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active 59 mins ago

Tomaz Martinek

I knew I want to work in travel industry since my high school years. I was born in Slovenia's capital and spend my youth dreaming about showing other people our lovely country and travelling the world. That's why in 2006 together with Mojca I opened my own travel agency. Since then we are working enthusiastically on preparing new itineraries and we are completely dedicated to our clients' needs. I love my job!

What places and activities do you specialize in?

"We do multi-country sightseeing tours, combined with different activities from culinary experiences to hiking tours."

How did you get involved in travel?

"Travel has always been my passion. I considered myself lucky that finally I was able to combine my passion and work and become a travel agent. It was pretty easy for me to decide about by studies, as I knew I wanted to work in tourism. I studied tourism planning and in 2006 I opened my own travel agency together with my colleague Mojca. We have been working hard so that we can now happily say that we are confident in our services and we look forward to planning new trips for our beloved clients."

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"Truffle hunting in Slovenia with a local hunter and his dog. I really like that. It is such a great filling when dog finds the truffle and you can smell it fresh! And of course eat it later with pasta.

One of the thing that is also amazing and I will never forget it is winter skiing on the Morteratsch Glacier, Switzerland’s longest glacier run. Perfect activity for all advanced skiers."

Top itineraries and travel advice
Family itineraries
Luxury itineraries
Road trip itineraries

Recent trip reviews for Tomaz

Austria & Germany
Austria | Sep 2 - Sep 12, 2024

Karen
Karen C.
Sarasota, FL | Reviewed on Sep 16, 2024
When we started the thoughts of going to Austria I reached out to a company ( KimKim) that I never heard of. It took us awhile to finally say yes we’re using this company. Tomaz was very patient with me while we made our decision to use them. Once we made the decision Tomaz was wonderful picking out places to see and places to stay at. We had 4 of us that were traveling. . We flew into Vienna and stayed a few days then picked up a rental car and drove to Salzburg & Hallstatt. We stayed... Read more

When we started the thoughts of going to Austria I reached out to a company ( KimKim) that I never heard of. It took us awhile to finally say yes we’re using this company. Tomaz was very patient with me while we made our decision to use them. Once we made the decision Tomaz was wonderful picking out places to see and places to stay at. We had 4 of us that were traveling. . We flew into Vienna and stayed a few days then picked up a rental car and drove to Salzburg & Hallstatt. We stayed there for a few days & on to Munich for a few more days. Tomaz was so good at giving suggestions of sites to see. We were then handed off to Zala who made the reservations for hotels and sites to see. She did a great job of putting together the times, directions to the places and all the tickets. Directions were easy to follow and we never felt lost. Every thing we saw was amazing. She was always responsive to my emails that I sent her frequently throughout the trip. The only complaints we had were the hotels. While they were in great locations and nice places to stay they were not our idea of 5 star as we requested. Rooms were small and only queen size beds. My suggestion would be to throughly review your documents on the hotels. We had to upgrade in Vienna, at our expense. And in Munich they had king size beds but our agent did not book this. The hotel was fully booked so we could not get an up grade. Our room was so small and no mirror in the room, not even a chair to sit on the do my hair or makeup. Our friends who traveled with us got a larger room. Still only a queen size bed. Both the men in our group were over 6”. So check your reservation’s thoroughly. We would give this company a 5star. But go over your itinerary really closely because we probably could have had things done differently with the hotels. Thank KimKim for a wonderful vacation.

Hotel Reviews
LOUIS Hotel
München

The location was the best of this hotel. Outstanding complimentary breakfasts. Rooms were very small and not accommodating for luggage placement or dressing and makeup area.

Authenticity & Character
Larger rooms
Location
Walk out the hotel and there is a fresh market everyday. City center is right there.
Staff
Average
Cleanliness & Comfort
Larger room. Make up area, mirror.
Hotel Sans Souci Wien
Vienna

Super terrific hotel. Beautiful place and great location. The staff was always eager to help in any way they could. The man who helped us the first day with our luggage was visible through out our stay. Always eager to please and help. . The restaurant was wonderful. We mostly ate there because the food was spectacular.

Authenticity & Character
It was a very lovely place all around.
Location
Easy to walk to everything.
Staff
The bell hop. The desk crew. The restaurant staff.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Super immaculate.
Activity Reviews
Hellbrun Palace
Hellbrun Palace
Salzburg

It’s a very special place. Lots of unexpected shooting water. The king had a terrific sense of humor. All the features are still working. The sculptures are so unique. We had a rainy day but brought an umbrella. Once in the castle you were high and dry. Lots of things to see and hear about. We used the whisper to take a tour.

Quality of Experience
All the quirky fountains.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Everyone had a smile on there faces and happy you came.
Zwölftenhorn Cable car St. Gilgen
Zwölftenhorn Cable car St. Gilgen
Salzburg

Beautiful exhilarating walk once you ride up the cable car. OMG the views are spectacular. Watching all the hang gliders jump off the top was exciting. It was a Sunday morning and there was a special religious service on the very top. Everyone was dressed in tradition dress.

Quality of Experience
Unbelievable place to see. I could live there.
Castle with fortress above Salzburg
Castle with fortress above Salzburg
Salzburg

Lots of things to see in this castle on the mountain. Great views of the city.

Quality of Experience
Hallstatt Salt Mine
Hallstatt Salt Mine
Austria

To think they found this mine high in the mountains all those years ago. Very interesting how they mined the salt. It’s a terrific ride up the funicular and see the view from up there. Our guide was informative and our group was not too large.

Quality of Experience
A must see place.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
She really knew the history of the mines and guided us thru easily
Transport
Riding up the funicular beautiful
Guided private walking tour of Hallstatt
Guided private walking tour of Hallstatt
Austria

Our guide Lisa was so sweet and gave us a wonderful tour of this quaint place.

Quality of Experience
Such a beautiful place nestled between the mountains.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Lisa was a delight.
Spanish riding school performance
Spanish riding school performance
Vienna

We had front row seats and watched as these beautiful horses and riders went thru their paces. The school is in the middle of the city. My favorite thing to see.

Quality of Experience
Both horses and riders
Guided Tour of the Historic Center of Vienna
Guided Tour of the Historic Center of Vienna
Vienna

Maria was a wonderful guide. She knows her Vienna.

Quality of Experience
My special place was the Spanish Riding School
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Maria who did the walking tour
Local specialist: Tomaz Martinek
Tomaz
Tomaz Martinek
Local specialist in Slovenia | Replied on Sep 17, 2024

Hi Karen, Thank you for your thoughtful review! We're delighted you had a wonderful trip exploring Austria and Germany. Your feedback is valuable and we're glad you enjoyed your journey. Thank you for choosing KimKim, and we hope to help plan another fantastic trip for you soon!

Great retirement trip
Czech Republic | Sep 1 - Sep 10, 2024

E
Elizabeth H.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Sep 11, 2024
Overall, we had a fabulous trip. Our driver and guide, Lenka in Prague is amazing. I wish she could have stayed with us for the entire trip!!
Our hotels in Prague (Rott) and in Budapest (Moments) were both fantastic. We didn't like our hotel in Vienna as much. It wasn't as convenient as the other two and the rooms were not as nice. Our drivers in Budapest were great. (Gergo and Gyula) and tour guide (Tibi) was fabulous as well.
Kimkim made the process very easy and I would... Read more

Overall, we had a fabulous trip.

Our driver and guide, Lenka in Prague is amazing. I wish she could have stayed with us for the entire trip!!
Our hotels in Prague (Rott) and in Budapest (Moments) were both fantastic. We didn't like our hotel in Vienna as much. It wasn't as convenient as the other two and the rooms were not as nice. Our drivers in Budapest were great. (Gergo and Gyula) and tour guide (Tibi) was fabulous as well.

Kimkim made the process very easy and I would use them again.

Hotel Review
Hotel Rott
Prague

We loved staying at the Hotel Rott, Prague. The location is fabulous! Rooms are very clean and comfortable and the breakfasts are great! I would stay there again!

Location
Perfect location in Prague!
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Guided tour of Prague
Guided tour of Prague
Prague

Lenka was fabulous! We don't have any recommendations, just wish we had more time in Prague!!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Trip to UNESCO Kutna Hora
Trip to UNESCO Kutna Hora
Prague

This is worth the trip when you go to Prague! Again, Lenka was fabulous!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Guided tour of Cesky Krumlov
Guided tour of Cesky Krumlov
Cesky Krumlov

If you go, have lunch at Papa's! I wish we had more time here, but worth the time we spent. Very beautiful!! Lenka was the perfect tour guide and driver!!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Danube bend day trip from Budapest
Danube bend day trip from Budapest
Budapest

The Danube is beautiful and this day trip is a must when you go to Budapest. Ask for Tibi!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Tomaz Martinek
Tomaz
Tomaz Martinek
Local specialist in Slovenia | Replied on Sep 16, 2024

Thank you for your review! We're delighted to hear you had a fabulous trip and that the planning process was easy for you, and we look forward to helping you with future adventures!

Three weeks in Austria
Austria | Jul 25 - Aug 15, 2024

E
Elizabeth F.
Casa Grande, AZ | Reviewed on Aug 18, 2024
We just arrived back in the USA after three wonderful weeks in Austria. With the help of both Tomaz and Zala, our Austrian assigned travel specialists, we visited Zell Am See, Kitzbuhel, Salzburg, Graz and Vienna. Throughout the stays in the amazing cities we had many day trips and excursions. Thank you Tomaz and Zala! From Zell Am See, our driver / guide David took us along the Grossglockner road and up to the Grossglockner glacier and National Park and down the other side of the... Read more

We just arrived back in the USA after three wonderful weeks in Austria. With the help of both Tomaz and Zala, our Austrian assigned travel specialists, we visited Zell Am See, Kitzbuhel, Salzburg, Graz and Vienna. Throughout the stays in the amazing cities we had many day trips and excursions. Thank you Tomaz and Zala!

From Zell Am See, our driver / guide David took us along the Grossglockner road and up to the Grossglockner glacier and National Park and down the other side of the mountain to Heilegeblut. What a spectacular ride with exquisite views and highly educational at the National Park. David is a wonderful guide as he is from the area and quite knowledgable. Another activity suggested by Tomaz and Zala was the Top of Salzburg which was an amazing adventure taking at least 4 ski lifts / cable cars taking about 1&1/2 hours up to the top of the Kitzhorn. We were up on a glacier and experienced the first ski lift built into a glacier. Again, there is a museum to visit which is informative along with spectacular views. An experience like none other.

In Salzburg, we started our trip in the birthplace of Mozart at an evening Mozart string performance and two opera singers in one of the oldest buildings in Salzburg, dating from the 900's. We highly recommend such an experience in Salzburg. We also enjoyed a walking tour of historic old town Salzburg which helped us improve our understanding of the history and architecture and better directed our sightseeing during our remaining stay. One of the highlights was our visit to the Salt mine (Salzburg means Salt area) near Hallstatt. Along the way our very kind, knowledgeable driver took us through beautiful villages and made stops along the way.

Graz was truly a find and not heavily touristed which is refreshing. From here we did two days of traveling to wine regions with our guide David. Have to say, the Austrian and Slovenian (both Styrian regions) white wines are delicious but not well known. We came away converts and cannot say enough nice words about our guide David as he entertained all our ignorant questions and helped us better understand history and culture.

Vienna was our last stop and a city not to be missed. One of the highlights was a food tour guided by Peter. We knew enough to only have some fruit for breakfast which was a good call as 7 hours later we returned back to the hotel with belts way too tight! We liked one of the stops so much we returned the next evening for our last meal in Vienna before heading back to the USA.

This trip marks our fourth time utilizing KimKim, so clearly we think highly of the company. We very much appreciate being taken care of by a local company / individual and have not been disappointed in the level of service and ideas presented. We will be back for more adventures utilizing KimKim.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Grüner Baum Zell am See
Zell am See

This hotel is in an excellent location for walking all over the small village of Zell and very convenient to walk to/from the train station with luggage. Rooms are quite spacious and the staff is very friendly.

Authenticity & Character
Typical Tyrolian architecture with a lot of wood and beautiful flowers.
Location
Staff
Big smiles and very friendly. They knew our room number when checking in for breakfast after the first day and think about how many customers they meet daily!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Schwarzer Adler Kitzbühel
Kitzbühel

This hotel is near the old historic city center and is exquisite. We were greeted with a glass of Prosecco and made to feel as though we were the most important clients. The hotel is exquisite and a wonderful place to unwind and relax with a roof tip pool including great views and a bar.

Authenticity & Character
Beautiful, old historic building.
Location
Easy access to the city center but a taxi is required from the train station.
Staff
We felt right at home and it was hard to leave
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel IMLAUER & Bräu
Salzburg

Very convenient location to the train station. An easy walk with luggage. And also very easy walk into the city and the historic old town of Salzburg across the river. The staff is quite friendly and helpful making recommendations on where to eat and the easiest way to walk and begin exploring the city. The hotel has a beer garden attached to the restaurant which is lovely and shaded. Restaurant serves authentic Austrian dishes and the breakfast buffet is extensive.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Palais-Hotel Erzherzog Johann 4*
Graz

This hotel is right at the one of the main squares of the historic area of Graz and an easy walk to get to the top of the hill overlooking Graz. Staff is friendly and as usual, they all speak multiple languages so will gladly accommodate the visitor. The trams are right out the door so it is easy to travel around the city if your feet are too tired.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Stefanie
Vienna

Hotel Stefanie is the oldest hotel in Vienna, located in the second district so there is a lot of history packed into the hotel, the city and the district. Very easy to walk across the Danube canal right into the historic city center, about a 10 minute walk. And once across the canal, the metro and trams are all available again making it easy to travel around the area. Staff is immaculate and friendly. This is an "old fashion" hotel in that the room keys are gigantic so you give your key to the staff when leaving the hotel. Amazingly, they have it ready for you with a smile on their face upon your return. So, very friendly and helpful staff. The rooms are far from "old fashion" and are well appointed.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Explore Zell am See on your own
Explore Zell am See on your own
Zell Am See

Started the day with a leisurely boat ride around the lake, approximately 1&1/4 hour. Then, we actually walked around the lake following the walking path. It is about 10 miles total around the lake but there are small little hamlets along the way with restaurants and toilets combined with beautiful views. Spent the remainder of the day wandering the village of Zell am See and having a beer lakeside around 5:30pm.

Top of Salzburg
Top of Salzburg
Zell Am See

This was a highlight and the experiences was very unanticipated. The day started out cloudy and rainy so we debated going as we were certain the views would not be visible given the clouds. But, one never knows so we boarded the bus to Kaprun, about 10km. Ultimately, we then spent the next 1&1/2 hours traveling via 4 different ski cable cars up to the top of the mountain, the Spitz Einhorn. Miraculously, the clouds went during our transport up the mountainside so we were treated with a preview of outlooks to come and could hear the bells of the cattle below us and the sounds of the mountain streams rushing downhill. At the top of the Spitz Einhorn there is plenty to see and do. Ultimately, an amazing day.

Graz City Tour
Graz

This was a small group tour led by an employee of the Graz Tourist Information office. We recommend this tour as it helps you truly look at the buildings and architecture in a different way and truly see them. Lots of stories and history provided as well as tips on where to stop for ice cream and other delicacies.

Classic Concert in Salzburg with dinner
Classic Concert in Salzburg with dinner
Salzburg

Highly recommend as Salzburg is all about the music and Mozart.

Hallstatt Salt Mine
Hallstatt Salt Mine
Austria

This was an unexpected surprise. The mine is an active mine, still used today and has been in use for about 8,000 years. The old original remains are visible and the history is explained along the way. It is a bit "disneyland" but nonetheless an excellent experience tailored to both children and adults. We had a private driver to get us from Salzburg to the mine and had time to wander around Hallstatt afterwards. Hallstatt is picturesque, just like in the guidebooks. But, very crowded.

Day trip to Slovenian Styrian region (Ptuj and Maribor) - the oldest vine in the world!
Day trip to Slovenian Styrian region (Ptuj and Maribor) - the oldest vine in the world!
Graz

David took us wine tasting two days in a row. The first day was to the Syrian region of Austria near the Slovenian border. This particular trip was into Slovenia, our first time into the country of Slovenia. Beautiful and picturesque given the steep rocky hills, vines and trees. Delightful wines. And both Maribor with the oldest vine in the world and Ptuj with the castle were beautiful. The wine was an added bonus.

Vienna's Sweet and Savory Food Scene
Vienna's Sweet and Savory Food Scene
Vienna

Our guide Peter provided us with both history of Vienna, explained the architecture and also helped us understand the importance of the foods / beverages we were tasting. So, overall a very educational and delicious tour. We spent about 7 hours total which included a lot of walking and the riding the metro into local neighborhoods with no tourists. This was refreshing as we could see everyday life. One of our stops was at a local market which was amazing to the sense for the sounds, sights, and smells. Highly recommend this tour if you like food and history. This company limits the size of the group and there were 8 of us including Peter.

Wachau Valley wine tour
Wachau Valley wine tour
Vienna

If you like wine and tasting and learning about new wines, this is a good day trip. The company limits the size of the group, there were 6 of us on this trip with 2 guides. We drove for about 1 hour outside of Vienna into the Wachau Valley with explanations along the way. We stopped at two wineries total, one before lunch and the second after lunch. Lunch was at a typical Heuriger which was excellent and unexpected. We had wanted to visit a Heuriger but were unsure of how to do this without a car so this solved the issue. After the second wine visit, we boarded a river steamboat and cruised the Danube to Melk, ending with a beautiful view of the Melk Abbey. Then returned to Vienna. A fun filled, delicious day.

Local specialist: Tomaz Martinek
Tomaz
Tomaz Martinek
Local specialist in Slovenia | Replied on Sep 16, 2024

Thank you for sharing your fantastic experience in Austria! We're thrilled you enjoyed exploring Austria. It sounds like every part of your trip, from the Grossglockner road to the Salzburg Mozart performance and Graz's hidden gems, was filled with unforgettable moments.

We’re honored to have been a part of your fourth journey with KimKim and delighted our team could provide you with memorable and unique experiences. We look forward to helping you plan many more adventures ahead. Thank you for choosing KimKim, and we hope to see you again soon!

KimKim delivered a GREAT trip experience (again)!
Austria | Jul 4 - Jul 11, 2024

Marla
Marla G.
Canada | Reviewed on Jul 15, 2024
This is the second time we've used kimkim to book a trip (the first was Paris two years ago), and our experience was again fantastic. This time, I was even more "hands off" in terms of planning - I basically let kimkim know the dates we were flying into Munich and out of Vienna, and let them know we love history, culture, and food & wine experiences.
Tomaz, Zala and team did the rest!
I really appreciate the hotels the team booked for us. Given our lack of knowledge about the areas... Read more

This is the second time we've used kimkim to book a trip (the first was Paris two years ago), and our experience was again fantastic. This time, I was even more "hands off" in terms of planning - I basically let kimkim know the dates we were flying into Munich and out of Vienna, and let them know we love history, culture, and food & wine experiences.
Tomaz, Zala and team did the rest!

I really appreciate the hotels the team booked for us. Given our lack of knowledge about the areas we were travelling in, we would have had to spend countless hours (and stress!) trying to decide on these small, boutique hotels in the heart of everything....and we probably still would have booked some questionable spots. Tomaz, Zala and team made sure we were in great hotels, in great areas and close to all the transit options we needed.

Our guided walking tours were all excellent! In Munich, Salzburg and Vienna, we started with private walking tours to get a sense of each city. The guides were all fantastic, and the tours helped get us oriented and ready to appreciate all our other experiences.

And speaking of other experiences, we loved our History and Beer tour in Munich, our Baroque Music Dinner in Salzburg and we adored our Vienna food tour with Christof!

The crown jewel of guided experiences on our trip was our tour and wine tasting in the Wachau Valley. Tomas was an extraordinary guide and host. His love of wine, his connection to people & place in the region, and his own long-standing experience as a winemaker added a wonderful dimension to our day. We tasted apricots right off the tree (still warm from the sun!), saw the commanding presence of Melk Abbey, cruised the Danube and visited Durnstein and had the most memorable and delicious wine tasting and lunch at the Lagler Winery. Tomas also introduced us to one of the next generation winemakers in the region, and we brought home some incredible "souveniers."

There is so much more I could say, but I'll end by recommending travel by train between Munich, Salzburg and Vienna (such a lovely way to see the region!) and for using public transit in all three cities - it's easy, much more efficient than driving, and you see and experience so much more!

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Mercure Munich City Centre
Munich

Great location by the Alstadt and close to the train station. Breakfast was fantastic and we loved trying all their different gins and tonics!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Elefant
Salzburg

Extraordinary location on a medieval street with a charming patio!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
K+ K Hotel Maria Theresia
Wien

Great location, close to transit and a LOT of great restaurant options! In walking distance of the museum district and so much more.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Private guided tour of Munich
Private guided tour of Munich
Munich

We loved our guide and all the context she provided for the unique-ness of Munich!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Bavarian Beer and Food Evening Tour
Bavarian Beer and Food Evening Tour
Munich

Our guide was so friendly and provided entertaining insight aboutn Munich's beer culture and history!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Guided walking tour of Salzburg
Guided walking tour of Salzburg
Salzburg

Our guide provided a warm welcome to this charming city, it's history and it's community. Born and raised in Salzburg, she was able to share context and worldviews that helped us appreciate this beautiful place, all the more!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Classic Concert in Salzburg with dinner
Classic Concert in Salzburg with dinner
Salzburg

The musicians and singers were wonderful and the food was good! Loved the setting.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Guided walking tour of Vienna
Guided walking tour of Vienna
Vienna

Our guide was exceptionally knowledgable about the history, cultural history and heartbeats of Vienna!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Vienna's Sweet and Savory Food Scene
Vienna's Sweet and Savory Food Scene
Vienna

This was SUCH a fun (and tasty!) experience. Wolfli has a great team of guides....we loved our time with Christof! The food, the markets, the beverages.....it was all shared with great stories and local highlights. Highly recommend!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Wachau Valley wine tour
Wachau Valley wine tour
Vienna

The crown jewel of guided experiences on our trip was our tour and wine tasting in the Wachau Valley.  Tomas was an extraordinary guide and host.  His love of wine, his connection to people & place in the region,  and his own long-standing experience as a winemaker added a wonderful dimension to our day.  We tasted apricots right off the tree (still warm from the sun!), saw the commanding presence of Melk Abbey, cruised the Danube and visited Durnstein and had the most memorable and delicious wine tasting and lunch at the Lagler Winery.  Tomas also introduced us to one of the next generation winemakers in the region, and we brought home some incredible "souveniers."

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Tomaz Martinek
Tomaz
Tomaz Martinek
Local specialist in Slovenia | Replied on Jul 25, 2024

Hi Marla, thank you so much for your extensive review! We are happy you enjoyed your trip so much and we look forward to seeing you soon travelling with us! Tomaz

If you haven't yet been there, you owe yourself a visit to Czech Republic!
Czech Republic | Jun 19 - Jun 23, 2024

Fred
Fred L.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Jun 30, 2024
This was our first trip to Czech Republic and we were very favorably impressed with the country and the amenities we saw. All of us left thinking we should have had more time in the country, but we didn't know that when we planned the trip because we knew so little about the country. We were six: grandfather (me), two daughters and one son-in-law, and two sixteen year-old granddaughters. We left all the plannig to Kim-kim, who contracted it out to Grand Cuvée Tours, and they did a good... Read more

This was our first trip to Czech Republic and we were very favorably impressed with the country and the amenities we saw. All of us left thinking we should have had more time in the country, but we didn't know that when we planned the trip because we knew so little about the country.

We were six: grandfather (me), two daughters and one son-in-law, and two sixteen year-old granddaughters. We left all the plannig to Kim-kim, who contracted it out to Grand Cuvée Tours, and they did a good job of selecting international connections, airport transfers, lodging, and tours.

International flights were on Ryan Air, a first on that carrier. We were not impressed with them: airport check-in was poorly organized in Rome (chaotic is a better description) and we would not fly with Ryan Air again if there were an alternative.

Connection from the airport to the hotel in Prague was easy and comfortable, and accommodations at the Hotel Cube were very good. We would recommend them for others going to Prague.

We had three tours while in Czech Republic:

1. a walking tour of Prague Castlle, old town, and Charles Bridge with Lenka while in Prague,

2. a road trip by van with guide and driver Pavel to Kutna Hora, where we saw the gothic cathedral and the bone church and learnend the importance of silver mining to the prosperity of the town, and

3. a road trip by van with guide and driver Pavel to the castle of Český Krumlov, where we walked through the gardens and the walkways of the castle. On the way back to Prague from Český Krumlov, we stopped to walk around Pisek, across the bridge, and to a restaurant where we enjoyed a light meal and local beer. This was an added stop for the day's tour, and a very worthwhile stop.

Both Lenka and Pavel were very good tour guides, with extensive knowledge of the history of the sites we were visiting and good English so they could explain what we were seeing and its significance to the history of the country. Both also had interesting insights on the long-term history of the Czech people and the place of the country in the wider history of Europe. My granddaughters (and all the adults) learned more about the pre-war and post-war of history Europe than they had learned in secondary school.

We also discovered over the course of four days that Prague has outstanding beer and dining facilities. We enjoyed the complimentary breakfast at the hotel (a full breakfast, not just coffee and rolls), but we really enjoyed the lunches and dinners we found each day. The itinerary and guide for our tour said we would find good restaurants, and we truly did. Some were pricey, others were very reasonable, but all were good and we enjoyed menus that were new to us. An eating tour of Czech Republic would be a good plan!

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to the Czech Republic and very much appreciated the program put together by Grand Cuvée Tours, contracted by Kim kim. Our big takeaway from this is that the Czech Republic is a real treasure for tourists looking for a new and special experience. We were delighted with the time we had and the people who worked with us on every aspect of the tour. We will say we were somewhat surprised by the cost of the visit to Prague -- it actually cost us more than our subsequent visit to Rome, which lasted two days longer than our Prague visit.

Our sincere thanks to Lenka, Pavel, Hotel Cube staff, Grand Cuvée Tours, Kim Kim and the hundreds of people we talked and interacted with during the time we were in Czech Republic. Top marks and thanks to the organizers and guides!

Hotel Review
Hotel CUBE Prague
Prague

Very good hotel, great breakfast, excellent location (convenient to local dining), highly recommended.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Very convenient for local dining, great location for walking tours of the city.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Tomaz Martinek
Tomaz
Tomaz Martinek
Local specialist in Slovenia | Replied on Jul 08, 2024

Hi Fred, thank you for your great review and I look forward to see you travelling with KimKim again.

There were multiple agents we worked with bes...
Hungary | May 10 - May 27, 2024

N
Nick W.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on May 28, 2024

There were multiple agents we worked with besides Tomaz. In general many of the guided trips we booked had time to walk or drive by sites but did not allow sufficient time to go inside structures to experience them. My brother Dan submitted a more detailed review by email and I added comments. We received responses from KimKim indicating our comments would be reviewed.

Local specialist: Tomaz Martinek

This was ourfourth Kim Kim trip. They did a ...
Austria | May 21 - May 26, 2024

T
Thomas A.
Vero Beach, FL | Reviewed on May 27, 2024
This was our fourth Kim Kim trip. They did a fantastic job as they always do in Vienna and Bratislava. Morjca, our guide in Vienna , was everything we hoped for. She was extremely knowledgeable and experienced and showed us what we wanted to see. Milan , our guide in Bratislava, was outstanding and gave us a memorable two hours. Read more

This was our fourth Kim Kim trip. They did a fantastic job as they always do in Vienna and Bratislava. Morjca, our guide in Vienna , was everything we hoped for. She was extremely knowledgeable and experienced and showed us what we wanted to see. Milan , our guide in Bratislava, was outstanding and gave us a memorable two hours.

Hotel Review
Hotel Sans Souci Wien
Vienna

This was a first rate hotel. It was centrally located and service was outstanding. Breakfast was wonderful.

Authenticity & Character
Cleanliness and service
Location
Hotel was located in walking distance of the major sites
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Tomaz Martinek
Tomaz
Tomaz Martinek
Local specialist in Slovenia | Replied on May 27, 2024

Hi Thomas, thank you so much for your glowing review and for being a loyal KimKim traveler! We are happy to hear that your fourth trip with us was just as fantastic as the previous ones.
We look forward to planning your next adventure and continuing to provide you with outstanding travel experiences.

Tomaz

The entire trip was well organized and ran sm...
Austria | May 7 - May 13, 2024

M
Mark L.
Raleigh, NC | Reviewed on May 16, 2024
The entire trip was well organized and ran smoothly. Directions on where to meet and at what times accurate. Tours were well run and tour guides knowledgable. Read more

The entire trip was well organized and ran smoothly. Directions on where to meet and at what times accurate. Tours were well run and tour guides knowledgable.

Hotel Reviews
Platzl Hotel - Superior
München

Great location in the heart of Munich. Very welcoming and accommodating staff.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Boutiquehotel Am Dom
Salzburg

Adorable boutique hotel in the heart of Salzburg. Perfect location for all the sights.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Kaiserin Elisabeth
Vienna

Perfect location for all the sights in Vienna. Great, welcoming staff.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Private guided tour of Munich
Private guided tour of Munich
Munich

Thomas was knowledgeable and friendly.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Dachau Concentration Camp - guided tour
Dachau Concentration Camp - guided tour
Munich

Liza was a fantastic tour guide. She was knowledgeable, friendly and passionate about sharing her knowledge of the Memorial Site.

Bavarian Beer and Food Evening Tour
Bavarian Beer and Food Evening Tour
Munich

Very fun tour sampling several beers and ending with a great meal. Sam was an outstanding tour guide.

Guided tour of Salzburg
Guided tour of Salzburg
Salzburg

Great tour of the Old Town in Salzburg. Terrific way to learn the history of the city.

Sound Of Music Tour Salzburg
Sound Of Music Tour Salzburg
Salzburg

Great overall tour of the important filming sites. We enjoyed getting out of "the city" and seeing the beautiful lakes in the countryside.

City Danube River Cruise
City Danube River Cruise
Vienna

We had expected to have some historical background, but there is none. The Cruise takes you up the canal and back on the same route, which is not the prettiest part of Vienna.

Vienna's Sweet and Savory Food Scene
Vienna's Sweet and Savory Food Scene
Vienna

Michelle was a terrific guide who showed us "off the beaten path" parts of Vienna. She is incredibly knowledgable in her Vienna food history as well as general Vienna city history. We had samples of many different types of local foods, and our only complaint is that there was way more food than we could eat!

Local specialist: Tomaz Martinek
Tomaz
Tomaz Martinek
Local specialist in Slovenia | Replied on May 17, 2024

Hi Mark, thank you so much for your trip review, we truly appreciate it. We look forward to seeing you on travelling with us again. Kind regards, Tomaz

We enjoyed all parts of our trip to Switzerla...
Switzerland | Jan 7 - Jan 15, 2024

Deirdre
Deirdre H.
Queensbury, NY | Reviewed on Jan 20, 2024
We enjoyed all parts of our trip to Switzerland! Our travel agents, Tomaz and Zala, did an amazing job helping us to identify different sightseeing options and how to make it all happen. Read more

We enjoyed all parts of our trip to Switzerland! Our travel agents, Tomaz and Zala, did an amazing job helping us to identify different sightseeing options and how to make it all happen.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Ambassador - De la Paix
Luzern

Not much of a lobby but the rooms were spacious and very nice. We had an amazing balcony with an awesome view. The location was perfect, right in the middle of where we wanted to be. The breakfast was fine but not as extensive as the other places we stayed.

Authenticity & Character
Loved the balcony!!!
Location
Cleanliness & Comfort
The rooms were big and nice.
Hotel Artos Interlaken
Interlaken

It was a good location. The hotel didn't have a particularly nice lobby. It didn't have any ambiance of Switzerland. We weren't told before hand that the hotel is also a place for senior citizens. It was fine, but would have been helpful to have a heads up on that. The rooms were nice and comfortable and the breakfast was fine.

Authenticity & Character
It had no character of Switzerland at all.
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Edelweiss Manotel
Geneva

We very much liked this hotel, the lobby was cozy, the location was great, the rooms and breakfast were much to our liking. The hotel staff was very helpful. The only reason I didn't give it a 5 Star is because the bathroom had an unpleasant odor to it. It could have just been our two rooms, I'm not sure.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Dinner Swiss Folklore Show in Stadtkeller
Dinner Swiss Folklore Show in Stadtkeller
Lucerne

This didn't happen. Apparently the show takes places during the warmer montjs

Luzern Chocolate tasting
Luzern Chocolate tasting
Lucerne

We liked it but not nearly as much as our first Chocolate tour in Geneva. This one was in the back room of a chocolate store. The woman shared with us about the history of chocolate and their company and we tasted delicious chocolate.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Cheese Tuk-tuk tour
Cheese Tuk-tuk tour
Lucerne

This was another great tour we loved! The guide/driver was very sweet and made sure we're comfortable and had lots of delicious cheese fondue and while we ate, he gave us a ride around the city and shared interesting information.

Guided tour of Montreux
Guided tour of Montreux
Montreux

We liked our guide, she was extremely helpful in guiding us to the bus and train station and taking care of our luggage on our tour. Honestly, we didn't think the area was that interesting. The lake was pretty and we did like seeing where Queen recorded but that's all.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Visit Patek Philippe Museum
Visit Patek Philippe Museum
Switzerland

We didn't get to go to this museum as it was closed Sundays and Mondays when we were in Geneva.

Chocolate Flavours small-group tour
Chocolate Flavours small-group tour
Geneva

Our tour guide was wonderful! She was so knowledgeable and willing to answer all of the questions of the group. The best part of this tour was of course the delicious chocolate and the shops she took us to but also that with the walking, we got to see a lot of Geneva and she gave us so much history along the way. I definitely recommend this tour!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Tomaz Martinek
Tomaz
Tomaz Martinek
Local specialist in Slovenia | Replied on Feb 09, 2024

Hi Deirdre, thank you for your 5-star review! We look forward to seeing you on a new adventure with KimKim soon! Kind regards, Tomaz

Tomaz and his colleague Zala did a wonderful ...
Switzerland | Sep 16 - Sep 22, 2023

Graham
Graham H.
Greensboro, NC | Reviewed on Oct 04, 2023
Tomaz and his colleague Zala did a wonderful job helping us plan our trip to Switzerland. Tomaz took all of our "wants" and condensed it down into a doable itinerary that included everything we wanted. Zala worked on all the logistics and gave us detailed information about the hotels, excursions/adventures, and travel means (trains, buses) included in our trip. We did not have one bit of trouble getting to and from our destinations and we were given all our tickets, vouchers, etc. It was... Read more

Tomaz and his colleague Zala did a wonderful job helping us plan our trip to Switzerland. Tomaz took all of our "wants" and condensed it down into a doable itinerary that included everything we wanted. Zala worked on all the logistics and gave us detailed information about the hotels, excursions/adventures, and travel means (trains, buses) included in our trip. We did not have one bit of trouble getting to and from our destinations and we were given all our tickets, vouchers, etc. It was wonderful! This is our second time using KimKim and we will definitely use them again.

Hotel Reviews
Belvedere Swiss Quality Hotel Grindelwald
Grindelwald

This hotel was amazing! The location was excellent--we could walk to and from the train station, to restaurants and shops. The view was breathtaking, the staff of the restaurant and the bar so nice and personable. The amenities were great too--a pool, a sauna and steam room, breakfast included (and so delicious). One night there was live music on the patio. By far this was our favorite hotel in Switzerland.

Authenticity & Character
The history of the hotel was so interesting. Family owned, still to this day and we often saw the owners! There were pieces of the hotel's history (furniture, knick knacks, receipt books, old books) and old photos throughout the lobby and the hotel.
Location
So easy to get to all shops, restaurants, train station.
Staff
Everyone was wonderful, from check in to restaurant staff, to housekeeping, to the bar staff. They all made us feel welcome and were so friendly.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Wonderfully comfortable room/bed, super clean. We loved it.
Eastwest Hotel
Geneva

A bit off the beaten path, but still in the heart of Geneva. We arrived at night and were leaving the next morning so we didn't have time to explore the city. The bed was comfortable, the room clean, the staff very nice and helpful.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Looked like it was in a great spot to walk to places. However walking there from the train station took us through a sketchy section of street.
Staff
Very friendly and offered suggestions for things for us to do (had we had the time)
Cleanliness & Comfort
Romantik Hotel Julen
Zermatt

This quaint hotel was delightful. The decor was so cozy and cute and the location was great. We could walk to every excursion we had booked. The bed was very comfortable, the staff was very friendly and helpful, and the breakfast was great.

Authenticity & Character
The wooden decor, the beautiful flowerboxes, the location. It was all just lovely.
Location
Excellent location in the heart of Zermatt.
Staff
Very helpful. Went over all the room amenities when we got there. Held our luggage for us after we checked out while we did an excursion. The staff of the restaurant was great as well.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Schweizerhof hotel
Zürich

Very centrally located, clean, super friendly staff. We got there and were able to change our clothes (it was hotter than we thought!) and they stored our luggage for us while we did an excursion. The bed was comfortable and breakfast was delicious.

Authenticity & Character
Location
It was in the heart of Zurich. Easy to walk to the train station, restaurants, shops.
Staff
Everyone was very friendly and helpful.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Comfortable bed, clean room.
Activity Reviews
Paragliding
Paragliding
Switzerland

Oh my gosh, this was the best experience ever! We were both so nervous about doing this but it was incredible. My guide Veit was wonderful and put me at ease. He was so friendly and once we got airborne I was relaxed and able to enjoy this amazing experience. It went by so fast and I cannot describe how exhilarating and peaceful it was. Just incredible!

Quality of Experience
Experienced guides, safety first, very friendly, amazing views. It was incredible.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Veit was the best. He and I just chatted while floating around in the air, no big deal! He made me feel very safe and comfortable.
Zürich city guided walking tour
Zürich city guided walking tour
Switzerland

Our guide Urs was a joy. He was very interesting and knowledgeable about Zurich. We walked several miles, covering lots of ground and history and seeing so many interesting sights. He stopped for photos and at the end of the tour he gave us a local restaurant recommendation which was delicious. We loved that it was just us, not a group, as it would've been hard to have a lot of people listening to him unless you had headsets. This was so much more personal. He was a pleasure to talk to and definitely takes pride in his job. Highly recommend.

Quality of Experience
Very interesting and we loved walking around the city.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Super knowledgeable guide who loved talking about Zurich.
Local specialist: Tomaz Martinek
Tomaz
Tomaz Martinek
Local specialist in Slovenia | Replied on Oct 24, 2023

Hi Graham, thank you! We are very glad you had such an amazing trip! We look forward to seeing you back soon!