Mar Quiñones

Thank you for all the help and advice you provided in planning our trip. I had no direct contact with Kimkim, but I benefited from the advice you gave to our trip planners. If we had a question, we were able to reach you easily. You helped us make last minute changes if our plans changed. The hotels were great. You simplified the logistics. You were reachable. We loved the trip. Thank you for all your help. I would used you again with no hesitation.

We had to go home after 1 day due to serious upper respiratory infection
Julia was an outstanding!! She really helped in everything!!
We were feeling so sick it was not possible for us to function

Mar and Fenne were fantastic in planning our trip to Bergen Norway. I found Kimkim online and reviewed their credentials. Once I was satisfied with the basics of who they were I started planning with them. It was a great experience all around. All my questions were answered so fast, most within a couple of hours ! The sample itineraries are very helpful and can be adjusted to suit your needs. we wanted a moderately paced trip. Mar suggested a boat ride dinner at the Cornelius seafood restaurant. It was a wonderful culinary treat. We added 2 days to ours with some free time to relax and enjoy the fantastic view of the harbor and mountains from our hotel. We also had Julia's # to contact in case of any urgent issues while we were there. Happily we had none. I asked where we could rent a rolling walker for my husband who has mobility issues, on long walks. Fenne looked into it and 2 were delivered to the hotel ! No charge !! It was provided free from the municipality of Bergen. One was smaller for indoor use & the outdoor one with larger wheels. AMAZING! I would use Kimkim again in a heartbeat. Thanks again to Mar, Fenne & Julia my dream team!

Hotel Review

Clarion Hotel Admiral

Bergen

Very nice hotel. We had a superior double room that provided a 5 star view. Sitting on the deck was beautiful. Staff was so nice. The breakfast buffet is great, lots to choose from and very good. There is a small bistro menu for dinner. Overpriced as most hotel food is but very tasty.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Food and Culture walk in Bergen

Bergen

This was the best time. Freida was our guide and she was outgoing and very knowledgeable. The tastings along the way are perfectly timed throughout the 3 hours. It is leisurely and not rushed. It was so much fun to walk through neighborhoods and all the tucked away spots.

Boat Trip and Dinner at Cornelius Seafood Restaurant

Bergen

So fun and great dining experience !

Mostraumen Cruise

Bergen

An absolute must ! Spectacular beauty .

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Mar did a wonderful job of mapping out an itinerary that included the highlights of Norway that we wanted to see. We were able to use public transportation to get around and all the tickets for our major travels were provided ahead of time. Even when we had a hiccup (my fault) on the train journey from Oslo to Bergin, we were able to reach Julia (the emergency contact) and get things straightened out quickly.

All our hotels were within easy walking distance of public transportation and convenient to restaurants and major sights.

We really enjoyed the walking tour of Bergen with Magda as our guide. We saw back streets of Bergen and learned some history of this beautiful city. The highlight for my husband and son was the RIB boat safari in Flam exploring the Aurlandsfjord and Naeroyfjord, including the cheese tasting. I really liked the cider tasting and lunch in Balestrand, delightful!

We spent a lot of time on ferries and trains which is a relaxing way to travel. However, I did hope we would have had more time to do some hiking while in the smaller communities. I guess we should have scheduled a longer visit!

Hotel Reviews

Scandic Byporten

Oslo

The chief recommendation for this hotel is its convenience. It is just a few steps from the central train station and bus, tram connections to all of Oslo.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Scandic Torget

Bergen

Great location for everything we wanted to do and see in Bergen. Short walks to the ferries, downtown and restaurants.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Kviknes Hotel

Balestrand

The old part of the hotel is a slice of the local history not to be missed. The views from the dining room are terrific, and make sure to make time to see the artwork, artisan pieces and historical references in the halls connecting to the main dining room.

Authenticity & Character

We are referring to the original building. We stayed in the newer 60's add on. It is well integrated, but lacks any of the charm and character of the original building. The room was fine, nothing to complain about, but not the original experience.

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Fretheim Hotel

Flåm

Location and character are terrific. Staff is helpful and friendly.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Bergen: A Walk Through Past and Present

Bergen

Our guide was terrific. Magda was knowledgeable and personable. She brought the history to light and made the culture understandable. We really enjoyed getting off the beaten paths and seeing some of the neighborhoods just a few hundred yards from the harbor. Magda answered all of our questions and provided great context.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Cidertasting & Lunch/Snack

Balestrand

Much to love in this experience. We learned historical and cultural context for apples. The ciders were tasty and food pairings were a delight. Enjoyed every aspect of the experience including the walk back to our hotel.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Ride the Ulriken Cable Car

Bergen

We were unlucky with the weather. It was completely socked in and rainy. We saw very little and got a little wet. Ground transport, drivers and staff were all great, but there was not much point given the weather.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Summer RIB boat Safari Local Taste of Undredal

Flåm

It was great to get down to sea level and ride in a fast boat in the fjord. They provided and insisted we gear up for the temperature changes we did encounter on the ride. The guide was very knowledgeable and personable and spent time going over all the safety features built into the boat, communications, the gear we were wearing. The perspective from these relatively small boats cannot be duplicated on the large commercial craft nor the ability to interact and get one on one questions and answers from a well informed guide. The goat cheese tastings was a delight. We were surprised by how much we enjoyed the flavors and textures of this local delicacy.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Viking Day in Gudvangen

Gudvangen

We thought this might be a little too artificial since it is a recreation of Norse/Viking life. However, the experience was positive due to the factual, accurate information provided by the guides in the village. Seeing and getting explanations of the Viking ships, weapons and armor helps understand the Viking Age. The blacksmith and his explanations of how things were done is not to be missed.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Gudvangen to Flåm fjord cruise

Gudvangen

Riding the electric ferry is reason enough to do this cruise. You also get to experience some of the most vertical mountains and fjords you will see in Norway. Get close enough to waterfalls to hear the roar and feel the spray.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Day trip to Fjærland

Norway

A boat ride into the small, charming town of Fjaerland is followed by a short bus ride to the glacier museum. The museum is small, but well designed and packed with interesting facts and exhibits. The highlight is a very short, well-done wide screen movie. After reboarding the bus you are dropped off a short walk to the base of a massive glacier. It is supposed to be the largest in Europe and one of only three that is expected to survive into the next century.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

This was the first time I’ve used a planning service, and couldn’t have been happier with the results! The plan covered so much of southern Norway in a short period, I never would have accomplished as much on my own. Even packing so much in, we never felt rushed or overwhelmed. Our dinner at Cornelius in Bergen, the private sauna in Flåm, and the Amerikalinjen Hotel in Oslo were highlights that the KimKim team added to our adventure. Thank you to Mar, Fenne, and Julia for your diligent planning, outreach, and responsiveness during our wonderful Norwegian adventure!

Mar did an amazing job setting up the lodging, transportation and activities for our dream anniversary trip. She took into account all of the things we love to do and see. The hotels were spot-on both in amenities and location. The transportation was smooth and seamless. One of our favorite activities was the private floating fjord sauna experience in Fläm! Absolutely envigorating!! The details worked out by Fenne were also seamless. We never felt stressed or worried about where to be or how to get there. We had one glitch in that a gondola was not running on the day we had tickets for it. A quick message to the local expert, Julia, via What’sap assured us we would receive a refund and that we could continue on to our next location earlier without having to wait out the 5 hours that had been allotted in our travel for the gondola trip and area sightseeing. It actually gave us more time to explore Bergen on a rain-free afternoon that was perfect. All communication throughout the process was very timely and very clear.

Hotel Reviews

Flåmsbrygga Hotel

Flåm

Beautiful location with a view of the fjord. Very clean, comfortable and spacious. A cute lodge feel. The hotel made a lovely break in travel and we enjoyed the Viking beer tasting dinner and Aegir the associated brewery. We also had a 5 minute walk to the floating fjord sauna experience that was a favorite of our on the trip. The breakfast was also delightful.

Authenticity & Character

Classic Nordic mountain/fjord lodge feel.

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Heated bathroom floors! Such a treat.

Gudvangen Fjordtell & Apartments

Gudvangen

A unique lodging experience. The Viking rooms are filled with handmade wooden furniture made locally and have skylights with views of the surrounding waterfalls and mountains. Very spacious, although a little worn. At low/early season we basically had the place to ourselves. So much so that they started the fire in the lodge just for us and we enjoyed a bottle of wine in front of the fire watching the rainfall one evening all by ourselves.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Opus XVI

Bergen

A beautifully appointed hotel in the city center. A very short walk to Bryggen or Mathallen the fish market. It was a lovely indulgence with the romance package with flowers and champagne in the room upon arrival and in-room breakfast. The breakfast was wonderful. Also a short walk to the tram line and the main train station. Lovely room and enormous bathroom!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Victoria

Stavanger

Charming hotel! Full of character but with all the modern amenities. Surrounded by cobblestone streets with cafes, restaurants and shopping. On the wharf to access fjord tours. Fantastic breakfast and fun bar! Super cute bicycles for guests to use…the weather didn’t cooperate for us so we appreciated the umbrellas at the door also for guests to borrow!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Beautiful location. About 20 minutes to the airport or the main cruise port.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Private Fjord Sauna experience

Norway

Such an amazing experience! The sauna looked directly into the fjord. We listened to music, soaked in the sauna at 175 F (79C) and plunged in the fjord at 40 F (4C). It was incredibly invigorating! Very clean and well maintained with friendly, helpful staff.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Mar and Fenne’s suggestions of places were amazing and fitted in with what we wanted. Everything they booked ran smoothly, and when one thing was closed, they were swift in arranging a refund for that activity.

I don't remember the last time I had such a smooth vacation. Everything from Mar helping me plan things out the way I wanted it to be to in Norway to getting really quick responses to some questions that I had. I was impressed how well things moved along. I enjoyed all of the excursions we had. Everyone was nice and really tried to make us feel as comfortable as we could. In Norway it was nice really nice being able to communicate with the KimKim team with any questions I had, their response was very quick. I overall would give this vacation a 5/5. Can't complain. Also it was a nice touch with the food plate when we arrived at Thon Hotel in Bodo and being able to stay at the hostel longer than usual so we didn't have to find a way to kill time before the cruise ship. Thank you all so much for a great experience. We really enjoyed Norway.