An Unforgettable UK Adventure: Perfect Balance of Sights and Experiences
England | Sep 17 - Sep 21, 2024

Timothy
Timothy D.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on Oct 10, 2024

What an awesome trip! Kateryna did an exceptional job working within my budget and creating an itinerary that struck the perfect balance between seeing the sights and truly experiencing the UK. The communication before and during my trip was clear and informative, which made everything so smooth. I loved driving through the beautiful English countryside—it was such a relaxing and scenic experience. One of my favorite moments was the boat tour on the Thames, which offered a unique and peaceful perspective of the area. Overall, I felt like I got an authentic taste of the UK and came home with amazing memories (and plenty of photos!).

Hotel Reviews
Phoenix Hotel
London

The hotel room was compact but clean and practical. Although there was no air conditioning and the walls were quite thin—I could hear the neighbors overnight—I still slept very well. The breakfast was excellent, and the location was unbeatable, with easy access to shops, eateries, and the London Underground. The area felt safe and was very accessible, making it a worthwhile stay despite the minor inconveniences.

Authenticity & Character
Flet generic. Like a medical facility.
Location
Close proximity to retail and transportation.
Staff
Extremely helpful staff.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Overall, the hotel felt very clean.
Malmaison Oxford
Oxford

The Malmaison Hotel in Oxford is truly in a unique location. I absolutely loved my room—it was beautifully and appropriately decorated, with decent ventilation, a comfortable bed, and a lovely bathroom with a fantastic shower. The restaurant was incredible, offering an unforgettable dining experience. But what truly stood out was the staff. They made me feel incredibly welcome and genuinely cared for. I had just been in a minor car accident right before my arrival, and the staff showed such understanding and compassion as I checked in after a tough situation. Their kindness made all the difference in my stay.

Authenticity & Character
Staying in a historic castle/prison was exceptionally unique. The decor throughout and in-room was fun!
Location
Walkable to everything. Felt very upbeat and lively.
Staff
I couldn't be more grateful for each staff member who helped me throughout my stay. A fantastic team!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean and tidy.
Activity Reviews
Hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus
Hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus
London

The hop-on hop-off bus was a lot of fun and a great way to see several sights in London in the open air. The staff were very friendly, and the onboard experience was excellent. I especially enjoyed the drive through Knightsbridge, even with the traffic—it gave me time to take in the beautiful surroundings. Overall, it was a very enjoyable experience.

Quality of Experience
I was frustrated that they were not able to validate my pre-paid ticket.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Extremely friendly and understanding staff.
Transport
The onboard experience was great but locating stops was a challenge.
Thames Cruise with Dinner
Thames Cruise with Dinner
London

The late evening river cruise was an amazing experience. The opportunity to capture photos and take in the expansive views of London at a leisurely pace exceeded my expectations. While the dinner was a bit awkward since I was traveling solo and surrounded by couples and families, I still valued the experience. The food was average—comparable to what you'd expect at a large wedding reception—but the overall ambiance and perspective of London made it worthwhile.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Tower of London Beefeater Welcome & Crown Jewels
Tower of London Beefeater Welcome & Crown Jewels
London

This was an incredibly immersive historical experience. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the unique history of this location, with architecture reflecting different periods over time. The Crown Jewels exhibition was absolutely incredible, and I loved the afternoon views of the Tower Bridge set against the London skyline. Overall, I learned a great deal and found the visit both educational and highly enjoyable.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Great conversations with the guides! Definitely engage them to optimize your visit!
Local specialist: Kateryna Garkavenko
Kateryna
Kateryna Garkavenko
Local specialist in London | Replied on Oct 11, 2024
Hi Timothy, Thank you so much for your wonderful review and for sharing your experiences! I’m thrilled to hear that you had such an awesome trip and that the itinerary struck the perfect balance between sightseeing and authentic UK experiences. It was truly my pleasure to plan your journey, and knowing that you came home with amazing memories—and photos!—makes it all the more rewarding. I'm glad the communication was clear and helpful, and that you enjoyed the scenic drives through the... Read more

Hi Timothy,

Thank you so much for your wonderful review and for sharing your experiences! I’m thrilled to hear that you had such an awesome trip and that the itinerary struck the perfect balance between sightseeing and authentic UK experiences. It was truly my pleasure to plan your journey, and knowing that you came home with amazing memories—and photos!—makes it all the more rewarding.

I'm glad the communication was clear and helpful, and that you enjoyed the scenic drives through the English countryside as well as the unique perspective offered by the Thames boat tour. Your feedback on each aspect of the trip, including the hotels and activities, is invaluable and greatly appreciated.

It means the world to me that you felt well taken care of and that the trip met your expectations. Should you ever decide to explore more of the UK , I would be delighted to assist you again. Thank you once again for choosing KimKim as your travel planner.

Warm regards and best wishes for your future adventures,
Kate