and back.
Staff
Very friendly and helpful.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Avra Hotel Rafina
Rafina, Athens

The main attraction of this hotel is that it is located by the port where the ferries come through and near to the airport (to which it offers a shuttle service) o it is good for people in transit. Rooms are small, but clean and comfortable, and there is a nice breakfast buffet. Wifi was poor and intermittent, so we constantly lost connection and had to reconnect.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Location supports people in transit to/from ferries or the airport, it is not a destination hotel.
Staff
Front desk staff were perfunctory. Staff in the restaurant were warm and welcoming.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Lunch with Olive Grove View
Lunch with Olive Grove View
Greece

We did not know what to expect from this activity and were pleasantly surprised. One of the owners sat with us to talk us through the history of the family olive farm. He explained to us differences in olives based on when and how they are harvested and talked about differences in olive oils. He provided samples of olives and of the oil to taste so we could appreciate the differences, along with a nice lunch that included olive preparations and wine. The lunch was in a beautiful location overlooking a valley of olive trees and, out over the water to Galaxidi. We were on a shaded veranda, which provided a nice break from the sun.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Acropolis Hill & Museum Tour
Private Acropolis Hill & Museum Tour
Athens

Our tour guide Tina met us at our hotel and walked with us the short distance to the Acropolis. We were scheduled to be with her for 4 hours to tour the Acropolis hill and the museum, but she stayed with us for over 5 hours. Tina is very knowledgeable and gave us a detailed explanation of everything we were seeing, putting it all in a historical context. She pointed out places of interest in the city that could be seen from the Acropolis Hill and patiently fielded many questions from our group of 4. She was the best of the 4 tour guides we had during our trip.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide Tina was excellent.
Half-Day Nafplio Sailing Tour
Half-Day Nafplio Sailing Tour
Nafplio

This was a semi-private outing for 5 hours. The 4 of us were joined by 3 others. They picked us up at the port very near by our hotel. There was ample room on the boat. We sailed out from Nafplio around the coast to Tolo and back, stopping in several places to allow for swimming, though it was too cold for most to get in. Teodoro and Mario were wonderful crew and made us all at home. They served fruit, snacks, and lunch with wine or beer. It was a beautiful day to be out on the water. We motored for 3/4 of the trip and went on sail power for the balance. Overall it was a great way to spend a day in Nafplio. Highly recommend.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Private Cooking Class in Nafplio
Private Cooking Class in Nafplio
Nafplio

This private class was one of the highlights of our trip! Costas and his wife were welcoming and warm. We prepared 4 dishes with everyone participating and Costas provided pointers on food prep that we will continue to benefit from. One of our party is gluten-free and Costas had adjusted the menu accordingly and also provided them with gluten-free bread. Two of our party never cook or do food prep, but he made them comfortable with slicing and dicing as well as braising and making a delicate lemon sauce. They discovered how enjoyable cooking can be. The food was absolutely delicious, and possibly the best meal we had in Greece. We made stuffed zucchini with lemon sauce as an appetizer, a lamb dish (with the lamb falling-off-the-bone tender), a Greek salad, and a frozen yoghurt desert. My husband does not like lamb but loved this dish, making him re-think his approach to lamb. Costas had us prepare a special take on a Greek salad that included a cool cucumber and basil soup, and it was fabulous. We had 4 Greek wines paired with each of the four dishes, and Costas explained to us how and why each wine was appropriate for that dish.

Quality of Experience
A fabulous experience with the best meal we had in Greece!
Food
Fabulous food with a great wine pairing.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Costas and his wife are warm and great teachers. He is a professional chef so he really knows what he is doing and shares tricks of the trade.
Local specialist: Irene Lappa
Irene
Irene Lappa
Local specialist in Athens, Greece | Replied on Nov 13, 2024

Dearest Agnes,
I am so happy you had a fabulous time on your trip to Greece!!
Thank you so much for your warm message and detailed feedback! It was a pleasure e-meeting you and working with you to create a plan based on your interests, and I appreciate your kindness throughout the process.
I will be happy to connect again soon and work on a trip to another part of Greece or to Italy!
I wish you all the best and safe travels!
Irene

A wonderful plan, well executed!
Italy | Oct 3 - Oct 12, 2024

A
Alice W.
Denver, CO | Reviewed on Oct 23, 2024
The three of us couldn't have been more pleased with the experience of working with kimkim! From the beginning, our agent, Irene, crafted a trip that encompassed our wildest dreams. Her quick, knowledgeable answers to our questions, and her expertise in kimkim's services, as well as travel in general, were endlessly helpful and reassuring. The plan she created was excellent in every respect–from transports, ticketing and trains, to hotel locations and staff, tours and guides, restaurants and... Read more

The three of us couldn't have been more pleased with the experience of working with kimkim! From the beginning, our agent, Irene, crafted a trip that encompassed our wildest dreams. Her quick, knowledgeable answers to our questions, and her expertise in kimkim's services, as well as travel in general, were endlessly helpful and reassuring. The plan she created was excellent in every respect–from transports, ticketing and trains, to hotel locations and staff, tours and guides, restaurants and suggested activities. Our trip would have been far more limited and less successful on our own. We will definitely be using kimkim again in the future!

Local specialist: Irene Lappa

The trip and the organization of the trip was...AMAZING
Greece | Oct 1 - Oct 10, 2024

R
Rebecca S.
Flagami, FL | Reviewed on Oct 21, 2024
The trip and the organization of the trip was perfect. Starting with the pick up in Athens to the Plaka Hotel (the staff was great and helpful). Faye, our guide to the Acropolis and Museum was outstanding. Fun and personable, extremely knowledgeable and listened to us when we needed to take a few breaks. Would recommend her to everyone. Great dining at the rooftop restaurant at the Plaka hotel as well! The people in Athens were very open to sharing information and very kind. The trip to... Read more

The trip and the organization of the trip was perfect. Starting with the pick up in Athens to the Plaka Hotel (the staff was great and helpful). Faye, our guide to the Acropolis and Museum was outstanding. Fun and personable, extremely knowledgeable and listened to us when we needed to take a few breaks. Would recommend her to everyone. Great dining at the rooftop restaurant at the Plaka hotel as well! The people in Athens were very open to sharing information and very kind. The trip to Naxos was great, boat ride was easy and fun! The driver was great and the Ippokampos hotel was lovely, rooms were very clean, they accommodated us since we arrived early. Aumetria, Ervis,V and LinLin all went out of their way to make sure we had what we needed and to educate us on loval lore, the women who cleaned our rooms every day was also amazing but did not catch her name. Katia was our tour guide who loved sharing the local customs and knowledge of all thing Naxos and how they tie into the other islands. Very amazing day and would recommend Katia to everyone! Loved the food to table experiences during the entire trip! Next was Santorini. Again, transportation arrangements were spot on! While there were alot of stairs it was good exercise for us, just took us a little longer 😁. The accommodations were beautiful and relaxing. Met great people at the hotel who will be long distance friends. Chris who manned the pool bar was outstanding, fun, kind, energetic and shared his island knowledge with us. The wine tour with Elsa was fun, relaxing and entertaining. Great tour and another amazing guide who shared her knowledge and love of the local wine industry. The Vanilla Restaurant also was a great place to dine with excellent food. This trip was truly amazing and the detail that you all put into the itinerary before our trip and during our trip was priceless to me. I didn’t have to plan or worry about a thing (which is my job when I am working! So I have some understanding of what goes into your detailed planning). This detail may be more than you were looking for and I just wanted to thank you and make sure you know you and the whole team is appreciated! I have passed on your name to a few of my colleagues who will be planning trips in the future to Greece and Italy.

Hotel Reviews
Plaka Hotel Athens
Athens

Amazing staff, comfy rooms, excellent rooftop restaurant with spectacular view.

Authenticity & Character
Comfy like home!
Location
Centrally located and walkable to many sites.
Staff
Kind and knowledgeable
Cleanliness & Comfort
Clean rooms and all bathroom accessories that you would need.
Ippokampos Beachfront Hotel
Naxos

Charming rooms. Friendly and helpful staff that share their love of the island.

Authenticity & Character
Crisp white buildings and rooms with modern touches. Quaint door colors and shutters with families and neighbors chatting with each other and were kind enough to teach us a few words so we could greet people with a hello in their language!
Location
Centrally located, easy walk to shops and restaurants. Can walk right outside to the beach and swim in the Aegean Sea.
Staff
Friendly, super efficient, kind staff that makes you feel like you have no worry in the world! They were priceless!!!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Clean, comfortable, modern and charming all rolled into one and from the rooms to the restaurant to the lounge chais on the beach!
Agali Houses Santorini
Firostefani, Santorini

Beautiful rooms. Modern vibe with the crisp white and light wood accents. Breakfast in the morning was delicious, pool was amazing and Chris at the poolside bar was fun, kind and always made sure we had what we needed! 120 stairs will help keep you in shape! Take your time and enjoy the view on your way up and on your way down as it is amazing!

Authenticity & Character
Blended in with the white outside of all the buildings and the bright blue domes and colorful doors and shutters. What you see in pictures is what you see in real life!
Location
Quiet and located near shopping and a taxi ride to wherever you wanted to go and if you enjoy walking or hiking, this is a great place to be!
Staff
From registration to the brothers yhat carried our luggage up and down to and from our rooms to breakfast and poolside everyone was happy, smiling, shaing their culture to give us the best experience! Well done!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Clean, comfortable rooms, entire area including breakfast area and pool all well kept even with all the people traffic!
Activity Reviews
Private Acropolis Hill & Museum Tour
Private Acropolis Hill & Museum Tour
Athens

Faye was amazing and her knowledge and love of Greece that she shared with us made our experience truly amazing. Would recommend her to everyone!

Quality of Experience
Again, Faye made this a learning experience that rivals a semester of college!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Faye! Fun, friendly, knowledgeable, kind and listened to us when we needed to take a break! Faye is priceless!
Transport
We walked so helped keep us healthy!
Food & Culture tour in Naxos town
Food & Culture tour in Naxos town
Naxos

Katia is an amazing ambassador for Naxos. Her love os the island, the people and local businesses that are her neighbors was palpable during our tour. It felt like we were walking the neighborhoods visiting friends and stopping for a bite to eat or a cup of coffee as we winded our way through history. I highly recommend Katia to guide you through life and history in a fun and friendly way!

Quality of Experience
Each shop and restaurant we visited shared with us their history and wares. Nothing better than walking into a local place of business and getting recommendations from locals to take home with you. Friendly, cast of characters and truly love what they do!
Food
Everything! Greek scrambled eggs, olives and olive oil, local wine, local cheeses, Naxos potatoes, spanakopita , tiropitakia with local honey, greek salad and the list goes on.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Again, Katia is the best, we walked for the tour!
Transport
Santorini Highlights & Akrotiri
Santorini Highlights & Akrotiri
Santorini

The tour with Elsa was great. Learning about how advanced a “buried” city was is truly amazing and humbling at the same time. Leaning about the different areas was interesting and the way the circular close to the ground grape vines is very inventive and shows the tenacity and resilience of the people od Santorini.

Quality of Experience
The advanced nature of the buried city!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Their genuine nature and love of their country.
Transport
Getting to and from was comfortable and easy. And driver was great!
Local specialist: Chris Leontopoulos

Lovely trip
Italy | Oct 3 - Oct 12, 2024

Melissa
Melissa U.
Denver, CO | Reviewed on Oct 20, 2024
Everything was well planned and seamlessly easy. We came across many people who were lost and couldn’t find their tour groups, but Irene’s detailed instructions got us where we needed to be on time. The hotels, drivers, tours, and tour guides were all phenomenal. The only misinformation we received was regarding the Florence highlights tour, where we saw the Duomo and the Galleria dell’Accademia. We were told we’d end the tour in the gallery and be able to spend additional time there after... Read more

Everything was well planned and seamlessly easy. We came across many people who were lost and couldn’t find their tour groups, but Irene’s detailed instructions got us where we needed to be on time. The hotels, drivers, tours, and tour guides were all phenomenal. The only misinformation we received was regarding the Florence highlights tour, where we saw the Duomo and the Galleria dell’Accademia. We were told we’d end the tour in the gallery and be able to spend additional time there after the tour, but we actually toured the gallery first, then the duomo, and ended by the Vecchio bridge. However, we had more than enough time in the gallery. We would definitely book with Irene and KimKim again.

Hotel Reviews
La Fenice et des Artistes
Venice

Very helpful staff and lovely rooms. We did run into a hot water issue when trying to shower in the morning, but overall a fantastic experience.

Authenticity & Character
Adorable rooms really make you feel like you’re in Italy
Location
Very centrally located and fun the hear opera music nearby
Staff
Helpful in every capacity. Helped us game plan finding a pharmacy on a Sunday, helpful coordinating with the water taxi picking us up for the train. Quick to give additional blankets.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean and organized
Hotel della Signoria
Florence

Very centrally located and very helpful staff. Beautiful panoramic view at breakfast.

Authenticity & Character
Location
5 minute walk from most attractions
Staff
Always greeted us with a smile when coming and going
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean and organized
Abruzzi Hotel Rome
Rome

Pantheon view was amazing! Shower was sizable and lovely.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Lived being right next to the pantheon
Staff
Happy to help get bags up and down stairs, direct to requested locations using maps or gps, happy to take us to the cafe serving breakfast, happy to help game plan and address scheduling concerns. We needed breakfast before the cafe opened one morning and they arranged to get us bagged breakfasts the night before.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Venice Highlights Walking Tour
Venice Highlights Walking Tour
Venice

Lovely guide and personalized tour. Very helpful and happy to answer any questions and customize tour.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Basilica Tour
Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Basilica Tour
Venice

Lovely personable guide. Entertaining and great information.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Market & Cicchetti Food Tour
Market & Cicchetti Food Tour
Venice

Lots of yummy food and fun to see more of the city. Very helpful and personable guide. My mom was knocked into and dropped her gelato, and Carlotta went back and got her more. It would have been nice to have time to purchase food from the outdoor markets.

Quality of Experience
Food
They offered alcohol free options and tried to accommodate food sensitivities
Guides, Drivers and Staff
My mom was knocked into and dropped her gelato, and Carlotta went back and got her more.
Tuscany Day Trip from Florence with Chianti, Siena & San Gimignano
Tuscany Day Trip from Florence with Chianti, Siena & San Gimignano
Florence

Well organized and highly informative. Good balance of walking and riding in a car.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Morning Florence Highlights Walking Tour
Morning Florence Highlights Walking Tour
Florence

Beautiful and informative. It would have been nice to have fewer people. We had a group of about 10 and then 4 more were added because they messed up with their meeting place/time and missed their originally scheduled tour.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Colosseum & Roman Forum Tour
Colosseum & Roman Forum Tour
Rome

So much fun to be some of the first people in the colosseum for the day. Beautiful to be there around sunrise.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Fresh Pasta Making & Tiramisu Cooking Class
Fresh Pasta Making & Tiramisu Cooking Class
Rome

The chef was so personable and helpful and fun

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Vatican Guided Tour
Vatican Guided Tour
Rome

Very thorough and informative

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Irene Lappa

Perfect trip in every way
Italy | Oct 6 - Oct 19, 2024

D
Dana W.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Oct 20, 2024
I expect something to go wrong on any overseas trip; it seems impossible that with so much ground to cover that something would fall through or go sideways. Amazingly, nothing went wrong on this trip. Every detail was covered and Irene answered every possible question before it came up. We met every driver at the exact time they were scheduled to be there and every guide was excellent. The only thing we would have changed is having a driver meet us in Florence and drive us to the hotel, since... Read more

I expect something to go wrong on any overseas trip; it seems impossible that with so much ground to cover that something would fall through or go sideways. Amazingly, nothing went wrong on this trip. Every detail was covered and Irene answered every possible question before it came up. We met every driver at the exact time they were scheduled to be there and every guide was excellent. The only thing we would have changed is having a driver meet us in Florence and drive us to the hotel, since the hotel was literally across the street from the station. It would have been easier to walk to the hotel; there was no need for a driver. We loved the itinerary in every city. Our cooking class in Florence was one of the highlights of our trip. The instructor provided excellent directions and advice on how to make and cook the dishes and she was quite funny as well, which added to the fun. The sights, smells, and tastes of each destination made for an unforgettable experience. I would recommend kimkim to anyone--especially our planner, Irene. Thank you!!!

Hotel Review
Oasi Boutique Hotel Cinque Terre by Best Western
Levanto

This is a quirky, fun, and very comfortable hotel in Levanto. They provide a whole panoply of extras that add to the appeal: a delicious and unique breakfast bar, an assortment of bikes to borrow for free, Netflix (in case of a rainy evening that you want to spend in rather than going out), a few jars of cookies available at any time, a piano and guitar in the reception area for anyone to play, and very friendly and helpful staff. A great place to hang out!

Authenticity & Character
Lovely, comfortable rooms with balconies.
Location
Quiet neighborhood
Staff
Helpful and friendly
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Local transfer in Amalfi Coast
Italy

The Amalfi Coast, due to its popularity, is now bumper to bumper traffic, so the best way (in my opinion) to see it is on foot, hiking the Path of the Gods. It is utterly gorgeous scenery the whole way, and the trip is accompanied musically by grazing brown goats adorned with bells that echo throughout the mountains. The path is not difficult, although it is often rocky and alternates from climbing to descents the whole way. At the end, there are somewhere between 1500 to 1700 steps to get down to the road that leads to the incredible town of Positano. Once you get to Positano, the climbing is not done--you have to go down to get to the beach, and up to get anywhere else. I'm convinced that anyone who lives in Positano has remarkable glutes and quads.

Private Pompeii Tour & Mount Vesuvius visit with light lunch
Private Pompeii Tour & Mount Vesuvius visit with light lunch
Pompeii

Mount Vesuvius provides some incredible views of Napoli and the surrounding countryside. Pompeii is much bigger than I could imagine and our guide was so knowledgable about the history of the place and people who once inhabited the city. It's a stunning site that should not be missed, but the one thing that made it such a fantastic adventure was our guide. He added so much value to our experience.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
We had a private guide that was an expert in the history of the people who had lived in Pompeii, and he really made it all some to life for us.
Venice Highlights Walking Tour
Venice Highlights Walking Tour
Venice

Venice is an incredible place, but if you stick to St Mark's square, you have no idea of what Venice is all about. We had a guide who was from Venice and knew her way around the tiny streets and quiet piazzas, as well as informing us about the history of Venice and how it came to be built (on a swamp!) and what is happening now with the city and its inhabitants. The real Venice is outside of the heavily-trafficked tourist areas, and it is beautiful and quiet and utterly amazing.

Pasta and Gelato Making Class in Florence
Pasta and Gelato Making Class in Florence
Florence

Super fun! Our instructor was excellent! We got to eat the food we made, and it was one of the best meals we had during out whole trip.

Local specialist: Irene Lappa

We had a fantastic time. The choices made by ...
Italy | Oct 7 - Oct 19, 2024

T
Toby F.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Oct 20, 2024
We had a fantastic time. The choices made by Irene our agent were well matched to what we wanted. The tours were also excellent. The transfers were on time and friendly. We were very very pleased. Traveling by train was fine though one was cancelled last minute while the last one was quite late getting in. Nonetheless it was a good way to get to a lot of locations. I would say if I had to be critical that 1) City tours in both Rome and Sorrento would have given us a "grand view" we... Read more

We had a fantastic time. The choices made by Irene our agent were well matched to what we wanted. The tours were also excellent. The transfers were on time and friendly. We were very very pleased. Traveling by train was fine though one was cancelled last minute while the last one was quite late getting in. Nonetheless it was a good way to get to a lot of locations. I would say if I had to be critical that 1) City tours in both Rome and Sorrento would have given us a "grand view" we would have appreciated to have then struck off to the areas we liked the most. However, I know time was short. 2) The hotel in Venice while clean and comfortable, was overlooking the bus depot which was a bit of a buzz kill. 3) Because both trains were later heading to Rome and Venice, we had more free time in the previous cities which we thoroughly enjoyed. Felt like a bonus. The crowds were the worst part of this trip ( yes I know.. we added 2 more tourists to the mix ) and had I known it was going to be that crowded, I might have opted to move this trip to a later time, i.e., early Nov or late Nov. weather permitting.

Hotel Reviews
Palazzo Guardati Hotel Sorrento
Sorrento

The room was clean and comfortable. The breakfast was good. The desk staff was business only, not particularly friendly. The location was great!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Able to walk everywhere easily.
Staff
Friendlier and more engaging with guests.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Le Clarisse al Pantheon
Rome

Very very clean. Room was strange in that it was L shaped and the a/c was in the furthest location from the bedroom so it took a long time to cool down. It was clean, however, and the staff were all friendly and helpful. Breakfast was good, too. Location was great!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
A/C unit far from bed area so took a long time to cool off room.
Hotel della Signoria
Florence

Loved the chic and boutiquey feel of this hotel. It was super clean and very convenient for walking the city. The breakfast was great and staff were all friendly. The elevator was not always convenient to use (often busy) but we didn't mind walking the stairs.

Authenticity & Character
character was boutiquey, authentic to area. probably not so much. We didn't mind for all the other amenities.
Location
Perfectly located.
Staff
all good
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean and room was comfortable albeit small.
Hotel Olimpia
Venice

Our hotel room had the view of the bus depot so it was a little less charming than otherwise had expected. Room was very clean and staff was friendly. Breakfast was not great compared to the other 3 hotels and it was very crowded always. It was a 27 minute walk to the main square which was a bit long after an entire day of walking. We had gone back and forth on where to stay in Venice. Staying on the Grand Canal would have been too expensive I believe?

Authenticity & Character
The room was nicely decorated and looked very Venetian.
Location
A bit far from the main square and our room overlooked the bus depot.
Staff
They were friendly just busy a lot.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The room was very clean and neat.
Activity Reviews
Amalfi Coast Boat Tour From Sorrento
Amalfi Coast Boat Tour From Sorrento
Sorrento

This was cancelled so we had a private driver. It was expensive but excellent.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our driver was excellent.
Transport
Vatican Guided Tour
Vatican Guided Tour
Rome

Our guide was great. The crowds were horrific though.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Colosseum & Roman Forum Tour
Colosseum & Roman Forum Tour
Rome

Again huge crowds at this time of year but our guide helped steer us away from them. He was excellent.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Trastevere Afternoon Food Tour & Wine Experience
Trastevere Afternoon Food Tour & Wine Experience
Rome

This tour was excellent. We had a fabulous guide and the locations she took us to were fabulous.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Tuscany Day Trip from Florence with Chianti, Siena & San Gimignano
Tuscany Day Trip from Florence with Chianti, Siena & San Gimignano
Florence

This tour was also excellent. Our guide was fabulous and the areas she took us to were well worth it. Sienna was a disappointment as I had been there 26 years ago.. no real crowds then.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Morning Florence Highlights Walking Tour
Morning Florence Highlights Walking Tour
Florence

The guide was wonderful. We were only 2 couples which was fantastic.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Prosecco Wine Tour from Venice
Prosecco Wine Tour from Venice
Venice

LOVED LOVED our guide Sebastian. He was fabulous and even took us on the less traveled path to our locations where the scenery and the lack of crowds was greatly appreciated. The wineries were wonderful too.

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

We had a wonderful guide. There was only ONE other couple of this tour ( possibly due to weather ) which made it more personal.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local transfer in Rome
Rome
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Irene Lappa

Beautiful Beach on Naxos Island
Greece | Oct 1 - Oct 10, 2024

Sandra
Sandra K.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Oct 19, 2024
we toured the Parthenon/Acropolis with Faye in Athens and she was great!
enjoyed culture and food tour on Naxos Island with Katia.
In Santorini, the katamaran sunset cruise was amazing with Yanni, Yanna and Panos, our crew. food was delicious, sites and swimming in the Agean Sea was so delightful.
Read more

we toured the Parthenon/Acropolis with Faye in Athens and she was great!
enjoyed culture and food tour on Naxos Island with Katia.
In Santorini, the katamaran sunset cruise was amazing with Yanni, Yanna and Panos, our crew. food was delicious, sites and swimming in the Agean Sea was so delightful.

Hotel Reviews
Plaka Hotel Athens
Athens

Immaculate room with balcony. Very comfortable, felt like home. Included a delicious breakfast. Rooftop bar and restaurant with views of the Parthenon. Had one of the best meals of my trip at this restaurant.

Authenticity & Character
The way the room was decorated. It didn't feel like a motel room but like you were staying at a friend's house. very warm feeling and inviting
Location
There were shops and restaurants where the hotel was located and within walking distance to the Parthenon.
Staff
everyone at the hotel provided excellent service
Cleanliness & Comfort
beds were comfy, bathroom updated and impressed by the cleaniness
Ippokampos Beachfront Hotel
Naxos

Our room had a patio overlooking the beach and Mediterranean Sea. Room was very clean and fresh. Ate breakfast (included) outside everyday right on the beach and by the water. Food was delicious.

Authenticity & Character
The architecture of the bldg and the rooms were so bright and sunny. loved sitting on the balcony and watching the sunset.
Location
great location right on the beach, shops and restaurants within walking distance.
Staff
The staff at hotel and restaurant were exceptional!
Cleanliness & Comfort
The room was immaculate and beds so comfy. I'm missing Naxos Island already
Agali Houses Santorini
Firostefani, Santorini

The room was so modern and beautiful and had a large patio overlooking the other islands and caldera. The hotel/rooms were built on the side of the cliff so there were many steps. The pool had a beautiful view and there was a bar where you could also order lunch type meals. Food/drinks were great and Chris, the bartender, provided excellent service. Breakfast was also included and very good.

Authenticity & Character
The amazing view and sunsets
Location
at the top of the cliff, there were many nice restaurants and shops. The steps from our room to the top of the cliff were many and difficult for us due to our age. If you took your time and rested when needed, it was manageable and worth staying there.
Staff
The staff was so accomodating and, thankfully, carried our suitcases down to our room and up the steps when leaving.
Cleanliness & Comfort
everything was spotless. Bed was very comfortable.
Activity Review
Private Acropolis Hill & Museum Tour
Private Acropolis Hill & Museum Tour
Athens

a lot of steps but worth it. tour guide was very informative and fun. Enjoyed the Acropolis Museum and all the stories about the Gods and Goddesses.

Quality of Experience
faye, the tour guide, took more time than alloted to finish the tour. We appreciated that!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
guide was great
Transport
no transport... we walked from the hotel
Local specialist: Chris Leontopoulos

TRIP OF A LIFETIME
Greece | Oct 1 - Oct 10, 2024

K
Kathleen T.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Oct 17, 2024
The entire trip was perfect! Well planned out along with all very knowledgeable guides. I cant really pinpoint one thing that stood out, but if there was one thing i would have to say Santorini was my favorite (other than the steps)! But then i think 🤔 maybe it was Naxos, very relaxing & i loved the farm to table meal or maybe it was Athens, the history (wish we could of had one more day there)! Like i said , LOVED the entire trip! It was a trip of a lifetime!❤️ Read more

The entire trip was perfect! Well planned out along with all very knowledgeable guides. I cant really pinpoint one thing that stood out, but if there was one thing i would have to say Santorini was my favorite (other than the steps)! But then i think 🤔 maybe it was Naxos, very relaxing & i loved the farm to table meal or maybe it was Athens, the history (wish we could of had one more day there)! Like i said , LOVED the entire trip! It was a trip of a lifetime!❤️

Activity Reviews
Private Acropolis Hill & Museum Tour
Private Acropolis Hill & Museum Tour
Athens

Loved the tour…our guide was fabulous and patient!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Food & Culture tour in Naxos town
Food & Culture tour in Naxos town
Naxos

I was so personal and our guide was very helpful and knowledgeable! Loved every second!

Quality of Experience
Individual attention to detail!
Food
It was a variety of farm to table food and the attention to detail and the restaurant staff was amazing
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Knowledge
Transport
Premium Sunset Catamaran Cruise in the Caldera lagoon
Premium Sunset Catamaran Cruise in the Caldera lagoon
Santorini

The crew was very attentive and answered any questions or concerns

Quality of Experience
The length of the cruise along with dinner was well worth it
Food
Amazing and such a variety
Guides, Drivers and Staff
They were attentive and friendly
Transport
The transport was on time and curious
Santorini Highlights & Akrotiri
Santorini Highlights & Akrotiri
Santorini

Loved the hotel and staff! The only suggestion i would make is there are a lot of steps going up & down not a lot of handrails…might want ti check on ages and disabilities ! Lived the pool and rooms

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
All of our guides were fantastic
Transport
They were on time and courteous
Local specialist: Chris Leontopoulos

Our guide for the coliseum was outstanding. T...
Italy | Sep 30 - Oct 7, 2024

S
Susan S.
Flagami, FL | Reviewed on Oct 17, 2024
Our guide for the coliseum was outstanding. The driver to Sorrento who was also our guide for Pompeii was also great. The guide for Vatican City not quite as good.
The first hotel, the one in Rome I would not recommend for various reasons. The hotel in Sorrento is a great one as the one in Florence.
Read more

Our guide for the coliseum was outstanding. The driver to Sorrento who was also our guide for Pompeii was also great. The guide for Vatican City not quite as good.
The first hotel, the one in Rome I would not recommend for various reasons. The hotel in Sorrento is a great one as the one in Florence.

Hotel Reviews
Nikis Collection Trastevere
Rome

The help at front hole in walk desk was not really helpful. Breakfast was yuk.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Was a great area.
Staff
Hospitality. Breakfast compared to other places poor. Cleanliness. Bathroom, very small.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Overall everything!
Palazzo Guardati Hotel Sorrento
Sorrento

Wonderful and very helpful front desk. Breakfast was wonderful!! A lot of choices and plenty to start our day

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Very helpful and friendly
Cleanliness & Comfort
Our room was spacious and clean!! As was bathroom
Hotel Alessandra
Florence
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Very friendly
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Tasos Mylonas

Family Italy trip
Italy | Sep 30 - Oct 10, 2024

A
Anil S.
Ann Arbor, MI | Reviewed on Oct 13, 2024
We had to make several changes to our trip (including dates of tours/hotel bookings) within a few weeks of travel and Tasos was great at sorting everything out without compromising our plans. Great restaurant recommendations too! Read more

We had to make several changes to our trip (including dates of tours/hotel bookings) within a few weeks of travel and Tasos was great at sorting everything out without compromising our plans. Great restaurant recommendations too!

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Santa Maria Novella
Florence

We stayed in the "apartment" which was very spacious and convenient for our family of 5

Hotel Capo d'Africa—Colosseo
Rome

Location is a very touristy area, and is quite expensive for what you are getting

Art Hotel Orologio
Bologna
Local specialist: Tasos Mylonas