Unforgettable Nordic

The trip overall was one we will always remember and cherish. Our family of 4, with an 18 year old and 15 year old, made the trek to Lapland from the southern United States to see the Aurora Borealis and Santa Claus. Jennifer did a fantastic job with communication and always helpful with difficult tasks before and during our trip.
We were switched to a different trip planner (Jennifer) a couple months before the trip and think that she would have had a much better go of it had she been the planner from the beginning. She had to make up a lot of shortcomings in both planning and communication from the original planner. Jennifer did an excellent job in helping us while on the ground, as in country logistics and travel proved to be challenging. We think most, if not all, of the struggles with those logistics would have been avoided if Jennifer had been our planner from the start. She was placed in late and had to work within a somewhat flawed itinerary that she had no part in, initially. It should be noted that taxi transfers in this part of Finland are exorbitant and often difficult to obtain during the Christmas week. Would highly recommend renting a car. Otherwise, the cabs were always spacious and very friendly. Specific feedback on the resorts:
Apukka Resort:
Room was lovely. Small for the family of 4 that we were placing in it, but exceptionally nice. Nicely private in spite of there being other igloos around us. The very muted lighting of the resort made for exceptional Aurora viewing. Minimal light from the ground and rooms. We were able to have the sort of Aurora viewing, with the naked eye, that you usually only see on highly filtered social media posts. Did a nice job on their menus to appeal to a wide swathe of guests. Service was friendly and available. Had a minor problem with the room door freezing shut, but they came out and devised a solution quickly.
Overall excellent experience, would definitely recommend and would happily stay here again.
Kakslautanen Arctic Resort:
An entirely different experience from the prior resort. While the room was very spacious for our family of 4, it was exceptionally dated. No amenities whatsoever were supplied. We have visited 30 countries around the globe and have stayed in everything from hostels to the finest hotels in the world. The price point of this resort was on par with the finest hotels in the world. The amenities were not. No maid service was given unless we called, no soap, shampoo nor conditioner was provided. The in room sauna to difficult to work. In a room costing around 2000 euro a night, this complete lack of anything is entirely unacceptable. As has been noted on multiple travel sites, Kakslautanen charges extra for EVERYTHING! They even charge you for firewood for the fireplace in the room.
For a resort that prides itself on the Aurora viewing (to the point that there is a screeching Aurora alarm in the cabin that pierces the silent nights whenever they determine that the lights can be seen -- we thought there was a fire when it first went off. Seriously, there should have been a warning and the capacity to shut this off), the ground light pollution was overwhelming. In complete contrast to Apukka, the neighboring igloos could see directly into ours, and the extremely bright porch lights from other igloos made any Aurora viewing from our glass igloo impossible.
As mentioned above, taxis were difficult to get this time of year. The resort is in the middle of nowhere, so that lead to the feeling of being trapped. This was particularly noted given the at culinary options were atrocious. The 25 euro daily lunch bullet consisted of a single 15 foot table with soup, salad and unimpressive cold cuts on it. The daily offerings were over 50% Indian food with no local cuisine at all the 3 .5 days we were there.
The resort must be targeted to a different traveler demographic than our family represents. The common areas were always overrun with Asian tourists. Their giant tour busses made it nearly impossible to find our taxis, and the concept of waiting in a line for ones turn, be it at the buffet, the bar or the restroom, was completely absent. It made for a very stressful, overcrowded and frustrating experience. The staff, with the notable exception of the front desk manager who worked very hard to find us a taxi one afternoon, was aggressively unhelpful. No assistance was ever offered, even on approaching the reception desk. Whenever we asked a question, or even placed an order at the bar, we were treated as though we were a nuisance.
The excursions, however, were all fantastic as well as the guides! The husky sledding, snowmobiling, ice karting and reindeer rides were well run, engaging, informative, exciting and tremendous!
Outside of the excursions, however, the service was at best mediocre. The waitstaff was stretched very thin, drinks were uninspired and difficult to get. Water glasses sat empty. Food arrived in no particular order. This distasteful experience was made particularly stark after we made an afternoon trip (that the aforementioned very helpful desk manager arranged transport for) to Saariselka. This was the next tiny little town up the highway, 15 minutes away. The town was quaint, the service was excellent and the food was both local and delicious. We have no idea why the resort could not achieve this level of excellence when the most expensive accommodation in Saariselka was 20% the cost of our room.
We will never return to Kakslautanen. We would advise in the strongest possible terms that no one else does either.
In the end, this was a tale of two cities, of sorts. Apukka was tremendous, Kakslautanen was very disappointing.

Our planner & guide, Gummi was wonderfully responsive to our wants in planning and needs once we arrived. His sense of humor was a plus. Gummi was in tune to the children’s ages and was able to flex to keep them interested. He planned tremendous activities, tours, and events for them.
We did experience a couple of very minor issues. With a call to Gummi, his immediate response resolved the problems nearly immediately.
Our trip was a complete success.

Hotel Review

Óðinn Penthouse Apartment

Reykjavík

Pros: Nice, clean, well appointed, comfy beds, plenty of room. Cons: 4th floor walk up with 7 & 4 year olds was a bit difficult at times when they were carrying their luggage & when they were tired.

Authenticity & Character

Seemed like a typical Reykjavik apartment & furnishing

Location

Right in downtown

Staff

Did respond to our initial questions when we tried to check in but seemed irritated with some of our questions

Cleanliness & Comfort

Comfy & generally clean. The 1 bathroom, though functional, was in need of updating

Activity Reviews

Hunting the Northern Lights with a Guide -Private tour

Iceland

Our guide, Joost, tried hard to conjure up the northern lights for us. They just were not cooperating ;) We had amazing views of thousands of stars and a myriad of constellations.

Quality of Experience

A new experience for our young grandsons

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Joost was pleasant and his efforts were apparent

Transport

Comfortable ride.

The Golden Circle Private Tour

Iceland

Gummi, our guide, offered just enough information to make the journey educational without being boring. Additionally, his sense of humor was delightful, very much like our own.

Quality of Experience

Traveling in winter, there were no crowds so we were able to enjoy the quiet beauty.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Gummi tailored the experience to suit the needs of our 3 generational group.

Transport

Safe and comfortable

Reykjavik Hop-On-Hop-Off Tours + Wonders of Iceland Exhibition

Reykjavík

We used the bus as our public transportation within Reykjavik. Harbor views we beautiful.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The drivers were polite, but not the least be hospitable

Transport

FlyOver Iceland

Reykjavík

Excellent show. Thrilling but not frightening. The children loved it and compared it to a Disney Park ride.

Quality of Experience

So much fun and oh so interesting.

Perlan Museum - Icelandic Wonders & Northern Lights Show

Reykjavík

So much to see and do, even for the 4 & 7 year olds.

Quality of Experience

High quality multi-media presentations

The Reykjavík Park and Zoo

Reykjavík

We went at night to view the Christmas lights. They were beautiful. We saw many animals, unfortunately not the reindeer that night.

Quality of Experience

It was free admission when we went and therefore were not disappointed when we were unable to see all the animals.

Whales of Iceland

Reykjavík

This was very interesting for the adults. The children were only interested in the scale models. It was geared more for adults.

Quality of Experience

More for the littler ones to do and manipulate.

How to be­come Icelandic in 60 minutes

Iceland

What an enjoyable presentation! Wonderful for all ages. There were many facts embedded in the humor that we all retained.

Quality of Experience

The comic was terrific, playing well off the audience.

Our Icelandic adventure was nothing short of spectacular, despite the elusive Aurora Borealis. Gummi's meticulously planned itinerary was a game-changer, ensuring we made the most of our time.

We kicked off our trip in Reykjavik, a vibrant city with a lively atmosphere. The food tour and cultural exploration were highlights, offering a delicious and insightful introduction to Icelandic cuisine and history.

Our journey continued to the Golden Circle, where we marveled at the raw power of nature. From the tectonic plates and cascading waterfalls to the geothermal geysers and the serene black church, every stop was breathtaking. We ended the 2 day round trip with a relaxing soak in a geothermal pool, the perfect antidote to the 2 days of intensive driving.

The next leg of our trip took us to the south coast, where we encountered stunning landscapes, including frozen waterfalls, dramatic cliffs, and the iconic black sand beach. The highlight was undoubtedly the glacier hike and the crystal caves, unforgettable experiences that allowed us to witness the immense power of nature firsthand.

While we didn't catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights, the otherworldly beauty of Iceland more than made up for it. The crystal ice caves, the diamond beach, and the glacier lagoon were truly awe-inspiring.

We wrapped up our trip in Reykjavik, visiting the fascinating Museum of Iceland before heading home. Though exhausted, we were filled with a sense of wonder and exhilaration. Iceland is a must-visit destination for anyone seeking a unique and unforgettable travel experience.

Hotel Reviews

Berjaya Hotel Reykjavik Natura

Reykjavík

The Berjaya Hotel Reykjavik Natura was a comfortable stay. Overall, a nice hotel with convenient parking.

Buubble Hotel Ölvisholt

Selfoss

The Bubble Hotel offers a unique glamping experience where you can sleep under the stars in a clear plastic bubble. While the view was breathtaking, the lack of furniture besides the bed was slightly inconvenient. It's more about the amazing experience and the view than hotel room comforts.

Hotel Laki

Kirkjubæjarklaustur

Hotel Laki was nice; we stayed there for two nights. Although we spent little time at the hotel due to being out exploring, the restaurant was impressive. The roof deck provided an excellent spot to search for the Northern Lights. Overall, a pleasant stay.

Activity Reviews

Reykjavík Food Walk

Iceland

The Reykjavík Food Walk was an absolute blast! It was a fantastic way to spend the day exploring the city, trying out different restaurants, and getting recommendations for places to eat. The tour was fun and engaging, and I really enjoyed the experience.

Crystal Blue Ice Cave

Iceland

Visiting the Crystal Blue Ice Cave was a highlight of the trip! We were lucky to explore a newly discovered cave, which was pristine and breathtaking. The size of the cave allowed us to walk in comfortably, and the beauty of the ice formations was unparalleled.

Solheimajokull Glacier Hike

Iceland

The Solheimajokull Glacier Hike was a unique and amazing experience. Walking on the glacier with nothing but ice around was surreal. We had an excellent guide who made the experience unforgettable, sharing insights and ensuring we appreciated the incredible glacier landscape.

Lava Cave Explorer Tour

Iceland

The Lava Cave Explorer Tour was definitely worth it! It was fascinating to see the inside of a cave where lava flowed hundreds of years ago. Our guide was knowledgeable and enthusiastic, making the experience very engaging.

Journey Through Time & Tectonics – Thingvellir National Park Exploration

Iceland

The Golden Circle tour was a bit rushed due to limited daylight hours in winter. Although the sites were stunning, driving 400 to 500 kilometers each day felt like a lot, and the final activities of the day were often in the dark, which wasn't ideal for viewing the waterfalls. If there's an option, allow for more time or perhaps an extra day during the winter to fully enjoy the sights.

Gummi helped plan our itinerary and he was very helpful. When you book trips for people, it would be helpful to ask their physical condition and capability. I have a balance disorder and osteoporosis (Bad bones, so I don’t want to fall and break anything) and I’m 65 years old. I spoke with Gummi about this and he said bring my walking sticks.

The lava cave tour was hundred of steps down and up (a lot of space between each step..easy to trip or fall for me) and once we arrived there, I was unable to participate because it was too risky for me. My husband went and enjoyed it and that was fine but I wouldn’t have paid for me to go, so we lost that money.

The glacier and ice cave tour was ridiculous for me to participate. The truck driver to get us there drove like a maniac on the off road terrain to get to the glacier. He drove so fast and my back was smashing up and down and it was very scary too. Once we arrived (it was extremely windy and rainy) and I saw what it would take to participate and once again, I had to wait in the truck for an hour and a half because it was way too dangerous for me to participate. We lost that money for me too.

Our guide, Guttie (I’m sure I misspelled his name) was truly fabulous. His knowledge of Iceland and history facts were wonderful. I give him 10 stars! He made sure we saw the northern lights and spent two late nights with us until we did! He is warm and friendly and took care of everything for us.

So, like going into a restaurant and the server asks you if you have any food allergies, your company should ask the travelers if they have any physical limitations first!

Thank you,
Julie Mandell

Hotel Review

The Reykjavík Edition

Reykjavik

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Sky Lagoon - Experience the seven-step Sky Ritual

Iceland

Quality of Experience

This was a celebration trip – celebration of 25 years of friendship and we - Gail and Aru - picked the land of Fire & Ice! Both of us having experienced Kimkim earlier, decided to go with Kimkim.

Our trip to Iceland was planned by Veronika from the Unforgettable Nordic. The initial part of nailing down a broad itinerary was a smooth process. Where it got tedious for us was when it came to planning the details. For example – we were specific in mentioning that we wanted a hotel with an elevator and a room of a particular size. All these details and more were overlooked. Veronika’s attention to detail and responsiveness was poor, at best, and it required a considerable amount of our time to ensure that all details were attended to. Further, we noticed a few planning glitches, information gaps, a general quality of oversight and a lack of regard for our collective & individual budget. She needed to have a far more in-depth knowledge of us, our abilities, our needs and what we want to do before she could fulfill what Kimkim actually promises – a customized trip. The amount of time it took for us to push her to get things done, we would have spent it better if we planned this on our own given that almost all the trips she chose are online anyway for people to make their own choices.

Thankfully, about a month prior to the start of our vacation, we were informed that Veronika is no longer with Unforgettable Nordic and we were assigned to Connor. Connor was an absolute delight to work with. He was informative, responsive, on-the-ball, quick to handle itinerary changes/ requests, clear in his communications, offered an opinion when needed and has a wicked and lively sense of humour! It was an absolute pleasure to have Connor partner us on this critical phase of our vacation and we enjoyed interacting with him. We were both relieved to have ‘on the ball’ Connor, especially since many of our activities were cancelled and needed rescheduling and reshuffling and he handled all these changes efficiently.

In terms of ratings, we would divide it:
For the portion with Veronika, my rating would be 1.5/5
For the portion with Connor, my rating would be 4/5

Some feedback for Unforgettable Nordic & KimKim:
1. Creativity of the itinerary: The portion of the itinerary from Unforgettable Nordic (Veronika) was standard tourist fare. Many of the interesting activities added to the itinerary were a result of our own research. All the tours were available through Viator, Tripadvisor or other such online spaces. We being seasoned travelers know this. Kimkim loses significant for us since it provides nothing new. So to actually have us as customers again Kimkim will need to up their game.
2. An escalation process/request a change of primary contact: Despite our initial discomfort, we had no way to escalate or discuss our issues - we (the customers) had to endure the poor levels of service with no place to complaint. This by any service standard is just poor customer management. Unless Kimkim does some quality control customers will dwindle.
3. More transparency: For a few of the experiences, we were booked for the premium level. We certainly did not mind. But it would have been appropriate to check if we’d prefer a standard or premium ticket for our experiences. The point is we weren’t aware that we had a choice.
4. Our experiences with service on Kimkim for Japan and Vietnam (separate vendors) were awesome. That experience led us to book Iceland with Kimkim. But the standards of service were much, much lower.

Overall, we had a beautiful trip. But it was seamless, primarily due to the level of attention and follow-up we did to the itinerary. If it wasn’t for us being on top of the itinerary, we would have experienced many glitches on our travel. As also, Connor’s contribution at the end – his on-ground coordination really helped us.

Hotel Reviews

Eyja Guldsmeden Hotel

Reykjavik

Great stay and service. Very friendly staff. Small rooms, but beautifully done up.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Superb

Cleanliness & Comfort

Gerði Guesthouse

Höfn

Basic. But good. Tiny rooms - ok for a night.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Dogsledding Mosfellsdalur

Iceland

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Ultimate Icelandic Night—Northern Lights Hunt, Cozy Blankets & Local Treats in Reykjavik

Reykjavík

We did not see this properly

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

2-Day South Coast Tour: Waterfalls, Ice Caves and Glacier Lagoon (Day 1)

Iceland

Reykjavík Food Walk

Iceland

Icelandic Lava Show Reykjavik

Iceland

Golden Circle Super Jeep and Snowmobile Tour

Iceland

8 Days in Iceland! This was our second trip my husband and I have booked through KimKim and we really enjoyed it! Gummi did a great job planning our itinerary and was extremely responsive when we had questions or needed to tweak our plans. We travel a lot and using Gummi and KimKim really saved us time by booking hotels and activities and planning our route. This was a road trip, starting and ending in Reykjavik. We had a fairly aggressive itinerary and a lot of driving but we were able to fit everything in and are looking forward to another Iceland adventure. Loved the glacier hike and ice cave adventures, stopping at many beautiful beaches, waterfalls, cliffs and other geologic features of this unique landscape!! We loved riding Icelandic horses on the beach near Vik. We stopped at 3 different geothermal pools -- Sky Lagoon, Secret Lagoon and the Blue Lagoon. Each had its own unique vibe and definitely worth a visit. We were surprised at what an incredible foodie town Reykjavik is - Gummi provided restaurant recommendations for the city and smaller areas as well. The tasting menu at Fish Market in Reykjavik is spendy but not to miss! Our hotels in the outlying areas all had very good restaurants, too. There were a few days when we rolled in late and it was nice to be able to head to the dining room for a great meal - without having to get into the car again in search of dinner. We did have a couple of reservation mixups at two hotels but we called Gummi and he got things sorted out speedy quick. Things happen on trips, I get it, but the key is having a super-responsive travel agent who can fix the problem in a heartbeat.

Activity Reviews

Sky Lagoon - Experience the seven-step Sky Ritual

Iceland

What a fun experience! The 7-step ritual was unique! The outdoor setting and infinity pool view was gorgeous. Loved having a swim-up bar!

Quality of Experience

Solheimajokull Glacier Hike

Iceland

Beautiful area! We felt safe and well-taken care of. Fun going up and down - the crampons were easier than I expected. The only problem with these types of events is that there are always one or two people who maybe don't have the best fitness level for this type of activity. Our guide really wanted to be accommodating to all the guests but we ended up stopping a lot- and we were a little concerned! It's a good hike just to get to the glacier and then an uphill walk in crampons. The glacier ice was amazing.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Emphasis on safety. Double-checked everyone's harness, helmet and crampons.

Icelandic horse riding tour

Iceland

Fun, fun, fun! These shaggy little horses were so cute and friendly and well-mannered. The guides did a thorough demo before we set off. It was fun going along the black sand beach and lots of photo ops. My only wish is that we could've had a longer ride, but we had other sights to stop at and a drive back to Reykjavik that day so it worked out fine.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Crystal Blue Ice Cave

Iceland

Another great glacier walk! Guide was thorough but he could've used a helper as a "tail gunner" to keep an eye on everyone from the rear. As it was, Connelly and I took on that roll. The guide clipped in an older woman in our group to ropes anchored in the ice.

Transport

Phew! Our guide/driver knew the back road but it was rough and he drove (what I thought) was too fast. Lost of turns - i was feeling a little carsick in the back of the van on the way back to the parking lot.

The Secret Lagoon

Iceland

This was a lower-key outdoor pool experience than Sky or Blue Lagoon but equally enjoyable. Loved the gravel bottom. There were foam pool noodles that were fun to float around on.

Quality of Experience

Lower key than Blue or Sky Lagoon. Enjoyed floating around with the pool noodles - loose gravel bottom felt great under foot.