Kimkim Trip Reviews

Kate was amazing yet again!!! We had the most wonderful time on our adventure that she planned for us. She is attentive and always plans the best vacations. We hope to use her again in the future.

A beautifully planned trip with amazing activities that showed us a different side of Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast. Puerto Viejo and its surroundings are such a stunning region with so much to explore. It was a wonderful and memorable experience!

We can’t say enough good things about Ravi and the whole team from Active India. From the minute we landed until we flew out, we were looked after extremely well. Our driver Satnam was excellent along with each and every guide we had. Being greeted at the airport & also escorted to the airport at the end was a nice touch. Highly recommend!

Hotel Reviews

Samode Haveli

Jaipur

We absolutely loved this hotel. Everything about the hotel was first class. We wished we could’ve stayed longer.

Authenticity & Character

Beautifully and peacefully decorated

Location

Staff

Extremely pleasant and approachable staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Extremely hard-working staff kept hotel spotless

RAAS JODHPUR

Jodhpur

Gorgeous setting for hotel. Jodphur was our favourite place to visit and the hotel accommodations made it even better.

Authenticity & Character

Beautifully decorated

Location

Located at the base of the fort

Staff

Extremely friendly and approach

Cleanliness & Comfort

Spotless

Activity Review

Taj Mahal Sunrise Visit

Agra

Highly recommend completing the early morning tour of the Taj Mahal. Well, worth it to wake up early.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We really enjoyed the itinerary that Eleanor created for our visit to Japan. She was friendly, responsive to our preferences and full of ideas. Our transfers, drivers and guides were all professional and friendly.

My wife and I The planning and booking process was so smooth and easy via Kimkim. We weren't sure what to expect, as this was our first time using Kimkim, or even with a travel agent. We were connected with Robi, who asked some clarifying questions, and was quick to respond to each correspondence. We had a LOT of back-and-forth here, uncertainties, and waffling, entirely on our side - the reason we used Kimkim was that we were both under a lot of work and personal stress at this time, so it was difficult making timely responses and decisions. Robi was so patient and helpful during this time, even as we pushed up against the 60-day deadline for booking.

We started by flying in to Pula, where Robi had arranged for a rental car to be ready for us. There was some confusion with the handoff, but it was quickly solved by messaging Robi.

Our first hotel was the Grand Hotel Brioni Pula, which was gorgeous! We especially loved the infinite pool with pool-side bar, the saunas, and the relaxation rooms, which were all included in the stay. Breakfast was delicious, and we were on our way. Robi sent us a list of recommended locations, including sights, restaurants, best places to park, etc - this was a constant throughout our trip, and very helpful! Pula was great, the amphitheater is a must-see, and the Olive Oil Museum "Oleum Histriae" was fun and informative.

We had originally planned to move on to Poreč, but the Istria 300 bicycle race was taking place there during our planned dates. Robi instead recommended us to stay in Rovinj at Hotel Lone, and we were so glad he did. This hotel was just as lovely as the last, the room he got us was even more spacious and comfortable, again we had included pool/sauna/relaxation areas, and breakfast was even better than the last. We spent a few days here exploring Istria, including the city of Rovinj, Motovun (breathtaking) with a highly recommended truffle hunting experience, Poreč, the smallest town in the world Hum, and our favorite - Grožnjan. We also stopped at Cattunar Winery, which Robi recommended to us - wow! Excellent wines, a lovely spread was included in our tasting, and the views were beautiful. We loved it; if you enjoy wine at all, you must try their varieties of Malvazija (Malvasia)!

Next on our itinerary was traveling south to Plitvice Lakes. We stayed overnight at Hotel Degenija, another beautiful spot. As the above, included sauna (though we didn't have time to enjoy it) and delicious breakfast. We took a couple bananas along with us after breakfast to enjoy in the park during our hike. We woke up early to get to the National Park as close to opening as possible per Robi's recommendation, and arrived at 0815. This was perfect, as the crowds were very light and with a little effort/timing we had much of the park to ourselves. Plitvice Lakes are amongst the most beautiful places I have ever seen. This was the highlight of the trip for me, though it truly speaks to the overall beauty of Croatia that I had a hard time deciding that.

After Plitvice, we moved on to Zadar. We stayed at Hotel Bastion in the middle of the Old Town, built into the remains of an historic fortress. Again, the room and grounds were excellent, though a slight disappointment that neither parking nor sauna/jacuzzi were included unlike previous stays, both incurring separate charges. That said, they didn't end up charging us for parking when we checked out. Robi had arranged for a city tour with a guide named Sonja, whom we absolutely loved. She was extremely personable, so thorough, and excited to answer all of our questions.

Our final location was Split, and we stayed there at Hotel Marul. The hotel didn't measure up to the prior hotels' standards. I don't blame Robi for this; sounds like there was a recent change in ownership/management and the quality has lapsed since. Split was otherwise amazing. Again, Robi had arranged for a tour of the old town and Diocletian's Palace with a local guide named Ivica, and again the guide was excellent. Finally, Robi also arranged for transportation to the airport from our hotel, which was smooth and easy.

Overall, we were very pleased with our experience, and wouldn't hesitate to recommend Robi most highly. Robi was always available via WhatsApp and was quick to provide help, advice, or suggestions as needed, which really made the trip feel effortless. Thank you, Robi! Hvala!

For complete transparency, here is what was included at $7831 for two adults:
Accommodations
1 night stay at Grand Hotel Brioni Pula (Pula)
3 nights stay at Hotel Lone (Rovinj)
1 night stay at Hotel Degenija (Plitvice Lakes)
2 nights stay at Bastion Heritage Hotel—Relais & Châteaux (Zadar)
2 nights stay at Hotel Marul (Split)
Other details
Rental car from day 1 to day 8 with delivery and pick up
All accommodations with breakfast
Entrance tickets for Plitvice Lakes National Park
Private city tour in Zadar
Private city tour of Diocletian's Palace in Split
Local tax and fees
Sojorun tax
VAT
Departure airport transfer
Planing and coordination along the way
Daily communication and support through WhatsApp

Sonia and the Kimkim team curated a perfect Italian vacation for me and my sister. Our trip included a cooking class, wine tasting in Chianti, museums, and guided tours of several cities. All of the tour guides, (Paola in Bologna, Alessadro in Pisa, Belinda in Lucca) were very knowledgeable and delightful. They made our visit to these cities so much more enjoyable. Our prearranged transfers to each city made for a carefree trip. Despite Sonia's very clear instructions, we got a little turned around in Florence on our first day in the city. As a result, we missed our first walking tour but Sonia was able to reschedule the tour on another day, which we really appreciated. She was also able to schedule a last minute tour with Valter to Pietrasanta, Viareggio, and Forte dei Marmi. This was an unexpected and really fun outing for us. Valter provided insights into these cities along with information about the town near Lucca where our grandfather was from.

We could not have planned such a wonderful trip ourselves. Thank you Kimkim for a trip we will never forget.

I planned this trip to Nepal to celebrate my 52nd birthday, experience the country’s incredible landscapes, connect with local people, and create meaningful memories. I spent considerable time working with the travel planner through multiple itinerary revisions, explaining what mattered to me and what kind of experience I wanted. While there were some genuinely wonderful moments, I left disappointed with several important aspects of the service provided by Kimkim and the local travel planner, particularly the planning process, the lack of transparency about the trekking accommodations, and the failure to deliver some of the experiences we had discussed.

I want to distinguish my experience with the travel service from my feelings about Nepal and its people. I am grateful for the people who made my trip special, and I had some beautiful experiences. However, I also believe that a customer who invests time, money, and trust in a customized trip deserves accurate information, attentive planning, and an itinerary that reflects the preferences discussed before departure.

1. The travel planner did not fully listen to or deliver on my preferences

One of my priorities was to immerse myself in the local culture and spend time with local people in a meaningful way. I specifically communicated that I wanted an opportunity to stay with a local family or experience family life rather than simply visit tourist sites. My understanding from the discussions with the planner was that this type of experience would be included.

Unfortunately, this did not happen during the Himalayan portion of the trip. I believe there may have been a misunderstanding about what I meant by staying with a family and what the planner considered a cultural experience. Visiting a village is not the same as staying with a local family, sharing in their daily life, and having the opportunity to connect with them.

This distinction was important to me, and I had communicated it in advance. Had I understood that the itinerary would not provide the experience I requested, I could have discussed alternatives or chosen a different arrangement.

The contrast with my experience in Chitwan was significant. There, I was invited to participate in a traditional celebration in a nearby Tharu village, where the community leader welcomed me and offered rice wine. I also had the opportunity to feed rescued elephants by the river and participate in planting a tree that would eventually provide food for elephants. These experiences felt authentic, meaningful, and connected to the local community. They were exactly the kinds of experiences I had hoped to have more of during my trip.

The fact that I experienced this type of cultural connection in Chitwan makes the absence of the experience I requested for the Himalayan portion particularly disappointing.

More broadly, after multiple rounds of itinerary discussions, I expected the planner to understand my priorities and make recommendations accordingly. I do not expect every detail of a trip to go perfectly, but I do expect a customized itinerary to reflect what the client has explicitly communicated. In this case, I do not feel that happened consistently.

2. The Annapurna trek was the most disappointing part of my trip

The four-day Annapurna trek was one of the most disappointing birthday travel experiences I have had in decades. I understand that trekking in the Himalayas involves physical challenges, basic facilities, changing conditions, and circumstances that cannot always be controlled. I was not expecting luxury in the mountains, and I was prepared for a challenging trek.

My disappointment was not simply that the trek was difficult. It was that I did not feel adequately informed about the conditions I would encounter, the actual distances involved, or the standard of the accommodations. With more accurate information before departure, I could have made a more informed decision about the trek, the route, and the level of comfort I was willing to accept.

Accommodation conditions and lack of transparency

The conditions at Dobato were particularly concerning. The information provided about the accommodation indicated that hot showers and Wi-Fi would be available 24 hours a day. In reality, electricity and Wi-Fi availability were extremely limited, with electricity available for approximately one hour.

The bathroom and shower facilities were in such poor and unhygienic condition that I found them extremely unpleasant to use. The shower was essentially an option only for someone exceptionally brave, and I did not feel comfortable using it. The issue was not simply that the facilities were basic or that I had to share a bathroom. It was the condition and cleanliness of the facilities themselves.

I understand that remote mountain accommodations cannot offer the same amenities as hotels in cities. However, there is a difference between basic facilities and facilities whose actual condition is not adequately disclosed before booking. If I had known what to expect, I could have considered other routes or accommodations, or decided whether this particular trek was right for me.

There were also limited electricity facilities at Ghorepani. Combined with the poor conditions at Dobato, this made it difficult to recharge devices and recover comfortably after long hiking days.

The planner and local operator should provide realistic, accurate descriptions of mountain accommodations, including electricity availability, Wi-Fi limitations, shower conditions, and general cleanliness where that information is known. Clients should be able to make informed decisions before committing to a trip.

Trekking distances were not accurately communicated

The trekking distances and expectations also differed from what I had been told. On one of the trekking days, I was told that the distance would be no more than approximately eight kilometers. In reality, I walked around 11 kilometers, with substantial uphill and downhill sections.

My approximate daily distances were:

Ghandruk to Tadapani: 8 km

Tadapani to Dobato: 8 km

The following day toward Ghorepani: approximately 11 km

Ghorepani to Ulleri: approximately 10 km

That is approximately 37 kilometers in total.

I am not complaining about having to walk or about being challenged physically. Hiking was one of the reasons I chose this trip. My concern is that distances, elevation changes, estimated walking times, and the difficulty of each day should be communicated accurately. These details matter when someone is planning a multi-day trek, particularly when the conditions for sleeping, eating, and recovering are already challenging.

Accurate expectations would have helped me prepare mentally and physically and understand what I was committing to.

Food and recovery

Food during the trek was another disappointment. Approximately half of my food experiences were poor, with meals that were bland and unappealing. When combined with the long hiking days, limited electricity, uncomfortable accommodations, and inadequate opportunities for recovery, this affected my overall experience.

I recognize that food options are limited in remote mountain locations. Nevertheless, the overall experience could have been better managed, and I wish I had received a more realistic picture of what to expect.

My birthday breakfast

My birthday, October 1, was supposed to include breakfast at the top of a mountain or scenic viewpoint in Mulde, which was meant to be a special moment during the trek. Unfortunately, the person delivering the breakfast arrived more than an hour late, and the breakfast itself was very poor and bland.

I understand that unexpected things can happen in the mountains, but this was a particularly disappointing experience because the birthday breakfast had been presented as a special part of the itinerary. Given the significance of the occasion and the amount of planning that had gone into the trip, I had hoped this moment would be handled with more care.

Taken together, these issues significantly affected my enjoyment of what should have been a memorable birthday experience. I cannot recommend the Annapurna trek as it was arranged and delivered to me.

3. Feedback about the guide

I want to acknowledge that my guide, Gyaljan, had positive qualities. He was attentive to details, was nice to me, and made thoughtful efforts to look after me. For example, he arranged sleeves for me and provided snacks. These gestures showed that he paid attention to my needs, and I appreciated them. I do not want the negative feedback to overshadow the things he did well.

However, there were also areas where I believe improvement is needed.

First, as mentioned above, the trekking distances were not always communicated accurately. A guide should be familiar enough with the route to provide realistic estimates and prepare travelers for the physical demands of each day.

Second, I sometimes felt that the guide's anxiety was transferred to me rather than helping me feel reassured. While I was paragliding in Pokhara, he repeatedly contacted the paragliding operators. I understand that he may have been concerned about my safety, and I appreciate that safety matters. However, I had entrusted the activity to the operators responsible for it, and the repeated calls made me feel more anxious rather than more secure.

Similarly, during the journey from Chitwan back to Kathmandu, he sent repeated messages and appeared anxious about the situation. I value communication and appreciate genuine concern, but I also expect a guide to remain calm and communicate in a way that reassures the traveler, particularly when a situation is outside the traveler's control.

Third, managing limited electricity was important during the trek, but I did not always receive the guidance or follow-through I needed. For example, the guide said he would charge one of my backup batteries the following day, but that did not happen. Given the extremely limited electricity at some accommodations, practical advice about when to charge devices and reliable follow-through were important.

Overall, I appreciated the guide's kindness and thoughtful gestures, but I believe there is room for improvement in route communication, managing anxiety, professional reassurance, and practical preparation for remote trekking conditions.

4. The porter deserves special recognition

I want to make a point of recognizing the person who carried my bags during the trek. Pram was excellent. He seemed very knowledgeable about the area and the mountain trails, was efficient and fast, and appeared to know the quickest routes through the terrain. He also seemed like a genuinely nice person.

His work made a positive impression on me, and I appreciated his competence and contribution to the trek. I would like this feedback to be shared with him and his employer, because good work deserves to be recognized.

5. Promised trekking gear was not delivered as expected

During the meeting with the planner at my hotel in Kathmandu, I was told that a hat and raincoat would be provided. In the end, I had to purchase my own raincoat and a down jacket. I never used the down jacket, so I will now have to give it away.

I did receive a hat from Responsible Trekkers, but the overall arrangement was not clearly explained to me, and the promised items were not handled as I had expected.

If the equipment was unavailable, if the arrangement changed, or if I misunderstood what was included, I would have appreciated a clear explanation before the trip. Instead, I ended up spending additional money and purchasing equipment that I did not ultimately need.

This is another example of why clear communication during the planning stage matters. Travelers should know exactly which items are included, which items they need to purchase themselves, and whether any arrangements have changed.

6. The $100 returning-customer benefit was never explained

I also expected to receive a $100 benefit for being a returning Kimkim customer. However, I never received a clear explanation about why it was not applied.

If there were conditions that I did not meet, I would have appreciated someone explaining those conditions. If the benefit should have been applied, I would have expected it to be reflected in the booking.

My concern is not only about the $100 itself. It is about transparency and customer service. As a returning customer, I should not have to chase an explanation for a benefit I reasonably expected to receive. I would appreciate a written explanation of the eligibility requirements and why the benefit was not applied to my trip.

7. The positive experiences deserve recognition

Despite these disappointments, I did have some wonderful experiences, and I want to recognize the parts of the trip that were handled well.

Hotel Tibet in Kathmandu was an excellent choice. I loved its cozy atmosphere and the warmth of the staff, who made me feel welcome and almost like family. I was very happy with that accommodation.

Sapana Village Lodge in Chitwan provided some of the most memorable experiences of my trip. The invitation to the traditional Tharu village celebration, the welcoming attitude of the community leader, the opportunity to feed rescued elephants by the river, and the tree-planting experience were meaningful and memorable. I also appreciated the lodge's connection to community initiatives and the work associated with the Sapana Project.

The Nanee in Bhaktapur, where I stayed on my final night, was another excellent choice. I enjoyed the quieter atmosphere, exploring Durbar Square in the rain, discovering a local coffee shop, and experiencing a side of Bhaktapur that felt less hectic and more personal. I was also touched by the gift of a white Ganesha in a little lucky paper box. It was a lovely final memory of Nepal.

These experiences demonstrate that the trip had real strengths. I am grateful for the people who welcomed me, the thoughtful gestures I received, and the opportunities I had to learn about local culture and communities.

8. My broader concern about Kimkim's planning and service

This trip has also made me reflect on my experience with Kimkim over the past couple of years. I have become increasingly concerned about the consistency of the service and whether the local planners are truly listening to customers and translating their preferences into suitable itineraries.

I understand that Kimkim works with local travel specialists and that local knowledge is an important part of the service. That is one of the reasons I have used a platform like this. However, the planning process should result in an itinerary that reflects the customer's priorities, with realistic information about accommodations, activities, distances, and costs.

In this case, I spent considerable time discussing and revising my itinerary. I explained the type of cultural immersion I wanted, yet the family experience I requested was not delivered in the Himalayan portion of the trip. I was not adequately prepared for the actual conditions at the mountain accommodations, and I received information about distances that did not match what I experienced. There were also unanswered questions about promised gear and the returning-customer benefit.

Had I known the actual conditions of the trek and the accommodations in advance, I might have chosen a different route or a different level of trekking comfort. The issue is that I was not given the information I needed to make that choice.

There were good moments during this trip, but I also feel that I made the best of circumstances that could have been prevented or better managed through more attentive planning and transparent communication. A traveler should not have to discover important limitations only after arriving at a remote destination.

I would encourage Kimkim to review how the local planner handled my preferences, how the itinerary and accommodation descriptions were communicated, and how promised arrangements and returning-customer benefits are tracked and explained.

9. What I would like Kimkim to address

I would appreciate a response addressing the following points:

Why my request for a meaningful stay or cultural experience with a local family in the Himalayan portion of the itinerary was not fulfilled, despite discussing this preference during the planning process.

Whether the descriptions of the mountain accommodations, including the stated availability of hot showers, Wi-Fi, and electricity, accurately reflected the conditions that travelers could expect.

How the trekking distances and daily physical demands were estimated and communicated, given the discrepancy between the distance I was told to expect and the distance I actually walked.

What happened with the promised hat and raincoat arrangements and why the equipment expectations were not clearly explained.

Why the $100 returning-customer benefit was not applied or explained, and whether I was eligible for it.

Whether this feedback will be shared with the local planner, guide, porter, and relevant local operator so that both positive contributions and areas for improvement are acknowledged.

I am not writing this review to suggest that every part of a trip can be controlled or that mountain travel should offer the comforts of a city hotel. I chose Nepal because I wanted its landscapes, culture, people, and trekking experiences. I understand that travel involves uncertainty, and I am willing to adapt when circumstances change.

What I expect, however, is honest information, thoughtful planning, and a genuine effort to deliver the experience that was discussed and agreed upon. When a customer communicates preferences in advance and invests in a customized itinerary, those preferences should guide the recommendations and the final arrangements.

I am grateful for the beautiful memories I made in Nepal, especially in Kathmandu, Chitwan, and Bhaktapur, and for the individuals who went out of their way to help me. At the same time, the shortcomings in the planning and the Annapurna trek were significant enough to affect my overall experience and my confidence in the service.

I hope Kimkim takes this feedback seriously, provides clear answers to the outstanding questions, and uses it to improve the quality, transparency, and consistency of the service it provides to future travelers.

Amazing journey to Turkey prepared by Berat Ornek of Trail Travel. During the course of 14 days Berat had us visiting Istanbul, the Aegean coast and Cappadocia and selected excellent guides, transportation and hotels for each destination.. Her recommendations were not only memorable but perhaps the best we have experienced in visiting more than 70 countries to date. Thank you Berat for a great experience.

This was a beyond wonderful trip to Japan… Memories will last the remainder of my life.
The guides were professionally excellent, always punctual, pleasant, flexible, and very informative.
I would not hesitate for a second to recommend kimkim. We will definitely use your services for our next international trip.

Hotel Reviews

the b asakusa

Tokyo

Great location and excellent service.

Authenticity & Character

Darken floors

Location

Asakusa convenient neighborhood

Staff

Everyone

Cleanliness & Comfort

Everything

Hakone Yumoto Fujiya Hotel

Hakone

Authenticity & Character

Best hotel onsen

Location

Surrounded by natural beauty

Cleanliness & Comfort

Everything

Hotel Vischio Kyoto by GRANVIA

Kyoto

Great hotel. Public bath and breakfast buffet in particular.

Authenticity & Character

Loved the toilet and shower

Location

Located a few hundred feet from Kyoto Station

Staff

Everything

Cleanliness & Comfort

Wonderful amenities… Even a pull down privacy screen.

Osaka Excel Hotel Tokyu

Osaka

Great hotel, and even better breakfast

Location

Centrally located

Activity Reviews

Full Day Mt. Fuji with Lake Kawaguchi with Oshino Hakkai

Japan

Great day in Mount Fuji vicinity with boat ride on lake.

Quality of Experience

All good

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Wonderfully professional guide

Transport

Vehicle luxury

Full Day Kyoto City Tour with Kinkaku-ji Temple, Nijo Castle, and Fushimi-Inari Taisha

Kyoto

Amazing castles, and shrines. Kinkaku-ji shrine amazing

Quality of Experience

Amazing history

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Knowledgeable and pleasant

Transport

Great subway system

Sightseeing in Arashiyama - Boat Ride , Bamboo Grove & Monkey Park

Kyoto

Park is beautiful. Loved the monkeys.

Tokyo Highlights Day Tour with Tsukiji Outer Fish Market

Tokyo

Fish market is amazing. Could have spent more time there.

One Day Miyajima Island and Hiroshima Tour (Kyoto Return Trip)

Japan

Miyajima island is wonderful with Shinto shrines and a great shopping area. Hiroshima is a sobering experience

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Great guide as usual

Kimono Tea Ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya

Kyoto

Very enjoyable, getting dressed in authentic Japanese kimonos for the ceremony. Fun learning how to make authentic Matcha tea.

Full Day City Tour with Osaka Castle

Japan

Amazing castle and surrounding grounds.

World Heritage Himeji Castle & Kōko-en, Kobe tour

Japan

Castle is amazing. Not enough time allotted to Nunobiki Ropeway.

All our guides were great.all very knowledgeable friendly and outgoing

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Gravina 51

Sevilla

Beautiful boutique hotel located in great area.loved the rooftop.nicely decorated room comfortable bed .items in mini bar were complimentary.staff were friendly and helpful

Authenticity & Character

Location

Walk to everything

Staff

Helpful recommended great places to eat

Cleanliness & Comfort

Bathroom bedroom immaculate

Hotel NH Collection Granada Victoria

Granada

Loved the shower great location.could hear the church bells

Authenticity & Character

Location

Central location near restaurants and bars

Staff

Helpful friendly

Cleanliness & Comfort

There is a bit of street noise as there is a night club across the street open until six AM

Activity Reviews

Private Visit to Seville's Cathedral & Alcázar

Seville

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private History & Culture Walk

Seville

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Jorge was very helpful and responsive while planning our trip! Our guide, Julio, in Peru was very dedicated and knowledgeable, it was a pleasure spending time with him. In Bolivia, our guide Frans, and driver Ivan, were great! We really enjoyed both of them for our tours of La Paz and the Bolivian side of Titicaca. All of our guides, including the daytrip guides, were good.

Hotel Reviews

Sonesta Posadas del Inca Yucay

Urubamba

Very beautiful grounds, nice breakfast. Unfortunately we stayed only one night and left first thing in the morning

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Casa del Sol

Machu Picchu

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Novotel Cusco

Cusco

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Mitru Sur Hotel

La Paz

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel de Sal Luna Salada

Uyuni

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

GHL Hotel Lago Titicaca Puno

Lago Titicaca, Puno

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Pisac Archaeological Site & Village Tour

Peru

the archaelogical site was interesting, beautiful setting. The town of Pisac was in a beautiful area, I wish we could have spent more time in the town. I don't always love when we're taken to a particular store but hopefully it's for good reason.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Machu Picchu Exploration

Aguas Calientes/ Machu Picchu

Of course Machu Picchu is an amazing place, which is why it is so popular. Despite the number of tourists there it didn't feel too crowded. The transport to and from was pretty well organized and ran smoothly.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Free day in Cusco

Cusco

We really enjoyed having a leisurely morning and exploring the town on our own

Quality of Experience

We found a small family-run restaurant in San Blas neighborhood where we had coca tea and amazing ceviche. Hiking up the steps in the San Blas area gave us an amazing view of the city

City tour & Valley of the Moon

La Paz

We enjoyed seeing La Paz and the Valley of the Moon was beautiful. We really enjoyed the cable cars

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Lake Titicaca 1/2: La Paz to Sun Island via Copacabana

Bolivia

It was all beautiful. Unfortunately we had to rush this excursion because of being stuck in Uyuni the day before

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Lake Titicaca 2/2: Sun Island, Copacabana & Puno

Bolivia

We really didn't have much time, just enough to arrive in Puno and spend the night there. Beautiful view from our hotel

Sillustani tombs

Puno

Beautiful setting, and pretty drive to the tombs. Perfect stop to occupy us since we had time before our flight. The tombs are interesting

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Uyuni Salt Flat Adventure

Bolivia

The salt flats are very unique. I have mixed feelings about traveling so much just to see the area for one day, but it was a beautiful day and interesting scenery. There isn't much else to see or do in the area. The guides fixed us a nice lunch on the flats. We took the popular silly pictures. The hotel we stayed at, (The Salt hotel) was amazing. Unfortunately I was sick and didn't get to enjoy the hotel much.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The trip was great. The guides worked with our preferences very well. The only adjustment I would make was the seven hour walking tour in Lisbon on our last day was too much. Four hours would have been much better and would have allowed us some free time.

Kim Kim and Liz did a wonderful job planning and executing our trip to France. From the first planning discussion to the final run through of our itinerary we felt that Kim Kim understood our needs and would provide a wonderful travel experience. We weren't disappointed. Highlights of our days in France were visiting the Avignon area of France. What a beautiful place with lots of varied things to do and see. We especially liked the day channeling Van Gogh through St. Remy and Arles.

We probably over booked ourselves during our two days in Paris. It was quite a marathon but we did and saw so many wonderful sights including Versailles, the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Orsay Museum. Wish we could have spent more time in Paris but now we are motivated to return.

Traveled as a group of four friends to the Andalusia area of Spain. Our travel specialist Raquel worked with our group and put together 12 day itinerary that met all of our needs perfectly. We loved the kimkim app which had ever detail of our day to day plan, tours, tickets, recommendation , etc and we referred to it non-stop.

Our trip was seamless, from our airport pickup in Seville, car rental, hotels, tours, tickets…through to the end. As per our request, and of course with Raquel’s assistance we were able to hit all the places on our wish list. We visited Seville, Cordoba (day trip), Cádiz, Grenada, Rhonda, Malaga and day trip to Nerja.
Our hotels in each location were in excellent locations for walking in the historic districts and meeting locations for tours. All accommodations exceeded our expectations with attentive staff, beautiful rooms, and delicious breakfasts included. We particularly enjoyed the H10 hotels that we stayed at in Seville and Malaga.
Our arranged private tours were exceptional with local knowledgeable tour guides. They all had educations and backgrounds that enhanced the experiences. We had a great variety of history, culture, food, and fun with lots of laughs along the way.

Hotel Reviews

H10 Casa de la Plata

Sevilla

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

H10 Croma Málaga

Málaga

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Monumental Seville on Foot & Visit Real Alcázar

Seville

Cory was a delight to plan our trip with! We had a diverse group and she helped us to find something for everyone. Cory also helped us to feel prepared with how to use the transit systems and feel confident we could get where we needed to go, on time. We really enjoyed Kyoto, with our guide Pam. We got to see so much and appreciated having a local point of view. We also enjoyed the fast pace of Tokyo with Karin who adjusted our itinerary to maximize lower traffic times at high traffic sites. We so enjoyed our adventures in Japan.

Hotel Reviews

Hakone Kowakudani Onsen Ryokan Mizunoto

Hakone

The hotel is unique and the hot springs were enjoyable. The included meals were not great, we had much better traditional meals.

Authenticity & Character

Location

There is a garden just across the road and the hotel is in a quite area. It was not ideal to have to walk bags up the hill after a long bus ride

Staff

Staff was kind. We had logistics trouble with the bus not running on time. Staff was kind but unable to help us resolve the issue.

Cleanliness & Comfort

KAYA Kyoto Nijo Castle

Kyoto

Location was nice, it was a walk from the train station but staff were very friendly and helpful. We had a great stay and the beds were comfortable.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Helped us get a taxi for 6 on short notice for dinner!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel the Celestine Tokyo Shiba

Tokyo

We had a very nice stay!

Authenticity & Character

Location

There was a walk to all mass transit, a doable 10min walk but of note if you have luggage.

Staff

Very kind. We had to check in early and leave bags, they were in our rooms when we returned, stress free!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Akihabara Anime & Gaming Adventure Tour

Tokyo

This was a unique tour. Our guide was kind and knowledgeable about the area. We had expected more of a focus on anime than the general area and hipsters but it was a unique experience.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide was great. Made things feel comfortable and accessible. Took us to places we likely would not have walked into without the guide.

Tokyo Night Food Tour in Shinjuku

Tokyo

We loved this experience! A highlight of the trip! The guide was outstanding and the food was delicious!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Japanese Calligraphy Experience (Nara)

Japan

This was an exceptional experience! We had a great time learning and creating together. The setting was just beautiful, a lovley garden out back and such kind host.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Outstanding! We were not rushed and they were kind about our artistic attempt!

Private Kyoto Temples & Gion Tour

Japan

Pam was wonderful! We saw so much and really enjoyed our adventure!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony with Kimono Wearing (Higashiyama)

Japan

A beautiful experience! Would recommend for anyone looking for a unique and authentic experience.

Quality of Experience

Getting dressed in a kimono was fun and unique!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Full day exploring Meiji Jingu, Harajuku & Shibuya

Tokyo

A great introduction to Tokyo! Covers a lot of ground and is an orientation to the metro system if you haven’t used it before

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

This was our first experience working with Kimkim’ and everything went excellently! Maria Grazia did an amazing job with our arrangements from our initial consultation to arranging the final details of our trip.
She provided us with options at each stage of the planning and put together an itinerary that was perfect for us. I loved the sweet hotel she booked for us (great location within walking distance of many sites/sights) and our private tour guides (Stephani, Martta, Elena) were exceptional!! We appreciated the self-guided options and restaurants she recommended. We will definitely reach out to Kimkim again. Thank you!

Hotel Review

La Maison du Sage

Florence

Sweet little hotel, wonderful breakfast service, helpful staff

Authenticity & Character

Small, nice furnished

Location

Easy to walk to many places

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Private Uffizi and Vasari Corridor Guided Tour: a Journey Through Florence Artistic Masterpieces

Florence

Stephani was amazing! Congenial, engaging, and incredibly knowledgeable with a wealth of experience

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Tour guides breadth and depth of knowledge

Transport

Private Siena Guided Walking Tour with Duomo

Italy

Love leaning abt seina…the distinct districts, the horse races

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

A Guided Hiking Adventure in the Heart of Chianti

Italy

Was interesting but was a hot day and walking is gravel roads got a bit tedious.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Private Walking Tour of Florence with Accademia Gallery & Duomo Visits

Italy

Very long lines a duomo so did not get in..enjoyed the babtistry

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

A Guided Tour and Tasting at a Tuscan Olive Oil Mill

Italy

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

This was our first experience with Kimkim and we were very pleased. All of our coordinated transport in Portugal was executed flawlessly. It would be nice if all of our drivers would make contact in advance, especially when connecting to trains and airlines. Our first guide for Peña palace, Juo, (can’t remember the spelling) was a wealth of knowledge, not only of the palace but of Portugal and the region. Our first hotel in Lisbon, AlmaLusa Baixa could be improved upon. The room was very small and missing paint on the walls. There was construction on the next building and in front of the hotel that obstructed the view of the plaza from the patio. Location was good though.
We had a nice high speed train ride up to Porto. It would be nice to know where your assigned train car will be on the arriving train. We were assigned the number 1 car but didn’t know which end of the platform our car would be on. We and others guessed wrong and had to run to the opposite end. The train stops are brief and luggage racks fill quickly.
We very much enjoyed our stay in Porto. Great hotel and location. Nice private river cruise with Douro Captain. Would have been nice to go further upstream but our tall mast would not clear the first bridge.
Our favorite destination was our b&b in Peso da Regua. A beautiful property overlooking the town and Douro river. We had an excellent hike in wine country with Naturimont and learned much about the region. Our wine tasting tour the following day at Quinta Barqueiros D’Ouro was outstanding. I apologize for not remembering names but our host was the son of the vineyard owner and he was very good. The time at Vinhos Verdes was anticlimactic and we could have passed on.
Our arrival and first whole day in Lagos was very enjoyable. Beautiful resort and location on the coast with trails close by and enjoyed old town Lagos inside the fort walls.
Sadly we missed our sea kayak trip when we became ill for the last three days.
Good and informative ride back to Lisbon for our last night . Probably didn’t need the planned transport as the hotel is on the airport property and has a 24 hour shuttle.
All in all we’re very happy with Kimkim’s planning and execution of our trip to Portugal.

Hotel Reviews

Mercure Porto Centro Aliados

Porto

Our stay at the Mercure Porto Centro Aliados was outstanding. The hotel was a hidden gem with a simple exterior but a lovely interior featuring a lobby bar and a large courtyard with a pool and garden. It was located downtown, yet the courtyard provided a peaceful retreat. I enjoyed spending time there, and the overall experience was excellent.

AlmaLusa Baixa & Chiado

Lisbon

The AlmaLusa Baixa & Chiado hotel in Lisbon was disappointing. The rooms were very small and needed some maintenance. Although the location was decent, the view was ruined by construction fences. We also had trouble getting a late checkout, which was inconvenient. Overall, I would not stay there again.

Cascade Wellness Resort

Lagos

The Cascade Wellness Resort in Lagos was a wonderful place to stay. It felt like a resort rather than a boutique city hotel. We had a suite with two separate areas, which was perfect for us. The hotel was expensive but worth it, especially since it helped us relax when one of us wasn't feeling well. The location and amenities were excellent.

Meliá Lisboa Aeroporto

Lisbon

The Meliá Lisboa Aeroporto hotel was nice and very close to the airport, which was convenient for our early morning flight. The hotel's proximity helped reduce some of that stress.

Activity Reviews

Private Pena Palace & Sintra Village Half-Day Trip

Lisbon

Our guide for the Private Pena Palace & Sintra Village Half-Day Trip was fantastic. He didn't just give a tour of the palace but also filled in many blanks during the travel to and from the palace. We had great conversations about the palace, the city, the country, government, and economy. He was very knowledgeable and good-natured, which made the experience very enjoyable.

Private Douro Valley Hike

Portugal

The Private Douro Valley Hike was a highlight of our trip. We walked about twelve kilometers through the beautiful countryside with hillsides, vineyards, and historical sites. The guide shared a lot of interesting information about the area, the vineyards, and the local history. It was a great day and a wonderful way to experience the Douro Valley.

Private Douro & Vinho Verde Wine Tasting

Portugal

The Private Douro & Vinho Verde Wine Tasting was enjoyable, especially the first vineyard we visited which was a small family-run operation with beautiful settings. We learned a lot and enjoyed their wines. The second stop at the Vinho Verde was pleasant but less impressive, and since we don't drink much wine, it was less memorable. Overall, it was a nice experience.

Private River Cruise with Wine & Food Platter

Porto

The private river cruise was good and relaxing. Although we were a bit disappointed that we couldn't see the bridge built by the same company as the Eiffel Tower because the boat's mast was too tall to pass under the first bridge. The cruise stayed in the same area, but the crew was good and the food and wine provided were fine. Overall, it was an enjoyable experience.

If I could give Bella 10 stars I would! When my husband was alive we travelled all over the world and NEVER have I experienced the quality of care, professionalism, attention to details and kindness that Bella extended to my girls and myself. My desire, booking this trip was to have a "once in a lifetime experience" celebrating two big birthdays - my daughter's 60th and my 90th and I couldn't have made a wiser choice. The two local guides Peter and Hiroshi were delightful and what a treat and surprise it was at the end of our trip to be presented with a video of the many photos they took along the way. . This was my first time traveling to Japan and I was impressed with how welcoming and polite the Japanese people are, and how immaculate the country is - their toilets are remarkable compared to every country I have visited, including the United States. Thank you Bella

Our trip to Spain and Portugal was our second time using KimKim and we were as pleased with this trip as our first trip. They worked with us to put together our travel plans and come up with our itinerary. They coordinated our travel from city to city and were available if we needed their assistance. Our hotels were exactly as we requested, historic and easily within walking distance to the old city centers. Our guides were knowledgeable and proud to talk about their cities' history. In particular, our Gaudi guide Ruth was very helpful and knowledgeable about Gaudi and made our tour very enjoyable. Our drivers /guides were also very knowledgeable and helpful, in particular Rubin and Cesar. On our travel days KimKim was in touch with us to ensure that there were no issues.

Our local France specialist Audrey was wonderful. She did a great job helping us plan the trip tailored to our specific interests. She replied to our questions promptly and was available for a zoom call.
Our 2 week trip which included Paris and Provence went smoothly. Audrey was easily available when we needed to verify a few of the planned activities. Our personal tour guide at the Louvre was great. We took a guided group day trip to Normandy which was very informative and personally quite a “moving” experience.
We rented a car in Provence and toured many of the local hilltop villages which were lovely. We liked staying in Villeneuve-les-Avignon, much quieter than Avignon. The restaurants there were great as was the hotel. The Roman history in Nimes, Uzes and the Pont du Gard were worth the visit.
The Carrieres de Lumiere show and Les Baux de Provence were wonderful.
We enjoyed hiking the Sainte Baume Mountains and the Calanques National Park near Cassis. The views were stunning.
We flew out of Nice, were surprised by it’s beautiful architecture and lovely seaside promenade.

Hotel Reviews

Aquabella Hotel & Spa

Aix en Provence

Location just outside the old city was perfect. We did not use the spa, sauna, pool etc. Too busy seeing the sights.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Villa Victoria

Nice

Good location, They upgraded us to a bigger room which was very nice. Lovely garden space in the back.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Villa Panthéon

Paris

Room was small but we loved the location in the Latin quarter. Easy to walk to Notre Dame and even the Louvre. The restaurant next door had great French food. We ate there for dinner three nights.

Authenticity & Character

Location

As above, easily walkable. Quiet.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

L'Atelier

Villeneuve-lès-Avignon

Great location. Loved the town. Parked the car in an outdoor free parking lot just a few minutes walk from the hotel. Very safe. Lovely, old hotel.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Full-day excursion from Paris of D-day beaches - U.S. sector

Paris

We did not know that we would be going with a group. So you might want people to know that they will be driving in a van with 8 other people for several hours each way. Our tour guide was an enthusiastic, very knowledgeable young man who gave us a lot of history about D day and took us to several locations.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided visit of the Louvre Museum

Paris

Our private guide was great. She took us to less crowded areas where she could spend time telling us the history of certain ancient pieces. Would highly recommend her!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Half-Day Visit to the Royal Versailles with Private Transfers

Paris

We downloaded the app and went along at our own pace, inside. The fountains outside were not running. Because of the time of the year there were no flowers or colorful gardens but we walked for about an hour outside. Five hours was the right amount of time.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Driver was very friendly, and professional.

Transport

Visit & Wine Tasting at Clos du Calvaire

France

We had our own private tour of the vineyard which was great.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Knowledgeable, friendly, . Enjoyed the wine tasting and of course bought some bottles to bring home!

Hop-on hop-off in Paris - 1-day pass

Paris

A nice way to get your bearings of the city on the first day and see the highlights while being driven! The audio didn’t give much information.

Quality of Experience