Vio Travel

My trip to Japan was extraordinary because of Leny.
Hee daily follow up was so useful
Leny knew exactly what I had in mind. The hotels choices were excellent & a few footsteps away from restaurants and services.
Traveling by trains & navigating huge stations with lots & lots of crowds can be pretty intimidating but the detailed maps Leny provided made it very easy to do this.
The guide in Tokyo was excellent giving me detailed historical information about the shrines & shintos we visited & came prepared with charts to explain the differences between shrines & shintos.
Marco the photographer was amazing choosing all the perfect locations for an excellent photo shoot.
My guide to Nara did a lot of research & came prepared with sheets & charts. I found this very sweet. Shows the real Japanese ethics & dedication to work.
Thank you Leny for creating the best travel plan for me & for making my first trip to Japan unforgettable.
You are the best!

Most all websites and others say it takes about 14 days to really see Japan. Well, when you're working with Leny of Kim Kim and you tell her we only have 7, she put together a most amazing trip we ever took...!!!!
Everything went as plan with no hiccups...!! If you're a little phone savvy, good with GPS and directions then all it takes ...!!
We went from Toyko, Hakone, Kyoto, Hirashima then Osaka with only our backpacks...!!!! With all the walking tours & running around, I even lost 10 pounds...!!!
The price was also very reasonable because we don't like 5 or even 4 stars hotels. All those we stayed in were clean and had everything we needed including washers and dryers...!!!
She also arranged out stay in South Korea as well, which that was also amazing. I told her i wanted to go see Busan as its use to be called Pusan when i was there in the Navy in 80-83. Our tour guide there show me the area the Sailors hang out, but it has really changed since then.
Don't take a chance on trying to do this yourself like i thought i was going to because you will not have a good experience.
Call the best in the business...!! Leny of Kim Kim...!!!!

Jook booked this trip for us very last minute and did a fabulous job. Hotels were wonderful and the driver/guides exceptional. Jook selected great tours that we thoroughly enjoyed. I will definitely use Jook and KimKim again - fabulous company.

Jeab was great to work with and developed a wonderful itinerary for us. It was so helpful to have someone local to confirm transfers and tour times, without us trying to phone each day to confirm activities over the next couple of days. We spent 13 nights across 4 cities/towns, each hotel was as advertised and met our expectations. We enjoyed all of our tours and our guides were all knowledgeable and friendly.

We had an issue on the first day (I fell over, 100% my fault) but Jeab and Noemie (the KimKim support person we had available 24/7) were helpful and sympathetic. They checked whether tours could be adjusted to accommodate my newly acquired walking stick, and could make recommendations regarding treatment - we did come home with a few different herbal balms that helped the healing.

The Thai Family Experience Home Host Tour in Chiang Mai (cooking with the host family) was better than we expected, the food was delicious, we actually got in and helped with the cooking rather than being mostly spectators (of course we didn't do everything but it was quite hands on), and the large host family prepares several dishes as appetizers as well, all amazing.
Also near Chiang Mai the Patara Elephant Farm tour was good, you get to feed and wash the elephants, plus some cuddles and a few pictures of course. The handlers there were excellent and clearly care for the elephants.

From Phuket we took a full day boat tour Hong by Starlight. Highly recommend this tour to anyone. We were gone 11 hours from hotel pick up to drop off, tired from the fun of the day but not worn out because it is so well run (and pretty much everything is done for you). There is a guide for every couple, they take you from the main boat on inflatable canoes through caves/tunnels, show you the wildlife, and take photos of you with the perfect backdrops. The third and final canoe trip was after dinner, it was pitch black on the water just around the other side of a small island from the main boat. In the darkness we could see the bio-luminescent plankton clearly. It was a great day, they take care of you really well. Not expensive, and certainly worth every dollar for the experience we received.

We'd love to go again and would certainly trust Jeab to plan us a perfect holiday.

March 2025: Just returned from a 8 night trip to Japan with my husband and 20 year old son. It was FABULOUSly well planned by Leny! Her recommendations were spot on with our pre-trip discussions and expectations. Our hotels in Tokyo, Hakone & Kyoto were lovely, in great locations and included a fantastic breakfast. Our private guides all spoke great English and were a delight to spend a few hours each day exploring local sights. Our transfers and daily reminders were flawless.

Trip Highlights:
Tokyo Tsukiji and Asakusa with Michiko
Tokyo Food Tour with Clara
Hakone Tour with Masa
Kyoto Arashiyama with Hiro
Koyto Dinner with a Maiko in Gion district with Josh
Kyoto Kiyomizu Temple, Fushimi Shrine & Nishiki Market with Hiro
Nara with Yasuhisa

Plum blossoms were in bloom and beautiful :)

I highly recommend booking with kimkim!

Hotel Reviews

HOTEL GROOVE SHINJUKU, A PARKROYAL Hotel

Tokyo

Great location!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Matsuzakaya Honten

Kanagawa

Destination experience of it's own!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Blossom Kyoto

Kyoto

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Mitsui Garden Hotel Roppongi Tokyo Premier

Tokyo

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Private Sushi Making Experience: Craft Authentic Sushi

Kyoto

Unique experience!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Best Of Shibuya Food Private Tour - Evening

Tokyo

Clara is a great guide!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Dinner with Maiko in a Traditional Kyoto Style Restaurant Tour (Small Group)

Kyoto

Josh was great! The dinner with Maiko was an amazing, unique experience.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Half-Day Tokyo Tour with English-Speaking Guide

Tokyo

Michiko was a great local guide and knows how to get around the city with ease.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tokyo to Hakone Private Transfer: Mt. Fuji and Hakone Full-Day Tour with English-Speaking Driver

Japan

Masa is a great driver and guide!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tea Ceremony in Kyoto (Private)

Kyoto

Unique experience!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Relaxing Evening: Private Onsen and Kaiseki Dinner

Hakone

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full Day Nara Tour From Kyoto with English Speaking Guide (Private)

Japan

Yasu was an expert local guide and a pleasure to spend the day with!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hidden charms of Arashiyama

Kyoto

Hiro was great!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Half-Day Kyoto Tour with English-Speaking Guide (Private)

Kyoto

Hiro was fantastic!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Leny was a fantastic guide and immensely helpful in planning our trip to Japan. I was very overwhelmed going into the planning process, and Leny took the time to work with me and understand my needs to craft the perfect itinerary. She totally understood our requests and went above and beyond to make logistics as smooth and easy as possible. When we arrived in Japan we felt 0 stress, and all the activities planned were incredible- local, authentic, and just so much fun. Thanks to Leny and the KimKim team for a seamless and amazing trip!

Great 21 days to Thailand - Kimkim team provided guidance throughout the trip They were available when there was last minute changes or issues. Favorite excursions were interactions with elephants - both in Chiang Mai and Koh Samui. Another favorite was a private charter of a catamaran in Koh Samui where they brought us to pig island. Only negatives were sometimes the group excursions were long - they could have been cut shorter (Kayak, road trip from Chiang rai to Chiang Mai) Overall a very memorable trip !

Hotel Reviews

Le Patta Hotel Chiang Rai

The hotel was close to the walking street but it’s on was located on a busy street.

Authenticity & Character

Location

The hotel is closed to the walking street and street food but it’s on a busy street

Staff

The staff was very nice and accommodating

Cleanliness & Comfort

The hotel is clean but the room could use some refurbishing. Lots of mosquitoes in the area

Meliá Chiang Mai Hotels & Resort

Chiang Mai

Very beautiful modern hotel with great amenities such as a pool , bar and nice gym

Authenticity & Character

It’s very modern therefore not your typical Thai hotel with character.

Location

Across the street from the markets

Staff

The concierge was great

Cleanliness & Comfort

Bed super comfy

Hotel (Booked on Your Own)

Koh Samui

Absolutely loved our stay at the Anavana resort. It felt like a true Thai resort with individual huts. It’s a very small resort so it’s not crowded and the restaurant view on the beach was fantastic

Authenticity & Character

Thai huts in a tropical setting

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Eden Beach Khao Lak Resort & Spa

Phang Nga

Very busy resort but with a Thai feel. The lobby and restaurants are all in bamboo therefore you feel like you are in the tropics. Our room was nothing special but the other rooms closer to the beach seemed nicer.

Authenticity & Character

Bamboo lobby on stilts

Location

Resort is close to all the restaurants

Staff

The checkin staff was great but it was difficult to get service from the pool bar staff.

Cleanliness & Comfort

The room was clean

The St. Regis Bangkok

Bangkok

Over the top luxurious hotel with great amenities - rooftop pool and fantastic gym. It also had the best buffet breakfast

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Siam Mandarina Hotel

Samutprakarn

I’m not sure I would stay at this hotel again

Authenticity & Character

Location

It’s a sketchy area - close to the airport

Staff

Restaurant staff was extremely slow. We left our EarPods at checkout and they wouldn’t mail them to us

Cleanliness & Comfort

Crazy weird noises

Dusit Suites Hotel Ratchadamri, Bangkok

Bangkok

Authenticity & Character

Newly renovated modern hotel

Location

Great location - central location but quieter as among all the luxury hotels.

Staff

All staff in Thailand are excellent

Cleanliness & Comfort

Bed was comfortable

Avista Grande Phuket Karon Mgallery

Phuket

Very nice hotel with beautiful pool and very nice rooms. The buffet breakfast was excellent

Authenticity & Character

A very nice hotel especially at night with all the lights

Location

It’s in a bit of a weird location as it’s across the public beach but you can still walk to all the restaurants

Staff

Desk staff were excellent

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Samui Islands Yacht Charter – Sunset Trip

Koh Samui

Excellent catamaran excursion with great attentive staff, delicious snacks and great bbq. Would charter from blue voyage again.

Quality of Experience

Catamaran was clean and in good shape. The different unexpected snacks were great

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Very attentive but still kept their distance so we could enjoy family time

Transport

Golden Triangle and Mekong River Boat (Private)

Chiang Rai

The guide was excellent and informative. Enjoyed the Opium museum I gave it a 4 instead of a 5 as the golden triangle was interesting but not scenic as expected. . It was fun going to Laos but the vendors are a bit pushy.

Quality of Experience

Food

The local restaurant was delicious

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The guide was excellent

Transport

Driver was great - boat ride to Laos was fun

Chiang Rai - Chiang Mai via Mae Kampong with Lunch

Thailand

Loved visiting the blue temple early without the crowds. The white temple was magnificent. Our guide was excellent. The drive to Mae kampong was extremely scary as the drive was unsafe. We never got to see the village and walk around as the driver was scaring us and we missed the meeting point. Unfortunately that made our excursion a disappointment

Quality of Experience

H

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guide excellent. Driver awful

Transport

Fatbike Countryside Explorer

Chiang Mai

We ended up being the only two on the excursion. The bikes were in amazing condition. The guide was great and patient ( very safe when we had to cross highways). The lunch provided after the bike ride was delicious.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Grandma’s Cooking Experience

Chiang Mai

We loved our cooking experience at grandma S kitchen. Extremely well organized. They would prepare all the ingredients ahead of time and we got to cook and eat - a soup, pad Thai and a curry and dessert. They would clean up our station in between courses. Very efficient excursion with a funny chef

Quality of Experience

Quality of ingredients

Food

Delicious meal

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Similan Island - Small Group Tour

Thailand

Loved the similar islands although this is definitely not a small group - we were about 40 people side by side in A speed boat. It’s still worth it as the water is beautiful. There are a lot of other tour boats - so it’s crowded. The food provided after by the company was ok - not great.

Quality of Experience

Food

The food at the island was good

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

A larger boat with less people would have been better

Elephant Day Care at Patara Elephant Farm

Chiang Mai

We got to see several elephants rose freely including two 1 year old ( who were funny and kept escaping)We were 4 people to take care of 2 elephants - loved the one on one experience. The fruits at the end were sufficient for a snack

Quality of Experience

Love the one on one with the elephants

Food

The fruits were great as a snack but it wasn’t a meal. We had sticky rice too.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Not too much English but the staff was great

Transport

Hi Vicky

Once again thank you so much for all your assistance in planning my Sydney visit .

WHAT A BEAUTIFUL CITY .....

My guide Steve was amazing and the guide that took us to the mountains wow such a young man but so knowledgeable about Australian history and everything actually

thumps up 2 both

See you next year again Australia

Perth and outback

take care Vicky

Regards

Hotel Review

Own Accommodations Arranged

Authenticity & Character

Location

Shangri-la Sydney

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Sydney Opera House Tour

Sydney

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Sydney City Small Group Walking Tour (Small Group Tour)

Sydney

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Sydney Bridge Climb Summit

Sydney

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Blue Mountains Wildlife Full-Day Sights and Hiking from Sydney

Sydney

Quality of Experience

Food

Transport

Bondi-Bronte Culture & Coast Small Group Walking Tour

Sydney

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

This was our first time using Vicky from KimKim Travel, and we were pleased at her attention t detail, follow up and availability by text and phone on our trip to Tasmania , Carins and Sidney Australia. Travel arrangements for air ,ground and all excursions went smoothly and without a hitch. Vickey made it an uncomplicated pleasant experience, for a packed full day by day travel vacation. The interactive chat KimKim site is excellent for communications ,and last minute changes
As so often happen on vacations. We will definitely use the Agency and Vicky. For Referal and advise on our next adventure.
Anthony and Denise DeCarolis

Hotel Reviews

Mövenpick Hobart

Hobart

Good hotel mice location

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Harbour Rocks Hotel

The Rocks, Sydney NSW

Great location,for Rocks tours and site seeing, historic site quaint hotel

Authenticity & Character

Location and Morning breakfast were special

Location

Great location for walking and getting around Rocks area

Staff

Responsive to all needs ,

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel is a renovation of old hospital and warehouse , Rooms are small and not a lot of space for luggage for two travelers on a longer trip. Bathrooms are adequate but cramped, older fixtures,and appointments.

Crystalbrook Flynn

Cairns

Great hotel great location near the Esplanade,good rooms great service

Authenticity & Character

Location

Location

Pools are great Esplanade right outside you hotel

Staff

Staff was efficient in meeting all requests

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Cairns Lagoon

Cairns

This was a a surprise only 3/4 years old a real special place clean inviting pool to spend a long day of sun and relaxation.

Quality of Experience

Size

Guides, Drivers and Staff

All driver were prompt vehicles were high end and comfortable

Transport

On time and exact good communication prior to pick up as where and when

Ocean Freedom - Cruise to Outer Edge of Upolu Reef and Upolu Cay Reef (Departs from Cairns)

Australia

Definitely bong miss this one a family owned Great Barrier Reef excursion done right. Great Staff Well trained and safe guides Great Lunch After dive snacks And cake and fruit all day Great long snorkel and Dive time on the reef

Quality of Experience

Small group untrusted experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Young energies staff of family owned business , experienced and safety aware

Transport

Quick and easy

We spend a week and a half in Australia (Sydney, Port Douglas, and Melbourne) and everything was great. Our local specialist Vicky did a fantastic job. Our hotels were excellent. In one case, she reached out to us to let us know that the hotel we had originally booked was undergoing some construction and she suggested that we move. Her proactive work was much appreciated. Vicky also arranged city tours, a barrier reef excursion, a tour of the rainforest, and wine and nature tours for us. The vendors she chose were all great. Basically, everything went seamlessly and we had a great time. I would highly recommend Vicky for planning an Australia trip.

Activity Reviews

Wildlife Habitat - YOUR Wildlife Habitat Tour (Private)

Port Douglas

What a tremendous experience. We learned a lot, and the direct encounters with the animals exceeded our expectations. Importantly, these interactions were managed in a way that put the animals health and safety first.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Enrique did a great job

Daintree Rainforest,Cape Tribulation,Mossman Gorge -PRIVATE TOUR from Port Douglas

Port Douglas

Terrific trip with great guide. The nature beauty of the landscape was amazing. And our guide Chris did a fantastic job.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full-Day Great Barrier Reef & Coral Cays Boat Tour

Port Douglas

The reef speaks for itself, but the crew on the boat was amazing. They really looked out for everyone and made the trip special. One of the best snorkeling experiences we've had.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Phillip Island Private Experience

Melbourne

We saw the penguin parade, as well as the Koala habitat and pyramid rock. Our guide, Adam, did a great job taking us to the right places and spotting the local wildlife.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Yarra Valley Winery Private Car Tour

Melbourne

We visited four wineries. We also asked to visit a dairy farm and the tour company made that happen (it was nice to have a cheese break from the wine). We finished with a visit to the chocolate factory. It was a great trip.

Quality of Experience

Food

Lunch at the Rochon winery was excellent

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Russell, our guide, was terrific, and as noted, he added the dairy farm visit at our request.

Transport

Blue Mountains Full Day - Private Tour

Sydney

We had a nice drive out to the blue mountains. There are some amazing views, but I am not sure that they were worth the time it took to get out there.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our driver was very nice, but she did not provide a lot of information. We had much better luck on that front on our other tours in Australia.

Transport

Sunset and Sparkle Sydney Harbour Cruise

Sydney

This was a nice way to see the city from the water. Very relaxing on a nice night. It is not a must do, but it was a cool way to see the city and the harbor.

Quality of Experience