Kimkim Trip Reviews

Roberto was such a great guide. He was able to adapt to our needs and he was so passionate about Croatia. He took us into places on the ways to ones we knew about as it would be so interesting. His historical knowledge was excellent and he loved to tell us about it. He chose such a great selection of accommodations and all the breakfast's provided were very good. It is hard to choose one place but some of the places I loved was Hum, Montovo, Porec and Plitvice Park. Oh the Pula and the amphitheatre. If we were to do the same trip again I would make it 2 days more as sometimes to see all we asked to see the time in the car was long and we got into places late. I would highly recommend Roberto to any of my friends.

Additional comments : Robi shared his extensive knowledge of the history, culture, architecture and politics enthusiastically. His love of Croatia was contagious and we appreciated his insights and perspectives during our 7 day tour with him. He was flexible and was accommodating to our needs and interests. I highly recommend Robi for an enriching and enjoyable tour. (Jody)

We did so much in five days that my head is still spinning. The detailed plan, with driving directions and all confirmations and reservations made it possible to stay on schedule and see as much as we possibly could. Duncan worked with me to make changes as needed before the trip, including some last minute changes due to a traveller not being able to go with us. It all worked out with minimal stress for me. Duncan's expertise and knowledge of Iceland was invaluable, and resulted in a week packed with activities and no wasted time.

Iceland itself is an incredibly beautiful country, with dramatic, and at times otherworldly landscapes that have to be seen to fully appreciate. Waterfalls everywhere, history that goes back over a thousand years, and the "Fire and Ice" aspect make it a destination for anyone, but especially those who enjoy the outdoors. We bought new hiking boots for the trip and they were well used every day. We were cautioned that a fall (October) trip meant potentially mixed weather, and this trip didn't disappoint in that regard, but we got three nice days out of five, with one incredibly windy day, and one very rainy and cloudy day to round it out. We packed layers, with a good winter coat and rain pants to keep us warm and dry, and they worked. Our rainy day was just as full and fun as the others.

Must see spots from our trip and our perspective would include the lava fields at Fagradalsfjall. Parking area P2 is a short hike to the tip of the flow, and about a ten minute walk to the edge of the lava field where you can collect a sample for a souvenir and photo. If there's an active eruption (which there wasn't for us) it will take a much longer hike to see it, but this stop is easy. There are other trails that go farther to other parts of the valley and lava fields.

The Bridge Across the Continents is another quick and easy stop. There isn't much to it, but the impact of standing at the rift between two active tectonic plates is pretty impressive to contemplate, and it's fun to walk across the bridge from Eurasia to North America (and back).

The Blue Lagoon is a classic, and while more touristy than other hot springs, it is big and impressive, and warm and nice. I would recommend it for a final day activity to relax and unwind before flying home.

We spent the first night in Reykjavik and enjoyed the town. If seeing the city itself is on your list, then plan to spend one or two days there. It's a great town, and worth seeing, but we had a quick afternoon before dinner and bed and then on to the next day's adventures.

Whale watching at Reykjavik harbor was fun and easy, and we got to see whales! Several white nosed dolphins, four Minke whales, and two Humpback whales. The boat is large and comfortable, with inside seating to keep you warm, as well as full weather suits so that you can go up on deck without freezing when it's cold outside. On deck is definitely the best experience, even if it's cold. Our crew did a great job of looking out for whales, and helping us all look in the right places to see them. The two humpbacks came up alongside the stern for photos, which was a real treat. Do be careful with the directions to the ticket office; there is more than one operator, with different locations at the harbor. You don't want to be at the wrong one and miss your boat. If you are heading out of town afterward and want a good burger for the road, I recommend the Plan-B burger place on Grandagarður street. Very tasty.

Þingvellir National Park was a great stop for us. The visitor center has a large area that shows the history of Þingvellir back to its use in the earliest days of Iceland's history as a place of government. You can easily spend an hour in the visitor center, and there's a lot of park outside of that, so plan your time accordingly. We took a hike to the waterfall and then back past Thingvallakirkja (church). There are many hiking trails that you can follow if you want to spend the day.

The Geysir geothermal area is small but a fun visit. It doesn't have to take much time, so it fits into the schedule pretty easily. There were two highlights for us; one was visiting the place where all geysers got their name (though that original Geysir is no longer active), and the other was the very active geyser that erupts on about a five to seven minute cycle, so you never have to wait long for a show. More for the "fire" list. We were scheduled to go to Gullfoss after Geysir, but we spent so much time in Thingvellir that we ran out of daylight, so that will have to be on the "come back for more" list.

Kerid crater is a good stop for a short hike. The crater adds to the "fire" checklist, and there is a hiking trail around the upper rim, as well as inside along the water's edge. The blue-green water is beautiful. It makes for another easy and impressive stop.

Waterfalls. What can I say? Each is different, and all of them are beautiful. Seljalandsfoss was especially fun to walk behind the falls. The climb to the top of Skógafoss is a steep and long one, but the view is impressive. On sunny days, when the sun is right, the spray from the falls creates a beautiful rainbow.

The black sand beaches are really impressive, and there are many to choose from. We stopped at Dyrhólaey, which has a few hiking trails, one leading to the ideal spot for a photo of the "door hole" arch. Just up the road from Dyrhólaey is Reynisfjara, which was a big hit with my son, who loved to explore the caves and climb on the rocks. The scenery is dramatic, so be ready with a camera, but stay clear of the waves and be aware; the surf is dangerous and bitterly cold. Don't mess with it.

Vik is a charming little town on the south coast. We didn't have time to explore but it would be worth going back to. In Vik there is a "Lava Show" where they melt lava rock and black sand in a furnace and then pour it down a sloping display in front of the crowd. The heat and sound and sight is really amazing, as is the information provided by the guide who runs the show. You learn a lot about lava, how it forms, how it flows, as well as some local history about the nearby Katla volcano and the glacier that covers it. We enjoyed the show a lot. There is a nice little cafe outside of the theater where you can have lunch. They have some really great soups and light sandwiches.

Further east is Jökulsárlón, where icebergs break off from Vatnajokull (say "vat-na yokurk" and you'll sound like a local) glacier and float out to sea past the "Diamond Beach". There are lots of icebergs to see, as well as some harbor seals swimming among them. You don't need to go out on a boat to enjoy the bay, but we took the amphibian boat tour, which was fun just for the amphibious boat, but also for the informative tour and ability to get closer to the icebergs. The tour guide did a nice job of presenting information about Jökulsárlón and Vatnajokull. It was interesting and a pleasant half hour tour. There are also tours that go out on smaller, faster, inflatable boats.

On the beach side of the road is "Diamond Beach" where pieces of ice from Jökulsárlón wash up on shore and sit on the black sand like diamonds in the sun. It is very pretty and you can get some nice photos, but be aware that, like Reynisfjara, and other popular places, it can be crowded, so you will probably not get that "lonely beach" photo.

Further east was our easternmost stop, for the Crystal Blue Ice Cave tour under the Breidamerkurjokull glacier. The tour begins with a ride in a large off road capable van, which carries you down a bumpy, twisty, though flat, "F road" for about a half hour to a parking area where you then hike across the glacial moraine to the foot of the glacier. The walk is about twenty minutes and is not difficult, though the path is not paved. The view of the landscape is dramatic and enjoyable in and of itself. Our tour guide Andrea was a wonderful resource, providing history, and natural science information about the glacier and its moraine valley. Once at the glacier it's similar to entering any cave, but this one is made of ice. The color and shapes were spectacular. The cave is large, and although there were a fair number of people there from multiple tours, there was plenty of room. Again, be aware that you aren't likely to get a photo without people in it. This tour was one of the real highlights of our trip. The folks at GlacierAdventure.is were great and provided a very memorable experience. If you've worked up an appetite on your tour, there is a restaurant just across from their office that serves Icelandic dishes. "Ice theme"; check, check, and check.

Along the ring road is Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon, which was formed by a glacial lake that overflowed and cut the canyon long ago. It is deep and dramatic with a waterfall down one side. It doesn't take long to see it, and is a nice stop that won't take all day.

Back toward the west the "Lava Tunnel tour" is a cave tour of a lava tube that formed during an eruption long ago. If you have toured a cave before, this one is nothing unexpected, and in some ways less dramatic. There are no stalactites or stalagmites, but there are basalt formations and some mineral colors on the walls and ceiling that are unique to the lava tube. What makes this tour interesting is understanding how the tube was formed and seeing how the lava created the structures that cover the walls and ceiling. This tour isn't long, and it's not too far off the main road, so it would fit into a busy day without too much time taken. If you've seen other caves, and don't have a lot of time, this might be one to skip. I enjoyed it, but wouldn't give up a glacier tour or famous waterfall for it.

Iceland is a spectacular country; from the mountain climbing sheep to the volcanos, and glaciers, it is dramatically beautiful and full of surprises. My advice is to pack well for all types of weather because you are likely to see them all. Bring rain suits or a waterproof coat and rain pants. Waterproof hiking boots are a must. Most of all bring an adventurous spirit because this place has a lot to offer and it's almost all outdoors. Make sure that you pay attention to the cautions and advice about driving; there are some "gotchas" like the gasoline pump handle being green and the Diesel handle being black. Don't mess that one up. Make sure that your cell phone works in Iceland for voice as well as data. Mine (Verizon) worked fine for text and data, but was hit and miss for voice calls. Food was a question in my mind, especially in some of the less built up areas, but in general it's not hard to find something to eat, and as long as you are flexible, you will not go hungry.

October in Iceland was beautiful and amazing. We need to come back to see the summer, hopefully very soon.

Thanks to Duncan and kimkim for the excellent trip plan and coordination. It made getting the most out of our time so much easier. I have a memory with my sons that none of us will forget.

Hotel Reviews

Room With A View Apartment Hotel

Reykjavík

This hotel is downtown on one of the main shopping streets. The location is very good for someone staying to see the city for a day or two. The rooms are nice, with a European style. The restaurant for breakfast was great. You'll want to figure out where to park in advance since there is no parking associated with the hotel itself. Street parking is available if you can find a spot, and there is a parking lot not far away but you don't want to be searching at the last minute.

Authenticity & Character

The decor was nice, it was contemporary European style, which fit the area.

Location

Right in the shopping district.

Staff

Friendly staff, especially at the restaurant.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Comfortable beds, everything was clean and working as expected.

Blue Hotel Fagrilundur

Bláskógabyggd

The hotel is right on the Golden Circle, which makes it a good stop. The check-in area has a sort of family feel, while the separate building with the rooms is more like a traditional hotel. Breakfast in the morning is a continental buffet as at most places, and it was good. They have hot tubs out back in the evening to relax in.

Authenticity & Character

The layout of the hotel was different, the rooms were simple and nice. It was just a pleasant place.

Location

Right on the Golden Circle. Very convenient. There is a nice restaurant "Restaurant Mica" right next door. It was very good, with a varied menu. Note that this is the only restaurant in the area, so be prepared. They're open for lunch and dinner. There was a 1 hour wait for dinner when we dropped in unannounced. Not a problem for us, but it pushed bedtime back a little.

Staff

Very friendly, helpful and nice people. Everyone in Iceland is nice.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Laki

Kirkjubæjarklaustur

Hotel Laki is an interesting mix for me. The location is stunning, with scenic countryside all around. The hotel itself presents well in the exterior and public areas. The restaurant, though a bit expensive, is nice and puts on a great buffet for dinner and breakfast (maybe lunch too?). There is a roof terrace that has a beautiful view, and is a great place to view the northern lights at night (if they cooperate). The surprise that cost them a star was the corridors and interior of the rooms. Both were clean and in good condition, but the decor was what I'd describe as "cell block chic", with plain, undecorated surfaces, and steel doors with turn-key deadbolts. It gave the impression of being fairly old, but maintained reasonably well, though it could definitely use an update. The rooms were compact but perfectly comfortable and clean. I would stay there again, but not if I was trying to impress a traveling companion. Any shortcomings were more than made up for by "Lady", a delightful Border Colley puppy (ca 2022) who met us in the front yard and invited us to play "fetch the stick", which of course we did.

Authenticity & Character

The rooms and corridors need a make-over.

Location

Very convenient location between Vik and the more eastern glacier areas.

Staff

Nice, friendly, and helpful.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Everything was clean and working.

Eldey Airport Hotel

Reykjanesbær

Eldey is nothing fancy, but it is very convenient for staging prior to a departure the next morning. The rooms were simple and comfortable. There was a continental buffet breakfast in the morning, which helped get everyone going before heading out to our flight.

Authenticity & Character

It's just a hotel. No special theme, none needed. It doesn't have "character", but it was a nice stay.

Location

Right on the airport, it's a ten minute drive to the terminal.

Staff

Very friendly staff. The woman at the reservation desk gave us an excellent recommendation for a restaurant for dinner.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Clean and comfortable rooms. Nothing fancy, but they did the job. The rooms have very large closets and a counter with a sink that suggests maybe longer stays would be suited to it, though I'm not sure why you would do so in this area.

Activity Reviews

Faxaflói Bay Whale Watching Excursion

Reykjavík

This was a great activity. The boat and crew were wonderful, with constant communication about what we were seeing outside, where to look for whales, and dolphins, etc. There was a large indoor cabin where you could stay dry and warm, and they provided cold weather coveralls so that you could go out on deck without getting too cold. Being on deck was the best place to be for seeing the wildlife. We got to see several Minke whales, two Humpback whales who came alongside for close up pictures, and many white nosed dolphins and countless sea birds.

Quality of Experience

The great crew kept us informed and entertained. There was a place inside to get snacks and things to drink. The boat was large and comfortable. We got to see whales!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Excellent staff. They were constantly working to help us find whales and other things to see.

Transport

We drove ourselves. If a tour operator takes you there, it's no fuss, but otherwise you have to find your own parking and then walk over to the ticket office.

Blue Lagoon

Iceland

This is probably the most "touristy" thing we did on our visit, but it's almost required. They have a kind of spa theme now, that has been added since I was last there many years ago, but it is still warm and wonderful to soak in the water while the cold Icelandic air swirls around.

Quality of Experience

Well organized and easy to get in and out. Everything was clean, the water was wonderful.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Helpful, friendly.

Transport

We drove ourselves there. Parking was close and sufficient. It's easy to find the entrance.

Icelandic Lava Show

Iceland

I really enjoyed this presentation. They have a great presentation where the presenter talks about the types of lava, how it forms and flows, the geology of the local area and the huge Katla volcano that sits under a glacier just outside of town, complete with a story from the last eruption in the early 20th century. The lava show itself is impressive. The heat and sound and bright glow of the lava as it flows out is very cool. The presenter does a great job of helping the audience learn about the nature and behavior of lava. It's a great activity, especially on a rainy day.

Quality of Experience

It was dramatic, beautiful, and educational.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our presenter was very knowledgeable, and had a great sense of humor and personality. He gave us a great show.

Transport

We drove ourselves. Finding the place was easy, and there was plenty of parking available.

Crystal Blue Ice Cave

Iceland

Wow. This was my favorite activity of our trip. From the bumpy van ride to the parking area to the hike through the glacial moraine valley to get to the cave, just getting there was an adventure. The cave itself is beautiful and dramatic. Large enough to have many areas to see and photograph. I consider this a unique experience. There aren't many places where you can explore underneath a glacier.

Quality of Experience

Magnificent scenery to and from the cave, and the absolutely beautiful cave itself. The whole trip was an adventure.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide, Andrea, was excellent. She was engaging, and knew the area well, providing history, science, and climatological information all along the way, as well as being a great driver and entertainer.

Transport

The ride to the parking area was an adventure in and of itself. Some will disagree because it is very bumpy and twisty, but it's clear that you are going somewhere off the beaten path!

Lava Tunnel Tour

Iceland

This was an interesting and fun stop. Anyone who has gone on a cave tour will recognize this, however unlike a "normal" cave, the geology of the lava tunnel is very different. For example there are no stalagmites or stalactites, but there are basalt formations and colors created by the minerals deposited by the lava as it flowed through. I would say that this tunnel is not as visually dramatic as a lot of traditional limestone caves, but I found that the reality of what it is, a tube that lava flowed through and formed, was really special.

Quality of Experience

Different, educational, unusual type of cave to see and experience.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide was very knowledgeable and had a great personality. The staff was very friendly and extremely helpful, even accommodating a change in tour times for us.

Transport

We drove there ourselves. It was easy to find the location, there was adequate parking, and the ticket office is right at the entrance to the lava tunnel.

From the get go Ngima instilled confidence with his prompt replies to my questions during the initial planning stages. We had limited time and wanted to fit in as much as possible without having to worry about transport and transfers from one destination to the next. The Poon Hill trek was memorable, not least because our guide Dafuri and porter, Ngima had the best sense of humour and kept us going by gauging our ability perfectly and taking care to make sure that we were safe and comfortable at all times. We also spent the evenings teaching each other card games and we had a lot of fun. Our driver from Pokhara back to Kathmandu via Bandipur, drove with skill and patience through monsoon rain, landslides and festival traffic. We always felt safe despite some tricky conditions and were able to enjoy the amazing sights and scenery along the way. Everyone we met contributed to a memorable experience and knowing someone always had our backs meant we could just enjoy the trip and appreciate Nepal to the fullest.

Activity Review

Trek from Ghorepani to Tadapani (8,562 feet / 2,610 m), Sunrise at Poon Hill

Nepal

Definitely the highlight. The climb of the previous day was challenging and the extra trek uphill to see the sunrise seemed never ending but it was so worth it. The cup of coffee at the top probably one of the best ever and the views just breathtaking.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

First of all, Bryan was an amazing help in discussing our travel ideas and after confirming everything, he made an awesome job of scheduling the full holiday.

Every accommodation, activity, guide, travel, etc was smooth and punctual. The only thing we had to do was follow the itinerary and enjoy ourselves.

There were several times when arriving at the new accommodation, the guides were already there waiting for us, so we could go immediately if we feel like it, for example, the river tubing in Bijagua. Unfortunately, I have forgotten the name of our river tubing guide, but he was a really informative, friendly and good guide who made sure we enjoy the river tubing and hiking with him in Bijagua. The Casitas Tenorio B&B in Bijagua was a beautiful and calm resting place for us in the middle of our trip, where we could even spot howler monkeys a few meters away.

One of the most beautiful, calm and nature surrounded and favourite place we stayed at was the Caribbean side, the Congo Bongo EcoVillage Costa Rica in Puerto Viejo - Manzanillo. Here, you feel like you are inside the jungle, with monkeys above the house, with raccoons trying to steal your food remains in the night and hummingbirds buzzing and flying around you (less than a meter away) while you are chilling on the porch and sipping your coffee. It is beautiful.

In La Fortuna, I would strongly recommend that you would stay in the Tabacón Thermal Resort and Spa. While it is really not the cheapest (however not the most expensive either), it gives you a transcendental experience. Here, you will not have any other task just to unwind and relax. They are making sure you will have a perfect time there and nothing to worry about. I would really like to go back there, even if the level of pampering there were so new to me that I was sometimes a bit flustered. :)
I would like to mention two people from Tabacón who were extra friendly and helpful. Diego was one of the chefs (at least at the breakfasts) who made sure that you had everything you wanted, and was willing to go the extra mile to make something for you if you had any wishes.
The other person was Diane, who was the most friendly and cute person we ever had the chance to talk with. She was a joy to speak with. (most of the time she was in charge of greeting and sitting the people at the restaurant reception)

In Monteverde, while the accommodation we selected was nothing special (and even had some struggles to change rooms because the rooms randomly don't have safes), the area is wonderful and filled with animals. The coffee and chocolate tour with the Don Juan Tours was really informative and our guide was one of the funniest on the whole trip, always cracking us up. The next day, in Sky Adventures park, we had two really good guides. The hike in the park was really informative and after that I really enjoyed the Arboreal tree climbing experience. It was challenging and rewarding at the same time and had just enough trees to enjoy it.

And for last but not least, we visited Manuel Antonio and stayed in the Tico Tico Villa which was an another amazing and relaxing experience. It is just a small but well equipped nice apartment with swimming pool, BBQ and etc, meanwhile scarlet macaws are flying above you, iguanas relaxing on the porch, capuchin monkeys are travelling on the trees. The owner is the loveliest person we have met on the trip. This place in details was nothing special, however I would really recommend it because overall it is a beautiful and relaxing experience after travelling through the country.
In Manuel Antonio we went to kayaking in the Damas'Island mangrove forest which is a really nice, relaxing and unwinding experience where Emese even realised how much she likes kayaking.
The next morning, we went to the Manuel Antonio national park with Adrian from Paddle 9, who was one of our favourite guide. He was informative, friendly and helpful and through him, we could get to know a lot not just about nature but Costa Rica too. Later on the same day we had another trip with Paddle 9, however it was less successful. While the activity would have been perfect, unfortunately trying to learn to do Stand-up Paddle Boarding (SUP) on the ocean is not beginner friendly. Unfortunately our guide misjudged our level and we went to a shore where the waves were over our levels and had to cancel our activity, but I have to mention that they really did their best to let us hike out of that bay through the forest the safest and easiest. As a summary of this activity, it is a good fun, but be sure you are not a total beginner or if you are, you are a confident swimmer in a really good shape.

And for the end, I would like to thank Bryan and the Serendipity Adventures team again for their efforts to make sure we enjoyed this trip. Be it organising everything, giving us travel updates about larger road closures or trying to get back our lost belongings, they always did their best and we are really happy to recommend them. Thank you very much. This 19 days and 1500km round trip was a really amazing holiday.

Overall we were very pleased. Yuri provided the guidance we expected and fulfilled our experience. The trip was great.
Pickup at the airport was a little disorganized but then which airport isn’t. Checkin was good but had to wait for our room. After 15 hours in airports this was unfortunate but again not surprised.
Tour of the Familia Sagrada was great. Danny was informative and helpful. What a place!
Wine tour was also great. We’ve been on many but this one was more informative and extensive. Plus portion size was large compared to North American wineries.
Montserrat was good but did have it’s issues. Many unavoidable but it still made the day a little rushed. Our guides Matteo and Roger did what they could to alleviate the delays however it did take away from some of the attractions we wanted to do.
Overall though Barcelona is a beautiful, clean and friendly city. Costa Brava is also a beautiful area with much to see and do. Slightly off season definitely helped us enjoy our time.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Astoria

Barcelona

Well located. Walking distance to many attractions or alternatively the metro was two blocks away. Service was friendly, rooms clean and typical European size. Would stay again.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Aigua Blava

Costa Brava · Girona

Authenticity & Character

Location

A little complicated to get their

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Private Extended Visit to Sagrada Família

Barcelona

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

2 Star rating for response to bad weather in Lower Mustang

The 2-star rating applies to the entire team handling our trip.

The highlight of our trip to Nepal was supposed to be our mountain biking trip. Bad weather and poor anticipation and replanning made it an experience we rather forget quickly. We had planned to bike in the Lower Mustang region. While we did travel to Pokhara during rainy weather we never made it to Jomson as there were no flights and landslides blocked the roads. While the team is not responsible for the weather, the implication could and should have been anticipated. We pushed for a replan after an idle day in Pokhara. We ended up traveling to the Everest area where the weather was much better. We lost 3 days. Unfortunately, our guide wasn't very familiar with the trails. She wasn't prepared for the Everest area. We ended up going down two trails that were nothing short of dangerous and required a lot of walking with our bikes. Out of the 8 days of bike rental, I rode my bike 3 days (the bike broke down on the last day and I hiked the trail while my friend and out guide did the ride). The reason for given 2 stars instead of 1 is that the team was helpful, we had some nice experiences at the tea houses, changed plans to have a change to see Mt Everest (which worked out well), ... Again, it all started with bad weather, but the local team could have done a much better job preparing and triggering an alternative plan. We ended up spending about $500 / day (without bike rental) per person, for one hotel room (with double beds). That looks expensive given typical cost of a room ($10 - $20 / night, 1, 2 or 3 rooms as needed for driver and guide as well), meals ($4-$8, need to cover guide and driver), car and driver (on one of the days in KTM we got our own driver (not included in the kimkim fees) and paid $45 for car and driver for the day), guide, ... (we also paid over $200 in tips for guide, driver, ...).

A trip that definitely didn't meet expectations. Luckily the time we spent on our own gave us a chance to learn a lot about the country. And our guide showed us a wonderful monastery and helped us with a great morning experience seeing the Himalaya and Mt Everest (but that was really too little for $5k / 2 people).

I hope that our less than desirable experience will lead to some better back-up planning and makes a difference for future visitors who encounter similar weather conditions. Jan and I did enjoy the country and we look forward to another change to explore it (better).

Thanks for listening.

Niels

Dispite a rocky start after missing our flight from Istanbul we had a terrific tour. Berat and Murat were able to make some minor adjustments to our tour which meant we did not miss anything dispite losing 12 hours due to missing our flight. Our guide Hati in Cappadocia was awesome, we hear stories and history along the way and there was never a dull moment. From outdoor museums to pottery to underground cities and of course our ballon ride, it was a wonderful visit.
We arrived in Izmir on the late flight a enjoyed a great sleep in followed by a fantastic breakfast. The house of the vergin Mary was a great followed by Ephesus which can only be described as amazingly wonderous. To walk in the same places and touch the same stone as some of histories most famous and iconic people was truely incredible. Topping the tour off with a visit to the thermal spa in Pamukkale made sure this was a trip we will not forget and will be part of our conversations for a long time to come.

Thanks to Jessica for tailor making our perfect trip in Peru and Bolivia. Machu Picchu was great, of course, but most suprising was the lovely Train trip from Cusco to Puno. Beautiful landscape, hordes of lamas, and a fantastic stop at a market on 4319 m. Bolivia and La Paz was also very exciting. Copacabana was also surprisingly interesting, we were lucky to arrive just before a local parade. Uros floating islands were nice, but a bit touristy.

Hotel Reviews

Taypikala Lago

Puno

The standard of the hotel was good, but it’s too far away from everything. We should have stayed in Puno. May be the most disappointing on our tour.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

La Casona Hotel Boutique

La Paz

Nice hotel, very good location next to the cathedral plaza. Good breakfast with good view.

Authenticity & Character

Location

I

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Half Day Tour of La Paz + Valley of the Moon

La Paz

Exciting tour, great views from the gondola and exciting to see the moon valley. Colorful Witch Market. Very helpful guide.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private transfer from Puno to La Paz with visit to Isla del Sol

Peru

Copacabana was a surprisingly beautiful, and we were lucky to see a parade of farmers. Once in a lifetime happening, according to our guide. Isla del Sol tour was very similar to Taquile Island tour. That was disappointing, since we were told it’s a bigger and different island.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Cusco City Tour (Terje)

Peru

Great view of the city. But not much from in the city itself. I would have appreciated a walking tour of the centro.

Quality of Experience

Include a tour of the city itself

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Discovering the Treasures of Machu Picchu

Aguas Calientes/ Machu Picchu

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Lake Titicaca Tour: Uros Floating Islands & Taquile Island

Puno

Great experience. May be expected Uros Island visit to be longer and a bit more personal experience. We were just arriving, looking and left. May be we should have taken the over night tour.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sacred Valley: Pisac Market & Train to Aguas Calientes

Peru

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Welcome to Puno: Free day

Puno

The train from Cusco to Puno was one of the greatest and surprising experiences. Luxury train, good food, beautiful landscape and lama hordes outside the train, and the highlight, a stop at a market on 4319 m.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

No guide.

Transport

Recommending everybody to take this train.

Christina was fantastic! She put together an itinerary that was a great fit for my family, as we have two children ages 5 and 7 years old. The hotels were in great location, convenient for traveling, and the views were great. Her recommendations for restaurants, bakeries, and sits to visit were also spot on. More importantly, she has been very responsive throughout the planning and booking process. Even during the trip, she was able to help with some issues and well as answering my questions very promptly. I highly recommend Christina and the Kimkim travel team for trips to Norway. I certainly will for my next trip to Norway!

Hotel Reviews

Reine Rorbuer

Reine

Very conveniently located. Close enough to the famous Reinebringen trail head to walk to (for adults), which is important due to lack of parking spaces at the trailhead area. Spacious with 2 bedrooms (one with bunkbed for the children) and a large great room (kitchen, dining room and family room all in one) with fantastic view of the harbor/bay. We parked our car right in front of our cabin, which is convenient. The restaurant on site is very good, and breakfast is included with the stay. There are convenience store (Circle K) and cafe all within a few minutes of walking from our cabin.

Authenticity & Character

Built in the style of traditional Norwegian fishing cabin. The decoration inside also reflected the area.

Location

Fantastic waterfront view

Staff

Friendly and responsive

Cleanliness & Comfort

Scandic Byporten

Oslo

Located the the same building complex as the Oslo Central station. We literally walked from the train station to our hotel in 5 min without having to step outside into the streets. The train will take you to and from the airport in 20min (the Express train only has 1 stop before reaching the hotel or the airport, depending on the direction of your travel). Many restaurant, sites (including the art district, the Opera House, Munch Museum) , shopping, are all within walking distance. The tram and buses right in front of the hotel can easily extend the travel distance conveniently. Buffet style breakfast is included with the stay, and has a very nice selection of items. Staff is very friendly and responsive. Rooms are modern, clean, and very well maintained. Definitely would stay here again.

Authenticity & Character

Modern European design.

Location

Easy short walk to many attractions/sights. Buses and Trams stop right in the front of the hotel. Many restaurants and shopping close by, all with short walks.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Svinøya Rorbuer

Svolvær

Our very first experience with traditional fishing cabin style hotel. Simple design and amenities but has enough space for our family of 4. 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, and family room and a good size kitchen with eating area. 7 min driving from the airport which is very nice. Connect to E10 (major route connecting the island chain) via a bridge. Secluded and quiet. Nice view of the bay from our cabin. Hotel has the best restaurant on the island.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Explore Svolvær

Svolvær

Great for outdoor activities. Short drive to trailheads. We went during the rainy season but was still able to get in some hiking. The recommended bakery was fantastic.

Quality of Experience

Somewhat limited by rain. Would've like to get in some casual walks and run.

Transport

Car rental was a easy. Just a 15-20 meters outside as you walk out of the airport luggage claim.

Explore Reine and the Surroundings

Reine

The location and view from our hotel helped set the tone. Reine is easily one of the most beautiful places we have visited. Hiking up the Reinebringen trail is a must. Bonus with included buffet style breakfast.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Hotel staff is friendly and helpful.

Transport

We rented a car and drove. One of the most scenic drives anywhere in the world.

Oslo City Walk with a Local

Oslo

The tour is tailored to our family since we have 2 young children ages 5 and 7 years old. Both me and my wife, as well as our kids, enjoyed the tour. Our guide Stig was fantastic. Extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and has a great sense of humor. He also recommended things to see/do after the tour, as well as instructions on the transportation to make it very easy for us. Highly recommend him.

Quality of Experience

See above

Guides, Drivers and Staff

We learned so much more about the rich history of Oslo than we would've had we done this on our own. I am so glad we booked this tour.

Transport

Utilizing the public transportation was a breeze.

We waited 3 years for this trip and the wait was well worth it! Honestly the trip exceeded our expectations- and they were pretty high!!! Yassine was amazing. The trip evolved quite a bit due to Covid- it started out as a 7 day trip paired with Andalusia and ended up being 16 days dedicated just to Morocco. Over the 3 years of planning he worked with me patiently when I made changes and answered all my questions promptly. He really tailored a perfect itinerary for us. We started in the beautiful small blue city Chefchaouen and ended in an equally lovely small town Essaouira. The time spent in the Sahara in an awesome tent was something we will never forget! And the big cities of Fes and Marrakech certainly didn’t disappoint. The people, food and culture made each day an exciting adventure- we couldn’t wait to get up! Now what made the trip so special and memorable was our driver Hassan. He was kind, funny, knowledgeable and always ready to show us special and unique aspects of his home country. He is a real gem and certainly makes us want to come back and let him show us more of amazing Morocco . Thanks so much to Yassine and Hassan.

I wish that I could give more stars. Florin is extremely knowledgeable about the area and the history and he takes care of his people. I got very immersed in the culture and met people and we danced with groups of locals and had an amazing trip. Floin literally goes out of his way to show you things that you would not ordinarily see and or do. Second to none experience. Bravo Florin! Bravo!

I was very impressed with KImKim Travel. We had amazing guides who were very professional and knowledgeable. Everything ran very smoothly, with the exception of one driver being late but it did not impact our travel. Otherwise, the pickup drivers were punctual and took us to our destinations without any difficulty. I would not hesitate to use KimKim again and will recommend them to others!

Emanuela was great to work with. We had a few starts and stops with our planning and each time she was flexible and understanding.
She provided us with options for our trip and each time we provided feedback, she came back with updates to the plan that better reflected what we wanted. She was very responsive and got back to us quickly each time we had a question.
Hotels were very nice and ones we wouldn't have found in our own searching. That was a nice perk of having someone who is familiar with the area.
We drove the ring road and Emanuela provided detailed Google map driving directions with detailed stops of each attraction plus a few cafes and restaurants she recommended. This was so helpful.
She also was available and checked in on us during the trip. She was able to change some departure times for us on our last day.
Overall I would recommend working with Emanuela.
**Highlights**:
Zodiac boat tour among icebergs
Relaxing geothermal waters
Loads of waterfalls

The ring road has many worthwhile stops, but is very long so give yourself time at each waypoint to enjoy it while not feeling rushed. 8 days left us changing hotels almost every day.

Rebecca and her team were beyond excellent. They were in constant touch with my family, and the guides were pretty insightful, very friendly and helpful.

I generally do not do online reviews, but I felt strongly about this one. My family has beautiful memories from this trip and was certainly one of our bests. Thanks so much to Rebecca and her awesome team.

From start to finish Rachel was incredible. She responded very quickly to all our messages before we booked and then while we were away, she was quick to help with any issues, including delayed flights etc ensuring guides met us at the new times. She ensured all the hotels and guides were appraised in advance of our comprehensive dietary requirements.

While we were away for the last week the weather forecast was dreadful, with thunder and lightning. We spoke to Rachel, she and her colleague Paulo, didn’t hesitate to rearrange things for us. They got refunds where they could and re-booked the last part of our trip within 24 hours of the initial conversation about it. They could not have been more helpful, understanding and accommodating. Nothing was too much trouble for them. We were incredibly grateful as it made the last few days of our trip so relaxing and enjoyable.

Rio:
Hotel was nice, staff helpful and the breakfast was good. Plenty of options, including gluten / dairy free products and staff were able to assist with ingredients for other products.
Luis our guide was lovely. Knowledgeable and friendly. He made our tours educational and enjoyable. He mixed humour with information and we always felt very safe with him. His English was excellent and he was very helpful at the airport ensuring we got checked in and staff were able to assist us. Our extra tour with him was a bonus and we enjoyed that given the weather was not conducive to sitting on the beach!
Bike tour: This was the only aspect we were not happy with. The bikes were dreadful. They were very old, unsafe and didn't work properly. The gears kept slipping and the brakes didn't work well. The guide kept cycling off in the distance, not noticing that we had had to stop due to the bikes. He did switch bike with me at one point but it didn't help much as they were all as bad as each other. This spoilt the ride and we had to end it half way through to return the bikes as they were so difficult to ride. We felt as if he had chosen those bikes as the owner was a friend of his rather than they were good quality bikes that would be safe to ride.
We were appreciative of Rachel dealing with the issue swiftly and ensuring we were able to have the extra half day with Luis instead.

Pantanal:
We were disappointed by the condition of the room and dining room at the Pousada Rio Clara. The door handle fell off on the first day and was never fixed. The room itself is probably best described as shabby and in need of attention. There was nowhere to put clothes away, no wardrobe or drawers so we had to live out of suitcases on the floor which is not ideal. The dining room is best described as mess-hall style. The food was reasonable. We had made special requests which weren’t always followed and what was provided was basic and repetitive. It feels as if there is not enough funding, The staff all do multiple jobs on the property and so there are not enough available to ensure things are at a good standard. They are friendly and as helpful as they are able given the difficulties they seem to face.
The guide DJ was great, incredibly helpful, knowledgeable and friendly. We really enjoyed the boat trips most of all. The road safaris are a bit hit or miss as far as seeing animals which can’t be helped.

Foz do Iguazu
We were met by the very lovely Lurdes and the driver. She was so friendly and helpful, always trying hard to help us have the best experience, we were sad to say goodbye to her! She made the whole stay in Foz really special.
The Wish hotel was incredible, a huge property with a mix of property styles for the rooms. A lovely pool area and small pools adjacent to the properties. The restaurant was great, excellent choice of food at the buffet for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Options for gluten free and very helpful staff.
Salvador
The guide was very friendly and helpful, giving advice as to where was and wasn’t safe to go while we were there. He also advised my husband to take off his fine gold chain. This did all make us feel quite vulnerable there as we were obviously tourists. The city was interesting in parts but the deprivation was sad to see.

Prai do Forte
Such a wonderful place to end our trip. Beautiful weather, a lovely hotel with incredibly helpful staff and a very nice local area, in walking distance, and a beautiful beach with white sand, palm trees and water as warm as a bath!

All in all we found that going through KimKim and the local agent worked really well. This was the first time we had used an agent, we usually book everything independently and don't have guides or drivers. We felt this was a really excellent way of travelling around Brazil and would have struggled without Rachel's advice, knowledge and help. We will recommend both KimKim and Rachel to anyone wanting to book!

My husband and I had an excellent experience planning and booking our recent trip to Norway (including the Lofoten islands, Vesteralen and Oslo) with kimkim. From the start, we felt that Christina, our local specialist, was not only knowledgeable, but was listening to us regarding what we were hoping to get out of our trip. When she first sent our itinerary to us, it was awesome to see that she had included the balance of time outdoors and experiencing Norwegian people, food and culture that we were hoping for. The locations that Christina recommended within Lofoten were absolutely stunning, and we felt that the pacing was a perfect - we were able to see a lot of different towns and parts of the region, but still have time to enjoy ourselves at each unique stay. Especially memorable was our stay with Lone at her family-owned guesthouse, Skagakaia, where we sat outside, staying warm next to a beautiful fire, watching the Northern Lights, full from her delicious home cooking. We also very much enjoyed our tour of Oslo with Stig, who described for us the past, present and future of Oslo as we walked around and learned even more about the people, culture and history. Since we had time left in Oslo after our tour with him, we were able to take him up on several of his wonderful recommendations for food and drinks. We appreciate all Christina and her colleagues and partners did to make this such a seamless and memorable vacation and trip for us. We wouldn't change a thing, and we highly recommend kimkim and plan to use the service again in the future. Thank you!

Hotel Reviews

Henningsvær Bryggehotell

Vagan

Beautiful hotel right on the water within walking distance to just about everything. Wonderful breakfast.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Just a warning that parking can be tight and guests may need to pay for parking if the hotel lot is full.

Staff

The staff were very accommodating to us in helping us do some laundry on site - thank you!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Thon Hotel Terminus

Oslo

Wonderful location and friendly staff. Great hotel breakfast.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Svinøya Rorbuer

Svolvær

Beautiful place to stay, loved listening to the water at night. Very cozy and charming. Great restaurant with delicious food and friendly staff. Terrific location - easy to get to and easy parking!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Skagakaia

Bø

Beautiful place to stay. Lone is an amazing host and we felt so welcome in her guesthouse. Very cozy and charming. Lone is an amazing cook and we enjoyed every meal with her. Terrific location right on the water with some wonderful views and a sculpture park within walking distance - easy to get to and easy parking!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Lone is so sweet and a wonderful host. We enjoyed talking to her and learning from her about the area.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Sakrisøy Rorbuer

Reine

Beautiful location and place to stay, loved listening to the water at night. Very cozy and charming. Kitchen is well equipped. Love having a fireplace and logs provided for a fire. Convenient location close to Anita's market and restaurant. Would stay here again in a heartbeat. It was wonderful.

Authenticity & Character

Pure coziness. Loved the personal touches, fireplace and well-equipped kitchen.

Location

Convenient location, yet right on the water. Couldn't ask for better.

Staff

Really appreciated the communication and help with our laundry - thank you!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very clean place!

Activity Reviews

Trollfjord Cruise

Norway

This was great way to explore the fjords. Appreciate that the company is eco-conscious. We learned so much from expert guide, Julia, about the sensitive ecosystem in and around the fjords. Thank you!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Chase the Northern Lights in Svolvær

Svolvær

Geir went out of his way to find conditions that could help us see Northern Lights - and we did! His enthusiasm for the Northern Lights is wonderful and contagious. It was endearing seeing him help budding photographers get the best shots of the Northern Lights that he could. This was the experience of a lifetime.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Explore Oslo's hidden gems with a local expert

Oslo

Stig loves Oslo and offered a fun and informative tour of Oslo that allowed us to explore its past, present and future. We learned about the culture, history and people, but also received personal suggestions from Stig regarding his favorite places to frequent throughout the city - without and pressure. Stig is a wonderful and enthusiastic tour guide! So glad we got to see the city he loves through his eyes!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We had an amazing trip to Morocco. I initially booked during 2020 and had to postpone. They were very accommodating and flexible and let me rebook at no cost for 2022.

I traveled with my friend and we felt safe and taken care of the entire time. Our driver was Soufian and he was excellent! He made sure we had everything we needed and made the trips to each destination very easy. He was always on time, took us everywhere we wanted to go, stopped whenever we needed a break on the road, translated for us, answered all our questions, and was very accommodating. Treated us like family!

Everyone we interacted with was so kind. Our tour guide through Marrakech, Oussama, was great as well! He gave us a great synopsis on the history of the city and helped us navigate the markets.

Big thank you to Kim Kim! It is a trip we will never forget.

My fiancé and I used kimkim for the first time for our greece trip and it was a beyond amazing experience- Chris who helped us book it really seen our vision for the trip and helped us make it come true. During our 16 day trip Chris was in contact with us at some point everyday verifying tours / hotels / ferries / transfers where good. We really appreciated all the tours Chris set up for us we mostly did private tours but for the ones we did semi-private we had amazing young tour guides and a younger group of people who we were able to connect with (this is something we haven’t always experienced with large groups so being with people your own age really makes the tour more enjoyable). During our trip we had a few weather issue with the ferry as well as a catamaran tour we had having Chris handled it so quickly causing us no delay in our current day and even booked us a new tour to help fill the day, not only did Chris make our arrangements with our hotel to verify we can stay the extra day in our current room when our ferry got canceled he also arranged everything with the next hotel for us as well and had it all handled without us even having to ask. Chris definitely went above and beyond with his help and guidance for our trip, he was always quick to respond to us and always was ahead of the game with a plan when needed. I want to also personally thank Chris for helping my fiancé plan a surprise engagement for me and also keeping it a secret! We have been recommending kimkim to everyone when they asked us we booked due to how impressed we were with the services we received- some small details from our experience- we had private pickups in Mercedes (every driver waited for us with a sign with our name), private fancy pickups for tours (all on time ),we had fast ferries to every location with assigned seats when applicable, we had fast pass in the airport for flights with fast security line and a special lounge, we received welcome gifts from hotels and tour guides as well as kimkim. We really feel Chris did a amazing job and would recommend him to anyone going to Greece !

Hotel Reviews

Mykonos View

Mykonos

We enjoyed our stay at this hotel, very easy location to the town (5 minutes walk to little Venice) breakfast was included with a large selection and had long hours. We got an upgraded room by the hotel and our room had everything we needed and was extremely clean. There is also a pool with a bar as well as restaurant with a large menu for lunch and dinner. You can have an amazing view of sunset from your balcony or the pool deck

Authenticity & Character

Location

Very walkable to the town

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Manos Small World Santorini

Santorini island

Hotel has an amazing view, staff was excellent and friendly! Breakfast on the balcony is amazing way to start the morning ! We informed the owner we just got engaged and to our surprise we received a bottle of wine and a letter congratulating us ! We really enjoyed our stay! Just a heads up the hotel has a lot of steps (along with all of santorini) but the hotel had our bags carried to and from the rooms for us which we really appreciated !

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Achilleas Hotel

Athens

Great hotel in the heart of the city ! We especially loved how every time we came in it smelled like fresh baked pastries! Hotel staff was excellent and very accommodating! We really enjoyed our stay at this hotel!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Mythology Naxos Villas & Suites

Naxos

This hotel was an excellent choice for the in room pool and view, however it’s a little far from the town(10 minute drive) - the hotel staff helped us get a rental car delivered to us which was beyond helpful! Hotel does not have a lobby but we did have hotel staff “what’s app” who was reachable to us 24/7 if needed! We really enjoyed our stay and the privacy this hotel had to offer! Definitely a great find for someone who just want to hangout locally around the area!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Private

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Extremely clean and newly updated

Paros Bay Hotel

Paros, Cyclades

Hotel rooms are extremely cute with great views ! We really enjoyed our stay! Hotel staff is extremely helpful and was able to help us have a ATV delivered to be able to explore the island. Hotel offers free breakfast with a big buffet as well as lunch / dinner and a full bar. Hotel is not walking distance to town but the hotel staff can help you arrange car service. We really enjoyed our room and our view of the ocean and loved how close we were to the beach. Pool area is very comfortable with lots of comfy chairs and rest areas as well as an outside kitchen

Authenticity & Character

Location

Secluded

Staff

Extremely helpful and friendly

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Greek Cuisine Cooking Class

Paros

Chef Maria was amazing, my fiancé, and I did a private cooking class, and it did not disappoint! We made a 6 course meal of all local foods and even leaned a Greek dance! This was one of the highlights of our trip the experience was beyond amazing ! Maria team was so nice and so helpful- we couldn’t believe how big the kitchen was for the class and all the amazing dishes we got to make and we even received a cookbook to take home !

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Amazing very friendly

Transport

Acropolis & Flavors Combo Tour

Athens

My fiancé and myself had a private tour with Natalia, she was so sweet and very knowledgeable! Her tour was awesome She showed us so many nice food and drink spots and took us all around the city! We really enjoyed the acropolis and got amazing pictures (she knew all the good locations). My fiancé and I both agree that the places she took us actually had the best gemesta and spinach pie !

Quality of Experience

Food

Great location and such authentic food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Amazing and friendly

Transport

A journey through Naxian flavors

Naxos

We had tour guide alex, he was extremely helpful and knowledgeable of the area. He was very funny and knew his facts about the history of the island. Alex took us to a bunch of great food places and even a place with an amazing view of the bay. We really enjoyed our tour and being able to purchase local products from local shops. My fiancé and I ended up back at the cheese store multiple times to get more gifts to bring back as we loved the store quality and authenticity

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

This was our second trip where we used KimKim for trip planning - our first time to South America and I would never have figured out how to have planned this trip on my own - relying on local expertise for this was a must. Johanna, our agent, selected hotels, guides, and experiences I never would have found on my own - even though I'm generally the kind of person to try and plan 100% of all my own adventure travel. I kept up with how much this trip would have cost if I had planned it on my own (even though I would never have figured out how to put it together) and the "extra" you pay for using a travel agent was totally worth the expertise, advice, and options we picked. In fact, if I had tried to save a little $$ by doing this on my own the trip would not have turned out as well - so paying for someone like Johanna / KimKim is totally worth the money.

Hotel Reviews

Costa del Sol Wyndham Lima Airport

Lima

The main appeal of this hotel is proximity to the airport - and for that reason I'd be willing to stay here even if it were a 2 star hotel. Food (dinner and breakfast) was marginal, service was acceptable (but not great), and they charge you for everything (you can't drink the water in the room yet they charge high rates for bottled water - for comparison our hotel in Cusco provided free bottled water and free filtered water in both the bathrooms and lobby). With Lima being an epi-center for food and service, I would have expected more from this hotel

Authenticity & Character

It's not exactly fair to compare this to the other hotels from our trip - it's just a corporate airport hotel - but I've stayed in much nicer airport hotels.

Location

It's right next to the airport - what can I say?

Staff

Not enough agents at check-in, English was a challenge

Cleanliness & Comfort

it's a simple, clean hotel

Casa del Sol

Machu Picchu

Great hotel - but you can't hold these hotels to the same standards as those in Cusco as the remote nature means their access to supplies is more challenging. I would definitely stay here again. Be sure to ask for a room that faces the river and not the city - when trains come through at night they are literally 10 feet from your window and it will wake you in the middle of the night.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Antigua Casona San Blas

Cusco

Great location, helpful staff, beautiful hotel / courtyard. I would definitely stay here again.

Authenticity & Character

Location

San Blas is an area of Cusco that's super close to the main square / action. Great places to eat just a few steps outside the front door.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Fly from Lima to Cusco, Explore the City

Peru

On our own - a great afternoon of exploring.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

no guides on this day - but hotel staff helpful with suggestions

Transport

super small car - you could probably save a little $$ and just take a taxi if you're comfortable with this in another country

Cusco Tour

Peru

excellent trip - definitely a better experience as a private group as you could ask more questions to the guide and move at your own pace

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Moray & Maras, and ATV Tour

Peru

This was OK but not the best part of the trip. We enjoyed it but with hindsight would have spent this time doing something a little different - a Sacred Valley tour with more time in Ollantanytambo. 4 wheelers not well-maintained but they worked just good enough. If you're being transported here be sure to have your guide / driver stop in Chinchero to see the locals manufacture sweaters and local materials. I wish we'd been able to spend more time here.

Quality of Experience

If you have plenty of time in your schedule, this isn't bad but if you're on a short trip I'd totally skip this.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Machu Picchu Excursion (Circuit 1, 2, 3, or 4)

Peru

The open circuit ticket is a great option if you can get it - allows for more options depending on crowds, weather. We had incredible weather and the experience was truly a bucket-list item. Our guide was a huge part of the expeirnece.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Rainbow Mountain Trek

Peru

Incredible experience - a long haul to get there but definitely worth the hike. It doesn't look exactly like the instagram photos you see (they've been run through Photoshop) but it's not far off - and it's truly remarkable / worth the day trip.

Quality of Experience

Food

The place we stopped to eat for breakfast and lunch was terrible - it's the pre-arranged place our operator always uses. Lots of canned food and not very authentic. There are better places along the way I'm sure (we talked to other hikers)

Guides, Drivers and Staff

EXCELLENT guide / driver!

Transport

Lunch Cooking Class

Cusco

An AMAZING way to spend the day - we would have taken 2 classes from Chef Jesus if we'd known how much fun this was.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Discovering the Treasures of Machu Picchu

Aguas Calientes/ Machu Picchu

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Fly from Cusco to Lima

Peru

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Felipe did an incredible job helping us plan our trip. He was very patient as we amended our itinerary a few times and recommended great places to see and restaurants. Couldn’t have made our trip to Colombia any easier and more enjoyable!

Activity Review

Cocora Valley,  Salento, & Coffee Farm Visit

Colombia

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Informative

Transport

Nice clean transport