Kimkim Trip Reviews

4.8
Based on 15,692 ratings
Read 15,692 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.

Over delivered - such a great trip
Colombia | Mar 24 - Apr 2, 2025

L
Linda S.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Apr 09, 2025

Michael was amazing at putting this trip together - many many thanks for such a wonderful experience. He was so responsive, kind, and accommodating to our many requests. Our guides and drivers were also wonderful. Anderson (driver) was beyond great. He couldn't do enough for us, and always ready to be helpful with a smile. Carlos, Danna, Adrianna, and Joithe were great, with a special shout out to Carlos for his great care, to Danna for imparting her knowledge, and to Adrianna for giving us such a great intro to Colombia. I really couldn't be happier. Such a great trip.

Local specialist: Michael Gold
Michael
Michael Gold
Local specialist in San Agustín, Huila, Colombia | Replied on Apr 09, 2025

Hi Linda,
Thank you so much for your fantastic review! We're so happy to hear that you had such an amazing experience here in Colombia. It’s great to know that everything from the planning to the guides exceeded your expectations. We really appreciate your kind words and hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you on another adventure in the future!
All the best,
Michael & The Chaska Tours Team

Amalfi and Rome planned by KimKim (Top Tier)
Italy | Apr 2 - Apr 8, 2025

Latoya
Latoya P.
Atlanta, GA | Reviewed on Apr 09, 2025
It was my first time to Italy and kimkim made this one of my best travel experiences. Lorenzo was very detailed with the plan and checked in several times to make sure things were going smoothly. I loved the Amalfi Coast and Rome. Our fiat 500 tour guide Andrea was well informed, amazing tour, history, and pictures. The wine tasting experience at Le Vigne di Raito with Alfonso one of my best wine tasting experiences I've had and the food was delicious. In Rome the walking tour with Maurizio... Read more

It was my first time to Italy and kimkim made this one of my best travel experiences. Lorenzo was very detailed with the plan and checked in several times to make sure things were going smoothly. I loved the Amalfi Coast and Rome. Our fiat 500 tour guide Andrea was well informed, amazing tour, history, and pictures. The wine tasting experience at Le Vigne di Raito with Alfonso one of my best wine tasting experiences I've had and the food was delicious. In Rome the walking tour with Maurizio and food tour with Victoria was top tier. The private transfers made things very smooth but I will say our best driver was Gaetano he was like a driver/tour guide. We are ready to think about our next trip for KimKim to plan.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Floridiana
Amalfi
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Palazzo Caruso
Rome
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Trastevere Food Tour
Trastevere Food Tour
Rome
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Guided Walking Tour of Rome
Guided Walking Tour of Rome
Rome
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Fiat 500 Tour
Fiat 500 Tour
Italy
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Wine Tasting and Lunch in Amalfi Coast
Wine Tasting and Lunch in Amalfi Coast
Italy
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Welcome to Rome!
Welcome to Rome!
Rome
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Arrivederci, Italy!
Arrivederci, Italy!
Italy
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Vincenzo Granato

Family trip to Chile
Chile | Mar 21 - Mar 30, 2025

S
Scott K.
| Reviewed on Apr 09, 2025
Marcela did an amazing job of planning our family trip to Chile! Prior to the trip, she worked with us on making itinerary choices and was very responsive in answering questions. Marcela was in touch throughout the trip and even proactively rearranged the itinerary based on the weather forecast. We visited Santiago, Atacama and Puerto Varas over 10 days. The local guides in each destination were friendly, knowledgeable and reliable. Transfers were smooth. Atacama is breathtaking and... Read more

Marcela did an amazing job of planning our family trip to Chile! Prior to the trip, she worked with us on making itinerary choices and was very responsive in answering questions. Marcela was in touch throughout the trip and even proactively rearranged the itinerary based on the weather forecast.

We visited Santiago, Atacama and Puerto Varas over 10 days. The local guides in each destination were friendly, knowledgeable and reliable. Transfers were smooth. Atacama is breathtaking and offers many unique experiences. While we didn't encounter many other families, we found the activities very family-friendly (worth mentioning most days were very early starts). Puerto Varas was beautiful as well, a little more laid back than Atacama.

Thank you Marcela!

Hotel Reviews
NH Ciudad de Santiago
Santiago
Hotel Poblado Kimal
San Pedro de Atacama
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Cabaña Del Lago Puerto Varas
Puerto Varas
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Santiago City Tour - Private
Santiago City Tour - Private
Santiago
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Marcela Huidobro
Marcela
Marcela Huidobro
Local specialist in Puerto Varas | Replied on Apr 09, 2025

Hi Scott,

Thank you so much for your lovely review! It was a pleasure helping you build this trip for Smita and the kids with you. I'm so glad to hear that everything went well and that you enjoyed the destinations you visited.

I hope to have the chance to help you plan a future adventure—maybe to Patagonia or Easter Island next time!

Wishing you all the best and sending warm regards,
Marcela

An Adventure in Colombia with Friends
Colombia | Mar 24 - Apr 2, 2025

G
Grace V.
West Chester, PA | Reviewed on Apr 09, 2025
An Adventure in Colombia with Friends
We had an amazing time in Colombia. Michael Gold assisted me in creating an itinerary which was informative, creative and exactly what I had in mind. It was my first time to Colombia and as a travel advisor, I wanted to be able to share my visions of the country with my colleagues and clients. Adrianna in Bogota was wonderful. The chef's dinner on our first night was a wonderful introduction to the country. Carlos in Medellin helped us to sample the...
Read more

An Adventure in Colombia with Friends
We had an amazing time in Colombia. Michael Gold assisted me in creating an itinerary which was informative, creative and exactly what I had in mind. It was my first time to Colombia and as a travel advisor, I wanted to be able to share my visions of the country with my colleagues and clients. Adrianna in Bogota was wonderful. The chef's dinner on our first night was a wonderful introduction to the country. Carlos in Medellin helped us to sample the foods and culture of the country. Our time in Tayrona Park was informative and delightful. Cartegena was great with Luis as was our cooking class.
All in all, Colombia is a country of diversity in topography, foods, weather and culture. I loved my experience.

Activity Reviews
Traditional Dinner - Top Chef Private Dining
Traditional Dinner - Top Chef Private Dining
Bogotá

Fabulous! Food, service and knowledge about the country.

Bogota's Essentials (City Tour & Monserrate)
Bogota's Essentials (City Tour & Monserrate)
Bogotá

Wonderful!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Medellín Transformation Tour
Medellín Transformation Tour
Medellín

Carlos make the best of the weather. He brought us to Commune 13 which I had wanted to see.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit Cocora Valley, Coffee Farm & Salento
Visit Cocora Valley, Coffee Farm & Salento
Salento

Loved it! Guide was very entertaining and informative

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Michael Gold
Michael
Michael Gold
Local specialist in San Agustín, Huila, Colombia | Replied on Apr 09, 2025

Dear Grace,
Thank you so much for your kind words! It was a real pleasure helping you design this journey, and I’m thrilled to hear it met your vision. I’m so glad you connected with our culture and enjoyed the many flavors and experiences Colombia has to offer.
Wishing you continued inspiration in your travels and work – and hopefully, our paths cross again someday!
Warm regards,
Michael & The Chaska Tours Team

We had a wonderful time on our trip. The Neth...
The Netherlands | Mar 26 - Apr 2, 2025

S
Suellen G.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Apr 09, 2025
We had a wonderful time on our trip. The Netherlands were everything we had hoped for and more.
The hotels and staff were very nice and accommodating and we appreciated having breakfast available each morning. The OV chip kaart made getting around fairly easy. I am sorry we couldn’t mail it back as you asked. Hotel CitizenM wouldn’t accept it.
We loved the museums, especially the Resistance and Van Gough. I do wish we would have had tickets to the introduction program at the Anne Frank...
Read more

We had a wonderful time on our trip. The Netherlands were everything we had hoped for and more.
The hotels and staff were very nice and accommodating and we appreciated having breakfast available each morning. The OV chip kaart made getting around fairly easy. I am sorry we couldn’t mail it back as you asked. Hotel CitizenM wouldn’t accept it.
We loved the museums, especially the Resistance and Van Gough. I do wish we would have had tickets to the introduction program at the Anne Frank House. We enjoyed the tours, especially the food tour.
On our last day we decided not to visit Kinderdijk. We decided instead to travel to The Hague and visit Mauritshuis. It was a wonderful day. In hindsight we should have agreed to a day trip to Brussels, Delft, or The Hague as BeattheDutchtravel had recommended.
Our trip was great, however there were several issues that caused confusion, anxiety, wasted time, and money loss.
1. The day before our trip we did not yet have all tickets.
2. Day 2: We were told our food tour was from 3-7pm. At 2:00 the guide called to say the tour had started and we would need to reschedule. This was not possible. We were in route but it would take us 45 minutes to get there. Thankfully, the rest of the group agreed to wait on us but sadly, we did miss the first stop of apple pie.
3. Day 3: We arrived at Keukenhof at 9:00 as scheduled. We toured until 11:15 (researching showed this is average time to spend). We were scheduled to explore the bulb area by Twizy from 3:30-5:30pm. I am not sure what we should/could have done for over four hours waiting. Sadly, this was something I was especially looking forward to doing but could not justify waiting in the cold for four hours.
4. Day 5: our itinerary was extremely confusing. It stated that our 4-town day trip would be from 9:15am-3:45pm. It also said the starting time was 12:00. We showed up at 9:00 to be told the tour is from 12:00-6:30. We were also told that we were given the wrong place for the tour to start. We waited around for three hours but thoroughly enjoyed the day. I only wish we would have known for sure of the later start time so that we could have spent our morning better.
I understand that mistakes happen, and scheduling can be troublesome. We have used travel groups in the past but have not had issues like this before. We have enjoyed using KimKim (Rome, Florence, Berlin, Munich, Austria) in the past and have referred several others. Even though we feel that this trip was not planned or scheduled as well as the others will use KimKim again.

Local specialist: Bas Naus
Bas
Bas Naus
Local specialist in Nijmegen, Netherlands | Replied on Apr 15, 2025

Dear Larry and Suellen,
Thanks for sending your feedback about your trip. Very glad to hear you had a wonderful time in the Netherlands!
You are right; there was some confusion about starting times (last-minute changes) and tickets (some sites just opened their bookings for the season). Our apologies for the inconvenience. We will use your feedback to improve our services for next time.
Thanks for trying to send back the cards. No worries the last hotel didn't cooperate...
Great to hear you will use kimkim again in the future! Greetings from the lowlands, Bas.

> All our guides were phenomenal. Alex at Amb...
France | Apr 1 - Apr 6, 2025

R
Ramji I.
Minneapolis, MN | Reviewed on Apr 08, 2025
> All our guides were phenomenal. Alex at Amboise, Fabian at Bordeaux as well as the guides at Bordeaux for the cheese and wine tour as well as the chocolate and pastry tour guide at Paris. > All the private transfer pick ups, drop offs, etc. were all really good. > My only criticism is the train ride. We all couldn't be together from Bordeaux to Paris. As we were traveling with 2 young kids, that was hard. We were able to talk to the people and figure out a solution but this was not... Read more

> All our guides were phenomenal. Alex at Amboise, Fabian at Bordeaux as well as the guides at Bordeaux for the cheese and wine tour as well as the chocolate and pastry tour guide at Paris.

> All the private transfer pick ups, drop offs, etc. were all really good.

> My only criticism is the train ride. We all couldn't be together from Bordeaux to Paris. As we were traveling with 2 young kids, that was hard. We were able to talk to the people and figure out a solution but this was not ideal.

Hotel Reviews
Grand Hotel du Palais Royal
Paris
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Le Manoir Saint Thomas
Amboise
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Le Burdigala
33000
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Private Photo Shoot in Paris
Private Photo Shoot in Paris
Paris

Javier was great. We had 2 young kids and he was very accommodating. We are still waiting for professionally touched pictures but so far they look great.

Quality of Experience
Discover the mythical Loire Valley Châteaux & Hot Air Balloon Flight
Discover the mythical Loire Valley Châteaux & Hot Air Balloon Flight
France

The Chateaux visits were great. Alex, our guide, was fantastic. Very family friendly and our kids absolutely enjoyed the time. We had to unfortunately miss the hot air balloon since it was cancelled due to poor weather.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Gourmet Food & History Walk
Gourmet Food & History Walk
Bordeaux

Overall good experience but the guide didn't know that we did not eat meat. There was charcuterie also planned but we skipped it since none of us were meat eaters.

Local specialist: Valentine Julien
Valentine
Valentine Julien
Local specialist in Lausanne | Replied on Apr 09, 2025

Bonjour Ramji,

Thank you so much for your kind review, all your feedbacks positive or negatives are always very helpful to improve our services. We duly-noted all your remarks.

It was a pleasure to organize your trip to France for your family, and I hope you will be back to discover more about our beautiful country! Or maybe next time in Switzerland?

Have a lovely Spring season,
Valentine

Guides
Spain | Mar 30 - Apr 7, 2025

R
Rich G.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Apr 08, 2025
Our guides were very well informed and most of them provided detailed histories of Spain and details of the Spanish culture. I thought our guide for the Prado was especially impressive with her knowledge of art and Spanish history. It was a phenomenal experience. Our guide in Toledo and the two drivers/guides for the trips to Avila & Segovia and the White Villages & Rhonda were also very knowledgeable and provided an enjoyable tour for our group. Also loved the Royal Palace and intriguing... Read more

Our guides were very well informed and most of them provided detailed histories of Spain and details of the Spanish culture. I thought our guide for the Prado was especially impressive with her knowledge of art and Spanish history. It was a phenomenal experience. Our guide in Toledo and the two drivers/guides for the trips to Avila & Segovia and the White Villages & Rhonda were also very knowledgeable and provided an enjoyable tour for our group. Also loved the Royal Palace and intriguing stories from our guide.

Our accommodations were also first rate and everyone was very friendly. I would recommend your company to anyone interested in obtaining help with their tours. Thank you.

Activity Reviews
Short Prado Museum Visit
Short Prado Museum Visit
Madrid

Our guide was impressive!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Private Ronda & White Villages Day Trip
Private Ronda & White Villages Day Trip
Seville
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Toledo Day Trip
Private Toledo Day Trip
Madrid
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Visit to Seville’s Cathedral & Alcázar
Private Visit to Seville’s Cathedral & Alcázar
Seville
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Royal Palace Visit
Royal Palace Visit
Madrid
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Private Day Trip to Ávila & Segovia
Private Day Trip to Ávila & Segovia
Madrid
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Flamenco, City & Tapas Experience
Private Flamenco, City & Tapas Experience
Seville
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Coraima Yañez
Coraima
Coraima Yañez
Local specialist in Kimkim HQ | Replied on Apr 11, 2025

Rich, thank you so much for your kind words about your experience with us at kimkim! I really enjoyed working with your group to craft your vacation, and I'm so happy to read that you enjoyed your time here. Your kind words about your guides does not go unnoticed, as we know they love sharing their knowledge and love for Spain with our travelers. I hope your group is already looking forward to a second visit in the future!
Coraima

Bali and Komodo Island. Had the best time! We...
Indonesia | Mar 24 - Apr 4, 2025

M
Mary P.
Canada | Reviewed on Apr 08, 2025
Bali and Komodo Island. Had the best time! Well organized trip. Read more

Bali and Komodo Island. Had the best time! Well organized trip.

Hotel Review
Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
Bali

Mandapa was heaven on earth! Best service and stunning views.

Authenticity & Character
The views and service was spectacular.
Location
Rainforest Bliss.
Staff
Excellent service.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Spotless rooms.
Local specialist: Myriam Benmhaya

Wonderful planning
Australia | Feb 19 - Mar 26, 2025

M
Marie K.
Japan | Reviewed on Apr 08, 2025
In the planning stages Paula made great suggestions and worked out a great itinerary for us. She could pay a bit more attention to final details, although things did work out rather well with only a few hiccups along the way. She was always attentive to our requests and dealt with them in a timely manner.
We had a fabulous time with the following tours - camel sunrise tour in Uluru, Field of Lights & dinner in Uluru, Ocean Free sailboat and snorkelling to Green Island in Cairns, Brisbane...
Read more

In the planning stages Paula made great suggestions and worked out a great itinerary for us. She could pay a bit more attention to final details, although things did work out rather well with only a few hiccups along the way. She was always attentive to our requests and dealt with them in a timely manner.
We had a fabulous time with the following tours - camel sunrise tour in Uluru, Field of Lights & dinner in Uluru, Ocean Free sailboat and snorkelling to Green Island in Cairns, Brisbane private tour including the Koala Sanctuary, Pinnacles private tour in Perth, Kangaroo Island tour was good but we would have preferred a flight there and back to make the days a bit more manageable, Bonorong Night tour was excellent, Freycinet Lodge Wine Glass Bay cruise was great despite inclement weather conditions, Reverse Great Ocean Road was fabulous, City to Country Mornington Peninsula private tour was also very enjoyable.
Excursions we did not enjoy as much -
Daintree Cape Tribulation by Billy Tea Safaris - too long a drive in a cramped 4WD mini bus, not enough restroom breaks in the morning while picking everyone from various hotels.
The hotels:
Harbour Rocks hotel in Sydney, the hotel had no elevator, it would have been nice to know ahead of time. Great location.
Desert garden hotel in Uluru was very comfortable with lots of space. There was no phone in the room and we had to get cold water in the restaurant. The restaurant was excellent.
Crystalbrook Bailey in Cairns had lovely accommodations and amenities. We enjoyed the pool and the breakfast offerings. Location was close to the waterfront and many good eateries.
Adina Apartment Hotel on Greorge St- it was wonderful to have a mini kitchen with dishes, fridge and microwave to make our own breakfast. Location was also very central to everything we wanted to see. There was a bit of confusion for our tour driver, as he was told to go to another Adina Hotel Anzac Square to pick us up.
QTPerth -this was our least favourite hotel. Very dark interior decorating. There were very few restaurants in it’s immediate vincinity, many vacant facilities, so the area seemed a little run down, and we were there on a labor day holiday Monday when everything was closed in the area. Even the hotel only had food available in the bar which doesn’t have comfortable eating furniture.
Crown Plaza in Adelaide was excellent, both for amenities and location, and access to restaurants, but the Fringe Festival was on and we didn’t get a chance to enjoy it as our Kangaroo Island tour took up 2 really long days. Also, the street our hotel was on was closed to traffic in the evening so our bus could not drop us off at our hotel late at night. It would have been nice to know about the Fringe Festival ahead of time, and we might have decided to spend an extra day there.
Rydges Hobart was an amazing accommodation with a wonderful breakfast in an older building setting.
Freycinet Lodge was our favourite resort. Beautifully appointed room with snacks and drinks included , great service, fabulous food, and right on the beach. We would have loved to stay there longer.
Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge was a disappointment as maintenance and service was poor, and the night tour we reserved ourselves was also very poor. They did refund us the night tour after we complained.
Leisure Penny Inn was just serviceable but in a great location.
VOCO Melbourne was beautiful hotel with well appointed room and a good buffet breakfast. We enjoyed many restaurants in the area.everything was close and convenient, including the free trams.
Our transfers were all very prompt and efficient except for 2 of them: at the cruise terminal in Sydney when the driver arrived without any luggage space, and at our final flight arrival in Melbourne when the driver had been given the wrong flight number and terminal for our flight.

Hotel Reviews
Crowne Plaza Adelaide
Adelaide

Great location, well appointed room, lovely restaurant for dinner and nice pool.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge
Cradle Mountain Tasmania

Lovely location but buildings and paths need maintenance. Our cabin was comfortable. They had a free laundry that was much appreciated. They were short staffed, so service was quite slow in both the restaurant for breakfast and the bistro. The formal dinner was delicious and we were well looked after.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Crystalbrook Bailey
Cairns

Well appointed rooms. Lovely pool area with bar. Nice breakfast buffet. Close to waterfront and many eateries.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Harbour Rocks Hotel
The Rocks, Sydney NSW

Great location. No elevator and USB plugs were not working. Plumbing needed updating.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Desert Gardens Hotel
Yulara

Very spacious and well furnished. No telephones in rooms, no cold water in rooms - you need to go to the main restaurant to fill your bottles. Great food at the restaurant.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
QT Perth
Perth

Dark and poorly appointed rooms with impractical set up and too much fabric to catch dust, thus making it difficult for someone with allergies. No space for modern clamshell luggage. The restaurant was great for breakfast but wasn’t open on the Holiday Monday, when we couldn’t find any restaurant in the area. We resorted to eating in their bar area but it did not have a comfortable eating area. Poor location. It is a long walk to find a good restaurant.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Always seemed helpful but did not follow through.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Less fabric especially at the head of the bed, for people with dust allergies
Leisure Inn Penny Royal
Launceston
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Rydges Hobart
Hobart

Spacious suite, beautiful buildings. The buffet breakfast was delicious and in a well maintained older building. Had a coin laundry on site that was very useful.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Freycinet Lodge
Coles Bay

Wonderful location and beautiful amenities. Our cabin was spacious and very welcoming with included wine and spirits as well as snacks, coffee and teas. The dining room as well as the bistro offered exceptional food with excellent service. It was nice to be so close to a quiet beach.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Voco Melbourne Central, IHG Hotel
Melbourne

Well appointed room although all glass walls can be problematic especially in the bathroom! The staff was very friendly and helpful. They dealt with issues very quickly. We were able to leave some of our luggage here for an extended period with no issues. Breakfast buffet was very good.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary Night Visit
Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary Night Visit
Hobart

As we had been advised to arrive early, we were on site before the Sanctuary closed to the public, so enjoyed a stroll around the grounds ahead of the tour. Our very knowledgeable guide took us first to see the reptiles before they got too cold and hid. We then went to feed the Tasmanian wallabies, followed by birds, quolls, possums, Tasmanian devils, an echidna, a baby wombat, and Tasmanian bettongs. In most cases we did guided feeding, with appropriate warnings on how to present the foods. A highly enjoyable and educational outing!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Private City & Mornington Peninsula Day Trip
Private City & Mornington Peninsula Day Trip
Melbourne

Our driver/guide picked us up early, as he had received a different itinerary to ours, to start an hour earlier. We had visited some of the proposed sites with friends, so our guide adapted the itinerary to hit new (to us) places. We went to Arthur’s Seat high above the bay for an overview, and visited beach which featured “houses” that store supplies for their owners’ days at the beach. We had a delicious lunch in a converted General Store, and visited wineries in the afternoon. One activity we skipped was a visit to Moonlit Sanctuary, as we had already visited.

Quality of Experience
Food
Service was a little slow but our guide had warned us. It’s not downtown Melbourne after all.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Wineglass Bay Cruises Morning Wineglass Bay Cruise - Sky Lounge including Lunch
Wineglass Bay Cruises Morning Wineglass Bay Cruise - Sky Lounge including Lunch
Freycinet

We were called the night before by the tour operator to warn of potential rough weather for the next morning. We proceeded with the tour, and were glad we did. The Sky Lounge is the reserved upper deck adjacent to the bridge, and the attentive crew saw to everyone’s needs. Welcome drinks were served as we departed, to head to the Lodge to pick up guests who had booked there. As we sailed south to reach open water, the captain repeated the warning that a gale was brewing on the east side of the peninsula. As we reached the strait, his decision was to divert away from Wineglass Bay and instead proceed to Ile des Phoques (Seal Island). On the way there, several guests felt queasy and were assisted by crew. At the island we saw fur seals and cormorants, but the real show was on the way back north, when a pod of dolphins swam alongside and cavorted in our wake. They were joined by gannets and albatrosses over the boat. We had lunch in a sheltered bay, with generous portions in individual meals, supplemented with lots of fresh oysters. For us, the rough weather wasn’t a deterrent, but there were several seasick guests. Not all expected that they could be seasick. However the crew assisted them all and maintained a pleasant atmosphere for the rest of us.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Freycinet to Cradle Mountain National Park - Self Drive
Freycinet to Cradle Mountain National Park - Self Drive
Freycinet

The roads in rural Tasmania were generally good, but services are sparse. The switchbacks ascending to Cradle Mountain park are narrow and require vigilance.

Quality of Experience
Drop off Car Rental
Drop off Car Rental
Australia

The car itself was fine, and gave us no problems. The only issues were with the personnel in the airport lots for pickup and drop off. In Hobart I was told to collect the keys in the parking lot from the attendant. She was nowhere to be seen, and my wife and I split up to look for her. This took more than 15 minutes. In Launceston, I saw an attendant across the lot as I pulled in, but by the time I parked she was gone. I took photos of the car for my records and dropped the keys in a return slot.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Reverse Great Ocean Road Experience
Reverse Great Ocean Road Experience
Australia

This tour starts from Downtown Melbourne, proceeds west to Colac (along the highway) then south to the southern end of the Great Ocean Road on the shipwreck coast. A lot of time is spent in the coach, with commentary by the driver, to prepare for the self-timed walks. He also introduced guests to the TimTam Slam at the first coffee break. This stretch of highway features some of the most iconic formations in Australia, the 12 Apostles, as well as Loch Ard gorge, Great Otway National Park, and the seaside towns that were heavily damaged by fire and floods in the 1980s. The Memorial Arch stands as a monument to the work of the Diggers who built the road in the 1930s.

Quality of Experience
Food
Lunch was premade sandwiches. The “dairy free” offering was a thin tomato and lettuce sandwich with no protein whatsoever. The regular sandwiches were ham and cheese or chicken salad.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Luxury Outback Tours Full Day Pinnacle Tour
Luxury Outback Tours Full Day Pinnacle Tour
Perth

Our guide was very knowledgeable and made the private tour very enjoyable.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
A Night at Field of Light
A Night at Field of Light
Uluru

Loved this experience. Meeting other guests. The meal was delicious and seeing the stars and the field of light magical.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
30 Minute Great Barrier Reef Scenic Helicopter Flight
30 Minute Great Barrier Reef Scenic Helicopter Flight
Cairns

Tide was high when we went out so not the best conditions to see the reef clearly.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sunrise Camel Ride
Sunrise Camel Ride
Australia

Amazing experience! Highly recommend this. I wasn’t even sore the next day after riding the camel for an extended period of time. The staff was exceptional.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Great Barrier Reef and Green Island Tour - Ocean Free Sailboat
Great Barrier Reef and Green Island Tour - Ocean Free Sailboat
Cairns

It was a rough sea day but the staff made the best of a rough situation. We really enjoyed it all.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Two day/1 night Ultimate Kangaroo Island Experience (Cruise/Cruise) - Day 2
Two day/1 night Ultimate Kangaroo Island Experience (Cruise/Cruise) - Day 2
Kangaroo Island

Mini tour bus was uncomfortable with malfunctioning seatbelts. We enjoyed a more relaxed pa ce than on day one. Not enough time allotted for dinner before the ferry. Service was very slow at the restaurant that was recommended.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Daintree Rainforest Full Day Adventure by 4WD
Daintree Rainforest Full Day Adventure by 4WD
Australia

Very long time in the 4x4 cramped vehicle, (about 5 hours total travel time there and back) stopping to do all the hotel pick ups and then in Port Douglas where there should have been a restroom break. We enjoyed the tour once we got there.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Cramped mini 4x4 bus.
Private City & Lone Pine Day Trip
Private City & Lone Pine Day Trip
Brisbane

Lovely slow paced private tour. Our guide was very knowledgeable and we enjoyed our day, especially our time at the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Two day/1 night Ultimate Kangaroo Island Experience (Cruise/Cruise) Day 1
Two day/1 night Ultimate Kangaroo Island Experience (Cruise/Cruise) Day 1
Australia

Bus to ferry was very cramped for leg space and very long because of multiple pick up points. Ferry did not have breakfast foods available as the supplier had not delivered. We started our day very early and were quite hungry by lunch time. First day tour was in a more comfortable coach. Our accommodations at American River in the Mercure hotel was great. Older facility and the mattresses and rooms need updating but wonderful food and service. We really enjoyed our first day tour but were disappointed to spend so little time at the Animal sanctuary.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Paula Adams
Paula
Paula Adams
Local specialist in California and Australia | Replied on Apr 10, 2025

G'day Marie & Doug,

Firstly, it was a pleasure working with you and Doug. Thank you so much for taking the time to write such an extensive and informative review—I truly appreciate it. I'm sorry to hear about the minor hiccups you encountered, but I'm glad to know that everything worked out in the end.

Your review helps us continue to provide exceptional service to valued clients like you. If there's anything else we can do to make your future travels even more memorable, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Take care and please keep in touch.

Cheers,
Paula
[email protected]

Michelle planned a great trip
New Zealand | Feb 18 - Mar 1, 2025

Janis
Janis S.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on Apr 08, 2025
Michelle created an excellent itinerary for our 12 days in New Zealand. With just a few questions during our initial phone conversation, she was able to determine our preferences about hotel types and locations to visit. She selected very nice hotels with most walking distance to main part of town. Tours selected were small group which made the experience very enjoyable. We are very grateful that she suggested a self drive tour because we were able to explore more than if we were on a guided... Read more

Michelle created an excellent itinerary for our 12 days in New Zealand. With just a few questions during our initial phone conversation, she was able to determine our preferences about hotel types and locations to visit. She selected very nice hotels with most walking distance to main part of town. Tours selected were small group which made the experience very enjoyable. We are very grateful that she suggested a self drive tour because we were able to explore more than if we were on a guided tour. Thanks Michelle for creating a great vacation for us!

Hotel Reviews
The George
Christchurch

Comfortable and walking distance to botanical gardens

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Very friendly and helpful with suggestions on what to visit with just a short time available
Cleanliness & Comfort
Ramada Suites Queenstown
Queenstown

Comfortable and walking distance to main part of town

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Distinction Te Anau Hotel And Villas
Te Anau

Great suite with wonderful view

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel St Clair
Dunedin

Wonderful. View of ocean and walking distance to restaurants

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Kelly Rd
Cambridge
Authenticity & Character
Location
Not much around but good mid-point to next location with laundry facilities on site
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hana Lodge
Rotorua

Wonderful!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
M Social
Auckland

Close to our cruise departure

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Historic Steamship Cruise to Walter Peak Farm + BBQ Dinner
Historic Steamship Cruise to Walter Peak Farm + BBQ Dinner
Queenstown (NZ)

Fun experience. Great food. Highly recommend

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Te Anau Glowworm Caves
Te Anau Glowworm Caves
Te Anau

Seeing glowworms was fun but we especially enjoyed the underground scenery and waterfalls.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Premium Cruise in the Milford Sound
Premium Cruise in the Milford Sound
New Zealand

Very happy with this small group cruise. Milford Sound is amazing.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Small group made travel to sound very enjoyable
Te  Pā Tū  - Maori Cultural Experience
Te Pā Tū - Maori Cultural Experience
Rotorua

Fun experience

Quality of Experience
Food
Introducing us to native food choices was an interesting experience. We tasted the food served but didn’t eat much. Would have been more enjoyable if other foods were served along with the cultural choices.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Driver was very entertaining
Transport
Explore Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula
Explore Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula
Dunedin

Beautiful area

Larnach Castle Tour - unguided
Larnach Castle Tour - unguided
Dunedin

Beautiful scenery

Yellow-eyed penguins
Yellow-eyed penguins
Dunedin

Fun experience

Hobbiton Movie Set Tour
Hobbiton Movie Set Tour
New Zealand

Good management of large groups of people touring this site. Smaller groups led around with assigned times

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Michelle Srzich
Michelle
Michelle Srzich
Local specialist in Auckland, New Zealand | Replied on Apr 08, 2025

Hi Janis
My pleasure! Thanks for your review , I am thrilled to hear the self-drive trip worked out so well for you and Keith.
Happy future travels with Kimkim!

Best Friends' Trip Through Portugal
Portugal | Mar 26 - Apr 4, 2025

Marnie
Marnie H.
Richmond, VA | Reviewed on Apr 08, 2025
We wanted to go to Portugal and we wanted to get the most out of our time there. Coraima was helpful and friendly from the outset. We spoke on the phone several times and she made sure she got a "feel" for what we wanted and didn't want to do and see. Kimkim took care of all the reservations and the tours. Coraima and Summer made sure we had parking at each hotel, as we rented a car. They even ensured we had a continental breakfast each morning! Neither agent had a motive other than to... Read more

We wanted to go to Portugal and we wanted to get the most out of our time there. Coraima was helpful and friendly from the outset. We spoke on the phone several times and she made sure she got a "feel" for what we wanted and didn't want to do and see. Kimkim took care of all the reservations and the tours. Coraima and Summer made sure we had parking at each hotel, as we rented a car. They even ensured we had a continental breakfast each morning! Neither agent had a motive other than to see to our needs. We wanted to drive from Porto, to the Algarve and then finish in Lisboa, and in 10 days, that is what we did. We had down time, tour time, rest time, explore time and all of it was fun time! I highly recommend using kimkim to plan your next trip to a new place. We went with the confidence knowing if we had trouble, Coraima and Summer were right there to lean on. Thank you, kimkim, Coraima and Summer!! This was the Best Best Friends' Trip ever!

Hotel Reviews
Pestana Douro Riverside
Porto

Douro Riverside is a gorgeous hotel, repurposing a perfume factory. All the modern amenities are there for you. The staff was above and beyond helpful and friendly and even gave us a glass of the local port wine as we checked in. The views from every balcony are of the Douro River in all its glory. We even got to watch a crew practice one morning. The restaurant and bar are great and the staff is exceptional. Only one thing to know before booking - this hotel is not in Porto. You will have to drive or Bolt (Uber) to the center. There really isn't anything in walking distance and parking in the city would be challenging. Other than that - this hotel is perfect!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Not in walking distance of Porto or Gaia, but in terms of views - top notch!
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Convento do Espinheiro, Historic Hotel & Spa
Evora

Staying in this historic hotel/convent was an experience. I wish we had more nights to explore the surroundings (we were there only one night). The restaurants and bars are really good - the wait staff friendly, approachable and they took their time with us to share information of the area. The hotel itself is well appointed, clean and quiet. It feels more like a retreat than a hotel.

Authenticity & Character
Location
The convent is outside of Evora and not within walking distance of the center. We rented a car, so had the opportunity to drive there ourselves.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Tivoli Carvoeiro
Lagoa

This hotel is gorgeous. Built into a cliff on the Atlantic in the town of Lagoa, it is separate from the town and quiet - almost retreat-like. Not all the rooms face the ocean, but there is a view from each balcony. The layout of the hotel is magical and walking the grounds and surrounding cliffs is a highlight. The food was good and the drinks better - made perfect by the wait staff. It is a big hotel and it is easy to get lost in it, but that is the fun of exploring, isn't it?

Authenticity & Character
Location
If you think you are in Lagos, you are not. Lagos is about a 30-40 minute drive west. This was a surprise to us, but it didn't take away from the grandeur of the hotel.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Torel Palace
Lisbon

I felt like we were in a fancy, upscale, alternative universe. This is a high-end hotel overlooking the Baixa neighborhood of Lisboa. We stayed on the top floor (67 steps - no elevator) and that was no problem, because the staff saw to our every whim, including hauling heavy luggage up and down those stairs. The bar and restaurant served great food and the staff were very friendly. We did not eat at the exclusive restaurant. Parking is taken care of with valet service - use it - driving in Lisboa is challenging. The hotel is off the main drag and on a quiet street. There are things to do and see near the hotel and if you don't want to take the funicular to the Baixa, you can Bolt (Uber) anywhere in the city.

Authenticity & Character
This was an actual palace. It isn't just the name.
Location
Literally steps from the funicular, the city is at your feet. The views from our room and the tower in the palace are breathtaking.
Staff
The front desk help me make a phone call to the rental car company. They brought the car up when we needed something from it. They carried our thousand pound luggage up and down all the stairs. They were all so gracious and accommodating and quick to smile.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Thanks for the chocolates at night!
Activity Reviews
Private City Highlights Walk
Private City Highlights Walk
Évora

This was enlightening, educational and fun. Our guide was so knowledgeable about the the religious, economic, cultural and political history of Evora and Portugal at large. She was funny, and easy to talk with. I felt we were with a best friend for the day,

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Douro River Sailing Trip
Douro River Sailing Trip
Porto

Thanks for all the information, the snacks, the drinks and the smiles. The sailboat is comfortable, the captains were knowledgeable and multilingual and shared all kinds of history with us from the river. What a great way to learn about Porto and Gaia! A must take trip for anyone who has never been to the area.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Food Walk
Private Food Walk
Porto

AMAZING! Thank you Pepito, for the laughs, the history and the fun food facts. We met a truly wonderful human being on this private food tour.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Evening Food Walk
Evening Food Walk
Lagos (Algarve)

Sofia rocked! What a kind, funny, smart young woman. We had a larger group and she made sure to spend time with each member. We were all from Germany, Canada and the States and everyone felt at home with her. She took us to local restaurants to eat local foods. She gave us historical knowledge on our walk of all the things we saw. It was more than a food walk.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Private Sintra Day Trip with Pena Palace, Quinta da Regaleira & Cascais
Private Sintra Day Trip with Pena Palace, Quinta da Regaleira & Cascais
Lisbon

LOVE LOVE LOVE You have to do this trip, and ask for Filippa as your guide. She is one of the owners of the company and she is the best. Sintra - I have no words for the place other than magical. La Quinta de Regaleira is a must - what a beautiful, special place. She gave us time in the little town of Sintra for lunch and pointed out places to eat and sample the local sweets. She was so good at showing us around and explaining what we were seeing, then giving us space and time to explore on our own. Cabo de Rocas and Cascais were the icing on the cake of this trip. What a great way to see beauty outside a huge city.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Coraima Yañez
Coraima
Coraima Yañez
Local specialist in Kimkim HQ | Replied on Apr 11, 2025

Thank you, Marnie, for trusting my team at kimkim to help you plan your BFF trip to Portugal! It was so much fun working with you two and reading about the even more fun times you had while traveling 😊 I appreciate your kind words about your experience with us and about your accommodations — all of this helps us better our services for our future travelers. I hope to see you again at kimkim in the future!
Coraima

Traveling with children requires speciality knowledge. Our advisor was attentive, our guide was inappropriate. in Bangkok was not best suited to our needs.
Thailand | Mar 22 - Apr 4, 2025

Ivy
Ivy S.
Denver, CO | Reviewed on Apr 08, 2025
Our tour guide in Bangkok was not best suited to our specific needs - she was not adept with young children and instead of having us aligned with a food tour specialist, she was also our guide for a night food tour which was not well designed (we do food tours all over the world and have had enough experience to know great). Additionally, the earthquake the hit Southeast Asia impacted our trip and we personally intervened to add some protections to our travel arrangement. Our service... Read more

Our tour guide in Bangkok was not best suited to our specific needs - she was not adept with young children and instead of having us aligned with a food tour specialist, she was also our guide for a night food tour which was not well designed (we do food tours all over the world and have had enough experience to know great). Additionally, the earthquake the hit Southeast Asia impacted our trip and we personally intervened to add some protections to our travel arrangement. Our service provider did reach out to us but we had to more quickly divert our travels.

Hotel Reviews
500Rai Floating Resort
Surat Thani

We really appreciated the location of this hotel. Its newer sister hotel, 360, appears to be draining 500Rai of some capital improvements that would further enhance the experience- they need updated paddle boards as well as kayaks. It’s hard to keep nature at bay in these environments, but more attention to servicing rusting apparatus would be helpful. Tours were good. Food was wonderful. Staff was fabulous. Not sure why our Family Suite was not connected directly to the working path to the main area which required us to have a special boat take us back and forth to our room, unlike the majority of the other cabins. We did select the Family Suite since it had air conditioning 24/7 vs. only in the evening for the other cabins.

Authenticity & Character
It’s the on the water character. I would say that there animal population is much lower than anticipated given that much of the land was lost when they created the dam that defined the lake itself.
Location
Beautiful surroundings.
Staff
Caring, engaged and thoughtful.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Beds were OK. Towels so so. Mold in bathrooms. Poor lighting for bathrooms.
Six Senses Yao Noi
Ko Yao Noi

For the most part, this hotel is fabulous with one significant exception- the mosquito population is managed in an environmentally sensitive way but it doesn’t bode well for the guest. Non of the exterior spaces are screened in, making time in one’s villa limited to the indoor air conditioning if you wanted to avoid being bitten. Not all of the supplies are fullly refreshed everyday. The personal butler was very helpful and added to the ease of a family vacation. The kids enjoyed the limited programming and we adults really appreciated the spa and yoga program.

Authenticity & Character
Beautiful property.
Location
Stunning location. Easy to travel to other islands. Beach itself was OK although wished it was easier to do open water swimming from the shoreline.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Shopping at Chatuchak Weekend Market
Shopping at Chatuchak Weekend Market
Bangkok

Really enjoyed the site. Guide was very helpful with negotiations.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Lovely driver.
Half Day 3-Hour Private Carving Class at Siam Carving Academy
Half Day 3-Hour Private Carving Class at Siam Carving Academy
Bangkok

We had found this company for KimKim. The quality of the experience was just what we had hoped.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Bangkok Symbolic Temples
Bangkok Symbolic Temples
Bangkok

We had young children with us. Tour was focused on adults and not kids. Hot. Should have included an activity to stimulate kids.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
A guide who gets kids.
Transport
Lovely driver.
Night Street Food Tour After Dark by Tuk Tuk
Night Street Food Tour After Dark by Tuk Tuk
Bangkok

We are foodies and always do market/food tours. Our guide was not as familiar with who the specialists sites or history of the food we might have eaten. Granted, we were difficult with food allergies, but there was no preplanning by the guide to address this. Enjoyed the TukTuk but felt this was a missed opportunity.. In contrast, did a chef led tour (self identified) in Phuket that was hands down the perfect

Quality of Experience
Food
Stops that have top of class food.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guide that is fully attuned to food experience.
Transport
TukTuk was fun and easy to manage in the traffic.
Local specialist: Hoa Tran
Hoa
Hoa Tran
Local specialist in Hanoi Vietnam | Replied on Apr 16, 2025
Dear Ivy,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts about your family’s trip. We sincerely apologize for the challenges you faced, especially with the Bangkok guide and food tour—we’ll address this with our team to improve child-friendly and food-specialized experiences.
We’re thrilled you loved the carving class and found the Chatuchak Market guide helpful with negotiations! It’s great to know some moments stood out.
Your feedback on accommodations is highly appreciated. I'll share your...
Read more

Dear Ivy,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts about your family’s trip. We sincerely apologize for the challenges you faced, especially with the Bangkok guide and food tour—we’ll address this with our team to improve child-friendly and food-specialized experiences.
We’re thrilled you loved the carving class and found the Chatuchak Market guide helpful with negotiations! It’s great to know some moments stood out.
Your feedback on accommodations is highly appreciated. I'll share your observations about maintenance, mosquito management, and villa logistics with the properties to help them enhance guest experiences.
Thank you again and we hope to see your family again in future trips to Southeast Asia!
Warmest,
Hoa

Tran was very responsive with all our request...
Vietnam | Mar 30 - Apr 5, 2025

Irene
Irene L.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on Apr 08, 2025
Tran was very responsive with all our requests . We were met at the airport as soon as we landed . She planned all activities based on our interests . We were pleased with her excellent service . She kept us informed all through the trip, and kept in constant contact with local guides to make sure everything goes as planned . Overall we had a good time enjoying the food and history of Vietnam ( we only have 6 days total of Ho Chi Ming city and Hanoi ) .
Tran even made an effort to send...
Read more

Tran was very responsive with all our requests . We were met at the airport as soon as we landed . She planned all activities based on our interests . We were pleased with her excellent service . She kept us informed all through the trip, and kept in constant contact with local guides to make sure everything goes as planned . Overall we had a good time enjoying the food and history of Vietnam ( we only have 6 days total of Ho Chi Ming city and Hanoi ) .
Tran even made an effort to send us a second driver to pick 2 of us up ( we traveled as a group of 4) from the airport the next day due to visa issues . She was with us all the way via phone or chat so we did not feel deserted.
Tour guide in Ho Chi ming city was good and funny , he even shared his own family stories with us . The trip to Mekong delta was interesting, we were served a very local lunch !
The guide in Hanoi was just so so , he wasn’t too knowledgeable about Vietnam , we have to prompt him to get basic information, like population, life style of locals etc. his English was not well understood , but he tried his best though.
The hotels chosen were very nice and centrally located . We stayed at the Myst Dong Khoi at HCM , it is older style , bathroom amenities not quite convenient. Peridot grand hotel in Hanoi is quite upscale and clean , excellent amenities .
Also close to town .
Overall the trip was great and I would recommend Kim Kim .
Overall , we were impressed about the trio and thought our money was well spent .

Hotel Reviews
Peridot Grand Luxury Boutique Hotel
Hanoi

Clean a with amenities. Restaurant served a variety of different food . Service excellent.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Paradise Elegance Cruise
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Tran Nhung

kimkim is a gem! We booked with them for Nor...
Argentina | Mar 28 - Apr 4, 2025

Julie
Julie W.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Apr 08, 2025
kimkim is a gem! We booked with them for Norway last year and Buenos Aires and Patagonia this year. This will continue to be our go-to travel agency. The ability to customize a trip, remain as independent as desired, and receive reliable help with locals while traveling is priceless. From start to finish, they were professional, responsive, kind, and very knowledgeable. With keen listening skills, Mery patiently developed a customized travel plan that met our unique desires and needs. ... Read more

kimkim is a gem! We booked with them for Norway last year and Buenos Aires and Patagonia this year. This will continue to be our go-to travel agency. The ability to customize a trip, remain as independent as desired, and receive reliable help with locals while traveling is priceless. From start to finish, they were professional, responsive, kind, and very knowledgeable.

With keen listening skills, Mery patiently developed a customized travel plan that met our unique desires and needs. Once booked, we had the support of Antonella, who continued to work out more specific details for the trip and actually book all of our hotels, excursions, and transfers.

During the trip, as questions or requests arose, Antonella and the customer service team responded quickly and made adaptations that really helped our family enjoy this trip. Our excursion guides were exceptional, and we would work with this company over and over again for our travels to this region! Well done and thanks for making it such a great trip!

Activity Reviews
Full-Day Perito Moreno Glacier
Full-Day Perito Moreno Glacier
El Calafate

Nadia was our tour leader and Gaston was our driver. Nadia was engaging, kind, fun, and very knowledgeable. She gave information in both English and Spanish, and ensured everyone was prepared to enjoy such majestic experience. Thanks Nadia!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Nautical Safari tour
Nautical Safari tour
El Calafate

Delightful to get up close to the glacier and witness it from another angle. Professional boat staff and the vessel was clean and well-maintained.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Half-Day Buenos Aires Walking Tour (South)
Half-Day Buenos Aires Walking Tour (South)
Buenos Aires

Rocio took us on a wonderful urban adventure through Palermo, Centro Historico, San Telmo, and La Boca. She was fun, engaging, very knowledgeable, and made it a wonderful tour. We were grateful to use public transportation (subway and bus) for part of it to enhance the experience and feel the city like a local. Thanks Rocio!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full-Day Trekking Laguna Torre
Full-Day Trekking Laguna Torre
El Chaltén

Lucas led us on a private group tour on the Laguna Torre trail. He was patient with our pace (we didn't make it to the end) and shared much of his vast knowledge about Patagonia. His passion for the environment and care for all its inhabitants was felt and appreciated. Thanks Lucas!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Mery Morelli
Mery
Mery Morelli
Local specialist in Buenos Aires, Argentina | Replied on Apr 09, 2025

Hi Julie,

Thanks for this amazing and detailed review! We appreciate it very much :) We are very glad that you came to Argentina and enjoyed it!
We hope to receive you in the next adventure!

Warm Regards from Buenos Aires,
Mery

KimKim travel will always be my first choice!
Portugal | Mar 31 - Apr 7, 2025

Julie
Julie G.
Gallatin, TN | Reviewed on Apr 08, 2025
Working with KimKim is peace of mind - everything I’m always goes as planned- my favorite guide was Andre who walked us thru Porto markets and restaurants with some history and humor. I would recommend the walking food tour over the TukTuk tour in Lisboa- with the traffic and motorcycle noise we couldn’t hear our guide and you get so much more out of a walking tour. Always recommend the cooking class- liked our guide and the fact we learned new skills- I would take an evening class over... Read more

Working with KimKim is peace of mind - everything I’m always goes as planned- my favorite guide was Andre who walked us thru Porto markets and restaurants with some history and humor. I would recommend the walking food tour over the TukTuk tour in Lisboa- with the traffic and motorcycle noise we couldn’t hear our guide and you get so much more out of a walking tour. Always recommend the cooking class- liked our guide and the fact we learned new skills- I would take an evening class over lunch time and I think larger classes are more interesting . At the wine tasting we enjoyed unique wines and vermouths- that was unexpected - he was very personable and knowledgeable. Easy to understand and catered to his audience. Enjoyed all of our hotels- food at Bessa was amazing, service at all was outstanding. Editory hotel is a great central location- went to La Penada (spelling?) for dinner by the coast - owner was one to remember! Overall, the tours and classes are important and I would add more to my next visit to whatever country I visit next. Thank you Bea for always being there if we needed you and the gift left at my last nights stay says how much you appreciate your clients- Obrigada!!

Hotel Reviews
BessaHotel Liberdade
Lisboa

Great food, rooms are quiet, great location if using train stations or shopping. Breakfast was outstanding-

Authenticity & Character
Location
Was concerned it wasn’t by the water but enjoyed being in this area as we could still walk to all the neighborhoods and it was quieter in the evening when sleeping
Staff
Mauricio was very welcoming - always there to assist with taxi, questions etc
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Editory Garden Porto Hotel
Porto

Good location - especially if you like to visit the market- we didn’t get to make use of the beautiful patio due to weather - would stay there again in warmer weather!

Authenticity & Character
Beautifully decorated
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Reserva FLH Hotels Ericeira
Ericeira

Rooms small but everything you need was there. drinking wine on the balcony with bread and cheese picked up around the corner made for a great moment. Couldn’t ask for a better location

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
MeraPrime Gold Design Hotel
Lisbon

Always feel the most warm welcome here- offered coffee, pastry when checking in, didn’t get breakfast due to early flight out but recall from last visit it was good

Authenticity & Character
It’s authentic and rooms were more luxurious than you might expect
Location
Location is right in the heart of historic area by water and square
Staff
They are soooo helpful and friendly
Cleanliness & Comfort
The halal run restaurant keeps that restaurant run like they owned it-
Activity Reviews
Guided Tuk-Tuk Tour
Guided Tuk-Tuk Tour
Portugal

I think we missed a lot of what was said - our first trip we did a walking tour and got more out of it- the traffic noise and motorcycles are distracting and I felt we could still cover a lot of Lisbon in the same amount of time.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Cooking Class with Market Visit
Cooking Class with Market Visit
Lisbon

I loved our cooking experience- the market was interesting. It was just the three of us- pros are you do more of the tasks involved with cooking the dishes. Cons were large classes are more lively and I would suggest evening over daytime- it’s a big meal and you can drink as you cook- rather have done this late in the day

Quality of Experience
Learning to filet fish and shuck oysters
Food
Liked the fish, dessert, and dinner bed the method off cooking the vegetables and the specific dish we learned to use for it
Guides, Drivers and Staff
He was nice, skilled and we got him to open up and share some experiences
Transport
I don’t this applies to this event?
Introduction to Portuguese Wines
Introduction to Portuguese Wines
Porto

The shop chosen was beautiful and my daughter buys organic wines so it was appreciated how they support those. Guide was personable, he made it special and didn’t rush the experience- was entertaining as well as knowledgeable which makes for a good guide

Quality of Experience
Great guide! Didn’t expect to experience and learn about these whites- he added vermouths too
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
We walked but we love to do that
Explore Porto's Culinary Scene and Bolhao Market
Explore Porto's Culinary Scene and Bolhao Market
Porto

Loved this tour! Best guide of our week, Andre. You could tell he was a favorite of those who worked in the market too- funny, easy to understand. Knew how to work with his group, shared about himself and family make it more personalized. Lots of foid- you won’t leave this hungry or thirsty- comfortable pace

Quality of Experience
Tastings inside narket and that old restaurant in the alley that was similar to being in a cave with the sandwiches
Food
Lots of it paired with wine and goid choices
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Never lose Andre as a guide!
Transport
Walk was good pace and great length - saw some areas I might not have without having done this
Boat tour in Ericeira
Boat tour in Ericeira
Ericeira

Didn’t get to do this but will share some photos- loved this town! You can see most of it easily in 2 days -

Quality of Experience
Couldn’t get to end of survey unless I rated- so ignore ratings
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Beatriz De Pablo Rocha
Beatriz
Beatriz De Pablo Rocha
Local specialist in Madrid | Replied on Apr 10, 2025

Hi Julie! What awesome photos from your trip!!! Thank you so much, as always, for your detailed comments and feedback. It's great to know that you have had a great time around Portugal once again with your guides, chefs, and drivers! It's been a pleasure to work with you again, and really hope this is not the last adventure we plan together! Sending you my best regards, Bea.

Unforgettable Iceland Experience!
Iceland | Mar 21 - Mar 28, 2025

ashley
ashley f.
Bloomfield, NJ | Reviewed on Apr 08, 2025
I wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude for the exceptional travel experience you coordinated for our recent 9-day trip to Iceland. From the moment we arrived, every detail was planned and executed, allowing us to fully immerse ourselves in the stunning sights and unique culture of Iceland. Your recommendations for last-minute options were great, and we truly appreciated the dinner suggestions that helped us make the most of our evenings. Each site we visited was... Read more

I wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude for the exceptional travel experience you coordinated for our recent 9-day trip to Iceland.

From the moment we arrived, every detail was planned and executed, allowing us to fully immerse ourselves in the stunning sights and unique culture of Iceland. Your recommendations for last-minute options were great, and we truly appreciated the dinner suggestions that helped us make the most of our evenings.

Each site we visited was breathtaking, and your expertise shone through in the way everything was arranged. thank you for put a lot of thought into crafting an unforgettable journey for us.

Thank you, Summer, we will certainly recommend your services to friends and family looking to explore new destinations.

Hotel Reviews
Fosshotel Baron
Reykjavík

Did not look as picture. Bathroom/ shower was not great

Authenticity & Character
I’m
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Vík Apartments
Vik I Myrdal

Great location and views.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Reykjavík Marina - Berjaya Iceland Hotels
Reykjavík

Great location

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Sky Lagoon
Sky Lagoon
Reykjavík

One of our favorite excursions, truly memorable

Quality of Experience
Silfra Snorkeling Adventure
Silfra Snorkeling Adventure
Iceland
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Ice Cave Experience Breiðamerkurjökull
Ice Cave Experience Breiðamerkurjökull
Iceland

One of the best excursions of the entire trip. Truly, once in a lifetime

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Summer Ho

We had an amazing trip from start to finish. ...
Morocco | Mar 29 - Apr 6, 2025

Felicia
Felicia M.
Wakefield, MA | Reviewed on Apr 08, 2025
We had an amazing trip from start to finish. The itinerary was packed with a variety of of diverse landscapes. Planning from the States with Majid was effortless and he was most accommodating. Our driver Iziz was fantastic, he was informative, helpful, polite and respectful. I can’t say enough about how he made our experience so pleasant. We have never had a private driver before but after this it will not be our last. Read more

We had an amazing trip from start to finish. The itinerary was packed with a variety of of diverse landscapes. Planning from the States with Majid was effortless and he was most accommodating. Our driver Iziz was fantastic, he was informative, helpful, polite and respectful. I can’t say enough about how he made our experience so pleasant. We have never had a private driver before but after this it will not be our last.

Hotel Reviews
Fairmont La Marina Rabat Sale Hotel And Residences
Rabat

Beautiful hotel with a wonderful Restaurant upstairs. The room we had was an upgrade and absolutely amazing. It was a perfect start to our trip after a along plane ride.

Authenticity & Character
Welcome was Warm and inviting
Location
It has wonderful views
Staff
Helpful and accommodating
Cleanliness & Comfort
Rooms were immaculate
Tiziri Luxury Camp
Merzouga

It’s a fun place that has all the amenities of hotel and the dessert views a breathtaking.

Authenticity & Character
I’m not a camper so this was perfect
Location
A camel ride away and fun to get there
Staff
Went out of there way to make sure everyone was having fun
Cleanliness & Comfort
It was clean and comfy
Eden Boutique Hotel
Boumalne Dades

One of the most beautiful hotels we have stayed. The intricate pathways of gardens and the structure are amazing

Authenticity & Character
Every aspect been meticulous thought out
Location
Overlooking monkey fingers and the mountains is breathtaking
Staff
always helpful and the restaurant is awesome!
Cleanliness & Comfort
everything is brand new and immaculate
Palais Amani
Fès

This a beautiful hotel with a wonderful courtyard. The setting is very peaceful and an oasis after walking the streets of Fez. The staff was helpful and pleasant. Our room was spacious and most comfortable with true Moroccan feeling.

Authenticity & Character
The tea upon arrival and cookies were special and the gardens enchanting
Location
It’s easy to navigate from this point to the alleys of Fez
Staff
Always helpful and accommodating
Cleanliness & Comfort
It is an older hotel but has been maintained to its original character
RIAD VILLA AMOOD
Merzouga

This was just a lovely place to stay. The owners put their heart and sole into the accommodation and food. One of the best meals on the trip. I loved the atmosphere and cleanliness. Would highly recommend this Riad before a stay in dessert.

Authenticity & Character
It’s decorated in a modern but authentic style
Location
We loved staying here before glamping, it was perfect after the long drive from Fez.
Staff
The owners are a wonderful couple that truly have a passion for what they do. Very welcoming and accommodating
Cleanliness & Comfort
Absolutely spotless
Local specialist: Majid Mrabti
Majid
Majid Mrabti
Local specialist in Morocco & France | Replied on Apr 08, 2025

Hello Felicia,
Thank you so much for your kind words! I'm absolutely thrilled to hear that your Morocco trip, which I planned for you, was excellent and the journey with Aziz, your driver/guide, exceeded your expectations. It's wonderful to know that the diverse landscapes and personalized service made your experience so memorable. I’ll be sure to pass your compliments along to Aziz; he’ll be so happy to hear how much you appreciated his care and professionalism. We’d love to welcome you back for another adventure anytime!
Best,
Majid

Amazing trips, mediocre lodgings.
Australia | Mar 28 - Apr 5, 2025

Nicolette
Nicolette C.
Flagami, FL | Reviewed on Apr 08, 2025
A friend and I recently traveled to Australia and instead of doing the research and booking myself, I thought it would be nice to book through a travel agent instead. I honestly cannot recall the last time I have done so as I am a frequent, experienced traveler and enjoy the research process. While it saved me quite a bit of time to book through KimKim, I will go back to doing so myself. The trips the agent booked for us were quite lovely as we experienced excellent guides and saw the things... Read more

A friend and I recently traveled to Australia and instead of doing the research and booking myself, I thought it would be nice to book through a travel agent instead. I honestly cannot recall the last time I have done so as I am a frequent, experienced traveler and enjoy the research process. While it saved me quite a bit of time to book through KimKim, I will go back to doing so myself. The trips the agent booked for us were quite lovely as we experienced excellent guides and saw the things we had wanted to see. Unfortunately, the accommodations were of a much lower quality than we typically book, with limited amenities on site, loud and chaotic environments, and, for the most part, sub par customer service. The travel agent and I had agreed on “moderate” hotels and that is certainly not what we experienced. All in all, a valuable lesson learned. I would advice travelers considering KimKim to be extremely thorough in discussing their definitions of varying accommodation levels.

Local specialist: Liz Neal
Liz
Liz Neal
Local specialist in Sydney-Auckland-Los Angeles | Replied on Apr 16, 2025
Hello Nicolette,
Thank you for the feedback, I'm glad you were happy with the "experienced excellent guides" and you were able to see all you wanted to see.
I trust you will be able to book the hotels you want on your own next time, but I do recommend that if booking through an agent in the future, you increase your budget to be able to include moderate accommodations, which in the tourism industry accounts for at least a 3.5 star, probably more like 4 stars. (Luxury is 5). I do recall...
Read more

Hello Nicolette,
Thank you for the feedback, I'm glad you were happy with the "experienced excellent guides" and you were able to see all you wanted to see.
I trust you will be able to book the hotels you want on your own next time, but I do recommend that if booking through an agent in the future, you increase your budget to be able to include moderate accommodations, which in the tourism industry accounts for at least a 3.5 star, probably more like 4 stars. (Luxury is 5). I do recall talking about the hotels and insisting that you looked the reviews and pictures on line because in order to match the budget, we were booking accommodations that are below what we usually do. I apologize for not having insisted on you reviewing them further.

I wish you wonderful travels and adventures in the future!
Liz

What a great trip to Bhutan!
Bhutan | Apr 5 - Apr 7, 2025

Louis
Louis M.
Australia | Reviewed on Apr 08, 2025
The hotel was super comfortable, the SPA amazing, the staff super courteous especially my Butler!
My guide Tandin Dorji was super knowledgeable and courteous and I had the best driver, safe and present Tashi Dorji.
It was my first trip to Bhutan and I am already planning to being back!
Read more

The hotel was super comfortable, the SPA amazing, the staff super courteous especially my Butler!
My guide Tandin Dorji was super knowledgeable and courteous and I had the best driver, safe and present Tashi Dorji.
It was my first trip to Bhutan and I am already planning to being back!

Hotel Review
Uma Paro
Paro

My Home away from Home!

Authenticity & Character
Bhutanese!
Location
peaceful and quiet
Staff
Especially my Super Butler!
Cleanliness & Comfort
My Villa was simply amazing!
Activity Review
Paro - Hike to Tigernest Monastery aka Taktshang Goemba
Paro - Hike to Tigernest Monastery aka Taktshang Goemba
Paro

À must visit! The hike is demanding but so much rewarding!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Mieke Arendsen
Mieke
Mieke Arendsen
Local specialist in Bhutan/Netherlands | Replied on Apr 08, 2025

Hi Louis
Glad to hear you have thoroughly enjoyed your quick visit and we hope to see you back here one day to experience more 🇧🇹 It was a pleasure organizing the trip for you.
Tashi delek!
Mieke

This itinerary and trip was perfect from star...
New Zealand | Mar 14 - Apr 2, 2025

D
Donna P.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Apr 08, 2025

This itinerary and trip was perfect from start to finish! We met our son and DIL there and all traveled together throughout the North and South Islands for almost 3 weeks. Liz was responsiveness so helpful and put together an itinerary that was perfect for all of us! Excellent tours/excursions, fantastic accommodations, and wonderful private transfers enabled us to see and experiemce all of the major sights of the North and South Islands! The attention to detail provided was amazing! We cannot thank Liz and her team and KimKim enough for planning this wonderful trip for us!

Local specialist: Liz Neal
Liz
Liz Neal
Local specialist in Sydney-Auckland-Los Angeles | Replied on Apr 09, 2025

Dear Donna and family,
it was such a pleasure to work with you to plan this trip and I am truly happy that you all enjoyed it.
It was extra special because you got to meet your Daughter in Law. I am so happy for you.

I hope we have the opportunity to work and plan another trip in the future.
Liz

Why travelers love kimkim

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Kimkim’s local specialists ensure that you will have the best experience based on up-to-date local insights. On top of that, the vast majority of your money will go straight to support and grow local economies.

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You can always reach your local specialist with a quick message or call in case you hit a snag during your trip, or simply want some great local recommendations.