Kimkim Trip Reviews

4.8
Based on 14,326 ratings
Read 14,326 verified reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim. You can also read reviews about kimkim on 3rd party sites including Google, TrustPilot and Yelp.

The travel arrangements were perfect.
Switzerland | Sep 12 - Sep 21, 2024

Jeffrey
Jeffrey B.
Atlanta, GA | Reviewed on Sep 23, 2024
The travel arrangements were perfect. Lodging was just right for our needs, very comfortable, conveniently situated and with wonderful breakfasts.
Train transportation and rental car use went smoothly without any problem.
Valentine' s planned itinerary for two active travelers was wonderful. Kayaking, eBiking and hiking excursions all very memorable. The towns and sites visited were well thought out to give us a lasting memory of our Switzerland trip.
Valentine's attention to...
Read more

The travel arrangements were perfect. Lodging was just right for our needs, very comfortable, conveniently situated and with wonderful breakfasts.
Train transportation and rental car use went smoothly without any problem.
Valentine' s planned itinerary for two active travelers was wonderful. Kayaking, eBiking and hiking excursions all very memorable. The towns and sites visited were well thought out to give us a lasting memory of our Switzerland trip.
Valentine's attention to detail was amazing.
We hope to use her talent as a travel agent again in the future.

Activity Reviews
E-bike tour Lauterbrunnen & Valley of 72 Waterfalls (small group/6 hours)
E-bike tour Lauterbrunnen & Valley of 72 Waterfalls (small group/6 hours)
Switzerland
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Gornergrat panoramic train (return day-ticket)
Gornergrat panoramic train (return day-ticket)
Switzerland
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Summer Kayak Tour Lake Brienz (Private/Approx. 3 hours)
Summer Kayak Tour Lake Brienz (Private/Approx. 3 hours)
Switzerland
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private guided visit of Chillon Castle (1,5 hours)
Private guided visit of Chillon Castle (1,5 hours)
Montreux

Enjoyed our private guide

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Panorama Hike from Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg
Panorama Hike from Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg
Switzerland

Awe inspiring ! Enjoyed having our private experienced mountain climbing guide to tell us stories about climbing the various famous mountains in view.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Mount Rigi, the Queen of Mountains (Group tour/7 hours)
Mount Rigi, the Queen of Mountains (Group tour/7 hours)
Switzerland

Beautiful vistas and enjoyable hiking

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Valentine Julien
Valentine
Valentine Julien
Local specialist in Lausanne | Replied on Sep 24, 2024

Hi Jeffrey,
Thank you so much for your kind review!
It was a real pleasure to make you discover our beautiful country, I hope you cameback home with a lot of souvenirs in mind.
Hope you see you again in Europe & I would be happy to craft again an amazing trip for you two,
All the best,
Valentine

Italy was exactly as you see it in post cards...
Italy | Sep 13 - Sep 22, 2024

W
Wanita B.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Sep 23, 2024
Italy was exactly as you see it in post cards. There was too much walking for us, however. Two of our hotels (4 nights each) were down in the marina so we were forced to walk up and down many, many stairs and hills to the restaurants, towns , etc. Comfortable shoes are a MUST. Anacapri, Positano and Sorrento (main squares) were our best stops. Capri and Amalfi were very busy and difficult to get around (taxis and buses were packed and hard to get). The weather in September is... Read more

Italy was exactly as you see it in post cards.

There was too much walking for us, however. Two of our hotels (4 nights each) were down in the marina so we were forced to walk up and down many, many stairs and hills to the restaurants, towns , etc. Comfortable shoes are a MUST.

Anacapri, Positano and Sorrento (main squares) were our best stops.

Capri and Amalfi were very busy and difficult to get around (taxis and buses were packed and hard to get).

The weather in September is unstable (rain, wind, high 60s/low 70s) so it's challenging to know what to wear each day.

Overall, it was worth it and we recommend it at least once. KimKim was a great service.

Local specialist: Tasos Mylonas

A Week in Tokyo: Just Roaming Around
Japan | Sep 15 - Sep 22, 2024

Ann
Ann T.
Manhattan, NY | Reviewed on Sep 23, 2024
Our trip to Tokyo was awesome! Ayumi, Yumi, and Chieko, our guides, were super helpful and made our 8-day adventure seamless. Angel helped us plan everything and was really flexible with any changes we wanted. We picked our own hotels and she worked them right into our itinerary. We loved every minute of it — it was the trip of a lifetime, and we’re already thinking about checking out different cities next time! Read more

Our trip to Tokyo was awesome! Ayumi, Yumi, and Chieko, our guides, were super helpful and made our 8-day adventure seamless. Angel helped us plan everything and was really flexible with any changes we wanted. We picked our own hotels and she worked them right into our itinerary. We loved every minute of it — it was the trip of a lifetime, and we’re already thinking about checking out different cities next time!

Activity Reviews
Tokyo Discovery with Meiji Shrine, Shinjuku Gyoen, Gotokuji Temple & Shibuya Sky
Tokyo Discovery with Meiji Shrine, Shinjuku Gyoen, Gotokuji Temple & Shibuya Sky
Tokyo
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Tokyo Day Tour with Tsukiji Outer Market & Senso-ji - East & Central
Tokyo Day Tour with Tsukiji Outer Market & Senso-ji - East & Central
Tokyo
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day Mt. Fuji with Lake Kawaguchi with Oishi Park
Full Day Mt. Fuji with Lake Kawaguchi with Oishi Park
Tokyo
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Tokyo Samurai Museum with Experience + Kimono Tea Ceremony at Tokyo Maikoya
Tokyo Samurai Museum with Experience + Kimono Tea Ceremony at Tokyo Maikoya
Tokyo
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day Nikko Toshogu Shrine and Kegon Falls
Full Day Nikko Toshogu Shrine and Kegon Falls
Tokyo
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Angel Tang
Angel
Angel Tang
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Sep 26, 2024

Dear Ann,

Hope you have a great time.Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback. We're delighted to hear that you had an amazing trip to Tokyo and that Ayumi, Yumi, and Chieko made your experience so enjoyable. It's my great honor and pleasure to be able to help you plan your itinerary and accommodate your preferences. We're pleased that you loved every moment of your adventure and we can't wait to assist you with your next trip to different cities.

Look forward to seeing you again soon.

Best regards,
Angel

September 2024 trip to Portugal
Portugal | Sep 6 - Sep 17, 2024

Susan
Susan S.
Holualoa, HI | Reviewed on Sep 23, 2024
Joao did an incredible job planning our trip to Portugal. The communication thru the WhatsApp was great! When our flights to Lisbon got cancelled and everyone in our group ended up landing the next day at different times Joao made sure that everyone was picked up when they landed. Taking the stress off of us at that point was greatly appreciated. Joao also sent us a message every day letting us know our schedule for the next day and what time the driver would be at the hotel to pick us... Read more

Joao did an incredible job planning our trip to Portugal. The communication thru the WhatsApp was great! When our flights to Lisbon got cancelled and everyone in our group ended up landing the next day at different times Joao made sure that everyone was picked up when they landed. Taking the stress off of us at that point was greatly appreciated. Joao also sent us a message every day letting us know our schedule for the next day and what time the driver would be at the hotel to pick us up. The drivers were all very informative and professional. I would definitely recommend them to drive as I would not want to drive in Portugal. All of our excursions were fun, but I think the one that everyone liked the most was the visit to the Quinta da Pacheca winery. Our tour guide Fabio was great, and we learned a lot about port wine. The boat excursion thru the Douro valley was beautiful and they held the boat for us because our lunch at the winery took longer than expected. When they tell you that the trip is all about you, they mean it. They all went out of their way to make sure that we saw everything we wanted to see and try all of the local food and drinks. I really enjoyed all of the places that we stayed as well. Joao did a great job of putting us in the middle of the city in Lisbon & Porto, close to everything that we wanted to do and see. I would highly recommend Joao and his team at KimKim as they made our trip to Portugal very memorable to say the least.
Kelly & Susan Snyder

Hotel Reviews
Cascade Wellness
Lagos

The Cascade Wellness was good, but it didn't quite live up to the five-star rating in our minds, especially after staying at the Monumental Palace. The resort itself was beautiful, but some aspects, like the service and amenities, could be improved. We had some nice staff and some staff that didn't really care about what we were talking about. Also, they had just started adding a tip into your bill at the restaurant / bar but didn't tell you about it. So, if you didn't notice it then and you tipped them, they got double tips. It just would have been nice if they pointed it out.

Authenticity & Character
The hotel needs some TLC in places.
Location
Beautiful location but just a little far from town.
Staff
I think maybe they were short staffed at times.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The beds were two double beds put together. Why not just one king bed?
Maison Albar Hotels Le Monumental Palace
Porto

All of the employees at this hotel go out of their way to make sure that your stay is wonderful. Would highly recommend it and it is very centrally located in Porto.

Authenticity & Character
Absoulety beautiful hotel.
Location
Centrally located to a lot of really good restaurants and bars.
Staff
Everyone was so nice and helpful.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The entire hotel is very clean.
Cascais Miragem
Cascais - Portugal

Beautiful hotel - wish we could have stayed longer.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Heritage Avenida Liberdade
Lisboa

Great location, the breakfast was really good, staff very friendly.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Perfect location in Lisbon. A lot of places to see within walking distance.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Immerse Yourself in the Portuguese Culture by Experiencing a Fado Dinner
Immerse Yourself in the Portuguese Culture by Experiencing a Fado Dinner
Lisbon

The Fado experience was something I think everyone should do when they visit Lisbon. The meal that we were served wasn't that good at all. Probably the worse meal that we had in the 12 days we were there.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Unveil the Fairytale Villa of Sintra with a Private Driver Service
Unveil the Fairytale Villa of Sintra with a Private Driver Service
Portugal

The palace was good to see, and we are glad that we went. Our driver, Petro, was very informative and the place he took us to for lunch was beautiful.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Petro was informative and we saw a lot in that one day.
Transport
The Flavors of Port Wine - Sip & Discover
The Flavors of Port Wine - Sip & Discover
Porto

I wouldn't do this wine tour. Sandeman didn't give us very good Port wine to try and I have to tell you that all of us didn't want to have it ever again. We kept an open mind and the next winery we went to was so much better.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Seamless Discovery - The Ultimate Douro Valley Experience with Private Driver Service
Seamless Discovery - The Ultimate Douro Valley Experience with Private Driver Service
Portugal

Our driver, Ricardo, was great. It is kind of a long day in the car, but the scenery was beautiful, and we learned a lot along the way. The boat tour along the Douro River was fun, and we really enjoyed the wine tour and lunch at Quinta da Pacheca.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
 Exclusive Panoramic Boat Tour to the Ponta da Piedade Caves
Exclusive Panoramic Boat Tour to the Ponta da Piedade Caves
Portugal

Seeing the caves from the water was amazing. Glad we got to do it. They cancelled our original booking due to weather but we got to squeeze it in before leaving Lagos.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Indulge in Elegance on a Guided Winery Tour Infused with Tastings and a Delicious Lunch
Indulge in Elegance on a Guided Winery Tour Infused with Tastings and a Delicious Lunch
Portugal

Quinta da Pacheca was well worth it. Fabio was a great tour guide, and we got to see a group stopping the grapes. Their wine is amazing, and I think everyone should do this tour as the lunch that we had was incredible.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Our driver told us to keep an open mind about the Port wine we were going to try since we didn't like the last winery and he was absolutely right. Completely different experience than the day before.
Local specialist: João Branco
João
João Branco
Local specialist in Lisbon | Replied on Sep 23, 2024
Hey Kelly and Susan, Wow, I’m so grateful for your incredibly kind words! It was truly a pleasure to help plan your trip to Portugal, and I’m thrilled to hear that everything went smoothly, even with the unexpected flight changes. I’m especially happy that you enjoyed your time at Quinta da Pacheca and the Douro Valley—two of my personal favorites! It means the world to me and the team to know that we could help make your experience memorable. We always aim to ensure every detail is taken... Read more

Hey Kelly and Susan,

Wow, I’m so grateful for your incredibly kind words! It was truly a pleasure to help plan your trip to Portugal, and I’m thrilled to hear that everything went smoothly, even with the unexpected flight changes. I’m especially happy that you enjoyed your time at Quinta da Pacheca and the Douro Valley—two of my personal favorites!

It means the world to me and the team to know that we could help make your experience memorable. We always aim to ensure every detail is taken care of so you can focus on enjoying your travels, and your feedback confirms that we are on the right track.

Thank you again for your trust in us, and I look forward to helping you plan more wonderful adventures in the future!
Your friend in Portugal - João

Southern Spain adventures 2024
Spain | Sep 9 - Sep 16, 2024

Nancy
Nancy N.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on Sep 23, 2024

Planning our first trip to Southern Spain was enjoyable and productive with Dalia. We had several phone calls so that we could decide the type of trip we wanted to take. The selection of activities, hotels and general logistics suggested ended up in an itinerary that we both enjoyed. As the KimKim portion was the last week of our month European adventure, it was a relief to have this adventure planned out with the level of details we could not have done ourselves. KimKim and the local resources were top-notch.

Local specialist: Dalia Bouzerar
Dalia
Dalia Bouzerar
Local specialist in Spain | Replied on Sep 24, 2024

Thank you so much, Nancy, for your lovely review! It was an absolute pleasure working with you to design your Southern Spain adventure. I’m thrilled to hear that the itinerary, hotels, and activities were exactly what you both wanted and that everything flowed smoothly for you. Knowing that my assistance helped make your trip more enjoyable truly means a lot. I hope we can work together again for your next adventure!

We absolutely loved our 11 day trip to Switz...
Switzerland | Sep 10 - Sep 20, 2024

K
Kim J.
Atlanta, GA | Reviewed on Sep 23, 2024
We absolutely loved our 11 day trip to Switzerland!! Everything went smoothly and the scenery was Gorgeous!! Our favorite day was our small group E-bike tour by Flying Wheels that started in Interlaken and took us all the way to Lauterbrunnen where we experienced the Valley of 72 waterfalls! Our tour guide was Jost and his friendly personality and knowledge of the area made the trip so enjoyable! Read more

We absolutely loved our 11 day trip to Switzerland!! Everything went smoothly and the scenery was Gorgeous!! Our favorite day was our small group E-bike tour by Flying Wheels that started in Interlaken and took us all the way to Lauterbrunnen where we experienced the Valley of 72 waterfalls! Our tour guide was Jost and his friendly personality and knowledge of the area made the trip so enjoyable!

Hotel Review
Hotel Alpenhof
Grindelwald

Loved how homey this hotel was! The staff (especially Maria) were super friendly and helpful! We had an extraordinary view of the Eiger mountain and surrounding area from our room and Grindelwald was the perfect location to use as home base for several nights while we explored the magical mountain region of Switzerland!!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Mathilde Dubuisson
Mathilde
Mathilde Dubuisson
Local specialist in Villefranche-sur-Saône | Replied on Sep 24, 2024

Bonjour Kim and Scott,
Thanks for your review, I'm so happy to read you had a great time, especially that you loved the bike tour and the hotel in Grindelwald!
I wish you all the best!
Mathilde

Greece Cyclades Islands - Trip of a life time
Greece | Sep 13 - Sep 22, 2024

robert
robert o.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Sep 23, 2024
I am a Senior Luxury Hospitality Executive and when encountered with planning a family trip to a foreign place we turned to Kim Kim. The websites self navigation of selective itineraries set the perfect stage to engage with Siena. Siena carefully listened to our particular goals and established a thoughtful and personal itinerary. Once we landed on the final travel experience, Lea arrived to assist with making all the reservations. Between the two of them they executed a flawless... Read more

I am a Senior Luxury Hospitality Executive and when encountered with planning a family trip to a foreign place we turned to Kim Kim. The websites self navigation of selective itineraries set the perfect stage to engage with Siena. Siena carefully listened to our particular goals and established a thoughtful and personal itinerary. Once we landed on the final travel experience, Lea arrived to assist with making all the reservations. Between the two of them they executed a flawless international travel experience of a life-time. The accommodations, activities, transfers, personal guides and travel couldn't have been better. Excellent Job! Thank you!

Local specialist: Siena Mueller
Siena
Siena Mueller
Local specialist in Kimkim HQ | Replied on Sep 23, 2024

Rob, thank you so much for your kind words! 🤗 I'm so happy to hear that Lea and I could create a seamless travel experience for you. We wanted every detail to reflect your family's travel goals, filled with local experiences and top-tier hospitality, ensuring your family of 6 could travel with ease. We look forward to helping you plan another unforgettable journey in the future. Thank you again for trusting us with your special trip!

“Active Autumn” Finland and Estonia trip
Finland | Sep 8 - Sep 16, 2024

Lois
Lois M.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on Sep 23, 2024
Our “Active Autumn” Finland and Estonia trip was perfectly planned by Emerson. It was just the eight amount of “active “ for us ( active seniors) with guided - hikes , city explorations and a bogshoe hike ! The knowledgeable guides were the best part of our adventure - Kieto from Green Cap tours gave us several hours of detailed Finnish history and culture while exploring the city center and ferry to Suomenlinna Island. We also had a food tour with him later in the week and... Read more

Our “Active Autumn” Finland and Estonia trip was perfectly planned by Emerson. It was just the eight amount of “active “ for us ( active seniors) with guided - hikes , city explorations and a bogshoe hike ! The knowledgeable guides were the best part of our adventure - Kieto from Green Cap tours gave us several hours of detailed Finnish history and culture while exploring the city center and ferry to Suomenlinna Island. We also had a food tour with him later in the week and discovered my favorite delicious Salmon soup ( Lohikeitto) . Christopher from Est Adventures provided an amazing amount of fascinating history and current lives of Estonians pre and post Soviet Union occupation. Berit was our naturalist and guide on perhaps our favorite adventure hiking in a beautiful bog an hour outside of Tallinn. Another highlight was our small group Archipelago Excursion with Jeff from Taiga Times . We hiked in yet another gorgeous setting through woods and along the granite shoreline and enjoyed our tasty lunch prepared on site by Jeff.
The hotels chosen by Emerson were charming and well located and the arranged drivers were always exactly on time and also so helpful with local suggestions. One of which was to visit Helsinki’s new Odi library which was amazing - filled with people of all ages and they let out tools, guitars for use in their studios and trailers!
All in all a well planned, wonderful nine days in Finland and Estonia.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Fabian
Helsinki

Hotel Fabian in Helsinki was our favorite stay during the trip. The hotel has a special designation on TripAdvisor, and it did not disappoint. The rooms were cozy and the service was excellent. Highly recommend!

Hotel Kakola
Turku

The Hotel Kakola, located in Turku, wasn't to my taste. It's an old prison converted into a hotel, so it had a rather gloomy atmosphere with dark gray walls and barbed wire patterns on the curtains. The whole theme was quite unsettling. On a positive note, the service was good, and the staff at the desk were friendly and helpful. The breakfast had a variety of options, but it wasn't as good in quality as the other places we stayed.

Activity Reviews
Taste of Helsinki & Tour of Suomenlinna
Taste of Helsinki & Tour of Suomenlinna
Helsinki

The Taste of Helsinki & Tour of Suomenlinna was just okay for us. The ferry ride was enjoyable and our guide did their best to make the tour interesting, but the historical aspects of the old fort on Suomenlinna didn't quite capture our interest. It might be more appealing to history buffs, but it wasn't entirely to our taste.

Bogshoe Hiking Tour
Bogshoe Hiking Tour
Tallinn

The Bogshoe Hiking Tour in Estonia was an absolute highlight! The nature and scenery were stunning, and it was a unique and enjoyable experience. We would definitely recommend this to other nature lovers.

Local specialist: Emerson Siimer
Emerson
Emerson Siimer
Local specialist in Estonia | Replied on Sep 24, 2024

Thank you so much for your thoughtful review!

I'm thrilled to hear that your "Active Autumn" trip to Finland and Estonia was such a memorable experience. It was my pleasure to help plan the perfect balance of activity and relaxation for you both. I'm especially glad to hear that the knowledgeable guides and unique experiences, like the bogshoe hike and food tour, stood out for you. Your feedback means a lot, and I'm delighted that everything from the excursions to the hotel choices contributed to your wonderful adventure!

First trip to Japan, 16 days, solo and it was AWESOME thanks to Kimkim and Shona my local guide
Japan | Sep 4 - Sep 19, 2024

Blue
Blue B.
Brookhaven, GA | Reviewed on Sep 23, 2024
I did my first trip to Japan, 16 days and all by myself. I found it incredibly challenging planning, navigating and booking the things I wanted to do. I had literally spent weeks researching experiences and reading reviews of tours and trying to figure out which ones to do before I gave up. So did another first - booked the whole thing through Kimkim. SO GLAD I did. Shona my local guide was amazing. She totally heard and understood my wants and needs and every step of the way was right... Read more

I did my first trip to Japan, 16 days and all by myself. I found it incredibly challenging planning, navigating and booking the things I wanted to do. I had literally spent weeks researching experiences and reading reviews of tours and trying to figure out which ones to do before I gave up. So did another first - booked the whole thing through Kimkim. SO GLAD I did. Shona my local guide was amazing. She totally heard and understood my wants and needs and every step of the way was right there with answers and advice. The tours and experiences she booked were exactly what I wanted and all were excellent, and it all stayed in my budget. I'm absolutely going to book every trip through Kimkim from now on.

Hotel Reviews
Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel, A Pan Pacific Partner Hotel

Everything was great but the most wonderful was the concierge service. On my last day, I checked out, checked my luggage and asked for advice on where to get a haircut in the hour and half I had left in Tokyo. The most wonderful lady assisted me, booked my cut at the salon she goes to and got me a car. When I got back I looked fabulous and thanked her, wish I remembered her name but it seemed everyone at that hotel had the same eagerness to help. Two more things; the Japanese breakfast and rolled omelets at the buffet were amazing, and the in room amenities were superb. I'll be back.

Authenticity & Character
Japanese breakfast, kindness of staff
Location
Walking distance from the train station and so many local attractions
Staff
Totally available to help with anything and so kind
Cleanliness & Comfort
Totally clean and really nice, new, crisp cotton pajamas
Kamesei Ryokan

The experience here was so beautiful i'm a bit at a loss for words. Tyler and his wife are such wonderful beautiful people. The food was literally some of the absolute best I've ever had. The baths were clean and incredible. Beds and bedding fabulously comfortable. I'll be back.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Cross Hotel Kyoto
Kyoto

Absolutely the best hotel buffet EVER. Location is walking distance from the most interesting neighborhoods. I could stay there years and have more to explore.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Shona Zhang
Shona
Shona Zhang
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Sep 24, 2024

Hi Blue,
Thank you for your feedback and for your trust and support in our work. We will work even harder to provide better service for valued guests like you. All the best wishes to you and your family, and I look forward to seeing you on your next trip to Japan.
Best wishes
Shona

Fabulous Finland and Life time memories!!!
Finland | Sep 11 - Sep 20, 2024

V
Vijay M.
India | Reviewed on Sep 23, 2024
The most memorable trip that we had of all trips till date. We would like to sincerely thank Moonika (KimKim) for the fabulous experience, meticulous planning and seamless execution. Utmost patience and giving out details with so many queries before finalization of the itinerary. Transparency and unwavering commitment towards client servicing (over so many days) was the hallmark of the entire experience. Throughout our 10 days in Finland, there was not a single glitch. Choice of... Read more

The most memorable trip that we had of all trips till date. We would like to sincerely thank Moonika (KimKim) for the fabulous experience, meticulous planning and seamless execution. Utmost patience and giving out details with so many queries before finalization of the itinerary. Transparency and unwavering commitment towards client servicing (over so many days) was the hallmark of the entire experience.

Throughout our 10 days in Finland, there was not a single glitch. Choice of activities and more importantly choice of service providers for each of the distinct activities was fabulous (the reason I say this is because all activities were not given to a single service provider, and we did one northern light activity on our own which was a disappointment compared to the norther light hunting organized by Kim Kim).

Special mention of the service providers for each of the activities:
1) Helsinki City tour walk: Lesley was very good in taking us through Helsinki city to the important landmark. Clear in her explanation and had a lovely time

2) Antti for northern light hunting: This was the one of the best experiences and i would say blindly go for Antti if one gets a chance to go for northern light hunting. Here is the guy who has true passion for northern light hunting. He puts in slightly more than 6 hours for the hunt and just wanted to ensure that we get very good sighting as much as possible. He kept driving and outpacing the clouds and tried to see multiple places to get a good sighting. In our 3rd citing place, we got a good glimpse. While we were returning, all of us were asleep since it was well past midnight. He makes a stop (which he could have well avoided) and wakes us up since he has seen something good. Will never forget that moment.

3) Ranau Zoo visit: Another very good experience. Oren is such a lively person with very good sense of humour. During our drive to Ranau Zoo, he explained us the reason the norther lights phenomena with so much clarity and details. It was fun experience with his explanation about the animals and his capturing of the pics for the different animals. Another individual who loves his job thoroughly.

4) Korouoma Canyon Wilderness Hike: Very different and another fabulous experience of a nice trek. Gabor initially came us a kind of a reserved guy and then as the trek went by he was all fun. His one liner timings were hilarious. Very good activity and here too Gabor was very patient with us given that we were halting almost everywhere to click our own pics with nature apart from plucking and eating berries all along the way. Loved the wood chopping and fire making activity with nice plant-based hotdogs. Will definitely recommend Gabor too as a tour guide.

5) Sauna by the lake: Wow what a location just by the serene lake. Nice, pleasant weather. Justin was our tour guide and again a very good experience. She made us very comfortable and arranged everything for us seamlessly. We had nice sauna experience along with a dip in the lake and repeating this sequence more than once. Justin provided us with nice berry juice and berry tarts

6) Amethyst mine and canoeing in Pyha: So far all activities were very good experience fun and hence the bar was automatically set high. In Pyha, we meet the man Jukka who was with us for almost 3 days. He is simply superb. Always smiling, accommodating and absolutely fun loving. He kept with our changing needs with no fuss and made our stay and experience absolutely fabulous. Amethyst mine small trek and the mine experience was very unique and fun. Canoeing experience with Jukka at helm was outstanding and will remain etched forever in memories.

All our stay at Hotel Glo Art, Artic Light Hotel and Kurula's Resort were very good and comfortable. We also loved the overnight train journey both ways.

All the above experiences were made possible thanks to the fabulous itinerary prepared by Moonika without which it would have been just not possible.

Strongly recommend KimKim

Hotel Reviews
GLO Hotel Art
Helsinki
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Overnight Train
Authenticity & Character
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Arctic Light Hotel
Rovaniemi
Authenticity & Character
Sauna experience and the rooms
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Kurula's Resort
Pyhätunturi

Fabulous location, ambience

Authenticity & Character
Sauna with Jacuzzi by the lake
Location
next to the lake, simply wow
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Helsinki City Walking Tour
Helsinki City Walking Tour
Helsinki
Tallinn Day Trip
Tallinn Day Trip
Helsinki
Flexible Northern Lights Hunting
Flexible Northern Lights Hunting
Rovaniemi

Wow

Ranua Wildlife Park Visit
Ranua Wildlife Park Visit
Finland
Finnish Sauna Experience
Finnish Sauna Experience
Rovaniemi
Korouoma Canyon Wilderness Hike
Korouoma Canyon Wilderness Hike
Rovaniemi
Reindeer Farm Visit (No Safari)
Reindeer Farm Visit (No Safari)
Rovaniemi
Sauna Experience by the Lake
Sauna Experience by the Lake
Pyhä

Another wow experience

Canoeing Experience on Pyhäjoki River
Canoeing Experience on Pyhäjoki River
Pyhä

Another wow experience

Amethyst Mine Photographing Tour
Amethyst Mine Photographing Tour
Pyhä
Local specialist: Moonika Apart
Moonika
Moonika Apart
Local specialist in Estonia | Replied on Sep 25, 2024

Hello Vijay,

Thank you for such a glowing review and detailed feedback about the tours and services. I will make sure to share this feedback with the providers as well. Glad to hear you had an amazing time and thank you again for booking your holiday with us. I hope to have you as our guests again in the future:)

Best,
Moonika

Our trip to Turkey was absolutely amazing and...
Turkey | Sep 3 - Sep 12, 2024

Khadijah
Khadijah S.
Fords, NJ | Reviewed on Sep 23, 2024
Our trip to Turkey was absolutely amazing and so memorable! Everything was planned so perfectly when it came to the private transfers and the guides and tours. Our guides Emre in Istanbul and Effe in Cappadocia were amazing and did a wonderful job at making sure we got the full experience in both places. Our driver Mustafa also was great and very timely.
Our travel agent Berat curated such a nice trip for us and was always available when needed.
KimKim once again has been an amazing...
Read more

Our trip to Turkey was absolutely amazing and so memorable! Everything was planned so perfectly when it came to the private transfers and the guides and tours. Our guides Emre in Istanbul and Effe in Cappadocia were amazing and did a wonderful job at making sure we got the full experience in both places. Our driver Mustafa also was great and very timely.
Our travel agent Berat curated such a nice trip for us and was always available when needed.
KimKim once again has been an amazing experience for us and we will definitely be using this agency again for our next adventure.
Thank you all!

Hotel Review
Kale Konak Hotel

The Kale Konak was a wonderful cave hotel we stayed at in Uchisar. The room was very comfortable and the staff were very kind and accommodating. The view from the breakfast are and terrace was so stunning every morning and the location of the hotel is perfect to experience both Uchisar and Goreme towns. We would definitely recommend staying at this hotel when in Cappadocia!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Located in Uchisar and 5 minute drive from Goreme.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Berat Ornek
Berat
Berat Ornek
Local specialist in Turkey | Replied on Sep 24, 2024

Thanks so much Khadijah for this lovely review!
We were so happy to host you in Turkey and look forward to welcoming you again in the near future!
Kind regards,
Berat

Great experience from planning to travel!
Norway | Sep 5 - Sep 12, 2024

Sarah
Sarah C.
Ireland | Reviewed on Sep 23, 2024
Planning our trip to Norway was an incredibly enjoyable experience. It felt easy to communicate with Christina and I felt she really understood my requests and created a really excellent itinerary for us. We also worked with Tricia, Linda and Tom who were very responsive with messages and questions and exceptionally helpful in making bookings and small changes when needed. They all went above and beyond and made our week in Norway so seamless. Will definitely be booking more trips with... Read more

Planning our trip to Norway was an incredibly enjoyable experience. It felt easy to communicate with Christina and I felt she really understood my requests and created a really excellent itinerary for us. We also worked with Tricia, Linda and Tom who were very responsive with messages and questions and exceptionally helpful in making bookings and small changes when needed. They all went above and beyond and made our week in Norway so seamless. Will definitely be booking more trips with Kimkim! Thank you so much for everything.

Hotel Review
Thon Hotel Stavanger
Stavanger

Breakfast was amazing! Comfortable rooms, clean, incredibly modern. The snacks and free tea/coffee at reception was very welcome after big days exploring Stavanger and around

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Guided Overnight Hike to Trolltunga for Sunset/Sunrise
Guided Overnight Hike to Trolltunga for Sunset/Sunrise
Norway

Absolute highlight of our trip! Everything about it was incredible. A must-do!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Christina Wang

Kim Kim is 5 star legit
Greece | Sep 6 - Sep 18, 2024

Thomas
Thomas G.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Sep 23, 2024
Our travel expert, Lea, put together our trip to Greece that met and exceeded our needs and expectations. Most everything went smoothly and when a small glitch occurred they were there to correct things immediately. An unexpected one day taxi strike occurred in Athens and Lea arranged for a private professional driver on short notice. Can't praise her and Welcome Pickups enough every step along the way. Every driver was on time friendly and courteous. Tours and guides were terrific especially... Read more

Our travel expert, Lea, put together our trip to Greece that met and exceeded our needs and expectations. Most everything went smoothly and when a small glitch occurred they were there to correct things immediately. An unexpected one day taxi strike occurred in Athens and Lea arranged for a private professional driver on short notice. Can't praise her and Welcome Pickups enough every step along the way. Every driver was on time friendly and courteous. Tours and guides were terrific especially the full day personalized tour of Delphi. It was a VIP experience. We were also very pleased with the 3-5 star accommodations that were all centrally located, safe and clean. I had never heard of Kim Kim before this trip and relied on the reviews of previous travelers before taking the chance. Add my voice to the strong supporters of Kim Kim!

Hotel Reviews
Adriani Hotel
Naxos Town

Central location, safe and clean. The homemade breakfast will be forever remembered. Highly recommend.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
City Lion
Heraklion Crete

Brand new apartment. Excellent location.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Blue Dolphins Apartments & Suites
Firostefani, Santorini

The view and breakfast!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Arkadi Hotel
Chania
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Sofitel Athens Airport
Athens
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Be my Guest Hotel Athens
Athens
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Day Trip to Delphi
Day Trip to Delphi
Athens

This not only kicked off our Greek holiday but turned out to be a highlight. A VIP experience.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Ioannis Antoniadis
Ioannis
Ioannis Antoniadis
Local specialist in Syros, Greece | Replied on Sep 24, 2024

Thank you kindly Thomas:)

I'm very happy to hear that you had an amazing experience in Greece!!!

Your feedback is much appreciated!

Kimkim is worth it for the stress relief it provides while traveling!
Italy | Sep 8 - Sep 19, 2024

T
Tamaryn B.
Pittsburgh, PA | Reviewed on Sep 23, 2024
It was such a stress reliever knowing that everything on our trip was already taken care of while we were there - we didn't have to deal with organizing cars, researching companies to use, or following up with providers because it was all taken care of. Eirini was so helpful in the planning process, had great recommendations, and was honest about what to expect with different options. She was very patient with me as I changed my mind many times to get the trip exactly how we wanted it. It... Read more

It was such a stress reliever knowing that everything on our trip was already taken care of while we were there - we didn't have to deal with organizing cars, researching companies to use, or following up with providers because it was all taken care of. Eirini was so helpful in the planning process, had great recommendations, and was honest about what to expect with different options. She was very patient with me as I changed my mind many times to get the trip exactly how we wanted it. It would've been nice to continue to communicate with Eirini while we were on our trip for continuity, but we were handed off to lovely travel support individuals who took care of us while we were on our trip. We would absolutely use Kimkim again for the peace it provided us in not having to worry about a thing while we were on our trip.

Hotel Reviews
Villa Gianlica
Praiano

10/10 I would go back here again and again. The property is GORGEOUS, not only the views, but the terraced gardens and the combination of old and new construction is just beautiful. The staff was lovely and very helpful, especially Marica, and Tomaso. The made to order breakfast as well as the buffet was delicious and food was prepared using the food that is grown on the property. My birthday happened to fall while we were staying on this trip and the staff surprised me by bringing out a small cake and candle and singing happy birthday to me in Italian at breakfast - it was so kind and unexpected. There is a bus stop right outside of the villa as well as two markets and a couple restaurants all on the same small road. Don't miss out on staying here!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Staff was so friendly, helpful, and kind. Marica and Tomaso helped us with recommendations and making reservations and went above and beyond.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean, great housekeeping - Oxana was wonderful.
Atelier Inès Arts & Suites
Napoli

We did not have a great experience at this hotel. From the time we arrived it was unorganized and confusing. When we first arrived, the car was unable to drive down the small road to the hotel and so we were dropped off and someone came to get us, but couldn't find our reservation once we arrived. After eventually finding it, the staff seemed unorganized in what to do next. We were given a key ring with about 6 different keys on it to get in and out of the building and the gates around the building. Our room, although a nice size, was dark with only one window that looked out into an alley - it felt like we were in the basement. We weren't staying long so we wanted to potentially order food to be delivered, but there wasn't an identifiable front desk or reception area where we could ask for help. Luckily we ran into Ines, one of the owners who was lovely and welcoming, but was busy and unable to help us at that time. We ended up venturing out to find food and staff came to apologize later and offered us complimentary drinks. They also provided us with yogurt and fruit for the morning since we were leaving very early for the airport, which was kind. The bed was very comfortable and the bathroom had a nice sized shower.

Authenticity & Character
I believe this hotel probably had more to offer than we were able to explore in the short time we were there.
Location
Hard to get to. Two sets of gates to get in and out. Room looked out into an alley.
Staff
Increased communication/organization among staff would help customers to feel more at ease when arriving. Knowing where and how to get access to staff when needed would have been helpful as there was no reception area.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Room was clean, bed was comfortable.
Abelonas Retreat
Santorini

This hotel is in a great location - many restaurants literally steps away. It was quiet and had views of both the sunrise and sunset which are hard to get on the island. Yannis was helpful at reception. There is breakfast made to order and delivered to your room every morning. There are beautiful views although somewhat (minimally) obstructed by the location (restaurants, electric wires). The reason for 4 rather than 5 stars is that the room could use some updating, the bathroom sometimes would smell, and the shower was TINY. Overall, a very laid back vibe, excellent location, and good views.

Authenticity & Character
Very cute room, but could use some updating.
Location
Great spot, close to a lot of restaurants and walking paths.
Staff
Yannis was very friendly and helpful, but some of the other staff were not as hospitable.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The bed was surprisingly comfortable as well as the chairs and tables set out to relax. There's a great outdoor lounge area above the hotel and pool where you can enjoy the views.
Activity Reviews
Full Day Capri Boat Tour from Praiano
Full Day Capri Boat Tour from Praiano
Amalfi Coast

The boat was beautiful and relaxed. It was nice that we were able to stop and swim on the way back and were greeted with champagne once we got out of the sea. However, we were warned before we got on the boat that the seas were rough due to a storm the day before. I've never been sea sick in my life, but was sick for an hour on the way to Capri (one of many people who were sick that day). The skipper/captain didn't speak a lot of English and wasn't very helpful and didn't go through any safety briefings before we took off. Because of the difficulties with the language barrier, I was momentarily left at the dock on Capri along with two other passengers as the boat sailed away. My husband and other passengers on the boat were able to explain to the captain that we needed to be picked up.

Santorini Hikes & Bites Private Tour
Santorini Hikes & Bites Private Tour
Santorini

Unfortunately, we woke up sick the day of this tour and had to cancel least minute. Unfortunately, we were unable to receive a refund because of the last minute cancellation, but the travel support did try and find us substitute options. Unable to review this tour as we had to miss it.

Full Day Tour: Positano, Amalfi & Ravello
Full Day Tour: Positano, Amalfi & Ravello
Italy

We really enjoyed being able to get the highlights of the area without having to rent a car or scooter to get there. We spent an hour in Positano walking around, going to the beach, and getting a coffee. The driver, Vito, made the day totally flexible so we could decide what to do that best fit our needs and wants for the day. Vito would drop us off, make suggestions as to where we could explore, and wait for us so that we could explore independently. We decided to drive from Positano through Amalfi, and go straight to Ravello before it got too crowded which was a good call. We had a lot of time in Ravello and were very pleased with our time there exploring on our own. On the way back we decided to skip Amalfi as it had gotten SO busy that it didn't look enjoyable. It would've been nice to see some more scenic sites on the way back since we didn't stop, but we just went back to the hotel.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The driver, Vito, was very helpful with suggestions and offered to take photos of us in front of beautiful scenic lookouts, but he was VERY talkative and we are more quiet so that felt a little tiresome after a full day together.
Transport
Private Transfer from Amalfi Coast to Naples with Pompeii and Mt. Vesuvius en route
Private Transfer from Amalfi Coast to Naples with Pompeii and Mt. Vesuvius en route
Italy

This was so much more than just a private transfer! This was also a full day tour with one of the most helpful and thoughtful drivers, Raphaele. We started early and drove through the Amalfi coast towards Pompei while Raphaele pointed out different areas and provided information about where we were. At one point I was feeling unwell from all the winding roads and he made me feel very taken care of by stopping, offering suggestions, and making sure I felt comfortable the rest of the ride. He offered local tips and information and shared about how his family lives and enjoys the area. He recommended a wonderful place for a wine tasting with paired food for lunch at the base of Vesuvius and made a reservation for us while we toured Pompei. Claudia was our VERY knowledgable tour guide in Pompei. We would NOT have had the same experience without her knowledge and guidance. Our only down side was that we could've spent hours longer learning from Claudia! After our Pompei tour and lunch at Casa Setaro winery, Raphaele took us up Vesuvius and allowed for us to explore. It was a very windy day which made it cold so be prepared with a sweater as the temperature is much different at that altitude. On the drive to Naples, Raphaele shared with us his limoncello recipe and made recommendations for where to dine in Naples. He navigated the bustling traffic in Naples well and we felt safe and cared for the whole time. Raphaele felt like an old friend by the time we were done!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Raphaele was our favorite driver while on this trip. Claudia was so knowledgable and I feel like I could listen to her talk all day about Pompei!
Transport
Sunset Kayak Private Tour in Santorini
Sunset Kayak Private Tour in Santorini
Santorini

After an initial snafu with transportation, we were able to reschedule this tour for the following day. The staff were SO friendly, and really made the experience so fun and enjoyable. We felt cared for and that safety was a primary focus for the staff as they checked out certain areas before bringing us through. We were able to go at our own pace and adjust as needed. John was our guide and he was so kind, knowledgable, and easy going. He took many great photos for us so that we didn't have to worry about losing our phones. We stopped at a private cove to swim and eat and had the most beautiful views of the sunset. Nolan was another tour guide who was very friendly and Adonis, the owner was so kind and helpful. After we expressed how much we enjoyed one of the snacks from the tour, he made sure we had some to take home with us at the end of the tour and personally walked us back to our car.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Eirini Daouka
Eirini
Eirini Daouka
Local specialist in Greece | Replied on Sep 27, 2024

Dear Tamaryn, thank you so much for your review!

We are thrilled to hear how satisfied you are, and it makes us incredibly happy to know that we were able to assist and support you throughout your trip, ensuring that your journey is smooth and stress-free - this is our top priority.
We truly appreciate your feedback on what was great as well as what was not perfect, as it’s extremely valuable to us. We always strive to improve and provide an even better experience for our travelers. We hope to welcome you again soon to Italy and Greece!

Arrivederci!

I cannot say enough great things about Vincen...
Italy | Sep 10 - Sep 20, 2024

Daniel
Daniel N.
Johnston, RI | Reviewed on Sep 23, 2024
I cannot say enough great things about Vincenzo, Elisa and the Kimkim team for planning our amazing trip to Italy! From start to finish, the entire experience was seamless and stress-free. Vincenzo took the time to understand what we wanted from our vacation and crafted an itinerary that perfectly matched our interests and preferences. Every detail was thoughtfully planned—from the charming accommodations to the knowledgeable guides who gave us an authentic feel for each city. The team was... Read more

I cannot say enough great things about Vincenzo, Elisa and the Kimkim team for planning our amazing trip to Italy! From start to finish, the entire experience was seamless and stress-free. Vincenzo took the time to understand what we wanted from our vacation and crafted an itinerary that perfectly matched our interests and preferences.

Every detail was thoughtfully planned—from the charming accommodations to the knowledgeable guides who gave us an authentic feel for each city. The team was always available, providing prompt and helpful communication throughout the trip, which made us feel completely at ease. Whether it was exploring the rich history of Rome, the beauty of the Amalfi Coast, or indulging in the local cuisine, everything was flawless.

Thanks to Vincenzo and Kimkim, we had the trip of a lifetime! We cannot recommend them enough for anyone looking to plan an unforgettable experience in Italy. We will definitely use them again for our future travels!

Hugs,
Daniel and Christine Negalha

Hotel Reviews
Villa Magia Positano
Positano

Our stay at Villa Magia Positano was nothing short of exceptional! From the moment we arrived, the staff made us feel incredibly welcome and attended to every detail with warmth and professionalism. The service was impeccable—whether it was arranging transportation, offering great local recommendations, or simply ensuring we had everything we needed, the team went above and beyond to make our stay unforgettable. The villa itself is stunning, with breathtaking views of Positano and the coast. Every corner of the property is beautifully maintained, and the rooms are luxurious, spacious, and incredibly comfortable. The combination of personalized service and the beauty of the villa created an experience we’ll always remember. If you’re looking for an unforgettable stay in Positano, Villa Magia is the perfect choice. We cannot thank the staff enough for making our time there so special!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Boutique Hotel Villa Fiorita
Taormina

Our stay at Boutique Hotel Villa Fiortia was nothing short of exceptional! From the moment we arrived, the staff made us feel incredibly welcome and attended to every detail with warmth and professionalism. The service was impeccable—whether it was arranging transportation, offering great local recommendations, or simply ensuring we had everything we needed, the team went above and beyond to make our stay unforgettable. The villa itself is stunning, with breathtaking views of Taormina and the coast. Every corner of the property is beautifully maintained, and the rooms are luxurious, spacious, and incredibly comfortable. The combination of personalized service and the beauty of the villa created an experience we’ll always remember. If you’re looking for an unforgettable stay in Taormina, Villa Fiorita is the perfect choice. We cannot thank the staff enough for making our time there so special!

Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Vincenzo Granato

The planning and then putting the itinerary i...
Albania | Sep 2 - Sep 16, 2024

Charlene
Charlene S.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Sep 23, 2024
The planning and then putting the itinerary into action was perfect. A wonderful experience we had. After the first 48 hrs, we settled down and relaxed, went with the flow, and driving through the countries of Albania and North Macedonia was delightful. Superb roads like driving on a pool table at times compared to roads in Scotland. Loved our itinerary which was prepared by Ed beforehand taking into consideration our likes & dislikes. The places and accommodation we visited were ideal,... Read more

The planning and then putting the itinerary into action was perfect. A wonderful experience we had. After the first 48 hrs, we settled down and relaxed, went with the flow, and driving through the countries of Albania and North Macedonia was delightful. Superb roads like driving on a pool table at times compared to roads in Scotland. Loved our itinerary which was prepared by Ed beforehand taking into consideration our likes & dislikes. The places and accommodation we visited were ideal, beautiful and would never have considered these hidden gems.

Hotel Reviews
Berati Castle Hotel
Berat

Lovely hotel. Top of the mountain so to spesk as actually within the castle grounds. Road leading to hotel was excellent with parking

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Bujtina Oxhaku
Korçë

Excellent friendly staff. Location at hotel was at the top of a steep road, but no complaints from us as it helped work off the calories. Nice view of the city.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Art Hotel Rruga Kavaja

Excellent location. Staff friendly and helpful. Accommodation clean and fresh. Ideal hotel

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Villa & Winery Mal Sveti Kliment
Ohrid

Beautiful hotel, fantastic location ,dtunning views, lovely breakfast

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Guesthouse Chri Chri
Përmet

Wow! Superb accommodation on a mountain with stunning views

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Camp Nivica

Just wow 👌 waking up to wild horses meandering through the camp. View was something special to behold. Food prepared onsite was delicious and we loved the peace and solace of the camp. Stunning!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Praga

Ideal location very welcoming staff. Amazing view. Staff done our washing for a very small fee which was very welcomed. Excellent breakfast.

Authenticity & Character
The elderly owner of the hotel explained the history of the hotel to us & obviously full of pride for his establishment
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
La Brisa

Superb hotel overlooking the sea. Sumptuous breakfast. Friendly staff. A shock to the system coming to a touristy part on our travel itinerary but a nice change for a bit of down time & relaxation

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Ed Reeves

A great trip to Japan
Japan | Sep 14 - Sep 22, 2024

O
Ori B.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Sep 23, 2024
Thank you Shona and kimkim! Shona planned our trip exactly as we'd hoped, and we enjoyed the tea ceremony, city sight suggestions, and easy train plans. However, we didn't have some of the final details until the day before our trip, which initially caused us a bit of worry. Additionally, the Mt. Fuji day felt like we could have used our time better, as we spent most of the day driving and didn't really see anything. In Japan, the tour guides are very hit or miss - we had one that completely... Read more

Thank you Shona and kimkim! Shona planned our trip exactly as we'd hoped, and we enjoyed the tea ceremony, city sight suggestions, and easy train plans. However, we didn't have some of the final details until the day before our trip, which initially caused us a bit of worry. Additionally, the Mt. Fuji day felt like we could have used our time better, as we spent most of the day driving and didn't really see anything. In Japan, the tour guides are very hit or miss - we had one that completely overwhelmed us and were left exhausted by them, and had one that was AMAZING and went completely out of their way for us.

Hotel Reviews
The Royal Park Iconic Tokyo Shiodome
Tokyo
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hakone Kowakien TEN-YU
Hakone

This hotel had the best hotel dinner!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Granvia Kyoto
Kyoto
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Keihan Namba Grande
osaka
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
You do not interact with the staff at this hotel. Instead of talking to you, they point you to screens.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Drive to Hakone with Mt. Fuji Tour
Drive to Hakone with Mt. Fuji Tour
Hakone

We spent too much of the day driving up and down hills, and maybe were out of the car for 1.5 hours total. Unfortunately we did not see Mt. Fuji either.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The guide completely overwhelmed us (they didn't even let us check into our hotel ourselves, and insisted they do it, then gave us all the wrong information about the hotel). The driver seemed to be in a bad mood all day.
Transport
 Kimono Tea Ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya
Kimono Tea Ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya
Kyoto

Very touristy but still enjoyed the tea ceremony and found it meditative. Definitely recommend this!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day Nara Tour From Kyoto with Naramachi District
Full Day Nara Tour From Kyoto with Naramachi District
Kyoto
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide was AMAZING!!!!! He took amazing photos of us and went out of his way to help us do things like shop for vintages camera lens and stop at a friend's coffee shop.
Transport
Himeji Castle & Arima Onsen & Mt. Rokko Day Tour from Osaka
Himeji Castle & Arima Onsen & Mt. Rokko Day Tour from Osaka
Osaka

We decided to skip the onsen (as we already used one at our onsen hotel) and Mt. Rokko but still had an amazing time with our guide.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide was AMAZING!!!!! He took amazing photos of us and went out of his way to help us do things like shop for vintages camera lens and stop at a friend's coffee shop.
Transport
Local specialist: Shona Zhang
Shona
Shona Zhang
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Sep 24, 2024

Hi Ori,
Thank you for your feedback and for your trust and support in our work. We acknowledge that there are areas where we can improve, and I sincerely welcome and value your suggestions. We will continue to work harder, and I look forward to seeing you on your next trip.
Best wishes
Shona

Mother/daughter trip went flawlessly and the ...
South Africa | Sep 9 - Sep 16, 2024

Eloise
Eloise D.
Dallas, TX | Reviewed on Sep 23, 2024
Mother/daughter trip went flawlessly and the entire week near Kruger was top notch! Esther made great recommendations and was reassuring about all the lodging and transfers. It was wonderful to have her expertise from the planning stages to the completion of the trip. Our guide on the panoramic drive was very knowledgeable. (Maybe Titus) Sadly I have forgotten his name. The guides at Kruger Shalati (Lisa) and at Mjejane made sure we found lots of animals on every drive. The worst part about... Read more

Mother/daughter trip went flawlessly and the entire week near Kruger was top notch! Esther made great recommendations and was reassuring about all the lodging and transfers. It was wonderful to have her expertise from the planning stages to the completion of the trip. Our guide on the panoramic drive was very knowledgeable. (Maybe Titus) Sadly I have forgotten his name. The guides at Kruger Shalati (Lisa) and at Mjejane made sure we found lots of animals on every drive. The worst part about the trip was the condition of the road between Hootspreit and Kruger Shalati. I counted over 100 speed bumps. Minor detail. Thank you Esther, and the rest of
our support staff.

Local specialist: Esther Ruempol
Esther
Esther Ruempol
Local specialist in Johannesburg, South Africa | Replied on Sep 23, 2024

Thanks so much for your great review Eloise. Sorry to hear about the road conditions and the long drive, but I'm glad you enjoyed your trip overall!

Local tour guides added to the travel experience
Ireland | Sep 10 - Sep 16, 2024

L
Laura H.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Sep 23, 2024
I really appreciated have tour guides that where locals. It really added to the experience. Read more

I really appreciated have tour guides that where locals. It really added to the experience.

Hotel Review
Glenlo Abbey

Great staff. Very nice accommodations

Authenticity & Character
The entire place is historic
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Belfast Political Taxi Tour
Belfast Political Taxi Tour
Belfast

Very worthwhile. It's an opportunity to experience history first hand

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Claire Monfray
Claire
Claire Monfray
Local specialist in Lyon | Replied on Oct 17, 2024
Hi Laura and Lilyan,

Thank you so much for your review! It was truly a pleasure working with you throughout the planning of your trip. I'm thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the taxi tour experience in Belfast—it’s one of my all-time favorites, too!

I noticed you rated us a 3.5/5, and I’d love to hear more about what we could have done to make it a perfect 5/5! Your feedback is invaluable, and we're always striving to improve and deliver the best experiences for our clients. Any additional...
Read more

Hi Laura and Lilyan,

Thank you so much for your review! It was truly a pleasure working with you throughout the planning of your trip. I'm thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the taxi tour experience in Belfast—it’s one of my all-time favorites, too!

I noticed you rated us a 3.5/5, and I’d love to hear more about what we could have done to make it a perfect 5/5! Your feedback is invaluable, and we're always striving to improve and deliver the best experiences for our clients. Any additional details you can share would be incredibly helpful, and we’d be more than happy to chat further if you have the time!

For now, I wish you a wonderful day!

Fanny, Claire & the High Point Holidays Team

We had a really great trip that we definitely...
Peru | Aug 31 - Sep 15, 2024

Allyson
Allyson P.
Arlington, VA | Reviewed on Sep 22, 2024
We had a really great trip that we definitely couldn't have put together ourselves. We had the same guide throughout our time in the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, and Cusco, and he was a wealth of knowledge and and an excellent guide. Anne, our specialist, did a really good job of incorporating our interests in developing the itinerary. Their operations team was extremely responsive when one of our intra-Peru flights was delayed overnight and was able to change our tours around so that we... Read more

We had a really great trip that we definitely couldn't have put together ourselves. We had the same guide throughout our time in the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, and Cusco, and he was a wealth of knowledge and and an excellent guide. Anne, our specialist, did a really good job of incorporating our interests in developing the itinerary. Their operations team was extremely responsive when one of our intra-Peru flights was delayed overnight and was able to change our tours around so that we didn't miss anything.

Hotel Reviews
Costa del Sol Wyndham Lima Airport
Lima

This hotel is right across from the airport, so extremely convenient. It's nothing special in terms of rooms or amenities, but it suited our needs perfectly (arrived to Lima late and had an early flight the next morning).

Authenticity & Character
Location
Very convenient location for the airport.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica
Puerto Maldonado

Great location if you're interested in exploring the Amazon rainforest, since it's relatively close to Puerto Maldonado (10 minute drive followed by a 45 minute boat ride). It also has more creature comforts than I suspect is typical for a jungle hotel, the food was better than I expected, and the excursions and the guides were excellent. One thing to be aware of is that there's no cell service there and they don't have wi-fi.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Sonesta Posadas del Inca Yucay
Urubamba

This was a gorgeous hotel and a convenient base for the Sacred Valley. We generally like to explore in the evenings and there really isn't much within walking distance, but we had long days and early mornings, so we were pretty tired by the time we got back anyway.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hatun Inti Boutique Machupicchu
Machu Picchu

I absolutely loved this hotel. The location was perfect - extremely close to the train station and just a tiny bit off the main tourist strip so you could easily walk around but it was quiet at night. The giant jacuzzi in the room was perfect for after our Inca Trail hike.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Los Portales Cusco
Cusco

This was easily my least favorite of the hotels we stayed at. The room was small and dark and had little annoyances - no outlets near the bed, which is frustrating since most people use Cusco as a base for early excursions, and just about everyone uses their phone as an alarm. There also wasn't a full-length mirror anywhere in the room and the bathroom only had one towel hook - these are such obvious oversights and easy fixes that it shows a lack of care on the hotel's part. The location was decent - it was on the main avenue, but the opposite end as a lot of stuff; we had a 15-20 minute walk to get to most bars, restaurants, and shops. On the positive side, the bed was comfortable and the staff were friendly.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Sonesta Posadas del Inca Puno
Puno

Great location, right by the lake, with a private dock for excursions to the floating islands. I wish the overall ambiance in the common areas were better since there's nothing within walking distance. The restaurant and bar very much felt like you were sitting in a hotel lobby, but the quality of food and drink was pretty good. There also wasn't anywhere to refill water bottles. They sold large bottles for really cheap so it wasn't a huge deal, but it seemed unnecessary to waste all that plastic. The room was quite comfortable.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Innside Lima Miraflores by Melia Hotels International
Miraflores

I loved this hotel. The location was perfect, right in the heart of Miraflores. It had all the amenities you might want, including a gym and heated rooftop pool, and a fun rooftop bar. The room was small but comfortable and well laid out, and soundproofing was excellent. We were right below the rooftop bar on Friday and Saturday night, and didn't hear any noise from it. The breakfast was also really good, and staff friendly.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica 2/3: Sandoval Lake & Canopy Walkway
Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica 2/3: Sandoval Lake & Canopy Walkway
Tambopata

I'm only going to do one review for the three days we were here, because the excursions were in a different order from this itinerary. We really enjoyed all of the activities though. There was a decent amount of physical activity but nothing too strenuous, and we saw some great wildlife over the course of the three days. We had the same guide each day, and he was was excellent.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Maras & Moray
Maras & Moray
Peru

I had no idea what to expect going into this activity, but I really enjoyed it. You really need to do it with a guide so that you actually know what you're looking at, and Julio was outstanding for that. The salt mines at Maras were really impressive, as was the Inca site at Moray, even more so when we were getting an explanation of their purpose while walking through them.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
 Pachamanca: Traditional Andean Underground Cooking
Pachamanca: Traditional Andean Underground Cooking
Sacred Valley

I think this was our first meal not at a hotel, and it was excellent. It was really fun to learn about and watch the underground cooking process (they essentially made a natural underground pressure cooker), and all the food was delicious. The farm also has a distillery and coffee roaster onsite - we were able to do a tasting at the distillery which was also fun.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Ollantaytambo Village and Inca Site Exploration. Pinkulluna Hike
Ollantaytambo Village and Inca Site Exploration. Pinkulluna Hike
Peru

The Inca site walk was really interesting and fun to explore. We didn't spend much time going through the village, I think because of our stop at a brewery on the way back. The timing worked out well for us since we had a very early start for the Inca trail the next day, but I wouldn't have minded a bit more time in the village.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
The Short Inca Trail: Ollantaytambo to Wiñaywayna
The Short Inca Trail: Ollantaytambo to Wiñaywayna
Peru

Such a cool experience. I'm really glad we did this, rather than just taking the bus directly to Machu Picchu. The hike was hard but definitely manageable, and our guide was patient. Climbing up to the Sun Temple and getting the first birds eye view of Machu Picchu was incredible and made the whole experience worth it.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
The Short Inca Trail: Morning at Machu Picchu
The Short Inca Trail: Morning at Machu Picchu
Aguas Calientes/ Machu Picchu

Great overview of Machu Picchu, really cool to walk through the ruins, and Julio's background information was really interesting and useful.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Lunch at Qunuq Restaurant
Lunch at Qunuq Restaurant
Aguas Calientes/ Machu Picchu

The food was really good, lots of options to choose from.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Cooking and  Bar Master Class in Machu Picchu town
Cooking and Bar Master Class in Machu Picchu town
Aguas Calientes/ Machu Picchu

It was cool to interact directly with the bartender and watch him make unique cocktails. For each one, he gave us three straws for us to share the drink, and I would have strongly preferred that he divided them into three glasses, even though it would have impacted the presentation. Also, no cooking was involved; it was just drinks. That's fine, since we had a large lunch immediately after, but the title is misleading.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Cusco Walking City Tour with San Francisco Church
Cusco Walking City Tour with San Francisco Church
Cusco

Great overview of the city, lots of interesting information.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Cooking Class with Seledonia Mesa
Cooking Class with Seledonia Mesa
Cusco

Seledonia is such a fun personality, and the class was great. It was very hands on, and we had a great time.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Scenic Bus Journey to from  {{start_location}} to {{end_location}}
Scenic Bus Journey to from {{start_location}} to {{end_location}}
Peru

This was about 10 hours including the stops. We had to get to Puno somehow, and a long bus ride is never going to be fun, and this one was relatively comfortable. The stops were nice in theory, but all of them were about twice as long as necessary - they ranged from 40-60 minutes, and 20-30 would have been sufficient to stretch our legs and see the sites. The bus was supposed to have wifi which they never turned on, and the guide was extremely talkative without really providing much useful information. Overall, a relatively comfortable way to get from Cusco to Puno though.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sailing in Lake Titicaca, Taquile, Luquina & the Uros floating Islands
Sailing in Lake Titicaca, Taquile, Luquina & the Uros floating Islands
Puno

We had a private tour with pickup from our hotel's dock, which was really nice. It was great to meet with one of the local communities and see their way of life.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
 Sillustani tombs
Sillustani tombs
Puno

Worth a stop on the way to the airport, but I wouldn't go out of my way for it. Fun to walk around the tombs though.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Culinary Experience in Lima
Culinary Experience in Lima
Lima

We did the evening tour due to a flight delay, and had a great time. There was a lot of back and forth between Barranco and Miraflores, which meant a lot of time in the car. I loved the guided walk around Barranco and there were plenty of restaurants there, so I think I would have preferred staying in that neighborhood and doing a walking food tour, especially since we were staying in Miraflores and it's very tourist friendly, so we could have done those spots on our own. We had a fun time though.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Anne Godoy
Anne
Anne Godoy
Local specialist in Lima | Replied on Sep 23, 2024

Hi Allyson 🌟

Thank you so much for taking the time to leave your review; we truly appreciate it. I’m glad to hear that your overall experience in Peru was amazing, and that you took home some unforgettable memories. We’re noting all your feedback and will be sharing it with our partners as well, with the goal of continuously improving!

Thanks again for trusting us, and we wish you the best on your future journeys!
Anne 🦙☀️