Profile photo for Linda Veråsdal
15936 messages
active 7 hours ago

Linda Veråsdal

I live part time in Norway and Gambia, and in-between I travel. The passion for exploring new places at the same time as doing it in a good and honest way, led me to the role I have to day. Providing custom-made extraordinary travel experiences, while using tourism as a tool for development.

What places and activities do you specialize in?

"I specialize in travels to Norway and various places in the country. The experiences varies from outdoor adventures to more culture-based activities. Norway has a wide range of different activities you can do, and many small hidden gems and hamlets you can visit. Tailor-made off beaten travels and travel as a local. "

How did you get involved in travel?

"I have always been curious about people and places, which led me to the realization that my life would consist of traveling... in one form or another! Early in life I traveled mostly in Norway and worked various places from south to the North-cape, east to west and in between! From there onwards, I started to travel abroad.

Combined with my interest of social welfare, using tourism as a tool for development has been my call. This slowly led into establishing Ethical Travel Portal."

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"There are many... Most of them connect the sense of a place and the wish of time standing still to be able to absorb the experience. Add-on experiences that is difficult to plan for! It can be through exploring Norway, my own country, or as in my latest travel to Romania.

We stayed at a traditional house when the neighbor asked us over to see his vegetable garden. I have never seen so many different types of tomatoes! In less than ten minutes, he filled his basket and invited us in for a drink. Chopped the veggies and served it with ovens baked bread and home made juice! This happened at the same time as he was telling his interesting story. He then excused himself as he drove off to pick up his wife and daughter, leaving us in the kitchen enjoying the food! That is digging deep into the local culture.

Another experience happened recently in The Gambia, during a trip where we were looking for cotton farmers. When we finally found the village, we had been traveling to the opposite side of the country, far in and far East. There, the most pristine village popped up from nowhere. Very local and traditional, no electricity or running water, but so beautiful and the sense of a community feeling with great hospitality."

Linda is part of the following groups: Norway Travel Agents, Gambia Travel Agents, Norway Family Travel Agents
Top itineraries and travel advice
Family itineraries
Luxury itineraries
Road trip itineraries

Recent trip reviews for Linda

Beautiful Norway
Norway | Jan 4 - Jan 9, 2023

Pauline
Pauline M.
Australia | Reviewed on Jan 16, 2023

The whole process of planning our trip to Norway was so simple with the support of the wonderful team at kimkim. We started off with Andre, who came up with the initial plan based on my requests. When Andre moved on to another area, Linda took over, everything was seamless. We spent an incredible 6 days in Norway with the excitement of a RIB boat tour to watch the sea eagles and an amazing northern lights tour. An overnight trip on the Hurtigruten took us to our next adventure of reindeer... read more

The whole process of planning our trip to Norway was so simple with the support of the wonderful team at kimkim. We started off with Andre, who came up with the initial plan based on my requests. When Andre moved on to another area, Linda took over, everything was seamless. We spent an incredible 6 days in Norway with the excitement of a RIB boat tour to watch the sea eagles and an amazing northern lights tour. An overnight trip on the Hurtigruten took us to our next adventure of reindeer sledding. We were able to enjoy the beautiful scenery and learn about the local history and culture. There was only one small hiccup which was dealt with admirably by Tricia when I called the emergency number. Communication before, during and after our trip has been excellent.

Hotel Review
Svinøya Rorbuer
Svolvær

This is a beautiful setting in a fishing village. We stayed in a well-equipped 2 bedroom cabin which was a warm and cosy retreat after winter activities. There’s a very nice restaurant on site. If you don’t have a car be prepared to walk over the bridge to access shops, restaurants and activities.

Authenticity & Character
The preservation of the village’s history
Location
Beautiful setting
Staff
Very helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
Heating was on and everything was well presented on our arrival
Local specialist: Linda Veråsdal
Linda
Linda Veråsdal
Local specialist in Norway and Gambia | Replied on Jan 18, 2023

Hi Pauline, thank you so much for this lovely review and insight to your trip! Am so glad you finally got to experience Norway! Hop to see you in Norway another time :-) Best, Linda

Norway is such a magical place, and this trip...
Norway | Sep 8 - Sep 18, 2022

S
Sharon S.
Stevensville, MT | Reviewed on Oct 01, 2022

Norway is such a magical place, and this trip allowed us to burrow in further than our previous trip. Our trip had a nice flow, and our accommodations were excellent. We stayed in both an incredible boutique style hotel suite, and a fishing cabin in the Lofotens. Our overnight on the Hurtigruten Ferry gave us a taste of cruising and allowed us to take a RIB trip to the Saltstraumen Strait. We liked having 2 nights at our hotels so we could get there, explore and relax. Linda was attentive to... read more

Norway is such a magical place, and this trip allowed us to burrow in further than our previous trip. Our trip had a nice flow, and our accommodations were excellent. We stayed in both an incredible boutique style hotel suite, and a fishing cabin in the Lofotens. Our overnight on the Hurtigruten Ferry gave us a taste of cruising and allowed us to take a RIB trip to the Saltstraumen Strait. We liked having 2 nights at our hotels so we could get there, explore and relax. Linda was attentive to our needs with many great suggestions. Thank you for your organization and ease of planning.

Hotel Reviews
Scandic Nidelven
Trondheim

Central location by the flower bridge with easy access to outside terrace restaurants and bars. This hotel had the best breakfast buffet ever!!!! It's hard to call it a buffet as there were stations set up with personal service for everything. The room was comfortable. The hotel staff was extremely helpful. We had an issue with our power cords and they were able to advise us on how to fix our access.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Location and breakfast
Staff
Helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hustadvika Havhotell
Fraena

I wish I had read the driving instructions to this hotel that you provided more thoroughly before I panicked. Turns out we were only 3 minutes away when we started asking directions. The room was comfortable and cozy. The staff was very pleasant. It was a bit isolated if you didn't want to eat at the hotel.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
MS Kong Harald
Tromsø

This ferry ride was great exposure to what cruising must be like. Our room was small but had everything we needed. We were only onboard 1 night. If we had gone further it would have been nice to have a room with a larger window. We sat on the observation deck most of the time. It was amazing how closely we navigated through the islands. We signed up to take the RIB Saltstraumen excursion. This may have been the highlight of our trip. For some reason we thought we had our room until we reached Svolvaer. But when we were paged we found out we should have checked out by 11. We were hoping to come back from the RIB adventure, take a warm shower and gather up our belongings for our departure. That was our mistake. The scenery along the passage was incredible!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Nordis Hotel & Suites
svolvær

Wow!! What a great little boutique hotel!!! We loved our corner suite with a lovely view of the harbor and mountains. Our bedroom was spacious, and we appreciated having the sitting area and outside balcony as well. We would definitely stay here again. Thank you for getting us such a lovely space.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Corner suite with balcony on the harbor
Staff
Friendly and accommodating
Cleanliness & Comfort
Reine Rorbuer
Reine

Quaint fishing cabin right on the harbor. Lovely space with lots of character.

Authenticity & Character
A true fishing cabin outfitted as you would hope, but with modern amenities
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Silent Trollfjord Cruise
Svolvær

Amazing time on the water. The guides were informative. The scenery was stunning.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Knowledgeable and friendly. Enjoyed the underwater drone images.
Transport
Diverse scenery
Local specialist: Linda Veråsdal
Linda
Linda Veråsdal
Local specialist in Norway and Gambia | Replied on Oct 11, 2022

Hi Sharon, thank you so much for your review and sharing the wonderful pictures! They are just amazing and I can see you had a nice trip! Am glad the flow worked out and that you got so many great experiences! Hope to see you both back in Norway again! :-) Best wishes, Linda

Unforgettable trip in Norway!
Norway | Aug 28 - Sep 6, 2022

Emily
Emily C.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Sep 12, 2022

We had an absolutely amazing time in Norway thanks to our trip planner Linda. Every place we visited was more magical than the last, and the lesser known towns she sent us to were our favorites. We never could have had this trip without her. My only regret is that we didn't have more time to explore these magical places.

We only had to reach out to KimKim once while we were away to get some advice on timing with the ferries. Linda was off that day, but her team member figured out... read more

We had an absolutely amazing time in Norway thanks to our trip planner Linda. Every place we visited was more magical than the last, and the lesser known towns she sent us to were our favorites. We never could have had this trip without her. My only regret is that we didn't have more time to explore these magical places.

We only had to reach out to KimKim once while we were away to get some advice on timing with the ferries. Linda was off that day, but her team member figured out exactly where we were based on our shaky directions from inside a tunnel, as was able to calculate our travel times and and give us advice on our next move. I was shocked at the level of customer service.

The tour guides Linda matched us up with here so kind and knowledgeable, it felt like walking around with our new Norwegian friends rather than being on a tour. Special shoutout to our inn keeper in Værlandet, who gave us food out of her own freezer when we arrived after the grocery store had closed. Above and beyond!

Hotel Reviews
Opus XVI
Bergen

So comfortable, the best sleep we got on the trip.

Authenticity & Character
Such a step up from the other hotel chains in Bergen.
Location
Great location, right in the heart of things.
Staff
Friendly and helpful!
Cleanliness & Comfort
I miss this mattress.
Fjærland Fjordstove Hotel
Fjærland

So authentic and the food rivaled the Michelin star restaurants we went to.

Authenticity & Character
It felt like stepping back in time, so charming.
Location
The views!!!! How do you beat that?
Staff
Great advice from everyone at the hotel on how to spend our time, hikes, food, etc.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Værlandet Havhotell
Hamna

This is like no place I've ever been. Totally off the beaten path, unbelievably beautiful.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Right on the water, amazing views!
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Thief
Oslo

So trendy!

Authenticity & Character
Very cool vibe to the whole hotel, modern and trendy.
Location
Right in the heart of things!
Staff
Everyone was so kind and accommodating even though we had a really late check in.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Definitely felt like a 4 star hotel, modern and clean.
Local specialist: Linda Veråsdal
Linda
Linda Veråsdal
Local specialist in Norway and Gambia | Replied on Sep 22, 2022

Hei Emily, such a pleasure to read your feedback! I am happy that everything went as planned, and they you enjoyed the route we had put together for you. Hope to see you back in Norway another time to explore! :-) Best, Linda

A memorable trip I had been to Norway t...
Norway | Aug 8 - Aug 24, 2022

gerard
gerard b.
Fitchburg, MA | Reviewed on Aug 31, 2022

A memorable trip

I had been to Norway twice before so one may think I had done it all - far from it. Despite my age of 76 I had planned a hiking trip w
trip with Kim-Kim tours. It was an independent tour with Kim-Kim making most of the itinerary, booking guides, gondolas etc and making helpful suggestions
The result being, that despite
a couple problems, that this was an awesome trip and experience. The first 6 days of the 3 week trip I relived past experiences in Oslo, ... read more

A memorable trip

I had been to Norway twice before so one may think I had done it all - far from it. Despite my age of 76 I had planned a hiking trip w
trip with Kim-Kim tours. It was an independent tour with Kim-Kim making most of the itinerary, booking guides, gondolas etc and making helpful suggestions
The result being, that despite
a couple problems, that this was an awesome trip and experience. The first 6 days of the 3 week trip I relived past experiences in Oslo, Stavanger and Bergen climbing pulpit's rock, dining on wharf in Bergen, cruising the archipelago in Oslo, etc., but I also had many new adventures like hiring a guide in Oslo (Kim-Kim suggestion) that was fantastic. Kim-Kim gave me an option of mountains to hike at every stop and also options on accomations. I rented a car in Bergen and headed to Kalvag, staying in unforgettable Knutholmen. Unfortunately it had rained all July in Norway so despite sunny weather the ground was saturated and gave way on my hike causing me to have a serious fall and injury. The owner of knutholmen was fantastic in helping me, but my hiking trip was ended. This is where Kim-Kim stepped up and not only saved my trip but made it the best sight seeing trip of my life. Linda, from Kim-Kim, each night provided me with incredible scenic drives and interesting stops and activities along the way. I have seen incredible scenery I would have never seen without her help. Norway turned out to be the most beautiful country I have ever seen. So instead of the fall ruining my trip, it turned it into a fantastic explorative journey that Kim-Kim enhanced with Linda's constant help. For example, Andalnes and route 93 with the Trollstigen drive are indescribable beauty suggested to me by Linda.
It was truly a trip I will never forget !

Activity Review
Oslo City Walk with a Local
Oslo
Quality of Experience
Everything
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Wit and knowledge
Transport
I used my own rental but kim-kim did move my bags once. Each country had excellent transports of busses, trains ferries
Local specialist: Linda Veråsdal
Linda
Linda Veråsdal
Local specialist in Norway and Gambia | Replied on Sep 07, 2022

Hi Jerry, thank you so much for your wonderful review! I am really to read that you had a great experience and enjoyed our suggestions and planning. I hope to see you in Norway again another time. Still things to explore! :-) Best wishes, Linda

Our trip to Norway was amazing!
Norway | Aug 1 - Aug 12, 2022

sybil
sybil p.
Hinsdale, IL | Reviewed on Aug 27, 2022

Our trip to Norway was amazing! We loved the summer farm in Innerdalen. Our guides were knowledgeable and friendly. The hike to Romsdalseggen was worth the effort because of the views! Our planner, Linda did a fantastic job incorporating our ideas to create a fun and beautiful trip. read more

Our trip to Norway was amazing! We loved the summer farm in Innerdalen. Our guides were knowledgeable and friendly. The hike to Romsdalseggen was worth the effort because of the views! Our planner, Linda did a fantastic job incorporating our ideas to create a fun and beautiful trip.

Hotel Review
Renndølsetra
6620

Such a beautiful place! Note that accomodations are rustic but it's the most beautiful place we stayed at while in Norway.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
The owner was very friendly and answered our questions about the farm. The other staff were very nice and friendly even though they were very busy.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The view from my bedroom window.
Local specialist: Linda Veråsdal
Linda
Linda Veråsdal
Local specialist in Norway and Gambia | Replied on Sep 03, 2022

Hi Sybil & All, thank you for visiting us in Norway and for the lovely review. :-) I really enjoyed planning your trip with you, and think you got to see a lot while you were here. Thank you for sharing your photos! Hope to see you back in Norway another time. Greetings to your family. Best, Linda

The highlight of the trip was no question 1) ...
Norway | Jul 28 - Aug 4, 2022

Philip
Philip B.
Atlanta, GA | Reviewed on Aug 11, 2022

The highlight of the trip was no question 1) our stay and visit in Auckland and 2) the private tours provided both in Oslo and Bergen!!!....both Stig and Vilda were amazing!....and of course Linda was the best travel planner ever. Thank you all so so much!

Local specialist: Linda Veråsdal
Linda
Linda Veråsdal
Local specialist in Norway and Gambia | Replied on Aug 19, 2022

Hi Philip, thank you for your feedback! Very happy to hear that your enjoyed your trip, and that it worked out! Hope to see you in Norway another time!

The. Trip you PLAN and the trip you TAKE…..
Norway | Jun 22 - Jul 4, 2022

Jean
Jean S.
Lancaster, PA | Reviewed on Jul 26, 2022

They say that there are always two trips you take “the trip that you plan and the trip that you take”.
This certainly was the case for our trip to Norway. Plans were initially made in 2020 with KimKim. However, as happened to so many people, our trip was postponed for two years due to Covid. The long awaited trip finally took place this year. KimKim did a great job in making all of our reservations for us in Oslo, Flamm, Bergen and on our Hurtigruten cruise ending in Kirkenes, Norway. All of... read more

They say that there are always two trips you take “the trip that you plan and the trip that you take”.
This certainly was the case for our trip to Norway. Plans were initially made in 2020 with KimKim. However, as happened to so many people, our trip was postponed for two years due to Covid. The long awaited trip finally took place this year. KimKim did a great job in making all of our reservations for us in Oslo, Flamm, Bergen and on our Hurtigruten cruise ending in Kirkenes, Norway. All of the accommodations were superb. The layover in Flamm was one of my favorite parts of the entire trip - with I would have stayed there longer. The folks at the Skandic in Kirkenes were most helpful when we were detained there due to the SAS Airways pilots strike. Linda (from KimKim) recommended staying there until we were able to get a flight home, which we were able to thanks to a tourist company in Kirkenes, who provided transportation and recommendations of a flight home via Helsinki. We could not have managed the stress of our situation without all of the kind people we met. Thank you, Linda, for your support during those trying times.

Hotel Reviews
Grand Hotel Terminus
Bergen

Old historic hotel, convenient to train station and pleasant walk to center city.

Location
Staff
Fretheim Hotel
Flåm

Small room but very clean with nice view of garden. Delicious buffet breakfast and very helpful staff.

Location
Staff
MS Nordnorge
Tromsø

Very small but pleasant accommodations.

Staff
Very helpful to our needs
Snowhotel Kirkenes

Excellent food and lovely accommodations in one of their cabins.

Authenticity & Character
Staff were very personable
Location
Not convenient to the town of Kirkenes without a taxi
Staff
Delightful little private cabin
Cleanliness & Comfort
Scandic Byporten
Oslo

Very clean and comfortable and perfect location by railroad and center city. Surprisingly very quiet.

Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Embark Hurtigruten
Norway
Quality of Experience
Programs or entertainment in evenings, tour guides when time available in ports.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Explore Kirkenes and Depart Norway
Kirkenes

Information should have been made available about upcoming SAS pilot strike so that we could have started to make plans before leaving the ship. Apparently the staff was aware of this but we did not know until leaving the ship in Kirkenes, which had no other way to leave, other than SAS Airways which we needed to take us to Oslo for our flight home. There is no travel agent in this town and we had to glean information from anyone else who would know. This was very stressful. TV service in our room did not provide any information which would have been a great way to notify passengers of potential problem.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Linda Veråsdal
Linda
Linda Veråsdal
Local specialist in Norway and Gambia | Replied on Aug 07, 2022

Hi Jean, thank you for your feedback. It is such a shame that your trip ended with the SAS flight strike, and made it impossible for you to go back home in time. It is nice to read that before this, you had a very nice journey - after two years wait due to covid. It was a pleasure to help you plan and organise it. I hope the good memories from the trip (and not the strike (!)) is what will remain with you. Thank you so much for traveling with us. Best, Linda

We loved having Thomas and Emmy as our guides...
Norway | Jul 14 - Jul 17, 2022

B
billie h.
the U.S. Virgin Islands | Reviewed on Jul 22, 2022

We loved having Thomas and Emmy as our guides. read more

We loved having Thomas and Emmy as our guides.

Hotel Reviews
Trolltunga Hotel
Odda

Hotel was good but make a reservation for dinner

Authenticity & Character
Location
Location/view
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Trolltunga Camp Sunset Sunrise
TYSSEDAL

Very cold. Please warn tourist on weather delays and cold days and nights , even in July.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Flåm Marina
Flåm

We were bone tired so it didn’t matter a lot but we didn’t find people there so friendly or helpful.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Guided Overnight Hike to Trolltunga for Sunset/Sunrise
Norway
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Buses to run all day and not close 2-3 hours for lunch.
Flåm Railway and Cycling Adventure
Norway

Biking not for everyone bc the first part is very steep and on gravel but it was beautiful.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Linda Veråsdal
Linda
Linda Veråsdal
Local specialist in Norway and Gambia | Replied on Aug 02, 2022

Hi Billie, thank you very much for your review. I am sorry it was not quite as expected and a bit packed over the three days, and you also had some cold weather on your overnight hike Your feedback will certainly help us in the planning process onwards. Greetings to your family! - Linda

Wonderful Norway Memories
Norway | Jul 9 - Jul 18, 2022

R
Ryan R.
Meridian, ID | Reviewed on Jul 19, 2022

Linda did an absolutely wonderful job planning and organizing our Norway trip. She always promptly and pleasantly responded to the logistical questions we had prior to the trip. Our Bergen city tour guide did a wonderful job giving us a great overview of the city. Our water taxi captain Tor gave us a fun s as fun informative ride to our hotel. Our Fjaerland hiking guide took us on a beautiful hike to a secluded overlook over the fjord. Elin on Vaerlandet was so kind and a wonderful host for... read more

Linda did an absolutely wonderful job planning and organizing our Norway trip. She always promptly and pleasantly responded to the logistical questions we had prior to the trip. Our Bergen city tour guide did a wonderful job giving us a great overview of the city. Our water taxi captain Tor gave us a fun s as fun informative ride to our hotel. Our Fjaerland hiking guide took us on a beautiful hike to a secluded overlook over the fjord. Elin on Vaerlandet was so kind and a wonderful host for our island adventure. We loved being able to be so active with this itinerary. Our kids loved the diversity of activity this itinerary provided as well.

Hotel Reviews
Bergen Børs Hotel
Bergen

Very quiet rooms and the family room provided ample room for a family of 4 with 3 beds. The buffet breakfast was the largest spread we had in Norway!

Authenticity & Character
Such a cool old but beautifully updated building
Location
So close to Bryggen, the ferry, and the fish market.
Staff
Always professional, pleasant, and kind
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean
Fjærland Fjordstove Hotel
Fjærland

Sitting right in the fjord, this hotel is a true Norwegian experience. The food is locally sourced and amazing! Breakfast buffet was delicious and the evening dinners were mouth watering. Our son called dessert the best dessert he has ever had… we would agree!

Authenticity & Character
Takes you back in time… in an amazing way. Old world charm.
Location
Right on the fjord—-amazing beautiful!
Staff
All staff were so friendly and accommodating doing their best to ensure we had a good stay.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean and beds were very comfortable.
Quality Hotel Florø
Florø

Very clean, very quiet modern hotel. Breakfast buffet had many offerings. Loved that it was so close to the ferry terminal.

Authenticity & Character
Right on the harbor
Location
Close to the ferry made it very convenient
Staff
Very pleasant and helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean, very quiet
Værlandet Havhotell
Hamna

Absolutely amazing and stunning hotel. Loved having a kitchenette. Views were spectacular! Having bike rentals the whole stay made it so easy to get around the islands. Elin was the most kind and gracious host ever! Highly recommend staying here!

Authenticity & Character
Loved the fact that this was so near the boat harbor but felt like you were in a very quiet and secluded location!
Location
The view was so amazingly spectacular
Staff
From pick up off the ferry from the time we left, Elin took such wonderful care of us!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Extremely clean, comfortable beds, and a nice complete kitchenette
Activity Reviews
Explore Bergen with a Local
Bergen

Fartein was a wonderful and fun tour guide. He did a good job answering questions and our kids enjoyed his perspective!

Quality of Experience
Great city overview… fun tour guide
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Friendly and knowledgeable
Transport
Bergen - Fjordcruise to Fjærland
Norway

Captain Tor has such a deep understanding of the Balestrand area that it made for a wonderful experience.

Quality of Experience
Loved having the boat all to ourselves and the ability to ask questions
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Friendly and pleasant— he has great stories and a firm understanding of the history and area of Balestrand
Transport
Loved the boat ride
Local specialist: Linda Veråsdal
Linda
Linda Veråsdal
Local specialist in Norway and Gambia | Replied on Jul 20, 2022

Hi Ryan, thank you for your lovely review. I am very happy the logistics worked out and that you had such a memorable journey. I hope to see you and your family back in Norway at some point, maybe to discover the north of the country! Greetings to your family!

An Epic trip with Epic service!
Norway | Jun 16 - Jul 3, 2022

Natalie
Natalie G.
Canada | Reviewed on Jul 10, 2022

We are so incredibly grateful to Linda for planning us an AMAZING 18 day itinerary through Norway.
She really gave us incredible diversity along our travels- allowing us to see the country from so many points of view!
We came home with so many memories we will cherish forever- and it was so thoughtful how Linda checked in with us along our journey.
Since we went North to South through the country, I thought I would share my favourite stops along the way:
- Honningsvag and Nordkapp:... read more

We are so incredibly grateful to Linda for planning us an AMAZING 18 day itinerary through Norway.
She really gave us incredible diversity along our travels- allowing us to see the country from so many points of view!
We came home with so many memories we will cherish forever- and it was so thoughtful how Linda checked in with us along our journey.
Since we went North to South through the country, I thought I would share my favourite stops along the way:
- Honningsvag and Nordkapp: being that North was something we will never forget. Being at Nordkapp on the summer solstice Instantly became a core memory. The midnight sun and the driving were epic!! We would have loved another night here. Our hotel in Honningsvag had a beautiful rooftop terrace.
- The Sami culture park in Karasjok is worth a visit we loved to learn about the culture and driving here we saw SOO many reindeer! We also got to feed some at the nature park right beside our hotel. Be aware that the park is closed on Sundays if you travel there over a weekend. The restaurant there beside the Scandic hotel was one of our favourites of the entire trip!
- Tromso was a lively incredible city with amazing views everywhere you look. The cable car for the midnight sun is a must. We spent quite a bit of time up there. The views were beautiful. Our hotel- Clarion the Edge had the most comfortable bed of the entire trip and I slept so well here.
- Fjaerland: this was HANDS DOWN our absolute FAVOURITE part of our trip! This small village should be visited by anyone going to Norway. Kayaking in the fjord, the floating sauna, the glacier museum and having lunch in front of the glacier left us speechless. We were in love with every minute of being here. 2 nights was the perfect amount of time to see the village and do some activities. A MUST visit for anyone. Fjaerland Fjorstove hotel had the most amazing and friendly staff, the food was great and better yet- learning about the village from the locals was so fantastic.
- Vaerlandet: The next top stop for us on our journey- we enjoyed the island life thoroughly and the hotel was INCREDIBLE. Vaerlandet Havhotell- Elin was Incredible. She was SO nice and accommodating, even letting us do a load of laundry during our visit! The view from our terrace allowed us to fully enjoy sunsets, the breakfast delivered right to your door was great and climbing Alden mountain with a private boat transfer was also a core memory from our trip!
-Flam Railway: an incredible trip not to miss up the mountain with so much beautiful scenery and waterfalls!
-Oslo: We really enjoyed the city vibe of Oslo. There were so many great shops and restaurants here, but we truly wouldn’t have enjoyed Oslo as much if we didn’t have a guided walking tour with our guide STIG! He was AMAZING! Such a cool, laid back guy, who loved being off the beaten path and really made us fall in love with his city. The stories and history he shared made our visit to Oslo so special. Thanks Stig!!!
The opera house is the ideal place to watch the sunset each night and the vintage shops were my favourite!

Thank you Linda and Kimkim for an incredible trip we will never forget. We really felt like we could reach out to Linda for anything- having the best support along our travels. Once again, we are so grateful for you!
We have been telling everyone we know about the incredible service and look forward to using it again in the future!

Love, Natalie & Tyler

Hotel Reviews
Scandic Alta
Alta

This hotel had the most elaborate breakfast spread of any hotel on our trip! We loved the fresh food options, we slept well here and they even allowed us to do laundry for free! Would highly recommend this hotel- service, location and amenities were great!

Authenticity & Character
Location
In the Center of the city amenities
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Scandic Karasjok
Karasjok

Loved the Sauna, the staff were so nice and helpful, and the restaurant next door was our favourite of our whole trip!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Close to everything- including the reindeer at the nature park! We could see them from our window
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The View Hotel
Nordkapp

The rooms were really nice, the anytime drink machine was great (the choco milk here was my favourite) and the rooftop terrace is stunning!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Incredible views! Living up to its name!
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Clarion Hotel the Edge
Tromsø

This hotel had the most comfortable beds and I slept the best here of any hotel on our trip! The breakfast was great and the staff were very friendly. It’s also so close to a lot of great restaurants and shops!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Bergen Børs Hotel
Bergen

The hotel was super nice, the staff was great here- and being that we couldn’t make breakfast either time we stayed here they prepared us a breakfast box and it was delicious. The restaurant is booked super far in advance but luckily the location is great in the centre of town so there are many great restaurant choices around, and even a grocery store right across the street.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Each time we stayed here the staff brought a kettle to my room for me which I appreciated SO much!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Fjærland Fjordstove Hotel
Fjærland

This was hands down my favourite village we visited on our trip. The staff at this hotel are incredible. The terrace and the room we stayed in had AMAZING views of the fjord and glacier. We would absolutely come back to Norway just to visit here again. We loved the story time about the village before dinner and appreciated the local cuisine!

Authenticity & Character
Loved the old world charm like a bed and breakfast
Location
You will not beat these views!
Staff
SO friendly and we enjoyed hearing about the village from them!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Værlandet Havhotell
Hamna

This hotel is an absolute GEM! Our terrace allowed us to enjoy the sunset fully each night, we loved the breakfast delivered to our door each morning and most importantly- ELIN was SOO nice and accommodating, even letting us do a load of laundry! We were SO grateful to stay here.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Elin you rock! Thank you for your kindness and generosity!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Amerikalinjen
Oslo

The rooms here are BEAUTIFUL! The additional touches of robes, slippers, the tech of the digital lights, music syncing, etc made it feel very luxurious. I would absolutely stay here again in Oslo. The breakfast was hands down the best of our trip, with eggs Benedict, omelettes, etc. the location also could not have been any better so close to the train station and we enjoyed hearing live music in the square in front of the hotel most nights!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Oslo City Walk with a Local
Oslo

STIG!!! He was THE BEST! We truly enjoyed our walking tour with Stig so much- it was one of the highlights of our trip. He is such a cool, laid back person with a love for his city that was infectious. We thoroughly enjoyed learning about the history, the great tips on bars, restaurants and shops and just the company of this amazing human. We truly would not have discovered so many of the places Stig took us if it weren’t for our tour. Thank you Stig for your time, your company, your love for what you do and for making us fall in Love with Oslo! Xo

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Kayak in Fjærlandsfjord
Norway

This experience was one of the highlights of our entire 18-day trip. Our guide was incredible, and we enjoyed hearing about the village during our time together. It almost feels surreal on the water- everywhere you look you feel like you are in a postcard or painting. When we turned around to go back- the moment of seeing the glacier and the view change was so beautiful. Thank you for such a lovely experience- we will cherish that forever!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide (I’m so sorry I forget your name!) was incredible and told us such cool history and information about the village!
Transport
We walked 2 minutes from our hotel to get there! :)
Floating Sauna
Norway

WOW this experience was amazing. You just cannot beat the peace you feel from feeling relaxed in there and seeing the gorgeous views. Omg the glass was so clean my pictures turned out amazing from here! We jumped into the fjord to cool down- and it was COLD! The water was 8 degrees haha but it felt fantastic. This is a MUST DO activity!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Linda Veråsdal
Linda
Linda Veråsdal
Local specialist in Norway and Gambia | Replied on Jul 14, 2022

Hi Natalie, wow - am so happy to read your review and hear about the amazing places that you were visiting and how it all fitted together! You had a really nice journey from top of Norway to the southern part and indeed visited some real gems. Really pleased that you enjoyed and thank you for sharing your experience with us and other travellers. Looking forward to see you again another time! :-)

Norway in summer
Norway | Jun 22 - Jul 4, 2022

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Pat W.
Live Oak, FL | Reviewed on Jul 05, 2022

Our trip to Norway was very nice. We had several surprises along the way, from the initial
planning (pre-covid) to the actual trip. At the end of the trip, we were dumbfounded to be
affected by the SAS Airline strike, which resulted in our being stranded in Norway.
I really compliment our Kimkim consultant, Linda, for doing her best to help us. She never
failed to respond to our emails and also helped to research options for us to get out of
Norway. It was very comforting knowing she was... read more

Our trip to Norway was very nice. We had several surprises along the way, from the initial
planning (pre-covid) to the actual trip. At the end of the trip, we were dumbfounded to be
affected by the SAS Airline strike, which resulted in our being stranded in Norway.
I really compliment our Kimkim consultant, Linda, for doing her best to help us. She never
failed to respond to our emails and also helped to research options for us to get out of
Norway. It was very comforting knowing she was there and paying attention to our dilemma..
Kimkim did a very thorough job of planning our trip in meticulous detail, trying hard to
do exactly what we asked. Even with all the many, many changes, cancelations, rebookings
and delays, I must give them kudos. I wouldn't hesitate to use Kimkim again for this type
of trip.

Hotel Review
Snowhotel Kirkenes

Even though we visited the Snow Hotel in the summer, I consider this to be something every traveler to Norway should experience. The main hotel is constructed entirely of ice, from the floors and walls, to the actual beds, furnishings and decorations. The word "amazing" falls short of describing this lovely facade. We stayed in a Gamma cabin on the premises which was also just beautiful. Constructed of various types of light color wood, the worksmanship was outstanding. ultra modern bathroom, and a huge picture window in the main room, which allowed us to sit and enjoy the views of the ice hotel, the 160 sled dogs on the premises and the reindeer, which you can feed! The restaurant served really delicious food and in my opinion, the chefs were masterful and the food was outstanding. The entire experience far exceeded my expectations. If I could award it six stars, I would

Authenticity & Character
Location
This hotel was in a remote area and there was nothing at all nearby, nothing to walk to
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Linda Veråsdal
Linda
Linda Veråsdal
Local specialist in Norway and Gambia | Replied on Jul 07, 2022

Hi Pat, thank you so much for your review. You had a nice experience traveling from Oslo to Bergen via Sognefjord and then up the coast with Hurtigruten and really got to see a lot of our country. Unfortunately it did not end well with the SAS flight strike and having to spend extra time in Kirkenes and alternative route back home! I hope, looking back at the trip - it is the good memories of the journey itself you will remember! After long time planning due to covid! Take care both.

A Fabulous 13 day trip to Norway
Norway | Jun 14 - Jun 26, 2022

Howard
Howard B.
Denver, CO | Reviewed on Jun 27, 2022

We had great guides. Stig was incredible in Oslo. Torstein was great in Aurland. John was superb in Bergen and went out of his way to help. Linda was the best - responsive, courteous, helpful - even got us refund from hotel due to difficulty leaving US. Linda was creative in planning the trip and with me all the time, thru kimkim, very fast responses. Our 13 days in Norway was everything we could have imagined. Even the weather cooperated!!

Local specialist: Linda Veråsdal
Linda
Linda Veråsdal
Local specialist in Norway and Gambia | Replied on Jul 02, 2022

Hi Howard, thank you so much for your review! It was a pleasure to plan your holiday together, and keep following as you were travelling. I am very happy that the itinerary was as expected and you enjoyed the different places! Wish you a nice trip onwards, and hope to see you in Norway another time!

Exceptional experience and attitude through the adversity of covid!
Norway | Jun 10 - Jun 19, 2022

C
Chrys C.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Jun 20, 2022

We had an amazing experience planning and coordinating the trip with Linda and the team. Despite Covid19 trying hard to cancel our trip (and after 2 years of postponing it) we managed to take the trip and have an incredible time. The team was super helpful throughout all the different changes, adjustments and was very accommodating and always with a smile. We thank them for that!

Beyond the great selection of hotels and options along the journey the team also picked an incredible guide in... read more

We had an amazing experience planning and coordinating the trip with Linda and the team. Despite Covid19 trying hard to cancel our trip (and after 2 years of postponing it) we managed to take the trip and have an incredible time. The team was super helpful throughout all the different changes, adjustments and was very accommodating and always with a smile. We thank them for that!

Beyond the great selection of hotels and options along the journey the team also picked an incredible guide in Oslo (Stig). We had a great day out with him!

Thank you for all the support and making out trip special.

Hotel Review
Hotel Brosundet
Ålesund

Fantastic hotel overall. Even on the worst rainy day it provided everything end to end for a day in. Great gym, sauna, fantastic restaurant (definitely recommended), bar and beautiful lounge area with a cool fireplace. They even had a surprise complementary dinner/meal one of the nights which was delicious. Well equipped rooms as well

Authenticity & Character
Cool old building outside and also well-architected inside while having modern rooms and gym
Location
Overlooking the canal and beautiful city of Alesund
Staff
Super helpful, proactive
Cleanliness & Comfort
Spotless everywhere, felt like a new hotel
Local specialist: Linda Veråsdal
Linda
Linda Veråsdal
Local specialist in Norway and Gambia | Replied on Jun 20, 2022

Hi Chrys, happy to read you had a nice journey and finally got to do it! After covid years in planning :-) Thank you very much for your review, so glad to hear - despite some rainy days - it was a great experience. Hope to see you back in Norway another time! All the best to you both.

Worth the Wait
Norway | May 30 - Jun 8, 2022

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Jen S.
Machesney Park, IL | Reviewed on Jun 16, 2022

Linda had to plan our trip not once but three times thanks to COVID. It was well worth the wait! The best part for us was the local touch. While other folks walked around in groups of 20 struggling to hear one guide tell stories, our family had one guide all to ourselves. They provided great insight and a personal touch I don't think we would have had with another company. read more

Linda had to plan our trip not once but three times thanks to COVID. It was well worth the wait! The best part for us was the local touch. While other folks walked around in groups of 20 struggling to hear one guide tell stories, our family had one guide all to ourselves. They provided great insight and a personal touch I don't think we would have had with another company.

Hotel Reviews
Scandic Byparken
Bergen

Perfect location, great breakfast. The rooms were a bit small and could use some updating.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Midtnes Hotel
Balestrand

The view from the hotel was fantastic! But the hotel itself is old and lacking any amenities. If you know that going in, you'll be fine. The owner is lovely and attentive.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Scandic Byporten
Oslo

Awesome central location and fun decor. But the rooms are very cramped.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Explore Bergen with a Local
Bergen

Vilde was lovely - lots of great history of Bergen as well as tips for just about anything we wanted to do.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Scenic Boat Trip to Fjærland
Balestrand

Captain Tor was fantastic. He made sure each of us was able to see or do something we wanted or didn't even know we wanted. My son had a special request to fish and he let him cast a little bit even though we weren't on a fishing cruise. He let my daughter drive - something she was nervous about at first but ultimately loved.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Explore Oslo's Hidden Gems with a Local Expert
Oslo

It was amazing how much Stig knew about Oslo's history. He was very thoughtful about including our whole family in the experience and even sent a photo after the tour was over.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Linda Veråsdal
Linda
Linda Veråsdal
Local specialist in Norway and Gambia | Replied on Jun 17, 2022

Hi Jen, thank you so much for your review. It was a pleasure to have you in Norway and plan the trip, through pandemic to finally be able to travel! Love your photos, and to get an insight to your experiences while here. Greetings to the rest of the family and hope to see you in Norway another time! Linda

Wonderful trip!!!!
Norway | May 21 - Jun 4, 2022

S
Susan K.
Carmel, IN | Reviewed on Jun 09, 2022

My husband and I recently returned from a trip which included Bergen, Vaerlandet, Fjaerland and Lofoten . It's hard for me to express with words how wonderful our trip was. The credit for this goes to our wonderful specialist Linda. We started planning this trip about 3 years ago . We had to cancel our plans twice due to covid. This involved a lot of work on Linda's part but she was always gracious and happy to help. In addition to planning our route she also recommended and scheduled... read more

My husband and I recently returned from a trip which included Bergen, Vaerlandet, Fjaerland and Lofoten . It's hard for me to express with words how wonderful our trip was. The credit for this goes to our wonderful specialist Linda. We started planning this trip about 3 years ago . We had to cancel our plans twice due to covid. This involved a lot of work on Linda's part but she was always gracious and happy to help. In addition to planning our route she also recommended and scheduled activities for us as well as arranging our rental cars. We started our trip in Bergen which is the city where my grandmother was born. It is very special for me to be in Bergen and this was my fourth visit. I did the walk with a local which was excellent! My guide, Brit, was a wealth of information . We walked for 3 hours and saw much of Bergen. My husband and I stayed at the Bergen Bors Hotel which is beautiful and located across the street from the fish market. My husband and I did a rib boat tour out of Bergen which was really fun!. We also did the round trip Fjord cruise from Bergen to Rosendal. I would highly recommend this cruise if you are in Bergen . We then left Bergen and drove and took ferries to Vaerlandet . We really enjoyed staying at the Vaerlandet Havhotell. The woman who checked us in to the hotel as well as chef Michael of the only restaurant on the island took great care of us. Our next stop was Fjaerland which is one of Norway's Book towns. We enjoyed the glacier museum as well as a guided hike to Blabaerstolen. The Fjaerland Fjordstove Hotel and staff were wonderful. Everyone we encountered in this town was extremely friendly . We visited the 2 stave churches on this route which were stunning! We then drove back to Bergen. Linda made all of these drives easy with a ferry outline and schedule. We then flew to Svolvaer . The Nordic Suites hotel was a beautiful place to stay. The silent Trollfjord Cruise is a must if you are in Svolvaer, We saw several white tailed eagles on the cruise. We then drove to Reine and stopped at several beautiful white sand beaches. We took a 4 hour fishing tour while in Reine which was great fun! Everyone on board caught a fish. We also stopped at the Viking Museum which was great very nice. We stayed 1 night in Henningsvaer and then flew back to Bergen . Then home to the US. I could not be more pleased with Linda and the trip that she planned for us. She is amazing!!! Hopefully we can return to Norway soon.

Hotel Reviews
Bergen Børs Hotel
Bergen

A beautiful hotel with a wonderful location across from the fish market .

Authenticity & Character
Location
centrally located to the harbor
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Værlandet Havhotell
Hamna
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Fjærland Fjordstove Hotel
Fjærland
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Nordis Suites
Svolvær
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Reine Rorbuer
Reine
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Henningsvær Bryggehotell
Vagan
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Bergen Walking Tour With a Local Guide
Bergen

My guide Brit was wonderful

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Round Trip Fjord Cruise Bergen to Rosendal
Bergen
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
From {{start_location}} to {{end_location}}
Norway
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Guidet Hike to Blåbærstølen
Fjærland
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Explore Svolvær
Svolvær
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Silent Trollfjord Cruise
Svolvær
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Explore Reine and the Surroundings
Reine
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Drive from Reine to Henningsvær
Norway
Quality of Experience
Local specialist: Linda Veråsdal
Linda
Linda Veråsdal
Local specialist in Norway and Gambia | Replied on Jun 27, 2022

Hi Susan, thank you so much for this amazing review! It is really nice to read that thing went as plan (after planning for three years! :-) )and you enjoyed the activities and route we had set up for you and Greg. It was a pleasure working with you and planning the journey and I am really thrilled that you finally were able to travel! :-) I hope to see you in Norway another time, and we can plan again! All the best to you both!

Unbelievably Amazing Family Trip to Norway
Norway | Apr 15 - Apr 23, 2022

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Jodi S.
Sudbury, MA | Reviewed on May 06, 2022

Unbelievably Amazing Family Trip to Norway

Linda very patiently worked with me to plan what ended up being a twice-postponed (due to the pandemic) family trip to Norway. Family travel can be challenging, especially with teenagers-- but Linda's arrangements were spectacular! She really took into account our interests and helped us plan a trip full of adventure. Our guides-- especially our hiking guide, Heidi and our kayaking guide, Craig-- were amazing! The excursions were well-planned,... read more

Unbelievably Amazing Family Trip to Norway

Linda very patiently worked with me to plan what ended up being a twice-postponed (due to the pandemic) family trip to Norway. Family travel can be challenging, especially with teenagers-- but Linda's arrangements were spectacular! She really took into account our interests and helped us plan a trip full of adventure. Our guides-- especially our hiking guide, Heidi and our kayaking guide, Craig-- were amazing! The excursions were well-planned, exciting, and took us to some of the most beautiful places we've seen. Each day planned by Linda had a great balance of activity and time to explore. She helped us with complicated travel arrangements (trains, busses, ferries...), and figuring out how to navigate our visit during the Easter holiday week. We felt as though we got to cover a good amount of ground, and our accommodations in the fjord towns were especially wonderful (an area where we weren't sure what would await us when we arrived, since there aren't options as plentiful as in the cities). I cannot rave enough-- this was our first experience with KimKim, and I'd recommend Linda to anyone! Thanks for all you did to make our trip so spectacular and memorable.

Hotel Reviews
Gudvangen Fjordtell & Apartments
Gudvangen
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Vangsgaarden Gjestgiveri
Aurland

STAY HERE, in the fisherman's cabin. Very small, but comfortable and (essentially) IN the fjord. We loved this cabin!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Central to town, able to walk everywhere!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Waterfall Hike Overlooking Aurland
Aurland

Our guide, Heidi, was really great. A perfect balance of information and just letting us enjoy the hike. So friendly, chatted with our whole family. When we had extra time, she drove us to another lookout point which was as spectacular as the hike!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
See above-- a really exceptional guide!
Transport
Kayaking Adventure in Gudvangen
Gudvangen

Unparalleled experience being IN the fjord. A fun way to see the area, great adventure, learned about the small farms and towns along the way. Even an unexpected meal cooked for us on the shores of the fjord. This adventure was one of the highlights of our trip!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Truly exceptional guides. Craig was our main guide-- knowledgeable, friendly, fun, and made us feel safe from the first minutes of the trip. Craig was training a new guide (Trechelle), and the two of them led an exception afternoon of paddling and exploring.
Local specialist: Linda Veråsdal
Linda
Linda Veråsdal
Local specialist in Norway and Gambia | Replied on May 11, 2022

Hi Jodi,
Thank you so much for this amazing review! I am so happy that you finally manage to come to norway and that you had such a good time! :-) It was really nice working with you, planning this journey - three times! :-) and it truly made my day to hear the trip became trip so "spectacular and memorable" as you put it. Thank you for visiting us in Norway! All the best to you and your family!

I thought Linda did a great job arranging our trip.
Norway | Dec 20 - Dec 29, 2021

K
Karen O.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Jan 01, 2022

I thought Linda did a great job arranging our trip to Norway.

Unfortunately outside influences affected the trip. SAS changed our flights 6 times which had a knock on affect to our itinerary but Linda was very patient reorganising it multiple times. SAS also lost one of our bags which was returned to us a day later thankfully. We returned to the UK with Norwegian Airlines who seem a great deal more reliable.

I would not recommend travelling to the islands over Christmas when many of the... read more

I thought Linda did a great job arranging our trip to Norway.

Unfortunately outside influences affected the trip. SAS changed our flights 6 times which had a knock on affect to our itinerary but Linda was very patient reorganising it multiple times. SAS also lost one of our bags which was returned to us a day later thankfully. We returned to the UK with Norwegian Airlines who seem a great deal more reliable.

I would not recommend travelling to the islands over Christmas when many of the facilities are shut. However this may be due to Covid restrictions (restaurants are not currently allowed to serve alcohol).

Covid blighted this trip (I tested positive on day 3) but Linda continued to provide support and assistance throughout. Not the trip we wanted at all but not because of anything that KimKim had control of.

Local specialist: Linda Veråsdal
Linda
Linda Veråsdal
Local specialist in Norway and Gambia | Replied on Jan 04, 2022

Dear Karen, thank you for your review and feedback. You had some really bad luck with your trip... I was so sorry to hear when you tested positive early on the trip, and that it finished off your experience way too early and during Christmas. You are right, the reason why many facilities were closed was due to covid and the latest wave of omicron. This is normally one of the peak season for Lofoten Islands... Hope to see you back in Norway another time for a better experience!
Take care, and greetings to your family.

Amazing trip!
Norway | Aug 24 - Aug 29, 2021

Jessica
Jessica S.
Germany | Reviewed on Sep 09, 2021

Linda planned our trip to Norway and although we had to wait a whole year to get there, due to the pandemic it was better than we could have imagined! The accomodations were really nice and it was quite easy to locate them. Breakfast was delicious and we could even get a lunch package for on the road. Sorting out transportation wasn't always easy because unfortunately due to unforeseen circumstances, the trains going from the aiport to the city center were cancelled and information was hard... read more

Linda planned our trip to Norway and although we had to wait a whole year to get there, due to the pandemic it was better than we could have imagined! The accomodations were really nice and it was quite easy to locate them. Breakfast was delicious and we could even get a lunch package for on the road. Sorting out transportation wasn't always easy because unfortunately due to unforeseen circumstances, the trains going from the aiport to the city center were cancelled and information was hard to come by. I think it would have helped to have some more information on all options available (e.g. take train to or Bus XY etc.) and include ALL transportation fees.
We then spent one day in Oslo and explored the city by walking and taking a scooter. As we wanted to have dinner, we realized that most restaurants or shops in Norway let you book your food via a (web) app, so be prepared to pay by credit card most of the time. Although they do have to accept cash, some of the restaurants stilll refused to and we had to take a lot of cash back home . However, that being said, we do like Norway being so modern and digital. We think it's a great step towards a modern society! So not a major problem for us. All the activities that we did were really fantastic!!! Although we enjoyed visiting Bergen and Oslo, we loved spending time in Aurland, swimming in the Fjords and talking to the locals. It was incredibly peaceful and the most memorable day. Then we took a trip with the ferry which was super enjoyable, because you are literally floating over the water - and it feels like a sustainable, not very loud or disturbing choice to traverse nature. We loved loved loved the kayak tour in the fjords. Unfortunately there was a miscommunication with the guide who did not know that we had to take the shuttle and so when we arrived back on land, the shuttle had already left and we had to scramble to find another option (taxi from the nearest town). So be aware that when you are in the middle of nowhere, you really have to catch the one connection you intend to take. Besides from that travel hiccup, we really enjoyed the kayak tour because it is a great way to experience the fjors, while getting to know other travellers. The guide also told us some anecdotes about the region, which was really interesting. Then we arrived in Bergen and spend a day with a guide who taught us about the city's history. We loved taking the tour with him and really got to know the city well. I think it's good to mention that there are really really nice saunas available in Oslo, Bergen and even a floating one in Flam!!! Unfortunately, you have to book in advance, so they were closed when we got there, but I think that could be a really nice option after a long ride in the bus or train. To summarize, this was an amazing experience. We loved the country and the people, got to know a lot about the culture and the history, saw a lot of sights and the beautiful nature. It is perfect for people who love to be outdoors but still fancy a little city trip. It is modern and technologized, clean and tranquille, breathtaking and mindblowingly beautiful and I would have loved to spend more time there. But I will return...one day :) many thanks to Linda! It wasn't an easy trip to plan during a pandemic but you did it and you did it well. Take care! Best, Jess

Local specialist: Linda Veråsdal
Linda
Linda Veråsdal
Local specialist in Norway and Gambia | Replied on Sep 10, 2021

Hi Jessica, thank you so much for your visit and review! This is very helpful. Am so glad you had such a nice experience in Norway. It is really good to read that despite the pandemic your trip was joyful. Lovely photos, thanks for sharing and so lucky with the weather! I am sorry about the shuttle, will check up what happened here. Hope to see you back in Norway at some point!! :-) Take care

Our 14 day trip to Norway
Norway | Nov 28 - Dec 10, 2019

A
Anita C.
Westbury, NY | Reviewed on Dec 12, 2019

Our 14 day trip to Norway was phenomenal! Linda did an amazing job curating our trip with a special overnight at a farm to table dogsledding adventure with Kjell. It was the highlight of our trip! Linda also arranged Sami reindeer sledding, northern lights chasing, private walking tour, fjord cruise, flam railway, another private tour and more. We went from Tromso and worked our way down to Oslo. Linda and kimkim created an awesome experience and also booked fabulous hotels, all with views... read more

Our 14 day trip to Norway was phenomenal! Linda did an amazing job curating our trip with a special overnight at a farm to table dogsledding adventure with Kjell. It was the highlight of our trip! Linda also arranged Sami reindeer sledding, northern lights chasing, private walking tour, fjord cruise, flam railway, another private tour and more. We went from Tromso and worked our way down to Oslo. Linda and kimkim created an awesome experience and also booked fabulous hotels, all with views and breakfast. We could never do this alone and our travel agent also agreed she could never have made these arrangements either! Thank you so much for working with us-you have made lifetime memories.

Local specialist: Linda Veråsdal
Linda
Linda Veråsdal
Local specialist in Norway and Gambia | Replied on Jan 06, 2020

Hi Anita, Thank you so much for your feedback! It was a pleasure to plan your trip together. So happy it turned out great!! :) Thank you for sharing your photos, really nice to get a glimpse into your experience. hope to see you back in Norway one day!

Thank you Linda and the Kimkim team for a wonderful, well planned holiday!
Norway | Oct 4 - Oct 11, 2019

R
Russ G.
Grand Junction, CO | Reviewed on Oct 21, 2019

Thank you Linda and the Kimkim team for a wonderful, well planned holiday!

Local specialist: Linda Veråsdal
Linda
Linda Veråsdal
Local specialist in Norway and Gambia | Replied on Oct 28, 2019

You are very welcome! Great to read you had a wonderful holiday! :-)