Julia Plaschke

Our family trip to Norway was unforgettable and seamlessly arranged by the KimKim team, most notably Julia, with help from Meree. We had some challenges scheduling the trip due to COVID and a personal emergency. Julia was able to navigate these changes coming up with a wonderful itinerary. Our goal was to spend family time amid the snow and Northern Lights at Christmas. We started in Oslo, where a lovely boutique hotel was booked for us. It was in the middle of the city with easy access... read more

Our family trip to Norway was unforgettable and seamlessly arranged by the KimKim team, most notably Julia, with help from Meree. We had some challenges scheduling the trip due to COVID and a personal emergency. Julia was able to navigate these changes coming up with a wonderful itinerary. Our goal was to spend family time amid the snow and Northern Lights at Christmas. We started in Oslo, where a lovely boutique hotel was booked for us. It was in the middle of the city with easy access to museums and restaurants. We loved walking through the Vigeland sculpture museum and enjoying Gustav Vigeland's works. Also, the harbor and its excellent restaurants were enjoyable.
We then traveled to Tromso. Julia arranged an unforgettable tour of the Tromso Ice Domes and a snowmobile trip exploring the Northern Tip of Norway, which borders Sweden and Finland, the Three-Country Cairn. We then traveled by minibus to a location outside Tromso for a spectacular Northern Lights display. Our travels then took us to Alta, where we went on a dogsledding trek with a guide who has successfully competed with her dogs in many dogsledding races, including the famed Iditarod. We dined in the restaurant where her husband, the former chef for the King of Norway, prepared an exquisite 5-course meal with local ingredients.
It was a magical time that will stay with us forever. I am grateful to Julia and the team for making it possible.

Hotel Reviews

Hotell Bondeheimen

Oslo

The hotel location in the center of Oslo within walking distance of shopping, restaurants, and museums. The rooms are comfortable and immaculate. The hotel staff is friendly and very helpful. There is a lovely smorgasbord breakfast included in the room price. The restaurant also serves dinner. The decor is modern and tasteful while respecting the historic building. I enjoyed breakfasting at the bar overlooking the street at 7 am and watching Oslo come to life.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Central - close to restaurants, museums, and public transportation

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Malangen Resort

Skutvik, Meistervik

This hotel comprises apartments and separate cottages, all overlooking the Fjord. The unit I had was owned by a Tromso family who invited guests to write in their guestbook telling a little about themselves and where they were from. There was a basket of flannel slippers near the door, so we could remove our snowy boots in the mudroom. The decor was simple and tasteful. Like much of Scandinavia, the unit was immaculate. The room charge included an excellent smorgasbord for breakfast. Dinner was available at an extra charge. The first night we ordered off of the menu. On the second night, we had the Christmas buffet. Both were excellent. The dining room was decorated for Christmas in a very tasteful way. The furnishings were comfortable and modern.

Authenticity & Character

Location

A bit remote but lovely

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Clarion Collection Hotel Aurora

Tromsø

The Hotel Aurora was located in central Tromso. It was more reminiscent of a chain hotel than the other more boutique-like hotels we stayed at. The decor was modern, and the facilities and rooms were immaculate. The biggest advantage was the location which gave easy access to the many tours available in Tromso. All meals were included. They were buffet-style and simple, but the food was very good.

Authenticity & Character

It felt more chain-like but was very comfortable

Location

Close to tour pickup sites

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Bjørnfjell Mountain Lodge

Alta

This beautiful mountain lodge is located a few kilometers outside of Alta. It is rustic but modern and very cozy and inviting. The rooms were lovely. I had a beautiful view of one of the ski slopes and the bison shed! The staff was particularly friendly and warm. They went out of their way to make sure that we were comfortable. I loved chatting about local traditions and the way of life in Northern Norway. The room price included a delicious smorgasbord breakfast, and dinner was also available. There was a set menu for each evening. The facility offered several winter activities, including snowshoeing, skiing, tubing, and watching the Northern Lights from the mountaintop warmed by a campfire.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Ice domes tour and reindeers

Tromsø

This was a wonderful way to celebrate Christmas Eve with my family. Our guide was a young Swedish man who was knowledgeable and also very engaging! The structure itself is amazing. It was fascinating to learn about how the domes are constructed. There are gorgeous ice carvings of Norwegian explorers and arctic animals inside each room. It is possible to book an overnight stay in one of the rooms though the shower and bathroom facilities are shared and a bit rustic. The ice beds are topped with a mattress and reindeer skins for warmth. We enjoyed a shot at the bar in glasses made of ice. We also had a simple stew for lunch in the dining room. There was a herd of reindeer that we were able to observe. After the tour, we walked up a path to a dog sledding kennel where there was no other than Santa! I wonder if he made his journey that evening by dogsled or with reindeer pulling his sleigh!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Lapland Snowmobile Adventure

Tromsø

This was an all-day event in a very remote and beautiful place. The guides were knowledgeable, and I learned much about this area. We traveled to a manmade island that marks the borders of Sweden, Norway, and Finland . It is the northernmost international tripoint in the world. We traveled here on Christmas Day in the depth of the polar nights. The sky was clear, and during the 3 hours of dusk, the sky was blue with the gorgeous color of a sunset (though the sun never appears) reflected on the snowy terrain. Truly an unforgettable experience.

Quality of Experience

Food

There was a lovely warming stew served outside

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Northern Lights Chase

Tromsø

This was a trip by minibus with a group of 15 people originating in Tromso. The guide is familiar with the local microclimate and can find a spot where the Northern Lights are likely to be seen, even if it is cloudy in Tromso. We were lucky, needing to travel only about 45 minutes outside of Tromso. The guide set up a campfire and had warm drinks for us. He had an undergraduate degree in physics and was a graduate student at the Arctic University of Norway in Tromso, studying clean energy and its integration into the grid. Not only was he able to explain the science behind the northern lights, he also provided insight into the vibrant scientific and cultural landscape of Northern Norway. Hearing fellow travelers' stories about the campfire was also interesting. We were richly rewarded for our patience with a spectacular show of the lights.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Dog Sledding & Northern Lights

Alta

If I could give this experience 10 stars, I would. It was a fabulous from start to finish, particularly since Tine and Hanna, our guides, are the real deal. They have both successfully raced their dogs internationally, notably in the Iditarod. The dogs that pulled the sleds were wonderfully socialized, and it was obvious that they loved their work. We learned how to harness the dogs and drive the sleds. We then took off on a lively trip through woods and fields in the beautiful Norwegian countryside under the Northern Lights. The evening ended around a campfire with a mug of warm cocoa or tea. The venue is also an Inn and has a world-class restaurant. The chef, Trasti, is phenomenal.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full activity day

Alta

The lodge is an all-inclusive winter activity destination place. While we could not participate in scheduled activities on the mountain due to severe weather (several roads were closed), we could go out on our own by snowshoe. The staff was wonderful and treated us like family.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

I apologize for the late review for this trip to Norway. We enjoyed every minute of the trip and we were able to rely on the help of our guide and communication with Kim Kim along the way. We had one issue with our hotel in Oslo but KimKim went above and beyond in helping to find a better room which suited our needs as two independent women travelers.

Both Oslo and Bergen were memorable and of course the beautiful boat ride we took from Flam to Bergen through the Fjord country. I... read more

I apologize for the late review for this trip to Norway. We enjoyed every minute of the trip and we were able to rely on the help of our guide and communication with Kim Kim along the way. We had one issue with our hotel in Oslo but KimKim went above and beyond in helping to find a better room which suited our needs as two independent women travelers.

Both Oslo and Bergen were memorable and of course the beautiful boat ride we took from Flam to Bergen through the Fjord country. I cannot wait to go back and see more of Norway. Thank you for making this part of our travels go smoothly and finding us such outstanding accommodations along the way. Traveling in off season (October) was a little rainy but mostly just perfect for seeing many things without crowds. We even had 3 perfect sunny days in Bergen!
Warmly,
Gerri Sweeney

Our trip to Norway was planned very well by Julia. Her selection of hotels are excellent with respect to location, quality and food. Also, she was flexible with making changes to the initial plan so that our expectations are met. The tour chosen by Julia to see Northern Lights was excellent - Chasing Lights. Overall, I highly recommend Kim Kim if you are looking for a trip to Norway. read more

Our trip to Norway was planned very well by Julia. Her selection of hotels are excellent with respect to location, quality and food. Also, she was flexible with making changes to the initial plan so that our expectations are met. The tour chosen by Julia to see Northern Lights was excellent - Chasing Lights. Overall, I highly recommend Kim Kim if you are looking for a trip to Norway.

Hotel Reviews

Hotell Bondeheimen

Oslo

Excellent location, cozy & beautiful room. Very high quality food at their restaurant. Highly recommend this hotel.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Thon Hotel Tromsø

Tromsø

Very comfortable and spacious room. Excellent location and very good quality food. Highly recommend.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Scandic Copenhagen

København

Very good location, spacious room and good breakfast. Highly recommend this hotel.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Scandic Torget

Bergen

Excellent location to get the best view of Bergen. But the room was very tiny. Breakfast was good. Recommend it if you are particular with location and room view. Else, it could be quite expensive.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

It was very clean but the room was tiny and hence reduced one star for less comfort.

Activity Reviews

Oslofjord Sightseeing Cruise

Oslo

A perfect tour and a must do if you are in Oslo!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Northern Lights Chase

Tromsø

Couldn't ask for more! Excellent team with knowledge and communication skills. The team made sure we get as much as possible from the tour. Loved Meda and Julia! Highly recommend if you are in Tromso for Northern Lights!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Amazing! It was our first time going with kimkim… was a little nervous, having never used a travel consultant online to do our bookings before. But every little detail was well thought out and paced out. We had a great balance of activity and relaxation. Norway is spectacular… Flam is a must see.
I would totally recommend KimKim… thanks so much Julia for planning the perfect holiday.

I substitute the word "Excellent" for your term "Amazing".
All things considered and relatively, our trip to Norway went extremely well. The logistics worked according to plan. The weather was very good. It was great fun. Julia was a big help with the hotels and area attractions. The few glitches we had were attended to and resolved quickly. I appreciate Julia's attentive and prompt responses to our requests. Good job!
As kimkim's role here was to find us hotels along the itinerary we... read more

I substitute the word "Excellent" for your term "Amazing".
All things considered and relatively, our trip to Norway went extremely well. The logistics worked according to plan. The weather was very good. It was great fun. Julia was a big help with the hotels and area attractions. The few glitches we had were attended to and resolved quickly. I appreciate Julia's attentive and prompt responses to our requests. Good job!
As kimkim's role here was to find us hotels along the itinerary we designed, I am providing our comments on your recommendations which might help with other clients
Excellent (5 Stars!!): (1) The Rosvang Gaard. Otto and Albert provided a memorable experience. The lodging, the food, the hospitality and the conversation were the best of the trip. (2) Juvet Landscape Hotel: unique, rustic, great views, excellent food and accommodations.
Very Good (4 stars and in this order): (3) Hotel Christiania Oslo: Central location, large ,quiet, cool room, good breakfast and an excellent pizza restaurant on property, (4) Det Hanseatiske Hotel: Older historic building with character helped with a very accommodating staff. Our room was recently renovated being very well done and was quiet and cool. Central location was a big plus. (5) Scandic Ishavshotel is the best combination of location and facilities in Tromso. The service staff went out of their way to help us with logistics and accommodate us with our room preference. Breakfast was very good. The hotel is big and busy. Lot's of dogs (and big ones) were guests too! (6) Hamn i Senja: Location, facilities, dinner and breakfast were very good. I recommend a second floor room as other guests are constantly walking by and near to one's first floor room window. (7) DragsvikFjordhotel is 200 meters up from the ferry crossing but was very good for out in the country. We had a 2 room suite and a very good dinners on site. (8) Grand Hotel in Oslo was just that: Grand! Unfortunately, the day & night we were there the weather was hot and with little air conditioning , our street side room limited a good night's sleep. (I should have changed rooms...) Very good breakfast and location.
Not Recommended: (9) Hardanger Fjordtun. The owner/operator is a nice guy but his cabin facility was not up to our expectations. (Maybe if we were in our 30's or 40's). This is a much diminished version of the Juvet Landscape Hotel. The cabin was too small all around. For a shower, one stood in was a dish pan! The 'view' was of trees directly to the cabin's front. There is no place to eat in the area so a picnic dinner is required. He and his partner went out of their way to make us a very good breakfast.
Question: What more information could we have provided to you regarding our preferences understanding that you must balance the product with the price?....For example, what description could we have given you to have put us in the old section of the Kviknes Hotel in Balestrand?
Thanks for the help. The trip was great
Regards,
Bayard and Susan Tracy

Activity Reviews

Tromsø Cable Car

Tromsø

This was a good idea. It's close to the city and gives very good views of the fjord and surrounding mountains. You can watch the paragliders takeoff beside you!

Finnabotn Tour

Balestrand

This was great fun even on a rainy day. It's just amazing to see the clouds off the mountains and the farms along the shoreline.

Drive to Kristiansund over Molde (Atlantic Ocean Road)

Åndalsnes

It was a beautiful day. I think this road is better seen in a storm with the surf coming over the road. But no one is complaining about a beautiful day at the ocean.

Norway is a beautiful, clean, safe, amazing country. The natural beauty took my breath away time after time. The glaciers, fjords, Art, sculpture, gardens, waterfalls, ferries, trains, food, hotels, and people surpassed my expectations. The kayaking in the fjord in Eidfjord was my favorite day. The walking tour with Marianne in Oslo was terrific and professional. We were in Oslo Bergen Eidfjord Stavanger and Skei. All were different and exceptional.

The trip was great. The walking guide was fantastic, very informative. The parts I didnt like was that it was a lot of driving. And after seeing everything we did, the Norway in a nutshell was repetitive.
The hotels were really very well located in Oslo & Bergen.

This was not only my first time using kimkim but my first time using a travel agency in general. It was an incredible experience! It was exactly what we wanted and could not have been better read more

This was not only my first time using kimkim but my first time using a travel agency in general. It was an incredible experience! It was exactly what we wanted and could not have been better

Great job. We had a blast Julia did a super job arranging everything and was extremely accommodating

Julia planned my 14 day trip to fjords in Norway. She did a superb job and my trip was amazing. I visited Flam, Balestrand, Bergen, Geiranger, Alesund, and Oslo. Every place was charming with a beauty of its own. As I was a solo traveller Julia had planned most of my excursions and given me enough options for my free time. It was indeed travel made easy and enjoyable! Thanks Julia and KimKim!

We just returned from two weeks in Norway and it was an incredible trip mainly thanks to Julia and her team at KimKim. Julia suggested places to us that we had never heard of loved going to. We would never have gone to them without her suggestions. Also, we had some weather-related travel problems during the trip and Julia worked hard to help find solutions to them. read more

We just returned from two weeks in Norway and it was an incredible trip mainly thanks to Julia and her team at KimKim. Julia suggested places to us that we had never heard of loved going to. We would never have gone to them without her suggestions. Also, we had some weather-related travel problems during the trip and Julia worked hard to help find solutions to them.

Hotel Reviews

Scandic Ishavshotel

Tromsø

Great location and very nice rooms.

Hamn i Senja

Skaland

Fabulous room.

Anker Brygge

svolvær

Opus XVI

Bergen

Beautiful hotel in a great location. Great breakfast. Want to return

29|2 Aurland

Aurland

Very special place. Totally farm to table. Helpful staff. Beautiful grounds

Authenticity & Character

Staff

Hotel Christiania Teater

Oslo

Activity Reviews

Authentic Norwegian Cuisine & Guided Waterfall Hike

Aurland

loved the goat farm

Ferry to Botnhamn - Explore Senja island

Senja

A ride to a beautiful, peaceful location

Finnabotn Tour

Balestrand

Beautiful, peaceful,

Our trip to Norway was absolutely amazing and life changing. The itinerary Julia set up for our family of 5 (grandma, parents, and kids ages 5 and 7) was just perfect. I communicated with Julia in early 2022 to provide some comments around what we were looking for - seeing the fjords, being outside and active, etc. From there, Julia took my feedback and made the perfect itinerary. Everything was so easy and convenient, and our favorite parts of the trip were undoubtedly items I never would’ve... read more

Our trip to Norway was absolutely amazing and life changing. The itinerary Julia set up for our family of 5 (grandma, parents, and kids ages 5 and 7) was just perfect. I communicated with Julia in early 2022 to provide some comments around what we were looking for - seeing the fjords, being outside and active, etc. From there, Julia took my feedback and made the perfect itinerary. Everything was so easy and convenient, and our favorite parts of the trip were undoubtedly items I never would’ve planned on my own. We are so thankful to Julia and the KimKim team and I would 100% recommend using them!

Some of our most notable trip highlights include:
1) our taxi boat with Captain Tor where he drove right up to fresh waterfalls for us to touch and let our kids catch some fish along the way
2) everything about Fjaerland Fjordstove Hotel (this is such a charming place with a wonderful staff)
3) our private hike in Fjaerland where our kids picked fresh strawberries and blueberries

Thank you Julia and team!

With Julia’s help we had a brilliant road trip taking in fjord country at the end of a longer Scandinavian adventure. Each hotel she recommended was special in its own way although our favourites were probably our stays in Alesund and Aurland. Driving along high snowy scenery, approaching gerainger by ferry along the fjord and our trip on a rib boat were all highlights read more

With Julia’s help we had a brilliant road trip taking in fjord country at the end of a longer Scandinavian adventure. Each hotel she recommended was special in its own way although our favourites were probably our stays in Alesund and Aurland. Driving along high snowy scenery, approaching gerainger by ferry along the fjord and our trip on a rib boat were all highlights

Hotel Review

29|2 Aurland

Aurland

292 Aurland is a hotel based around what was a farm. Rooms are in converted farm buildings and each is individual. We found our rooms interestingly furnished and comfortable but we particularly liked the grounds which had lots of areas for having a drink or coffee in the glorious weather. We enjoyed the communal dining and the chance to swap stories with other travellers. Good food and wine and great staff

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Finnabotn Tour

Balestrand

Hotel in Fjaerland was amazing, great food, beautiful decor. Julia, the local specialist was very responsive and helpful read more

Hotel in Fjaerland was amazing, great food, beautiful decor. Julia, the local specialist was very responsive and helpful

Julia helped with planning our Norway trip. She listened to my interests and preferences and arranged an amazing trip plan with carefully picked hotels and a variety of activities that made the trip memorable. In addition, she gave recommendations for other activities based on our discussion. She was also very accommodating to changes. I highly recommend her for any Norway trip planning. read more

Julia helped with planning our Norway trip. She listened to my interests and preferences and arranged an amazing trip plan with carefully picked hotels and a variety of activities that made the trip memorable. In addition, she gave recommendations for other activities based on our discussion. She was also very accommodating to changes. I highly recommend her for any Norway trip planning.

Hotel Reviews

Ascot Hotel

Copenhagen V

Nice hotel but I don’t think we got the room we were originally booked for . The room location was not favorable.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Cleanliness

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Bergen Børs Hotel

Bergen

Spacious room and nice view. Bathroom had weird design

Authenticity & Character

Uniquely beautiful dining room

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Quality Hotel Vøringfoss

Eidfjord

The view was beautiful. Very comfortable parking and nice dining room.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Dragsvik Fjordhotel

Balestrand

Great boutique hotel. We had the room with the balcony and sitting area and we loved it. View of the fjord. Also the dining room was so welcoming with an amazing view of the fjord and mountains. Highly recommended. Also nice grounds for strolling . Food and service was great

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Utsikten

Geiranger

We had the double room with the amazing view of the fjord. They graciously upgraded us to the family room for the second night which was a much more comfortable room. Location was very nice and convenient for hiking trails.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Røisheim Hotel

Lom

Historic hotel with lots of character. Ample parking and spacious room. The windows were tiny but that goes with its historic nature . I liked the dining experience and the many social rooms available in the complex .

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

29|2 Aurland

Aurland

This place is amazing and so special. Beautiful complex with a beautiful garden. Has interesting history. Lots of nature activities around the area. The staff was amazing. It was hard to leave this serene place.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Grand Hotel Terminus

Bergen

We had a very spacious room. It was across from the train station. Close to city center

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Nordic Light Hotel

Stockholm

Modern hotel. Very nice lounge, bar and dining area

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Finnabotn Tour

Balestrand

Very pleasant guide and experience. The vessel was solid and comfortable.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Drive to Flåm - Flåm Railway

Flåm

Quality of Experience

Aurland experience

Aurland

This place is very special and serene with personal attention. The landscape and surroundings instill ultimate relaxation

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Authentic Norwegian Cuisine & Guided Waterfall Hike

Aurland

We had a guided hike with lunch. Amazing experience in a beautiful forest landscape next to the waterfall with gorgeous views of the valley and fjord. Our guide Eilif was so pleasant and knowledgeable and we had a great time with his company

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Mostraumen Cruise

Bergen

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Orchard Tour & Cider Tasting in Balestrand

Balestrand

Educational . Very pretty dining room with beautiful view. Great cider tasting

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We originally planned this trip for before the pandemic, and so we experienced some difficulties when it came to getting this tour re planned, another agent got involved which was very unhelpful. However after we tracked down our original travel agent Julia, everything fell into place. Thanks Julia for rescuing us!!!
We explored Norway by car, bike, boat and foot and were very happy to have traveled from Bergen up the west coast as far as Tromso. Our overwhelming impression of Norway is one... read more

We originally planned this trip for before the pandemic, and so we experienced some difficulties when it came to getting this tour re planned, another agent got involved which was very unhelpful. However after we tracked down our original travel agent Julia, everything fell into place. Thanks Julia for rescuing us!!!
We explored Norway by car, bike, boat and foot and were very happy to have traveled from Bergen up the west coast as far as Tromso. Our overwhelming impression of Norway is one of extraordinary beauty, wild summer flowers, snowy peaks, zig zagging highways into breathtaking fjords, water rushing down valleys and cascading off mountain sides, and lush green valleys. The coastlines were almost as spectacular with delightful coves and fishing villages at every turn. We were very surprised by the white sand and opalescent green water on the island of Senja, what a special jewel this place is. Well worth driving to find Senja Roasters, for the best coffee of our trip, Froys Kick Ass blend was a winner.

When we were planning our trip in 2020, we were delighted to find KimKim and Julia Plaschke to help us with our questions and refine our itinerary. Unfortunately COVID necessitated our cancellation of the trip in 2020. We were very pleased that Julia was able to re book us for 2022. Her itinerary suggestions were very helpful and we greatly appreciated the zoom calls to get our questions answered. We were surprised when our trip was handed over to Sonia.

Most memorable places were the... read more

When we were planning our trip in 2020, we were delighted to find KimKim and Julia Plaschke to help us with our questions and refine our itinerary. Unfortunately COVID necessitated our cancellation of the trip in 2020. We were very pleased that Julia was able to re book us for 2022. Her itinerary suggestions were very helpful and we greatly appreciated the zoom calls to get our questions answered. We were surprised when our trip was handed over to Sonia.

Most memorable places were the Lofoten Islands ( loved the sea eagle and kayaking experiences), several hikes we took, Nes Gard Farmhouse B&B and the experiences there, stave churches, waterfalls, Rose Church, And of course, the beautiful fjords.

Things we liked about working with KimKim:
1. The itinerary suggestions Julia made during our initial conversations, and those sent by Sonia before our trip.
2. The Zoom calls we had with Julia as we got further into the planning.
3. Most of our hotels
4. Sonia’s response time when contacted her while on our trip. Very quick response!
5. Most of our experiences ( there were some issues with the Midnight kayak)
6. Sonia’s quick response (before we left) to our question about who we contact if we have a problem while in Norway – she gave us her phone number.
7. Sonia’s willingness to help us find Gary’s lost bag. Though we got it before she could make contact w/ Iceland Air, we very much appreciated knowing she was working on it.

Things we we were unhappy with KimKim:
1. Upon our arrival at 3 hotels ( Bodø, Reine and Bergen) we were told we would have to pay. We contacted Sonia and this was resolved in each case, but we wish we hadn’t had to deal with that when we were tired from long journeys) Sonia was apologetic each time, which we appreciated. We were surprised that after it happened once, the payment for others was not confirmed before we got to those hotels.

2. We understand that the two weeks before the trip others were traveling and they had needs, too. However, we confirmed that we were going on this trip this year with Julia in February – more than 4 months before we left. That said, we were not pleased that it took so long for us to receive the documents we needed, and that we needed to request them so often. We did not get our Ferry voucher until just before and it was for the afternoon ferry, not the morning one we had planned. We did not get our train tickets until the day before we travelled – two of the 4 tickets were together – the other 2 were both aisle seats – one in a train car that was two cars away from the other 3 of us! We can’t help but think that these reservations were not made sufficiently in advance of our travels.

I would be very happy to provide a detailed review of the experiences (especially the sea kayaking at midnight), hotels and itinerary upon request. We have some suggestions for you to add to the itinerary for others that we found along the way. We believe this detail would help you in planning for others.

Trolltunga was spectacular.
I liked the variation in accommodations, from the Trolltunga Hotel, to a more modern "chain" at the Scandic Voss, to the family-run Dragsvik Fjordhotel; the combination of experiences at each was a nice variation, although each were unique.
I endorse each of the experiences we had, and thought that driving through Norway was fairly simple.
Overall, great job, Julia and team.
read more

Trolltunga was spectacular.
I liked the variation in accommodations, from the Trolltunga Hotel, to a more modern "chain" at the Scandic Voss, to the family-run Dragsvik Fjordhotel; the combination of experiences at each was a nice variation, although each were unique.
I endorse each of the experiences we had, and thought that driving through Norway was fairly simple.
Overall, great job, Julia and team.

Hotel Reviews

Zander K Hotel

Bergen

Modern and well appointed. Best for those who travel by train as it's right at the station. Close enough to downtown to make walking easy.

Authenticity & Character

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Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Trolltunga Hotel

Odda

great views; a little far from town but not a big deal as we were driving.

Authenticity & Character

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Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Scandic Voss

Voss

great for our family of five as we could stay in one room. Modern, clean, and wonderful staff.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Dragsvik Fjordhotel

Balestrand

wonderful staff; this is clearly a labor of love for this family. It was comfortable, quaint, but with all the services you'd want.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Clarion Hotel Bergen Airport Terminal

Bergen

very nice that we were offered connecting rooms. Clean, with nice restaurant downstairs and great breakfast.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Family Rafting

Voss

this is a very basic float - not much white water. I thought the swimming was a nice break from the usual trip. Nice staff.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Mountain Bike - Voss Forest

Voss

great staff/guide. Wonderful forest trails. A little demanding for little children or those who don't bike much. Our guide was great with varying the experience and I think they could tailor to those who prefer less off-road biking

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Finnabotn Tour

Balestrand

guide was great; clearly knowledgeable. Appropriate length. Liked the storytelling.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Norway is indescribable. The amazing scenery and abundance of natural beauty were stunning. Our trip included travel by rail, auto, ship, public transport, and of course walking and hiking. Along the way, we sampled the abundance of food and drink that Norway offers. The midnight sun kept us up longer than we're used to but gave us opportunities to experience the scenery at any time of day. There were a few glitches and Sonia was ready and available to help with an unanticipated schedule... read more

Norway is indescribable. The amazing scenery and abundance of natural beauty were stunning. Our trip included travel by rail, auto, ship, public transport, and of course walking and hiking. Along the way, we sampled the abundance of food and drink that Norway offers. The midnight sun kept us up longer than we're used to but gave us opportunities to experience the scenery at any time of day. There were a few glitches and Sonia was ready and available to help with an unanticipated schedule change or a missed ferry ride.

I would love to return in the dark light of winter and experience a whole different side of this wonderful place.

Julia was great in planning our trip. Sonia, as our guide, was also great. Always available to help with questions. read more

Julia was great in planning our trip. Sonia, as our guide, was also great. Always available to help with questions.

We were very fortunate to finally go on this trip as our original booking was in June 2020. Julia remained in contact over the past two years answering any questions we had. The rebooking of our original itinerary was without issue.

Our trip to Norway was fantastic. The hotels were great and the transportation was seamless. Although we found the entire country very beautiful our most memorable places were Geiranger for its views and hiking and the Lofoten island chain for its... read more

We were very fortunate to finally go on this trip as our original booking was in June 2020. Julia remained in contact over the past two years answering any questions we had. The rebooking of our original itinerary was without issue.

Our trip to Norway was fantastic. The hotels were great and the transportation was seamless. Although we found the entire country very beautiful our most memorable places were Geiranger for its views and hiking and the Lofoten island chain for its incredible scenic drive.

I do not even know where to begin! When we first discovered the Lofoten Islands, we knew we had to get there but didn't know the first thing about how. Julia was incredibly helpful with mapping out the best way to get there and what to see. Her suggestion to see more than just the Lofoten Islands was so appreciated as we were able to explore so much more of northern Norway and see places we'd never heard of it nor would we have ever known about if it were not for Julia. We flew into Tromso... read more

I do not even know where to begin! When we first discovered the Lofoten Islands, we knew we had to get there but didn't know the first thing about how. Julia was incredibly helpful with mapping out the best way to get there and what to see. Her suggestion to see more than just the Lofoten Islands was so appreciated as we were able to explore so much more of northern Norway and see places we'd never heard of it nor would we have ever known about if it were not for Julia. We flew into Tromso and drove to Sommaroy for a night's stay at the wonderful Artic Hotel. Then we were off to Senja Island which was AMAZING! We stayed at the Hamn I Senja with the most incredible views. We were a little concerned about taking ferries but they turned out to be no issue--just make sure you get there early to avoid any anxiety. We didn't need tickets ahead of time except for the final ferry to Bodo from Moskenes. Staying in the Lofoten Islands was so wonderful as we go kayaked in Reine and explore the "big" city of Svolvaer. My only compliant is that we had to leave!

Our trip to Norway was spectacular! The country is beautiful and people are really friendly. Julia is super amazing and gave us exactly what we were looking for. We booked and paid in full before the pandemic and had to delay the trip for 2 years. KimKim kept their word and there were no additional fees. Truly amazing and a welcome change!
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Our trip to Norway was spectacular! The country is beautiful and people are really friendly. Julia is super amazing and gave us exactly what we were looking for. We booked and paid in full before the pandemic and had to delay the trip for 2 years. KimKim kept their word and there were no additional fees. Truly amazing and a welcome change!

We got to see so much ONLY because KimKim set up such an amazing itinerary. The accommodations, food and tours were top notch. Will definitely use again. Thanks, Julia

Julia had a prolonged duty with our trip planning due to the Covid shutdown of the travel industry in 2020. She would be in contact with us multiple times in 2020, 2021 and finally ,in 2022 ,Norway was open to us to travel there. Julia, along with Sonia’s assistance, reorganized our travel itinerary and got our needs met. We had one hotel glitch on our trip but Sonia was quick to respond and mediated on our behalf. By days end the problem was resolved.
The hotels Julia selected for us were... read more

Julia had a prolonged duty with our trip planning due to the Covid shutdown of the travel industry in 2020. She would be in contact with us multiple times in 2020, 2021 and finally ,in 2022 ,Norway was open to us to travel there. Julia, along with Sonia’s assistance, reorganized our travel itinerary and got our needs met. We had one hotel glitch on our trip but Sonia was quick to respond and mediated on our behalf. By days end the problem was resolved.
The hotels Julia selected for us were very good to great and I must say Hotel Bondeheimen in Oslo and Hotel 1904 in Alesund are great boutique hotels. All of the selected hotels included breakfast which really helps manage your food costs and all offered good to very good quality food.
Julia arranged for my desired destinations to include train, automobile and ship travel. We covered a lot of area in southern Norway and feel like we got our money’s worth from the skillful organization of our travel itinerary.
We heartily endorse Julia and Sophia to anyone wanting to plan a trip to Norway.

Norway in a Nutshell was easy to follow and all the connections went very well.
The hotels on the intinerary were excellent. I especially enjoyed all the breakfasts at each place. The Clarion in Bergen was outstanding. And the added bonus was that dinner was included. I stumbled across a troll forest as well as a lovely lake at the top of the funicular in Bergen.

The hotel in Flam oozed with charm. Julia went over and beyond to make sure my experience was great. I bet she even... read more

Norway in a Nutshell was easy to follow and all the connections went very well.
The hotels on the intinerary were excellent. I especially enjoyed all the breakfasts at each place. The Clarion in Bergen was outstanding. And the added bonus was that dinner was included. I stumbled across a troll forest as well as a lovely lake at the top of the funicular in Bergen.

The hotel in Flam oozed with charm. Julia went over and beyond to make sure my experience was great. I bet she even planned all the gorgeous Spring flowers such as tulips, daffodils and hyacinth in Oslo. I saw so many wondrous sights and who knew that Norway had so many waterfalls. It was a wonderful experience and I would definitely use KimKim again to plan another adventure.

Julia and Sonia were incredibly helpful in building a wonderful itinerary for us, organizing activities and private tours, and recommending where to go. I would recommmend them to anybody - thank you!

This was one of a lifetime trip! Absolutely Amazing! We have a 7 year old and we decided to take the chance and travel from Atlanta, GA in the US to Lapland to be able to find the Real Santa and do everything possible to make my son experience Santa with all the bells and whistles!

Finding the right partner to do is very important. And here is where Kim Kim comes to life once again. We chose NORD DMC with Julia and Thao behind everything, and when I say everything, I really mean it!

I am a... read more

This was one of a lifetime trip! Absolutely Amazing! We have a 7 year old and we decided to take the chance and travel from Atlanta, GA in the US to Lapland to be able to find the Real Santa and do everything possible to make my son experience Santa with all the bells and whistles!

Finding the right partner to do is very important. And here is where Kim Kim comes to life once again. We chose NORD DMC with Julia and Thao behind everything, and when I say everything, I really mean it!

I am a very particular traveler because I like to do research first and find the exact places to stay and the activities I want to do, and then, work the itinerary together so that I can get the local insights and the experience and expertise of people like Julia and Thao.

They understood my wishes and gave me different options until we were able to create the perfect experience and spend a wonderful Christmas in a beautiful country.

The hotels they chose, the adventures tailored for our family and all the ideas of what to do and where to eat were on point. Not to mention that they were always available if I needed to ask something. They are both very warm and knowledgeable.

I have a lot of more countries to go, but if I go back to Lapland or any of the Scandinavian countries, I will contact them for sure!
Thank you Thao and Julia for a Magical White Christmas with Santa in Lapland.

Planning a three-week road trip around Norway, a country we had dreamed of but knew little of, was daunting. Right from the first interaction though, Julia proved knowledgeable, confident, and most of all passionate about the country. She listened to our specification and came up with what turned out to be a perfect road trip. It is a long and thin country, so focusing on what to see, where to go, how to get there was crucial to make the most of our time, and three weeks is nowhere near... read more

Planning a three-week road trip around Norway, a country we had dreamed of but knew little of, was daunting. Right from the first interaction though, Julia proved knowledgeable, confident, and most of all passionate about the country. She listened to our specification and came up with what turned out to be a perfect road trip. It is a long and thin country, so focusing on what to see, where to go, how to get there was crucial to make the most of our time, and three weeks is nowhere near enough time for this amazing country.
We made many slight changes, tweaks during the months leading up to our trip, but Julia remained patient, understanding and responsive. Of course Covid restrictions proved to be a final challenge, and it was not until 10 days before our trip was scheduled to commence that Norway finally reopened based on the Covid passport. Julia offered reassurance over no lost deposit, and flexibility on delaying final payment until we were sure we could travel.
We will definitely use KimKim again, and anyone planning a trip to Norway will be well advised to use Julia & KimKim.

It would have been a lot better if ferry timings were taken into planning. We reached Bodø on Saturday from Oslo, not much to do. On Sunday ferry to Lofoten was not till 1 pm so lost morning. Reached Lofoten at 4.30 pm it was pitch dark so not much to see . So literally 2 wasted days Hurtigruten to Tromso cancelled no one’s fault . Rushed to Ice hotel that evening. That was fun
Next day after dog sledding we waited 2 hrs for nothing before getting dropped at hotel .
Christmas evening and... read more

It would have been a lot better if ferry timings were taken into planning. We reached Bodø on Saturday from Oslo, not much to do. On Sunday ferry to Lofoten was not till 1 pm so lost morning. Reached Lofoten at 4.30 pm it was pitch dark so not much to see . So literally 2 wasted days Hurtigruten to Tromso cancelled no one’s fault . Rushed to Ice hotel that evening. That was fun
Next day after dog sledding we waited 2 hrs for nothing before getting dropped at hotel .
Christmas evening and day Tromso was shut so we stayed at hotel . Last evening was good we got to see northern lights so it was good
I think days could have been better planned depending on local closings . That was the purpose of getting a local planner. I received car refunds but not Hurtigruten refund

I contacted KimKim for a much needed solo trip away and I was thinking about Norway. Julia was my specialist and she was fantastic! Not only did she listen to all of the things I wanted, but she was super fast in her response time. What most impressed me was that she would respond, day or night and at one location where they couldn't find the reservation she was available in real time. Additionally, she messaged me throughout the trip to see how it was going. She made my experience... read more

I contacted KimKim for a much needed solo trip away and I was thinking about Norway. Julia was my specialist and she was fantastic! Not only did she listen to all of the things I wanted, but she was super fast in her response time. What most impressed me was that she would respond, day or night and at one location where they couldn't find the reservation she was available in real time. Additionally, she messaged me throughout the trip to see how it was going. She made my experience wonderful. Surprisingly, the additional add of Finland ended up being the highlight for me so I'm glad she was able to help me add that on.

The accommodations were super fantastic particularly the Lapland Hotels Bulevardi in Finland and Malangen Resort in Norway. Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort in Ivalo is worth doing but it's more about the destination and experience than the accommodations or food which aren't stellar. Everything was really great.

Rose and I could not be more impressed with the attention to detail that we received from our Kim Kim contact - Julia . Her attention to detail could not have been better

The Trip Julia put together for us was the perfect way to start discovering Norway.

Excellent accommodation in the perfect position to see all the local sites along with the right adventures that suited our style of traveling. This allowed us the time and space to really enjoy the sheer beauty of Norway.

We will certainly be traveling with Kim Kim in future

Rod and Rose

Overall the trip was great. The activities were fantastic and varied, and it was all relatively seamless. 2 areas of feedback:

1. Some of the hotel information wasn't provided until a little later, so it gave us a little anxiety since it was our first time using the service.
2. The first hotel took payment from us even though the hotel was paid by kimkim. I think that was the hotels fault though.

Besides those 2, I am very satisfied with the service!

I can't thank Julia enough for all her recommendations of where to go in Northern Norway. I started out trying to organise the trip myself, as I would usually do, and Norway had me perplexed with exactly where to go and how much time we would need. Julia was spot on with her advice and location choices. Particular highlights were the Sea Cabins in Reine, the stunning house and surrounding areas in Senja and the gorgeous accommodation approximately 30 minutes outside Tromso. Active Tromso... read more

I can't thank Julia enough for all her recommendations of where to go in Northern Norway. I started out trying to organise the trip myself, as I would usually do, and Norway had me perplexed with exactly where to go and how much time we would need. Julia was spot on with her advice and location choices. Particular highlights were the Sea Cabins in Reine, the stunning house and surrounding areas in Senja and the gorgeous accommodation approximately 30 minutes outside Tromso. Active Tromso and our midnight kayak was also a massive highlight. I can not recommend their adventure experiences more highly and we will be back to do some mountain climbing and husky adventures soon. Thank you again Julia! Our experience was so memorable and you took all the angst out of the decision making process guiding us through ferry crossings and pointing out not to miss spots along the journey.