Kimkim Trip Reviews for Norway

Christina was very helpful before our trip and always very responsive. Ran into a few questions while in Norway and she always got back to us within minutes. The app had everything we needed to get around and was very helpful with directions.
Would definitely use Christina and KimKim again!
Loved Norway went to Bergen, Balestrand, Aurland and Oslo. Wouldn’t change anything except to stay one more day in Bergen which was the only place we stayed 2 nights. All other places 3 nights were perfect. Don’t miss Balestrand it is magical!

We had a fantastic trip. I really appreciated how much Krista was willing to go through all of our requests and the multiple changes (people arriving and departing on different days, lots of requests for very specific details) with patience and grace. The trip was super smooth, we never had any issues with transport, hotels, etc (I think Norway is a pretty organized country!). We loved our time in Ulvik and Kinsarvik especially, and feel like most agencies would not have picked up on our desire to be in smaller, more out of the way places. Several Norwegians were surprised to see Americans in Ulvik! The hiking was fantastic in both places. We loved our hiking guide, Andreas, in Bergen, along with the dinner cruise and the Greig house and concert. Can't wait to come back.

Hotel Review

Karl Johan Hotel

Oslo

Central location, comfortable, amazing breakfast.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Cider tasting in Ulvik

Ulvik

lovely place to visit, great view and the food accompanying the cider was delicious

Quality of Experience

Bergen’s Classic Trails – Private Hiking Experience

Bergen

Great hike, learned so much about Norway chatting with Andreas as we hiked.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Everyone and every stop was amazing! It was truly so awesome to let the professionals do the planning- zero worries and so much fun! Our trip had so much that my husband and I, as well as my 82 year old mother enjoyed every part of it - truly a huge weight off my shoulders and I came back refreshed rather than exhausted. Alex and his team are gems and I plan to use them for our next trip!

Hotel Reviews

The Dock 69 39 By Scandic

Tromsø

This hotel is right in the center of all things new in Tromso - new restaurants and cafes and shopping- but all the historic stuff also. The roof top bar and restaurant was a great place for my family to watch the Midnight Sun Marathon. Its a great new build- comfortable and modern rooms - and the food was top notch! Planning to go back and this will be where we stay-

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Helpful and quick

Cleanliness & Comfort

Brand spanking new and shiny

Scandic Neptun

Bergen

This hotel was just ok. A little on the older side and need of renovation. The floor we were on also had some water damage, maybe - it smelled badly in the corridor at times. Otherwise it was clean and comfortable. Food was great - location was top notch.

Authenticity & Character

A little on the olderside6

Location

Easy to get to the warf.

Staff

Helpful and very friendly

Cleanliness & Comfort

Our floor hallway smelled like mold or sweage.

Thon Hotel Opera

Oslo

A great hotel - new and updated. Rooms were great and very modern. Food was awesome and it was right near a great food hall and places to visit.

Authenticity & Character

Great ascetic

Location

Easy to get to all sightseeing places

Staff

Helped my mom out when she had an issue fisninf us - so kind!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Other than the lack of aircon - fans were provided and the rooms were cool

Activity Reviews

Self-Guided Tromsø Exploration

Norway

Tromso was so easy to navigate - walking most places was easy to do.

Quality of Experience

Fjord Cruise to Rosendal

Bergen

The ride to and from Rosendal was amazing, as was the ferry which was very comfy. But on Rosendal it is not very easy to get around unless you are planning to walk. There are also not a ton of shops near the warf - so it was a slow aftwrnoon.

Quality of Experience

Planning ahead more.

We did so many varied activities. As a grandmother traveling with teenaged grandchildren, I was appreciative of the activities that appealed to young people. Norway offers so many out of doors wonders and we did our best with all of them. Our personal guides were great; we felt that we got to know them in the short time they spent with us. All in all, a great success and just what I wanted for this trip.

Activity Reviews

Fjærlandsfjord Cruise & Bøyabreen Glacier Visit

Balestrand

Great outing, all that it was expected to be. Details of the boat's identity need to be updated; the boat listed is out of service.

Cider Tasting with Food Pairing

Norway

We had several "viking" meals of small plates paired with cider and this one was the best at the orchard where the apples are grown.

Quality of Experience

Sauna Experience

Oslo

Hands down this was the most fun experience we had in Oslo. A beautiful sunny evening in the sauna right on the edge of the fjord with fantastic views and plunges into the fjord followed by dinner at a nearby fish restaurant.

I would definitely recommend using Kimkim to plan a vacation. Everyone who interacted with us was helpful and were able to plan activities that would not have been accessible to us otherwise, such as private horseback riding and fishing excursions. Matij and Beni were our points of contact for while we were in the country and were crucially in their assistance!

I can't praise the work enough that KimKim did in putting together an amazing trip for my husband and me to Norway. From the private car pick up service when we landed in Oslo, to the early morning pick up in Bergen to get us on time to our flight at the end of our trip, all the details were taken care. The KimKim app that contains the daily itinerary, tickets, information on the region (including recommendations of other things to do/sites to see) and maps was incredible. Taylor, Marie and Nick responded to questions within minutes. When we had an issue with train seats from Oslo to Flam, Chinh responded quickly and all was well with our journey. Flam was magical, and I would not have included this location if I had planned the trip myself. I will definitely work with KimKim again in the future on another trip. Already thinking of where we will go next.

Hotel Reviews

Home Hotel Bryggen

Bergen

No room service for the time we were there. I guess you need to ask for it.

Authenticity & Character

Daily, breakfast, snack and dinner were served and included in the price of the room.

Location

So close to the harbor and the UNESCO World Heritage Site Bryggen, yet very quiet and away from all the harbor traffic.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Karl Johan Hotel

Oslo

Great location and comfortable room although quite small.

Authenticity & Character

Location

In the center of or close to the sites we wanted to see.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Flåm Marina

Flåm

A modest hotel with the best location in the town. Our room was very spacious, and the view from our room's deck down the fjord was indescribably beautiful.

Authenticity & Character

Very simple accommodations but quite roomy, great location and an amazing view down the fjord.

Location

Staff

Kind and helpful staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very comfortable bed

Activity Reviews

Edvard Munch Museum in Oslo

Oslo

Great museum that is well laid out on several floors that are well marked with what you will find in each gallery.

Quality of Experience

Self-Guided Oslo Exploration

Oslo

Several sites to visit were suggested. Also suggest the floating saunas and the Vigeland Sculpture Park.

Quality of Experience

Self-Guided Bergen Exploration

Bergen

Bryggen was very interesting in its history and wooden buildings. Loved the shops down the alleys. The fishmarket was a fun experience and the fish soup is delicious.

Quality of Experience

Food & Beer Walk

Oslo

The food was satisfactory and only one brewery was included. I had hoped to visit a couple different restaurants for food tastings and breweries/bars for local beer tastings.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Fjord Safari by RIB

Flåm

Best view of the fjords we had during our entire Norway trip, and we were on a lot of ferries in a lot of fjords. The guide was fantastic with great stories told with humor.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hike Up, Ride Down: Mt. Fløyen

Bergen

Loved the walk through the forested mountain. It was rainy that day and very cloudy. I wish we would have had better weather to explore more hiking on the mountain.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Fjord Cruise to Rosendal

Bergen

A nice town with lots of hiking.

Quality of Experience

Self-Guided Flåm Exploration

Flåm

So many activities: fjord tour, hiking to a waterfall, biking to Myrdal, walking through the farmland, looking for goats and sheep. This is one of my favorite locations on our Scandinavian tour of Denmark, Sweden and Norway.

Quality of Experience

Fjord Cruise & Seafood Dining Experience

Bergen

While I did not need one more ferry ride through a fjord (we had done several over a week's time), the five course dinner was delicious. I think the chef did a great job of making unique and very flavorful dishes. The wait staff was great.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We had a fantastic time with all the local guides in and around Bergen. Each was incredibly knowledgeable and very kind. The tours were incredibly well organized, and everything flowed like clockwork.

Hotel Review

Hotel Park Bergen

Bergen

A beautiful hotel with lots of old-world charm. The rooms were always clean and we loved the afternoon tea and brownies.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Private Food & Culture Walk

Bergen

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Nærøyfjord Cruise & Flåm Railway Day Trip

Bergen

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The home of Edvard Grieg with Summer Concert

Bergen

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Fjord Cruise & Seafood Dining Experience

Bergen

Quality of Experience

Food

The service was very slow, which detracted from the overall experience.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Christina arranged a wonderful trip for us in Norway. Right from the beginning, she listened to our needs and designed a unique trip. We had various ages in our group form 9 months to 72 years ! Some in our group wanted to hike, play golf and each at Michelen restaurants. Christina managed to keep us all happy
Kimkim also helped us in Visa applications and were extremely helpful and supportive all around

Our trip to Norway was absolutely spectacular. We created memories that will last a lifetime. The highlights of the trip were our stay in Balestrand and our entire time in Svolvaer. Balestrand was such a charming, peaceful town. The hotel was beautiful and the breakfast was very fun. Our favorite things there were the e-bike tour and a local hike to a beautiful lookout point over the fjord. Cider tasting was also an unexpected highlight. We were especially glad we were able to do the e-bikes after some confusion during the booking process.

Svolvaer was almost indescribable. The pictures all looked like a green screen or AI. We loved our floating sauna experience and our hike to Reinebringen. Hikes around Svolvaer were also stunningly gorgeous. The Sea Eagle safari was also an unexpected highlight. We did not expect to get so close to the eagles! Our stops in Bergen, Bleik/Andenes, and Oslo were also very fun.

Horseback riding was fun, but again the confusion about the event left a bit of a sour taste in our mouths. We feel we should have been told in advance that due to the ages of our children we could not do the half day tour. The two hour tour was fine, we just feel we could have been guided better by our "local specialist." When we heard about the issue, we then waited nearly 3 weeks, despite several inquiries, to hear any updates. Our vacation had started before anything was resolved. We still have not been reimbursed the difference in cost (from the half day tour to the two hour tour) nor have we heard any updates.

We had one other issue with a link to our bus tickets early on in our trip. The link provided thru the kimkim app had expired. Fortunately, we had printed out the QR code in advance and were able to use it. Overall, our only disappointment in the trip was the poor service from our local specialist. Communication was (and continues to be) poor and we did not get helpful insights or feel that we were a priority. We have booked trips through kimkim in the past and had much better experiences.

Overall, the trip was everything we dreamed it would be. We were able to do everything we had hoped and were even fortunate to have good weather. We'll never forget our Norwegian adventure!

Hotel Review

Kviknes Hotel

Balestrand

Charming hotel with spectacular views. The breakfast was also very nice.

Authenticity & Character

Historic charm

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

We particularly loved the balcony and the beautiful views

Activity Reviews

Trollfjord Sea Eagle Safari by RIB

Norway

Very fun tour and the scenery was unmatched. We had no idea we would see so many eagles and that we would be so close to them!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Not much dialogue. They were direct and to-the-point without a lot of enthusiasm

Midnight Sun Kayaking Excursion

Norway

This was an unexpected highlight. The trip was beautiful with an almost surreal aspect to it. The landscape was so unique and the midnight sun so cool. It was physically challenging, a bit cold, but very fun and memorable.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guides actually apologized to us at the end. They were nervous that our large group, including children, would be difficult. But they were surprised to learn that we were all up to the challenge!

Guided Whale Watching RIB-Tour Andenes (Summer)

Andenes

Our initial time was canceled due to high winds, but they were kind in rescheduling us. Our rescheduled time felt a little overbooked and the check in process was a little rushed and hectic. The tour was fun. We saw pilot whales but were disappointed not to see any large whales.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Horsebackriding on Icelandic Horses in Lofoten (half day tour)

Norway

The experience itself was nice. The guides were good. The scenery was beautiful. One person in our party had a saddle slide off the horse and she fell off her horse. The saddle was a bit of a problem during the tour. Our main complaint with this excursion was poor communication with our kimkiim local specialist. We had initially booked the half day tour and lunch. We booked the event nearly a year in advance. About a week before the trip we were notified that because we had two riders under age 14 that we could not do the tour we booked. We felt our "local specialist" should have known this from the beginning. We were able to rebook a different, much shorter tour, but we had very poor communication from kimkim and our vacation had already started by the time we got it resolved. We were also told we'd be reimbursed the difference in cost, but are still waiting for that issue to be resolved. This issue was the most negative experience of our trip.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guided Bike Rental Balestrand

Balestrand

This was a highlight of the trip. We did it all on our own, however. We booked this tour nearly a year in advance only to be informed a week or so before our trip that kimkim could no longer book this for us. We just paid privately for the tour and were fortunate they had enough bikes on the spot for our large group. Hopefully the "local specialists" will be better informed and better able to help people in the future.

Quality of Experience

Cider Tasting with Food Pairing

Norway

Unexpectedly fun. The tour guide was so passionate about apples and his enthusiasm was contagious. The food pairings with the delicious juices was an exceptional experience for our entire party (ranging in age from under 10 to around 70 years old)

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Øygarden Islets Kayaking Excursion

Bergen

Our guides were great and the experience was worth it. There were a bunch of oil rigs in the area there for cleaning or repairs or something that distracted from the beauty a little bit. Our guides for this excursion, especially Simon, were particularly good.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Lofoten Floating Sauna Experience

Svolvær

So much fun. Some in our large group were nervous about this activity. Some were nervous about the heat of the sauna, others were nervous about feeling pressure to jump into the water, but we all had a great time. One of our favorite experiences.

Quality of Experience

Summer RIB-boat Tour in Balestrand

Balestrand

The fjords and scenery around Balestrand are beautiful. But compared to our other RIB boat excursions, this one was a bit bland. We only did it as a substitute for our e-biking excursion which we had initially booked through kimkim but were later told we had to book on our own.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Luggage Transfer Service

Norway

This was a lifesaver on our "Norway in a Nutshell" tour. The porters were also very kind in making an exception in delivering our luggage to an Air BNB with no front desk. Our major complaint is that we nearly lost this porter service due to our "local expert" nearly canceling this service a week before our trip (despite booking almost a year in advance) due to the lack of a hotel reception. Surely, our "local expert" could have identified this problem much sooner and handled it much better.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Anna found just the right amount of planned activities balanced with the right amount of free time for us. We had lovely hotels, and really enjoyed the Avila cruise up the coast. I only wish we had a few more days to go all the way north. Food was very good, lodging was great, and our emergency changes (thanks to Tom scheduling us to fly out from Sveringen and not Svolvaer. The hotel Christina found for us was very nice, and we had our best meal there, in fact.

Hotel Reviews

Grand Hotel Terminus

Bergen

Perfectly located across from the train station in downtown Bergen, the hotel features old world charm with modern amenities. It needs more electric outlets near the bed, however, so bring an extension core.

Authenticity & Character

Old world charm with real furniture and great buffet breakfast.

Location

Near waterfront and across the street from the train station, it is easy to find food, shopping, museums and nice parks.

Staff

All were friendly and helpfil

Cleanliness & Comfort

The bathroom was tiny but efficient

Havila Cruise

Fosnavåg

If you go to Norway, this trip up the west coast is a must. The accommodations are vvery nice, the food is excellent, and the excursions on shore were interesting by and large.

Authenticity & Character

Comfortable. Cabins

Location

The ship stops in most major ports on the west coast.

Staff

The staff were very approachable and helpful. The only concern was that our bathroom light was out, and though we reported it day 1, nobody came to fix it.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Every place on board was clean.

Scandic Havet

Bodø

We had a 14th floor room with a view to die for! The hotel was down by the waterfront but not much was happening in the area. There were several dining options in easy walking distance. Breakfast buffet was great.

Authenticity & Character

Modern Scandinavian design, it is a nice hotel.

Location

It isn’t a happening area of town but it is convenient to the airport and the seaport. It

Staff

they seemed good; we had little direct interaction.

Cleanliness & Comfort

It was all clean and comfortable.

Hotel Victoria

Stavanger

We unexpectedly found ourselves in town due to a one letter error in airport codes and needed to fly there and stay the night with one day’s notice. The hotel is about a half hour drive from the airport, it’s only weakness. The bistro in the hotel is superb with a great menu of classics expertly prepared. The ambiance is classy but casual., and very comfortable. If you stay here you need to plan a great dinner there too.

Authenticity & Character

Fine old hotel well maintained, the rooms were comfortable, the dining room for breakfast is a lovely room and the breakfast excellent.

Location

We did not stay long enough to judge. For our purpose - getting to the airport by 10:00, it was good, but a 25-30 minute taxi ride.

Staff

I had very little contact, though the desk agent when we checked in was welcoming and helpful.

Cleanliness & Comfort

It was all clean and comfortable.

Activity Review

Bergen Walking Tour With a Local Guide

Bergen

Jon was knowledgeable and a good communicator. It was very worth doing.

Quality of Experience

We had a great tour of Norway.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The bus tour excursions from the cruise boat were fair, but the more participatory excursions were a better use of time and money.

Transport

Loved the cruise ship (not too big), and Norway’s rail system is great.

We had a fantastic trip to Norway. The combination of boats hikes and bikes was great and the food was surprisingly good. Highlights included boating through the fjord, sauna and cold plunge in Aurland and the midnight hike in the Lygen Alps. The lodge in the Alps was lovely and the chef, Seamon, was truly amazing. Mike, our guide for hikes and biking was great fun and very relaxed. Two lovely days in Bergen were a nice surprise (ie no rain) and some trails and views from the top of the tallest local mountain were so worth it.

Anna did a wonderful job of helping us plan and arrange our trip to Norway! With her very helpful insights and suggestions, she helped us create exactly the kind of trip we were looking for. Anna and her team were responsive and helpful whenever we had questions, both before and during our trip. I would highly recommend Anna and KimKim!

Team is super easy to work with and super responsive!! Everything worked out super well!

We booked 4 days in Norway, split between Bergen and Balestrand. We had a lovely time in both places, and we appreciated the travel recommendations made by our Kim Kim agent. Our two favorites were the Dragvik Fjordhotel and the cider tour at Ciderhueset, both in Balestrand. Our room at the Fjordhotel had big picture windows looking right out on the fjord, a truly spectacular view! The Hotel is family run and you can see the pride of ownership, and the staff was personable and attentive. The food was also excellent. We ended up eating dinner in the Hotel two nights and both meals were delicious. The tour at the Ciderhueset was run by the owner and he was very informative, and the lunch and cider tasting were lovely. We had a very positive experience on our trip, and we enjoyed the travel recommendations from our kimkim agent.

Hotel Review

Dragsvik Fjordhotell

Balestrand

Our room at the Fjordhotel had big picture windows looking right out on the fjord, a truly spectacular view! The Hotel is family run and you can see the pride of ownership, and the staff was personable and attentive. The food was also excellent. We ended up eating dinner in the Hotel two nights and both meals were delicious.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Cider Tasting with Food Pairing

Norway

The tour at the Ciderhueset was run by the owner and he was very informative, and the lunch and cider tasting were lovely.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Fabulous support all around--from Alex and his epic planning and clarity, to the support during the trip with my changing some plans around. The hotels were fabulous, the adventures planned were spot-on. I will book with Kim Kim again and have already recommended them many times!

What a wonderful trip to Norway! Christina was very knowledgable, responsive and helpful. Highlights were Aurland, the Fjord boat cruise and Lyngen.

Hotel Reviews

Hôtel Charmante

Bergen

quirky, comfortable hotel in Bergen Center. The staff was amazing. The food was excellent!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Wangen Apartments by Flåmsbrygga

Aurland

Loved it here! The top floor room was much better than our 1st floor room. Recommend asking for that. Also - definitely schedule the floating sauna!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Lyngen Experience Lodge

Nord-Lenangen

This place is magical! So beautiful. And the food, prepared by Simon - was OUTSTANDING! Would come back, even though it is a journey....

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Oliver, Mike and Simon are top notch.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Fjordcruise on UNESCO Nærøyfjord

Norway

Don't miss this!!!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our trip was all around amazing. We ended up in Oslo for two warm days and enjoyed our tour with Stieg. The Thon hotel was a great location. Note:/fisheriet Bjorvika restaurant is wonderful and in a cool neighborhood. Train to Flam, then Aurland. There was a hiccup in the taxi but ferry or bus is a good alternative. The fisherman’s cabin in Aurland was really special..on the water literally and simple but amazing views. We highly recommend the sauna and dipping on the pier. Breakfast was particularly nice in an old historic house with a nice spread. The Fiord Cruise was amazing as was the Stegstein viewpoint. Ferry to Balestrand and the hotel Kniknes was outstanding. Loved walking around the town (a great local restaurant Pearl of the Harbor , run by a Ukrainian with a Norwegian flavor). Note the hotel has no elevator and a lot of stairs to climb to our room. We were fine but some may not be. The cider tour and tasting was fantastic….and impressive history. Bergen was great ..as was the tour with John…a lot of local knowledge. The Hotel Terminus …very nice room, and location. Personally we felt that there were too many groups and events and not catered to individuals as much. . Loved Bergen , roaming around, food, and the funicular. We went early up the Funicular and highly recommend the walk down. Then the Hurtigruten….the fiords were spectacular…so glad we did it. And Trondheim. we LOVED the hotel Britannia….really top notch spot in every way. The Breakfast buffet was the most impressive I have ever seen and the service impeccable. Walking tour with Wanda was perfect. She is very knowledgeable and very entertaining with her stories. We also love the Bakklandet neighborhood and restaurants. Trondheim was really a lovely little city….turned out to be one of favorites!

Hotel Reviews

Kviknes Hotel

Balestrand

We really enjoyed staying at the Kviknes Hotel in Balestrand. It's an old, charming hotel with beautiful views by the sea. However, it doesn't have an elevator, which might be a concern for those who have trouble with stairs. There's a lovely restaurant nearby at the harbor run by a Ukrainian chef, which was a pleasant surprise. The food was great, with a fusion of local and Ukrainian flavors.

Vangsgaarden Gjestgiveri

Aurland

Vangsgaarden Gjestgiveri in Aurland was absolutely magical. It's located right on the water, and we stayed in the fisherman's cabins, which were fairly basic but offered such an amazing experience with a deck overlooking the fjord. The setting was reminiscent of being in the Alps. The breakfast spread was also lovely. If you prefer super fancy, this might not be your cup of tea, but we loved it.

Grand Hotel Terminus

Bergen

The Grand Hotel Terminus in Bergen has a fantastic location, and the rooms are beautiful, but it was not quite our style. The hotel was very crowded with groups, and there was a wedding on Sunday that seemed to take over the place. There wasn't a lobby area to relax in, which was a bit inconvenient. Despite these issues, the room was great, and Bergen itself is lovely.

Activity Reviews

Floating Fjord Sauna

Norway

The Floating Fjord Sauna in Aurland was a unique and enjoyable experience. We love dipping in cold water, and the combination of sauna and fjord was perfect for us. The staff advised us to shower with warm water before the dip, which made the experience even better. We spent around an hour alternating between the sauna and cold dips, and it felt invigorating. A highly recommended activity!

Cider & Fruit wine tasting with 5 snacks

Balestrand

The Cider & Fruit Wine Tasting with snacks in Balestrand was a delightful experience! We loved the variety of local produce and snacks on offer. It was a perfect way to spend the afternoon and learn about the local cider-making traditions. Definitely worth doing if you're in the area.

My parents and I recently returned from a two-week journey through Norway organized by Mathia, and I can say without hesitation that it was truly the trip of a lifetime.

From our very first conversation, Mathia was exceptional to work with. He was consistently responsive, patient, knowledgeable, and incredibly thorough throughout the entire planning process. No question ever seemed too small, and his communication was outstanding from start to finish. Planning an international trip with multiple destinations, hotels, transportation arrangements, and activities can feel overwhelming, but Mathia made the process remarkably smooth and stress-free.

Because I was traveling with my parents, it was especially important that the itinerary strike the right balance between activity, comfort, sightseeing, and driving time. Mathia did an excellent job creating a journey that accommodated different interests and energy levels while still allowing us to experience an incredible amount of Norway. Every stop felt purposeful, and the pacing never felt rushed.

What impressed me most was how thoughtfully the itinerary was designed. The trip struck a perfect balance between iconic destinations and lesser-known experiences, allowing us to experience Norway’s extraordinary natural beauty while avoiding the feeling of being shuffled from one attraction to the next. The route flowed seamlessly from Oslo to Aurland, Bergen, Ålesund, Valldal, Åndalsnes, and back to Oslo, with each destination offering something unique and memorable.

The accommodations were excellent throughout the journey, and many of Mathia’s recommendations became highlights of the trip. We experienced spectacular fjords, mountain scenery, charming villages, scenic drives, unforgettable hikes, wonderful restaurants, and countless moments that will stay with us for years to come. Some of our favorite memories came from places and experiences we likely never would have discovered on our own.

Another aspect we greatly appreciated was the support provided while we were traveling. Mathia happened to be on holiday for a portion of our trip, but he ensured we had contact information for other members of the KimKim team who were available to assist if needed. The transition was seamless, and the team checked in with us during the trip to make sure everything was going smoothly. That level of preparation and care gave us confidence that support was always available, even while Mathia was away.

If I were to offer one piece of constructive feedback for future travelers, it would simply be to provide a bit more guidance regarding transportation limitations in some of the smaller destinations outside the larger cities such as Oslo, Bergen, and Ålesund. This is certainly not a criticism, but rather something that may help future visitors better prepare their expectations.

For example, during our stay in Aurland before picking up our rental car in Ålesund, we discovered that local transportation options were extremely limited and often needed to be arranged well in advance. Demand was high, availability was scarce, and pricing could be surprisingly expensive. We looked into transportation to a nearby hiking trailhead and found that a round-trip transfer would have cost nearly $400 USD, which was far more than we anticipated. Ultimately, we adjusted our plans and found an alternate hike within walking distance of the hotel, but having a bit more advance awareness of transportation constraints in these smaller communities would have been helpful when planning activities. This is less a reflection on the itinerary itself and more a reality of traveling in some of Norway’s more remote and beautiful regions.

That minor observation aside, our overall experience was exceptional. Norway exceeded every expectation we had. The country’s natural beauty is extraordinary, but what transformed this from a great vacation into a truly unforgettable experience was the thoughtful planning and guidance we received from Mathia. His recommendations, organization, responsiveness, and attention to detail helped create memories that my parents and I will cherish for the rest of our lives.

I would enthusiastically recommend Mathia to anyone considering a trip to Norway. We are incredibly grateful for his assistance, professionalism, and dedication, and we would not hesitate to work with him again in the future.

What a magical trip! My husband and I are independent travelers but we wanted the expertise and logistical skill of a destination specialist who knew Norway inside out, and that's just what we got with Katie. We decided to travel from Oslo to Balestrand and fjord country to Bergen and then go on to Floro and the tiny island of Kinn -- mostly by ferries and train. Katie understood our budget constraints and still offered up remarkable suggestions on centrally located lodgings, including a cabin in Balestrand overlooking snow-capped mountains that we wanted to stay in forever. All the ferries and trains were arranged for and paid for in advance and she helped us secure an electric car for two days. Our entire trip (with PDF attachments and confirmations) was placed on an app, so all we had to do was open the app -- couldn't be easier. When a couple of hitches developed (as they always do in travel), we just reached out to KimKim and they responded in literally a minute and solved the issue right on the spot. Everyone there seemed committed to ensuring we enjoyed a wonderful vacation. A number of helpful suggestions were offered for us to explore at every stop we made, and we feel our two-week trip was filled with well-balanced activities (from cultural activities to awesome nature). We are still glowing from this trip and the wonderful people we met in Norway and the sights! OMG, the sights!

From the beginning of our planning stages, Krista was amazing. We had a broad idea of what we wanted to do and where we wanted to go, which of course was probably a bit grand for our available time, and budget. Krista was great in helping us to navigate what we could reasonably get in and do in the time alloted. During our trip, we ran into a few issues that needed to be addressed, and the customer service team took care of all of them! I would not hesitate to recommend Krista and NORD/KimKim for anyone wanting to visit Scandinavia!

Hotel Reviews

Scandic Grand Central Helsinki

Helsinki

Great hotel in a great location!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

St.Barbara

Tallinn

Great hotel just outside the old town.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Viking Line overnight cruise

Stockholm

Loved this overnight cruise across the Baltic and into the Stockholm Archipelago!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Upgraded Superior Room was a necessity, and was great!

Hotel Lilla Rådmannen

Stockholm

Now called the Corner Hotel, it's a little far away from the center of the city.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotell Utsikten

Geiranger

This is an amazing hotel with unprecedented views...but you MUST have a car to stay here. Too far away and a steep walk to town, with no or limited taxi service

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Thon Hotel Ålesund

Ålesund

Great location!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Scandic Torget

Bergen

Perfect location right across the street from the fish market and Brygenn.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Heimly Pensjonat

Flåm

Great small boutique hotel just a 10 minute walk from the center.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Copenhagen: A Food Tour of Past & Present

Copenhagen

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Estonian Food Tour

Tallinn

Guide didn’t show up.

Walking Tour Stockholm

Stockholm

Guide didn’t show up

Food & Beer Walk

Oslo

Geraingerfjord Safari by RIB

Geiranger

Food & Culture Walk

Bergen