Kimkim Trip Reviews

Our trip to Argentina exceeded our expectations and some. On the ground, the transfers were always early and ready for us, providing a seamless and on-time experience. We felt like each of the guides on the ground were knowledgeable about the given area that we were in and, most importantly, answered our one-off questions when we had them. We traveled to El Calafate, El Chalten, and Iguazu Falls and had a memorable time in each destination. In addition, each of the hotels we stayed had incredible views of the mountains and in the case of Iguazu was situated in the rainforest. They were clean, and definitely felt safe. Overall, Ana and the team at kimkim were responsive and lined us up to having a memorable and fun vacation in Argentina.

Amazing experience in Nepal, made very special by Sangita, Vpin and our trek guide Bhim. Provided lots of insight and history of Kathmandu and Nepal and made our visit very memorable.

My husband and I had an excellent two week trip to the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxemburg. Mieke was very responsive and quickly answered all our questions. She helped us plan the perfect vacation that allowed us to go at our own pace and explore the cities of our choosing while helping to identify some off the beaten path locations for us. All of the hotels we stayed at were in great central locations and the few guided tours that we did were really enjoyable with very knowledgeable guides. Both my husband I have very busy jobs and the use of Kim Kim and Mieke helped us quickly plan a vacation that took all the fuss of planning for travel off our plates. Would highly recommend.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Parc Beaux Arts

Luxembourg

Very cute small boutique hotel with excellent staff and service. The morning breakfast is delightful and the room was quite spacious and cozy. It's central nature in the old city is perfect for wandering around and exploring but it is located in a popular spot and therefore can be a bit noisy on weekend evenings (this is only a problem if you leave the windows open while sleeping at night). Would highly recommend a stay here and would definitely stay again.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Amrâth Grand Hotel Frans Hals

Haarlem

A great hotel in a perfect location in Harlem. Lovely breakfast in the morning that is quite extensive. The rooms were a bit small, but as we didn't spend much time in them it wasn't an issue. We had a balcony room that faced the main street and therefore things were a bit loud late in the evenings on the weekend, but we otherwise enjoyed our stay. The front desk staff was quite helpful and made delicious dinner recommendations and helped us with reservations.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Pillows Grand Boutique Hotel Reylof

Ghent

A beautiful grand hotel. A little bit outside of the main bustling aspect of Ghent which we appreciated. The morning breakfast was the best we had on our trip. Lovely room, quite spacious with comfortable bed. Our bathroom shower had trouble draining one day and the hotel fixed it quickly once we called them. Only complaint was that renting bikes was extra but other than that would highly recommend a stay here. They also have a spa which had we known we might have tried and booked ahead of time, but they were all full when we were there.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

La Merveilleuse

Dinant

A fun place to stay for a couple of nights. However, the front desk staff is hard to get ahold of and often not at the desk. The room was spacious and comfortable. They are doing renovations on their spa so this was closed when we were there. The hotel is located at the top of a very large hill so make sure to have good walking shoes if you plan on walking to and from town.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Royal Bridges

Delft

Lovely small hotel in a great location in Delft. Easy access from the train station and to most of Delft's main attractions. The room was quite large and comfortable. The breakfast was decent but nothing fantastic. It suited our needs and we were very comfortable during our 3 night stay.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Amsterdam - Private guided historic city walk

The Netherlands

Very knowledgeable guide who shared some secret insights into the beautiful and historic city of Amsterdam. We learned some fascinating tid bits and really enjoyed our time in the city.

Haarlem - day trip to Marken, Volendam and Hoorn

Haarlem

We loved Hoorn! Marken was mostly closed when we were there but we enjoyed wandering around the little sleepy town. Volendam is very touristy and I think we could have skipped it. Would have easily spent more time in Hoorn if possible. We loved our boat tour around Hoorn. This city is incredibly charming and full of great history.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hoorn - Private boat tour historic harbor

The Netherlands

Such a fun hour excursion!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Public Transport Pass Amsterdam

The Netherlands

This made all our transport needs quite easy. We didn't have to think about taking any particular train, tram or bus.

Amsterdam - Private walking lunch tour

The Netherlands

We were taken to a place with the most amazing Apple pie! All the food we had was delicious. We got a little rushed on our last cheese stop as we had tickets for the Anne Frank House. Otherwise it was greatly enjoyable and we loved all the food.

Ghent - Scenic Boat Tour

Belgium

We love a good boat tour and while we had already walked around most of the city it was fun to see it from the water.

https://youtu.be/kn0XiW4_wqY

Our trip with Morocco Immersion Tours was amazing. We went in November 2022 and had a blast. We were only able to make a short week but Sharon and our guide Sallam made sure we saw as much as possible. Sallam made the trip easy and so incredibly enjoyable. He made sure that we always had what we needed and went out of his way to make sure we were always having a great time. We managed a full loop including Chefchaouen, Fez, the Sahara, and Marrakech!

Hotel Reviews

Riad Hicham

Chefchaouen

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Riad Al Makan

Fès

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Chez Ichou

Dades Gorge

This hotel and staff were wonderful. There was a minor mistake on one part of our meal and they immediately went into action to fix it and make sure we were all right. They went above and beyond. The location was beautiful and everyone was wonderful!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Riad al Rimal

Marrakech

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Merzouga Dunes Camps

Merzouga

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Merzouga to Dades Valley Via Todgha Gorge

Morocco

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

Orientation Walk & Free Afternoon in Chefchaouen

Chefchaouen

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided Tour of Fes

Fes

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Dades Valley to Marrakech via Ait Ben Haddou

Morocco

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided Tour of Marrakech

Marrakesh

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

I want to thank Sangita and Vpin for making my trip to Nepal a beautiful experience. Both of them were always present to make sure that everything was going as planned. Vpin was our guide for most of the trip, and he has an excellent knowledge of English and his country. For the trekking and safari, we were assigned to two other guides who were attentive, polite, cheerful, and knowledgeable. We had the opportunity to discover fantastic places, breathtaking landscapes, and to see wild animals during the safari: incredible! I recommend this fantastic adventure in Nepal to everyone!"

The SPECTACULAR LOIRE VALLEY!! 5 days and 4 nights in this wonderful section of France. Walking through castles where recorded history occurred sometimes 800 years ago! The people, the gardens, the chateaux, the history and art, the food, the wine, and the cheese made our vacation the perfect escape from the normal stressors of life.

I am an experienced traveler, but this was my first time using a travel agent/tour company. I am so happy that my first experience with a travel agent arranging all the details of a trip was so positive! I gave Lise (our specialist) a budget, a list of places that were a "must see" for us, and some preferences for our trip and she put together an itinerary that we could adjust and tweak. After some back and forth, we landed on an itinerary and price; a trip that we were so looking forward to!! And it did NOT disappoint! All I had to keep track of was a folder of printed vouchers because EVERYTHING was taken care of. Every detail from the TGV, transfer taxi to hotel, hotel, small group guided days (which included the "skip the line" chateaux tours, lunches (or free time to lunch), driver, and winery tours), transfer back to rail station, and TGV back to Paris, was arranged for us--all we had to do was show up and enjoy!

Lise and the Kimkim team remained in contact with us prior to the trip offering guides and suggestions. During the trip, they remained in contact over email and even gave us phone numbers in Europe to call in the event of emergency or inconvenience that might need assistance. We did not need to contact them, but it was reassuring to have just in case.

Our guides Marion, Camilla, and Aurelia each provided wonderful days touring amazing Chateaux, gardens, wineries, and offered little extras (history details, suggestions for how to get the most out of the day, restaurant recommendations, and little known places to check out) that made the trip extra special.

The highlight of the trip was the lunch we were so fortunate to have at Chateau Villesavin. A privately owned chateau where the Madame greeted us and, after a home cooked meal we all enjoyed in an 18th century room, allowed us to roam the grounds and certain rooms of this lesser known, but beautiful, chateau tucked into the gorgeous Loire valley countryside.

If you want to walk the narrow cobblestone streets of medieval towns, tread the paths formerly walked by the Kings and Queens of very old France and Leonardo DaVinci, and encounter the most incredible gardens and flowers we have EVER seen...then the Loire Valley in Spring is for you. To make it all easy, accessible, and affordable---I highly recommend Lise and the kimkim team.

Hotel Review

Au Charme Rabelaisien

Amboise

This is a small boutique hotel with the service and amenities of a large hotel, and the charm and personal touch of a bed and breakfast. The breakfast each morning was excellent. The room, amazing view, and large modern bathroom made it the perfect central place to enjoy the Eastern Loire Valley and all of its charms. The staff was so nice and eager to accommodate to ensure comfort and enjoyment.

Authenticity & Character

A modernized and converted 18th century space that is cozy and unique.

Location

Amboise is a perfect little town to be central to so many of the Loire Valley attractions.

Staff

Everyone was quick to greet with a smile and assist any way they could.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Self-guided visit of Le Chateau Clos Lucé (tickets only)

France

Experience the genius of DaVinci in the place where he spent the last years of his life. Marvel at his inventions and artwork that might be previously unknown to you.

Quality of Experience

Chambord, Chenonceau & Lunch at the Château - Full Day

France

Marion did a wonderful job taking to these sites providing background and history to bring these Chateaux to life. The lunch at Villesavin was so special.

Quality of Experience

Food

The Madame at Villesavin provided an incredible lunch that was really a highlight of the entire trip.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Marion did a great job guiding us and making everyone feel welcome and included.

Transport

Villandry, Azay-Le-Rideau & Vouvray wine tour - Full Day

France

These Chateaux are incredible. The gardens at Villandry are once-in-a-lifetime amazing. The winery tours were interesting and fun to learn and experience the Vouvray wines of the Loire Valley.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Cami is new to guiding and her enthusiasm and pride for her new profession shone through.

Transport

Small minivan, very comfortable and spacious for 6 people.

Private guided tour to Chaumont-sur-Loire & Blois

Amboise

We experienced the Chateau Royal de Blois and Chaumont sur Loire during this privately guided trip and it was a truly unique day!

Quality of Experience

We were lucky to get to see the garden festival at Chaumont sur Loire.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Aurelia did an amazing job taking us through these wonderful castles and helped us get a wonderful lunch at Chaumont sur Loire. She provided lots of background and visual aids to help the figures who make up the centuries of history of these spaces come to life.

Transport

Picked up right at our hotel in a beautiful, clean, comfortable sedan and driven through the french countryside without worry for parking or navigation.

Our trip was prefect. I worked with my guide to create the perfect Morrocan itinerary for July. We skipped Marrakech which was not something most guides were okay with. I completely understand but it would have been 127 degrees. We opted for northern Morocco and absolutely loved the cool breezes, hiking and remoteness.

Lots of back and forth in creating the trip to Iceland . Packed what were quite a few stops on the self driven tour putting on 1650km in essentially 6 days. The driving instructions along with the commentary was well thought out and professionally done. Weather conditions changed dramatically through the days there and the weather reports essentially were pretty erratic. On our way back from Vik we got hit with a storm that the car rental folks said was only the 4th time in the last 75 years it snowed with such fury this late in the season. Counted at least 15 cars along the way that needed to be pulled out of ditches. If you are traveling in hump seasons be sure to get road hazard protection. I did and fortunately did not have to use it. I think I included too many stops on the first day after an early morning arrival ( 5am) but better to over than under plan. Most of the hotels were very nice but small as are most in Europe. Breakfasts were very good with Langaholt the most unique, the Skuggi missing a warm bacon, egg, and sausage option. Accommodations at Hotel Vik and Langaholt quite plain, Geysir and Magma most scenic and well appointed hotel. Liked the B59 Hotel beds, nice and firm. Very much enjoyed the Freidheimar tomato lunch, and dinner at the Magma Hotel. Check in a breeze. With all the reviews and articles I read on Iceland I have to concur that layering -merino wool long johns- hiking boots, scarf, hats, and gloves especially to a 75 year old that does not enjoy cold weather were a must.

The Icelandic tour guides ( from Poland) were all very well informed and congenial so no complaints there. The people of Iceland have been able to stay focused on keeping their unique country environmentally beautiful clear of graffiti and litter and word of caution- watch out for scooters and bicycles.

TAKK

Activity Reviews

Blue Lagoon

Iceland

Checked the box.

Solheimajokull Glacier Hike

Iceland

Pretty strenuous activity

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Personable/ knowledge

Explore Fjallsárlón Glacier Lagoon by Boat

Iceland

Lava Tunnel Tour

Iceland

Loved this experience,

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Using a travel agent we didn't know, was scary. Randall was so professional and helped in such an expedient and complete way, we felt well taken care of in the planning of our 7 day adventure. Each of the four legs of our trip were awesome! The hotels were top notch, the guides were exceptional and very informative. Every tour was different and wonderful in its own way but the adrenaline rush of the zip lining was a highlight. We had a wonderful anniversary trip and would definitely recommend Kimkim to anyone.

Hotel Reviews

Sleep Inn Hotel Paseo Las Damas

San José

A perfect hotel in the center of San Jose. Breakfast was perfect for our travel day. We also felt very safe there with the guards and gates!

Authenticity & Character

It's what you would expect in the city center.

Location

Staff

They found and returned our cell phone!!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Arenal Country Inn

La Fortuna

Quiet and very protected from the highway. Loved it!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Jaguarundi Lodge

Monteverde

Secluded hotel with a bit of walking necessary. Restaurants, etc. were a short walk away but mostly up and down hill. Lots of fun unusual animals in the area.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Costa Verde

Manuel Antonio

A really fun hotel spread among the forest. As said in another review, the highway noise was a bit loud but the howling monkeys and the Toucans were worth leaving the patio doors open. A huge room with hots of amenities! Not a lot of restaurants nearby unless owned by the hotel. The beach was a 5 minute walk down but a 20 minute walk up!!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Arenal Volcano - Mountain Biking

Arenal/La Fortuna

Enjoyed the ride (not too strenuous) and our guide did a great job. We heard howling monkeys on our first day's adventure, crazy!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Arenal Volcano Hike & Baldi Hot Springs & Dinner

Arenal/La Fortuna

Our guide was really great (can't remember his name). He found a sloth in a tree on the way back down and stopped and let us all get pictures! The volcano was beautiful because it was clear that day and the hike was educational and fun (eating fruit). The Baldi Hot Springs were fun and dinner was ok.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our guide set up our return trip from the Baldi Hot Springs which we didn't expect.

Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve Hike

Monteverde

Small but beautiful. We found many Questrals!!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Monteverde - Zip-lining tour at the Selvatura Park

Monteverde

Another check on our bucket list! What an adrenaline rush!! Worth the time and cost!!!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Manuel Antonio - Jungle Night Walk

Manuel Antonio

It had just rained but our guide worked really hard to find the frogs and insects. He did a great job!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Catamaran and Snorkeling near Manuel Antonio

Manuel Antonio

It was a very nice afternoon and early evening. The water was quite murky so the snorkeling was not as good as I'm sure it is some days.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

San José City Tour

San José

It was nice to see the city center and hear a bit about the culture and history of the country. Our guide sat below in the double decker bus so we could not ask questions but we were serenaded with wonderful music as we drove through the city.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

My friend and I used Lise at Kim Kim to plan a 5 day trip through the Loire River Valley. We gave Lise the overview of what we wanted to see during our trip. From there, she filled in the details that included everything from our train ride from Paris to LRV and back, hotel, guided chateau tours, and drivers. She also did a great job of touching base periodically prior to our arrival and during the trip.
We stayed in Amboise at a lovely boutique hotel that was in a great location. The accommodations at the hotel were perfect.
The guided tours were either private (just my friend and I) or small groups (max of 8). The tour guides were knowledgeable and friendly. Because we had tour guides, we were able to skip the lines which proved invaluable. During the tours, we also had time to explore on our own.
My friend and I are from the U.S. and had not been to the LRV before. Lise did a wonderful job of taking the time and stress out of planning a trip in a different country. It was truly a delightful and memorable trip!

Hotel Review

Au Charme Rabelaisien

Amboise

Lovely boutique hotel in a wonderful location. It's within walking distance to shops, restaurants, markets, and to most attractions around Amboise. It's also centrally located within the Loire River Valley. The staff at the hotel was super friendly and helpful. The continental breakfast was very good with fresh fruit, cereals, breads, and other light fare. Our room was a good size and very clean. Overall, we were very happy with our experience and would stay at the hotel again.

Authenticity & Character

Vintage boutique hotel with modern conveniences.

Location

Within walking distance to shops, restaurants, and to most attractions around Amboise.

Staff

Very accommodating and friendly staff.

Cleanliness & Comfort

The bed was comfortable and the room and property were very clean.

Activity Review

Chambord, Chenonceau & Lunch at the Château - Full Day

France

Visited several chateaus on our trip and Chenonceau was my favorite. The history of Chenonceau is fascinating and the grounds are beautiful. Chambord was interesting to see because of its grandeur and the double helix staircase but other chateaus have a much richer story. I'm still glad I saw it, however. The most special part of the tour was our delicious and authentically French lunch at the privately-owned Chateau. This really made for a unique and memorable experience.

Quality of Experience

If you're visiting the Loire Valley to see the chateaus, this tour shouldn't be missed.

Food

The private lunch at the Chateau was very special and delicious!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Camilla was a friendly and knowledgeable guide. She did an excellent job of explaining the history of the chateaus and region. She was also a safe driver.

Transport

Marta, our travel coordinator, was fantastic. She provided an app that gave us great information. She did a perfect job matching our vacation wishes with experiences. She continuously checked in with us to see how everything was going and if she could assist in anyway, always going above and beyond. KimKim has a gem in Marta!!
All our guides throughout Portugal, Azores and Spain were wonderful. (With the exception of the guide we had in Barcelona for our visit to Monserrat. He did not provide good information and was more interested in smoking than speaking to the group.) But, we can’t let that one incident overshadow the amazing trip we had.

Hotel Reviews

Pousada de Lisboa, Praça do Comércio - Monument Hotel

Lisbon

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Exe Almada Porto

Porto

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Noble House

Evora

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Gran Hotel Miramar

Málaga

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Gran Hotel Havana

Barcelona

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Palacio de Villapanés

Sevilla

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Get to Know Lisbon with a Local

Lisbon

Our guide was fantastic! Very knowledgeable and provided a great experience

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sintra Heritage Hike: Hidden Secrets

Portugal

Our guide was wonderful. She was flexible and fun. Had a wonderful time.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Azorean Culinary & Wine Experience & Get to Know Ponta Delgada with a Local

São Miguel Island

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sete Ciudades Jeep Adventure

São Miguel Island

Natasha, our guide, was unbelievable. She shared great info about the islands. Our adventures with her were outstanding. We felt like she was a family member by the time we parted ways.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Night Hot Springs in Furnas

São Miguel Island

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Privately Guided Visit of Porto

Porto

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Introduction to Portuguese Wines

Porto

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Day Excursion to Douro Valley: Wine Tasting & River Cruise

Porto

Our wine tasting and food pairing was the best!! Got so involved with the tasting that we decided to forego the cruise

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Transfer {{start_location}} to {{end_location}} via Coimbra

Portugal

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Driver was great. Very knowledgeable.

Transport

Excursion to Alentejo - Jeep Safari Through a Cork Fork & Visit to an Olive Oil Estate

Lisbon

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our driver was super fun. He even took us to an optical store to get my husband’s glasses fixed.

Transport

Flamenco Experience

Spain

FUN!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Guided Visit of Seville

Seville

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sunset Málaga Cruise

Málaga

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Free Day to Explore Málaga

Málaga

Wandered around. Visited the Picasso Museum. (Don’t waste your money on “Skip the Line” tickets. We didn’t get in any faster than anyone else.) spent the afternoon relaxing on the beach.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tapas Walk in Barcelona

Barcelona

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Tour of Barcelona & La Sagrada Familia

Barcelona

This was our main reason for wanting to visit Barcelona. We were not disappointed

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Day Trip to Montserrat & Penedès Region Wine Tasting

Barcelona

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Driver was good. Guide was poor.

Transport

A honeymoon that we will not forget.
A big thank you to Nada and team to plan and organise the whole trip despite the short timeframe and the little present we received. Special thanks to the driver Hassan who was super friendly and helpful.
We love discovering Jordan with Amani tours.

Florin was great. We went on a 9 day tour. Bucharest, Brasov, Sibiu, Sighisoara, Gura Humorului, Sighetu Marmatiei and Cluj. Saw amazing castles and 14/15th century churches. Florin also had a few surprises…we took a cable car up the mountain as it snowed, went in an ice house,stopped at a family owned pottery shop and had an amazing lunch. All the hotels were great and the dinners were delicious. Florin is very knowledgeable in Romanian history…we learned a lot. When we had an unexpected event,our van broke down on a holiday he managed to to get us a brand new van within a couple of hours against all odds,
I would highly recommend Florin to anyone who wants to visit Romania and learn about the countries history and culture and see it’s beautiful sights.

Hotel Reviews

Ibis Styles Bucharest City Center

Bucharest

We stayed two nights at the Ibis Styles Bucharest City Center, which offered comfortable accommodations and a convenient location for exploring Bucharest.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Bella Muzica

Brasov

Our one-night stay at Bella Muzica in Brasov was lovely, as the hotel had a charming atmosphere and was centrally located.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Sighisoara

Sighisoara

Our one-night stay at Hotel Sighisoara in Sighisoara allowed us to experience the town's unique character, as the hotel was situated within the Citadel.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Bucharest city tour

Bucharest

The Bucharest city tour was informative and interesting as we visited the Parliament and learned about the history of the city. Although we enjoyed our tour, we preferred the smaller towns to Bucharest.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Brasov to Sibiu with Fagaras Citadel

Romania

Bucovina to Maramures with the Merry Cemetery and the Wooden Churches of Maramures

Romania

We toured the beautifully painted monasteries and unique cemeteries. There were wooden tombstones that were hand-painted.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Bucharest to Brasov with Peles Castle, Bran Castle and Brasov walking tour

Romania

Our journey from Bucharest to Brasov included visits to the stunning Peles Castle and the famous Bran Castle, also known as Dracula's Castle. The Brasov walking tour allowed us to explore the charming town. Pels Castle was a highlight of the trip.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We had waited for 3 years for this trip to happen. It got cancelled by Covid, but Kimkim didn't give us any fuss about holding off the money we had paid. We are so thankful.
In the beginning, we had Abdel as our plan coordinator, he was always prompt and very helpful with requests and changes. Few Weks prior to the trip, Said took over and assisted us during the trip. During the time in Morocco, Said was always there to answer questions and help. We had a lot to thank Said for his attention and kindness. We made a last-minute decision to change hotels in Marrakech and Casablanca. Said rearranged for us timely without problems. We loved 2ciels hotel Marrakech that Said picked for us very much. 2 thumbs up for Said.
Now, we can't miss our personal driver and guide, "Ayoub". You are a rock! Ayoub is kind, humble, easygoing, and he is a safe driver. Our lives were basically dependent on him for 12 days, and he got us through and around the country safe and sound. In Fes, we bought a pair of sandals. After 2 days of wearing, the sole peeled off. When we arrived at the next town, Ayoub offered to take them for a repair. And voila, the next morning, we got shoes back with new soles, of much better quality. On top of that, he wouldn’t accept the repair charge from us. Thanks a bunch, Ayoub!
Finally, Ayoub does what he loves. He is passionate about showing his country, people, and culture to us. He is happy to share and we are excited to learn, thus, the experience is so fulfilling and fun. We had an amazing trip in Morocco!

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Odyssee Center

Casablanca

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Lina Ryad & Spa

Chefchaouen

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Riad Salam Fes

Fes

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Tiziri Luxury Camp

Merzouga

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Xaluca Dades

Boumalne

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Riad Pachavana

Marrakech

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Kasbah Titrit

Ait Ben Haddou

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Boumalne Dades to Aït Benhaddou via Skoura & Ouarzazate

Morocco

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Ait Benhaddou to Marrakech via Tizi N'Tichka pass

Morocco

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Half-Day Guided Tour of Marrakech

Marrakesh

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Delight in Your Free Day.

Morocco

Quality of Experience

We went to Ourika fall, and had a very good hike. It was a beautiful river and fall. We had a great time hiking with our hiking guide.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Quick Tour of Casablanca with your Driver-guide

Morocco

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Casablanca to Chefchaouen via Rabat

Morocco

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

A Drive from Chefchaouen to Fes via Volubilis, Moulay Idriss & Meknes

Morocco

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided Tour of Fez Medina

Fes

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Transfer from Fes to Merzouga via Erfoud & Camel Ride

Morocco

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Transfer to Dades Valley via Todra Gorges

Morocco

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our trip was fenomenal from beginning to end. It was more than what I expected. It was so perfectly crafted for what we wanted.

We started at Bangkok where we had the sweetest, kindest and nicest guide we could have asked for (Annie). She made the Bangkok experience so much better. She had fun facts about every site we visited, knew her history, was really passionate about her work and was always prepared for any eventuality. With her we visited the different palaces and temples, went to Chinatown for our food experience, night tour of the city and she pointed us out to great food and places to visit on our day off.

I must confess that Bangkok was not my favorite but I in general don't like large cities. Our hotel W22 was exactly what we asked for. However, the location left some to be desired. If the exact same hotels was somewhere different I would go back. The rooms were simple but nice looking and clean, it was styled very nicely, it was just the unexpected surrounding areas and somewhat questionable characters, so the location was not my favorite. in the street. But I never felt unsafe and with all and all it was very accessible, close to site, food and bars. Now this was not Kim Kim's first recommendation, they had proposed some other more fancier hotels, but since I was in somewhat of a budget this hotel was Ok and met all our needs. Plus Annie picked us up almost every day, took us where we needed to go and made sure we knew how to get around, expected prices and gave us tips to navigate the city when we were not with her. She was always on time and ready for anything.

From Bangkok we went to Ayutthaya, Annie and Kim Kim arrange for all transportations and accommodations, which were just great. (PS: I really loved being assisted and greeted at the airport to be able to fastrack all lines and process to enter the country).

Ayutthaya was fantastic, even though the heat was overwhelming, so if you go do it before April. The ancient city is so large that you should plan for a couple of days if you like ruins and to walk around and be transported in time. If I would have done something different, I would have skipped the summer palace altogether to get to Ayutthaya much earlier. That way I would have beat the crowds and the heat, because by the time we got there it was got painfully hot. I don't mind waking up early so I wish this would have been a choice or we could have gone the night before to be there much earlier, since Bangkok is really not far. I would rather leave really early, get there as soon as they open and once, I finish visiting all the places I wanted be giving the option to go to the summer palace or not. Unfortunately for us there wasn't much of a choice, we were driven to the palace directly. There wasn't really much to see aside from the spacious gardens, most buildings were closed so I really didn't see the point of stopping there. Definitely go to Ayutthaya, stay the day, enjoy the city, see the ruins at sunset, explore it again in the morning and then go back to wherever you are traveling. It is worth the trip and time. Our hotel in Ayutthaya (Kantary Hotel) was great, had a nice pool with a great view. The rooms were beautiful and very spacious.

Annie went above and beyond her job to make us feel confortable and welcomed, her kindness and graciousness will be something I will remember always. She was a trooper and a fantastic photographer, I think we have hundreds of pictures of us which we often don't take. She send them all to us and now we have more wonderful memories! If we go back to Bangkok or any surrounding areas I would ask to be paired with her again.

After we went to Chiang Rai, what a fun little city. Our hotel was amazing, I think my favorite one, based on style. The Nak Nakara was a relatively small Lana Style hotel, confortable, beautifully kept, really well maintained and with lots of personality. It had a really nice pool that we got to enjoy in the evenings a very convenient restaurant and close to fun evening markets. Everyone there was lovely and helpful, they helped us arrange for tuk tuks to take us places. Our guide Mr Chuan was great. He was nice, knowledgeable and pleasant, he was very accommodating and kind, he let us do the visits in our own time, never pressure us or rush. The golden triangle was interesting, and we did also the food experience. But it was all the variety of temples we visited that made this place so memorable. Do visit the white temple and black house and if you have time go to the blue temple. We also discover a funky little bar, restaurant, hanging place
the Chivit Thamma Dat, this was recomended by our hotel staff. What a nice place to end our days. We ended going there in the evenings for food and drinks, to relax by the river and enjoy the view. It really rounded up our little adventure. 5 stars for Chiang Rai. We loved it.

On to our favorite place Chiang Mai.

We stayed inside the old walls and had the most amazing guide, Mona (Ms Kanyavee). Our hotel Thai Akara was great! Also a Lana Style hotel, a little more modern than the others, was perfectly locatate. Everything and anything was reachable by foot. Our street was awsom, we had food, markets, bars, temples, spas a barber and even a laundramat all within walking distance. The people were amazing, the pool was great (it was really hot in May). Our favorite person was our guide Mona.

Mona was so much fun to spend time with. She was knowledgeable, spoke excellent English, very well rounded and make each day fun. She was never intrusive and so, so kind. With her we did a food experience which was great and she was flexible enought to acomodate to anything we wanted, took us around the city and went with us to the Jungle temple (my favorite) on to a hike, waterfalls, coffe farm and a monk blessing. We went with her to the Doi Inthanon National Park (A must go if you can) She was great! Thanks Mona!!!

Finally we ended this three week trip in Krabi. We stayed at a resort and that may be the only place I would not recommend. It was supposed to be a 4 star resort but I am sorry to say maybe a 3. The Beyond resort at Krabi has seen better days and is somewhat run down. The first room we received was really substandard and I had to raise a complained about it. And while we had issues with our room, the staff was so accommodating and understanding. We were promptly moved to another room but it was an inconvenience. Now the resort staff will make up for it, what an amazing staff they have, every single one of them. Including the manager who called me to apologize for the room. With some TLC the resort can recover, the grounds are great, I loved the beach and pool and absolutely love that they were very kitty friendly (as most of Thailand is). The pool was nice and the restaurant was OK... but no worries cause just next door there was a fantastic restaurant, bar and spa.

At Krabi we spend most of the time on boat tours, island hopping, visiting beautiful beaches and snorkeling. One recommendation though. I don't think it is needed to book this experiences ahead of time. On our day off we coordinate through the hotel a private boat. This was so much better than the joining tours and the price difference was very small. But do it there, all the prices as consistent and listed everywhere so there is little chance for anyone to take advantage of you. They really cater to tourist and I am sure that way will be much more affordable than booking them ahead of time. I do recommend the speed boat to Phi Phi islands. If you are choosing to do Kayaking at Ao Thalane don't do the whole day. The best part was the first part of the trip through the canyon, absolutely breathtaking. The kayaking through the river was nice and fun but not as amazing as the first part of the day.

All and all I give this trip a 9 out of 10. With very, very few inconveniences that were promptly resolved by our specialist Lacey. I want to give kuddos to her, since she was always attentive and in the few instances, we had an issue she was easy to reach and prompt to help us.

Hotel Reviews

Nak Nakara Hotel

Chiang Rai

Cute Lana Style hotel. Well located, confortable, clean and good looking rooms. Great pool, amicable and hospitable staff. Close to everything we needed. Perfect for our visit.

Authenticity & Character

Love its character. It had a mixed of modern while still traditional. Lovely looking gardens, perfectly manicured, open aired areas, great pool

Location

Close the night bazar, on a quite road, with easy transportation.

Staff

Oh the staff!!! Very young but so helpful!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Cant complaint! Clean confortable rooms and shared spaces.

W22 by Burasari

Bangkok

More like a 3 1/2 stars. The hotel itself is very nice looking. It is great for a short stop. The pictures do give credit to the hotel. It is the location that left me hesitant to give it a higher rating. However while this hotel is not for me. It is in the heart of China Town close to everything. So give it a try, you may like it.

Authenticity & Character

The decorations are very nice (I wish it had a bar or snack area). The hotel is charming in its own way. It looks lovely inside and it was perfect for spending a couple of nights. It did meet all our needs.

Location

The location was not for me.

Staff

The staff could have been a little more helpful, but they were nice. It is a small hotel so there isnt too many people there who can help you with simple things like calling a cab or helping you negotiate with a Tuk Tuk driver (which in all other hotels we stayed, we were assisted with).

Cleanliness & Comfort

The hotels is impeccably clean and the rooms while on the small size and confortable.

Kantary Hotel Ayutthaya

Fun hotel with excellent rooms and a rooftop pool with a view. Great restaurant.

Cleanliness & Comfort

The rooms were beyond spacious, really clean and confortable. Excellent choice of hotels

Thai Akara - Lanna Boutique Hotel

Chiang Mai

I love this hotel. The location was excellent, everything was close by and an easy walk. The days were hot so the pool while a little small was really a nice treat. The pool and restaurant staff was lovely, engaging and helpful. They remembered us and try to make sure we had a good time. I love the hotel style with its airiness and decorations. But it was really the location that made it great.

Authenticity & Character

Charming, modern with loads of traditional character. Extremely convenient and fun.

Location

The hotel is on a tiny side street and is very inconspicuous. You could miss it if you don't know it is there. The hotel is spacious and so very confortable. In close proximity to absolutely anything you may want. Close to temples, city center, night markets, food markets, restaurants, bars, laundromats (the hotel offers this service, but right next door for a fraction of the price you can have everything washed and delivered to you in the same day), spas, little tiny Thai Massage places (don't pay for the fancy ones, cause these small ones are a jewel). Really great location.

Staff

The pool and restaurant staff was amazing. We didn't really interact much with the rest of them, we didn't need to but i am sure they are also lovely! The pool staff knew our order, were engaging without being intrusive, always attentive.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Really confortable, tidy, immaculately clean.

Beyond Resort Krabi

Krabi

I really wanted to love this place, but it is a bit rundown. It needs some TLC, a coat of paint and some more maintenance. However, I loved the beach area, the pool was fun and the staff was the nicest people we have encountered. The staff made up any shortcomings the hotel had. But I was expecting more, and I was a little disappointed by it. I spoke with the manager, and he told me they are starting renovations in the summer of 2023. So, trust but verify that the reno has been completed. If yes, then try it. If not, then depending on what you are looking for give it a try. Since we spent most of our time out of the resort, we didn't miss much but if you are a resort type of person be aware of its shortcomings. The restaurant food is a little generic, the drinks are not the best, the furnishings in the rooms and common areas are outdate and need to be upgraded. The overall look is rundown, it seriously need painting and the palm trees need to be replaced since many are dead. The rooms are weirdly spacious, but there is no airflow to the bathroom, which gets ridiculously hot and humid with a very uncomfortable smell, which we could not pinpoint where it was coming from. It was really somewhat sad, because I can picture it in its better days and I can see the potential for it to be much more. But the staff!!! The staff is amazing, hospitable, caring, serviceable, attentive and I can go on and on how incredibly nice they were.

Authenticity & Character

It has seen better days. This leaves much to be desired.

Location

The beach is really nice, you just need to wait for high tide and you can walk for miles. It was lovely! Very accessible and the staff helped us to arrange transporation and tours. You can just walk out and will find little taxi, tuk tuk stands. Walking disatance on the beach are other bars and restaurants all with amazing views. I like that the area we were in was quite and didnt have the overwhelming hecticness of Ao Nang or Raily Beach.

Staff

Lovely people all of them.

Cleanliness & Comfort

It wasn't unclean, it is just that a place that is rundown makes you feel a certain way. It was confortable with some question marks. I do adminer trying to save enegery but this made the rooms really hot and uncomfortable when you arrive and I have no idea what was up with the bathrooms. I guess it is just poor desing. The comun areas especially the lobby really need better ventilation and an investment in better more powerful fans. I understand the open concepts but it was uncomfortably hot and the tiny celling fans barely blew any air. The furniture is outdated so that contributes to the overall feeling that the hotel is past its prime.

Activity Reviews

Phi Phi Island By Joining Speedboat

Krabi

They are beautiful!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The tour guide for the joining tour was very nice. He made sure we were confortable and he was funny to boot!

Transport

The speed boat are really confortable.

Golden Triangle - Chiang Rai Sightseeing & Art

Chiang Rai

This was so fun!!! I cant believe how corky some of the places we went to. So creative and a great combination of modern and spiritual with a touch of irreverent and fun while still absolutely beautiful. Impresive array to talent in the best possible way. White temple and black house are a must see while in Chiang Rai.

Quality of Experience

So much fun!!!

Bangkok - Ayutthaya

Thailand

I loved this place, but please go there first and then to the summer palace. Timing is everything and when you are visiting in the middle of the summer this should be taken into consideration. This place is magical and should be appreciate.

Quality of Experience

Really good

Food

We ate at the hotel and Annie (bless her soul) bought us all sort of disserts, drinks and snacks, which were absolutely delicious. I took them with me and munch on them for the remainder of the trip.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Loved our driver and guide (Annie). So much fun and kind. Annie even bought me a fan because I was overheated and uncomfortable. She was the best!

Transport

Those vans are great!!! So confortable and spacious, I guess next time I will travel by land if they are available.

Morning Alms Giving & Jungle Temple

Chiang Mai

This was my favorite day along with the visit to Doi Inthanon. The jungle temple is so beautiful, so serene, so different. This is more of a spiritual experience. The temple is not as grandiose as the ones in the cities but it has such a vibrancy and quietness. The jungle, mountains and design is a rest for the soul.

Quality of Experience

A lot of this had to do with our guide, she was patient and lovely, she welcomed every question and was insightful and kind.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Both driver and guide (Mona) were fantastic. I can say enough good things about Mona. She was great, non intrusive and never pushy. She was insightful and knowledgeable but not stuffy and always kind and fun. We really enjoyed our time with her. She was open and welcomed all our questions, she was great at explaining us and giving us background especially related to Buddhism and the temples without being preaching or judgmental. She really made us feel very confortable. We really recommend her

Transport

Loved our driver and our van. Van is spacious and very well kept, inmaculate and clean. They provided for any need, had cool water at hand all the time. It was great.

Doi Inthanon National Park - A Nature Walk and Culture

Chiang Mai

What a fun day and break from all the temple sight seeing. The park was lovely and the waterfalls beautiful. The treck was not difficult (but there were some steep stairs). We loved getting coffee and having lunch at the Karen village. The twin chedis were quite a contrast to the lovely walk and beautiful natrue. The waterfalls were my favorite part.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Four Islands by Longtail boat Joining tour

Krabi

We didn't get the speedboat for this, we got the long tail boat. We had a lot of fun but boy the crowds! It is still amazing and a must do!

The tour was well planned and we thoroughly enjoyed all the locations on the tour. But one would always hope that vacation could last a bit longer so that we could have spent more time in Palermo, Noto and Taormina especially!

Special accolades go to our friendly guide Rachele in Palermo who is extremely professional and has a wealth of knowledge to share; Selina our top notch expert guide for Piazza Armerina; and Roberta our very informative guide in Lake Como who is both enlightening and entertaining.

All in all we had a fabulous time and wouldn't say no to revisit Sicily!

I was initially skeptical but Fabio and Kimkim did not disappoint! If you are reading this and maybe on the fence, don’t be, you won’t regret it. AND if you are lucky enough to have Fabio, you will be in great hands! We had high expectations and a short planning time and Fabio did amazing listening to our wants and must haves for our trip to Sicily. In the end we had a well thought out trip planned for us and everything coordinated, the usual stress was removed! We spent a little extra and Fabio did a great job at getting us drivers to take us to the sights we couldn’t walk to as well as we had some private tours vs. group. Highly recommend these in Sicily if in the budget! The tour guides (Max, Alessandra, Julia, Larissa and Greta!) were amazing and we felt like we were visiting friends who were giving us a tour. They were all so knowledgeable, fun and just great people. It was our anniversary and Fabio added some great touches to make the trip special as well. Lastly, the accommodations, were all in great locations, staff were super helpful and spoke English and made our stays easy and welcomed. We were so pleased with Fabio, and Kimkim, we will use the service again. We couldn’t have planned a better trip ourselves and this was so stress free! Don’t wait, see the world!

Hotel Reviews

Grand Hotel et Des Palmes

Palermo

Such a great hotel! The interior is well done and its location is fantastic to walk to shops, sights in Palermo, and restaurants. The staff were all super helpful and very polite and accommodating. Of the places we stayed throughout Sicily (3 places) this was the best. Also, what really stood out was the breakfast and the staff at breakfast! They were amazing, polite and high attention to detail to help the customers. You will not be disappointed here.

Authenticity & Character

Just a beautiful hotel

Location

Perfect location for Palermo, shops, historic sites and food!

Staff

Super thoughtful and helpful. Especially the staff in the dinning room!

Cleanliness & Comfort

The best hotel we stayed at in Sicily (out of 3 hotels).

Hotel Villa Carlotta

Taormina

Wonderful views, walk to all the shops and restaurants! Have breakfast looking outside at the water and Mt. Etna it was amazing! If you can, stay in the tower room! Definitely worth it and amazing! Would definitely recommend!

Authenticity & Character

Such a unique hotel with historically personality. Especially the tower room!

Location

Amazing location for walking to everything with wonderful views.

Staff

Staff were super helpful, polite and spoke English with us.

Cleanliness & Comfort

The entire place was very clean and the room was super comfortable.

Grand Hotel Wagner

Palermo

We stayed here for less than 24 hrs due to flight schedule but so that is the only reason not giving 5 stars. The hotel has a more old world style than the others we stayed at but was really nice (not old world dirty). Staff were all very nice and helpful. If we stayed longer we could give more of a review

Authenticity & Character

Old world character

Location

Great location to shops and restaurants

Staff

Staff was great and polite and helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

Room was super clean

Activity Reviews

Palermo Street Food Tour

Palermo

Alessandra was so much fun and made this experience so enjoyable! It is worth checking out the markets and doing this tour to learn some background and history.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Explore Palermo & Ballarò Market

Palermo

Max was amazing and such a knowledgeable person! He made this tour and was super accommodating so we could avoid what we already have seen and instead see Mondello.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Max our guide was so much fun and such a great person! By the end he was one of our friends we could just hang out and have dinner with!

Transport

Monreale & Cefalù | Full Day

Palermo

Two beautiful locations for very different reasons. Overall Cefalu was probably the winner with its amazing views and fun shops. Both are worth the visit and Julia our guide was great.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Segesta & Erice Full Day

Palermo

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Larissa was a book of knowledge! We learned so much for her during this visit, much of which was not the usual information.

Transport

Mt. Etna Tour on a 4x4 Jeep with Local Winery

Taormina

Quality of Experience

The views of Etna and going into the cave was special

Food

Wine pairing and location was fantastic. Food was amazing that was paired.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide was very nice and knowledgeable.

Transport

Evening Food Tour of Catania

Taormina

Great experience and definitely worth having a guide to show you the best places.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Greta our guide was so much fun! She was full of information and had us laughing a lot. We will always remember Greta and the fun we had eating the street food in Catania!

Transport