Kimkim Trip Reviews

Othman was extremely responsive to any and all questions. The excursions were planned well and timed out really nicely. We had plenty of time to explore but plenty of time to do some relaxing too.

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

We had a fantastic time in Indonesia. Special thanks to Yuqqa. Everything went smoothly. In Medan we had Joel to guide us and the time in the jungle was amazing in Bukit Lewang. Ronie our expert guide in the jungle helped us to see Orangatans and Tomas monkeys. He also found giant ants for us and they were amazing and BIG!! In Bali our driver Roosna was great. Our VW buggy driver Dan was also great and we had a great exploration of Bali and even visited a family owned coffee plantation and drank Luak coffee and it was good. Our whole 31 day trip of Asia was fantastic and specifically Indonesia was a memory I will never forget. We even got a Balinese massage which made me sore for days. It was great.

Paula was absolutely amazing! She listened to understand my likes and to identify the activities that I would most enjoy.

Her knowledge and experience helped me plan an amazing trip.

Hotel Reviews

Sudima Auckland City

Auckland

I loved my stay at the Sudima Auckland City hotel. The hotel had a unique setup that I really enjoyed. It was a memorable experience, with no negatives to report.

Peppers Bluewater Resort

Lake Tekapo

Peppers Bluewater Resort offered great views and was a very nice place to stay.

Desert Garden Hotel

Uluru

The Desert Garden Hotel in Uluru was fine overall, but my experience was marred by the check-in situation. While we knew check-in time was at 3 PM and we arrived mid-morning, other travel groups were prioritized and able to check-in early. This felt a bit unfair, although the accommodation itself met our expectations.

Laneways by Ovolo

Melbourne

The Laneways by Ovolo in Melbourne was a standout accommodation during my trip. The boutique style of the hotel was fabulous, and the staff went above and beyond by providing helpful directions and recommendations, not only to me but to other guests as well. It was a unique and memorable stay.

Activity Reviews

Full Day High-Country Farm Tour & Arthurs Pass National Park

Christchurch

The Full Day High-Country Farm Tour & Arthurs Pass National Park with Canterbury Trails in Christchurch was outstanding. The host did a fantastic job sharing insights about the farm operation, culture, and business expansion plans, making it an informative yet entertaining experience. I highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting.

Glacier Boat Trip

New Zealand

The Glacier Boat Trip near Mt Cook was a bit of a letdown. Although the drive and views were beautiful, the trip itself didn't stand out compared to other Glacier tours I've done. I would suggest either combining this activity with something else in the area to make the travel time worth it or choosing another activity altogether.

A Night at Field of Light

Uluru

The Night at Field of Light in Uluru was fantastic. The combination of the desert dinner, the Field of Light display, and the stargazing experience made for a memorable evening. The guide was both informative and entertaining, enhancing the overall experience.

Full-Day Outer Great Barrier Reef (from Wharf)

Cairns

The Full-Day Outer Great Barrier Reef experience was fantastic. We thoroughly enjoyed the day spent exploring the reef.

Daintree Rainforest Full Day Adventure by 4WD

Cairns

The Daintree Rainforest Full Day Adventure felt a bit too long for the amount of wildlife and sights we experienced. It involved a lot of travel, and while the lunch was a highlight, the day overall did not meet my expectations.

Full-Day Great Ocean Road Trip

Melbourne

The Full-Day Great Ocean Road Trip was really good. I enjoyed the scenic views throughout the trip.

Morning Lanes and Arcades Tour - Shared tour

Melbourne

The Morning Lanes and Arcades Tour in Melbourne was a lot of fun. I especially enjoyed the chocolatier visit and the morning tea stop.

Full Day Milford Sound - Coach/Cruise/Fly - Ex Queenstown

Queenstown (NZ)

The Full Day Milford Sound tour was truly amazing. The combination of traveling by passenger van, then cruising, and finally flying back offered spectacular views. I highly recommend opting for the flight return—it's very worth it.

The Kimkim planned an amazing and affordable Costa Rican getaway to La Fortuna. Every detail was arranged from outings to transportation and went off without a hitch. Will definitely use Kimkim for future trips.

Our trip to Costa Rica was nothing short of extraordinary, filled with unforgettable wildlife encounters, stunning views, and an incredible team that made every moment special. From the moment we arrived, the natural beauty of the country swept us away, and it felt like we were in another world.

Our hotel, perched on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, offered some of the most breathtaking views imaginable. Each morning, we woke up to the sound of the ocean waves crashing below, and the sun casting golden hues over the water. It felt like paradise, as we enjoyed meals on the terrace, watching the colors change as the day unfolded. It was truly an oasis that allowed us to feel connected to the land in a way we never have before.

One of the highlights of our adventure was our guide, Diego. It was clear from the start that he was not just a guide, but someone who had a deep, almost spiritual connection to the land. Diego was a walking encyclopedia of knowledge, always pointing out things we would have never noticed on our own – from the smallest hummingbird to hidden sloths high up in the trees. He explained the delicate balance of Costa Rica's ecosystem and the importance of conservation, leaving us with a profound appreciation for the land.

Our driver, Alex, was a joy to travel with. He was not just a driver, but a passionate ambassador for Costa Rica, eager to share his love for his country. As we drove through the lush landscapes, Alex shared stories of the country’s history, culture, and customs. His pride for Costa Rica was contagious, and we felt so fortunate to have someone so personable and knowledgeable guiding us along the way.

We also had the pleasure of traveling with Oscar, our driver for one of the longer rides. Despite the long hours, Oscar kept us entertained and laughing with his witty humor and charming personality. He had a way of making even the most grueling five-hour journey feel like a fun adventure, keeping us in high spirits the entire way.

And then there was Elena, the mastermind behind our entire trip. She was nothing short of amazing. Elena meticulously planned every detail, ensuring that our trip was seamless and stress-free. When I fell ill before our first planned trip and had to postpone, she didn’t hesitate to reschedule everything for us without a second thought. She worked tirelessly to accommodate us, even adjusting our itinerary with Serendipity after we arrived exhausted, so that we could rest and fully enjoy the beauty of Costa Rica. Elena’s attention to detail and unwavering dedication made this trip unforgettable.

Between the wildlife encounters—like seeing monkeys swinging through the trees, iguanas basking in the sun, and the incredible birdlife—and the stunning vistas, this was a trip that will live in our hearts forever. Costa Rica’s beauty, combined with the genuine warmth and hospitality of the team, made it an experience that we will treasure for a lifetime. We left feeling inspired, grateful, and with a newfound love for this beautiful country.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Costa Verde

Manuel Antonio

The views were spectacular! Like nothing we have experienced. One worker, Oscar, was the only negative and reason for only 4 stars. He failed to tell us that we needed $300 cash to book the excursion, so we scheduled it but when we went to pay, he said it had to be cash. We had our credit card info stolen in La Fortuna so we had used almost all of our cash and could not pay this in cash. He was incredibly rude to use and wouldn't stop telling us that now the guide would have to pay out of pocket because of us. We paid a fortune for this trip so we obviously have no problem paying for our experiences, but this was not explained to us and sadly our last day, he continued to harass us about this even after we added a day because we did not want to leave this beautiful paradise.

Authenticity & Character

unique

Location

breathtaking views

Staff

everyone was wonderful except oscar at front desk, rude as explained above

Cleanliness & Comfort

perfection

Volcano Lodge, Hotel & Thermal Experience

San Carlos, Alajuela

Gorgeous and surrounded by nature. However, if paying to stay at hotel, I don't think we should have to deal with busses full of day pass people using the facilities we are paying for- the crowds were very disappointing and would not have been a thing if the hotel just focused on its guests rather than allowing bus after bus to bring hundreds of people to use the hot springs that should be for hotel guests only. sadly we only got in the springs once due to the crowds

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Nature Hike

Manuel Antonio

Beautiful- had hoped to see more wildlife

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

oscar was the best driver! we hated to even say goodbye to him. loved him!

Transport

oscar was the best! we hated to even say goodbye to him. loved him!

Catamaran Tour with Meal

Costa Rica

lovely views/fun vibe

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Stephen was incredible

Transport

Hanging Bridges, La Fortuna Waterfall, and Arenal Volcano

Arenal/La Fortuna

Most breathtaking views, guide, Diego was incredible and taught us so much

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Diego was one with nature- he taught us so much.

Transport

Alex is a doll

Clemens planned a beautiful tour of Germany for our family. We spent 8 days traveling between Munich, Nuremberg, Frankfort and Berlin. Our favorite tours were the castle tours with Pedro, the food tour of Berlin with Alex and the Nuremberg tour with Kurt. All of the guides were very knowledgeable and the country that we saw is beautiful!
The only thing that I would change with the time we had was to reduce the number of cities by one. It was a lot to be hopping on a train every day or every other day. But, otherwise, great trip!

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!

Our trip to Paris and Bayeux was exceptional. From the very second of the planning process, Liz listened to our desires and did a fantastic job creating an itinerary that was full of culture and history.

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

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

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

Hotel Reviews

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

Paris

Spacious and in a good location

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Churchill Hotel Bayeux Centre

Bayeux

Authenticity & Character

Full of charm with a pleasant ambiance.

Location

Such a quaint street!

Staff

Staff was very kind and helpful through our stay.

Cleanliness & Comfort

ibis Paris CDG Airport

Tremblay en France

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

Authenticity & Character

Very stark

Location

Connected to the airport!

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

A Gourmet Cruise Experience on the Seine

Paris

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

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Omaha & Utah Beach War History Day Trip

Bayeux

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

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Versailles Bike & Palace Day Trip

France

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

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private French Revolution Walking Tour For All Ages

Paris

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

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Mont-Saint-Michel Day Trip

Bayeux

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

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

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

Transport

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

American Airborne Divisions War History Day Trip

Bayeux

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

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

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

I give KimKim lots of credit for finding this very obscure trip for me. I have an interest in prehistoric rock art and wanted to find a way to visit Serra Da Capivara National Park, which has very few foreign visitors because of its remoteness in northeast Brazil.
That said, I had very little interaction with KimKim following the booking. Once I had the WhatsApp number of my local guide, I stayed in contact with him.

Our trip was fantastic! Hassan did a great job planning a perfect variety of activities and matched us with excellent guides and the very best driver, Ismail. Accomodations were nice with centrally located locations. Loved our special Ramadan dinner with the family in Fez. Ismail was super friendly and knowledgeable about the area. He was very flexible and even showed us several sites we were not planning to see. Ismail was the best gift we got in Morocco. Thank you KimKim for another wonderful trip of a lifetime.

Hotel Reviews

Lina Ryad & Spa

Chefchaouen

Very nice. Great location in the center of the beautiful Medina with a lovely roof top terrace and views for days. Note to guests: no elevator and lots of steps to enter hotel and possibly 3 flights to 3rd floor.

Authenticity & Character

Authentic. Lovely fireplace in main dining room which came in handy in early March due to cold rainy weather.

Location

Center of the Medina.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Even the couch (made into a bed) was comfortable to sleep on

Riad Laaroussa

Fez medina

A special place. Hidden deep in the Medina. Beautifully decorated. Very traditional. Lovely art and more.

Authenticity & Character

Gorgeous room with extra large bath. Sitting area, slippers, comfortable beds.

Location

Staff

All very friendly and helpful.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Euphoriad

Rabat

Activity Reviews

Dinner with a local Family in Fes

Fes

What a special treat. Lovely family - very open to sharing their life and family with us. Food was delicious. Highly highly recommend to all travelers!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Pottery & Mosaïc workshop

Morocco

This is really a shopping opportunity. There was a very short demonstration of tile carving (which was fantastic) but most of the time was spent shopping :)

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Explore the Blue City

Chefchaouen

Best guide! A young PhD student so eager to share his country with us. As a bonus, he was also a photographer and helped us find great spots for our photos and took some excellent shots of us .

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

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

I had the pleasure of working with Trang to plan a recent trip to Vietnam and Cambodia> I had never used Kim Kim prior so was a bit nervous. No need to be, I was impressed with the service received! From the very beginning, Trang was incredibly responsive and organized, answering all of my questions promptly and thoroughly. She took the time to understand my travel preferences and crafted a customized itinerary that perfectly suited my interests.

Every detail of the trip was well planned.For our 2 week trip we saw 7 cities with the help of 4 different regional tour guides and drivers. 3 of the guides were great, one l was not as knowledgeable as I would have hoped. All guides and drivers were punctual and reliable . I felt completely at ease knowing everything was taken care of. During the trip, everything went smoothly. Trang was in constant contact checking in on us most days. She accommodated minor changes such as changing what we wanted to tour with 24 hours notice.

What stood out the most was how Trang anticipated my needs before I even realized them, ensuring that I had the best possible experience. Her attention to detail, professionalism, and genuine care made my trip to Vietnam and Cambodia unforgettable. I highly recommend their services to anyone looking to travel to this amazing part of the world!

Hotel Review

Indochine Premium Cruise

Amazing ship with luxurious cabins and some of the best meals we experienced on our trip. Ha Long bay is spectactular nd would highly recommend this premium cruise

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Hanoi City Tour & Half-day Sightseeing and Taste Local Food by Legendary Russian Jeep GAZ69 Or USA Army Jeep (VBTJ1)

Hanoi

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Siem Reap: Banteay Srei - Pre Rup - Tonle Sap Lake - Dinner with an Apsara Dance Show

Siem Reap

The temples were breathtaking and a "do not miss". Unfortunately Tonle Sap lake was in low water season(mid march) and thus we were unable to get the full experience including getting to see floating villages. While the long drive out did allow us to see Cambodia and small villages, it did not feel a good use of a half day. Aspara dance was entertaining. Food at the dinner was mediocre.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

HaNoi- Ninh Binh: Visit Hoa Lu & Trang An Grottoes

Vietnam

Do not miss this amazing site of the Trang An grotto boat tour. The caverns are unique and made for a unforgettable experience.

Saigon By Night Food Tour - Experience Vietnam on Two Wheels (Private Tour)

Ho Chi Minh City

Good to do at night once the sun goes down for a more comfortable experience. Was a ton of fun riding on the back of scooters and getting to know more about life in HCMC from our guides. Feel like we got a good feel for the city as covered alot of ground. The food was good , but was secondary to the scooter experience. We'd been in country for over a week so had already experienced similar foods.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hue City Tour

Hue

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hoi An Countryside - Lantern Making - Gardening & Basket Boat Ride (HUT19) - Hoi An Ancient Town

Hoi An

Enjoyed getting out to the countryside farm area.

Siem Reap - Explore Angkor Complex Temples

Siem Reap

We had an absolutely amazing 2 days exploring the Angkor Wat complex with our guide! From start to finish, the experience was unforgettable. Our guide was knowledgeable about the history and culture of the site, which made the tour even more enriching. . He was attentive to our pace, ensuring we had time to explore and ask questions, while also making sure we didn’t miss any of the key highlights. The temples were breathtaking. I would highly recommend booking a guided tour of Angkor Wat to anyone visiting. It’s a must-see, and having a knowledgeable guide and a comfortable van and thoughtful driver (provided cold water and a cold towel at every stop) made it even more special.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Every transport person, every guide was incredible.

Hotel Review

Hotel Fabian

Helsinki

Hotel Fabian was probably the most modern among our accommodations. We did face a minor issue with a pipe under the sink that fell out and caused some water to spill everywhere. However, the staff was prompt in fixing it immediately. This dedication to customer service was impressive. Overall, the room was immaculate, just like I require, and it was a pleasant stay.

Activity Reviews

Husky Safari

Finland

The husky safari experience was fabulous! It was a beautifully serene and gorgeous experience. We got to pet the huskies and saw sixty eager dogs ready for their sledding run. Even though there was a little mishap with my daughter-in-law falling off the sled, and her mom breaking her pinky, it was an unforgettable experience.

Reindeer Adventure

Levi

The reindeer adventure was amazing. The host shared so much knowledge about the reindeer and treated us to a wonderful experience. We even got to feed the reindeer, which was a delightful experience, something I can't do back home in New York. This was truly an astonishing experience, and it broadened my understanding of these majestic creatures.

Northern Lights Tour with Professional Photos

Finland

The Northern Lights Tour was absolutely wonderful. Our guide, whom we called the 'Lights Hunter,' went above and beyond to ensure we had a memorable experience. We stayed out late into the night and saw the beautiful auroras with shooting stars that added a personal touch to the experience. This tour left a lasting impression on me.

We just returned from a fabulous trip thru Southern Spain planned by KimKim. Marta was our travel specialists and she did a wonderful job.

Itinerary--Malaga-Granada-Ronda-Seville
Had tickets for the Picasso museum in Malaga, which is far better than the Picasso Museum in Barcelona. Tickets were wonderful as we walked right in past a very long line of people waiting who had not purchased pre-timed tickets. Stayed at the Only You Hotel. Hopping place with very lively bar.

Granada was our favority city. Very walkable. Stayed at AC Marriot Palace, centrally located by the University. Marta arranged a flamenco show in Sacremonte, which is not to be missed. Daytime tour of the Alhambra with our guide Marta was fantastic.

Travelled to Ronda via private car. Although countryside was beautiful, it rained most of the way.

Our hotel in Seville was amazing--the Palacio Villapanes, an SLH hotel. The bathroom was luxurious and my daughter appreciated the full soaking tub.
Took a walking tour of the Triano market with cooking class--made paella from scratch. That was also one of the highlights of our visit.

We never needed to use the emergency phone # as every single driver, transfer, guide, ticket etc were expertly arranged in advance by our agent. Hassle free vacation. Loved it.

The planning was easy to do and adjust as needed and the 2 hotels we stayed at were awesome. We stayed 3 nights at Arenal Manoa near La Fortuna. Our room was spacious, but somewhat dated. But the grounds were gorgeous as was the pool with the swim up bar. There were plenty of thermal pools on the premises, but none of them were really warm. Breakfast was full of plenty of delicious items to eat including an omelette bar.

The second place we stayed at was La Mariposa, which did live up to its fame of the most gorgeous view. The infinity pool was huge and so refreshing. They also had a good breakfast spread. We thought it was strange though that they had no body wash for guests (we ended up buying a large soap) and they were still using little plastic containers for the amenities which does not feel very eco-friendly at all. There was an older gentleman at the front desk when we checked in that was very rude and I have seen other comments about how they were poorly treated upon check in. All the other people who worked there were lovely though.

As far as our time with serendipity adventures, who was the local tour company, the drivers were where they needed to be when we needed them, but unfortunately, they obviously do not take good care of their vehicles because our first car broke down halfway through our ride to La Fortuna. We had to wait over an hour for another driver to show up and finish the way in another car. Then the driver that was going to take us back to the airport in San Jose, shows up with a flat tire. They did make good and found a driver for us about a half hour later and we were fine for our flight but that would be my one criticism. All of the guides we had for rainforest tours were very knowledgeable and friendly. If you do have a guide going through the rainforest, though, make sure they have binoculars or a telephoto lens so you can really get a close up of the animals. Our first guide, unfortunately, had neither nor did he have his laser pointer to actually show us what he was looking at so that made it more difficult but the second guy had what we needed.

Very easy to book. Our whale watching got canceled and I received a refund with a week of returning. Had a great experience. Our travel agent was very responsive when we had questions. We loved Iceland and can’t wait to travel there again.

All guides were knowledgeable and enthusiastic. The guide at the Alhambra was somewhat difficult to understand. There was a snafu in Cordoba- no guide met us. It took almost one hour for a guide to appear. None-the-less she was excellent.
All hotels had central locations. The hotel in Madrid was noisy. The hotel in Granada was charming and our favorite. The "boutique" hotel in Sevilla had very small rooms and dangerous bathrooms. In addition to a slippery shower floor (not safe for an older traveler) the shower faucets were difficult to use and very hot. The hotel is aware of this problem and tries to provide a tutorial when you check in. This hotel provided a champagne celebration which was appreciated.
All of the hotel breakfasts were excellent. All of the drivers were courteous and professional. Your support staff was helpful- especially when the EWR-LIS TAP Air flight misconnected and when the SEV-LIS-EWR flight was cancelled entirely. Based on this I have learned that TAP Air is an unreliable airline.

Our recent trip to Panama was so extremely well organized. Emily, our travel coordinator, did an excellent job and when there was an issue, she jumped in and got it fixed. We appreciated her communication with us along the way. Our trip started in Panama City and our tour guide Luis was EXCELLENT! He knew so much about everything and was open to answering all our questions and engaging in conversation about what was so special about his country. He took us to a wonderful restaurant in Old Town for lunch. Our driver, Luis #2, was always prompt and helpful. We appreciated both of them immensely. We really enjoyed the private boat tour with Luis in Gamboa. Being on the lake with the ships passing through the canal was a once in a lifetime experience. It exceeded our expectations. Boras del Toro was very laid back and the Isle of Colon boat tour with Miguel was amazing. We loved Starfish Beach. The food at the local restaurants in town was very good too, Our driver there was also prompt and went above and beyond to see that we were well taken care of. It was a nice way to wrap it all up before heading back home with a one night stay downtown with the rooftop bar overlooking the city. Our driver back to the airport was also prompt and courteous.

Hotel Reviews

Central Hotel Panama

Panama

Perfect location in the heart of Old Town. Beautiful hotel. Excellent breakfast.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Tryp Panama Centro by Wyndham

Panama City

Clean, spacious room. Beautiful rooftop pool and bar.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Gamboa Rainforest Reserve

Gamboa

Spacious room and bathroom. Loved the balcony with the hammock overlooking the rainforest. Hotel also had a beautiful lobby and nice food options.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Tour Guide on the truck tour of local wildlife was very good, especially for a no cost option.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Playa Tortuga Hotel & Beach Resort

Bocas del Toro

Hotel was probably an incredible resort at one time but is in need of some maintenance and cleaning. The attention to detail was not there. Pool water was not clean and pool and beach loungers were not comfortable. Room was musty but that resolved after a few hours of having the air conditioner on . Stains on the sofa fabric. Breakfast was good. We moved after one night.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Not in the center of town but only a 10 minute drive away.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Panama History and Cultural Experience

Panama City

Luis, our tour guide was exceptional!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Rainforest boat tour

Gamboa

Exceeded expectations. Luis, our guide, again was exceptional. Between seeing the ships traversing the Canal on the lake and meeting some local wildlife up close and personal, it was a great way to transition from the city to the jungle.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The best of Isla Colon and surroundings

Bocas del Toro

Seeing things from the water gives you a whole other perspective. We enjoyed both Bird Island and Starfish Beach!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

MIguel was an excellent boat operator and guide. We enjoyed being with him

Transport

Our driver had to deal with road closures due to construction. He would park and walk us to make sure we got to where we needed to be. The same experience in picking us up. I consider that excellent service!

Self guided day - Time at leisure in Panama City

Panama City

We were on our own and went to the Amador Causeway and rented bikes and rode up and down the causeway with the locals on the bike path. That was a lot of fun!