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Terry Stanley

I am Icelandic-Canadian, working remotely from the west coast of Canada (only a non-stop flight away). I have emphatically embraced my Icelandic heritage, continually learning, and experiencing, more of Iceland.

As an ambassador of travel to Iceland, I make it my responsibility to showcase the fun and the fabulous, the odd and the awe-inspiring, the memorable and the magical of this amazing country.

My affinity is to include as many experiences as (reasonably) possible when I travel so that I get a well-rounded view of the destination I'm visiting. I can not sit still when I travel ( which is probably why I don't do beach holidays)! Good thing that I specialize in Iceland then.

What places and activities do you specialize in?

"All of Iceland, with a particular affinity towards the North and East. I create self-drive trips that showcase the best and the unique of Iceland. If you're of Icelandic heritage, I can also add in a genealogical component to your self-drive."

How did you get involved in travel?

"I fell in love in high school - with the geography projects I was assigned in Social Studies class. I wanted to not only learn about more countries but experience them first-hand myself.

So upon graduation, I enrolled in a 2 year post-secondary travel and tourism program after which I supplemented this with certification as a travel counsellor.

After short stints with both an airline and a cruise line, I spent the majority of my 15 years at a national vacation tour company and a national travel agency (all of this in Canada).

I am now putting my Icelandic expertise to good use, working for Iceland Offbeat."

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"One of the many unique experiences that I've had while travelling throughout the world is when I went snowmobiling on Myrdalsjokull glacier in the south of Iceland.

It was a gorgeous day as we wound our way up Katla volcano in the glacier truck to the ice cap on top. Once there we got on our snowmobiles (I was driving solo) and set off for some photo stops - views of neighbouring Eyjafjallajokull glacier (of 2010 eruption fame), the south coast and the North Atlantic Ocean. As luck would have it, we were only able to see the glacier as visibility was decreasing.

While we were driving around on the glacier, a storm blew in. Soon the wind-whipped snow had made it a white-out! To make a long story short, we used GPS to safely traverse the ice cap and return back to our starting point. It was an experience like none other and one I'll never forget.

That being said, I still want a "do over" so that I can experience the views and the tour of the glacier the way it was meant to be.

"

Terry is part of the following groups: Iceland Travel Agents
Top itineraries and travel advice
Road trip itineraries

Recent trip reviews for Terry

Terry helped make this trip stress-free and easy to plan. I had a great time in Iceland.
Iceland | May 19 - May 27, 2023

Anthony
Anthony M.
Shaw, DC | Reviewed on May 30, 2023

I had a great time on the trip that Terry helped set up for me throughout Iceland. She was very responsive to my questions, had a lot of insider knowledge of the locations and activities, and made the process very easy. I'm generally an independent traveler, but having someone with local knowledge is invaluable. I got to see many sights that I would never had known about otherwise. The hotels selected by Terry and KimKim were very comfortable and, as much as possible, conveniently located.... read more

I had a great time on the trip that Terry helped set up for me throughout Iceland. She was very responsive to my questions, had a lot of insider knowledge of the locations and activities, and made the process very easy. I'm generally an independent traveler, but having someone with local knowledge is invaluable. I got to see many sights that I would never had known about otherwise. The hotels selected by Terry and KimKim were very comfortable and, as much as possible, conveniently located. Here are a couple of tips from me for future travelers: If possible, spend more than one day in Akureyri. It's a great small city and a jumping off point for other activities in the area. Also, be prepared for any kind of weather at any time - pack accordingly. The whale watching tour was great and Husavik is beautiful town to visit. Definitely partake in the nature baths in any part of the country; they are very soothing after driving (and some days driving will be long and tiring). Overall, this was a great trip and kimkim made planning so much easier. I will use them in the future for other travels.

Activity Reviews
Bjórböðin Beer Baths
Iceland

This was a cool experience. It was fun and the place is very nice. I didn't eat at the restaurant but the menu looked good. The room with the beer bath and tap is private, clean, and you should definitely try it out, since you came all this way anyway.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Myvatn Nature Baths
Lake Mývatn

This was a nice large natural bath. It was very soothing and had a swim up bar that was very convenient. It has great views overlooking the water like an infinity pool. Viewing the sunset from the water was very nice.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Husavik Whale Watching
Iceland

I highly recommend this activity. But check the time of year vs whale populations in the harbor. I was there when the whales were in abundance and got to see many. But it may be different at other times of year. The boats can accommodate many people and even though there were lots of people, I never felt crowded. There was always room to move about the vessel. Also, they were nice enough to give everyone hot chocolate and a cinnamon roll on the way back to port.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
The boats felt safe, sturdy, and fit lots of people comfortably.
The Geothermal Vok Baths
Iceland

This is a very nice facility and the staff was great. They have the main pools, plus 2 floating pools in the river. It is possible to jump into the freezing river and then climb back into the pools. It was a unique experience. A nice touch is also a corridor where you can walk right into the pool without having to brave the cold outside air. Of course, I learned that too late.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Terry Stanley
Terry
Terry Stanley
Local specialist in Canada | Replied on May 31, 2023

Thank you so much for the lovely review, Anthony! I am so glad that you had such a great trip, especially indulging in many of the baths this time around. Good luck with your future travels.
Warmest regards, Terry

Be prepared for the unexpected.
Iceland | Apr 22 - Apr 28, 2023

Alex
Alex T.
McKinney, TX | Reviewed on Apr 30, 2023

Lots of back and forth in creating the trip to Iceland . Packed what were quite a few stops on the self driven tour putting on 1650km in essentially 6 days. The driving instructions along with the commentary was well thought out and professionally done. Weather conditions changed dramatically through the days there and the weather reports essentially were pretty erratic. On our way back from Vik we got hit with a storm that the car rental folks said was only the 4th time in the last 75 years... read more

Lots of back and forth in creating the trip to Iceland . Packed what were quite a few stops on the self driven tour putting on 1650km in essentially 6 days. The driving instructions along with the commentary was well thought out and professionally done. Weather conditions changed dramatically through the days there and the weather reports essentially were pretty erratic. On our way back from Vik we got hit with a storm that the car rental folks said was only the 4th time in the last 75 years it snowed with such fury this late in the season. Counted at least 15 cars along the way that needed to be pulled out of ditches. If you are traveling in hump seasons be sure to get road hazard protection. I did and fortunately did not have to use it. I think I included too many stops on the first day after an early morning arrival ( 5am) but better to over than under plan. Most of the hotels were very nice but small as are most in Europe. Breakfasts were very good with Langaholt the most unique, the Skuggi missing a warm bacon, egg, and sausage option. Accommodations at Hotel Vik and Langaholt quite plain, Geysir and Magma most scenic and well appointed hotel. Liked the B59 Hotel beds, nice and firm. Very much enjoyed the Freidheimar tomato lunch, and dinner at the Magma Hotel. Check in a breeze. With all the reviews and articles I read on Iceland I have to concur that layering -merino wool long johns- hiking boots, scarf, hats, and gloves especially to a 75 year old that does not enjoy cold weather were a must.

The Icelandic tour guides ( from Poland) were all very well informed and congenial so no complaints there. The people of Iceland have been able to stay focused on keeping their unique country environmentally beautiful clear of graffiti and litter and word of caution- watch out for scooters and bicycles.

TAKK

Activity Reviews
Blue Lagoon
Iceland

Checked the box.

Solheimajokull Glacier Hike
Iceland

Pretty strenuous activity

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Personable/ knowledge
Fjallsarlon glacier lagoon zodiac boat tour
Iceland
Lava Tunnel Tour
Iceland

Loved this experience,

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Terry Stanley
Terry
Terry Stanley
Local specialist in Canada | Replied on May 13, 2023

Hi Alex,
Thank you so much for the 5 stars. I am so glad that you had such a great time. The weather was definitely weird when you were there!
It was a pleasure planning your Icelandic adventure - thank you so much for booking with me.
Warmest regards,
Terry

Second trip with Terry was wonderful!
Iceland | Mar 23 - Mar 30, 2023

Christine
Christine C.
Bristol, CT | Reviewed on Apr 06, 2023

Terry did a great job guiding our not quite winter and not quite spring trip. We loved being in the northern part of the country for a time- soaking and going dog sledding.

In the south we had terrific winds so our glacier experience was cancelled but the natural beauty along the coast did not disappoint.

Our itinerary was ambitious and Terry really helped map it all out and helped us get to all the places we wanted to see.

One small critique- Europ-Car did not have the Wi-Fi... read more

Terry did a great job guiding our not quite winter and not quite spring trip. We loved being in the northern part of the country for a time- soaking and going dog sledding.

In the south we had terrific winds so our glacier experience was cancelled but the natural beauty along the coast did not disappoint.

Our itinerary was ambitious and Terry really helped map it all out and helped us get to all the places we wanted to see.

One small critique- Europ-Car did not have the Wi-Fi rental at the rental desk both times we rented from them and we had to take additional time to go to another office to get it. Both locations saw that it was on the reservation but did not bother to bring the device to the airport to give to us.

It was also not clear that we have limited Wi-Fi with the pucks they use. This was not a problem but it would have been nice to know that there was a limit on the number of GB we could use.

Activity Review
Dog Sledding
Iceland

The highlight of our trip- would love to hang out more the them and learn about their craft!! We highly recommend this!

Quality of Experience
All of it!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The owners and their staff are so personable and friendly- they treat you like family!
Local specialist: Terry Stanley
Terry
Terry Stanley
Local specialist in Canada | Replied on Apr 07, 2023

Thank you so much for your wonderful review, Christine. And the critique about Europcar - very helpful and we'll, of course, relay these issues to them. The wild weather in the south was unfortunate, especially since it meant one of your tours was cancelled, but I'm so happy that you had snow in the north for your dogsledding experience. What fun you had! Thanks again for booking this second trip with me. Perhaps a third!? LOL Best wishes, Terry

Working with Terry to plan this trip was just great !
Iceland | Feb 25 - Mar 5, 2023

Simon
Simon C.
Canada | Reviewed on Mar 09, 2023

Working with Terry to plan this trip was simply above expectations, she cattered to all our needs even when we were demanding. We'll re-use this formula on the next trip.

Local specialist: Terry Stanley
Terry
Terry Stanley
Local specialist in Canada | Replied on Mar 10, 2023

It was my pleasure to put this adventure together for the two of you. Thank you for your kind words, Simon!
All my best,
Terry

My May trip was one of the best and most exci...
Iceland | May 13 - May 25, 2022

Christine
Christine C.
Bristol, CT | Reviewed on Jan 28, 2023

My May trip was one of the best and most exciting adventure travel I have had in many years and it was all because of Terry! She was an amazing trip guide, counselor and expert. Nothing went wrong, she was always available to help with clarification or make suggestions. I will use Kim Kim again for planning - their thoughtful and thorough knowledge of the country (and other place) makes them a go-to resource for travel and adventure!

Local specialist: Terry Stanley
Terry
Terry Stanley
Local specialist in Canada | Replied on Jan 29, 2023

Hi Christine, I'm so glad to hear that it turned out to be just as exciting as we'd planned! It was a total blast creating this for the two of you! Thank you for the wonderful review. All my best, Terry

Terri and Kim Kim made all our dreams come tr...
Iceland | Jan 10 - Jan 19, 2023

patty
patty p.
Palm Valley, FL | Reviewed on Jan 22, 2023

Terri and Kim Kim made all our dreams come true! Trip of a lifetime made easy with their help and service. Every wish granted… every desire met, and done so with kindness and grace. Thank you for everything! Couldn’t have had such a fabulous trip without Terri and crew! If I could hug a company and a travel planner extraordinaire, I would! read more

Terri and Kim Kim made all our dreams come true! Trip of a lifetime made easy with their help and service. Every wish granted… every desire met, and done so with kindness and grace. Thank you for everything! Couldn’t have had such a fabulous trip without Terri and crew! If I could hug a company and a travel planner extraordinaire, I would!

Hotel Reviews
Berjaya Reykjavik Marina Hotel
Reykjavík

The front desk staff made us feel welcome and at home. We used it as a home base, checking in and out as we toured various parts of Iceland. They stored luggage, helped with arranging taxis as well as making recommendations with smiles and kindness! Restaurant staff was equally amazing! Thank you all for making our dreams come true!!

Authenticity & Character
The history of the build was quite interesting
Location
It was close to everything we were interested in but wished the tour buses could have come directly to hotel.
Staff
Front desk was consider and super accommodating
Cleanliness & Comfort
Everything!
Hotel Borgarnes
Borgarnes

The room was large by Icelandic and the bed was extremely comfortable!

Staff
The feeling
Cleanliness & Comfort
Adventure Hotel Hof
Hof

Arriving cold and tired to find that the reservation was incorrect and front desk said he did not have authority to make a change despite us having a printed copy of our confirmed reservation. The guide had to call the tour company and let their representative speak to front desk before the error could be corrected. Also there are no elevators to accommodate guests with mobility issues

Authenticity & Character
That it was away from city light
Location
Staff
Except for front desk personnel, everyone was super accommodating
Cleanliness & Comfort
Lovely room and comfie c
Bubble Hotel
Selfoss

The bed was so very comfie. Loved being able to watch the light from snug and warm in bed was incredible

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
None present
Cleanliness & Comfort
I bit of explanation on how to warm the bubble/bed would have been helpful
Activity Reviews
Reykjavík Classic Whale Watching
Reykjavík

Even though it was cold, we loved every minute of it!!

Sky Lagoon
Iceland

Staff was very helpful and the facility was clean and accommodating The lagoon was beautiful and the entire experience was incredible

Quality of Experience
Everything
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Went out of their way to make the experience phenomenal
Transport
The guide was most helpful
Dog Sledding
Iceland

The entire experience was beyond our expectations! The people running the tour were joyful and extremely accommodating! Loved every minute of it

Quality of Experience
Beyond expectations
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Helpful and kind
Transport
Two day/one night Snaefellsnes & West Iceland tour
Iceland

The trip to the horse farm was worth the trip

Quality of Experience
Seeing the lights
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Martin was our guide and his care and concern for the comfort of the travelers was excellent!
Transport
When there are many people on the tour, the Bus is really tight when wearing all the winter coats and such
Northern Lights Hunt Super Jeep Tour
Iceland

The lights showed up at first stop. That was amazing

Quality of Experience
Successful sighting of the lights
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The driver was one of the rudest people I have ever met. In addition, his Russian accent was very very heavy making it almost impossible to understand. He is clearly in the wrong profession
Transport
Difficult to get in/out in ice and the driver was not very helpful with that
Two day/one night South Coast tour
Iceland

Well planned and beautiful

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Very knowledgeable and mst helpful
Transport
Full Day Tour to Reykjanes Peninsula & Blue Lagoon (Super Jeep)
Iceland

What made this trip was the driver who made many accommodations for three not so young travelers with some mobility issues !

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide was Sims who was extremely kind and thoughtful. He was knowledgeable and his English was impeccable! He went way above and beyond to make our trip extraordinary! Thank you
Transport
It was quite comfortable, and Sims took a step stool with us to make getting in and out of the big bad awesome jeep easy!!
Golden Circle, Secret Lagoon & Bubble Tour
Iceland

Outstanding experience

Local specialist: Terry Stanley
Terry
Terry Stanley
Local specialist in Canada | Replied on Jan 23, 2023

Thank you so much for the lovely review! It was so much fun putting this together for the three of you. And you all were such a delight to deal with! All my best, Terry

Amazing trip to Iceland!
Iceland | Nov 14 - Nov 21, 2022

S
Sejal S.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Dec 05, 2022

We visited Iceland in November 2022 and our trip was planned by Terry. Terry was extremely helpful throughout the planning process and provided us with great suggestions to make our trip memorable. She was extremely attentive and provided prompt responses to our queries. She gave us all information to help us prepare for the trip.

We were also given a local contact Sigurdur who sorted out tour cancellations quickly making our experience less stressful. We would like to say a big thank you... read more

We visited Iceland in November 2022 and our trip was planned by Terry. Terry was extremely helpful throughout the planning process and provided us with great suggestions to make our trip memorable. She was extremely attentive and provided prompt responses to our queries. She gave us all information to help us prepare for the trip.

We were also given a local contact Sigurdur who sorted out tour cancellations quickly making our experience less stressful. We would like to say a big thank you to Terry and Sigurdur for helping us plan the most memorable trip and we will be recommending Kim Kim to our friends who would like to visit Iceland in the future 😊

Hotel Review
Hotel Rangá
Hella
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Terry Stanley
Terry
Terry Stanley
Local specialist in Canada | Replied on Dec 06, 2022

Thank you so much for the lovely review, Sejal. I am so glad that you enjoyed your trip even with the multiple snowmobile tour cancellations. Persistence paid off and I'm happy that you were eventually able to experience this "must do" activity. The surprise engagement was fun to be a part of and I'm thrilled for the two of you. Thanks.

Best Trip of Our Lives
Iceland | Sep 2 - Sep 12, 2022

Jacob
Jacob G.
Cullman, AL | Reviewed on Dec 01, 2022

This was the best trip of our lives! The travel agent, Terry, was amazing and planned our trip to the fullest extent possible! We will use her again in the future! read more

This was the best trip of our lives! The travel agent, Terry, was amazing and planned our trip to the fullest extent possible! We will use her again in the future!

Activity Reviews
Jokulsarlon Glacier Kayaking Adventure
Iceland
Quality of Experience
Everything!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guide was amazing!
Transport
Perfect!
East Glacial River Whitewater Rafting
Iceland

This was the best thing we've ever done!

Quality of Experience
Absolutely breathtaking!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Viking rafting was phenomenal!
Transport
Perfect!
Local specialist: Terry Stanley
Terry
Terry Stanley
Local specialist in Canada | Replied on Dec 02, 2022

Thank you for the kind words, Jacob. It was a lot of fun putting this adventure together for the three of you. I'm glad you had such a wonderful time!

My wife and I had the most amazing trip to Ic...
Iceland | Nov 22 - Nov 26, 2022

Scott
Scott D.
Washington, DC | Reviewed on Nov 28, 2022

My wife and I had the most amazing trip to Iceland, and that was because of KimKim and our specialist Terry.

Having never travelled to Iceland, I contacted KimKim to help us with our travel. I could not have been more pleased. They assigned us our very own specialist (Terry) and she was communicative, eager to help, professional, and super, super nice. I gave Terry some broad-stroke ideas about the types of things we wanted to do as well as the parameters (like days there, activity levels,... read more

My wife and I had the most amazing trip to Iceland, and that was because of KimKim and our specialist Terry.

Having never travelled to Iceland, I contacted KimKim to help us with our travel. I could not have been more pleased. They assigned us our very own specialist (Terry) and she was communicative, eager to help, professional, and super, super nice. I gave Terry some broad-stroke ideas about the types of things we wanted to do as well as the parameters (like days there, activity levels, and other logistical ideas), and Terry took those ideas and provided me with a fantastic draft plan.

Terry was very willing to work with me on refining the plan, and the end result was absolutely phenomenal.

We traveled for five days, four nights, staying two nights apiece at Hotel Ranga and Hotel Apotek. We saw a lava tunnel, stunning waterfalls, craters, geothermal areas, gorgeous landscapes, the city Reykjavik, and a couple spas. All of it was perfect. The two highlights were the ice cave near Vik and Sky Lagoon in Reykjavik.

More so, the planning done by Terry and KimKim was SO smart. The driving directions Terry provided us with ensured our travels were not only full of adventure but also smartly designed. This was actually the key to KimKim's success on our trip - they planned everything to my design and desire and set my wife and I up for success with a smartly designed plan.

I will admit was a little hesitant to do a self-guided tour (KimKim has other options too), but KimKim made it so easy and so wonderful that those fears and anxieties of being in a new country were immediately resolved.

Anytime I travel, I'm going to use KimKim. One of the top trips in my entire life. And, my wife was thrilled (:

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Rangá
Hella

PHENOMENAL hotel!! Super friendly, professional, and terrific facility. Restaurant was out of this world, but you do need a reservation (can be made early in day). My wife and I found out the hard way and there were no seats available until later in the evening, but the staff immediately rallied and served us dinner upstairs. I could not believe the service. Best hotel staff I've ever experienced. In addition to the staff, the hotel has a service where you can be alerted to Northern Lights when they appear, increasing your odds of seeing them! I would recommend Hotel Ranga to anyone. Phenomenal.

Authenticity & Character
Location
great opportunity to see northern lights
Staff
Phenomenal staff - best I've ever experienced.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Apótek Hotel Reykjavík by Keahotels
Reykjavík

Hotel Apotek has the perfect location in Reykjavik - right in the center of downtown, walking distance to everything. Very friendly staff and GREAT rooms. Be aware, because Hotel Apotek is downtown, the parking can be very tough (no parking garage or lot). That said, the staff was willing to help me with figuring out Iceland's parking app and even brought my bags up to my room while I searched for parking. Hotel Apotek has a restaurant, and the breakfast buffet is the best I've ever had. Great choices to fill us up before exploring the city. No uber in Iceland, but the staff of Hotel Apotek helped us whenever we needed a taxi.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Perfect location. Right in the middle of everything.
Staff
Super friendly and helpful staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Cleaning crew for the hotel was outstanding.
Activity Reviews
Blue Lagoon
Iceland

Was a great first stop in Iceland! Arrived in Iceland at 6a and headed straight there. Was super dark and cold and miserable outside, but the lagoon itself was warm. Staff not overly friendly, but the amentities were nice.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Lava Tunnel Tour
Iceland

Good stop! Very cool to see. Guide was phenomenal. Tour was very good.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Secret Ice Cave
Iceland

This was the best tour we did in Iceland, and perhaps one of the best we've done in the world (rivals a nature tour we did in Costa Rica). The guides are PHENOMENAL. The views are unreal. It feels like it is totally different planet than Earth. Absolutely loved this tour.

Quality of Experience
Unbelievable tour. One of the two best activities I've done on holiday in the world.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Best tour operators / guides of every activity we did in Iceland
Transport
Fun super jeep travel to get out to the glacier! My wife has motion sickness, and the ride was bumpy, but the team put her (and another tourist) in the front row and both were ok.
Sky Lagoon
Iceland

This was the best spa I've ever experienced in all my world travels (we've been to 15+ countries). The staff are super friendly and professional. Definitely recommend the Sky package. This is where we saw the Northern Lights. Perfect for us on our last night in Iceland. Because Sky Lagoon is on a peninsula outside Reykjavik, it's a great way to see the Northern Lights.

Quality of Experience
Unbelievable experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Very friendly staff
Transport
Local specialist: Terry Stanley
Terry
Terry Stanley
Local specialist in Canada | Replied on Nov 29, 2022

Thank you very much for the great review, Scott! It was so much fun putting this adventure together for the two of you and I'm glad that it surpassed your expectations.
Warmest regards,
Terry

Iceland did not disappoint and Kimkim as well...
Iceland | Oct 16 - Oct 23, 2022

Kim
Kim G.
Trinidad and Tobago | Reviewed on Oct 27, 2022

Iceland did not disappoint and Kimkim as well. The entire process of selecting dates, tours and accommodations was pleasant and seamless. My specialist Terry was very responsive to my questions and provided information that I specifically was interested in, in a professional and friendly manner, so I felt confident embarking on the trip. My 7 day vacation saw me reaching most of the sights and experiences that i shortlisted, and then some, in an unhurried, safe and comfortable manner. The... read more

Iceland did not disappoint and Kimkim as well. The entire process of selecting dates, tours and accommodations was pleasant and seamless. My specialist Terry was very responsive to my questions and provided information that I specifically was interested in, in a professional and friendly manner, so I felt confident embarking on the trip. My 7 day vacation saw me reaching most of the sights and experiences that i shortlisted, and then some, in an unhurried, safe and comfortable manner. The tour guides on the ground were knowledgeable and able to add much local colour and info about Iceland over and above the bare facts. Felag was the most notable of the guides but all were good and spoke excellent English. If anything could be improved the choice of hotel in the city centre could be revisited - the Holt is centrally located when its possible to walk around to sights and activities, the breakfast was AWESOME and the front desk staff, the breakfast staff and bartender were EXCELLENT, but the rooms are somewhat shabby with barely single beds with thin mattresses, and thin walls (so we could hear a heated, scary, quarrel next door during one night). Also drop offs to the Holt involved a 5 -10 minute walk which felt safe but we often got lost in the cold while seeking out a meal along the way. Communications with the tour agency while in Iceland could also be improved if an Iceland sim is included in the package with a small amount of data or some communication through the hotels - even though wifi is available on the buses and in the hotels, we didnt receive news of a cancellation until it was too late and wasted taxi fare and nearly half day of our first day (and i could have gone to the Settlement Museum in that time - sniff).
Overall I would definitely recommend Kimkim as a travel agency with the expertise to craft a totally enjoyable vacation adventure, to suit a wide range of interests.

Activity Reviews
Sky Lagoon
Iceland

This was not my 1st experience of natural thermal baths, but the 1st in Iceland, and it was awesome. My sister and I became friendly with a few other visitors on the bus to Sky Lagoon and that added to the social aspect. We were fortunate to see the northern lights come up while we were luxuriating in the warm infinity pool, overlooking the sea - believe me, nothing tops that experience! The rest of the Pure spa experience- the cold bath, the body scrub, all were fabulous, to top off a totally memorable experience.

Quality of Experience
the location and service is unparalleled
Guides, Drivers and Staff
It's a self guided experience
Transport
Pick up and drop off at hotel would be much better. I had to walk to/ from bus stop ion the cold - it almost killed the buzz
Reykjavík Classic Whale Watching
Reykjavík

A really Thrilling experience, even if one does not handle the sea well. The tour company Elding, was very thorough about the safety considerations and on checking in they offered motion sickness pill to any who felt they would need it. The crew gave information on the population of mammals that they observe and study, and we were fortunate to see two groups of white billed dolphins, 3 humpback and a minke whale during the hour trip. The weather was fine so no rain coats were needed and there were life jackets on board for any emergency. It was exciting and the ride was smooth. My only reservation is that the initial booking was cancelled due to bad weather(understandably) but this was communicated to me after I arrived, which derailed my day plan and cost me extra taxi fare.

Quality of Experience
the ride was smooth and the staff knew where to search
Guides, Drivers and Staff
very knowledgeable and chatty staff. The sent photos afterwards but their photos were as crappy as mine
Transport
Golden Circle One Day tour
Iceland

A very enjoyable and informative tour all round. The vistas in the rift area and the geothermal area were spectacular. The waterfalls, hot spring baths and horse ranch visits were also lovely. The guide Siggi Anton was really helpful and knowledgeable (5 Star). The only inconveniences were that drop off and pick up were some distance from the hotel in Reykjavik, which in cold weather was a bother, and that participants who smoked during stops, trailed the cigarette smoke scent into the small bus, making it uncomfortable for others.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Two day/one night South Coast tour
Iceland

The two day trip was wonderful and many unique sites were visited - Jukulsarlon and the Vatnajokul glacier being just 2 of them. Overall I would say that this tour was my favourite of three that i participated in. The guide was phenomenally knowledgeable and gave us just a tidbit about each site and about Icelandic history and life in general - he left us wanting more info on the folklore and growth of the nation. The overnight hotel was spartan but adequate and the meals were typically expensive, tasty and filling. I had not anticipated a 2km trek over uneven ground to and from the ice cave and it was not mentioned in the tour description - it should be - I would still have gone but people need to know. It seems that Iceland expects all its visitors to be at least a contender for the olympic games, if not the world games, to fully participate in the tour activities. Overall, a great experience. Being picked up and dropped off at a remote site in the cold was difficult, because, although the distance was not great, getting around in the dark, finding an open dinner spot that didn't require a reservation somewhere nearby and not getting lost in the maze of streets in the town centre was challenging.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
The wide knowledge of the guide, although he only teased us
Two day/one night Snaefellsnes & West Iceland tour
Iceland

We got off on the wrong foot because the bus didnt arrive until 9:20 and I was already flustered as to whether I'd missed it in the half hour that i was waiting. Since i did not have an international sim, i contacted the tour operator using a borrowed phone- ugh. Anyway, Tomas (Thomas?) the guide was lovely and conducted the tour well. We visited some interesting sites - waterfalls, larva cave, seal coast, the glacier used as the Wall in Game of Thrones, and some less than amazing ones, among them a random lighthouse and a church. I felt that better information on why these were important or of interest could have allowed us to appreciate them more but as it was, some stops just seemed random and just a drive around with no purpose. We also spent an inordinate amount of time at Oddi - once the home of Snorri Sturluson, whose significance was not known to us and really the adulation of him was lost on us visitors without a prior backstory. It seemed like a waste of time, especially after finally being admitted to the church gift shop and finding that the exhibit on him was closed. Bummer. Tomas was engaging and as a point to improve, he could say why things or places or people are important to the Icelandic story. The accommodations in Borgarnes was fine- food was delicious. The prediction for northern lights was way low and we didnt see any. That should not be in the tour title.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Rather than random facts, the reason why or the importance of the next stop should be stated so that participants can be c,ued in
Local specialist: Terry Stanley
Terry
Terry Stanley
Local specialist in Canada | Replied on Oct 28, 2022

Thanks Kim for the wonderful review. I'm so glad that you had such a great trip. It was too bad that we didn't receive notification sooner from the tour operator about the cancellation, however, I am glad that we were able to re-book you so that you could experience this tour later in your trip. Thanks again.

Absolutely Amazing Experience!
Iceland | Oct 9 - Oct 17, 2022

L
LIz B.
Plano, TX | Reviewed on Oct 19, 2022

Terry was absolutely incredible! We could not have imagined a more magical time in Iceland. The entire process was effortless. We simply told Terry what we wanted, and she put EVERYTHING together. From the restaurant recommendations to the hotels to the excursions - it was truly perfect. I have never had a vacation run so smoothly and seamlessly, nor have I ever had as much fun. My husband and I could not have asked for anything more from Terry and the Kim Kim team!

Local specialist: Terry Stanley
Terry
Terry Stanley
Local specialist in Canada | Replied on Oct 20, 2022

Thank you so very much for your amazing review; I was definitely blushing as I read it! And I am just so happy that you and George had such a great time - that is always my ultimate goal. Enjoy your memories (and your photos)! Warmest regards, Terry

The perfect first foray into a country we would love to return to!
Iceland | Oct 2 - Oct 11, 2022

Rachel
Rachel G.
Middletown, RI | Reviewed on Oct 14, 2022

My husband and I just returned from an amazing 10 days in southern Iceland. The stunningly beautiful landscapes together with the detailed itinerary that Terry put together for us made for a trip that exceeded all of our expectations. We wanted a trip that was hiking based and Terry had wonderful suggestions that kept us happy and wanting more! We started in the Reykadalur Valley which was beautiful and an introduction to Iceland's many hot springs. Our Super Jeep trip to Thorsmork was... read more

My husband and I just returned from an amazing 10 days in southern Iceland. The stunningly beautiful landscapes together with the detailed itinerary that Terry put together for us made for a trip that exceeded all of our expectations. We wanted a trip that was hiking based and Terry had wonderful suggestions that kept us happy and wanting more! We started in the Reykadalur Valley which was beautiful and an introduction to Iceland's many hot springs. Our Super Jeep trip to Thorsmork was definitely a highlight with an amazing hike that provided spectacular views from above of the valley, glaciers and mountains. The Mulagliufur Canyon was a trip into another world with 2 waterfalls and moss covered cliffs. We loved the Svartifloss waterfall and the stunning lava columns that surround it. We hiked up the Hjorleifshofdi Cape and also walked a trail from Vik's center where the views of Reynisdramgar beach's black sands and sea stacks from above were amazing. Terry nailed it and made it possible to put all of our energy into satisfying all of our senses and our love of exploration with none of the usual travel concerns about logistics. Thank you Terry!

Activity Reviews
Super Jeep One Day Tour to Thorsmork
Iceland
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Zipline Adventure Tour
Iceland
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Wonderful guides made it a great adventure
Local specialist: Terry Stanley
Terry
Terry Stanley
Local specialist in Canada | Replied on Oct 15, 2022

Thank you so very much for the wonderful review, Rachel! I greatly appreciate it. Most of all, I'm thrilled that you had such an amazing trip! It was such a pleasure working with you while creating this itinerary.

KimKim did a great job of planning our Iceland trip
Iceland | Sep 17 - Sep 24, 2022

S
Suzanne D.
Lakewood, CO | Reviewed on Oct 01, 2022

Our Iceland trip was amazing. Terry did a great job of putting together a great itinerary with a good mix of planned and optional activities. Some of my favorite things were: Vatnshellir Lava Cave Tour, Husafell Canyon Baths and Jokulsarlon & Diamond Beach. The Geldingadalir volcano hike was really interesting.

The best meal we had on the trip was Narfeyrarstofa in Stykkishólmur. Amazing scallops. The food was presented interestingly and it was all very tasty. We also enjoyed... read more

Our Iceland trip was amazing. Terry did a great job of putting together a great itinerary with a good mix of planned and optional activities. Some of my favorite things were: Vatnshellir Lava Cave Tour, Husafell Canyon Baths and Jokulsarlon & Diamond Beach. The Geldingadalir volcano hike was really interesting.

The best meal we had on the trip was Narfeyrarstofa in Stykkishólmur. Amazing scallops. The food was presented interestingly and it was all very tasty. We also enjoyed Englendingavik in Borgarnes.

On our day back to Reykjavik we discovered Rósakaffi, a restaurant in an old greenhouse. We had a very nice snack here.

When there was a question about whether breakfast was included at one of our stays, the local KimKim staff was quick to help us resolve it.

There were easily enough activities to do and things to see that we could have stayed for several more days.

Activity Reviews
Vatnshellir Lava Cave Tour
Snæfellsnes Peninsula

I found it really interesting to compare a lava cave to a limestone cave. Our guide, Andre, did a very nice job of explaining what we were seeing.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Husafell Canyon Baths
Iceland

I really enjoyed being down in the canyon and the baths were lovely.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Terry Stanley
Terry
Terry Stanley
Local specialist in Canada | Replied on Oct 01, 2022

Hi Suzanne, What a wonderful review - thank you very much! I'm thrilled that you enjoyed everything and especially Husafell Canyon Baths. It was a pleasure putting this trip together for you and Heather. Thanks again. Terry

Terry did a great job of managing things we w...
Iceland | Sep 17 - Sep 24, 2022

Heather
Heather G.
McLean, VA | Reviewed on Oct 01, 2022

Terry did a great job of managing things we wanted to see, downtime and our route. We enjoyed having a couple things planned the first few days then relaxed into our own schedule and our own pace for a few days. It was perfect! read more

Terry did a great job of managing things we wanted to see, downtime and our route. We enjoyed having a couple things planned the first few days then relaxed into our own schedule and our own pace for a few days. It was perfect!

Local specialist: Terry Stanley
Terry
Terry Stanley
Local specialist in Canada | Replied on Oct 01, 2022

Hi Heather, Thank you for leaving me the lovely review. I'm so pleased that you had such a great time. Cheers. Terry

Iceland in September
Iceland | Sep 6 - Sep 13, 2022

I
Ilana R.
Laguna Beach, CA | Reviewed on Sep 25, 2022

My husband and I went to the Golden Circle, Snaefelsness Peninsula and the Westfjords on a self-driving trip arranged by Terry Stanley. Terry was amazing from start to finish and our trip was wonderful and went very smoothly. I strongly recommend a self-driving trip with access to Wifi in your car as you can balance between having an itinerary with some flexibility. We went from 9/6-9/13 and were lucky to have had excellent weather. We loved the scenery, especially in the Westfjords and... read more

My husband and I went to the Golden Circle, Snaefelsness Peninsula and the Westfjords on a self-driving trip arranged by Terry Stanley. Terry was amazing from start to finish and our trip was wonderful and went very smoothly. I strongly recommend a self-driving trip with access to Wifi in your car as you can balance between having an itinerary with some flexibility. We went from 9/6-9/13 and were lucky to have had excellent weather. We loved the scenery, especially in the Westfjords and highlights included stopping at various 'hot pots', snorkeling in Silfra and the Inside the Volcano Tour. I would recommend purchasing a gas card as we had trouble using a credit card, even with a PIN.

Activity Reviews
Silfra Snorkeling
Iceland
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
NA
Transport
We did not use but it is forcing me to rate it
Inside the Volcano Tour
Iceland
Quality of Experience
Lamb stew was excellent!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Terry Stanley
Terry
Terry Stanley
Local specialist in Canada | Replied on Sep 25, 2022

Thank you for the lovely review, Ilana! I am so happy that you had such a wonderful time - and great weather too. If there's a return trip to be planned, let me know. HaHa!
Cheers.
Terry

10/10 The Perfect trip to Iceland
Iceland | Sep 12 - Sep 17, 2022

K
Katherine g.
Durham, NC | Reviewed on Sep 19, 2022

We had the most incredible trip to Iceland. 10/10, i can't really imagine anything going better. The process of working with Terry was super smooth and easy. I have never used any kind of agency or travel service before and think of myself as a good trip planner, but having the whole trip so thoughtfully planned with excellent, vetted services, hotels and guides saved us a ton of time and metal bandwidth. It totally exceeded my expectations. Terry was great about working within our budget to... read more

We had the most incredible trip to Iceland. 10/10, i can't really imagine anything going better. The process of working with Terry was super smooth and easy. I have never used any kind of agency or travel service before and think of myself as a good trip planner, but having the whole trip so thoughtfully planned with excellent, vetted services, hotels and guides saved us a ton of time and metal bandwidth. It totally exceeded my expectations. Terry was great about working within our budget to get us the best possible trip. Hiking around Skogafoss on a beautiful, rainbow filled day i think was my favorite experience, and we also loved our guided adventures snorkeling in Sifra and glacier hiking. We will definitely recommend KimKim to our friends and we hope to use it and work with Terry again for a future family trip to Iceland and other trips as well.

Hotel Reviews
Guesthouse Flúðir - Grund
Hrunamannahreppur

Clean, comfortable and very quiet. Good location and great coffee in the AM.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Klaustur
Kirkjubæjarklaustur

Clean and quiet rooms, daily housekeeping, friendly staff. Luxurious breakfast buffet. We really enjoyed it. We also used to hot tub at the city pool next door which was a nice amenity.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Fosshotel Baron
Reykjavík

Small room but well decorated, quiet and in a great location downtown. we appreciated the free parking and another great icelandic breakfast. this was the only hotel we stayed at that had an in-room safe, which was nice for passports.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
The Secret Lagoon
Iceland

this was an awesome first afternoon in iceland activity to relax after jetlag.

Quality of Experience
Silfra Snorkeling
Iceland

truly magical experience.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
our guide, lorenzo, was great
Breidamerkurjokull Glacier Walk, Ice Cave, Super Jeep
Iceland

incredible weather, incredible views. our guide Damian was helpful, safety conscious and knowledgeable. We even got to go into an ice cave early in the season.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Damian was great
Transport
super jeep ride was bumpy and wild but safe
Blue Lagoon
Iceland

classic, amazing, lives up to the hype. Perfect ending before traveling home.

Quality of Experience
Local specialist: Terry Stanley
Terry
Terry Stanley
Local specialist in Canada | Replied on Sep 20, 2022

Hi Katherine,
Thank you for your glowing review! It was absolutely my pleasure working with you and I am just so thrilled that it exceeded your expectations.
And I look forward to helping you plan a return trip to Iceland - this time with the whole family!
Terry

Everything was spot on...
Iceland | Aug 20 - Aug 29, 2022

A
Aimee P.
East Palo Alto, CA | Reviewed on Aug 30, 2022

Everything was spot on. Considering we were a last minute booking, six in the group and traveling with a wheelchair, Terry did an awesome job in getting us accommodations in all the right places on the Ring Road in Iceland. Siglufjordur was a must and the hotel there was the best!

Local specialist: Terry Stanley
Terry
Terry Stanley
Local specialist in Canada | Replied on Aug 31, 2022

I am thrilled that everything worked out so well, especially with all the challenges that we faced. It was somewhat of a unique itinerary with Siglufjordur included in it; I'm so glad that I could make this wish list request a reality for your husband. Thank you, Aimee.

Awesome planning, flawless execution and a fantastic trip to Iceland!
Iceland | Jul 26 - Jul 31, 2022

T
Tina D.
| Reviewed on Aug 15, 2022

Terry spent almost 9 months helping us plan a 7-day and a 6-day trip, before and after 18 days in Norway and Svalbard. We were involved as much as we wanted, providing feedback on the numerous options available. We made our way through the various COVID restrictions put in place by Iceland last year and earlier this year and all of them were thankfully lifted a month or two before departure.

We’ve travelled a lot, having spent almost 30 years living overseas, but this trip has us... read more

Terry spent almost 9 months helping us plan a 7-day and a 6-day trip, before and after 18 days in Norway and Svalbard. We were involved as much as we wanted, providing feedback on the numerous options available. We made our way through the various COVID restrictions put in place by Iceland last year and earlier this year and all of them were thankfully lifted a month or two before departure.

We’ve travelled a lot, having spent almost 30 years living overseas, but this trip has us totally convinced that Iceland is the most beautiful country in the world. Around every bend in the road and from the top of hills and peaks, there were spectacular views. Terry planned a diverse set of stops and activities for us, from incredible waterfalls, to a glacier hike, snorkeling the Silfra Fissure, hiking in Porsmork, a boat trip and tour to a bird sanctuary on Vigur Island, and a five-hour spa retreat at Blue Lagoon.

The rental car process was easy and with the daily link to Google map directions Terry sent that easily connected to the car’s nav system, we never missed a turn and the the timing between places was amazingly accurate. The hotels were comfortable and varied, but always to a good standard.

I have always planned our elaborate trips myself, but took a chance on KimKim, because I didn’t know Iceland at all. I hate to admit it but Terry surpassed my extremely high bar and we had a an incredible trip. All that’s left is going through the thousand photographs!

Local specialist: Terry Stanley
Terry
Terry Stanley
Local specialist in Canada | Replied on Aug 16, 2022

Thank you, Tina, for the stellar review! It was so much fun planning your pre & post cruise adventures in Iceland and I am thrilled that you had such a fantastic time. Happy travels!

A seamless and unforgettable adventure
Iceland | Jul 14 - Jul 24, 2022

Amber
Amber G.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Aug 02, 2022

We had the best time in Iceland! Every single attraction Terry set on our daily itinerary and paid adventures were so beautiful and fun.

We decided to book our trip through a travel agency, which we've never done before, because our Iceland adventure was part of a larger travel plan that we were already overwhelmed with booking. All through our time in Iceland, and since we got back, we've been congratulating each other on what a good idea that was!

We heard from Terry, our travel... read more

We had the best time in Iceland! Every single attraction Terry set on our daily itinerary and paid adventures were so beautiful and fun.

We decided to book our trip through a travel agency, which we've never done before, because our Iceland adventure was part of a larger travel plan that we were already overwhelmed with booking. All through our time in Iceland, and since we got back, we've been congratulating each other on what a good idea that was!

We heard from Terry, our travel agent, within a few hours of filling out our interest form. And she was amazing. She was responsive to our questions and our priorities, she worked with us as we chose and changed activities (often) and she was communicative about roadblocks.

And, to top it all off, she put in a ton of extra work--all in secret--to help me plan a surprise proposal in front of an Icelandic waterfall for my now fiancee! She was so helpful and excited about being my "secret agent," and she planned everything so perfectly. It all went without a hitch, and my fiancee hadn't expected any of it!

Thank you, Terry, for a trip of a lifetime!

Activity Reviews
Blue Lagoon
Iceland

A super relaxing first outing. What a great way to refresh and relax after a long trip!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Icelandic horse riding tour
Vík

Very fun! We learned about the horses and got to do the Icelandic gait. It would have been fun to go on a bit of a longer/more varied route.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
It was horses. What's not to like?
Zipline Adventure Tour
Iceland

Wonderful guides and such a fun adventure! It was the perfect length, as well. Zoom zoom! Such a thrill!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Fantastic! Loved the history we got sprinkled in, and the wonderful good humor. Total sweethearts!
Transport
Whales and Puffins
Iceland

A trip highlight! What an amazing experience. The boat was comfortable. We were given coveralls to keep us warm, and the tour guide was passionate and articulate. We really learned something on this trip, and our tour guide made us as tourists feel very connected to the larger cause of animal conversation in this beautiful country. Also puffins rock.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
A+
Transport
Boats are fun.
Local specialist: Terry Stanley
Terry
Terry Stanley
Local specialist in Canada | Replied on Aug 03, 2022

Thank you so very much for your glowing review ; I'm blushing! I'm thrilled that you had such an amazing adventure but even more so that we were able to keep the proposal a secret. That was so tough for me (but so exciting as well)! Congratulations, you two!

Terry was great to work...
Iceland | Jul 23 - Jul 30, 2022

Phyllis
Phyllis S.
Canada | Reviewed on Jul 31, 2022

Terry was great to work with and very patient as we tweaked our plans. Her advice was helpful and she made great suggestions we might not have discovered on our own. We had a relatively short time before jumping on a cruise in Reykjavík and Terry helped us make the most of it. We even squeaked two days on the Westman Islands, which was fantastic. We appreciated having all the arrangements made for us and there were no glitches or lost reservations. read more

Terry was great to work with and very patient as we tweaked our plans. Her advice was helpful and she made great suggestions we might not have discovered on our own. We had a relatively short time before jumping on a cruise in Reykjavík and Terry helped us make the most of it. We even squeaked two days on the Westman Islands, which was fantastic. We appreciated having all the arrangements made for us and there were no glitches or lost reservations.

Hotel Review
Guesthouse Nýpugarðar
Hofn

Our room was comfortable and extremely clean. It was so quiet with views that went on forever. We enjoyed a fully-loaded breakfast buffet with fresh bread and there was even rullapylsa, a cured lamb sliced meat that my mom used to make. That was a small, but very Icelandic touch.

Authenticity & Character
It had a homey feeling
Location
Fantastic views
Staff
Everyone was attentive and helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
Everything!
Activity Review
Reykjavik Beer & Booze Tour
Reykjavík

Ásþór shared his knowledge and experience with Icelandic breweries as well as his entertaining stories of Iceland and Reykjavík. We visited several pubs and tasted a variety of beers.

Quality of Experience
Great stories and info about beer in Iceland
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Ásþór had us all laughing.
Local specialist: Terry Stanley
Terry
Terry Stanley
Local specialist in Canada | Replied on Aug 03, 2022

Thank you so much for the wonderful review, Phyllis. I had great fun planning your Icelandic adventure with you!