Kimkim Trip Reviews

It was our first time to use Kimkim. Coraima was the perfect planner. She understood what experience we were looking for and iterated with us. All the logistics were beautifully handled

Thank you coraima

Cathy did an amazing job delivering a wonderful international trip to Ireland. She was very responsive and chose wonderful activities the whole family could enjoy. We especially love the Falconry visit with Mark.

Hotel Reviews

Ashling Hotel Dublin

Dublin

They would not let us check in a minute before 3PM. The train was steps out front of the door, it was a bit unnerving with kids. Would not recommend with children. It was clean, and well kept otherwise not a lot of amenities.

Authenticity & Character

Clean

Location

It was tricky for taxi drivers, as it was on train track

Staff

Not friendly

Cleanliness & Comfort

comfortable Beds & Bedding

Mount Juliet Estate

Thomastown

Beautiful property, clean and well appointed. Swimming facility was very nice, and room was comfortable. Lots of activities to spend time on. We wish we had booked more days here!

Authenticity & Character

Well decorated, and curated spaces that were inspiring

Location

Beautiful grounds, and golf course

Staff

All lovely

Cleanliness & Comfort

Great bedding!

The Kingsley Hotel

Cork

This hotel smelled of B.O upon entering. The staff seemed overwhelmed, it was extremley busy. I would not return to this property.

Authenticity & Character

Worn out

Location

Did not enjoy this location

Staff

Staff was courteous, overwhelmed by crowds

Cleanliness & Comfort

Property was worn, and not as clean as I would like

Gleneagles Hotel

Great location, this hotel was hard as a family. Had to get 2 rooms, and we had to wait until 3pm until check in. It was very busy with a conference.

Authenticity & Character

Standard Hotel- Great soup!

Location

Location was great, outside of town, but close enough.

Staff

Nothing to note.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel was clean enough, not a lot of food options. Reservations required for dinner.

The Galmont Hotel & Spa

Galway

This hotel was mediocre, the staff was nice and the room was clean.

Authenticity & Character

Nice entry and glass elevator was impressive

Location

Hard to understand layout with the location of the pool. The family exited the hotel to get to the pool, although there was access down an out of the way hallway

Staff

Staff was friendly, could use a location map upon entry.

Cleanliness & Comfort

It was clean

Clontarf Castle Hotel

Dublin

This is a special property, we enjoyed getting to stay here

Authenticity & Character

Amazing story and Castle integration was lovely

Location

convenient to Dublin city and airport

Staff

Friendly and welcoming

Cleanliness & Comfort

Nice bedding, and clean room

Activity Reviews

House of Waterford

Ireland

Did not keep the kids interest. The factory tour was interesting, just not for children.

Falconry Adventures

Killarney

Wonderful excursion! Mark was fantastic with kids, highly recommend

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hard to find, although a sign was posted, the Google map took us to a house 2 houses away.

Kilkenny Castle

Kilkenny

Best castle tour in Ireland. Self guided, but you really get to see the scope and scale of castle life. Would recommend.

The Leprechaun museum

Dublin

It was freezing, and a story telling museum. Would not recommend

Self-Guided Guinness Storehouse Experience

Dublin

Great tour! No room at the top. After 7 stories you want to take a seat, it is not possible. The cool view made up for it, but wish there was more seating at the top.

Celtic Night Show & Dinner

Dublin

Dinner was at 7pm with show 8-10pm. I saw people coming in later than 7PM, I wish we would've eaten during the performance. Kids were tired by 9:30 and we left early. Also our seat was poor, with a pole in the middle of the view. I can't tell how to get a better seat. It looked like tables of 4 got terrible views. Great music, and show, would recommend.

Irish National Stud Tickets & Irish Racehorse Experience

Ireland

This is 1 activity that I would have skipped. The ipad tour was frustrating for my 8 yr old. The horse race ending was cool, but not worth the time or cost. It was freezing and raining, so we did not get to enjoy the grounds.

Visit Blarney castle and kiss the stone

Ireland

Great experience for the family. Great gift shop

Killarney National Park Jaunt - From Park to Castle

Ireland

Wonderful experience. It was cold, but blankets were provided.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Great trip!
Kaka kept us amused and informed during the days of game drives. He was simply fantastic.
The lodge was staffed with friendly people and stellar food.
In retrospect, we could have done one fewer days of game drives and one more day in Zanzibar, but no complaints.

Hotel Reviews

Nyota Luxury Camp

Fantastic! Friendly staff Courteous and attentive. Stunning pool! Comfortable bed. Lovely shower (indoor and out!) Delicious and copious food.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Gita!!!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Neptune Pwani Beach Resort & Spa

The horseback riding was a delight. The room was fine. The food was only meh.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Kitela Lodge

Karatu

By the time we got here, we were tired and cranky. Nice room, good food. Internet was iffy at best.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Hot Air Balloon Safari at Serengeti

Tanzania

So much fun!!! Enjoyed it so much, we inquired about doing it the next day, but given the price point decided against it.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We had the most amazing 11 day girls trip in Morocco. Every aspect of our trip was detailed and hand tailored for us. We stayed in the most beautiful places and learned so much about the Moroccan cultural. Our tour guide Sallaham was knowledgeable in every area that we traveled. He was funny, smart, and such a joy to travel with. Truly an amazing journey and I highly recommend using Kim Kim and would use them again.

Hotel Reviews

Riad Farouzi Fes

Fes

Wonderful location and great staff members. The beds are very hard but the Riad is amazing. The staff member made an amazing breakfast every morning and even walked us to dinner one night.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Sahara Stars Luxury Camp

Merzouga

We were queens in the desert! We had an amazing dinner and even chocolate flan. Lots of fun with dancing and music by the fire under the stars with staff members. The camel ride there was a once in a. Lifetime experience and the staff was amazing in every aspect of our trip

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Kasbah Tiziri

Kelaat Mgouna

What an amazing hostess Michelle is. She custom made a menu for my vegetarian friends. The beds were soft and the rooms divine. I learned so much from visiting with Michelle and she was so great to visit with us about the village and her experiences in Morocco. Amazing absolutely amazing place to stay

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Loved

Cleanliness & Comfort

Most comfortable place we stayed in Morocco

Riad Nesma Suites & SPA

Medina, Marrakech

Beautiful area love the location right in the down town of shopping. Beds are hard but that’s a Morocco thing I decided. Exceptional staff

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Little loud in the morning hours with staff preparing breakfast

Dar l'Oussia

Essaouira

Our room was awe inspiring. Loved the spa and had the most amazing massages and hamman experience.

Authenticity & Character

The room was awesome

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Merzouga to Dades Valley Via Todgha Gorge

Morocco

Best time with the hostess of our accommodations

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided Tour of Fes

Fes

Our tour guide Sallaham was so knowledgeable.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Made the trip!

Transport

Van was roomy and the ac worked great

Fes to Merzouga via Ifraine and Azrou - Camel Trek to Desert Camp

Morocco

Had the best time with the staff. Amazing food, accommodations, camel Ride and nighttime dancing and singing

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Day with the Locals in the Valley of Roses

Morocco

Such an experience to be with the people of Morocco. Loved the family and the food. We got a cooking class with our family and we were able to see what their day looks like.

Quality of Experience

Food

Best food we had in Morocco

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Dades Valley to Marrakech via Ait Ben Haddou

Morocco

Excellent tour guide for this

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided Tour of Marrakech

Marrakesh

Our tour guide was top notch. We spent lots of money buying souvenirs

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We went to Columbia in the first half of February and visited Bogota, Medellin, Tyrona National Park and Categena. The trip was organized by Michael from Kimkim. Michael did an outstanding job in planning and booking us with enjoyable and interesting tours. Michael was available and responsive via whatsapp for any questions regarding our Itinerary. Most of the tours were private, or small group where we had the same guides and drivers in each location. Columbia is a very diverse country with a rich, interesting and conflicted past and breathtaking scenery. Each place was a like a new vacation. We worked with Michael to customize some aspects of the trip to suit our interests(including bucket list paragliding adventure in the mountains above Medellin) Can't say enough about the guides we had, shout out to Maria, Ciello, and Wlson and the drivers who were always there to keep us on time(kudos to Emerson who also spoke great english and was a wealth of information). Our accommodations were all in strategic locations, clean and comfortable. There is much said in North America about the safety of Columbia, As seasoned travelers, we exercise caution where ever we go. We never felt any sort of danger in the areas we travelled in Columbia and other than a flip the bill taxi scam when we were on our own(recommended to use Uber) we found the people of Columbia warm and friendly. This was a fantastic vacation, thank you Michael, and KimKim

We had the best time! Thank you Camila and Tamar! We really enjoyed all of your recommendations and tips to make the most out of our time in Chile!

Sallam was amazing. He is so knowledgeable. I learned so much from him about the history and culture of Morocco. He is an excellent driver and gas a great sense of humor.
The camel ride and tent in the Sahara was my favorite!
All the accommodations were top notch! Loved the Kasbah! The owner Michelle was so nice and enjoyed her company.

Hotel Reviews

Sahara Stars Luxury Camp

Merzouga

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Kasbah Tiziri

Kelaat Mgouna

Food was fabulous and owner Michelle was hospitable. Enjoyed her company!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Dar l'Oussia

Essaouira

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Riad Nesma Suites & SPA

Medina, Marrakech

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Bed extremely hard and pillows not comfortable

Riad Farouzi Fes

Fes

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Guided Tour of Marrakech

Marrakesh

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided Tour of Fes

Fes

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Fes to Merzouga via Ifraine and Azrou - Camel Trek to Desert Camp

Morocco

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Day with the Locals in the Valley of Roses

Morocco

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our trip to Costa Rica in February 2025 was preceded by months of planning. Throughout that process, Olman of Amazilia Travel, the partner of kimkim in San Jose, was incredibly helpful in suggesting an itinerary and in fine-tuning it in response to our evolving needs and priorities. The result was a wonderful vacation, sometimes as part of a group, sometimes self-driving, that exceeded our already high expectations.

Olman took care of airport pick-up, car hire, accommodation, and various outings -- in short, of all the challenges and uncertainties of travelling in a country unfamiliar to us. We were provided with detailed information about each step in the itinerary, and every thing unfolded according to plan -- the bus connections, the rental car pick up, the route suggestions, the accommodation, the tour rendezvous. And the tour guides we had ranged from the very good to the outstanding.

We were able to add a number of outings of our own as our trip progressed, a task made easier by the fact that we had such a solid basic plan in place and by additional information provided in our kimkim itinerary file.

During our travels, Olman's colleague Graciela was our contact in case of need. In fact, we only had to contact her once when the Google map reference provided by the place we were about to visit led us slightly astray. The problem was quickly remedied.

This was among the most satisfying and enjoyable vacations of our lives. Olman and his colleagues were indispensable in making it so.

Hotel Reviews

Park Inn San José by Radisson

San José

A convenient and comfortable stopover in San Jose. Within walking distance of the downtown core.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Pachira Lodge

Tortuguero

This hotel is beautifully situated on the waterfront and surrounded by dense forest. The gardens are lovely and home to Howler Monkeys and a variety of birds. Our room was comfortable and situated quite deep in the forest. Meals in the communal area were highly sociable, and the waterfront bar is delightful. Added attractions were the adjoining short forest trail and access to the spa and massage facilities at the neighbouring lodge. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hampton by Hilton San José Airport

Alajuela

This is a chain hotel, and it lives up to expectations. It is comfortable and conveniently located near the airport and car rental offices. The staff were very helpful and the evening meal a pleasant surprise. A bag breakfast is also available. The main advantage of the hotel is proximity to the airport and a regular shuttle service. This is especially convenient when one has an early morning outbound flight.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Dreams Lodge Monteverde

Santa Elena

This is a small family-run hotel, comfortable and homely rather than fancy. Breakfast is provided and there are several restaurants within walking distance for other meals. The staff are very friendly and the Capuchin monkey viewing second to none. We had a most pleasant stay.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Finca Sura Farm Tour

Costa Rica

The Finca Sura Farm Tour was truly a highlight of our trip. We had the pleasure of being guided by one of the family members, a younger son, which made the experience intimate and enlightening. The small group setting allowed us to engage and share ideas effortlessly, making the tour not just informative but also highly satisfying. The farm, being family-run and organic, added an authentic touch to the experience. Highly recommended for those looking to connect with the local culture and learn more about organic farming in Costa Rica.

San Jose - Tortuguero

Costa Rica

This trip is more than getting from A to B. The route takes one over mountains and through forest and ultimately banana and pineapple plantations. Our bilingual guide Fernando provided us with a wealth of information along the way, and did an excellent job in gently shepherding us when we stopped for breakfast, transferred into boats, and checked in at our destination hotel.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Enjoy the Beauty of Tortuguero National Park

Tortuguero

The bird-watching boat ride and short jungle walk were rewarding and thoroughly enjoyable, not least thanks to our guide Fernando‘s enthusiasm, experience and enthusiasm.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve Guided Hike

Monteverde

We were blessed with sightings of sloths and innumerable birds, including the elusive quetzal. Our guide Jose was highly professional and engaging

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

It was difficult to connect with my trip planner in Cairo. Only working through the KimKim website worked well. Phone calls were difficult to connect and difficult to understand. Not enough information is included in the .pdf provided with the itinerary. It is provided too late not giving us time to check on company names. There was no listed company providing the “Luxury Dinner Cruise of Dubai”. Our guide pulled a switch on us and we had an inferior experience. We did not recognize that we had been put on a different boat because we had no name for the company. By the time we realized what happened it was over. The trip planner said we should have reported it right away but if someone is speaking another language and it just “seems” wrong how could I report it. It was also after work hours. We missed out on what was probably a $100/person dinner with hotel transfer for a lousy pontoon boat with cold food and music loud enough for hearing damage. I feel cheated on that one.
Our tour of Abu Dhabi went well until our guide wanted to end the day before we saw two things we had tickets for: The Presidential Palace and the Etihad Tower. He said we didn’t have time. I texted our trip planner immediately and she made sure we got what we paid for. We got back to Dubai at 8:30 pm. The guide substituted a tour of Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental Abu Dhabi instead thinking I wouldn’t notice one palace for another. A hotel is a hotel not a palace.
The hotel upon check in had our name wrong from the agent. We got twin beds instead of a King as they were fully booked and only assigned on check in. Our agent never said this. We assumed we would get what we paid for. The hotel said the room prices were the same. If it’s the policy of the hotel to assign rooms on check in I should have been told ahead of time. On the whole I felt we overpaid for the experience

Hotel Review

DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai Al Jadaf

Dubai

Type of bed only assigned on check in. If you want a King bed for certain pick another place. Otherwise the hotel was nice.

Authenticity & Character

Modern

Location

Staff

No complaints

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very good

Activity Reviews

Dubai Heritage Land Rover Desert Safari with Traditional Dinner

Dubai

The experience was great and lots of fun. A good view of desert culture. I did not like that my only water source was a gift thermos. They were filled from a big wrapped container. I made a mistake in drinking from it or eating food from the Luxury cruise. One or the other made me ill.

Quality of Experience

The atmosphere of the desert

Food

Better water please

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Dubai full day tour with Entry ticket to Burj Khalifa at the Top

Dubai

Please be aware that the line to get into the tour was 1 hour 45 minutes long with no where to sit. I’ve been told it can be longer. The view took all of 15 minutes long to see then a 20 min. Line to go back down. It was interesting but not essential.

Quality of Experience

Offer the premium entry

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Driver's English not great. Looked up facts to tell us while driving

Transport

Dubai Luxury Canal Dinner Cruise

Dubai

This was a disaster. We think our guide did a switch on us changing our ticket for a lesser boat. ( or not buying it at all). We were on a two deck pontoon boat with plastic garden chairs, warm water and inferior food that did not even keep up with the local women and kids who attacked it like the last meal. The music was deafening and I had to cover my ears waiting for the food line. The entertainment was a Disney style LED lighted Sufi dancer that shames the religion. The GI issues I got in Dubai probably came from this lukewarm food buffer. We didn’t realize we were being taken to the wrong boat. The guide lied multiple times. He gave it away at the end contradicting himself. We felt cheated of this experience. The company name was not on the .pdf given to us nor a photo of the boat we should have been on. It’s like going to a party with no address

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guides who take you where you are supposed to go

Transport

Abu Dhabi Full-Day Sightseeing Tour from Dubai

Dubai

This was amazing because we fought to see the Presidential Palace that we paid for. Our guide substituted the Emirates Palace and was going to skip the Etihad Tower. This time I was more careful about our itinerary and contacted my trip planner. She had the guide take us to the two sites we had paid for. We got back to Dubai late but we were glad not to miss the real Presidential Palace which was spectacular. The Etihad Tower had no line. This was a better experience than in Dubai

Quality of Experience

Food

Only a mall fast food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Fine until he tried to bring us back to the hotel without completing the itinerary we paid for.

Transport

We booked this trip with Amr over a year ago and "paid in full." However we postponed it when war broke out in the Middle East. When it appeared the war would not spread further we rebooked, and Amr asked for and got more money. The "final" itinerary did not reflect what we actually did in Egypt. We visited the pyramids of Giza early in the trip and did not do the dinner cruise. Later our local guide thought we were still going back to the pyramids of Giza. We wanted to see the new Grand Museum of Egypt instead of repeating the pyramids. Getting this straightened out took more time and effort than it should have. We had to agree to pay the museum tickets in advance while we still have not been reimbursed for the dinner cruise that we didn't take or the second set of pyramid tickets we didn't use. Probably the most memorable thing we did on the trip was the hot air balloon ride in Luxor over the Valley of the Kings. This was something we arranged through the local guide Waleed and paid additional fees. Waleed was helpful and accommodating. Our first local guide, Mona was quite good. Knowledgeable, pleasant and helpful. Local guide Ahmed was outstanding. His knowledge of ancient Egypt was truly impressive. He was helpful and pleasant to be around. We thoroughly enjoyed his company. All the drivers were very good at their jobs which is saying alot given the crazy habits of Egyptian drivers.

Uma was fantastic and created an excellent itinerary for us. She had terrific suggestions about places to visit and activities. She was very knowledgeable and helpful. I would highly recommend working with her to plan your trip to new Zealand.

Thank you so much to Alex for planning such a great trip for me. He was able to plan a trip for me in a short period of time to Belize and Guatemala. The guides and the accommodations were amazing and I am so happy that I was able to participate in this trip. I would recommend Alex to plan your next trip to Guatemala.

We thoroughly enjoyed our time in Uganda, Tanzania and Zanzibar. However, we would not recommend using Peter from Umoja African Journeys as we had too many issues on our trip to mention.

We had two outstanding guides on our trip. Moses in Uganda and Isaiah in Tanzania. They were fantastic taking the time to tell us about the country, animals, food, life in both countries. Isaiah is contracted from Watatu Tours in Arusha, Tanzania and would use him again.

When planning a trip to multiple countries, utilize an expert in that country as I would have used an expert in Tanzania and one in Uganda and Zanzibar. Find locals in that country.

We had an absolutely amazing trip to Costa Rica. Holden was great from the start and listened to all of our desires and built us a dream trip. This was my second trip with KimKim and I would highly recommend them. They are an outstanding travel partner and saved me so much time in researching, booking and confirming our adventures! I will use them again for future adventures. Thank You, Holden. I appreciate all your hard work and organization.

Our driver (Hemedi) was outstanding! Very experienced and knowledgeable about the tours and accommodations. Clearly made a point to understand our itinerary in detail, and made himself available to us whenever needed. Made suggestions about some activities to fill out our time. Was genuinely interested in our experience with our tour guides. He is proud of his country, and an excellent representative of Morocco and his tour company! We felt like we made a friend in him. We would highly recommend him to others!
The accommodations were excellent. We really enjoyed the location and character of the riads. In particular, we really enjoyed the staff at Riad El Yacout in Fes.
All of our tour guides were great. We felt like there was a lot of value in the information we got from them...great perspective on history and culture that we would otherwise not have gotten. We considered eliminating some of the private tours when we were developing the itinerary/trip cost...but in retrospect we would recommend that they be included. In particular we appreciated interactions with our guide in Fes (Reda) and food tour guide (Hanyn). We also enjoyed our guides in Merrakech and Imlil. One suggestion would be to utilize more female tour guides. Our female guides in Rabat and Meknes provided some cultural insights that Americans would probably find particularly valuable.
One recommendation we would make to others developing itineraries would be to include a second night in the Sahara. It is a long trip to get there.

We had a great trip, and it was only possible through Leny's help! She recommended places and activities, like the Takayama and the Nakasendo Trail hike which was amazing. She hooked us up with some great guides for food and sake tours and temple/shrine tours that exceed our expectations. We couldn't have done so much in the time we had without Leny's help, and the airport pick-ups and city transfers were especially appreciated, especially when the roads and most of the rail lines were closed because of heavy snowfall, but she instantly had a plan and we were able to continue our trip with an alternative route. Thanks Leny!

Hotel Review

Tsutaya Tokinoyado Kazari

Great ryokan experience! First off the meals were absolutely incredible! The onsen was nice and hot, the scenery from the large windows was beautiful, and the staff were also excellent. We really enjoyed it.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very clean and comfortable, unless you need a soft bed (they are futons).

Activity Reviews

Kyoto Sake Brewery Tour (Adults only)

Kyoto

Great way to learn about how sake is made and the range of flavors it encompasses. We tasted at three different breweries including a good lunch at one. Our guide was knowledgable and friendly. Thanks!

Hidden charms of Arashiyama

Kyoto

This was a great tour! Some of the smaller shrines/temples so it's more intimate. Our guide, Keith, was amazing in his knowledge and nuance of Japanese history and culture (and restaurants and nightlife), after living there for 25 years.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Relax and Savor Dinner in the Ryokan

Kiso-Fukushima

We had the most amazing dinners and breakfasts at this ryokan! So many different dishes and flavors: some slightly more than a thimble full, some you grill yourself at the table, some prepared table-side by the chef, but always 10-15 things to taste and enjoy. Truly amazing. And the staff is really great.

Esther was great to work with and organized a very customized trip for us that included lots of time with our local family while we were in South Africa, while also suggesting places to stay or visit that we wouldn't have known about. She helped find accommodations that our family of 6 were comfortable in and was super responsive and accessible throughout the planning process and the trip itself. She managed to keep us within budget, and when there were small hiccups a few places we went, her team was able to troubleshoot to get us the best outcome possible.

We had a magical experience with our family of 4 teen and pre-teen boys, and I know it was in no small part due to Esther's help, ideas, creativity, and resourcefulness.

The good
The hotels were top notch (although having an add on breakfast on the day we had a 6 am train seems like poor planning)
Las Alpujarras Village tour was fantastic. The guide realized early in that shopping and lunch were not really of interest and changed things up to include a hike. One of the highlights.
Kayaking in Costa Brava was fantastic and the other high point
Our kimkim trip planner worked with us and did a great job hearing what we wanted and booking the things we wanted to do. Kimkim is not responsible for the poor service we received from some of the guides

The really really bad
Rides -
our train driver in barcelona was in the wrong place and we spent over an hour trying to find him
Our driver to the train in Granada never showed up. He eventually called 30 minutes late to say he was on his way but by then we paid for a taxi and barely caught our train

Wine tasting in Granada
The guide went into a monologue about how wonderful it was that the jews and Muslims were chased out of the country by the great queen Isabelle. While there is historical accuracy (ham was adopted as a national dish in part to drive out certain cultures) having the guide extoll the virtues of racism, and explain to us that we were wrong in being appalled because it was wonderful to have certain cultures driven out l those cultures were removed from the country came across as racist, offensive, and disgusting.
The bar tender also made a big deal about one member of the group who only wanted to taste the wine, telling her she has to drink, insulting her, and not allowing anybody else to try the next one until her glass was empty.

The rest of it was okay but the wine tasting was offensive on many levels and overshadowed much of the trip.

Hotel Review

Hotel NH Collection Granada Victoria

Granada

Gorgeous room. Breakfast was amazing

Authenticity & Character

Location

Walking distance to everything

Staff

Suggestions on where to eat, what to see. Help with taxis when our ride service did not show up

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Private La Alpujarra Villages Day Trip

Granada

The guide had a set itinerary based on what most groups want (shopping and lunch) but switched it on the fly to include hiking down to a waterfall when we showed no interest in the quaint shops.

Quality of Experience

8

Transport

Good company on the drive, pointed out landmarks and helped me practice spanish

Great trip!! It was our first time in Australia and New Zealand and both countries were spectacular! Spending 5 days in Sydney was just perfect. We went on a bike tour (on our own) with Bonzo Bike Tours, located in the Rocks area. It was 5 hours of seeing all the best sights and absolutely perfect! I would also recommend seeing the opera at the Sydney Opera house, which we organized on our own. The only negative experience was the Blue Mountains Day tour. While the sights were beautiful and scenic, our guide/driver was constantly speeding and ended up getting a ticket. At times, we felt rushed and unsafe. He tried arguing with the police officer and spoke very negatively about police, construction workers, and others. After the ticket, he was not in a good mood and begged for a positive google review. The Outer Barrier Reef Cruise with Quicksilver was fantastic and we are so glad we added that to our plans. The best experience was the Milford Sound Fly, Cruise, Fly tour. Absolutely breathtaking reviews and the tour company was so professional and experienced in taking care of us. I would delete the stop in Dunedin, if I had do to do the trip again, the wildlife tour there was not much different than we already experienced and the town of Dunedin was not as vibrant as Queenstown.
The only other tour I would change was the 12 hour rail trip on the Northern Explorer Scenic Train from Wellington to Auckland. I would just get a flight to Auckland. We absolutely loved the food tour in Wellington, our guide was awesome and the Waiheke Wine tour was beautiful and fun for our last full day in New Zealand.

Hotel Reviews

Cairns Colonial Club Resort

Cairns

The Cairns Colonial Club Resort was a wonderful place to stay. They even upgraded us, providing a nice view and lots of room space. Having laundry facilities was a great plus, especially for a long trip.

City Life Auckland

Auckland

The hotel in Auckland was great. It had a fantastic location, and we enjoyed walking around and exploring the area. The hotel added to the whole Auckland experience.

Activity Reviews

Day Trip to the Blue Mountains

Sydney

The day trip to the Blue Mountains was incredibly nice. We got to see some amazing wildlife and the natural beauty of the area was breathtaking. It's a must-do activity if you're in Sydney.

Quicksilver Outer Barrier Reef Cruise

Australia

The Quicksilver Outer Barrier Reef Cruise was absolutely fantastic. It was a very safe and well-planned tour that was both educational and visually stunning. I highly recommend this if you're visiting Cairns.

Great Ocean Road Adventure

Melbourne

The Great Ocean Road Adventure had a bit of a hiccup due to our guide, who was not very friendly and even got a speeding ticket during the tour. It was not as enjoyable as we had hoped.

The Essence of Waiheke Wine Tour

New Zealand

The Essence of Waiheke Wine Tour was fantastic. We really enjoyed the tour and the wine experience. It was a wonderful way to spend the day and a highlight of the trip.

Auckland City & Waitakere Ranges

Auckland

The Auckland City & Waitakere Ranges tour was fantastic! The rainforest, the bush, and the beach were beautiful. Our guide was wonderful and made the experience really special.

Wellington Food Tour

Wellington

The Wellington Food Tour was fantastic. It ended up being a private tour as we were the only participants, and the guide was very passionate and added his personal touch, making it a memorable experience.

Skyline Queenstown - Gondola and Buffet Dinner

Queenstown (NZ)

The Skyline Queenstown Gondola and Buffet Dinner was a highlight of our trip. The food was high-quality and abundant, far exceeding our expectations for a buffet. The views from the gondola were simply stunning.

Our recent trip to Sri Lanka was nothing short of spectacular, thanks to the exceptional hospitality and professionalism of our driver/tour guide, Anura Kumar, and the outstanding service at Hilton Resort Yala – Safari Ranger, where Sanka made our stay truly memorable.

From the moment we arrived, Anura Kumar ensured that our journey was smooth, comfortable, and packed with insightful experiences. His deep knowledge of Sri Lanka’s history, culture, and hidden gems added immense value to our trip. Whether it was exploring ancient ruins, enjoying scenic coastal drives, or discovering local delicacies, Anura’s warm personality and expertise made every moment special. He went above and beyond to accommodate our requests, making sure we had a seamless and enjoyable experience throughout.

Our stay at Hilton Resort Yala – Safari Range was the perfect retreat after days of adventure. Nestled close to Yala National Park, the resort offers breathtaking views, luxurious comfort, and world-class service. Sanka, in particular, stood out with his exceptional attentiveness and dedication. His personalized service, attention to detail, and genuine hospitality made our stay extra special.

The Yala safari itself was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We were fortunate to witness incredible wildlife, including leopards, elephants, and exotic birds, all while being guided by expert ranger who ensured a responsible and respectful wildlife experience.

Overall, this trip exceeded all expectations. Sri Lanka’s natural beauty is breathtaking, but it’s the people—like Anura Kumar and Sanka—who make the experience truly unforgettable. If you’re planning a visit, I highly recommend both Anura as your tour guide and Hilton Resort Yala for a luxurious yet immersive adventure.

Hotel Review

Hilton Yala Resort

Yala

The Hilton Yala Resort was simply incredible. The hospitality, food, location, and service were all exceptional. The resort's location in the forest allowed us to see elephants, monkeys, and even a crocodile right from the property. The newness of the resort added to its charm, making it my preferred choice over other accommodations during our trip.

Activity Reviews

Morning Safari in Yala National Park

Yala National Park

The morning safari in Yala National Park was a beautiful experience even though we didn't see everything we hoped for. We saw elephants, buffalo, and some amazing birds, which were fantastic.

Afternoon Safari at Yala National Park

Sri Lanka

The afternoon safari at Yala National Park was unforgettable. We had almost given up hope of seeing a leopard when, just fifteen minutes before leaving, we spotted a huge one lying on the ground, staring right at us. Capturing that moment was magical and a testament to the wonders of Yala.

Kanneliya Rainforest with a lunch by the stream

Sri Lanka

Visiting the Kanneliya Rainforest was a highlight of our trip. The early morning hike was perfectly organized with a knowledgeable guide, allowing us to explore various plant species and see snakes. The walk to the waterfalls was breathtaking, and we captured some beautiful photos there.